WNYPC’s 53rd Annual Event: An Evening w/Cornel West; Hertel Hurdle (BLM); LASC/ROCLA on COVID in El Salvador

We hope you’re making time to rest and recharge. This is such a difficult time, as is evident by ongoing injustices around this country, and there’s so much work to be done. So please be good to yourself! As you have time, there are vital campaigns that you can put some energy into as you can and will. But 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 nation, and we recognize the importance of collaborating, strategizing, and also resting when needed. Remember, “Unarmed Truth and Unconditional Love will have the final word in reality…” as Rev. Dr. King said!

We are extremely excited to announce our plans for the WNYPC’s 53rd Annual Event: An Evening with Dr. Cornel West! On Monday, November 9th at 7pm, please join us for a live, virtual and/or big screen keynote by Dr. Cornel West. He’ll address the vital question: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Our current plan is to host this talk both on Zoom and projected at North Park Theatre, with North Park doors opening (and tabling, etc.) from 5:30pm. You’ll have the option to view online or join us at the theatre, in person, with masks and physical distancing in place. (The theatre option depends on the COVID-status, etc., at the time, of course.) There will be a live Q&A session after the lecture. TICKET DETAILS AND OPTIONS COMING SOON! Please refer to our event page for more details and updates.

Tomorrow at 5 PM, please join the WNY Liberation Collective and the WNYPC for the Hertel Hurdle, a Black Lives Matter march standing with Washington, D.C. on the anniversary Rev. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. We’ll meet outside Illos Piano Restorations, 2490 Main St. (at Hertel), Buffalo 14214. Help us continue to make the noise that is being heard all around the city, bringing awareness one day at a time to ongoing societal issues of racial justice and police brutality. Bring your masks, your friends, your signs, voices, hearts, and minds. Wear black. Stay safe, vigilant, and hydrated (water will be provided). #WeThePeople #WeTheChange

Next Wednesday at 7 PM, please join the Latin American Solidarity Committee (LASC, a task force of the WNYPC) and Rochester Committee on Latin American (ROCLA) for a joint virtual event “El Salvador in the Time of Covid-19: A Rights-based Analysis of the Drivers and Triggers of Forced Migration.” Featuring guest presenters Magda Lanuza and Jeanne Rikkers speaking on-line from El Salvador. On Zoom – register at https://rocla.org/events/el-salvador-in-the-time-of-covid-19/.

We also want to mention that the WNY Liberation Collective and WNYPC will continue our instruction of the biweekly series First Steps: Collective Nonviolent Direct Action Study. These will be hybrid events every other Sunday at 2pm (next on September 6th), taking place in person at Niagara/Liberation Square with masks and physical distancing; the sessions will occasionally be livestreamed as well. (The recording of the 8/23 initial session is on our Facebook page and our website).

Lastly, we are coming to the end of the generous matched grant from the Fr. Joe Bissonnette Fund for the WNYPC, and closing in on the $5,000 limit (we’re at ~$4,500). This fund sustains our on-going work and helps prepare for strong social justice activism coming out of quarantine. The Fr. Joe Bissonette Fund has committed to match any donation of $100 or more made between July and August. If you would like to make a donation, please see our fundraiser page.

Please, too, 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)!

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)!

BUFFALO 5; CARIOL’S DAY OF ACTION; MARCH FOR…JUSTICE

Please join us on Friday at noon for the “Move for Justice” Rally, which will assemble in front of the Erie County Court Building (25 Delaware Ave) and then move to Niagara Square. Meet the Buffalo 5 – John Walker, Jr., Darryl Boyd, Floyd Martin, Darren Gibson, and Tyrone Woodruff – and show community support to get their indictment, No. 41-413 revisited by the Erie County District Attorney’s office. For more details, visit the event page on our website.

Later on Friday, join us at Lafayette Square from 3-5pm for the #CariolsLaw National Day of Action calling for an end to police violence and justice for our shero (and Board member) Cariol Horne. The march will assemble at Lafayette Square and then move to Niagara Square for a protest concert featuring Drea d’Nur at 4pm. #PassCariolsLaw #GrantCariolsPension #JusticeForCariol

On Sunday we will be at Amherst State Park (400 Mill St.) from 1-3pm where we will demand educational and economic racial inequalities be acknowledged in the suburbs and greater Buffalo area. All are welcome! Please note there is a parking lot off of Sheridan behind the Sisters of St. Francis building. Cohosted by @716protests and the WNY Peace Center.

The fight for racial justice continues at Niagara Square. Our own Racial Justice Taskforce continues to work independently and is also connecting with those at the Square and elsewhere. There is still daily activity at Niagara/Liberation Square thanks to the WNY Liberation Collective. Thank you also to everyone for your support of Deyanna Davis who was released this morning on bail.

A final reminder that our 13th annual youth summer camp, Camp Peaceprints, begins on Monday! Registration is still open with a sliding scale of up to $25/week, with scholarships readily available! Camp will be 100% online this year due to the public health crisis, but we offer games, recreation/physical activities, art projects, music, and virtual field trips to MACHU PICCHU (Peru) and KENYA; plus wonderful guest presenters (activists and artists from the Buffalo area, including Derek Middlebrooks of Nerds United, Poet Jillian Hanesworth, and Valentino Dixon)! Please register ASAP as we’ll be delivering packets with art supplies, etc. for use during camp.

We are, of course, still accepting *MATCHED* donations to the Father Joe Bissonette Fund for the WNY Peace Center. For more information and to contribute, please visit the fundraiser page on our website. We cannot do this work with you and are so grateful for your support!

Lastly, we are excited to share the IFCO/Pastors for Peace recording from the amazing event on Cuba’s response to COVID-19 for those of you who were unable to join us on the 29th.

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)! We update our Event Calendar often as we learn of new events, so please be sure to check back regularly!

And another reminder to pace yourselves – no one can do it all. Please feel free to reach out and let us know what kind of help you might need from the WNYPC.