WNPJ + Immigration news + WISDOM Budget Trainings + NEW Peace Education Course + 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.
In the IMMIGRATION NEWS
Madison Friends Meeting joins in spirit with the several Quaker Meetings who have brought suit against the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to rescind the long-standing practice of not invading houses of worship to apprehend undocumented immigrants. Like our fellow Quakers, we remain committed to religious liberty and peace and support their use of the legal process to ensure that participants in all faith communities are safe and secure from intimidation, threats, and violence.
Wisdom Wisconsin has joined a lawsuit.
The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) at Georgetown Law filed a lawsuit on behalf of over two dozen Christian and Jewish religious denominations and associations in response to the Trump Administration’s rescission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “sensitive locations” policy that had restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration raids, arrests, and other enforcement actions at houses of worship.
WNPJ has a NEW website page on IMMIGRATION JUSTICE! Many WNPJ member groups are organizing around Immigration with webinar events and more. Send any events you're involved with to WNPJ info@wnpj.org and we'll add them to this developing page!
State Budget Training Sessions - with WISDOM
Are you ready to make a difference in your community by understanding and influencing the state budget process? Join us for one of our free State Budget Training sessions!
These interactive sessions will empower you with the tools and knowledge to navigate the state budget process effectively and make your voice heard.
Upcoming Training Sessions:
Eau Claire: Tuesday, February 25 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: UW-Eau Claire Davies Center (Council Oak Room)
77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54702
Green Bay: Thursday, February 27 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: The Mauthe Center
418 Leon Bond Dr., Green Bay, WI 54308
Milwaukee: Saturday, March 1 | 12:00-2:00 PM
Location: Welford Sanders Enterprise Center (Conference Room)
2821 N. Vel R. Philips Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53212
Racine State Budget Training Session
Date: Monday, March 10
Time: 6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio St. Racine, WI 53405
These sessions are open to everyone—community members, advocates, and leaders alike. Feel free to invite your friends and family to join! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to advocate for change effectively. Together, we can shape a better future.
In Solidarity, David Liners admin@wisdomwisconsin.org
Peace Education Program with Echo Valley Hope
Let us usher in a culture of peace in our state and the world. Echo Valley Hope has been offering The Prem Rawat Foundation's class for over two years. It is our hope to see the course made available to all sectors of our population to benefit all. Our next full 10-week course will begin Tuesday, Feb 25, 6:30 pm CST. It is free; classes are about one hour.
For more: Dena Eakles, dena.eakles@gmail.com 608-606-4450
Please share with colleagues who you think may be interested.
Included are links for you to explore the effectiveness of this course.
The first is about the Peace Class utilized in a community center in London where youth violence has become a serious issue.
The next link is a variety of videos of diverse orgs who participated in the program.
WNPJ Member Group Events
Click here to see a listing of recurring Vigils across the state!
Madison
2/25 @ 8:00am-10:00am: Sustainable Breakfast Series: Our Leap Forward in Transit!
Spark Building – Starting Block Cafe, 3rd Fl., 821 E Washington Ave. Join us for an inspiring program, featuring two expert speakers: Mike Rusch from Metro Transit will explore the transformative impact of the new bus system and Zia Brucaya from Greater Madison MPO will highlight sustainable transit resources and emerging opportunities. Learn all about the launch of the all-electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, new fare payment, and new bus tracking. To register, visit: https://sustaindane.org/eventbrite-event/february-sustainable-breakfast-series-our-leap-forward-in-transit/
2/25 @ 11:30am-12pm: Weekly Vigil for Peace with the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa. At the corner of Monroe St and Edgewood Ave. near Edgewood High School. Details here. opjustice@sinsinawa.org
2/27 @ 6:30pm-8:30pm: “Separated” – Social Cinema film screening followed by informal discussion. At Union South – Marquee Theater, 1308 W Dayton St. Award-winning filmmaker, Errol Morris, incisively probes the darkest chapters in recent American history: family separations. Merging narrative vignettes of one migrant family’s plight with hard-hitting interviews with government officials, Morris paints a jaw-dropping picture of the state-sponsored crisis of cruelty, as hundreds of families remain separated today. Hosted by the Havens Wright Center and LACIS. More info? https://havenswrightcenter.wisc.edu/event/separated/
2/27 @ 1:00pm-4:00pm: OPEN HOUSE with Urban Triage for the launch of an Emerging Adult Transitional Home. At 1738 Roth St. This groundbreaking program is supporting young adults aged 18-21 transitioning from foster care. We'll honor Black History Month while showcasing this innovative initiative. In partnership with Dane County Human Services, our North Side Madison facility provides a supportive environment for youth aging out of the foster care system, helping them build pathways to independence and success. Reserve your spot here. urbantriage@gmail.com
2/28 @ 12:00pm-1:00pm: Madison Weekly Vigil in support of Palestine. Meets near the entrance to the Memorial Library across from the Catholic student center. Signs not provided. Contact joel.garb@gmail.com
3/1 @ 12:00pm: 44th Annual Freeze for Food 5K and 10K walk/run. The event starts at Vilas Park Shelter and benefits Open Doors for Refugees (ODFR), a local nonprofit helping refugee families resettle and thrive in Madison. Organized by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison (ally and former member group of WNPJ) Freeze for Food is a volunteer-run tradition that’s raised over $163,000 to fight food insecurity and support refugees since its inception in 1982. This year, we hope to make an even greater impact, and we’d love your help in spreading the word! Whether through sharing our press release, adding the event to your community calendar, or even connecting us with others who can help amplify our message, your support could help us reach more people and raise critical funds for those in need.
Contact: Kyle Pineda kylesp608@gmail.com
3/2 @ 11:15am: Protect Your Congregations - in-service training with WI Faith Voices for Justice. At Orchard Ridge United Methodist Church 1501 Gilbert Road . All welcome for an informative session with Immigration Attorney Grant Sovern. Learn how to respond effectively to law enforcement and protect those within your community. This training is open to all. No registration is required. wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com
Milwaukee
2/25 @ 7:00pm-8:00pm: Milwaukee - VETS for PEACE #102 Monthly Mtg. At St Johns On The Lake. vfpchaapter102@gmail.com
2/27 @ 12:00pm-1:00pm: Anti-gun Vigil. At Dunham’s Sports, 2540 S 108 St. They advertise and sell assault weapons. Event with Casa Maria Catholic Worker House: shadmuss1983@gmail.com
3/1 @ 12:00pm-1:00pm: Peace Action WI Weekly STAND for PEACE at Capitol & Oakland. Details here. Questions? Contact: info@peaceactionwi.org
3/1 @ 12:00pm-1:00pm: State Budget Training Session - with WISDOM. Welford Sanders Enterprise Center (Conference Room), 2821 N Vel R. Phillips Ave. Register here: Feel free to invite your friends and family to join! admin@wisdomwisconsin.org
Learn more in the SPOTLIGHT above
Racine
3/1 @ 12:30-1:30pm: Weekly Stand for Peace. At Martin Luther King Plaza, 909 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Supported by the Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice. Details here. Contact https://racinepeace.wordpress.com (this event is cancelled when weather is below 25 deg F and check our website for cancellations due to snow)
La Crosse
2/27 @ 12:00pm-12:30pm: Weekly Women in Black Peace Vigil. Meet at Main St & 4th Street South. Details at the Vigils list. Contact dbuffton@yahoo.com
Viroqua
3/1 @ 11am-12pm: Driftless Palestinian Solidarity Weekly Vigil. Meet at Decker and Main. Details here. Contact driftless.solidarity@gmail.com.
Superior
3/2 @ 12:00pm-12:30pm: Women in Black weekly silent vigil. Meet at Center City Park on the Corner of Tower and Belknap. Details here. Contact Christine christineolson3@gmail.com
Eau Claire
2/25 @ 6:00pm-8:00pm: State Budget Training Session - with WISDOM
UW Eau Claire Davies Center, 77 Roosevelt Ave. Learn more above in the SPOTLIGHT admin@wisdomwisconsin.org
Appleton
3/1 @ 11:00am-12:00pm: Fox Valley Peace Coalition Monthly Vigil. Houdini Plaza on College Avenue. All are welcome. For more information, contact Ronna Swift at ronnajean61@gmail.com
Green Bay
2/27 @ 6:00pm-8:00pm: State Budget Training Session - with WISDOM.
The Mauthe Center, 2418 Leon Bond Dr. Register here. Feel free to invite your friends and family to join. admin@wisdomwisconsin.org Learn more above in the SPOTLIGHT
Virtual
2/24 @7 - 8 pm 'UN in the News' Monthly Zoom meeting . We'll be discussing this article by Stewart Patrick of the Carnegie Foundation. It is a summary of the Trump administration’s withdrawal from international institutions with its shortsighted America First vision. We can also discuss the Trump administration’s recent discussions with Russia to end the Ukraine war. Contact Sam Romano for the zoom link sromano@charter.net
2/25 @ 6:30pm-7:30pm: Learn about PEACE! From Echo Valley Hope. Check out the SPOTLIGHT above.
WNPJ has a NEW website page on IMMIGRATION JUSTICE! Many WNPJ member groups are organizing around Immigration with webinar events and more. Send any events you're involved with to WNPJ info@wnpj.org and we'll add them to this developing page!
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.
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
Follow us on Facebook!
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.