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Genesee Valley GuardianVol 2, Issue 3 – January 20, 2025 |
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GVI’s FIRST “STAND UP, FIGHT BACK!” RALLY |
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On Saturday, January 17, Genesee Valley Indivisible gathered in the Village of Livonia to continue speaking out against ICE abuses, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his commitment to civil rights, nonviolence, justice, and human dignity. Dr. King’s vision of a diverse America—where people are judged by their character, not the color of their skin—helped secure landmark achievements such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Today, many believe ICE’s actions betray those principles through racial profiling, family separation, inhumane treatment, intimidation tactics, and the erosion of due process. |
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More than 100 people attended the first “Stand Up, Fight Back!” rally in Livonia to voice their opposition to ICE’s inhumane abuses and the current administration’s disregard for hard-won civil rights protections. |
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GVI member, Lucia Beer, shares an excerpt of “On the Resolve of Minnesota”, a poem by Robert Arnold. Lucia says Protest is Resolve because… “Grief without accountability is an insult because silence would be a betrayal.
Letting the machinery grind forward would mean agreeing that this is inevitable,
forgettable, or procedural, and Minnesota does not agree to that.” – And neither do we! Listen to the entire poem on YouTube |
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GVI kicked off its series of weekly protests in Livonia last Saturday (see article and photos above). Going forward, we will gather in a different location in Livingston County (and occasionally outside of the county) on successive Saturdays to rally and protest against the unconstitutionality of the authoritarian Trump regime, the illegal acts committed by members of the regime, the cruelty of immigration law enforcement perpetrated by ICE, and other significant issues. Join us! Saturday actions start at noon. If we must cancel for inclement weather, we will post a notice on the GVI website by 9:00 AM on the day of the event. |
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Saturday, January 24th – Mt. MorrisChange from initial announcement made last weekend. Temperatures are forecast to be in the teens. The high will be 20 degrees. Instead of standing in the cold, join us for an Automobile Rally! NYS law states that you cannot obstruct any windows on an automobile, so do not block your windows! Please check our Facebook page for more ideas on how to attach signs to your vehicle. Carpool and have fun! After driving the rally route, everyone is welcome to gather at Mt. Morris Lanes (bowling alley) for food and hot beverages (please bring cash or card to pay for your purchases).
How to decorate your car? Where and when to meet? What route to drive? Get information from the Mt. Morris Automobile Rally Guide. |
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Weekly Geneseo Wednesday and Friday Protests Wednesdays and Fridays — 3:00–4:00 PM (Winter Schedule)
Gateway Corner Park in Geneseo, NY (across from Wegmans) Join the ‘Genesee Valley Visibles’ – all are welcome, even if you can only stay for 10 minutes! |
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Weekly Hemlock Protest Wednesdays — 3:30–4:30 PM (Winter Schedule)
Southeast Corner of Rt 15A and Rt 20A (aka “Dollar General Corner”)
Organized by Hemlock Rising Indivisible (hemlockrising8@gmail.com) |
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Short, pointed, “unexpected” protests across the county “Silent Sentinels” (black clothing, “Signs of Fascism“) – ongoing Two more PUPs in planning, one requiring only dark sunglasses (and regular clothes) Interested? Contact Shân
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On Monday, January 12, GVI members — along with members from Rochester Indivisible, Rochester Rapid Response, and Alianza Agricola — traveled to Albany to rally in support of the New York 4 All Act. Many NYS Senators and Assembly members, along with Luis from Alianza Agrícola, spoke at the Capitol Building. After the speeches, participants sang songs, read poems, shared stories, and honored the “disappeared.” GVI member Holly Adams shared her personal story about Sadrac, the young man of whom she became the legal guardian 16 years ago, describing the struggles they endured and the perseverance required throughout their ordeal. More information and ways you can support NY4ALL |
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GVI Weekly Community Meeting |
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January 22 – CHANGE of TIME and VENUE this week. GVI is encouraging members to join an event with Genesee Valley Citizens for Peace from 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM at Wadsworth Library in Geneseo, NY. January 22nd marks the 5th Anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). We will learn about the treaty and view the 53-minute PBS documentary, The Atomic Bowl: Football at Ground Zero—And Nuclear Peril Today. Read about the GVCP Event details. Any Team Leads that would like to meet at St. Michael’s at the usual time, please contact Walter Pond in advance. ### The regular meeting schedule and location will resume on January 29th.
— St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Geneseo, NY
— Welcome! No RSVP required. 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Thursdays. |
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GVI Constitution Lecture Series |
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GVI Constitution Series, Part III: “Separation of Powers”GVI is presenting its third installment of our series on the U.S. Constitution. Join us for a presentation by Jeffrey Koch, Professor of Political Science at SUNY-Geneseo. Professor Koch will describe how the U.S. Constitution creates a “separation of powers” in U.S. government, and some of the effects it has on our history and politics. Monday, January 26, 2026 7:00 PM
St. Michael’s, Geneseo (enter through the red door at back of church) Find additional Event Details and Register. |
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GVI Book Club Meeting – Date Correction |
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Join us for our third conversation about Heather Cox Richardson’s Democracy Awakening. All are welcome. Read the book before or after the meeting — your choice! Thursday, January 22nd 10:00 AM
Wadsworth Library, basement meeting room Geneseo, NY. |
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Know Your Rights – Community Response to ICE Activity |
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The Lawyers’ Coalition for Racial and Social Justice (a joint coalition of the Monroe County Bar Association, the Rochester Black Bar Association, and the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys) is presenting a panel discussion on the recent actions by ICE, with a focus on the rights of those targeted by and observing that activity.Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM Register here Submit any questions in advance to rsjcoalition@gmail.com. |
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Additional details and pickup options available. Use the button below to request postcards. Recommended BUT NOT REQUIRED donation: $5 for every 10 cards. |
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SUPPORT GENESEE VALLEY INDIVISIBLESupport our work with an online donation below or contact us to volunteer! |
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