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The WNY Peace Center had a great 55th Annual Dinner — A follow-up:

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Algunas personas preguntan, “Como estaba, la Cena Annual?” The WNY Peace Center 55th Annual Dinner uplifted us all. We were enlightened and inspired by the speaker, the renowned Leah Penniman of Soul Fire Farm, and her keynote, “Planting Seeds of Justice, Harvesting Peace.” Leah was humble and wise, telling her story, delving into our histories and actualities, and exploring ways to work for social change. She shared four solidarity strategies for pursuing such change, all of which are used by WNYPC, as follows: RESIST: Protest, marches, civil disobedience/civil resistance, litigation, boycotts, etc. The WNYPC is often known for our work in this area, including many marches and protests, especially recent Women’s Marches, which were the best-attended protests in Buffalo/WNY in memory, with ~4K and ~5K respectively in 2017/18.   REFORM: Public education/awareness, lobbying, petitions, speeches, teach-ins, etc. The WNYPC holds panels and shares info to increase the public’s political education and awareness, lobbies our elected officials, and petitions our government for the redress of grievances (re war, criminal (in)justice, economic oppression, environmental destruction, and more).  BUILD: People’s assemblies, freedom schools, creating just institutions, etc. The WNYPC offers PeaceJam and Camp Peaceprints to foster our youth and works to build the Beloved Community by amplifying the voices of those most heavily affected, and supporting alternatives (e.g., restorative justice).  HEAL: Ceremony, ritual, prayer, vigil, art, story, therapy, community building. Embracing Buffalo is a project of the WNYPC with the Center for Mind-Body Medicine and UB School of Social Work for supporting Buffalo’s Black community and those who serve them, and frank discussions for communities’ reciprocity/solidarity. The 2022 Women’s March was all about healing as the community was reeling from the trauma of 5/14 the previous day. The Dinner’s Awards were timely. Yanenowi Logan, Seneca, Emerging Leader Awardee, subsequently was elected Co-President of the National Congress of American Indians’ Youth Commission; and was a guest at the White House three days after the dinner! Charley Bowman, Lifetime Achievement Awardee, emphasized the importance of Civil Disobedience (e.g., We Are Seneca Lake). The Phoenix Award to the Families of Victims, and Survivors, of the May 14 Massacre, was presented by our renowned Jim Anderson. It was received by Ebony White, Heyward Patterson’s niece; Garnell Whitfield, Ruth Whitfield’s son; and Fragrance “of Yah” Harris Stanfield, Tops employee survivor of the massacre.  John Spear, Director of Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System, accepted the award for the May 14 Community Collecting Initiative. Ebony and Fragrance will distribute to the other 11 Families and 29 Tops employee survivors respectively. Fragrance “of Yah” Harris Stanfield’s song expressed with heart-wrenching beauty her traumatic experience and unconditional love. Queenia AsheeMa’at represented Latino Village beautifully. The room was packed, the crowd large (170-180) and diverse by every measure. The food was terrific, from Sunshine Vegan. Niagara University and UB’s Food Lab (co-sponsor) came out, with more collaboration to follow! We’ll pursue economic, racial, and environmental justice in food systems, land, usage, and more! Si, se puede – juntos!! Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics A TRAGEDY July 4, 2023/No Comments LEADING TO AN ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN (a Community Responders Pilot and a Peace Ship for a Nuclear-Free Future) Hola, mis Amigos!!  Read More CAMP PEACEPRINTS 2023: HEALTHY LIVES MATTER June 4, 2023/No Comments ¡Hola, Amigos! Pronto sera el tiempo por los ninos para ir a campamentos de verano. We are excited to present Read More EMBRACING BUFFALO / HEALING MOMENTS May 10, 2023/No Comments EMBRACING BUFFALO / HEALING MOMENTS “No podemos dejar que la gente abra brechas entre nosotros… porque solo hay una raza Read More Load More End of Content.

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The Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch) is a member of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System

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When the Hispanic Heritage Council (HHC) moved to rename the Niagara Branch Library several years ago, with the support of the lone Puerto Rican Niagara District Councilman, it was done in haste, and without any real community participation; when the resolution was approved by the City Council, very few community organizations were present to participate or rejoice in the making of this important event on the lower west side.  While the Council gives the impression that it represents the participation of a wide number of community members and organizations, officially it is a non-profit organization and not a “Council.” We don’t know how and why they named the library after a community leader who passed away over two decades ago, but they did not give much thought and planning to the library. They renamed it, with no serious consideration about what the library should look like.   No provisions were made to add a section for Puerto Rican/Latino literature. It would’ve been nice to include the work of local writers and artists. In addition, no plans were made to utilize the library for community meetings and events, like the Frank E. Merriweather Jr.  Library on Jefferson (Utica Street, East Side) which is kept busy with students, visitors, and community organizations always using its facilities.  In the new year of 2023, we urge all Puerto Rican/Latino community organizations to make use of the library, and we strongly recommend that HHC use their leadership to work with the Buffalo & Erie County Library to turn the Niagara Branch Library into a real “Isaias Gonzalez-Soto” Branch Library, a library he would’ve been proud of, with a large section of Puerto Rican/Latino Literature, locally, Statewide, National, and the World: Literature, Art, History, Science, Music, Political Science, Latin America Countries, etc. As a people, we have so much to be proud of our contributions – and the library should reflect that and make our Latino children and teens proud of who they are, having an immediate cultural impact the minute they step foot into the Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library.   Let’s assemble a committee or team of local Puerto Rican/Latino educators and get the job done. Reach out to local colleges and universities to assist in this endeavor.  We have many Latino educators and Professors. Let’s utilize them. And last but the least, we salute HHC for always taking the lead in the potential growth of our community, but they cannot do it alone. As of September, the Library closed its doors to renovate and upgrade the building to better serve the community. The Branch is expected to re-open in mid-winter. — End About Gonzalez: The Puerto Rican-born González-Soto, a World War II veteran, advocated for bilingual education in Buffalo, promoted higher education in the Latino community, and organized against discrimination. González-Soto became a restaurant and bar owner on the lower West Side, and he was a radio host on radio station WXRL, providing Spanish music and news from Puerto Rico. The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York selected González-Soto, who died in January 2006, after a nomination. Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library 280 Porter Ave. Buffalo, NY 14201 716-882-1537 / Fax: 716-882-1537 Located on the corner of Porter Avenue and Prospect Avenue . Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books Business Community Education Entertainment Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics LATINO COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE INEQUALITY AND CULTURAL ISOLATION AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK at BUFFALO March 25, 2023/No Comments LACK OF COLLEGE SERVICES FOR LATINO STUDENTS: This is in response to a story by UB Spectrum reporter, Kayla Estrada, Read More “GETTING VERY LITTLE FOR THE WHOLE,  BUT GETTING A LOT FOR THE FEW” WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2023 January 25, 2023/No Comments While I might appear to be biased and selective, I strongly feel the four people in the photo are the Read More The Isaías González-Soto Branch Library (formerly Niagara Branch) is a member of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System December 25, 2022/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More

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COLUMBIA, EL BUEN AMIGO, LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE

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COLUMBIA, EL BUEN AMIGO, LATIN AMERICAN – SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE Hola! Pasan mucho cosas, y cada mes unas es del Comité de Solidaridad Latinoamericana! The Latin American Solidarity Committee of the WNY Peace Center is a stalwart part of our history and a steadfast and key part of our current work. The Latin American Solidarity Committee of the WNY Peace Center (LASC) was started during the 1980s when US interference in Latin America was reaching a fever pitch. Concerned citizens of WNY banded together at the WNY Peace Center (WNYPC) to collaborate to assist refugees from South and especially Central America and formed affinity groups for solidarity as people risked arrest through their efforts. LASC has monthly Peace Coffeehouses on current topics with a special focus on Latin American and related justice issues. November’s session at 7-9 pm Monday, Nov. 28, is on Colombia’s Future: Optimism & Realism. The speaker, Camilo Romero, is co-founder of ReGeneracion, a peace-building initiative launched in Colombia and working globally. Camilo organized student and consumer campaigns as a union organizer for Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores. He also leads Story-Healing Workshops, including a recent one in Buffalo co-organized by local activist Esperanza Altazar. The Coffeehouses are held every 4th Monday of the month, in the Lounge of the Canisius College Science Hall, near Main and Delavan Station/ intersection of Jefferson @ Main. (While the adjacent parking lot is closed during construction, you can use street parking along Main Street or in the parking lot at the M&T bank.). Light refreshments (yes, including coffee!) are on hand, and the event is free.  Many previous speakers are well known to Latino Village readers – e.g., Alberto Cappas and Christian Parra re Puerto Rico’s justice struggles; José and Nadia Pizarro re efforts to support climate disaster refugees/family/friends in Buffalo; Talia Rodriquez re Herstory and Latina/youth leadership; Rev. Nancy Rosas, re immigration and sanctuary – as well as speakers from farther away, including Luz Rivera, Consejo Nacional Urbano y Campesino, Mexico; Grahame Russell, director of Rights Action working in Guatemala; and Karen Spring, Honduras Solidarity Network. While the Coffeehouses are usually at Canisius College, in December we have the special treat of meeting at El Buen Amigo. The collaboration between the two groups is longstanding, and it’s always great to be in that wonderful space before the holidays, so beautiful gifts at the fair exchange are readily available! Family members benefit (and so do we!). Join us on December 19, 7 pm, at El Buen Amigo (144 Elmwood) for a (potluck) holiday celebration, and an opportunity to hear from LASC members about the activities of the past year. These include the group’s support and involvement in a dental clinic in Chiapas, Mexico; in a Mayan Weaving Collective; Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravans to Cuba; and so much more. We’ll also talk about prospects for the upcoming year. Please come share your own perspectives! If you’re interested in helping with planning, please contact Terry Bisson at bisson@canisius.edu or 716-838-2962. Feliz Dia del Acción de Gracias!! Solidaridad, Victory, Healing for #PeopleAndPlanet, and Peace and Love!! Si, se puede!! Juntos!! Read More From This Writer All Post Food Health Interviews Lower West Side Business & Economic Development Peace People COLUMBIA, EL BUEN AMIGO, LATIN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY COMMITTEE December 16, 2022/No Comments POST TITLE (CAPITAL) Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus Read More ECONOMICS, JUSTICE, LABOR, AND DEMOCRACY! September 16, 2022/No Comments ECONOMICS, JUSTICE, LABOR, AND DEMOCRACY! This country’s economic prosperity was – and still is – built on the backs of Read More EMBRACING BUFFALO August 16, 2022/No Comments EMBRACING BUFFALO Embracing Buffalo is a collaborative effort between two trios of women healers – three who live in Buffalo, Read More Load More End of Content.

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