FEBRUARY 2023

What we know about the killing of Tyre Nichols. We demand justice.

Abortion activists rally 50 years after Roe to demand protections for reproductive rights.

Tyre Nichols & Police Brutality.

New York Times: “The killing of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man in Memphis, at the hands of police has prompted outrage and condemnation from racial justice activists, police reform advocates, and law enforcement officials, including the chief of the Memphis Police Department, a Black woman who lobbied for policing changes in the wake of George Floyd’s murder. The fact that the five officers charged with Mr. Nichols’s murder are Black complicates the anguish. It has also brought into focus what many Black people have said is frequently lost in police brutality cases involving white officers and Black victims: that problems of race and policing are a function of an entrenched police culture of aggression and dehumanization of Black people more than of interpersonal racism. It is the system and the tactics that foster racism and violence, they say, rather than the specific racial identities of officers.” Join on February 2 for a Webinar on Reaching Accountability: Policing, Race and Policy!

Defend Black History.

We must protect Black history in our public school systems! Join us in taking this Color of Change petition to tell elected officials we will not stand for anti-Black history laws.

Presidential Update.

So far President Biden has accomplished a lot. More is on the way. Some accomplishments include: Biggest year of job growth in American history, Passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Expanded health care to millions of Americans, and Passed the American Rescue Plan.

More White House Accomplishments.

Take Action.

New reporting confirms what many have warned against: MAGA extremists in the U.S. House are threatening to hold the economy, hostage, by not raising the debt ceiling unless they get huge cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits.

According to the Washington Post: “In recent days, a group of GOP lawmakers has called for the creation of special panels that might recommend changes to Social Security and Medicare … Others in the party have resurfaced more detailed plans to cut costs, including by raising the Social Security retirement age to 70, targeting younger Americans who have yet to obtain federal benefits.” Get Informed!

Stop Gun Violence.

Gun-related violence threatens our most fundamental human right, the right to life. It is an urgent, complex, and multifaceted problem. Gun violence is a daily tragedy affecting people around the world. More than 500 people die every day because of violence committed with firearms. Anyone can be affected by firearm violence but in certain situations, gun violence disproportionately impacts communities of colour, women and other marginalized groups in society. Get the stats at the Gun Violence Archive 2023.

The Biden-Harris Administration is announced new actions to “increase fairness in the rental market and further principles of fair housing. The Blueprint lays out a set of principles to drive action by the federal government, state and local partners, and the private sector to strengthen tenant protections and encourage rental affordability. Learn More about the initiative here. Check out People’s Action’s Housing Justice Campaign to learn more about the issue.

Black Voters Matter.

Black Voters Matter is working to increase power in Black communities through effective voting that allows a community to determine their own destiny. “Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Celebrate Black History Month!

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of the Black community within the United States for their central role in U.S. history.

Recent Events!

The Janes pictured from left to right: Heather Booth, IL Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton, Jeanne Galatzer-Levy, Chief Executive Office of Metropolitan Chicago YWCA Nicole Robinson, Martha Scott, Marie Leaner (in front), Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, Susan Miller, Eileen Smith

Upcoming Events!

February – Black History Month

Feb 2 – Groundhog’s Day

Feb 5 – Lunar New Year Lantern Festival

Feb 7 – State of the Union

Feb 14 – Valentine’s Day

Feb 20 – President’s Day

March 12 – The Oscars

March 21 – Break up with the banks who fund NEW fossil fuel projects Day of Action

April 12 – Heather Booth receives Puffin Award for a lifetime of achievements

May 17 – Midwest Academy 50th Awards

Remembering Paul Booth.

January 22 is the anniversary of the Roe decision and for almost 50 years the advance of reproductive freedom in the most intimate decision of our lives–when or whether or with whom we have a child. I’ll be at the Women’s March locally–and hope you all show up in your local area. AND THEN ORGANIZE, with outreach. BUILDING OUR NUMBERS is the only way we will win. There were 20 Congressional Districts where Biden won and MAGA Republicans won in the mid-term in Congress. WE CAN TURN THIS AROUND, but only if we organize!

So many of my friends have died are frail or in need in other ways. Jan 17 was the 5th anniversary of the date my life partner Paul died, I went to the gravesite (picture at the top of this Caring Bridge site) with my dear friend Sue Chin–and along with stories about him and other readings, we sang the Phil Ochs song “When I’m Gone.” 

“There’s no place in this world I’ll belong when I”m gone.

And I won’t know the right from the wrong when I’m gone.

And you won’t hear me singing on this song when I’m gone.

So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here.”

So true for us all.

And recited words from the William Blake poem (that Paul had us recite at our wedding along with our vows) that concludes with, “And we shall build, Jerusalem, in England’s green and pleasant lands.” To build a better world–that was our life commitment (with love at the center). So now is the time to show our love for each other. (Valentine’s Day is approaching.) And the time to organize to build that better world.

As we reflect on the upcoming month we must continue to pay tribute to the influential organizers whom we have lost. 

In loving memory of Paul Booth. Husband. Father. Organizer. Friend.

Dr. King famously said, “the moral arc of the universe bends towards justice.” But he knew, and I underline, that it’s up to us to do the bending. We shall do it together.” – Paul Booth

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