Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

Happy September and Back to School, WeCAN Family. With so much news inundating our senses about all aspects of government, justice, climate science, and infrastructure (especially after the devastation of Hurricane Harvey) we wanted to share this great Critical Thinking resource from Global Digital Citizen. The questions in this cheatsheet can be applied to any conversation or situation that requires thought and logic and is great for new topics or familiar ones you'd like to revisit with a more discerning eye. You can print out the PDF here. 
"How Does This Cheatsheet Work?
Critical thinking is thinking on purpose. It’s clear, rational, logical, and independent thinking. It’s about practicing mindful communication and problem-solving with freedom from bias or egocentric tendency. You can apply critical thinking to any kind of subject, problem, or situation you choose. We made the Critical Thinking Skills Cheatsheet for you with this in mind."*


*Taken from Global Digital Citizen (https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/critical-thinking-skills-cheatsheet-infographic). Accessed on 9.2.17. 


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HAPPENING TODAY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2017

We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights For All Banner Hanging  
Sunday, September 3rd, 2017 on Main Street in Brattleboro, VT at 8am-9am. 
We are Woody Bernhard and Susan Kunhardt of Marlboro Vermont. With the help of many supporters we are thankful to have been able to make the banner and fly it over Main Street for one week  in April and in June and to carry it in the 4th of July parade. We are now fundraising to fly the banner over Main Street in Brattleboro from Sunday Sept 3rd to the 10th.
We need: A $600 Hanging Fee for hanging the banner and $50 for the Vendors Permit, for a gallery walk fundraiser for the banner raising that we held in front of Vermont Artisan Designs on August 4. We have received $55 in donations so far, so we need to raise $595, about sixty $10 donations. Any over-funding will be donated to Brattleboro Area Hospice. This time the banner will be up by itself above the center of the street. The fire company will hang the banner starting at 8 am. It takes about an hour. Come and see the banner go up. Come and show your support for continuing to make this positive statement that we stand for democracy in the face fascism and corporate tyranny. True democracy with equal civil rights for all is love and sharing and caring and helping. Join us. Stand with us to send the message: Democracy is one big valentine to all the people. Thank you for your support. To donate got to: Go fund me We Celebrate Democracy. Contact: [email protected]  or call 802 464 3154.

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Share the Harvest Stand 
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, September 3rd, 2017 at the Elliott Street Park (on Elliot Street in Brattleboro, VT, 05301) from 11am-1pm.
You are invited to participate in Edible Brattleboro’s Share the Harvest stand where we will be sharing produce from our gardens as well as donated produce from local farmers and gardeners. The stand is set up at the Elliot Street Park every Sunday from 11am - 1pm; rain location - in front of Experienced Goods / Transportation Center on Flat Street. Everything is available to the community at no cost. We are happy to accept your donations from your garden - please drop off your surplus to our stand on Sundays as close to 11amas possible. We also need volunteers to keep this going throughout the season. Please visit http://signup.com/go/GmYCbae to sign up for a spot. It’s real easy to sign up, and your contact information is never shared. We need teams of two to glean at the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays or to operate the stand on Sundays. Brief descriptions of the tasks are on the sign-up site, and complete directions are provided via email. Brattleboro Time Traders can earn hours, too!

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2017-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2017

Rights & Democracy Labor Day Celebrations with Bernie Sanders!
(Both family friendly with food, music and speeches from Bernie and statewide social justice leaders)
Upper Valley Labor Day Celebration
When: Monday, September 4 at 3pm-5pm
Where: 167 Maple St, White River Junction, VT
Middlebury Labor Day Celebration
When: Monday, September 4 at 4pm-7pm
Where: Town Green, Middlebury, VT
Rights & Democracy presents an afternoon of music, food, and political action with special guest US Sen. Bernie Sanders!
The Labor Day Celebration will mark the second anniversary of Rights & Democracy, your local grassroots organization that is bringing the political revolution to communities throughout Vermont, and supporting candidates across the state who will push for a lasting, progressive in Montpelier.
All summer, Rights & Democracy has been holding community forums to build a true people's agenda in Vermont as we head into the 2018 election.
Nationally, Sanders' Our Revolution has been building momentum behind their People's Platform.
Join us and hear from Bernie and local progressive leaders about legislative issues like raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, enacting paid family and medical leave, universal primary care, energy democracy, and much more.
Find out what you can do next to keep up the fight in our community and in Vermont to put people and the planet over profits.
Together We Win!

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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, September 8th, 2017 (and every Friday) in front of TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). Noon-1:00pm. Signs will be provided.
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 802.869.2141.


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The Bi-Weekly Solidarity Vigil
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, September 8th, 2017 at the Windham Hotel corner, across from Flat Iron Café, Bellows Falls, VT. 1pm-2pm. 
A vigil of community, solidarity and diversity. We are one cause of peace, freedom & social justice for all living beings. Bring signs expressing your passion and concerns.


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Local Love Brigade Postcard Table at the Elliot Street Block Party
Friday, September 8th, 2017 on Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), 4pm-8pm.
Join the Local Love Brigade! Drop by and make postcards to send out in an avalanche of love to support victims of hate. There will be plenty of materials to make a card. We'll have addresses for sending love to Charlottesville, as well as addresses for folks who went above and beyond to take care of their neighbors during Hurricane Harvey. All are welcome.


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Guest Dancer Amirah Sackett from “We’re Muslims, Don’t Panic”
hosted by The Southern Vermont Dance Festival and The Sandglass Theater
Friday, September, 8th, 2017 at Headroom Stages (17 Elliot St, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 6:30pm-8pm. 
Dancers, hip hop artists and movers/shakers of all sorts: Amirah Sackett from the group "We're Muslim Don't Panic" will be here this coming week. She will be teaching a community workshop on Friday September 8th 6:30-8 at headroom stages as a collaboration between Southern Vermont Dance Festival and Sandglass Theater (who is her host next week) Don't miss this amazing opportunity to experience this woman whose dance and message went viral!  Standing up can be done in so many ways and one way is the arts.  This is a great way to learn something new, open your mind and be part of the solution. 

There are only 30 spots available. To secure your spot go here. There are also limited scholarship spots, email [email protected] to be considered.

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Burned: Are Trees the New Coal? 
(A Sneak Preview)
hosted by Burned: Are Trees the New Coal?
Saturday, September 9th, 2017 at 118 Elliot Street (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301-3275). 7pm-9:30pm. Entrance by donation at the door.
Alan Dater & Lisa Merton's film BURNED tells the little-known story of the accelerating destruction of our forests for fuel, and probes the policy loopholes, huge subsidies, and blatant green washing of the burgeoning biomass power industry. A dedicated group of forest activists, ecologists, carbon scientists, and concerned citizens fight to establish the enormous value of our forests, protect their communities, debunk this false solution to climate change, and alter energy policy both in the US and abroad. It’s not too late. Join us for a Q & A with the filmmakers, Associate Producer Chris Hardee, Composer Ty Gibbons, and Mary Booth from Partnership for Policy Integrity. 



 

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Community Rights Awareness Workshop
presented by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) and sponsored by Post Oil Solutions & Rights and Democracy
Sunday, September 10th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Food Coop (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room (please use the entrance at 7 Canal Street). 10am-1pm.  FREE, but registration required: [email protected]. Refreshments will be provided. 
In this workshop, we take an in-depth look at how political and legal structures have been set up to protect the interests of an elite wealthy minority, at the expense of the majority of people and community self-government. We’ll look at how corporations have received more rights and protections than real people living in communities. Most importantly, we’ll look at how communities have pushed back against these oppressive structures to reclaim democratic self-government in their communities, and at the state level with a proposed Community Rights Amendment.


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Share the Harvest Stand 
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, September 10th, 2017 at the Elliott Street Park (on Elliot Street in Brattleboro, VT, 05301) from 11am-1pm.
You are invited to participate in Edible Brattleboro’s Share the Harvest stand where we will be sharing produce from our gardens as well as donated produce from local farmers and gardeners. The stand is set up at the Elliot Street Park every Sunday from 11am - 1pm; rain location - in front of Experienced Goods / Transportation Center on Flat Street. Everything is available to the community at no cost. We are happy to accept your donations from your garden - please drop off your surplus to our stand on Sundays as close to 11amas possible. We also need volunteers to keep this going throughout the season. Please visit http://signup.com/go/GmYCbae to sign up for a spot. It’s real easy to sign up, and your contact information is never shared. We need teams of two to glean at the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays or to operate the stand on Sundays. Brief descriptions of the tasks are on the sign-up site, and complete directions are provided via email. Brattleboro Time Traders can earn hours, too!

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UPCOMING EVENTS


A Meditative Vigil of Lovingkindness
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, September 15th, 2017 at Wells Fountain (Main Street near the intersection of Routes 30 and 9 in Brattleboro, VT, 05301) from 5pm-6pm. 
Please join us in providing a meditative presence for the loving, compassionate society we are seeking. All are welcome to join us for a few minutes or for the entire hour. These silent vigils will be held under a banner that reads
“May All Beings Be Free Of Pain And Suffering, May All Beings Know Peace And Happiness.”
All too often, when we become caught up in the evil and negativity of our world, we can lose sight of the importance of expressing and simply being our inherent heart values. Although silent, our Vigil of Lovingkindness is intended to give voice to these values that are the foundation of a wholesome society, and to speak up for the compassionate alternative that they represent.
People may stand, sit or kneel, as they see fit. Please bring a chair, cushion, mat, or whatever you are comfortable with.
For further information, or if you wish to be part of a contact list that will inform people of future Lovingkind Vigils, please forward your name, e-mail address, and phone number to: [email protected] or 802.869.2141.


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No Retreat- A Putney Huddle Mini Retreat
hosted by The Putney Huddle
Sunday, September 17th, 2017 at the Green Mountain Camp (565 Green Mountain Camp Rd, Dummerston, VT 05301). 10am-2pm.
Carpooling from the Putney Park & Ride (by the fire station). Meet at 9:30am. We'll wait until 9:35am before leaving. There will not be childcare at this event. The Putney Huddle presents a day of relaxed learning, fun, food, and connection. Whether you have been a part of the Huddle or are just interested in partaking, you are welcome to join us as we explore through listening and activity many aspects of being involved in local politics and activism, guided by those deep in the movements.
Featuring Vermont’s All Stars
-Poet, Activist, and Guilford Selectboard Member, Verandah Porche
-Senator Rebecca Balint
-Activist and Author, Ann Braden
-Environmental Activist and Contender for Governor James Ehlers
Along with representation from Rights and Democracy, Sister District, The Putney Democrats, The Local Love Brigade, and many more.
Chair Massages from Collin Leech, Tacos By Tito or brown bag lunch.
Please keep in mind that this is at a camp. The paths between bathrooms and buildings are all dirt. We are invited for this meeting as guests. We must be respectful of the land and clean up after ourselves. We are still seeking volunteers for set up and clean up.

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An Evening with Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman
hosted by The Putney Democrats, and The Dummerston Democrats 
Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 at the Putney Fire Department (21 Carl Snyder Dr, Putney, VT 05346). 7pm.
The Putney Dems and Dummerston Dems invite you to join them to an inspirational event with guest speaker Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman. 
At 8:00pm the Putney and Dummerston will move into separate rooms for their caucus meetings.


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Progressive Party of Vermont Biennial Reorganization Meeting 
Tuesday, September 26th, 2017. Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301)in the Library Local History Room on the Mezzanine Floor. 6pm.
There are currently seven Progressives in the House, three in the Senate and two holding state office, the Lieutenant Governor and the Auditor. It holds the most elected seats in the country for a third party. The Progressive Party expects its candidates to support and advance its principles ((http://progressiveparty.org/principles/) and platform ((http://progressiveparty.org/vpp-platform/) and we will be discussing our organizational practices at this meeting. 

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Freedom March
Wednesday, September 27th at Pliny Park (Corner of High and Main Streets, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-5:45pm. Speakers Anna Stevens and Ellen Schwartz will speak 15 minutes before the March. 
Join us on a Freedom March to demand prison reform and to encourage our State Government to work to reduce the prison population here in Vermont. Speaking at a 15 minute rally before the March will be Anna Stevens of Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform and Brattleboro resident Ellen Schwartz. Schwartz is president of the Vermont Workers Center whose mission is "taking action on issues of concern to people most impacted by economic and social injustice." For more information, please call Eesha Williams at (802) 254-2531 or e-mail [email protected].

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Local Love Brigade Party at Avenue Grocery
Saturday, October 21st, 2017 at Avenue Grocery (82 Western Avenue, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 2pm-4pm.
Join the Local Love Brigade! Drop by, get a cider donut, and make postcards to send out in an avalanche of love to support victims of hate. There will be plenty of materials to make a card, and no artistic experience is necessary. All are welcome.

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IN DEVELOPMENT
 

Impeachment Rally
Saturday, October 21st, 2017 at the Vermont State House (115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633). Time TBD. 
Join us for a PEACEFUL PROTEST to be held in Montpelier, VT, at the Vermont State House (115 State St, Montpelier, VT 05633). 12pm to 5pm (tentative). Our immediate goal - to get Phil Scott, Bernie Sanders, Patrick Leahy, and Peter Welch to take up the call for Impeachment proceedings based on Trump's "intimidation, failure to supervise, and unbecoming conduct." Donald J.Trump’s leadership poses a threat to the peace and safety of our nation on both national and international levels. His immoral reputation and misconduct are an embarrassment and threat to the freedoms this country stands for and will not be tolerated by United States citizens. Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/the-people-impeach-donald-j-trump. Do you have questions or are wondering what you can do to help organize, get the word out, and prepare? Contact Sarah Vitale at 802.246.7603 or email her at [email protected].

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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS

350Brattleboro Regular Meetings
350 Brattleboro will be taking a break from our regular schedule for July and August. We will return to our regular meeting times from September onwards. To be kept in the loop follow us at facebook.com/350brattleboro and sign up for our email list by emailing [email protected]. Thanks!

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Lost River Racial Justice, Black Lives Matter-South, and People Of Color Caucus Regular Meetings
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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SKILLED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Childcare as a Radical Act: Sign up to Provide Childcare! 
The Family Solidarity Action Network is moving forward with their next big effort to support families in local activism: a collective of folks to provide childcare for local activist meetings or events. If you or someone you know would be able and willing to offer childcare (as a volunteer, or paid) for meetings and events please fill out this spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YGVI8wECe4ZDdghtAG147j7ktwgB_J5ZoWUPkwGrOhM/edit#gid=0
We are looking for people young and old with varying degrees of experience.  Having a large pool of people to call on will make it much easier for organizers to arrange childcare for meetings, allowing for more voices of families with young children to participate in local activism!  We will then be making this list available to other local organizations so we can be sure that childcare doesn't have to be a barrier to participation for anyone. 

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VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Sister District 
Here is an update from the Vermont district team:
SisterDistrict Soup
We currently offer a monthly soup subscription to benefit either SisterDistrict directly or our current candidate (subscriber's choice!) and we are considering extending our offering into this Fall/Winter; if you would be interested in subscribing to a monthly soup offering please use this form to get in touch! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfU1Vv1oJRgTBATJ8TTp8vHUaGFIz0coVCVe28gYVOrK9K-BQ/viewform?c=0&w=1 
For more information please email [email protected] or [email protected]. 
In addition to raising money to help get our nation onto a better trajectory, we are also committed to providing you the most delicious and locally-sourced soup that we can. Vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free options will be available. 
There is no reason that you can't eat well and resist at the same time!
SisterDistrict is an organization that connects you with your local home district team to work on Sister Races in Virginia, Washington State, and Georgia. The goal? To turn Red states Blue. Support these critical races by donating to them and sharing about them on social media. Or, get in on the fun by joining your local district team for even more action items! 

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Exchange Student Hosts Wanted
PAX (Program of Academic Exchange Vermont) is looking for families who are interested in hosting a high school exchange student for Brattleboro HS and Bellows Falls for the upcoming school year.  Clara is one such student, a 15 year old girl from Spin whose interests include skiing, scouting and gymnastics.  Could you open your home to one of these students? Host families come in all shapes and sizes - they represent the diversity of American culture, with varied economic, religious and racial backgrounds. Among those who truly enjoy the exchange experience are parents looking to give their families a glimpse of the world and introduce them to new customs and cultures, without having to travel the globe.
Many of our host families do not have high school age children, while others have adult children who no longer live at home. They say that hosting an exchange student gives them an opportunity to enrich their own lives and connect with their community in a whole new way.
If you've considered hosting but have questions, please contact Kimberly at [email protected] or 802-824-3792.

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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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Democracy, Eventually 
WVEW 107.7FM, Brattleboro Community Radio Station
You can listen to recorded and archived episodes here: https://soundcloud.com/democracy-eventually and you can find us on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/democracyeventually/ and on Twitter here @Democrazeee.
We are Democracy, Eventually a radio show covering local, state, and underreported national news stories from a progressive analysis. We air live on WVEW 107.7FM LP Brattleboro Community Radio Station. 

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Thank you, as always, for your presence when and where it matters. You are a glowing light and we are all brighter when we shine together. 

Your Friendly WeCAN Admins,
Ann and Joanna