Events in January 2018
-
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!
–
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!
ENOUGH? ?IS? ?ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!Wednesday? ?Actions? ?to? ?Demand? ?AccountabilityBeginning November 29, 2017through January 17, 2018; 12 noon - 1:00 pmThe President and his administration must be held accountable.Their behavior is immoral and illegal, and is destroying America.They do not represent us. Silence allows this to continue.Waiting for others to act is also silence. We? ?will? ?not? ?stay? ?silent!JOIN? ?US:Beginning on November 29, we will gather each Wednesday at noon in the center of Amherst, Massachusetts (corner of Main and E. Pleasant).We invite everyone to join us - anywhere? ?you? ?are?. Go to the center of your town. Or just step outside your home and office. Bring signs, drums, pots and pans, noisemakers.We will stand up each Wednesday before the national march planned for January 20th, saying clearly, “Enough is Enough!”? Enough corporate control of government!? Enough racism, sexual abuse of women and bigotry from the highest offices of the land!? Enough allowing the fossil fuel industry to destroy the environment and indigenous rights!? Enough warmongering and nuclear proliferation!AND:? We stand for respect, safety and opportunity for all people!? We stand for moral leadership in all branches of government!? We stand for a government that protects our environment!? We stand for the rule of law and a politics of love!REGISTER? ?AND? ?POST? ?YOUR? ?PICTURES.?Anywhere you are, whether you are one...or many, share a picture of yourself:#EnoughIsEnoughWednesdaysIt’s time to stand up. Joining together we will send a powerful message.We will not stay silent. Enough? ?is? ?Enough! -
Dilalogue Across Generations
N/A
Dilalogue Across GenerationsTwo local activists who are fifty years apart in age have teamed up to create a rare opportunity for people of all ages to dialogue and build understanding on Saturday January 6th. The dialogue, called "Connecting Ages, Changing Ageism" will be held 10 am to 3:30 pm at the Northampton Quaker Meetinghouse, 43 Center Street, and is sponsored by Traprock Center for Peace and Justice. It is offered at no cost, made possible by the Markam-Nathan Fund for Social Justice.
According to the organizers, Larkin Christie and Sarah PIrtle, this dialogue conference is based on the idea that every age has something to teach and something to learn. Pirtle and Christie work together at Journey Camp, which is now in its 25th year in the Valley and is a place where ages share leadership.They explain, “We want to nurture a generative relationship that fosters mutual respect and support. Ageism is one of the spokes in the wheel of oppression that often isn't spoken about."
Larkin Christie received a Peacemakers Award from Traprock and the Interfaith Council of Franklin County. Larkin is one of the founders of Youth Rise Together and an intern at the Resistance Center. Larkin offers these questions, “What do you want to share with someone of a different age engaged in progressive work? What do you want to ask? How do you wish people of other ages acted towards you and how is that different from how they do?
Sarah Pirtle, who directs the Common Threads Program for Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, comments, “We have structured conversations in three ways. At the start, similar ages will convene, then small groups diverse by age will meet, and in the afternoon there will be a choice of four dialogue topics offered." Pirtle participates in the "Hand Across the Hills" dialogue between Leverett and Letcher County, Kentucky.
Pirtle wrote, “Keepers of the Fire: Dialogue to Change Sexism and Foster Gender Reconciliation” which can be read or downloaded free online at traprock.org.
Topics planned for afternoon sessions include: “Gender and Age,” “Everyday Interactions,” “Generations addressing Sexism and Patriarchy," and “Racism, Ageism, and Intersectionality.”
Registration is suggested at traprock.org, but people can also arrive the day of the conference,
bringing their own lunch. All ages can attend, however, any families needing child care are required to register by Dec. 29th on the website.
13TH: Screening & Discussion–
13TH: Screening & DiscussionJoin Racial Justice Rising for a FREE screening of 13TH
on Saturday, January 6th at 10:15am
Any cancellations due to weather will be announced on WHAI radio, 98.3 fm.
AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE UNITED STATES’ PRISON SYSTEM AND HOW IT REVEALS THE NATION'S HISTORY OF RACISMFREE SCREENING - donations always welcomeSaturday, January 6, 201810:15 a.m.— 12:15 p.m. Doors open at 9:45First Congregational Church43 Silver Street, Greenfield MAChildcare available—please RSVP with ages and number of childreFor more info or to reserve childcare: [email protected] or www.racialjusticerising.orgJoin Racial Justice Rising for a screening of Ava DuVernay's in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality. The film will be followed by facilitated discussion.
Saturday, January 6, 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Doors open at 9:45
FREE - donations always welcome.
Any cancellations due to weather will be announced on WHAI radio, 98.3 fm.Childcare available—please RSVP with ages and number of children. For more info or to reserve childcare: [email protected]or www.racialjusticerising.org
The film's title refers to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which reads “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.”
The progression from that second qualifying clause to the horrors of mass criminalization and the sprawling American prison industry is laid out by DuVernay with bracing lucidity. With a potent mixture of archival footage and testimony from a dazzling array of activists, politicians, historians, and formerly incarcerated women and men, DuVernay creates a work of grand historical synthesis.
-
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!
–
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!
ENOUGH? ?IS? ?ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!Wednesday? ?Actions? ?to? ?Demand? ?AccountabilityBeginning November 29, 2017through January 17, 2018; 12 noon - 1:00 pmThe President and his administration must be held accountable.Their behavior is immoral and illegal, and is destroying America.They do not represent us. Silence allows this to continue.Waiting for others to act is also silence. We? ?will? ?not? ?stay? ?silent!JOIN? ?US:Beginning on November 29, we will gather each Wednesday at noon in the center of Amherst, Massachusetts (corner of Main and E. Pleasant).We invite everyone to join us - anywhere? ?you? ?are?. Go to the center of your town. Or just step outside your home and office. Bring signs, drums, pots and pans, noisemakers.We will stand up each Wednesday before the national march planned for January 20th, saying clearly, “Enough is Enough!”? Enough corporate control of government!? Enough racism, sexual abuse of women and bigotry from the highest offices of the land!? Enough allowing the fossil fuel industry to destroy the environment and indigenous rights!? Enough warmongering and nuclear proliferation!AND:? We stand for respect, safety and opportunity for all people!? We stand for moral leadership in all branches of government!? We stand for a government that protects our environment!? We stand for the rule of law and a politics of love!REGISTER? ?AND? ?POST? ?YOUR? ?PICTURES.?Anywhere you are, whether you are one...or many, share a picture of yourself:#EnoughIsEnoughWednesdaysIt’s time to stand up. Joining together we will send a powerful message.We will not stay silent. Enough? ?is? ?Enough!Anita Hill: Speaking Truth to Power Film–
Anita Hill: Speaking Truth to Power FilmThe Resistance Film Series at Forbes is showing
"Anita Hill: Speaking Truth to Power"
Jan. 10, Wednesday, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Forbes Library community room downstairs.Discussion afterward with
Lindsay Sabadosa, Director of the Pioneer Valley Women's March (scheduled for Jan. 20th) will lead us in discussion of the film, its relevance today, and what we might think about doing locally on this issue."The entire country watched as Anita Hill, a young black African-American law professor, sat before a 1991 Senate committee of 14 white men and with an unwavering voice recounted the repeated acts of sexual harassment she had endured while working with U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Hill was challenging Clarence Thomas' nomination to the US Supreme Court and exposed the problem of sexual harassment to the world. The committee refused to hear Hill's colleagues who came to give corroborating testimony. Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Freida Lee Mock creates a thoughtful, deeply felt account of Hill's remarkable journey and transformation from private citizen to internationally respected gender equality activist."Carolyn Oppenheim, Film Series co-coordinator with Frances Crowe.
-
Overcome, Overdance, Overdrum Drumming & Dancing to celebrate Martin Luther King DayOvercome, Overdance, Overdrum Drumming & Dancing to celebrate Martin Luther King DayAt least 125 drummers, dancers, and justice believers shared the spectacular January Drum & Dance last year, called "We Shall Overcome Ourselves," and this is expected to be something of a repeat (but in Greenfield)!PART ONE - The 5th annual Martin Luther King
Alternative Winter Holiday Celebration, 5:00-8:00pmA creation of Jasper Lapienski, the Alternative Winter Holiday Celebration is a chance for people of varying beliefs, or none at all, to come together around two basic elements: Dr. King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech, and chips & salsa.
All ages & races are encouraged to participate. Bring festive, delicious, and nourishing foods for the pot luck feast. At 6:45pm we will gather together and watch the speech in community, and then we will take the time to reflect on our experience. Please be aware that the reflection circle is a closed container. You must arrive by 7:00 in order to share, although those arriving later may witness.
Workshops relating to community building, social justice, and land stewardship will be offered from 5:00-6:45pm. To offer a workshop, email [email protected] no later than Thursday 1/10. (walk-in proposals may be accepted if space is still available).PART TWO - Drumming & dancing with intention
for a more just society, 8:00pm-midnightHave you ever noticed how much energetic intensity and focus we create together at Drum & Dance? Well, I have. Let's put it to work! Fairness benefits men, women, and transgender people; blacks, whites, Jews, First Nations, etc.; every age group; and every spiritual background.
Please come, please drum, please dance - bring your children, some food to share (no matter how late you arrive, someone will be hungry), and the most powerful and raucous love you can summon.
No one can stop us now... -
34th Annual MLK Day Celebration
N/A
34th Annual MLK Day CelebrationOur 34th Annual MLK Day Celebration
Monday, January 15We are happy to announce the 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration in Northampton on Monday, January 15 by The Resistance Center for Peace and Justice!
The schedule for the day is:
10AM : Afro-American Heritage Walking Tour with Steve Strimer of the David Ruggles Center. This tour will begin at the Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue in Florence, at the intersection of Park and Pine Streets.
1pm: Celebration Assembly: Our main convocation, bringing everyone together for music (featuring Prone to Mischief and Pamela Means), the unveiling of the work of The Resistance Center, including our recent trip to the Nobel Peace Prize Conference in Oslo, Norway, and a keynote by Dr. John Bracey,of Chair of the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2-5pm: Community Organization-led Workshops: At several locations in downtown Northampton, individuals and leaders of community organizations will be hosting a number of workshops, ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Some of the organizations hosting workshops on MLK Day (you do NOT have to register for these) include:
- Traprock Center for Peace and Justice
- Pioneer Valley Workers Center
- NuclearBan.US Campaign
- Climate Action Now
- Common Threads Project
- Pioneer Valley Women’s March
- … and more! Full schedule updated soon.
If you wish to register a workshop for the day, the deadline (space permitting) is Friday, January 12. You can register by clicking this link.
Find the updated information for the day on our website or at our Facebook event!
If you're interested in volunteering on Monday, please email us at [email protected] or call us at (413) 584-8975! -
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!
–
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!
ENOUGH? ?IS? ?ENOUGH WEDNESDAYS!Wednesday? ?Actions? ?to? ?Demand? ?AccountabilityBeginning November 29, 2017through January 17, 2018; 12 noon - 1:00 pmThe President and his administration must be held accountable.Their behavior is immoral and illegal, and is destroying America.They do not represent us. Silence allows this to continue.Waiting for others to act is also silence. We? ?will? ?not? ?stay? ?silent!JOIN? ?US:Beginning on November 29, we will gather each Wednesday at noon in the center of Amherst, Massachusetts (corner of Main and E. Pleasant).We invite everyone to join us - anywhere? ?you? ?are?. Go to the center of your town. Or just step outside your home and office. Bring signs, drums, pots and pans, noisemakers.We will stand up each Wednesday before the national march planned for January 20th, saying clearly, “Enough is Enough!”? Enough corporate control of government!? Enough racism, sexual abuse of women and bigotry from the highest offices of the land!? Enough allowing the fossil fuel industry to destroy the environment and indigenous rights!? Enough warmongering and nuclear proliferation!AND:? We stand for respect, safety and opportunity for all people!? We stand for moral leadership in all branches of government!? We stand for a government that protects our environment!? We stand for the rule of law and a politics of love!REGISTER? ?AND? ?POST? ?YOUR? ?PICTURES.?Anywhere you are, whether you are one...or many, share a picture of yourself:#EnoughIsEnoughWednesdaysIt’s time to stand up. Joining together we will send a powerful message.We will not stay silent. Enough? ?is? ?Enough! -
Cracking the Code: Examining Racial Bias, Supporting Racial Justice
–
Cracking the Code: Examining Racial Bias, Supporting Racial Justice
Cracking the Code:
Examining Racial Bias, Supporting Racial Justice
Hosted by Interfaith Council of Franklin County
Thursday, January 18, 2018
5:30pm vegetarian potluck, 6pm program
Temple Israel, 27 Pierce St., Greenfield
The Interfaith Council of Franklin County will present an evening training on understanding systemic racial bias, Thursday January 18 at Temple Israel, 27 Pierce Street in Greenfield. The program will begin with a shared meal at 5:30 pm followed by a film and discussion at 6 pm and is open to the public and free of charge.
“The council wants to contribute to civic dialogue and intergroup relations,” according to Ben Tousley, president of ICFC.“This training is our regular monthly meeting and we are very pleased to share this program with the community.”
The program will begin at 6:00PM sharp with the screening of a film called “Cracking the Code” and a facilitated discussion by Lora Wondoloski and Zaida Govan. Both women have extensive experience in human development and undoing racism. Wondolowski is the founder of Leadership Pioneer Valley and Govan is a professor at Simmons College and UMass in social and family systems.
Temple Israel will provide a main dish of lasagna. Participants are welcome to bring a salad, beverage, vegetable side or dessert. Temple Israel is a vegetarian facility.
The Interfaith Council of Franklin County seeks to bring together faith communities and organizations for the purpose of dialogue, information sharing, celebration and social transformation, with forums for greater understanding, spiritual enrichment and social justice. For more information please contact Interfaith Council president Ben Tousley at 413-475-3592.
Cracking the Code: Examining Racial Bias, Supporting Racial Justice
Grassroots Activism: Its Success in the Election of Doug Jones in AlabamaGrassroots Activism: Its Success in the Election of Doug Jones in AlabamaThe Leverett Alliance
presents an informal talk
TIM BULLOCK & DAVID DETMOLD on
Grassroots Activism:
Its Success in the Election
of Doug Jones in Alabama
“If grassroots activism can elect a Democrat to the Senate
from the reddest state in the nation, then it can elect
progressive candidates anywhere.”—David Detmold
Thursday, January 18, 2018 7 pm
Leverett Town Hall
9 Montague Road, Leverett
Both Tim and David canvassed on behalf of Doug Jones’ campaign for U.S. Senate in December 2017 and are eager to share their experiences with us. Leverett’s Tim Bullock is a member of the New England Peace Pagoda and is dedicated to building unity though our commonality. Longtime grassroots activist David Detmold of Turners Falls was founder of the Montague Reporter.
Time for questions, answers and discussion will follow their talk.
This talk is a feature of this month’s regular meeting of the Leverett Alliance.
Come early for 6:30 pm Dessert Potluck
7-8:00 pm Talk & Questions; 8:00-8:30 Alliance meeting
reviewing activities of our working groups:
Hands Across the Hills Sanctuary Building Bridges
Community Building Climate Change Book Group
ALL ARE WELCOME. INVITE YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY & NEIGHBORS
For further information: [email protected]
-
Secrecy, Surveillance, and National Security: A Conversation on Government Accountability
–
Secrecy, Surveillance, and National Security: A Conversation on Government AccountabilitySecrecy, Surveillance, and National Security: A Conversation on Government Accountability
Tuesday, January 30th
7:00-9:00PM
Amherst Jones Library
43 Amity Street, Amherst MA 01002
RSVP: [email protected]
Speaker: Professor Sudha Setty
The thin line between effective national security and the preservation of civil liberties and democratic rule of law in the U.S. is an ongoing debate that underpins American societal values and ignites the discussion on the place for secrecy in a government accountable to the people. In 2018, as the Trump administration doubles down on its national security strategy, how do we ensure the rights of all Americans are protected? What models do other nations offer that strike the balance between security and privacy? To understand the Trump administration's approach to secrecy in matters of national security, join us as constitutional law expert Sudha Setty unpacks this complex issue and discusses her new book, National Security Secrecy: Comparative Effects on Democracy and the Rule of Law.
Sudha Setty is the Associate Dean for Faculty Development & Intellectual Life and a Professor of Law at Western New England University School of Law, in Springfield, MA, where she has twice won teaching awards. She teaches Law and Terrorism, Comparative Constitutional Law, Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, Business Organizations and Contracts. Her scholarly work focuses on comparative analysis of separation of powers, rule of law and national security issues and she currently serves on the editorial board of the Journal of National Security Law and Policy. She has served as defense counsel in civil, regulatory and criminal matters involving national security issues, including terrorism financing investigations and lawsuits, and a pro bono matter challenging sentencing guidelines for those convicted of terrorist acts. Professor Setty graduated as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar from Columbia Law School and received her A.B. in History (concentration in comparative civil rights) with honors from Stanford University.
Co-sponsors: Critical Connections and Karuna Center for Peacebuilding. This event is made possible through the generous funding of Mass Humanities, whose grants inspire considered thought, conversations, and action.
-Contact:
Leif Maynard
Program Associate
Critical Connections
[email protected]
(413)-834-1760Secrecy, Surveillance, and National Security: A Conversation on Government Accountability