The effect of COVID-19 on Social Movements in New York

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Food Justice,
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

It is no secret that the SARS-COVID-19 pandemic left a rippling impact on virtually every aspect of society; however, as we see some of the effects of COVID-19 in the form of food shortages and rising prices of essential goods, many people are becoming more interested in understanding the ways the pandemic has affected our way of life. This research explores the multiple impacts of COVID-19 on social movements, with a particular focus on the many ways COVID-19 has both helped and hindered the objectives of these social movements. This poster highlights food justice movements in Buffalo and New York State, specifically, and how COVID-19 has contributed to shifts in their organizational goals and strategies. My findings outline the key factors that have impacted food justice movements, such as 1) the ways in which the implementation of public health measures to protect people from the effects of COVID-19 have impacted local and state food systems, 2) the inequitable conditions faced by traditionally marginalized communities that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated, and 3) how, despite the many negative ways the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the success of community organizers, it has also had many positive outcomes such as the expansion of community aid networks and increased accessibility in educational efforts.