Music and Street Theatre Weekend! And many Social Justice Opportunities
716-332-3904 5/10/19 wnypeace.org
Friends,
Many events this weekend, and opportunities to make your voices heard.
There was another failed coup attempted in Venezuela. Our friends fighting for peace in Venezuela, who are currently occupying the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC need our help. Their current requests are that people call Secret Service at 202-406-8800 and tell them to stop allowing the harassment of the people in the embassy, and to allow food and medicine in. Also to call the State Department at 202-895-3500 and contact your representative here: http://house.gov/representative/find-your-representative. More info found in this post online.
Our president wants to increase nuclear power in US submarines. Representative Ted Lieu, along with House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, Representatives John Garamendi, Earl Blumenauer and Senator Ed Markey have introduced the bicameral Hold the LYNE (low yield nuclear explosive) Act to stop this from happening. The legislation would prohibit the research, development, production, and deployment of low yield nuclear warheads for submarine-launched missiles. People have been requested to contact members of Congress and ask them to support the Hold the LYNE Act. [https://secure.everyaction.com/PnjZkTxba0WUMeeRvLmK_A2]
Food & Water Watch is holding a webinar about manure-to-energy and why it isn’t a solution for either the climate crisis or our factory farm problem. The webinar, titled Bio(gas)hazards: Dirty Air, Factory Farms, and Climate Change, will be held May 15 at 8:00 pm EST. Please RSVP here<http://bit.ly/biogaswebinar> to join the conversation!
Those interested should join the campaign for the OFF Act for a lobby day at the State Capitol in Albany on Tuesday May 21 and testify at / attend the Assembly hearing on climate change in NYC on May 17. Please also submit letters to the editor in support of climate action.
Today marks the beginning of the 2nd Annual Music and Street Theatre Weekend, May 10-12, in Arkport, NY. 8614 Brown Road, Arkport, NY. (one hour south of Rochester, NY). Contact Peg Fink-Gefell at 607-295-7279 or peg.fink.gefell@gmail.com for more information and to register. The “Music and Street Theater Weekend” is a high-energy gathering of activists who want to increase their skills in integrating music and street theater in their social justice work.
You’re invited to join the Mayor and the DA at Building Stronger Communities Breakfast on Sat., May 11, 9-11am. Full breakfast and gathering at the William Emslie YMCA (corner of Emslie & William). Bring your determination for a stronger, more just and peaceful community. All are welcome.
Other events this week:
Poetry & Pizza Open Call/Rehearsal
Saturday May 11th at 5:00 pm
Raq’s Solidarity Space 322 Amherst Street, Buffalo NY 14207
Co-Hosted by: Buffalo Anti Racism Coalition & Buffalo Save The Kids
Contact: bflolovergirl@gmail.com
Event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/434691973770997/
As part of the National Week of Action Against Incarcerating Youth 2019, and in honor of the birth of Malcolm X, community members of all ages are invited to come out to select and rehearse poems from Save The Kids’ powerful anthology, Poetry Behind The Walls, a collection of poetry written by incarcerated youth. The staged reading performance will be on Sunday May 19th at 4pm. All ages welcome, refreshments provided.
WNYPC Fund-Raising/Dinner Committee Meeting
May 13 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Come ahead to volunteer and help out with fund-raising events, including especially the Annual Dinner (to be 11/19). At the WNYPC, NRC Bldg, 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance and parking round back behind building).
Poor People’s Campaign Monthly Meeting
May 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Raqs Solidarity, 322 Amherst St., Buffalo NY. Join the Poor People’s Campaign in confronting the four evils of poverty, racism, militarism, and ecological devastation, as well as the distorted moral narrative of this country. The local PPC meets 2nd Mondays of the month at Raqs Solidarity. 6pm. https://www.facebook.com/wnypoorpeoplescmpgn
Resist Militarism! Taskforce Meeting
May 15 @ 7:00 pm
Regular monthly meeting, with agenda items including working on stopping war profiteers especially Lockheed Martin; possible Gaza flotilla; grounding the drones and ending the wars, etc. At Tipico Coffee, 128 Fargo, Buffalo.
“The Tent of Abraham”
May 16 @ 4:45 pm – 9:00 pm
Fourteenth Annual. OPEN TO ALL 7: 00 PM Islamic Center, 745 Heim Road, Amherst, NY. (Or join walk at any point and time listed below, incl starting point of North Presbyterian Church {300 North Forest Road, Williamsville, NY, 14221-5056}, gathering at 4:45pm) ***** At the Mosque: an evening of friendship and conversation of our shared values as we “break the fast” together. Enjoy an ethnic dinner with your friends and neighbors. In keeping with MPAC tradition, non-perishable food items and cash donations (matched by MPAC) will be collected for distribution in our community. mpac.org
Film Screening & Panel – Justice for Home Care
May 16th @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Isaias Gonzalaz-Soto Library, 280 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
A short film on home care workers’ struggles against working* 24-hour shifts for only 13-hour’s pay,* and panel discussion featuring home care workers and disability rights self-advocates. Light dinner will be served, childcare available upon request. Continue the #WomensWave by supporting the women workers of the homecare industry, and the members of our community who rely on this care!
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/528433297684528/ �Z
Many more events on the calendar!
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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. All are welcome.
Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center Radio Show on 91.3FM, WBNY. Mondays, 1-4pm. Call-in show! Go to wbny.buffalostate.edu.
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 Connecticut Ave. All are welcome!!
Prisoners’ Rights Taskforce – Wednesdays 4-5:30pm protest/vigils at the Erie County Holding Center (Delaware & Church). All are welcome. Please bring signs.
Racial Justice Taskforce – 3rdSundays, 1-2:30pm, Little Africa Culture Club, 356 S. Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
Interfaith Peace Network, 1stand 3rdThursdays, 9:15am at 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo NY 14209 entrance and parking round back.) Breakfast potluck, planning/publicizing, & discussion.
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.
Stop The Violence Coalition – 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month; 6pm, United Way Building, Delaware and Summer Sts.
Women In Black – Nonviolence vigil, Bidwell and Elmwood. Saturdays, Noon-1pm. Signs also available. (and you don’t need to be a woman or dress in black)
Many thanks, peace, solidarity, and yes – Love
We shall overcome #Unitethestruggles #Loveislove #PowerWITH-NOTPowerOver
No hate, no fear as we are #StillResisting. Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.
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More listings on calendar 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.
The time is now, and we are the people we’ve been waiting for.
And remember to tune in: DEMOCRACY NOW! IS NOW BEING BROADCASTMONDAY-FRIDAY, 8AM-9AM (LIVE) ON WBNY 91.3FM. Hear it over the radio or streaming live at wbny.buffalostate.edu.
***********
Below are
– more event listings (see also calendar & facebook page);
– Taskforce items and campaigns; and
– regularly scheduled events – all in that order.
No hate, no fear as we are #StillResisting. Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.
——————————————————-
_____________________
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
* ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Next Poor People’s Campaign Monthly Meeting, 5/13, 6pm, Raqs Solidarity, 322 Amherst St., Buffalo, NY.
The WNY PPC meets 2nd Mondays, 6pm at Raqs Solidarity, 322 Amherst St., Buffalo, NY.
Visit us on facebook to stay up to date on events. https://www.facebook.com/wnypoorpeoplescmpgn
Please continue to support the Poor People’s Campaign. The Poor People’s Campaign confronts the four evils of poverty, racism, militarism, and ecological devastation, as well as the distorted moral narrative of this country. Current focus: Voter Registration and empowerment, guaranteed healthcare and criminal justice reform. Stay tuned for information on future events and ways to get involved. Also, visit and join the Poor People’s Campaign online: www.poorpeoplescampaign.org and on facebook (locally, statewide and nationally): Poor People’s Campaign WNY, NYS Poor People’s Campaign, Poor People’s Campaign.
* EDUCATION & HUMAN RIGHTS
We hope everyone voted for the Buffalo Board of Education ELECTION on May 7. This is a very important way we make our voices heard.
Our PeaceJam Leaders After School program began on Tuesday, April 9 and continues on Tuesdays for 11 weeks (through 6/25), 3-5pm (except when school is out) at the CAO Rafi Green Center, 1423 Fillmore Avenue, Buffalo, NY. Parents are welcome to register their children for this program. wnypeace.org.
New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (aka DASA or The Dignity Act) seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. More information at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/dignityact/
BOE Meetings
Board of Education meetings begin at 5:30 pm and are held in room 801 at City Hall, unless a venue change is previously announced. These sessions are open to the public. A schedule of upcoming board of education meetings can be found at https://www.buffaloschools.org/Page/85931.
More information on Buffalo Public Schools can be found at https://www.buffaloschools.org.
* ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
No Nuclear Waste over the Peace Bridge
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.
Action Alert re Stone Dam Road Pipeline: go to wnypeace.org/environmental-justice/
_______________
Today marks the beginning of the 2nd Annual Music and Street Theatre Weekend, May 10-12, in Arkport, NY. 8614 Brown Road, Arkport, NY. (one hour south of Rochester, NY). Contact Peg Fink-Gefell at 607-295-7279 or peg.fink.gefell@gmail.com for more information. The “Music and Street Theater Weekend” is a high-energy gathering of activists who want to increase their skills in integrating music and street theater in their social justice work.
Musicologist Sheri Bauer and Street Theater trainer Kathy Castania will lead workshops on developing creative, artistic, and inspirational actions, addressing issues of militarism, environmental destruction, and racism.
Peg Gefell and Paul Frazier will host the MUSIC WEEKEND at our homestead in the beautiful Allegany highlands, There’s bedrooms, a dorm, and lots of tenting space. We’ll provide tasty, vegetarian meals. The cost? Whatever you can afford.
Give us a call: 607-295-7279 for more information and to register.
_______________
Food & Water Watch is holding a webinar about manure-to-energy and why it isn’t a solution for either the climate crisis or our factory farm problem. The webinar, titled Bio(gas)hazards: Dirty Air, Factory Farms, and Climate Change, will be held May 15 at 8:00 pm EST. Please RSVP here<http://bit.ly/biogaswebinar> to join the conversation!
We have a powerful group of speakers who will cover several aspects of this issue:
* Ayo Wilson, NC Environmental Justice Network, will discuss impacts on those
living near factory farms and digesters.
* Phoebe Seaton, Leadership Counsel, will cover the failure of digesters to
address larger environmental, health, and climate impacts.
* Patty Lovera, Food & Water Watch, will present about the corporate control of
our food system and how biogas moves us away from developing effective policies
for sustainable agriculture.
* Dr. Mark Jacobson, Stanford, will discuss the pathway to 100% renewable with
clean renewable energy.
This webinar is co-sponsored by Association of Irritated Residents, Center for Food
Safety, Friends of Family Farmers, Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy, Iowa
Citizens for Community Improvement, NC WARN, North Carolina Environmental Justice
Network, Leadership Counsel and Public Justice.
We hope you’ll join us for this important event. Please RSVP
here<http://bit.ly/biogaswebinar>, and we’ll email you the information to join the
webinar, and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
Eric Weltman
Senior Organizer
Food & Water Watch<https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/> and Food & Water
Action<https://www.foodandwateractionfund.org/>
———
Call Cuomo and Legislative Leaders to Demand Strong Climate Action
We need calls and emailsto the Governor and legislative leaders urging them to pass
the strongestclimate bill possible before the session ends in late June.
General message: We need NY to enact the strongest climate change agenda possible. We
should move to 100% clean renewable energy for all sources including transportation
and buildings as fast as possible, with a target date of 2030. We need to halt new
fossil fuel projects. We need to support a Just Transition and commit 40% of climate
funds to disadvantaged communities. We need enforceable detailed climate plans at the
state and local levels, with two-year benchmarks and annual review and updates. We
need to give citizens the right to sue to enforce the climate plans.
Other issues that could be addressed are a halt to nukes, a state carbon tax and
public ownership of the energy system.
Contact Info:
Governor Cuomo: 518474-8390;
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791; Speaker@nyassembly.gov
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, (518) 455-2585; scousins@nysenate.gov
Assembly Environmental Chair Steve Engelbright – 518-455-4804; EngleS@nyassembly.gov
Senate Environmental Chair Todd Kaminsky – 518-455-3401; kaminsky@nysenate.gov
Join the campaign for theOFF Act for a lobbyday at the State Capitol on Tuesday May
21 and testify at / attend the Assembly hearing onclimate change in NYC on May 17.
Please also submit lettersto the editor in support of climate action.
Two big
victories!!: Judge’s put a halt to two terrible proposed pipelines:
– Keystone Pipeline (proposed for entire North-South in Central US); and
– NAPL/Northern Access Pipeline (proposed to take fracked gas from PA through
WNY).
We are overjoyed, yet ever-vigilant. Join us for:
* GENDER JUSTICE
Thank you to all who came out to Women’s March – Buffalo/WNY!!!! And also all supporting events, forums and discussions! Almost 500 people battled the cold weather to stand up for women’s rights!! Many signs from our sign-making party and others let our goals be known. Also, paying homage to International Woman’s Day both on Friday afternoon and at the Women’s March was truly an honor. We will continue to work year-round on the local goals we’ve established.
Also, there has been concerns about particular issues/banners/goals at the Women’s March. We practice inclusivity, and we don’t all think the same way. The women’s movement is intersectional, and we may not always agree or share beliefs, but we’re here in solidarity for all aspects of our community in the ways we can be, in combination with our own beliefs and values. We hope to continue to foster understanding of women’s rights and, as stated on our website, the rights of all oppressed people.
———
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
(Note all-male Common Council – symptomatic of issues!)
* IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE JUSTICE
Another Failed Coup Attempted in Venezuela
Peace Activists Occupy the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC to Protect it for
the Venezuelan People
On April 30, 2019, US puppet Juan Guaido made another failed coup attempt in
Venezuela. Guaido appeared with a small group of supporters, including some in
uniform and claimed this was the beginning of the end of the Maduro government.
Even some of the soldiers who were with him claimed they were duped and told they
were there for another mission. The Venezuelan military and the Venezuelan people
stood strong in support of their elected government. People mobilized in the streets
to defend the government and Guaido disappeared. Some of his supporters took refuge
in the Spanish and Brazilian embassies. US media played down the defeat and tried
to imply that the people of Venezuela opposed the government and that only the
military supports it. The people answered on the following day as they came out in
massive numbers for May Day celebrations and to celebrate the defeat of the coup.
Venezuelans march in cities across the country to celebrate May Day and the victory
over the US sponsored coup
Peace activist occupy Venezuelan embassy in
Washington, DC
Guaido’s only real power is outside of Venezuela and comes mostly
from the Trump administration and the Republicans and Democrats in congress. The US
has expelled the Venezuelan diplomats from the country and allowed Guaido’s
supporters in the US to claim they are the new representatives of Venezuela in the
US. So, peace activists have occupied the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, DC to
protect it for the Venezuelan people. Several activists are staying there day and
night and others have come to support them outside. Those occupying the embassy
call themselves the Embassy Protection Collective, which is modeled after the system
of “colectivos” set up throughout Venezuela as a mechanism of peoples power and
direct democracy throughout the country.
The DC police have allowed right-wing Venezuelans to come and harass the occupiers
at the embassy and supporters of the occupation have come to give support outside as
well. Members of the elected Venezuelan government have given their support to the
peace activists occupying their embassy.
The US government is in a quandary. If they enter the embassy and remove the
occupiers, they are in violation of international law, which makes the embassy of
any country the property of that country and the host country has no right to enter
it. If the police do enter the embassy and arrest the occupiers there could be a
legal battle with important international implications. Therefore, so far, they
have not tried to arrest the occupiers but have allowed them to be intimidated by
the right-wing crowd outside and have helped keep food and other necessities from
the occupiers in the hope that they will leave of their own accord.
Therefore, the people currently occupying the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC
need our help. Call Secret Service at 202-406-8800 and tell them to stop allowing
the harassment of the people in the embassy, and to allow food and medicine in.
Also call the State Department at 202-895-3500 and contact your representative here:
http://house.gov/representative/find-your-representative.
________
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
__
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.
* LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY
Latin American Solidarity Committee website: http://www.lascwny.org/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LASC-wny/143873822377380/
___________
LASC holds Peace Coffeehouses on the 4th Monday of most months, usually at Canisius College’s Science Hall, Main St near Jefferson Avenue. The public is cordially invited. Speakers are persons who have recently visited the country or, in some cases, human rights workers from the countries themselves. Yearly events present national speakers and raise funds for humanitarian aid.
__________
Another Failed Coup Attempted in Venezuela
Peace Activists Occupy the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC to Protect it for
the Venezuelan People
On April 30, 2019, US puppet Juan Guaido made another failed coup attempt in
Venezuela. Guaido appeared with a small group of supporters, including some in
uniform and claimed this was the beginning of the end of the Maduro government.
Even some of the soldiers who were with him claimed they were duped and told they
were there for another mission. The Venezuelan military and the Venezuelan people
stood strong in support of their elected government. People mobilized in the streets
to defend the government and Guaido disappeared. Some of his supporters took refuge
in the Spanish and Brazilian embassies. US media played down the defeat and tried
to imply that the people of Venezuela opposed the government and that only the
military supports it. The people answered on the following day as they came out in
massive numbers for May Day celebrations and to celebrate the defeat of the coup.
Venezuelans march in cities across the country to celebrate May Day and the victory
over the US sponsored coup
Peace activist occupy Venezuelan embassy in
Washington, DC
Guaido’s only real power is outside of Venezuela and comes mostly
from the Trump administration and the Republicans and Democrats in congress. The US
has expelled the Venezuelan diplomats from the country and allowed Guaido’s
supporters in the US to claim they are the new representatives of Venezuela in the
US. So, peace activists have occupied the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, DC to
protect it for the Venezuelan people. Several activists are staying there day and
night and others have come to support them outside. Those occupying the embassy
call themselves the Embassy Protection Collective, which is modeled after the system
of “colectivos” set up throughout Venezuela as a mechanism of peoples power and
direct democracy throughout the country.
The DC police have allowed right-wing Venezuelans to come and harass the occupiers
at the embassy and supporters of the occupation have come to give support outside as
well. Members of the elected Venezuelan government have given their support to the
peace activists occupying their embassy.
The US government is in a quandary. If they enter the embassy and remove the
occupiers, they are in violation of international law, which makes the embassy of
any country the property of that country and the host country has no right to enter
it. If the police do enter the embassy and arrest the occupiers there could be a
legal battle with important international implications. Therefore, so far, they
have not tried to arrest the occupiers but have allowed them to be intimidated by
the right-wing crowd outside and have helped keep food and other necessities from
the occupiers in the hope that they will leave of their own accord.
Therefore, the people currently occupying the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC
need our help. Call Secret Service at 202-406-8800 and tell them to stop allowing
the harassment of the people in the embassy, and to allow food and medicine in.
Also call the State Department at 202-895-3500 and contact your representative here:
http://house.gov/representative/find-your-representative.
_________
Other Latin American Solidarity news:
Invest in the children of farmworkers! A donor has agreed to match gifts given through Rural and Migrant Ministry board members through the end of the year. Contact the Rural and Migrant Ministry for more details. www.ruralmigrantministry.org.
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
* PRISONERS’ RIGHTS
Wednesdays 4-5:30pm protest/vigils at the Erie County Holding Center (Delaware & Church). All are welcome. Please bring signs.
___________
“Changing Criminal INjustice: Reducing Recidivism” by Karima Amin
This is the focus of PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO’s upcoming Regional Conference. We are excited to be able to share information with you on May 3(5:30 to 8:00pm) and May 4 (8:30am to 3:30pm) at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, located at 701 East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo, NY, in collaboration with the Alliance of Families for Justice. We hope that the information we share will encourage you to join us in a fight for justice that impacts everyone. Since 2005, PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO has provided advocacy and education, bringing awareness and empowerment to our community around the issue of how legislation that comes from Albany in general, specifically focused on “Corrections,” actually impacts the lives of families and people in our communities, sometimes in ways that they are not aware of. If a person has not spent time in prison or has never had an incarcerated loved one, oftentimes assumptions are made. Prisoners become “the other,” unworthy of respect, care, or concern. The stigma that results, happens because we rarely talk about a system that ignores the humanity of all people.
Prisoners are all of us. Anyone of us could find ourselves behind bars. There are men, women, and children who once thought, “This couldn’t happen to me.” But it did. There are thousands of adolescents in prison. Only NY and NC will place some in adult prisons. Today in the USA, there are 2.7 million minor children with incarcerated parents. Imagine your childhood with one or both parents in prison. The
imprisonment rate for prisoners age 55 or older continues to grow. Imagine your grandparents in jail or prison. Imagine your sibling, or child, or classmate, or childhood friend, or neighbor, or teacher in prison. I could go on; the impact on relationships is endless. Hence, our communities suffer. Our conference will highlight the strategies that we can use to improve the lives of the incarcerated, the formerly incarcerated, and the victims.
We are honored to have Dr. Henry Louis Taylor, Jr. as our Keynote Speaker on Saturday, May 4. Dr. Taylor is the Founding Director of the Center for Urban Studies at the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning. His research, focusing on issues of race and class, and the needs of traditionally
marginalized groups, has made him an expert in assessing systemic factors, fueled by racism, that frequently lead to criminal convictions. The presence and words of this activist-scholar should ignite conversation and actions for positive change.
Visit prp2.org for more information, or contact: Karima, karima@prp2.org, or BaBa, g.babaeng@yahoo.com.
“God has not called us to see through each other, but to see each other through.” (Anonymous)
___________
Thank you to everyone who held space during the 21 day Ma’at Memorial and Vigil at the Erie County Holding Center for India Cummings, who died in custody due to medical neglect, and for bringing light to the horrible conditions at the Erie County Holding Center. Stay tuned to the Racial Justice and Prisoners’ Rights Taskforces for ways to stay involved.
___________
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
Today marks the beginning of the 2nd Annual Music and Street Theatre Weekend, May 10-12, in Arkport, NY. 8614 Brown Road, Arkport, NY. (one hour south of Rochester, NY). Contact Peg Fink-Gefell at 607-295-7279 or peg.fink.gefell@gmail.com for more information. The “Music and Street Theater Weekend” is a high-energy gathering of activists who want to increase their skills in integrating music and street theater in their social justice work.
Musicologist Sheri Bauer and Street Theater trainer Kathy Castania will lead workshops on developing creative, artistic, and inspirational actions, addressing issues of militarism, environmental destruction, and racism.
Peg Gefell and Paul Frazier will host the MUSIC WEEKEND at our homestead in the beautiful Allegany highlands, There’s bedrooms, a dorm, and lots of tenting space. We’ll provide tasty, vegetarian meals. The cost? Whatever you can afford.
Give us a call: 607-295-7279 for more information and to register.
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Thank you to everyone who held space during the 21 day Ma’at Memorial and Vigil at the Erie County Holding Center for India Cummings, who died in custody due to medical neglect, and for bringing light to the horrible conditions at the Erie County Holding Center. Stay tuned to the Racial Justice and Prisoners’ Rights Taskforces for ways to stay involved.
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.
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!
Resist Militarism! Meetings are 3rd Wednesdays of the month at Tipico Coffee, 7pm.
(Future dates unless otherwise stated: 5/15, 6/19, 7/17, 8/21, 9/18, 10/16, 11/20, 12/18.)
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Today marks the beginning of the 2nd Annual Music and Street Theatre Weekend, May 10-12, in Arkport, NY. 8614 Brown Road, Arkport, NY. (one hour south of Rochester, NY). Contact Peg Fink-Gefell at 607-295-7279 or peg.fink.gefell@gmail.com for more information. The “Music and Street Theater Weekend” is a high-energy gathering of activists who want to increase their skills in integrating music and street theater in their social justice work.
Musicologist Sheri Bauer and Street Theater trainer Kathy Castania will lead workshops on developing creative, artistic, and inspirational actions, addressing issues of militarism, environmental destruction, and racism.
Peg Gefell and Paul Frazier will host the MUSIC WEEKEND at our homestead in the beautiful Allegany highlands, There’s bedrooms, a dorm, and lots of tenting space. We’ll provide tasty, vegetarian meals. The cost? Whatever you can afford.
Give us a call: 607-295-7279 for more information and to register.
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Another Failed Coup Attempted in Venezuela
Peace Activists Occupy the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC to Protect it for
the Venezuelan People
On April 30, 2019, US puppet Juan Guaido made another failed coup attempt in
Venezuela. Guaido appeared with a small group of supporters, including some in
uniform and claimed this was the beginning of the end of the Maduro government.
Even some of the soldiers who were with him claimed they were duped and told they
were there for another mission. The Venezuelan military and the Venezuelan people
stood strong in support of their elected government. People mobilized in the streets
to defend the government and Guaido disappeared. Some of his supporters took refuge
in the Spanish and Brazilian embassies. US media played down the defeat and tried
to imply that the people of Venezuela opposed the government and that only the
military supports it. The people answered on the following day as they came out in
massive numbers for May Day celebrations and to celebrate the defeat of the coup.
Venezuelans march in cities across the country to celebrate May Day and the victory
over the US sponsored coup
Peace activist occupy Venezuelan embassy in
Washington, DC
Guaido’s only real power is outside of Venezuela and comes mostly
from the Trump administration and the Republicans and Democrats in congress. The US
has expelled the Venezuelan diplomats from the country and allowed Guaido’s
supporters in the US to claim they are the new representatives of Venezuela in the
US. So, peace activists have occupied the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, DC to
protect it for the Venezuelan people. Several activists are staying there day and
night and others have come to support them outside. Those occupying the embassy
call themselves the Embassy Protection Collective, which is modeled after the system
of “colectivos” set up throughout Venezuela as a mechanism of peoples power and
direct democracy throughout the country.
The DC police have allowed right-wing Venezuelans to come and harass the occupiers
at the embassy and supporters of the occupation have come to give support outside as
well. Members of the elected Venezuelan government have given their support to the
peace activists occupying their embassy.
The US government is in a quandary. If they enter the embassy and remove the
occupiers, they are in violation of international law, which makes the embassy of
any country the property of that country and the host country has no right to enter
it. If the police do enter the embassy and arrest the occupiers there could be a
legal battle with important international implications. Therefore, so far, they
have not tried to arrest the occupiers but have allowed them to be intimidated by
the right-wing crowd outside and have helped keep food and other necessities from
the occupiers in the hope that they will leave of their own accord.
Therefore, the people currently occupying the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC
need our help. Call Secret Service at 202-406-8800 and tell them to stop allowing
the harassment of the people in the embassy, and to allow food and medicine in.
Also call the State Department at 202-895-3500 and contact your representative here:
http://house.gov/representative/find-your-representative.
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In President Trump’s 2020 budget request, he’s asked Congress to fund new nuclear
weapons designed to be more usable! That’s right, Trump wants to put so-called
“low-yield” warheads in U.S. submarines.
These weapons may make for smaller explosions than many warheads in the U.S.
arsenal, but they’re still powerful enough to level an entire city.
Worse, U.S. ballistic missile submarines currently carry missiles armed with
multiple, high-yield warheads. When a missile is launched, an adversary would have
no way of knowing whether an incoming missile was armed with a low-yield warhead or
a full-sized one. In nuclear war-fighting, they could assume the worst case scenario
and match their retaliation on the U.S. accordingly, increasing the risk of
unintended nuclear escalation.
Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA), along with House Armed Services Committee Chairman
Adam Smith (D-WA), Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) have introduced the bicameral Hold the LYNE (low yield
nuclear explosive) Act to stop this from happening.
This critical legislation would prohibit the research, development, production, and
deployment of low yield nuclear warheads for submarine-launched missiles. In order
for this bill to succeed, we need to get as many co-sponsors on it as possible.
Please, contact your members of Congress today and ask them to support the Hold the
LYNE Act. [https://secure.everyaction.com/PnjZkTxba0WUMeeRvLmK_A2]
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Stand Up for Global Peace
The world is facing a 25-year peak in violent conflict. It is the main cause of human suffering today – trapping millions of civilians in conflict and uprooting 66 million people from their homes. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace, violence containment costs the world $14.3 trillion each year. There must be another way.
Over the past two years, a coalition of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and faith-based organizations have drafted a bill that would address the root causes of violence and fragility. The resulting legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate as the Global Fragility Act (H.R. 1580/S.727). This bill would require the U.S. government – in collaboration with civil society – to develop a 10 year strategy to enhance stability and to reduce violence and fragility around the world.
We know that too much foreign assistance and Pentagon spending is spent on treating the symptoms of violence instead of its causes. By passing this law, the U.S. will be able to more effectively prevent violence around the world and reduce its enormous cost on families.
Today, hundreds of faith advocates will lift up the Global Fragility Act as part of their lobby day ask for the annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days. It is important for YOU to add your voice as well. Together, we CAN build a more Just and Peaceful World for All!
Take action today to support the Global Fragility Act of 2019! https://p2a.co/Mc4rH0c
For more information:
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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 our 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, please do so.