Net Neutrality!!

Dear Friends!                 716-332-3904; 716-931-3520         12/5/17

It is an onslaught – yesterday it seemed the bad news just kept coming. However, ending the day with a discussion group (initiated by CEJ and cosponsored by the WNY Peace Center) on Rev. Barber’s book The Third Reconstruction (at 6-7:30pm at the Daily Planet, Parker & Hertel), all related to a renewal of Rev. Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign was very heartening. Join us for the next two weeks.

______ Net Neutrality!!__________

Please help us get the FCC to maintain Net Neutrality so the new public square is equally accessible and not sold to the highest bidder. (Net neutrality is the concept that consumers and businesses should be able to reach the online applications and services of their choosing without interference from their broadband provider.)

Please contact the following to urge that net Neutrality be kept:

FCC Leadership Contact:
Ajit Pai, Chairman
Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov
(202) 418-1000

Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner
Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov

Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner
Mike.O’Rielly@fcc.gov

Brendan Carr, Commissioner
Brendan.Carr@fcc.gov

Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner
Jessica.Rosenworcel@fcc.gov

Toll-Free Voice:
1-888-CALL FCC (225-5322)

Representatives Contact:

Rep. Chris Collins
Washington: (202) 225-5265
Williamsville: (716) 634-2324

Rep. Brian Higgins
Washington: (202) 225-3306
Buffalo: (716) 852-3501

Sen. Chuck Schumer
(202) 224-6542

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
(202) 224-4451
We have a March and Rally for Net Neutrality scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 7. Meeting 4:30 sharp at Delaware Park, Hoyt Lake’s David; walking along Nottingham to Delaware and up Delaware to the Verizon Store (2290 Delaware Ave Suite 800, Buffalo, NY 14216). We will leave the park at 4:30 sharp and arrive at the store around 5:00 PM. Feel free to meet either for the march or directly at the Verizon store.
Please be sure to check the Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/events/549334235402944/?active_tab=about

And/or this listserve (and wnypeace.org) to check whether it is happening as severe weather is forecast. Meanwhile please keep making those calls and contacts! This is important despite sounding boring 😉
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Also please keep checking as we are in the midst of planning a Tax Scam Protest, and in order to be informed of further events and actions in the coming days.

Due to a generous anonymous donor, your donations of $100 or more will be matched, dollar for dollar. If that’s more than you can manage, you could either pair up with others to collectively reach that threshold, or just give what you can and know that we are exceedingly grateful for your support and solidarity!! Please go to

wnypeace.org

and the donate button is in the right-hand corner (of the home page).

This week:
– Tues, 4:30-5:15pm: Students’ Rights re NFTA Press Conf, Greyhound;
– Tues, 6:30-8:30pm Nekanesakt – Indigenous & Allies, 420 Connecticut;
– Weds, 7pm: Sandy Hook; Newtown screening & vigil; St. Joe’s Univ;
– Thurs, Rally for Net Neu4:30March Del Pk, the David; Verizon (2290 Delaware Ave) – 5-7pm (check status at time due to weather concerns);
– Fri, 10am-1pm, & 6:30-9pm Prison Gift Bag packing, Blessed Trinity, Leroy Ave;
– Fri, 6:30-8:30 – Poetry & Music Fundraiser for Released & Political Prisoners, at Burning Books, 420 Connecticut Ave, Buffalo.
– Sat, PeaceActionNYS meeting 3-5pm, WNYPC/NRC, 1272 Delaware (entrance & parking round back).

Below is
– the invite (once again) to the Golden Jubilee Fund campaign;
– info on our Democracy Now! in WNY campaign;

– event listings;
– more campaigns; and
– regularly scheduled events – all in that order. And be sure to go to our calendar at wnypeace.org/calendar for more event listings – there’s plenty more and additions are frequent! …..

Peace, Solidarity, Thanks, and yes Love.    #loveisloveBUF

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From our Board: An invitation to contribute to the Golden Jubilee Fund for Western New York Peace Center!
For 50 years the WNY Peace Center has worked for comprehensive justice, respect for all, and an end to war and violence, at home and abroad.

 

For the Golden Jubilee Anniversary this year, a generous donor has committed to match any donation of $100 or more, made during the months of November and December (up to a total of $5,000).

 

If you want to contribute to this Peace Center Golden Jubilee Fund,

please make a tax-deductable donation:

-by check, made out to WNY Peace Center, sent to
WNY Peace Center, 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209

with memo: for Jubilee fund

-by the Donate button on the upper right at
http://wnypeace.org/

(paypal or debit or credit card)

with note: for Jubilee fund

 

Sincerely,

Rev. John R. Long and Dr. Mary A. Bisson (Peace Center Board Members)

 

The Western New York Peace Center was founded in 1967 by Buffalonians responding to the call by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr to end the Vietnam War as part of the social justice and racial justice movements.

 

The Peace Center continues in action: resisting militarism and war around the world, fighting unsustainable environmental policies, promoting economic and racial and prisoner justice, protecting immigrants and refugees, teaching peaceful conflict resolution, and working in solidarity with Latin America.

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Please join our Democracy Now!-in-WNY Campaign!! #DN!WNY Please call WBFO/WNED to let them know we need to have Democracy Now! broadcast in WNY!! Please fill out the Audience Services Contact Form. Or call Audience Services 716-845-7000 ext.343. Urge them to facilitate our getting the news we need.
-You’ll also want to sign up for their Daily Digest at https://www.democracynow.org/ (bottom of page) – in English and/or Spanish!
-Contact Peter Rakowski at 716-697-4476; or peter.rakowski123@gmail.com if you want to help.

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EVENT LISTINGS

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Press Conf: Students’ Rights re NFTA
December 5 @ 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm At the Greyhound Bus Station, 181 Ellicott St, Bflo 14203. Join parents, caregivers, students, educators, and community members to demand: 1. Policies centered on learning & enrichment, not policing 2. An Increase in access to times & routes 3. Restorative Justice Training for NFTA Police

Tues, 6:30-8:30pm Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors/Nekanesakt. Indigenous support group/allies. At Burning Books, 420 CT Ave. All are welcome!!

Remembering Sandy Hook; including film “Newtown”
December 6 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm At St. Joseph’s University Parish Community Room, 3269 Main St (behind the church). Join us as we commemorate 5th year anniversary of the loss of 20 first-graders and 6 educators killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT on December 14, 2012. Includes film NEWTOWN (from the Sundance Film Festival),candle-light vigil, and special guest – Melanie Bunch – who is the cousin of Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung – the Sandy Hook principal who was killed in the school protecting her students.

March & Rally for Net Neutrality
December 7 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Coinciding with national protests for Net Neutrality. Meet at Delaware Park near the *Statue of David* (lv 4:30sharp),  march to Nottingham Terrace, up Delaware Ave to Verizon Store @ 2290 Delaware Ave Suite 800, Buffalo, NY 14216. Or meet us at Verizon 5:00 PM.  NOTE: PLEASE MAKE CALLS!! – see below – and check this

Prison Gift Bag Packing (10am-1pm; & 6:30-9pm)
December 8 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
“MANY THE HANDS LIGHTEN THE WORK!”  I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:36. PLEASE COME AND GIVE A HAND TO PACK CHRISTMAS GIFT BAGS FOR OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN PRISON.   At: BLESSED TRINITY CHURCH, LEROY AVENUE, BUFFALO, NY  ** If you aren’t free to come for the full time, please come for any

Friday, Dec 8 Training on the “Traditional Teachings of the Good Mind” from 1-4:30pm at NACS (1005 Grant Ave.) Please register in advance: contact Pete Hill, “All Our Relations” Project Director, at phill@nacswny.org or call (716) 874-2797, ext. 348.

Fri, 6:30-8:30 – Poetry & Music Fundraiser for Released & Political Prisoners, at Burning Books, 420 Connecticut Ave, Buffalo.

PeaceActionNYS Statewide Annual Mtg|
December 9 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm |
Join us while we join with PeaceActionNYS (PANYS) chapters all over the state to report back on our activities, hear about other chapters, and work on plans for the upcoming year. At WNYPC, 1272 Delaware Ave., 14209 (entrance & parking round back).

For more events on the WNYPC calendar go to wnypeace.org!!

CAMPAIGNS

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RACIAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE

THE CARIOL HORNE WHISTLEBLOWER FUND

Our Shero Cariol just got another award: The Eye on History Award – much deserved!! The Western New York Peace Center has created a fund for the purpose of supporting police officers who face reprisals from their department from choosing to strictly uphold their oath to protect and serve the community.  gofundme.com/cariol-horne-whistleblower-fund. The Peace Center has named this fund after Cariol Horne who saved the life of a citizen, but was fired just prior to earning her 20-year pension.  Our goal is to encourage good police officers in following their moral conscience if and when it conflicts with the infamous blue wall of silence ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_wall_of_silence).

See Cariol’s Court Support on November 28 wnypeace.org/cariol-horne-court-support-3/.

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As you know, people desperately need our help because of the devastation caused by “natural” disasters (read fossil-fuel-burning-generated Climate Catastrophe). You can contribute as follows:

Puerto Rico—Go to hispanicheritagewny.org for a full report on ways to help.
We also recommend: Paypal address:  cdpecpr@gmail.com

The address above is for the Mutual Aid Community Soup Kitchens run by

Giovanni Roberto, friend of MaryAnne Grady Flores (UpstateDroneAction.org and Puerto Rico activist), feeding up to 1,000 meals a day in Cayay.

They have other community sites in other towns like Guaynabo and Caguas.

The Mariafund.org is another fund governed by many grassroots community groups.

Cuba———Alliance for Global Justice/Irma Relief, 418 W. 145th St.. New York, NY 10031(for tax deductible)
(Not tax deductible, IFCO/Irma Relief (same address) Phone: 212-926-5757

And Chiapas is in danger of more quakes. You can donate, via Paypal, a Los Topos: donativos@brigada-rescate-topos.org

http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2014/09/140926_mexico_topos_terremoto_hr

Please give generously – the situations continue to be terrible for many!!

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GENDER JUSTICE TASKFORCE

If you believe that discrimination against all women should be eliminated please support enacting the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in the city of Buffalo. Follow this link for more information: https://cities4cedaw-buffalo.org/ and contact your district’s councilperson to urge them to support this ordinance too.
Darius G. Pridgen- Ellicott District- 716-851-4980
Christopher P. Scanlon- South District- 716-851-5169
David A. Rivera- Niagara District- 716-851-5125
Joel P. Feroleto- Delaware District- 716-851-5155
Richard A. Fontana- Lovejoy District- 716-851- 5151
David A. Franczyk- Fillmore District- 716-851-4138
Joseph Golombek, Jr.- North District- 716-851-5116
Ulysees O. Wingo, Sr.- Masten District- 716-851-5145
Rasheed Wyatt- University District- 716-851-5165

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ECONOMIC JUSTICE TASKFORCE

Don’t forget to call your senators and congressperson to urge them to stop the proposed Tax Plan – it takes money from the middle and lower income people and give it to the wealthy and corporations. For more detail, go to Coalition for Human Needs at chn.org.

Please call our state senators and ask them to support The New York Health Act, the bill to guarantee health care to all New Yorkers, passed the NY State Assembly for the third consecutive year in 2017. Call now to help #PassNYHealth in the State Senate. Contact info is on our website
wnypeace.org/governmental-contact-info/). Learn more nyhcampaign.org

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE

Action Alert re Stone Dam Road Pipeline: go to wnypeace.org/environmental-justice/
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IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE JUSTICE TASKFORCE
December 11th, there will be an online presentation with updates on Green Light NY- learn how you can take action to reclaim driver’s licenses for all. We are actively looking to grow this campaign and win back some of the losses from DACA.

 

December 13th we will have a potluck and celebration of being in community together. Please join us, even if you are new. Especially if you are new! Save the date- details to follow.

Please call your NYS Assembly Members and ask them to support NYS ASSEMBLY Bill #4050. The GreenLight NY program restores access to drivers’ licenses to all community members, to avoid abusive immigration enforcement.  For more info, please see Dec 11 online presentation mentioned above or go to
https://www.facebook.com/GreenLightNY/; Green Light Petition

Vive la Casa, shelter for people awaiting documents and/or sanctuary, still desperately needs personal hygiene products and of course, CASH.
jrchc.org/vive
(Checks to Jericho Road/VIVE) 50 Wyoming St., Buffalo, NY 14211, 892-4354.

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LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE (LASC)

Stand with Sen. Sanders: Rebuild Puerto Rico
While most of us sat down to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families, countless Americans in Puerto Rico were still going without power or running water.1

The Trump administration’s response to Puerto Rico’s crisis reeks of racist disregard for the lives at stake. Even as the island slowly recovers, Wall Street vultures are moving in trying to profit off the privatization of valuable infrastructure.

Sen. Bernie Sanders has a bold plan to fix all this. Flanked by progressive champions like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, he just introduced a $146 billion “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Puerto Rico – putting struggling people first and giving them the resources needed to build a more sustainable future.2 Let’s get behind this bill and shine a spotlight on Trump’s abject failure.

Stand with Sen. Sanders: Rebuild Puerto Rico. Click here to sign the petition.

The Trump administration has requested inadequate aid relief – with Texas and Florida getting first dibs and Puerto Rico getting the scraps.3 Trump appears to have spent more time in Twitter feuds with the mayor of San Juan and throwing supplies to suffering people in Puerto Rico like a bad game show host than doing anything to help.4

In contrast, Sen. Sanders’ bill would give Puerto Ricans the help they need to rebuild by:5

Tackling the immediate humanitarian crisis. The bill would remove logistical obstacles to providing the help needed now and help the farms and local food producers that were obliterated in the storm. It would also clean up the environmental risks created by the storm, make health care cheaper and more available to Americans in Puerto Rico, and ensure that federal aid does not put Puerto Rico any further in debt.

Banning privatization and promoting debt relief. Sanders’ plan would put control over the future of Puerto Rico in the hands of the people there, not Wall Street hedge funds and bank-backed control boards that demand austerity measures. It would prevent using the disaster as an excuse to privatize the electrical grid, water utilities and roads in order to profit from these once-public goods and push for full debt relief.

Rebuilding better. Under Sanders’ bill, the Puerto Rican power grid would be modernized and eventually draw 70 percent of its power from renewable sources. The plan also calls for a massive investment in VA hospitals and clinics; public schools, colleges and childcare centers; and infrastructure from roads and bridges to schools, public transit, clean water sources and broadband.

Every voice supporting this bill puts pressure on Congress to act – and exposes the bankrupt Trump response to a real and ongoing crisis.

https://act.credoaction.com/sign/sanders_puerto_rico?t=8&akid=26241%2E8770573%2Evra5l7

 

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RESIST MILITARISM! TASKFORCE

Conference on U.S. Foreign Military Bases, Jan 12 – 14, University of Baltimore
Click Here to Register
Click Here to Endorse
Click Here to an Place Ad
Click Here for Schedule and Speakers

Please call your Senators and Congresspersons to urge them to vote in favor and cosponsor if possible Senator Markey’s Bill # 200 and House Bill, Rep Lieu # 669, to Restrict First Strike with Nuclear Weapons.

And lastly, please sign on to Credo Action’s Stop Police Militarization petition here.

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REGULARLY SCHEDULED EVENTS in the One Movement, One Struggle

Riverside-Salem UCC/DC Sunday. « Timeline Plug-In » – creating a HISTORY of US all! . Followed by potluck. Sundays, 4-7pm. Environmental Cottage, 3449 West River Road, Grand Island.

Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center Radio Show on 91.3FM, WBNY
Mondays, 1-3pm. Jim Anderson & Vicki Ross co-hosting. Go to wbny.buffalostate.edu or http://tunein.com/radio/WBNY-913-s27549/.

Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors/Nekanesakt. Indigenous support group/allies. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 6:30-8pm. At Burning Books, 420 CT Ave. All are welcome!!

Interfaith Peace Network
1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, breakfast pot-luck 8-9:30am, NRC, 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo NY 14209 (entrance and parking round back).

Environmental Justice Taskforce
Protest the Shipments of VERY Dangerous Radioactive Liquid from Canada.
Fridays 2-3pm, Front Park, Buffalo. Email Charley Bowman renewableenergy@wnypeace.org with your phone number for him to call and let you know whether (weather 😉 the vigil will take place that particular Friday. Or just show up and bring your own sign if you’re not sure others will be there!!

Fridays – 1st and 3rd of the month; 6pm: Stop The Violence Coalition,
United Way Building, Delaware and Summer Sts.

Saturdays, Noon-1pm: Women In Black. Nonviolence vigil, Bidwell and Elmwood.

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More listings on website (wnypeace.org) and in previous email posts.
To subscribe, write to weeklynews@wnypeace.org with “subscribe” in subject line.
To unsubscribe, please reply with “unsubscribe” in subject line.

(Sorry for occasional delays!)

Please submit possible listings for consideration to weeklynews@wnypeace.org.
Many thanks, peace, solidarity, and yes – Love. We shall overcome!!