Weekly E-mail Update 3-12-17
As we gear up this week for the WeCAN Spring Into Action Fair on Sunday, March 19th, we'd like to take a moment to thank all of the panelists, organizers, and volunteers who are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event truly meaningful and memorable. As Elizabeth Andrew said, "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart".
Please, join us in offering a resounding THANK YOU to all who have come together to make this event (and, indeed, every event in these weekly email blasts) possible. Your time and effort is so very much appreciated!
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ONE WEEK until the WeCAN: Spring Into Action Fair!
You can now RSVP for the Sunday March 19th Action Fair and check out the packed schedule of panels and kids activities HERE. Help us spread the word. Forward your friends the link to RSVP or invite them to the Facebook Event.
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Happening Today March 12th, 2017
Song and Solidarity
Sunday, March 12th, 2017 at the Root, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 3pm.
Regular weekly meeting.
Brattleboro Huddle: Action Army
Sunday, March 12th, 2017. 6pm.
Meeting and potluck.
For more information, please consult the Facebook Event, here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/259284994531961/
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Weekly Update March 13th-19th, 2017
Vermont Workers' Center Organizing Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 14th, 2017 at the Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301).
First Floor. Doors open at 5:45pm, meeting is from 6pm-8pm.
Organizing for economic justice and the right to health care. All are welcome. For more info: [email protected]
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Senator Bernie Sanders to Speak in Brattleboro on Strolling of the Heifers Entrepreneurship Grant
Thursday, March 16th, 2017 at the Latchis Theatre (50 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 4pm.
Please join us at the Latchis Theater where Sen. Bernie Sanders will make an important announcement regarding funding for the Stroll's Windham Grows project. Also speaking will be representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Economic Development, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, and the Working Lands Enterprise Board, all of which provided matching grants.
In collaboration with state and regional partners, Windham Grows is a "business hatchery" that aims to build the food and agriculture business sector in Windham County by connecting startup and early-stage businesses with critical services, resources and financing.
Led by a pair of seasoned entrepreneurs-in-residence, Windham Grows seeks out and develops great business ideas by providing startups and scale-up stage businesses with a custom-tailored package of support services and resources designed to maximize their chances of success.
Admission to the March 16 event featuring Sen. Bernie Sanders is free.
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Brattleboro Love Project: Banner Unveiling
Thursday, March 16th at 5pm in front of the Brattleboro Post Office.
Our banner is here, and we are ready to show it to you all before it flies over Main St! Please join us on March 16th starting at 5:00pm to see our banner in front of the Post Office! March 16th also happens to be the day in which the newly revised executive order/travel ban is put in place.
We invite you all to bring your own signs of love, unity, and acceptance!
Our green and white, twenty-five foot banner reads:
"HATE DOES NOT GROW WELL IN THE ROCKY SOIL OF VERMONT"
If you have a green "Brave Little State Says NO to Hate" shirt, please wear it! Or any green clothing to represent the Green Mountain State!
ALL ARE WELCOME!
FACEBOOK EVENT
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Racial Justice Now! Rally for the Racial Justice Reform Bill
Thursday, March 16th, 2017 at the Vermont State House (115 State St, Montpelier, VT, 05633). 6pm.
sponsored by Justice For All
Rally in support of pending legislation that would establish a Racial Justice Oversight Board in Vermont. For more info: justiceforallvt.org.
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Protest Vigils at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Brattleboro
Friday, March 17th, 2017 (and every Friday) in front of TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301). Noon-1pm.
Signs will be provided.
Bellows Falls
Friday, March 17th (and every Friday) in front of the TD Bank Bellows Falls (2 Church St, Bellows Falls, VT 05101). 1pm-2pm.
Please bring your own signs.
TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. The State of Vermont Keeps Most of Our Cash in TD.
What You Can You Do (besides attending the vigils):
· If you’re a TD depositor, change banks!
· If you’re a Vermonter, demand that state funds not be deposited with a bank investing in fossil fuels.
Contact your state legislators to support the bills in the House & Senate calling for a commission to explore the possibility of a State Bank.
Founded in 2005, Post Oil Solutions is a 501c3 community organizing project in Southeastern Vermont whose mission is to help empower the people of the Central Connecticut River Valley bioregion to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society. For more information please contact [email protected] or call 802.869.2141.
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Youth Art for Change!
Saturday, March 18th, 2017 at the River Gallery Art School (32 S Main St #201, Brattleboro, VT 05301) 11am-3pm.
Join youth (pre-K through 12th grades) form all over the area to share your voice through art! We will be making pictograph stamps, creating a mural, screen printing, and reading stories to work together to envision the world we want. Facilitated by WSESU Office of Diversity and Equity.
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WeCAN Spring Into Action Fair
Sunday, March 19th, 2017 at the Winston Prouty School (209 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-4pm.
RSVP for the Sunday March 19th Action Fair and check out the packed schedule of panels and kids activities HERE. Help us spread the word. Forward your friends the link to RSVP or invite them to the Facebook Event .
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Soil Carbon Restoration Gives Hope for Reversing Global Warming
Sponsored by Living Earth Action Group
March 31st, 2017 at the Congregational Church of Westminster West (44 Church Street, Westminster, VT, 05346). 5pm.
Speakers Marilyn Chiarello and Marlene Everingham will present on “Soil Carbon Restoration Gives Hope for Reversing Global Warming”.
This is exciting new information on the ability of healthy soil microorganisms to take carbon out of the atmosphere, if we change harmful farming practices. Come find out about how it works, how you can make a difference and spread the word. For more information call 802-387-5779.
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Let Justice Roll Down - Southeastern Vermont
March 31st, 2017 at the Guilford Community Church (38 Church Drive, Guilford, VT, 05301). 7:30pm.
Suggested donation $20 adult; $5 under 18.
This singalong concert will focus on racial justice issues. We will join together in songs that emphasize the struggles for equal rights and dignity and safety for people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and national origin.
Benefit for Black Lives Matter VT and The Root Social Justice Center.
Artists:
Lea Gilmore - racial justice activist, outstanding blues/gospel/jazz singer from Baltimore, MD: www.leagilmore.com
Annie Patterson & Peter Blood - creators of the songbooks Rise Up Singing and Rise Again.
Professor Louie - award-winning blues pianist and vocalist. www.professorlouie.com
Featuring:
The Guilford Church Choir and House Band
Copies of the songbook Rise Again will be available to buy or borrow at the concert.
For advance tickets and information, please visit www.riseupandsing.org/events or email [email protected] or [email protected].
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Solidarity School
sponsored by the Vermont Workers' Center
April 1st-2nd, 2017. April 1 will take place at Marlboro Grad Center (28 Vernon Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) and April 2 will take place at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-5pm. Cost is on sliding scale, from $30-$100. Scholarships are available and no one will be turned away because of lack of funds. Support is available for child care, transportation, or other accessibility needs.
Please register HERE by March 18th, 2017. Registration is crucial. It helps the leaders in planning the event and is also the place where you can indicate any needs you have such as childcare, transportation, or interpretation.
Solidarity School is a two-day popular education program where you can pull back from the day-to-day demands of organizing to reflect, dig deep, and learn together. The purpose is to provide a baseline common framework, analysis, and skill set for building our movement. The program is designed for members of the Workers' Center, union members, and members of partner organizations, but has application in a wide range of grassroots and community organizing.
At Solidarity School we:
--Examine the root causes of the problems our communities face
--Develop a strategic analysis around organizing, building power, and a broader movement
--Learn about using a human rights framework
--Discuss broader issues which present challenges and obstacles to solidarity
--Practice concrete organizing skills and campaign development
--Share experiences, resources and build relationships with a wide spectrum of people, fostering an atmosphere of solidarity
To ask questions or for more information, please contact Ellen Schwartz at [email protected] or 802-257-4436.
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Non Violent Direct Action (NVDA) Training Classes
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Sunday, April 2nd, 2017 in the Brattleboro Food Co-op Community Room (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT ,05301). Enter on Canal Street. 9:30am-6:30pm. Prior registration is required. Contact Tim at [email protected] or 802.869.2141.
Trainers: Nelia Sargant, Eric Bachman, and Dorie Wilsnack.
While doing civil disobedience may not be something you are considering at present, NVDA training is nevertheless always a good thing to have done in case that day arrives when you might consider such an act (this is especially true in the Age of Trumpism).
Very few spots still available.
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TD3 ARRAIGNMENT
Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 at Vermont Superior Court (30 Putney Rd, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 8:30am.
The three of us who were arrested for our direct action at TD Bank on 22 February—Li, Daniel, & Tim—and charged with disorderly conduct, welcome anyone who has the time and interest, to join us in solidarity and support! We’ll be pleading “Not Guilty,” and plan to eventually defend ourselves, with a Necessity Defense.
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Climate Change Café
presents a special screening of the classic film
“1984”
a project of Post Oil Solutions
On Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 at the Marlboro Graduate Center (28 Vernon Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Room 2 East. 6:00pm.
Free; Light refreshments will be provided.
Reservations strongly suggested due to limited seating.
For reservations please call 802.869.2141 or email [email protected]
On Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 almost 90 art house movie theaters across the country in 79 cities spanning 34 states will participate collectively in a national event screening of the film, “1984,”. In an effort to initiate a community conversation about what the film/book has to say about our present times, and how we deal with it. April 4th was chosen because it’s the day protagonist Winston Smith begins rebelling against his oppressive government by keeping a forbidden diary.
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FUTURE UPCOMING EVENTS
Tax Day March
Saturday, April 15th, 2017.
A Tax Day March is being organized in Brattleboro to stand in solidarity with those protesting and marching nationwide. Sponsoring organizations and details to come. www.TaxMarch.org
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Cross Class Dialogue Circle
Sunday, May 7th, 21st and June 4th, 2017 (participation all 3 days is required) at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-3pm.
Childcare and transportation available, light refreshments provided, and wheelchair accessible. This event is fragrance free.
The dialogue circle is funded through a cost-sharing process.
Cross-class dialogue circles are a powerful way for people across the class spectrum to come together to talk about their experiences with class, listen to each others’ stories and perspectives, better understand class as part of an economic system, and then to work together as change makers for economic justice. Sign-up today!
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350Brattleboro Regular Meetings
Meeting Times / Locations: 1st Wednesdays (Public Forum), 6 - 8 pm, Brooks Memorial Library 2nd Floor Mtg Rm (Brattleboro); 3rd Wednesdays (Leadership Team), 6 - 8 pm, Location Varies.
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Thank you, as always, for your unwavering dedication and determination to make Windham County a place where love grows. We are so looking forward to chatting with you next Sunday at the WeCAN Action Fair.
WeCAN't wait to see you there!