The Peace & Justice Center is hosting a Design Opportunity! We are searching for a new design for our organization that echoes our values and centers on the theme of "Community Justice." The winning designs will be featured on various merchandise and sold by our center with rewards for the top artists.
Artists of all ages are encouraged to apply. Submissions are due Sunday, August 15th. If you are interested in this opportunity, you can read more and submit design on our website here. You can also email us with any questions at: peacectr@gmail.com. We are excited to see what you will create! |
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This fall the Peace & Justice Center's Education Committee will be exploring The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations, a book by Shirley Hager and Mawopiyane. This book focuses on how Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can come together to create meaningful and lasting relationships.
Thirty years ago, in Wabanaki territory – a region encompassing the state of Maine and the Canadian Maritimes – a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals came together to explore some of the most pressing questions at the heart of Truth and Healing efforts in the United States and Canada. Meeting over several years in long-weekend gatherings, in a Wabanaki-led traditional Council format, assumptions were challenged, perspectives upended, and stereotypes shattered. Alliances and friendships were formed that endure to this day.
Book discussions will be held via Zoom and are scheduled as follows:
- Oct 10th 6-7:30PM - General discussion (pgs. 1-120)
- Oct 24th 6-7:30PM - Discussion with the authors (pgs. 131-182)
- Nov 7th 6-7:30PM - General discussion (pgs. 183-END)
- (Tentative) Nov 21st 6-7:30pm - Discussion led by representatives of Wabanaki Alliance
You can find copies of the book at the Maine State Library, Bangor Public Library, and Fogler Library. It is also available online as a PDF or for purchase.
If you would like to join us for these discussions, please email Kay Carter ( Kaycarter08@gmail.com) or Doug Poulin ( dugbug45@gmail.com) for the Zoom link. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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Photo Credit: Sedum Jackson
Community members gather outside the Peace & Justice Center to learn about mutual aid.
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On Saturday, July 31st, the Peace & Justice Center gathered with Racial Equity & Justice, Needlepoint Sanctuary, Greater Bangor Housing Coalition, Dignity First, and Maine Access Points to discuss mutual aid with the community.
This community coalition discussed principles of mutual aid, harm reduction, recognizing privilege, setting and accepting boundaries, and best practices to build an organized network that responds to community needs. Mutual Aid is the idea that we as a community don't have to wait for failed systems to meet our needs. We can come together and share our collective skills, resources, and support to build a stronger more organized community.
If you would like to participate in helping with grocery deliveries, providing rides, delivering harm reduction supplies, or other community-building services:
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Rally for the Penobscot River and Wabanaki Sovereignty
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Photo Credit: Sunlight Media Collective
Lokotah Sanborn speaks at the Rally for the Penobscot River and Wabanaki Sovereignty.
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On Sunday, August 1st, The Peace & Justice Center helped support a "Rally for the Penbscot River and Wabanaki Sovereignty." This rally was meant to bring the community together in solidarity for the Penobscot Nation's River rights, which the State of Maine has been outright denying to them. Most recently, the Federal Court of Appeals sided again with the state of Maine in declaring the Penobscot Nation doesn't have any rights to the Penobscot's waters that run through their land.
Sunlight Media Collective had the following to say about this:
The Penobscot People have lived along the Penobscot River since time immemorial. The River is our relative, one who has granted us with the gift of life and the ability to thrive. We have always been protectors of the River, she is where we derive our namesake as a people. We are just as much a part of the river as the river is a part of us. Historically the Penobscot River has been our main source for transportation and sustenance, things that have been rendered near impossible with the construction of dams along the waterways and the continued pollution of the river which makes the fish and the animals that feed upon the fish toxic to eat [. . .] Our sovereign rights, and ability to protect the River do not solely impact Penobscot People; our sovereignty is crucial for securing a livable future which includes all peoples in Maine. We must all come together to show solidarity.
There was an amazing turnout and many powerful speakers at the event; however the fight is not yet over. The Penobscot Nation plans to take the case to the Supreme Court, which you can read more about here. We must continue to show up and support our Indigenous community and stay informed. Check out Sunlight Media Collective's work to educate yourself on these issues. |
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Photo Credit: Anthony Jackson
Our community tabling at Pride Plaza.
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Last month the Peace & Justice Center offered out a selection of books and other community resources at Pride Plaza - put on by Health Equity Alliance. P&J teamed up and tabled with some of the amazing organizations listed on this page and together we were excited to uplift and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. We started conversations with new people about our ongoing work, we met other organizers in the community, and we had fun!
Remember that at the Peace & Justice Center we accept you no matter what month of the year it is. No one should have to live in fear or shame for who they are. We all deserve to feel welcomed, loved, and appreciated in our community. Let's keep having each other's backs and supporting those who need it most. Happy Pride!
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Greater Bangor Housing Coalition
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Photo Credit: Sam Bullard
Community chalk art welcomes in people to GBHC's HomeFULL Cookout.
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This month the Greater Bangor Housing Coalition (GBHC) was busy with a handful of events! The group hosted the "HomeFULL Cookout" early in the month and then wrapped up July by participating in Pride Plaza and the Mutual Aid Training, as mentioned above.
The HomeFULL Cookout took place on July 10th in Pickering Square, and there was a fantastic turnout. There was chalk art, local performances, delicious food, and heartfelt testimonies from community members. GBHC also had tables set up with information on their organization, resources, and their recent work. The atmosphere was overall very positive, loving, and communal, and the group hopes to create more memories like these with the community.
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Photo Credit: Sam Bullard
Scenes from the HomeFULL Cookout.
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The group meets every Saturday at 1:30PM in Pickering Square, with a rain location at the Unitarian Universalist Church. If you want to be part of this vital work you are welcome to join us in person or virtually. Email us at peacectr@gmail.com if you want the link, and follow the group’s progress on their Facebook group page.
GBHC is also in search of physical donations and community volunteers, as listed below. You can donate to GBHC here on their Donorbox or drop off physical donations to the Center. |
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No Penobscot County Jail Expansion
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No Penobscot County Jail Expansion's (NPCJE) is sharing a petition in hopes of finding a use for the old YMCA building in Bangor. Join their group in asking Penobscot County to use the American Rescue Plan funds to address the horrendous impacts of COVID on substance dependency and overdose deaths, mental health, and loss of housing. Counties are receiving large sums of federal money from COVID relief bills, so now is the time to demand they use the money to help our community. Sign the petition here.
Their next meeting is Sunday, August 8th @ 4PM and everyone is welcome. For the Zoom link contact Doug Dunbar at: dougdunbar@yahoo.com. For more information on the group, check out their Facebook page, website, or email them at nopenobscotjailexpansion@gmail.com. |
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Peace Vigils
Tuesdays at 12:00PM
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Looking to get involved again in a safe, socially distanced way? Kevin continues to meet every Tuesday at noon with other activists for the weekly Peace Vigil. The group meets across the street from the Peace & Justice Center on the corner of Harlow and Central Street. We hope to see you there masked up and ready to demonstrate!
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THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS!
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We will continue to monitor the State of Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and use them to inform our decisions on meetings, gatherings, and any and all safety matters or measures. We request that anyone entering the center continues to wear a face covering.
For more information regarding community and statewide resources, please visit the links below:
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