Join Peace Action New York State (PANYS) for an online discussion on military recruitment practices targeting low-income and immigrant youth and how to respond with sustainable options.
Leading the discussion will be author Sofya Aptekar, an Associate Professor at CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies. She will be joined by Ramón Mejía, National Organizer for the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance.
While the popular image of the US military is one of citizen soldiers protecting their country, the reality is that nearly 5 percent of all first-time military recruits are noncitizens. In Green Card Soldier, Sofya Aptekar talks to more than seventy noncitizen soldiers from twenty-three countries, including some who were displaced by conflict after the US military entered their homeland. Their stories—stitched through with colonial legacies, white supremacy, exploitation, and patriarchy—show how the tensions between deservingness and suspicion shape their enlistment, service, and identities.
Ramón Mejía enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 18 to support his family. His experience in the invasion of Iraq in 2003 led him to convert to Islam and develop into an outspoken advocate and organizer against U.S. wars and the growing militarization of our communities.
Giving voice to a little-heard group of immigrants, Green Card Soldier shines a cold light on the complex workings of US empire, globalized militarism, and citizenship. It highlights the need for united action to defend immigrant and LGBTQ rights, end white supremacy and promote anti-militarism.
The event fee is $25 for general admission, $10 for students and those on a low income. All proceeds to benefit the advocacy work of Peace Action New York State. Register here.
All members of the WNY community are invited for solidarity, healing, inspiration, and shared learning and perspectives. This event is organized/presented by the WNY Peace Center and hosted by Riverside Salem UCC/DC.
The community will meet at Lafayette Avenue & Niagara Street at 12:45 PM, then at 1 PM march together to Broderick Park (foot of Ferry) for the event. We will have a family area, guest speakers and performers, and a comfortable environment for all to stand in solidarity.
Parking: There will be some lot and street parking available around the meeting point. If you plan to park at Broderick Park, please do so by 12:30 PM as it will be closed off to vehicles after that for the event.
Please bring your dry good donations to the
#WomensMarch WNY at Broderick Park between 1 and 3 PM tomorrow! We are also looking for volunteers to help lift and a truck to transport these goods. Please contact (by phone or text):
- Deidra EmEl at 716-603-0015
- WNYPC Google Voice 716-253-1486
If you are able, please wear a shade of blue to the event; a color that represents peace and healing, as well as connects us to the mission of the Afghan Peace Volunteers: “a human family to live without wars, to share our resources and to take care of our earth under the same blue sky.”
Program
Opening Ceremonies
- Welcome: Deidra EmEl, WNYPC Executive Director
- Gnonyoh: Jill Yagwoneest Clause, Tuscarora
- Land Acknowledgement: Sarah Kirschner, WNYPC MSW Intern
- Underground Railroad Acknowledgement: Ras Jomo
Speakers & Performances (Please check in with a WNYPC Volunteer.)
- Talia Rodriguez, J.D., WNYPC Gender Justice Task Force Chair, WNYPC Board Member, WM Planning Committee
- Valerie Malia, Senior Legislative Assistant, Office of Councilman David Rivera
- Leslie Logan, Seneca Mothers of the Nation
- Angel Krempa, Starbucks Workers United
- Gamileh Jamil, Yemeni-American
- Dayatra Hassan, Open Buffalo Emerging Leader 2017, Ujima Theatre
- Kareema Morris, Bury the Violence, former WNYPC Board Member, WM Planning Committee
- Gail Wells, Freedom Gardens
- Lukia Costello, Ukranian-American
- Dawn Wells-Clyburn, PUSH Buffalo
- Vonetta (Halima) Rhodes: poetry performance
- Betty Jean Grant, former Erie County Legislator, former WNYPC Board Member
- Diana Lynne Patton, We Exist Coalition
- Kim Smith, VOCAL Legislative Director (and first woman councilperson in Rochester)
- Shaina Merchant: Tae Kwon Do performance
- Shyana Broughton, Doula, Our Mommie Village
- Cariol Horne, Cariol’s Law
- Rev. Denise Glenn, VOICE Buffalo director
- Vicki Ross, WNYPC Board Co-Chair, WNYPC Community Coordinator
Special thanks to Ras Muata, DJ and sound system!
Closing
- Remarks: Deidra EmEl, WNYPC Executive Director
- Strong Woman Song & Healing Ceremony at the water: Jill Yagwoneest Clause, Tuscarora
Stop by our Welcome table to become a WNYPC Member ($20 minimum) and receive your Peace Pin for Social Justice made by Stitch Buffalo artisans as a special membership gift to wear in solidarity at the March! (If you donate online or by mail, please email office@wnypeace.org to arrange pickup of your pin!)
If your organization or business would like to support (i.e., affirms our principles and goals, and will publicize) the event, please complete our supporter interest form at https://forms.gle/wEsTYu5x2ysD59Ln9.
- 2022 co-sponsors (organizations) currently include: Bury the Violence, Citizen Action of WNY, Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ Buffalo), Confident Girl Mentoring Program, Healthcare Education Project, Indigenous Women’s Initiatives, Latinaherstory, Nekanęhsakt: Friends of Ękwehęwę, Partnership for the Public Good, Spark Filmmakers Collaborative, Stitch Buffalo, Vocal of WNY, VOICE Buffalo, We are Women Warriors, We Exist Coalition, Western New York Drilling Defense.
- 2022 friends (businesses/ faith-based institutions/ public servants/ political campaigns/ etc.) currently include: Buffalo Teachers Federation, Cabrera for Public Schools, Hector the Photographer, BPS West District Board of Education Member Jennifer Mecozzi, Justice & Witness Team of Pilgrim St. Luke’s United Church of Christ Councilman David Rivera’s Office (Niagara District), Union of Black Episcopalians, Young Democratic Socialists of America at UB.
If you are interested in being a volunteer at the event, please complete our volunteer interest form at https://forms.gle/qZV98GKz3i8KVktr9.
Please share our 2022 Women’s March flyers!
Questions? Call the office at 716-332-3904, text our Google Voice at (716) 253-1486, or email womensmarch@wnypeace.org.
Mission: The Women’s March of Buffalo/WNY, opposed to all forms of oppression, seeks to increase equity and equality for women and all oppressed people by ensuring structural and systemic changes in our local government, local businesses and organizations, and within society at large in order to guarantee a women’s right to health, safety and freedom from violence. We seek this regardless of racial, economic, or citizenship status; and value the dignity and humanity of women of color, women with disabilities, and LGBT/queer and gender non-conforming people, and everyone’s equal place in the movement and in society.
