Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

“When artists give form to revelation, their art can advance, deepen, and potentially transform the consciousness of their community.”
Alex Grey (b.1953)
an American visionary artist, author, teacher, and Vajrayana practitioner

     We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join two NEW groups that are forming in Windham County, WeCAN readers! One is a Facebook based group, Arts and Activism, that promises to connect artists around the area and create meaningful, art-inspired responses to policies. The second is a climate writing group, Write for Climate, that will meet in person in Brattleboro on Fridays. We hope that you can take part in one (or both) of these newly formed groups and create the positive change we seek in Windham County. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Arts & Actvism
Windham County Activists, recently, a Facebook group called Arts and Activism was formed and you are invited to join! This group is for everyone interested in the intersection of the arts and the causes they deeply care about. The hope is to inspire each other to make the world a better place through creativity and community, both on line and in person. You can request membership by going to this link; the administrators look forward to seeing you there! https://www.facebook.com/groups/artsandactivism/

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Write for Climate 
Join Abby Mnookin, Robin MacArthur, Lissa Schneckenburger, and Corey DiMario most Fridays from 9am-11am at Amy's Bakery Arts Cafe in Brattleboro, VT to Write for Climate, a collaboration between Mother Up!: Families Rise Up for Climate Action, 350 Vermont, and Word House. As Robin says, "In this rapidly shifting world we need all kinds of warriors using all kinds of skills to help keep this planet livable for future generations. This is a free gathering, open to all who want to use words to fight, grieve, protect, reflect or reimagine. All writing genres are welcome—in the past this group has generated climate-themed letters to the editor, poems, essays and pieces of fiction.” 
When: Fridays, 9am-11am
Where: September 6th & 13th: Amy’s Bakery & Cafe, Brattleboro, VT; September 20th: Brattleboro Museum & Art Center; September 27th: Hooker Dunham patio & Catherine Dianich Gallery

HAPPENING SUNDAYS thru October 27

Share the Harvest hosted by Edible Brattleboro
Sundays through October 27th, 2019 at the Edible Garden at Turning Point (corner of Elm Street and Frost Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 11am-1pm. For information please email [email protected]. Please bring your own bags.
Edible Brattleboro’s "Share the Harvest" stand is open every Sunday from 11am-1pm, in their help-yourself garden at Turning Point, corner of Elm and Frost Street (diagonally across from NYET). All produce is free. 
Thanks to the generosity of local farmers and gardeners, Edible Brattleboro distributed approximately 2500 pounds of free produce last summer. Feel free to drop off produce from your garden during the Sunday hours. You may also visit either of Edible Brattleboro's two public help-yourself gardens to harvest whatever is ready. Simply look for the green flags and instructions on how to harvest. The two public gardens are located at the Co-op (rear parking lot) and Turning Point. Edible Brattleboro is fully volunteer run. If you would like to help out or would like more info, contact Marilyn at [email protected] or visit www.EdibleBrattleboro.org.

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th, 2019-SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 2019

Where Do We Go From Here: Sustainability and the Climate Emergency Declaration
Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 at 118 Gallery (118 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6pm. Contact 802.490.9363 or email [email protected] for more information. 
Brattleboro has given sustainability many forms and names. It was advanced in the town plan by Tim Stevenson and by his group Post Oil in 2009, restarted as the Peak Oil Task Force in 2011, as Spoon Agave’s  “Futures Committee”, and as an energy committee. BCS petitioned for the position at March rep town meeting, and Spoon Agave, who is a director of BCS, amended the budget for it.  A  coordinator might be hard to find; hiring the town manager took eighteen months. Brattleboro has evolved more definitely in approving BCS resolutions on climate change and clean energy and one by 350 during those same years. Now the coordinator is integrated in the aspirational BCS Declaration of Climate Emergency, which is not yet enacted. Where do we go from here ? Learn and speak about the sustainability coordinator and the Declaration of Climate.

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Extinction Rebellion Info Session
presented by Maria and Ward Ogden
Thursday, September 12th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Food Coop (2 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the Community Room at 6pm. Please enter through the 7 Canal Street Entrance.
Concerned about climate change and not sure what to do about it? Join us for a presentation about Extinction Rebellion, the international, apolitical climate movement that is using non-violent direct action to enact change. The talk takes about one hour with optional Q&A time afterward. Find out about the many ways you can join the climate movement! With advance notice, childcare can be provided (contact [email protected]).

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Protest Vigil at TD Bank
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Friday, September 13th, 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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September Huddle for Immigrant Rights
Sunday, September 15th, 2019 at the Putney Public Library ( 55 Main Street, Putney, VT). 1:30pm-3pm.
Ann Schroeder for No Polimigra will share Migrant Justices Fair and Impartial Policing presentation followed by a conversation on how we can support this work.  All are welcome!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

RePeopling Vermont: The Paradox of Development in the Twentieth Century (part of the Community Conversations Series)
hosted by the Vermont Historical Society, Brooks Memorial Library, and the VT Dept of Libraries. A joint project of VHS and the Vermont Department of Libraries. Support provided by the Vermont Humanities Council and Northern Vermont University
Tuesday, September 17th, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 6:30pm-8pm. Free and open to everyone. For more information please go to www.vermonthistory.org/community-conversations.
Join fellow Vermonters in your community to learn about how the state has handled questions of development and progress in the past and how we might use those lessons to discuss a path forward to the future. The programs will open with Northern Vermont University professor Paul Searls, who will review themes and events featured in his newly-published book "Repeopling Vermont: The Paradox of Development in the Twentieth Century". In the book, he highlights the stories of different communities and their responses to difficult questions as part of his inquiry into how Vermont balanced competing visions for the state in the last century.
Following Searls’s presentation, attendees will be invited to share their own perspectives on their communities. How can we use the lessons of history to frame our planning going forward? What is important to preserve, and when is it important to move forward? How can we balance different interests and create a Vermont that works for everyone?

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Drugs and the CIA, With Nick Biddle, Phd.
part of the Brattleboro Democracy Forum, sponsored by We Celebrate Democracy / Civil Rights For All
Wednesday, September 18th, 2019 at the Robert H, Gibson River Garden (157 Main Street, Brattleboro, 05301). 12pm-1pm. 
Drug-running has been fundamental to CIA operations, strategy and funding throughout its history. The US Senate Kerry Committee Report of 1989 detailed CIA drug-running through the 1980s to fund terrorist wars in Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. Professor Alfred McCoy, University of Wisconsin, and Professor Peter Dale Scott, Emeritus University of California, have written extensive histories of CIA drug-running from the agency's inception in 1947 to the present. The facts are known and so little regarded. This presentation will review CIA drug operations to ponder why the facts matter and are simultaneously ignored. Nick Biddle, PhD. is a retired history professor and co-owner of ArtRageUs1 on Elliot St.. in Brattleboro.

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Vermont Climate Strike & Week of Action
Friday, September 20th, 2019 - Saturday, September 28th, 2019
Actions and events happening throughout the week all around the state (and the world!), including September 20th Brattleboro strike and non-violent direct action training (see other listings below for more details).
Greta Thunberg and other young climate justice leaders chose the word “strike.” Adults in the movement are supporting the young leaders in how they’re telling the story of this movement. We’ve heard repeatedly that “strike” is a word that is important to them, as it conveys the urgency of the climate situation. “Strike” also invites workers to shut down business as usual by one method utilized by labor movements. Certainly there’s not a lot one individual’s actions can do. But when we come together and act collectively, history has shown that we become immensely powerful, and we can literally move mountains. Coming together is what has to happen to make change. Everyone matters.
Organizers say that it is on course to be the largest global mobilization against climate breakdown, with over 6000 people in 150 countries pledging to organize events to date. Read more here.
Join Our Climate Strike! Our house is on fire: let’s act like it.
The September climate strikes and week of action in Vermont are being organized by a statewide coalition, including people from the following groups, as well as students from a number of schools from around the state:

• 350Vermont
• Champlain Valley Democratic Socialists of America
• Climate Disobedience Center
• EnACT at Champlain Valley Union High School
• Extinction Rebellion Vermont
• Sunday Night Environmental Group at Middlebury College
• Sunrise Movement Burlington
• Sunrise Movement Middlebury
• US Youth Climate Strike VT
• Upper Valley Affinity Group
• University of Vermont Youth Climate Summit
• Vermont Youth Lobby
• Vermont Public Interest Research Group

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Brattleboro Climate Strike Rally
hosted by 350 VT, 350 Brattleboro, and Extinction Rebellion Southern VT
Friday, September 20th, 2019 at Pliny Park (180 Main Street, corner of Main and High Streets, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 12pm-1pm.
The time is now! Workers and students around the world are striking on September 20th to demand a just future free from fossil fuels—join Brattleboro-area youth striking in solidarity with the Global Climate Strike as we rally at Pliny Park at noon.
Following the rally, walk over to the Centre Congregational Church - Brattleboro, VT for a Nonviolent Direct Action Training - Brattleboro from 1:30 - 5:30 pm. Questions? Contact Sonia at [email protected] Register for the training at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc02qbKGjxqZ6Re7RhTid-OrNhuaumXBhIvgeu97g6EdA2vgg/viewform?usp=sf_link
"Strike because the kids have asked us to back them up. Strike because the Earth is heating so fast. Strike for a Green New Deal. Strike because Exxon knew.”

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Write for Climate: Reflecting & Reimagining at the Museum
Friday, September 20th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (10 Vernon St, Brattleboro). 9am-11am.
Youth activists are calling for a Global Climate Strike on September 20th to demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis. In honor of this call to action, join the Mother Up! and 350 Brattleboro "Write for Climate" group for an opportunity to ponder the roles of art and writing in the climate movement. Museum staff have generously offered free admission to the exhibits, including Ocean's Edge (pictured below). Writing prompts will be provided, as well as the opportunity for free write. All are welcome! Afterwards, we'll head to Pliny Park for the Brattleboro Climate Strike Rally from 11:30am-1:30pm. More details at VermontClimateStrike.org and StrikeWithUs.org.

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Non-Violent Direction Action Training - Brattleboro
Friday, September 20th, 2019 at Centre Congregational Church (193 Main Street, Brattleboro). 1:30pm-5:30pm. Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc02qbKGjxqZ6Re7RhTid-OrNhuaumXBhIvgeu97g6EdA2vgg/viewform?usp=sf_link. This training costs between $20-$75 based on your ability to pay. Please contribute as you can—if you are able to give more, you can support others to attend. No one will ever be turned away for lack of funds, and we are happy to figure out a plan that works for you! Questions? Contact Sonia at [email protected].
Join 350 Vermont in Brattleboro for a workshop on non-violent direct action – a powerful tool for social change! Through role plays and exercises, we will learn the importance of collective action and its connection to collective liberation, the basics of NVDA (non-violent direct action) theory, creative tactics for shutting things down to open them up, and legal factors to consider, all with a focus on how to use NVDA strategically within a campaign. This training follows a youth-led climate strike at Pliny Park as part of the Global Climate Strike and Week of Action September 20th - 27th, 2019.

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Looking Back, Moving Forward: 4 Decades of Queer Activism in VT
hosted by the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center
Friday, September 20th, 2019 at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (10 Vernon Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301). 7:30pm-9:30pm. Admission is free.
Vermont is widely regarded as one of the most queer-friendly states in America. In 2000, the state was the first in the nation to legalize civil unions for same sex couples, and in 2009, Vermont became the first state to allow same-sex marriage by legislation rather than by court ruling.
But how did that come to pass? At least one important factor has been the tireless activism and advocacy carried out over decades by, and on behalf of, Vermont’s LGBTQ+ community. Presented in partnership with the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont Prevention and Out in the Open - formerly Green Mountain Crossroads and sponsored by The Samara Fund of the The Vermont Community Foundation, this event looks at the key individuals, organizations, and moments in the history of queer activism in southern Vermont from the 1980s to the present day.
This event is presented in conjunction with DONA ANN MCADAMS: PERFORMATIVE ACTS, a retrospective of work by the acclaimed photographer and activist Dona Ann McAdams. McAdams credits her friendship with civil rights icon Harvey Milk with inspiring her lifelong devotion to using photography for social change. The exhibit includes McAdams’ photographs of queer liberation and AIDS activism protests across several decades.

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Climate Support Group
sponsored by Post Oil Solutions
Group Begins Wednesday October 2nd, 2019 at Brooks Memorial Library (224 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT, 05301) in the History Room. 6pm-8pm.  (Oct. 2 Only)
Regular Meetings will occur on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the Month from 6pm-7:30pm. A conversation with one of the two facilitators is required prior to the start date to ensure that this is the right group for you.  There is no charge to participate, and group size is limited to 10 people. For more information, and to apply, please contact Tim Stevenson at [email protected] or (802) 869-2141.
Post Oil Solutions is sponsoring a 10 session support group to provide a safe and supportive place for people to share their feelings about the climate emergency, and the very real possibility of societal collapse--grief, despair, rage, guilt, powerlessness, as well as explore with each other how we can adapt to this existential crisis, and take care of ourselves and each other by coming together within resilient, transformative communities. The group will be co-facilitated by Tim Stevenson and Connie Baxter, both experienced group leaders. This is a peer support group, not a therapy group. It will be closed (not open to drop-ins); we are thus seeking people who will commit to attend the 10 sessions. 

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CPR and First Aid Training
Saturday, October 5th, 2019 at Putney Moves (133 Main Street, Putney, VT, 05346) from 1pm-3pm or 3pm-6pm. 
CPR/AED: Adults, Children, and Infants: 1pm - 3pm is $40.00. First Aid: 3pm-6pm is $55.00. Attend both sessions or just one! To register visit our trainer's Site: instituteforwildmed.com/courses/ and for more about our trainer: instituteforwildmed.com.
Are you interested in deepening your knowledge of First Aid and/or CPR? Do you work in a health care field and want to feel confident administering emergency care? Join Putney Moves and Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician Nicole Roma Thurrell for one or both training sessions and get certified this Fall! Certification is good for two years! 

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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 are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

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STANDING REGULAR MEETINGS  
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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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. 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.

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     We appreciate your readership and activism, weCAN friends. If you find these emails informative and useful and think others in your life may, too, please consider forwarding these weekly emails on to your network of family and friends in the area. We appreciate all that you do for your community and we look forward to seeing you out and about this week at a meeting or event. Until next week...

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