Venezuela Embassy Protection Collective illegally arrested this morning

Written by Victoria Ross on May 16, 2019. Posted in Uncategorized

716-332-3904 5/16/19 wnypeace.org

Dear Friends,

As you likely know, the Venezuela Embassy Protection Collective has defended the Venezuelan Embassy for 34 days from falling under the control of the right-wing supporters of the failed U.S.-backed coup attempts in Venezuela. Their access to food, water, and electricity have all been blocked by the Secret Service, State Department, DC and other police agencies, as well as by the violent right-wing crowds who have gathered outside. This morning US governmental agents broke in and **arrested the four in the Embassy**. We will forward info on where to donate to support them when it becomes available. Meanwhile, CodePink, Veterans for Peace, and Popular Resistance have all been heavily involved.

We URGE all those who can to answer the call put forward by the Embassy Protection Collection to go to the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C. this Saturday. And/or please come out to the Burning Books (420 Connecticut St) event, The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela, this Weds, 5/22, at 7pm.

We seem dangerously close to [more] war, but there is still a chance for peace to prevail. Congress has not authorized war in Iran nor Venezuela, meaning any action taken by the Trump administration would be yet another unconstitutional military action. Please call your senators and representatives at (202)224-3121 and urge them to support and co-sponsor these vital bills!:

· The Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019 (S.1039 in the Senate and H.R.2354 in the House)
The Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act (S.J.Res.11 and H.R.1004)

Both these bills prohibit funds being used for military action in their respective countries, preventing Trump and Bolton from engaging in a conflict without congressional approval. Neither bill has been supported by our legislators yet. We need to change that. Please call!!

Lots of other events and campaigns are going on. See below, with more on our webpage (wnypeace.org, on both a longer Weekly News Post, and on the Events Calendar). Also check out our Facebook Page, and follow us at wnypeace on both twitter and instagram. We’re all in this together, and we need to both pace ourselves, and #UnitetheStruggles. #WeShallOvercome

Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love. #LoveisLove

Other events this week:

“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 to the needy in our community.

***** You can make your tax-deductible contributions to MPAC Foundation and indicate for “Tent of Abraham”

***** Eleventh Annual “The Walk of Abraham” OPEN TO ALL From: North Presbyterian — 300 N Forest Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221 To: Islamic Center, 745 Heim Road, Amherst, NY Thursday, May 16, 2019 (Ramadan 11, 1440) The schedule for the evening is as follows: * 4: 45- 5: 00 PM Forming for 4.5-mile walk at North Presbyterian Church; * 5: 00 PM The walk begins * 6: 15- 6: 30 PM Forming for 1-mile walk from the Heim Middle School; * 6: 30 PM The walk from Heim begins * 7: 00 PM Tent of Abraham activities begin at the Islamic Center; * 8: 30 PM Iftar (breaking the fast) and dinner For reservations and for any question, please contact wny@mpac.org

Film Screening & Panel – Justice for Home Care

May 16 @ 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.

Give Riders a Voice Rally

May 18 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Bidwell Park, Elmwood and Bidwell (one block north of Delavan), Buffalo, NY. Come out in support of elevating Rider’s Voices!! You don’t have to be a rider to want the people to have a voice in the system. A better transit system benefits everyone.

Moving BEYOND “White Fragility”

May 18 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Honest and Effective Conversations About Race. At North Presbyterian Church (300 North Forest Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221.

Buffalo Anti Racism Coalition & Buffalo Save The Kids – Know Your Rights & Poetry Slam

May 19 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

At Raqs Solidarity Space 322 Amherst Street, Buffalo NY 14207 Co-Hosted by: Buffalo Anti Racism Coalition & Buffalo Save The Kids 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.

Peace Coffeehouse: Brazil in Crisis

May 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Darien Lamen, Rochester activist & educator, on prospects for organized resistance to a new ruling elite there. Darien has spent many years in Brazil, and is working on a documentary about the role of liberation theology in the struggle for land reform in Amazonia. Canisius College – Science Hall convenient parking on Main near Delavan.

Renewable Energy – Lobby Day, Albany

May 21 @ 4:30 am – 11:30 pm

Lobbying effort in support of the NYS OFF Act (A.3565/S.5266) in Albany.The OFF Act supports 100% renewable energy in all sectors by 2030. See https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?default_fld=&leg_video=&bn=A03565&term=0&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y We will be leaving Buffalo around 4:30 AM and returning late the same evening. If anyone is interested in this effort, please call Charley Bowman (716-908-8227).

PeaceJam Leaders (afterschool group; 10-14 yr olds)

May 21 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm

At the Rafi Greene CAO Masten Resource Center, 1423 Fillmore Ave, Buffalo 14211. Come be part of an exciting newly forming PeaceJam leaders group for 10-14-year-olds. PeaceJam is national and international, with 13 Nobel laureates on the Board who all had major impact on the curriculum. The youth-led, adult-assisted program uses inspiration, education, and action. Weekly on Tuesdays through June 25.

The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela @ Burning Books

May 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St., Buffalo, NY. An analysis of the use of unilateral coercive measures by the US and Canada against the Venezuelan people in the name of “Democracy.” Presented by members of the AFGJ Deligation – End US and Canada sanctions against Venezuela.

Movement Morning sustainers’ breakfast, Open Buffalo

May 23 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 am

Open Buffalo will be hosting a second annual Movement Morning sustainers’ breakfast at the Pucho Olivencia Center, located at 261 Swan Street. Come celebrate with us as you enjoy a hot breakfast, hear an inspiring update on Open Buffalo’s community impact, and have a chance to contribute towards our vision for equity and justice! Free Entry. Reserve Your Seat here! https://forms.gle/YfRFiarJhBEMsoW9A

Free Jerome Wright Rally

May 23 @ 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm

Lafayette Square, Main & Court Sts., Buffalo, NY. Jerome Wright, organizer for the statewide #HALTsolitary campaign, has been in jail for over 6 months, awaiting adjudication of trumped-up charges of violating parole rules. FREE JEROME. Solitary confinement in New York is torture, inflicted on thousands of people. Pass the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Bill to end this abuse.

Parolees are treated like serfs, told to follow any rule their parole officer lays down, and sent back to prison for years if they don’t, after an unfair hearing. Let’s have legislation providing justice for people on parole. #FreeJeromeWright #HALTsolitary #JusticeForParolees

General Strike to Support Planet, stop climate catastrophe

May 24 @ 12:00 am – 11:59 pm

All day work strike to support Stop Climate Change: Sunrise Movement (students working to stop climate change).

Many more events on the website!

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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.

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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.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

* ECONOMIC JUSTICE

The WNY PPC meets 2nd Mondays, 6pm at Raqs Solidarity, 322 Amherst St., Buffalo, NY.

Upcoming Events:

PPC Moral Congress, Washington, D.C., June 17-19. Poorpeoplescampaign.org.

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. 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 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.

Renewable Energy – Lobby Day, Albany

May 21 @ 4:30 am – 11:30 pm

General Strike to Support Planet, stop climate catastrophe

May 24 @ 12:00 am – 11:59 pm

All day work strike to support Stop Climate Change: Sunrise Movement (students working to stop climate change).

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

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Call Cuomo and Legislative Leaders to Demand Strong Climate Action

We need calls and emails to the Governor and legislative leaders urging them to pass the strongest climate 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 the OFF Act for a lobby day at the State Capitol 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.

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.

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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

Peace Coffeehouse: Brazil in Crisis

May 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela @ Burning Books

May 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

As you likely know, the Venezuela Embassy Protection Collective has defended the Venezuelan Embassy for 34 days from falling under the control of the right-wing supporters of the failed U.S.-backed coup attempts in Venezuela. Their access to food, water, and electricity have all been blocked by the Secret Service, State Department, DC and other police agencies, as well as by the violent right-wing crowds who have gathered outside. On the morning of 5/16, the US governmental agents broke in and **arrested the four in the Embassy**. We will forward info on where to donate to support them when it becomes available. Meanwhile, CodePink, Veterans for Peace, and Popular Resistance have all been heavily involved.

We URGE all those who can to answer the call put forward by the Embassy Protection Collection to go to the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C. this Saturday. And/or please come out to the Burning Books (420 Connecticut St) event, The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela, this Weds, 5/22, at 7pm.

· The Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019 (S.1039 in the Senate and H.R.2354 in the House)
The Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act (S.J.Res.11 and H.R.1004)

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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.

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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/

Peace Coffeehouse: Brazil in Crisis

May 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela @ Burning Books

May 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

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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.

__________

As you likely know, the Venezuela Embassy Protection Collective has defended the Venezuelan Embassy for 34 days from falling under the control of the right-wing supporters of the failed U.S.-backed coup attempts in Venezuela. Their access to food, water, and electricity have all been blocked by the Secret Service, State Department, DC and other police agencies, as well as by the violent right-wing crowds who have gathered outside. On the morning of 5/16, US governmental agents broke in and **arrested the four in the Embassy**. We will forward info on where to donate to support them when it becomes available. Meanwhile, CodePink, Veterans for Peace, and Popular Resistance have all been heavily involved.

We URGE all those who can to answer the call put forward by the Embassy Protection Collection to go to the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C. this Saturday. And/or please come out to the Burning Books (420 Connecticut St) event, The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela, this Weds, 5/22, at 7pm.

· The Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019 (S.1039 in the Senate and H.R.2354 in the House)
The Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act (S.J.Res.11 and H.R.1004)

_________

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.

Free Jerome Wright Rally

May 23 @ 5:15 pm – 6:00 pm

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“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)

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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.

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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

Moving BEYOND “White Fragility”

May 18 @ 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Honest and Effective Conversations About Race. At North Presbyterian Church (300 North Forest Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221.

Buffalo Anti Racism Coalition & Buffalo Save The Kids – Know Your Rights & Poetry Slam

May 19 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

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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.

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.)

Peace Coffeehouse: Brazil in Crisis

May 20 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela @ Burning Books

May 22 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

________________

As you likely know, the Venezuela Embassy Protection Collective has defended the Venezuelan Embassy for 34 days from falling under the control of the right-wing supporters of the failed U.S.-backed coup attempts in Venezuela. Their access to food, water, and electricity have all been blocked by the Secret Service, State Department, DC and other police agencies, as well as by the violent right-wing crowds who have gathered outside. On the morning of 5/16, US governmental agents broke in and **arrested the four in the Embassy**. We will forward info on where to donate to support them when it becomes available. Meanwhile, CodePink, Veterans for Peace, and Popular Resistance have all been heavily involved.

We URGE all those who can to answer the call put forward by the Embassy Protection Collection to go to the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, D.C. this Saturday. And/or please come out to the Burning Books (420 Connecticut St) event, The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela, this Weds, 5/22, at 7pm.

· The Prevention of Unconstitutional War with Iran Act of 2019 (S.1039 in the Senate and H.R.2354 in the House)
The Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act (S.J.Res.11 and H.R.1004)

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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:

Global Fragility Act

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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.

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