Planning for the road ahead; Willie Henley; RBG
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Like many of you, we are devastated by the loss of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Tomorrow evening at the U.S. Federal Courthouse (see below for details), WNY will honor her life and work which positively impacted so many of us. Then we have to make sure her work carries on. We have a mountain ahead of us, so we would like to take this opportunity to remind you of two important tasks that will assist in these efforts:
1. Completing the US Census 2020 by September 30th. Completion is required by federal law and is super important for funding our communities and ensuring we are properly represented in government. It only takes 10 minutes and the next opportunity we have to do this will be another 10 years from now! The Census is available in a variety of languages and with language guides, and can be completed easily and safely online or by phone! Visit 2020census.gov for details and to complete.
2. Making a plan to vote. Start by confirming your voter registration status here: https://voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/
– If you need to register, be sure to do so by mail no later than October 9th to be received by a board of elections no later than October 14th. You can also register in-person at your local board of elections no later than October 9th.
– A change of address from registered voters must be received by a BOE by October 14th.
– The last day to apply online, by email fax, or to postmark an application or letter of application by mail for an absentee ballot is October 27th. (PLEASE NOTE that despite this deadline, the Post Office has advised they cannot guarantee timely delivery of ballots applied for less than 15 days before an election.) The last day to apply in-person for an absentee ballot is November 2nd.
– Early voting starts on October 24th and runs until November 1st. *** Since there is a paper trail and pressure on the USPS, this option may be our best bet. *** Find details on locations and hours here: https://elections.erie.gov/early%20voting
– The last day to postmark an absentee ballot is November 3rd – it must be received by the local BOE no later than November 10th (Nov. 16th for Military Voter Ballots). The last day to deliver a ballot in-person to the local BOE is November 3rd.
*** For more details about voting in the 2020 General Election (and to become a poll worker in NYS), visit https://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html
There are a variety of activities and events coming up – many with only a day’s (or sometimes even hours’!) notice, so please be sure to check the website frequently.
Tomorrow’s Defund BPD Jam III is postponed due to the unforeseen shooting of Willie Henley last weekend by the Buffalo Police Department. Tomorrow at 3pm, Willie’s family is hosting an event at MLK Jr. Park (see below for event and campaign details). We want to encourage all who were planning to attend DBPDJ-III to march alongside this family directly affected by the brutalities of the Buffalo Police.
Ticket sales for our upcoming 53rd Annual Event, An Evening with Dr. Cornel West (SAVE THE DATE – November 9th at 7pm) are pending a special announcement from Dr. West! STAY TUNED! For more details and to check back for ticket sales, please visit our event page.
Please see details and much more below, including other special events this week, regularly scheduled events, 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
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
SUNDAY, 9/20 @ 2 PM – DEFUND BPD JAM III ***POSTPONED ***
This event is postponed. We will announce when we and the WNYLC have rescheduled.
SUNDAY, 9/20 @ 3 PM –SUPPORT OF WILLIE HENLEY AND FAMILY
(See event details above and additional campaign details below.)
SUNDAY, 9/20 @ 5 PM – PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO REMEMBERS ATTICA
At MLK Jr. Park at the statue of the Universal Black Man. Prisoners are People Too remembers Attica State Prison Rebellion of September 9 – 13, 1971. Every year for the last 15 years, PRP2 has recognized the importance of remembering the sacrifice of the prisoners who stood up and spoke out against the abuse and brutality that was well known at Attica State Prison. This year, we are hosting a spoken word event. THEME: “Attikkka is the KNEE on our NECK”. Wear a mask and bring a chair if needed. Physical distancing will be observed.
SUNDAY, 9/20 @ 6 PM – VIRTUAL FILM SCREENING – INDEFINITE POTENTIAL: THE LIFE AND IDEAS OF DAVID BOHN
On Zoom – register at bit.ly/david_bohm. Join CODEPINK in celebrating International Day of Peace with a viewing of Infinite Potential: The Life and Ideas of David Bohm and a post-screening panel, Quantum Potential: A Pathway to Peace! Moderated by Dr. Dot Maver of Global Silent Minute. Watch the trailer here.
SUNDAY, 9/20 @ 7 PM – CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR RUTH BADER GINSBURG
At the Robert H. Jackson U.S. Federal Courthouse, 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo. Join us and many others for a candlelight vigil honoring the life and work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Masks and social distancing will be mandatory. Hosted by Richard P. Bartolotta, Brian Nowak, and Rachel Casey.
MONDAY, 9/21 @ 7:30 AM GLOBAL DAYS OF LISTENING WITH AFGHAN PEACE VOLUNTEERS
Streaming on-line. Post-Pandemic Innovations in Education: A Path to the Future. You can listen to this call streaming live, or ask for a short spot to join the conversation (individually or with a group). Full info to do either one on the Global Days of Listening website.
THURSDAY, 9/24 @ 12 PM – VIRTUAL BROWN BAG WITH NY RENEWS & WNY YOUTH CLIMATE COUNCIL
On Zoom – register here. Join the Buffalo, Erie County, NY Renews and the WNY Youth Climate Council to discuss climate action in Buffalo and Erie County. Hear from City and County sustainability staff, youth, and climate justice representatives and community policy advocates. Ask questions and learn ways to support this important work. Sponsored by the Western New York Environmental Alliance. For more information, visit WNYEA.org or contact Andrea O’Suilleabhain at andrea@ppgbuffalo.org with registration questions.
FRIDAY, 9/25 – SUNDAY, 9/27 – CAMPING TRIP WITH DEFEND OHI:YO
At Willow Bay Campground, 4001 W Washington St., Bradford, PA in the Allegheny National Forest. Join Defend Ohi:yo along the Kinzua Reservoir for a weekend of fun and educational activities. We’ll be showing the recently released film “Invisible Hand”. There will also be a water quality workshop, so bring a bottle of water from your favorite stream or spring if you would like to test it. Join our social painting circle and paint the Ohi:yo’ with Kari & Theresa. Visit Chief Cornplanter’s grave and learn about Chief Cornplanter with Jess Crouse. Get updates on the Northern Access Pipeline and Olean Sewage issue. We’ll be physical distancing but everything is outside so that will help. Everyone is welcome to come for a day or for the entire weekend! Find the schedule here and register here.
FRIDAY, 9/25 @ 10 AM – FOIL INFO TRAINING SESSION
On Zoom – register here. Organized by the New York Coalition for Open Government: a training session on New York’s Freedom of Information Law including Q&A. This free session will feature Kristin O’Neill, the Assistant Director of the New York State Committee on Open Government, who will provide an overview of what the law requires. Ms. O’Neill’s many years of experience will be helpful to government officials who process FOIL requests and to reporters/concerned citizens who are interested in obtaining information. Steven Brown, a reporter for Channel 2 News in Buffalo, will also speak and provide advice and tips based on his experience in filing FOIL requests.
FRIDAY, 9/25 @ 7 PM – NUNS ON THE BUS VIRTUAL TOUR: BUFFALO STOP
Join Sr. Simone Campbell and the Nuns on the Bus for a “Town Hall for Spirit-Filled Voters”. While this town hall is virtual, it is intended especially for those who live in the Buffalo-region of NY. Spirit-Filled Voters are voters who are committed to mending the gaps in our nation and are able to talk to their friends and family about the need to promote the common good this election. This town hall is for those who are committed to being Spirit-Filled Voters this election season, and beyond! For more details and to register, see the flyer here. Organized by Pilgrim-St. Luke’s UCC.
SATURDAY, 9/26 @ 11 AM – ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS: TAKE TO THE STREET CORNERS
At Elmwood and Bidwell Parkway, Buffalo. Harvard Prof and prolific author Elaine Scarry, author of the terrific book, Thermonuclear Monarchy, calls on everyone to take the cry for abolition of nuclear weapons to the streets! On September 26, The U.N. Day to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons, we are inviting you to take street corners (masked and physically distanced) with signs saying, “ELIMINATE NUCLEAR WEAPONS! Fund Education, Healthcare and the Green New Deal!” (Please bring your own signs.) Sponsored by WNY Drilling Defense & Environmental Justice Taskforce of the WNY Peace Center.
SUNDAY, 9/27 @ 2PM – #HALTsolidarity/CAIC Monthly Meeting
On Zoom (Meeting ID: 842 9096816 and Password: Aubry). Local staff/leadership team will take the ideas in this discussion and use them to formulate action proposals. They have two main programs for the period from now until the election: 1. Getting solitary confinement on to the agenda (e.g., by asking questions) at candidate forums and debates in the various NY legislature races; 2. Taking the replica solitary confinement to a number of places that have foot traffic. Also get updates re: Free The People WNY, partner orgs like RAPP, and other criminal justice reform initiatives. If you would like to help with these programs, contact Nicole at info@wnycaic.org.
CAMPAIGNS & CALLS TO ACTION
1. Contact ECDA John Flynn’s office urging him to drop all charges against Willie Henley!
By phone: 716-858-2424 and by web: https://www2.erie.gov/da/. If you are able, please also contribute to Willie’s lawyer fee funds at gofundme.com/f/willie-henley-lawyer-fee
2. Buffalo needs LEAD now! We recently saw a clear example of how the current way police respond to community members with mental health issues fails our community. This entire situation could have been avoided with Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD), a program that offers an alternative to arrest or hospitalization: diverting individuals into intensive management so their underlying needs are addressed. Learn more about LEAD here and SHARE WIDELY!
3. Support the repeal of 50-A, a NYS secrecy law that blocked police misconduct and disciplinary records from being released to the public, including victims of police brutality. This legislation is under attack from police unions across the state, including the Buffalo Police Department (BPD) union.
– Urge your local legislators (contact info here) and ask them to make sure that the City of Buffalo is strenuously working to uphold the repeal. The city is lukewarm, and the issues with the BPU are feeding the problem.
– Send a copy of the petition calling for open access police misconduct to your legislators by texting SIGN YKNGJA to 50409
– Join the social media campaign calling for police transparency and records justice! #RecordsJustice #StoptheShadowRepeal #PoliceAccountabilityNow
4. Jesus the Liberator Seminary of Religious Justice is a non-profit organization that has provided free education, books, services and support for people in prison for 25 years. We have written articles and published books based on that experience. Our new publication, More to this Confession: Relational Prison Theology is available for free or donation. If interested, please contact us at prisontheology.org
5. Support the demand that the police budget is defunded to invest in traffic calming infrastructure and take BPD out of traffic enforcement all together. Please fill out the questionnaire shared by Fair Fines + Fees to participate in a budgetary process that aims to make positive changes to the City’s budget.
6. Sign the Open Letter to Mayor Brown from Social Workers and Mental Health Professionals https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl7e9RVOCBP98dEbXU5o9xwuLW19oehzs49rluaplNftNvmA/viewform?fbzx=9022798637391376894
#UNITE | #OneLove | #WeShallOvercome | #SiSePuede!