GUN VIOLENCE
Ceasefire PA rally at Capitol part of CeaseFirePA's Taking a Stand Against Gun Violence Advocacy Day.
Breneman: Erie High shooting is a call to action for gun violence prevention (Erie Times-News)
Why are our young people dying to live on a T-shirt? (Vanessa Belen/Erie Times-News)
Why are our young people dying to live on a T-shirt? (Vanessa Belen/Erie Times-News)
'Our view: Defeating Erie's gun violence starts with love (Erie Times-News Editorial Board)
Erie Police planning to reinstate Juvenile Crime Unit (WJET/Fox)
BIKE
BikeErie is an Erie-based community group promoting bike advocacy. They're involved in many levels -- bikes for recreation, for transportation, for health; bikes as tools, bike repair bikes and the environment, etc. Check both their Facebook page and website for the full range.
BikeErie is an Erie-based community group promoting bike advocacy. They're involved in many levels -- bikes for recreation, for transportation, for health; bikes as tools, bike repair bikes and the environment, etc. Check both their Facebook page and website for the full range.
Sisters of St Joseph Neighborhood Network is involved with getting bikes to kids and adults in their neighborhood and providing training for bike care and maintenance. Keep up with their activities on the SSJN Network Facebook page.
Crawford Area Transportation Authority BikeShare program lets people rent bikes by the hour to get around the Meadville area.
Bike Safety for Kids Section in Safe Kids Pennsylvania.
EARTH
Allegany Nature Pilgrimage June 3-5 At "Camp Allegany" in the Red House area of beautiful Allegany State Park
EARTH
Allegany Nature Pilgrimage June 3-5 At "Camp Allegany" in the Red House area of beautiful Allegany State Park
Erie-area environmentalists question safety, viability of plastics recycling plant (Erie Times-News)
Pomfret NY Board OKs Solar Farm Plan (Post-Journal)
New York could freeze crypto mining operations that run on fossil fuels New York is the first state to try a crypto mining moratorium, but it likely won't be the last (Popular Science).
Literary Cleveland publishes environmental anthology from local writers. "Reflections of The Land: Meditations on Environment & Industry features the written work of 15 local writers — poets, essayists and fiction writers " (Cleveland Scene)
JUSTICE
Death of a Jewish Radical in Erie, 1922 " On May 19 the Battle of Homestead Foundation presents a free Zoom program marking the 100th anniversary of a brutal murder of Herman Martius, an immigrant shopkeeper and political activist in Erie, Pennsylvania … a murder that came to symbolize the civic and social turmoil besetting American Democracy in the 1920s."
The Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum in Ashtabula will be open Memorial Day Weekend thru Labor Day 1-5pm by Reservation only.
Bosnian Islamic Community Erie receives security grant "The funding is part of a statewide package of grants to 120 churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other nonprofit organizations that serve diverse communities and often face bias and hate crimes"
Exoneration for cops who assaulted 75 year old George Floyd protestor leaving him bleeding, (Daily Kos) I'm not comfortable with the arbitrator payoff accusation, but otherwise recommend this article.
Changes in Police Policy, Payouts to Latino Victims of PA State Police Traffic Stops and Arrests Following Investigations (ProPublica)
Changes in Police Policy, Payouts to Latino Victims of PA State Police Traffic Stops and Arrests Following Investigations (ProPublica)
Protestor kicked in 2020 wants to reopen lawsuit (WJET/Fox) "Now the city and Silbaugh are unable to agree on the final terms of the settlement. Silbaugh’s lawyer is asking to reopen the federal case. U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter has scheduled Silbaugh’s hearing for May 12."
Virtual panel on Pa.’s compassionate release law for state prisoners (Spotlight PA)
SCHOOLS
UECDC Afterschool Programs (Tom Weber) "This is where I've worked since January. We offer a host of programs for kids and adults. Right now, the attention is focused on culturally responsive after-school programs for primarily New American kids at five centers throughout Erie. We think it helps their learning if there are adults present who look like them and speak their language. You can see the results in the video."
Albion area parents challenge elementary social-emotional learning...The plan is to help kids learn and interact together, school officials said. Parents say plan usurps their rights and introduces critical race theory.
"Parents' group" sues to remove Millcreek school directors over previous mask requirements (Erie Times-News) The founder "has petitioned to remove 7 of 9 Millcreek school directors. He could pay if he loses."
Extremists undermine faith in our schools. We owe it to our kids, community to speak up | Opinion Opinion from the education policy director for Education Voters of PA.
York, Pa. students who fought book ban tell their story to U.S. House panel
"Don't Say Gay" Arrives in Ohio: Republicans introduce HB 616 in the Ohio House (Buckeye Flame)
ARTS
May 9-June 16 - Living Voices: Through the Eyes of a Friend Cappa Theatre, Presented by Robert H Jackson Center, Jamestown NY. Young people during the Holocaust.
May 17 - 17th Annual Young Readers Program Featured speaker Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of Finding Langston. Presented by Robert H Jackson Center, Jamestown NY.
Oct 6 - Fran Lebowitz at Mercyhurst essayist and commentator. Mercyhurst University, Erie PA. Tickets June/August
May 9-June 16 - Living Voices: Through the Eyes of a Friend Cappa Theatre, Presented by Robert H Jackson Center, Jamestown NY. Young people during the Holocaust.
May 17 - 17th Annual Young Readers Program Featured speaker Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of Finding Langston. Presented by Robert H Jackson Center, Jamestown NY.
May 28 - Station Hope "Engage with over 200 artists and 50+ community and professional arts & culture organizations from across Northeast Ohio as they envision, interrogate, and seek out hope on the grounds of Cleveland's first authenticated Underground Railroad site."
Oct 6 - Fran Lebowitz at Mercyhurst essayist and commentator. Mercyhurst University, Erie PA. Tickets June/August
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Neighborhood Art House classes and events for month of May "The mission of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie Inner-City Neighborhood Art House is to enable youth to experience beauty, grow in positive self-expression and self-discipline, and develop into full and productive human beings."
ELECTIONS
PA Senate Says No Private Election Funding, Drop Boxes: The Pennsylvania State Senate said no to private funding for elections and no to drop boxes for future voting in the Commonwealth (PoliticsPA).
(Spotlight PA)
Push to allow independents to vote in primaries
Push to allow independents to vote in primaries
ETC
May 2-4 - May 4 Commemoration Kent State University annual commemoration to honor the four students who were killed, nine students who were wounded, and countless others who were forever changed when the Ohio National Guard fired on Kent State students during an anti-war protest.
May 10 Rural Assembly Everywhere Virtual festival for rural advocates and the rural-curious, listeners and leaders, neighbors and admirers.
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PA Superior Court judge delivers seismic ruling addressing farm animal welfare (Vox) Most animal cruelty is legal on the farm. A judge is questioning that. The meat industry largely defines what’s animal cruelty and what isn’t; a recent court ruling in Pennsylvania could offer a new legal route for activists.
Pennsylvanians will now get a full year of Medicaid coverage after giving birth (WESA)
Your mass transit ride in Pennsylvania may get better, thanks to new federal funding (WITF) Interviews riders and looks at issues in Erie, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. The pitch for this story came from Erie resident and transit advocate Freda Tepfer, who is also interviewed.
PA carpenters, lawmakers call for crackdown on wage theft, worker misclassification Rally occurred as part of a nationwide initiative to shine a spotlight on labor issues.
Bloomfield Starbucks unanimously becomes first unionized location in PA "We are so proud to become the first union Starbucks cafe in Pennsylvania. We are happy to carry the torch in Pittsburgh."(Pgh City Paper)
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Bloomfield Starbucks unanimously becomes first unionized location in PA "We are so proud to become the first union Starbucks cafe in Pennsylvania. We are happy to carry the torch in Pittsburgh."(Pgh City Paper)
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