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THE WESTERN NEW YORK PEACE CENTER'S WEEKLY UPDATES

December 31, 2014 to January 6, 2015
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Peacemakers,
This is the WNY Peace Center's official weekly email newsletter featuring news from our Task Forces, as well as events that are
done by or coordinated with other organizations.
Also, don't forget to read our Allied Organizations News & Events / Other Items Of Note email blast on Fridays!
Thank you for supporting this newsletter! :-)
- Jeff O'Connell
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The WNY Peace Center hopes all of our readers and supporters have had the HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAYS! Christmas,
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, and all that you choose to celebrate! :-D
We also wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR, and all the best for 2015!
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PLEASE CONTACT OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, ACTIVISM IDEAS,
AND/OR WISH TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE WESTERN NEW YORK PEACE CENTER! WE WILL PURSUE MANY
ACTIVITIES FOR 2015! :-)
The Rev. Justo Gonzalez II
Phone: (716) 989-9207
Email: jgonzo2@gmail.com
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We now have regular weekly office hours for drop-in visits and to accept direct calls!
MONDAYS: 1 to 3 p.m.
TUESDAYS: 1 to 4 p.m.
THURSDAYS: 1 to 3 p.m.
We are located at:
1272 Delaware Avenue (use back entrance and ring buzzer inside)
Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: (716) 332-3904

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
I. WNY Peace Center Special Announcements, Board Meetings, Websites, Videos, Etc.
II. Peace Center-Related Events This Week
III. Keep The Date Open
IV. Task Force News & Events
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I. WNY PEACE CENTER SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS, BOARD MEETINGS, WEBSITES, VIDEOS, ETC.
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MEETINGS FOR JANUARY:
All meetings are held at the Network Of Religious Communities (1272 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209). We encourage
everyone to stop by and get involved!
The next Annual Dinner Committee meeting is Monday, January 5, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
The next Coordinating Board meeting is Monday, January 12, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
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CHECK OUT THESE NEW VIDEOS ON THE WNY PEACE CENTER'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
Mark Colville Pre-Sentencing News Conference (December 3, 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuEEKr-nhXk
Mark Colville Post-Sentence Interview (December 3, 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNh5hr3AtDc
Raz Mohammad Letter to Hancock Field Drone Base (December 4, 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5_AAx2YaGA
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WNY PEACE CENTER WEBSITES (Check For Updates!):
Main Website: http://wnypeace.org/new/
Blog: http://wnypeacecenter.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WesternNewYorkPeaceCenter/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WNYPeaceCenter/
Vimeo Channel: http://vimeo.com/user22770463/
YouTube Channel: http://tinyurl.com/kzlf2ac/

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II. PEACE CENTER-RELATED EVENTS THIS WEEK (Listed in order of date):
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1. FRIDAY, JANUARY 2
Resist Militarism! Task Force Meeting
3:00 p.m.
Panera Bread
765 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY
For more details, see below in the Resist Militarism! section.
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III. KEEP THE DATE OPEN (Events are listed in order of date):
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1. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015
Not One Well! Rally to Reject Fracking and Fracking Infrastructure, Prevent Climate Change, and Promote Renewable
Energy
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Concourse Hallway (at Convention Center Entrance)
Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York 12110
Bus leaves at 7:30 a.m., returns to Rochester at 7:45 p.m. (same day). Roundtrip tickets are $30; purchase at
http://www.nyagainstfracking.org/. Scholarship tickets will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
RSVP for bus seats here: http://tinyurl.com/kw4s936
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGES:
New Yorkers Against Fracking: https://www.facebook.com/events/656150794505434/
WNY Drilling Defense (Buffalo/Rochester): https://www.facebook.com/events/360881684078529/?
ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=calendar
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2. SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015

Guantanamo 13th Anniversary Actions

Washington, D.C.
If interested in participating (more details below in Peaceful Conflict Resolution section), contact Tom Casey at (716) 4919172, or caseytpc@aol.com
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3. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015
Extreme Energy Struggles Around The Great Lakes & Beyond
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Burning Books
420 Connecticut Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
Toban Black, co-editor of the new book A Line In The Tar Sands: Struggles For Environmental Justice,"A Line In The Tar
Sands" will be speaking in Buffalo about extreme energy such as the Canadian tar sands and fracking in New York State and
risks posed to the Great Lakes. .
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1510892729178091/?ref=22
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IV. WNY PEACE CENTER TASK FORCE NEWS AND EVENTS
Anti-Fracking (AF)
Community Economic Empowerment (CEE)
Global Economic Justice (GEJ)
Latin American Solidarity Committee (LASC)
Peaceful Conflict Resolution (PCR)
Prisoners' Rights (PR)
Renewable Energy (RE)
Resist Militarism (RM)
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ANTI-FRACKING (AF)
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WE DID IT! FRACKING IS NOW BANNED IN NEW YORK STATE!!!! :-D :-D :-D
As of December 17, 2014, citing health and environmental risks and uncertain economic impact, the administration of Govenor
Cuomo has decided to ban hydraulic horizontal fracturing in NewYork State!
In the new year, the D.E.C. is to issue legally binding findings prohibiting fracking in NYS. Governor Cuomo listened to the

science, he listened to New Yorkers, and protected our health and future generations! We cannot thank him enough. He stood up
to the big oil and gas industry for all New Yorkers, and he deserves our thanks.
Thanks to Governor Cuomo and the countless New Yorkers who helped make this remarkable victory possible!
It's been a long, tough road over the past few years, but we did it!
ARTICLES ON THE BAN:
Citing Health Risks, Cuomo Bans Fracking in New York State (New York Times: December 17, 2014)
http://tinyurl.com/myhoel3
State's Fracking Ban Prompts Joy, Anger And Possible Legal Action: (Buffalo News: December 17, 2014)
http://tinyurl.com/prvc8o7
Fracking Ban Could Be Felt Beyond New York's Borders (Buffalo News: December 18, 2014)
http://tinyurl.com/lql38ov
New York Says No To Fracking: State Bans Drilling Following Grassroots Outcry Over Public Health (Democracy Now!:
December 19, 2014)
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/12/19/new_york_says_no_to_fracking
Interview (with video) of Dr. Sandra Steingraber (Ithaca,NY biologist, and founder of both New Yorkers Against Fracking
[http://nyagainstfracking.org/] and Concerned Health Professionals of New York [http://concernedhealthny.org/]), and Anthony
Ingraffea (Cornell University professor, and president of Physicians, Scientists, & Engineers For Healthy Energy)
More DN! reports on fracking: http://www.democracynow.org/topics/fracking
The Alarming Research Behind New York's Fracking Ban (The Atlantic: December 19, 2014)
http://m.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/12/the-alarming-research-behind-new-yorks-fracking-ban/383868/
Fracking Ban Reflects Power Of Committed Citizens (Poughkeepsie Journal: December 20, 2014)
http://tinyurl.com/m7d7trt
How Fracking Got Stopped In NY (Ithaca Journal: December 21, 2014 )
http://www.ithacajournal.com/story/news/local/2014/12/21/fracking-got-stopped-ny/20742201/
What's Next For NY's Fracking Ban? (Gannett News Service: December 21, 2014)
http://www.stargazette.com/story/news/politics/2014/12/21/next-nys-fracking-ban/20742193/
Quinnipiac University Poll: NY Voters Support Fracking Ban (PolHudson: December 22, 2014)
http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2014/12/22/q-poll-ny-voters-support-fracking-ban/
Fracking Fight Was Personal (WNYC-FM: December 24, 2014)
http://www.wnyc.org/story/health-worker-fracking-fight-personal/
Local Wineries Thank Cuomo For Fracking Ban (WHEC-TV Rochester: December 27, 2014)

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S3661055.shtml?cat=565
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Who Supports Fracking? (Food & Water Watch)
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/fracking/why-fracking-is-dangerous/who-supports-fracking/
Whether its lobbying the halls of Congress or spreading misinformation in the media, the following groups are helping the oil
and gas industry manipulate public opinion so it can continue drilling and fracking for fossil fuels. Here is our list of some of the
main players helping to push fracking on the American public.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015
Not One Well! Rally to Reject Fracking and Fracking Infrastructure, Prevent Climate Change, and Promote Renewable
Energy
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Concourse Hallway (at Convention Center Entrance)
Empire State Plaza
Albany, New York 12110
While fracking in New York will soon be banned, we still need to be in Albany on January 7, outside of Governor Andrew
Cuomo's 2015 State Of The State speech to keep up the pressure, give a voice to infrastructure fights, and most importantly, to
encourage Cuomo to be a leader on renewable energy, ensuring fracking doesn't come back in the future to haunt New York
State due to needs for fossil fuels (and the pressure from oil and gas industry lobbyists).
January 7th, then, should be a combo celebration/push for renewable energy!
Bus seats are still available from Buffalo & Rochester .
NOTE: THE RALLY IS INDOORS.
COSTS:
$30 for a round-trip bus seat to Albany, NY from Buffalo or Rochester. Seats will be available for purchase at
http://www.nyagainstfracking.org. Scholarship seats will also be available for those who cannot afford the fee.
SEATING RESERVATION INFORMATION:
BUFFALO:
Pick-Up Location:
University at Buffalo South Campus
NFTA Park & Ride Lot (between NFTA Bus Loop & Building #31)
3463 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214

Parking is available. Map of South Campus: http://www.buffalo.edu/buildings/maps/SouthCampus.pdf

Bus leaves at 6:00 a.m., returns to Buffalo at approximately 9 p.m. (same day)
ROCHESTER:
St. John Fisher College
Pittsford Park & Ride Lot
90 Fairport Road
East Rochester, NY 14445
Parking is available. Located on this St. John Fisher's College map as RTS Park & Ride S on the right hand side, next to
building #8 (Map: http://www.sjfc.edu/dotAsset/97269.pdf )
Bus leaves at 7:30 a.m., returns to Rochester at 7:45 p.m. (same day).
RSVP for bus seats here: http://tinyurl.com/kw4s936
FACEBOOK EVENT PAGES:
New Yorkers Against Fracking: https://www.facebook.com/events/656150794505434/
WNY Drilling Defense (Buffalo/Rochester): https://www.facebook.com/events/360881684078529/?
ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=calendar
ARTICLE: It's Our Obligation: Rally In Albany On January 7, by Dr. Sandra Steingraber
http://nyagainstfracking.org/its-our-obligation-rally-in-albany-on-january-7/
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015
WNY Drilling Defense Community Meeting
At our previous meeting last month, Dr. Fred Millar called in and spoke on "Hazardous Cargo: Shipping Bakken Crude Oil by
Rail." This month we will be organizing against oil trains using our new wealth of knowledge.
With very little public awareness and no study of environmental impacts, the oil industry has made New York a dangerous
pipeline for crude oil that snakes thousands of miles by rail, barge and ship from oil fields in North Dakota and elsewhere, to
refineries on both coasts.
Bakken oil trains from North Dakota are traveling across New York State and through the City of Buffalo. Find out more about
the dangers associated with Bakken oil trains and how to fight them!
We will also be discussing next steps in the anti-fracking campaign in New York, including shifting efforts to renewable energy.
Join us for our next community meeting! The meeting is open to all.
More information on oil trains:

Danger On The Rails (Post-Gazette: February 13, 2014)

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2014/02/13/Danger-on-the-rails/stories/201402130140
Crude Oil Transport (NY Riverkeeper)
http://www.riverkeeper.org/campaigns/river-ecology/crude-oil-transport/
Hazardous Cargo: Shipping Highly Flammable Bakken Crude Oil By Rail (Earth Island Journal :Summer 2014)
http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/eij/article/warning_highly_flammable/
The Crude Gamble Of Oil By Rail: Bomb Trains (VICE News: July 28, 2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpXfQMFR_Qs
Oil Train Blast Zone Tracker (courtesy of ForestEthics):
http://explosive-crude-by-rail.org/
Facebook Event Page: http://tinyurl.com/k5eawun
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015
Extreme Energy Struggles Around The Great Lakes & Beyond
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Burning Books
420 Connecticut Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
Toban Black, co-editor of the new book A Line In The Tar Sands: Struggles For Environmental Justice,"A Line In The Tar
Sands" will be speaking in Buffalo about extreme energy such as the Canadian tar sands and fracking in New York State and
risks posed to the Great Lakes.
Rita Yelda, local organizer for New Yorkers Against Fracking and Food & Water Watch, will also be discussing the risks posed
to the Great Lakes through fracking and next steps in the campaign to protect our state from extreme energy.
Toban Black is community organizer in Ontario, and an Associate Editor for the social movement journal Upping The Anti. His
recent activism has included the web project Stop Fracking Ontario.
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1510892729178091/?ref=22
Book Websites:
http://www.alineinthetarsands.org
http://secure.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=686
Upping The Anti
http://www.uppingtheanti.org/
Stop Fracking Ontario

http://stopfrackingontario.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Fracking-Ontario/184166708300301
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"Petition To Ban Fracking In Amherst, NY"
It is time for Amherst, NY to protect our health and safety by passing a ban on fracking and its toxic waste.
Fracking for oil and natural gas has led to drinking water contamination, public health problems and dangerous explosions in
states across the country. The toxic waste it produces is often radioactive, and it contains an array of cancer-causing chemicals.
Yet due to oversight, it's mishandled at municipal treatment plants and has even been spread on local roadways as an ice-melting
agent. There is no safe way to treat this toxic waste which is why we need to keep it from being disposed of here in Amherst.
Now is the time to tell the Amherst Town Board to protect us from fracking!
Please sign the petition below. We'll deliver your signature and additional message directly to your elected officials.
http://tinyurl.com/kghqsxv/
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WNY Drilling Defense / Anti-Fracking Task Force:
Rita Yelda
Phone: (716) 507-2077
Email: ryelda@gmail.com and wnydrillingdefense@gmail.com
Frank Gage
Phone: (716)893-5584
Email: snowbird1967@roadrunner.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/WNYDrillingDefense/
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COMMUNITY ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (CEE)
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The Responsible Banking Ordinance
Make banks invest in our communities! Support the Responsible Banking Ordinance!
Responsible Banking has brought BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to communities around the country. Buffalo currently has its
money invested in 3 major banks, one of which has no branches and doesn't give out any loans in the City of Buffalo. Why are
we investing our money in a bank that gives nothing back to our community?
What does a Responsible Banking Ordinance (or RBO) do?

* Forces banks to make 2 YEAR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT plans to show how they will invest in our communities and
make all of Buffalo a better place.
* Review all lending and Banking practices in the area to show people what they are doing for community, and how they could
do it better.
* Gives the Community a voice when it comes to banking so we can hold banks accountable for Racial Discrimination and
Financial Abuse
* Use the people's money to PUSH banks to start getting our money's worth for our City Deposits by telling banks we don't
invest in them unless they INVEST IN US.
GET INVOLVED IN SUPPORT THE RESPONSIBLE BANKING ACT FOR THE CITY OF BUFFALO!
For more information, contact John Washington (Community Economic Empowerment Task Force co-ordinator for the WNY
Peace Center, and Community Organizer for PUSH-Buffalo) at:
Phone: (716) 884-0356 (ext. 111)
Email: john@pushbuffalo.org
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Workers Rights / Jobs + Training Drop-In Sessions @ PUSH Buffalo
Need a job? Training? Know your rights at work?
For those looking at improving their work/employment opportunities, we've teamed up with BETC for a series of bi-monthly,
neighborhood employment drop in sessions at 271 Grant St, and 460 Massachusetts Ave. We also believe in promoting
workplace equity and we will have a lawyer on hand to answer any employment related questions you might have.
Attend our drop-in hours held twice each month at the following locations and times:
JOBS + TRAINING
First Thursday Of The Month
3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
PUSH Buffalo Main Office
271 Grant Street
Buffalo, NY
JOBS + TRAINING + WORKERS RIGHTS
Third Thursday Of The Month
3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
PUSH Buffalo Satellite Office
460 Massachusetts Avenue
Buffalo, NY
Sponsored by PUSH Buffalo, the Buffalo Employment & Training Center (BETC), and the WNY Worker Center.
Contact us for more information:

Phone: (716) 884-0356

Website: http://pushbuffalo.org/
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WNY Peace Center Community Economic Empowerment Task Force:
John Washington
Phone: (716) 860-2848
Email: johnarchiewashington@gmail.com
PUSH Buffalo Phone: (716) 884-0356 (ext. 111)
PUSH Buffalo Email: john@pushbuffalo.org
Michael Zak
Phone: (716) 868-2927
Email: michael.james.zak@gmail.com
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GLOBAL ECONOMIC JUSTICE (GEJ)
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WNY Peace Center Global Economic Justice Task Force:
Eric Gallion
Phone: (716) 310-4292
Email: egallion@verizon.net
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LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE (LASC)
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Latin American Solidarity Committee (LASC):
Phone: (716) 876-3872
Main Website: http://www.lascwny.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LASC-wny/143873822377380/
WNY Peace Center Page: http://wnypeace.org/program/lasc.php/
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PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION (PCR)
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Guantanamo 13th Anniversary Actions

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Washington, D.C.
National organizations, in conjunction with Witness against Torture, will be holding an anti-torture vigil, demonstration, and
action in front of White House, Sunday, January 11th.
From January 6th to the 12th, Witness Against Torture will be holding its annual fast in D.C. at First Trinity Lutheran Church
near the mall (plush accommodations very nice mattresses on the floor),ending in 68 volunteers representing the 68 men
cleared for release years ago, who will risk arrest on the 12th (if 68 volunteers volunteer).
If interested, contact Tom Casey at (716) 491-9172, or caseytpc@aol.com
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Victoria Ross
Peaceful Conflict Resolution Coordinator
Phone: (716) 884-0582
Email: victoryross9@gmail.com
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PRISONERS' RIGHTS (PR)
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"Weekly Vigil At Erie County Holding Center (ECHC)"
Every Wednesday
4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
ECHC
40 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14202
In light of a recent spate of suspicious deaths at the Holding Center (specifically, Rosie Mendez, aged 26, and David C.
Liddick, aged 41), the Prisoner Support Vigil has resumed on a weekly basis. We will stand in front of the Holding Center
every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. until justice is done.
Our presence tells staff and community that there is still work to be done. It also tells inmates that we are trying to keep hope
alive. All are invited to join.
This vigil is being presented by the Erie County Prisoners' Rights Coalition and the WNY Peace Center.
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WNY Peace Center Prisoners' Rights Task Force:
Chuck Culhane
Phone: (716) 228-2076

Email: culhane9@gmail.com
Website: http://wnypeace.org/program/Prison%20Action%20Committee.php/
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RENEWABLE ENERGY (AE)
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WNY Peace Center Renewable Energy Task Force:
Charley Bowman
Phone: (716) 688-2374
Email: CandABowman@verzion.net
Website: http://wnypeace.org/new/projects.html
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RESIST MILITARISM (RM)
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Resist Militarism! Task Force Meeting
Friday, January 2
3:00 p.m.
Panera Bread
765 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY
It's the end of the year, and we need to get together to create our strategy for 2015. Come with your ideas, and we'll toss them
around. If you wish to add items to the meeting agenda, contact Russell Brown at hobadoxa@me.com
SOME UPCOMING EVENTS OF CONCERN:
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4: Upstate Coalition To Ground The Drones & The Wars Meeting (time and location TBA)
Are there any programs, actions, or ideas we would like to present as a group?
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11: Year 13 For Guantanamo Prisoners
Do we want to do anything to mark this day of shame? We could join with the Witness Against Torture people for the annual
rally in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., or we could do something local.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15: Bonny Mahoney Trial In Syracuse, NY
Bonny is on trial for protesting armed drones in front of Hancock Air Force Base in Syracuse. We should organize a ride share
for those who want to be there to support her. Do we want to plan any additional support or action if she is convicted?

OTHER ISSUES AND ACTIONS:

National Action At Creech Air Force Base In Nevada
In March 2015, there will be a national action to close down the base's armed drone operation. Are any of us planning to
participate? What kind of support do we want to provide, if any?
Niagara Falls Air Force Base
Regarding this base's armed drone operation, do we want to continue our twice-a-month vigils at the gate? Do we want to plan a
larger demonstration? Do we have any other ideas for our response to the Reaper drones at the base? How can we educate the
community about the assassinations that will originate from the base?
Walk From Hancock AFB To Niagara Falls AFB (or vice versa)
Is there any interest in organizing such a walk? What would the goals be? Which way makes the most sense. Lots of logistics
would be required to put this together if we do it.
Armed Drone Ban For Buffalo & Other WNY Counties
We could write, present, and work to have legislation passed on this issue.
Counter Recruitment In The Schools
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"Anti-Drone Vigil At Niagara Falls Air Force Base"
Every 2nd & 4th Thursday Of The Month
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
2026 Lockport Road (outside the Main Gate)
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
The next vigils will happen on January 8 and January 22, 2015.
Carpooling for the vigils begin at 2:30 p.m. as the University at Buffalo South Campus Park and Ride (Main Street, Buffalo,
NY), and leaves at 2:45 p.m. sharp. Signs are encouraged!
************************************
WNY Peace Center Resist Militarism Task Force:
Russell Brown
Phone: (716) 570-5200
Email: hobadoxa@me.com
Website: http://wnypeace.org/program/ResistMilitarism.php/