Weekly Update 07.02.18
“Remember, remember always, that all of us, you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
This Saturday approximately 500 friends and neighbors gathered on the Brattleboro Commons to decidedly declare that the Family Separation policy will not be tolerated. The Not in My Name event was hosted by The Putney Huddle, Everyone's Books, Brattleboro Solidarity, Brattleboro Rights and Democracy, and The Women's Action Team. Speakers included VT Senator Becca Balint, Steve Crofter from the Community Asylum Seekers Project, Representative Mike Mrowicki, Ezlerh Oreste, Candidate for Governor Brenda Siegel, Candidate for VT State Representative (Windham 4) Nader Hashim, and more.
The event was part of a nationwide effort to express solidarity with immigrants who are incarcerated and separated from loved ones. Take a moment to look at some of the images fellow weCAN member Laura Chapman shared after the event.
Photos courtesy of David Shaw.
Many thanks to all those who marched or rallied today, have donated time or money to immigration services and bail funds, and to those who have put their bodies and well-being on the line in front of ICE buildings or inside government buildings. Thank you, as well, to all those who care for activists by cooking their meals, watching their children, driving them to events, or posting their bail. No act is too small in the fight for justice and equality and we sincerely thank you for your efforts.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, JULY 2nd, 2018-SUNDAY, JULY 8th, 2018
Informal Picket Line
hosted by United Nurses and Allied Professionals (UNAP) Local 5086
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018 in front of the Brattleboro Retreat (Anna Marsh Road, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 8am-10am and 1pm-5pm. Questions? Contact Ellen at [email protected] or (802) 257-4436. Please do not park in any of the Retreat lots as that can put the union in jeopardy.
Community supporters are encouraged to join the Retreat workers at this picket. This is not a strike. The Retreat workers are speaking out and informing the public about what is happening to them. The Retreat is understaffed, but instead of working with the workers who have remained at the hospital, the Administration has unilaterally imposed schedule changes on all workers. These workers had developed schedules with their supervisors that would allow them to to things like work second jobs, care for their children or for elderly or disabled family members, and coordinate with spouses’ schedules. They were informed on June 14 that these schedules would all be changed and that the new schedules would take effect on July 15.
This action was the came after months of new rules and decrees that changed what counts as sick time, mandated staff to work overtime, and made other changes to the work environment. This constant barrage of changes has been draining and demoralizing, and the wholesale schedule changes were the final straw.
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HERE'S TO A REVOLUTIONARY FOURTH OF JULY! Be safe, be kind, and have fun!
Carry the ‘Civil Rights for All’ Banner in the Fourth of July Parade
Wednesday, July 4th, 2018 at Brattleboro Union Hugh School (131 Fairground Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 9am. RSVP:[email protected] or call 802 464 3154.
Meet us at Brattleboro Union Hugh School in the Student Parking Lot farthest from the school. We will assemble the banner and our parade signs and learn our parade songs for the peaceful revolution. Democracy is peaceful revolution.
Can we make carrying the ‘Civil Rights for All’ banner in the 4th of July Parade stand up to Trump’s 4th of July military parade down Pennsylvania Ave? Yes we can if we all turn out. Let's do our best. Join us.
Civil rights is the answer to the tyranny of bullies. "Get up! Stand up!" and march for our civil rights. You are invited.
Forty of us marched with the banner in the 2017 parade. We sang songs and carried signs praising democracy. For me it was a joyous experience, singing about something I truly love & cherish right on Main Street. You don't get to do that very often. As it says on one of the signs we carry: "Democracy needs you". Marching in the parade is a powerful way to show that we want to fix our democracy. Plus it feels good. Let's stand up together, in public, to the bullies who are taking over the world. We have the advantage of numbers. Let's show it off.
Please read the Parade Rules if you plan to march in the parade (Editor's note: Due to technical issues the Parade Rules were unable to be imbedded in this email. Please contact [email protected] for a copy of the Parade Rules if you wish to participate. Thank you.).
All who attend this event agree to be nonviolent in word and in deed. We'll see you on the 4th!
WE CELEBRATE DEMOCRACY / CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL, positive nonviolent public action for democracy and equal civil rights for all people. To Donate: "WCD/CRFA", PO Box 6231, Brattleboro, VT, 05302.
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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, July 6th, 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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Share the Harvest
sponsored by Edible Brattleboro
Sunday, July 8th, 2018 at the Turning Point Garden (the corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 11am-1pm. Please bring your own bags.
Edible Brattleboro will launch its Share the Harvest stand on Sunday, July 8th from 11am-1pm in our garden at Turning Point, on the corner of Elm and Frost Street (diagonally across from New England Youth Theatre). Please bring your own bags. All produce is free thanks to the generosity of local gardeners and farmers. We welcome donations from your garden.
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Candidate for Governor Meet and Greet
hosted by The Putney Huddle
Sunday, June 8th, 2018 at the Putney Public Library ( 55 Main St, Putney, VT 05346). 1:30pm-3:30pm. Like to show up early? Join us for the early bird Love Brigade postcard action at 3:15pm.
The Putney Huddle invites you to meet with candidates for Vermont governor, Christine Hallquist and Brenda Siegel. Both candidates will speak and take questions. We will also hear from VT State Senator candidate Wayne Vernon-Estey and Brattleboro Indivisible organizer Julia Ronconi. Join us!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Brattleboro Democracy Forum: "Blame Trump"?
Wednesday, July 11th, 2018 at the River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm.
Join us for the presentation and discussion with:
-Nick Biddle, PhD: Nick is a retired professor of history and co-owner of Artrageus1 in Brattleboro.
-Tim Kipp: Tim taught US history, political science, and law for 39 years. He has been a political activist since the 1960s.
WE CELEBRATE DEMOCRACY/CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL. Positive nonviolent public action for democracy and equal civil rights for all people.
To Donate: WCD/CRFA, POB 6231, Brattleboro VT 05302.
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Green Mountain Gala
hosted by Defend Our Future and the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
Saturday, July 14th, 2018 at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (10 Vernon Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 7pm-10pm.
For tickets: www.membership.onlineaction.org
Join Defend Our Future and special guest speakers for a night of community celebration and fun at our first ever Southern Vermont Fundraising Gala!
With a ticket, gala-goers can look forward to a night of live music, catered treats, and a photo booth! There will be a cash bar with beer and wine from Windham Wines available.
This fundraiser will be the first of its kind for Defend Our Future, bringing together local environmentalists and the Vermont community of all stripes to support the next generation of climate leadership.
All proceeds from the event will be used to expand and deepen the campus organizing work that Defend students and staff are able to do in their communities. Through hosting educational events, meeting with elected leaders, and organizing voter registration and education drives, our teams are helping to develop environmental activists across the country and you can help!
Tickets come in three levels: silver, gold and platinum. In addition to admission, gold and platinum sponsors will receive a special gift. Tickets can be purchased on the Defend Our Future website and above.
All gifts to Defend Our Future are tax-deductible.
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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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Youth 4 Change
Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 5:30pm-8pm.
Upcoming: Aug 6th, Aug 20th
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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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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Thank you, friends, for coming out in droves this weekend. Your solidarity with those in jeopardy is truly inspiring. Prepare yourself for a Summer of creative direct action + rallying and don't forget to check out the WeCAN Weekly Email Update every week for events near you.
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