At April 5 "Hands Off" rally in Perry Square, Erie. Scroll to bottom for Democracy & Freedom listings.
EARTH
PSU Behrend Smith Creative Writers Reading Series Julie Danho, Poetry. April 17. Events begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. (preceded by receptions at 5:30 p.m.). Metzgar Lobby "All events are free and open to the public"
Gangstagrass in concert April 26 at 7:30 PM Reg Lenna Center 116 East 3rd St. Jamestown, NY
Youngstown May Day Festival April 26 & 27 at 755 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown, OH, "free celebration of labor, climate justice, human rights, social justice, and the honoring of Beltane...music, maypole dancing, arts and crafts for young and old, workshops, demonstrations, speakers, and other merriments." Family friendly. Hosts: Youngstown May Day Festival, Youngstown Solidarity Network and Youngstown Action Center
Wanda Sykes May 4 at Kleinhans Music Hall 786 Delaware Avenue Buffalo NY 7pm
Mother Earth Day at Poetry Park, May 17 from 2-3 p.m. at 636 East 22nd St. in Erie. "celebrate poetry that cultivates our love of Mother Earth as home. Featuring local poets Niecey Nicole and Matt Borazon, plus open mic" Sponsored by Trinity Square Foundation and Poetry NWPA. Poetry Park was a vision of Erie Benedictine Sister Mary Lou Kownacki, she and Sister Mary Miller made it a reality.
Chris Hayes at CHQ June 27 MSNBC host, editor-at-large of The Nation and the author of The Sirens’ Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource, Hayes will discuss Sirens' Call.
Aug 9 - An evening with Jon Stewart at National Comedy Center Jamestown NY
COMMUNITY
Benevolent Beers benefitting Journey: Healing Together April 17 5:00PM at Erie Ale Works, 416 W 12th Erie. Journey: Healing Together (J:HT) exists to foster connections and build equity among diverse affinity groups, uniting communities in collective healing. J:HT is a 501c3 non-profit offering healing spaces to New Majority communities and providing opportunities for diverse groups to gather, heal, restore, discover, and rebuild. Every sale rung in between 5:00 and 8:00pm will provide a donation to this great group.
CRITTERS
PA Legislation Affecting Animals 2025/26 (Humane PA PAC)
My Dog and Me "Purrista Cat Cafe" (via Armstrong Neighborhood Channel) Host Sue Anderson interviews Dena Rupp, owner of Purrista Cat Cafe in Erie, who explains the cafe and its collaboration with Because You Care, with lots of helpful wisdom about kitties included. 48 minutes.
PA Legislation Affecting Animals 2025/26 (Humane PA PAC)
My Dog and Me "Purrista Cat Cafe" (via Armstrong Neighborhood Channel) Host Sue Anderson interviews Dena Rupp, owner of Purrista Cat Cafe in Erie, who explains the cafe and its collaboration with Because You Care, with lots of helpful wisdom about kitties included. 48 minutes.
ELECTIONS & GOVERNANCE
Erie City and County candidates in primary (Kevin Flowers/AJ Rao) /Erie Times-News) Erie PA mayoral primary debate April 16 at 1 p.m. at WQLN. Broadcast on WQLN, WICU and WSEE at a later date.
Collaboration or combat? How Fetterman & Lamb take different Democratic approaches to Trump (Chris Potter/WESA)
Latest jackassery updates: Audit: Davis admin made changes to 2025 budget without council approval (AJ Rao/Erie Times-News) Erie Co. Council, in override vote, reaffirms that county resources be free of politics (AJ Rao/Erie Times-News) "Council introduced the ordinance after Davis used the county's official Facebook page to criticize council Democrats."
FOOD
4th Street Community Farm Work Day April 26, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 4th Street Farm, 318 East 4th Street Erie, PA. "Join the Food Policy Council for a work day to prepare for spring planting... Food grown here will go back to the community at Emmaus Soup Kitchen and distributed to the Pay What You Can Network this summer. Bring a water bottle and a shovel and rake if you have one!"
Meadville Market House First Farmers Market May 10 9am-1pm
Benevolent Beers: Meals on Wheels May 15 at Erie Ale Works 416 W. 12th "Every purchase between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. will count toward a donation to this great group!"
Gov. Shapiro Appeals USDA’s Unlawful Decision to Cancel Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (PA Gov press release) Shapiro Tells Farmers We Have Your Backs (Penn Capital-Star) TEFAP is a win-win for farmers and hungry families | Letters (Gregory D Hall/Erie Times-News)
Edinboro food pantry seeking new location (Erie News Now)
Grow Chautauqua Food Distribution returns (WRFA) Program that brings boxes of locally grown and sourced foods to the Chautauqua Co. community returned in March.
HOME
Erie landlord group explored waivers related to new tenant's rights bill (Erie Times-News)
Erie County United Housing Townhall April 26 12pm – 3pm at ECU office 1720 Holland St Erie, PA
Chautauqua Co. new housing security program (WRFA) Women's shelter opens in Jamestown (WRFA)
Habitat ReStores are independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. "The sales from donated items help Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build, rehabilitate and repair safe and affordable homes in your community and around the world" Erie location: 4922 Pittsburgh Ave. Erie, PA (814) 464-8946
IMMIGRANTS
Six current Gannon students visas revoked, little justification given (YourErie)
Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace on April 18. This year’s theme is The Way of the Cross; The Way of the Migrant. The walk begins at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie (W. 10th & Sassafras). Host: Benedictines for Peace
City Council Study Session Immigration - April 10, 2025 (City of Erie) Presentation by
Alexandria Iwanenko,
Refugee services
Refugee services
Erie refugee agencies seeking lifeline (Erie News-Now)Refugees help Erie - now it’s our turn to help them | Opinion Kim Thomas and Karen Bilowith
Refugee resettlement - what it is, what it isn’t, and why it matters for Erie | Opinion Katie Kretz Your TurnWarren continues to support Ukrainian refugees (Erie News Now)
“Office of New Pennsylvanians” State Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El plans to reintroduce legislation creating an office to attract, retain and “embrace” immigrants statewide. (Lancaster Online)
May Day Rally & March: Immigrants Are Welcome Here! May 1, 2025, 5:00-7:30 p.m. Downtown Pittsburgh Meet-up Location: United Steelworkers Headquarters, Downtown, 60 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA. Info Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) Pittsburgh Chapter.
KENT STATE
Kent State Honors the Legacy of May 4, 1970, With 55th Commemoration "On May 2-4, 2025, Kent State University will hold its annual commemoration to honor the memory of May 4, 1970 – a tragic day when the Ohio National Guard opened fire on Kent State students during an anti-war protest on campus, killing four students and wounding nine others. May 4, 1970, marked a pivotal moment in American history. While reflecting on the past, Kent State also looks forward, recognizing the enduring impact of May 4 on the university today and its future. The commemoration will include numerous events, and can be watched on FB. Also on May 15 there will be an event focusing on the shootings of Black antiwar protesters at Jackson State, a tragedy that happened just 10 days after Kent, but did not receive the same recognition. "Long Live the Spirit of Jackson State" will be a special tour of the May 4 visitors center, focusing on the experiences of Black students. Kent State maintains active recognition and commemoration regarding May 4, including a visitors center, research, archives, events, and resources.
SCHOOLS & YOUTH
DEI Is Disappearing - Not by Force, But By Compliance (by Dr. Jay Breneman, President, Erie School Board/Erie Reader)
DEI Is Disappearing - Not by Force, But By Compliance (by Dr. Jay Breneman, President, Erie School Board/Erie Reader)
PA says schools already comply with civil rights laws and are not ordered to scrap DEI (Chalkbeat Phila.) NY Education Dept refusing to sign anti-DEI (Chalkbeat)
Opinion: Why we need diverse teachers in PA schools (Lacey Anderson/Penn Capital-Star)
Mental health
Mental health
Our Youth are in Crisis: How You Can Make a Difference April 25 12:00 PM Admission: Free. Lunch $5. (veg option available) Location Jefferson Educational Society 3207 State Erie PAHidden Voices: The Unheard Struggles of Students May 15 | 7:00 PM JES Raimy Fellows Katie Phillips and Jacob Jones will delve into the escalating challenges confronting public school students in Erie County, grappling mental health issues. Jefferson Educational Society - 3207 State St, Erie, PA[LISTEN] Rural Reach addressing adolescent mental health in rural WNY (What's Next/WBFO)
SPIRIT
Good Friday Pilgrimage for Peace on April 18. This year’s theme is The Way of the Cross; The Way of the Migrant. The walk begins at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter Cathedral in Erie (w. 10th & Sassafras). Host: Benedictines for Peace
The Rev. Jim Wallis at Chautauqua Inst. June 22 "Jim Wallis is a writer, teacher, preacher and justice advocate who believes the gospel of Jesus must be emancipated from its cultural and political captivities."
Our Neighbor's Place ends first season at permanent location (YourErie) “Thanks to the commitment of the coordinating churches, volunteers, EUMA staff, Erie BlueCoats, and Erie County, we were able to provide shelter with a pathway to permanent housing for individuals facing homelessness,” said Kurt B. Crays, CEO of EUMA. “Together, we really are ending homelessness, just as Jesus would!”
[LISTEN] Sister Lou (NEXT with Marcus Atkinson) "special guest host Daryl Craig—better known as Brother D—leads a powerful conversation honoring the life and legacy of Sister Lou, one of Erie’s most influential and respected community figures. Joined by friends and family, Brother D explores the profound impact Sister Lou had on the streets of Erie, the lives she touched, and the community she built through unwavering determination and prayer."
[WATCH] Meadville 1825: "Harm Jan Huidekoper" Josh Sherretts from the Crawford Co. Historical Society on Harm Jan Huidekoper's life, legacy and involvement in the Unitarian faith, which helped lead to the opening of the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Church and the Meadville Theological School. Huidekoper was also an active abolitionist, though that is not the focus of this presentation.
[LISTEN] Sister Lou (NEXT with Marcus Atkinson) "special guest host Daryl Craig—better known as Brother D—leads a powerful conversation honoring the life and legacy of Sister Lou, one of Erie’s most influential and respected community figures. Joined by friends and family, Brother D explores the profound impact Sister Lou had on the streets of Erie, the lives she touched, and the community she built through unwavering determination and prayer."
[WATCH] Meadville 1825: "Harm Jan Huidekoper" Josh Sherretts from the Crawford Co. Historical Society on Harm Jan Huidekoper's life, legacy and involvement in the Unitarian faith, which helped lead to the opening of the Meadville Unitarian Universalist Church and the Meadville Theological School. Huidekoper was also an active abolitionist, though that is not the focus of this presentation.
WORKING PEOPLE
"State Rep. Pat Harkins, who sponsored the bill, announced the House passing of H.B. 308, also known as the Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill, which would extend OSHA protections to public sector workers."
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DEMOCRACY & FREEDOM
April Recess 12 - 27 From Indivisible: "Our Members of Congress will be home April 12 through April 27, and we need to make sure they hear from their constituents. The stakes are high, and both the Senate AND the House will be back home in their districts. We must speak out against the Republican Tax Scam and their plan to slash Medicaid and take food off our tables to pay for tax breaks for their billionaire buddies. Sign up now and we'll send you opportunities for action during April recess!"
Next National Day of Action: April 19 IN ERIE: Perry Square 12pm-2pm. "Join us in the fight to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach. 50501 is a peaceful movement. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated. 50501 is a peaceful movement." Host 50501 Erie PA and French Creek Indivisible (check original link for updates and accuracy)
French Creek Indivisible is now on BlueSky @frenchcreekind.bsky.social 50501 Erie PA now on Blue Sky @50501eriepa.bsky.social Benedictines for Peace now on Blue Sky @benedictines4peace.bsky.social
Voters have questions about DOGE cuts, Rep. Mike Kelly should face them | (Letter by Chris Magoc)
Rachel Maddow posts Sister Jacqueline's message about Mike Kelly (Erie Benedictines)
Erie Times-News coverage of Hands Off rally (by AJ Rao, includes photos) Hands Off rally in Jamestown NY (WRFA)
Rachel Maddow posts Sister Jacqueline's message about Mike Kelly (Erie Benedictines)
Erie Times-News coverage of Hands Off rally (by AJ Rao, includes photos) Hands Off rally in Jamestown NY (WRFA)
PA Dems are angry. Fetterman’s old rival Conor Lamb is listening (The Independent) "Fetterman’s only planned public event in recent weeks was a joint event with his state’s Republican US senator, Dave McCormick. The joint appearance at a Pittsburgh winery was aimed at promoting a book on mentorship written by McCormick and his wife."
Just posted some of my photos of April 5 rally I didn't spend a lot of time on photos of Erie rally, but click on the link if you'd like to see what I have. Lots more from others, on French Creek Indivisible social media.
PRO-DEMOCRACY ALERTS
To stay informed of local events:
• 50501 Erie PA now on Blue Sky @50501eriepa.bsky.social
• French Creek Indivisible "To get on list, email: frenchcreekindivisible@gmail.com with your name, email, and contact information and we will add you to our email List-Serve." Find on Facebook and BlueSky.
• Benedictines for Peace mailing list Go to benedictinesforpeace.com There's a blue box in the logo on the landing page, 'Join our mailing list.' There's a simple form, only asks for name and a captcha check.• Vote Save America PAC Local actions across the country
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Info/RSVP here TAX DAY - FAMILIES OVER BILLIONAIRES · Democracy PA
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Calendar and local info sharing for people who believe "a better world
is possible." Focus is local/regional. All listed events are nonviolent. Not affiliated with any
organization. Submissions, sub requests and inquiries send to brynn16501@proton.me or use form on blog. Expect confirmation from me if you email.
Blog URL https://eriebluegreen.blogspot.com/
PHOTOS: Deb Spilko
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