Today: call for HealthCare; Film tonight. Thurs#FREEnewyork; Sat Members’Fling!

Dear Friends!            716-332-3904; 716-931-3520         2/12/18

Please join us calling for NYS Health Care today! Today is the statewide call-in day to the New York State Senate for the New York Health Act (S4840)!

We are asking New Yorkers across the state to call (email and/or tweet!) your State Senator today and ask them to fight for truly universal, guaranteed healthcare!

The Assembly passed the New York Health Act three years in a row. Now we need the Senate to do the same!

If Chris Jacobs is your State Senator, you can also meet with his reps on Thurs, 2/15, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Niagara Branch Library, 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo. Any topic is welcome, so universal Health Care and the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act (S. 2721/ A. 4189) are both key issues to mention (for more info on the latter, go to http://ruralmigrantministry.org/farmworker-fair-labor-human-rights-hearing

Lots more going on – hope to see you tonight at the Central Public Library for At the River I Stand (film showing, part of the #PoorPeoplesCampaign), #FreeNewYork for much needed change to the criminal justice system (Thurday, 5:30-8pm, 1199 SEIU, 2421 Main [at Jewett]), our Membership Fling on Saturday (3-5pm WNYPC worry-free potluck – and bring your springiest plate!), LASC Coffehouse on Puerto Rico on 2/26, and much more. Please check out http://wnypeace.org/wp/ for the latest post and calendar.

#unitethestruggles             We shall overcome – Together!/Harambe!!

Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, Justice, and yes Love.

 

Please plan to come to our Bringing in the Spring Membership Fling for inspiration, education, action, and fun on Sat, 2/17, 3-5pm at the WNYPC (1272 Delaware Ave, entrance & parking round back). No-worries potluck, please bring your springiest plate), and #unitethestruggles. Check out the taskforces, Poor People’s Campaign, and much more.

#PowerWITH-NOTPowerOver

Remember to tune in: DEMOCRACY NOW! IS NOW BEING BROADCAST MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8AM-9AM (LIVE) ON WBNY 91.3FM. Hear it over the radio or streaming live at wbny.buffalostate.edu or http://tunein.com/radio/WBNY-913-s27549/.

Below are
– more event listings (see also calendar & facebook page);
– Taskforce items and campaigns; and
– regularly scheduled events – all in that order.
And be sure to go to wnypeace.org/calendar for more event listings – there’s plenty more and additions are frequent! …..

Coming Soon: WNY Peace Center Spring Membership Fling (Bringing in the Spring) Sat February 17, 3pm.
Details below!

No hate, no fear as we are #StillResisting.  #UnitetheStruggles !
Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.    #loveisloveBUF   <3

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EVENT LISTINGS

Film: At the River I Stand

Mon, February 12 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Come see a wonderfully inspiring movie on Rev. Dr. King’s last stand, and get connected to the revival of Rev. Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign! Stopping the quadruple evils of Poverty, Racism/Bigotry, Militarism and now Environmental Degradation. Refreshments provided! Erie County Central Public Library (Downtown Buffalo) -Auditorium: 1 Lafayette Sq. This moving documentary recounts the two months leading to Martin Luther King Jr.’s death in 1968, coinciding with the 65-day strike of 1300 Memphis sanitation workers. Sponsored by the NAACP, Food for All, CEJ, Voice Buffalo, the WNY Peace Center, and more.

C District Community Police Meeting

Weds, February 14 @ 6:00 pm

This is a chance for community members to meet with the district chief and community police officers with the Buffalo Police Department. “C” District 693 East Ferry

E District Community Police Meeting

February 14 @ 6:00 pm

This is a chance for community members to meet with the district chief and community police officers with the Buffalo Police Department. “E” District 2777 Bailey Avenue

#FREEnewyork Town Hall

February 15 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

(town hall on criminal justice system, held at SEIU 1199, 2421 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214) On any given day, 25,000 New Yorkers are caged in county jails across our state. The abuse that occurs in these jails is rampant. Human rights violations, racial disparity, violence, and medical neglect are commonplace. We need change – and will work together in coalition to make it happen.

Bring in the Spring Membership Fling

February 17 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Bring on the Spring Membership Fling will be a fun, informative, and inspiring opportunity for us all to connect. Come find out how we’re uniting the struggles, and get more involved with the task forces. At 1272 Delaware Avenue (entrance & parking round back).  Come share some music, ideas and a (worry-free) potluck. You can sign up at facebook.com/MembershipFling

 

#RuleofLaw March

February 19 @ 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Come march to support the #RuleofLaw. March starts at 1:30pm at The Marcy Casino, west on Iroquois Drive to Elmwood, south on Elmwood to Bidwell, left around the block at Bidwell to get back on Elmwood going North, retracing steps back to Marcy Casino starting point (est end-time 2:30pm). No one is above the law. Come out for principle and ethics, and yes #RuleofLaw!

 

Monday 2/19. #RuleofLaw March! 1:30-2:30pm. Come march to support the #RuleofLaw. March starts at 1:30pm at The Marcy Casino, west on Iroquois Drive to Elmwood, south on Elmwood to Bidwell, left around the block at Bidwell to get back on Elmwood going North, retracing steps back to Marcy Casino starting point (est end-time 2:30pm). No one is above the law, including #45 and our government. See more at calendar event page! #unitethestruggles #powertothepolls #
Sponsored by PeaceAction Canisius College, MoveOn.org (WNY); StandUpWNY; Sister District WNY; WNY Peace Center.

Remember India Cummings

February 21 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Where: Erie County Holding Center (10 Delaware Ave) India Cummings was released from the Erie County Holding Center without charge on 17 February 2016, but she was found to be brain-dead when she was examined at the hospital. Come remember her and #sayhername. Come out for real change at the ECHC and Sheriff’s Dept!!

L.A.S.C. WNY Coffeehouse: Puerto Rico

February 26 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

(at Canisius College Science Hall Lounge, Main at Jefferson). Speakers: Nadia Pizarro and Jose Pizarro, Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria Relief Fund Relief efforts- future recovery After September 22nd Puerto Rico was without electricity and clean water, and the government did not respond effectively. Within days, groups formed through the Olivencia and Belle centers to provide info and engage many local services in relief efforts. Come find out more and how to help out now!

Portraits of Struggle Photography
January 26 – February 24 2018; Flux Gallery (1st Floor), CEPA, 617 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Global Justice Ecology Project and Langelle Photography. Orin Langelle’s new exhibit, *Portraits of Struggle*, captures the efforts of people striving for justice all over the globe (incl in Chiapas, @World Bank & G-8 protest, Indigenous struggles, more).

For more events on the WNYPC calendar go to wnypeace.org!

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TASKFORCE ITEMS AND CAMPAIGNS

ECONOMIC JUSTICE TASKFORCE

Please call our state senators TODAY (see above) and ask them to support The New York Health Act, the bill to guarantee health care to all New Yorkers, passed the NY State Assembly for the third consecutive year in 2017. Call now to help #PassNYHealth in the State Senate. Contact info is on our website
wnypeace.org/governmental-contact-info/). Learn more nyhcampaign.org

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EDUCATION & HUMAN RIGHTS TASKFORCE PEACEJAM has started at Lafayette HS Community School Saturdays 10:30-11:30am. Come for Inspiration, Education, and Action.

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE

Come out to Riverside Salem on Sunday, 2-18 to learn more about Divestment from Fossil Fuels (and anything else you want to campaign on divestment from!). See below under regular events.

Action Alert re Stone Dam Road Pipeline: go to wnypeace.org/environmental-justice/

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GENDER JUSTICE TASKFORCE

If you believe that discrimination against all women should be eliminated please support enacting the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in the city of Buffalo. Follow this link for more information: https://cities4cedaw-buffalo.org/ and contact your district’s councilperson to urge them to support this ordinance too.
Darius G. Pridgen- Ellicott District- 716-851-4980
Christopher P. Scanlon- South District- 716-851-5169
David A. Rivera- Niagara District- 716-851-5125
Joel P. Feroleto- Delaware District- 716-851-5155
Richard A. Fontana- Lovejoy District- 716-851- 5151
David A. Franczyk- Fillmore District- 716-851-4138
Joseph Golombek, Jr.- North District- 716-851-5116
Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr.- Masten District- 716-851-5145
Rasheed Wyatt- University District- 716-851-5165
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IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE JUSTICE TASKFORCE

Calls are still needed to your NYS Assembly Members to ask them to support NYS ASSEMBLY Bill #4050. The GreenLight NY program restores access to drivers’ licenses to all community members, to avoid abusive immigration enforcement.  For more info, please see Dec 11 online presentation mentioned above or go to
https://www.facebook.com/GreenLightNY/; Green Light Petition

Vive la Casa, shelter for people awaiting documents and/or sanctuary, still desperately needs personal hygiene products and of course, CASH.
jrchc.org/vive
(Checks to Jericho Road/VIVE) 50 Wyoming St., Buffalo, NY 14211, 892-4354.

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LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE (LASC)

Stand with Sen. Sanders: Rebuild Puerto Rico
The situation is still dire in Puerto Rico. Please go to the link below to see what you can do to Stand with Puerto Rico (and Sen Sanders).
https://act.credoaction.com/sign/sanders_puerto_rico?t=8&akid=26241%2E8770573%2Evra5l7

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As you know, people desperately need our help because of the devastation caused by “natural” disasters (read fossil-fuel-burning-generated Climate Catastrophe). You can contribute as follows:
Puerto Rico—Go to hispanicheritagewny.org for a full report on ways to help.
We also recommend:

Mutual Aid Community Soup Kitchens Paypal address:  cdpecpr@gmail.com run by Giovanni Roberto, friend of MaryAnne Grady Flores (UpstateDroneAction.org and Puerto Rico activist].

The Mariafund.org is another fund governed by many grassroots community groups.
Cuba—Alliance for Global Justice/Irma Relief, 418 W. 145th St.. New York, NY 10031 (for tax deductible). Not tax deductible, IFCO/Irma Relief (same address) Phone: 212-926-5757                   Please give generously – the situations continue to be terrible for many!!

Chenalhó, Chiapas—Humanitarian crisis
This article in the National Catholic reporter gives a brief overview of the situation.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/enough-deaths-mexican-clergy-reiterate-chiapas-crisis

If you would like to help, go to weaving-for-justice.org

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PRISONER’S RIGHTS TASKFORCE

Join us in promoting the H.A.L.T. Solitary Confinement campaign. Please call your State Senators and Congresspersons and ask them to cosponsor and vote for the bills A. 3080 / S. 4784.
Ways you can help:
RSVP for the upcoming Advocacy Day, March 13, to demand passage of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act: https://goo.gl/z22oVf

Sign the petition to support the HALT Solitary Confinement Act: https://goo.gl/HLwqbK

Encourage your organization to endorse the HALT Solitary Confinement Act: https://goo.gl/forms/FM2F6DZAcPZp1co32

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RACIAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE

THE CARIOL HORNE WHISTLEBLOWER FUND
The Western New York Peace Center has created a fund for the purpose of supporting police officers who face reprisals from their department from choosing to strictly uphold their oath to protect and serve the community.  gofundme.com/cariol-horne-whistleblower-fund. The Peace Center has named this fund after Cariol Horne who saved the life of a citizen, but was fired just prior to earning her 20-year pension.  Our goal is to encourage good police officers in following their moral conscience if and when it conflicts with the infamous blue wall of silence.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_wall_of_silence

Join the #BuffaloLLEP movement. It’s easy.

Join the hundreds of Buffalonians who make up the #BuffaloLLEP movement, asking Mayor Byron Brown to make low-level marijuana arrests Buffalo’s lowest level enforcement priority (LLEP).
People across the U.S. recognize what a destructive failure the 40-year “war on drugs” has been. In Buffalo, the news hasn’t sunken in yet, though, as those living in communities of color & low-income areas are still disproportionately targeted by law enforcement for marijuana arrests. Join the #BuffaloLLEP movement to stop these unfair & harmful enforcement tactics!
Learn more.

Each Police District has a Chief and Community Police Meeting. We encourage people to go to them and communicate freely on issues of concern. D District is scheduled for Feb 7, 11am-Noon. 699 Hertel Avenue. Temporary: 205 Esser Avenue. (To check on meeting because of weather 716- 851-4413)

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RESIST MILITARISM! TASKFORCE

Please call your Senators and Congresspersons to urge them to vote in favor and cosponsor if possible Senator Markey’s Bill # 200 and House Bill, Rep Lieu # 669, to Restrict First Strike with Nuclear Weapons.

Please sign on to Credo Action’s Stop Police Militarization petition here.

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REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS in the One Movement, One Struggle

Riverside-Salem UCC/DC Sunday. Followed by potluck. Sundays, 4-7pm. Divestment from Fossil Fuels and more. Environmental Cottage, 3449 West River Road, Grand Island.

Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center Radio Show on 91.3FM, WBNY. Mondays, 1-4pm. Jim Anderson & Vicki Ross co-hosting. Call-in show! Remote broadcast of #RuleofLaw March; and special guest Lynda Schneekloth re West Valley Nuclear Waste Clean-up. Go to wbny.buffalostate.edu or http://tunein.com/radio/WBNY-913-s27549/.

Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors/Nekanesakt. Indigenous support group/allies. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 6:30-8pm. At Burning Books, 420 CT Ave. All are welcome!!

Interfaith Peace Network
1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, breakfast pot-luck 8-9:30am, NRC, 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo NY 14209 (entrance and parking round back).

Environmental Justice Taskforce
Protest the Shipments of VERY Dangerous Radioactive Liquid from Canada.
Fridays 2-3pm, Front Park, Buffalo. Email Charley Bowman renewableenergy@wnypeace.org with your phone number for him to call and let you know whether (weather 😉 the vigil will take place that particular Friday. Or just show up and bring your own sign if you’re not sure others will be there!!

Fridays – 1st and 3rd of the month; 6pm: Stop The Violence Coalition,
United Way Building, Delaware and Summer Sts.

Saturdays, Noon-1pm: Women In Black. Nonviolence vigil, Bidwell and Elmwood. Signs also available. (and you don’t need to be a woman or dress in black 😉

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More listings on website (wnypeace.org) and in previous email posts.
To subscribe, write to weeklynews@wnypeace.org with “subscribe” in subject line.
To unsubscribe, write to weeklynews@wnypeace.org with “unsubscribe” in subject line.

(Sorry for occasional delays!)

Please submit possible listings for consideration to weeklynews@wnypeace.org.
Many thanks, peace, solidarity, and yes – Love. We shall overcome!!