Weekly Update 12-11-17
WeCAN Family: your phone calls are urgently needed today and tomorrow.
There will be a vote this Tuesday, December 12th, 2017, on police policy in Vermont. There are three areas within the new policies that need to be improved upon before Tuesday in order to prevent racial profiling and increased deportations in our state and at our border with Canada. These areas include:
-Restoring a provision restricting profiling on the pretext of suspicion of recent border crossings.
-Restoring protections for victims and witnesses of crimes, preventing police from turning them over to immigration authorities.
-Restoring restrictions on granting immigration authorities access to people in the custody local Agencies.
Migrant Justice, ACLU-VT, and Justice for All have been working tirelessly for months with the Attorney General and the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council to make sure our Fair and Impartial Policing Policy is not weakened. Calls are needed to be made to the Vermont Attorney General, his appointee for the vote on Tuesday, and the Chair of the committee before the meeting at 9am on Tuesday morning.
Please make these calls Sunday and Monday! Thank you.
1) Call TJ Donovan, Vermont Attorney General, and his representative on the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, David Scherr.
To reach TJ Donovan: Call TJ’s Exec Assistant, Natalie Silver, at 802.828.3173 and email at her at [email protected]. Call David Scherr at 802.828.3189 and email him at [email protected].
Please use this script when contacting the Attorney General:
“As our Attorney General your support in protecting Vermonters from racial profiling is important. We appreciate the efforts to create S79 in the Spring and now need more. We need clear police policy that will not increase racial profiling in VT and coordination between local and state police with federal immigration agents. We ask for you to work as our representative on the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council to implement the language proposed by Migrant Justice, ACLU-VT and Justice for All before the vote on Tuesday.
2) Call Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council Chair, Chief Chris Brickell at 802.247.0222 or email him at [email protected].
Please use this script when contacting the Council Chair:
“We ask you to improve the language in the draft FIPP that you will vote on this coming Tuesday to include language proposed by Migrant Justice, ACLU-VT and Justice for All. It’s important for us that all legal measures be taken to prevent discrimination against people based on race, national origin, and perceived immigration status near the border, protect victims and witnesses of crime from being referred to federal immigration authorities, and to limit ICE access to local police stations. Please help us protect our friends and neighbors from needless targeting and deportation.”
For more information on The Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council Meeting on December 12th please see the listing below in this email or click here to see the official calendar listing. Thank you.
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HAPPENING TODAY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10th, 2017
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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HAPPENING THIS WEEK MONDAY, DECEMBER 11th, 2017-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17th, 2017
Joint Meeting: The Progressive Party Town and Country Committees
Monday, December 11th, 2017 at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center (1535 Middle Road, Dummerston, VT). 6:30pm.
Tired of most Democrats who effectively accomplish nothing and provide no hope at all? The Progressive Party Town and County Committees will meet jointly on Monday, December 11th, 6:30 pm, at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center (1535 Middle Rd). Good conversation about state politics, upcoming legislation and related topics. Public welcome. Read the Statement of Philosophy and Platform here: http://progressiveparty.org. Looking forward to seeing you there!
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Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council Meeting (please see opening paragraph for more information)
Tuesday, December 12th, 2017 at the VT Fire Academy (93 Davison Drive, Pittsford, VT 05763). 9am. This is an ALL DAY MEETING.
We are asking those who can make it to join us in attending the meeting of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council where they plan to finalize the new version of the FIPP.
Our organizing committee will be talking today and Monday (Sunday, 12/10 and Monday, 12/11) to make plans for our messaging and what we’d like our presence to be like there. We are offering two times when individuals or groups can get on the phone via conference call so that we can orient you to how the meeting is likely to run, what we’d like people to be prepared to do or say, and answer any questions you have. I will also send all the relevant information by email in case people can’t make the calls.
Call-in to 515-604-9064, access code: 218683
Sunday, 12/10, 1:00-2:00 pm, or
Monday, 12/11, 10:00-11:00 am
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Vigil to Remember all Gun Violence Victims and Survivors
hosted by GunSenseVT
Tuesday, December 12th, 2017 at Pliny Park, Corner of Main St. and High St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. 5:30pm
This December 14th marks the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Since that horrible day, an additional 500,000 people in the United States have been killed or injured by gun violence, including hundreds here in Vermont. Please gather with us at one of the many vigils that is happening across the state this December to remember ALL victims and survivors of gun violence, and to advocate for an end to this uniquely American tragedy. We must shed a light on true toll that this epidemic is exacting, each and every day.
For more information about the vigil, please email [email protected]. We hope that you will stand in solidarity, in remembrance, and in commitment to #EndGunViolence.
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Carbon Pricing Presentation
hosted by Energy Independent Vermont, 350Brattleboro, and Mother Up! Brattleboro
Tuesday, December 12th, 2017 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro). First Floor. 5:30pm-6:30pm. For more information, please contact: [email protected].
Join us to learn more about the Essex Plan—a recent carbon pricing proposal that would electrify Vermont with the cleanest and cheapest electricity in the region—and build your toolkit to effectively advocate for bold climate action.
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Cooperative Petitioning Brainstorming Session
Wednesday, December 13th, 2017 at 16 Washington Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301. 6pm-7pm. Call 802 257 4995 or email [email protected] for more information or ride sharing options.
Groups which use the petition process would benefit greatly if we formed a petition cooperative. We would support each others' causes and sign each others' petitions. We can actually work together, share petitions and get to know each other in action. Hmm! Sounds like the rudiments of a political party. Come and we'll talk about it over tea and cookies.
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Indivisible Brattleboro 2018 Agenda Meeting
Wednesday, December 13th, 2017 at the Brattleboro Food Coop (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Meeting Room. 6pm. Please use the entrance at 7 Canal Street to access the Community Room.
This is a meeting to reboot, re-energize and establish our 2018 agenda. All are welcome. For more information, find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1433897939967967/?ref=bookmarks or follow us on twitter @bratindivisible.
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Citizen Emergency Preparedness Workshop
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions & Vermont Emergency Management
Thursday, December 14th, 2017 at St. Michael Episcopal Church (16 Bradley Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301) in the Downstairs Meeting Room. 6pm-8pm. Handicapped accessible. Light refreshments will be available. For further information, contact Tim at 802.869.2141 or email him at [email protected].
Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) will present a workshop on how citizens and communities can best prepare themselves for the kinds of exceptional weather events we are increasingly experiencing (as exemplified by the horrific storms a few weeks ago that were experienced by people in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico). where emergency services are rendered unavailable, and people are basically on their own to take care of themselves and their neighbors.
One of the important lessons from these earlier storms is how much better off citizens would have been if they had made preparations for such an event well before any had occurred, and not wait until storms like Harvey, Irma, and Maria struck, and quickly overwhelmed them.
The workshop will offer very practical steps we can all take as individuals, families and communities in making a plan that can then be acted upon promptly in a time of emergency, VEM’ will also provide all attendees with a booklet on emergency preparedness.
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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, December 15th, 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, December 15th, 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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Winter Farmers’ Market
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, December 16th, 2017 (and every Saturday through March) at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm.
Area musicians will perform from 11am-1pm. No pets allowed. 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
INFO: contact Market Manager, Sherry Maher, 802.869.2141, [email protected]
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Local Love Brigade Community Gathering in Marlboro
Sunday, December 17th, 2017 at the Marlboro Meeting House Church (524 South Road, Marlboro, VT 05344). Downstairs from 1pm - 3pm.
Join the Marlboro Love Brigade! Send cards of love to victims of hate. Materials and addresses provided. Potluck refreshments. Bring a musical instrument! Hosted by Ann Braden of the Vermont Love Brigade. KIDS OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! RSVP: [email protected]
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UPCOMING EVENTS
A Meditative Vigil of Lovingkindness
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Monday, December 18th, 2017 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), part of the Brown Bag Event. 12pm-1pm.
With a banner that reads “May All Beings Be Free Of Pain And Suffering, May All Beings Know Peace And Happiness. Please Join Us” Post Oil Solutions is continuing to host silent vigils of lovingkindness for the peaceful, socially just society we are all seeking.
At a time when basic values are being assaulted and ignored, it is essential that we both express and simply be our inherent heart values. Though silent, the Vigil of Lovingkindness is intended to give voice to these values—selfless love, personal integrity, service to others, moral courage, and a basic commitment to the sacredness of life--that are the foundation of a wholesome society, and to speak up for the compassionate alternative that they represent. Please join us. All are welcome to join for a few minutes or for the entire hour. People may stand, sit or kneel, as they see fit. There are chairs, but please bring a cushion, mat, or whatever you are comfortable with.
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Mother Up! Monthly Meet-Up
Monday December 18th, 2017 at KidsPLAYce (20 Elliot St., Brattleboro).
5:30pm -7:30pm. A simple 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!: Parents Exchange for Change 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. (Please note this month we're meeting on the 3rd Monday instead of the 4th.) With winter holidays upon us, we'll step back from our legislative focus to explore the connection between climate change and consumption, including how we might shift the paradigm of buying and accumulating more stuff. Also, this is on the 7th night of Chanukah, so we'll include a celebration of light.
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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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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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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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