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THE WESTERN NEW YORK PEACE CENTER'S WEEKLY UPDATES

April 29 to May 5, 2015
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MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO ATTENDED OUR ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING THIS PAST SATURDAY!!! :-D
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SAVE THE DATE:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
Cruise For Peace Aboard The Miss Buffalo II
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Boarding Time: 6:00 p.m. / Cruise: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Dock Location: Entrance of Erie Basin Marina
79 Marine Drive
Buffalo NY 14202-4225
Think August! The WNY Peace Center cordially invites you to join us on a fun-filled fundraising cruise aboard the Miss Buffalo II!
Enjoy the view of the Buffalo skyline, a beautiful summer sunset, and fresh summer breezes! Live entertainment, cash bar.
All the proceeds from this fundraiser will be Dedicated Funds for the Peace Centers technology and office needs.
Admission is $35. Space is LIMITED (185 spots total).
TO RESERVE AND PURCHASE TICKETS:
Email for more information: Cruise4Peace@wnypeace.org
Purchase via PayPal by visiting the Peace Center website main page: http://www.wnypeace.org/
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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!
Please note that, for the WNYPC Scribd page, you can read documents for free, but downloading requires signing up for Scribd. It's
easy! Just go to: https://www.scribd.com/# :-)
If you wish to unsubscribe, simply send an email request at weeklynews@wnypeace.org. We do hope you will continue to subscribe, but
if you do not wish to receive the email, feel free to go to our Scribd page (http://www.scribd.com/wny8peace8center/), where the Weekly

Updates are regularly posted and archived.

Any comments or suggestions to help improve our weekly newsletters, and to make them more effective as a local activist resource and
community calendar are GREATLY appreciated. We are working with a text-only format, and trying to streamline and revise the conent.
Thank you for supporting this newsletter! :-)
- Jeff O'Connell
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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! We are still working on getting accustomed to the
schedule, but don't despair! In case we do not immediately pick up the phone, leave a voice mail, and we will call you back! :-)
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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Donations and Memberships to support the Peace Center's work are ALWAYS WELCOME! :-) :-)
DONATE AND/OR JOIN VIA MAIL:
Student/Low Income: $10
Peacenik: $50
Sustainer's Circle: $125
Director's Circle: $250
Major Donor: $1000
Lifetime Membership: $2500
Other Donations (you may indicate any reason): $_______
Send Check or Money Order (made out to WNY Peace Center) to:

Western New York Peace Center

1272 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209
Include a letter specifying either Donation or Membership 2015 (with indicated levels as listed above).
DONATE AND/OR JOIN ONLINE (VIA PAYPAL) BY VISITING THE PEACE CENTER'S WEBSITE MAIN PAGE:
http://www.wnypeace.org/
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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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PEACE CENTER MEETINGS FOR MAY 2015:
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MONDAY, MAY 11
Coordinating Board Meeting
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Network Of Religious Communities
1272 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209
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CHECK OUT THESE NEW VIDEOS FROM THE WNY PEACE CENTER'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
All videos filmed by Charley Bowman.
'Bomb Trains' Presentation @ Sierra Club-Niagara Climate & Clean Energy Writer's Group (2015-04-06)
Rita Yelda - Bomb Trains: An Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv1HF2sURmk
Charley Bowman - Lac Megantic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtlVDJELWhk
Jean Dickson - My Favorite Freights (Parody Song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ONPjCrjeco
Jean Dickson - Rail Freight Within The City Of Buffalo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CchtxCtBwD4
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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/
Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/wny8peace8center
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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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
The Political Brain
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Burning Books
420 Connecticut Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14213
Come to this lively discussion, led by Eric Gallion, a.k.a. Mr. Billionaire (of the satirical performance art troupe, the Buffalo Billionaires:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-Billionaires/218568593507?fref=ts ), and chairman of the Global Economic Justice task force.
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/432982456879658/
Event Flyer: https://www.scribd.com/doc/261969756/The-Political-Brain-Burning-Books-2015-04-29
Ultra-Scientific Brain Diagram: http://tinyurl.com/m6jl2og
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THURSDAY, APRIL 30
Resist Militarism! Task Force Meeting
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
The Daily Planet Coffee Company
1862 Hertel Avenue (corner of Hertel and Parker Avenues)
Buffalo, NY 14216
The next meeting will happen on Thursday, May 28
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THURSDAY, APRIL 30
"Anti-Drone Vigil At Niagara Falls Air Force Base"

3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
2026 Lockport Road (outside the Main Gate)
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Signs are encouraged!
The next vigils will happen on Thursday, May 14, and Thursday, May 28.
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FRIDAY, MAY 1
International Workers' Day Rally
12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY
Sponsored by both the WNY and NYS chapters of the AFL-CIO. Endorsed by the WNY Peace Center.
Event Flyer: https://www.scribd.com/doc/262734928/International-Workers-Day-Rally-2015-05-01
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MONDAY, MAY 4
Amherst Town Board Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Town of Amherst Municipal Building
5583 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1580322852238861/
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III. KEEP THE DATE OPEN (Events are listed in order of date):
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THURSDAY, MAY 7
WNY Drilling Defense Community Meeting: Ban The Bomb Trains
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Crane Branch Library
633 Elmwood Avenue

Buffalo, New York 14222

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/615833348547486/
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THURSDAY, MAY 7
LASC Annual Fr. Bissonette Latin American Event, Featuring Fr. Roy Bourgeois
6:30 p.m. (Refreshments) / 7:30 p.m. (Program/Speaker)
Daemen College
4380 Main Street
Amherst, NY 14226
Admission: $15 advance, $20 at the door, Patrons $25, and FREE for students with ID. Send advance payment checks to WNY Peace
Center (1272 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209). To reserve vendor tables, call (716) 882-8331.
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SATURDAY, MAY 16
'Bakken Oil Trains in New York' Presentation by Sandy Steubing
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Crane Branch Library (Upstairs)
633 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/945104262190306/
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MONDAY, JUNE 29
Annual Pastors For Peace Stop & Barbeque In Buffalo
5:00 p.m.
74 Wellington Road
Buffalo, NY
Sponsored by LASC. Applications for caravanistas to Cuba in early July with Pastors For Peace are available. Check the website for
more details: http://www.ifconews.org/
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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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MONDAY, MAY 4
Amherst Town Board Meeting
7:00 p.m.
Town of Amherst Municipal Building
5583 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
The Town Board of Amherst will review proposed legislation for a local ban on fracking wastes and we need you there to make sure that
the board puts the public hearing and vote on their next meeting agenda!
Every fracking site, of which there are thousands across the U.S., produce about 1.2 million gallons of wastewater. That means the oil
and gas industry are looking for ways to dispose of billions of gallons of dangerous wastewater each year. The methods are highly
experimental at best - road spreading, injection wells, mismanagement at municipal treatment plants, and then there's also radioactive
drill cuttings that end up in town landfills.
The Governors ban on fracking does not address all of the issues in regards to the far-reaching impacts of the fracking process. Amherst
needs a law that will ban the treatment, transfer, storage, and disposal of oil and gas wastes. Fracking wastewater or "brine", as well as
drilling muds or "cuttings" may have radioactive elements picked up underground, heavy metals, and a slew of cancer-causing chemicals
used during drilling.
Without a local ban on fracking waste in place, these issues could have immediate impacts on town residents as fracking sites in
Pennsylvania and Ohio already send waste in to New York State. Reports have shown that fracking fluid and solids from fracking are
entering NY waste treatment plants, being spread on NY roads, and being disposed of in NY landfills. This is due to federal and state
loopholes in laws that manage oil & gas drilling wastes.
The Amherst Town Board has even acknowledged the risks fracking waste has on human health and the environment by passing a
resolution over 1 year ago in April 2014!!! The board must take the next step in protecting residents by passing legislation for Amherst as
soon as possible!
That's where we come in... Amherst and area residents are encouraged to attend the May 4th board meeting to show our support for an
Amherst-wide ban. We need to pack the room because our presence encourages the board to make this law a priority!
If you want to speak to the board, 3-minutes of testimony is allowed, just arrive at 6:45 p.m. to sign up. Speaking is optional and you can
instead bring a small sign in support of a local ban (i.e. "Amherst Against Fracking," "Don't Frack Amherst, "No Fracking Waste in
Amherst," "Ban the waste.")

Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1580322852238861/

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THURSDAY, MAY 7
WNY Drilling Defense Community Meeting: Ban The Bomb Trains
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Crane Branch Library
633 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14222
Every week trains loaded with volatile crude oil fracked in North Dakota's Bakken shale travel through Buffalo and Erie County. With
very little public awareness and no study of environmental impacts, the gas & oil industry has made our region a dangerous hub for
highly flammable oil using these bomb trains. Rail lines snake from the oil fields of North Dakota through Buffalo and to refineries on
both coasts. The rail system was never built for this kind of dangerous cargo, yet these trains travel through population centers and next
to schools, homes, and businesses. Rail safety standards for crude oil are weak and emergency responders are not equipped or trained for
accidents.
Bakken crude oil carried by rail is more toxic and more volatile than conventional crude oil, and each car carries the explosive equivalent
of 2 million sticks of dynamite. Crude oil is also more carbon intensive which further exacerbates climate disruption and extreme
weather. According to the Wall Street Journal, Erie County sees about 27.5 trains weekly carrying Bakken crude oil. Oil trains are more
than a mile-long with 100+ cars, which only concentrates the risk of an accident. This means that at least 2,750 cars full of crude oil
travel through Buffalo and Erie County in a week, presenting an immediate danger to our public health and natural resources.
Unfortunately, this issue does not seem to be going away, as oil train traffic has increased more than 4,000% in the last five years. This
increase is largely due to the gas & oil industry's efforts to evade regulations and costs associated with building new pipelines to ship
crude oil. What's worse is that the dangerous DOT-111 cars, which make up the majority of U.S. oil tanker trains, are defective and prone
to puncture during derailments. It seems each month another city or town is facing a terrifying oil train derailment, poisoned drinking
water, or a deadly explosion. One of the most tragic incidences was the explosion of crude oil cars in Lac-Mgantic, Quebec in 2013,
which incinerated 47 people and destroyed the downtown area. The legally responsible parties declared bankruptcy and left the taxpayers
to foot the bill. The same thing could happen here, to us, to our families and to our neighborhoods! Now is the time for us to get
involved!
This meeting is open to all!
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/615833348547486/
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SATURDAY, MAY 16
'Bakken Oil Trains in New York' Presentation by Sandy Steubing
2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Crane Branch Library (Upstairs)
633 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222

Join us for a free presentation on Bakken crude oil trains with Sandy Steubing, an activist and organizer with PAUSE, People of Albany
United for Safe Energy. PAUSE works to promote safe, sustainable energy and environmental justice, and aims to engage the greater
public to stop the fossil fuel industry's assault on the people of Albany and our environment.
Since moving to Albany in 2010 Sandy has been an activist in several organizations, among them are People of Albany United for Safe
Energy (PAUSE), The Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, and the Green Sanctuary Committee of the Albany Unitarian church.
Every week trains loaded with volatile crude oil fracked in North Dakota's Bakken shale travel through Buffalo and Albany.
With very little public awareness and no study of environmental impacts, the gas & oil industry has made our region a dangerous hub for
highly flammable oil using these bomb trains. The rail system was never built for this kind of dangerous cargo, yet these trains travel
through population centers and next to schools, homes, and businesses.
A Q&A discussion will happen after the presentation. Join us to find out more and get involved!
Sponsored by PAUSE, Renewable Energy Task Force of the WNY Peace Center, Food & Water Watch, and Western NY Drilling
Defense.
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/945104262190306/
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VIDEOS:
'Bomb Trains' Presentation @ Sierra Club-Niagara Climate & Clean Energy Writer's Group (2015-04-06)
Rita Yelda - Bomb Trains: An Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv1HF2sURmk
Charley Bowman - Lac Megantic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtlVDJELWhk
Jean Dickson - My Favorite Freights (Parody Song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ONPjCrjeco
Jean Dickson - Rail Freight Within The City Of Buffalo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CchtxCtBwD4
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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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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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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
The Political Brain
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Burning Books
420 Connecticut Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14213
Or......WHY CONSERVATIVE / REACTIONARY IDEOLOGY DOMINATES OUR POLITICAL CULTURE, AND WHAT TO DO
ABOUT IT.
We progressives are great at talking up a storm, but too much of the time we are the only ones listening. Meanwhile, conservative,
reactionary and just plain stupid ideas are believed by far too many people who then vote for for those who would take us back to the
18th century. People who should be our allies end up supporting the other side, and support politicians who enact policies that are against
their own interests.
While there are lots of reasons for this, one of the most important ones is that there are two types of brains: a Conservative brain, and a
Liberal brain. Most people are a mixture of both types, and the key to advancing progressive ideas lies in learning how to appeal to the
Liberal part of a person's brain, without triggering the Conservative part.
Come to this lively discussion, led by Eric Gallion, a.k.a. Mr. Billionaire (of the satirical performance art troupe, the Buffalo Billionaires:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-Billionaires/218568593507?fref=ts ), and chairman of the Global Economic Justice task force.
Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/432982456879658/
Event Flyer: https://www.scribd.com/doc/261969756/The-Political-Brain-Burning-Books-2015-04-29
Ultra-Scientific Brain Diagram: http://tinyurl.com/m6jl2og
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FRIDAY, MAY 1

International Workers' Day Rally

12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY
Please join us for a fun-filled rally to celebrate the WNY Labor Movement! Let us reclaim the dignity that we as workers deserve!
Sponsored by both the WNY and NYS chapters of the AFL-CIO. Endorsed by the WNY Peace Center.
Event Flyer: https://www.scribd.com/doc/262734928/International-Workers-Day-Rally-2015-05-01
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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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THURSDAY, MAY 7
Annual Fr. Bissonette Latin American Event, Featuring Fr. Roy Bourgeois
6:30 p.m. (Refreshments) / 7:30 p.m. (Program/Speaker)
Daemen College
4380 Main Street
Amherst, NY 14226
Fr. Bourgeois is the founder of School Of Americas Watch (http://www.soaw.org/), and supporter of women clergy in the Roman
Catholic Church. He will be the guest speaker at our annual Fr. Bissonette Latin America Event at Daemen College.
Admission: $15 advance, $20 at the door, Patrons $25, and FREE for students with ID. Send advance payment checks to WNY Peace
Center (1272 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209). To reserve vendor tables, call (716) 882-8331.
Event Flyer: https://www.scribd.com/doc/260062415/Latin-American-Solidarity-Committee-LASC-Annual-Event-Featuring-Fr-RoyBourgeois-2015-05-07
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MONDAY, JUNE 29
Annual Pastors For Peace Stop & Barbeque In Buffalo

5:00 p.m.
74 Wellington Road
Buffalo, NY
Sponsored by LASC. Applications for caravanistas to Cuba in early July with Pastors For Peace are available. Check the website for
more details: http://www.ifconews.org/
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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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MONDAY, JULY 13 TO FRIDAY, JULY 24
Camp Peaceprints 2015
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Daily
St. Marys School For The Deaf
2253 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
We Leave Peaceprints.
Announcing the eighth annual Camp Peaceprints, brought to you by the Interfaith Peace Network, the SSJ Sister Karen Klimczak Center
for Nonviolence, the WNY Peace Center, and Women Against Violence Everywhere (WAVE). The Camp, for youth ages 8 to 13,
provides exposure to a diverse community while introducing and exploring communication, social justice issues, and peaceful conflict
resolution.
We learn how to cooperate, deal with feelings, and problem-solve; as well as exploring and hopefully being inspired toward Nonviolence.
This years special focus on leaving peaceprints will include ways in which we can make the world a more peaceful and harmonious
place.
We'll have wonderful guest presenters - activists and artists - from our communities. Students from St. Marys will be invited to join us in
our activities. Well also play games, have recreation (including swimming at Canisius College), do art projects, create a show, and enjoy
a family potluck on July 23rd. Youth assistants and adult volunteers are an integral part of the program.
Registration is $125 per week ($250 for the two-week period), with sliding scale and scholarships available.
For registration forms and further info, please go to http://www.sisterkarencenter.org

For more information or to volunteer, please contact:

Vivian Waltz
Director of the Sister Karen Klimczak Center for Nonviolence
Phone: (716) 362-9688
Email: vivian@sisterkarencenter.org
Victoria Ross
Peaceful Conflict Resolution Consultant (Interfaith Peace Network / WNY Peace Center)
Phone: (716) 884-0582
Email: victoryross9@gmail.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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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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THURSDAY, APRIL 30
Resist Militarism! Task Force Meeting
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
The Daily Planet Coffee Company
1862 Hertel Avenue (corner of Hertel and Parker Avenues)
Buffalo, NY 14216
The next meeting will happen on Thursday, May 28
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THURSDAY, APRIL 30
"Anti-Drone Vigil At Niagara Falls Air Force Base"
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
2026 Lockport Road (outside the Main Gate)
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Signs are encouraged!
The next vigils will happen on Thursday, May 14, and Thursday, May 28.
************************************
WNY Peace Center Resist Militarism Task Force:
Russell Brown
Phone: (716) 570-5200
Email: hobadoxa@me.com
Website: http://wnypeace.org/program/ResistMilitarism.php/