-- Buses to DC, fossil fuel petitions, a collective POC response to the Sanders Institute, VSP cancel trip to Israel, and much more.
Click here for quarterly  Peace & Justice Newsletter.
In This Issue
PJC Educational Programs & Events
Saturday, Dec 15, 10-12pm, 
Fletcher Free Library,  Burl. In recognition of Human Rights Day, members of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) lead a workshop for children age 7-13. They'll share a children's book, watch a video, sing songs, and create a human rights quilt out of paper squares. Parents welcome to join in. Sponsored by the Burlington VT Chapter of WILPF. FREE.

Toxic Whiteness Discussion Group Wednesday, January 16, 12-1pm, PJC. This space is held specifically to process how white supremacy culture is toxic to white people. The hope is that by joining this space, white people will be better able to allow for the emotional needs of people of color to take priority in multi-racial spaces. FREE.
 
POC in VT Affinity Group Thursday, January 17, 6-8pm, PJC. This program is led by people of color, for people of color. It is a monthly gathering for POC to come together to share their experiences and explore their identities. You do not have had to attend previous meetings in order to come. FREE.

Jeffersonville Racial Justice Study Circle Saturday, January 19, 6-8pm, Second Congregational UCC in Jeffersonville. Facilitators from the PJC will offer a brave space to explore what racism is, why it is often difficult for white communities and individuals to see it, and racial justice within the Jeffersonville community.  FREE.

Bakersfield Racial Justice Study Circle Wednesday, January 23, 6-8pm, United Church of Bakersfield & Fairfield in Bakersfield. Facilitators from the PJC will offer a brave space to explore what racism is, why it is often difficult for white communities and individuals to see it, and racial justice within the Barkersfield community. FREE
 
Fair Trade Labels Saturday, January 26, 2-3 pm, PJC. Explore the differences between Fair Trade Certifications, Fair Trade Membership Organizations, and Direct Trade to help better understand the Fair Trade Movement. Stay after to learn about volunteer opportunities at PJC. FREE
Privilege & Accountability for Aspiring Allies  
Tuesdays, Jan 29, Feb 5, 12, & 19, 6:30-8:30pm, St Michael's, Colchester. Sign-up here
 
For more info on these events visit Upcoming Events or contact program@pjcvt.org.
Voices for Palestine
 
Since 2001, thousands of U.S. police and agents from the FBI, CIA, and ICE have attended special programs either in Israel or here in the U.S. with visiting Israeli military personnel. Just weeks ago, we learned that Vermont State Police were headed on one of these trips.
 
These programs facilitate the introduction of tactics and technologies intended to militarize civilian policing...

Phone calls needed now!
The PJC, joined many others to ask the VT State Police to "skip the trip" to Israel this year. Grassroots organizing worked and the police heeded the wishes of Vermonters. For more info read the press release here or the article above. We have learned that they are now receiving many calls from people upset about this decision. Please help balance this out by calling  Colonel Birmingham at the VT State Police (802-244-8727) to say, "I support your decision to withdraw from the training in Israel. Thank you." You can also submit a communication online here.
Community Job Openings

350VT is hiring a Training Coordinator to lead their trainings and workshops program. More info here.


Vermont Interfaith Action is hiring a Southern VT Community Organizer.
Quick Links
Want to see more of the Peace & Justice Center more often?

Follow us on social media to see pictures, read articles, and be in the know about what we are up to, community issues, events, and more.

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View on Instagram
Center Hours  
Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm
  
Store Hours
Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm.
Sunday: 10am-5pm
 
Hours are subject to change. Call (802) 863-2345 x2 to confirm.
  
Location
60 Lake Street, Suite 1C
Burlington's Waterfront.
(Next to Skinny Pancake) 
Flynn Vouchers
Pick up a voucher for this show at PJC and pay $2 cash at the door. For current PJC members and volunteers. For information on membership click here.   Limited supply!  
Thursday Dec 13, 10am and Friday, Dec 14, 8pm.
Parsons Dance delivers life-affirming, inspiring performances to audiences worldwide and, through education and outreach programs, sustains an appreciation for the art form.
December 11, 2018
Bus to Marches in DC?
Image result for women's march 2019

The Peace & Justice Center might charter buses to travel to Washington, DC in January for the Women's March and/or the Indigenous Peoples March. If you are interested in riding down with us, please contact Wendy at 802-863-2345 x8 or wcoe@pjcvt.org as soon as possible.


From the Blog: POC Activists Pen Open Letter to Bernie Sanders
 
There are a lot of things that we agree with Bernie Sanders on. While he leans left on many things, there are positions that are abhorrent to our organization and who we are as peace activists. We can appreciate what he does well while also holding him accountable for the things that we disagree with.

From from November 29 to December 1, The Sanders Institute brought together progressive leaders from around the country for a three-day conference in Burlington. While we hear that it was a great three days, the Sanders Institute made a big misstep by failing to involve progressive leaders of color and other marginalized groups from Vermont. Social justice leaders in our state who are working hard on addressing the very issues discussed at the conference weren't invited to share their insight or even learn from the great minds in attendance.
The Rutland Area and Windham County branches of the NAACP started an open letter, which was finalized and signed by dozens of activists of color around the state, and then sent to Senator Sanders to voice their frustration. The letter reads in part (read the full letter here or below):
... Even Kiah Morris, who was Vermont's lone black woman in the legislature -- that is, until the racist threats and harassment became so intolerable and intimidating that she not only had to withdraw from an uncontested race, but she stepped down from office just three months ago -- was not invited.
PJC TV Show: People for Peace & Justice
We now have a monthly show with CCTV! The first episode features interns Kenzie Imhoff and Hayley Martin as they share their experiences participating in PJC programming. Check out the first episode of People for Peace & Justice below! Thank you Channel 17/Center for Media &Democracy for providing us the platform for this. We love what you do!


People for Peace & Justice: Episode 1
People for Peace & Justice: Episode 1
Community Calendar
This is a parti al listing. See more in our public  calendar .


Dec 11, Tuesday
  • 6-8:30pm PJC board mtg at PJC.
  • 6-7pm Vigil to End Gun Violence. Gun Sense VT. First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington.
     
Dec 12, Wednesday
  • 9-10am Interrupting Hate & Addressing Unintentional Bias. Unitarian Church of Montpelier. RSVP
  • 4-9pm "The Hate U Give" one day screening. Marquis Theatre & Cafe, Middlebury.
  • 6-8pm Speaking up for Racial Justice: Practice Sessions. Unitarian Church Of Montpelier.
  • 6-8pm RAD Organizing Team meeting. 423 Main St, Bennington.
  • 6-8pm Families United. The Root Social Justice Center
  • 7-8:30pm 350VT meeting. 115 Hillside St, Bennington.
December 13, Thursday
  • 5:30-7pm WILPF meeting. PJC, Burlington.
December 15, Saturday
December 16, Sunday
December 17, Monday
December 18, Tuesday
  • 6-8pm 350VT meeting at 179 S. Winooski Ave, Burlington.
  • 7-8:30pm Champlain Area NAACP meeting. 427A Waterman Building, UVM, Burlington.
December 19, Wednesday
December 21, Friday
  • 5:30-7:30pm Mother Up! Monthly Meet-up. North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier.

Please email us events for our google calendar and enews
Peace & Justice Store
Action Highlight : No Fossil Fuels Petition!
This past spring, 35 Vermont towns voted to call on the state legislature to ban all new fossil fuel infrastructure. It is time for all of us to urge the Vermont legislature's Joint Climate Solutions Caucus to sponsor legislation to prohibit all new fossil fuel infrastructure by signing this petition.  Click here to sign now.  
Peace & Justice Center | 802-863-2345 | info@pjcvt.org | http://www.pjcvt.org
60 Lake St, Ste 1C
Burlington, VT 05401