Radical King tonight; Poor People’s Campaign ongoing; Earth Day +

Thanks to Activists of Buffalo for the above – and so many wonderful – picture(s)!!

Dear Friends!            716-332-3904; 716-931-3520         4/18/18

Once again, we’re just barely in time to let you know that, again, If you get moving right away you could make it to the next of our ongoing series studying The Radical King, edited by Rev Dr Cornel West, facilitated by Racial Justice Taskforce Chair Heron Simmonds and Chris Knoblauch – tonight at 7pm at the WNYPC (NRC Bldg, 1272 Delaware Ave, entrance and pkg round back of bldg).

That will help prepare you for the new Poor People’s Campaign, originally started by Rev Dr King just before he was murdered, now revived by Rev Dr William Barber. Also known as A National Call for Moral Revival, it is uniting tens of thousands of people across the country to challenge the evils of systemic racism (and bigotry of all kinds), poverty/materialism, militarism/violence, and ecological devastation. The 40 days of action will kick-off on Mother’s Day and includes Moral Mondays gone national. More than 40 state capitals – including Albany – will see weekly moral fusion direct action.

To be part of it, register for the Nonviolent Direct Action Training – Poor People’s Campaign: it’s April 28 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1080 Main St, Buffalo. To register, call 716-332-3904; email office@wnypeace.org; or go to facebook event page.

Anytime now, #45 may fire Mueller or Rob Rosenstein. If it happens, we’ll gather and the Marcy Casino for a march down and up Elmwood. Stay tuned, and/or text Text “ALERT” to 668-366 to get rapid response updates.

And again, this weekend will be big, with
– PUSH preparing people (@271 Grant at 2-5pm on Sat, 4/21) for a great Cuomo Walk the Talk event on Monday in Albany (lvg 4:30am from same; free);
– Earth Day Sunday gatherings including
—all-day Water Run-Paddle-Walk, starting with Sunrise 6am Ceremony at West Valley Nuclear Site, continuing on to variously Run-Paddle-Walk 32 miles to Sunset Ceremony at Seneca Nation Beach; returning to Cattaraugus Community Center 12767 NY-438 Irving NY 14081. To carpool, come at 4:30am to Burning Books, 420 Connecticut Ave.
— Interfaith Climate Justice Earth Day Celebration, Sunday 4:30-6pm, 4660 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY 14221,

And don’t forget on Monday, the all-day, all-important trip to Albany for the environment (see above); the LASC Coffehouse on Mayan Education (7pm at Canisius Col Sci Hall Lounge, see calendar); and it’s the LAST DAY for comments on West Valley (including asking for extension of the comment period; see https://www.addup.org/campaigns/west-valley-deserves-a-full-clean-up—comment-on-the-seis-today (For more info, you can contact Lia Oprea, WECAP, Cell: 310-770-3288).

#unitethestruggles and #stoptheviolence – Real change is possible! We Shall Overcome!

Again, please go to our website wnypeace.org and facebook page for more events and campaigns, with new ones cropping up all the time! (Keep checking  😉    We’re all in this together – Harambe!!

#unitethestruggles

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

#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! …..

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

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EVENT LISTINGS

The Radical King Book Club Meeting

April 18 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

April 18th 7-8:30pm Place: WNY Peace Center/ Network of Religious Communities 1272 Delaware Ave Join The Radical King Book Club Meeting for the first event of discussing the book The Radical King by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Author), Cornel West (Editor) “The radical King was a democratic socialist who sided with poor and working people in the class struggle […]

Protecting Our Waters From the Lake of Betrayal to Defend Ohiyo

April 19 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

April 19 from 6-7:30 pm at Crane Branch Library 633 Elmwood at Highland The Sierra Club Climate and Clean Energy Writers Groups session Protecting Our Waters From the Lake of Betrayal to Defend Ohiyo Presented by Caleb Abrams, Onodow’ga (Seneca) Filmmaker and multimedia artist Caleb’s Presentation and discussion will cover impacts on water and the Seneca people from the displacement […]

A District Community Police Meeting

April 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am

This is a chance for community members to meet with the district chief and community police officers with the Buffalo Police Department. “A” District 1847 South Park Avenue

Earth Democracy: Sustainability, Justice and Peace

April 20 @ 2:30 am – 4:00 pm

Come see and hear one of the leaders of democracy, peace and food movement — Vandana Shiva!  She has been in the forefront of the anti-GMO movement and has worked with farmers across the globe for food justice.  She brings together social justice and ecological justice in her work. UB  Center for the Arts Screening Room, UB North. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. https://www.buffalo.edu/renew/Lecture/vandana-shiva.html.

Info session for 4/23 trip: “Cuomo Walk the Talk- Climate” in Albany

April 21 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Come on out to PUSH’s Grant St Neighborhood Ctr, 271 Grant, for info and inspiration related to the 4/23 trip: “Cuomo Walk the Talk- Climate” in Albany. (see that date for more info on trip, and/or just come out on Sat!)

Cattaraugus Creek Water Walkerz Nuclear Free Water Walk Earth Day Run, Walk, Paddle!

April 22 @ 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

6 AM  Sunrise Ceremony West Valley Nuclear Site 10282 Rock Spring RD West Valley 14171 Runners depart at 7 Am 11 Am Water ceremony Aldrich Street Bridge Gowanda, NY 14070 walkers and Paddlers depart, walkers may join at anytime 2 PM Cattaraugus Community Center 12767 NY-438 Irving NY 14081 All depart CCC at 3 pm, etc. For more info, please go to the wnypeace.org calendar’s event pages.

Climate March & Rally: Cuomo Walk the Talk re Climate

April 23 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

At Albany, Capitol Building. In the face of increasingly reckless Trump administration policies on social and environmental issues, New York is leading the nation in the rhetoric of resistance. But with the ferocious pace of climate change, our policies are not keeping up with our posturing. New Yorkers want bolder action on climate change. For more info, please go to the wnypeace.org calendar’s event pages.

April LASC coffeehouse: Maya Education Foundation

April 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Dr. Christine Eber  and Dr. Laura McClusky on their work with MEF http://mayaedufound.org/ At Canisius College Science Hall Lounge, Main and Jefferson. Christine Eber holds her Ph.D. in anthropology from SUNY Buffalo and is Professor Emerita of Anthropology at New Mexico State University. Her research and applied work have focused on the gendered aspects of social change in highland Chiapas, Mexico, specifically Tzotzil-Maya women’s participation.

Nonviolent Direct Action Training – Poor People’s Campaign

April 28 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Come on out for shared learning of the principles, spirit, and practices for Nonviolent Direct Action training, especially for the Poor People’s Campaign and it’s 40 days of action to run starting Mothers’ Day. At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1080 Main St, Buffalo. Please join us for Rev Dr King’s principles of nonviolence, Rev Dr Barber’s moral fusion, and more. No worries potluck and community building.

 

TASKFORCE ITEMS AND CAMPAIGNS

ECONOMIC JUSTICE TASKFORCE

Join the Poor People’s Campaign – WNY. More info coming, and see more on NYS at NYS Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

Please call our state senators to 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 is at Lafayette HS Community School Saturdays 10:30-11:30am, April 28 and May 12. Come for Inspiration, Education, and Action. Buff State Kinesthetic Learning students doing a special exercises with the teens and community. All are welcome.

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE

The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter has provided the Easiest one-click way to get your comments in before April 23 deadline regarding West Valley Nuclear Waste Site Scoping Hearings.

They even WROTE the informed and complete comment (which you can change if you like) which reflects Sierra Club’s Official Statement.

Please share this with as many members of your groups as possible.

https://www.addup.org/campaigns/west-valley-deserves-a-full-clean-up—comment-on-the-seis-today

For more info, you can contact Lia Oprea, WECAP, Cell: 310-770-3288
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No Nuclear Waste over the Peace Bridge

March 23 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join us every Friday from 2 PM to 3 PM at the corner of Busti Ave and Vermont St. in Buffalo NY. Vigil against the shipment of high level LIQUID radioactive spent fuel from Chalk River Ontario to Aiken South Carolina. If any of it spills out, it will be next to impossible to clean.
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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 come out to above mentioned event, 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)

April LASC coffeehouse: Maya Education Foundation

April 23 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Dr. Christine Eber  and Dr. Laura McClusky on their work with MEF http://mayaedufound.org/ At Canisius College Science Hall Lounge, Main and Jefferson. Christine Eber holds her Ph.D. in anthropology from SUNY Buffalo and is Professor Emerita of Anthropology at New Mexico State University. Her research and applied work have focused on the gendered aspects of social change in highland Chiapas, Mexico, specifically Tzotzil-Maya women’s participation.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BILL JUNGELS and CHRISTINE EBER!!!
The Las Cruces International Film Festival bestowed its “Best FeatureDocumentary” award on Maya Faces in a Smoking Mirror, a feature length documentary directed by Bill Jungels, Co-Produced by Bill Jungels and Christine Eber and shot in Chiapas, Mexico. The documentary looks at how young Mayas are preserving or recovering their Maya identity and resisting the global forces that threaten this identity. Just as preserving native seed stocks helps us all survive in a world of vulnerable monocultures, the preservation and adaptation of traditional human cultures offers us all models that may help us survive as a species. The documentarypremiered in September of 2017 at Hallwalls.

 

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

Did you know…

 

That you can help stop police fraternities from denying Herman Bell’s parole?

Here are 3 things you can do RIGHT NOW:

1.

CALL New York State Governor Cuomo’s Office NOW
518-474-8390

2.

EMAIL New York State Governor Cuomo’s Office
https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form

3.

TWEET at Governor Cuomo: use the following sample tweet:
“@NYGovCuomo: stand by the Parole Board’s lawful & just decision to release Herman Bell. At 70 years old and after more than 40 years of incarceration, his release is overdue. #BringHermanHome.”
Script for phone calls and emails:
“Governor Cuomo, my name is __________and I am a resident of [New York State/other state/other country]. I support the Parole Board’s decision to release Herman Bell and urge you and the Board to stand by the decision. I also support the recent appointment of new Parole Board Commissioners, and the direction of the new parole regulations, which base release decisions more on who a person is today than on the nature of their crime committed years ago. Returning Herman to his friends and family will help the heal the many harms caused by crime and decades of incarceration. The Board’s decision was just, merciful and lawful, and it will benefit our communities and New York State as a whole.”

And be sure to check out this Intercept article:

Why the Backlash to Former Black Panther Herman Bell’s Parole Risks Setting a Dangerous Precedent

 

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 Radical King Book Club Meeting

April 18 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

At WNYPC/Network of Religious Communities 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance & pkg round back of bldg.) Join The Radical King Book Club Meeting for the first event of discussing the book The Radical King by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Author), Cornel West (Editor) “The radical King was a democratic socialist who sided with poor and working people in the class struggle taking place …” All are welcome.

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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
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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.
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Each Police District has a Chief and Community Police Meeting. We encourage people to go to them and communicate freely on issues of concern. See wnypeace.org calendar for listings.

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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.

If you’d prefer to send an email to your senators, you can do so here.
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Our tax dollars are funding massive civilian casualties and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The U.S. military is providing midair refueling to warplanes, sharing intelligence for targeting assistance, and selling U.S. bombs to the aggressors. U.S.-supported airstrikes target schools, hospitals, and water and sanitation infrastructure. As a result, millions of Yemeni people are on the brink of starvation and are facing the fastest-growing cholera crisis ever documented.

Every day that the war on Yemen continues, America is complicit in aiding war crimes. Call your U.S. Senators today at 1-833-786-7927 and urge them to stop fueling war on Yemen!
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REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS in the One Movement, One Struggle

Riverside-Salem UCC/DC Sunday. Progressive program followed by potluck. Sundays, 4-7pm. Environmental Cottage, 3449 West River Road, Grand Island. On 4-22 Earth Day, attend the Interfaith Gathering and Celebration at Congregation Shir Shalom, 4660 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY 14221

Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center Radio Show on 91.3FM, WBNY. Mondays, 1-3pm. Jim Anderson & Vicki Ross co-hosting, with Paul Martin – PeaceAction national, and on-site calls from Albany Climate protest. Call-in show! 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 **9:30-11am**, 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!!