“Making a Planet-Friendly Farm Bill”
MT.HOREB Mon Feb 12, 7 pm Hybrid Meeting of 350.org on the Farm Bill . Mt Horeb Community Center, 107 N Grove St. The federal Farm Bill isn't just vitally important to farmers, it impacts every American community— urban, suburban and rural. ....more details in the Events section, below:
Sent to WNPJ by 350.org and Family Farm Defenders....
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Spotlight on Interfaith Peace Working Group
Sign on today! Wisconsin Communities of Faith and Conscience Call for an Immediate Ceasefire and Peace Negotiations in the Holy Land
What follows is a statement on the tragedy in Gaza developed by the Interfaith Peace Working Group. If you agree with this statement, we encourage you to sign it and be a part of this peace witness of people and communities of faith in Wisconsin. You can read the statement below and add your name by clicking here. –Interfaith Peace Working Group
We, members and leaders of communities of faith and conscience in Wisconsin, have joined together to bring a unified moral voice to the human catastrophe in Gaza and the increasing violence throughout Israel and Palestine. We represent the voices of many others in our local communities of faith and conscience who grieve the deaths of so many human beings in what many of us call the “Holy Land.”
We grieve both the decades of Israeli occupation and oppression in the West Bank and Gaza and the violent attacks of Palestinian groups on Israelis. We are horrified by the brutal October 7th Hamas attack on Israelis. We are also horrified by the retaliatory massacre by Israel’s powerful Defense Forces of tens of thousands of people in Gaza and the West Bank. Our hearts go out to both the Israelis and Palestinians who have lost loved ones and to the Palestinians who are still suffering from Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza.
This is what we know has occurred in the land that holds so many stories central to our understanding of our Creator God:
· On October 7, 2023, over 1100 Israelis and foreign nationals, nearly two thirds of whom were civilians, were killed, tortured or taken forcefully to Gaza to be used as hostages by Hamas.
· In retaliation, tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, two thirds of whom are women and children, have been and are being killed.
· 2.3 million people in Gaza have suffered the total destruction of their communities. Entire neighborhoods, schools, houses of worship, cultural centers and even hospitals have been destroyed. All has been turned to rubble.
· The civilians of Gaza are being deliberately deprived of clean water, food, shelter, medicine, and medical care. Without these basic necessities, many of those who survived the bombings and displacements are starving, freezing or dying of illnesses brought on by the conditions created by Israel’s massive military attack on Gaza.
· Attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank by settlers provided with guns by the Israeli government and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have also increased, resulting in injury, displacement, and death.
As people of faith, we believe we must bring our various faiths to bear on this disaster by:
· Uplifting the Torah value of t’selem Elohim, the Divine Image. Every human life is a reflection of God and has infinite value.
· Uplifting the value of the agape love of Jesus, an active, unconditional and inclusive love that is built on justice for all of God’s children.
· Uplifting the value of ‘adl (justice). The Quran calls upon us to “uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, parents or close relatives.”
We plead with our communities to save precious human lives on all sides of this conflict by:
· Petitioning the President and Wisconsin’s US senators and congressional representatives to demand that they support an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an immediate end to US financial and military support for Israel’s continued attacks on Gaza, an increase in humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, and an end to settlers’ and Israeli Defense Forces’ attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
· Calling on our government to insist on the safe release of all Israeli and international hostages being held by Hamas and all Palestinians being held by Israel for acts of nonviolent political resistance or protest.
· Urging our governmental leaders to convene or participate in an international conference convened by others to work towards the development of a just and lasting peace agreement in the Holy Land. We believe that such an agreement must guarantee the human rights and security of all the region’s inhabitants. To do so, it must include provisions that ensure authentic Palestinian self-determination and deny governing authority to any persons or organizations that support genocidal actions against the Palestinian or Jewish people.
· Rejecting and denouncing all forms and expressions of antisemitism and Islamophobia in our communities, especially in the rhetoric of politicians and White Christian Nationalists.
We invite all people and communities of faith and conscience to sign this statement and join the effort to bring about an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
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Silent Auction for Emergency Aid to Gaza on Feb. 14th - Valentine's Day
Event by Madison-Rafah Sister City Project and Palestine Partners
Silent online auction starts Valentine's Day at Noon and ends February 29 at 5pm. 100% of proceeds will go immediately to Middle East Children’s Alliance to provide emergency food, water, shelter and medical care in Gaza. The auction is free and open to the public. It can be viewed now, and bidding will start Valentine's Day at noon at http://32auctions.com/GazaRelief.
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Be a part of history - join us for a day of nationally coordinated actions!
On March 2, 2024, Wisconsinites from all corners of the state will be gathering in Madison to take part in a day of nationally coordinated actions at over 30 statehouses across the country. Together, we will use our collective voice to demand an end to poverty and lift up ALL of the interlocking injustices that we face as poor and working-class people.
With 140 million poor and low-wealth people in America (the wealthiest nation on earth) we know that poverty is a moral failure of our leadership and we won’t be silent anymore. Chronic poverty is the 4th leading cause of premature death in this country - more than gun violence and car accidents.
It doesn’t need to be this way, and as the majority, we can make a difference.
Want to get involved? Here's how you can take part in this mobilization:
There are many volunteer opportunities leading up to, as well as on the day of, the march and mass assembly. No prior experience is needed! Please CLICK HERE to fill out the form and be involved in this historic day.
Follow us on Facebook + RSVP and share the Facebook event for 3/2!
Talk with your congregation, union, or other organization about coming to 3/2 as a group or spreading the world. Contact us if you would like help reaching out to organizations.
Car-pooling options:
Buses will be departing from Beloit, Milwaukee, and Racine! Do you want to ride the bus? Sign up here:
A sliding scale donation of $0-15 is suggested for bus tickets — pay what you can.
Need a ride from a different part of the state? Email us at wisconsin@poorpeoplescampaign.org to be connected to carpools to the best of our ability.
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Madison Arcatao Sister City Project Gathering - Madison
The 2024 Madison Arcatao Sister City Project's trip to El Salvador is scheduled for June 9-16, 2024 and you are invited to join us!
We sponsor these trips for three reasons: 1- Offering the opportunity to people in Madison to experience our sister city for themselves, 2- Renewing our friendship with the people of Arcatao and be witness to the joys and challenges of their lives 3- Bringing current personal stories from Arcatao and El Salvador to the Madison community and to Wisconsin’s representatives in Congress.
The theme this year is water quality, water rights, and how sugar cane production affects water and environmental quality in El Salvador. To explore these areas, we’ll be talking with social justice activists in San Salvador, visiting the organized southern community of Las Anonas where sugar cane is produced, and renewing friendships in Arcatao where our sister city is fighting to retain control of their water and avoid privatization.
We’ll be exploring El Salvador, too. Some options are hiking El Boqueron, the volcano outside San Salvador, visiting Shicali Cerámica, a pottery workshop in El Salvador, and exoloring St Romero’s home, chapel, and meditation garden. Join the group now and help plan our itinerary!
As usual, we’ll be traveling with US El Salvador Sister City (USESSC) staff member, Zulma Tobar, who will be making all our travel, housing and activity arrangements in El Salvador. Depending on air fare, the total cost should be under $2000. This amount includes all meals, transportation, visits and home stays as well as a payment to USESSC for the organizing, guiding and interpreting. Last year the total cost was around $1700.
Interested? Have questions? Want more information?
Come to our annual informal gatherings/reunions!
Where: Finca Salvadoran Cafe, 2500 Rimrock Rd #105, Madison
Dates: Saturday, February 17 and/or March 16
Time: 10 AM-12 PM
Or you can text Joan at 608 556-0717
Friends of MASCP, past travelers to El Salvador, curious about MASCP,
lovers of great coffee and pupusas?
You are all invited to these gatherings! See you there!
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WNPJ member groups and affiliates issue Statements and Action Alerts on Hamas/Palestine/Israel
See the developing list here: https://www.wnpj.org/post/statements-from-wnpj-groups-and-their-national-affiliates-on-palestine-israel-hamas
Petitions to sign https://www.change.org/p/sign-and-share-this-urgent-petition-calling-for-a-ceasefirenow-in-gaza-and-israel and phone calls to make.
Go to the Madison Rafah Sister City sites: http://madisonrafah.org/ and/or https://www.facebook.com/madisonrafah to learn more.
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Upcoming Events this week for WNPJ groups:
MADISON Mon Feb 12, 12 noon – 1 pm Monday Noon Vigil for Peace – Meet at the corner of MLK, Jr. Blvd and Doty St. For more information, call Tim at 608-630-3633.
MT.HOREB Mon Feb 12, 7 pm Hybrid Meeting of 350.org on the Farm Bill “Making a Planet-Friendly Farm Bill”. Mt Horeb Community Center, 107 N Grove St. The federal Farm Bill isn't just vitally important to farmers, it impacts every American community— urban, suburban and rural.
This massive legislation shapes national policies dealing with everything from nutrition and hunger to climate change and natural resource conservation. Following up on our panel last November, we will be holding another panel discussion in Mt Horeb! Learn how to influence the Farm Bill to promote agricultural practices that are good for farmers, the land, air and water quality, consumers, and the climate. Then, take action with us as part of the event!
Our speakers will be Margaret Krome, Senior Policy Expert for the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute; Daron Von Ruden, President of the Wisconsin Farmers Union; and 350 Wisconsin’s own Mike McCabe! We are co-hosting this event with Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives, Wisconsin Farmers Union, Blue Jean Nation, and the Farley Center. member group of WNPJ This will be a hybrid event, on Monday, February 12th at 7:00pm. Please contact Michael Friend at mjfriend0316@gmail.com if you are coming via zoom, for the link. See you there! 350wisconsin@350wisconsin.org
VIRTUAL Tues Feb 13, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Webinar: Attorney Adam Voskuil from Midwest Environmental Advocates will discuss CAFO regulations and moratoriums. Register online. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-review-of-local-regulations-and-moratoriums-for-cafos-in-wisconsin-tickets-769844414367 In recent years, several local governments have adopted measures to address the impacts of concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, on the environment. This presentation will review those efforts and discuss one of the most common starting points for local governments that are considering regulating CAFOs within their borders: a moratorium. A moratorium is a temporary suspension or prohibition on an activity. In this context, a CAFO moratorium can put a pause on CAFO development for a short period of time as the local government considers its options for regulations. Register here (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-review-of-local-regulations-and-moratoriums-for-cafos-in-wisconsin-tickets-769844414367) Questions? contact@cleanwateractioncouncil.org
MADISON and VIRTUAL Tues Feb 13, 7 – 8:30 pm February General Membership Meeting of DSA-Madison. Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson St. Hybrid Zoom Option For more information: dsamadison@gmail.com
VIRTUAL Tues Feb 13, 7 pm UN Sustainable Development Goals. Join UNA USA Dane County via zoom with February's Guest Lecturer Heather Phelps from the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education. Heather will address UN Sustainable Development Goals 13, Climate Action, and 7 Affordable and Clean Energy. Click Here to join the meeting UNA USA Dane County unausadanecounty@gmail.com
MILWAUKEE Wed Feb. 14, 12 noon – 1 pm ANTI-ROTC VIGIL. Meet in front of Marquette University Library on Wisconsin Ave. Casa Maria Catholic Worker casamariamke@gmail.com
LaCROSSE Thurs Feb 15, 12 noon - 12:30 pm Weekly Women in Black Peace Vigil. Meet at Main St & 4th Street South. A weekly vigil for peace every Thursday. Contact Deborah. dbuffton@yahoo.com
EAU CLAIRE Fri Feb 16, 5 – 6 pm Monthly Peace Stand. Meet at Trunk and Golf Road, Wisconsin 93 - The 3rd Friday of each month is Peace Stand time in Eau Claire, going on since 2004. We gather with, we visit one another and sometimes we sing. Stand and be counted. Mark Helpsmeet is with Northern Spirit Radio, a member group of WNPJ. Contact for more information: helpsmeet@usa.net
MILWAUKEE and VIRTUAL Sat Feb 17, 10 – 11:30 am The UNA of Greater Milwaukee presentation by Candice Owley: COP28: An Eyewitness Report on the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, plus the Annual Business Meeting. Attend In-Person at Zao MKE Church – 2319 E. Kenwood Blvd. Free & Open to the Public or Virtually https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7165675210?pwd=WjJUcTE3c0gwd1NhQndab3dFQ3hRQT09#success https://www.unamilwaukee.org/
MADISON - Sat Feb 17, 10 - 12 noon Madison Arcatao Sister City Gathering
See details above in the Spotlight section....
Where: Finca Salvadoran Cafe, 2500 Rimrock Rd #105, Madison
Dates: Saturday, February 17 and/or March 16
Time: 10 AM-12 PM info@mascp.org
MILWAUKEE Sat Feb 17, 12 noon - 1 pm Peace Action WI - Weekly STAND for PEACE: Each Saturday, a different location. Today meet at Sherman and North. Join us. Bring your signs. info@peaceactionwi.org https://www.peaceactionwi.org/stand_for_peace
VIROQUA Sat Feb 17, 11 am - 12 noon Driftless Palestinian Solidarity Weekly Vigil. Meet at Decker and Main. Action Alert: The Driftless Palestinian Solidarity group has a petition to demand that Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and end financial aid to Israel's military. If your group is interested in getting signatures, please email driftless.solidarity@gmail.com. Thank you for your help!
RACINE Sat Feb 17, 12:30 – 1:30 pm Weekly Stand for Peace. 909 Dr Martin Luther King Dr. Supported by the Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice. We have signs, banners and flags available for all. Check out our website, http://racinepeace.wordpress.com for weather concerns. Free Palestine!
MADISON Sat Feb 17th 11 am - 3:30 pm Screening of TWO Envionmental Films: The Marquee Cinema at Union South, 1308 W Dayton St #245. Join 350.org WI for two environmental films on plastic pollution and the climate crisis at the Marquee Cinema at UW-Madison! The first film, "Plastic China," begins at 11 AM and the second film, “How to Let Go of The World," begins at 1:15 PM. A panel discussion, featuring 350 Wisconsin and Sustain Dane, will be held after both films at 2:30 PM.
This insightful event is a collaboration between Waste Less Films with UW-Madison student organizations: Ethical and Responsible Business Network (ERBN) and Social and Environmental Business Advocates (SEBA).
WHAT: Waste Less Films WHEN: Saturday, February 17
Learn more about each movie and buy tickets below!
Plastic China
This film follows 11-year-old Yi-Jie, an unschooled girl from a YI minority family, working in a recycling workshop far from her mountain village home, yearning for an education. The film explores the challenges these families face as they hand-recycle waste, making tough choices to survive and revealing the enduring global issues we all share.
How to Let Go of the World
Oscar-nominated director Josh Fox traveled to 12 countries on 6 continents, the film acknowledges that it may be too late to stop some of the worst consequences and asks, what is it that climate change can’t destroy? What is so deep within us that no calamity can take it away?
We hope to see you there! -All of Us at 350 Wisconsin contact@350wisconsin.org
Rally and March for Gaza - Sunday, Feb 18th 2 pm MILWAUKEE
Meet at COUNTY COURTHOUSE PLAZA, 930 W WELLS ST
More information at info@peaceactionwi.org
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Join WNPJ!WNPJ welcomes individual members and groups!
For individuals, join at a sliding scale rate of $35/year – or whatever fits your budget!
For between $50 - $75/year, a WNPJ membership keeps your group connected with peace and justice efforts and helps keep the Network going - and growing!https://www.wnpj.org/membership
We help our member organizations reach a wider audience by amplifying your peace and justice events and actions on our listserve and Facebook page. Membership also provides access to our community tabling opportunities, our online toolbox of peace and justice resources, and a community that cares about your peace and justice journey.
If your group would like to get your events posted in the weekly e-bulletin – JOIN US! https://www.wnpj.org/membership
The WI Network for Peace and Justice is the umbrella non-profit organization
supporting the work of 82 member groups around Wisconsin.
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You can open any of our weekly WNPJ e-Bulletins from the archive and copy the web address to share with others
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