Truth & Love re ECHC (mon); Nuclear & Indigenous Issues (tues/fri); +++
716-332-3904 8/5/19 wnypeace.org
Dear Friends,
After a weekend of mass shootings, a week of deaths in the Erie Co Holding Center, two years of criminal leadership following centuries of white supremacy, we join in Truth and Love to work for radical change. Andare …. Si, se puede! …. Harambe!
Today, after two more deaths at the Erie County Holding Center bringing it to 26 over Sheriff Howard’s abominable administration, please come out at 5:15pm (-6:30pm) to the facility (at Delaware & Eagle) to stand up for dramatic change.
Don’t forget our radio show today on WBNY 91.3FM, from 1-3pm. We’ll focus on the above, the mass shootings over the weekend, Camp Peaceprints and creating a culture of peace and diversity, and the WNY Nuclear and Indigenous issues (see more below). Agnes Williams, Seneca, will be with us for the whole show, and we’re excited to have Diane D’Arrigo of Nuclear Info & Resource Service (NIRS), in DC, also joining us! (You can get it streaming online at wbny.buffalostate.edu as well.)
Again, you are welcome to join us for the Nuclear Free & Indigenous Press Conference on August 6 at 1 pm at the Japanese Gardens (behind the Buffalo History Museum), 74 years after the catastrophic US war crime of the bombing of Hiroshima. Learn about nuclear waste trucked over the Peace Bridge, nuclear waste pollution in WNY (especially West Valley – still not cleaned up!), nuclear weapons, the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, prior free and informed consent, indigenous invisibility, and care for the Earth.
Following this event, on Friday, August 9 at 3 pm, please be sure to come celebrate United Nations’ Indigenous Peoples’ Day and commemorate lives lost to war and nuclear development on August 9, 3-9 pm at the Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court in Buffalo. Experience Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) arts, crafts, singing, dancing, and foods. Hear keynote speaker Alyssa Mt Pleasant, PhD on Buffalo Creek proposed cultural corridor; Jil St Ledger-Roy, Esq on Standing Rock Natural Law; Kelly Maracle Water Protector on 202 International Water Sowers Conference; Diane Hinman, Esq on Alaska National Wildlife Refuge ANWR film; and more. An Interfaith service commemorating the victims of the nuclear bombings will include Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh perspectives and/or prayers, followed by the Lantern Ceremony on Lake Muir at dusk organized by Martin McGee Productions. Admission is free! Bring a dish of food to share if you wish. Come on out and join us for a very special day!
Don’t forget to call our congressional reps (202-224-3121) and urge them to stop US military threats and/or aggression against Yemen, Iran, Venezuela, and so many more peoples and places. See more under Resist Militarism below.
Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.
Events this week:
Talking Peace w/ WNYPC on WBNY 91.3FM
August 5 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Radio Show on 91.3FM, WBNY. Mondays, 1-3pm. Call-in show! Go to wbny.buffalostate.edu to hear streaming online. Today: current events – local, national, and international. With Special guests Agnes Williams, Seneca, and Diane D’Arrigo, Nuclear Info & Resource Service. Vicki Ross hosting. Call-in show.
Demand Action at the Holding Center
August 5 @ 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm
Come on out today August 5!! It is past time for change in that sick building with criminal maltreatment and death the result of Erie County Sheriff’s Office policies and practices.Join us outside the Erie County Holding Center at 121 W Eagle Street, in downtown Buffalo, as we rally with our partners from SURJ and Black Love Resists in the Rust, Citizen Action, BARC, and more.
Nuclear-Free & Indigenous Press Conf
August 6 @ 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
At the Japanese Gardens, behind the Buffalo History Museum (at 1 Museum Court in Buffalo, New York, just east of Elmwood Avenue and off of Nottingham Terrace, north of the Scajaquada Expressway, in the northwest corner of Delaware Park). Come out to support a nuclear-free future, with respect and equality for Indigenous people(s).
Nekanesakt – Friends of the Ekewehwe
Aug 6 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
At Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St. Indigenous peoples’ support group. Nya weh.
Vigil at the Erie Co Holding Center
August 7 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
In front of the Facility at Delaware & Church Sts. Come stand for the the 26 who died in custody of the facility under the mismanagement of Sheriff Tim Howard. Bring signs. All are welcome.
#YemenCantWait Protest
August 9 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Outside Sen. Schumer’s Office, 130 South Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. Bring signs! The US gov’tal support for Saudi war crimes in Yemen is an outrage. Please come out to tell Sen. Schumer that he must act to stop US complicity in this (and so many other) humanitarian crises caused and/or exacerbated by our military
Indigenous Peoples & Nuclear Free Future Day
August 9 @ 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Distinguished Colleagues, You are invited to celebrate United Nations’ Indigenous People’ Day and commemorate lives lost to war and nuclear development on August 9, 2019 3-9 pm at the Buffalo History Museum, 1 Museum Court, Buffalo NY 14216. Experience Haudenausaunee (Iroquois) arts, crafts, singing, dancing, foods with key note speaker Alyssa Mt Pleasant, PhD on Buffalo Creek proposed cultural corridor; Jil St Ledger-Roy, Esq on Standing Rock Natural Law; Kelly Maracle Water Protector on 202 International Water Sowers Conference; Diane Hinman, Esq on Alaska National Wildlife Refuge ANWR film; and more. With Interfaith Peace Network service commemorating victims of nuclear bombings, waste, and more; followed by the Lantern Ceremony on Lake Muir at dusk organized by Martin McGee Productions.
Admission is free and bring a dish of food to share if you wish. Attached please find a flyer for wide distribution. Come on out and join us!
9th Annual Stop The Violence Memorial Celebration of Lives Lost to Homicides
August 10 @ 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
At Martin Luther King Park. Supporting famlies who’ve lost loved ones to violence. When turning tragedy into triumph by coming together in unity with our community! Free for all: Community, family, and friends. Come join the fun, food, and fellowship and let’s all have a good time at this drama-free event! Sponsored by STVC and the Holman Family.
Dahr Jamail Speaks
August 18 @ 7:00 pm
Join us at Burning Books, August 18 at 7 pm to hear Dahr Jamail speak on the emergency nature of climate change and his new book, The End of Ice.
A Taste of Cuba Summer BBQ (Canada)
August 18 @ 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Fort Erie, Canada NPC Pavilion
Enjoy a family social afternoon of Cuban music, dancing and solidarity. Bring a lawn chair!
We shall overcome #Unitethestruggles #Loveislove
#PowerWITH-NOTPowerOver
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More listings on calendar and in previous email posts.
To subscribe, go to http://wnypeace.org/wp/weekly-news-sign-up/ or 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.
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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:
Visit us on facebook to stay up to date on events. https://www.facebook.com/wnypoorpeoplescmpgn
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 to 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
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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– 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! SeeNorthern Access Pipeline Information for more info.
* 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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Vive la Casa, shelter for people awaiting documents and/or sanctuary, still desperately needs personal hygiene products and of course, CASH. The recent large influx of refugees has put the facility under real stress. Please give generously.
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!
– Cuba—IFCO/Irma Relief (same address) Phone: 212-926-5757.
Please give generously – the situations continue to be terrible for many!!
-Chenalhó, Chiapas—Humanitarian crisis
If you would like to help, go to weaving-for-justice.org
* PRISONERS’ RIGHTS
Demand Action at the Holding Center
August 5 @ 5:15 pm – 6:30 pm
Come on out today August 5!! It is past time for change in that sick building with criminal maltreatment and death the result of Erie County Sheriff’s Office policies and practices.Join us outside the Erie County Holding Center at 121 W Eagle Street, in downtown Buffalo, as we rally with our partners from SURJ and Black Love Resists in the Rust, Citizen Action, BARC, and more.
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!
#YemenCantWait Protest
August 9 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Outside Sen. Schumer’s Office, 130 South Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202. Bring signs! The US gov’tal support for Saudi war crimes in Yemen is an outrage. Please come out to tell Sen. Schumer that he must act to stop US complicity in this (and so many other) humanitarian crises caused and/or exacerbated by our military
Resist Militarism! Meetings are 3rd Wednesdays of the month, 5-6:30pm at Niagara Porter Library (at the corner of Niagara & Porter Sts);
(Future dates unless otherwise stated: 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 make sure that the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act includes the amendments passed by the House to . . .
repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
prohibit military force in or against Iran.
support an end to the Korean War.
prohibit support to and participation in the war on Yemen.
prohibit the sale of air-to-ground munitions, used in the conflict in Yemen, to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
prohibit funds from the Special Defense Acquisition Fund to aid Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates if such assistance could be used to conduct or continue hostilities in Yemen.
prohibit funding the transfer of weapons to Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates under the emergency authority of the Arms Export Control Act.
prohibit funding for missiles noncompliant with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
support extending the New START Treaty, and prohibit the use of funds to withdraw from New START.
require that the U.S. military provide Congress with the cost and the national security benefits of every foreign military base or foreign military operation.
require the EPA to designate all PFAS (chemicals with which military bases poison ground water) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
require the EPA to revise the list of toxic pollutants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to include PFAS.
prohibit DoD funding to house any foreign nationals who are in the custody of and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
study potential cost savings with respect to the nuclear security enterprise and force structure.
study cost increases for the W80-4 nuclear warhead life extension program and prevent $185 million from being obligated or expended until the study is completed.
prohibit the use of funds for an exhibition or parade of military forces and hardware.
prohibit the use of funds from being obligated or expended at properties owned by the President or that bear his name.
amend the current statutory prohibition on members of Congress contracting with the federal government to include the President, Vice President, and any Cabinet member.
codify a Department of Defense policy to report to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System service members who are prohibited from purchasing firearms.
If you’d prefer to send an email to your senators, please do so.
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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, 1-3pm. Call-in show! Go to wbny.buffalostate.edu.
Buffalo Nekanesakt. Indigenous support group/allies. Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm. At Burning Books, 420 Connecticut Ave. All are welcome!! Today, our reading group for the Great Law of Peace starts.
Prisoners’ Rights Taskforce – Wednesdays 4-5:30pm protest/vigils at the Erie County Holding Center (Delaware & Church). All are welcome. Please bring signs.
Resist Militarism! Taskforce – regular monthly planning meeting third Weds of the month, at Niagara Porter Library, 5-6:30pm. Including update re Speaking Verse to Power (Infringement Festival event Aug 2, 4-5pm at El Museo, ), and more.
Interfaith Peace Network, August 8 (ltd summer sched), 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 (@250) Delaware and Chippewa. Bring your signs and
spirit of Solidarity. We will not stay silent! #EndICETerror
#FamiliesBelongTogether #AbolishICE #CLOSETHECAMPS #NeverAgainIsNow
Buffalo Youth Climate Strike – all are welcome 2-3pm at Niagara Square for a
youth-led rally to stand up for People and the Planet, and radical change to
mitigate and avert climate catastrophe. Bring signs! See you there!
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)
Of note: West African Drumming Sundays, 12-2pm, Little Africa Culture Club, 356 S. Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
#Unitethestruggles #Loveislove #PowerWITH-NOTPowerOver
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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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Si, se puede! We shall overcome. #UnitetheStruggles
Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.