Saturday, June 5, 2004 Meeting Notes

Meeting notes, People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

Tacoma PJH met June 5, 2004, at Associated Ministries. Present for check-in were: Karen K., Vivi, Sallie, Benjie, Rob, Colleen, Karen H. Discussion: Participation in UFPPC demonstration at doors of Democratic Convention.

ANNOUCEMENT: PJH MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO A GATHERING OF FRIENDS ON JUNE 12 FOLLOWING OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PJH MEETING AT THE HOME OF KAREN KONRAD, 2361 McDONALD AVE., DUPONT. RSVP Karen at 253-912-4764 and for directions. A LIGHT LUNCH WILL BE SERVED. BRING A POEM TO SHARE IF YOU WISH.

AGENDA

1. NORTHWEST DETENTION CENTER
2. POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY
3. EVENTS PLANNING
4. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. NORTHWEST DETENTION CENTER: The public -- with 2 pieces of picture ID -- can enter the Northwest Detention Center on Wednesdays to witness legal proceedings (hearings). Time to show up: 9:30 a.m. General discussion of "Freedom in Tacoma" on the evening of May 29th at the History Museum - sponsor BORDC-Tacoma.

2. POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY: Colleen shared the status of this committee and difficulties with surmounting the resistance of the police unions who, without exception, have fought the establishment of citizen oversight committees throughout the U.S. City Councilmember Stenger has encouraged (instead) an election of an ombudsman. Colleen reports that the City Attorney's Office has "taken the teeth out of" the committee's proposals. (The proposal calls for a "city staff" -- including two investigator types who would report to the city manager in response to citizen complaints. The unions view this process as "anti-police." Colleen discussed the structure of other city oversight committees -- such as Boise. Contract negotiations with the Tacoma police unions are now in process. The committee is continuing to work on their project and Human Resources is trying to help them resurrect their proposal for consideration by the City Council.

3. EVENTS PLANNING: Our (very lively) discussion focused on planning event(s) responsive or anticipatory to a terrorist attack: What are our alternatives to fear -- what can we do besides respond with violence to violence?

Discussion focused on what it takes (from the world) to sustain the American lifestyle, our attitudes to and lack of understanding and empathy for "foreign" cultures, our propensity to "demonize" in our search for security. How can we make "heart" connections with other cultures. Karen K. suggested that we need "policies/ideas" that make clear a pay-off when more positive responses than violence are used so that people can buy into them.

Discussion of ways in which our industrial/military complex can be converted into positive outcomes ... transforming military products that meet real needs ... Making, for instance, (Colleen) opportunities for young people that are more attractive than military careers... Although we came to no definite conclusions about our "event," we focused on the idea of a panel (or panels) discussion which would address this subject: What (would) or do we do in response to something like a terrorist attack. We discussed various styles -- conversation cafes, work groups -- of involving participants in discussion as well as the various ways to approach the subject. Continued to our next agenda.

4. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Karen's Solstice party on June 12th; see above.

2. Benjie Peters at Hillside, 1 p.m., June 13th.