WNPJ + WNPJ’s 33rd Annual Fall Assembly + Celebrate Democracy Rally + Sauk County Action Alert + Indigenous People’s Day + LWV input on November’s Referendum + other statewide events
The WI Network for Peace and Justice is the umbrella non-profit organization
supporting the work of 86 member groups around Wisconsin.
Join WNPJ for the 2024 Fall Assembly!
Our 2024 theme will be "Mobilize: Creating a Collective Shift from Militarism to a Culture of Peace and Environmental Justice".
Join in Madison, connect on your own, or meet with a group to connect via Zoom. Some locations may offer social/potluck/networking opportunities.
We will hear from Indigenous chef, Elena Terry on colonization and food sovereignty; Alan Chavoya, Outreach Chair of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression on militarism on our campuses and in our communities: and Professor Alatout, a Palestinian American who participated in the encampment at UW-Madison. Professor Alatout will also be the recipient of WNPJ's Peacemaker of the Year Award.
WI State Capitol Celebrate Democracy Rally!
Saturday, October 19th at 2:30-5:30pm
2 E. Main St., Madison
Hosted by Wisconsin Grassroots Network, Building Unity, and many others. To stay up to date on event details and information, click HERE.
The Sauk County Refugee Resettlement Referendum
The Sauk County Board is voting on a Refugee Resettlement Referendum on Tuesday evening, October 15, at their regular County Board Meeting. Last month they voted to table the referendum, but one of the supervisors has brought it back on the agenda.
Approving this referendum goes against Baraboo Acts Coalition’s vision of creating an open and affirming community where everyone belongs. And, more importantly, this is not an issue that falls within the jurisdiction of the Sauk County Board.
If you know someone in Sauk County, we are asking you to have them call their Sauk County representative to share thoughts regarding this referendum and to ask their representative to vote no on the referendum, or at a minimum, table it again. Here are some suggested talking points to use during the conversation with their County Board Supervisor:
Refugee resettlement is not an issue in Sauk County. Refugee resettlement falls outside of our county government authority
The closest Refugee resettlement agency is in Dane County, 50 miles away
There are currently fewer than 10 refugees in our county
For more information regarding the referendum, read the WKOW article.
General information:
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their home country. Additionally, they have also been hand-selected by the Department of Homeland Security and screened by US agencies in an exhaustive process.
Refugees are entrepreneurs, consumers, and taxpayers, contributing to economic growth, and often, creating jobs. Entrepreneurship among refugees is nearly 50 percent higher than among people born in the U.S.
Welcoming refugees is an investment in our community, as over the long term, they pay on average $21,000 in taxes above the initial resettlement costs to our community.
For more information regarding refugees, here are a few articles.
Thank you for taking the time to invest in an inclusive community!
Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration in Wausau
Join us for a celebration of Indigenous culture, resilience, and resistance to the destruction of Mother Earth.
2:00 PM - Indigenous drummers will play and sing a gathering song to welcome all to Kickbush Plaza followed by speeches by Indigenous people and allies.
At approximately 4:00 PM this event will conclude with a community POTLUCK feast - please bring your own plate, utensils, & cup (feast bundle) so that we can avoid using disposable products. If you are able, please bring folding tables and chairs.
Learn more about other events going on throughout Wisconsin: tinyurl.com/BU-Indigenous-Peoples-Day
Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot November 5th!
The Constitutional Amendment on the November 5 ballot is harmful and can diminish our voting rights. Learn from the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin why you should vote no to this constitutional amendment. This constitutional amendment aims to divide us. Let's come together and vote no! Learn more and watch the webinar recording HERE. Questions? Reach out to lwvwisconsin@lwvwi.org.
WNPJ Member Group Events
Click here to see a listing of recurring Vigils across the state!
Madison
10/14 @ 10:00am: ‘UN in the News’ Meeting. At the Fitchburg library, 5530 Lacy Rd (second floor).We have a lot to catch up on, i.e. rapid escalation of conflict between Israel and its neighbors, the continuing Russian war on Ukraine, the persisting civil conflict in Sudan and the ongoing terror by gangs in Haiti. In all these conflicts the United Nations calls for ceasefires, restraint, points out international law and norms and then provides and coordinates humanitarian aid and care for refugees. We can also discuss the Sen. Bernie Sanders recently submitted (9/26/24) Resolution of Disapproval to block a $20billion weapons transfer to Israel, which will be taken up when the Senate reconvenes in November. And by the time we meet our southern state neighbors may well have experienced the tragic effects of yet another major hurricane fueled by warming and climate change. Sam Romano sam.romano1945@gmail.com
10/14 @ 12pm-1pm: Vigil for Peace - Meet at the corner of MLK Jr Blvd and Doty St. Questions? Call Tim at 608-630-3633
10/15 @ 5:30pm-7:30pm: Madison Arcatao Sister City Project Community Event and Meal. At 1104 Mound St. You are warmly invited to an evening of food, community, compelling stories, and news about the current situation in El Salvador. We are fortunate to be welcoming staff members from the U.S. El Salvador Sister City Network and one of their Salvadoran colleagues to Madison on October 14-17, 2024! We’re hosting a dinner in their honor on October 15th and we hope you will join us to welcome them and hear about their experiences in the new political landscape of El Salvador. Besides a scrumptious homemade pupusa dinner and slides from our recent MASCP trip to Arcatao, there will be a presentation about the current reality in El Salvador by Zulma Tobar and Kelly Calles, US El Salvador Sister City (USESSC) staff who live in El Salvador, and Lorena Martinez, President of CRIPDES, Association for the Development of Rural Communities in El Salvador. There will be a suggested donation to pay for the dinner and the work of MASCP and USESSC. For information, contact info@mascp.org
10/15 @ 5:00-6:30pm: JustDane’s Service Fair. At Madison College Goodman South Campus, 2429 Perry St. In partnership with United Way of Dane County, JustDane's Journey Home program presents a Reentry Service Fair for individuals recently released from prison to get connected to resources. Vendors will present about the opportunities that they can offer people reentering, after incarceration. Food will be provided. info@justdane.org
10/15 @ 7:00pm-9:00pm: Screening of "Bad Faith - Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy" – At the Barrymore Theater on Atwood Ave. The new documentary explores the dangerous rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States. Part archival chronicle, part exposé, the film reveals the secretive political machinery that has relentlessly sought to weaken and destroy American democracy in order to promote its authoritarian vision. Followed by a discussion with Nancy MacLean, author of Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America. Tickets are $12. More info? Visit: https://barrymorelive.com/event/bad-faith-documentary/ Sent to WNPJ by Madison Infoshop peckjohne@gmail.com and WI Democracy Campaign has tickets available if folks contact us or they can get them at the door the day of the screening. speer@wisdc.org https://www.facebook.com/share/i6wRW3xkbJuRPAqQ/
10/16 and 10/17: Pyle Center Madison Movies: Abraham Lincoln Brigades & Spanish Civil War. Pyle Center on Langdon St. . * October 16: The Last Cause 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. [An Overview] * October 17: The Good Fight 7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. [The Abraham Lincoln Brigade] * October 17: Into the Fire 9 p.m. – 10 p.m. [U.S. Women]. The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives | Promoting Social Activism and the Defense of Human Rights. Sent to WNPJ by Brad Geyer of the Madison chapter of Vets for Peace geyerb@yahoo.com
10/17 @ 7:00-8:00pm: WI Faith Voices for Justice Interfaith Intersection event - ”Cycle of Time and Seasons” - Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison or virtually via Zoom. 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. RSVP here. wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com
10/19: WNPJ Annual Fall Assembly and Celebrate Democracy Rally – see Spotlights above!
10/19 @ 3:00-4:00pm: Gazan Poet to Read at the Wisconsin Book Fes�val. At Madison's Central Library, 201 W Mifflin, Rm 301. Mosab Abu Toha will be reading poems from his upcoming book, Forest of Noise. The event is hosted by the Madison Rafah Sister-City Project and Read Palestine. rafahsistercity@yahoo.com
Milwaukee
10/17 @ 12:00-1:00pm: Anti- ROTC Vigil with Casa Maria Catholic Worker House. At M.U. Library, 1355 W Wisconsin Ave. No Christian institution should be taking money from the government to train our youth to kill or injure others for any reason. From Casa Maria Catholic Worker in Milwaukee shadmuss1983@gmail.com
10/17 @ 7:00pm-8:00pm: Screening of 'Pain and Peace'. At the Oriental Theater, 2230 N Farwell Ave. Join WISDOM for an unforgettable screening at the Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival! This powerful film tells the moving story of resilience, forgiveness, and healing in the face of hate. This film will spark meaningful conversations on overcoming division and building peace in our communities. For more information, contact aali@wisdomwisconsin.org
10/19 @ 12pm-1pm: Peace Action WI Weekly STAND for PEACE at 27th and National. Join us and bring your signs. Questions? Contact: info@peaceactionwi.org
Racine
10/19 @ 12:30-1:30pm: 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 for weather concerns. Free Palestine!
La Crosse
10/17 @ 12pm-12:30pm: Weekly Women in Black Peace Vigil. Meet at Main St & 4th Street South. A weekly vigil for peace every Thursday. Questions? Email dbuffton@yahoo.com
Viroqua
10/19 @ 11am-12pm: 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!
Eau Claire
10/18 @ 5:00pm-6:00pm: Monthly Peace Stand . Meet at WI-93 Trunk & Golf Rd. 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
Statewide
10/4 ALL DAY: We will follow the leadership of Wisconsin Indigenous Nations in recognizing this important day.
From Building Unity - tinyurl.com/BU-Indigenous-Peoples-Day
Building Unity supports the FULL replacement of the U.S. Federal Holiday known as “Columbus Day” (the second Monday in October) with “Indigenous Peoples Day”.
Our reasoning is well explained in these articles by History.com:
https://www.history.com/news/indigenous-peoples-day-history
https://www.history.com/news/columbus-day-controversy#
We hope that someday, the whole nation, including Wisconsin, will stop recognizing and celebrating “Columbus Day.” It is important that we see Christopher Columbus for who he really was and what he did to the Indigenous people that he encountered.
Join WNPJ - Individual members and groups welcome!
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!
Visit our website to find out more about the benefits of membership and join us!
We help our member organizations reach a wider audience by amplifying your peace and justice events and actions on our list-serve 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 to table at the Dane County Farmers Market on Capitol Square every Saturday from April 13th through November 9th at 7am - 1pm. Bring your own table and handouts to SITE 10 on the King Street corner of the Square (next to Veterans for Peace) - you can't sell anything at the non-profit table, but donations to your group are acceptable. Sign up today!
Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org
If your group would like to get your events posted in the weekly e-bulletin – JOIN US!
Interested in a yard sign? WNPJ has yard signs available! yardsigns@wnpj.org
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Questions? Contact info@wnpj.org
The WI Network for Peace and Justice is the umbrella non-profit organization
supporting the work of 86 member groups around Wisconsin.
From the WNPJ archives! Some of our WNPJ members may still have these Immigrant Welcome yard signs we were selling back in 2008. If you do, send us a photo of the sign in your yard – and we’ll post it on our WNPJ Facebook page! Stand up for immigrant rights. These signs featured handwritten messages of "welcome" in six languages by people from many of Wisconsin’s immigrant communities. The two-sided yard sign featured "welcome" in Spanish and Hmong, and we had single-sided window signs featured in either Spanish or Hmong.
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