MEETING NOTES FOR PEOPLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND HEALING
January 26, 2008
1.
MEETING NOTES FOR PEOPLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND HEALING
January 26, 2008
People for Peace, Justice and Healing met January 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Associated Ministries. Present for check-in: Rob, Mark, Sally, Sallie, Karen, Colleen, Ray, Karen, Vivi, Sheila, Kyle, and Sol.
Discussion: Political campaigns -- Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, and other environments.
AGENDA:
1. OUR DINNER WITH 'MY DINNER WITH ANDRÉ': Sallie and all
We picked the title for this fundraiser (above) to take place Sat.,
Mar. 1, in our front meeting room at Associated Ministries. Concern
for and plans to find a copy of the film were discussed. Both Rob (from
Seattle) and Sallie (from Berkeley) will obtain copies of the hard-to-find
film. Two copies will insure one good available film, running for
approximately 80 to 90 minutes. A dinner will follow the showing of the
film. Members will purchase and prepare (some on-site) the meal.
Discussion of whether offering should be solely vegetarian. Karen is in
charge of the vegetarian offering and Colleen is in charge of the
buttered chicken, East Indian offering. We will also offer wine with
the meal. Group decides to ask $20, rather than $15, for each ticket.
Cost of who pays for the wine and food inconclusive although a general
feeling was expressed that no one person should absorb too much of the
cost for the food and wine. We need someone to make the dessert.
Discussion of the collection of further contributions from guests.
Ideas: have a basket on each table for donations, pass the basket for
donations, don't hassle too much for money. Who will preside as "host,"
announcer, or headwaiter (in tux) inconclusive. Stay tuned for further
assignments. Event Tickets for sale coming soon.
2. AL ROWWAD: Nancy and all
Although Nancy wasn't able to be with us, she asked for our input on
the visit of Palestine human rights worker and artist who created Al Rowwad (http://alrowwad.virtualactivism.net/) the
Palestinain children's theater center. Nancy
has scheduled his event for March 4. Sallie thinks the event will be at
the First Congregational Church. Nancy asks for our endorsement of this
event. It was the consensus of the group that we'd already given that
endorsement. Other possible sponsors might be South Sound Peace and
Justice. UFPPC has already endorsed the project. Questioned about the
Middle East Forum, it is the assessment of the group that they are not
meeting at this time.
3. LEONARD PELTIER: Nancy and all
Nancy is doing the PR for this event scheduled for February 15 at 7
p.m. at King's Books. There will be a showing of the film "Incident at
Oglala," followed by a presentation by Arthur Miller and an
answer/question/discussion period. Mark will bring the projector.
Rob and Sallie are each bringing a copy of the film. Sol will place
notice of the event in the Quaker Newsletter, PR will go to the Pierce
County Religious News and Channel. Announcement info has also been sent
to Air America.
4. INTERFAITH YOUTH CAMP UPDATE: Sallie
Discussion of getting the word out about the camp. E-mails seen as one
of the most effective ways of reaching people. Sallie said a recent
appeal to parents for support resulted in a very positive parental
response to the camp. They are in the process now for planning for the
coming summer event. Grant writers are needed and being sought.
4. KICK BACK GUERRILLAS: Karen
This group is meeting and discussing ideas for street theater actions
re: Iraq War "Anniversary." "Spontaneous," surprise events being
considered by the group.
5. PACT: Ray
Ray missed last meeting and will report next Saturday on current plans.
Interest has been expressed by some members of the group in finding a
unifying focus for various interest groups.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1.FOCUS THE NATION: Rob
This international recognition of issues re: Sustainability will be
considered in a meeting, Thurs., Jan. 31, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the
local Evergreen Campus. City Leaders involved and appearing on a panel
include John Ladenburg, Bill Baarsma, and Tim Ferrell. Rob reported that events on
the Lewis and Clark Campus are so extensive they are closing down the
school to focus on the day's events.
2. 'THE GHOSTS OF ABU GHRAIB' (film): Colleen
ACLU will be presenting this film at Tacoma Public Library in the
Olympic Room at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6.
3. DEATH WITH DIGNITY CAMPAIGN
Kick-off event on Sunday, February 10 at the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist
Congregation (1115 S. 56th St., Tacoma) at 2:00 p.m.
4. STEPS FORUM: Sol Coming the first Sunday in March.
5. 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 one more Monday (Jan. 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. Digging Deeper XLI will focus on sustainability.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen