Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

“The very serious function of racism … is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language and so you spend 20 years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says that you have no art so you dredge that up. Somebody says that you have no kingdoms and so you dredge that up. None of that is necessary.”
Toni Morrison
(“A Humanist View,”a 1975 speech Morrison gave at Portland State University)

     This week's Email Update is chock full of ways to get involved, ways to help your neighbor, and ways to raise funds for those in need. Take a look through this week's items and make plans to attend one or more. We look forward to seeing you there! 

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HAPPENING TODAY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 11th, 2019

Share the Harvest
hosted by Edible Brattleboro
Sundays through October 27th, 2019 at the Edible Garden at Turning Point (corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 11am-1pm. For information please email [email protected]. Please bring your own bags.
Edible Brattleboro’s "Share the Harvest" stand is open every Sunday from 11am-1pm, in their help-yourself garden at Turning Point, corner of Elm and Frost Street (diagonally across from NYET). All produce is free. 
Thanks to the generosity of local farmers and gardeners, Edible Brattleboro distributed approximately 2500 pounds of free produce last summer. Feel free to drop off produce from your garden during the Sunday hours. You may also visit either of Edible Brattleboro's two public help-yourself gardens to harvest whatever is ready. Simply look for the green flags and instructions on how to harvest. The two public gardens are located at the Co-op (rear parking lot) and Turning Point. Edible Brattleboro is fully volunteer run. If you would like to help out or would like more info, contact Marilyn at [email protected] or visit www.EdibleBrattleboro.org.

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Putney Huddle August Meeting with Extinction Rebellion
hosted by The Putney Huddle
Sunday, August 11th, 2019 at the Putney Public Library (55 Main Street, Putney, VT, 05346). 1:30pm-3:30pm.
The Putney Huddle invites you to join us in education, connection, and actions including:
-Updates on the Windham County Dems, CASP and Fair and Impartial policing
-Love Brigade and Sister District activities
-Extinction Rebellion Vermont representatives Maria Ogden and Ward Ogden will share a presentation on the work that their group is actively engaged in. More details to come! All are invited!

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, AUGUST 12th, 2019-SUNDAY, AUGUST 18th, 2019

The World in Claire’s Classroom 
organized by Spark Teacher Training Institute
Monday, August 12th, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). In the Community Room. 6pm-8pm.  For more information please contact [email protected].
What do we want education to look like? How can we use teaching to create a better world? Join the Spark Teacher Training Institute for a viewing of The World in Claire’s Classroom, a film that documents life in the elementary school classroom of Westminster teacher Claire Oglesby. Claire was known for her great respect for children as well as her commitment to bringing diversity and critical thinking into a mostly white, rural classroom. Discussion with Spark teachers-in-training, faculty, and the public will follow. Refreshments will be provided! 

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More Conversation About The Border Crisis
hosted by Dummerston Church
Monday, August 12th, 2019 at Dummerston Church (Intersection of East West Road and Middle Road, Dummerston, VT). 7pm-8:30pm.
Join us for more discussion about the humanitarian crisis at the U.S. border and the cruel and inhuman treatment of immigrant and refugee children and adults.

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Barn Dance Fundraiser for Community Asylum Seekers Project
Tuesday, August 13th, 2019 at Mary Hepburn's Barn (27 Pleasant Street, Saxtons River, VT). 5pm. Bring a dish to share and BYOB. The event is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.  Live music and calling by Andy Toepfer
Joins us for a fundraiser for the Community Asylum Seekers Project, helping them to provide basic needs and a supportive community for individuals and families in the process of seeking asylum.

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Brattleboro Democracy Forum: Cold War Formation and the Un-Constitutional National Security State
with Nick Biddle
sponsored by We Celebrate Democracy / Civil Rights For All
Wednesday, August 14th, 2019 at the River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm. 
Upper-class elitism in the U.S. State Department melded to corporate greed cultivated by armaments production through World War II set the stage for the Cold War. Once committed, the machinery of secret warfare grew like a cancer into a National Security State (NSS). The Constitution prohibits a national security state. President Eisenhower warned us to beware the “disastrous rise of misplaced power,” counseling that we “take nothing for granted.” This presentation looks at how the disastrous rise of misplaced power developed so as to suggest avenues for disarming it.
Nick Biddle, PhD, co-owner of ArtRageUs on Elliot St. 
We Celebrate Democracy / Civil Rights For All, positive nonviolent public action for democracy and equal civil rights for all people

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Recovery: A Fables Storytelling at Next Stage Cafe Event
hosted by Peter “Fish” Case
Wednesday, August 14th, 2019 at Fables (`5 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT, 05346). 6:30pm-8:30pm. Show starts at 7pm. Entry is by donation with a portion of the evening going towards Turning Point of Windham County.
On August 14th at the Next Stage Arts Project in Putney Vermont four stories of recovery will be told. Afterwards there will be a Q&A for those interested. Doors open at 6:30pm and the Show starts at 7pm.

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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, August 16th, 2019 (and every Friday) at TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT). In front of the building. 12pm-1pm. Signs will be provided
TD is a major investor in Tar Sands. TD helps to fund the Dakota Access Pipeline. What You Can Do (besides attending the vigils): If you’re a TD depositor, change banks! 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 in this era of global warming and climate change to develop sustainable, resilient , collaborative, and socially just communities leading to a self- and community-sufficient post petroleum society.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Load the Latchis
Thursday, August 22nd, 2019 at the Latchis Theatre (50 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6am-6pm. If you cannot donate in person, please consider donating online here.
Help us fill every seat in the Latchis Theatre with a bag of groceries for our neighbors in need! From 6am to 6pm on Thursday, August 22nd, we'll be collecting grocery items and cash to support Foodworks at Groundworks Collaborative. 
Monetary support makes the greatest impact, as we're able to purchase large quantities of food from the Vermont Foodbank at prices well below grocery store cost. Every dollar we raise is leveraged by our ability to accept large donations of free, high quality food salvaged from local grocery and convenience stores.

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Critical Mass Ride: Bike Back to School!
hosted by 350 Brattleboro, 350 VT, Brattleboro Community Bike Clinic, and VBike; Image credit: Hugh D'Andrade
Friday, August 30th, 2019 at The Brattleboro Common (Park Place, the intersection of routes 5 and 30, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-6:30pm.
We're continuing with our monthly rides with rotating themes on the last Friday of each month. This month, we're putting a twist on the ole "Back to School" by celebrating "Bike to School!" Kids and families welcome. Critical (and "Kidical") Mass rides have a unique way of energizing folks around bike mobility, transportation solutions, and amplifying our collective ability and power to begin reclaiming our streets and communities. We need this, and we need YOU!
Agenda:
5:30pm: We'll be starting AND ending at the Brattleboro Common. We'll begin by getting organized, signing in, decorating bikes, and going over our route.
6:00pm: Begin Critical Mass ride. This will be a high-visibility downtown route!
6:30pm: End ride back at the Brattleboro Common OR continue on to the Marina for a dip in the West River.
Help us spread the word to help make this another successful critical mass ride!

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Alley Lane Cleanup
hosted by Ask the River, Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, VT Center for Photography, Town of Brattleboro, Brattleboro Area Hospice, Brattleboro Prevention Coalition, with artists Evie Lovett, Andrea Wasserman, and Elizabeth Billings
Wednesday, September 4th, 2019 in the Transportation Center Alleyway off of Flat Street (77 Flat Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), between the VT Center for Photography and Experienced Goods. 4pm-6pm. Public metered parking is available directly across from the Alleyway.
Together we can do this! We invite you to help reimagine the transportation center alleyway off of Flat St. between Vermont Center for Photography & Experienced Goods. There will be three project days to clean up the area, mulch, garden and brainstorm.  The date: July 3rd, July 31st, and September 4th from 4-6 PM. 
This effort is part of a larger placemaking effort to transform the area into an inviting and inclusive area for community use and engagement. The effort will culminate with a  pop-event during the September Gallery Walk on Sept. 6th. 
Who is making this happen? Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, VT Center for Photography, Town of Brattleboro, Brattleboro Area Hospice, Brattleboro Prevention Coalition,  a team of regional artists– Evie Lovett, Andrea Wasserman, Elizabeth Billings and all of you! 

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RePeopling Vermont: The Paradox of Development in the Twentieth Century (part of the Community Conversations Series)
hosted by the Vermont Historical Society, Brooks Memorial Library, and the VT Dept of Libraries. A joint project of VHS and the Vermont Department of Libraries. Support provided by the Vermont Humanities Council and Northern Vermont University
Tuesday, September 17th, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6:30pm-8pm. Free and open to everyone. For more information please go to www.vermonthistory.org/community-conversations.
Join fellow Vermonters in your community to learn about how the state has handled questions of development and progress in the past and how we might use those lessons to discuss a path forward to the future. The programs will open with Northern Vermont University professor Paul Searls, who will review themes and events featured in his newly-published book "Repeopling Vermont: The Paradox of Development in the Twentieth Century". In the book, he highlights the stories of different communities and their responses to difficult questions as part of his inquiry into how Vermont balanced competing visions for the state in the last century.
Following Searls’s presentation, attendees will be invited to share their own perspectives on their communities. How can we use the lessons of history to frame our planning going forward? What is important to preserve, and when is it important to move forward? How can we balance different interests and create a Vermont that works for everyone?

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Brattleboro Climate Strike Rally
hosted by 350 VT, 350 Brattleboro, and Extinction Rebellion Southern VT
Friday, September 20th, 2019 at Pliny Park (180 Main Street, corner of Main and High Streets, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm.
The time is now! Workers and students around the world are striking on September 20th to demand a just future free from fossil fuels—join Brattleboro-area youth striking in solidarity with the Global Climate Strike as we rally at Pliny Park at noon.
Following the rally, walk over to the Centre Congregational Church - Brattleboro, VT for a Nonviolent Direct Action Training - Brattleboro from 1:30 - 5:30 pm. Questions? Contact Sonia at [email protected] Register for the training at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc02qbKGjxqZ6Re7RhTid-OrNhuaumXBhIvgeu97g6EdA2vgg/viewform?usp=sf_link
"Strike because the kids have asked us to back them up. Strike because the Earth is heating so fast. Strike for a Green New Deal. Strike because Exxon knew.”

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Non-Violent Direction Action Training - Brattleboro
Friday, September 20th, 2019 at Centre Congregational Church (193 Main Street, Brattleboro). 1:30pm-5:30pm. Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc02qbKGjxqZ6Re7RhTid-OrNhuaumXBhIvgeu97g6EdA2vgg/viewform?usp=sf_link. This training costs between $20-$75 based on your ability to pay. Please contribute as you can—if you are able to give more, you can support others to attend. No one will ever be turned away for lack of funds, and we are happy to figure out a plan that works for you! Questions? Contact Sonia at [email protected].
Join 350 Vermont in Brattleboro for a workshop on non-violent direct action – a powerful tool for social change! Through role plays and exercises, we will learn the importance of collective action and its connection to collective liberation, the basics of NVDA (non-violent direct action) theory, creative tactics for shutting things down to open them up, and legal factors to consider, all with a focus on how to use NVDA strategically within a campaign. This training follows a youth-led climate strike at Pliny Park as part of the Global Climate Strike and Week of Action September 20th - 27th, 2019.

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Looking Back, Moving Forward: 4 Decades of Queer Activism in VT
hosted by the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
Friday, September 20th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (10 Vernon Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 7:30pm-9:30pm. Admission is free.
Vermont is widely regarded as one of the most queer-friendly states in America. In 2000, the state was the first in the nation to legalize civil unions for same sex couples, and in 2009, Vermont became the first state to allow same-sex marriage by legislation rather than by court ruling.
But how did that come to pass? At least one important factor has been the tireless activism and advocacy carried out over decades by, and on behalf of, Vermont’s LGBTQ+ community. Presented in partnership with the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont Prevention and Out in the Open - formerly Green Mountain Crossroads and sponsored by The Samara Fund of the The Vermont Community Foundation, this event looks at the key individuals, organizations, and moments in the history of queer activism in southern Vermont from the 1980s to the present day.
This event is presented in conjunction with DONA ANN MCADAMS: PERFORMATIVE ACTS, a retrospective of work by the acclaimed photographer and activist Dona Ann McAdams. McAdams credits her friendship with civil rights icon Harvey Milk with inspiring her lifelong devotion to using photography for social change. The exhibit includes McAdams’ photographs of queer liberation and AIDS activism protests across several decades.

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Climate Support Group
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Group Begins Wednesday October 2nd, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the History Room. 6pm-8pm.  (Oct. 2 Only)
Regular Meetings will occur on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the Month from 6pm-7:30pm. A conversation with one of the two facilitators is required prior to the start date to ensure that this is the right group for you.  There is no charge to participate, and group size is limited to 10 people. For more information, and to apply, please contact Tim Stevenson at [email protected] or (802) 869-2141.
Post Oil Solutions is sponsoring a 10 session support group to provide a safe and supportive place for people to share their feelings about the climate emergency, and the very real possibility of societal collapse--grief, despair, rage, guilt, powerlessness, as well as explore with each other how we can adapt to this existential crisis, and take care of ourselves and each other by coming together within resilient, transformative communities. The group will be co-facilitated by Tim Stevenson and Connie Baxter, both experienced group leaders.  This is a peer support group, not a therapy group.  It will be closed (not open to drop-ins); we are thus seeking people who will commit to attend the 10 sessions. 

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RESOURCE FOR WeCAN: Rapid Response Text Alert System
When WeCAN began, Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS  
Women Veterans Weekly Coffee and Tea Social
Thursday Mornings at Brattleboro Legion Post 5 Inc. (32 Linden Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-10am.
All female veterans are invited to join in the Women Veterans group coffee held at the American Legion.  All women veterans are welcome. You do not need to be a Legion member.

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Youth 4 Change

Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 5:30pm-8pm. 
For more information please contact Youth 4 Change at [email protected].

Agenda:
5:30pm: Drop in homework time and art making
6:00pm: Food
6:30pm: Meeting and Organizing
Youth 4 Change is for local-area youth 12-22 interested in political organizing around local/state/national social justice issues that are important to them. Brattleboro area advocates and educators are holding a space, and assisting youth in building a strong personal tool kit to organize for change. Using a variety of creative methods, we aim to enable youth with tools for resilience, courage and compassion, while fostering their ability to speak up about issues that matter to them, and to take action in the name of love and liberation for all people.  Come explore issues of racial, economic and gender justice through art, movement, first-hand accounts and contemplative practices. Connect with area youth around the issues that matter to you and strengthen your tool kit for action! 

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Windham County NAACP Regular Meetings
Monthly community meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month at The Root Center for Social Justice (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor from 6pm-7pm. For more information please email [email protected]. All are welcome. 
The meetings are open to anyone interested in racial justice. The Mission of the NAACP is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 
Indigo Radio
Sundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FMTo stream live: Visit www.wvew.org 
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353.

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     A reminder, friends and organizers, to get your Fall event information to us ASAP. Go to https://www.wecantogether.net/about_us to check out our submission guidelines and then email [email protected] with your event info. We look forward to posting your event! 

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