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The annual spring meeting of theWisconsin Network for Peace and Justice is on Saturday, May 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Join WNPJ for the 2024 Spring Assembly!Our 2024 theme is "Environmental Justice - Confronting Extreme Extraction and Ending Resource Wars on Indigenous and Frontline People" Some highlights: ·  Dena Eakles will talk about the work of WNPJ's recently created Environmental Justice Task Force, made possible by a BEA grant, and make connections between environmental issues and war. ·  This will be an opportunity for WNPJ member groups to present a 'report from the field' , make connections, and share how they have been responding to the war in Gaza-Israel. ·  A special tribute will be presented in memorium to Carl Sack - a mapmaker for justice. Connect on your own or meet with a group to connect to Zoom at one of the satellite locations in Keshena ore Madison. Form your own group and let us know!  We can reimburse for treats. Register here ---> bit.ly/WNPJSPRING24 ·  Madison: Madison Friends Meeting House. With a potluck at noon! ·  Milwaukee: TBD ·  Keshena: College of the Menominee Nation The purpose of this annual spring meeting is to offer a program to set our WNPJ goals and vision for the year ahead, with input from our member groups and allies."Reports from the Field" will allow member group contacts five minutes to update us on their activities. Let us know if you want to speak for your member group on the registration form.We will choose a nominating committee for new board members, who will begin their term this fall. If you're interested in serving on the board or nominating committee, let us know at info@wnpj.org. ******************************** SPOTLIGHT on Worker Justice Wisconsin MADISON Thurs May 16, 8 – 10 am Worker Justice Wisconsin's annual Faith Labor Breakfast. At First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave. This is a time for labor and faith communities to gather and share our collective passion for worker justice. Our 2024 theme, Sprouting the Seeds of Solidarity, means cultivating our relationships with one another to fight oppression in the workplace. Like trees in a forest, we grow together in unity to achieve a world where all workers are treated with dignity and respect by their employers and have a real voice in the workplace. When employers try to cut us down and divide us across language, nationality, race, or religion, we come together in solidarity in defense of our collective purpose rooted in justice. Sprouting the Seeds of Solidarity requires nurturing, patience, and love, but the harvest is well worth the struggle. Moving forward in 2024 and beyond, Worker Justice Wisconsin aims to intensify the wage theft campaign through targeted door-knocking and community trainings, expand collective action efforts in the construction industry, and support worker-owned cooperatives while strengthening partnerships with faith, labor, and community organizations. Join us to find out how you can get involved with our work! Learn more here: https://www.classy.org/event/annual-faith-labor-breakfast-2024/e567217 ********************************** SPOTLIGHT on URBAN TRIAGE MADISON Fri May 17, 6 – 11 pm Black Brilliance Gala: A Celebration of Our Unsung Heroes . Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State Street. We at Urban Triage are delighted to extend a warm invitation to you for our first and highly anticipated Black Brilliance Gala This extraordinary event promises an evening of elegance, celebration, and empowerment as we come together to honor the achievements and contributions of the those in our community. With an inspiring lineup of speakers, captivating performances, and dining, our Black Brilliance Gala is set to be an unforgettable experience. This is not just a gala; it's a gathering of minds, spirits, and hearts committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and excellence. To reserve your tickets, simply click here. Early purchase is recommended as seating is limited. Join us as we celebrate the vibrancy, resilience, and brilliance of the Black community. Your presence will contribute to making this event an exceptional and meaningful affair. urbantriage@gmail.com ******************************************************************* WNPJ member groups and affiliates issue Statements, Events, Action Alerts on Hamas/Palestine/Israel UW Madison - Friday, May 10 https://news.wisc.edu/agreement-reached-to-resolve.../ ...and at UW-Milwaukee: https://wtmj.com/.../negotiations-are-definitely.../ A message from Milwaukee’s Vets for Peace Chapter Tue, May 7, 2024 https://dissidentvoice.org/2024/05/veterans-support-students-protesting-genocide-in-palestine/ *********************************************** 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. ******************************** ACTION ALERT! Tell EPA to BAN Open Burning of PFAS, Toxic Munitions The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting public comment on proposed regulations that will allow for the open burning and detonation (OB/OD) of waste explosives. In communities across America, open burning and detonation of energetic hazardous waste results in the uncontrolled release of toxic heavy metals, PFAS, energetic compounds, perchlorate, nitrogen oxides, dioxins and other carcinogens to the environment, placing the health of our soldiers, workers and neighbors at risk. How and Where to Submit a Comment: The DEADLINE for public comment is Monday May 20, 2024. Comments can be submitted through the online form on the Federal Register website. Suggested talking points: Only a BAN on OB/OD will: ·         Prevent the uncontrolled release of PFAS and other toxic and carcinogenic emissions to the environment. ·         Incentivize the development of newer safer treatment technologies. ·         Readily secure federal funding for the deployment of alternative technologies. ·         Encourage the development and transition to “green” munitions. ·         Protect the integrity and sustainability of natural systems including soil, water, air and biodiversity. ·         Prevent the uncontrolled release of emerging unregulated toxic chemicals like RDX and PFAS. ·         Only a BAN will provide fair and equitable treatment for all communities by protecting ALL communities. The full URL for the Federal Register website is https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/03/20/2024-05088/revisions-to-standards-for-the-open-burningopen-detonation-of-waste-explosives From Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger | www.CSWAB.org **************************************** WNPJ member group events…. Throughout the state: Mon May 13th – various times and locations: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Rallies: WDC Statewide Tour: Our Vote, Our Ballot Box Rally Working people in Wisconsin deserve to have a voice for our families and futures. Expanding access to the ballot box for all eligible voters — including through drop boxes— gives all of us more options for getting a say to protect our freedoms. Join us as the Wisconsin Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments to bring Ballot Drop Boxes back to Wisconsin on Monday, May 13th at a rally NEAR YOU! Madison: 9:00am at 2 E. Main St, Madison, WI 53703 Wisconsin State Capitol Floor Above Ground Level Milwaukee: 10:30am at 2727 W. Fond Du Lac Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53210 Milwaukee Public Library Center Street Branch Green Bay: 12:00pm at 100 S. Jefferson St, Green Bay, WI 54301 Brown County Courthouse Eau Claire: 12:00pm at 203 S Farwell St, Eau Claire, WI 54701 Eau Claire City Hall Courtyard Entrance Wausau: 12:00pm at 407 Grant Street, Wausau, WI 54403 Wausau City Hall RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWs4EJiP7xwRYxT-Q1ya9FlHuRcOkEwY6YBj-bg5W-6CrxKw/viewform   Nick Ramos/Wis Democracy Campaign mail@wisdc.org ******************************************** MADISON Mon May 13, 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. VIRTUAL Tues May 14, 6:30 pm Taking a Faithful Stand for Equity webinar.  A welcome back Professor Gloria Ladson-Billings who will speak on: DEI: Why the Backlash? In the last few years, the anti-CRT forces have turned their attention to DEI – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  DEI training helps people understand issues such as unconscious bias, anti-racism, systems of oppression, and strategies to honor diversity in the workplace. Diversity Offices ensure that workplaces and schools adhere to best DEI practices. Please register here. wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com VIRTUAL Tues May 14, 7 pm Monthly MADSA General Membership Meeting – via zoom. We will be talking about next steps for the Abolish School Lunch Debt campaign, as well as the Palestinian solidarity encampment protests, and consider endorsing Francesca Hong for State Assembly. See you there! Check with organizers for the mtg zoom link. dsamadison@gmail.com VIRTUAL Tues May 14, 1 – 2 pm PFAS Community Discussion Presented by Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Epidemiology Center. Join us for this virtual event “ PFAS in Harvestable Goods”,  Learn more about PFAS and how it is affecting harvestable goods such as fish and wild rice. Register here: https://glitc.iad1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_3KLbuEJHrYzOvLE... GLITEC@public.govdelivery.com . Sent to WNPJ by Mary Kay Baum MADISON Wed May 15, 4:30 – 7 pm Banners Up for Palestine for Nakba Day. Join MRSCP at West Lawn & Monroe Street in the plaza by Trader Joe’s with your signs, flags, banners and kuffiyas in remembrance of the Nakba. Check here for updates. http://www.madisonrafah.org MONTICELLO, MN Wed May 15, 6 pm  Public Comment Period Opens on Plan to Run Monticello Reactor 20 Additional Years: Two public meetings to deal with questions about the Draft EIS. An in-person meeting will be held May 15, at 6 p.m., at the Monticello Community Center in Monticello, Minn.  Contact John LaForge – 715-491-3813, nukewatch1@lakeland.ws ; and Kelly Lundeen – 715-933-1941, kellylundeen14@gmail.com  for more information. VIRTUAL Wed May 15, 6:30 – 7:30 Wisconsin PPC Statewide Meeting. On Zoom Join PPC folks across the state to learn more about how the "waking the sleeping giant" report informs our strategy and tactics this election season. Discover ways to connect with folks in your area and see tools that will help us as we reach out in our communities. We will also share updates on our WI delegation to the Mass Poor Peoples and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington and to the Polls on June 29th, 2024 – You can find more info on how to join us here: ppcdaneco@gmail.com. Register at https://bit.ly/wippcmay to join us! VIRTUAL Wed May 15, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Path to Peace Introduction - via zoom. You are welcome to participate in this introductory meeting – to learn about a free, ten-week Zoom educational program on peace in June and July. Topics include: peace, hope, appreciation, inner strength, clarity, choice, understanding, self awareness, dignity, contentment. Registration Link for the introduction: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrcumgqTsvGt11qgKuqF3S8unri9pEAm15  . Please register in advance. Questions? 608-606-4450. Contact dena.eakles@gmail.com MADISON Wed May 15, 6 pm Business Meeting of Veterans for Peace #25. Check with organizers for the venue. Brad Geyer 920-650-0052 MADISON Thurs May 16, 8 – 10 am Worker Justice Wisconsin's annual Faith Labor Breakfast. At First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave. This is a time for labor and faith communities to gather and share our collective passion for worker justice….See more above under Spotlights…. LaCROSSE Thurs May 16, 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 MILWAUKEE Thurs May 16, 12 noon – 1 pm Anti-ROTC Vigil. Meet Across from the library at Marquette U on W. Wisconsin Ave.  Organized by Casa Maria Catholic Worker House. Contact Shad Muss shadmuss1983@gmail.com EAU CLAIRE Fri May 17, 5 – 6 pm Monthly Peace Stand. Wisconsin 93 Trunk & Golf Road. The 3rd Friday of each month is Peace Stand time in Eau Claire, going on since 2004. We gather with signs at Hwy 93 & Golf Road, 5-6 pm, we visit one another and sometimes we sing. Stand and be counted. Contact for more information: helpsmeet@usa.net MADISON Fri May 17, 6 – 11 pm Black Brilliance Gala: A Celebration of Our Unsung Heroes . Overture Center for the Arts, 201 State Street.  See Spotlight above to learn more! MADISON Sat May 18, 12 noon – 3 pm with free luncheon -   Panel: Highlighting the Impact of the Climate Crisis, Conflict, Economics, and Covid on Women - Christ Presbyterian Church, East Gorham Street. Dane County Chapter of the United Nations Association-USA welcomes you to join us at our upcoming event. This year’s one-day, in-person, women’s summit will address how the four major crises as identified by the National UNA-USA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF361a019zA  of our polycrisis era adversely impact women all over the world more severely than any other group. In other words, the conference will look at the climate crisis, conflict, the gloomy global economic outlook, and lingering Covid-19 effects through the lens of their impact on women. Click here to register  . More information at maryyr1009@gmail.com MILWAUKEE Sat May 18, 12 noon - 1 pm Peace Action WI - Weekly STAND for PEACE: Capitol and Teutonia. Each Saturday, a different location.  Join us. Bring your signs. info@peaceactionwi.org    https://www.peaceactionwi.org/stand_for_peace VIROQUA Sat May 18, 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! MILWAUKEE and VIRTUAL Sat May 18, 10 – 11:30 am Global Affairs Forum: The Quest For Peace In Ukraine Stalemate Ahead in Russia – Ukraine War. Zao MKE Church, 2319 E Kenwood Blvd. Supported by The United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee and the UW-Milwaukee Institute of World Affairs.  Free & Open to the Public. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82376582389?pwd=L21qYUMvV3NpcHordlIyK3hWWGkrUT09 . To attend by phone only: 1.312.626.6799 Zoom ID: 823 7658 2389 Password: 456430. For more information, contact: Gary Shellman at 414.228.1854 https://www.unamilwaukee.org/ VIRTUAL and in Superior, Kashena, and Madison – Sat. May 18th 1 – 3 pm  WNPJ’s Annual Spring Meeting….see the SPOTLIGHT above to register and learn more. RACINE Sat May 18, 12:30 – 1:30 pm Weekly Stand for Peace. At NW corner of Highways 31 and 20. Park in the SW corner of the Kohl's parking lot, near the AT&T store. 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 Sun May 19, 11 am – 7 pm WORTstock 2024! - Warner Park, 2930 North Sherman Avenue. WORT 89.9 FM is back for another spirited celebration of community radio! Enjoy live music in a variety of styles, food and craft vendors, info tables, arts and crafts, games, a prize raffle and the WORT Boutique. Plus, the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild returns for the 20th Annual No Crap on Tap! Live performers include: 12:00 Noon Son del Atlantico (Afro-Colombian) 1:20 pm Strings to Roam (bluegrass and roots) 2:40 pm BlueStem Jazz presents Undisclosed Sims (psych jazz) 4:00 pm Roscoe Foster & The Rascal Theory (blues) and 5:30 pm Boiled in Lead (Celtic rock from Minneapolis) with Special Appearance by FORWARD! Marching Band! More info? Visit: https://www.wortfm.org/wortstock-returns/ Sent to WNPJ by Madison Infoshop peckjohne@gmail.com VIROQUA Sun May 19, 2 – 5 pm Gathering for Environmental, Justice, Democracy and Peace. Eckhart Park. You (and your organization) are invited to participate in this gathering. There will be a chance for you to table, at no cost. We will have a few speakers followed by an open forum for discussion on issues that are important to all of us. We are hoping to have representation and information from the wide array of organizations in our area. Environmental, Justice, Democracy and Peace / anti-war orgs are welcome to attend. Community building, education, and action are the hoped for outcomes of our time together. Hopefully some music and food, too. Please let us know if you can make it, and if you would like to help spread the word, invite others, etc. Dena Eakles, Forest Jahnke, Jen Schmitz - the planning team. This is one stop of Building Unity's democracy tour around the state. https://echovalleyhope.org 608-606-4450 ******************************************************* 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. ****************************************** Here's an opportunity for WNPJ member groups! WNPJ member groups can sign up for a Saturday opportunity to TABLE at the Dane County Farmers Market – this Spring and summer at the Capitol Square. The Farmers Market opening date is April 13th – 7 am to 1 pm …and runs through Nov. 9th on Saturdays. Sign up for your spot today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daaa929a5fac34-wnpj#/ Bring your own table and hand-outs to the King Street corner of the Square, site #10, next to the VFP #25 table! You can't sell anything at the non-profit table, but donations to your group are acceptable. Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org *************************************************** If your group would like to get your events posted in the weekly e-bulletin – JOIN US! https://www.wnpj.org/membership Join WNPJ – www.wnpj.org **************************************** Interested in a yard sign? WNPJ has yard signs available!  yardsigns@wnpj.org See our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WisNPJ "Like" us and follow us! Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org

Hello everyone, Israel has rejected the latest ceasefire proposal and intensified its bombardment of Rafah, including destroying and seizing the Rafah crossing and further blocking aid as full-blown famine spreads in Gaza. It has ordered 100,000 people to evacuate from Rafah as a ground invasion begins. Please take the following actions in response: CALL THE WHITE HOUSE AT  (202) 456-1111 CALL SEN. TAMMY BALDWIN AT (202) 224-5653 CALL SEN. RON JOHNSON AT (202) 224-5323 CALL REP. MARK POCAN AT (202) 225-2906 (If any of these are not your representatives, please use this link to make a call.) *************************************************** SUPPORT THE UW STUDENT ENCAMPMENT Here in Madison, the UW student encampment on Library Mall continues; you can follow their requests and daily plans at this link. We understand that they are especially in need of support during the overnight hours. *********************************************** Also, Madison World Beyond War offers this nonviolent training tomorrow Wed. May 8: Madison for a World BEYOND War invites you to a training workshop this Wednesday called “Take to the Streets."  It will be led by Julie and Mohammed, of Community Peacemaker Teams & the Des Moines Catholic Worker, to help us prepare to support the students more, and to prepare ourselves for future war abolition work in general. Space is limited, timing will depend on when more people can come, so please rsvp today! Training info: https://actn.et/Fr9jXFi0  RSVP for training: https://actn.et/Fr9jXFi1 *********************************** CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION TO BE VOTED ON TONIGHT A City Council resolution "Reaffirming Support for a Permanent Ceasefire and Supporting Student Protestors" has been introduced for a vote tonight, Tuesday May 7, at the regular Council meeting beginning at 6:30 pm. The much stronger resolution originally drafted by Alders Wehelie, Bennett and Rummel has been significantly altered. You can read the old and new resolutions here. There are three ways you can weigh in on this resolution. (1) You can send an email to the Common Council at allalders@cityofmadison.com (2) You can register your opinion here, indicating whether or not you wish to speak. (The resolution is Item 38 on the agenda) If you want to join the meeting via zoom, they will send instructions. (3) You can attend the meeting in person. Meetings are held in Room 201 of the Madison City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.. Madison 53703. You can register upon arrival as long as you do so before the item comes to the floor. Thank you, Barb O. MRSCP Madison-Rafah Sister-City Proj

contact@cleanwateractioncouncil.org https://www.wnpj.org/member-organizations-list/clean-water-action-council

From Common Dreams: Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip hold a press conference and event in the courtyard of a school turned into a shelter in the city of Rafah, expressing gratitude and thanks to American and European university students for their solidarity with Gaza on April 28, 2024. (Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images) UPDATE ON THE UW LIBRARY MALL PROTEST ENCAMPMENT After the police broke up the Library Mall protest and detained 34 people early Wednesday morning, the encampment was quickly rebuilt. A meeting was finally held between the Chancellor and the students and it is reported that police action is halted for the time being. WORT Radio has this excellent coverage. The Daily Cardinal blog is also a good source of information. And here is a good collection of pictures from Madison and Milwaukee protests. Meanwhile, anyone who can come down to the Library Mall protest please do so. SJP posts a daily schedule with updates on Instagram. Tonight there will be a Liberation Shabbat sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace beginning at 7:30. Also, if anyone is experiencing harassment by counter-protestors or others, JVP is tracking those incidents and asks that people report them by emailing madison@jewishvoiceforpeace.org. GOOD ARTICLES TO READ (1) The Police Brought Violence to UW Madison's Gaza Encampment (Eyewitness account by Scott Gordon in Tone Magazine) (2) Will they Crush the Biggest Student Movement Since Vietnam? (JVP Wire) (3) Another Option is Possible: University of MN and Protestors Reach Agreement. Northwestern and Brown University also reached agreements with protestors. PETITIONS TO SIGN (1)  Please sign this petition to 37 college administrations (including UW Madison) asking for a stop to police repression against students protesting genocide in Gaza, with a special emergency petition to UCLA. Go to the link and click on the tabs to send your messages. There is also a great deal of information at that link. (2) Tell Google: Stop Retaliating Against Employees Speaking out for Palestine and Reinstate the Fired 50. AND...IRONIC SURPRISE OF THE WEEK: It turns out that camping on campus IS allowed!!! Badger fans camp outside Kohl Center ahead of game (Feb. 2024) AND FINALLY...MEANWHILE IN GAZA: As the news is dominated by the student protests, we need to remember the reality of what is going on in Gaza that is driving those protests. Check out The Electronic Intifada "Features" Section for a series of first-hand accounts of what life is like in Gaza right now, including Gaza's New and Terrifying Reality by Ahmed Abu Artema. Prominent Palestinian doctor tortured and killed in Israeli detention Reported by Middle East Eye (May 2, 2024) The Israel-US game plan for Gaza is staring us in the face by Jonathan Cook The western media is pretending the West’s efforts to secure a ceasefire are serious. But a different script has clearly been written in advance. This is what we must stop. *************************************************************************************************** MRSCP P.O. Box 5214 Madison, WI 53705 http://www.madisonrafah.org Face Book Twitter

WNPJ + Register TODAY for the May 18th WNPJ Spring Meeting + SPOTLIGHT on UW Gaza Protests +  MRSCP Action Alert + Annual Mothers’ Day Luncheon in Milwaukee + how to see "Bad River" + other statewide events *********************************** The annual spring meeting of theWisconsin Network for Peace and Justice is on Saturday, May 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Join WNPJ for the 2024 Spring Assembly!Our 2024 theme is "Environmental Justice - Confronting Extreme Extraction and Ending Resource Wars on Indigenous and Frontline People"Connect on your own, or meet with a group to connect to Zoom at one of the satellite locations in Superior, Keshena, Milwaukee, and Madison. Some locations may offer social/potluck/networking opportunities. It's free, and open to all! Register here ---> https://bit.ly/WNPJSPRING24 ·  Madison: Madison Friends Meeting House ·  Milwaukee: TBD ·  Keshena: College of the Menominee Nation ·  Superior: Ball room at the Old Post Office, 1401 Tower Ave. The purpose of this annual spring meeting is to offer a program to set our WNPJ goals and vision for the year ahead, with input from our member groups and allies."Reports from the Field" will allow member group contacts five minutes to update us on their activities. Let us know if you want to speak for your member group on the registration form.We will choose a nominating committee for new board members, who will begin their term this fall. If you're interested in serving on the board or nominating committee, let us know at info@wnpj.org. ******************************** SPOTLIGHT on UW protests. WNPJ member groups involved with witnessing for peace and negotiations include Madison Rafah Sister City Project, Jewish Voice for Peace, World BEYOND War – Madison, WILPF, Echo Valley Hope, Building Unity, Veterans for Peace #25 – and others… **************************** The Needle is Moving Toward Peace – by Dena Eakles, posted May 2nd As of April 30, 98 universities were engaged in civil disobedience across the US - with three more slated to begin over the next few days. This is not a one off. These people are clear and determined. They've learned from history and from this very ugly present moment. This uprising of love and desire for peace is student led - with the support of their communities - family, clergy, faculty and more. They have absorbed the lessons of history and are putting everything on the line to say "no more". And what precisely is the "no more"? They're demanding an end to the genocide of Palestinian people, but not stopping there. They're demanding their universities and colleges stop feeding the military industrial complex and divert the money towards peace building. By and large the encampments have been peaceful. But you don't hear much about the peaceful. You hear about 1,000's of arrests. You don't read about ongoing debates between city and university police or how a few universities have negotiated with the students in good faith. Now we see how Wisconsin will handle the students. This early morning brought a wave of militarized police following the orders to shut down the Madison encampment. I've been on the receiving end of militarized police with batons. I've witnessed provocateurs - both within and outside movements. They attempt to disrupt the peaceful - with intention or with ignorance. We can't be distracted by sideshows. This is an important and defining moment. These students have taken the passion of the 60's and added the layered learnings of indigenous struggle, nonviolent actions, and the unnerving confidence of ones who know they're on the right side of history. Beyond a doubt the needle is moving towards peace. And they are reminding us once again that there is another way. The question always remains, will we take it? I was in Madison for the beginning of the encampment. I was impressed with the manner in which the students conducted themselves and cared for one another. They are working hard to break free from the tyranny of violence that robs this country of everything good. This action by authorities was not warranted.  Dena.eakles@gmail.com – Posted on  Dena’s ‘let kindness win’ blog **************************** Action Alert from Madison Rafah Sister City Project: The UW-Madison encampment organizers are also asking everyone to make these four phone calls in protest of the police action. Please insist that all charges against those arrested be dropped and that no further police action against peaceful protestors be taken. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin (608) 262-9946 Option 4 Dean of Students Christina Olstad (608) 263-5700 Interim Campus Police Chief Brent Plisch (608) 890-2730 Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett: 608-266-4022 (remind him that he's elected) ******************************************* CANCELLED - this weekend of events is cancelled in light of the UW-Madison Encampment. CANCELLED - Fri. May 11 - Sat. May 12 - United Madison 24-hour Gaza action JVP, Jewish Voice for Peace, Madison DSA, Madison for a World BEYOND War, and the Madison Rafah Sister City Project are uniting again to advocate for an immediate ceasefire, a permanent cessation of hostilities, and an end to all US military aid and tactical support to Israel. Contact warabolition@gmail.com for more information ****************************** SPOTLIGHT on Peace Action WI – Mother's Day Afternoon Peace Luncheon - Milwaukee Sunday, 12 May, 3:00 - 4:00 pm Art Bar, 722 E Burleigh St ·        Mother’s Day Proclamation by Julia Ward Howe Read by Julie Byrnes Enslow ·        Founder of the original Mother's Day in 1870, Julia Ward Howe called upon the women of the world to come together to work for the eradication of war. ·        Music by vocalist Dorothy James ·        Special guest speaker on the plight of mothers and children in Gaza. ·        Homemade Desserts - Cash Bar $25.00 per person- Fundraiser for Peace Action Wisconsin- limited seating. Reservations: 414-269-9525 or email pamrichard35@gmail.com ******************************** 'Bad River' is now available for individual screenings through vimeo - and most of the $22 viewing fee goes back to the Bad River folks. Check it out. Questions? Or would you group like to have a public showing? Contact Mary Kay Baum marykbaum@gmail.com https://vimeo.com/ondemand/badriverconsumerversion/936794013 'Bad River', the powerful new documentary film written and directed by award-winning filmmaker, Mary Mazzio and narrated by Indigenous activist and model Quannah ChasingHorse and award-winning actor Edward Norton, chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band and its ongoing fight for sovereignty, a story which unfolds in a groundbreaking way through a series of shocking revelations, devastating losses, and a powerful legacy of defiance and resilience. This inspiring project brings us through an epic sweep of history into the present, with a David vs. Goliath battle to save Lake Superior, the largest freshwater resource in America. As Eldred Corbine, a Bad River Tribal Elder declares: “We gotta protect it… die for it, if we have to.” ************************************* WNPJ member group events…. MADISON Mon May 6, 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. MADISON Tues May 7, 12 noon – 3 pm Event by Maeqtekuahkihkiw Metaemohsak Inc., Woodland Women. At the Wisconsin State Capitol . #May5th is the National Day of Awareness for #MMIWG and Woodland Women are working in collaboration with Wisconsin Women's Council and the Wisconsin Task Force for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women to center families and survivors in this heart work we do to support and stand with them in healing. This event promotes that support and healing by bringing awareness and testimony to the truths of our people and the violence that happens to us. We want to include all of our relatives that have gone missing and have been murdered. This includes our brothers and our two spirit relatives. We will #WraptheCapitol in red with our ribbon skirts, dresses, and ribbon shirts with song and prayer. All families are welcome to come speak. Please let us know how we can support you in that. #MMIWG2S #MMIW #MMIP #MMIR #MaehkīwEnāhpes #RedDress Sent to WNPJ by Peace ACcion WI - info@peaceactionwi.org Keshena - Wed May 8.... throughout the day - Building Unity's "UnityMobile" and the Democracy Tour is coming to the Menominee Nation. Join us at the Cultural Learning Center at the College of the Menominee Nation for pizza, refreshments, fellowship, and an opportunity to explore creating a united response to the violent forces of colonialism, militarism, racism, extractive capitalism, etc... Please call Building Unity at 608-630-3633 with questions. https://www.facebook.com/events/1143548580113632/ VIRTUAL Wed May 8, 1 pm  Public Comment Period Opens on Plan to Run Monticello Reactor 20 Additional Years: Two public meetings to deal with question about the Draft EIS. A virtual meeting/teleconference will be May 8, 2024, at 1 p.m. and an in-person meeting will be held May 15, 2024, at 6 p.m., at the Monticello Community Center in Monticello, Minn.  Contact John LaForge – 715-491-3813, nukewatch1@lakeland.ws ; and Kelly Lundeen – 715-933-1941, kellylundeen14@gmail.com  for more information on the zoom link. MADISON and VIRTUAL Thurs May 9, 7 – 8:30 pm WI Faith Voices for Justice Interfaith Intersection event - ”Forgiveness”. Bahai Center, 324 W Lakeside St, This program brings people together to hold intentional conversations on a variety of topics related to faith. An important aspect of this program is that our panelists are lay people, not clergy or academics. Therefore, panelists will address the topics speaking from their own understanding of their faith but not speaking for their faith. Please volunteer if you're interested in being a panelist. PLEASE RSVP HERE. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyVkki4VyxMj71M62T-77nTjh7WAIlpT0bY_fHRNf6dyuHkw/viewform     wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com VIRTUAL Thurs May 9, 6:30 – 7:30 pm  Basebuilding: Community Mapping & Organizing Conversations with the Poor People’s Campaign. On Zoom RSVP for 5/9 Basebuilding Educational Meeting. During our time together we will learn how to utilize the practice of community mapping to help us understand where we meet our base. Additionally, we'll discuss how to engage in organizing conversations that set us up in the best ways possible to cultivate deep, meaningful relationships with those we meet, and to develop ourselves and others as leaders in the movement to end poverty. ppcdaneco@gmail.com LaCROSSE Thurs May 9, 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 MILWAUKEE Sat May 11, 12 noon - 1 pm Peace Action WI - Weekly STAND for PEACE: Saint Paul and Water. Each Saturday, a different location.  Join us. Bring your signs. info@peaceactionwi.org    https://www.peaceactionwi.org/stand_for_peace MADISON May 11, 3 – 4:30 pm Dane County Poor People's Campaign Gathering. We'll meet outdoors in the community space between the Brittingham and Karabis buildings at the Triangle - 755 Braxton Place. Join us to connect with others in the Madison area as we share updates and make plans for organizing this year and beyond! We will have food and fun and would love to see you there. ppcdaneco@gmail.com VIROQUA Sat May 11, 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 May 11, 12:30 – 1:30 pm Weekly Stand for Peace. At NW corner of Highways 31 and 20. Park in the SW corner of the Kohl's parking lot, near the AT&T store. 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! MILWAUKEE Sun May 12, 3 – 4 pm  Mother's Day Afternoon Peace Luncheon. Art Bar, 722 E Burleigh St. See the Spotlight above…. REGISTER BY MAY 12th for this event to be held on the 16th! MADISON Thurs May 16, 6 – 8 pm  Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Annual Gathering – Meet at the Black Business Hub, 2352 S. Park Street. We have an exciting panel of experts who will discuss the Future of Redistricting & Fair Maps in Wisconsin. ·         Angela Lang – Black Leaders Organizing Communities ·         Julie Keown-Bomar – Wisconsin Farmers Union ·         Jeff Mandell – Law Forward ·         Jacob Carrel – National Redistricting Foundation Doors open at 5:00 and the program begins promptly at 6:00. Go here for additional information and to register by no later than Sunday, May 12: Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Annual Gathering Registration. Feel free to share widely including on Facebook. We look forward to this opportunity to express our appreciation for your support for our collaborative efforts to build real democracy in Wisconsin and beyond, as well as to welcome Nick Ramos to the helm. Beverly Speer/Wisconsin Democracy Campaign mail@wisdc.org ******************************************************* 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. Here's an opportunity for WNPJ member groups! WNPJ member groups can sign up for a Saturday opportunity to TABLE at the Dane County Farmers Market – this Spring and summer at the Capitol Square. The Farmers Market opening date is April 13th – 7 am to 1 pm …and runs through Nov. 9th on Saturdays. Sign up for your spot today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daaa929a5fac34-wnpj#/ Bring your own table and hand-outs to the King Street corner of the Square, site #10, next to the VFP #25 table! You can't sell anything at the non-profit table, but donations to your group are acceptable. Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org *************************************************** If your group would like to get your events posted in the weekly e-bulletin – JOIN US! https://www.wnpj.org/membership Join WNPJ – www.wnpj.org **************************************** Interested in a yard sign? WNPJ has yard signs available!  yardsigns@wnpj.org See our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WisNPJ "Like" us and follow us! Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org

Action Alert for Monday, April 29th, 9 am - from Madison Rafah Sister City Project and World Beyond War - Madison: On Monday, April 29 starting at 9 am there will be a large demonstration on Library Mall at UW-Madison protesting UW complicity in war crimes in Gaza and against the repression of student protests taking place around the country. MRSCP will be there and we urge everyone to turn out. Note: The University administration has already been issuing press statements (and students report receiving emails) threatening potential "consequences" for students in light of recent campus protests across the country. Community support is crucial to protect students from targeted retaliation and to try to prevent the kind of police violence that we are seeing at some of these protests. So try to attend, and if you can't, please spread the word. Madison-Rafah Sister-City Proj ****************************************** SPOTLIGHT on Voces de la Frontera Prepare For A Day Without Latinx and Immigrants on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Voces’ annual statewide May Day general strike and mass march returns this year on Wednesday, May 1st in Milwaukee! More announcements to come, but for now, mark your calendars and see details below: Where: We will gather and initiate the march from the Voces Milwaukee office at 1027 S 5th Street. The main program and endpoint will be at the Fiserv Forum at 401 W Juneau Ave where the Republican National Convention will be held in downtown Milwaukee. Agenda / Route: Rally kick-off at 9:30 a.m., the march starts at 10:30 a.m., and once at our destination, our program will conclude around 1:00 p.m Transportation: Buses and ride shares are available for participants joining from outside Milwaukee. Please contact your local organizer. Demands: Our message this year to employers, big businesses, and local, state, and federal elected officials:  If you profit from our work, recognize our humanity! We are also specifically demanding that the Biden Administration end support for the war in Gaza, end 287g, and expand work permits for immigrants and asylum seekers. At the state level, we are calling on Wisconsin representatives to restore state driver's licenses in 2025 after historic state elections that will finally reflect the will of the people. vdlf@vdlf.org ******************************* Weaving the Web - WNPJ's monthly virtual Drop-in Hour. Hosted this day by Erika Bach and Mary Kay Baum – featuring updates on the film, BAD RIVER! Don’t miss it. Thursday, 02 May, 12:00 pm - 01:00 pm…..the first Thursday of each month All welcome! Zoom info: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89361313008?pwd=UmxCOUcxL3ZFb244aXp0SnBVTFRSZz09. Meeting ID: 893 6131 3008 - Passcode: 797041; +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)   Organizer: office@wnpj.org ******************************************* The annual spring meeting of theWisconsin Network for Peace and Justice is on Saturday, May 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Join WNPJ for the 2024 Spring Assembly!Our 2024 theme is "Environmental Justice - Confronting Extreme Extraction and Ending Resource Wars on Indigenous and Frontline People"Connect on your own via zoom or meet with a group to connect to Zoom at one of the satellite locations in Superior, Keshena, and Madison. Let us know if you have a satellite group forming in YOUR community. Some locations may offer social/potluck/networking opportunities. It's free, and open to all! Register here ---> https://bit.ly/WNPJSPRING24 ·  Madison: Madison Friends Meeting House ·  Milwaukee: TBD ·  Keshena: College of the Menominee Nation ·  Superior: Ball room at the Old Post Office, 1401 Tower Ave. The purpose of this annual spring meeting is to offer a program to set our WNPJ goals and vision for the year ahead, with input from our member groups and allies."Reports from the Field" will allow member group contacts five minutes to update us on their activities. Let us know if you want to speak for your member group on the registration form.We will choose a nominating committee for new board members, who will begin their term this fall. If you're interested in serving on the board or nominating committee, let us know at info@wnpj.org. ************************* Webinar on Line 5: Join us to learn more about the Line 5 pipeline, the risks it poses, and what actions you can take to raise awareness. We will begin with a grounding by Aurora Conley, Bad River Ojibwe, who will speak about the cultural significance of the land and water. Britnie Remer from 350 Wisconsin will then present on the Line 5 pipeline, providing an overview of the history through the current moment, as well as outline some actions that anyone can take to get involved. WHEN? Thursday, May 2nd, 6:30pm,  virtual via Zoom. Register here --- https://tinyurl.com/WNPJL5 Zoom link will be emailed prior to the event to those who register. Contact: dena.eakles@gmail.com ******************************************************************* UPDATE from April 27th from our WNPJ member, Cassandra Dixon. The Freedon Flotilla was NOT allowed to sail to Gaza this week. Cassandra will be returning home to Wisconsin for now. To learn why this has happened....see https://www.wnpj.org/post/cassandra-dixon-of-mary-house-and-palestine-partners-leaves-for-gaza-next-week Please call Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Ron Johnson and Rep. Mark Pocan to demand that Congress pressure for the prompt delivery of this life-saving cargo. Israel’s deadly campaign has been possible thanks to years of unconditional funding from the U.S. The least our elected officials can do now is exert American influence to insist on safe passage for this humanitarian mission. And remind them that they had at least one constituent (MRSCP member Cassandra Dixon) on board. Rep. Mark Pocan DC Office (202) 225-2906, Madison Office (608) 258-9800, Send a message using his contact form here. Senator Tammy Baldwin DC Office (202) 224-5653, Madison Office (608) 264-5338, Milwaukee Office (414) 297-4451, Other offices here,  Send a message using her contact form here Senator Ron Johnson DC Office (202) 224-5323,  Madison Office: (608) 240-9629, Other offices here. Send a message using his contact form here. ******************************** The WI Network for Peace and Justice is the umbrella non-profit organization supporting the work of 85 member groups around Wisconsin. ******************************* WNPJ Newsletter DEADLINE – May 1st! We’re inviting your ideas and stories for the 2024 Spring issue of Network News! Tom Boswell is the new editor of our WNPJ newsletter. Send what you have to tomboswell2002@yahoo.com by the May 1st deadline! https://www.wnpj.org/newsletter ******************************* WNPJ member group events this week…. MADISON Mon Apr 29, 12 noon - 1 pm Interfaith Prayer Vigil  - UW- Madison Library Mall. An interfaith prayer vigil will be held on the University of Wisconsin Library Mall for victims of the Israeli war on Gaza, the Israeli attacks in the West Bank and the October 7 Hamas attack on Israelis. Members of the Friends Meeting of Madison, the Madison Mennonite Church, Jewish Voice for Peace and other communities of faith and conscience will gather to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an immediate halt to US military assistance to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. https://www.interfaithpeacewg.org MADISON Mon Apr 29, 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. MILWAUKEE Wed May 1 – MAY DAY events – with Voces de la Frontera – see Spotlight above…. MADISON Wed May 1, 8 – 9:30 am Gather the Community Breakfast with WILPF. 107 Sutherland Ct.  RSVP to carol.wilson.622@gmail.com to reserve your spot. Join local author Christa Bruhn to deepen our understanding of how Palestinians have been forced to live in Israel’s shadow. The Palestine Question is a microcosm of the failure of the modern world to live up to principles of democracy, human rights, and the Rule of Law. Palestinians are vulnerable to state violence and restrictions that have culminated in widespread death, destruction, and environmental desecration, all in the name of Israel’s national security.  Vegetarian meal with vegan options upon request. Served in the Cohousing Great Room  The cost of breakfast is $20, with a sliding scale of $10 - $20. Cash or checks accepted. Funds are used to provide an honorarium to our guest speaker and to further the work of Madison WILPF MADISON Wed May 1, 5 – 9 pm  May Day Pizza and Music Benefit for Gaza -  Giant Jones Brewing, South Brearly Street,913 E Main Suite 9. All proceeds go to Middle East Children's Alliance for immediate humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Sponsored by Madison-Rafah Sister City Project and WORT. Learn more about Middle East Children's Alliance or make a donation at http://Tinyurl.com/madisontogaza . Sent to WNPJ by chrepairs@gmail.com  http://madisonrafah.org VIRTUAL Thurs May 2,6:30 pm Webinar on Line 5, via zoom. Join the Environmental Justice Coalition to learn more about the Line 5 pipeline, the risks it poses, and what actions you can take to raise awareness. We will begin with a grounding by Aurora Conley, Bad River Ojibwe, who will speak about the cultural significance of the land and water. Britnie Remer from 350 Wisconsin will then present on the Line 5 pipeline, providing an overview of the history through the current moment, as well as outline some actions that anyone can take to get involved. Register here --- https://tinyurl.com/WNPJL5 Zoom link will be emailed prior to the event to those who register. Contact: Dena.eakles@gmail.com MADISON Thurs May 2, 6 – 8 pm JustDane Community Reentry Simulation. Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 W Wisconsin Avenue. Help us create a Just and Equitable Community. Attendance is FREE & open to the public & participants are required to register. dani@justdane.org https://www.signupgenius.com/go/CommunitySimulation#/ The  Community Reentry Simulation was developed by JustDane in 1998 and has been conducted across the country. The simulation is a hands-on experience designed to provide participants with insights into the reentry process. Attendees will navigate through various simulated scenarios, each representing different aspects of life after incarceration, including housing, employment, healthcare, and community relationships. This unique simulation is an opportunity for community members, policymakers, and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the complex issues faced by people returning home after incarceration and to engage in meaningful conversations about how to create a more supportive and inclusive community for individuals rejoining society. JustDane believes that fostering empathy and awareness is crucial to breaking down barriers and building a more compassionate and equitable society. By participating in this simulation, attendees will gain valuable insights into the systemic challenges faced by those with a history of incarceration and explore potential solutions to create a more just community for all. VIRTUAL Thurs May 2, 12 noon – 1 pm WNPJ’s Weaving the Web Drop-in Hour….see spotlight above. info@wnpj.org LaCROSSE Thurs May 2, 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 VIRTUAL Thurs May 2, 6:30- 7:30 pm WILPF Monthly Book Circle Conversation . The first Thursday of each month. Let's talk about...the book tonight: The Unihabitable Earth; Life Without Warming by David Wallace-Wells. For questions or more information on getting the zoom link, send a message to:wilpfmadison@gmail.com 608-609-7961 http://wilpfmadison.org/ MILWAUKEE Sat May 4, 12 noon - 1 pm Peace Action WI - Weekly STAND for PEACE: Howell and Layton. Each Saturday, a different location.  Join us. Bring your signs. info@peaceactionwi.org    https://www.peaceactionwi.org/stand_for_peace VIROQUA Sat May 4, 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 May 4 12:30 – 1:30 pm Weekly Stand for Peace. At NW corner of Highways 31 and 20. Park in the SW corner of the Kohl's parking lot, near the AT&T store. 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! APPLETON Sat May 4, 11 – 12 noon Fox Valley Monthly Stand for Peace -  Houdini Plaza, West Lawrence. Every month - the first Saturday! Bring your signs! Organizer: Ronna Swift ronnajean61@gmail.com APPLETON Sat May 4th, SAVE the DATE for the Building Unity Spring Unity Summit -  “May the Fourth be with you!” (and, may YOU be with US!). Be a Star - Resist all Wars, on this and every Day! It will be an all day event, will also be the 15th Annual Grassroots Festival. It will be held on the Lawrence University Campus in Appleton, Wisconsin. More info here: https://wigrassrootsnetwork.com. If you are interested in spending Friday and/or Saturday nights in a house in Appleton with other Building Unity activists, please call Building Unity at 608-630-3633. BuildingUnityWi@gmail.com MILWAUKEE Sat May 4, 7:30 – 9:30 pm Casa Kemnitz Jam for Casa Maria. The Coffee House, 2717 East Hampshire Street. Be part of a long-running CoffeeHouse tradition and bring your voice, instrument, a poem or story, or simply come to listen share, and contribute. Your donations will help Casa Maria, an intentional community, dedicated to following the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement.  Casa Maria currently runs four houses. They perform such services as: taking in single mothers and their children who are in need of housing; providing longer-term housing to families and women who need more support; and giving temporary living space for workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and others facing difficulties within the immigration system. http://casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com/ ********************************* Are you going to be in Madison Sunday May 5th? Here's a benefit event for WNPJ! 11:00am – 5:00pm 1834 Rutledge Street, Madison As part of the Marquette-Atwood Neighborhood Art Walk, Vicki Berenson will be donating proceeds from her pottery sales to Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice. See more of Vicki's work at ceramicantics.com! Thanks! MADISON  Sun May 5, 2:30 pm Podcast Launch – “The Talk – Conversations with African American and Jewish Teens”. At Temple Beth El, 2702 Arbor Drive.  In 2023, nine high school students embarked on a project to create a joint podcast series in which they would share their lived experiences as Jewish and African American teens growing up in Dane County, Wisconsin. They call the series “The Talk”. Conversations over five episodes range from sharing information from their respective cultures about food, clothing, music, and faith traditions, to discussions around the education system, to comparing notes about racism and antisemitism and what it is like to grow up African American and Jewish in a predominantly white and Christian society.  Discussions were lively, sometimes serious, sometimes funny, sometimes joyful.  Episode Topics: • Traditions and Differences • Current Issues • Growing Up in Wisconsin • Representations and Perceptions • The Talk  The Talk is now available for viewing on YouTube and for listening on Spotify or on Amazon Music-Audible.  Join us on May 5 for a press conference and launch party. Meet the amazing young people who created the podcast and hear their experiences during the project. Register here by May 3.   The podcast is a joint project of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice and 100 Black Men of Madison. We are grateful to the Jewish Federation of Madison for their generous support of this project! wifaithvoices4justice@mail.mailchimpapp.com MUKWONAGO Sun May 5, 4 pm A Conversation on Justice in Palestine From Three Faith Perspectives.  Hosted at: Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 211 Main Street . A rare opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect: Listen in as Mr. Othman Atta,  a director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Rabbi Michal Woll of Congregation Shir Hadash of the Reconstructionist Tradition, and Rev. Dr. Lisa Bates-Froiland of Redeemer Lutheran Church, ELCA, engage in conversation around the current situation in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.  After their conversation, there will be a moderated time for lifting questions and insights.  Refreshments will follow so we can linger longer to meet and greet each other. Sent to WNPJ by Interfaith Peace Working Group -  Jerry Folk jerrylfolk55@gmail.com ******************************************************* 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. *********************************************** Here's an outreach opportunity for WNPJ member groups! WNPJ member groups can sign up for a Saturday opportunity to TABLE at the Dane County Farmers Market – this Spring and summer at the Capitol Square. The Farmers Market opening date is April 13th – 7 am to 1 pm …and runs through Nov. 9th on Saturdays. Sign up for your spot today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daaa929a5fac34-wnpj#/ Bring your own table and hand-outs to the King Street corner of the Square, site #10, next to the VFP #25 table! You can't sell anything at the non-profit table, but donations to your group are acceptable. Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org *************************************************** If your group would like to get your events posted in the weekly e-bulletin – JOIN US! https://www.wnpj.org/membership Join WNPJ – www.wnpj.org **************************************** Interested in a yard sign? WNPJ has yard signs available!  yardsigns@wnpj.org See our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WisNPJ "Like" us and follow us! Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org ********************************************** In this issue: WNPJ + Spotlight on Voces de la Frontera May Day Action + WNPJ’s Weaving the Web + Register  for the May 18th WNPJ Spring Meeting  & Line 5 Webinar + ACTION ALERT for the Gaza Flotilla + other statewide events ***********************************

The annual spring meeting of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (that's us!) is on Saturday, May 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Our 2024 theme is "Environmental Justice - Confronting Extreme Extraction and Ending Resource Wars on Indigenous and Frontline People" Some highlights: Dena Eakles will talk about the work of WNPJ's recently created Environmental Justice Task Force, made possible by a BEA grant, and make connections between environmental issues and war. This will be an opportunity for WNPJ member groups to make connections and share how they have been responding to the war in Gaza-Israel. Connect on your own via Zoom, or meet with a group to connect to Zoom at one of the satellite locations in Superior, Keshena, and Madison. Some locations may offer social/potluck/networking opportunities. It's free, and open to all! Register to get the Zoom link. Register here ---> https://bit.ly/WNPJSPRING24 Viewing parties at - Madison: Madison Friends Meeting House Join us for a potluck lunch at noon! Keshena: College of the Menominee Nation Superior: Ball room at the Old Post Office, 1401 Tower Ave. If your community or friends would like to host a viewing party, let us know: info@wnpj.org The purpose of this annual spring meeting is to offer a program to set our WNPJ goals and vision for the year ahead, with input from our member groups and allies."Reports from the Field" will allow member group contacts five minutes to update us on their activities. Let us know if you want to speak for your member group on the registration form. We will choose a nominating committee for new board members, who will begin their term this fall. If you're interested in serving on the board or nominating committee, let us know at info@wnpj.org. Background on Line 5! On Thursday, May 2nd, WNPJ hosted a presentation on Line 5 – a space to learn more about the Line 5 pipeline, the risks it poses, and actions that can be taken to raise awareness. We started with an important grounding by Aurora Conley, Bad River Ojibwe, who spoke about the cultural significance of the land and water, and how this dangerous pipeline threatens the Band’s way of life. Britnie Remer, with 350 Wisconsin, then provided an overview of the history of Line 5 and outlined actions that can be taken to get involved in this fight, as well as answered questions from participants. Together, Aurora and Britnie were able to connect the dots in this struggle from the climate crisis and environmental justice, to poverty and its interlocking injustices, to extreme extraction and resource wars, and the threat of eradication of entire Tribal cultures. Below is the recording along with the links that Britnie shared during the presentation. Please take some time to watch the recording and look through the links before we meet on May 18th. ●     Presentation Recording ●     PLG Executive Summary on L5 shutdown ●     350 WI + Sierra Club WI Analysis of WI DNR DEIS Comments ●     Line 5 Action Toolkit ●     Reroute Images Comparison ●     L5 Reroute Hydrologic Setting ●     Carl Sack Reroute Map ●     Bad River Film Website ●     Vimeo on Demand Rental ●     Donate to the Bad River Band

WNPJ + Celebrate Earth Day in Fond du Lac + Spotlight on WISDOM and ‘Solitary Confinement’ Day of Action + Network News Deadline! + SAVE the date May 18th for WNPJ’s Spring Meeting + other statewide events *********************************** The WI Network for Peace and Justice is the umbrella non-profit organization supporting the work of 85 member groups around Wisconsin. *************************** Earth Day Spotlight on CSA in Fond du Lac Celebrate at the Earth Day Fair with the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes – Sat April 27th - 10 am to 3 pm 320 County Rd K in Fond du Lac The Earth Day Fair features five 45-minute presentations throughout the day, 18 Earth-focused exhibitors in Founders Hall, and a raffle. Various guided tours will be offered over the course of the day, including solar array tours, a bird walk, and a two-hour in-depth tour of the land including the escarpment. Food truck on site for lunch! An hour-long adopt-a-highway clean up will take place just prior to the fair for those looking for a service opportunity. See website for all the details! https://www.csasisters.org/ Contact: Dusty Krikau dkrikau@csasisters.org https://www.csasisters.org/engage-with-us/earth-fair.cfm ***************************************** SPOTLIGHT on WISDOM WISDOM, The National Religious Campaign Against Torture, and National Unlock the Box Campaign and state legislators will host a Solitary Confinement Day of Action on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 1-4pm at the State Capitol, 2 E. Main Street Madison, WI 53703. From 1-2pm the event will feature testimonies from survivors of solitary confinement and a presentation on national best practices by leaders of the Unlock the Box Campaign. After the presentation in the North Hearing Room on the second floor of the Capitol, WISDOM members will be meeting with state legislators. WISDOM's campaign to end the use of solitary confinement is an important part of our statewide Transformational Justice Campaign. This campaign aims to advance racial justice, decarcerate Wisconsin, and redirect resources to build safer, stronger, and healthier communities. The campaign also strives to restore the rights of people with conviction records and shift narratives that dehumanize formerly incarcerated people. Register in advance at: https://bit.ly/solitaryconfinementdayofaction. For inquiries about the event, you can email WISDOM Transformational Justice Campaign Coordinator Mark Rice at ricermark@gmail.com. In Solidarity, David Liners office@wisdomwisconsin.org ****************************** We’re inviting your ideas and stories for the 2024 Spring issue of Network News! Tom Boswell is the new editor of our WNPJ newsletter. Send what you have to tomboswell2002@yahoo.com by the May 1st deadline! https://www.wnpj.org/newsletter ******************************************** Join WNPJ for the 2024 Spring Assembly! Our 2024 theme will be "Environmental Justice - Confronting Extreme Extraction and Ending Resource Wars on Indigenous and Frontline People". Connect on your own, or meet with a group to connect to Zoom at one of the satellite locations in Superior, Keshena, Milwaukee, and Madison. Some locations may offer social/potluck/networking opportunities. It's free, and open to all! Register here ---> https://tinyurl.com/WNPJSPRING24 Saturday, May 18th @ 1-3pm - Virtual option, too! Madison: Madison Friends Meeting House Milwaukee: TBD Keshena: College of the Menominee Nation Superior: Ball Room at the Old Post Office, 1401 Tower Ave The purpose of this annual Spring meeting is to offer a program to set our WNPJ goals and vision for the year ahead, with input from our member groups and allies. "Reports from the Field" will allow member group contacts to give a five minute update on their activities. Let us know if you want to speak for your member group on the registration form. We will be choosing a nominating committee for new board members to begin their term in the Fall. If you're interested in serving on the board or nominating committee, let us know at info@wnpj.org. ******************************************************************* WNPJ member groups and affiliates issue Statements, Events, 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. ******************************** Upcoming Events this week for WNPJ groups: FITCHBURG Mon Apr 22, 10 am. UN in the News discussion group.  Meets at the Fitchburg public library the 4th Monday of each month -  We'll be discussing several important foreign policy topics and concerns for 2024. These include the Israeli war on Gaza, climate change, the continuing war in Ukraine, migration trends and major elections in 2024. Also continuing our discussion about ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Congo. And more......Questions? Contact Sam Romano of the UNA USA Dane County chapter. sromano@charter.net MADISON Mon Apr 22, 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. MADISON Mon Apr 22, 4 – 9 pm  Earth Day Every Day. Meet at the Garver Feed Mill.  Join Wisconsin Food Forest and others for a Unity Building Earth Day!  BuildingUnityWi@gmail.com  . Schedule for event at Garver: 4pm - 6pm - Music and socializing. 5:45pm - Join us near front doors for an outdoor “Earth Circle” 6 - 9pm - Indoor program with music, speakers, and more.  Share these Facebook Events: https://fb.me/e/6CHza7UHe   https://fb.me/e/67B58VkU0 MILWAUKEE Mon Apr 22, 5 pm Peace Action WI Hosting Annual Earth Day March. Meet at Dontre Hamilton (Red Arrow) Park! As one of the greatest contributors of pollution around the globe, the U.S. war machine is responsible for irreparable damage to the environment. We are holding local defense conglomerates such as the Wisconsin Defense Industry Council (WDIC) accountable for their crimes; profiting off the genocide in Palestine, proxy wars around the world, and ravaging finite resources for war instead of human needs. The struggle for climate justice is a struggle for justice everywhere! Join us Monday!#earthday #antiwar #milwaukee https://www.peaceactionwi.org/ MADISON Tues Apr 23, 1 – 4 pm  WISDOM’s Solidarity Confinement Day of Action – at the State Capitol….see more information in the Spotlight above. MAUSTON Tues Apr 23, 3:45 – 4:45 pm VIGIL AGAINST THE DRONES OUTSIDE THE GATES OF VOLK FIELD, Camp Douglas. We hope to see you at the vigil.  If you can’t come this time, mark your calendar.  We usually vigil on the 4th Tuesday of every month.  If you have any questions please call or email Joy at 608 239-4327 or joyfirst5@gmail.com or Bonnie at 608-256-5088 or blb24@earthlink.net Wisconsin Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars MILWAUKEE Tues Apr 23, 7 pm CHAPTER MEETING of Veterans for Peace #102.  At ST. JOHN'S ON THE LAKE.  ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND OTHER BUSINESS. vfpchapter102@gmail.com FOND DU LAC Apr 23. 6 – 8 pm Special Earth Day watch party! Screening of “Common Ground” - In Founders Hall in the CSA Motherhouse.  Common Ground, is a powerful follow-up to Kiss the Ground. Common Ground provides hope for future generations with concrete ways to fix a broken planetary system. The film explores how regenerative agriculture can help heal the soil, our health, and the planet. “By fusing journalistic expose’ with deeply personal stories from those on the front lines of the food movement, Common Ground unveils a dark web of money, power, and politics behind our broken food system. The film reveals how unjust practices forged our current farm system in which farmers of all colors are dying to feed us. The film profiles a hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy – before it’s too late.” Free screening.  CSA Justice  tabler@csasisters.org VIRTUAL Wed Apr 24, 6:30 – 8 pm Save the Date - Poor People's Campaign Statewide Meeting. Registration link available through the organizers. ppcdaneco@gmail.com LaCROSSE Thurs Apr 25, 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 MILWAUKEE Thurs Apr 25, 12 noon – 1 pm Monthly Anti-Gun Vigil - Dunham's Sports, South 108th Street. Assault weapons are made to kill or maim, not to protect others. Sent to WNPJ by Casa Maria Catholic Worker House – www.casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com MADISON Thurs Apr 25, 7 – 8:30 pm Beyond Lesser Evils: Rethinking the Importance of Elections w/ Author & Professor August H. Nimtz; Program with the Madison Democratic Socialist group. Landmark Auditorium at First Unitarian Society Meeting House•900 University Bay Drive. What role do elections play for the revolutionary left? How can we participate in electoralism without succumbing to what Professor Nimtz terms "electoral fetishism"? Addressing concerns about the "lesser evil" and "spoiler" phenomenon, we explore the possibility of building a party for the working and oppressed classes without falling prey to opportunism or distractions of the bourgeoisie. Contact: dsamadison@gmail.com  Register here. GREEN BAY Thurs Apr 25, 5 – 8 pm Clean Water Action Council of Northeast Wisconsin Annual Banquet – Riverside Ballroom, 1560 Main Street. Join us at our annual banquet for an evening of education, music, and fundraising benefiting CWAC's work protecting our environment. The program includes our Environmental Citizen Award and introduction of board members. The featured speaker is Amanda Smith, an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Biologist for the DNR. Her work covers northeast Wisconsin including coordinating responses to high-profile AIS, leading AIS prevention efforts and is the  point of contact for the public and partners. Originally from North Hudson, she has a BS from UW-Stout and a MS from UW-Madison. She values creativity and forward thinking inspired by the Seventh Generation. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clean-water-action-council-annual-banquet-and-fundraiser-tickets-852962853857?aff=oddtdtcreator&utm-source=cp&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing VIRTUAL Fri Apr 26, 1 – 2 pm WAVE ZOOM Discussion: Safer Spaces, Stronger Communities: Supporting Community Violence Intervention. Community violence intervention programs reduce gun violence by fostering meaningful relationships with those most heavily impacted and ensuring people have access to vital resources. Register now, and you’ll receive a Zoom link on the day of the webinar.  https://secure.everyaction.com/0_E_OEUvH0yy96YhWK7imQ2?emci=ae973e54-01fc-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&emdi=86f54453-89fd-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&ceid=77169 This virtual gathering will feature Wisconsin’s top violence prevention advocates, including Reggie Moore (Director of Violence Prevention Policy and Engagement for the Medical College of Wisconsin Comprehensive Injury Center) and Anthony Cooper (CEO and founder of Focused Interruption). You'll hear what violence intervention work looks like on a daily basis, and have a chance to take action in support of these programs right away. Contact Nick Matuszewski admin@waveedfund.org FOND Du LAC Sat April 27th - 10 am to 3 pm Celebrate at the Earth Day Fair with the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes – 320 County Rd K. See more in the SPOTLIGHT above…. MILWAUKEE Sat Apr 27, 12 noon - 1 pm Peace Action WI - Weekly STAND for PEACE: Capitol and Humboldt. Each Saturday, a different location.  Join us. Bring your signs. info@peaceactionwi.org    https://www.peaceactionwi.org/stand_for_peace VIROQUA Sat Apr 27, 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! MADISON Sat Apr 27 11 am – 4 pm 2024 Madison Print and Resist Zinefest! Madison Central Public Library, West Mifflin Street. Join dozens of regional artists, writers, print-makers and advocates for a day-long festival of transformative, and transgressive DIY publishing and printmaking. Various makers will be present and ready to share their work with the Madison area community. Drop in throughout the day to see their work and learn more about this long-standing art form. The event is free to attend and open to the public, keeping in mind that artists will not be censored and some content may not be suitable for children. Madison Print & Resist will comply with all public health recommendations active on the date of the event, even if not mandated at the time, there will be strong encouragement for social distancing and mask wearing. More info, visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MadisonPrintandResist/  Sent to WNPJ by Madison Infoshop - peckjohne@gmail.com MADISON Sat Apr 27 6:30 – 9 pm , Screening of “Common Ground” . First Unitarian Society of Madison 900 University Bay Dr.  This showing is free of charge - the sequel to the acclaimed regenerative agriculture documentary ‘Kiss the Ground’. It is an awe-inspiring, cinematic follow-up that lays bare the ways industrial agriculture has degraded the health of planet and people, while also telling the stories of farmers who regenerate the land, and why the techniques they use work.  Be sure to get your free ticket, available on eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-friday-film-common-ground-change-in-date-tickets-863273924547?aff=oddtdtcreator&eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=2b4501aa-c6aa-475a-ba82-67020b67be95  There will be desserts and refreshments before the film, starting at 6:30, with the film running from 7:00 - 8:30 and half an hour of discussion after.  contact@350wisconsin.org MADISON Sat Apr 27, 6:45 pm Celebrate Earth Day with a Screening of “Wild El Salvador”. At the  Catholic Multicultural Center, 1862 Beld Street . Co-sponsored with  Madison Arcatao Sister City Project.  It'll be a fun movie for all the family and a chance to buy stunning embroidered crafts from El Salvador, have some snacks (again free!), and learn more about the work of MASCP.  Though only the size of New Jersey, El Salvador is home to 20 volcanoes, 23 species of hummingbirds, a cloud forest, monkeys, anteaters, and a plethora of birds with names like resplendent quetzal, chacalacas and their national bird, the turquoise-browed motmot. You’ll get to feast your eyes on many of these during the movie! We need a couple of volunteers to help set up and clean up for 20-30 minutes before and after. If you and your kids volunteer, it’ll take even less time! Let us know by registering below if you can help out. We hope to see many of you there! https://forms.wix.com/877ed2cd-3633-4d43-982c-4e82f7695a1b:19cd5602-7666-4baf-8388-acf139a49db4 MILWAUKEE Sat Apr 27, 7 pm  Folk musician Tom Neilson with a night of music, satire and social commentary. Linneman’s Riverwest Inn.1001 E. Locust St. Benefit for Milwaukee Veterans For Peace.  Suggested donation $20-30.  MILWAUKEE CHAPTER 102, BOB HANSON, PRESIDENT Vfpchapter102@gmail.com  contact:  Bill Christofferson, 414-587-6477 RACINE Sat Apr 27, 12:30 – 1:30 pm Weekly Stand for Peace. At NW corner of Highways 31 and 20. Park in the SW corner of the Kohl's parking lot, near the AT&T store. 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 Apr 27, 5 – 7 pm Passover Seder and Potluck with Jewish Voice for Peace. At Arboretum Cohousing, 1137 Erin Street.   Passover is the Jewish celebration of moving from slavery to freedom and from the dark, narrow places to freedom and liberation. As we watch and work against the horrors meted by Israel on the Palestinian people, we will dedicate this Seder to an end to the genocide and the start of rebuilding Gaza, returning people to their homes and fields in the occupied West Bank, and a world where Palestinian and Israelis can live side by side with equal rights and dignity for all. Our theme, "Resistance is Fertile", acknowledges a century of Palestinian resistance against colonial violence. As Jews, friends, and allies working towards collective action with Palestinians, our resistance against the ongoing genocide is bringing us more deeply in community with each other across Madison and beyond. We assert that resisting militarism, occupation, and supremacy will lead us toward a more fruitful future. With the coming spring as a time for new growth, we center land as the heart of justice for Palestinians as well as our Indigenous neighbors here in the Great Lakes, and celebrate botanical symbols of resistance, such as the watermelon, olive tree, and cactus. This will be a shorter and, to us, a meaningful seder. We hope you join us. Please RSVP at bit.ly/JVPpesach2024 to let us know how many people will be coming and what you will bring for the potluck. You, yours, your friends and neighbors of all faiths and traditions are welcome to join us. We are looking forward to marking this commemoration with you! There will be an online option for those who can't attend in person. Sent to WNPJ by Madison for a World BEYOND War warabolition@gmail.com VIROQUA Sat Apr 27, 6 – 10 pm Grassroots to Gaza Benefit event. Landmark Center, East Jefferson Street. All proceeds go to Middle East Children's Alliance for immediate humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Sponsored by Madison-Rafah Sister City Project and WORT. Learn more about Middle East Children's Alliance or make a donation at http://Tinyurl.com/madisontogaza . Sent to WNPJ by chrepairs@gmail.com  http://madisonrafah.org NATIONAL Sat Apr 27 “Ready to Walk!  Walk for Peace with Veterans for Peace - from Augusta Maine to Washington DC https://peacewalk2024.org/?emci=34f942a1-d592-ee11-8925-002248223f36&emdi=3da8f0ce-a196-ee11-8925-002248223f36&ceid=10475162 ******************************************************* 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. ******************************************** Here's an opportunity for WNPJ member groups! WNPJ member groups can sign up for a Saturday opportunity to TABLE at the Dane County Farmers Market – this Spring and summer at the Capitol Square. The Farmers Market opening date is April 13th – 7 am to 1 pm …and runs through Nov. 9th on Saturdays. Sign up for your spot today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daaa929a5fac34-wnpj#/ Bring your own table and hand-outs to the King Street corner of the Square, site #10, next to the VFP #25 table! You can't sell anything at the non-profit table, but donations to your group are acceptable. Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org *************************************************** If your group would like to get your events posted in the weekly e-bulletin – JOIN US! https://www.wnpj.org/membership Join WNPJ – www.wnpj.org **************************************** Interested in a yard sign? WNPJ has yard signs available!  yardsigns@wnpj.org See our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WisNPJ "Like" us and follow us! Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice(WFVJ) is a statewide 501c3 non-profit interfaith organization.  Our mission: We connect and empower faith communities and individuals to work for the common good and a life of dignity for everyone.  We advocate for change so that all individuals and families can thrive socially, prosper economically, and participate fully in civil society. We intentionally build bridges across faith communities and draw on the collective wisdom, courage, and strength of our various faith traditions. Website:https://www.wisconsinfaithvoicesforjustice.org/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinFaithVoicesForJustice/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/wifaithvoices/ X: @wifaithvoices Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice Executive Director Job Description Position:          Executive Director Hours:              Part-time, 20 hours/week; some evenings and weekends Pay:                   $55,000 Reports to:     Board of Directors Purpose of Position: WFVJ seeks our next Executive Director. A successful candidate for this position will be someone dedicated to social justice, comfortable in interfaith settings, a proven fundraiser, and compelling spokesperson for the organization. Our organization is poised to grow to the next level and seeks a dynamic leader to help us get there. Scope of Work The Executive Director will be employed by the Board of Directors of WFVJ.  This is a half-time position (20 hours per week), with the potential to grow to full-time contingent upon funding. The scope of work will include, but not be limited to: Creating, in partnership with the Board, an annual fundraising plan and implementation of said plan, including but not limited to grant writing and tracking, major donor cultivation, donor management, fundraising events and activities Hiring and supervision of staff, independent contractors, and interns Managing website, social media, and e-newsletter Working with the Treasurer and bookkeeper to ensure financial management procedures are followed; monthly financial reports to the Board are prepared; and filings to the IRS and State of Wisconsin are made in a timely manner; annual renewals of the Charitable Organization certificate with the state of Wisconsin and biennial renewal of Charitable Business license, annual renewal of workman’s compensation insurance and Directors and Officers liability insurance Managing WFVJ’s position as the backbone organization to the Dane Sanctuary Coalition and the Dignity at Work Coalition Acting as liaison to other coalitions, including but not limited to the Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition Preparing monthly reports of activities to the Board Assist the Board President in preparation of board meeting agendas Creation and implementation of programs, events, and initiatives to forward the priorities of WFVJ Represents WFVJ to the Wisconsin legislature, within the limits of a 501(c)(3) Represent WFVJ to the media Maintain membership database and other email lists Reporting: The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors Required skills and qualifications: Three to five years proven track record in fundraising Knowledge of leadership and financial management principles for nonprofit organizations A passion for social justice Committed to and interested in working in a multifaith environment. Able to work with persons and organizations from a variety of backgrounds, affiliations and diversities of identity and expression. Skills & experience with interfaith and multicultural communications and collaboration preferred. Experience working with coalitions Strong verbal and written communication skills Able to multitask Proficiency in Word, Excel, Google Suite, Mailchimp, Quickbooks, Zoom, Facebook, Instagram or willingness to learn Knowledge of public policy and the Wisconsin legislative process a plus Ability to travel As an interfaith organization dedicated to social and economic justice, workers rights, immigrant rights, voting rights, health care, and interfaith understanding, we are deeply committed to justice and equity for communities of color, LGBTQ+ communities, religious minorities, and all people regardless of gender identity or immigration status.  We strongly encourage candidates who share any of these identities to apply. Compensation The Executive Director will be paid a salary based upon Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000) per year, payable in biweekly installments, contingent upon funding. This is a salaried/exempt position which does not qualify for overtime pay. Expenses will be reimbursed with proper documentation, i.e. receipts for expenditures, records of mileage. Benefits The Executive Director will be reimbursed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) towards the purchase of healthcare of her/his/their choice.  The Executive Director will receive four weeks paid time off. Working Conditions The Executive Director will work under the supervision of WFVJ Board of Directors.  The Executive Director will work from home. Applicants are responsible for providing their own means of transportation, computer, and cell phone, and should have access to reliable fast internet. Some travel is required. To apply, please send resume and cover letter by May 15 to: Reverend Larry Sexe, Board President Wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com 608-444-0360

WNPJ + Spotlight on 350 WI and  Earth Day events + Peace in Gaza + SAVE the date May 18th for a WNPJ Spring Meeting on Environmental Justice + other statewide events *********************************** The WI Network for Peace and Justice is the umbrella non-profit organization supporting the work of 85 member groups around Wisconsin. *************************** SPOTLIGHT on 350 Wisconsin on Earth Day… Art Collective Earth Week Celebrations in Madison….with 350 Wisconsin Please consider joining the Art Collective at one or both of the following Earth Week kick-off celebrations! Saturday, April 20 at 10am, a group of rather unusual visitors will appear at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, on the North Hamilton plaza of the capitol square.  These out-of-town “visitors” will be urging people to consider climate change in their voting choices, but all will transpire in an  unexpected way.  We would LOVE to have you join us, either to help hold a banner or to be a smiling face in the crowd. We also need help with tabling!  This is a great opportunity to educate folks about 350 Wisconsin and the important work that we do. Later that day, we invite all to participate in an Earth Day procession and rally with students from around Wisconsin.  We’ll meet at East Campus Mall at 1pm, march to Library Mall and then down State Street to a brief rally on the Capitol steps that will begin around 2pm.  We’d love to have as many folks as possible wearing “critter hats” to show our support for these young adults who are facing down the climate crisis with great resolve.  contact@350wisconsin.org To join us for either of these events, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A5AD2FA1F9C43-48791984-earth?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=839e7f32-e5b3-46a3-88a8-d9dbe46d9aea#/ ******************************************************************* WNPJ member groups and affiliates issue Statements, Events, 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. (image at Marquette University – from Peace Action WI) ******************************** SAVE the DATE: Saturday May 18th from 1pm - 3 pm, for WNPJ’s Annual Spring Meeting – We will be meeting in satellite locations and connecting via zoom in Appleton, Milwaukee, Madison and maybe more…. The WNPJ Spring Steering Committee Meeting is coming up in May for contacts of our 85 member groups, plus interested members. The purpose of this annual Spring meeting is to set our goals and vision for the year ahead, with input from our member groups. "Reports from the Field" will allow member group contacts to give a five minute update on their activities. We will also be choosing a nominating committee for Board members. Our theme for 2024 will be influenced by Environmental Justice - confronting extreme extraction and ending resource wars (on Indigenous and Frontline People). Watch for registration materials and local gatherings. We’ll send out a list of member groups by region – so you can find others who may want to gather near you for a WNPJ virtual event on the 18th!  Funds for snacks available.  Let us know if you would like to host a gathering! info@wnpj.org ************************************ Upcoming Events this week for WNPJ groups: MADISON Mon Apr 15, 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. MILWAUKEE Mon Apr 15, 4 – 5 pm  Peacemaker in Residence & Waging Peace in Vietnam Keynote; A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace. Marquette’s Raynor Memorial Library Beaumier Suites BC, 1355 W. Wisconsin Ave. Le Ly Hayslip, Vietnamese-American author, philanthropist, peace activist, and speaker, will deliver the closing keynote of the Waging Peace in Vietnam series at Marquette. She is the author of two memoirs—When Heaven and Earth Changed Places and Child of War, Woman of Peace—which were adapted into the film Heaven & Earth, written and directed by Oliver Stone. Since 1986, she has founded two charitable organizations: the East Meets West Foundation and the Global Village Foundation. Free and open to the public. For more information about Milwaukee’s events, contact: Vfpchapter102@gmail.com VIRTUAL Mon Apr 15, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Webinar: Online to Offline Organizing.  Join the IVE Team for School of Democracy's session led by Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Executive Director of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice to learn more about how faith communities and leaders can play a role in electoral cycles and civic engagement. Who should attend? Organizers, Faith Leaders, Executive Directors, Presidents, Board Members, Digital Organizers and any other person within WISDOM, its affiliates or partner organizations, beginners passionate about organizing, leaders with a commitment to protecting our democracy, people who have an interest in electoral politics, and anyone interested in strengthening their digital skills. Register here. For any questions, please contact WISDOM's Digital Organizer, Amanda Ali at aali@wisdomwisconsin.org. MADISON Tues Apr 16, 7 pm A Vietnamese Woman's Journey from War to Peace, WI Historical Society, 816 State Street. Talk and book signing of her memoir When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, by Le Ly Hayslip, Vietnamese-American author, philanthropist, peace activist, and speaker, with Norman Stockwell, interlocutor. Part of the VFP Waging Peace in Vietnam Exhibit.  Further information: Judy Karofsky judykarofsky@gmail.com Phone: 608-770-5600 LaCROSSE Thurs Apr 18, 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 MILWAUKEE Thurs Apr 18, 12 noon – 1 pm  Anti-ROTC Vigil. Meet in front of Marquette University Library on Wisconsin Ave. No Christian institution should be teaching our young that it is okay to kill people called enemies by our government. Sent to WNPJ by Casa Maria Catholic Worker House – www.casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com EAU CLAIRE Fri Apr 19th, 5 – 6 pm Monthly Peace Stand - Wisconsin 93 Trunk & Golf Road. The 3rd Friday of each month is Peace Stand time in Eau Claire, going on since 2004. We gather with signs at Hwy 93 & Golf Road, 5-6 pm, we visit one another and sometimes we sing. Stand and be counted. Contact for more information: helpsmeet@usa.net MADISON Sat Apr 20, 10 am through 3 pm – 350 Earth Day events….see the Spotlight above for details…. MILWAUKEE Sat Apr 20, 12 noon - 1 pm Peace Action WI - Weekly STAND for PEACE: Farwell and North. Each Saturday, a different location.  Join us. Bring your signs. info@peaceactionwi.org    https://www.peaceactionwi.org/stand_for_peace VIROQUA Sat Apr 20, 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 Apr 20, 12:30 – 1:30 pm Weekly Stand for Peace. At NW corner of Highways 31 and 20. Park in the SW corner of the Kohl's parking lot, near the AT&T store. 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! Sunday April 21, 2 pm: Screening of the movie: Hunting in Wartime, directed by Samantha Farinella. Screening at the WI Historical Society, 816 State Street. A documentary film exposing the mistreatment of patriotic Native American soldiers while they served in Vietnam and upon their return to the United States. Introduced by Samantha Skenandore, tribal advocate. Part of the VFP Waging Peace in Vietnam Exhibit. Further information: Judy Karofsky judykarofsky@gmail.com Phone: 608-770-5600 VIRTUAL Sun Apr 21, 3 -  4:30 pm  Screening of “Common Ground” and discussion with Pat Skogen, hosted by the Christine Center! From the filmmakers of Kiss the Ground comes the follow-up documentary, Common Ground, winner of the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, which explores how regenerative agriculture can help heal the soil, our health and the planet. The discussion will be facilitated by Pat Skogen, long-time Wisconsin Farmers Union leader, educator and organic dairy farmer, who is a fierce advocate for family farms and rural communities and works to organize against the growing number of CAFOs invading Wisconsin’s countryside. The film can be watched online prior to the discussion between April 19th and 21st. For more info and to register, visit: https://christinecenter.org/community-in-action/  Sent to WNPJ by Madison Infoshop peckjohne@gmail.com ******************************************************* 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. ************************************************* Here's an opportunity for WNPJ member groups! WNPJ member groups can sign up for a Saturday opportunity to TABLE at the Dane County Farmers Market – this Spring and summer at the Capitol Square. The Farmers Market opening date is April 13th – 7 am to 1 pm …and runs through Nov. 9th on Saturdays. Sign up for your spot today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daaa929a5fac34-wnpj#/ Bring your own table and hand-outs to the King Street corner of the Square, site #10, next to the VFP #25 table! You can't sell anything at the non-profit table, but donations to your group are acceptable. Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org *************************************************** If your group would like to get your events posted in the weekly e-bulletin – JOIN US! https://www.wnpj.org/membership Here's our website WNPJ – www.wnpj.org **************************************** Interested in a yard sign? WNPJ has yard signs available!  yardsigns@wnpj.org See our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WisNPJ "Like" us and follow us! Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org

WNPJ + Action Alert – Save our Water! + and,SAVE the Date May 18th for a WNPJ annual mtg + JustDane celebrates its 50th + Rachel Corrie Remembrance Event + Cassandra is going to Gaza + other statewide events *********************************** The WI Network for Peace and Justice is the umbrella non-profit organization supporting the work of 85 member groups around Wisconsin. *********************** TAKE ACTION NOW! This is a critical moment: President Biden’s administration has the power to weigh in on a pivotal decision that could protect the Great Lakes for generations to come. CLICK HERE to urge him to take a stand and support the Bad River Band. In solidarity, Britnie Remer - 350 Wisconsin Fossil Fuel Organizer - britnie.remer@350wisconsin.org ****************************** SAVE the DATE: Saturday May 18th  early afternoon for WNPJ’s Annual Spring Meeting  up North as well as virtual watch-parties in Appleton, Milwaukee, Madison and maybe more…. The WNPJ Spring Steering Committee Meeting is coming up in May, meant for contacts of our 85 member groups, plus interested members. The purpose of this annual Spring meeting is to set our goals and vision for the year ahead, with input from our member groups.  We’ll be listening, as our group contacts report on what their groups are doing “Reports from the Field” …and how we can work together for more impact on issues that unite us.  We’ll be choosing a nominating committee for Board members, too, at this meeting – and we’ll have a program.  Our 2024 theme will be  Environmental Justice - confronting extreme extraction and ending resource wars (on Indigenous and Frontline People). Watch for registration materials and meeting time and places. We’ll be sending out a list of member groups by region – so you can find others who may want to gather near you for a WNPJ virtual event on the 18th! WNPJ can supply these gatherings with some funds for treats!  Let us know if you’re having a gathering! info@wnpj.org And……WELCOME: WNPJ has hired two new people in contract positions to assist our all-volunteer communications team! Meet Tom Boswell – coordinating the Spring newsletter for WNPJ. Tom is a long-time Wisconsin activist working on Safe Skies WI. The newsletter deadline is yet tbd. If you have anything to submit, send it to info@wnpj.org and we’ll forward it Tom’s way! Meet Britnie Remer – She will share her skills in the areas of social media and graphic design, plus event planning ….as we work toward Economic Justice in our state.   britnieremer@gmail.com ************************************ SPOTLIGHT on WNPJ member group JustDane! Did you know?! JustDane's 50th Anniversary event is April 11th! Father Boyle of Homeboy Industries will be presenting at our celebration! Their work in Los Angeles corresponds with the work JustDane has been doing in Dane County. Come hear about their amazing contributions to supporting the people in their community and helping build a safer community! 6 – 8:30 pm at the Madison College Mitby Theater in Madison. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our supporters, volunteers and the community! Order tickets here: https://JustDane50th.eventbrite.com For contact information – see https://www.wnpj.org/member-organizations-list/justdane ************************************ And, on Gaza….. MADISON Sun Apr 14, 1:30 – 3:30 pm  Remembering Rachel Corrie event. At Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham St. Free & open to all, donations to the Middle East Children’s Alliance welcome. Join Madison Rafah Sister City Project for Madison's annual event honoring the life of Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old peace activist from Olympia, WA who was crushed to death in Rafah on March 16, 2003 by a US-made Caterpillar armored D-9 bulldozer driven by an Israeli soldier as she stood against the demolition of a Palestinian home. As Israel crushes the lives of millions in Gaza, we believe that Rachel’s wish now would be that we do all in our power to end the genocide in Palestine. The event will include readings from Rachel’s writings, a video message from her parents Craig and Cindy, and time to write and call congress and the White House to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, opening of Gaza to unlimited and adequate humanitarian aid, and an end to US support of the Israeli military. Music by Ensemble Shamaali, featuring the oud, drum and flute. Desserts and beverages will be served. Palestinian crafts, olive oil & olive oil soap will be available for purchase, as will children's books about Palestine and books by and about Rachel Corrie. https://www.facebook.co m/events/371565802454413/?ref=newsfeed Contact: chrepairs@gmail.com   http://madisonrafah.org *************************** Cassandra Dixon, contact for Palestine Partners and Mary House is going to Gaza on an aid flotilla, leaving next week. Cassandra writes: If you would like to donate towards the cost of this travel,  you can mail a check to me at Cassandra Dixon, 3579 County Road G, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965, or donate via GoFUndMe by clicking the button below, or at https://tinyurl.com/cassandratogaza, or Venmo me @Cassandra-Dixon-11 . Anything raised above the costs of travel will go to the larger costs of funding the flotilla. Contribute here.  Thanks and love, - Cassandra *************************** WNPJ member group events…. MADISON Mon Apr 8, 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. MADISON Mon Apr 8, 5:30 pm Antiwar Film Series: Screening of John Pilger's The Coming War with China. Central Library, Rm 302, 201 W. Mifflin St. Sponsored by Veterans for Peace #25 - World Beyond War Madison. Contact: Bradley Geyer  geyerb@yahoo.com MILWAUKEE POTLUCK Dinner Mon Apr 8, 6 – 9 pm Potluck and  "All People's Forum". At Zao MKE Church - 2319 E. Kenwood. Join Building Unity for the 7th Wisconsin State Senate District Democracy Tour Stop. At this and each of our 35 + Tour Stops, local activists and leaders will host a community forums on the existential issues of our time: PEACE, JUSTICE, SUSTAINABILITY, & DEMOCRACY. All are welcome to participate, share information, and learn about the next steps for our movement to grow our UNITY & PEOPLE POWER. Tour Schedule is still in formation but the current form can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/Spring-Tour-Schedule. This schedule, our Tour Stop Facebook event pages, and our website - www.buildingunitywisconsin.org - will all be updated with information about the tour as it becomes available. Volunteers are needed at all of the stops across Wisconsin! Help us make this tour what it needs to be - a massive wake-up call, a call to action, and an opportunity to collaborate and organize with the other groups and individuals in our area. And, of course, we will do all that we can to make sure that Wisconsinites are registered and ready to vote! To help or for more information, call Building Unity at 608-630-3633. MADISON Tues Apr 9, 8 am – 5 pm The WI Idea Conference! - hosted by the Morgridge Center for Public Service. UW-Madison, Union South (1308 W. Dayton) This year’s theme, ”Community University Partnerships for Stronger Communities,” intends to build understanding and highlight examples of robust community university partnerships, while also increasing capacity for such partnerships and strengthening bridges between UW and Wisconsin communities. This event is great for community-oriented academics, as well as community members in the public or nonprofit sector. Breakfast and lunch included. To register and for more info, visit: Wisconsin Idea Conference – Morgridge Center for Public Service – UW–Madison   Sent to WNPJ by Madison Infoshop peckjohne@gmail.com VIRTUAL Tues Apr 9, 7 pm  UNA USA Dane County Monthly Meeting:  Dr. Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD, MPH on “Vaccines and Public Health: Past, Present and Future”.  Dr. Westergaard serves as Chief Medical Officer, and State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases, Wisconsin Department of Health. This free virtual presentation will address vaccines and public health, exploring the past present and future. The intersection of public health and the health of the community, lessons learned and how we must pivot and change in our approach to health care will be discussed.  Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87505514532?pwd=NFgrR2dGMGxEbTkxTms2YkpIWjU2Zz09#success . Learn more about UNA USA Dane County: https://www.unadane.org/upcoming-events.html MADISON Tues Apr 9, 4:30 – 6 pm Madison Community Event Addressing Youth and Gun Violence. At the Lussier Community Education Center.  Madison high schoolers will be leading an event to address the gun violence that has taken the lives of their family and peers. We are calling on you to please help promote this event so these high schoolers feel that their voices are being heard! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Jonah Frumkin - jonahf@werhize.org  || 202-695-0615 MADISON Tues Apr 9, 7 pm Screening of the movie: The War at Home, with director Glenn Silber. Wisconsin Historical Society, 816 State St. Part of the Waging Peace in Vietnam series of events.  https://www.wnpj.org/post/waging-peace-in-vietnam-exhibit-and-events-in-april-madison MADISON and MILWAUKEE Wed Apr 10, 7 pm Screening of the movie:  Sir! No Sir! with director David Zeiger. Wisconsin Historical Society, 816 State St. Part of the Waging Peace in Vietnam series of events.  https://www.wnpj.org/post/waging-peace-in-vietnam-exhibit-and-events-in-april-madison.  Join this event live-streamed from the Raynor Library meeting site at Marquette University in Milwaukee. MILWAUKEE Thurs Apr 11, 9 am – 12:30 pm United Nations Schools of International Learning (UNSIL) WORLD FAIR. At the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue. Sponsored by the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation. Click on the following link to be a volunteer for this event. https://bit.ly/UNSIL2024. Interact and learn with MPS 4th – 8th-grade students as they present on nearly 1,500 research projects about the member countries, organs, cultures, and goals of the United Nations.  Our young people are excited to share their work with you! The UNSIL program is presented in partnership with the Annette J. Roberts & Joan R. Robertson Fund for World Peace, World Law, and Peace Education at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. For more information, contact Annette Robertson at: annettejoanrobertson@gmail.com (email) or 414.332.3303 (phone) .  Sent to WNPJ by UNA USA Milwaukee - UnaMilwaukeewi@gmail.com MADISON and VIRTUAL Thurs Apr 11, 7 – 8:30 pm WI Faith Voices for Justice Interfaith Intersection event - ”Fasting and Self-denial”. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5701 Raymond Rd. This program brings people together to hold intentional conversations on a variety of topics related to faith. An important aspect of this program is that our panelists are lay people, not clergy or academics. Therefore, panelists will address the topics speaking from their own understanding of their faith but not speaking for their faith. Please volunteer if you're interested in being a panelist. Please join us. ·         May 9 - forgiveness - person to person; person to God; at the Bahai Center, 324 W Lakeside St, Madison ·         Sept. 12 - what is your faith’s "high holy day" - location TBD ·         Oct. 17 - cycle of times/seasons in different traditions; location TBD ·         Nov. 14 - giving thanks; Sugar River United Methodist Church, 415 W Verona Ave, Verona PLEASE RSVP HERE. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyVkki4VyxMj71M62T-77nTjh7WAIlpT0bY_fHRNf6dyuHkw/viewform If you would like to be a panelist for any of these events, email Rabbi Bonnie Margulis wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com LaCROSSE Thurs Apr 11, 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 VIROQUA Thurs Apr 11, 2 – 3 pm GAZA! Presentation & Community conversation about the current catastrophe and its origins. At the Vernon County Historical Society, 410 S Center Ave. Sponsored by Driftless Palestinian Solidarity dena.eakles@gmail.com MILWAUKEE Fri Apr 12,6:30 pm  Potluck and Film  "The War on Cuba". At Peace Action WI, Zao MKE Church, East Kenwood Boulevard. peaceactionwi@gmail.com MILWAUKEE Sat Apr 13, 12 noon - 1 pm Peace Action WI - Weekly STAND for PEACE: 51st and Silver Spring. Each Saturday, a different location.  Join us. Bring your signs. info@peaceactionwi.org    https://www.peaceactionwi.org/stand_for_peace VIROQUA Sat Apr 13, 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 Apr 13, 12:30 – 1:30 pm Weekly Stand for Peace. At NW corner of Highways 31 and 20. Park in the SW corner of the Kohl's parking lot, near the AT&T store. 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! VERONA Sat Apr 13, 1-2:30 pm The Dine' and Uranium Presentation with Omie Baldwin and Cathy Middlecamp. Farley Center, 2299 Spring Rose Road. Register to programs@farleycenter.org. This presentation is co-sponsored with the Physicians for Social Responsibility Wisconsin. Presenter: Omie Baldwinis retired as the Student Service emerita in the University Counseling and consultation Service/University Health Services at UW-Madison. As a counselor and as an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, she and her colleague, Cathy Middlecamp, designed and taught the course "Uranium and American Indians. The first chemistry course, to meet the campus wide ethnic studies requirement. She is past board member of the Farley Center. Presenter: Cathy Middlecamp is professor emerita in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and an affiliate of the Department of Chemistry. From 2015 to 2020, she also served as the director for education and research at the Office of Sustainability. Her scholarship lies at the intersection of science, people, and the planet. For her teaching and work bringing science to the general public, she has received awards at the local, state, and national levels. As a professor, she sought to engage students in learning chemistry in real-world contexts, including chemistry that related to radioactive substances. https://nelson.wisc.edu/staff/middlecamp-cathy/ https://www.facebook.com/events/1507115409867113 MADISON Sun Apr 14, 1:30 – 3:30 pm  Remembering Rachel Corrie event. At Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 E. Gorham St. Free & open to all….see more in the Spotlight above…. https://www.facebook.com/events/371565802454413/?ref=newsfeed MADISON and MILWAUKEE Sun Apr 14, 7 pm Screening of the movie: The Whistleblower of My Lai, documentary on the Kronos Quartet’s making of the opera My Lai, plus live performance by Vanessa Vo, Kronos Quartet soloist. traditional Vietnamese instruments. Wisconsin Historical Society, 816 State St. Part of the Waging Peace in Vietnam series of events.  https://www.wnpj.org/post/waging-peace-in-vietnam-exhibit-and-events-in-april-madison. Join this event live-streamed from the Raynor Library meeting site at Marquette University in Milwaukee. ******************************************************* 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. ********************************************************** Here's an opportunity for WNPJ member groups! WNPJ member groups can sign up for a Saturday opportunity to TABLE at the Dane County Farmers Market – this Spring and summer at the Capitol Square. The Farmers Market opening date is April 13th – 7 am to 1 pm …and runs through Nov. 9th on Saturdays. Sign up for your spot today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4daaa929a5fac34-wnpj#/ Bring your own table and hand-outs to the King Street corner of the Square, site #10, next to the VFP #25 table! You can't sell anything at the non-profit table, but donations to your group are acceptable. Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org *************************************************** If your group would like to get your events posted in the weekly e-bulletin – JOIN US! https://www.wnpj.org/membership Join WNPJ – www.wnpj.org **************************************** Interested in a yard sign? WNPJ has yard signs available!  yardsigns@wnpj.org See our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WisNPJ "Like" us and follow us! Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org

NEWS UPDATE - Sat. April 27th: Hello all, I am heartbroken to pass on the news that our flotilla will be unable to sail for Gaza at this time due to Israel’s intense pressure to prevent the breaking of the siege on Gaza and the delivery of the flotilla’s  5500 tons of desperately needed aid.  We are returning to our home countries while the Freedom Flotilla Coalition works to find another way for us to sail. Below is today’s statement by the coalition, and yesterday’s statement of support from  UN experts who had hoped to see the flotilla depart for Gaza. Love Cassandra Dixon Chrepairs@gmail.com *******************************************************8 Press Conference: Under Israeli Pressure, Guinea Bissau Moves to Withdraw Flotilla Flags / Coalition statements, Featured, News, Press releases / By alex For immediate release, Saturday April 27 On Thursday afternoon, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was contacted by the Guinea Bissau International Ships Registry, requesting an inspection of our lead ship – Akdenez. This was a highly unusual request as our ship had already passed all required inspections; nevertheless, we agreed. The inspector arrived on Thursday. On Friday afternoon, before the inspection was completed, the Guinea-Bissau International Ships Registry (GBISR), in a blatantly political move, informed the Freedom Flotilla Coalition that it had withdrawn the Guinea Bissau flag from two of the Freedom Flotilla’s ships, one of which is our cargo ship, already loaded with over 5000 tons of life-saving aid for the Palestinians of Gaza. In its communication informing us of this cancellation, the GBISR made specific reference to our planned mission to Gaza. It also made several extraordinary requests for information, including confirmation of the ships’ destination, any potential additional port calls, and the discharge port for humanitarian aid and estimated arrival dates and times. It further demanded a formal letter explicitly approving the transportation of humanitarian aid and a complete manifest of the cargo. Again, this is a highly unusual move from a flagging authority. Normally, national flagging authorities concern themselves only with safety and related standards on vessels bearing their flag, and are not concerned with the destination, route, cargo manifests or the nature of a specific voyage. Just like when you register your car, the authorities don’t require you to detail to them where you are going. Sadly, Guinea-Bissau has allowed itself to become complicit in Israel’s deliberate starvation, illegal siege and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel is showing the world the extent to which it will go to deny Palestinians the aid they need to stay alive, in direct contravention of International Humanitarian Law, UN Security Council resolutions, and two orders of the International Court of Justice. Israel is only allowed to get away with this because we have an international order where law does not apply equally, where people are not valued the same, where might equals right. The US has hijacked international law and is violating its own laws in order to protect Israel at every turn. A leaked USAID memo states that famine in Gaza is inevitable, changes could reduce but not stop widespread civilian deaths. It also states that USAID assesses the government of Israel does not currently demonstrate necessary compliance with US law required to receive U.S. military aid. Nevertheless, last week, the US Congress passed and Biden signed a $26 billion aid package for Israel. It is this kind of naked impunity, over decades, that has brought us to this point where Israel can carry out a genocide, that includes a public declaration by Israel’s leaders that it is going to deliberately starve children, and not only not face consequences, but also involve a majority of world governments in its crimes. While our governments claim to care about Palestinian lives, but are complying and even enforcing a situation where a state that has been found to be plausibly committing a genocide, is allowed to control what, if any, life-saving aid gets to the people trying to stay alive. Yesterday, the UN Special Rapporteurs on the Right to Food, on the Right to Housing, and on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories issued a statement stating that civil society initiatives like the Freedom Flotilla are important precisely because governments are not complying with their obligations under international law and many of these governments are even complicit in Israel’s siege and genocide. The statement affirmed that ours was a legitimate challenge to Israel’s control over the delivery of aid to Gaza and it demanded safe passage for our flotilla. However, without a flag, we cannot sail. But, this is not the end. Israel cannot and will not crush our resolve to break its illegal siege and reach the people of Gaza. The people of Gaza and all of Palestine remain steadfast under the most horrific, unimaginable conditions. We take strength from their incredible, inexplicable ability to maintain their humanity, dignity and hope when the world has given them no reason to do so. It is our responsibility to keep that hope alive. We will sail. link to all of the Freedom Flotilla’s  social media https://linktr.ee/freedomflotillacoalition UN experts demand safe passage for Freedom Flotilla’s humanitarian mission to Gaza GENEVA (26 April 2024) – UN experts today demanded safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, whose ships departing Türkiye will be carrying 5,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international humanitarian observers to the besieged Gaza Strip. “As the Freedom Flotilla approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, Israel must adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid,” the experts said. They issued the following statement: “Two hundred days into Israel’s siege and genocidal violence, including an unprecedented starvation campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the situation continues to deteriorate. After a 17-year blockade against Gaza, Israel has now created a famine by cutting off the regular supply of water, food and critical goods into Gaza, destroying livelihoods, the food system and civilian infrastructure. Failing to comply with its humanitarian obligations as the occupying power, Israel is also restricting humanitarian aid, intentionally bombarding humanitarian convoys, and targeting both aid workers and civilians seeking aid. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is a civilian peaceful initiative whose ships departing Türkiye will be carrying 5,500 tons of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international humanitarian observers to the besieged Gaza Strip. Comprising a diverse coalition of human rights activists, including lawyers, doctors, nurses, journalists, parliamentarians and politicians, the convoy aims to deliver life-saving aid directly to the besieged people of Gaza, legitimately challenging Israel's control over the entry of humanitarian assistance. Besieging a civilian population is unlawful. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s demands include an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and an end to the illegal blockade of the Gaza strip. The convoy is scheduled for imminent departure. The Flotilla is a material manifestation of international support for the ongoing Palestinian struggle for freedom and self-determination, and the internationally recognised right to receive humanitarian aid without interference or hindrance. Support for the Palestinian people’s human rights is acute under the current conditions of genocide*,* domicide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. We are witnessing purposefully induced famine amid the wholesale destruction of homes and hospitals. Disease is quickly spreading because millions of people were forced out of their homes, targeted, maimed or wounded, and left unable to be treated in highly unsanitary conditions, and are now living in makeshift and overcrowded shelters. The level of trauma and distress will impact Palestinians for generations. Countries are not complying with their obligations to end Israel’s genocide and starvation in Gaza. In fact, many countries continue supporting Israel with weapons, funds and political support: this may make them complicit in Israel's genocide and starvation. This is why civilians, like the Freedom Flotilla participants, are increasingly showing their solidarity by protecting and fulfilling Palestinian human rights through direct action. They express the will of a global movement, especially sustained by youth worldwide, to bring the horrors in Gaza to an end – in the interest of both Palestinians and Israelis. The Freedom Flotilla has the right of free passage in international waters and Israel must not interfere with its freedom of navigation, long recognised under international law. As the Freedom Flotilla approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, it is essential for Israel to adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid. In 2010, Israel intercepted and attacked the Freedom Flotilla’s civilian ships in international waters, killing 10 passengers and wounding many others. At the time, the Freedom Flotilla had attempted to break the Israeli blockade by delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. We are especially concerned for the safety of the participants of the Freedom Flotilla in light of Israel’s repeated targeted attacks against UN and civilian humanitarian missions. Israel should remember that the world is closely watching and refrain from any hostility against the participants of the flotilla.” *The experts: The experts: Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967; and Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Ms. Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN human rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organisation. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work.https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/un-experts-demand-safe-passage-freedom-flotillas-humanitarian-mission-gazaThe Flotilla is set to Sail April 26th!! (update from 4/24/24) We have completed all technical and crewing requirements in order to launch the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza on Friday April 26, 2024. Our final group of participants are undergoing the required nonviolent direct-action training today. Our Flotilla will carry over 5000 tons of life-saving aid and hundreds of human rights observers. We are working diligently to move our boats to a port in Istanbul where the paperwork procedures for hundreds of participants can be completed, to allow for boarding beginning on Friday morning. “The Freedom Flotilla has the support of millions around the world who are outraged at the failure of our governments to protect the Palestinians people from Israel’s genocidal actions, including the deliberate starvation of over two million people,” said Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) Steering Committee member Zohar Chamberlain-Regev. Huwaida Arraf, U.S. human rights attorney and FFC Steering Committee member added, “Governments must refuse to collaborate in maintaining Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza by obstructing the Flotilla in any way. We call on the governments of the 40 countries represented on this Freedom Flotilla to uphold their obligations under international law and demand that Israel guarantee the flotilla safe passage to Gaza.” #BreaktheSiege ************************************************************************************* ACTION ALERT from Monday, April 22nd The 2024 Freedom Flotilla is about to get underway to Gaza.  MRSCP member Cassandra Dixon will be on board. In the first of two missions planned for 2024, multiple vessels will sail for Gaza, carrying 5000 tons of desperately needed humanitarian aid and hundreds of international human rights observers. In this video message retired Col. Ann Wright introduces and explains the aims of the Flotilla. You can see updates and follow the progress of the boats at the Flotilla's website at https://freedomflotilla.org/. Links to all of the Flotilla's social media platforms and resources are here. Israel has vowed that the Flotilla will never reach Gaza.  In light of what happened to earlier flotillas, most infamously the Mavi Marmara, it is critical that our government hear from us demanding that everyone including the American citizens on board be protected and that the Flotilla be allowed to deliver its aid. Please tell U.S. lawmakers to protect this nonviolent emergency mission by signing this joint petition from American Muslims for Palestine, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), and the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights. Then please call Senators Baldwin and Johnson, and Cassandra's Rep. Mark Pocan, and insist that they do all they can to protect the people sailing to Gaza and allow this emergency aid to be delivered. Also when you call, ask Senators Baldwin and Johnson to oppose the massive military aid bill that the House approved on Saturday which the Senate is expected to vote on by Tuesday. (Rep. Pocan voted against the Israel portion of this aid, along with Rep. Tom Tiffany.  All other Wisconsin representatives including Rep. Gwen Moore voted FOR the aid to Israel.) Please call the DC offices first. Rep. Mark Pocan DC Office (202) 225-2906 Madison Office (608) 258-9800 Send a message using his contact form here. Senator Tammy Baldwin DC Office (202) 224-5653 Madison Office (608) 264-5338 Milwaukee Office (414) 297-4451 Other offices here Send a message using her contact form here Senator Ron Johnson DC Office (202) 224-5323 Madison Office: (608) 240-9629 Other offices here Send a message using his contact form here From Madison-Rafah Sister-City Proj ******************************************************************* Update April 19th - by Cassandra Dixon, Organizer Hello and thank you!! We are in Istanbul, hoping to sail to Gaza on the 24th. I am beyond grateful to all of you for the chance to be here with people from more than 30 countries, and boats containing 5500 tons of aid, including 8 ambulances, food, anesthesia, medicines, maternity kits and more. Here is yesterday’s press release from the flotilla, and links for video of the press conference, and where to follow the flotilla on Instagram. Thank you !! Cassandra Lots of new videos about the flotilla on our GazaFreedomFlotilla instagram https://www.instagram.com/gazafreedomflotilla/ including our International press conference this morning on board our ship: https://www.instagram.com/p/C57-3qICwyz/ Press Release for April 19, 2024 "International participants arrive to sail with Freedom Flotilla to Break the Siege" https://freedomflotilla.org/2024/04/19/press-conference/ More News About the Flotilla: Why the Flotilla? Video with Ismail of Mavi Marmara Association with view of the ships https://www.instagram.com/p/C53ZevJL5aK/ Metro TV Indonesia with video of IHH warehouse operations and loading humanitarian supplies in trucks to go to the cargo ship in Merkez, Turkey. (8 minute video)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IgsPoZf6Ic ************************************************************************ BACKGROUND! From Cassandra, earlier this month: Much to my amazement, I’ve been accepted to go along on the Freedom Flotilla’s emergency humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza. I’ll be leaving Madison on April 11, and would be grateful for your help. The UN Food agency has said that famine is imminent in northern Gaza. Virtually everyone in Gaza is struggling to get enough food, and around 677,000 people — nearly a third of the population of 2.3 million — are experiencing the highest level of catastrophic hunger. If Israel broadens its offensive to the city of Rafah, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed, the fighting could drive over a million people — half of Gaza’s population — into catastrophic hunger. The maritime corridor and floating pier to be built by the U.S. are dangerous distractions from the fact that Israel continues to obstruct the entry of aid through the land borders, prevent the distribution of lifesaving aid, particularly in the north of Gaza, and prohibit the entry of anesthesia, maternity kits, water purification systems and more. The maritime corridor will be controlled by Israel, which will decide what type and how much aid is allowed to enter Gaza. In response, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition will sail a large cargo ship carrying thousands of tons of humanitarian aid, as well as passenger ships, carrying civilians from around the world—journalists, doctors, aid workers, and more—straight to Gaza.  While we will carry much needed aid, the flotilla will also serve to directly challenge Israel’s naval blockade and siege of Gaza, and it’s  message and mission is one of solidarity and support for Palestinian freedom by breaking the illegal Israeli siege of Gaza. At this critical time—when the International Court of Justice has found that Israel is plausibly committing genocide, humanitarian aid organizations report that Israel continues to obstruct efforts to get aid into Gaza, and our own government is failing so miserably to prevent the intentional starvation of thousands of Palestinian children,  it is beyond time for civil society to step in and address this humanitarian crisis.  I have every hope that a way will open and these  thousands of tons of humanitarian aid will reach the people who so desperately need it. I’m deeply grateful for your support, and for all our continuing efforts to push our administration to restore UNRWA funding, end military funding to Israel,  and demand a permanent ceasefire and the opening of border crossings so that aid that is waiting just 10 minutes away can begin to reach those who are starving. If you would like to donate towards the cost of this travel,  you can mail a check to me at Cassandra Dixon, 3579 County Road G, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965, or donate via GoFUndMe by clicking the button below, or at https://tinyurl.com/cassandratogaza, or Venmo me @Cassandra-Dixon-11 . Anything raised above the costs of travel will go to the larger costs of funding the flotilla.Thanks and love,Cassandra Contribute here. https://www.wnpj.org/member-organizations-list/mary-house https://www.wnpj.org/member-organizations-list/palestine-partners