Census; Women’s March; Early Voting

Sunday, October 4th 2020

We want to start by again emphasizing the importance of completing the 2020 Census. (Read here about how a low census response could affect our communities in WNY.) Although the courts barred the Trump administration from ending census data collection on 9/30, the Secretary of Commerce announced that self-response and field data collection will conclude on 10/5 – that means TOMORROW is the last day! If you have not yet completed your household’s census, visit 2020census.gov to do so ASAP and remind your friends and family!

We also  want to remind you to make your voting plan well in advance of Election Day – specifically for early voting. All active registered voters in Erie County are eligible to cast an early voting ballot – you do not have to do anything more! Starting 10/24, there will be 37 early voting locations in Erie County which you can just walk into to cast your vote. If you are concerned about voting in person, please see more details here on requesting an absentee ballot – there is still time! And if you or someone you know is interested in becoming a poll worker, find more information here.

The WNYPC is proud to host WNY’s upcoming Women’s March on October 17^th at Niagara Square. Join us for a rally to stop violence against women (including economic injustice, misogyny, telling women what they can and can’t do with their bodies, etc.), BIPOC, and the planet! Will feature speakers (including local community leaders Dominique Calhoun; former Erie Co. Legislator Betty Jean Grant, head of We Are Women Warriors; and more), musical performances (including Roc Da Mic with Peacejam; and Queen City Feminist Chorus), and sharing information about early voting. Cosponsors welcome! Email assistant@wnypeace.org if YOU are interested in co-sponsoring, speaking, or performing!

The WNYPC also continues to emphasize the importance of Collective Nonviolent Direct Action (CNDA), especially as we prepare for the aftermath of an election with a president who has openly stated that he may not respect the results. Please see our CNDA study events and resources before the first of two biweekly sessions of the CNDA ‘First Steps’ on 10/10 and 10/24.

Lastly, a reminder that tickets are on sale for our 53^rd Annual Fundraiser: ‘An Evening with Dr. Cornel West’ on Monday, November 9^th 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 see now more than ever that come November, we will be in great need of his post-election guidance.

We know that there is a lot going on right now, we really do. Remember to pace yourselves – we’ll get through it, together! Unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word, as Dr. King said.

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

We need LEAD!!

Dear Friends,

We have just heard that a shooting has taken place today, apparently by the BPD of a person with mental health issues, now in critical condition. We desperately need changes that will come through the LEAD program (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion). This cannot be put off! The program must start now!! See below with much more to follow. We must make those changes for the good of all before there is more tragedy in our community! No time to lose!

We also want to thank everyone who contributed to the Father Joe Bissonette Fund for the Western New York Peace Center. Due to your collective support and generosity, the grant was almost tripled – generating $14,485!! We are so grateful for the legacy of Father Joseph A. Bissonette (1932-1987), who was known for his work advocating for the poor and disadvantaged throughout WNY; and for the generosity of his remaining family/fund administrators! In these challenging times, activism and advocacy are now more critical than ever. We at the WNYPC are proud and grateful to be able to carry on this important work, thanks to the Fr. Joe Bissonette Fund and all of you generous donors! We appreciate your contributions and support!

We want to confirm that the WNYPC will continue our biweekly series First Steps: Collective Nonviolent Direct Action Study. These will be hybrid events, now shifting to every other Saturday at 2pm (the next session is 9/19) taking place in person at Niagara Square with masks and physical distancing. This will include shared learning, principles, tools, strategies, planning and more in collaboration with other local organizations. The sessions will occasionally be livestreamed – if you missed it, you can find the recording of the initial session on 8/23 on our Facebook page and our updated event page. Please review those resources and the previous session to prepare for the upcoming session.

We are also excited to announce that next week we will begin selling tickets for our 53rd Annual Event, An Evening with Dr. Cornel West (SAVE THE DATE – November 9th at 7pm)! 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 (frequently updated, often with last minute info!), regularly scheduled events, campaigns, fundraisers, and more at wnypeace.org, on our Facebook page, Twitter (@wnypeace), and Instagram (@wnypeace)!

R&R; Collective Nonviolent Direct Action; Fr. Bissonette matched grant

(Thumbnail image credit: Kim Saira)

This week we would like to emphasize the importance of rest; of taking some time for a break to refresh. This is especially important in in the midst of the ongoing public health crisis, and also because there is a lot to prepare for in the upcoming months. This is a critically important time of overwhelming change, and the election is now less than 75 days away. Tactically speaking, the WNYPC will be focusing on fewer, larger events rather than many small events. Consequently, we are highlighting only a few items this week, all of which could be done from home.

This Sunday from 3:00 – 4:30 pm, the WNY Liberation Collective and WNYPC are offering another session of First Steps! Collective Nonviolent Direct Action. This will be a hybrid event, taking place in person at Niagara/Liberation Square with masks and physical distancing, and also streamed live on Facebook.
– Collective Nonviolent Direct action will be key to keeping and improving our democracy. These first steps are part of a series for shared learning as we plan and prepare.
– We will cover the principles and the spirit (including music, a great tool for such actions), Know Your Rights with Daire Brian Irwin, Esq., and safety info regarding protective gear from Nick of Buffalo Action Medics.
– Prepapatory videos and the full planned agenda can be found on our website. Please watch the videos so we can spend more time in discussion!

We also want to remind you that we are coming to the end (!) of the very generous matched grant from the Fr. Joe Bissonnette Fund for the WNYPC. This fund sustains our on-going work and helps prepare for strong social justice activism coming out of quarantine.
– Father Joe Bissonette (1932-1987) was known throughout WNY for his ministry in Buffalo and his advocacy for the poor and disadvantaged. Recognizing the many challenges AND opportunities of the present moment, the Fr. Joe Bissonette Fund has committed to match any donation of $100 or more made between July and August, up to $5000.
– These contributions also qualify for your choice of one of Amanda Besl’s beautiful limited-edition pieces (while supplies last) and an individual or organizational WNYPC membership with your choice of the #RESIST or #LoveIsLove lawn sign. If you would like to make a donation, please see our fundraiser page. You can purchase Amanda’s powerful art here.

As you have time, there are other vital campaigns and an employment opportunity (see below) that you can put some energy into as you can and will. Please remember to pace yourselves, as no one person can do it all. We are at a fork in the road of the future of this country, and we recognize the importance of collaborating, strategizing, and also resting when needed.

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)!