Prisoners’ Rights

July News

It’s been a very busy month at the WNY Peace Center, and we are excited to share with you all what we’ve been up to — along with some of our plans for the fall!

Deidra EmEl: sole Exec Dir 6/1!; need Office Mgr; Parole Justice Fri Wmsville; Happy Pride Month!

716-332-3904 | Thursday, May 27th, 2021 | wnypeace.org
 
Dear Friends,
We’re more than glad to remind you that as of June 1, Deidra EmEl will be our Executive Director!! She’ll continue to shine with the grace, vision, and dedication to Principles and the Spirit that got her to this point!

We remind you, too, that we’re looking for an Office Manager and/or volunteer for administrative-type duties. See the job description as the next to last item of this email/post.

Still shaking our heads over the Buffalo News’ mistake(s) re our beloved Father Joe Bissonette. The paper put an unsubstantiated accusation of child sexual abuse on the front page. Featuring such a spurious charge without due diligence, is sensationalism, and shows lack of regard for the consequences of amplifying such ridiculous accusations. They followed it up with another front page article the following day, giving the evidence provided in a letter by his brother Raymond Bissonette disproving it (without mentioning the letter). Please see Ray’s wonderful letter at the end of this email/post. Hopefully it will stop the Buffalo News from such behaviors , much as they need to sell papers – there are other ways!!!

Please join us tomorrow, Fri, 10am, at a special Parole Justice Rally at 5500 Main St, Williamsville, NY. Help us reunite our families and end mass incarceration: support the #ElderParole and #FairAndTimelyParole Bills (and please call Assemblyman Jon Rivera 716-885-9630 to urge his support).

Happy Pride Month!! This year the month will be full of great opportunities for smaller gatherings daily at art showing(s), free yoga & meditation, coffee hours and more. See the complete lineup here. The Pride Center of WNY would also like to invite you to eat, drink, and enjoy live music and togetherness at this year’s FLEX event, where BBQ will be provided with vegetarian/vegan options available on a first come first served basis. Socially distanced eating space will be open at The Underground Niteclub (21+) and Johnson Park. Community partners will be present to increase health literacy and wellness. Please RSVP using this link: https://form.jotform.com/211376171151144

We are also still looking for volunteers for Camp Peaceprints, to be held M-F July 12-23. Camp Peaceprints is a collaboration between the SSJ Sr Karen Klimczak Center for Nonviolence, the Interfaith Peace Network, the WNYPC – and now (new partner) YO NY, a new youth program who will provide the meeting space (at 2251 George Urban Blvd, Depew, NY 14043). Volunteers are needed for driving children to camp, swimming (yes!), accompanying us on field trips, etc. Our theme this year, Camp Peaceprints Explores the World, will be fun while full of social justice, conflict resolution, arts, and leadership skills. Please email office@wnypeace.org or victoryross9@gmail.com.

With this communication coming out less often, and so much going on – and more than every only coming together at the last minute! – you’ll want to check our website and social media for news more often. For details – including special and regularly scheduled events this week – plus campaigns, fundraisers, and more please go to wnypeace.org, our Facebook page, Twitter (@wnypeace), and Instagram (@wnypeace)! 
Peace, thanks, solidarity, and yes – love!!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3