Meeting Notes for People for Peace, Justice, and Healing

Saturday, December 11, 2004

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met at 10:00 a.m. at Associated Ministries on Dec. 11, 2004. Present for check-in were: Sheila, Kyle, Sol, Nancy, Mark, Rob, Dorothy, Sally, and Vivi.

AGENDA

1. POSSIBLE EVENT. Forum for discussion by/with those who traveled to swing states to work in the 2004 campaign. Sallie would be a participant, and Annie Phillips of Seattle has said she'd be willing to participate; possibly Ken Miller and others as well. Purpose: to hear about experiences and reflections of those involved. Tentative date proposed: Sat. morning, Jan. 15, 11:00 a.m., in the second hour of the PPJH meeting, to be followed by a pot luck lunch, at Associated Ministries. Mark will contact Annie Phillips to see about the date, and Sallie will ask Ken Miller. To be continued.

2. SATURDAY, DEC. 25, MEETING CANCELLED.

3. CONVERSATION CAFES. Question chosen for Tuesday, Dec. 15, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at the Mandolin Café: "In your view, what are the greatest achievements of Americans in the arts?"

4. SPRING EVENT ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE. Discussion of whether it's o.k. to present an 'unbalanced' event (probably a film showing followed by discussion). Consensus that it is important to included Israeli Jewish peace activist(s) on any panel.

5. LEONARD PELTIER EVENT (Saturday, Feb. 5) SUPPORT -- PPJH will provide hot meal (beginning 4:00 p.m.) following the annual march & rally in support of Leonard Peltier at First United Methodist Church. Report from Sheila, who has spoken with Susan Dobkins at First United Methodist to arrange assistance. Susan will have tables left up on that day so they can be used for the meal, and will recruit volunteers to help. Karen Havnaer is the liaison person with Arthur Miller, so stay in touch with her in working on this.

6. UFPPC STATEMENT ON CHRISTIAN RIGHT. Dorothy called attention to a Dec. 9, UFPPC adopted a statement On the Danger of Excessive Tolerance of the Christian Right in Public Policy and International Affairs, based on remarks by Bill Moyers earlier this week calling attention to an essay by Glenn Scherer (The Godly Must Be Crazy) pointing out that 231 of 535 Federal legislators (45 senators, 181 representatives) have 80-100% approval ratings from the three most prominent Christian right advocacy groups. Discussion.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS.

-- CHIAPAS PEACE ACTIVIST TO VISIT CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING -- Melissa Mundt, Coordinator for the Chiapas Peace House Project, will share her perspective on the Zapatista rebellion and our role in a globalized community context -- Luke Smiraldo, (253) 202-3473 or (253) 383-3151. Sun., Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary at the Center for Spiritual Living (206 N. J Street, Tacoma).

-- SECOND ANNUAL CITY OF TACOMA BILL OF RIGHTS CELEBRATION -- Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (doors open 6:30 p.m.). Includes showing of Robert Greenwald's recent film "Unconstitutional," as well as public reading of the Bill of Rights, awards, etc. Washington State Historical Museum, Mount Tahoma Auditorium, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma.

-- CAMPAIGN TO STOP KILLER COKE -- Sol passed out 8-1/2" x 11" flyers. See www.killercoke.org for more information.

-- CIRCLES FOR CHANGE -- Circles are now in the process of forming for intimate weekly gatherings to encourage people to live lives of actions based on their values. Participant-facilitated, and supported by Tools for Change Institute. Call Sol (253-377-6078) or Marta (253-582-4982) for more information.

-- PIERCE COUNTY PROGRESSIVE ROUNDTABLE -- Planning is underway to begin a monthly breakfast roundtable to facilitate interaction, communication, and networking among Pierce County progressive groups. Based on the successful Clark County (Vancouver, WA) labor coalition model. Send-off event will probably be on Saturday, Feb. 12...

-- "MILITARY MYTHS" -- Video shown at Fellowship of Reconciliation meeting on Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Tacoma Friends Meeting/Hillside Church (2508 S. 39th St., Tacoma, behind Borders). Potluck at 6:00 p.m., event at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Mark