Greetings! Join us in person (or via Facebook live stream ) for a panel on strengthening the Fair and Impartial Policing Policy to better hold the Burlington Police Department accountable.
-Kina Thorpe, Educational Program Manager
Click here to for the quarterly Peace & Justice Center Newsletter
January 21, 2020
This is week marks Wendy Coe's last week here at the PJC. Wendy has been with the Peace & Justice Center for the past 41 years. As a founder and longtime staff member, Wendy Coe has contributed to the Center's work tremendously and will be missed dearly. We are excited for her to be able to enjoy her retirement with her cat Violet, her husband Gene, and a jigsaw puzzle or two. Join us in honoring Wendy's work along with the work of the Vermont Coalition for Ethnic and Social Equity in Schools at our 10th annual Social Justice Activist Award Celebration on March 19.

But with her departure, we are happy to welcome Willow Babcock as our new Office Manager. We are excited to have her joining our team! If you stop by the office be sure to give her a warm welcome!
While you're here, stop by our store to check out the new look! A couple weeks ago, the rug in our store came up and beautiful new flooring went down. We are thankful to New England Floor Covering  for making this possible! Although we may look different, we still carry all of the fair trade and locally made products that you love. So stop by and while you're at it, check out our sale section with books (and audiobooks) 30% off.
-Kristen Connors, former PJC staff

I am thrilled to see more and more Fair Trade certified products on the grocery store shelves, and in other retail settings. Not only are more Fair Trade certified products available to consumers, but also the number of Fair Trade certifiers has grown. 

Currently in the United States there are four major Fair Trade Certifiers (Fair Trade USA, Fair for Life, Fair Trade America, and the Small Producer Symbol). These four certifiers have different standards they use to determine whether an organization complies with Fair Trade principles. Now, when you see two competing Fair Trade labels, you can make an even more informed decision about your purchase. 

On Saturday, January 25 at 3:00pm, the Peace & Justice Center will be having a short public presentation called  Fair Trade Labels,  that will highlight all those tricky nuances between labels and language within and surrounding the Fair Trade Movement. Before you come to the presentation, familiarize yourself with some commonly seen FT labels.
Migrant Justice has been diligently working on their No mas Polimigra campaign. On February 18, the Burlington city council will vote on it, deciding whether or not close the loopholes that allow for the collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE/Border Patrol. Winooski passed this policy in 2018-- it's time for Burlington to do the same. No human being is illegal!

Join us for a panel TONIGHT at 6pm at the Fletcher Free Library for a panel that will lay out the case for the Burlington City Council to follow Winooski’s example and pass a resolution to to protect the rights of immigrants.
Speakers include:
  • Migrant Justice Farm Worker Organizer
  • Perri Freeman, Burlington City Councilor
  • Gina Clithero, Community Voices for Immigrant Rights
Sponsored by

Before the vote on February 18th there will be a rally and speakout at City Hall . Show up and make a public comment to speak directly to the Burlington City Council!
This is a partial listing. See more in our public  calendar . The PJC is not directly involved in all of these events.

January 21, Tuesday

January 22. Wednesday

January 23, Thursday

January 25, Saturday

January 28, Tuesday

January 29, Wednesday

February 3, Monday
  • 5:30 – 8pm Youth for Change The Root Social Justice Center, Brattleboro
  • 5:30 – 7:30pm Community Voices for Immigrant Rights Organizing Meeting RAD office, Burlington.


Email  us events for our  google calendar  and enews
PJC
Programs & Events

A Panel on Burlington Police Department Collaboration with ICE , January 21, 6pm. Join us for a panel that will lay out the case for the Burlington City Council to follow Winooski’s example and pass a resolution to close the loopholes and protect the rights of immigrants and end the collaboration between local police and ICE. No human being is illegal! FREE

Fair Trade Labels Presentation , January 25, 2-3pm, PJC. Explore the differences between Fair Trade Certifications, Membership Organizations, and Direct Trade better understand the Fair Trade Movement. Stay after to learn about volunteering at the
PJC. FREE

POC Affinity Group Thursday, January 30, 6-8pm at the 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

Community Voices for Immigrant Rights, Monday, February 3, 5:30-7:30pm, 241 N Winooski Ave. Join us as we work to amplify local organizing efforts in support of immigrant rights with an emphasis on Migrant Justice's No Mas Polimigra campaign. Free dinner from 5:30-6. Free child care available upon request, please email Women's March VT . Location is wheelchair accessible.
FREE

Toxic Whiteness Discussion Group Thursday, February 13, 5:30-6:30pm at the PJC. This space is held for white people to specifically process how white supremacy culture is harmful to them. 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

Chocolate & Modern Slavery , Thursday, February 13, 5:30-6:30pm at the Morrisville Co-op. For millions of people, chocolate production means social upheaval, violence, and human trafficking. Learn how child and adult laborers work long, grueling days with little to no pay while facing water and food insecurity, exposure to chemicals, and unsafe living and working conditions. Brainstorm ways that you can help support ethical sourcing. FREE

For more info on these events visit our website or contact 
Want to see more of the PJC more often?

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Vermont House Resolution against Nuclear Bombers
Last year, the State Senate passed a resolution opposing nuclear bombers in VT. That bill is now in the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs. You can read it in its entirety here .

Please call the Sargent at Arms at (802) 828-2228 and leave a message for all three committee members and request that they:
"Give the people a fair hearing and take up H.R. 7 for testimony without further delay. The Senate did last year! It is time for the House to do so, as well. Thank you for putting the health and welfare of Vermonters before the special interests. Thank you."

You can also email them:
- Chair: Rep. Stevens of Waterbury

- Vice chair: Chip Troiano of Caledonia-2

- Ranking member: Diana Gonzalez of Winooski dgonzalez@leg.state.vt.us

You can also contact your rep. and request they advocate for the chair do the right thing and allow this resolution to proceed. Don't know who your representative is? Contact
jamesehlersvt@gmail.com and he will find out for you. You can also contact him after you contact your rep or if you need more info.
Center Hours 
Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm
  
Store Hours
Closed Mondays 
Tuesday-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)   
Action Alerts: Support South Burlington Man Detained by ICE

A South Burlington man named Hussein Hussein has been detained by ICE since November 2019 and faces been deported back to Somalia. This is yet another sad example of ICE terrorizing people of color and tearing families apart.

His wife and children are rightfully devastated and scared by the thought of permanently losing their husband, father, and their family's sole breadwinner.

His family set up a GoFundMe to raise money to hire a lawyer to hopefully prevent him from being deported. Please contribute if you can. If you can't donate please share.
Peace & Justice Store
Peace & Justice Center | 802-863-2345 |  info@pjcvt.org  |  http://www.pjcvt.org
60 Lake St, Ste 1C
Burlington, VT 05401