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Weekly Newsletter                 13 August, 2023

Artwork by Cookie Rivera

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<Something is terribly wrong if the pain, sorrow and

outrage of a people makes you more uncomfortable
 than murder itself.=

— Rupi Kaur

Embracing Multiculturalism:

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of harmony"

By Frank Pendola
July 19, 2023

Look for our newest column this week in The Westerly Sun,
Thursday, August 17, 2023

Read Our Column

ENGAGE

This Week
August 13 will find us once again on the steps of the Post Office ready
to join with our friends and fellow citizens in our struggle for racial
equity and justice. Although we continue to be concerned about the
issues that intersect with this struggle, we are ultimately concerned
with building a community where all people can feel safe, and
opportunities for growth and success are not limited by race, social
status, gender, ability, religion or name recognition.
We can only accomplish this if we are willing to dialogue with one
another and become active participants in the workings of
government and social institutions. We gather strength from one
another through our Sunday gatherings, our newsletter, and special
events. Please continue to support these efforts in any way you are
able, joining us on Sunday mornings, writing a letter to the editor,
attending local and state meetings and staying in contact with your
representatives. <Democracy is not a spectator sport," someone once
said! Get involved and make your voice heard.

This Sunday Geoff Kaufman has agreed to sing some songs for us. His
voice and his message are always music to our ears so please come
to hear great music, connect with old friends, and make new ones.

Sunday Poetry Share - August 20

Do you have a favorite poem, short essay or quotation about

one of the topics we so often discuss? Have you written a
poem or a short essay on your own personal experience with
racism or other <isms=? Bring something to share on Sunday,
August 20, when we will have our first <Sunday Poetry Share.=
We already have a few people who would love to take the mic
at 12:00. Come and share your thoughts and/or listen to
impactful stories from others. All ages welcome.

Last Week

ARC Commemorates the 78th

Anniversary of
Hiroshima/Nagasaki

ARC commemorated the atomic

bombing of Hiroshima and
Nagaski on August 6 and August 9, 1945, at our weekly gathering last
Sunday in collaboration with Westerly Area Peace and Justice, a local
group of peace activists. We heard Tim Flanagan share his
experience visiting the city of Hiroshima last month. Tim explained
that while the city has been rebuilt into a modern and prosperous
metropolis, many reminders remain of the horrific day 78 years ago
that literally devastated the city and destroyed hundreds of
thousands of lives in a split second. Memorials and artifacts are
everywhere and Tim found the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
haunting and mesmerizing.

He was especially moved to hear the personal story of a man whose

mother was pregnant with him on the day of the bombing. As a result
of his life experiences, he continues to be an advocate for the total
elimination of nuclear weapons by standing at the Atomic Dome
every day speaking out and witnessing his truth. Tim was deeply
touched by his time in Hiroshima, and we are thankful to him for
deeply moving us with his personal reflections.

Frank Pendola along with his friend John Roarke sang two beautiful
ballads in harmony. The Pete Seeger melody <I Come and Stand at
Every Door= was written in memory of a seven-year-old who died in
the bombing. The words <All that I ask is that for peace, you work
today-you work today. So that children of this world may live and
grow and laugh and play= rang through the lovely summer day. Next
we heard Frank's personal lyrics to the song <Peace Shall Prevail.=
Frank and John touched every heart. Our thanks to these two
wonderful musicians who continue to bring a special grace to our
Sunday gatherings.

Look at the lyrics for the songs that Frank and special guest John
performed on Sunday: Peace Songs.

Jonathan Daly-LaBelle closed the program with a look at the future.

His activism has led him to work diligently to reduce the military
budget and lobby our legislators to redirect those funds to the social
and human needs of the people. He shared that the UN Treaty for the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has been signed by 92
countries. The nine nuclear-armed countries, including the US, have
not ratified the treaty. Work continues in the US on a local and
national level to bring the issue to the attention of our leaders as well
as to our citizens. Several states, including the Rhode Island Senate,
have officially proclaimed support for this treaty. Jonathan
encouraged us to continue to write, call and pressure our
representatives, especially Senators Reed and Whitehouse, to make
this a national priority.

Geoff Kaufman closed out our commemoration with another

touching song, this one written by John Denver and Alexander
Gradsky, a Russian songwriter, called <Let Us Begin, What Are We
Making Weapons For?= Watch John Denver discuss and sing the
song in this video.
Maui Fires

We are all saddened to hear of the loss of life and uprooted

lives due to the fires in Maui. As you follow this unfolding story,
keep in mind the issues of equity and justice that are a part of
Hawaii’s history. The fires and their aftermath now make up a
part of that story. Anti-Racism Daily has provided some points
to ponder, ways to help the people of Maui, and additional
links to dive deeper into the history of marginalization in
Hawaii and the negative impacts of tourism there.

Click this link to read more (it is a special action alert section
of their daily newsletter which also includes other topics).
Keep in mind those who are impacted by this tragedy,
including our friends in this area of Hawaiian ancestry, and
consider what you can do to help both now and in the future.

We meet every Sunday from 11:00-1:00 on the steps

of the Westerly Post Office on High Street. Join us
anytime!

EMPOWER

Forum tackles workforce development

On August 3, Senator Victoria Gu hosted a panel discussion on

workforce development at the Westerly Education Center. School
Committee member Leslie Dunn, along with several other community
members, contributed to the panel. The panel gave updates on
recent legislation, and the group discussed several programs for
training students in various trades. Providing programming for all of
Westerly’s students to be successful and learn practical skills for the
future is an important factor in creating equitable opportunities in our
schools. Read more about this event and the many programs offered
in the article from The Westerly Sun.

Read the Westerly Sun Article About the Forum

Town Meetings & School
Committee Meetings
Westerly ARC encourages those
who can to attend Westerly Town
Council and School Committee
meetings. Your presence and
involvement is an important way
to show our elected officials that creating a more equitable and
inclusive town and school system must always be a priority.

Aug 15 Town Council Special Meeting, 5:30 pm

Aug 16 School Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm

Aug 21 Town Council Meeting, 5:30 pm

Sept 6 School Committee Meeting, 5:00 pm

Here is the link to meeting and agendas and minutes:

https://clerkshq.com/westerly-ri

How You Can Help View our Calendar

Share Donate Show Up

Spread the news! ARC advocate Stop by one of our
Forward this Amanda Dunn weekly gatherings,
newsletter to at continues to collect join one of the events
least one person you toiletries, personal listed in this
think might be care items, and non- newsletter, attend a
interested in it. Ask perishable food to town meeting, etc.
them to sign up for distribute to our
<We must always take sides.
our newsletter on the community. Please
Neutrality helps the
Westerly ARC bring your donations
oppressor, never the
website. to Amanda at our
victim. Silence encourages
Sunday rallies. Your
Don't forget to like, the tormentor, never the
kindness and
subscribe, comment, tormented.=

― Elie Wiesel
and share on our generosity are
social media posts! greatly appreciated.

EDUCATE

This Week in History

Understanding the history of past injustices can inform us as we
advocate for justice and equity today. Let us know what you think of
the articles we share and send us your ideas!

August 9 marked the nine-year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death

at the hands of a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. The 18-year-old’s
body was left out in the hot sun for hours, increasing the trauma for
Micheal’s family and the community. The protests that followed in
Ferguson and across the nation are a reminder for us of the
importance of our work. Read more about Michael Brown in this piece:
White Police Officer Shoots and Kills Michael Brown in Ferguson,
Missouri.

Culture Calendar

August 19 World Humanitarian Day

Aid workers provide much needed support during times of crisis, often
at great risk to themselves. World Humanitarian Day is a time to
reflect upon and appreciate the contributions of volunteers and
professionals who <deliver urgent health care, shelter, food,
protection, water and much more.= 

Read more about this day here.

Special Message from the India Association of Rhode Island

Please see this link regarding recent break-ins targeting Indian

homes in Rhode Island and nearby states. The safety tips from the
Barrington Police Department are an important reminder for us all.

Up Next

Calendar of Events
 Geoff Kaufman to sing at ARC
Aug 13
Sunday rally, 11-1 pm

Town Council Meeting, Westerly

Aug 15
Town Hall, 5:30 PM

School Committee Meeting,

Aug 16
Westerly Town Hall, 5:00 pm

Sunday Poetry Share (ARC

Aug 20
gathering) 11-1 PM

Town Council Meeting, Westerly

Aug 21
Town Hall, 5:30 pm

Women’s Equality Day, United

Aug 27
Theater, 6:00 pm

School Committee Meeting,

Sept 6
Westerly Town Hall, 5:00 pm

This edition of the Westerly ARC newsletter was written, edited, and compiled by Madeline Labriola,

Tim Flanagan, Geoff Serra, April Dinwoodie, and Lisa Chen.

Westerly Anti-Racism Coalition

Join our weekly gatherings westerlyarc@gmail.com
Sundays 11-1
Downtown Westerly Post Office steps You received this email because you signed
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