Today’s post is another round up of news and events. Several readers have told me recently that they find these lists that I compile helpful, as they learn about things that might not have known about otherwise. That makes me happy, because that is one of the goals of this blog. So let’s dive in, starting with events.

A Day Without Immigrants
Today is the national immigrant boycott/strike. Power to all participating in this resistance. Nuestro Centro helped spread the word about this action, and is providing programming today for young students who have joined by staying out of school.

For the Love of Music
Friday, February 17, Upcountry Brewing
This event will feature a significant number of local hip hop and R&B performers. Click here for a Mountain Xpress story about the show.

Sanctuary: a Partnership Between Immigrant and Faith Communities
Sunday, February 19, 3 pm, St. Eugene Catholic Church
“Come on Sunday afternoon to learn how Asheville can resist and support in the midst of deportations…” Click here for more information. 

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Meeting
Tuesday, February 21, 4:30 pm, 200 College Street
At this meeting, the Commissioners will be discussing funding for grassroots efforts to build strong neighborhoods connected to pipelines of educational and economic support. They also will be discussing a proposed program to divert adults and students from the jail system for nonviolent crimes, connecting them to support and help with the expungement of criminal records. Community organizers hope to have the room packed.

Honoring Local African and African Americans in the Culinary Field
Wednesday, February 22, 1:30 pm, Calypso, 18 N. Lexington Ave. 
“Please join Green Opportunities and Asheville Kitchen Cabinet…as we celebrate Black History Month by honoring the African and African American restaurateurs, chefs, and restaurant employees who have helped make Asheville a thriving culinary scene.” Click here for more information and a list of Honorees.

Building Bridges Screening of “I Am Not Your Negro”
Thursday, February 23, 7 pm, Grail Moviehouse
This date was added after previous dates sold out: “Ticket price is $10 and part of the proceeds support Building Bridges programs. We will also host a facilitated discussion immediately following the film. It promises to be a powerful film and since we expect the show to sell out, we encourage you to buy your tickets today to support the critical work of Building Bridges in our community.”

First 100 Days Coalition – Second Meeting
Monday, February 27, 5 pm, Rainbow Community School, 62 State St
“CIMA-Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Accion and CPC-Center for Participatory Change, formed the 100 Days Coalition to get communities together to analyze the threats that could rise from a Trump Administration…At our second meeting, we hope to deep further into the problems we identified and our intersections to move forward together. There will be interpretation and childcare available.” Click here for more.

NEWS (Click titles to read)

Our view: Policing disparity is now a quantifiable problem
Op-Ed the Asheville Citizen-Times about a recent data collected about traffic stops in Asheville. Excerpt: “Eighteen percent of all traffic stops in Asheville since 2002 involved African-American drivers even though African-Americans make up 13 percent of the city’s population. Also, African-Americans drivers were 100 percent more likely to be searched than were white drivers, even though they were no more likely to have contraband.”

Where Goes Walton Street?
Investigative piece from the Asheville Blade. “For years Southside community members pushed for the renovation of a long-neglected historic pool. But city government might go forward with other plans. Behind the debate about who decides the fate of a local landmark.”

Asheville’s Minority Business Lags
Story from the Asheville Citizen-Times. Excerpt: “Referencing city data, Williams and others most-often pointed to one figure – the $260 awarded to black vendors for construction work in 2015. In comparison, nearly $251,790 was spent with Hispanic, Asian or Native American firms in construction contracts and nearly $337,580 with companies owned by white women.”

There is much to be done. Onward.

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