 | We champion nonviolence as the foundation for effective programs and actions to promote the dignity of every human being. | | | | Note from Executive Director | | | | On December 21st, our FNVW Social Work Intern, Gina, gave birth to a beautiful baby named Diego. As I think about this precious new life, the Sweet Honey in the Rock song "We Are" is on my heart. It begins with: For each child that born
A morning star rises and sings
To the universe who we are I find myself wondering: what lessons can a newborn child teach us about who we are? If we center the newborn babies in our community, what must we do in this moment to create a world where they can safely grow into their own selves? Perhaps part of the answer to these questions can be found in the wisdom of Desmond Tutu: "If you want peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies." Thank you for all your support of FNVW's work in 2021. With Revolutionary Love,
Leah | | | | | | Help FNVW Start Strong in 2022! If you've not already done so, please consider making a tax-deductible year end gift to FNVW. We need your support to continue our critical violence prevention and nonviolent social change work into the new year. A gift to FNVW is an investment in a future that honors the dignity of every human being. Thank you for your generosity. | | | | | | 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) | | | | | 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. Participants 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. There will be opportunities to explore successful examples of anti-racism outreach and identify resources and communities of support. “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. | | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | | | January Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Basic, Advanced and T4F Combo Workshop | | | |
What: In the context of a supportive community, discover new skills and attitudes to address, prevent, and transform violence. This four day workshop offers a holistic, experiential, safe, and lively approach to learning the tools to discover your own power to build safer communities and transform conflict and frustration in your life. The four day* Zoom workshop schedule is: Friday, January 14, 6-9pm (Central Time)
Saturday, January 15, 11am-6pm (two 3 hour sessions with a 1 hour break)
Friday, January 21, 6-9pm
Saturday, January 22, 11am-6pm (two 3 hour sessions with a 1 hour break) Sign up now using the AVP-MN Combo Community Virtual Workshop - Jan 2021 Registration Form 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 using 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. If you are able, please make your payment online at: https://bit.ly/2BcG1dH or by sending a check payable to Friends for a NonViolent World to: FNVW, P.O. Box 4564, St. Paul, MN 55104. *To receive Basic or Advanced Level certification at the end of the workshop, you must attend the entire three day workshop. In emergency situations, workshop facilitators may be able to accomodate an absence of up to one workshop session (2-3 hours). | | | | | | | | 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! | | | | | | FNVW in the Community: Solidarity Hunger Strike for Democracy | | | |  | FNVW's Executive Director, Leah Robshaw Robinson, organized a 24-hour solidarity hunger strike for democracy with other Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers (MAP) members on Dec. 17th. | | | On December 17th, Minnesota Alliance of Peacemaker (MAP) members organized a 24-hour solidarity hunger strike and action in downtown Minneapolis to support students hunger striking for democracy in Washington D.C. The students are demanding passage of the Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747 for 2021). The student strike ended on day 15 when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced that the senate will take up the voting bills in the week of January 3, when the Senate resumes. The organizers of the student hunger strike vowed to escalate again if the Freedom to Vote Act isn't passed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2022. | | | | | | 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. Please contact President Biden and our Senators to ask them to pass the Freedom to Vote Act. The students hunger striking for democracy shared these resources with us that you can use: | | | | | | Take Action: Spotlight on Democracy Rally | |  | | | Jan. 6, 2022, marks one year since a faction of elected officials incited armed militants to attack the U.S. Capitol. One year later, the same faction is working to restrict the freedom to vote, to attack fair voting districts and to undermine free and fair elections. The rally in St. Paul is one of 239 similar gatherings across the country, including five in Minnesota, where advocates are demanding that elected leaders pass urgent legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act, the Protecting Our Democracy Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Speaking at the rally will be Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon; state Sen. Erin Murphy; a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar; U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips, speaking via an audio recording; Jeanne Massey, executive director of FairVote Minnesota; Minister JaNae Bates, ISAIAH/Faith in Minnesota; state Rep. Emma Greenman; and Julio Zelaya, community engagement director of ACLU of Minnesota. The rally is organized by the grassroots democracy organizations Edina Indivisible, Indivisible St. Paul and St. Croix Valley Indivisible. Co-sponsors are Women’s March Minnesota, ACLU of Minnesota, FairVote Minnesota, Let People Vote – Minneapolis, Let People Vote – St. Paul, Indivisible Eden Prairie, Indivisible MN03, Plymouth Area Indivisible, Indivisible North Metro, Afton Indivisible and Hastings Progressives. In 2021 alone, more than 360 voter suppression bills were introduced in 47 states, including Minnesota. These laws affect all Americans, especially our BIPOC neighbors, friends and family. We will brighten the night with luminarias, inspirational speakers, a sing-along and a call to action at this family-friendly event. Shine a light with us to never forget Jan. 6th, 2021, to preserve, protect and strengthen our democracy, and to demand that Congress pass the Freedom to Vote Act , John Lewis Voting Rights Act and Protecting Our Democracy Act. Masks will be required. Dress warmly! Please plan ahead as no facilities will be available. Register Here | | | | | | 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 6: Spotlight on Democracy Rally 6-7 pm
- Thursday, January 13: Beyond the Books with Gerri Williams 7-8:30 pm
- January 14-15, 21-22: Virtual AVP Combo Workshop
| | | | Friends for a NonViolent World
393 N Dunlap Street Suite #450E | Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104
(651) 917-0383 | info@fnvw.org | | | | | | | | | |
