Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

“The genius of impeachment lay in the fact that it could punish the man without punishing the office.”
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.,
Pulitzer Prize winning American historian, social critic, and public intellectual

When we asked you to show up and vote in the August 14th Primaries, fellow Vermonters, you sure did show up! 

Thank you for all that you've done to contribute to our Democratic process, Windham County Voters! We can't wait to see you at the polls in November.

HAPPENING TODAY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 26th, 2018

Share the Harvest
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro, A Project of Post Oil Solutions
Sunday, August 26th, 2018  at the Turning Point Garden (the corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 11am-1pm. Please bring your own bags.
Join Edible Brattleboro from 11am-1pm in our garden at Turning Point, on the corner of Elm and Frost Street (diagonally across from New England Youth Theatre) for free, locally grown veggies, herbs, and more. Please bring your own bags. All produce is free thanks to the generosity of local farmers and gardeners. We welcome donations from your garden. We also welcome donations of your time either on Saturdays or Sundays to keep the stand open through October.

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“I Am Not Your Negro”
part of the “Looking Inward at White Power and Privilege” series sponsored by the All Souls Church Social and Environmental Action Committee (SEAC).
Sunday, August 26th, 2018, at All Souls Church (29 South Street in West Brattleboro, Vt 05301). 12pm.
The church will serve a light chili lunch beginning at 11:15am. Both the lunch and the film are free and open to the public.  Childcare will be provided upon request (contact [email protected]). For more information, contact George Carvill at 802-490-2052.
The film “I Am Not Your Negro” will be the next offering in the continuing All Souls Church series "Looking Inward at White Power and Privilege” on Sunday, Aug. 26th. In the film, director Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished, “Remember This House.” It is a journey into black history that connects the Civil Rights movement to #BlackLivesMatter. It questions Black representation in Hollywood and beyond.
In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.
In February 2017 New York Times critic A.O. Scott wrote, “Whatever you think about the past and future of what used to be called ‘race relations’ — white supremacy and the resistance to it, in plainer English — this movie will make you think again, and may even change your mind. Though its principal figure, the novelist, playwright and essayist James Baldwin, is a man who has been dead for nearly 30 years, you would be hard-pressed to find a movie that speaks to the present moment with greater clarity and force, insisting on uncomfortable truths and drawing stark lessons from the shadows of history.” As James Baldwin wrote, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it has ben faced. History is not the past. It is the present. We carry our history with us. We are our history. If we pretend otherwise we literally are criminals.”
All Souls Church launched the film series last year under the leadership of SEAC. The series explores how unrecognized white privilege hampers our society’s requirement for racial justice.
For more background on James Baldwin, check out this Time Magazine article from 2/17: http://time.com/4680673/james-baldwin-documentary-history/.

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, AUGUST 27th, 2018-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2018

Youth 4 Change Meeting
Monday, August 27th, 2018 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 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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Mother Up! Monthly Meet-Up
Monday August 27th, 2018 at KidsPLAYce (20 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-7:30pm. A vegetarian meal and childcare for ages 8 and under will be provided. RSVP helpful, but not required. Contact Abby Mnookin for more info at [email protected].
Mother Up!: Families Rise Up for Climate Action is a project of 350Vermont that brings together families to talk about the tough realities of climate change and to participate in the transition to a healthier and safer world.  We'll share stories from our summers (which may include experiences of severe weather), envision the upcoming year with MU!, and talk about how families can get involved with the "Windham County Rise for Climate - Rally & Ride" on Saturday, September 8th from 3 - 6 pm (see event listing within this email).

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Crisis in Nicaragua
Part of the Brown Bag Lunch Series
Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main St., Brattleboro). 12pm-1pm.
Since April 19, 2018, Nicaragua has suffered civil unrest. SIT Dean for Latin America Aynn Setright (formerly academic director in Nicaragua) will discuss the roots of the April uprisings and share perspectives on the current situation.

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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, August 31st, 2018 (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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International Overdose Awareness Vigil
hosted by the Putney Huddle
Friday, August 31st, 2018 on the Putney Common (133 Main Street, Putney, VT). 6pm-7:30pm.
Please join us for an evening of speakers, music, a candlelight vigil and sharing of stories / photos to remember loved ones lost to substance abuse. 

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We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights for All Labor Day Banner Rising
Sunday, September 2nd, 2018 at the corner of High Street and Main Street in Brattleboro, VT. 8am-9am.
Come and watch the banner go up: we need to practice showing  our strength in public. The banner will fly over Main Street in Brattleboro, Sept 2nd to Sept 9. The Fire Co. hangs the banner at 8 am or a little after. The Works will be open. The banner will fly from the 2nd to the 9th of September. Show your strength; come and watch it go up. RSVP to Woody: 802 464 3154  or [email protected]. We Celebrate Democracy / Civil Rights For All is funded by small local donations. Donate to: "WCD/CRFA",  POB 6231, Brattleboro VT 05302. Positive nonviolent public action for democracy and equal civil rights for all people. 

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Share the Harvest
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro, A Project of Post Oil Solutions
Sunday, September 2nd, 2018  at the Turning Point Garden (the corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 11am-1pm. Please bring your own bags.
Join Edible Brattleboro from 11am-1pm in our garden at Turning Point, on the corner of Elm and Frost Street (diagonally across from New England Youth Theatre) for free, locally grown veggies, herbs, and more. Please bring your own bags. All produce is free thanks to the generosity of local farmers and gardeners. We welcome donations from your garden. We also welcome donations of your time either on Saturdays or Sundays to keep the stand open through October.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Celebrate the Workers of the World on Labor Day
with We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights for All
Monday, September 3rd, 2018  (Rain Date September 4th, 2018) at Piny Park (corner of High and Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-6:30pm. Windham County legislators  Jeanette White,  Emily Long and Mollie Burke will attend the rally.
Many workers have no rights at all. Come out and stand with the workers of the world. Political Speeches and Revolutionary Songs for the Peaceful Revolution. Volunteer to help. Make a sign. Make a speech. Lead a song. Sing along.

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Celebrate Salad! Workshop
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro, A Project of Post Oil Solutions, with support from the Brattleboro Food Co-op
Friday, September 7th, 2018 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the Community Kitchen. 2pm-4pm. Please use the 7 Canal Street entrance. 
Join Edible Brattleboro volunteers in preparing protein-rich plant-based salads while learning a variety of cutting techniques and the health benefits of 3 delicious salads which are hearty and satisfying enough to be a refreshing meal. The salads prepared during this hands-on will be offered during Edible Brattleboro’s first Celebrate Salad! event, a celebration of our local farmers and gardeners. The samples will be offered during gallery walk from 5pm-7pm, outside the front entryway of the Co-op.

Celebrate Salad! Sampling
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro, A Project of Post Oil Solutions, with support from the Brattleboro Food Co-op
Friday, September 7th, 2018 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), outside the Co-op entrance. 5pm-7pm. 
Free Samples! Taste any of three hearty salads prepared by Edible Brattleboro volunteers. Larger portions available by donation.

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Windham County Rally & Ride: A Rise for Climate Solidarity Action
Saturday, September 8th, 2018. Pedal Bikers meet at the Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market Parking Lot [570 Western Ave (Route 9), Brattleboro, VT, 05301]. Walkers (including stilt-walkers and drummers) meet at "plaza park" across from the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) to march up Main Street. Both groups will convene at the Brattleboro Commons (Park Place, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) for a planned Rally. 3pm-6pm.Families with kids welcome! And all are welcome at the rally, whether or not you're able to join in the ride or the march. RAIN DATE: Sunday, September 9th, 3pm-6pm.Questions? Want to borrow a bike? Have ideas for the rally? Email us at [email protected]. RSVP here - https://actionnetwork.org/events/critical-and-kidical-mass-bike-rally-for-climate-action/. More info at 350.org/rise.
     On September 8th hundreds of rallies will be held in cities and towns around the world as part of the "Rise for Climate" to demand our local leaders commit to building a fossil free world that works for all of us. This date has been chosen to precede the Global Climate Action Summit that will be happening in San Francisco from September 12th - 14th. Join us as we hold our local leaders to account and demand that they walk the talk on climate action!
Agenda:
3pm: Pedal bikers meet in the Brattleboro Farmers' Market parking lot to bike together in a critical/kidical mass. Walkers (including stilt-walkers and drummers) meet at "plaza park" across from the Brattleboro Food Co-op to march up Main Street. Both groups travel to the Brattleboro Common.
4 pm: Rally at the Common! All are invited to attend!
Speakers: Representative Mollie Burke, youth, and more! Bicycle "petting zoo". Creating a People's Transportation Plan. Bike stencils for t-shirts and canvas bags. Face-painting and kids activities. Pee-cycling porta-potty. Tabling from local and regional orgs including 350Brattleboro, Mother Up!, VBike, Brattleboro Coalition for Active Transportation, Bellows Falls Community Bike Project, Post Oil Solutions, Brattleboro Solidarity, Youth 4 Change, Rich Earth Institute, Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, Brattleboro Bag Share, and Green Mountain Crossroads. Plus refreshments!
    Our hope is to get as many people as possible out on the streets of Brattleboro pushing for more support for active transportation and a lower transportation carbon footprint. Families with kids welcome! And all are welcome at the rally, whether or not you're able to join in the ride or the march.

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Huddle Up With Lt. Governor Zuckerman and Youth Vote
Sunday, September 9th, 2018 at The Putney Public Library (55 Main St, Putney, VT 05346). 1pm-3:30pm. This event is not endorsed or sponsored by the Putney Public Library. All our welcome, but must subscribe to our norms.
Agenda: 
1:15pm - "Early Bird" Local Love Brigade Post Card Action
1:30pm- Meeting called to order - Mission and norms
1:35pm- Introductions
1:40pm- Huddle Announcements -
1:45pm- Flipping Windham 1 - Team Sara
1:55pm- Lt. Gov David Zuckerman
2:40pm- Youth Vote with Rio Daims and James Shanti-Strother
3:10pm- Group Announcements
3:20pm- Closing Statements
Check it out on Facebook...https://www.facebook.com/events/260175591280971/?ti=cl.

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Sign Making, Song Rehearsal, and Speech Writing
Thursday, September 30th, 2018, at the Hooker-Dunham Theatre (137 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Lobby. 5:30pm. Located down the alley, off of Main Street in Downtown Brattleboro.
Please bring your own materials for signs.  Please RSVP so that we can plan ahead. To help or for info contact Woody: 802 464 3154 or [email protected]. We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights for All is funded by small local donations. Donate to: "WCD/CRFA",  POB 6231, Brattleboro VT 05302. Positive nonviolent public action for democracy and equal civil rights for all people.

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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 were reminded of the Rapid Response text alerts system as President Trump moves towards firing Mueller. In the event Mueller is fired, MoveOn is planning a nation-wide simultaneous protest. The trick will be to get the word out fast if/when the time comes. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS

Lost River Racial Justice, Black Lives Matter-South, and People Of Color Caucus Regular Meeting

Reoccurring racial justice organizing meetings every 2nd Monday at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio of the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) on the First Floor. 6pm-8pm. 

Childcare provided. Fragrance & nut free space.  

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Alternatives to Suicide 
Every Wednesday, 6pm-7:30pm at the Hive Space (24 Flat St, Suite 202, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Second Floor, up one flight of stairs.

Alternatives to Suicide is a mutual support group open to anyone who has experienced thoughts of suicide. The group is guided by a charter of values provided by the Western Mass Recovery Learning Community. The group is non-clinical and does not link suicide with illness.  Participants are free to talk about and find meaning in their experiences in/on their own terms. 

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 

Indigo Radio
Sundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM
To 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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Have a productive and progress-filled week, friends. We look forward to seeing you at a meeting or event soon!