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PEACE CENTER ACTIVIST ALERT
Week of February 24th
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24th - SATURDAY, APRIL 19th
2025 ART & WRITING CHALLENGE and
YOUTH ACTIVIST GRANT AWARDS
WE ARE OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS!
ATTENTION YOUTH, EDUCATORS, and PARENTS!
CONTEST FOR CONTRA COSTA MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ANNOUNCED!
CHALLENGE TOPIC FOR 2025:
“Climate Change: Your Thoughts, Feelings, and Ideas”
· The negative effects of climate change on our health, labor force, housing, economy, and security, both domestically and internationally.
· How can we reverse the path towards the destruction of our planet and its inhabitants in a peaceful and socially just manner?
· How has climate change affected you, your family and friends, and your community?
CHECK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
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Our 27th Annual Art & Writing Challenge, named in honor of its founder Dennis T. Thomas, is organized to encourage local youth to address issues of peace and social justice through fine art (includes visual art, sculpture, photography, video, and music) or writing (creative writing or essay).
The 7th Annual Youth Activist Grant is given to deserving youth who show exemplary leadership and dedication for social justice, organizing and human rights.
For more information on the contest rules, submission instructions, etc.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
We would LOVE to hear from you if you would like to volunteer for this inspiring project!
Please consider supporting this effort by making a financial contribution to the Peace Center in honor (or memory) of a family member/friend. We will acknowledge your gift in our awards notification materials.
THANK YOU AND PLEASE SHARE WIDELY!
FIND A FLYER HERE
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25th 9:30 AM IN-PERSON
at 1025 ESCOBAR STREET, MARTINEZ
or ONLINE VIA ZOOM*
Advocate for Funding for the
Welcoming Immigrants Support Hub (WISH)
in Contra Costa County
Here’s How You Can Help:
- Show Up In Person: A strong community presence at the Board of Supervisors meeting is crucial to demonstrating widespread support.
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Get Real-Time Updates: Sign up for text alerts by emailing Kimberly at kimberly@cocoira.org. This way, you’ll know exactly when the agenda item is being discussed and can join at the right time.
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Spread the Word: Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to attend in person or participate via Zoom. Share the Toolkit to help others get involved!
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Prepare a Public Comment: We’ve provided sample scripts in the Toolkit to help you craft a meaningful public comment. Your voice matters!
Why This Matters:
The WISH Center would provide essential legal services, tenant protections, healthcare access, and other critical resources under one roof—ensuring that immigrant families in Contra Costa County receive the support they need to thrive.
By advocating together, we can urge the Board of Supervisors to fully fund this critical initiative!
This is a crucial opportunity to stand in solidarity with our immigrant communities. Please let me know if you can join, and feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
In solidarity,
Ruth Kidane, Contra Costa Immigrant Rights Alliance, Immigrant Rights Coordinator,
773-690-3876 - She/Her
*Zoom Link: https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/85486222092
Call In: 888-278-0254 Conference code: 3149674
Meeting ID: 854 8622 2092
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TUESDAYs, beginning
FEBRUARY 25th and ongoing
5 - 6 PM
A DEMONSTRATION FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING
MEET EACH WEEK AT THE CORNERS OF
MT DIABLO BLVD & MORAGA ROAD
LAFAYETTE
Join our community in asking our national leaders to show
compassion, honesty and commitment to a better future for our
planet and all of its inhabitants.
Share your thoughts and feelings with the broader community
on hand held signs. Focus not on who was elected, but on what
unelected leaders are doing and should be doing for our country!
Ask our own legislators to continue the work of building a
prosperous, equitable, caring and healthy country for all.
JOIN US!
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, 4 PM
CLUBROOM AT CREEKSIDE
1010 STANLEY DOLLAR DRIVE, WALNUT CREEK (ROSSMOOR)
FRIENDS OF MT. DIABLO PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER PRESENTS
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26th,
6:30 PM
CALIFORNIA POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN
4th WEDNESDAY STATEWIDE ORGANIZING MEETING
Help plan and build momentum for broader mobilizations highlighting our demands for a moral agenda. We are organizing for the long haul, using this season to strengthen our campaign.
At this week's meeting we’ll be focusing on an International Women’s History Month event: a screening of the movie Rebel Hearts, an inspiring history of women acting through the lens of faith to push back against dominant Christianity’s distorted views of women.
This is a time to inspire and ignite our most creative and sustainable resistance. Are you in? RSVP now.
Forward together,
California PPC Coordinating Committee
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27th - MIDNIGHT
through FRIDAY, 28th - MIDNIGHT
24 HOURS OF ECONOMIC BLACKOUT!
Show them who really holds the power!
WHAT NOT TO DO:
- Do not make any purchases
- Do not shop online, or in-store
- No Amazon, No Walmart, No Best Buy
- Nowhere!
Do not spend money on:
- Fast Food
- Gas
- Major Retailers
- Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non essential spending
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Only buy essentials of absolutely necessary
- (Food, Medicine, Emergency Supplies)
- If you must spend, ONLY support small, local businesses.
SPREAD THE MESSAGE
- Talk about it, post about it, and document your actions that day!
WHY THIS MATTERS!
- Corporations and banks only care about their bottom line.
- If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message.
- If they don’t listen (they wont) we make the next blackout longer (We will)
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Suggested readings/videos/podcasts:
Jeffrey Sachs Stuns EU Parliament, Challenges US-Led Order!
"Sachs delivers a shocking speech to the EU Parliament, declaring that the Ukraine war is effectively over and challenging the US-led world order. His bold statements question NATO’s role, Western influence, and the consequences of prolonged conflict. As his words send shockwaves across Europe, what does this mean for Ukraine, Russia, and the global balance of power?"
"The Trump administration’s decision to pause U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding has plunged hundreds of so-called “independent media” outlets into crisis, thereby exposing a worldwide network of thousands of journalists, all working to promote U.S. interests in their home countries."
DIALOGUE WORKS: Interview of John Helmer: Trump’s Stunt in Riyadh – Rubio’s Sudden Exit STUNS Everyone!
From last week:
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IT WAS A BUSY YEAR!
Thanks to the regular support of our members, other donors and fundraising events, we've managed to initiate and/or assist in the organization of a good number of important events and impactful programming.
PEACE CENTER EVENTS FROM 2024 THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE!
Now, more than ever, we must coordinate our community efforts towards making the world a more peaceful and safer place to live.
WOULD YOU CONSIDER MAKING A
DONATION TO THE CENTER?
WE THANK YOU!
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As a small non-profit, we rely heavily on donations to keep our doors open!
Use the QR code below or access the donation link on our website: https://ourpeacecenter.org/donate/
To send checks directly to the Center -
Make payable to: Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center
and mail to our address at 1035 Carol Lane - Lafayette, CA 94549.
The Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center is a tax-deductible 501 (c)(3) non-profit.
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ADDITIONAL ONLINE SOURCES FOR ACTIONS and INFORMATION ON PALESTINE/GAZA | |
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World BEYOND War has
a DIVESTMENT campaign!
About the Campaign
Grassroots-led war divestment campaigns are springing up all over the world, from students organizing to divest university endowments, to municipalities and states coming together to divest public pension funds. Divestment means organizing to remove public and private assets from weapons manufacturers, military contractors, and war profiteers.
Public pension and retirement funds especially are often invested, directly and indirectly, in weapons companies. Teachers and other public servants whose interests lie with promoting human needs have their retirement security tied up with maintaining or enlarging the war industry. Every dollar currently invested in weapons and war is a dollar that could be better spent on job creation, education, housing, healthcare, food security, and so much more.
War profiteering is largely normalized today. We’re working to stigmatize the war machine. World BEYOND War assists divestment campaigns led by our chapters, affiliates, other coalitions, and individuals around the world.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN HERE
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NOW WHAT????
The Frontlines event on May 4th was very powerful and emotional.
FRONTLINE EVENT WAS REPORTED ON LOCAL NEWS!
We heard from several attendees that they felt compelled to act in a meaningful way. Sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming... where do we start?
In terms of direct aid going to Gaza specifically, we recommend Baitulmaal, who have been able to get aid in.
The other organization we recommend is HEAL Palestine which is focused on rebuilding and rehabilitating Gaza. Its founders are the same founders of PCRF.
There is also Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) which evacuates children who are in need of medical treatment abroad and Medical Aid for Palestinians which offers medical services to Palestinians in Palestine and Palestinian refugees in neighboring countries.
For a full list of resources, you can access the document we put together: tinyurl.com/FrontlinesResources
One thing we are asked to do, again and again, from the people in Gaza is to raise awareness about their situation. Talk to your nearest and dearest about the ongoing genocide.
Remember, we all have a role to play and collectively, our small actions add up. Don't give up, keep raising awareness, keep boycotting, keep donating, keep advocating, KEEP CALLING YOUR LOCAL REPS!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
- From the Frontlines Organization Team
MORE UPDATES COMING SOON! WATCH THIS SPACE!
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This website provides comprehensive information including events & campaigns
CHECK HERE FOR LINKS TO REACH OUT TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVES!
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Includes a frequently updated
calendar of local events
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Peace work in the Quaker tradition
American Friends Service Committee
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BOYCOTT
DIVESTMENT and SANCTIONS!
CHECK OUT THIS HANDY APP!
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Peace is Possible!
Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center
at Creekside Commons
1035 Carol Lane
Lafayette, CA 94549
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