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M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
April Newsletter
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929 South Plymouth Avenue
Rochester, New York 14608
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Letter from the Staff
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April 2015
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Dear Friends,
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Staff member Shannon Richmond facilitating a training at Wagner College in Staten Island.
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I draw annual inspiration by reflecting on the anniversary of Dr. King's death on April 4. From my continued reading about his life, I know he was plagued by suffering and doubts relating to his meaning and effectiveness in the world. All of us here work hard so that his life and death, and the life and death of Gandhi, mean as much as they possibly can to people--young and old, black, brown and white, near and far. We want to embody possibilities of love and creativity as active forces in the world. Keep reading for ways to plug into those efforts, and keep sending your thoughts and ideas too. Please consider donating your monthly coffee money to help make our work sustainable. We can't do it without you.
This comes with love from everyone here,
Kit Miller,
Director
PS. Please plan to join us on Sunday May 17 at 6 pm for a fundraiser dinner at Vive Restaurant, 130 East Ave. If you have not yet eaten at Vive, you are missing out--Vive is about to become Rochester's premier vegan restaurant. We'll be holding a silent auction too! Tickets $50. Only 75 spaces available. RSVP to alex.denooyer@gmail.com
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Join Us at These Upcoming Events:
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Film Series
When: April 8, 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Gandhi Institute, 929 S. Plymouth Ave
Join David Sanchez for the screening of Living Downstream, a film about the affects of pollutants on communities through the story of biologist and activist Sandra Steingraber. A discussion on environmentalism to follow.
There will also be opportunity to write elected officials letters in regard to Crestwood's storage of explosive/fracked gas in salt caverns on Seneca Lake and exciting updates on the dismissal of charges against We Are Seneca Lake Defenders arrested protecting the lake.
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What You Say Next Can Change Your World: A Series in Nonviolent Communication
When: Thursdays April 16 - May 21, 6:45-9 PM
Where: Gandhi Institute, 929 S. Plymouth Ave
Join Gandhi Institute staff Kit Miller and Malik Thompson for six weeks of exploring the philosophy of nonviolence in our thoughts speech and action, using the lens of Nonviolent Communication. Through discussion, exercises, games and role plays, participants will learn the basics of this process which is taught and used as a means for communication and conflict resolution around the world.
To Register, email: malik.thompson85@gmail.com or call 463-3266
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Oakland Comes to Rochester
Check out these events featuring seasoned Oakland social activists. Both events will take place at the Gandhi Institute, 929 S Plymouth Ave.
'Strategic Action for Social Change'
When: Sunday April 19th, 3-6 PM
Much of our activism for peace and justice consists of reactive, one-off protests, or serial events that don't construct what we want. We may articulate values that hold a critical space in an unjust and militarized society, but feeling overwhelmed and burnout are common. How can we make our persistence strategic? What can we learn from and about movements that have succeeded? How can we strengthen our collective capacity to do research, media work, nonviolent direct action, and legislative advocacy, be accountable, and support responsive leadership? Join us in welcoming veteran human rights and peace activist John Lindsay-Poland as he addresses these questions.
To Register, email: kmiller@admin.rochester.edu or call 463-3266
'Active Hope in Oakland: An Evening with Social Change Makers'
When: Wednesday, April 29th, 7-9 PM
At age 19 Anne-Symens Bucher worked with Dorothy Day. She later founded Oakland's first Catholic Worker House as well as the Nevada Desert Experience, protesting nuclear weapons. Join us for an evening with Annie and permaculturist Adelaja Simons, two Bay-area change makers and intentional community members who live at Canticle Farm, a social experiment in the Fruitvale section of Oakland. Especially utilizing the teachings of Joanna Macy, together we will explore how frustration, discouragement and burnout can be motivation for activism and healthy engagement.
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Nonviolence with Youth: A Skill Share with Gandhi Institute Staff
When: Tuesday May 5th, 5 - 6:30 PM EST
Our first online video training!
We excited to have co-created this event with folks from the Los Angeles City School District who are interested in how Gandhi Institute staff share nonviolence with youth. We will be having a virtual conversation to share ideas with them and we invite you to be part of the conversation.
Requested donation: $50 to benefit youth programming at the Institute. No one turned away for lack of funds.
For more info and to register, follow this link
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Summer Intensive
When: Tuesday June 30th - Thursday July 2, 10 AM - 5 PM
Where: Gandhi Institute, 929 S. Plymouth Ave
-transforming conflicts using Nonviolent Communication
-how to use our rank and privilege for positive social change
-how to use our distress about local and global problems as power to help others
This experience is designed for social workers, students, teachers, activists, people of faith and any individual interested in the principles and practices of social change through nonviolence.
Registration is required. For more info and to register click here.
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Peace Ambassador Workshop
In the beginning of last month, the Gandhi Institute hosted a half day workshop where roughly twenty student from School 15 learned about Gandhi's leadership in the Indian independence movement and King's Principles of Nonviolence. As peace ambassadors these students are charged with spreading what they have learned in their local school and communities.
Below are School 15 teacher and Peace Ambassador organizer Betsy Frarey's reflections on the event.
Things the students learned included that Gandhi "broke laws that weren't good and he went to jail," and that Gandhi and followers "didn't fight back" when the military met them on the beach. One Peace Ambassador said he learned about "history, connections, and people who helped America."
The Peace Ambassadors are excited about sharing what they learned in the workshop with our school community... (to read more click here)
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Kingian Nonviolence Training with Jonathan Lewis
Jonathan Lewis is currently leading a two-day workshop on the teachings of Dr. King. We're excited that Rochester-area teachers, students, Americorps members and community activists are here at the Gandhi Institute taking part.
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Buy a Graduate a Gandhi Deck!
We've got decks for sale here and are now shipping them all over the country! In the spirit of the Season for Nonviolence get your decks now!
$12 for individual decks, $10 for 2 or more. All proceeds benefit the Gandhi Institute. Help us to sustain the Institute and inspire people about Gandhi by buying a deck! Click here!
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