Weekly Update 1.12.19
"We are mothers. We are caregivers. We are artists. We are activists. We are entrepreneurs, doctors, leaders of industry and technology. Our potential is unlimited.
We rise."
Alicia Keys, singer/song writer
during the Women's March on Washington, D.C. 2018
There are many new entries this week, WeCAN readers, so please take your time and scroll through this list mindfully. We look forward to seeing many of our Sisters and Brothers next weekend at one of the 2019 Women's Marches in our own state of Vermont or at the Women's March on Washington D.C. (details for multiple events are listed in the body of this email).
Here are some useful websites to help get you in the right mindset when planning on volunteering, gathering, rallying, and marching:
89 Bada*s Sign Ideas from the Women's March 2018
Know Your Rights: Demonstrations and Protests (from the ACLU)
Women's March on D.C. 2019 FAQ Sheet
#Women'sWave Montpelier 2019 FAQ Sheet
#Women'sWave Montpelier Volunteer Sign Up
Find Your Local Sister March
How to Prepare and Stay Safe While You March
...and don't forget to send pictures of your signs and activism to us at [email protected]; we will feature your submissions in an upcoming newsletter!
HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, JANUARY 12th, 2019-SUNDAY, JANUARY 20th, 2019
Coffee with Coffey
Hosted by Representative Sara Coffey
Monday, January 14th, 2019 at The Guilford Country Store (475 Coolidge Highway, Guilford, VT, 05301) from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
During the legislative session Sara will hold monthly "Coffey Hours" with constituents to share updates, answer questions and listen to ideas and concerns. Stop by for a few minutes or for the entire hour!
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Comfort Food Cooking Class
presented by Edible Brattleboro
Monday, January 14th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the Community Kitchen (please use the 7 Canal Street entrance). 6pm-8pm. , 6-8pm. Snow date will be January 21st, 2019. Free, hands-on class. Open to all. Call Shareholder Services to reserve your place at 802-257-0236.
Join Edible Brattleboro chefs for a hands-on cooking class celebrating comfort food as we prepare and enjoy several plant-based recipes perfect for a winter meal.
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Yoga & Chocolate Supports Local Planned Parenthood
hosted by Brattleboro's Reproductive Health Advocates
Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout January; Happening this Tuesday, January 15th, 2019 at 118 Elliot Gallery (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301).
Tuesdays at 5pm-6:30pm; Saturdays at 10:15am-11:45pm. No Reservations are necessary for yoga. There is a $15.00 suggested donation per class and all donations will directly support the New Brattleboro Planned Parenthood opening in mid January.
YOGA & CHOCOLATE will kick off on New Years Day and run every Tuesday and Saturday throughout January. Yoga Locally classes are held every Tuesday (5pm) and Saturday (10:15am) at 118 Elliot Street in Brattleboro. After each class in January, Yoga students will receive an artisan chocolate nugget from Tavenier Chocolate, and a chance to win a variety of gifts from GOOD BODY PRODUCTS.
In addition, on New Years Day, community members can meet at Duo's Lounge at 7pm for a special drink to support the new health clinic.
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Brattleboro Community Homelessness Awareness Day Vigil
Wednesday, January 16th, 2019 at Pliny Park (the corner of High Street and Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-6:30pm.
Please join us at Pliny Park at 5:30pm to hear from those working to support our neighbors struggling with homelessness, and to raise awareness about this significant community need. Feel free to bring a personal story to share! We will also share names of those we have lost, and honor them with a moment of silence.
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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, January 18th, 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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Winter Ride: A Critical Mass Bicycle Ride (NOTE: This event was previously rain-dated from December 2018. This event is weather-dependent.)
Friday, January 18th, 2019 on the Brattleboro Common (Park Place, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-6:30pm.
Join another fun and empowering community ride in celebration of Winter! 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: This time, 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.
5:45pm: Begin Critical Mass ride. This will be a high-visibility downtown route!
6:00pm: End ride back at the Brattleboro Common. Celebrate with hot apple cider and solidarity in community.
The Critical Mass bike ride that occurred on Saturday, September 8th, 2018 as part of the Global Rise for Climate was the largest activist ride ever in the area & a sign of the emergence of a bike mobility revolution in our region. A second critical mass ride took place on Saturday, October 20th, 2018.
Help us spread the word to help make this another successful critical mass ride!!
Image credit: Hugh D'Andrade
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An Interfaith Dialogue on Resistance
hosted by Windham World Affairs Council and Centre Congregational Church - Brattleboro, VT
Friday, January 18th, 2019 at Centre Congregational Church (193 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 7pm-9pm. Free and open to the public.
This is a special event, seeking inspiration from Martin Luther King Day. Visiting presenter The Rev. Bryan Fulwider will recreate the format of his Florida podcast "The Three Wise Guys, Friends Talking Faith" with 3 distinguished local participants.
• Rev. Fulwider will represent a Christian point of view
• Prof. Amer Latif of Marlboro College will represent a Muslim point of view, and
• Jim Levinson, formerly spiritual leader of the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, will represent a Jewish point of view.
• WWAC Board Member Minister Scott Couper of Brattleboro’s Centre Congregational Church will act as moderator and present the 3 participants with questions regarding King’s vision of resistance. They will answer through the perspectives of their different faiths.
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Third Annual Women’s March
Saturday, January 19th, 2019 at various locations throughout Vermont and in Washington, D.C. For more information please visit: www.womensmarch.com
Two years ago, we made history. On January 19th, 2019 we're flooding the streets again as a Women's Wave too powerful to ignore. #WomensWave is coming and we’re sweeping the world forward with us. Join us at one of these events or find your own here: www.womensmarch.com/.
Women’s March on Montpelier
Saturday, January 19th, 2019 at the Vermont State House (115 State Street, Montpelier, VT). 10am-12pm. For more information please visit: www.womensmarchvermont.com
Women’s March on the Pioneer Valley
Saturday, January 19th, 2019 in Northampton, MA (Gather at Sheldon Fields and march up Route 9 to City Hall. 12pm-3pm. For more information please visit www.pioneervalleywomensmarch.org. Rally followed by Activists Fair downtown.
Women’s March on Washington, DC
Saturday, January 19th, 2019 in Washing, D.C (gather on the National Mall between 12th and 3rd Streets). 10am-5pm. Rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to follow.
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Brattleboro Winter Farmers Market
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Saturday, January 19th, 2019 (and every Saturday thru March 30) in the C.F. Church Building (80 Flat Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-2pm. Accepting credit, debit, and EBT. Crop Cash turns $10 EBT into $20 every week. Lunch cafe and live music. For info email [email protected], call 802-869-2141, or visit us at www.brattleborowinterfarmersmarket.org.
New Location! Larger and more accessible. Free Parking. All local - farm produce, meats, syrup, fresh baked goods, cheeses, fruits, cider, pickles, preserves, handmade jewelry, pottery, soaps and more. Building community every week.
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3rd Annual Speak-Out Celebrating the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
sponsored by Brooks Memorial Library and Brattleboro Solidarity.
Saturday, January 19th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301). 3:30pm-5:00pm. This event is FREE and open to the public through the support of the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library and the Brattleboro Retreat and is wheelchair accessible. The program will conclude with a communal supper of soup and bread.
Actor David Mills will embark on an engaging, dramatic presentation through the journey of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as he transforms from his early uncertainties about Civil Rights into the iconic figure he became.
The program will highlight Dr. King’s, Letter from a Birmingham Jail, I Have a Dream, Promised Land, If I had Sneezed, and Early Days. Mr. Mills’ stirring presentation will take a look at both the public figure and the private man. After the performance, community members of all ages are invited to share poems, speeches, quotations, thoughts and songs in the spirit of Dr. King’s work.
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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Main Street Banner Rising
Sunday, January 20th, 2019 on Main Street in Brattleboro, VT (the banner will be raised until January 27th, 2019). For more information please email [email protected] or call 802-454-3154.
Honor Martin Luther King Jr. and all who stand up for our vanishing civil right. You are invited to see the banner raised by the Brattleboro Fire Dept.
The fire company hangs Main Street banners in Brattleboro on Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. or a little after. The Works will be open.
We believe deeply in "Civil Rights For All" so we hope you will gladly take this opportunity to go down and stand with the banner when it goes up. We hope to see you there. Bring a song to sing, words to speak, a sign to hold. The banner is homegrown, made in Vermont, and funded by small local donations. Thank you all for your support. WE CELEBRATE DEMOCRACY/CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL. To contact: ”WCD/CRFA", POBox 6231, Brattleboro VT 05302
positive nonviolent public action for democracy
and civil rights for all people
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NOTICE TO WINDHAM COUNTY RESIDENTS
Because of the government shutdown, Vermont's Department for Children and Families (DCF) will be issuing February 3SquaresVT benefits early, on January 20th. Because these benefits will be issued early, DCF needs to complete interviews and receive any required documentation from 3SquaresVT applicants and participants on or before January 15th (next Tuesday). Please see the attached flyer for more information about what folks must do to receive their February benefits.
We need your help getting the word out to Vermonters about February benefits. Please consider doing the following:
- Visit Hunger Free Vermont's Facebook page and share our post on your organization's social media.
- Visit www.hungerfreevt.org/government-shutdown for updates and more information, or contact us with any questions.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Brattleboro Food Co-op Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Social Activism Event
Monday, January 21st, 2019 at the Brattleboro Food Co-op (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 10am-6pm. Tablers are welcome for all or part of the time. Please contact Ruth, the Shareholder Services Coordinator on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays* at the Brattleboro Food Co-op at 802-257-0236 x821 or at [email protected].
We are beginning to book our third annual MLK Day tabling event at the Co-op on Monday, January 21st, and your organization may have attended last year.
Would you/your organization be interested in coming in to table, and if so during what hours?
It’s a wonderful way to get the word out about what you do to a segment of the Brattleboro community that is motivated to help out, and perhaps get some co-op shareholder volunteers if that’s something that would be useful. (As you may know, co-op shareholders are able to use community service at organizations such as yours as their co-op work hours (which gets them an 8% discount) for up to 8hrs/4 months per year.)
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Climate Café : From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers’ Warning
a project of Post Oil Solutions
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6pm-8pm. Free, light refreshments available. For more information please email [email protected].
One of the best films of 1992 is a warning by a South American Indian tribe that people must give up their self-destructive ways and honor the planet before it is too late.
After four centuries of seclusion, the Kogi, descendants of a pre-Colombian civilization, asked BBC filmmaker Alan Ereira to visit their homeland in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northern Colombia. From the Heart of the World: The Elder Brothers’ Warning delivers their prophetic message to the world.
Seeing themselves as guardians of life on earth, the Kogi have a spiritual understanding of the bond between humankind and the natural world. This bond, they insist, must be honored.
The Elder Brothers, as they call themselves, are convinced that we, the Younger Brothers, have wounded the earth through industrial exploitation, mining, and clearing of forests. They have seen signs of an ecological crisis in changing bird migrations and the lack of snow in the highest regions of the Sierra Nevada. The Kogis warn that unless we change our ways, the world will end: “If we act well, the world can go on.”
There have been many articulate calls for citizens of this planet to live in harmony with the natural world. But this video stands out as an especially cogent and moving plea for ecological wisdom.
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Re-learning the Land: A Story of Red Crow College
part of the Next Stage [FRAMED] film series
Thursday, January 24th, 2019 at Next State Arts (15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT). 7pm. Tickets are $12 or by donation. For more information please call 802-387-0102
Join SIT Sustainable Development faculty Udi Mandel Butler and Kelly Teamey, with Rich Holschuh, a resident of Wantastegok (Brattleboro) with Mi’kmaq, Wendat, and European heritage, as they present their film "Re-learning the Land: A Story of Red Crow College." The film tells the story of the Blackfoot First Nations community in southern Alberta, Canada, and how they were retaking control of their education system within Red Crow Community College. It traces the decolonization of their learning and the development of an innovative program, Kainai Studies, within Red Crow College, the same site as a former Residential School.
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Groundworks Collaborative Huge Benefit Show
Saturday, January 26th, 2019 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6pm-9pm. There will be a suggested donation of $5-$10 but if you can't swing that, other provisions would be super helpful as well (i.e. food, blankets, winter clothing, toiletries, etc.). For more information please visit https://www.facebook.com/GroundworksCollaborative/ and https://groundworksvt.org/
Come one, come all! This is a benefit show for the Groundworks Collaborative (Brattleboro's homeless shelters). The shelters can often become crowded during these winter months and it would mean so much to so many people if we could contribute enough to make this Winter a little more comfortable for those in need.
The Rules!:
1. This is a sober show.
2. Be respectful of the people and the space; cast aside any presumptions, prejudice, and fear before entering.
The Bands!:
Space Camp:
Their blastbeats, disarrayed and frantic vocals, and scramz keyboard will blast you into the dimension in which everyone is moshing like crazy
https://spacecampct.bandcamp.com/album/force-femmed
https://www.facebook.com/SpaceCampCT/
Carinae:
Beautiful psychedelic songs from Western Mass
https://carinaeband.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/thecarinae/?ref=br_rs
Yellowfront:
Local sparkling heart-rock with earnest and real content
https://yellowfront.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/yellowfrontband/
I Love You!:
Heavy and intricate queer-punk/post punk Brattleboro heroes
https://iloveyoubandvt.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/iloveyouband/
Perennial:
Spirited and fast, their crunchy songs will knock u outta your socks
https://www.facebook.com/perennialCT/
https://perennialtheband.bandcamp.com/?fbclid=IwAR1eMn2qlAb01AHx6ZQBPi6ToFu0RryLB3_YvfvGQ87w-F4Nwe2hpjp5I9E
Lahnah:
Avant-punk from Brattleboro with birds, cpu bells, guitars, lyrics, and cello
https://father-spatter.bandcamp.com/album/walking-with-asa
https://www.facebook.com/lahlahnahnah/
MORE BANDS TBA
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Brattleboro Mother Up! Monthly Meet-Up
hosted by 350 Vermont and KidsPLAYce
Monday, January 28th, 2019 at KidsPLAYce (20 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5:30pm-7:30pm. A vegetarian meal and childcare for ages 10 and under will be provided. RSVP helpful, but not required. Contact Abby Mnookin for more info at [email protected].
Join us in building solidarity among parents by taking action to protect the health and safety of our collective future. Mother Up!: Families Rise Up for Climate Action is a project of 350VT bringing together families to talk about the tough realities of climate change and to participate in the transition to a healthier and safer world. What Joanna Macy calls the “Great Turning,” or the third revolution, is this unprecedented time where we are called to stop the destruction of our world, to build new life-sustaining practices and ways of being, and to shift our collective consciousness. We especially wish to engage young parents in this vital discussion of how we can make positive changes to protect our planet for our children's future.
Join us on Facebook ~ www.facebook.com/groups/1575656819412318
And thank you to KidsPLAYce for continuing to give us a generous discount and hosting our monthly meet-ups!
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How are Racial Justice and Climate Justice Connected? Workshop
hosted by 350 Vermont and 350 Brattleboro
Sunday, February 3rd, 2019 at The Root Social Justice Center (The Whetstone Studio for the Arts, 28 Williams Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 1pm-5pm. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebxHWWRNvJ1HSCFbwVYbiCM9ds1u5YchsHpUxT7Tvw_0_pUA/viewform. Admission is by sliding scale, $0 to $40. Please bring cash or check to the workshop, or mail a check made out to "350Vermont" 179 S. Winooski Ave, Suite 201, Burlington, VT 05401 with "RJ CJ Brattleboro" in the memo note. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Questions? Contact [email protected]
What does racial justice have to do with climate justice? What do we mean by intersectionality? This interactive workshop explores the foundations of these justice movements and how and why they are inextricably bound. Participants will have the opportunity to consider and reflect on their own experiences, listen to the experiences of others, and learn new language and concepts to help support a deepening investigation of climate and racial justice. This is 350Vermont's introductory workshop that offers a series of starting points and questions, rather than a conclusive or summative approach to this content. It will be facilitated by Phoebe Gooding and Abigail Mnookin.
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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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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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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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Have a great week, readers, and we look forward to seeing you at a meeting, event, or protest soon!
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