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

Annual Event tickets; Voting+Census; Season of Nonviolence

The WNY Peace Center is especially excited to announce that TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE for our 53rd Annual Fundraiser: ‘An Evening with Dr. Cornel West’ on Monday, November 9th 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 know that come November, we will be in great need of his post-election guidance.

On a similar note, we recognize that many people don’t know how to feel as it is right now. We’re guessing that you, like us, are just stunned by all of the things going on. We get through this by reminding ourselves that it’s always the right time to do the right thing. Please try to not worry too much and consider the Serenity Prayer. Solidarity, truth, and love are going to see us through.

We again want to remind you of the importance of making a voting plan well in advance of Election Day. There is a great guide by ProPublica on making sure your vote counts during the pandemic. A few main points: 1. Make sure you’re registered to vote; 2. Plan how you’ll vote – by mail, in person during Early Voting, or on Election Day; 3. If you’re voting by mail, read the instructions carefully; 4. Track your ballot; 5. Check your state’s ID requirements; 6. Ask for help if you need information, and report any problems you encounter; 7. Make a backup plan; 8. Beware of misinformation; 9. Be patient when awaiting the results. Find the full guide here and check out our prior newsletter with all of the details specific to voting in NYS.

We also want to emphasize the importance of Collective Nonviolent Direct Action (CNVDA), especially as we prepare for the aftermath of an election with a president who has openly stated that he may not respect the results. First, we suggest you read this piece by Waging Nonviolence on how to stop a coup; it includes tips for coming together, preparing to deter a coup before the election, and acting quickly and nonviolently in the event of one. Secondly, we’d like to remind you of the WNYPC’s CNVDA study events and resources. We need this both now in our current crises, and as we enter the Season of Nonviolence while the national situation progresses. In recognition of Gandhi’s birthday month, we will host two biweekly sessions of the CNVDA ‘First Steps’ plus a special Women’s March day of action on the 17th (see details on each below).

To end on a positive note, we are grateful to the courts for barring the Trump Administration from ending the Census 2020 period early. If you have not yet completed your household’s census, you again have until October 31st – visit 2020census.gov to do so ASAP! (Read here about how a low census response could affect WNY.)

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!

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)!