We have made it through our first full week of “social”/physical distancing. We hope you are all getting through this challenging and uncertain time as well as can be. At the end of this email you will find a list of resources, from health tips to unemployment to how to help vulnerable populations. There is a long road ahead, but the social distance doesn’t mean an end to social justice work and collective action. You are needed now more than ever.
In answer to the question many of you may have had regarding our weekly vigils, three of four – Environmental Justice at the Peace Bridge; Prisoners’ Rights at the Erie County Holding Center; Women in Black at Elmwood & Bidwell – are each currently on autopilot. This means that they have been shifted to be individual activities; so if you join and others are participating, please keep enough distance between you so that it’s clear you are not part of a group. And remember to bring your signs! The Immigrant & Refugee Justice vigil at Delaware North (home of the ICE Buffalo field office) is on hiatus due to the public health emergency. We will continue to share information in our IRJ taskforce FB Group on how to stay involved digitally.
Moreover, Crisis~=Opportunity! Please check out Naomi Klein and Joseph Stieglitz on Democracy Now!’s 3/19/20 edition. You may also be interested in celebrating Now Ruz, Afghanistan’s New Year’s and its biggest holiday of the year, if you’re up at 12:30am this Sunday morning, with the Afghan Peace Volunteers. Their extended war-zone experience can help guide us now! See livestream link and more info below.
We also offer you more information on continued activism that you can get involved with from the comfort and safety of your homes. This should include reminding those friends and family members who are unplugged about the upcoming Census, which can be completed by mail, phone, and online. STAY COUNTED – AND SPREAD THE WORD!
the secret to effective nonviolent resistance.
Please see much more below, including great online events this week, 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
Here’s a summary (with more details on various items directly below):
Beinginformed, getting involved, and taking action on issues that affect Buffalo Niagara by making your voice heard to government and media. https://ppgbuffalo.org/action/overview/
Peace and Diplomacy Lobbying – demanding peace, diplomacy, and sane domestic and foreign policies from your Senators and/or House Representatives. https://www.panys.org/current-actions/
#DemandJustice #HousingJustice – holding District Attorneys across New York accountable to ending mass incarceration, plus fighting against tenant abuse, homelessness, environmental violence, and racist housing policies. https://citizenactionny.org/
Let My People Go – supporting the campaign to free our immigrant and refugee neighbors from detention facilities during the current public health crisis. https://nyimmigrantfreedom.org/let-my-people-go/
Completing Census 2020 – The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of blllions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade That funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location. https://2020census.gov/en.html
Resources at Peace Action New York State (PANYS) that includes current legislation and co-sponsors, scheduled lobbying meetings, Town Halls in New York state – and most importantly – lobby packets and one-pagers that you can take to your Senators or House Representative. The only way to influence our Elected Representatives is to get their attention – through calls, letters, in-district meetings, and public events. Not sure who your Representatives are? Go to whoismyrepresentative.com to find out. Current issues include: Iran, North Korea, Nuclear Weapons, Venezuela, Yemen, and Opposing Israel Anti-Boycott Act
#DemandJustice and #HousingJustice
Together with Citizen Action! New York, you can help in building two movements:
to hold District Attorneys across New York State accountable to end mass incarceration! Learn how to take action to ensure our District Attorneys full implement the new pretrial laws that were passed in 2019 to keep thousands of legally innocent New Yorkers out of jail while they await trial. Tell state legislators that you support the new pretrial laws that will keep thousands of legally innocent people out of jail, and to implement them without any changes.
fighting the NYS real estate industry which prioritizes profits over the safety and security of the 50% of our residents who are renters. Half the state’s tenants are unable to afford their rent, and over 90,000 people are in homeless situations on any given day. Support the campaign against tenant abuse, homelessness, environmental violence, and racist housing policies.
The week (and month) is shaping up to be very busy, so you likely have to pick and choose what you can actually manage! Si, Se Puede …. We Shall Overcome! Harambe/Together!
Thanks to the many who came out to join with Women In Black for the special National Day of Action! With he-who-shall-not-be-named/he-who’s-impeached threatening 52 Iranian cultural sites (~=aiming at civilians and civil society), we need a Congressional resolution to stop US aggression towards Iran.
Please call your Congressperson (switchboard is 202-224-3121 – or Reps Higgins or Reed if you don’t have one) to urge a stop through the War Powers Act to any war on Iran, as well as any more troops to the Middle East. They may vote tomorrow!
Tonight we also have the Community Conversation on #HALTSolitary, 6pm at the Crucial Center (230 Moselle, Buffalo). All are welcome to hear first-hand accounts, experience a model solitary cell, hear from officials – including Legislator April Baskin, experts, and convenient info re free Albany lobby trip on January 21. Hope to see you there!
We hope, too, you’ll attend the January 11, 1:30pm membership meeting at the WNYPC, NRC Bldg, 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo 14209 (entrance & parking round back). All are welcome, and can bring a snack to share if you like. We’ll cover strategic planning, taskforces and committees. These are critical times for working together.
The buzz is building for the Women’s March Sunday January 19, 1:30pm, part of a Weekend of Action! We’re excited that WNY Resistance Revival Chorus will kick us off, after an Indigenous welcome. We can also confirm that we’ll feature Indigenous Women (as will the National March – many from here will have just been there), have Vonetta Rhodes share spoken word, more music from Phenomenal Ladies of Rhythm and Roc Da Mic, chanting lead by Jennifer Page, and inspiring speakers!
Don’t miss the sign-making and a showing of the Doctrine of Discovery documentary on Saturday (3:30-5:30pm at the WNYPC, see above). Materials will be on hand (and free will offering), as will Women’s March T-shirts! Of course, you’ll want to be at the wonderful Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration later on Sunday (6-8pm at Kleinhans). See more on our website at wnypeace.org.
If you can free yourself up on a Tuesday for criminal justice reform, there are still the two lobby trips to Albany – all day (~5:30am to late evening), fully funded. Dates, focus, and links for reserving a seat are:
– Tues, Jan 14, to Release our Aging People from Prison (go to bit.ly/35ZDluL to #FreeOurElders);
– Tues, Jan 21, (https://www.facebook.com/events/564954490972330/) to advocate for legislators to pass the #HALTsolitary act.
Of note, there are two advisory committee meetings on January 14, 10am-ish, if you can better do that than a whole-day trip. Please see our website.)
As always, more below, including regularly scheduled events & vigils, and more at wnypeace.org, and on our facebook page, twitter (@wnypeace), and Instagram (wnypeace)!
Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.
#Unite! #OneLove
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Events this week:
Ending Torture: A Solitary Confinement Community Discussion
January 7 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
At the Crucial Community Center, 230 Moselle St, Buffalo NY 14211. Join us for a discussion about the pervasive use of solitary confinement across New York, with firsthand accounts from solitary survivors. Learn more about #HALTsolitary (http://nycaic.org) and ways to get involved to end the use of solitary confinement across the state. Organized by Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals and WNYPC.
Resist Militarism! Taskforce Mtg
January 8 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
At Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch), 280 Porter Ave, Buffalo NY. Discuss ideas for what an interactive memorial in Buffalo that acknowledges all victims of war could look like. All are welcome!
End the ICE Terror weekly vigil
January 9 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Join the Immigrant & Refugee Taskforce every Thursday from 5:00-6:00 PM for an End the ICE Terror vigil in front of the ICE Field Office at the Delaware North Building (250 Delaware Ave at the corner of Chippewa). Bring your signs and spirit of solidarity. We will not stay silent!
Saturday Academies at Lafayette Community School
January 11 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Free activities for the whole community! Join the WNY Peace Center at 10:30 in the cafeteria for a PeaceJam activity.
WNYPC Membership Mtg
January 11 @ 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
At WNYPC/NRC Bldg, 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance & parking round back of bldg). Come on out and get connected with the WNYPC’s vital taskforces, submit a membership survey, get info on past and upcoming events and campaigns. And please re-up your membership for the year if you haven’t already! That will enable to have a vote. Focus on Taskforces and Committees.
Trip to Albany to lobby to #FreeOurElders
January 14 @ 5:30 am – 9:30 pm
Bring them home!! End Death-by-incarceration sentences to promote parole justice. Free transportation and food is provided. To rsvp, please go to: bit.ly/35ZDluL. Questions? Contact Rosie Rios, rmr2198@columbia.edu. Parole Preparation Project; RAPP (Release Aging People in Prison).
Corrections Advisory Board – Initial Mtg
January 14 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
At Old County Hall, 92 Franklin, 4th floor conference room. Initial meeting of the Corrections Advisory Board overseeing Sheriff Howard’s administration of the Erie Co Holding Center, Alden, etc. Public meeting.
Women’s March – DC
January 18 @ 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
On January 18, 2020, the Women’s March on Washington will take the power back and so will you. In 2020, we have a chance to finish what we started three years ago and remove Trump from office. We can’t do it without you. Come to DC for the national march and/or go to our local the following day!
Women’s March – Buffalo/WNY
January 19 @ 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
At Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY. #UNITE – as part of the Weekend of Action! A rally and march with speakers, music, and the Spirit, to celebrate Truth and Love. We will stand together for Women, Solidarity with and Justice for People and the Planet, and #womenswave, #powertothepolls. See our ~70 great cosponsors list on our website wnypeace.org or the facebook event page.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Celebration
January 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
At Kleinhans Music Hall, One Symphony Circle, Buffalo NY. Come join this beautiful community celebration of our beloved Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This African-American community celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. King includes exciting music and dance performances from throughout Western New York. Free and open to the public. All are welcome.
Trip to Albany to Pass #HALTsolitary Act
January 21 @ 5:30 am – 9:30 pm
WNY chapter of the Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (CAIC) is going to be joining various chapters across the state in Albany on Tuesday, January 21 (https://www.facebook.com/events/564954490972330/) to advocate for legislators to pass the #HALTsolitary act. It is so important to passing the act. More than 2 weeks in solitary is torture per international standards, and tremendously harmful and traumatic to people. We need more voices coming to Albany with us to make sure this time it gets passed! Please join us!
Sanctuary for Refugees (LASC Coffeehouse)
January 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
At Canisius College (Main & Jefferson), Science Building Lounge. Speaker Rev. Nancy Rosas is the pastor at Pilgrim St Luke’s UCC, the only active sanctuary church in Buffalo. The church has hosted numerous families who are threatened with deportation. The families are afforded a comfortable and safe place to stay while they need one. Come find out more. All are welcome. Light refreshments.
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REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS in the One Struggle, One Vision, One Love:
Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center Radio Show on 91.3FM, WBNY. Mondays, 1-3pm. Call-in show with Jim Anderson and Vicki Ross co-hosting. Also streaming on-line at wbny.buffalostate.edu. Topic: Criminal Justice and the need for transformation.
Buffalo Nekanesakt. Indigenous support group/allies. 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm. At Burning Books, 420 Connecticut Ave. All are welcome!! Reading group for the Great Law of Peace will meet on the last Tuesday of January for its final session on the Kayanerenko:wa as put forth by Kayanesenh Paul Williams.
Prisoners’ Rights Taskforce – NO MORE Deaths! Vigil/protest Wednesdays 4-5:30pm at the Erie County Holding Center (Delaware & Church). The Sheriff’s Administration is a Public Health Emergency!! All are welcome. Please bring signs.
Resist Militarism! Taskforce – Regular monthly planning meeting third Weds of the month, Jan 15; 5-6:30pm. at Isaías González-Soto Branch (formerly Niagara Branch) Library, 280 Porter Ave, Buffalo 14201.
Interfaith Peace Network – in January only, 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month, ie, January 9 and January 23, with special presentations on Congregation of Israel and Sufism respectively; 9:15am at 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo NY 14209 entrance and parking round back.) Breakfast potluck, and discussion.
End ICE Terror – Thursdays, 5-6pm, vigil in front of the 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
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) Special gathering on Jan 4 for National Day of Action: US out of Iraq!!!
Riverside Salem Environmental Cottage & UCC/DC – Various progressive spiritual activist and naturalist programs, Sundays, 4-6pm followed by a pot-luck. 3449 West River Road, Grand Island, NY 14072. Celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, 1/5.
Of note: Little Africa Culture Club, 356 S. Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY. African Drumming Sundays, 12-2pm.
We shall overcome #Unitethestruggles #Loveislove #PowerWITH-NOTPowerOver
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More listings on calendar and in previous email posts.
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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. #Unite
Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, and yes Love.
