Thursday, December 10th, 2020
Our Speak-out on Erie County Holding Center, originally scheduled for this evening, has been postponed by one week to next Thursday, December 17th at 6:30 PM. Please join us then for an opportunity to share your lived experience and/or perspective on the Erie County Holding Center, and to hear from authorities. See details including the Zoom link at bit.ly/wnypeace_speakout.
Please instead join the WNYPC in recognizing International Human Rights Day today by supporting the 24-hour Action to #HALTsolitary. This campaign will mark the day with a twenty-four hour series of protests, teach-ins, celebrations, and more to call attention to the torture of solitary confinement and the broader racist carceral system, as well as the essential humanity, rights and dignity of incarcerated people. Actions will take place across New York State and beyond starting at 10 am and will be continuously streamed live via Zoom and Facebook through 10 am on Friday, 12/11. Register at bit.ly/24HourHumanRights.
– In WNY, join the candlelight caroling (with texts about solitary) and short speeches to urge Gov. Cuomo and the state legislature to enact the HALT Solitary Confinement Act. Join us 5pm at 65 Court St, Buffalo. *** Keep in mind your mask and secure distance, especially when singing. *** Will also be livecast statewide.
We want to recognize another people-powered victory: New York State is the biggest pension fund — $226 billion — in the world, and now among the largest financial institutions to divest from the riskiest oil and gas companies and de-carbonize by 2040! Thanks to #DivestNY for organizing! See more and thank Comptroller DiNapoli at DivestNY.org. (Now we need the state to #HALTsolitary!)
Lastly, we’d like to remind you that Democracy Now airs weekdays from 8-9 AM on WBNY 91.3 FM (or streaming at wbny.buffalostate.edu) – be sure to tune in!
Please see details on the above and much more – including special and regularly scheduled events this week, campaigns, and fundraisers – at wnypeace.org, on our Facebook page, Twitter (@wnypeace), and Instagram (@wnypeace)!
Peace, thanks, solidarity, and yes – love!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Sunday, November 29, 2020
In an era of global crisis, we need new rituals to connect us. Giving Tuesday strives to “build a world in which the catalytic power of generosity is at the heart of the society we build together, unlocking dignity, opportunity, and equity around the globe.” If you are able, we ask for your support this upcoming Giving Tuesday, which will allow us to continue our work building a more peaceful and just world.
- One way to support the WNYPC’s mission is through our annual fundraiser! We had many lovely donations from our generous supporters, and there is still time to visit our virtual marketplace (Bidding Owl registation required) – perfect for holiday gift ideas! Includes items from great local businesses: El Buen Amigo, Burning Books, Black Monarchy, and more! Ends Sunday, 12/6 at 11:59 PM.
We want to highlight an upcoming Zoom event: Speak-out on Erie County Holding Center. Join the WNYPC at 6:30 pm on Thursday, December 10th – Human Rights Day – for an opportunity to share your lived experience and/or perspective on the Erie County Holding Center, and to hear from authorities. Details to join are below.
- Superintendent – Jail Division, Thomas Diina will be attending, as will Miles Gresham, Esq., and Heron Simmonds, members of the Corrections Specialist Advisory Board.
- Heron, Racial Justice Taskforce Co-Chair, and other WNY Peace Center members, including its Racial Justice Taskforce and Prisoners’ Rights Taskforces, will also be involved. Other officials have also been invited (attendance TBD).
- Please come to tell your story and hear what current plans are. We’ll start with a Community Agreement to ensure we have a productive conversation, in truth and love.
We also want to encourage you to take advantage of the City of Buffalo’s Parking Amnesty Program by the December 31st deadline! The program allows individuals whose tickets are older (i.e., issued prior to June 30th, 2019) to pay the original amount owed without late fees and clear their records. Contact pvboffice@city-buffalo.com or 716-851-5182 for more information, and please help the Fair Fines + Fees Coalition spread the word about this very important program!
Please also note that our campaigns below have been *updated* to include urgent items related environmental justice, antiwar foreign policy, and policing/criminal justice reform!
Please see details and much more below, 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, November 22, 2020
We are still so grateful for this year’s spectacular annual event with Dr. Cornel West! With Thanksgiving approaching and in this spirit of thanks, we want to offer access to the event materials to all – even if you weren’t able to attend live with us this year – because they are just too good to keep under wraps!
- Program book – view the slideshow with music (‘A Love Supreme’ by John Coltrane) or download the PDF to review at your leisure
- Recording – full video of the event, including the presentation of awards to amazing local activists; keynote speech by Dr. West; and live Q&A!
- Virtual marketplace – Our fundraiser isn’t over yet! We had many lovely donations from our generous supporters, so please visit our virtual marketplace (Bidding Owl account required) which will be open through December 6th – just in time for holiday shopping!
You can find these materials and more on our website here. Please take some time to listen to Dr. West’s inspiring words and insights over the holidays, at a time when we all need them. We are overwhelmed by his support of and appreciation for the work of the WNY Peace Center, and his generosity of spirit and time. Please do keep in mind that these materials were made available as part of our 53rd annual fundraiser, which funds our work. If you weren’t an attendee and are able, please consider supporting the continuation of this important work by donating here.
We hope and pray that you and your loved ones are feeling the blessings that surround us, despite the very dire circumstances so many of us face right now. We’re all in this together. A blessed Thanksgiving to all – in ….
…. Peace, thanks, solidarity, and yes – love!
Please see details and much more below, 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)!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
