Martin Gugino served as a witness of conscience for progress in peace and justice in Buffalo, usually alongside the Western New York Peace Center, and especially as a member of its taskforce LASC, the Latin America Solidarity Committee. For fifteen years he showed up for Black Lives Matter, climate justice, Latin American solidarity, Plowshares, Witness Against Torture, killer drone protests, prisoner rights, justice for migrant families, vigils at the Erie County Holding Center …
He never wanted to stand out at events (although he was quite tall). He always wanted to stand for others, as an everyday person. He was based in a Catholic Worker tradition, and was enthusiastic, gentle, principled, undaunted, and guided by belief in the sacred power of non-violent resistance to injustice.
Through his strong commitment to free speech, one evening in June 2020 he went to the steps of City Hall to speak with the police there about the legality and constitutionality of a curfew called against the peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstrators there. His attempt at dialog with the militarized personnel was met with a violent response; the order was given to advance with force, and it left him bleeding and unconscious on the sidewalk.
Some of the authorities at the time called him a trouble maker. The only “trouble” from Martin Gugino was the John Lewis kind of “Good Trouble” needed to make progress for peace and justice.
From when Martin was interviewed by WBFO later, in February 2021: “Martin Luther King said, the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice, because everyday people go out and try to do something that’s right, even though met with opposition…Every day, you should be as good as you can be. I mean, that’s just obvious. Be as good as you can be no matter what the situation is, but it’s especially important now.”
We’re sadly here to tell you that Daire Brian Irwin has passed on.
Daire spent a lifetime in service: to the community, to his friends and clients, and to his dearly beloved family. He was such a beacon of hope and actual help. No fight was too hard, no odds to slim, no feelings too raw for him to at least try to help. How we celebrate his life, how we will miss his presence, how we hope and pray we all can emulate that loving care and courage that Daire always embodied!!
Daire gave Know Your Rights trainings for the WNYPC, a vital part of our Nonviolence trainings. He represented so many people in court, so very much too often pro bono … – yes and dogs – Daire saved my dog Pippi’s life when he represented her in court after her relentless (and scary) domination of another dog. His representation was always masterful, his defenses always reaching to the heart of the matter.
And of course, Daire was always defending the underdog, the oppressed, the ones hurt and treated ill by an unjust and heartless system. He defended Occupy Buffalo and those arrested at the end; he pursued rightful compensation from those whose belongings were trashed by those bulldozers. He was the go-to defender of those challenging the authorities through civil resistance – counselor, ally, supporter, and above all friend. Loving truthful friend ….
His truth-telling, analyses, viewpoint was always helpful – revealing, illuminating, refreshing, – and funny too. Laced with many swearwords to release some of that great energy borne of passion and compassion, you always learned from Daire. How wonderful to get to listen to him, and to be in his presence.
He was so generous with his time in pursuit of justice, so kind in response to needs, so passionate in his caring. Countless people and groups benefited from his advice, outlook, and efforts. We are so grateful to have been some of them. How very privileged and lucky we were and are to have known him!!
That very bright and wonderful light that shone on this earth, is now shining in a new cosmos… A cosmos, a plane where it’s always the Ides of March, a great favorite holiday of Daire’s! Maybe in that cosmos the wrongs are already righted, the retribution has already happened, and the relief is already there.
Thank you, Daire!! We love you!!
Daire Brian Irwin, Presente!!!
-Vicki Ross, Interim Executive Director
If “walking to the beat of your own drum” was a person, that would be Daire Brian Irwin. His unwavering moral compass guided him in his lifelong fight for those who need it most. From his tireless advocacy of the vulnerable, in legal representation and activism, to cherished father to Kai, loving partner to Kamalie, treasured brother to his four siblings, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, to trusted confidant and uncle to his nieces and nephews, and a friend to many, Daire was always there. Unequivocally believing in the most fundamental of rights guaranteed in our Constitution, his greatest hope was that Kai grows up knowing that justice, liberty and happiness belong to all. Upon becoming a father, Daire’s motto was “Kai is why.”
Daire’s legal career spanning three decades focused primarily on Criminal Defense, often pro bono representation of marginalized members in our community. In addition to years in private practice, Daire spent part of his career as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, where he brought his enthusiasm and expertise to defending clients in housing court, drug court, and mental health court, among others. No matter a client’s history or circumstances, Daire always stepped up, giving a voice to the unheard.
His pro bono work to the community at large included providing “know your rights” trainings through the Western New York Civil Liberties Union, activist support work through National Lawyers Guild, and legal support to defend Occupy Buffalo, among many others. And for much of his life, Daire regularly attended rallies for countless causes, including for peace and LGBTQ+ rights, and against income inequality and police/political violence. Daire’s advocacy also extended beyond borders. In his early years, Daire traveled to Nicaragua with Witness for Peace, living with Nicaraguans as a protective, non-violent presence during the Contra conflict. Later in life, he joined a Buffalo contingent serving as election observers in Ukraine, to maintain the integrity of fair elections.
On February 20, 2026, Daire passed peacefully. This loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Tributes to the remarkable life he lived flooded in from his school friends, colleagues within the legal community, community activists, and former clients. All reflecting the amazing human being, the lawyer, and the friend he truly was.
In addition to Kamalie and Kai, Daire is survived by his siblings, Maureen (Thomas) Maguire, Sean (Suzanne), Tara Hahn, and Alannah, and nine nieces and nephews, as well as many extended family members. In Daire’s honor, family members plan to attend the No Kings Rally 3. A private Celebration of Daire’s Life will be held at a later date.
“Your spirit shines in all we do, a legacy forever true.”
Stop State-Sponsored Violence in Venezuela and Everywhere.
I.C.E. Out of Our CommuniTIES!
Please join the WNY Peace Center and our allies as we mobilize against the illegal military aggression in Venezuela and elsewhere! Be sure to email office@wnypeace.org if you aren’t already on our email list- get all of the latest as more actions are added.
The WNY Peace Center is proud to stand with our allies as we demand safety and dignity for our immigrant neighbors. The New York For All Act“broadly prohibits state and local officers from enforcing federal immigration laws, funneling people into ICE custody, and sharing sensitive information with federal immigration authorities. It also ensures that people in custody are informed of their rights before being interviewed by ICE. The act prohibits ICE and CBP from entering non-public areas of state and local property without a judicial warrant and begins the process of limiting their access to state information databases.” [NYCLU]
We urge you to call your state legislators to take urgent action NOW to pass New York for All! It is currently in committee, and we need to pressure our elected to act IMMEDIATELY while our neighbors are being kidnapped!
CONTACT INFO:
State Senate Majority Leader – Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 518-455-2585 or 914-423-4031, scousins@nysenate.gov
State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: 518-455-3791 or 718-654-6539, speaker@nyassembly.gov
To see where your state reps are on NY4All Check HERE
SAMPLE SCRIPT (please feel free to edit and personalize): Hello, my name isXXX,and I live in [Zip Code/City/Neighborhood]. On a daily basis, we are seeing the devastating impact on ICE’s actions on communities not only in New York, but around the country. I’m calling to inform the Speaker / Majority Leader/ Senator/ Assemblymember of my support of the New York for All Act and I hope that they will continue to join us in the fight for the protection of immigrant New Yorkers. Our communities cannot wait any longer to stop local authorities from conspiring with immigration enforcement. New York for All will help immigrant New Yorkers lead their lives without fear and protect our local and state resources from being used to further ICE’s recorded history of abuse and neglect.
Rally: Stop US Military Aggression! Saturday, January 17, 2026 3-4PM Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 A Rally to kick-off the #StopUSMilitaryAggression campaign. Includes Stop Government-Sponsored Violence, including I.C.E. attacks and beating of people who are incarcerated. This is part of a National Day of Action for No War On Venezuela.
Walkout – Free America! Tuesday, January 20, 2026 2-3PM Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 On January 20 at 2 PM local time, we will walk out of work, school, and commerce because a Free America begins the moment we stop cooperating with fascism. On January 20, we call on Buffalo and Western New York communities to organize walkouts. Form teams. Call your neighbors, coworkers, and classmates. Step away from business as usual and walk out together—from schools, workplaces, and institutions—to show that fascism will not be normalized here. ★ We walk away from fascism.★ ★ We walk towards a Free America.★ ★ We fight for a future that belongs to us all.★ ★ Everybody in, nobody out.★
Teach In @ WNYPC, followed by Rally @ Nick Langworthy’s Office Thursday, January 22, 2026 10:30AM-12:30PM WNY Peace Center, Carriage House at Network of Religious Communities 1272 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209 Teach in at WNY Peace Center 10:30am Rally at Langworthy office, 8201 Main St. Williamsville, NY 14221 11:30am
Latin America Solidarity Committee Coffeehouse Teach-In: Stop US Military Aggression; PeaceAction and Peace Education with Jim Anderson, Peace Action NYS President Monday, January 26, 2026 7-9PM Canisius University Science Hall Lounge 1901 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14208
POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER – NEW DATE TBA – Rally @ Tim Kennedy & Kirsten Gillbrand’s Building Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10:30AM-12:30PM WNY Peace Center, Carriage House at Network of Religious Communities 1272 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209 Teach in at WNY Peace Center 10:30am Rally at Larkin At Exchange, 726 Exchange St. Buffalo, NY 14210 11:30am
Teach In @ WNYPC, followed by Rally @ Chuck Schumer’s Office Tuesday, February 3, 2026 10:30AM-12:30PM WNY Peace Center, Carriage House at Network of Religious Communities 1272 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209 Teach in at WNY Peace Center 10:30am Rally at Schumer’s office, 130 South Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202 11:30am
