Meeting Notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met on May 28, 2005, at Associated Ministries.

Present for check-in: Louisa, Mark, Sharon, Colleen, Sallie S., Penny, Laura, Vivi.

AGENDA

CONVERSATION CAFE: Mark
Question for May 31 (idea from Pam): Science teaches that solid objects are mostly space; the experience of time is a function of speed; gravity bends light. How strange is reality? The Conversation Café is held on Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mandolin Cafe, 3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma. All are welcome; no charge.

CITIZENS' OVERSIGHT COMMISSION UPDATE: Colleen
Colleen reported that it appears that due to a request from Mike Lonergan, the proposal to establish a Citizens’ Oversight Commission for the Tacoma Police Department (see David Alger, It's Time for Police to Adopt Program for Citizen Oversight, News Tribune [Tacoma, WA], May 5, 2005) has been removed from the agenda of the June 7 meeting of the Tacoma City Council. Discussion.

SUSTAINABLE TACOMA: Penny
Penny reviewed developments making sustainability an increasingly urgent matter: peak oil, the unsustainability of the American 'way of life,' resource wars. Addressing these problems locally is good for building community. A local organization devoted to making Tacoma more sustainable is desirable. The Oct. 8 Earth Charter event seems an excellent opportunity to present a plan to mobilize and organize residents. Other suggestions: research what others are doing, refine conception of mission, read current issue of Yes!.

NETWORKING GROUPS: Louisa
There's a need to network and connect groups more effectively. Laura pointed that the incipient Progressive Roundtable (which met again on May 27) is designed for this. Louisa plans to continue discussion of this topic at the Jun. 2 UFPPC (United for Peace of Pierce County) meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

IWW CENTENNIAL RALLY, May 29, 2005, 11:00 a.m., Wright Park, Tacoma -- The hat will be passed for the IU 530 organizing campaign of over 250 IWW Stockton Trucker's. Most of these truckers are Sikhs from India, but the Wobbly truckers also include a number of Latino, Filipino, Cambodian, Middle Eastern, Black and White drivers. -- Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was founded in 1905 as a labor organization that believed in industrial unionism, industrial organizing, direct action and universal working-class solidarity. IWW's Centennial Birthday will feature speakers talking about the history, ideas, modern organizing and the greater relevance of the IWW in today's world.

SERIES ON ISRAEL/PALESTINE in Tacoma-- An ambitious series on Israeli/Palestinian conflict begins Jun. 1 at the Center for Spiritual Living at 206 N. "J" St., Tacoma. Most events will take place on Wednesday evenings in June 2005 at the Center for Spritual Living in Tacoma; a series of presentations and discussions will explore the origins, myths, realities, and possibilities for resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. -- Three additional, related events are planned: on the afternoon of Sunday, Jun. 19, will feature the parents of Rachel Corrie and the Nasrallahs, whose house Rachel Corrie was defending when she was killed on Mar. 16, 2003; (2) a showing of the film "Rachel: An American Conscience," on the evening of Jun. 10; and (3) a two-day workshop with Deidre Combs on personal conflict resolution, on Jun. 17-18. -- For more information, click here or contact Linda Frank at 253-537-1405.

DANCE FOR PEACE, marking the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture -- Daisy Jo Compton, with SOUL MOTION, Sunday, June 26, 2005, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., at Rhythms, 3901 S. 56th St., Tacoma, WA (NW corner of S. Proctor and S. 56th).

Respectfully submitted,
Mark