Page 61 - Sonoma County Gazette January 2017

The Season for
Nonviolence:
A Way Forward...for Today & the Future
Many of us are wondering how to rebuild
our sense of community as division and
polarization seem to be the theme of our
nation. How do we respond with love and
compassion while standing and acting for
essential human values? As many of us seek
practical ways to engage proactively in these challenging times, the practice of nonviolence can provide valuable and time-tested tools and resources.
Sonoma County joins Women’s March on Washington
SONOMA COUNTY STANDS TOGETHER for Women will rally on Jan 21, 2017 at Noon
at Santa Rosa City Hall (100 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa)
2017 marks the 20th anniversary of The Gandhi-King-Gyatso Season for Nonviolence (SNV), an international 64-day campaign held in cities throughout the world. Founded in 1998 by Dr. Arun Gandhi and the Association for Global New Thought (AGNT), the January 30-April 4 campaign spans the memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through education and community engagement the campaign seeks to increase the awareness and practice of nonviolence in our daily lives – personally, interpersonally and in the larger community.
Sonoma County joins 80 other cities participating in the “Women’s March on Washington” on Jan 21, 2017 at noon on the steps of Santa Rosa City Hall. The rally will be followed by a short march through downtown Santa Rosa. Be prepared to sing with the Wings of Glory Choir and dance in the streets with the Hub Bub Band!
You are invited to participate in the Season for Nonviolence here in Sonoma County! Many di erent organizations will sponsor community programs and activities. Over the next several months, we will continue to share information through the Sonoma County Gazette about what is happening in Sonoma County and speci c ways that you can join in.
A Sonoma County grassroots effort to join the D.C. Women’s March has garnered enthusiasm and endorsements. Prominent local community organizations have stepped in with a resounding Yes!
Here is information about Season for Nonviolence events and programs taking place in January and beyond:
The Sonoma County rally and march will include diverse music, inspirational speakers and a promised dance mob dance, followed by a 30-minute sidewalk march. Local community leaders will present a variety of options for engagement and action as we move forward towards inclusion and unity. This noon rally is a sister march of the DC Women’s March and these coordinated marches are being held on the eve of the anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.
Social Action Film Series: Saturday, January 28th from 7-10 pm. Beginning January 28th Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa will o er its fth annual Social Action Goes to the Movies lm series, entitled Sparks of Hope – Healing through Innovation and Creativity. This series of three lms will continue on February 25th and March 25th. There is no cost to attend but donations will be gladly accepted. For more information visit the events calendar: shomreitorah. org/community/social-action/.
North Bay Community Engagement Fair: Sunday, January 29th from 12-6 pm. A North Bay Community Engagement Fair will be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on January 29th. This free grassroots, non-partisan and collective community event is aimed at encouraging civic engagement. It will help connect individuals with local community-based organizations that are looking to increase awareness about social and economic issues and engage local volunteers. For more information about how to participate as an organization or individual visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/events/578225585715100/.
Season for Nonviolence Opening Celebration: Sunday, January 29th at 7 pm You are invited to gather and celebrate the opening of the 20th anniversary Seaso.n for Nonviolence at the Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa. Dr. Michael Nagler, founder of the Metta Center for Nonviolence in Petaluma, will be the keynote speaker for this free community event, highlighting the importance and power of nonviolence in our world. Dr. Nagler’s books include The Search for a Nonviolent Future and The Nonviolence Handbook: A Guide for Practical Action. Representatives from di erent faith traditions will also share select readings and prayers of peace and compassion. A Season for Nonviolence practice booklet and resource guide will be available.
The Metta Center for Nonviolence in Petaluma o ers an array of ongoing educational and training options through its comprehensive website. Nonviolence educational resources include a free 8-week self-guided email course, a six-month certi ed training program, podcasts, books, videos, radio show and much more. Please visit: www.mettacenter.org for more information.
A distinguished panel of speakers will address concerns related to Women’s Rights, Religious Freedom, LBGT Rights, Racism, Immigrant and Undocumented Rights, and Disability Rights.
Nonviolence Education and Training Opportunities:
Sonoma County Jewish Women & their Allies Joining the March
You can nd additional resource and event information about the Season for Nonviolence at mettacenter.org/season.
The Sonoma County Season for Nonviolence Facebook page will also be updated regularly: facebook.com/sonomacountySNV/.
The contact person for the Beth AMi organizing for the March is Bobbie Rosenthal, her cell number is (415) 517-4323.
If your organization would like to host an event during the Season for Nonviolence, please contact Rev. Tara Steele at tara@cslsr.org and include “SNV” in the subject line.
Speakers include, Rev Anne Gray Byrd, Alicia Sanchez, Annie Dobbs Kramer and a self-identified “Afro-Latin, queer, undocumented: student organizer. The non-partisan, peaceful rally is intended to create a common purpose among those who feel disenfranchised by campaign rhetoric. Local organizations will present multiple opportunities for community engagement.
Volunteers are reaching out to all corners of Sonoma County to encourage everyone — women, men, children and families — to join together for a celebration of diversity. In solidarity with those disenfranchised by campaign rhetoric and those who fear a loss of civil liberties, speakers will provide a call to action for Women’s Rights, Immigration Rights, Disability Rights, Religious and Civil Liberties for all.
“We will create an environment of love and peace, impenetrable by hate speech and community divisions,” said Anne McGivern, one of the organizers. This grassroots effort was begun by a rapidly growing leadership group of Sonoma County women and men supported by community organizations and elected officials.
Sonoma County Stands Together for Women, found on Facebook
at: facebook.com/events/1749972928661468/
Endorsed by: Sonoma County Democratic Party, National Organization for Women (NOW), National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), North Bay Organizing Project, Sonoma County Commission on The Status of Women, Guided To Safety and The Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
The Social Action Committee of Congregation Beth Ami in Santa Rosa
voted to not only participate in the Women’s march on Jan. 21st, but to actively work to engage as many Jewish women of Sonoma County, and their allies, as possible in doing so, too. This is an opportunity for all of us to come together and to support those who are feeling increasingly disenfranchised—especially women, minorities, and immigrants. There will be opportunities to learn more about engagement and activities at a local level. Although the march takes place in downtown Santa Rosa at noon on Saturday, we felt that the urgency of the situation requires as many of us as possible to attend.
1/17 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 61