Saturday, February 28, 2004 Meeting Notes

Meeting notes, People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

Tacoma Peace, Justice and Healing met Saturday, February 28, 2004 at Associated Ministries at 10:00 a.m. Present for check-in were: Elaine, Sallie, Mark J., Benji, Karen H., Rob, Karen K., Sharon. Discussion: Effect of Gay Right's Issues on the election. Earth Charter: Mark J. read Section 10 of the Earth Charter: "Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner. a. Promote the equitable distribution of wealth within nations and among nations. b. Enhance the intellectual, financial, technical, and social resources of developing nations, and relieve them of onerous international debt. c. Ensure that all trade supports sustainable resource use, environmental protecthin, and progressive labor standards. d. Require multinational corporations and international financial organizations to act transparently in the public good, and hold them accountalbe for the consequences of their activities."

AGENDA:

HOMELAND SECURITY
FOG OF WAR
HAITI
JASON LAWSON
(FILM FESTIVAL)
NADER

FOG OF WAR: Karen
Karen reported that although FofW is scheduled to open 3/5 at the Grand, Philip (Grand manager) thinks it will be a week or two after that date because of popularity of current schedule. He expects it to run at least two weeks. Popular in the Seattle area, he's worried about holding an audience for longer here. He said it was possible to schedule the theater outside of their regular schedule but during the week that would have to be before 3 p.m., on the weekends around 9 a.m. or after 11:30 p.m. You can hold the house by guaranteeing 35 seats at $4.50. Mark said he wasn't interested in facilitating a showing. Group interested in after meeting, or later on Saturday afternoon viewing perhaps followed by opportunity to dine together. More to come.

HAITI: Rob
Rob discussed latest efforts to contact Congress and encourage the "preserve Democracy" (Aristide) effort for Haiti. Discussion.

LAWSON: Benji and Sallie Benji interviewed Lawson, who appeared at UPS last week, on the "psychological effects of non-violence" and some of the ways Lawson differed with ML King in his approach to non-violence. Discussion of how the "force" of non-violence can in some instances "hurt people." Discussion of "loving confrontation...." of "white flight" in certain cities like Atlanta during civil rights era. Discussion of what's currently happening in the public schools where all students, whatever their situation, are being "mainstreamed." Sallie discussed the importance of getting into the public schools and letting students know there are alternatives to military service available to students.

HOMELAND SECURITY: Mark
Mark discussed local efforts, principally through Tim Smith and the Bill of Rights Committee, to monitor what's happening with the new "detention and removal" building at 1623 East "J" St. on the tideflats. During the week the TNT (Sean Robinson) contacted Mark and Tim about an article they are writing for TNT. There was an article in the Seattle Times last week but no discussion in the article of the prison's relation to terrorism (or the Patriot Act) and no discussion of the private company (Correctional Services Corp.) who is building and overseeing the prison, despite their questionable record. Tim wants to stop the opening of the building. Current plans are to open the prison on April 14. Mark says lawyers are needed to work on this project.

FILM FESTIVAL
Discussion postponed to next meeting.

NADER:
General discussion of effect Nader's campaign might have. General consensus seemed to be that voting for Ralph not viable at this time.