| | Note from Executive Director
Change is Possible | | | |
I recently listened to an episode of the How to Survive the End of the World podcast featuring guests Aurora and Ricardo Levins Morales. During the conversation Aurora talked about the intensity with which our victories are erased and how this sends us the message that it's not possible to create change. | | | |
That's one of the places where I get really angry, is the erasure of memory that leaves people believing the story that what is has always been this way, it's just human nature, it’s just the way things are. And I think that's kind of a deep engine level grinding... that drives some portion of my work about, yeah, but what if it is possible and look what we've already done. And imagine what it could do just like two inches over from where we are. - Aurora Morales Levins | | | |
We are in the middle of a season filled with holidays that honor the power of collective action. Juneteenth, Pride and even the 4th of July celebrate stunning examples of what IS possible when people organize and fight for justice. Let's remember our history well and keep building a better world. With Revolutionary Love,
Leah | | | |
| | Requiem - A Concert for Gun Reform | | | |
Protect Minnesota has partnered with Twin Cities musician and conductor Paolo Debuque for an evening of remembrance and action around gun violence prevention centered around the performance of a Requiem concert. Violence prevention organizations from around the region will be tabling and sharing resources as a part of the event. Stop by the FNVW table to say hi to Mike Texler and Donna Roost! What: Requiem: A Concert for Gun Reform When: Saturday, June 25th at 7 pm Where: Hamline United Methodist Church, 1514 Englewood Ave #1299, St Paul, MN 55104 Cost: Pay as able $0-$30 at the door | | | |
| | Comment on the Proposed POST Board Standards | | | |
A recent report from the MN Justice Research Center shows how the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board might be a resource for holding police accountable for excessive use of force and other violations of their sworn duties. | | | |
Independently of this, the POST Board itself has voted to adopt new standards and policies which, if approved, would put some teeth into their oversight of policing statewide. Note to people in Greater MN: It would be wonderful if you could weigh in! This affects all of us, all over the state. The proposed new standards are a dense read, and pretty interesting nonetheless. They better define the ways police officers can be held accountable for personal and professional behavior – notably, belonging to extremist groups like the Proud Boys or Oathkeepers. The POST Board wants to make sure they can revoke police licenses for misconduct, and they need help! To put these standards into effect, they need support from the public, because the Fraternal Order of Police (and possibly the association of police chiefs) are not likely to be happy about this! We have until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 to submit written comments in support or opposition to the proposed rules. We should identify the portion of the proposed rules addressed, the reason for the comment, and any change that we would propose. Comments should be emailed to POSTrules.POST@state.mn.us. To make this job easier, the MN Justice Research Center will post a toolkit on its website soon. Please read and comment on these standards! (Thanks to SURJ-TC for sharing this info) | | | |
| | July Virtual AVP Combo Workshop | | | |
What: In the context of a supportive community, you'll discover your power to build safer communities and transform conflict and frustration in your life. The three day workshop schedule is:
July 22, Friday 5-9pm CST, with a 30 min. break
July 23, Saturday 11-6pm CST, with a 1 hour break
July 24, Sunday 9-4pm CST, with a 1 hour break Sign up: online using the AVP-MN Combo Community Virtual Workshop - July 2022 Registration Form now to guarantee your spot! Where: The entire workshop will take place via Zoom. We are happy to provide technological assistance if you have any questions about Zoom. Who: All are welcome to attend. No prior experience necessary. Cost: The suggested fee to participate in this workshop is $25 - $100. We understand that not everyone may be able to afford this, and no one is turned away due to lack of funds. | | | |
| | People Camp 2022
Building a Social Change Community:
50 Years of People Camp | | | |
People Camp 2022
August 7-13th
Northern Pines Retreat Center
Park Rapids, MN People Camp is a week-long, intergenerational experience of cooperation, exploration and community living. People Camp provides a unique opportunity to rest and refresh your mind, body and spirit through a variety of workshops, group activities and recreation options in a camp setting. Check out the People Camp Guide to learn more about what People Camp is all about! | | | |
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People Camp 2022 Workshops An exciting workshop line-up is in store for People Camp 2022. The first part of the week will focus on social change activism and feature two 2-session workshops: “Cultural Organizing for Climate Justice in the North”, led by Shanai Matteson from MN350, and “Strategies for Nonviolent Action” with P.J. Hoffman. Filling out the rest of the week are “From Blame into Mourning into Love-based Action” led by Pam Winthrop Lauer, “Mini AVP (Alternatives to Violence Project) Training” featuring Maria Musachio, and “Community Singing and Inclusive Spaces” with FNVW’s own Leah Robshaw Robinson. People Camp 2022 Book Club Selections | | | |
 | “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” is by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and indigenous person. She embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers and that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. | | |  | “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander argues that we have not ended racial caste in America - we have merely redesigned it by targeting black men through the War on Drugs and decimating communities of color. She challenges the civil rights community--and all of us--to place mass incarceration at the forefront of a new movement for racial justice in America. | | | |
| | Monthly Virtual Sing Along | | | |
Join us for an FNVW Sing Along on the last Friday of the month. Led by PJ Hoffman, Maria Musachio, and friends. You can also lead some of the songs - let us know! When: Friday, May 27, 7:00-8:00 p.m. CST Hop on using this Zoom Meeting Link Meeting ID: 896 8256 2161
Passcode: 442830 | | | |
| | June 2022 - AVP Inside Out Newsletter | | | |
The AVP Inside Out Newsletter publication provides an opportunity for members of the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) community, inside and outside correctional facilities, to connect with one another about the effects of violence on us all and the strategies we use to transform the violence in our lives and communities. Click on the links below to read the past two issues. We welcome your contributions to AVP Inside Out! Review the submission guidelines here. Please email submissions to: AVP@fnvw.org. | | | |
| | Follow FNVW on Social Media! | | | |
FNVW is working hard to expand the reach and impact of our programs. Social media is a powerful way to engage more people in our work. We need your help to increase FNVW's visibility on social media. Here's what you can do: - Take a moment right now to follow our pages
- Like and share our social media posts
- Volunteer to create social media content to help tell FNVW's story and promote events.
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This is a historic moment where communities are re-imagining public safety and how we live in relationship with one another. Now is the time to support the principles and practices of nonviolence that FNVW's programs champion. Your financial support will help us move our mission forward in 2022! | | | | | | | |
 | FNVW E-Letter
June 23, 2022 | | | Upcoming Events - Friday, June 24: FNVW Virtual Sing Along 7:00 - 8:00 pm
- Saturday, June 25: Requiem: A Concert for Gun Reform 7:00 pm
- Friday-Sunday, July 22-24: Virtual AVP Combo Workshop
- August 7-13: People Camp
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Friends for a NonViolent World
393 N Dunlap Street Suite #450E | Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104
(651) 917-0383 | info@fnvw.org | |
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