Flowers 4 Sen Gillibrand 2/14, 11:15am; & way more! 2-10-17
Dear Friends, 716-332-3904
Another “frequent update!” to let you know about numerous important events – especially this week. Please especially notice
* Flowers for Sen. Gillibrand! February 14 @ 11:15 am – 12:00 pm. Sen. Gillibrand has the best voting record of all regarding Trump’s proposed #swampcabinet!! Please come to a TRUTHFUL TUESDAYS thank-you for valentine Sen. Gillibrand!! Flowers provided, and you can bring your own thank you cards, notes, and signs! We’ll gather in Larkin Building’s West Lobby (at Van Rensselaer & Exchange). Parking at east side of lot on other side of Exchange St. See you there!!
Also, here’s more info on:
* Huddle: Coalition Building and Action Planning, Sun, Feb 12, 1:30pm at 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance & pkg round back). We’ll start out with an overview of what’s happening locally, as well as national days of action that have been called for. Followed by break-out sessions by issue, tentatively following our taskforces, to be adjusted by group interest. Then we’ll come back together for report-backs, and next steps! Especially good for reps of various local peace & justice groups, and new activists. All are welcome. (Signing up on our FB event page is helpful but not required.) Parking will be insufficient so, after the NRC parking is filled, we can go to Unity Church across the street, and especially Lancaster etc. for street parking. CARPOOLING IS RECOMMENDED (AS IS PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND WALKING).
And
* WNYPC quarterly membership meeting Sat., Feb 18, at 2pm at 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance & pkg round back): Come review, reassess, and help us plan! New taskforces, new energy, and renewed hope in the face of Crisis = Opportunity. You can renew your membership on line, at the meeting, or by mail. Potluck as well.
Also note
*Monday’s talk on ecologically sound heating and cooling by Dr. Arjun Makhajani (he’ll also be a guest on our Monday radio show; more info on both below);
*a rally for Labor and against Puzder’s nomination immediately before, at 5:30pm at McDonald’s at Main and Utica;
*CRUCIAL the Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors gathering on Tuesday (crucial after Trump’s Executive Order and the Army Corps’ subsequent permit); Also please call Secretary of Defense James Mattis and urge him not to grant the easement without a full Environmental Impact Statement that properly consults the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and upholds treaty obligations. Call: 703-571-3343, Extension 5 to leave a message.
*People concerned about New York State farm workers legislation & live in State Sen Chris Jacobs District, please contact Wayne Alt who’s arranging a visit to Sen Jacobs’ district office. Email wayne269alt@gmail.com, or call 716-430-9955
We’re grateful to you and all for a wonderful showing at the protest at Chris Collins’ Wherle Drive Office (80 despite the pouring rain); and at the No Nothern Access Pipeline! – NAPL public hearings, where many spoke – and eloquently! You can still send in written testimony
until Feb 24! For more info, go to niagarasierraclub.com/issues/northern-access-pipeline/. Water is Life!!
Peace/Salam/Shalom/Shanti! Nya weh/Asanti/Gracias/Tashakor/Thanks!!
***
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE
*Mon, Feb 13, Gas is the Problem. Environmentally sound heating and cooling. Special renown guest Arjun Makhajani, President, Institute for Energy & Environmental Research. Unitarian Universalist Church @ Elmwood and Ferry, Buffalo NY. Sierra Club & PUSH.
* Northern Access Pipeline – Emergency! Written public comment may still be submitted. For details, go to
https://niagarasierraclub.com/issues/northern-access-pipeline/
***
CAMPAIGNS:
**
Join the PeaceAction NYS campaign at No Fear, No Hate, No Nukes.
You can sign on individually or sign up your organization. We’ll be organizing congressional visits during the week of February 20; more info as it becomes available. Meanwhile please sign on!
*
We still need calls to Senators, including our own Schumer (please join us Mon, 2/13, 11:15am at the Larkin to thank Sen. Gillibrand; see above). Some Republicans also might be willing to change their vote such as Sens. Collins, Heller, McCain, Portman, etc. We want to encourage all to do absolutely everything possible to block the #SwampCabinet that Trump is pushing! The epitome of foxes proposed to guard chicken house. Follow link at go.ourrevolution.com (or dial 844-311-2016. Sending snail mail and signing petitions is also good.!
Info re Cabinet and Other Proposed Officials:
*Neil Gorsuch: Supreme Court nominee, is a staunch supporter of the 2nd-amendment, believes th police are virtually immune to prosecution due to their authority, and is likely to assist in overturning Roe v. Wade as he supports allowing „religious freedom“ as an excuse for providing contraception.
*Sen. Jeff Sessions: TOO LATE. Outrageous as Atty Gen as he has a history of racism,AND recently would NOT say when asked that irreligious persons may be just as correct as others in assessing law.
*Steve Mnuchin: wildly inappropriate as Treasury Secretary as he has made millions on leaving the bank he directed that undertook rampant foreclosures on homeowners on trivial excuses.
*Scott Pruitt: out for leading the Environmental Protection Agency as he is (outrageously) a climate change denier (!?!) and has sued the EPA 11 yes eleven times.
*Rick Perry: imagine Rick Perry in charge of our nuclear program. He could even remember the name of the Department of Energy when he was trying to tell people he wanted to eliminate it.
*Andrew Pudzer: (see Rally 2/13, 5:30 at Main & Utica) Andrew Pudzer’s disdain for Labor is clear in his being against the minimum wage. He’s one of the worst possible picks for Labor Secretary.
*and more …..
***
* Buffalo 25 IMPORTANT UPDATE!
No more calls to the U.S. Attorney’s office are wanted at this time. Thank you.
Situation worse: 6 have been convicted and 3 are facing possible imprisonment, up to 10 years of incarceration (followed by deportation). Families cannot work for livelihood. Please send contributions for the Buffalo 25 and their families Payable to
Trinity Episcopal Church (with #Buffalo25 on the memo line of your check)
Trinity Episcopal Church 371 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202.
*
Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors! URGENT
Trump’s executive order and the Army Corps of Engineers’ permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone pipelines have created an emergency situation!!
Weekly meeting Tuesdays, 6:30pm. Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St., Buffalo.
You can donate through the Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors Group. Warm winter clothes especially outer garments can be brought to Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St., Buffalo. Money can be donated on-line through Riverside-Salem UCC/DC (http://riversidesalem.org/ . (Specify “Standing Rock.”) and/or make check contributions for Standing Rock Water Protectors (with “Standing Rock” on the memo line of your check) Payable to: Riverside-Salem UCC/DC (write “Standing Rock” on the memo line of your check) PO Box 207, Grand Island, NY 14072
***
RESIST MILITARISM! TASKFORCE
2nd and 4th Thurs of month, next one February 9: Resist Militarism! Anti-Weaponized-Drone Vigil at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, 3:30-4:30pm. Call Russell, 570-5200 for carpooling.
***
RACIAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE
Cariol Horne Whistleblowers’ Fund This fund, created by the WNYPC, was created a to support police officers who face reprisals from their department for choosing to strictly uphold their oath to protect and serve the community. The fund is named for Cariol Horne, former police officer, who faced reprisals when she saved the life of a citizen who was being subjected to excessive force on her duty. She was fired just prior to earning her 20-year pension. The goal of the fund is to encourage good police officers to follow their moral conscience if and when it conflicts with the infamous blue wall of silence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_wall_of_silence). The first day $565 was raised. Please go to https://www.gofundme.com/cariol-horne-whistleblower-fund to contribute. Many Thanks!!
***
Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties (NACS)
All Our Relations Project (AOR) The “All Our Relations” project is aimed at increasing the mutual respect, understanding, and collaborations between Native and Non-Native groups, organizations, persons, and others, as well as contributing to the health and wellbeing of the Native American community & friends. Free Cultural competency training in a wide variety of areas, voluntary case management, and many Native cultural programs. To register, call Pete Hill, 716 874-2797, ext 348, or phill@nacswny.org
Save the Dates:
*Tuesday February 14, 1-4:30pm: “Addressing Unresolved Historical Trauma – A Native American Path towards Healing for All Our Relations” in honor of Black History Month. Pete Hill (Cayuga, Heron Clan) Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Branch Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208
*Friday, February 17, 1-4:30pm: “Traditional Teachings of the Good Mind”, Michael Martin (Onondaga, Beaver Clan). NACS office, 1005 Grant Street.
*Friday, February 24, 1-3:30pm: “Traditional Teachings of the Good Mind”, Michael Martin (Onondaga, Beaver Clan). John Duke Senior Center, 1201 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14305.
***
Other regularly scheduled efforts in the One Struggle, One Movement:
Fridays 6pm: Stop The Violence Coalition, United Way Bldg, Delaware and Summer Sts.
Saturdays, Noon-1pm: Women In Black. Nonviolence vigil, Bidwell and Elmwood.
Sundays, 4pm Riverside-Salem UCC/DC progressive program and potluck. 3449 West River Road, Grand Island. THIS WEEK ON WHITE PRIVILEGE (3RD IN SERIES).
Mondays, 1-3pm, Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center radio show on 91.3FM WBNY; with Avery Edwards, Vicki Ross, and special guests. Go to wnby.buffalostate.edu or http://tunein.com/radio/WBNY-913-s27549/.
Tuesdays, 6:30pm Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors! EMERGENCY! Part of Nekanesakt. Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St., Buffalo.
2nd and 4th Thurs of month: Resist Militarism! Anti-Weaponized-Drone Vigil at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, 3:30-4:30pm. Call Russell, 570-5200 for carpooling.
1st and 3rd Thurs of month: Interfaith Peace Network meeting and breakfast-luck, 8am-9:30am; NRC Bldg, 1272 Delaware Ave. Parking round back.
*****
###