Sunday, November 29, 2020
In an era of global crisis, we need new rituals to connect us. Giving Tuesday strives to “build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.” If you are able, we ask for your support this upcoming Giving Tuesday, which will allow us to continue our work building a more peaceful and just world.
- One way to support the WNYPC’s mission is through our annual fundraiser! We had many lovely donations from our generous supporters, and there is still time to visit our virtual marketplace (Bidding Owl registation required) – perfect for holiday gift ideas! Includes items from great local businesses: El Buen Amigo, Burning Books, Black Monarchy, and more! Ends Sunday, 12/6 at 11:59 PM.
We want to highlight an upcoming Zoom event: Speak-out on Erie County Holding Center. Join the WNYPC at 6:30 pm on Thursday, December 10th – Human Rights Day – for an opportunity to share your lived experience and/or perspective on the Erie County Holding Center, and to hear from authorities. Details to join are below.
- Superintendent – Jail Division, Thomas Diina will be attending, as will Miles Gresham, Esq., and Heron Simmonds, members of the Corrections Specialist Advisory Board.
- Heron, Racial Justice Taskforce Co-Chair, and other WNY Peace Center members, including its Racial Justice Taskforce and Prisoners’ Rights Taskforces, will also be involved. Other officials have also been invited (attendance TBD).
- Please come to tell your story and hear what current plans are. We’ll start with a Community Agreement to ensure we have a productive conversation, in truth and love.
We also want to encourage you to take advantage of the City of Buffalo’s Parking Amnesty Program by the December 31st deadline! The program allows individuals whose tickets are older (i.e., issued prior to June 30th, 2019) to pay the original amount owed without late fees and clear their records. Contact pvboffice@city-buffalo.com or 716-851-5182 for more information, and please help the Fair Fines + Fees Coalition spread the word about this very important program!
Please also note that our campaigns below have been *updated* to include urgent items related environmental justice, antiwar foreign policy, and policing/criminal justice reform!
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!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Sunday, November 22, 2020
We are still so grateful for this year’s spectacular annual event with Dr. Cornel West! With Thanksgiving approaching and in this spirit of thanks, we want to offer access to the event materials to all – even if you weren’t able to attend live with us this year – because they are just too good to keep under wraps!
- Program book – view the slideshow with music (‘A Love Supreme’ by John Coltrane) or download the PDF to review at your leisure
- Recording – full video of the event, including the presentation of awards to amazing local activists; keynote speech by Dr. West; and live Q&A!
- Virtual marketplace – Our fundraiser isn’t over yet! We had many lovely donations from our generous supporters, so please visit our virtual marketplace (Bidding Owl account required) which will be open through December 6th – just in time for holiday shopping!
You can find these materials and more on our website here. Please take some time to listen to Dr. West’s inspiring words and insights over the holidays, at a time when we all need them. We are overwhelmed by his support of and appreciation for the work of the WNY Peace Center, and his generosity of spirit and time. Please do keep in mind that these materials were made available as part of our 53rd annual fundraiser, which funds our work. If you weren’t an attendee and are able, please consider supporting the continuation of this important work by donating here.
We hope and pray that you and your loved ones are feeling the blessings that surround us, despite the very dire circumstances so many of us face right now. We’re all in this together. A blessed Thanksgiving to all – in ….
…. Peace, thanks, solidarity, and yes – love!
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)!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Saturday, November 14th, 2020
We invite you to join us in the movement to REFUSE FASCISM. Refuse Fascism is a movement of non-violent protests in Washington, DC, and across the US with a single unifying demand: #RuleOfLaw Trump/Pence out of the White House! Trump refuses to concede, filing lawsuits throughout the nation to try to overturn the election – even with Republican voting officials telling him there’s no factual basis for his complaints. Despite that, his supporters have gathered today in protest of the results.
We need to mobilize – nonviolently – to stop the theft of the election and the rise of fascism while still protecting all as COVID-19 cases are increasing exponentially. Local marches were called off this weekend, but we can still prevent a fascist America. Please – if you haven’t already – read RF’s Pledge to the People of the World (also seen in the NYT on 11/9) and sign. You can also donate to the cause here. (If you are on social media, we encourage you to join in the campaign currently flooding the hashtag ‘MillionMAGAMarch’ with photos of pancakes.)
If you are bothered by what you are seeing across America, just remember our wonderfully motivating evening with Cornel West, a supporter of RF. Take some inspiration from him and other sources that make you feel strong about the long-distance running we have to do in this fight for justice. Pace yourselves and remember that ‘unarmed truth’ (moral integrity) and ‘unconditional love’ (universal solidarity) will win in the end.
For those of you who were in attendance on Monday, we first want to express our extreme gratitude for all of your support. We had an amazing evening and hope you did as well. The excitement isn’t over yet; we are currently putting together a post-event packet which will include a captioned video, downloadable program book, and link to our virtual marketplace! We also want to remind you that TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to get your Peace Pin for Social Justice in support of the WNYPC!
Tomorrow is the deadline for federal rent and mortgage grants to keep tenants and homeowners from being evicted or foreclosed on – and there’s lots of money left! Erie County has a $10 million COVID-assistance program using cash from the CARES Act, and will pay up to five months of past-due rent or mortgage payments. Call 211 for a referral for help applying. Please share this information widely!
Lastly, we want to share an update regarding the virtual sentencing of three members of the Kings Bay Plowshares: Carmen Trotta was sentenced to 14-months; Clare Grady was sentenced to one year and one day; and Martha Hennessy was sentenced to 10-months. Mark Colville opposed a virtual sentencing and after appeal, has been given a delay until December 18th. We appreciate their courage and their sacrifice.
Please see details and much more below, including Rally for the Buffalo Five, Friday Noon, and 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!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
