Happy Labor Day Weekend; and Let’s Tag-Team Thursdays!

Written by Victoria Ross on August 30, 2018. Posted in Uncategorized

716-332-3904 716-931-3520 8/30/18

Dear Friends,   Thanks so much to the many who came out to see us at the Elmwood Festival last weekend; and to the many new members who want to support the WNYPC and participate too in the #LoveisLove campaign. We are getting more of the renowned signs which we’re now giving out as a membership gift. The PeaceJam at the Kids’ Tent was also a big hit! As Gandhi said, “If we want to have peace, we must start with the children.”

We look forward to the Labor Day Weekend, because we hope to see you at both:
– June & Roger’s Annual Labor Sunday gathering, 2-6pm at 1515 W River Road, Grand Island; complete with music (bring an instrument if you jam), fun – including boating, kayaking, and swimming; no worries potluck; and the best company you can find! A very special gathering, with LoveisLove signs available as a membership gift; and
– The Labor Day Parade on Monday, starting Noon at the Irish Center (Abbott Rd and Stevenson St.), going down Abbott Road in South Buffalo, ending up gathering and sharing food at the Peter J. Crotty Casino Shelter in Cazenovia Park. Food will be served at 1pm. (We’ll remote-broadcast from the Parade for our Talking Peace Radio Show, 1-4pm at WBNY 91.3FM).

* Don’t forget Weds, Sept 5, is the last session of the inspiring and thought-provoking Radical King Reading Group, at 6-8pm at the WNYPC/NRC, 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance & pkg round back behind building). Come help decide what’s next!

*We are also wondering: how did Thursdays become the progressive day of choice? 😉 Somehow we have an inordinate number of things coming up on Thursdays. Of course we have the weekly Vigil to Stop ICE Terror, held 5-6pm in front of their offices at the Delaware North Bldg, Delaware & Chippewa.

And next Thursday Sept 6, like last Thursday, there are many key happenings, ie:
– Candidates Forum, 6-7:30pm, organized by NAACP, cosponsored by WNYPC & others, at the Central Public Library;
– The Environmental Justice Taskforce (of the WNYPC)/WNY Drilling Defense Mtg, 6-7:30pm; at the Niagara Porter Public Library;
– the Police – Community Speakout Series
– last of the three scheduled by the Police Advisory Board, 7-8:30pm at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center, 3242 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214; and last but not least
– Film showing: Battle of Algiers (1966); at Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St., Buffalo, NY 14213. This classic, critically acclaimed film is based on events during the Algerian War against the French government, and was required viewing for many recruits of the Black Panther Party. Presented by Veterans for Peace and the Resist Militarism Taskforce of the WNY Peace Center.

* And please put these on your calendar:
– Sept 8, Both: ~Rise Up for Climate Jobs & Justice, 12:30-4pm at Canalside; and  ~Jefferson Festival of the Arts, 10-6pm on Jefferson Ave, E Ferry to Utica.
– Sept 20 Peace Justice Nonviolence Festival, 5:30pm (tbd, likely Niagara Sq)

We must #UnitetheStruggles. The time is now, and we are the people we’ve been waiting for. Crisis = Opportunity.

See more on our calendar for more details and events, or the rest of the weekly update post!

And 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/.

#UniteTheStruggles #PowerWITH-NOTPowerOver #LoveisLoveBUF
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

Sign-Making Party! for Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice
August 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
School 77, 429 Plymouth Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213. Food, drinks, sign-making & building community power in preparation for the big day. (Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice on 9/8, 12:30-4:00pm, Canalside. See 9/20 on our calendar for more information).

June & Roger’s 38th annual Labor SUNDAY potluck party
September 2 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Mr. Greensleeves, guardian of the ponds (& June & Roger), invite you to June & Roger’s 38th annual Labor SUNDAY potluck-picnic on Sunday, September 2, 2018, 2-6 p.m. or so at 1515 West River Road, Grand Island. Music by Alex Mead/BloodThirstyVegans and Sol y Sombra (and often Nan Hoffman & friends in the back yard).

2018 Buffalo AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade
September 3 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Parade begins at Abbott Rd. & Stevenson St. and marches to Cazenovia Park.

The Radical King Book Club Meeting
September 5 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
WNY Peace Center, 1272 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209. Join The Radical King Book Club Meeting for The Radical King by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (author), and Cornel West, (editor). We will be discussing the book, and choosing our next reading selection, as this will be our last meeting for The Radical King.

Interfaith Peace Network
September 6 @ 9:15 am – 11:00 am
Network of Religious Communities, 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo NY 14209 (entrance and parking round back). Breakfast potluck. Planning, info and opportunities re: other upcoming events and campaigns.

Candidates Forum
September 6 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Central Public Library (off Lafayette Sq btwn William & Broadway). Organized by NAACP, cosponsored by NAN, Urban League Young Professionals, Association of Black Social Workers, WNY Peace Center, and Poor People’s Campaign-WNY. Come out and hear from Candidates. #InformYourVote

Environmental Justice Task Force/WNY Drilling Defense Meeting
September 6 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
1. Updates on July 22-23 2018 trainspotting effort. 2. Updates on nuclear waste shipments across the Peace Bridge (it’s increasing).

Policing – Community Speak Out Series
September 6 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Gloria J. Parks Community Center, 3242 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214
The Police Advisory Board wants to hear your thoughts and concerns about policing in Buffalo. Please join us at our community forum.

Film: Battle of Algiers (1966)
September 6 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
This classic, critically acclaimed film is based on events during the Algerian War against the French government and was required viewing for many recruits of the Black Panther Party. Presented by Veterans for Peace and the Resist Militarism Taskforce of the WNY Peace Center.
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TASKFORCES
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Economic Justice Taskforce
2018 Buffalo AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade
September 3 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Parade begins at Abbott Rd. & Stevenson St. and marches to Cazenovia Park.

EDUCATION & HUMAN RIGHTS TASKFORCE

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE
No Nuclear Waste over the Peace Bridge
Aug 31 and every Friday @ 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. ____

Sign-Making Party! for Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice
August 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
School 77, 429 Plymouth Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213.
Food, drinks, sign-making & building community power in preparation for the big day (Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice on 9/8 at Canalside).

Sept 8 Rise for Climate, Jobs, and Justice!
@Canalside, 12:30-4:00pm.
Buffalo residents and visitors will join thousands of rallies held in cities and towns around the world to demand our local leaders commit to building a fossil free world that works for all of us. We will rise for our planet, our livelihoods, and our communities. WE RISE for the end of discrimination and degradation, and the birth of just communities, jobs, and quality of life!
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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 *

IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE JUSTICE TASKFORCE
Vigil for Victims of ICE Terror Thursdays, 5-6pm, ICE building on the corner of Delaware and Chippewa. Bring your signs and spirit of Solidarity. We will not stay silent! #EndICETerror #FamiliesBelongTogether #AbolishICE
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Calls are still needed to your NYS Assembly Members to ask them to support NYS ASSEMBLY Bill #4050. IF SEAN RYAN IS YOUR ASSEMBLYPERSON, PLEASE CALL HIM! 716-885-9630! ALSO CO CLERK MICKEY KEARNS (716) 858-8785.

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)
Vigil for Victims of ICE Terror Thursdays, 5-6pm, ICE building on the corner of Delaware and Chippewa. Bring your signs and spirit of Solidarity. We will not stay silent! #EndICETerror #FamiliesBelongTogether #AbolishICE
Venezuela Sanctions Petition
After the attempted assassination of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, your help is requested. Please sign the petition to end US and Canadian sanctions: https://afgj.salsalabs.org/campaigntoendusandcanadasanctionsagainstvenezuela/index.html. The civilians and general populations are the ones to pay for this kind of foreign policy. The US government needs to stop penalizing the common people and destabilizing other countries. Please sign and share. Many thanks to Shontae Cannon-Buckley for her work on this issue!

___ As you know, people desperately need our help because of the continuing devastation caused by “natural” disasters (read fossil-fuel-burning-generated Climate Catastrophe) as well as other factors. 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

* PRISONER’S RIGHTS TASKFORCE
Wednesdays 4-5:30pm protest/vigils at the Erie County Holding Center (Delaware & Church). All are welcome. Please bring signs.
Please join us in promoting the H.A.L.T. Solitary Confinement campaign. Please call your State Senators and ask them to cosponsor and vote for the bills S. 4784. (You can also thank the representatives who passed it in the Assembly!)
Other Ways you can help:
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

*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. See wnypeace.org calendar for listings, and/or call your District and ask when & where the next Chief and Community Police Meeting will be held.

*RESIST MILITARISM! TASKFORCE
Film: Battle of Algiers (1966)
September 6 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
This classic, critically acclaimed film is based on events during the Algerian War against the French government and was required viewing for many recruits of the Black Panther Party. Presented by Veterans for Peace and the Resist Militarism Taskforce of the WNY Peace Center.
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Know about the King’s Bay Plowshares? 7 courageous and compassionate Catholic Workers who went to largest submarine base in the world Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in St. Mary’s, Georgia on April 4th, 2018. They went to make real the prophet Isaiah’s command to “beat swords into plowshares”. Read their story at https://www.kingsbayplowshares7.org/ . Donate, help us organize on their behalf, and agitate and pray for their acquittal. They face very serious charges of up to a decade of prison time, just for reminding our government of the illegal and foolhardy nature of our nuclear weaponry.
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. –support House Resolution 922 to define presidential wars not declared by Congress as impeachable offenses. These wars include wars of co-belligerency such as the US role in the atrocities in Yemen.
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 – Progressive program followed by potluck. Sundays, 4-7pm. Environmental Cottage, 3449 West River Road, Grand Island. Session on Bob Dylan.

Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center Radio Show on 91.3FM, WBNY. Mondays, 1-4pm. 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!!

Prisoners’ Rights Taskforce. Wednesdays 4-5pm protest/vigils at the Erie County Holding Center (Delaware & Church). All are welcome. Please bring signs.

Interfaith Peace Network Next meeting 9:15am, Thurs, Sept 6, at NRC, 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo NY 14209 (entrance and parking round back).

Vigil for Victims of ICE Terror Thursdays, 5-6pm, ICE building on the corner of Delaware and Chippewa. Bring your signs and spirit of Solidarity. We will not stay silent! #EndICETerror #FamiliesBelongTogether #AbolishICE

Environmental Justice Taskforce  Vigil to Protest the Shipments of VERY Dangerous Radioactive Liquid from Canada coming over the Peace Bridge. Fridays 2-3pm, Front Park at Vermont & Busti, Buffalo. Signs welcome and also usually available.

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 😉 Special gathering starting at 11am to honor and celebrate Iris Alexander.

*********** More listings on website (wnypeace.org) and in previous email posts.
Please submit possible listings for consideration to weeklynews@wnypeace.org.
Many thanks, peace, solidarity, and yes –
Love. We shall overcome!!
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