June 19th, 2020
So much has happened and is happening, that it’s hard to know where to start – except with a deep breath of love and courage!
We again express extreme grief and concern about the longstanding injustices that have been made more obvious over the past years, months, and days. This includes most recently the cruel (and unfortunately not “unusual”) punishment of Deyanna Davis. Please see her fundraiser here; and plenty more on the need for and ways to work for her compassionate release at https://linktr.ee/deyannadavis – and a great video by Akram Shibly; Deyanna’s not a flight risk; is a truly hurting young mother and student; and the Erie County Holding Center, well, it holds a world of maltreatment including homicide by medical neglect #ReleaseInmates.
There has been a great trauma to our community, and we need to find the ground of our dwelling – the roots that help us to continue on with our struggle. We have no choice but to, so we need to pace ourselves for this marathon (that includes self-care during COVID and this Census year).
This is a transformative time, with growing clarity regarding racial injustice, police brutality, and the militarization of police. Buffalo’s being in the national eye has finally led to the appropriate attention for Cariol Horne, someone we are proud to have as a member of our board. See Cariol on CNN speaking about her experience as a BPO intervening in a chokehold situation over a decade ago. You can find more information about Cariol and her latest work on Cariol’s Law (and keep an eye out for a call to action on Monday). Lastly, there is her Whistleblower fundraiser – please share widely and contribute if you are able. #GeorgeFloydNeededCariolHorne
Big shout out to the many devoted young (and not so young) activists gathering every day at Niagara Square since Monday, June 1, in determination that this time, platitudes and incremental change will not be enough. A Change is Gonna Come – NOW!!
Tomorrow, 6/20, join a General Assembly in Niagara Square at 1pm. Demands to be made to the authorities will be discussed; and groups and organizations (including but not limited to the WNYPC) will be there to talk about their work and visions. It will be an opportunity to meet lots more activists engaged in the struggle (including some of our board members and staff). We hope you can join in this critical time – we are all in this together.
Special shout-out too to Black Love Resists in the Rust (BLRR)’s establishment of Liberation Square. We thank BLRR for occupying the Square to push for Deyanna’s compassionate release (see above), and all their leadership. Yes, the struggle is everywhere!!
We want to highlight a few upcoming events, including
Next Thursday, 6/25 at 6pm on Zoom we are hosting a Know Your Rights webinar featuring Daire Brian Irwin, Esq. and John A. Curry III, NYCLU; as well as
Monday, 6/22 we have a great radio show featuring Myles Carter and Rev. Denise Waldon speaking on E-District events of 6/1 (including Deyanna Davis’ compassionate release efforts) and racial justice issues; Brooke Binkowski and Professor Mike Niman speaking on disinformation and propaganda. 1-3 pm on 91.3 FM or wbny.buffalostate.edu
Another session (same workshop) of the Know Your Rights will be in person (with physical distancing) at Niagara/Liberation Square, Sunday June 28 at 1pm.
Zoom session with experts on Cuba’s wonderful medical aid to the world (June 29, see below).
our youth (virtual) summer camp – Camp Peaceprints – which is less than one month away! More details and to register here.
We hope you were able to participate in last week’s Juneteenth of Buffalo virtual festivities. We look forward to when we are able to all able to celebrate in person again. In the meantime, we’ll take time to reflect on the significance of this day in American history, and continue our work in the fight against racial injustice and violence. You can still check out their videos here (great info and inspiration).
Lastly, we have had many people reach out inquiring about lawn signs as a way to express their solidarity. We have many #UNITE lawn signs – designed by our own Office Manager & Coordinator, Deidra – left from last fall’s Annual Dinner. (We do also have some #LoveIsLove signs left.) These are WNYPC Membership gifts, so after joining please email office@wnypeace.org to set up a pickup time.
#PeopleandthePlanet #UniteTheStruggles #OneLove
28 March 2020
Dear Friends,
We know that these past few weeks have not been easy and expect that the next few will continue to be a challenge. We hope that in these stressful times you are taking care of yourselves, both physically and mentally. Please remember that you are not in this alone, but that we are #AloneTogether. Of course the City of Good Neighbors has come through, and there are plenty of resources to help one another, including the Buffalo Mutual Aid Network.
In this spirit of community building, let us keep in mind that on every level the priority should be people, not profits. Bailouts must focus on individuals and families, not corporations. To ensure our say in this, we must complete the Census and safeguard our elections. Voting should not be a public health risk; it is time to implement a national system of voting by mail.
This week we highlight a few events in the spirit of community action. Please join us for:
- A NuclearFree Future in preparation for Peace-On-and-with-the-Earth Month! With Dr. Ira Helfand, two-time Nobel Peace recipient, key scientist, and truth-teller. Sunday, 29 March via Zoom Meeting and Facebook Live.
- WNED-TV showing of the NOVA program on the Cuban medical contributions to and connections with Roswell Park. Wednesday, 1 April at 9 PM.
- #FreeThemAll driving rally at the Buffalo ICE field office (Delaware North building). Thursday, 2 April at 12:30 PM. Organized by the Immigrant & Refugee Justice taskforce (IRJ).
We also want to let you know that our dear Board Co-Chair, Welcomer, Water Protector and liaison to Nekanęhsakt: Friends of Ękwehęwę – Kelly Maracle – needs our help. Kelly has been in the hospital for the past two weeks and is suffering from complications related to medication and surgery. She has not been able to work during this time and will not for some time after she returns home, where she lives with her family including an elderly aunt, two grandchildren, and her daughter who has lost work due to COVD-19. Kelly is a caring mother, grandmother and tireless warrior for the planet, the water, her family and Indigenous Sovereignty.
- This fundraiser is being put on and sponsored by Nekanehsakt. Please join us today and make any donation you can, small or large. You can make a contribution via Paypal or send a check or money order to: Kelly Maracle, 13967 Route 438, Gowanda, NY 14070
- When you donate, know that 100% of the donation will go directly to Kelly and family. If you can’t send any money send love, prayers and healing her way for a strong speedy recovery! Nya:wëh, thank you so much!
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
UPCOMING EVENTS
SUN, 29 MAR: BACK FROM THE BRINK WEBINAR WITH DR. IRA HELFAND
Participate online at 7 PM. In place of his Upstate NY in-person tour, Dr. Ira Helfand is offering a webinar on the Back from the Brink Campaign to prevent Nuclear War (BFTB), as well as asking whether COVID-19 may save us all! (yes, Crisis = Opportunity). This will include 1. the dangerous state of current nuclear brinkmanship; 2. an overview of the campaign, demands, structure, bills in Congress, and successes so far; 3. ideas for connecting BFTB with work you are already doing, and 4. opportunity for your questions to be answered.
SUN, 29 – TUES, 31 MAR: VIRTUAL SPRING LOBBY WEEKEND
Join the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) Virtual Spring Lobby Weekend, where hundreds of students, recent grads, Quakers, and young adults will gather online to learn and virtually lobby Congress on one critical issue: climate change. The climate emergency requires urgent action by individuals, companies, investors, and communities. We need to push Congress to adapt ambitious federal laws to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Join FCNL online and make your voice heard!
WEDS, 1 APR: “CUBA’S CANCER HOPE” – PBS NOVA PROGRAMMING
Premiering on WNED-TV at 9 PM. When the U.S. trade embargo left Cuba isolated from medical resources, Cuban scientists were forced to get creative. Now they’ve developed lung cancer vaccines that show so much promise, some Americans are defying the embargo and traveling to Cuba for treatment. In an unprecedented move, Cuban researchers are working with U.S. partners to make the medicines more widely available. This includes Roswell Park medical staff, who’ve shared with us and the world their gratitude for the Cuban medical personnel! Don’t miss it!
THURS, 2 APR: #FREETHEMALL DRIVING RALLY AT DELAWARE NORTH
From 12:30 – 1 PM. Join the Immigrant & Refugee Justice taskforce (IRJ) and drive around the block of the ICE field offices at the Delaware North building. Route: North on Delaware Ave, left onto N Johnson Park, left onto S Elmwood, left onto Chippewa. Please put signs and streamers taped onto the outside of your vehicle and be ready to honk away! (Thanks, SURJ, for this great protest idea!) The people detained in Batavia are truly in danger due to people congestion, poor medical treatment, inadequate nutrition, and overall unhealthful conditions for people whose health may very likely already be more vulnerable. #ReleaseThemNow #DetentionIsDeadly #FreeThemAll
THURS, 2 APR: FREE FRED BROWN! WATCH PARTY
At 7 PM via Facebook Premiere. Free Fred Brown! explores themes of community, resilience and solidarity in the midst of social crisis. For years, PUSH Green has worked with local communities to make them more sustainable and resilient in the face of climate change. As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, Ujima Company, Inc. and PUSH Buffalo invite community members to join in a screening and discussion of Free Fred Brown!
REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS – continuing with physical distance guidelines fully followed:
WEDS, 1 APR: ECHC VIGIL – NO MORE DEATHS!
At the Erie County Holding Center, Delaware Ave between Church & Eagle Streets, Buffalo. Join the Prisoners’ Rights taskforce for their weekly vigil/protests on Wednesday from 4-5:30 PM. The ECHC has significantly higher deaths than similar facilities. The Sheriff’s Department has misreported and been determined to have committee homicide by medical neglect per the DOJ! The Sheriff’s Administration is a public health emergency! *** All are welcome; please bring signs. *** Also, please call Governor Cuomo at 518-474-8390 to urge him to remove Sheriff Howard as he is clearly not up to the job.
FRI, 3 APR: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE VIGIL
At Front Park (Vermont & Busti), Buffalo. Join the Environmental Justice taskforce every Friday from 2-3 PM to protest shipments of VERY dangerous radioactive liquid transported bfrom Canada over the Peace Bridge. Due to the public health emergency, please bring your own signs. You can also call Governor Cuomo’s office to DECLARE A CLIMATE EMERGENCY! Phone: 518-474-8390, press 1 when the recording begins. Script: “Governor Cuomo, please declare a climate emergency for the state of New York, which means an immediate ban on all new fossil fuel infrastructure. I’m calling from zip code xxxxx.”
FRI, 3 APR: WNY YOUTH CLIMATE COUNCIL #DIGITALSTRIKE
Due to the public health emergency, the WNYCC had to cancel their in-person Buffalo Climate Strike on 20 March. The goal of the strike, to ask our Common Council members of Buffalo to Declare a Climate Emergency, is to pass a Climate Resolution. The strike has now become a weekly (every Friday!) digital strike – please join them by sharing seflies and pictures with your rally signs and posters for the Buffalo Climate Strike to Declare a Climate Emergency on social media, and use the hashtags #DIGITALSTRIKE #WNYYOUTHCLIMATE #DECLAREACLIMATEEMERGENCY
SAT, 4 APR: WOMEN IN BLACK
Nonviolence vigil at Bidwell & Elmwood; Saturdays, noon – 1 PM. All are welcome; you don’t need to be a woman or dress in black. Please bring your own signs due to the current public health emergency.
CAMPAIGNS
TELL CONGRESS TO DOUBLE THE CDC BUDGET
The spread of COVID-19 has exposed a rot at the center of American society: that we siphon 55% of our discretionary budget into the Pentagon — $738 billion — while we allocate only 1.5% of that — $11 billion — to the Centers for Disease Control. Tell Congress to double the CDC’s budget by cutting money to the Pentagon.
PEACE AND DIPLOMACY LOBBYING
Demand peace, diplomacy, and sane domestic and foreign policies from your Senators and/or House Representatives.
END SANCTIONS: #SANCTIONSKILL
At least 1,800 Iranians DEAD. Over 23,000 INFECTED. AN ESTIMATED 3.5 MILLION MAY DIE. Urge Congress to introduce COVID19-related legislation to lift sanctions on Iran. #SanctionsKill #SanctionsSpreadCOVID19
#DEMANDJUSTICE #HOUSINGJUSTICE
Hold District Attorneys across New York accountable to ending mass incarceration, plus fight against tenant abuse, homelessness, environmental violence, and racist housing policies.
LET MY PEOPLE GO
Support the campaign to free our immigrant and refugee neighbors from detention facilities during the current public health crisis.
FFJC Policy Recommendations and Reform Tracker on COVID-19
Support evidence-based policies that jurisdictions around the country should take to help stem this public health and economic crisis.
#UNITE | #OneLove | #WeShallOvercome | #SiSePuede!
716-332-3904 2/14/2020
Dear Friends,
If you haven’t already heard our big news, Rev. Dr. Cornel West will keynote the WNY Peace Center’s Annual event Monday, November 9, 2020! That’s the Monday after the election of a lifetime! Our Beloved Brother Cornel will help us navigate from wherever we’re at, at that point. We couldn’t be more excited and grateful! Save the date! And of course, more details to follow …..
We’ll soon be snail-mailing reminders about re-upping – or becoming – a member of the WNY Peace Center. As a recipient of this Weekly News/Weekly Update, you know how hard we work and how much we offer the community through our rallies/marches/coffee houses and all kinds of events, campaigns, collaborations, coalitions, website, social media, and much more.
Moreover the vast majority of our offerings are free to you and all the community (while actually costing us to do it). This is your chance to make sure it all keeps happening – we need your support to ensure it does! So you can donate/become a member at wnypeace.org. Or wait for the mailing …. Either way, we can’t do it without you! Thanks in advance.
Please see much more below, including great events this week, 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
Events this week:
Vigil Protest of VERY Dangerous Radioactive Liquid over Peace Bridge
February 14 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Environmental Justice Taskforce – Vigil to Protest the Shipments of VERY Dangerous Radioactive Liquid from Canada coming over the Peace Bridge. Every Friday 2-3pm, Front Park at Vermont & Busti, Buffalo. Signs welcome and also usually available.
Women In Black – Nonviolence vigil
February 15 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
At Bidwell and Elmwood. Saturdays, Noon-1pm. Signs also available. (And you don’t need to be a woman or dress in black!)
Riverside Salem
February 16 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
At Riverside Salem Environmental Cottage & UCC/DC, 3449 West River Road, Grand Island, NY 14072. – Various progressive spiritual activist and naturalist programs, Sundays, 4-6pm followed by a pot-luck.
Talking Peace w WNYPC, WBNY 91.3FM
February 17 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Call-in radio show with Vicki Ross hosting. Also streaming on-line at wbny.buffalostate.edu. Special Presidents’ Day show with League of Women Voters’ Barbara Gunderson. Re Voter Registration (apps?!), Electoral College, Impeachment, more.
WNY Poor People’s Campaign General Meeting
February 17 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
At Raq’s Solidarity, 322 Amherst Street, Buffalo 14207. Join the WNY Poor People’s Campaign to learn more about what we’re working on and how you can get involved! No worries potluck! Please bring a snack or drink to pass. For more information contact Sara Palmer at 716-427-4933 or saraleepalmer02@gmail.com
BULYPNY Black Restaurant Week
February 18 – February 23
February 18th – 23rd; please visit https://bulypny.wixsite.com/blackrestaurantweek/copy-of-2019-participating-restaura for participating restaurants. Visit a participating restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner; then purchase a meal from their special Restaurant Week menu. The vision is to empower and highlight the great minority-owned restaurants here in Buffalo, NY. Organized by Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals.
Nekanehsakt
February 18 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
At Burning Books, 420 Connecticut Avenue, Buffalo 14213. Indigenous support group/allies (including Indigenous Women’s Initiatives, WNYPC). Every 1st & 3rd Tuesdays. Come help plan support for Indigenous rights, people, and the planet. Learn about – and help with – the NuclearFree Peace On and With the Earth Month (April), and the Walk For Life, Walk For Water, Walk for Mother Earth (April 3-26). See more on our website – or just come to the meeting!
Resist Militarism! Taskforce Meeting
February 19 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
At Isaías González-Soto Branch (formerly Niagara Branch) Library, 280 Porter Ave, Buffalo 14201. Come be part of grounding the drones and ending the wars. Planning is in process for event(s) in Niagara Falls, with PeaceAction Niagara University and more; for moving toward having monuments for Peacemakers not just warmakers; retracting the AUMF, and more. All are welcome!
ECHC Vigil: NO MORE Deaths!
February 19 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
At the Erie Co Holding Center, Delaware between Church & Eagle Sts, Buffalo. Prisoners’ Rights Taskforce Vigil/protest Wednesdays 4-5:30pm at the Erie County Holding Center (Delaware & Church). The ECHC has significantly higher deaths than similar facilities. The Sheriff’s Dept has misreported, and been determined to have committed homicide by medical neglect per the DOJ! The Sheriff’s Administration is a Public Health Emergency!! All are welcome.
**Please bring signs. **
Also please call Gov Cuomo at (518) 474-8390 to urge him to remove Sheriff Howard as he clearly is not up to the job.
Immigrant & Refugee Justice (IRJ) Taskforce Mtg
February 20 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
At SPoT Coffee, 227 Delaware Ave. Join us every third Thursday from 6:00 – 7:00 PM for an IRJ taskforce meeting to discuss topics relevant to immigrant and refugee communities. We currently meet at SPoT Coffee just after and across the street from our weekly vigil (5-6pm) at Delaware North.
Global Days of Listening Call – APV streaming online
February 21 @ 10:30 pm – February 22 @ 10:30 pm
At http://globaldaysoflistening.org/. The Afghan Peace Volunteers will have their regular monthly international call. You can listing to it streaming on-line. You can also sign up for another month, especially if you are part of a group. Global Days of Listening has included many great peace, justice, climate, and especially nonviolence advocates and activists from all over the world. Don’t miss the call and/or the inspiration!
Peace Coffeehouse: Bolivia and struggles against corporate tactics
February 24 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Jim Schultz, on ways of resistance to corporations, from the Cochibamba Water Revolt in Bolivia to the present. 7pm – 9pm at Canisius College – Science Hall. Jim Schultz, author and executive director of the Democracy Center for 25 years, has worked with citizen activists on five continents, from indigenous communities in Bolivia to senior leaders in the United Nations. https://democracyctr.org/author/jim_shultz/. Event Sponsored by WNY Peace Center http://wnypeace.org/ and its taskforce, the Latin American Solidarity Committee
LAST DAY Today and Tomorrow! For Future Generations: A Plastic Pollution Study of Lake Erie’ Opening
At CEPA Gallery, 617 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203. Opened January 17, 2020; exhibit is up through February 15, 2020. Artist Alexis Oltmer (b.1990) has spent 3 years creating For Future Generations : A plastic pollution study of Lake Erie, an environmental and conceptual body of artwork which elevates plastic pollution imagery.
REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS not already listed above:
The Environmental Show, with Jack Kanack, John Cunningham and Charley Bowman. Radio show every Monday at 9 AM – 10 AM on WBNY 91.3 FM. Also streaming online at wbny.buffalostate.edu.
Interfaith Peace Network – First and third Thursday of each month at 9:15am. Located at 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo NY 14209 entrance and parking round back.) Breakfast potluck, and discussion.
Environmental Justice Taskforce Mtg, every first Thursday of the month, 6-7:30pm. At Isaías González-Soto Branch (formerly Niagara Branch) Library, 280 Porter Ave, Buffalo 14201. Regular monthly meeting. Come learn, help plan and organize to move ourselves on to Renewable energy and off fossil fuels. Bomb train resistance, No Nuclear Waste over the Peace Bridge and on public highways etc. also often included
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! Taskforce meeting hosted at Spot Coffee across the street from the vigil location on the third Thursday of the month. (2/20/20 from 6-7pm) #EndICETerror #FamiliesBelongTogether #AbolishICE #CLOSETHECAMPS #NeverAgainIsNow.
Stop The Violence Coalition – 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month; 6pm, United Way Building, Delaware and Summer Sts.
Of note: Little Africa Culture Club, 356 S. Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY. African Drumming Sundays, 12-2pm.
We shall overcome #Unitethestruggles #Loveislove #PowerWITH-NOTPowerOver
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 BROADCAST MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8AM-9AM (LIVE) ON WBNY 91.3FM. Hear it over the radio or streaming live at wbny.buffalostate.edu.
And don’t forget to support it to keep it on the air: donations should go to the WNY Peace Center with a memo to us (on the check or with a note on the on-line contribution) the Friends of Democracy Now in Buffalo! Many Thanks!
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One Struggle, One Vision, One Love!!
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