Illustration courtesy of Sallie Latch
by Kathy Kelly
March 2, 2021
Amid the ongoing horror, it’s important to find ways to atone for war crimes —including reparations.
Thirty years ago, when the United States launched Operation Desert Storm against Iraq, I was a member of the Gulf Peace Team. We were 73 people from fifteen different countries, aged 22 to 76, living in a tent camp close to Iraq’s border with Saudi Arabia, along the road to Mecca.
We aimed to nonviolently interpose ourselves between the warring parties. Soldiers are called upon to risk their lives for a cause they may not know much about. Why not ask peace activists to take risks on behalf of preventing and opposing wars?
Sunday, February 14th, 2021
It’s stunning (yet still expected) that the unbelievable happened: Trump was acquitted of his second impeachment, for the heinous insurrection. We remind everyone that we had an impeachment rally on July 2nd, 2017, and it has been clear since then (and before) that this man is a criminal and has encouraged and enabled tremendous amounts of criminal activity. This is just part of the struggle against white supremacy, racism, patriarchy, empire and violence. (Yes, we are also thinking of our local examples.) “Nevertheless, she persisted”; we will keep right on.
We are grateful to WNYPC Treasurer and Chair of the Environmental Taskforce, Charley Bowman, who will be in Syracuse this afternoon participating in the “Love in Action” Drone Action at Hancock Field (Airforce base). In a statement that will be presented at the base, host organization Upstate Drone Action implores drone operators: “We ask you to look deeply within. Is what you are doing to survive destroying your conscience and destroying the things you love?” See details below and please keep an eye out on our YouTube channel and social media for video after the event.
We are also excited to share that our youth program, PeaceJam Buffalo, is now less than two weeks away! PeaceJam is meant to foster a new generation of young leaders committed to positive changes in themselves, their communities, and the world through inspiration, education, and action. The Nobel Peace Laureates on PeaceJam Foundation’s board are a key element as well, through curriculum and example. The upcoming series of our local program is geared towards youth ages 11-18 and will meet Thursdays from 4-5 PM beginning on 2/25. Please see below for themes, learning goals, activities, and registration.
We are disappointed by the Grand Jury’s decision to reject the charges against the two Buffalo police officers who pushed Martin Gugino this past summer. The problem is state-sponsored violence is excused; if somebody is wearing a uniform, it’s excused. (Of note, one of the officers was charged with not helping Martin up when he started to but was stopped by his commanding officer – while we believe in the Nuremberg principles that obeying an order is no excuse, this is a pretty high bar.) Our criminal Injustice system is so fraught with problems – another is the over-simplification of issues, as if we can lay the blame on a single individual for issues that are much more complicated such as the militarization of the police. Also, the systemic racism is abysmal – many black people have been brutalized, shot, and/or killed, and the police doing the deed are routinely excused without charges. As Martin, and Bob Dylan, say: “Who’s Gonna Take Away Their License to Kill?” We need transformative justice. Another way is possible and so much needed! Read more on this local/national/international news here: WBFO Buffalo News WIVB NYT
As you may have heard, there is a lot of change happening at the WNYPC. At our first membership meeting of the year, Vicki Ross announced that she will be stepping down from her role as Executive Director. We are so thankful for all of her work and dedication WNYPC over the years. The WNY Peace Center now seeks a highly motivated person who is passionate about peace and social justice issues for this (part-time) job (20 hours/week). If interested, visit bit.ly/wnypeace_ed for information on the position and how to apply.
It is also the time of year when we are seeking candidates for the WNYPC Coordinating Board, which will be voted upon at our upcoming Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 25th (SAVE THE DATE!). Please review our mission here and reach out to director@wnypeace.org if you are interested.
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Please see details and much more – 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, January 24th, 2021
We trust you are reading this after tonight’s Bills game (hopefully celebrating a good outcome!). We hope you are feeling a bit revitalized this week with Trump now (finally) out of office and nuclear weapons becoming officially illegal under international law. However, we know there is still plenty of work ahead of us – including some very important initiatives this week.
Tomorrow is “World Says No to War on Yemen” Global Day of Action. People around the world are called upon to protest – just says after the U.S. presidential inauguration and one day before Saudi Arabia’s ‘Davos in the Desert’ Future Investment Initiative.
- Join the Stop the War Coalition, CODEPINK, Action Corps, Yemeni Alliance Committee, and other partner organizations/groups on Zoom and/or Facebook at 2pm EST for the livestreamed international rally. Hear from Dr. Cornel West, Danny Glover, Jeremy Corbyn, Aisha Jumaan, and other guest speakers to discuss the crisis in Yemen and actions that can be taken to stop the war. Use this action toolkit to participate and promote this important cause! #YemenCantWait
- If you missed last week’s Talking Peace live-taping, you can catch it airing on WBNY 91.3 FM tomorrow at 1pm. ED Vicki was joined by Aisha Jumaan, President of the Yemen Relief & Reconstruction Foundation, and Kawthar Abdulla, Leader Organizer, Yemeni Alliance Committee’s NYC Chapter. Tune in for a discussion on the current situation in Yemen and the involvement of external actors – including, especially, the US; personal stories and current needs; tomorrow’s International Day of Action, and what you can do to help!
On Tuesday at 6:30pm EST, join Winona LaDuke, Co-founder of Honor the Earth as she speaks about the fight to stop Line 3 and a just transition from the current fossil fuel economy. Line 3 is a proposed pipeline expansion to bring nearly a million barrels of tar sands per day from Alberta, Canada to Superior, Wisconsin. It was proposed in 2014 by Enbridge, a Canadian pipeline company responsible for the largest inland oil spill in the US. Enbridge seeks to build a new pipeline corridor through untouched wetlands and the treaty territory of Anishinaabe peoples, through the Mississippi River headwaters to the shore of Lake Superior. For more details and how to register, see below.
Lastly, we’d like to remind you that the WNY Peace Center’s first 2021 Quarterly Membership Meeting is just one week away! We will look back at 2020 – with an overview of some our successes, plus plans for this year. We have some important announcements, so please plan to join us on Zoom (full details below).
Please see details and much more – including special and regularly scheduled events this week (LASC planning meeting tomorrow!) – 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
