Feb 17, 20236 min read

Feb 19th WNPJ weekly e-bulletin of WI events and action alerts..

Alfred Meyer, WNPJ chair from 2002 to 2007 and now living in New York, says, "Whenever I feel a bit down about the state of the Earth, I just read the WNPJ weekly events calendar."

In this week's WNPJ e-bulletin: Action Alert on Palestine + Teen Writers Project against gun violence + MAN Tough Talk Series Kicks-off via zoom + other statewide events organized by WNPJ member groups…

Action Alert from Cassandra Dixon of Mary House, currently working as a volunteer in Palestine. Please consider writing to your congressperson asking that the US State Department stand with the civilian population of Masafer Yatta and oppose the demolition of their homes, villages and livelihoods. Please visit https://act.uscpr.org/a/tell-congress-defend-masafer-yatta for more information, and an easy link to contact your senators and representatives. Congress and the Biden administration have approved $3.3 billion in US tax dollars for Israel in 2023, leaving all of us, as US taxpayers, with a share of responsibility for Israel’s actions. To read more about Cassandra’s work with Operation Dove in the South Hebron Hills/Masafer Yatta area, click here. ***********************************************

Do you know a teen with a story to tell about gun violence? Member group WAVE is promoting a national program opportunity called "ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence." We're calling on TEEN WRITERS (ages 13-19) from across the country to write and submit short 10-minute plays confronting gun violence by April 20th.

To all the young writers out there - or those with a voice who don’t know that they are writers, yet -we need you in this moment. We need you to channel your fear and frustration, your anxiety and anger, and, yes, your hope, into stories. - Stories that tackle the issue of gun violence. - Stories that show us that this is not normal. - Stories that show us how to be better. We need your voice now more than ever. With it, together we will say ENOUGH! Write the change you want to see in the world. Submission deadline April 20th Learn more about applying here…. ******************************************************

Madison Mutual Aid Network: Kick-off to their TOUGH TALKS Series - via zoom

Tues, Feb 21 from 7 – 8 pm.

From host member Randy Coloni: "I believe talking to one another and sharing our thoughts is a key element of getting along and feeling welcome and understood in our communities. We may not agree all the time, but the process of discussing our views is fundamental to at least understanding each other, and I believe such civil discourse can help prevent hostility and conflict. Plus, we learn from each other and may gain a new perspective or approach to an issue."

It is in this spirit that the Madison Mutual Aid Network is proposing a series of “Tough Talks”, inviting all of you to join in facilitated discussions on topics that matter to our well-being, and which may not be getting talked about due to fear of disagreement, being judged, or just wanting to avoid confrontation. We invite both your participation and your suggestions of such topics; we offer the following topic to kick-off the series:

How do you deal with someone in your neighborhood doing something you don’t like? e.g. dog barking, blowing leaves too early in morning, racist comments, etc.

Find us on Zoom here.....

Contact: Stephanie Rearick, steph@stephanierearick.com –

Madison MAN Coop (grown from the late Dane County TimeBank)

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Wisconsin. Remember to vote in the primary – Feb. 21st!

February is Black History Month. Check out the "Power of Words" WNPJ posting - to learn about WNPJ member groups initiatives and statements regarding anti-racism.

*************************************************** Upcoming Events this week for WNPJ groups Get details of all events at wnpj.org/event-calendar Sun Feb 19, 11:30 am Rage Against the War Machine Watch Party in Milwaukee. There’s a national demonstration in Washington, DC, demanding an end to the war in Ukraine. There is no local action in Milwaukee, but a Watch Party at 11:30 AM at the Peace Center at 1001 E Keefe Ave. Picket at Keefe and Weil St at 11 AM- 11:20 AM with Milwaukee Green Party and the End the Wars Coalition. More information: info@peaceactionwi.org Sun. Feb. 19th 6:00 pm George Floyd Uprising – book release event with Nevada! Meet at the Social Justice Center (1202 Williamson St., Madison) In the summer of 2020, America experienced one of the biggest uprisings in half a century. After George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis police, angry crowds took to the streets night after night, fighting the police, looting, and eventually burning down the Third Precinct. Written during the riots, George Floyd Uprising (PM Press 2023) is a compendium of the most radical writing to come out of that long, hot summer. Hosted by the Madison Infoshop. jepeck@wisc.edu Tues Feb 21, 7 pm Webinar on Black Land Matters - Join Eric Anglada, Sinsinawa Mound’s Ecological Programming Coordinator, for the presentation of Black Land Matters via Zoom. At this crucial racial moment, it is important that all of us grapple with the connections between history, racism, land, food, Black-led agrarian projects and possibilities for reparations. Register by February 20 and the fee is $10 per person. Contact Arrangements at 608-748-4411 or visit our website at //www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter for more information. Tuesday, Feb 21 at 6 pm Screening of "Seeking Asylum" - followed by a panel discussion. In a time of increased attacks on the rights and humanity of asylum seekers, this film powerfully follows one woman’s journey as she searches for safety for herself and her children. Reservations are required. Sent to WNPJ by WI Faith Voices for Justice rabbibonnie@charter.net Tues Feb 21, 5 – 6:30 pm JustDane February Service Fair – Madison Madison College South – Employment, housing, education. Contact: JustDane at info@justdane.org Thurs Feb 23, 12 noon - 1 pm Anti-Gun Vigil - Meet at Dunham's Sports, 2550 South 108th Street, West Allis, WI. There were 648 mass shootings in 2022, and already 40 this year. Last year, there were an estimated 20,138 gun deaths with 71, 600 licensed gun shops in the U.S. Sent to WNPJ by Casa Maria Catholic Worker. : casamariamke@gmail.com Thurs Feb 23, 7 pm WILPF Webinar: The Future in Our Pockets; Making Money Work for the Common Good. Join Lucille, Virginia, and Mary Sanderson of Alliance For Just Money as they present Just Money reform for WILPF & friends. Register here for the zoom link. Sent to WNPJ by Madison WILPF: WILPF-Madison wilpfmadison@gmail.com Thurs. Feb 23 - Our country's next execution in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis has denied clemency for Donald Dillbeck and set his execution date for this date. Learn about Mr. Dillbeck here and sign this petition to request Gov. DeSantis reopen his clemency process. Congregation of St. Agnes CSA has gone on record to oppose the death penalty. On the day of an execution, a candle is lit and the inmate's name is mentioned in the liturgy. Please consider writing to death row inmates and contacting state governors. For a current list of names and addresses of inmates, click HERE. Contact Tracy Abler - tabler@csasisters.org Sat Feb 25, 12 noon – 1 pm Peace Action Weekly Stand for Peace. Meet at 92nd and North, Wauwatosa. Each week, a different vigil site in the Milwaukee area. Bring your signs for peace! Questions? Contact Peace Action WI - info@peaceactionwi.org or see https://www.peaceactionwi.org/ Sat Feb 25, 1 pm Building Unity Wisconsin Tour for Justice and Democracy in Beloit. Meet at the New Zion Baptist Church, 1905 Mound Avenue. Building Unity Wisconsin works to bring together Wisconsin based group for the causes of peace, justice, sustainability, and democracy. buildingunitywisconsin.org/ buildingunitywi@gmail.com Sun. Feb. 26th, 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm Really REALLY Free Market in Madison! at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center (504 S. Brearly at Jenifer St) Do you have items, clothing, books, food, seeds, skills, gifts, talents, services, love, listening, etc. of value that you’re willing to give away freely? Could you use some support, community and/or aid right about now? Nothing at this market is bought or sold! Any and all forms of sharing and aid welcome. Hosted by the Madison Infoshop jepeck@wisc.edu