Building Democracy New Economy Group Touring Detroit March 15-17
by Molly Rush
9-11 is a date that has conjured up memories of the destruction of the World Trade Center since 2001. By coincidence, because my former intern Sarah Byrnes was in town, THE NEW ECONOMY WORKING GROUP met this past September 11th. On this date, we looked forward, to discover what is already happening right here to build a local, green economy of, by, and for the people, and how we could support and develop a broader vision of how to work together to make that happen. I'd caught Gar Alperovitz's inspiring speech on the subject at the Green Party Convention on Democracy Now. Then I learned that Sarah worked for the Institute for Policy Studies, which is a key player in a growing national grassroots movement to extricate ourselves from the stranglehold of corporate control of our politics and the global economy. Six meetings later, the Western Pennsylvania New Economy Working Group is taking off to Detroit for a tour of the inspiring work going on in that devastated city under the leadership of the James and Grace Boggs Center. They have invited us, thanks to troubadour Mike Stout, to bring along local neighborhood activists for a tour. They will house and feed us. We just have to provide transportation.
TIME IS SHORT! Please contact me ASAP at <molly.rush@verizon.net> if you wish to know more or if you can recommend someone who would to like to apply for what promises to be a great opportunity to learn, to build relationships and come home inspired to connect and build together a stronger and more flexible and green community. Molly Rush is the chair of the New Economy Working Group, co-founder of the Thomas Merton Center and current board member, and co-chair of the New People editorial collective.
Deep Democracy The Nature and Spirit of Our Work DeepDemocracyPittsburgh.wordpress.com practiced in circles of trust that open the political door wide and help people walk through it. Join us on Sunday, March 10, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, at Pat Buddemeyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house: 5808 Black Street (between North Euclid and North Beatty), East Liberty. Call 412-860-9524 for directions. Focus for the gathering is: Continuing a study of Parker Palmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book Healing the Heart of Democracy. Please bring a snack to share.
Community Bill of Rights Referendum In Progress We are working on a strategy for a Referendum Campaign in Pittsburgh that will place Community Rights on the November ballot. If you are interested in being part of the Strategy Conversation for a November Community Rights Ballot Referendum - or if you simply want to learn more about the why, the how, and the petition drive please contact Pat Buddemeyer at buddem@att.net and visit communitybillofrightspittsburgh.wordpress.com. We are also considering what it would take to help create a Pennsylvania constitution that protects the rights of people, communities, and nature by securing our inalienable right to local self-government, free from corporate and state interference. A Westmoreland Chapter of the Community Rights Network is forming. Email: environment@thomasmertoncenter.org
Local Democracy and Justice Matter! Second Community Rights Workshop Friday evening, March 29 6pm to 9pm Saturday, March 30, 9am to 6pm Friends Meeting House 4836 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA The first workshop was such a great success that we are offering it again! The Pennsylvania Community Rights Workshop takes an in-depth look at how Pennsylvania's political and legal structures have been set up to protect the interests of an elite minority, at the expense of the majority of Pennsylvanians. We'll look at how Pennsylvania's constitution has continually evolved since the American Revolution to protect wealth and privilege over community self-government; we'll look at how corporations in Pennsylvania have received more rights and protections than those of you living in your community; and we'll look at how Pennsylvanians have pushed back against these oppressive structures to reclaim democracy in their communities.
Space is limited to 35 maximum. Sign up early and please tell others.
To register: email <environment@thomasmertoncenter.org> or call Wanda Guthrie at 412-596-0066. The total cost of the workshop is $60 per person. A partial payment of $25 must be paid by March 25 unless a special arrangement is made.
March 2013
NEWPEOPLE - 3