May 27th, 2020
In an effort to limit ongoing digital overload, we are continuing to highlight just a few important items and special upcoming events and then refer you to our website for details on our regularly scheduled events and COVID-19 ‘Helping Hands’ resource list.
We at the WNY Peace Center are extremely alarmed at the recent video of two Buffalo Police officers repeatedly punching a captive man in the head, coupled with the many terrible stories of aggressive, unreasonable, and/or racist behavior on the part of Buffalo Police Officers, as told by attendees at the Buffalo Police Advisory Board Meeting of 05/20/2020. We have sent out a press release to that effect, publicly inviting Mayor Brown, Commissioner Lockwood, and Deputy Commissioners Gramaglia and Lark to join us in a Speak-Out for Ethical Peace Officers – on June 9th at 6pm (or at a mutually agreed upon time). We, of course, also invite you to attend for an open and honest virtual discussion on standards of conduct, use of force, and de-escalation. More details will be shared as they are confirmed.
In response to the current $14 billion COVID-related budget crisis, Governor Cuomo is withholding authorization of NYS contracts beginning July 1st. This affects all operations – in particular, the funding of social programs like food banks and SNAP (food stamp) programs. The Network of Religious Communities (NRC) is one of 45 agencies currently receiving funding to provide SNAP education and assistance in NYS counties, and their Nutrition Outreach program is one of the programs dramatically impacted. We are asking friends of the NRC and those who recognize the importance of the SNAP program – especially during the current public health crisis – to contact their NY State Representatives and Senators urging them to have the Governor authorize vital state contracts for the fiscal year beginning July 1st. Please visit our Campaigns page for more details.
New sentencing dates were announced for the Kings Bay Plowshares 7 – June 8th, 29th, and 30th – per the request of the defendants in order to accommodate their right to be sentenced in person in an open court, witnessed by the public. As they wait for their sentencing, each of the KBP7 continues to serve their communities as human needs grow exponentially during this COVID-19 pandemic. Please see their recent webinars on disarmament and divestment here and here. If you would like to write to Judge Lisa Godbey Wood in support of the defendants, you may do so here.
Lastly, on Saturday the WNYPC hosted a special episode of Draw and Talk with Valentino Dixon (one of our newest board members!) and featured a discussion with local social workers. You can watch and participate in the drawing session yourself – at home, at your leisure – and send us photos of you work to share! You can check out more of Valentino’s drawing lessons and discussions on YouTube and Instagram.
Please see details and much more below, including 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 lastly, a reminder to pace yourselves – do only what you can without engaging in digital overload. No one call do it all. Let us know what kind of help you might need from the WNYPC; please feel free to reach out!
Peace, thanks, solidarity and yes – love.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
May 15th, 2020
Dear Friends,
We know that many people are starting to feel the effects of digital overload, so this week we are here to offer a highlight of a few important events:
– We want to be sure you know that our radio show, Talking Peace on WBNY 91.3 FM, recently returned after a COVID-related hiatus. Join us for our next show Monday, 5/18 for a special call-in show featuring Clare Grady and Martha Hennessey of the Kings Bay Plowshares 7. The first hour will discuss criminal US nuclear militarism and the seven Catholic Workers’ courageous Plowshares action highlighting the omnicidal Trident submarines on the base. They now each face up to 25 years, with sentencing scheduled for 5/28 and 29. We thank them and pray for them, our s/heroes. The second hour will feature cohost and PANYS President Jim Anderson with Corrections Advisory Specialist Heron Simmonds discussing local and national racial justice issues – including video of Buffalo Police beating an unarmed man; Armaud Arbery’s murder in GA; and racial disparities in policing, healthcare, environmental pollution, etc. Our shows also stream online at wbny.buffalostate.edu, – please join us!
– On Saturday, 5/16 at noon, the KBP7 defendants will hold another webinar, Disarm & Divest During COVID-19 Part 2, before their sentencing. Jeremy Scahill, cofounder of the intercept, will host the webinar. Lead attorney Bill Quigley will also join followed by a Q&A. The panel will continue and expand their discussion of the need for civil resistance disarmament actions such as the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, the continued build-up of militarism, and the destitute condition of our world before and during the pandemic. They will also speak on divesting military funding to serve human needs during COVID-19 and beyond. If you missed Part 1 of this fantastic webinar – which also featured WNYPC Annual Dinner Keynote Speakers, Dr. Cornel West (2020) and Medea Benjamin (2019), you can catch up here. On Zoom, Meeting ID 816 7974 5485.
– This Sunday, 5/17, you can join the CAIC meeting about getting the #HALTSolitary bill passed using the Zoom link here. (Meeting ID 942 909 6816, Password Aubry; or dial-in at 1-646-558-8656 Mtg ID same, password 551359).
– On Thursday, 5/21, the Afghan Peace Volunteers invite everyone to say #Enough! We’ll build a critical mass of nonviolent relationships for a green and equal world without war. Join the Global Days of Listening beginning at 7:30 AM to celebrate 10 years of active listening to people around the globe, collaborating around each other’s paths of action toward a peaceful world. This month’s topic is What can each of us do now to build a better post-pandemic world? We know this is a topic all of you are considering, and we are particularly looking for youth guests (18-35 in this context) who share the APV’s vision of a Green, Equal, and Nonviolent world.
Please see details and much more below, including 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 lastly, a reminder to pace yourselves – do only what you can without engaging in digital overload. No one call do it all. Let us know what kind of help you might need from the WNYPC; please feel free to reach out!
Peace, thanks, solidarity and yes – love.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
16 April 2020
Over this past month we have seen that despite our physical distancing efforts, there is a lot of work still to be done. There seems to be more happening than ever, and to prevent us each from becoming digitally overwhelmed, we are offering this neatly organized list of Helping Hands opportunities. Please pick and choose from these wisely – self-care is so important, especially right now – and we need to remember to keep our balance.
LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES
– The Immigrant & Refugee Justice (IRJ or “urge”) taskforce is, as of TODAY, beginning a weekly digital rally (#IRJtoRally) as well as rebooting their physically distant vigils at the local ICE field office (more below) to show support for immigrant and refugee communities. Also, don’t forget the IRJ monthly taskforce meeting TONIGHT where they will announce a new book club, #IRJtoRead! If interested, you can find more information on our website, the IRJ FB group, and Linktree – please share!
– BPS students are returning from spring break, and COVID-19 food service resumed as of yesterday. Breakfast and lunch meals are provided to children every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at various BPS locations, and they need help delivering food to those families who cannot make it to the schools. (You can find specific schedule details here.) If you are interested in helping out, please call 716-816-7100 (menu 7) and keep in mind that all safety precautions are in place to keep you and the recipients safe.
NATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
– As we are seeing, voting by mail is more important than ever! The federal government needs to set aside money for this to cover mailing costs and ensure that fair, safe, and accessible voting is available to all. We should not have to choose between voting and our health! Check out this call to action in NYS, and find more information about the push for vote-by-mail here. We also suggest watching this informative documentary film, Kill Chain: The Cyber War on America’s Elections – free on HBO only in April – here!
– On a similar note, we need to continue supporting the United States Postal Service! This pandemic could deal a fatal blow to this constitutionally mandated service. Some great tips on how you can help here, including stocking up on cute stamps straight from usps.com!
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
– On the world front, the Secretary General of the UN proposed a global ceasefire during the coronavirus pandemic; several dozen nations have expressed support, and several have ceased firing. Wars seem to have paused in Yemen (questionable), Colombia, and Cameroon. Please join us and others in urging all governments to commit to and abide by the global ceasefire.
– Lastly, we are pleased to announce that free registration is open for the Online World Conference 2020 to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Resist & Reverse Climate Change, and for Economic & Social Justice. We encourage you to register and participate; find more information below.
Please see much more below, including 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
