Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

Happy Sunday, WeCAN family. We have a lot going on this week so let's dive right in:


HAPPENING TODAY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12th, 2017

Looking at the 2nd Amendment: Politics of Disarmament
Sunday, November 12th, 2017 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church (16 Bradley Ave, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-10am. 
This Forum will be led by Meg Mott, Professor of Politics, Marlboro College. The November 12 Forum on the Second Amendment is the first of two related forums; the November 19 Forum on gun regulation will be led by Ann Braden, founder of GunSense Vermont. Important enough to be given almost top billing, the right to bear arms has always played a central role in the American system of justice. Without a robust militia in the states, argued the Framers, the Federal Government could easily lean towards tyranny. While the current Supreme Court has not worried so loudly about tyranny, it has started to read this constitutional right as a fundamental liberty of individuals. What does it mean when a bulwark against tyranny becomes an individual right?


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HAPPENING THIS WEEK MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13th, 2017-SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19th, 2017

Fossil Free Windham County Launch Party
Wednesday, November 15th, 2017 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 6pm-8pm. The Root is fragrance and nut free. 
In conjunction with 350.org, join 350 Brattleboro for a Fossil Free campaign launch party. Working together, we will end the use of fossil fuels and transition our world to 100% renewable energy for all. Find out what you can do in your town to begin the Fossil Free future we need and connect with other activists equally passionate about this work. Pizza and snacks provided. Contact: [email protected] for more information.

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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, November 17th, 2017 (and every Friday) in front of TD Bank Brattleboro (215 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 12pm-1pm. 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!
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, November 17th, 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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Permaculture in the Perennial Garden
sponsored by the Living Earth Action Group
Friday, November 17th, 2017 at the Westminster West Congregational Church (44 Church Street, Putney, VT 05346). 5pm. Admission is free. All are welcome. For more information please contact Caitlin Adair of Living Earth Action Group at [email protected]  or call her at  802-387-5779.Join us for a talk with landscape designer Erica Bowman. Permaculture is mostly about growing food in ways that listen to the land, improve the soil, growing certain plants in a mutually beneficial grouping. Erica will enlighten us as to how to use these earth-friendly gardening techniques in our flower gardens, where a sense of beauty is of utmost importance.  Designer Cyndy Fine of Genius Loci will chime in on the topic. 

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Education in Times of Emergency: A Talk by Paul Frisoli of the International Rescue Committee
Friday, November 17th, 2017 at the SIT Campus (1 Kipling Road, Brattleboro, Vt, 05301) in the El Cafe. 7pm. For questions or to request accommodations for events on the SIT campus, please contact Kate Casa at 802-258-3527.
The public is invited to attend a free talk by Paul Frisoli, senior technical advisor for education with the International Rescue Committee Education Technical Unit. Paul will present “Supporting Recovery for Tomorrow and the Future: Learning from the IRC’s Healing Classrooms Program in Conflict Affected Contexts.”
Paul leads the IRC’s education programs in the Middle East (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria) and provides technical support to the IRC’s U.S. programs offices. He leads IRC’s Healing Classrooms initiative, which focuses on creating positive, nurturing learning environments and building explicit social-emotional learning skills for children affected by conflict and crisis. He is also the education technology specialist at the IRC, specializing in the use of ICT in emergency settings.

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Winter Farmers’ Market
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, November 18th, 2017(and every Saturday through March) at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm. 
No pets allowed.  Area musicians will perform from 11am-1pm. Metered parking available within walking distance. Restrooms and cafe seating available on site. Family friendly.
We are beginning our 12th Season! Join us every Saturday for vegetables, fruits and meat from local farms, a variety of baked goods, locally and regionally produced artisan crafts, and freshly prepared food in the beautiful River Garden building on Main Street in downtown Brattleboro.
EBT customers can turn $10 into $20 with CropCash. For information please contact Market Manager Sherry Maher at 802.869.2141 or email her at farmersmarket@postoilsolutions.


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Forum: Gun Regulation
Sunday, November 19th, 2017 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church (16 Bradley Ave, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 9am-10am. 
In the wake of recent massacres in Las Vegas and Texas, many of us are asking what can be done. WeCAN's very own Ann Braden, founder of GunSense Vermont, will talk about gun regulation, the successful campaign in 2015 to regulate at the state level, and how we move forward.

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Love Brigade Write-In AND the Brattleboro Women's Chorus Concert Centered on the Theme of LOVE
Sunday, November 19th, 2017 at 118 Elliot (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-3:30pm. The Brattleboro Women's Chorus Concert begins at 4:00pm.
Join the Local Love Brigade! Come by 118 Elliot St and make postcards to send out in an avalanche of love to support victims of hate. There will be plenty of materials provided, and no artistic experience is required. All are welcome. Together we can let those who are suffering know that they are not alone and that we're standing with them.
Afterwards, join other others to head to the First Baptist Church (190 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301) for a 4pm performance of the Brattleboro Women's Chorus centered on the theme of love. Tickets are $12 regular adult, $20 generous donation. $10 student and senior tickets will be available at BrownPaperTickets.com (starting in November) or at the door. For information email us or call 802-254-8994.It will be a powerful afternoon! https://www.facebook.com/events/1263035343842642/.


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The Putney Huddle and Women Marching Forward Joint Meeting
Sunday, November 19th, 2017 at the Putney Public Library (55 Main Street, Putney, VT, 05346). 1:30pm-3:30pm. All are welcome. Click HERE to RSVP through the Facebook listing.
The Putney Huddle will join forces with Women Marching Forward to hear from...
-Windham County Delegate to the Vermont Dems and Putney Delegate, Sarah Levine who will share notes from the state committee meeting.
-Laura Chapman, who will present some takeaways from her time at the Women's March Convention. 
-Speaker of the Vermont House, Mitzi Johnson who will also join us for discussion.


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UPCOMING EVENTS

Climate Change Café presents
a project of Post Oil Solutions
The Effects of Global Warming on Mental Health: Creating Resilience Before, During and After Extreme Weather Events
Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 at the Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Main Room. 5:45pm. FREE. Light Refreshments Available.
How does global warming effect our mental health? How do we respond to these effects?
This workshop will give an overview of some of the national, state, and local initiatives addressing the negative psychological impacts of global warming. It will also explore practical skills to build resilience to enhance the capacity of individuals and groups to cope with the inevitable changes affecting all levels of society. The Climate Café is pleased to host Rebecca MacKenzie, a clinical social worker, and member of the NH Disaster Behavioral Health Response Team, who will lead the workshop. For more information please email [email protected].


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Rights and Democracy's Annual Membership Assembly and Celebration: From Protest to Power: Organizing in 2018 And Beyond
Sunday, December 10th, 2017 at Lebanon High School (195 Hanover St., Lebanon, NH). 1pm-6pm. 
Join members of Rights & Democracy from across Vermont and New Hampshire for our annual membership assembly and celebration. We will celebrating RAD members for key victories in our states and DC this year and look to the movement organizing that lay ahead for us in 2018 and beyond, including our multi-issue People’s Platform for each state. If you are not a member of Rights & Democracy, but are interested in learning more about becoming  one or if you have child care or accessibility or interpretation needs, contact us at [email protected].


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Non Violent Direct Action Training Opportunity: Call for NVDA Training Participants
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions and 99th Monkee Affinity Group
Saturday, February 10th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room on the 2nd Floor. 9:30am-5pm.
TRAINERS: Cate Woolner & Carol Lewis
The workshop is free. Bagels, muffins, scones, croissants, fruit, coffee & tea will be available throughout the day. For lunch, bring your own, eat in the Co-op Café, or elsewhere in town.
Though not required, a donation of $5-$20 would be most appreciated as our way of thanking our volunteer trainers.
There are only 25 places and some have already been taken; it is advisable to register early.
For information and to register contact Tim 802.869.2141 or email him at [email protected]. 
Participating in this training does not mean you plan to risk arrest while involved in a non-violent direct action. It is important for all of us in the environmental, social justice, racial & gender equality, peace, and democracy movements to be well-versed in non-violence. In addition to risking arrest, we need to consider all the roles necessary to make our efforts successful, including being a support person, a legal, police or media liaison.
Workshop Goals Include:
•To understand and become inspired by the spirit and history of non-violent direct action
•To prepare for participation in non-violent action that may be necessary as time goes on
•To deepen connections and build stronger community among activists in the greater Brattleboro area
•To consider joining an existing affinity group, or creating a new one.
The workshop is free. Bagels, muffins, scones, croissants, fruit, coffee & tea will be available throughout the day. For lunch, bring your own, eat in the Co-op Café, or elsewhere in town.
Though not required, a donation of $5-$20 would be most appreciated as our way of thanking our volunteer trainers.
There are only 25 places, and some have already been taken. So it is advisable to register early.
For information and to register contact Tim 802.869.2141 or [email protected]. 


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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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Youth4Change Regular Meeting 
The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). First Floor. 
Youth4Change (Y4C), a program of The Root Social Justice Center, builds the leadership skills of youth ages 12-21, especially those from/in historically disenfranchised communities who want to use education, art, and action to address issues of racial, class, gender, queer, immigrant and indigenous justice.

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Community Thanksgiving Volunteers Needed
Brattleboro’s 45^th annual Community Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 23rd, 2017 at St. Michael’s School. Volunteers can sign up now for shifts between Tuesday, November 21st, 2017 through Thanksgiving Day. Please go online at www.volunteersignup.org/lpfap to sign up to: make desserts, prepare vegetables, help in the kitchen, serve food or drinks, wash dishes, deliver meals, transport food, and/or help clean up.
Those who would like to request a meal delivered to their home on Thanksgiving Day should call Peter Wiles at 802-254-4687.

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SKILLED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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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Soup's On (Again)!
Please support our fun and delicious fundraising effort to support Sister District. Project and our two Virginia House of Delegates candidates: John Bell and Jennifer Foy. You can sign up to receive delicious soup monthly with pick up in Putney or Brattleboro, or if you are going to be out of area you can donate your soup to the Putney Foodshelf. Sign up, spread the word, and share with friends! Our last round raised over $3500 and our goal for the next 8 months is $10,000. If you are interested in cooking, you can volunteer by emailing us: [email protected].

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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. 

Your Friendly WeCAN Admins,
Ann and Joanna