Saturday, January 19, 2008 Meeting Notes

MEETING NOTES FOR PEOPLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND HEALING
January 19, 2008

People for Peace, Justice, and Healing met at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Associated Ministries. Present for check-in: Colleen, Rob, Sallie S., Nancy, Mark, Kyle, Sol, Sheila, Sally M., Jan., and Vivi.

AGENDA

1. DINNER WITH 'MY DINNER WITH ANDRÉ' (Rob & group)
Rob has ascertained that a DVD of "My Dinner with André" (1981, directed by Louis Malle) is available from Scarecrow Video in Seattle and can be reserved. Discussion of date of fundraiser dinner/film showing at AM. Group decided to go forward with a Sat., Mar. 1, event, with tickets sold in advance. Sol will design tickets ($20 each? to be finalized later). Further details to be worked out later. NOTE: A clip from the film has been posted on YouTube.

2. WEDNESDAY VIGIL (Sallie S.)
Attendance at the 5:00 p.m. Wednesday vigil, which PPJH has maintained for many years at the Federal Building has grown sparse. PPJH supporters are encouraged to make an effort to participate at least once a month.

3. DEATH WITH DIGNITY INITIATIVE (Jan)
The statewide referendum campaign was kicked off by former Washington governor (1985-1993) and former Pierce County executive Booth Gardner on Jan. 9, 2008. The Pierce County kick-off event for this campaign will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 10, at the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation (1115 S. 56th St.). All interested in the campaign are encouraged to attend.

4. ABBEDLFATTAH ABUSROUR EVENT IN TACOMA (Nancy)
Nancy said the reason she feels so deeply about Abbed is that in the darkest times, what art does is help people survive. Having children visit Burlington, Vermont, with Abbed in 2005 was one of the happiest experiences of Nancy's life, she said: "The work he does is beautiful." Discussion of options for a Mar. 4 event; the group inclined toward the Univ. of Puget Sound, if that's available. This should be known early next week. NOTE: Teacher and playwright Abbedlfattah Abusrour was awarded an Ashoka Fellowship in 2006 and “combats violence among children, teaching them to become promoters of peace. Abdelfattah’s childhood, like that of many children in Palestine’s refugee camps, exposed him to violence daily. Unlike other children, Abdelfattah found solace and expression in writing and performing short plays with his friends. Now Abdelfattah targets children in refugee camps with programs promoting activities such as sports, arts, and theater to offer children alternative means of self-expression. He uses these activities to teach acceptance of others and non-violent communication. Abdelfattah complements these programs by training parents and community members in non-violent resistance. He has gained worldwide support for his programs by touring internationally with his children’s theater group.”

5. LEONARD PELTIER EVENT (Colleen)
A PPJH-sponsored showing of "Incident at Oglala" on the Leonard Peltier case with commentary afterward by Arthur Miller will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2008, at King's Books in Tacoma (218 St. Helens Ave.)

6. WORLD AFFAIRS SUMMIT (Colleen)
This year's World Affairs Summit will follow the symposium on global health held at PLU, starting on the evening of Fri., Feb. 22, with Booth Gardner and PLU bioethicist and philosopher Hannah Phelps, and a full slate of workshops on Sat., Feb. 23. Publication of the program is imminent. The World Affairs Summit is co-sponsored by the Tacoma News Tribune.

7. KEN JONES RESIGNS (Jan)
Rev. Ken Jones recently announced his resignation from the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation. (Ken participated actively in PPJH in its early years.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY EVENTS (As posted by Vivi to the PPJH listserv)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2008

--8:30 a.m. (Nonviolence Training); 1:30 p.m. (Vigil and Direct Action) GROUND ZERO VIGIL AND DIRECT ACTION AT THE GATES OF BANGOR NAVAL BASE KITSAP RESIST NUCLEAR WEAPONS, THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ, AND THE BOMBING OF IRAN Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4418 Perry Rd, Bremerton, WA and Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, 16159 Clear Creek Rd. NW, Poulsbo, WA Come and bring friends. Share the dream of a world without war. Honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gather at 8:30 a.m. at the Kitsap Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 4418 Perry Rd., Bremerton, for nonviolence training and action planning. At 1:30 p.m., come to Ground Zero, 16159 Clear Creek Rd. NW. Poulsbo, to walk or ride to the Bangor gate. Bring sack lunch, water, umbrella, warm clothes, money to donate, and a peaceful spirit. For driving directions and more information go to www.gzcenter.org, or call 360-377-2586 or 206-545-3562. There are 2,364 nuclear warheads located 20 miles from downtown Seattle at Bangor. Concerned? Learn more: www.gzcenter.org and www.meaningfulmovies.org/images/455kt_Nuclear_Blast_Patern_on_Seattle.pdf A CARPOOL CARAVAN will be leaving for Ground Zero at Bangor Saturday morning 1/19/08 from Keystone Church (5019 Keystone Place N, Wallingford) at 8:00 AM sharp to catch the 8:45 AM Seattle-Bremerton Ferry. Please come a little early. –- PLEASE COME JOIN US!

--9:30 AM to 4 PM a very engaging workshop. . . . okay to just "show up." The Philosophy of Nonviolence -- a Strategy for Complete Freedom from Oppression A special MLK workshop. Explore the philosophy of nonviolence as Mahatma Gandhi worked it out. Dare to live by the fundamental principles that he put into practice and learn to be truly free. To live by them is to throw off all oppression, internal and external, regardless of the situation.Work through these principles in depth in the morning, and explore how we can apply them in our lives in the afternoon. It is a challenge worthy of our potential. With Rod Davis, Ph.D. At The United Churches (downstairs in the Purple Room), corner of Capitol Blvd. and 11th Ave. in Olympia, Sliding Scale Fee: $25-$100/person

--7:30pm, and again on Sunday, January 20, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the Theatre on the Square in Tacoma -- Performance of Brian Copeland‘s Not a Genuine Black Man, a one-man-show that tells the riveting and comic story of Brian's youth growing up. Brian will move you to tears and laughter as he puts his unique comic spin on life and what defines us as individuals and as a culture Tickets are $20 and $34 and are available through the Broadway Center Box Office at 253.591.5894 or online at www.broadwaycenter.org

SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2008

--Sunday, 20th of January at 1:15 pm Hillside Community Church meets at the Quaker Meeting House at 2508 S 39th St Tacoma. The title of the Sunday message is: "Peace in my time?" given by The Reverend David Teeter.

--Sunday, January 20th and every third Sunday, Tacoma Fellowship of Reconciliation Meeting. In January, there will be a discussion on immigration facilitated by Colleen Waterhouse. The business meeting is at 3, the program is at 4, and a potluck where all are invited is at 5. The meeting place is: Tacoma Friends Meeting House where Hillside Community Church also meets. It is behind Border’s Books at 2508 S 39TH ST (39th is one block North of 38th) Go South on Fife or Pine and east on 39th until you reach the top of the hill. Info- David Lambert, 253/7592280 or Vivi at 253/572-4912

--This free event will be really a treat to go to. The second annual Martin Luther King, "Redeeming the Vision" event will be held at the Urban Grace Baptist Church on Saturday, January 20, at 902 Market Street in Tacoma from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The event includes a keynote address by UPS Professor Dr. Dexter Gordon and music, spoken word and dance performances. This year's theatrical presentation will include the anti-war writings of Dr. King. The time for this event is 2:30-4:30 pm and it is free and open to the general public. The interfaith blessings will be given by Rabbi Bruce Kadden, Imam Amir Abdul-Matin, Associated Ministries Director David Alger, and a Bahai representative. Musical performances will include the trumpet playing of Ouwor Arunga, vocalist Jasmine Coates, the hip hop group 2012, and a creative rendition of Dr. Martin Luther King's thoughts on war and peace, directed and co-written by C. Rosalind Bell and acted by Charles Canada and Mark Peterson. The Tacoma Civil Rights Honor Roll will celebrate new honorees. Khalfani Mwamba will welcome and accompany guests out of the church with his drumming. The event is sponsored by The Conversation and Associated Ministries in addition to Urban Grace Baptist Church. For more information on The Conversation visti www.conversationtacoma.blogspot.com. For an interview with Dr. Gordon call 678-3927.

--Regional Meeting to Support GI Resistance, 1pm-4pm, Tacoma. How we can support Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) in their efforts to reach out to GIs at nearby Fort Lewis? Hear reports from IVAW about the week of outreach they are planning for Feb.18-24 and the GI Voice project, which will soon launch a website and radio station. Also: the GI Rights Hotline, ongoing support for Lt. Ehren Watada and the Jan. 25-26 actions in support of U.S. war resisters in Canada. For more information and location: 206-499-1220, projectsafehaven@hotmail.com

--3:00pm.at the Theatre on the Square in Tacoma Performance of Brian Copeland‘s Not a Genuine Black Man, a one-man-show that tells the riveting and comic story of Brian's youth growing up. Brian will move you to tears and laughter as he puts his unique comic spin on life and what defines us as individuals and as a culture Tickets are $20 and $34 and are available through the Broadway Center Box Office at 253.591.5894 or online at www.broadwaycenter.org

--5 pm to 10pm at Marilyn Kimmerling’s house: 4414 N 34th St Tacoma. Soup Sundays for building and nurturing a vibrant progressive/liberal community. This is an ongoing Soup Sunday drop-in potluck style. A BIG pot of soup is made, usually vegetarian and whatever else is around. Folks can bring or not bring whatever they'd like to share. Come any time between those hours and no call first is necessary. Fliers and information to put out to share are welcome. Only two things: There are two dogs that bark, but when greeted settle down. There’s a kitty in the basement. For more information call Marilyn at 752 0442 or email at mkimmerling@harbornet.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2008

--From 11 am to 1 pm The Annual City of Tacoma Martin Luther King Jr Day Celebration at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall. This year’s theme is “Women of the Movement: Give them a Standing Ovation” For more information see www.cityoftacomaorg/Page.aspx?hid=942

--A preliminary forum, "ENGAGE," held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Tacoma Friends Meetinghouse, 2508 S. 39th St. (behind Borders Books), It will feature a training by Climate Solutions and a brainstorming session to prepare for the "FOCUS THE NATION" event on January 31st. (Thurs., Jan. 31 TACOMA'S FOCUS THE NATION JP Kemmick, a recent graduate of PLU and a very energetic Climate Change activist has begun to organize a "FOCUS THE NATION" (http://www.focusthenation.org/) event in Tacoma. It will feature a panel of elected officials responding to questions from citizens about what they can do to lead us towards Climate Change solutions. Details to follow. If interested in helping, contact Sol Riou (sparkingwaves@hotmail.com) or JP Kemmick (jpkemmick@gmail.com). Sustainable Tacoma Pierce (formerly Puget Sound Climate Issues) will be sponsoring this event. -- A preliminary forum, "ENGAGE," held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Mon., Jan. 21, at the Tacoma Friends Meetinghouse, 2508 S. 39th St. (behind Borders Books), will feature a training by Climate Solutions and a brainstorming session to prepare for the "FOCUS THE NATION" event).

2. FOCUS THE NATION (Sol)
Sustainable Tacoma Pierce (formerly Puget Sound Climate Issues) will co-sponsor Tacoma's Focus The Nation sustainability event from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 31, at Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus (1210 6th Ave.). NOTE: This event is coordinated with the nationwide Focus the Nation campaign. -- A preliminary event will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Mon., Jan. 21, at Tacoma Friends Meeting House (2508 S. 39th St., Tacoma, WA, 98409 -- 759-1910), to discuss questions to be addressed to elected officials at that event by a panel of public figures that will include Rob Gramenz and Ken Peachey. (Ken attended the State Climate Advisory Team Meeting in November 2007 and helped prioritize 47 completed recommendations, flagging five of those recommendations to be sent immediately to the governor. Minutes from the Nov. 19 meeting of the Green Ribbon Climate Action Task Force show that Ken advocates that speed limits on state roads within Tacoma should be enforced at 60 mph until June 30, 2008, then dropped to 55 mph. The gain is an immediate decrease in emissions per gallon of fuel burn.) -- If interested in helping or participating with the Jan. 21 or 31 events, email J.P. Kemmick (jpkemmick@gmail.com) (Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department, Americorps Volunteer, Urban Agriculture Coordinator) or call 536-3507.

3. DIGGING DEEPER XL (ARE WE ROME?) CONTINUES (Mark)
UFPPC's book study circle, known as Digging Deeper, meets Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mandolin Café (3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, WA). The "Are We Rome?" series continues for two more Mondays (Jan. 21 & 28), examining some recent books that draw parallels between the Roman Empire and the United States: 1) Cullen Murphy's Are We Rome?: The Fall of an Empire and the Fate of America (Houghton Mifflin, 2007); 2) Charles S. Maier, Among Empires: American Ascendancy and Its Predecessors (Harvard UP, 2007); 3) Terry Jones's Barbarians: An Alternative Roman History (BBC Books, 2007); 4) John Pilger's Freedom Next Time: Resisting the Empire (Nation Books, 2007). There is no charge for participation and sessions are open to the public.

4. GERRI HAYNES TO SPEAK ABOUT IRAQI REFUGEES IN SYRIA (Mark)
At 7:00 p.m. at King’s Books (218 St. Helens Ave.) on Thurs., Jan. 24, UFPPC's 2007-2008 speaker series will present Gerri Haynes speaking on "Iraq's Refugees." Gerri Haynes is a past president of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, and has made annual trips to the Middle East since 1993. She recently helped organize and was part of a delegation of eight who visited Syrian citizens and Iraqi refugees in Syria in Damascus, Saydnaya, and Aleppo.

5. ESSAY BY SALLIE O'KANE McCLINTOCK
"Tomorrow, Just You Wait and See," by Sallie O'Kane McClintock, an essay reflecting on a fourteen-year-old's experience of living in Tacoma during the war years 1943-1944, appears on p. 10 of the January 2008 issue of Senior Scene (Tacoma, WA).

6. 'THE GHOSTS OF ABU GHRAIB' SHOWING (Colleen)
"The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib," a feature-length 2007 documentary presenting perspectives of both guards and detainees, will be presented by the Pierce County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union at 6:30 p.m. in the Olympic Room of the main branch of the Tacoma Public Library (1102 Tacoma Ave. South; 253-591-5666).

Respectfully submitted,
Mark