MEETING NOTES FOR PEOPLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND HEALING
February 17, 2007
People for Peace, Justice and Healing held its regular Saturday meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2007, at Associated Ministries in Tacoma, WA. Present for check-in: Colleen, Mark, Sol, Sallie S. Laura, Sally M., Nancy, Louisa, Kathryn, Joel, Scott, Kyle, and Sheila.
AGENDA
1. THE PRESS (Sallie S.)
Sallie conveyed a message from Angela Omulepu with ideas for influencing public discussion of the living wage
issue and the fiscal 2008 federal budget proposed by President
George W. Bush.
2. CO-SPONSORSHIP (Mark)
The group endorsed co-sponsoring the upcoming appearance at PLU of Palestinian nonviolent activists Mohammad
Khatib and Feryal Abu Haikal, models of nonviolent resistance to occupation, who are traveling through the
region on a speaking tour, and who will appear at 7:00 p.m. on Mon., Mar. 5, on the campus of Pacific Lutheran
University (Xavier 201 [Philip A. Nordquist Lecture Hall]).
3. DR. ABDEL FATTAH ABU SROUR (Nancy)
Nancy described the work of Adbel Fattah Abu Srour, Ph.D. (biochemistry), who founded
the Al-Rowwad Children's
Theater and Cultural Training Center, devoted to serving children in the
Aida Refugee Camp in occupied Bethlehem by providing a healthy environment for children to help them cope
creatively with the stress of the war conditions in which they are forced to live. The Center uses theater
and drama, and also encourages the participation of disabled children in its projects, as well as organizing,
in collaboration with local organizations, arts and crafts workshops, animation-cartoon film-making workshops,
English language courses, a public library and computer center for children, and medical assistance days for
the people in the camp. There is a possibility Dr. Srour may visit the area; Nancy will investigate possible venues.
4. INTERFAITH CAMP (Sallie S.)
A search for a nurse to staff the Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp
will soon begin. This position will provide room, board, and a negotiable stipend in return for services
at the Aug. 26-31, 2007, session of the camp. Volunteers to organize music are also being sought. The
camp will have space for sixty students about to enter 7th or 8th grade. This year there will be a charge,
but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Discussion of the importance of dance and other arts in
individual development. On this and related topics, Sheila recommended
Howard Gardner's Intelligence
Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century (Basic Books, 1999; paperback
2000).
5. INDIAN ISLAND ACTION AFTERMATH; REACHING PEOPLE (Sol)
Sol reported that prosecutors have decided to treat as an infraction the arrests of the 37 protestors at
the Declaration of Peace action at Indian Island in
September 2006. Discussion of how to pursue effectively issues of depleted uranium, which massively passes
through
the Ammunition Depot Indian Island at
Port Hadlock, near Port Townsend,
WA, on the Quimper
Peninsula. This facility is now the only
weapons depot on the West Coast, and has been the focus of a group in Port Townsend, which has focused on
environmental issues. For more information, see
here. The Army, however, has not been
responsive to demands for information, including requests from the Port Townsend City Council. Laura
suggested finding personal experiences of DU to highlight, or showing movies in neighborhoods. The
approach the Occupation Project
was discussed.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. (Mark) As part of a series of "Global Conversations" events sponsored by PLU's Wang Center, Ann Jones, author of Kabul in Winter, will speak at 7:00 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 22, in Lagerquist Hall, on "Women in Post-Taliban Afganistan," and former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale will speak on "The Changing World Conversation" in PLU's University Center (CK West) at 12:30 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 23.
2. (Sallie S.) A major antiwar/peace march and rally with the theme "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sat., Mar. 17, at People's Park in Tacoma.
3. (Sallie S.) On Mon. Apr. 2, the Soweto Gospel Choir will perform at the Pantages Theatre. "Direct from South Africa, the Soweto Gospel Choir are an awe-inspiring vocal ensemble performing an inspirational program (in eight different languages) of tribal, traditional, and popular African gospel." -- For more information on the choir's tour, see here.
4. (Sol) On Apr. 12, the Step It Up! 2007 campaign will engage tens of thousands of Americans in gatherings all across the country at meaningful, iconic places to call for action on climate change. These will include hiking, biking, walking, climbing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or simply sitting or standing with banners proclaiming: "Step it up, Congress! Cut carbon 80% by 2050!" Bill McKibben is spearheading this campaign.
5. (Sallie S.) The annual Spring Celebration Dinner and Auction of Associated Ministries will be held on the evening of Sat., Apr. 28, at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Tacoma.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark
