Fight the repeal of ACA, Infringement events, Speak Out for Ethical Peace Officers + more
Dear Friends, 716-332-3904; 716-931-3520 7/24/17
Fight the push to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA)! (AKA, Obamacare)
These next few days may be the most important of this fight and we have to keep up the pressure. Congress is working to take away health coverage from 22 million Americans by repealing Obamacare. It will hurt everyone by stealing insurance, but women, transgender people, and marginalized communities will be hit the hardest. Republicans will soon vote on dropping coverage for mothers, people with disabilities, working families, and anyone who is vulnerable.
Saturday, July 29, is Healthcare National Day of Action and all across the country, hundreds of thousands of people will tell Senators NO to this attack on women, our families and our communities.
Please call 1.844.311.1880 and urge our senators to vote ‘no’ on any attempt to repeal or weaken the Affordable Care Act. You can let our Congress people know as well. All at 202-224-3121, or see wnypeace.org/GovtContactInfo.
Lots going on, especially about Racial Justice on Tuesday – and Resist Militarism virtually daily from July 29! – exciting events with nationally known guests and special opportunities! See you there!! Please also go to the calendar page as well as our Facebook page for information. We shall overcome!!
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Racial Justice Taskforce
Police Accountability – Ethics – Peaceful Approaches: Two Events on Tues, Jul 25 (tomorrow):
Demand Police Oversight
Protest cancellation of Police Oversight Committee, a merely biannual occurrence, caused by Buffalo Police not attending.
Tues, July 25, 1:30-4:00pm; Buffalo City Common Council, City Hall.
Speak Out for Ethical Peace Officers – 8th in a series. District C.
Police, public officials, and mayoral candidates will be invited, and all are welcome. Recruitment, Training, Personnel and Advancement Policies, Accountability and more will be discussed, in the inform-reform-transform paradigm.
Tuesday, July 25, 6:30-8:30pm; Rafi Greene CAO Masten Resource Center, 1423 Fillmore Ave, Buffalo
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Realigning Our Hearts: American Muslim Empowerment Conference
An Islamic Conference for Millennials ages 13 and up. All are welcome. Masjid An-Noor, and Jami Masjid will foster unity and empower youth to be confident in their Muslim identity through education and spiritual nourishment. The goal is to realign the hearts of young American Muslims with the spiritual traditions of Islam, as well as practical answers and resources to help them overcome our contemporary challenges. SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! CONTACT 716-332-3904 OR 716-931-3520.
Three-day event with a Day program and a Night program:
The Day program will be an opportunity to engage, challenge misconceptions, educate and cultivate a space for free and honest discourse about Islam in America at the University at Buffalo. Featuring National Activists: a keynote speech by Linda Sarsour (Women’s March, more), and discussions with leading Muslim visionaries including Hassan Shibly Esq. (CAIR), and Brother Tamer Osman plus local speakers.
The night program will emphasize spirituality, tradition, brotherhood and sisterhood in a serene atmosphere. The night will begin with a bonfire and barbeque, sports activities for men and women, followed by late night tea and open conversations on issues facing Muslims in America. Throughout the night, there will be prayer and recitations of the Holy Qur’an to nourish the heart in a tradition dating back to the Holy Prophet. Sponsored by WNY Muslims, True Intent Productions, and more.
To register: http://amecsite.org/tickets-purchase/ OR SEE ABOVE.
Friday July 28 5pm – Sunday July 30, 1pm. SUNY Buffalo, North Campus.
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Resist Militarism Taskforce
2017 Buffalo Infringement Festival, WNYPC presentation:
The Lonely Soldier Monologues: Women at War in Iraq – A staged reading of the play by Helen Benedict.
This play is a hard-hitting series of real-life accounts of military service by U.S. women who experienced war conditions, combat, often sexual harassment, and sometimes sexual assault from their own comrades. There is no glory in this play. It shows the underbelly of the U.S. military and the long-term effects on individuals who served.
Free and open to the public. (Donations encouraged.)
Saturday, July 29 and Thursday, August 3, 6pm. Burning Books Bookstore, 420 Connecticut Street, Buffalo.
Ask Me Anything, Infringement Festival: Inspired by Reddit and Seriously.TV.
Veterans and peace activists will be present to answer your questions about their experiences, perspectives, etc.
Times and venues include Saturday July 29, 3-5pm at Nickel City Housing Cooperative, Elmwood and North Streets. Also Mon 7/31 at 10am Lafayette Square; Tue 8/1 at 4pm Uncle Sam’s Army Navy; Sun 8/6 at 2pm Days Park.
Speaker Paul K. Chapell: Veteran for Peace, Author, and Peace Leadership Director for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. Sponsored by Pax Christi WNY, Veterans For Peace, and WNY Peace Center’s Resist Militarism! Taskforce.
Tuesday August 1, 7pm. Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St, Buffalo
Screening of “National Bird” – A documentary film about weaponized drones and drone warfare, directed by Sonia Kennebeck. Former drone technician Lisa Ling will be on hand, truth-telling about the drone program. Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station personnel are especially welcome.
From the film’s website: www.nationalbirdfilm.com
“National Bird follows the dramatic journey of three whistleblowers who are determined to break the silence around one of the most controversial current affairs issues of our time: the secret U.S. drone war. At the center of the film are three U.S. military veterans. Plagued by guilt over participating in the killing of faceless people in foreign countries, they decide to speak out publicly, despite the possible consequences.”
Wednesday, August 2, 7-11pm. Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.
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Stop The Violence Coalition (STVC)
5th Annual Memorial Celebration of Lives Lost due to Homicides. With free food for all community, family and friends. Come join the fun, food, fellowship and have a good time at this drama-free event. Giveaways. All Lives Matter.
Saturday July 29, 12pm-7pm. Martin Luther King Park (Fillmore side near MLK Head).
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Environmental Justice Taskforce
Meeting: Thursday August 3, 6-7:30 pm. Crane Library, 633 Elmwood, at Highland.
Indigenous Peoples/Nuclear Free Future Day
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People.
Indigenous speakers and musicians. About Solid and Liquid Nuclear Waste being transported over our bridges and byways. Also, Japanese lantern ceremony at dusk – Toro Nagashi – remembering victims of Nuclear weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nuclear issues, support renewables will be featured. Sponsored by the Buffalo History Museum, Indigenous Women’s Initiatives, WNY Peace Center, Sierra Club, WNY Drilling Defense, and more.
Tuesday August 8, 3pm to dusk. The Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court (Elmwood just past R#198), Buffalo, New York.
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ERIE COUNTY LANDOWNERS FIGHT NATIONAL FUEL EMINENT DOMAIN
Come stand with the Erie Co Landowners going to court to fight unnecessary eminent domain condemnation. Following clerical errors, the case of National Fuel suing Erie County landowners to invoke eminent domain has been postponed for what is believed to be the final time. National Fuel Gas is still moving forward with eminent domain proceedings, despite the Northern Access pipeline project being denied all necessary state water permits. This is the third and final case as landowners in Allegany and Cattaraugus counties have already been sued by National Fuel. Landowners and concerned citizens will be available for interview following the proceedings.
Friday August 4, 10am-5pm. Erie County Court, 25 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY (Part 21). (Check at
716-845-9486 to see whether court is taking place.)
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ONGOING CAMPAIGNS
Resist Militiarism! Taskforce
Support Roots Action’s call for a ban of weaponized drones. Our government is setting up killer drone bases all over the country and all over the world. The 107th Attack Squadron at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is slated to begin assassinations from there by the end of the year, possibly the end of the summer. It is past time to grow the opposition to these horrors. Ban Weaponized Drones:
http://act.rootsaction.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6180
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Immigrant & Refugee Justice Taskforce
Please call your NYS Assembly Members and ask them to support NYS ASSEMBLY Bill #4050. The subject Greenlight program restores access to drivers’ licenses to all community members, to avoid abusive immigration enforcement. For more info, please go to
https://www.facebook.com/GreenLightNY/; Green Light Petition
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Vive la Casa, shelter for people awaiting documents and/or sanctuary, desperately needs toiletries, razors, toothbrushes, sanitary napkins/maxipads, storage shelves, baskets for storage and of course, CASH.
(Checks to Jericho Road/VIVE) 50 Wyoming St., Buffalo, NY 14211, 892-4354.
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Please support the Sanctuary Church, Pilgrim St. Luke’s UCC, (Utica and Richmond, Buffalo, NY 14222), with CASH to support the construction of showers.
For more info, call Rev. Justo Gonzales, (989-9207 or 885-9443).
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Farm Workers Fair Labor Law
We still urge those of you who reside in Sen. Chris Jacobs NYS Senatorial District to communicate with him on the Farm Workers Fair Labor Law. It supports farm workers, and includes them in fair labor bills in New York State. Sen. Jacobs WNY phone number is: 716-854-8705 or Jacobs@nysenate.gov.
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REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS in the One Movement, One Struggle
Riverside-Salem UCC/DC Progressive program and potluck.
Sundays, 4-7pm. Programs vary, and include a go-round, discussion, sharing, and potluck. Jam session this weekend: bring your musical instrument and/or your ears!
Environmental Cottage, 3449 West River Road, Grand Island.
Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center Radio Show on 91.3FM, WBNY
Mondays, 1-3pm.
Go to wbny.buffalostate.edu or http://tunein.com/radio/WBNY-913-s27549/.
Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors/Nekanesakt
Every other Tuesday, 6:30-8pm – next is Tues, August 1. Meeting with discussion, action planning, and striving for the Good Mind, at Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St. Also supported by Indigenous Women’s Initiatives, NACS, Sierra Club, WNYPC.
Resist Militarism! Taskforce
2nd Thursday of month, 1-2:30pm, WNYPC, 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance & parking round back), regular taskforce planning meeting re vigils, National Bird showing(s), Infringement events, etc.
also
2nd and 4th Thursdays of month, 3:30-4:30pm. Vigil at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Lockport Road Entrance. Call Russell 716-570-5200 for carpooling.
Environmental Justice Taskforce
Protest the Shipments of VERY Dangerous Radioactive Liquid from Canada.
Fridays 2-3pm, Front Park, Buffalo.
Fridays, 6pm: Stop The Violence Coalition, United Way Building, Delaware and Summer Sts.
Saturdays, Noon-1pm: Women In Black. Nonviolence vigil, Bidwell and Elmwood.
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More listings on calendar page and in previous email posts.
Please submit possible listings for consideration to weeklynews@wnypeace.org.
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Many thanks, peace, solidarity, and yes – Love. We shall overcome!!