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)!

Congregate Living in the time of COVID-19; BLM Art Show; Buffalo 5 Rally

We are very excited about tomorrow evening’s event, Congregate Living in the Age of COVID-19, an info session on what is needed to keep people safe from COVID-19 while residing in congregate settings. This Zoom meeting (register here) is hosted by the WNY Peace Center, Immigrant & Refugee Justice (IRJ/”urge”) Task Force, Jericho Road Community Health Center and Vive Shelter. Featured panelists include Myron Glick, M.D., and Anna Ireland Mongo, Ph.D., with special guest Heron Simmonds, Erie County Corrections Specialist Advisory Board (covering ECHC and Alden Corrections Facility). Q&A will follow the presentations – all are welcome! This discussion is just one part of continuing work on this area, including the People’s Hearing next week (see below).

We also want to highlight some amazing in-person events this weekend, including the Buffalo 5 Rally and the WNY Liberation Collective’s Black Lives Matter Community Art Show on Friday – see our Upcoming Events below for details. There is plenty that can be done from the safety of our homes, as well – check out our Calls to Action below.

Lastly, we want to remind you that through the remainder of August, contributions of $100 or more to WNYPC get you one of Amanda Besl’s beautiful limited edition pieces (while supplies last), an individual or organizational WNYPC membership with your choice of the #RESIST or #LoveIsLove lawn sign, AND will have your donation matched by the Fr. Bissonette Fund! For more information and to contribute, please visit the fundraiser page on our website.

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)!