Meeting in TWO Weeks! MATA Board Update!
Memphis Labor’s Going to Nashville!
Greetings, transit warriors! As May comes to a close, it’s almost time for our next meeting. Join Memphis Bus Riders Union on June 9th, 12-2 PM, at the Gaston Community Center in South Memphis (1046 S. Third)! We’ll be talking about state-wide transit issues, the end of budget season, and how to talk to riders about their transportation needs. And remember—you can get to Gaston on the #17 McLemore and #39 South Third. See you there!
We also want to update members about MATA’s most recent Board meeting. On May 24th, MATA administration discussed Memphis 3.0, new contracts for fuel, and steps they’re taking to address issues with the MATAPlus reservation system. These steps will include hiring more operators, a MATAPlus-focused customer survey, and potential changes in policy. MBRU and the Memphis Center for Independent Living will be keeping an eye on this process, because riders have consistently asked for a better paratransit system. We also want to give a special shoutout to Vice Chairman Andre Gibson, who announced that he will not be serving another term on the MATA Board. Thank you for your service and your voice in the fight for better transit!
Finally, our friends in Memphis labor are taking a day trip to Nashville next month! The Central Labor Council of Memphis & West TN, Fight for $15, and other groups will be going to the state capital on June 11th, to demand union rights and an end to poverty. Find out more here!
—–
MBRU holds meetings on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 12-2 PM; our next meeting is June 9th at Gaston Community Center. If you have any questions, or you’re interested in joining our work, contact organizer Justin Davis at justin@midsouthpeace.org. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see more updates!
Register Today! Marshal Skills Training June 21st!
Demonstrations play a crucial role in our movements. Rallies and marches display the power and discipline of a campaign which can increase the pressure for change. Organizers often call on volunteer marshals to help manage large groups of people, avoid internal disruption, and prevent police violence. In this workshop participants with develop their skills for non-violent intervention and de-escalation. Join us as we prepare for the next action!
Grassroots Organizer Training for Power (GOT Power), Mid-South Peace and Justice Center’s training program, is committed to building our community’s capacity through building skills in grassroots organizing, providing support to people doing community work and offering oppression awareness and liberation education.
Our method of education is Popular and Direct Education. Direct education means education that directly confronts and challenges the current system of injustice, which includes traditional education. Rather than traditional education, which gives all the expertise to textbooks and teachers, Direct Education invites the expertise of the people themselves. Direct Education is about liberation and empowerment — going to the direct source of wisdom: the community itself!
Please contact us to get more information and schedule a training in your group or community. Fees are negotiable, scholarships are available and donations for scholarships are greatly appreciated.
Trainings can be designed specifically for established groups, organizations, campaigns, coalitions, etc. Comprehensive weekend workshops on specific organizing skill sets, issue or community-specific formats are available.
Trainings in Spanish are also available. All trainings are offered in English or Spanish as requested. We work and collaborate with bilingual trainers and facilitators.
The Training Department of the Mid-South Peace & Justice Center (G.O.T. Power) would like to hear from the movement community. We want to know what you think about us and how we could better support your work or group! Please take a couple minutes to complete this short survey. This survey is for everyone, whether you have attended a workshop or not! Feel free to list your name or remain anonymous.
StreetWise is currently seeking donations of (or for) used computers with Photoshop and/or Illustrator capabilities so that we can begin our digital art studies. If you happen to have one you aren’t using or would like to donate funds for us to purchase one, please email or give us a call. We would greatly appreciate it.
StreetWise INK Update: Members are in the midst of learning all there is to know in order make the decisions needed to propel us into our goals. A training committee is being formed to consolidate mass amounts of information into accessible, bite sized chunks to better serve our community upon the relaunch of our free trainings. If you would like to assist us in this process, shoot us an email at streetwise@midsouthpeace.org or give us a call at 901-725-4990.
StreetWise INK is Memphis’ only T-Shirt Screen Printing Workers-Cooperative that is organized and operated exclusively by individuals with experiences of homelessness. We provide high-quality, custom, hand printed t-shirts for a variety of needs. Individuals who have experience or training in screen-printing are able to subsidize their income by working with StreetWise INK, gain skills of the industry, and possibly become potential member-owners after incorporation.
NEED SHIRTS??
****For Custom Order Inquiries, please fill out our Price Quote Form****
