Weekly Update 5.20.19
"In 1973, the Roe v. Wade decision concluded that women have a constitutionally protected right to safe and legal abortions. That landmark decision wasn't the beginning of women having abortions; it was the end of women dying from abortions."
Jan Schakowsky
(D-U.S. Representative for Illinois's 9th congressional district, serving since 1999)
Happy Sunday, WeCANners! There's a few new items this week so grab yourself a beverage, pull up a chair, and take a look at what's going on in our community.
HAPPENING TODAY, SUNDAY, MAY 19th, 2019
Action: Long-Term Housing for All
hosted by Brattleboro Solidarity
Sunday, May 19th, 2019 at The Stone Church (210 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 1pm-4pm.
Stand with us in solidarity with those struggling to find homes amidst the crisis of unemployment, homelessness, and poverty.
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HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, MAY 20th, 2019-SUNDAY, MAY 26th, 2019
Mother Up! Monthly Meet-Up
Monday May 20th, 2019 at KidsPLAYce (20 Elliot St., 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].
Mother Up!: Families Rise Up for Climate Action 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. Maria and Ward Ogden will join us to talk about the growing Extinction Rebellion movement, including local opportunities for action with Extinction Rebellion Southern Vermont.
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Be Here, Now: Civil Rights for All Banner Raising at the Brattleboro Food Coop
sponsored by We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights for All
hosted by the Brattleboro Food Coop
Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 at the Brattleboro Food Coop (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 5pm-6pm. All who attend agree to behave nonviolently in word and deed. For info and to help: [email protected] or call 802-.257.0236.
Stand with the banner for a David Shaw Postcard Photo Shoot! Join We Celebrate Democracy/Civil Rights for All and Southern Vermont Samba as we raise the banner under the Coop sign. We need help to set this up so please volunteer. We will gather under the banner. We will act-out/ham-up-dance our support for civil rights for all people as we pose for photographer David Shaw’s camera. Southern Vermont Samba will join us on the 21st. This is an opportunity for us to be photographed for posterity standing with the banner.
We will make a postcard from the photograph and the postcard will be available at the Brattleboro Food Coop and to participants who signed up for it. We also plan to make it a wall calendar for 2020 which will include the postcard photo. We also hope to get our picture in the Reformer and Commons. We are dedicated to positive nonviolent public action for democracy and civil rights for all people. Join us!
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#StopAbortionBans Demonstration
organized by Men Against Patriarchy and The Women’s Action Team
Tuesday, May 21st, 2019 at Pliny Park (Corner of Main Street and High Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm. For more information please check out https://www.stopabortionbans.org/.
Across the country, we are seeing a new wave of extreme bans on abortion, stripping away reproductive freedom and representing an all-out assault on abortion access. This is Trump’s anti-choice movement… and it’s terrifying, particularly for women of color and low-income women who are most affected by these bans.
#StopTheBans Actions
This Tuesday, May 21st at noon local time at statehouses, town squares, and courthouses across the nation--with other events throughout the week--we will show up to speak out and fight back against this unconstitutional attempt to gut Roe and punish women.
Plan an action or RSVP using the website above to one near you now. We'll send you more information on tips to make the most of your event.
We will show up to speak out and fight back against this unconstitutional attempt to gut Roe and punish women. Politicians shouldn't be making decisions best left to women, their families, and their doctors. Together we say: Stop the bans.
The local men's group MAP - Men Against Patriarchy - and The Women's Action Team are organizing a Stop Abortion Bans demo in Brattleboro this Tuesday. All are welcome.
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Hands-on Raised Bed Building Workshop
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019 at Great River Terrace (1336 Putney Road, just North of Panda North, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-3pm.
Join Edible Brattleboro at Great River Terrace, affordable apartments for homeless and very low income Vermonters, where volunteers and residents will break ground to create two raised vegetable beds for the residents in this community. Learn how to create woodchuck-proof beds and use a sheet mulching (aka lasagna) technique to build healthy soil.
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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, May 24th, 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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UPCOMING EVENTS
Perspectives on China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm.
Brian Hammer, SIT Dean for Asia and the Pacific, will explore China’s role in the world with a special focus on the new Belt and Road Initiative (aka the New Silk Road) and the window it provides not only to China’s growing influence, but also anxiety about its power in the world. We’ll also look at US foreign policy, popular culture, and the media.
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Union Supported Picket of Former Gov. of Wisconsin Scott Walker in Burlington, VT
Thursday, May 30th 2019. We will meet in Burlington, VT at Battery Park (Battery Park Extension, Burlington, VT 05401) at 5pm and, at 5:30pm, March South to the Hilton Hotel (60 Battery St, Burlington, VT 05401) where Scott Walker will be speaking at a VT Republican Party fundraiser. Protest begins at 5pm. If your Union or community organization would like to endorse this event, or if you have any questions, contact AFSCME Union Rep David Van Deusen at: [email protected].
Scott Walker, the disgraced former Governor of Wisconsin, is rabidly anti-Union. Walker, side by side with our own Governor Phil Scott, will be speaking at a VT Republican Party fundraiser in Burlington, at the Hilton Hotel on Battery Street; labor and other concerned community organizations will be picketing this event.
• While it has not yet been confirmed, we hope and expect a pro-Labor marching band to lead the march;
• We shall picket the Scott Walker event on the sidewalk directly in front of the hotel;
• We shall also rally in the small strip of park directly in front of the hotel and across Battery Street from the sidewalk;
• The tone of the picket will reflect both our anger at the Vermont Republican Party for inviting Scott Walker’s extremist-anti-labor ideology into our state, but will also be a celebration of our power as Union members connected to our communities;
LET’S SEND SCOTT WALKER AND HIS UNION BUSTING WAYS PACKING! CALLING ALL TO THE PICKET LINES!
The Union/Anti-Scott Walker Picket has thus far been endorsed by the following Unions and community organizations: Picket Endorsed By: Vermont State Labor Council AFL-CIO, Vermont Building Trades Council AFL-CIO, Green Mountain Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, AFSCME Local 490 (Bennington County), AFSCME Local 1201 (Rutland & Addison Counties), AFSCME Local 1343 (Chittenden & Franklin Counties), AFSCME Local 1369 (Washington County), AFSCME Local 1674 (Howard Center), AFSCME Local 2413 (Northeast Kingdom), AFSCME Local 3797 (Windsor County), AFSCME Local 3977 (Lamoille County Mental Health), AFSCME Local 4802 (VT Home Healthcare), IBEW Local 300, Laborers' International Union of North America (VT), USW Local 4, AFT-Vermont, United Academics at UVM, Vermont State Employees’ Association, VSEA Chittenden County Chapter, Central Vermont Chapter of the VSEA, Vermont Workers Center, Vermont Labor United, Vermont Woman’s March, Vermonters For A New Economy, Green Mountain John Brown Gun Club, Vermont Progressive Party, Burlington Progressive Party, Vermont House of Representatives Progressive Party Caucus, Vermont Liberty Union Party, Vermont Democratic Party.
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Pride Family Picnic
hosted by Green Mountain Crossroads
Sunday, June 2nd, 2019 at Living Memorial Park (61 Guilford Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) at the Kiwani’s Pavilion at the top of the hill. 11am-2pm.
The much anticipated PRIDE FAMILY PICNIC hosted by Green Mountain Crossroads is back! One of the only events each year in southern Vermont where LGBTQ parents and kids (of all ages!) come together and get to celebrate the community, visibility, knowledge, and power of LGBTQIA+ people with their families. Bring a dish to share! GMC will provide watermelon, drinks (kid-friendly), hot dogs (meat, turkey, and tofu), buns, and condiments. Find us all the way at the top of Living Memorial Park!
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Youth Demand Action on Climate Change!
sponsored by WWAC (Windham World Affairs Council)
Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 at 118 Elliot Gallery (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) from 6pm-8pm. Free. Doors open at 5:30pm. Refreshments will be available.
On June 5, United Nations World Environment Day, come to 118 Elliot and hear student activists from our region, ages 13 to 20, who will share their hopes, actions, and frustrations, get audience feedback and take questions. The event will be facilitated by Dr.Julie Snorek, Environmental Studies, Dartmouth College, and Lissa Weinmann, WWAC.
Inspired by Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish girl who sat every Friday on the steps of the Swedish parliament to protest her government’s inaction on climate change, youth movements have been mushrooming around the world, including in our area.
There will be a training session for the participants on speaking skills and honing one’s message, which Julie Snorek will lead on Sat., June 1st. from 2:00 – 5:00 PM. To participate, contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
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Medicare For All March
Saturday, June 8th, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church (19 Seminary Street, Barre, VT), in the parking lot. Meet at 12pm. Carpools from Windham County: contact [email protected]. Register for the march here.
For more information or to get into a Windham County carpool contact [email protected] or (802) 257-4436. For questions about accommodations call (802) 825-8399 by Friday, May 31.
On Saturday, June 8th the Vermont Workers’ Center is holding for a family-friendly march to protect and expand Medicaid and to stand up for healthcare for all. Meet at noon in the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church, 19 Seminary St., Barre.
One in three people in Vermont are on some form of Medicaid (Green Mountain Care) or use a Medicaid-funded service, including half of Vermont's children. Many of us find it hard to get full-time work, and the jobs that exist pay poverty wages with little or no benefits. For many of us, Medicaid has been a lifeline in uncertain times. As healthcare costs rise, the federal government is moving to defund and dismantle Medicaid by allowing states to impose work requirements and other obstacles to enrollment. We need to ensure that that doesn’t happen in Vermont by making our voices heard now!
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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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COMMUNITY MESSAGES
A Message from Lean Left, VT
Lean Left VT provides opportunities and training for Vermont volunteers to support the election of Democrats and Progressives in other states at state level as well as Congressional races.
If you are interested in or have been supporting campaigns and candidates in other states, either to flip seats or hold vulnerable seats, we would like to hear about your interests! The purpose of the following survey is to gather information in order to make more opportunities available to you. You can find the survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9NcaB-huaExZxZRaoRG3J5jfD5LffV-OhhMKoOsQ_4uWxjA/viewform.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
The Koch Brothers have a long term strategy to control the judiciary across the country. This year’s battle is the WI Supreme Court, where they hope to elect Scott Walker’s former legal counsel on April 2.
You can fight back by donating to Lisa Neubauer: https://judgeneubauer.com/contribute/
Read more on the Koch Bros plans: https://americansforprosperity.org/afp-scale-efforts-courts-2018/
Read more on the WI race: http://votingmatters.blog/2019/03/kochs-buying-judiciary/
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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS
Brattleboro State Representatives’ Updates and Community Conversation
First Saturday of the Month, alternating between 10am and 4pm (2.2.19 was at 10am). Location information to follow. Childcare available upon request by contacting [email protected].
As promised, all three of your Brattleboro State Representatives, Mollie Burke, Emilie Kornheiser, and Tristan Toleno, will gather in Brattleboro to host a community conversation and share updates from the first few weeks of the legislative session. Our series of monthly conversations— scheduled for the first Saturday of the month— will alternate between 10am and 4pm.
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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.
Thank you for taking the time to read these Email Updates, become engaged in our community, and fight for the positive change we all know is possible in our community. We hope to see you at an event or meeting this week.
Your Friendly WeCAN Admins,
Joanna and Leslie
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