MEETING NOTES FOR PEOPLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND HEALING

People for Peace, Justice, and Healing
August 2, 2008

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met August 2, 2008, at 10 a.m. at Associated Ministries. Present for check-in were: Terry, Nancy, Sheila, Colleen, Mark, Karen.

Discussion: Lively discussion of candidates, local and national -- Democrats and Independents -- Dicks/Richmond/Murrell, etc. Uneasy speculation about how far to the "center" Obama will feel he has to go to maintain "credibility." Discussion by members about whether they will be able to support Obama or look to independent candidates.

Nancy briefly reported on the boats leaving Europe and entering the waters contiguous with Gaza carrying protesters to Israel's control of this waterway. See below announcement for further information about the Free Gaza movement and local action. Brief discussion of current infighting among the Palestinians representing Hamas and Fatah, and continued abuse of Palestinians -- for instance, at checkpoints for Palestinians in need of medical help.

Discussion of announcement of recent major breakthrough at M.I.T. of the discovery of a catalyst that will be affordable and able to convert and store solar energy for the "average" individual householder. It is expected that this discovery will be widely available to the consumer within ten years.

Brief discussion of the action surrounding the arrival of the USNS Britain, which left the Port on March 7 and arrived Tuesday to off load equipment from Iraq. Protesters from Olympia challenged the police line in a public street. There were a few arrests and some press notice by local TNT. Protests continue.

Northwest Detention Center has been receiving some publicity re: Seattle University and Hate Free Zone report and prison official's hopes and intentions to expand the capacity of the prison from 1,000 to 1,500 residents. Department of Homeland Security won't be issuing a contract for another year but the expansion is expected to proceed regardless since if ICE doesn't contract for the space it's assumed another entity will. A hunger strike is now going on in one of the quads of the prison. Colleen reported that she recently learned that whereas the center has two language banks, they are only available and there to aid the court not detainees. Discussion of the obstacles (paper work and regulations) in place to thwart the detainees and make it impossible for them to know what is going on or what rights they have. (Detainees, because they aren't citizens, have no rights to counsel.)

Discussion -- Current administration efforts to work out a "treaty" with Iraq to "protect our national interests" (in anticipation of "departure").

Announcements:

National Day of Action Against War in Iran, noon to 3 p.m. Exit 119

Free Gaza - Weekly Vigil in Seattle, Westlake Plaza, every Saturday at Noon until 2 p.m. If you're interested in more information call Nancy Farrell at 253-952-0517 website: www.freegazamovement.org

Prayer/Fast/Vigil to commemorate the bombing of Hiroshima/Nagasaki. Prayer and reflection - August 2, 3, 4 - Jean's House, 1414 Tacoma Avenue South at 7 p.m. August 5 - 5:30 p.m. Liturgy at Guadalupe House - 1417 South G Street (also a Neighborhood Night out celebration which includes entertainment and good food). August 6 from Noon to 3 p.m. Vigil at Federal Building, Pacific Avenue. One purpose of the gathering is to support persons moved to civil resistance of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. For further information call Bix at 253-627-4347 or Joe Drutis at 253-779-8362

Ground Zero/Bangor Vigil and events in commemoration of the bombing of Hiroshima/Nagasaki. This three day event begins Saturday, August 9 at Ground Zero, l6159 Clear Creek Road NW, Poulsbo. Events are scheduled for Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Monday morning at 5:00 a.m. Vigil and action at 5:30 a.m. at the gates to Bangor. Further information at www.gzcenter.org

August 7, Thursday, 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church - a showing of Sybil Edmond's film, "Kill the Messenger."

For PJH,
Karen