Membership mtg 2/18; #Justice4India; and more 2-16-17
Dear Friends, 716-332-3904
Many thanks to the 150 or so people who came out for our Huddle: Coalition Building and Action Planning, this past Sunday. We had a very productive meeting with lots of collaboration. Groups were formed tailored to the interests of those assembled, with work already starting up! Andare!
Please join us for our
* WNYPC quarterly membership meeting Sat., Feb 18, at 2pm at 1272 Delaware Ave (entrance & pkg round back): Come review, reassess, and help us plan! New taskforces, new energy, and renewed hope in the face of Crisis = Opportunity. You can renew your membership on line, at the meeting, or by mail. Potluck as well.
* MPP – Major Progress Program: A Benefit Concert for the WNY Peace Center! Sun, March 12, 4-7pm, Sportsmen’s Tavern, 326 Amherst St., Buffalo. ($10). Paul Yates, George Puleo, Greg Opalinski, Paul Swisher, David Kane, Myron Deputat, Jack Prybyeski, Jim Linsner, Frank Pusateri, and special guest the Dooleys.
We’re grateful too for the many extremely persuasive testimonies at No Northern Access Pipeline! – NAPL public hearings! You can still send in written testimony until Feb 24! For more info, go to niagarasierraclub.com/issues/northern-access-pipeline/.
Peace/Salam/Shalom/Shanti! Nya weh/Asanti/Gracias/Tashakor/Thanks!!
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IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE JUSTICE TASKFORCE
Fri, Feb 17, 10:30am Sanctuary Churches press conference, in front ofPilgrim-St. Luke’s Church, Richmond and Utica Sts, Buffalo. Please come out, bring signs, etc! Si se puede!
Sat., Feb 18, from Noon to 2pm. NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL: solidarity rally, against expansion of ICE powers and raids. Starts at 130 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202 Upstate residents will march in solidarity with our undocumented neighbors, and for anyone detained pending lengthy deportation proceedings, especially those detained in isolation. Rallies simultaneously happening in Syracuse (213 South Salina St) and Geneva (433 Exchange St). Organized by Indivisible Seneca Falls
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LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE
Mon, Feb. 27, 7-9pm. Peace Coffeehouse: Politics, health, and social justice in South America – reports from recent local projects; report-backs are from students who were on-site. Sponsored by WNY Peace Center, LASC, and Peace Action-Canisius.
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RACIAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE
Tues, Feb 21, REMEMBER INDIA CUMMINGS. 5-6:30pm. Press Conference; Candlelight vigil at Sunset. Erie County Holding Center. Please come out in her memory. #JusticeforIndia, #sayhername.
Cariol Horne Whistleblowers’ Fund, created by the WNYPC to support police officers who face reprisals from their department for choosing to strictly uphold their oath to protect and serve the community, is named for Cariol Horne, former police officer, who faced reprisals when she saved the life of a citizen who was being subjected to excessive force on her duty. She was fired just prior to earning her 20-year pension. The goal of the fund is to encourage good police officers to follow their moral conscience if and when it conflicts with the infamous blue wall of silence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_wall_of_silence). More than $1,000 has been raised. Please go to https://www.gofundme.com/cariol-horne-whistleblower-fund to contribute. Many Thanks!!
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE
Tues, Feb 21, „Containment“ film viewing and panel discussion, 6:30pm. Daemen Col, Room 107 Schenck Hall, 4380 Main St. Amherst. What can governments do to protect living things from nuclear waste? Will include panel discussion re West Valley Nuclear Waste Facility.
Thurs, March 2, 6-7:30pm. Environmental Justice Taskforce meeting, Come our for our regular meeting at the Crane Library (633 Elmwood) to work on stopping “bomb trains,” NAPL, and fossil fuels in general; and work toward renewables!
* Northern Access Pipeline – Emergency! Written public comment may still be submitted. For details, go to:
https://niagarasierraclub.com/issues/northern-access-pipeline/
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PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Sat., March 4, People’s March for Education Justice. Noon-3pm. Students, teachers, parents and community members across New York will come together in their local cities to speak up for education justice. In Buffalo, we’ll start with a rally at Erie Co Holding Center, continuing with march to City Hall (Niagara Squ), and ending at Hutch Tech HS (256 South Elmwood Ave).
It has been ten years since a New York court ruled in favor of a lawsuit lead by parents that New York State was failing to provide its children with the sound, basic education that is their constitutional right. A decade later, well over a million students are attending schools still owed over $4.3 billion in funding — nearly two-thirds of which is owed to Black and Brown students.
Help us in demanding that Governor Cuomo fulfill his promise to stand up for all communities.
Cosponsoring with Citizens’ Action, and more.
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CAMPAIGNS:
*
IMPEACH TRUMP NOW!!
Enough is enough! Please go to
Impeach Donald Trump Now (RootsAction); or
to Impeach Trump Now! For more info, you can read the TruthOut Article on the subject. And please spread far and wide – we need to minimize the extreme damage being done!!
*
Our recent victories with Michael Flynn resigning and Andrew Puzder withdrawing says that we are making good progress!!
One excellent opportunity is to Get rash bigot Steve Bannon OFF National Security Council!
Just did this – takes 25 seconds – join us?
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security is inviting comment & COUNTING CALLS before deciding whether to approve Steve Bannon’s appointment to the National Security Council. Call! 202-224-4751. (You don’t have to talk to anyone.)
You could ju say:
“My name is ______, American citizen from ___[your state]. I oppose Steve Bannon being confirmed to sit on our National Security Council.”
We still need calls to Senators, including our own Schumer, to urge them to use the full 30 hours permissable to argue against #swampcabinet. Some Republicans also might be willing to change their vote such as Sens. Collins, Heller, McCain, Portman, etc. Follow link at go.ourrevolution.com (or dial 844-311-2016. Sending snail mail and signing petitions is also good.!
Info re Cabinet and Other Proposed Officials:
*Neil Gorsuch: Supreme Court nominee, is a staunch supporter of the 2nd-amendment, believes the police are virtually immune to prosecution due to their authority, and is likely to assist in overturning Roe v. Wade as he supports allowing „religious freedom“ as an excuse for providing contraception.
*Scott Pruitt: out for leading the Environmental Protection Agency as he is (outrageously) a climate change denier (!?!) and has sued the EPA 11 yes eleven times.
*Rick Perry: imagine Rick Perry in charge of our nuclear program. He could even remember the name of the Department of Energy when he was trying to tell people he wanted to eliminate it.
and more …..
*
Join the PeaceAction NYS campaign at No Fear, No Hate, No Nukes.
You can sign on individually or sign up your organization. We’ll be organizing congressional visits during the week of February 20; more info as it becomes available. Meanwhile please sign on!
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INDIVISIBLE
Mon, Feb 20, 3-4pm. A Demonstration to Demand Answers. A number of local activist groups in the WNY area have agreed to come together at Congressman Chris Collins’ Lancaster Office (2813 Wehrle D, Lancaster, NY) to demand that Cong. Collins hold a Town Hall meeting with voters in the 27th District. After repeated attempts to be heard, We the People feel that the Congressman has left us with no choice but to demonstrate.
Over the past couple of weeks, Mr. Collins has found time to give repeated interviews to CNN and other media outlets in order to defend the Trump administration, yet continues to diminish and berate the wishes of his constituents. We believe his refusal to meet with us constitutes a breach of the principles of republican government and democracy. The founders and framers of this great country believed that our representatives should be responsive to the citizens of their district and meet with them periodically to hear their concerns.
Congressman Collins’ fear of being embarrassed does not preclude our right to a public forum, and we intend to let him know this.
Sponsors: WNY Peace Center, ACTion Buffalo, Citizens Against Collins, Turning Election Emotion Into Action, #BuffaloResists
A Sister event will be held at Chris Collins Geneseo office @ 128 Main St. Geneseo, NY 14454
This demonstration is a spontaneous response to statements made by Chris Collins over the last week. It is intended to be a peaceful event in the spirit of our 1st amendment rights. Anyone seeking to restrict those rights will be met with swift, legal action. We expect all attendees to be peaceful, civil, and compliant with the principles of law and order.
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* Buffalo 25 IMPORTANT UPDATE!
No more calls to the U.S. Attorney’s office are wanted at this time. Thank you.
Situation worse: 6 have been convicted and 3 are facing possible imprisonment, up to 10 years of incarceration (followed by deportation). Families cannot work for livelihood. Please send contributions for the Buffalo 25 and their families Payable to
Trinity Episcopal Church (with #Buffalo25 on the memo line of your check)
Trinity Episcopal Church 371 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202.
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Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors! URGENT
Trump’s executive order and the Army Corps of Engineers’ permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone pipelines have created an emergency situation!!
Weekly meeting Tuesdays, 6:30pm. Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St., Buffalo.
*March 10: Indigenous Peoples’ March on Washington. Bus or van being arranged. Local solidarity action: 3pm rally at 130 South Elmwood Federal Bldg; march 4pm, to Bank of America, 10 Fountain Plaza (Main and Huron), Buffalo.
You can donate through the Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors Group. Warm winter clothes especially outer garments can be brought to Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St., Buffalo. Money can be donated on-line through Riverside-Salem UCC/DC (http://riversidesalem.org/ . (Specify “Standing Rock.”) and/or make check contributions for Standing Rock Water Protectors (with “Standing Rock” on the memo line of your check) Payable to: Riverside-Salem UCC/DC (write “Standing Rock” on the memo line of your check) PO Box 207, Grand Island, NY 14072
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RESIST MILITARISM! TASKFORCE
2nd and 4th Thurs of month, next one February 9: Resist Militarism! Anti-Weaponized-Drone Vigil at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, 3:30-4:30pm. Call Russell, 570-5200 for carpooling.
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Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties (NACS)
All Our Relations Project (AOR) The “All Our Relations” project is aimed at increasing the mutual respect, understanding, and collaborations between Native and Non-Native groups, organizations, persons, and others, as well as contributing to the health and wellbeing of the Native American community & friends. Free Cultural competency training in a wide variety of areas, voluntary case management, and many Native cultural programs. To register, call Pete Hill, 716 874-2797, ext 348, or phill@nacswny.org
Save the Dates:
*Friday, February 17, 1-4:30pm: “Traditional Teachings of the Good Mind”, Michael Martin (Onondaga, Beaver Clan). NACS office, 1005 Grant Street.
*Friday, February 24, 1-3:30pm: “Traditional Teachings of the Good Mind”, Michael Martin (Onondaga, Beaver Clan). John Duke Senior Center, 1201 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls, NY 14305.
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Other regularly scheduled efforts in the One Struggle, One Movement:
*
Fridays 6pm: Stop The Violence Coalition, United Way Bldg, Delaware and Summer Sts.
Saturdays, Noon-1pm: Women In Black. Nonviolence vigil, Bidwell and Elmwood.
Sundays, 4pm Riverside-Salem UCC/DC progressive program and potluck. 3449 West River Road, Grand Island.
Mondays, 1-3pm, Talking Peace with the WNY Peace Center radio show on 91.3FM, WBNY; with Avery Edwards, Vicki Ross, and special guests. Go to wnby.buffalostate.edu or http://tunein.com/radio/WBNY-913-s27549/.
Tuesdays, 6:30pm Buffalo Supports Standing Rock Water Protectors! 420 Connecticut St, at Burning Books, with Indigenous Women’s Initiative, NACS, WNY Peace Center, and more.
2nd and 4th Thurs of month: Resist Militarism! Anti-Weaponized-Drone Vigil at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, 3:30-4:30pm. Call Russell, 570-5200 for carpooling.
1st and 3rd Thurs of month: Interfaith Peace Network meeting and breakfast-luck, 8am-9:30am; NRC Bldg, 1272 Delaware Ave. Parking round back.
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