Saturday, April 10, 2004 Meeting Notes

Meeting notes, People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

Tacoma pjh met April 10, 2004, at Associated Ministries from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (The group decided to disband early to accomodate delegates to the training session for the Democratic Legislative District Caucuses.) Present for check-in were: Vivi, Kyle, Sheila, Mark, Karen, Rob, Laura.

AGENDA:
BORDC: CSC prison notes
DEPT. OF PEACE
UFPPC STATEMENT ON IRAQ
COUNTER RECRUITMENT
BOB ERICKSON

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BOB ERICKSEN: Mark
Bob Ericksen, PLU faculty staff, is willing to speak for us in either April or May. We were asked to choose between two titles: ILLUSION OF OVERWHELMING FORCE or RELIGION, POLITICS AND THE RETROSPECTIVE EYE OF HISTORY. The group chose the first title for a weekday evening meeting in April. Mark will check with the library to see when the Olympic Room will be available. [Prof. Ericksen will speak at 7pm on Tues., Apr. 20, in the Olympic Room of the main branch of the Tacoma Public Library, on "The Illusion of Overwheming Force."]

COUNTER RECRUITMENT: ROB
Rob announced that various small groups from the Unitarian Church are interested in participating in this effort under the title of Alternatives to Military Service. Laura and Vivi discussed the workshop that will be available at the FOR Spring Assembly.

BORDC REPORT - PRISON: KAREN, MARK
Mark told about the incident where Tim was picked up in the middle of the day for a "faulty light fixture" on his car in the Portland Avenue area by ICE officers. Tim isn't intimidated but suggests that if you are active in the "prison" group you make sure your car is infraction-free when visiting the area. Mark also reported that the Mexican Consulate has been contacted and they are interested in our work and keeping in touch with us. (I gave somekind of report, too, but don't remember and, of course, didn't write down what I said: Probably something about my conversation with Brian Dawe, the Correctional Services guy from Colorado who was with us on April 7, Opening Day for the prison involving: Labor policies of CSC, training of guards, history of CSC infractions and so on.) Councilpersons Julia Anderson, and Evans both visited our clean-up spot at the corner of (I think) 15th and East J on April 7 both before and following the ribbon cutting ceremony. Councilperson Evans says he's going to hold CSC to their statement that CSC will be paying $750,000 to the city in taxes. There were about 12-15 people or so in and out of our spot during the morning.

STATEMENT ON WORSENING SITUATION IN IRAQ: MARK
Mark read this statement developed by the Peace Studies Working Group of PLU. By April 10, 9:45 a.m. 301 signatures had been gathered. [As of 7:50 p.m. on April 12, 785 signatures and 5 group endorsements.] Mark handed out petitions for signatures and a copy of the statement to members present. This statement will either be published locally in a newspaper or circulating flyer. Mark asked for PJH endorsement. Group so endorsed.

DEPARTMENT OF PEACE: LAURA
Laura handed out literature about HR1673 - Kucinich's bill re: Department of Peace. The flyer contains highlights of the bill and the complete contents of the resolution. Group indicated interested in putting this on the agenda two weeks from today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Emergency Rally Sunday in Seattle at ll:00 at 63rd and Greenlake

Answer Rally, Seattle, Noon, Saturday

Teach-in, Washington, D.C. with Michael Lerner and Tikkun, Congress, April 25 (See Vivi)

Spring Assembly, FOR, West Seattle coming - (see Vivi)

Respectfully, Karen