Howdy!
This year is flying by so fast. I can’t believe it’s September already and the Fall Equinox is just a couple weeks away. This season is always busy, especially this year with the upcoming election.
September 9, Farms, Food, & Hunger: Conversations with Candidates
7-8:30 pm, online
Join a virtual, nonpartisan candidate forum to hear state-level candidates discuss important issues related to food, health, and farming in North Carolina. Confirmed candidates: Jessica Holmes and Josh Dobson for Labor Commissioner, Steve Troxler and Jennifer Wadsworth for Commissioner of Agriculture, Catherine Truitt and Jen Mangrum for Superintendent of Public Education, and Yvonne Holley for Lieutenant Governor. This event is being hosted by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Feeding the Carolinas, Moms Rising, NC Alliance for Health, NC Rural Center, and RAFI-USA. Register here.
September 9, That Kindness: A play from and for Nurses
9 pm, online
Tony-award winning playwright, performer, and activist, V (formerly Eve Ensler) will host a play honoring nurses, based on stories and interviews with CNA/NNOC/NNU frontline nurses. The performance will feature actors like Rosario Dawson, Connie Britton, and Billy Porter as they depict the struggles and triumphs of nurses during the pandemic. Watch online on Facebook live here.
Sept. 10, Expectations for Finance in Common (FiC) Summit
9 am, online
The French Development Agency will convene in November the first ever summit of Public Development Banks. The Summit will bring together 450 banks that control approximately $2 trillion in public money all over the globe. As an official COP-26 event, the Summit’s main objective is to get all participating banks to sign a declaration on their commitment to align their policies with climate, sustainable development and biodiversity goals. The webinar aims to hear from specialists what would be the policies that, if adopted, will ensure a just and sustainable recovery towards a transition to a better future for all. More information and registration here.
Action to take by Sept. 11th. Stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline!
For two years, Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) has snatched up private land, clear cut wildlife habitat, and polluted streams and rivers. Now it wants two more years on its permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Construction on the 300-mile MVP is already two years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget. It has racked up $2 million in fines for harming the water quality. Join others and sign the petition here from Appalachian Voices telling FERC to DENY the extension!
VOTE PLEASE!! Absentee ballots began being mailed on September 4. Request an absentee ballot here before October 27. You can confirm your absentee ballot was received by calling your local county board of elections. There will also be an app available soon to check on the status.
Early voting in NC begins on October 15 and ends on October 31.
Election day is November 3.
For much more information on all of the above check out the NC State Board of Elections page. Thank you for voting!
Just Recovery Pledge
More than ever we need to ensure the protection and support of all communities towards an equitable and sustainable recovery. We need our elected officials to commit to a Just Recovery now! The pledge states:
I pledge to put people first and work for a #JustRecovery:
I pledge to put people first and work for a #JustRecovery:
• Protect all workers and provide healthcare for all
• Provide economic relief directly to the people, not corporate executives
• Protect our democracy
• Prioritize hardest hit communities
• Hold Trump and politicians accountable
• Stop Fossil Fuel expansion
• Invest in a Green New Deal
Ask your local, state, and federal candidates to
sign onto the pledge here!EndClimateSilence!
American news outlets are not telling the truth and making the connection between extreme weather, climate change, and fossil fuel pollution.
Tell the Mainstream Media: #EndClimateSilence!!
Tell the Mainstream Media: #EndClimateSilence!!
Sept. 14, Voting is Power Unleashed! A Moral Mass Assembly
7 pm, online
Join the Poor People’s Campaign for an evening that will bring together thousands of poor and low-income people and their allies as we share tools and teach-in on voter engagement, registration and protection, and announce our upcoming activities this election season.
Tune in at poorpeoplescampaign.org/livestream or on the Poor People’s Campaign Facebook page.
Sept. 14, How Did We Get Here, What Can I Do? Democracy Land & Liberation with RAFI
6-8 pm, online
Join RAFI-USA’s Come to the Table Program and NC-100 for a Community Conversation on the connections between land and the historic struggle for civil rights and liberation by Black farmers, and the struggle against voter suppression today. Speakers La’Meshia Whittington of Advance Carolina and the NC Black Alliance, Courtney Patterson of Blueprint NC, and Pastor Antonio Blow of Smith Chapel Free Will Baptist Church will share their perspective and experiences. More information and registration here
6-8 pm, online
Join RAFI-USA’s Come to the Table Program and NC-100 for a Community Conversation on the connections between land and the historic struggle for civil rights and liberation by Black farmers, and the struggle against voter suppression today. Speakers La’Meshia Whittington of Advance Carolina and the NC Black Alliance, Courtney Patterson of Blueprint NC, and Pastor Antonio Blow of Smith Chapel Free Will Baptist Church will share their perspective and experiences. More information and registration here
Sept. 15, Workers For Energy Justice
6 pm, online
Workers for Energy Justice is the second in a series of tour stops hosted by Energy Justice NC and our community partners to highlight the ways different impacted groups have been affected by our unjust energy system, and to help collectively take action and stand in solidarity with these communities. The webinar will feature stories from frontline workers and activists, and inform attendees how they can take action on the state’s shutoff crisis. We need an energy system that works for the people! Register for the webinar here.
Friday Mornings, No Coal Plant UNC protest/vigil/witness is back. 8:00 am, Cameron Avenue. Wear masks, spread out, bring a sign.
Sept 21, Lift Your Voice and Your Vote for the Planet Webinar
7-9 pm, online
Presented by Campaign Nonviolence NC this timely Zoom webinar will show you how you can used your VOICE and your VOTE to make a difference. Grady McCallie moderates the panel that includes William Barber, III, Desmera, and Tyler Walker. Register here.
Sept. 21, Moving Money from the Military to Meet Human Needs
7:30-9 pm, online
7:30-9 pm, online
Join others on International Day of Peace to demand candidates confront the $741 billion U.S. military budget. Speakers include Dr. Vijay Prashad, Dr. Gerald Horne, and Dr. Miriam Pemberton. More information and register here.
Sept. 22, Save the Date! No Toxic Money NC press conference
7-8 pm, online
No Toxic Money Pledge Candidates sign a pledge agreeing not to take money from Duke Energy or Dominion Energy, and support a moratorium on their new fossil fuel infrastructure. We’re at over 30 signatures and growing. Help us get more! Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates and registration to the press conference!
Sept 22, Kiss the Ground Movie Virtual Watch Party & After Party” Q&A LIVE
9 pm, online
Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle. Watch for more details coming on the watch party here. More information and movie trailer here.
Sept. 26-Oct. 1, Week long screening of “2040″, with panel discussion on October 1
What beautiful world can we have in 2040? That’s the topic of the lively and uplifting documentary 2040. You’re invited to a free online screening at your convenience starting September 26th and a live panel discussion on October 1st featuring local experts. Learn about projects in our area and how you can get involved. This inspiring film includes the original Drawdown editor Paul Hawken and covers many Drawdown solutions. After you register you will be sent a link on September 26th to watch the film via the email you register with. You will have 6 days to view the film. You will receive another link on the morning of October 1st to join the live panel discussion on October 1st at 7 pm. Register here.
Thanks for participating and taking action! Peace and love for our beautiful Earth, Karen