On WBNY 91.3 FM (or streaming online at wbny.buffalostate.edu). Talking Peace, WNYPC‘S weekly radio show, has new episodes! From 1-3 PM on Mondays, tune in for insights on peace and justice. At the moment, the show is being pre-recorded (so graciously by Think Twice Studios!). Hosted by Vicki Ross, WNYPC Executive Director.
- 1st hour: Dr. Rolanda Ward, Director, Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission; Social Work Prof @ Niagara Univ.; Melissa M. Costa, LICSW, Children, Youth & Families Case Manager Supervisor, Department of Mental Health, New Bedford, MA
- on COVID from a Social Work Perspective: Dangers to health; risk and result disparities, reflecting those commonly already in place – racial, economic, marginalized communities; disparities now exacerbated by the COVID, including foregoing as well as essential workers; increased protection also consistently going to those already privileged; special stress on children and families in formative times; difficulty in accessing services (along same disparity lines). Economic catastrophes for those already financially strapped; resources available for children and families; need for determined social justice advocacy and solidarity.
- 2nd hour: Dr. Mike Niman, Media Studies Prof, SUNY Buffalo State; author; syndicated columnist
- on COVID vaccines distribution impeded by intellectual property issues, as for-profit corporations take the final steps on top of the bulk of the research already done and publicly funded; misinformation and COVID exhaustion has fed the current spiral, which needs serious public discipline to mitigate current large increase in infections; overwhelming of lean medical/hospital systems, downsized for profitability (thus not available when suddenly needed); huge increases in rural areas/middle of country not previously affected; civil disobedience of Trump-ite electeds/govt officials, against the law, but also immoral and unethical (where we are used to civil disobedience in pursuit of moral and ethical high road); applicability of RICO statutes to the conspiracy and illegality of the efforts: they are both organized and criminal (election interference).
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!
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