People for Peace, Justice and Healing met Saturday, December 13, 2003, at Associated Ministries. Present for check-in after a general discussion were Colleen, Mark J., Karen K., Karen H., Vivi, Sally (with a y).

AGENDA

-CALL FOR ACTION: Karen K. expressed a desire for action - something perhaps other than an arts event. Discussion: Mark J. - the desirabilty of planning one event while we are doing another one. Necessity of more long term planning. Desirability of bringing new members into the group. Vivi: talked about attending 2 or 3 events a week. Referred to purpose of Medea Benjamin event: spark activity. Discussion of what's up at UFPPC. Mark told us about webmaster meeting this past week with Scott. They have come up with ways to re-vitalize the UFPPC website. (Check it out at www.UFPPC.org) Colleen said she wanted to be sure to vigil at the Federal Building on Christmas Eve. Group expressed enthusiasm for making Christmas Eve a special event. Announcements to follow.

UFPPC PLANK FOR FEBRUARY 7 CAUCUS: Karen discussed meeting where UFPPC group developed a series of planks for the larger membership. Suggestions: (1) Turn the current Iraqi occupation into a re-building process under the auspices of UN/NATO personnel. A portion of the personnel must be from Islamic countries. (2) Make a foreign policy priority to convince Israel to respect post war '48 borders with Palestine. (3) Create a Department of Peace with Cabinet status. (4) Powers granted to Congress to declare war (U.S. Constitution Acticle 1, Section 8 (11), ratified late 1780's etc. Contemporary translation: Only Congress can declare war. (5) Rescind aspects of the Patriot Act that restrict Civil Liberties. (6) Regard Guantanmo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, detainees as POW's under dictates of 1864, 1906, 1929, 1949, 1977 Geneva Conventions. (7) Honor active military and Veterans by restoring all benefits to year 2000 levels. UFPPC at Thursday, December 11 meeting approved these planks. Membership encouraged to attend Feb. 7 caucus' and propose/support these planks.

UFPPC has a little money and will be deciding how to use it at next meeting January 8.

FOR/SNOW/FUNDRAISING: Vivi expressed her concern about FOR. Seattle Chapter was instrumental in developing SNOW in Seattle but is having some funding difficulties itself although SNOW is very successful.

HILLSIDE GRANTS: Associated Ministry was awarded a $45,000 grant to develop a peace program. Other community recipients include Guadalupe Gardens, the Bill of Rights Commitee and others. Bill of Rights Committee will use funding to sponsor essay contests in the schools in the spring on the subject of the Bill of Rights. It was suggested that college students be used to "judge" the essays. Students in primary, middle and senior school will be encouraged to participate.

BILL OF RIGHTS COMMITTEE: Committee met December 8 at Tim and Laura Smith's. Mark and Karen reported on the planning for the December 15 public event at the History Museum which is co-sponsored by the committee and ACLU local chapter. Councilperson Bill Evans, who attended the meeting, will be keynote speaker on the 15th. 64 people will be encouraged to participate in a public reading of the Bill of Rights. Members of the GAP theater will entertain us with theater and discussion. Then on 12/16 the Bill of Rights iniative will again be presented to the Council for their affirmation. Members are encouraged to attend at 5:00 to encourage and support the council. A few speakers are also needed to speak to the council on behalf of the Bill of Rights.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

BILL OF RIGHTS CELEBRATION AT HISTORY MUSEUM: Downstairs auditorium, starts at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 15. Bill Evans keynote speaker. Entertainment by Gap and reading of Bill of Rights.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING, December 16, at 5:00 Council Chambers. Presentation of BORDC initiative to Council.

FOR: Potluck and meeting at Hillside. Potluck at 6:00. Meeting at 7:00. Howard Welsh will speak (CO's) and entertain.

GLENN ANDERSON of FOR at Hillside, Sunday, 12/21. Inspirational Holiday message. 1:00 p.m.

IRAQI WOMEN at Hillside, 12/22 at 7:00 p.m. These women are professional scholars who have been visiting and speaking throughout U.S.

VIGIL ON CHRISTMAS EVE, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Federal Building. Plan to attend! Candles might be great.

Re-visit invigorated ALL NEW (says Mark) UFPPC website at www.UFPPC.org

PLEASE LET ME KNOW ABOUT ANY CORRECTIONS TO THE NOTES.