 | We champion nonviolence as the foundation for effective programs and actions to promote the dignity of every human being. | | | | Note from Executive Director | | | | The Civil Rights Movement teaches us that social change happens when people come together in courageous nonviolent action. All of us have a role to play in bending the moral arc of the universe towards justice. To celebrate the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I invite you to participate in one or more of the opportunties featured in this E-Letter. With Revolutionary Love,
Leah | | | | | | Beyond the Books:
A Way Forward for White Allies in Democracy
Led by Gerri Williams A virtual event hosted by the Northern Yearly Meeting Anti-Racism Working Group and FNVW | | | | | |  | Beyond the Books event presenter, Gerri Williams. | | Beyond the Books: A Way Forward for White Allies in Democracy When: Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM Central Time Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82459087583 Meeting ID: 824 5908 7583
Passcode: 720876
Dial by your location: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
“Beyond the Books” is an independent personal initiative of Gerri Williams. It is not affiliated with or organized by any institution, religious organization or political party. | | | | | Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, sales of books on the topic of race such as “How to Be an Antiracist” and “White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Race” rose to the top of the bestseller lists. Beyond the Books: A Way Forward for White Allies in Democracy shifts the focus beyond self-examination and cultivation of inner feelings about anti-racism. Our Zoom discussion will build on the key insight of Heather McGhee’s The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together: that the laws and policies designed by elite white power holders to deny, exploit, and punish people of color first, and most, have grotesquely warped American social, economic, physical and spiritual health. These measures, such as voter suppression laws increasingly instituted in dozens of states, damage and constrain civil liberties of all Americans. If not countered, this will lead to an anti-democratic, dystopian future in our country. There will be opportunities to explore successful examples of anti-racism outreach and identify resources and communities of support. During the event, white participants will be invited to join themed breakout rooms where they will generate strategies and actions to share the message with white peers that they have a stake, and an enlightened self-interest, in rejecting the racial narrative of white supremacy and white grievance. BIPOC participants will have the option to join a BIPOC specific breakout room during this time. | | | | About Gerri Williams Gerri was introduced to social justice activism through the American Friends Service Committee’s Minnesota Anti-Apartheid Committee in the 1980s. She extended that involvement to other campaigns, including the Nuclear Freeze Campaign and representation at the United Nations Decade for Women Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
A strong supporter of community media, she has produced programs for WPFW Radio (Washington), Occupy DC Radio and the “People of Color” broadcast with KUWS Radio (Superior, WI). Her experience in program planning includes a series of lectures, films and interactive workshops on Nonviolent Direct Action; curating the HUMAN (Heart-Unity-Movement-Action-Now) film series; and organizing a yearlong celebration of Nelson Mandela’s centenary. In 2020 she launched the Ad Hoc Committee for a Safe and Fair Election, a training and information network that operated through January 2021. Gerri grew up in Minneapolis. She is a member of Friends Meeting of Washington and attends the Grand Rapids (MN) Worship Group. She and her husband Ray Allard live in Duluth. | | | | | | | | | | New Episode of FNVW's Everyday Nonviolence Podcast! | |  | Elizabeth Lamin - Assistant County Attorney, Ramsey County, MN | | | | After listening, please consider sharing with your networks on your social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) Include a few sentences about what you liked or learned along with a link to the episode. | | | Elizabeth Lamin - Assistant County Attorney, Ramsey County, MN on Why and How our Criminal Justice System Needs to Change In this episode, Elizabeth Lamin talks with host Ellery McCardle about the evolution of her beliefs on how to best address violent crime. Convinced that the traditional and prevailing emphasis on “accountability” has failed, she explains how she is incorporating different methods such as focused deterrence and restorative justice. Elizabeth Lamin is an accomplished prosecutor with over fifteen years of experience, handling thousands of criminal cases and trying complex homicides, shootings, and other serious felonies. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2004, Magna Cum Laude, after which she clerked for Judge David Minge at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Elizabeth began her career in Stearns County where she worked in a rural/urban setting handling all levels of criminal cases. More recently, she initiated a partnership in Ramsey County to bring together community members and offenders to promote community healing and reduce recidivism. She lives in Eagan with her partner and their two teenage children. Learn more at: Group Violence Intervention - National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) | | | | | | | | Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)
Community Education Classes! | | | | This winter, FNVW is partnering with Northfield Community Education and Minneapolis Community Education to offer conflict resolution and violence prevention classes. Classes are led by trained Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) facilitators and incorporate AVP workshop curriculum and exercises. Spread the word! Reimagining Differences: Conflict Resolution
Northfield Community Education Center
Tue Jan 18 & Tue Jan 25
4:00 - 6:00 PM
$20 Go to northfieldschools.ce.eleyo.com to register!
Reimagining Community Safety I: Strategies for Resolving Conflict
Jefferson School in Minneapolis
Tuesday, Feb 8
6:30 - 8:30 PM
$0-$15 Sliding Scale Go to mplscommunityed.com to register!
Reimagining Community Safety II: Active Bystander Intervention Training
Jefferson School in Minneapolis
Tuesday, Feb 15
6:30 - 8:30 PM
$0-$15 Sliding Scale Go to mplscommunityed.com to register! | | | | | | Save the Date - People Camp 2022
Building a Social Change Community:
50 Years of People Camp | | | | Planning is underway for the 50th anniversary of FNVW's People Camp! More details coming soon... People Camp 2022
August 7-13th
Northern Pines Retreat Center
Park Rapids, MN People Camp is a week-long transformative experience of cooperation, community living, peacemaking, and the exploration of ideas and issues. This is a summer camp experience for the whole family and for anyone who enjoys warm, supportive community, challenging workshops, and lots of recreation in a camp setting. Check out the People Camp Guide to learn more about what People Camp is all about! | | | | | | Take Action: Ask Your Senator to Pass the Freedom to Vote Act | | | | No matter our race, background or ZIP Code, if democracy is to work for all of us, it must include all of us. To move forward together as a nation in 2022 and beyond, we must ensure that every American has the freedom to vote. On December 6, over 20 brave young people from across the political spectrum participated in a 15 day hunger strike for democracy in order to demand passage of the Freedom To Vote Act (S.2747 for 2021). Today 40 hunger strikers are converging in DC today to restart their Strike for Decmocracy. There is a very real chance that the Freedom To Vote Act passes and we save our democracy and our futures. There is also a very real chance that our Senators do not rise to their historic responsibility to get this done and save our democracy. Our actions together could make the difference. Please contact President Biden and your Senators to ask them to pass the Freedom To Vote Act. | | | | | | 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.
| | | | | | 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! | | | | | | | | Upcoming Events - Thursday, January 13: Beyond the Books with Gerri Williams 7-8:30 pm
- January 14-15, 21-22: Virtual AVP Combo Workshop
- Tuesday, January 18 & 25: Reimagining Differences: Conflict Resolution Class 4-6 pm
- Tuesday, February 8: Reimagining Community Safety I: Strategies for Resolving Conflict 6:30-8:30 pm
- Tuesday, February 15: Reimaging Community Safety II: Active Bystander Intervention 6:60-8:30 pm
| | | | Friends for a NonViolent World
393 N Dunlap Street Suite #450E | Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104
(651) 917-0383 | info@fnvw.org | | | | | | | | | |
