Support the PJC when you shop online! 
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Center Hours
Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm
Store Hours
Monday-Thursday: 10am-6pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am-7pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
Hours are subject to change. Call 802-863-2345 x2 to confirm.
Location
60 Lake Street, 1C
Burlington Waterfront.
(Next to The Skinny Pancake)
If you would like an event listed, please email [email protected]
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Ferguson Response: Black Lives Matter
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 As we learned of the decision to not charge the White Police Officer who shot Michael Brown, an 18 year old Black Teenager who was unarmed, we are deeply troubled yet like many others, not surprised.
We understand that this is not an isolated incident, that police brutality and police violence have been disproportionately directed at members of the Black Community. We stand in solidarity with Ferguson and collectively state that Black Lives Matter.
...The shooting in Ferguson, Missouri, as well as both the civil unrest and the militarized police response are of deep concern to the Peace & Justice Center. Racial justice and nonviolence are at the heart of our work. We believe in and work for a more peaceful and just world, a world where parents do not need to fear their black and brown boys will be killed for no reason other than their appearance, where we recognize the benefits of diversity, and where human equality is valued. We therefore must speak out against acts of racist violence.
Simultaneously, we must respond to the more subtle acts of racism that pervade our culture and to institutional and systemic oppression. There is a phrase "death by a million cuts" which aptly reflects the hurt of racism in Vermont. The usually unconscious acts of prejudice and disrespect, the stereotypes projected, the touching of hair, the being followed in stores, the crossing of streets in avoidance, and other acts in response to people of color, are referred to as micro-aggressions. Each micro-aggression slices at those of us with brown and black skin and limits the lives of those of us who are white. Institutionalized racism includes decision making, resource allocation, policies and practices that perpetuate privilege and access to some and not to others. These systems of oppression are also hard for those in power to see. To continue the metaphor, institutionalized racism create an environment in which the wounds cut more deeply and heal more slowly even when there is no singular act of violence that explains the hurt.
We live in a highly racialized society. When white people refer dismissively to the "race card," as a defense against what a person of color perceives as racism, another cut is made. While some claim colorblindness, we believe this is a myth. Saying skin color is not seen denies a very important characteristic of a person's identity and experience. Of course we see race and our hope is that we don't make assumptions based on it. How could a person of color, when disrespected, not wonder if race is a contributing factor? In fact, how could anyone prove that it is not?
The death of Michael Brown and the ensuing violence is indeed horrific. While we speak out against the abuse of power in Ferguson and send messages of support and comfort to his family and friends, we hope all of us, people of color and aspiring white allies alike, will also turn our attention to the racism and white privilege here in Vermont... |
The PJC's Annual Membership Drive
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Current Members: Thank you for supporting us by contributing at the level that makes sense for your budget!
Lapsed Members: Please reply to our Annual Appeal letter (sent in October) as soon as possible. If we don't hear from you before Dec 5th, then we will be delighted to have one of our lovely volunteers and/or board members remind you during our Phone-a-thon, December 6-9, you can make your annual contribution at that time.
Non Members: If you sign up for a new membership you are also eligible for a PJC T-shirt and a 25% off one item coupon good till 1/31/15. This is in addition to the standard benefits of being a member of the Peace & Justice Center. The PJC predominately runs on individual donations.
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New Jim Crow Book Discussion
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 In Michelle Alexander's powerful book entitled, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration and the Age of Colorblindness", Alexander uses historical and empirical evidence to support her claim that the War on Drugs has continued the legacy of Jim Crow in deliberately targeting and criminalizing non-white citizens. With African Americans being incarcerated nearly six times the rate of whites, despite multiple reports proving that whites use illicit drugs more often than blacks, Alexander documents incarcerated individuals lose their right to vote, right to employment, and effectively become second class citizens. Please join us for this two part discussion on Sunday, December 7 at 3-5pm and Tuesday, December 9 at 6-8pm at the Peace and Justice Center. This group discussion about Alexander's book, and her arguments around mass incarceration will be led by Rachel Siegel and Francine Serwili-Ngunga. We will be focusing on the introductory chapter, although reading the entire book is encouraged, participants are asked to have read the introduction at a minimum. Click here for a digital copy of this section of the book. To officially register, please email [email protected] with the subject "New Jim Crow". All are welcome to attend. This is a free program.
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Learn about North Korea and a Movement to Help
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Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is an organization that is entirely run by young people. This group acknowledges and aspires to change the fact that even though North Korea is one of the most oppressive countries in the world, nobody is talking about it. Small groups of young people who work on this effort have been traveling the United States on their Jangmadang Tour and on December 4th at 7pm, they will be here at the PJC in Burlington!
The LiNK Nomads are the individuals responsible for sharing their mission to the people of the world and will share with us the change occurring in North Korea that is emerging by the Jangmadang Generation, the group of people who have grown up in North Korea that have learned to rely on themselves and others for food, basic necessities, information and media instead of relying on the regime. These people have hopes and dreams that differ from those of the past and they are becoming increasingly hard to control through North Korea's traditional means of oppression.
This is a great opportunity for us to learn from North Koreans about what is going on in North Korea and how we can help make a difference. For more information contact us at 802-863-2345 x6 or [email protected].
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Support These Badass Campaigns
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PEACE HAS NO BORDERS
Today, as the drums of war sound loudly again, and as new troops are being sent to the Middle East, this film is an important reflection on the lives of some former military who crossed the border to Canada in resistance to further participation in the Iraq and Afghan W ars. For the past 8 years they have fought for the right to stay in Canada. This is their story.
Defend First Amendment Rights and Protect Prisoners' Right to Speak.
This is an historic time for movements against mass incarceration and state repression in the United States. Two weeks ago PA Governor Tom Corbett signed SB508 into law, effectiprevent  prisoners from speaking publiclyve immediately, which allows the State Attorney General or District Attorney to file a court injunction and. This bill specifically targets Mumia Abu-Jamal. Read More.
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December 2, Tuesday
- 6pm PEACE & POPCORN The 1st Tuesday of every month the Peace & Justice Center hosts a movie night where community members select a film from our public video library to watch together. With nearly 100 titles to choose from, this is an evening of good films and good company. All are welcome!!! Free.
December 3, Wednesday
- 5:25pm "Interracial Love...Living the Difference". CORN, (conversation on race now) hosts conversations/programs on Interracial Relationships on Channel 17. It can be found online under CCTV social justice category. The show happens every other month. The next ones are January 7 and March 4. There is a live call in portion and folks are invited to call and join in the conversation. For more information and if you would like to be a guest on the show, contact Vivian Mason [email protected], Co-founder of CORN.
December 9, Tuesday
- 7-8:30pm The Greater Burlington Women's Forum is partnering with Burlington High School to show a special screening of "Miss Representation", a must-see film on how the media is educating yet another generation that a woman's primary value lay in her youth, beauty, and sexuality and not in her capacity as a leader. For additional information, contact [email protected]. Screening at Burlington High School.
December 10, Wednesday
- 6:30pm The Experience of Drone Pilots at PJC. We are excited to launch a new presentation about the people who operate unmanned aerial vehicles commonly known as drones. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is higher among drone operators than on-board pilots in war zones. This event is an excellent ways to become more knowledgeable about drones and the impact they have on individuals and communities in the US and beyond. Michaela Herrmann will lead the presentation and discussion that follows. For more information or if you would like this event to travel to your community contact Kyle Silliman-Smith or call her at 802-863-2345 x6.
December 17, Wednesday
- 5:30pm Drug War Capitalism: Book Launch & Discussion with author Dawn Paley at the Fletcher Free Library, Burlington.
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