VOTE November 6, 2018

RACE AMITY WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Citizens for Race Amity Now

Saturday, April 15^th, 2017 from 2 to 4 p.m. followed by refreshments and networking. 

Cadigan Center on 38 Woodside Ave., Amherst, MA. 

The public is invited to our free planning workshop designed to bring together people from western MA.  We plan to engage in scheduling meaningful programs and activities to commemorate Race Amity Day.  This year we observe Race Amity Day on June 11, 2017 in accordance with the 2015 Massachusetts Race Amity Bill, H-2745, signed into law by Gov. Baker.  In the state proclamation citizens are encouraged to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities. 

Amherst is the first town in western MA to issue a proclamation adopting an annual Race Amity Day. Last year, the US senate unanimously passed resolution 491 that begins legislation toward adopting an annual national Race Amity Day. 

The effort to establish a National Race Amity Day, the National Center for Race Amity announced, was in the spirit of celebrating “America’s multicultural, multi-ethnic and multiracial diversity,” adding that the occasion “serves as a time of reflection on the ideals of friendship, civility, and respect that bind the American people together every day. 

Please RSVP if you can attend. For further information call CRAN at 253-9842. 

                                          In Amity, Ray

TICKETS: Suggested donation of $20 for adults, $5 for those under 18. In advance or at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Advance tickets available at: www.riseupandsing.org/events/justice-amherst

TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE, MORE CONCERT INFO & FULL LIST OF SPONSORS:

www.riseupandsing.org/events/justice-amherst

CONTACTS: For more information about the concert or to schedule an interview with the performers, contact Peter Blood & Annie Patterson at 413-256-8596 or ruasevents@gmail.com

"When Movements Unite for Climate Justice"

Co-sponsored by Amherst NAACP, Climate Action Now & Coming Together 

Sun. Feb. 26, 2017
2 to 4 pm
Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst
120. N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA

Jacqueline Patterson, Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program will be coming to Amherst to update us on these issues and engage our community in strategic planning.  

Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard grad and activist, was intrinsic in founding the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now known as the Study of African American Life and History) which began celebrating and promoting Negro History Week in 1926.  Woodson penned the influential book"The Mis-Education of the Negro".  After an overwhelming and nationwide acceptance of the celebration week, Woodson pushed for the week to be changed to a whole month-long celebration, stating that the accomplishments of Negro Americans should be celebrated throughout the whole year and that one week was not long enough to celebrate. Therefore, in 1976, Negro History Week was nationally recognized as Black History Month. February has been designated as Black History Month by every president since Gerald Ford in 1976. In his official recognition of Black History Month, he urged the nation to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout history.”

Flag Raising Ceremony co-sponsored by Amherst Select Board, Amherst Human Rights Commission, Amherst NAACP Celebrate Black History Month in the Town of Amherst.  Join in the singing of the Black National Anthem Bring noisemakers to make a joyful noise with words from community leaders.  Saturday February 11, 2017 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Amherst Town Common Amherst, MA 01002

Additional Black History Month Activities Include "Contemporary Sheroes: Making Shestory" Organized by Citizens for Race Amity Now (CRAN) Sat. Feb. 18, 2017 2 to 4 pm Jones Library Amherst, MA Visit the following 5 College sites for Black History Month activities See this link for a month long list of events at UMass Amherst Link here to see the two events at Smith College

American Friends Service MLK Day Mon. Jan 16, 2017: "How We Shall Resist"

This year, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017 beginning at 9:00 am the AFSC’s 33rd hosts it's Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at various churches in downtown Northampton.

AFSC will sponsor a series of events over the course of the day – from the Sojourner Truth Walking Tour and a Children’s Program (run by Dr. Ousmane Power-Greene) – to a series of workshops and trainings in various spaces in downtown Northampton by local activists and activist groups.

9am: Sojourner Truth Walking Tour (with Steve Strimer of the Ruggles Center)
Sojourner Truth Memorial Statue
Park and Pine Streets, Florence

10am: Children’s MLK Jr. Celebration (with Dr. Ousmane Power-Greene)
Jackson Street School
120 Jackson St, Northampton

12 – 5pm: Informational Tabling
+ Come get a schedule and directions to the workshops, get a “Black Lives Matter” or “Good Neighbor” lawn sign, or visit organization’s tables.
Edwards Church
297 Main St, Northampton

1pm – 5pm: Social Justice Workshops
Various locations at Edwards Church, First Churches, the Unitarian Universalist Society, Northampton Friends Meeting
To see the complete schedule of workshops and trainings click on this link   


6pm: MLK Sing-a-long Celebration (with Evelyn Harris and more)
First Churches
129 Main Street, Northampton

 For complete information about this action  click here to link to the AFSC website.