Congregate Living in the time of COVID-19; BLM Art Show; Buffalo 5 Rally
Wednesday, August 12th, 2020
We are very excited about tomorrow evening’s event, Congregate Living in the Age of COVID-19, an info session on what is needed to keep people safe from COVID-19 while residing in congregate settings. This Zoom meeting (register here) is hosted by the WNY Peace Center, Immigrant & Refugee Justice (IRJ/”urge”) Task Force, Jericho Road Community Health Center and Vive Shelter. Featured panelists include Myron Glick, M.D., and Anna Ireland Mongo, Ph.D., with special guest Heron Simmonds, Erie County Corrections Specialist Advisory Board (covering ECHC and Alden Corrections Facility). Q&A will follow the presentations – all are welcome! This discussion is just one part of continuing work on this area, including the People’s Hearing next week (see below).
We also want to highlight some amazing in-person events this weekend, including the Buffalo 5 Rally and the WNY Liberation Collective’s Black Lives Matter Community Art Show on Friday – see our Upcoming Events below for details. There is plenty that can be done from the safety of our homes, as well – check out our Calls to Action below.
Lastly, we want to remind you that through the remainder of August, contributions of $100 or more to WNYPC get you one of Amanda Besl’s beautiful limited edition pieces (while supplies last), an individual or organizational WNYPC membership with your choice of the #RESIST or #LoveIsLove lawn sign, AND will have your donation matched by the Fr. Bissonette Fund! For more information and to contribute, please visit the fundraiser page on our website.
Please see details and much more below, including other special events this week, regularly scheduled events, campaigns, fundraisers, and more at wnypeace.org, on our Facebook page, Twitter (@wnypeace), and Instagram (@wnypeace)!
Peace, thanks, solidarity and yes – love.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
*** Please refer to our website for details on our *UPDATED* REGULARLY SCHEDULED (monthly/weekly) EVENTSand *UPDATED* ‘Helping Hands’ resources. We also update our SPECIAL EVENT CALENDAR often as we learn of new events, so please be sure to check back regularly! ***
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH
6:00 PM – MOTHER EARTH’S PANDEMIC: THE DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY
Second session in a series of webinars followed by small group discussions. The conference will connect the dots between our current pandemic, environmental devastation, the Doctrine of Discovery, and a way forward. Participants will hear the wisdom from the traditions of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) as well as other Indigenous Peoples. Through virtual discussion groups, you will be able to interact on how best to implement these values of respect, thanksgiving, and peace into your lives. Please join us so that we can begin the process of decolonization back to understanding our proper relationship to the natural world and peace. To register (variable rate of $10, $30, $50 for all sessions) and for more information, click here.
7:00 PM – CONGREGATE LIVING IN THE AGE OF COVID-19
See above.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH
3:00 PM – BUFFALO 5 RALLY
At Lafayette Square (near the Buffalo Erie County Public Library, not City Hall). Three of the original Buffalo 5 remaining living, and these three are seeking a complete exoneration and clearing of their names. They will accomplish this worthwhile goal with plenty of global community support, which will work to compel the office of the Erie County District Attorney to revisit and vacate their indictment (No. 41-413). 44 years Is a long time to wait for justice to be served, and no one deserves lifetime parole for a crime they did not commit. Please also see the change.org petition and GoFundMe.com campaign.
4:00 PM – BLACK LIVES MATTER COMMUNITY ART SHOW
At Niagara Square. Open call to all artists and artistic passionate activists to display their BLM-related work for the day. Speakers scheduled including artist/poet Jillian Hanesworth. Come show your artistic fire! Come appreciate, listen, converse, and support the most important issues; showing our oppression, sharing our frustrations, and inspiring action through art. Masks required. No alcohol. Cohosted by the WNY Liberation Collective and the WNY Peace Center. For questions, call 716-400-0663. #WeThePeople #WeTheChange
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18TH
6:30 PM – NEKANEHSAKT MEETING
Join Nekanęhsakt: Friends of Ękwehęwę for conference calls on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Dial in to 605-475-4825 with Access Number 1075707. Nekanęhsakt: Two houses standing next to each other. Ękwehęwę: Tuscarora word for Indigenous peoples meaning “real human beings”. An organization of non-Indigenous allies working with Indigenous peoples for a better now and a brighter tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19TH
10:30 AM – THE PEOPLE’S HEARING: IMPACT OF COVID-19 IN PRISONS & JAILS
On Zoom (register here). 48,000 New Yorkers are behind bars. The COVID-19 infection rate in four prisons is over twice the statewide rate. But New York’s legislature refuses to even hold a hearing on the COVID-19 crisis in jails and prisons. It’s up to us. To submit testimony, complete this form. (Those who are invited to testify will be notified by Tuesday, August 18th. All will be invited to submit written testimony.) And don’t forget to spread the word!
6:00 PM – RESIST MILITARISM! MONTHLY TASK FORCE MEETING
On Zoom: Meeting ID 886 4837 5765, Password 053203
CALLS TO ACTION
1. Support the repeal of 50-A, a NYS secrecy law that blocked police misconduct and disciplinary records from being released to the public, including victims of police brutality. This legislation is under attack from police unions across the state, including the Buffalo Police Department (BPD) union.
– Send a copy of the petition calling for open access police misconduct to your legislators by texting SIGN YKNGJA to 50409
– Join the Amicus Brief opposing the police unions’ effort to shroud police records in secrecy by signing here: https://bit.ly/PoliceRecordsNow
– Call your local legislators (contact info here) and ask them to join the fight for police transparency.
– Join the social media campaign calling for police transparency and records justice! #RecordsJustice #StoptheShadowRepeal #PoliceAccountabilityNow
2. Free the People WNY 6 Weeks of Action: The 10-year Buffalo Police union contract expired in 2019, and the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association (BPA) are currently negotiating a new contract (more background here). The negotiations stalled by are set to resume this month, which means they need to hear from us!
– Use this toolkit to call, email, and tweet the City Law Department.
– Contribute to and/or share the Darryl Scott Legal Defense fund.
3. Support the demand that the police budget is defunded to invest in traffic calming infrastructure and take BPD out of traffic enforcement all together. Fill out Fair Fines + Fees – Buffalo‘s questionnaire to participate in a budgetary process that aims to make positive changes to the City’s budget.
4. No Amazon Warehouse on Grand Island! You don’t have to live on GI to get involved in the fight against a new Amazon warehouse in WNY. Workers from across the region will be commuting to unsafe working conditions for little pay.Support the Coalition for Responsible Economic Development for Grand Island by signing and sharing this petition.
#UNITE | #OneLove | #WeShallOvercome | #SiSePuede!