Mar 10, 20237 min read

What's happening with WNPJ member groups the week of March 12th!? A lot....Check it out here.

In these unprecedented times, it is imperative that we find creative ways to collaborate and invite more people to champion democratic values. And this is what we intend to do. On March 18th at the Wisconsin Heights High School in Mazomanie, the Wisconsin Grassroots Network (WGN) has developed a series of three-breakout sessions devoted to organizational collaboration at its annual WI Grassroots Festival. Using the experiences of New Hampshire where 50 statewide and regional groups are working together on legislative and policy issues. They have written and successfully passed legislation. We will examine the potential for this model to work in Wisconsin . . . or for Wisconsin to create its own collaborative solution for improved communication, coordination, and issue/policy development and promotion. Representatives from New Hampshire will be present for these sessions. And look for WNPJ member groups at the March 18th event, too: The Madison Raging Grannies will be singing & Family Farm Defenders will have a table and facilitate a table discussion about 'Why Everyone Should Care About the Farm Bill'. jepeck@wisc.edu Our time is running short to build a more unified approach to keep Wisconsin the proud, progressive, and equal justice state we all once knew. We thank you for your concern about our democracy, and look forward to seeing you on the 18th of March. More information? Contact: Rev, John Stanley - WGN Events Coordinator and Co-chair https://wigrassrootsnetwork.org/2023-festival-registration/

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Here is your chance to “Advocate for hunger relief, climate justice, and clean water in the Wisconsin State Budget”. Join the ‘Wisconsin and Faith in Place’ day of action, cosponsored by many groups, including member group First United Methodists – Church and Society Comm.. The event is in Madison, Tuesday, March 21 – from 09:30 am to 2:15 pm. Meet at the First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison. (lunch included) and from there, participants will go over to the Capitol. There is no charge but any donation would be welcome on the day of the event to help defray costs. Register here: https://www.loppw.org/evrplus_registration/?action=evrplusegister&event_id=9 *********************************************

Urgent request for an action against asylum ban. Take action before March 27! The Biden Administration has proposed a new rule that will drastically reduce the ability of people to seek asylum in the United States. This new rule will deny asylum to people who entered at anything other than a legal point of entry. It also will refuse asylum to any who apply at a legal point of entry, if they did not have an appointment. They also must first apply for asylum in countries they may have traveled through on their way to the United States. This does not take into account that many of those countries may pose as much danger to the asylum-seeker as the country they are fleeing, that many of these countries have years-long backlogs of asylum seekers, and that some countries have no asylum process at all. There are very limited exceptions to these requirements, that are very difficult to prove. There is a 30-day public comment period whereby the public can send in their comments on this proposed rule. Time is short! The deadline is March 27. It is important that each comment be unique, so please add your own thoughts, personal story, faith values, or anything you want to add to personalize your comments. You can use this link from HIAS to make your comment. https://act.hias.org/page/49543/survey/1 Action Alert from Rabbi Bonnie Margulis of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice and Dane Sanctuary Coalition .608-513-7121 ******************************

Books needed for Wisconsin Books for Prisoners: John Peck, member of the WNPJ Board, and Camy Matthay, active with the WNPJ member group, Wisconsin Books to Prisoners, were interviewed for the recent story on WPR -

https://www.wpr.org/magic-gathering-manuals-books-banned-wisconsin-prisons-expo-reading.

Check it out. Learn more about WI Books to Prisoners and how you can donate your books:

https://www.wnpj.org/member-organizations-list/wi-books-to-prisoners wisconsinbookstoprisoners.org wisconsinbookstoprisoners@gmail.com

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Save the Date! Saturday, May 6th. This is our Annual WNPJ Spring Assembly! All welcome to come share their social justice & just transition success stories! We'll be meeting at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near LaFarge (and providing a zoom/recorded event option). This is our chance to hear about the activities of Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice member groups; form a nominating committee for Officers and WNPJ Board member recruitment; and to conduct any necessary Network business. It's an outreach event, too, as we will be inviting Driftless area member groups and their affiliates to speak about environmental and other issues they share in common. Watch for details! If you'd like to be involved with planning, contact the WNPJ at info@wnpj.org. ********************************************* Upcoming Events this week for WNPJ groups: (Read about more upcoming events here: https://www.wnpj.org/event-calendar) MADISON Tues March 14th, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Peregrine Forum - on "Tania, the Unforgettable Guerrilla". Madison Central Public Library, 201 W Mifflin St, 1st Fl. Conference Rm. There will be a presentation with some film clips on the story of a young German woman who went to Cuba in the 1960s to support that revolution. In 1967 she joined Che Guevara in Bolivia and was killed along with him and most of his guerilla group in the Bolivian jungle by the Bolivian military and the American CIA. FREE. For more info call 608-284-9082 or email: dvdwilliams51@tds.net VIRTUAL Tues Mar 14th, 7 - 8:30 pm March Distinguished Lecture on Refugee Resettlement in Wisconsin and Dane County with UNA USA Dane County. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86228895403?pwd=SEFYMUllSFRWWFEzejZhSmcybEYrQT09 Speakers: Kristen Olsen, Refugee Programs Coordinator, Bureau of Refugee Programs, Wisconsin - Department of Children and Families and Becca Schwartz, Resettlement Director, Jewish Social Services of Madison .Hope to see you Tuesday! unausadanecounty@gmail.com VIRTUAL Tues Mar 14th, 7 - 8 pm An Evening with the Poetry of Mary Oliver via zoom from Sinsinawa. Facilitated by Sister Priscilla Wood, OP. Mary Oliver, probably the most popular American poet of the last 25 years, explores through her poetry the natural and spiritual worlds in ways that amaze, puzzle, engage and intrigue her readers. Join us for a lively conversation around a diverse group of her poems. Registration ends March 13 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. VIRTUAL Tues Mar 14th, 7 - 8 pm Building Unity General Evening Meeting via zoom. Building Unity Wisconsin invites all to help with your input for the continuing Tour for Democracy and Justice! You can use the same Zoom link for all of our meetings: https://zoom.us/j/99245031795. Meeting ID: 992 4503 1795 One tap mobile: +13126266799,,99245031795# US (Chicago) Any phone: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) buildingunitywisconsin.org or buildingunitywi@gmail.com MILWAUKEE Thurs March 16th 12 noon to 1 pm Anti-ROTC Vigil at Marquette U. Library on Wisconsin Ave. Coordinated by Casa Maria Catholic Worker <casamariamke@gmail.com> VIRTUAL Wed Mar 15th 6 -8 pm Screening of Just Vision’s new documentary, Boycott. Sponsored by The National Lawyers Guild. Following the screening, we look forward to hosting a Q&A with the film’s Director Julia Bacha and movement attorneys Meera Shah Palestine Legal and Lauren Regan from the Civil Liberties Defense Center. Click here to RSVP. Upon registering, you will receive an email with a unique Zoom link to join the screening and discussion. Sent to WNPJ by Art Heitzer artheitzer@gmail.com EAU CLAIRE Fri Mar 17th, 5 - 6 pm Monthly Stand for Peace. Meet at 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, we visit one another and sometimes we sing. Contact for more information: helpsmeet@usa.net VIRTUAL and in MADISON Sat and Sun Mar 18th – 19th HUMANs Solidarity Summit + 608 Arts/Madison MAN gathering* . Join us for an in-person gathering during the HUMANs global Solidarity Summit. If you’re in Madison – join us in the evening at the Social Justice Center! Learn more by going to the WNPJ events page: https://www.wnpj.org/event-calendar - and looking for this event on March 18th. The whole summit is on zoom but our local gathering will be in person. Organizer: steph@stephanierearick.com SINSINAWA Sat Mar 18th, 9 am to noon - Workshop on Journaling: The Journey Inward. Mary Ellen Green, OP, will be leading a journaling retreat at Sinsinawa Mound. Our unconscious is like the bulk of a huge iceberg whose small tip is all we see. Ever want to go deeper? Journaling is a good way. Whether it is new to you or a continuation of past practice, come and share the experience with us. Registration ends March 16 and the fee is $25 per person. Contact Arrangements at 608-748-4411 or visit our website at www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter for more information. Sinsinawa Mound, the motherhouse for the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, is located in southwest Wisconsin on County Road Z, off Highway 11, about five miles northeast of Dubuque. MILWAUKEE Sat Mar 18th, 12 noon - 1 pm Peace Action WI Weekly 'Stand for Peace'. Meet at Farwell & Brady. Each week, a different vigil site in Milwaukee. Bring your signs for peace! Questions? Contact Peace Action WI - info@peaceactionwi.org or see https://www.peaceactionwi.org STEVENS POINT Sat Mar 18th, 1 pm Building Unity Wisconsin Tour for Justice and Democracy/ Watch for details of where the meeting will take place.

buildingunitywisconsin.org or buildingunitywi@gmail.com.

Remember to vote: General Election - April 4. Upcoming meetings: Sat. 3/25 - State Supreme Court Candidate Forum - Eau Claire Area - Location: TBD - 1:00 PM Sat. 4/1 - State Supreme Court Candidate Forum in La Crosse Area - Location: TBD - 1:00 PM Sun. 4/2 - Tues. 4/4 - “Get-out-the-Vote for Justice Rallies” on the way to and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Times and Locations: TBD - More info: https://buildingunitywisconsin.org/ SINSINAWA MOUND Sun Mar 19th, 1 - 4 pm Art Gallery Reception for the Exhibit: Getting Lost in Driftless Beauty. Artist Jenna Lueck is from Northeast Iowa and truly appreciates the scenery in this area. The Driftless Area Skyscapes Series features some of the amazing sunrises, sunsets and just beautiful sky scenes that we get to witness almost daily in the Driftless area. The peaceful and intriguing landscape is never one to disappoint! Jenna’s art will be on display from March 8 to May 8. Contact Arrangements at 608-748-4411 or visit our website at www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter for more information. Sinsinawa Mound, the motherhouse for the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, is located in southwest Wisconsin on County Road Z, off Highway 11, about five miles northeast of Dubuque.