Weekly Update 06.24.19
“It (hope) navigates a way forward between the false certainties of optimism and of pessimism, and the complacency or passivity that goes with both. Optimism assumes that all will go well without our effort; pessimism assumes it’s all irredeemable; both let us stay home and do nothing. Hope for me has meant a sense that the future is unpredictable, and that we don’t actually know what will happen, but know we may be able write it ourselves.”
Rebecca Solnit
an American writer whose work includes pieces on feminism, the environment, politics, place, and art
With the increasing frequency of difficult-to-hear news day in and day out, especially in the last few days, we thought it would be appropriate to share some our favorite sites for good news and inspiration on the Resistance front. Take a look at the following resources that will inspire hope in you and give you a boost to continue fighting long after fatigue has set in.
Good News From the Resistance: Marla Felcher is a Co-Founder and past-president of The Philanthropy Connection, a nonprofit that awards grants to organizations that work to improve the quality of life for low-resource individuals and families living in the greater Boston area. She also served on the 2008 Obama Transition Team advisory committee and the board of directors of the Road Scholar (d/b/a Elderhostel) and Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Her blog and emails are dedicated to showcasing Good News and Good People at the forefront of the resistance against Trump's administration "We, the people, have the power to delay, dilute, and defeat "45's" plans to destroy the America we love. Repeat."
Small Victories: Small Victories is a weekly email newsletter celebrating people-powered victories against the Trump administration’s agenda. Stephanie Palumbo is the co-creator and sole writer of Small Victories. In January 2017, Palumbo and her coworker started sending Small Victories to friends and associates as a way of lifting people’s spirits. Coworkers started forwarding the emails to friends, and strangers began emailing and asking to sign up. The weekly email was made it public—and the creators were thrilled that thousands of people subscribed. To subscribe, click here!
Sci-Fi Writers Are Imagining a Path Back to Normalcy: In recent months the science fiction world has grown increasingly political, with dozens of writers contributing stories to anthologies such as Resist: Tales From a Future Worth Fighting Against and If This Goes On. Another prominent example is A People’s Future of the United States, edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams. “I wanted to use my position as an editor to try to help magnify the voices of the people that we invited to participate in this anthology,” Adams says in Episode 354 of the Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy podcast. “To sort of shout back at the Trump administration, and also to try to imagine some new futures that might help us figure out how to get back to normal from here.”
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HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, JUNE 24th, 2019-SUNDAY, JUNE 30th, 2019
Film: Paris to Pittsburgh
presented by All Souls Church, in cooperation with Vermont Interfaith Power & Light and the Vermont Climate & Health Alliance
Monday, June 24th, 2019 at the All Souls Church (29 South St, Brattleboro, VT 05301). Potluck at 6pm, film at 6:30pm. To view the trailer, visit ParistoPittsburgh.com. Anyone with questions about the event can contact George Carvill at [email protected] or 802-490-2052.
All Souls Church will be hosting a showing and discussion of the new National Geographic documentary "Paris to Pittsburgh" on Monday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. preceded by a potluck at 6 p.m.
The church is presenting the film -- and panel discussion to follow -- in cooperation with Vermont Interfaith Power & Light and the Vermont Climate & Health Alliance. The film shows effects of the climate crisis, as well as the many solutions people across the country are implementing.
The panelists include Wendy Webber, who will speak about a Green New Deal for Vermont; Tom Hughes of Energy Independent Vermont who will speak about pricing carbon; and Dan Quinlan, who will speak about the Global Warming Solutions Act. VT Interfaith Power & Light is coordinating statewide showings of the new National Geographic climate change documentary.
Paris to Pittsburgh brings to life the impassioned efforts of individuals who are battling the most severe threats of climate change in their own backyards. Set against the national debate over the United States’ energy future — and the Trump administration’s explosive decision to exit the Paris Climate Agreement — the film captures what is at stake for communities around the country and the inspiring ways Americans are responding.
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Dessert and Learn: Do it Yourself Home Efficiency Improvements
hosted by The Wardsboro Energy Committee
Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 at the Wardsboro Town Hall (71 Main St, Wardsboro, VT 05355) at 7:15pm-8:15pm. Dessert donations to share are welcome but not necessary. The event is free and open to all. For more information e-mail [email protected].
Join friends and neighbors to discuss no-cost and low-cost measures we can all make to lower the cost of operating our homes and businesses. Jeff Manney from Efficiency Vermont will be joining us to lead a discussion and has promised to bring “lots of props” that show strategies, methods and products that will lower our utility bills and make our homes more comfortable. All are welcome including those from other towns; renters, owners, home or business, do-it-yourselfers and especially professional Contractors. Come to learn about currently available incentives and rebates and to share what you know. Share a success story or get advice on a project you are working on or planning.
Neighbors helping neighbors – and having dessert! Please join us.
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Bernie Sanders 2020 Debate Watch Party
Thursday, June 27th, 2019 at McNeill’s Brewery (90 Elliot St. in Brattleboro, VT 05301). 8pm. Please use this link to let us know you'll be coming:
https://act.berniesanders.com/event/debate-watch-party_attend/9662
Come at 8pm, an hour before the 2nd night of the debate begins to connect with other area Bernie supporters for a fun evening of debate watching and plotting the revolution together! There will be info on plugging in to what is already happening in NH, and other ways to volunteer locally, as well as a chance to cheer on Bernie among friends.
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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, June 28th, 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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Critical Mass Bike Ride for LGBTQ Pride
hosted by 350 Brattleboro, the Brattleboro Community Bike Clinic, and VBike
Image credit: Hugh D'Andrade
Friday, June 28th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Common (Park Place, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-6:30pm.
We're continuing with our monthly rides with rotating themes on the last Friday of each month. In celebration of Pride month and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, we're teaming up with Out in the Open - formerly Green Mountain Crossroads to ride for LGBTQ Pride. Dress yourself or decorate your bike in rainbows, unicorns, and all things queer! And later that evening, continue the celebration by heading over to the The Stone Church for a Queer Dance Party, BQDP Pride Night A Fundraiser for Out in the Open.
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.
6pm: Begin Critical Mass ride. This will be a high-visibility downtown route!
6:30pm: End ride back at the Brattleboro Common.
Help us spread the word to help make this another successful critical mass ride!
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Bennington Pride Weekend
Friday, June 28th, 2019-Sunday, June 30th, 2019. Free and open to the public. For more information please go to https://www.facebook.com/queerconnect/. For more information about the many events planned for the weekend, go to https://www.rutlandherald.com/calendar/bennington-s-first-annual-pride-weekend/event_45ec1150-8c9f-11e9-94d3-0bb8e7ea7cf2.html
The region's first-ever Pride Parade begins at 1 PM on Saturday, June 29th, and ends at People's Park on Depot Street, where there will be a PrideFestival from 2pm-5pm.
Weekend Agenda:
Friday, June 28th at 7pm: Bennington Masonic Hall- Kick Off Benefit! Come join us for drag performers, live music, mini dance parties and a loud auction
Saturday, June 29th at 11am: Bennington Museum- Museum Tour of Pride Exhibit and Queer Slam Poetry
Saturday, June 29th at 2pm: Start at Bennington Museum and go to depot Street Park- Pride Parade
Saturday, June 29th from 2pm-5pm: Depot Street Park- Pride Festival. There will be food, poetry, music and great company.
Saturday, June 29th. Queer Prom- Invite only. To get the invite go to Queerconnect on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/queerconnect/.
Sunday, June 30th from11am-2pm: Bennington Museum Pavilion- Community Picnic. Bring food and come join us for fun, good company and support.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Carry the "Civil Rights for All" Banner in the Fourth of July Parade
Thursday, July 4th, 2019. Meet at Brattleboro Union High School (131 Fairground Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301) in the student parking lot at 9am. Photo by Brent Seabrook, July 4th 2018. RSVP: [email protected] or call (802) 464 3154.
We are not saying anything new here. Our message will not change.
We are calling for democracy, and we always will. Not the old democracy that serves a privileged minority. But the new democracy that represents and serves all people equally. We want true democracy! Forty of us marched with the banner in the 2017 & 2018 parades. We sang songs and carried signs praising democracy. For us it was a joyous experience, singing about something we truly cherish and believe in, right on Main Street. As it says on one of the signs we carry: "Democracy needs you", Democracy needs all of us. Marching in the parade is a powerful way to show that we want to fix our democracy. Let's stand up together, in public, and continue humanity's great work. Join us in the parade. We will update you on our songs, and signs and any changes, on our "We Celebrate Democracy" facebook page as we get closer to the 4th.
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Birddogging 101
hosted by Rights & Democracy NH and Rights & Democracy VT
Tuesday, July 9th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Food Coop (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room. 6pm-8pm. Please use the 7 Canal Street entrance. Do not use the Coop main entrance. This is a free event hosted by Rights & Democracy NH and VT. Food and drink will be provided, so come a little early for refreshments and good conversation.
Birddogging 101 is a participatory and interactive training that will give you the skills and confidence to talk to presidential candidates and elected officials about the issues facing our communities.
What is birddogging? It simply means seeking out elected officials and candidates and pushing them for clear answers on important questions. When we do this we can influence their positions as well as the public's perception.
We’ve got so many opportunities to get up close and personal with 2020 candidates in New Hampshire this year, and birddogging is a fun and high-profile way to take advantage of that. It also helps advance our campaigns for social, economic and political justice. Step out and use your voice!
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Vermont Mad Pride 2019 in Brattleboro!
hosted by Vermont Psychiatric Survivors, Inc
Saturday, July 13th, 2019. March starting at Pliny Park (corner of Main Street and High Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) and ending at the Brattleboro Common (Park Place, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-4pm. Free t-shirt for the first 100 participants. If you do not have access to transport to the Mad Pride March in VT on July 13th, or have a car and would like to help get folks to the event, we are coordinating carpooling from across the region. Please visit www.vermontpsychiatricsurvivors.org/carpooling to sign up. We will connect you to your passenger(s) or volunteer drivers via email and facilitate organizing ride times. We will connect drivers to passenger(s) on a first come, first serve basis.
Vermont Mad Pride is a march and celebration organized by psychiatric survivors, mental health consumers, mad people, and those the world has deemed “mentally ill.” Mad Pride is about challenging discrimination, advocating for rights, affirming mad identities, remembering and participating in mad history, and having fun. Our lives and contributions are valuable and need celebration!
Vermont Mad Pride 2019 is organized by Vermont Psychiatric Survivors and the Hive Mutual Support Network as well as a planning committee of community volunteers. Vermont Psychiatric Survivors, Inc. is an independent, statewide mutual support and civil rights advocacy organization run by and for psychiatric survivors. The mission of Vermont Psychiatric Survivors is to provide advocacy and mutual support that seeks to end psychiatric coercion, oppression and discrimination.
This Year’s Mad Pride will take place in Brattleboro, July 13th at 12pm. We will meet up at Pliny Park and march to the Commons for a rally with food, music, and speeches. Our lives and contributions are valuable and need celebration!
Agenda:
12pm: Meet at Pliny Park
12:15pm-1pm: March to the Commons
1pm-4pm: Rally and speeches
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Guest Speaker: Meagan Gallagher, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Tuesday, July 16th, 2019 at Saxton's River Distillery (155 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 5:30pm-7:30pm. Donations at the door to benefit Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. For more information join Reproductive Health Advocates Facebook Group.
Meagan will provide a complete update on the state of reproductive health access nationally and statewide. Q&A following presentation.
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A Community Message from Inclusion Center (located at 16 Bradley Ave., Brattleboro, VT, 05301, in the lower level St. Michael's Episcopal Church).
Hello Everyone,
(Just a reminder that) We will be open all summer, and our space is comfortable when it's hot outside. Come on over and join the fun!
Inclusion Center can be reached at 802-387-5285 and [email protected]. For more information go to https://inclusioncenter.webs.com.
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SUMMER CAMPS
Farm to Ballet Performance Camp for Kids at Retreat Farm
presented by Ballet Vermont and Retreat Farm
Monday, July 15th, 2019-Friday, July 19th, 2019 at Retreat Farm (45 Farmhouse Square, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-3:30*pm. *Paid aftercare option of 3:30pm-4:30pm for an additional $50. Please go to www.balletvermont.org for performance tickets.
Your camper can dance on the big stage with Farm to Ballet! Campers who participate in this camp will perform the choreography they learn at camp as the pre-show to Farm to Ballet's Retreat Farm show. Camp week will include daily ballet class, farm and garden exploration, activities, and craft. Dancers will work on choreography and craft costumes in addition to other activities to prepare for the big Farm to Ballet performance.
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UPRISE Youth Activism Camp (Ages 13-19)
Sunday, July 28th, 2019-Sunday, August 4th, 2019 in Marshfield, VT. For more information please go here: https://www.uprisecampvt.org.
We're inviting youth ages 13-19 to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont for one amazing week of teen empowerment, creativity, action, and friendship -- all while strategizing for our collective future. As mentors with a broad spectrum of skills, we are passionate about empowering teens as organizers, change makers, and allies in our rapidly changing world.
The cost of the camp is $450 for the week, but please feel more than welcome to ask us about scholarships. Bring your hopes and fears for the future, your unique style and skills, your passion and ideas -- but most of all, bring yourself, just as you are -- and join us!
Youth interested in attending Uprise! are asked to go through a short application form process. The application will give us an idea of who’s interested in the camp and help our team make this camp accessible and awesome for everyone. There are financial aid questions at the end of the application. You can find information on the application process here.
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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
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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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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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. Upcoming Meetings: 3/21/19; 4/18/19; 5/16/19. 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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Thank you for your unwavering, dedicated passion to resisting racism, fascism, and injustices everywhere. Your voice are needed now more than ever. Thank you for all that you do and we look forward to seeing you at an event this week.
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