Saturday, March 13, 2004 Meeting Notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

PPJH meeting minutes

Tacoma Peace, Justice and Healing met March 13, 2004, at Associated Ministries from 10 to 12:00. Present for check-in were Elaine, Sallie, Mark B., Karen, Vivi. Kent dropped in later in the meeting.

Reading from Earth Charter - 12: Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities. Discussion.

Discussion: Expressions of sorrow at the passing of Dorothy's husband, Perry. Memorial Service, March 14, 2 p.m., United Church of University Place, Joanne Brown, Pastor.

AGENDA:

FOG OF WAR
EARTH CHARTER
MARCH 20 MARCH
COUNTER RECRUITMENT
FILMS

MARCH 20 MARCH: Sallie

Discussion of day's events, speakers (Tim Smith, Jeannie Darnelle, Steve Larson) et al. Sallie is leaving the meeting at ll:00 a.m. next Saturday to go to McKinley Park to prepare for rally. Group decides to disband meeting at ll:00 to go to park. Laura Karlin brings up Kucinich Department of Peace - using peace as an organizing factor in developing and running our institutions and systems. Marianne Williamson cited as a well-known person interested and involved in this effort. Starting Monday, people are needed to hold a banner advertising our March 20 March above the freeway by the dome. Three people are needed to hold the banner. Contact M.J. or call 606-5017 if you can do this. Volunteers willing to help set up the park for the 1:00 p.m. rally should gather by 11:30 a.m. Saturday at McKinley Park above the dome. Sallie suggests we tell people who don't want to be "inconvenienced" by rain - do you think the people of Iraq are "inconvenienced" by our presence there? Peacekeepers are also needed for the March. Contact M.J. at 627-5665.

COUNTER RECRUITMENT
This group is organizing in an effort to talk to students about alternatives to military service. The FOR spring assembly, April 17 in West Seattle will offer a workshop on counter recruitment led by Mike Yarrow. There is a Counter recruitment table planned for Saturday's rally.

FOG OF WAR: Karen
Karen and Laura are attending the FOG OF WAR showing at the Grand today at 4:15. The filming is followed by a group discussion.

FILM FESTIVAL: Sallie
> Sallie announced no one is currently engaged in working of this project due to too many other activities. Discussion of festivals at Blue Mouse (sister city - foreign film festival) and at The Museum Glass for the next four Wednesdays.

HOMELAND SECURITY: Kent
Kent arrived and wanted to talk about the most current news on the "prison on the tar pits" at 16th and East J. Current interest is focusing on the environmental problems involving this site which is considered a national toxic clean-up site. The group is hoping to get an injunction against the building...City Council person, Bill Evans is also concerned because what the prison is, is so different than the council's original understanding of it's purpose. Kent announced:

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sunday, March 28, Tim Smith will talk about this prison at Hillside Church, 2508 South 39th, behind Borders Books. Access at 39th and Pine, north of the Post Office. FOR will also meet at Hillside, Sunday, March 14. Pot luck at 6:00, film - UNCOVERED, which exposes reasons for the Iraqi War, at 7:00 p.m.

March 20 March: rally at l:00 p.m. at McKinley Park. Speeches and entertainment then march to Federal Building.

FOR spring assembly, April 17 in West Seattle. More info coming from Vivi.