January 11, 2021
As we notified people in the latest Weekly News, Jim Mang, Executive Director at the WNY Peace Center from 1980-2000 and lifelong activist, passed away on Friday, and his calling hours are today 3-7pm (Ginnane Funeral Home, 3215 Delaware Ave, Kenmore).
What we didn’t know at the time was that the private service will be livestreamed tomorrow at 11am, with a mass from St. Joseph’s University Church, Jim’s home parish.
If you want to watch the service tomorrow, please go to https://www.ginnanefuneralhome.com/obituary/James-Mang
Also included below is the wonderful write-up by another previous Executive Director – and current Chair of the Environmental Justice Taskforce – at the WNYPC, (Dr.) Charley Bowman, that speaks beautifully to Jim’s devotion to the cause(s), courage to speak Truth, and Love in caring for People and the Planet. You stand as a true example for all seeking Peace and Justice, with moral integrity and universal solidarity. We’ll miss you, Jim!
Jim Mang, Presente!
Peace, Thanks, Solidarity, Blessings, and Love always ……. <3 <3 <3 <3
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Former Executive Director of the WNY Peace Center, Jim Mang, passed on Friday, January 9, 2021 Jim was director for 20 years. A former priest, Jim and several other priests were arrested in the US Capitol Rotunda in 1969 during a anti-Vietnam war demonstration. For his peaceful actions directed against the halls of power, Jim was temporarily suspended from the priesthood by the Buffalo bishop. Mang was confined to the rectory and ordered not to engage in any social justice-related work — even in his spare time. He obeyed the bishop’s command for 8 years, but then resigned from the priesthood to follow his calling to work for peace. In 1980 he assumed directorship of the Western NY Peace Center and remained until 2000. See Dec 17, 2000 Buffalo News “Gentle Warrior”: https://buffalonews.com/news/gentle-warrior/article_db8d38ce-a12e-5ae1-8b73-14173502cc31.html I now understand why no Buffalo area priests spoke out against the Afghan War in 2001 and the Iraq War in 2003. Total silence (at least publicly) from the Catholic clergy remembering the horrific treatment of Jim Mang. Fortunately, the Buffalo Nuns are another story in this regard. When Buffalo native Tim Russert came to Buffalo in 2003 or 2004 and spoke about the Iraq War to an crowd of about 1,000 people in downtown Buffalo, I recall Jim Mang standing up during the Q&A lambasting Russert for his journalism effectively supporting the war. Thank you Jim! Recall that Russert’s journalism was heavily colored by the opinion polls supporting the war: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Russert
You did good, Jim. R.I.P.
Sunday, January 10th, 2021
We know we are all reeling and need to keep going in these troubled times – with our groundedness and balance. While we care for ourselves and one another, we know our work – in the right spirit – is more important than ever to make the changes that are so needed.
This afternoon at 4, please join this week’s Riverside Salem meeting as they’re hosting Christine Eber who’ll discuss her work along the US/Mexico border. This Buffalonian anthropologist has worked with the Weaving for Justice women’s collective in Chiapas for many years. Come for inspiration – all are welcome. Please see meeting details below.
Beginning tomorrow, please join Witness Against Torture for a full line-up of events including a fast, vigils, webinars, and solidarity actions. There will also be a vigil and press conference (with masks and physical distancing) at the Robert H. Jackson Courthouse (Niagara Square) on the need to close Guantánamo. Justice delayed is justice denied! Limited orange jumpsuits and black hoods will be used – see more below and on our website.
We are very sad to announce the passing of Jim Mang: beloved peacemaker, devoted activist, and the WNY Peace Center’s director from 1979-2000. His true commitment to peace and justice was deep and lifelong! Our deep condolences, gratitude, and love to the Mang family and the community. Calling hours (with masks, physical distancing, and capacity rules) are tomorrow, 1/11 from 3-7 PM at Ginnane Funeral Home – see below for details.
We’d like to remind you that the Women’s March WNY/MLK weekend is now less than one week away! Don’t miss this great opportunity to collaborate for our beloved community! #WomenLead – this time on Zoom, not in 65 MPH gale force winds (nor any COVID risks!). With music, poetry, and breakout sessions with local women leaders – see more (including featured speakers and co-sponsors) at bit.ly/wnypeace_WM2021.
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).
Lastly, in these challenging times, please refer to our post-event offerings with Dr. Cornel West for continued inspiration. We are happy to share that we just recently added the full transcript of our 53rd annual event!
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
Monday, December 21st, 2020
The Western New York Peace Center would like to wish you each a very happy holiday season – including those celebrating today’s winter solstice! We hope everyone had a nice Hanukkah and Shab-e Yalda, and will have a merry Christmas and a happy Kwaanza later this week!
To our current members, please keep an eye out for a holiday greeting card from the WNYPC. If you are not a member, there’s still time to join for 2020 (throughout 2021) here. Our memberships make a great gift and include your choice of lawn signs: Love is Love or #UNITE!
Speaking of gifts, if you need some last minute ideas, there are great local businesses to check out – including Stitch Buffalo, which was just featured on today’s episode of Talking Peace! (If you missed it, check out the video here for a tour of the shop featuring many of their beautiful items!)
We also suggest you tune in tonight from 10:30p to 1:30a EST for the Afghan Peace Volunteer’s monthly Global Days of Listening. Tonight’s episode will be on “build[ing] a critical mass of nonviolent relationships for a green & equal world without war.” See more – including the schedule for other time zones – below.
We would also like to announce that the caroling event at the Erie County Holding Center this week has been canceled – a decision made in order to keep people safe.
Lastly, please review the campaigns section below for great ways to support our community during this holy-day season. 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
