Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

Happy March, friends! There are lots of events taking place this week--surely something for everyone. In celebration of this bounty of information we invite you to bring a friend to an event during the coming week. With the Spring upon us, it's the perfect time to plant some seeds of knowledge and watch them grow in the coming summer months. Happy learning! 

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Two Weeks 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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REMINDER: Town Meeting Day is this Tuesday, March 7th, 2017. Don't forget to cast your (informed) vote! 

All polls in Vermont open between 6am and 10am and close at 7pm.

Resources: Vermont Secretary of State Citizens Guide to Town Meetings    Locate Your Polling Place    Vermont Secretary of State Town Meeting and Local Elections Website    Act 46 Legislation    VT Digger Act 46 Archives   

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Happening Today: Sunday, March 5th, 2017

Parenting 4 Social Justice Chat 
Sunday, March 5th, 2017 at the Putney Public Library (55 Main St, Putney, VT 05346). 10am-12pm. 
We will talk about why we are organizing - what is it all for? And then we will make a plan for increased family presence at marches, meetings, and events.
Free, Childcare and snacks provided.


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Public Witness and Vigil
sponsored by the The Brattleboro Area Interfaith Clergy Association 
Sunday, March 5th, 2017, in front of Centre Congregational Church (193 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 1:00pm.
We will gather to stand in solidarity with our Jewish and Muslim sisters and brothers and to speak up against the alarming increase in hate and hate crimes against them. Please bring appropriate signs and banners ("Love Not Hate", etc.). 
PLEASE JOIN US!

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The Putney Huddle
Sunday, March 5th, 2017 at the Putney Public Library (55 Main St, Putney, VT 05346). 1:30pm-3:30pm.
Monthly meeting for local Putney group that continues to support Women's March and Indivisible efforts. All are welcome. 
For more information or to sign up, please contact Laura Chapman at 802-380-4379 or email [email protected]


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Song and Solidarity 
Regular weekly meeting. 
Sunday, March 5th, 2017 at the Winston Prouty / Austine School Campus (209 Austine Drive, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Holton Hall, Fourth Floor. 3pm.

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Swing Left Kickoff Gathering
Sunday, March 5th, 2017, hosted by Peg Alden at 7 West Street, Putney, VT.  3:00pm
Join me and other Swing Left volunteers to learn about local issues in our closest Swing District, what it will take for a progressive candidate to win in that District in the 2018 midterm elections, and what you can do to help make it happen.
Swing Left is an online network that helps people find their closest Swing District in Congress and connects them with actionable volunteer opportunities to support progressive candidates in that District. Our goal is simple: to flip the House in the 2018 midterm elections and put a check on the Trump agenda. Sign up and learn more at SwingLeft.org. 


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Weekly Update March 6th-12th, 2017


Women Under Capitalism 4 Week Study Group
presented by Brattleboro Solidarity
Mondays, March 6th, March 13th, March 20th, March 27th at the Putney Public Library (55 Main St, Putney, VT 05346). 6pm-8pm.
Hello All ~  We are excited to start our new 4 week study group: Women Under Capitalism. Mondays in March, 6-8pm  atPutney Public Library. Dinner will be provided. Women’s lives are under attack - from health to reproductive rights, violence, harassment, and overall sexism, women in the U.S. have much to fight for.  The derogatory rhetoric from the pre and post Trump election cycle threatened many and propelled people across the globe to join on January 21st to rally against bigotry and stand up for human rights. The Women’s March on Washington, the day after inauguration, was to send a message in large part that women’s rights are human rights.  It was to become the largest rally in U.S. history, joined by 5 million worldwide to march and speak out.  The subordination of women is not new - in fact, throughout U.S. history violence against women has benefited those in power and is a necessary component to the functioning of capitalism.  
Brattleboro Solidarity is hosting a 4 week study group to explore how capitalism affects women’s lives and how we can work to fight back.
This is an open and free study group.  We ask that participants commit to all 4 Mondays:
March 6th
March 13th
March 20th
March 27th 
****Please email us at [email protected] to sign up.  
Readings will be sent out by February 27th.
FACEBOOK EVENT


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Town Meeting Day is Tuesday, March 7th, 2017.  Don't forget to show up and vote! See the above reminder for more information and resources. 


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Black Lives Matter VT Fundraiser and Membership Drive will take place Tuesday, March 7th from 5pm-8pm at the Elliot Street Fish, Chips, & More Shop (50 Elliot St, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) for their "Feeding Frenzy”.


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Parenting 4 Social Justice Chat 
Wednesday, March 8th, 2017 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 6pm-8pm.
This is the first in a series of 3 chats (Apr 12, May 10) where we will be focusing on race and racial justice. We will share helpful resources, support each other in practicing hard conversations with our kids, and we will make a plan for how to take action with our kids. There will be a break-out discussion group for parents of kids of color. Spread the word!
Free, Childcare and snacks provided.


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Restorative Justice: 
How Vermont, Argentina, and Rwanda Wrestle with Crime, the Past, and Rebuilding Community
with speaker Rowly Brucken
sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council
Wednesday, March 8th, 2017 at the Moore Free Library (23 West Street, Newfane, VT). 6pm. 
The principles of restorative justice, such as repairing relationships by uncovering the truth, holding offenders accountable, and making restitution to victims, have been applied locally and internationally as a response to criminal offenses large and small. Norwich University Professor Rowly Brucken explains these initiatives as a way of sparking discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of these creative but controversial attempts to respond to criminal wrongdoing by emphasizing the needs of victims and communities.
This event is free, accessible to people with disabilities, and open to the public. For more information, contact the library at [email protected] or (802) 365-7948.




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Film Screening
sponsored by Green Mountain Crossroads & Lost River Racial Justice
Thursday, March 9th, 2017 at the Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 6:30pm-8:30pm. 
The Root Social Justice Center will screen a film about the life and work of gay civil rights organizer Bayard Rustin. For more information, please contact Alex: [email protected].


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Protest Vigils at TD Bank
Sponsored by Post Oil Solutions

Brattleboro
Friday, March 10th, 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 10th (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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Local Love Brigade Postcard Making
Saturday, March 11th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Winter Farmers' Market from 10am - 2pm
Be Part of the Local Love Brigade and make postcards to send out in an avalanche of love to support victims of hate. You'll be part of a movement that has begun to illuminate the power of fierce love. To find out more and see the heartfelt messages of support that local folks are sending out into the world, join the Local Love Brigade - Vermont Facebook Group.

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Fukushima Solidarity Vigil
sponsored by the Safe & Green Campaign
Saturday, March 11th, 2017 at Pliny Park (the corner of Main Street and High St, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm.
Safe & Green Campaign is hosting a vigil to once again call attention to the on-going nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan. Please stand in solidarity with the evacuees of a region once as productive, beautiful and beloved as our own. Visit the Safe & Green Campaign for more information. 


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Community Supper and Healthcare Conversation
sponsored by the Vermont Workers' Center
Saturday March 11th, 2017 at the Westgate Community Room. 4pm-6pm.
We've been canvassing about healthcare at Westgate and are holding a community meeting there as a follow-up. If you or others you know live at Westgate please join us and spread the word to the folks you know.
We are also looking for donations of supper items & folks to provide child care.
For more information about the event and the location contact us at [email protected] or 508-685-8437.


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UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Non Violent Direct Action Training Class 
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
For more information please email [email protected] or call 802.869.2141
We are in the process of organizing two 8-hour Non-Violent Direct Action (NVDA) training classes: one will be on a Sunday in early April (date TBA) and the 2nd will be on a Saturday later in April. There are a couple of spaces left for the Sunday class, and several for the Saturday. Please contact me if this is something that you would like to do, or if you have any questions as to what is involved in NVDA training.
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).


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UPCOMING FUTURE EVENTS

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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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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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). Time TBD.
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. 
SAVE THE DATE: March 31st, 2017.Details (cosponsors, etc.) to be announced soon.
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
Copies of the songbook Rise Again will be available to buy or borrow at the concert.
For more information visit Riseupandsing.org 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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IN THE NEAR FUTURE

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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