Annual Event tickets; Voting+Census; Season of Nonviolence

The WNY Peace Center is especially excited to announce that TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE for our 53rd Annual Fundraiser: ‘An Evening with Dr. Cornel West’ on Monday, November 9th at 7pm! Please visit our event page bit.ly/wnypeace_cornelwest to watch the promo video featuring Dr. West, find additional details, and buy tickets to either the theatre or Zoom live broadcast! We know that come November, we will be in great need of his post-election guidance.

On a similar note, we recognize that many people don’t know how to feel as it is right now. We’re guessing that you, like us, are just stunned by all of the things going on. We get through this by reminding ourselves that it’s always the right time to do the right thing. Please try to not worry too much and consider the Serenity Prayer. Solidarity, truth, and love are going to see us through.

We again want to remind you of the importance of making a voting plan well in advance of Election Day. There is a great guide by ProPublica on making sure your vote counts during the pandemic. A few main points: 1. Make sure you’re registered to vote; 2. Plan how you’ll vote – by mail, in person during Early Voting, or on Election Day; 3. If you’re voting by mail, read the instructions carefully; 4. Track your ballot; 5. Check your state’s ID requirements; 6. Ask for help if you need information, and report any problems you encounter; 7. Make a backup plan; 8. Beware of misinformation; 9. Be patient when awaiting the results. Find the full guide here and check out our prior newsletter with all of the details specific to voting in NYS.

We also want to emphasize the importance of Collective Nonviolent Direct Action (CNVDA), especially as we prepare for the aftermath of an election with a president who has openly stated that he may not respect the results. First, we suggest you read this piece by Waging Nonviolence on how to stop a coup; it includes tips for coming together, preparing to deter a coup before the election, and acting quickly and nonviolently in the event of one. Secondly, we’d like to remind you of the WNYPC’s CNVDA study events and resources. We need this both now in our current crises, and as we enter the Season of Nonviolence while the national situation progresses. In recognition of Gandhi’s birthday month, we will host two biweekly sessions of the CNVDA ‘First Steps’ plus a special Women’s March day of action on the 17th (see details on each below).

To end on a positive note, we are grateful to the courts for barring the Trump Administration from ending the Census 2020 period early. If you have not yet completed your household’s census, you again have until October 31st – visit 2020census.gov to do so ASAP! (Read here about how a low census response could affect WNY.)

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)!

Peace, thanks, solidarity, and yes – love!