Proud of Victories, but Struggle Continues; When Banana Ruled Film; more
716-332-3904 6/25/19 wnypeace.org
Dear Friends,
We start this week’s news with some victories! The Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act has been passed in the NYS Assembly and Senate. Now we just wait for the Governor to sign it, as he has pledged to do. This act includes provisions that will benefit the lives of farmworkers, from overtime to protection while collective bargaining.
The Green Light legislation has also passed in the NYS Assembly and approved in the Senate! The Green Light Bill will provide drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants in New York.
Plus, Erie County legislation is instituting a Community and Professional Advisory Committee for the Sheriff’s Department!
The Driver’s License Suspension bill was passed in the Senate! This would stop the automatic suspension of drivers’ licenses for unpaid tickets. However, it still has to be passed in the Assembly in the Fall.
With these victories, it is important that we continue to fight. We ask you to sign and send a petition to your member of Congress to repeal the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). Since its passage, three administrations have cited the 2001 AUMF to justify warrantless surveillance, indefinite detention and torture, and more. These actions were taken largely without Congressional approval, and with little oversight or transparency. Sign the petition here: https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/letters/sign-and-send-a-petition-cosponsor-rep-lees-repeal-of-the-authorization-of-military-force-bill?detail=emailaction&link_id=3&can_id=b680b13b07403c67bb89e5c4e2420e97&source=email-daily-kos-readers-have-already-made-an-impact-lets-keep-it-up-add-your-name&email_referrer=email_567741___subject_735918&email_subject=more-petitions-needed-from-city-default-your-congressional-district-repeal-trumps-blank-check-for-war
Also, Camp Peaceprints will be running in July! Camp Peaceprints in Buffalo uses the arts and educational experiences to get its participants involved in social justice and peacemaking, while still having fun. The camp will run for its 12th year from July 15 to 26. The camp is for children aged 8 to 13. We are still accepting applications for camp! Drivers are needed for Tuesdays at camp for the swimming field trips!
The film, by Mathilde Damoisel, When Banana Ruled will be playing on June 27th at 7:30 p.m. at Hallways on 341 Delaware Ave, co-sponsored by the WNY Peace Center. When Banana Ruled tells the story of the men who made bananas the most ubiquitous fruit in the world, through a multinational empire that dominated production and sales, overthrew governments, and created a business model still largely used by today’s tech giants. But, as When Banana Ruled documents, the entire enterprise was built on a rapacious, imperialist business model that required the domination of countries including Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia. United Fruit took over critical national infrastructure like railways and ports, rapidly expanded plantations by displacing small (often Indigenous) farmers, bought itself favorable legislation, and, like today’s largest companies, sheltered profits offshore to avoid taxes.
No hate, no fear as we are #StillResisting. Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.
Events this week:
PeaceJam Leaders (afterschool group; 10-14 yr olds)
June 25 @ 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 a major impact on the curriculum.
Damian Webster Presents Great Law of Peace Presentation
June 25 @ 6:30 pm
June 25th at 630pm at burning books 420 Connecticut st. Damian Webster will present a broad overview of the Great Law to kick off our reading group of the Kayanerenkó:wa: The Great Law of Peace by Kayanesenh Paul Williams the last Tuesday of every month.
Gender Justice Mtg
June 26 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Gender Justice Monthly meeting, Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at 5:00 pm at Spot Coffee on Elmwood Ave. All are welcomed including those of the LGTBQIA community. Come and join the taskforce!
Film: When Banana Ruled
June 27 @ 7:30 pm
A Film by Mathilde Damoisel; (2018, 52 minutes). At Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave (at Tupper), Buffalo 14202. ($8, $6 students/seniors, $5 Hallwalls members) Cosponsored by the WNY Peace Center.
NYers Against Gun Violence Anniversary Benefit
June 28 @ 6:00 pm
Celebrate NYAGV’s 25th anniversary and honor area leaders Byron W. Brown, Mayor of Buffalo, and Brian Higgins, U.S. Congressman, NY-26. This special Western New York event will feature drinks and light fare. It will be at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse, One Rotary Row, Buffalo, NY 14201.
10th Annual World Refugee Day – Soccer and volleyball tournaments
June 29 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Mark your calendars! Western New York’s 10th annual World Refugee Day is June 29th and June 30th. June 29th will have the soccer and volleyball tournaments and the 30th will have all the cultural performances, food, and kids’ activities people have come to enjoy.
NoNAPL Demonstration
June 29 @ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
A NoNAPL demonstration is scheduled in JAMESTOWN on Saturday, June 29th from 12 to 3 pm in front of the Chautauqua Mall along Fairmont Road. EVEN IF YOU CANNOT STAY THE WHOLE TIME – FEEL FREE TO BRING SIGNS AND COME WHENEVER YOU CAN.
We shall overcome #Unitethestruggles #Loveislove #PowerWITH-NOTPowerOver
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More listings on calendar and in previous email posts.
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The time is now, and we are the people we’ve been waiting for.
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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.
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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:
Poorpeoplescampaign.org. *** Please support the NYS Delegation to the congress by donating – bit.ly/NYSCONGRESS. *** Thank you.
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.
Other Economic Justice information: Community members are looking for your support for the Securing Wages Earned Against Theft (SWEAT) bill– A486/S2844! The ask: to call legislators to say you support the SWEAT bill, bill number A486/S2844.Right now, when workers win wage theft cases in court, it is legal for employers to hide their assets so that the workers can’t collect. For example, check out this front-page article about a worker who is owed over $300k but can’t collect a dime. The SWEAT bill would allow workers to freeze their bosses’ assets at the start of a wage theft case, so that if they win in court, they can collect the money they are owed. Visit sweatnys.org for more information.
* EDUCATION & HUMAN RIGHTS
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.
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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 CCPA
We need calls and emails to the Governor and legislative leaders urging them to pass the Climate and Community Protection Act, the strongest climate bill possible before the session ends. If you can’t go on the trip to Albany on Tues, 6/11, please call:
General message: We need NY to enact the Climate and Community Protection Act 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
(More contact info at wnypeace.org/organizing-in-WNY
– NAPL/Northern Access Pipeline (proposed to take fracked gas from PA through WNY) is looming again, as the fossil-fuel-profiteers never give up!! However, si, se puede! See https://niagarasierraclub.com/issues/northern-access-pipeline/northern-access-pipeline-information/ for more info.
* GENDER JUSTICE
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
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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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. Of note, Assemblyman Sean Ryan voted against it. Please let him know how you feel about that (716) 885-9630.
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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/
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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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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.
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.
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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
Monthly meetings announced on our website calendar. Stay tuned.
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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.
We are glad that Mayor Brown has made marijuana arrests the lowest law enforcement priority, so people are no longer being arrested for small amounts of marijuana! Thank you, Mayor Brown!! This will go a long way to improving racial justice!
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: 7/17, 8/21, 9/18, 10/16, 11/20, 12/18.)
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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 athttps://www.kingsbayplowshares7.org/. Also https://www.facebook.com/Kingsbayplowshares/.
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.
No hate, no fear as we are #StillResisting. Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.