Sunday, November 22, 2020
We are still so grateful for this year’s spectacular annual event with Dr. Cornel West! With Thanksgiving approaching and in this spirit of thanks, we want to offer access to the event materials to all – even if you weren’t able to attend live with us this year – because they are just too good to keep under wraps!
- Program book – view the slideshow with music (‘A Love Supreme’ by John Coltrane) or download the PDF to review at your leisure
- Recording – full video of the event, including the presentation of awards to amazing local activists; keynote speech by Dr. West; and live Q&A!
- Virtual marketplace – Our fundraiser isn’t over yet! We had many lovely donations from our generous supporters, so please visit our virtual marketplace (Bidding Owl account required) which will be open through December 6th – just in time for holiday shopping!
You can find these materials and more on our website here. Please take some time to listen to Dr. West’s inspiring words and insights over the holidays, at a time when we all need them. We are overwhelmed by his support of and appreciation for the work of the WNY Peace Center, and his generosity of spirit and time. Please do keep in mind that these materials were made available as part of our 53rd annual fundraiser, which funds our work. If you weren’t an attendee and are able, please consider supporting the continuation of this important work by donating here.
We hope and pray that you and your loved ones are feeling the blessings that surround us, despite the very dire circumstances so many of us face right now. We’re all in this together. A blessed Thanksgiving to all – in ….
…. Peace, thanks, solidarity, and yes – love!
Please see details and much more below, 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)!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Saturday, November 14th, 2020
We invite you to join us in the movement to REFUSE FASCISM. Refuse Fascism is a movement of non-violent protests in Washington, DC, and across the US with a single unifying demand: #RuleOfLaw Trump/Pence out of the White House! Trump refuses to concede, filing lawsuits throughout the nation to try to overturn the election – even with Republican voting officials telling him there’s no factual basis for his complaints. Despite that, his supporters have gathered today in protest of the results.
We need to mobilize – nonviolently – to stop the theft of the election and the rise of fascism while still protecting all as COVID-19 cases are increasing exponentially. Local marches were called off this weekend, but we can still prevent a fascist America. Please – if you haven’t already – read RF’s Pledge to the People of the World (also seen in the NYT on 11/9) and sign. You can also donate to the cause here. (If you are on social media, we encourage you to join in the campaign currently flooding the hashtag ‘MillionMAGAMarch’ with photos of pancakes.)
If you are bothered by what you are seeing across America, just remember our wonderfully motivating evening with Cornel West, a supporter of RF. Take some inspiration from him and other sources that make you feel strong about the long-distance running we have to do in this fight for justice. Pace yourselves and remember that ‘unarmed truth’ (moral integrity) and ‘unconditional love’ (universal solidarity) will win in the end.
For those of you who were in attendance on Monday, we first want to express our extreme gratitude for all of your support. We had an amazing evening and hope you did as well. The excitement isn’t over yet; we are currently putting together a post-event packet which will include a captioned video, downloadable program book, and link to our virtual marketplace! We also want to remind you that TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to get your Peace Pin for Social Justice in support of the WNYPC!
Tomorrow is the deadline for federal rent and mortgage grants to keep tenants and homeowners from being evicted or foreclosed on – and there’s lots of money left! Erie County has a $10 million COVID-assistance program using cash from the CARES Act, and will pay up to five months of past-due rent or mortgage payments. Call 211 for a referral for help applying. Please share this information widely!
Lastly, we want to share an update regarding the virtual sentencing of three members of the Kings Bay Plowshares: Carmen Trotta was sentenced to 14-months; Clare Grady was sentenced to one year and one day; and Martha Hennessy was sentenced to 10-months. Mark Colville opposed a virtual sentencing and after appeal, has been given a delay until December 18th. We appreciate their courage and their sacrifice.
Please see details and much more below, including Rally for the Buffalo Five, Friday Noon, and 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
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
