WeCAN News May 18
͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌    ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

May 18 – May 24

“Make some noise. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble” – John Lewis 

At the end of this e-mail is some additional information about WeCAN Finances, text messages, links to send us events and a link to sign up for e-mails.

Defund the Trump agenda

Sunday,  5/18/2025, at 2 to 5 pm

Organizer: Nelson Legacy Project

Location: Nelson Homestead, Woolman Hill, Deerfield MA


This will be a two part workshop, the first segment will focus on comprehensive nonviolence;  as a daily life style, as a way to wage struggle for change, as a way to hold oneself accountable in the quest for freedom. The Second segment will explore the possibilities for tax refusal , and redirection of refused taxes to local human services that are being stiffed by the Trump administration.


Here is an essay explaining the approach  


Contact: Bob Bady bobbady@gmail.com


Websites: www.nelsonhomestead.org/home/get-involved and  www.nelsonhomestead.org


Vigil for the starving children of Gaza

Sunday,  5/18/2025, at 7 pm

Organizers: Nancy Braus, Marta Gossage, and Bert Picard

Location: in front of the Brattleboro Municipal Center


This is a solemn vigil- We are protesting and acknowledging a genocide featuring intentional starvation, one of the worst war crimes imaginable.


Contact: vermontactivist@proton.me


Hands Off Our Students Walkout

Wednesday, May 21, 8 am to 3 pm

Organizer: Education Justice Coalition of Vermont

Location: Brattleboro Area Middle School


Join the Hands Off Our Students Walkout! We must act now because we believe in equitable and inclusive schools during a time in which schools and marginalized communities are under attack. Schools and students need your support, as we believe in:

  • We deserve the chance to learn

  • Keep “DEI” Curriculum – All stories deserve to be told and taught in school.

  • We deserve to speak and be heard

  • We deserve human rights, dignity, and respect

  • We deserve the right to be ourselves and to decide that for ourselves

  • We deserve to keep our schools for us and by us (public and democratic)

  • Keep ICE & Border Patrol out of schools! (Support Statewide Sanctuary Schools Bills)


Website: https://edjcoalitionvt.org/events/hands-off-our-students-walkout


Local Contact: youth4change@therootsjc.org

State Contact: alyssa.edjvt@gmail.com 


Vigil in Putney

Thursday, 5/22/2025, at 12 noon every week

Organizer: Janet Langdon

The Green, Putney

Vigil for Sanity and Compassion in Putney on The Green – Bring signs. Every Thursday from 12-12:30 pm


Contact: jliesl@myfairpoint.net

I-91 Friday Overpass Protests

Friday, 5/23/2025, 3 to 6 pm all locations

Organizer: Indivisible Brattleboro

  • Vernon: Tyler Hill Road I-91 bridge overpass

  • Brattleboro: Western Ave. I-91 Exit 2 bridge overpass

  • Brattleboro: Black Mountain Rd. I-91 bridge overpass

  • Putney: I-91 Exit 4 bridge overpass (Do not arrive earlier)

  • Putney: Route 5 I-91 bridge overpass near Santa’s Land

  • Westminster: Kurn Hattin Road I-91 overpass south of Exit 5


Possibly 10 additional overpasses to the north on I-91 and Vermont I-89 are also standing out.


Protesters in Connecticut and Massachusetts and farther north into Vermont are joining us this Friday, May 23, for another coordinated overpass standout during rush hour before Memorial Day weekend! Overpass Protests will be visible on over 300 miles of I-91 Interstate overpasses in three states along with many on Vermont I-89 overpasses!  


We are continuing protests every Friday — but no organized bridge protests on Saturdays. Thanks to all for the amazing turnout ! Let’s keep them growing !


NOW is the time to voice your concern. Join Us in Protest of What’s Happening!

Please do not park near the deli or any other business. For example, find parking on Brattle Street and areas east of the overpass on Western Ave.


Contact: indibrattleboro@gmail.com


Website (but it may be out of date): https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/775493


Click here for more detailed information


Friday Protest on the Commons

Friday, 5/23/2025, at 4:30 pm

Organizer: Vera Riley

The Commons, Park Place, Brattleboro


On every Friday at 4:30 pm for a half hour, there will be people to protest the illegal actions of the Trump administration at the Commons in Brattleboro (which is on Park Place) from Route 30 to Putney Road.
If this time/place is inconvenient for you, consider starting your own protest area/time which works for you!


Contact: vera2847@gmail.com

Recent images here

Resistance Power Hour

Saturdays, 5/24/2025, at 10 am

Organizer: Jennifer Jacobs

Brooks Memorial Library (Meeting Room B)

Weekly meet-up to focus your energy and efforts with other Resistors. We gather to exchange resources and ideas, share what we intend to do for the hour, work on our own, then gather to share what we did. This is a choose-your-own-adventure work time for collective action. Meet others, do some resistance work, then go on with your day. Bring laptop, smartphone, paper and pen.


Get on our email list: https://forms.gle/UrRW6V5V8evjiXNq8


Contact: jenniferjacobs14@gmail.com


Saturday Vigils for Sanity and Compassion

Saturday,  5/24/2025, at 12 noon

Organizer: Janet Langdon

Location: On the Green, Putney, VT


Bi-weekly Vigil – bring signs. The plan is to hold this vigil on the second and fourth Saturdays, in addition to the Thursday vigils.


Contact: jliesl@myfairpoint.net

Gaza Protest

Saturday, 5/24/2025, at 12 noon

Organizer: Bert Picard and Nancy Braus

Location: in front of Brattleboro post office  

This has happened every Saturday since November 2023 – and will continue as long as people are being killed.  


Contact: nancy: vermontactivist@proton.me

Future Actions and Activity

Free BIPOC-Centered Legal Support! The Root Social Justice Center, in collaboration with Vermont Legal Aid, is proud to host the BIPOC Legal Aid Clinic, a space offering free BIPOC-centered legal support open to all identities.

Support offered:
✔️ Guidance on tenant rights & eviction support for tenants
✔️ Help addressing unsafe or substandard housing conditions
✔️ Support with clearing criminal records & navigating legal forms

These clinics are here to break down systemic barriers, promote equity, and empower our community with tools for justice, housing stability, and self-determination.

👉🏽 Note: While this clinic centers BIPOC communities, all identities are welcome to access support.

Contact: Jeannette at Vermont Legal Aid: 802-885-5181


Website: https://www.therootsjc.org/events/bipoc-legal-aid-clinic


Indivisible Brattleboro monthly meeting (June)

Saturday,  6/7/2025, at 10 am

Organizer: Indivisible Brattleboro

Location will be shared with members

Contact us to sign up for the newsletter

Brattleboro Indivisible is having its next group meeting on Saturday, June 7. We’re a local chapter of the national organization – fighting for democracy, combating fascism, and fighting back in defense of our rights, our communities, and our values. We work through five action groups, enabling members to lead and contribute to activities that most interest and energize them. Our action groups focus on:

  • Organizing direct actions such as marches, protests, sit-ins, and strategic boycotts

  • Supporting and partnering with already existing local rapid response teams in response to ICE targeting members of our community

  • Grassroots power-building, voter engagement, local coalition-building, and policy influence

  • Raising awareness within our communities and pushing back against disinformation

  • Building mutual aid networks and support structures


Our monthly meeting is an opportunity for members to connect, share updates, and take action.


Contact: indibrattleboro@gmail.com


Website: https://indivisible.org/groups?terms=05301


Let Freedom Fly!

Saturday,  6/14/2025, at 3 pm

Organizers: Brattleboro Area Action and Indivisible Brattleboro

Location:  Centre Congregational Church  193 Main


Let Freedom Fly! in downtown Brattleboro on Flag Day! On Saturday, June 14, we’re taking to the streets again nationwide, standing together in love and unity. Our movement is building — to support justice, a sane society, a stronger world. We stand declaring that the power belongs with the people. That’s US! That’s each and every one of YOU!

Come out and make some noise with us in Brattleboro! We’ll gather at Centre Congregational Church at 3 p.m., parade with The Peoples Resistance Marching Band and Becky Graber’s Street Choir and end up on the Common.

Once at the Common, protestors will be invited to engage with local groups and organizations at tables for information-sharing and grassroots strength-building.  You’ll also be entertained by circus and street performers PLUS more music!  We will celebrate the diversity that makes America shine! All flags welcome–bring your favorite!

Together we call for justice, OUR Constitution to be upheld, and an end to executive overreach. We honor the flag of the United States, a symbol of freedom and national solidarity. We honor the rights of every person within its borders.

We are no longer interested in simply protesting the damage coming out of Washington, D.C., which affects every individual, we are here to stop it. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “A time comes when silence is betrayal.”  

We will not be silent, we will gather on the streets on June 14 and every day to follow in our neighborhoods, in collaboration.  “The work of bringing people together in mutual recognition and cooperation is never really done”.  –Archbishop Anthony Broglio
Additional details TBD. For more info send us an email


Website: on www.mobilize.us


Contact: brattleboroareaaction@proton.me

Juneteenth Celebration

Thursday, 6/19/2025 (Juneteenth) 5 pm

Location: Brattleboro Common

The event will be an outdoor family-friendly event with entertainment, the history of Juneteenth, and an overview of the community work of the NAACP.


Special Feature:  Live music including jazz, blues, and gospel. Families are encouraged to bring picnic meals, and food trucks including soul food will be available.

We’re looking for volunteers and donors to help sponsor the event. Please reach out to me.


Contact: Wichie Artu at president@windhamnaacp.org


Vermont Canada Day

Tuesday, 7/1/2025 (Canada Day)

Location: State-wide

How about if (just for one day) Vermont became the 11th Canadian province?


Let’s show our friendship and support for our neighbors to the north and celebrate their independence with them by declaring Vermont (just for one day) to be a province of Canada. Let’s welcome everyone arriving in Vermont that day with signs and flags welcoming them to Canada.


Organizer: Franz Reichsman


To get involved contact: vermontcando@yahoo.com

Local Information Sessions

taken during the past week and receive technical or emotional support related to those actions.


Contact: inclusioncenter2013@gmail.com


Website: https://www.meetup.com/inclusion-center/events/


READ THE ENTIRE SUMISSION HERE

Education and Similar

Activist Job Interviews and Grant Proposals

Wednesday,  5/21/2025, at 1 pm

Organizer: Brattleboro Common Sense, Inc.

Location: 16 Washington Street


BCS seeks candidates for a part time flexible position at $30K and possibly small grants for projects advancing BCS’ social justice agenda or suspended projects.


Brattleboro Common Sense (BCS) has barely survived the misguided lawsuits brought by town government against us for our emergency homeless shelter, and we had to sell our headquarters, but we are reorganizing and plan to come back stronger.   


Contact: BrattleboroCommonSense@gmail.com


Website: brmse.org


On Tyranny – Book Discussion

Wednesday,  5/21/2025, at 4 pm

Organizer: Marlboro book group , Lindy Corman

Location: Whetstone Inn, Marlboro Village​​​, VT


A book group in Marlboro, VT, is gathering to discuss “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder. The book explores twenty lessons on how to combat the rise of tyranny, such as “Defend institutions,” “Remember professional ethics,” and “Believe in truth”. The group will likely discuss these lessons, considering their relevance to current events and the importance of language, freedom, and the role of fear in the rise of authoritarianism. The discussion could also explore how these lessons apply to the specific context of Canada, including its Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (AI-generated)

Signs available

Organizer: Indivisible Brattleboro

Many have asked for one of the “RESIST” lawn signs that were sold at the Hands Off! Rally. We are putting in an order for 100 signs and will sell them for a suggested donation of $15 a piece ($10 is materials cost, $5 donation to Brattleboro Indivisible).


If you’d like to purchase any, please sign up here so we can reserve one for you. Otherwise first come first serve!


Pre-Order “RESIST” Signs Here


Local and National Organizations

Resist Tyranny 05344

A place to share events, actions, gatherings, happenings & information with our Marlboro VT friends & neighbors. Site covers more than local events. Here is the link.

Source for posters, signs and ideas

Jon Sachs, a Swing Blue Alliance member is pouring energy into a Trump Tragedies website that has a page devoted to free, downloadable 8.5 x 11 in. protest-themed posters.

These are protest messaging that can be posted on America’s streets and easily shared by a website link could help get much more protest messaging in the public eye. Eighteen posters are now available on the site. There’s also an online suggestion box for additional posters that people think should be added.


Click here to get to the site.

NOFA-VT

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont,

https://www.nofavt.org/


50501 Vermont

Contact: info@50501vt.com

https://50501vermont.com/

https://www.facebook.com/50501vtInformation


50501

Contact: organizers@fiftyfifty.one

Website: https://www.fiftyfifty.one/


Windham County Branch of the NAACP

Contact: info@windhamnaacp.org

Website: https://windhamnaacp.org/


350VT

Contact: organizers@350vt.org

Website: https://www.350vermont.org/


Peace & Justice Center, Burlington

Contact: info@pjcvt.org

Website: https://www.pjcvt.org/


Mobilize

Website: https://www.mobilize.us