Tomorrow morning (Friday, 7/17) is the trial of Myles Carter, who was arrested June 1st at Bailey and Decker while peacefully protesting the Buffalo Police beating of Quentin Suttles.
He was being interviewed by News 4 when police in riot gear tackled him from behind and arrested him. Myles is being charged with obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct. The police who tackled him have not been charged.
He was well within his 1st amendment rights (see above).
Use this toolkit to demand District Attorney Flynn to drop these charges before Myles’ trial tomorrow morning. Or just call 716-858-2400. The DA’s office is tracking public input – please tell them what you think!
Myles has been a consistent supporter of Deyanna Davis whose accident happened in the chaos of the same protest. They were both held in the Holding Center the same night. Let’s hold down Myles as he would us. #DropTheCharges
We thank Black Love Resists in the Rust for the above notice and join with them in working for charges against Myles Carter to be dropped.
We need you to make a call to your members of Congress today to urge them to support a critical amendments to cut Pentagon funding by 10%.
If you’ll recall, there are amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to cut the Pentagon budget by 10% in both the House and the Senate. Sponsored by Reps Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) in the House and Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the amendment would free up a much needed $74 billion for healthcare, affordable housing, and improvements to education programs, etc.
We’ve already had Sen. Schumer support the amendment! [1] This is HUGE. The Minority Leader’s support signals that the movement to make real cuts to the Pentagon is gaining traction beyond the usual suspects.And we do expect Sen. Gillibrand and Congressman Higgins will do so as well.
Great news – your efforts are making a difference!
Since we last contacted you to take action, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has added his name in support of the amendment.
A vote is likely on these amendments next week! Even if you’ve already taken action, it’s still imperative that you make this call as well to keep the momentum and pressure up!
Here’s what we need you to do today:
1. Call the Congressional switchboard at 1-202-224-3121
2. Ask to be connected to one of your member’s offices
3. Once connected, say:
For your House Representative –
Hello, my name is (your name) and I am a voting constituent from (your city). I am calling to urge my representative to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act by Reps Barbara Lee and Mark Pocan, which calls for cutting 10% off the Pentagon budget. This important step would free up $74 billion for healthcare, affordable housing, and improvements to education programs. The main threats to our true security, like the global health pandemic we find ourselves facing today, will not be solved militarily. By over-prioritizing the Pentagon and military solutions, our country is drastically underprepared for the crises that we are most likely to face. I look forward to hearing what the representative’s position is on this important issue.
For your Senators –
Hello, my name is (your name) and I am a voting constituent from (your city). I am calling to urge the senator to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act by Senator Sanders, Markey, and Warren, which calls for cutting 10% off the Pentagon budget. This important step would free up $74 billion for healthcare, affordable housing, and improvements to education programs. The main threats to our true security, like the global health pandemic we find ourselves facing today, will not be solved militarily. By over-prioritizing the Pentagon and military solutions, our country is drastically underprepared for the crises that we are most likely to face. I look forward to hearing what the senator’s position is on this important issue.
The stakes today could hardly be higher. Over 40 million people are unemployed. More than 138,000 people have died from COVID-19, and thousands more are likely to perish. 5.4 million Americans have lost their health care during the pandemic. All the while, Congress is focusing on handing the Pentagon $740,000,000,000. Your time to act is now. Please call your members of Congress today and demand they do better.
Thank you for taking the time to act for a better tomorrow.
P.S. If your senators are Sanders, Markey, Warren, or Schumer, be sure to make the call and thank them for supporting this important amendment. To see if your representative is already a cosponor, click here.
Sources:
[1}https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-welcomes-schumers-support-for-effort-to-cut-pentagon-and-invest-in-human-needs
July 8th, 2020
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.
Peace, thanks, solidarity and yes – love.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
