Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King/Women’s March weekend: Sat 2pm & onward – for Truth & Love
Sunday, January 10th, 2021
This weekend is a special time to help us get insights and inspiration to help us through these very troubled and troubling times. “The time is always right to do the right thing.” – Rev Dr King. We will fortify ourselves in these days so we can fructify – bear wonderful fruits for the work – paraphrasing dear Brother Cornel West.
Remembering Rev. Dr. King, his life and works, his strength and character, his wisdom and teachings – will help us get where we need to go. We at the WNY Peace Center were founded as part of Dr. King’s Clergy and Laity Concerned, so we try to remember and emulate all year long.
At the Women’s March WNY, we’ll be working for #UnarmedTruth and #UnconditionalLove in a virtual gathering tomorrow/Saturday 2pm details below. #WomenLead, especially in Intersectionality. Join us to #DefendTheSacred – #PeopleAndThePlanet. Agenda and more are on the calendar event page on wnypeace.org. Register at bit.ly/wnypeace_WM2021 (upon which you’ll receive a link to the zoom room).
We are sad to announce, besides the passing of beloved Jim Mang (peacemaker, activist, and former WNY Peace Center director), community icon and leader, longtime pastor of Michigan St. Baptist Church, Bishop Henderson also passed on Monday, Jan 11. Our deep condolences, gratitude, and love to his family and all the community. There will be a public viewing held Sunday January 17, from 7-9 p.m. at Alan R. Core Funeral Home , 1933 Kensington Ave., with a private ceremony Monday January 18.
We are grateful for the educating, inspiring, and devoted community service of dearly beloved Father Bishop Henderson – and remember seeing him at so many MLK services – including last year. He’ll be with us when we see the Concerned Citizen’s following the Dream remotely on Saturday and Monday – details below. We were honored to submit a Women’s March Tribute to Rev Dr King for inclusion to the wonderful program.
We still, in these challenging times, refer you to our post-event offerings with Dr. Cornel West for continued inspiration. The full transcript of our 53rd annual event is a special treat! See more from beloved Brother West on our twitter feed @wnypeace.
Please see details and much more – including special and regularly scheduled events this week – plus 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
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
Find more details and additional special events on our Event Calendar at
SATURDAY, 1/16
2 PM – WNY Women’s March 2021. On Zoom – register in advance here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. This year’s themes include positive goals as the opposite of Dr. King’s triple(/quadruple/quintuple) evils of society: Women in… Universal Solidarity; Peacemaking; Cooperative Economics; Sustainability; Reverence for Life. Interested in being a co-sponsor? Email assistant@wnypeace.org.
Also get your pink WNYPC t-shirt as a membership gift in time for the Women’s March next week! Join at bit.ly/wnypeace_join (and also for our Membership Meeting in 3-weeks on 1/31)! Pick up your shirt during our office hours: M/T/R 2-4 PM or by appointment (email office@wnypeace.org).
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm EST
Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Join Us virtually – this time not at Kleinhans! The Concerned Citizens following the Dream Committee presents the Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. This will be streaming on the Concerned Citizens following the Dream Committee Facebook and Youtube. (It will also be broadcast Monday, January 18th at 3:30 pm on WKBW, Channel 7.)
SUNDAY, 1/17
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm EST
Riverside Salem: Film wRev Traci Blackmon; Social Justice Gospel discussion
On Zoom. In preparation for the inauguration of our next president, and reflect on the work of Martin Luther King, Jr., we will watch a video conversation between the Rev. Traci Blackmon, Ruby Sales, and Brittany Packnett: What Shall We Say to These Things? Crafting a Social Gospel for the 21st Century, a webinar to be viewed and discussed. Link is here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3639440486?pwd=Wnk2TVlQRWlZRXEyVW9zeklNaXNJZz09
MONDAY, 1/18 – MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm EST
Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Join Us virtually – this time not at Kleinhans, but rather on WKBW, Channel 7. The Concerned Citizens following the Dream Committee presents the Virtual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. (It will also be streamed on the Concerned Citizens following the Dream Committee Facebook and Youtube on Sat, 1/16, at 6pm.)
5:00 pm EST
Our Friend Martin
On Zoom. The WNY Poor People’s Campaign will be hosting a virtual movie event on Monday, January 20th at 5pm, in recognition of Martin Luther King Day. Please join us for this family friend event in watching Our Friend Martin, followed by movie trivia for the kids in attendance and a chance to win a giftcard! Join us, and other events throughout the day, on zoom at: bit.ly/WNYMLKDay
You are also invited to stay on the zoom call to engage in more MLK Day event planned by collaborating organizations.
5:30 PM – The Buffalo 5’s Prayer Vigil 2021. At 143 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14203-1629 (outside WUFO – no need to exit vehicle) and broadcast on Legendary Mix 1080 AM WUFO/96.5 FM. The Buffalo 5 are down to their best/final chance to gain a reversal of their wrongful 1977 murder indictment and conviction. Numerous local clergy have invited to lead the community in prayer that the 1/20 court appearance of the Buffalo 5 results in their Motion To Vacate Indictment Number 41-413 being upheld – and then on the path to a thorough exoneration.
TUESDAY, 1/19
6 PM – Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ-Buffalo) special general meeting. On Zoom – register here. Explore what white supremacist groups are organizing here in WNY, tactics they are using, their connections to recent national events, and how SURJ IS going to need you in their future work. Members both new and already committed are equally welcome at this meeting.
FRIDAY, 1/22
SAVE THE DATE: Entry Into Force Day for TPNW. On this day, the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will enter into force. To mark the day that nuclear weapons become illegal under international law, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) campaigners and other anti-nuclear activists around the world will be hosting a huge range of actions and activities. Find one near you (or online in your time zone) here.
MONDAY, 1/25
2 PM – “World Says No to War on Yemen” Global Day of Action. Stop the War Coalition webinar with various internationally known artists, musicians, members of French and UK parliaments, and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. #YemenCantWait
SUNDAY, 1/31
2 PM – WNYPC Membership Meeting. On Zoom – meeting details TBA.
UPCOMING REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS
Find more details and additional weekly/monthly events on our website at
wnypeace.org/wp/regularly-scheduled-events
MONDAYS
1pm – Talking Peace (WNYPC radio show). On WBNY 91.3 FM or streaming online at wbny.buffalostate.edu. Insights on peace and justice with the WNYPC. At the moment, the show is being pre-recorded by Think Twice Radio: The Home of the Future!
WEDNESDAYS
3pm – Weekly Vigil and March Against the Death Penalty. From the Robert L. Jackson Courthouse to the ECHC. Please bring your own signs.
4pm – Prisoners’ Rights weekly vigil: No More ECHC Deaths! at the Erie County Holding Center. Please bring your own signs.
THURSDAYS
5pm – Immigrant & Refugee Justice (IRJ) weekly vigil: End Ice Terror! Outside the Delaware North Building. Please bring your own signs.
FRIDAYS
2pm – Environmental Justice weekly vigil: No Nuclear Waste over the Peace Bridge! At Front Park. Signs on hand.
SATURDAYS
12 pm – Women in Black weekly vigil. At Elmwood & Bidwell. Signs on hand.
UPDATED: CAMPAIGNS BY ISSUE AREA
Find more details and additional campaigns and fundraisers at
wnypeace.org/wp/current-campaign
wnypeace.org/wp/organizing-in-wny
Environmental Justice & Indigenous Rights
– Call MN Governor Tim Walz at 651-201-3400 to urge him and other officials (e.g., Congressman Keith Ellison) to stop Line 3. Visit the Water Protectors website for information on needed donations and coming out to put your body on the line to protect Mother Earth, the waters, and the creation. Donations (physical items and/or monetary) also gratefully received at Burning Books (420 Connecticut St, Buffalo, 14213 – open daily, 11am – 7pm) or to Nekanehsakt’s PayPal. #DefendTheSacred #WaterIsLife
– Join the West Valley Action Network and support the full cleanup of one of WNY’s most dangerous radioactive pollution problems. Help protect our drinking water, environmental, and community! Join in proactively protecting our region from the long-lasting, deadly nuclear and hazardous waste at the West Valley site. Please also contact all of your legislators – local, state, and federal – to urge full covered cleanup with extensive monitoring!
Policing & Criminal Justice Reform
– Please support the Cariol Horne Whistleblower Fund!
– Contact ECDA John Flynn’s office (by phone: 716-858-2424 and by web: https://www2.erie.gov/da/) urging him to:
- drop all charges against Willie Henley! If you are able, please also contribute to Willie’s lawyer fee funds at gofundme.com/f/willie-henley-lawyer-fee
- re-visit the Buffalo 5 case (indictment no. 41-413)! Three of the original Buffalo 5 remain living and are seeking a complete exoneration and clearing of their names. Please also see the change.org petition and GoFundMe.com campaign. Also see Vigil 1/18.
- give Deyanna Davis more freedom while she’s in house arrest! Visit linktr.ee/deyannadavis for a petition, fundraiser, and more information.
– Buffalo needs LEAD now! We recently saw a clear example of how the current way police respond to community members with mental health issues fails our community. This entire situation could have been avoided with Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), a program that offers an alternative to arrest or hospitalization: diverting individuals into intensive management so their underlying needs are addressed. Learn more about LEAD here and SHARE WIDELY!
– Support the demand that the police budget is reallocated to invest in traffic calming infrastructure and take BPD out of traffic enforcement all together. Please fill out the questionnaire shared by Fair Fines + Fees to participate in a budgetary process that aims to make positive changes to the City’s budget. NEW! You can also share your ideas and priorities for changing the Buffalo Police Department through this survey by Free the People WNY.
#UNITEtheStruggles | #OneLove | #WeShallOvercome | #SiSePuede