april-may 2008 olympia fellowship of reconciliation newsletter

8/8/2019 April-May 2008 Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation Newsletter

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Olympia Fellowship of ReconciliationApril/May 2008 Issue #215

INSIDETHIS ISSUE2 IMPEACHMENT: WHATIS HAPPENING?

3TCTV

APRIL: CREATIVENONVIOLENCE & IRAQSHUMANFACEMAY: IMMIGRATION: BRIDGESNOTWALLS

4 NEWS - RESOURCES - OPPORTUNITIES

5-7 BUILDINGAN EFFECTIVE PEACE MOVEMENT

8 BIG PICTURE TCTV DOCUMENTARYSERIES

8 MOTHERS DAYTRIBUTE

9 IMMIGRATIONAND BORDERDIALOGUES CONFERENCE10-16 LOCALCALENDAR

17-19 OUT-OF-TOWN CALENDAR

Our Mission Statement: The Olympia Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation seeks to replace violence, war, racism, in-tolerance, and economic and social injustice with nonviolence, peace and justice. We are an organization of many faiths com-mitted to active nonviolence as a transformative way of life and as a means of profound social change. We model these princi-

ples by personal example. We collaborate and dialogue with the larger community to educateand to engage in nonviolent and compassionate actions.

Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation 5015 15th Ave SE, Lacey WA 98503 (360) 491-9093 www.olyfor.org

Each year the Olympia FORs Annual Meeting is a celebration as well as a meeting. This year well enjoyourselves again, andYOU are invited!Well gather on Monday May 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Tradi-tions Caf, 5th & Water downtown. You might want to arrive early and order food long before the kitchencloses at 6:00, and enjoy social time before the meeting. We promise to end on time by 8:30 p.m.!

Well celebrate a year of rich and varied accomplishments since last May and elect several members to ourSteering Committee.

Well also devote some time to small group discussions of creative ways to make progress. The small (3 -5-person) groups willallow for maximum participation. How can we challenge the status quo? What is the potential for small clusters of people tobond into affinity groups and set their own paths toward promoting peace and social justice?

The Olympia FORs Guidelines provide for a maximum of 16 persons on the Steering Committee. We have enough nomi-

nees to fill all positions. Thanks to Steering Committee incumbents Cheryl Crist, Chris Carson, Jody Tiller, Dan Ryan, andMonica Hoover, who are willing to run for new two-year terms (through May 31, 2010), and Kim Dobson who also accepteda nomination for a two year term. Additional nominations will be accepted from the floor. Thanks also to Audrey Daye,Dennis Mills, Kristen Dahle, Glen Anderson, Jamie Martin, Jerry Smith, Paula Allison, Paulette Frisina, Vale Core, and Rob

Whitlock, who have served their first year of their two-year terms.

Dan Ryan has one more year left as Co-Chair, and the Nominating Committee has invited Jody Tiller to serve another two-year term in the other Co-Chair position. Monica Hoover accepted the Nominating Committees invitation for another two -year term as Secretary. Vale Core has completed one year of her two-year term as Treasurer.

For information about our Annual Meeting contact Glen Anderson at 491-9093 or [email protected].

OLYMPIAFORS ANNUAL MEETINGAND ELECTIONMONDAYMAY19 FROM 6:30TO 8:30 P.M.

Each year the Western Washington FORs Spring Assemblybrings together grassroots folks from throughout Western

Washington to explore issues, share information, networkwith other peace & justice folks, stimulate local organizing,and lift our spirits.The 2008 Spring Assembly offers new ways to stimulate grassroots participation and to ex-plore practical aspects of cooperation.

Besides offering three workshops in the morning and threein the afternoon, we invite you to propose your own issuegroup in either the morning or afternoon. If youre eager

to discuss a hot issue with other folks (universal health care,Iran, drug laws, or whatever), you can write the topic on asign-up list and post it on the easels where the morning andafternoon workshops are posted. (cont. pg. 7)

LIVINGAND WORKING COOPERATIVELY WESTERN WASH. F.O.R.

SPRING ASSEMBLY- SAT. APRIL 26 IN WEST SEATTLE


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OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

IMPEACHING BUSH & CHENEY: WHATS HAPPENING?

The local Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney (CMIB/C) continues to meet at 7:00 p.m. onalternating Monday evenings in downtown Olympia. For more information contact 491-9093 [email protected]. The December 28th Impeachment Party succeeded in generating new volunteersand new energy. Here are some recent updates:

The websitewww.CitizensImpeach.org has a new webmaster and new information posted.

CMIB/C wrote and distributed resolutions for people of either party to introduce at their precinct caucuses on Satur-day February 9, and a great many were introduced.

Many good letters supporting impeachment have been published in the Olympian.

The two pieces of state legislationHJM 4027 and SJM 8016both failed. State Representative Sam Hunt (D-22nd

Leg. Dist.) refused to hold hearings in the committee he chaired, so HJM 4027 died on Feb. 8. SJM 8016 was passedby its senate committee but died in the Senate Rules Committee, which refused to move it to the floor for a vote.Impeachment supporters worked hard, but the power structure frustrated the will of the people who support im-peachment.

On Feb. 25 the Thurston County Democratic Party Central Committee passed a resolution calling for the impeach-ment of Bush and Cheney. Thurston Countys Central Committee joins several other local party entities in the PugetSound area that have passed such resolutions.

Several times a week during February and March volunteers have gathered at busy intersections to hold signs for im-peachment. Responses from people driving past have been very positive. For upcoming dates, times and places con-tact Janet Jordan at 352-0779 [email protected]

In late January Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) was preparing to submit articles to impeach Bush, as he hasdone regarding Cheney (H.Res.799). Kucinich stopped short because Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), who chairsthe House Judiciary Committee, gave Kucinich the impression that Conyers was getting ready to act. Nothing formalhas come from the House Judiciary Committee since, but committee member Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL)has continued to push for impeachment. The Democratic House leadership continues to frustrate impeachment sup-porters. A great way to track any progress is throughwww.AfterDowningStreet.org

CMIB/C has a big inventory of printed handouts, postcards, DVDs, bumper stickers, 11x7 signs suitable for win-dows of your car or house or office, etc., and seeks opportunities for distributing them. CMIB/C is also looking foropportunities to set up information tables, provide speakers to audiences, and perform other outreach. Contact 491-9093 or [email protected].

Whats the potential for using Law Day (May 1) as an opportunity to call for impeachment because of Bushs andCheneys massive and repeated violations of the rule of law?

On Sat. March 22 volunteers distributed postcards addressed to Congressman Brian Baird (3 rd Cong.Dist.) during themorning peace event on W. 4th Ave, and postcards addressed to Congressman Adam Smith (9 th Cong.Dist.) duringthat afternoons peace events near Lakewood and Fort Lewis.

CMIB/C meetings have included thoughtful discussions of overall strategies too. For example, they have tried to figure outhow to use the concept of tipping point to build a movement that tips over into a society-wide consciousness that im-peachment is necessary.

CMIB/C also recognizes that the problem is not just the Bush/Cheney regime. Nixon committed many crimes, and almostall of his people got away with them, and many more simply did not get caught. Reagan committed even more crimesandmore serious crimesthan Nixon did, and Reagan and his people got away with their crimes! Crimes have escalated furtherunder Bush and Cheney. We need to stop this dangerous trend! Impeachment is a way to hold Bush and Cheney accountableso the next people dont simply pick up where they left off. Impeachment is an institutional firewall! Impeachment is nota partisan matter. Its all about protecting the Constitution and democracy.


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MAY: IMMIGRATION:BRIDGES NOT WALLS

The realities in Iraq go far beyond what we hear in thenews. The Olympia FORs April TCTV program helps us:

See Iraqs human face real people and real experi-ences;

Confront the realities and atrocities of what the U.S.has been doing to Iraqnot just since March 2003, butsince January 1991 and even before; and

Understand nonviolence and nonviolent action moredeeply and more profoundly in the context of Iraq.

Our guests are uniquely qualified to discuss Iraq and non-violence. They share solid information, fascinating stories,and their wise and compassionate insights:

Bert Sacks has been a guest on our TV program severaltimes. Bert has gone to Iraq a number of times to workfor peace and human well-being. After the U.S. govern-ment fined him for bringing humanitarian supplies toIraq in violation of economic sanctions, he turned aroundand sued the U.S. government about the illegal war. Hebrings a vast knowledge of Iraq and a compassionate per-spective that we sorely need. (BertOnIraq.blogspot.com)

Kathy Kelly has extensive first-hand experience performingpeaceful and humanitarian work in Iraq and the MiddleEast, for which she is respected around the world. Kathyco-founded Voices for Creative Nonviolence(www.vcnv.org). Recently she has been coordinating theSeason of Discontent: a Presidential Occupation Project(SoDaPOP), a civil disobedience campaign that callsupon presidential candidates to commit to withdrawingall US troops from Iraq within 100 days of taking office.

Immigrants especiallythose without documenta-tionare being exploited byopportunistic politicians

who pander to racist andxenophobic elements withinour society. Rarely do wehear the personal stories,

experiences and perspectives of the immigrants them-selves.

The Olympia FORs TCTV program for May seeks toshift the anti-immigrant public debate, to build solidarity

with immigrant communities, to challenge current immi-gration policies, and to support human rights in light ofincreasingly inhumane raids by the federal agency Immi-gration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which replacedthe old INS. Let us recognize that immigrant rights arehuman rights.

Well highlight a new local organization, Bridges Not Walls, through which a growing number of compassion-ate advocates of social justice are organizing and provid-ing solidarity.

For more opportunities to learn about immigration andimmigrants, see this newsletters Local Calendar eventsfor April 8, May 1, and May 15-18, and our Out-of-TownCalendar events for April 10-11, April 12, and May 10.More information is at (360) 280-6480 and (360) 539-4825 and at http://oly-wa.us/bridges

APRIL: CREATIVE NONVIOLENCEAND IRAQS HUMAN FACE

For 21 years the Olympia FOR has produced one-hour TV programs on issues related to peace, social jus-tice, economics, the environment, and nonviolence. The Olympia FORs program airs on Thurston Com-munity Television (TCTV), channel 22 for Thurston Countys cable TV subscribers. Each program airsEVERY Monday at 1:30 p.m. and EVERY Thursday at 9:00 p.m. for a full month. This creates manyopportunities to watch each program.


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Olympia FORNEWS - RESOURCES - OPPORTUNITIES

Impeach Bush and Cheney: Hold impeachment signs at street corners: Passing motorists show tremendous support! Dates, loca-tions, and times may vary, so contact Janet Jordan 352-0779 [email protected] Sponsor: Citizens Movement to ImpeachBush/Cheney,www.citizensimpeach.org

Voter-Owned Elections: On March 17 Governor Gregoire signed the Local Option bill recently passed by the Legislature. This

law restores the opportunity for a city, town or county to offer public financing for campaigns for local office if its voters chooseto create such a program. Rich special interests have been exercising too much power over elections. Under a program of Voter-Owned Elections, public financing levels the financial playing field. A candidate who demonstrates support from a minimum num-ber of voters in their district can qualify for public funds to run a primary campaign. In exchange, they agree to campaign spendingceilings, running their campaign only on the public funds provided, and accepting no private funds. This system works well to electstate legislators in Maine and Arizona, supreme court judges in North Carolina, and city council members in Portland, Oregon.Voters and candidates alike find these Clean Election or Voter -Owned Election programs to be very workable and satisfying.More states and localities are considering them. They are affordable to the public, and they stop the spiraling costs of campaigns.They are nonpartisan in design and result. They favor neither incumbents nor challengers. Instead, public financing means electionoutcomes are determined by issues and voters, not by who can raise the most money. More information in our state is available atWashington Public Campaigns, www.washclean.org.

Legislative victories for four environmental priorities: The Olympia FORs December-January issue (page 5) highlightedPriorities for a Healthy Washington, four pieces of legislation that many environmental and other progressive groups were sup-porting. All of them passed! Climate Action & Green Jobs (HB2815) sets responsible limits on climate pollution, sets a path forcreating a green jobs economy, and reduces miles traveled which is a key step given the fact that half of our global warmingpollution comes from cars and trucks. Local Solutions to Global Warming (SB6580) will help local governments make land useand zoning decisions that reduce driving and meet the growing demand for green, walkable communities. Evergreen Cities(HB2844) helps retain and replant trees in urban areas to reduce storm water flooding and pollution. The trees also will absorbCO2 and protect our quality of life. Local Farms - Healthy Kids (SB6483) will make Washington a national leader in the localfood movement by getting more Washington grown produce into our schools and food banks, thus improving childrens healthand creating new and thriving markets for our farmers. These four successes show the power of involving many nonprofit organi-zations in setting priorities and the power of focusing efforts on the top priorities.

Tues April 15: Income Tax Day: Do you want your money spent for war? All across the nation people use April 15 as an oppor-tunity to inform the public about how much of our tax money goes to war and what the government should be doing instead.Will there be a Tax Day event in Olympia? Yes, if you would organize it. What could you and your friends do? Information and

resources are at www.nwtrcc.org and www.wartaxboycott.org/tools.html and www.warresisters.org/flyersThe NationalWar Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee can be phoned toll-free at (800) 269-7464

Iraq Moratorium Ideas and tools: On the third Friday of each month people across the nation are encouraged to organize localparticipation in a nationwide Iraq Moratorium. People can find ways to stop business as usual and devote special time and attentionto stopping the occupation of Iraq. The website www.IraqMoratorium.org offers a pledge signup sheet, postcards related to the4,000thUS troop death, a sample news release, and other resources. Dont expect people in big cities to carry the load for us, be-cause grassroots people live everywhere, and each of us is powerful. Info: (512) 772-4557

Cuba: Now what?Now that Fidel Castro has announced his retirement, its time for theUnited States to retire its Cold War-era Cuba Policy! A variety of peace and solidarity organiza-tions urge people to contact our U.S. House and Senate members and urge them to replaceour policies of sanctions and isolating Cuba with a new approach. We need to join the rest ofthe world and engage with Cuba. We want our rights to travel to Cuba restored. We look for-

ward to the day when we can have normal relations with the government of Cuba and the Cuban people.

Volunteers are needed for TCTV crews and TCTV provides the training: The Olympia FOR relies on volunteer labor to pro-duce our TCTV programs. Sometimes we are short on crew members. Can you help? TCTV provides training, and you can receivethis through the Olympia FORs organizational membership. If you go through the training please notify the Olympia FOR (491-9093 [email protected]) when you are certified for camera, audio, editing, or other functions. Many programs need volunteers todirect from the control room. Info: 956-3100 www.tctv.net If youd like to learn to direct TCTV programs (not necessarily theOlympia FORs, but any program), Carol Burns offers to mentor you to help you develop the skills at directing. Carol is at 86 6-7645 [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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BBUILDINGUILDINGANAN EEFFECTIVEFFECTIVE PPEACEEACE MMOVEMENTOVEMENTThis is the third of a series of articles exploring various ways the peace movement can strengthen itself and become moreeffective. These articles recognize that: (1) The way to win peace and social justice is through grassroots organizing to buildan ever-larger movement of the general public; (2) To win public opinion, nonviolence is both necessary and powerful; (3)

We need to strategize carefully to build this movement through a variety of smart campaigns and activities; and (4) Detailsthat might seem small can mean the difference between success and failure. Each issue of the Olympia FOR newsletter in-

cludes an article related to one of these topics, although not necessarily in this 1-2-3-4 order. Previous articles will soon beposted on our website,www.olyfor.org

EFFECTIVE NONVIOLENT ACTION REQUIRES EMPOWERINGOURSELVESAND REJECTING FEARAND DESPAIR BYGLEN ANDERSON

In every aspect of our society foreign policy, domesticpolicy, economics, environment, human rights, global cli-mate disruption, peak oil, electoral processeseven democ-racy itselfour society is in a severe crisis.Wed be in even

worse crisis if the peace & justice & nonviolence move-ments had not been working hard over the decades to pre-

vent and solve the problems that confront us now.

PPUBLICUBLIC OPINIONOPINION POLLSPOLLS SHOWSHOWTHATTHAT MOSTMOSTAAMERICANSMERICANS THINKTHINK OUROUR COUNTRYCOUNTRY ISISHEADEDHEADED ININTHETHEWRONGWRONGDIRECTIONDIRECTION ::

People want peace but are frustrated that Bush andCongress just keep giving us more war.

People worry about a variety of environmental and cli-mate problems.

People fear that were headed for an economic collapse.

People know that big corporations and an arrogant fed-eral government are undermining democracy.

The list is endless. What serious crises would you add?

How much of the general public carries these fears belowthe level of conscious awareness? How much of the publicis in denial about how serious these problems are? Howmany people feel powerless to solve these problems?

An old saying asserts that power corrupts, but wemust also recognize that powerlessness is even morecorrosive, because people who feel powerless lose the abil-ity to act and lose the ability to solve the problems con-

fronting them.

LLEARNEDEARNED HHELPLESSNESSELPLESSNESS

Psychologist Martin Seligman was experimenting with con-ditioning dogs and got unexpected results. He placed a dogin a box with side-by-side compartments divided by a low

wall. When he ran an electric shock through the floor onone side, the dog jumped to other side. Then he ran theelectricity again, but this time with the dog restrained by a

harness that prevented it from jumping over the low divid-ing wall. After doing this for a while Dr. Seligman removedthe harness and shocked the dog again, but now the dog

would not jump to other side. The dog just cowered in thecorner. The dog had learned to become helpless.

This can happen to us. Terrible things happen in the world (wars, injustices, environmental catastrophesmassive layoffs, etc.), but the governments and otherpowerful entities allow them to continue. When peopletry to solve the problems, the governments and other pow-erful entities stifle our attempts to solve them. Repeatedshocks to us with no way to escape the problems trainus to become helplessto cower in the corner to be-come cynical about democracyto stop tryingto becomeclinically depressedto become passive consumers and TV

viewers. These fatalistic responses make it easier for oppres-sors to grab more power and oppress us further.

People have discovered that Bush, Cheney, Karl Rove, andothers have deliberately tried to make people feel afraid andpowerless. Public feelings of powerlessness have allowedmanipulative politicians to do whatever they want becausethe public felt too powerless to stop them.

At the end of the experiment, Martin Seligman had to actu-ally train the dog how to escape the shocks. Likewise, weneed train the public and our fellow political activists -that we do have power to counteract the political repres-sion. We need to help the public discover and under-stand how to empower ourselves and how to devisesmart, nonviolent strategies so we can turn things

around.This might be a long and difficult struggle - perhaps requir-ing great sacrifices. Many people who want peace and otherprogressive political goals have become discouraged andhave stopped believing that success is possible. As a result,some parts of the peace and progressive movements nowexude pessimism and cynicism. Who would want to join amovement so glum, depressed and pessimistic? No wonderthe peace and progressive movements are not growing as


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People will be able to choose your issue group topic or one of the workshops we have already planned.

The 2008 Spring Assembly will offer many more tables where you can bring informational handouts, petitions, and otherdisplay materials. Please bring information to share! Its a great way to organize and network around issues you care about!

Instead of oral announcements of upcoming events, please bring information to can post on our new AnnouncementWall. You can post information directly or write the basic facts on paper well provide.

Does your FOR chapter have a banner, literature items, or news clippings of your activities? Bring them and let other peoplesee and celebrate!

Well hold our 10th Annual Spring Assembly on Saturday April 26 at the Fauntleroy UCC Church at 9260 California SW inWest Seattle (almost to the Fauntleroy ferry dock).

Well start gathering at 9:00 a.m. so youll have time to post any information, browse the information tables, enjoyrefreshments, and propose an issue group before 9:45. The assembly will start at 10:00 a.m. sharp.

We keep costs low and ask registrants to pay $15 or a sliding scale above or below. We invite people who can afford to givemore to offset the donations of people who can afford less. (The WWFOR can break even by averaging $15 a person.)Thisincludes lunch. What a bargain!

Please fill out and mail the enclosed pre-registration form now. Pre-registering by April 18 willhelp us plan, but please come even if you dont pre-register. Please mark your calendars now forSaturday April 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Its fun to carpool to this kind of event! Carpooling gives people opportunities to connect with peo-ple before and after the event, in addition to saving gas. Carpools to the WWFOR Spring Assemblyare organized through the WWFOR office at 206-789-5565 [email protected] and the Olympia

FOR at (360) 491-9093 [email protected]

WESTERN WASHINGTON F.O.R. SPRING ASSEMBLY- CONTFROMPAGE 1.

EMPOWERING OURSELVESAND REJECTING FEARAND DESPAIR- CONT

compassion and understanding in order to bridge the gaps.This cycle too would become a self-fulfilling prophecy, andthe problem gets solved.

How can we start to connect with people? We typically start by throwing a lot of facts at people. But many people are notyet ready to hear and absorb facts. Perhaps wed find people more able to deal with the hard realities if we were to begin by

asking them what they feel about the world situation. We might acknowledge our own worry about some issues and askwhether they worry about them too. After they feel OK about acknowledging their fears, frustrations, despair, or other feel-ings, perhaps they'd be better able to hear and absorb facts - and join us in working to solve the problem.

CCONCLUSIONONCLUSION

Our community, nation and world do face serious problems. Everybody knows that.

Nonviolence does not sugarcoat the problems that exist. The theory and practice of nonviolence do give us some ground-ing, some confidence, and some methods for dealing with the problems effectively. First steps must include understandingthe problems and rejecting the feelings of fear, powerlessness and despair that paralyze our society.

So rather than begin by assuming that people are apathetic and just dont care, lets assume that people are feeling pain for the worlds problems. Our job is to help people become aware of their feelings, to graciously allow them to express their

feelings, and to help them empower themselves to act constructively - even in small ways - toward solving the problems.Throughout this process we need to treat the other person with compassion rather than in a self-righteous or elitist way.Each of us learns from the other.

Nonviolent action has a tremendous track record of success, as the next installment of this series will show.


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OLYMPIA FORS BIG PICTURE DOCUMENTARYSERIES ON TCTVIn addition to the Olympia FORs TV series of locally produced interview programs (see page 3), we also air thought -provoking docu-mentaries that youre not likely to see elsewhere on TV. Under the series title The Big Picture, Carol Burns finds suitable documenta-ries and arranges to show them on Thurston Community Television ( TCTV channel 22 ) for cable subscribers in Thurston County.

Thanks to Carol for continuing to inform the people! You can watch these programs at 10 p.m. every Sunday evening and 3:30 a.m.every Wednesday and Friday morning for a full month. Info: Carol 866-7645 [email protected]

APRIL: KNOWOURPEOPLE-CONOCERANUESTROPUEBLO

The 9th Community Delegationfrom Santo Tomas, Nicaragua, toOlympia will be in town from April23 to May 13. The Thurston Santo

Tomas Sister County Association(TSTSCA) has been remarkably

strong and successful since its roots in 1986. Know Our

People tells the history of this people-to-people connec-tion. The documentary was made by Carol Burns andTSTSCA in 2003. (One hour, in English and Spanish withEnglish subtitles)

MAY: THESOLDIERSTALE,AFILMBYPENNYALLEN

This film documents an en-counter between an anti-war

American woman and a trau-matized American soldier onleave from Iraq. Horrified at

what he has seen and done inIraq, the soldier talks non-stop

and later sends the womanphotos and videos made by himself and his fellow combatsoldiers. (52 Minutes)

Mothers Day began as a day when women called forpeace. Here is an excerpt from Julia Ward Howes

Mothers Day Proclamation on the first Mothers Day:

Arise, then, women of this day!

Arise all women who have hearts,whether our baptism be that of water or of tears!

Say firmly:

"We will not have great questions answered by

irrelevant agencies.Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking

with carnage,

for caresses and applause.

Our sons shall not betaken from us to unlearn

all that we have been able to teach them

of charity, mercy and patience.

We women of one country,will be too tender of those of another country

to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.

From the bosom of the devastated earth

a voice goes up with our own.It says Disarm, Disarm!

Whose Mommy this is?

FOR ALL OF OUR MOTHERS: A DAY TO PROCLAIM PEACE

LayoutEditorRoberts


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Please mark your calendars now for Thursday May 15 through Sunday May 18 for the Immigration and Border Dialogues Conference,which will be held at the Evergreen State College in Olympia. The conference will bring together speakers from human rights organiza-tions working both in our region and along the US/Mexico border. Presenters and performers join to offer panel discussions, workshops,

theater, art and seminars.Through this conference, we will examine barriers, real or perceived, that divide our communities. Topics will include political and socio-economic status, culture and ethnic heritage, and current immigration policy. Together we will examine current realities faced by undocu-mented migrant workers and refugees. We will discuss inclusive immigration approaches, and encourage the emergence of a more justand humane future.

The conference allows time for participants to build specific strategies to reclaim our common humanity. Using shared values, we willbuild multicultural alliances across class, race, age, gender, national origin and legal status.

Panel Discussion topics include:

Border News, Militarization of the Border, How Border Communities are Building Solidarity, and Why Immigration is a HumanRights Issue

Detention Center Response, The Experiences of Detainees, Dehumanization of Detainees and Immigrants Framework of the politics of faith-based groups working in the new Sanctuary movement in the NW and SW, migration policy, sus-

tainability, bi-national relationships between Mexico and the USA, border crossers from Central America, Death in the Arizona De-sert, Border Art.

Workshops include:

Arab-Muslim Detentions and Community Activism, Potential for Arab-Latino Alliances Collaborative Workshop with Rosalinda Guillen and Maria Cuevas - Women Organizing and Moving Towards Leadership Develop-

ment (this workshop will be presented in Spanish)

Performances Include:

The MamaloguesLocal performance about migration and matrilineal legacies Pablo PeregrinaSinger/Songwriter from the Tucson/Nogales border Rodrigo Duarte ClarkChicano playwright: La VictimaParticipants from the Southwest include Jennifer Allen, Executive Director, Border Action Network. www.borderaction.org . TheBorder Action Network (BAN) works with immigrant and border communities in southern Arizona to ensure that rights are respected,

with human dignity upheld. BAN has a long-term goal of building a human rights movement nationally.

Participants from the Northwest include Rosalinda Guillen and Maria Cuevas Community to Community (C2C) Comunidad a Comu-nidad, Bellingham, WA.www.foodjustice.org . C2C is a women-led, place based, grassroots organization working for a just society andhealthy communities. C2C is committed to systemic change and to creating strategic alliances that strengthen local and global social jus-tice.

A new community group, Bridges Not Walls, is organizing the Conference. We are community members from the South Sound area andbeyond, united in solidarity to build a human rights movement that supports a sustainable future for all.

Please join us in the dialogue. Invite neighbors, church members, and local politicians. These issues (human rights, environmental, eco-nomic) affect us all. Each presence will contribute to the content and outcome of this conference, leading South Sound to action.

For information contact (360) 280-6480 or (360) 539-4825 or http://oly-wa.us/bridges/ or [email protected]

IMMIGRATIONAND BORDERDIALOGUES CONFERENCETHURSDAY-SUNDAYMAY15-18 IN OLYMPIA!

Brown leather glove found after Sat. Dec. 15 Holiday Peace Vigil: Contact the OlympiaFOR (360-491-9093 or [email protected]) to claim it.

Womens black sweaters and womens black leather gloves found after Fri. Dec. 28 Im-

peachment Party: Contact the Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney (360-491-9093or [email protected]) to claim them.


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LOCAL

LOCAL

Now through April 4: TheGround Truth: After the KillingEnds This powerful documentaryfilm reveals the hardships that somemilitary people are facing when theyreturn home from war. The govern-ment does not really support thetroops. Sun. March 30 at 2:30 and7:30, Mon. March 31 at 6:30, Tues

April 1 at 9:00, Wed April 2 at 6:30,Thurs April 3 at 9:00, and Fri April 4 at 6:30. Capitol Thea-ter, 206 5th Ave SE. Olympia Film Society 754-3635www.olyfilm.org

Mon March 31: Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney: Meet with other local folks to plan ambitious ac-tivities to protect our Constitution and democracy fromExecutive Branch abuse! 7:00 pm. in the Mixx-96 meetingroom on the SW corner of State & Washington. Info: 491-

9093 [email protected] www.CitizensImpeach.orgStatewide info: www.WashingtonforImpeachment.org.The most comprehensive site iswww.AfterDowningStreet.org

Tues April 1: Learn aboutthe small Himalayan king-dom of Bhutan, whichmeasures Gross NationalHappiness, not just GrossNational Product: The Capi-tal City Round Table wel-comes Chuck Gibilisco, who

will use songs, stories and colorful photos of its people and

vast biological diversity. He has traveled to Bhutan severaltimes. 1:00 pm at Olympia Timberland Library. Info: BobMarugg 786-8602

Wed April 2: "Better Neighbors: A New Way Forwardfor North America: A Critical Look at the Security andProsperity Partnership (SPP) of North America" If youthink NAFTA is bad, watch out! The SPP is even worse!Global Exchanges experts are on a speaking tour, hostedhere by the Alliance for Democracy. 7:00-9:00 pm at Tradi-tions, 5th& Water SW, in downtown Olympia. Theyll dis-cuss NAFTAs failure as it approaches 15 years, and its

worsening evolution into the Security and Prosperity Part-

nership of North America (SPP). Giant corporations andthe executive officials of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico aremeeting behind closed doors to devise a radical and dan-gerous plan that links economic and security policies. (TheSPP is not a treaty, so Congress is kept out of the loopthis is Bush & the elites making decisions for us.) Tonightspresentation also details the links between bad trade andeconomic polices and the accelerated Mexican migration tothe U.S. A $3 donation is suggested.

Wed April 2: Plan Colombia:Cashing in on the Drug War Fail-ure Watch and discuss this filmand the current Colombia-Venezuelaconflict, 7 pm at Media Island, 816

Adams SE, Olympia. Info: 352-8526

Thurs April 3: Creative Nonvio-lence and Iraqs Human FaceOlympia FORs April TV programfeaturing Kathy Kelly and BertSacks debuts today and runs everyMonday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm andevery Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 pmthrough April 28 on TCTV cablechannel 22 within Thurston County. Info: Glen 491-9093www.olyfor.org

Sat April 5: Glaciers, Bulldozers and Dredgers: Mov-ing and Making Land in Olympia: 10,000 years ago

Budd Inlet was under a glacier. 100 years ago dredging be-gan to make a deeper harbor there. Each situation dramati-cally changed the land. Experts explain and show visualsabout what happened. This is the first in a 4-part series,Whats Up with Budd? Doors open 1 pm for 2 pm event.FREE. Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave SE. Info: Patricia Pyle570-5841 orwww.ci.olympia.wa.us

Sat April 5: Thomas Merton and the ContemplativeArts: Come enjoy this one-day workshop led by VictoriaScarlett and Joseph Anderson exploring Mertons relation-ship with traditional sacred arts (icons and monastic chant),and his own creative work in poetry and the visual arts -

especially photography and brush painting. Youll lookat how his art reflects his spirituality, contemplative vision,and aesthetic sensitivity. 9:45 am to 3:00 pm at the PriorySpirituality Center, 500 College Street NE, Lacey. $65. Bringsack lunch. Register through the Priory Spirituality Center,www.stplacid.org/spirit.html

Sat April 5: Support universal, single-payer health care with the Health Care Coalition of Thurston County:Find out what happened during the 2008 legislative sessionand discuss the future of health care reform at the local andstatewide levels. Buy your own lunch and enjoy this gather-ing in the side meeting room at Plenty! Restaurant, 4th &Columbia SW, from 1 to 3 pm. Info: Linda Sternhill [email protected]

Sun April 6: Discuss Vandana Shiva's initiative for"Earth Democracy" - 7 pm at Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water.

Tues April 8: Restoring America - Glen Andersonspeaks at 1:30 pm to the Democratic Study Group at Pano-rama Citys Quinault basement auditorium in Lacey. Info:491-9093 [email protected]

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Tues April 8: Father Roy Bourgeois talks about theU.S. Army School of the Americas, which trains Latin

American militaries to oppress their populations. Hefounded the School of the Americas Watch, which worksnonviolently to close it down. 7 pm at Traditions Cafe, 5th& Water. Info:www.soaw.org and 705-2819

Tues April 8: Karma Cafe openforum explores life as seenthrough Buddhist/Taoist perspec-tive: This round-table discussion iscasual and allows everyone to sharepersonal viewpoints in an open andnonjudgmental setting. 6-8 pm on the

second Tuesday of each month at the Mud Bay CoffeeMeeting Room (1600 Cooper Pt Rd SW, west of Black LakeBlvd SW, Olympia). Info: 867-9316 [email protected]

Tues April 8: The Roots of Migration: Free Trade,Debt and Survival in Nicaragua: The second most im-

poverished country in the Western Hemisphere, Nicaraguahas struggled for years under the burden of internal andexternal debt. Take a deeper look into the effects of freetrade, debt and immigration on the Nicaraguan people.Hear the story of one remarkable Nicaraguan woman wholives, works, and organizes in a barrio near the Managua citydump. Yamileth Perez, a Nicaraguan community leader who

works with Esperanza en Accion, will share the first-handimpact of free trade and debt and the resulting increase ofmigration and poverty on the people of Nicaragua. Witnessfor Peace Northwest and the Thurston-Santo Tomas SisterCounty Association (TSTSCA) invite the public to this pres-

entation/discussion.7:00 p.m. at Traditions Fair Trade Cafe,5th and Water, Olympia. Professional interpretation(Spanish-English) will be provided. Info: Jean Eberhardt,

TSTSCA, 943-8642 [email protected]

Wed April 9: Interfaith Earth Stew-ardship committee meets 12:00 noonin the library of First Christian Church,7th & Franklin on the second Wednes-day of each month. Info: [email protected]

Wed April 9: Olympia FOR Steer-

ing Committee meets to provide overall guidance anddecision-making. 7:00 pm at Dennis Mills home in NWOlympia. Everyone is welcome to attend. Info: [email protected]

Wed April 9: Climate Change: Past, Present, Futurepresentation by Dr. Patrick Pringle is co-sponsored by In-terfaith Works Earth Stewardship Committee and EarthCare Catholics of Olympia. 7-9 pm at Traditions Cafe, 3005th Ave SW. Another event in the Earth Care Series will

occur on Wed. May 14. Info: 357-7224 www.Interfaith-Works.org

Wed April 9: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace(OMJP) meets from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of activitiesto work for justice and peace everywhere. Olympia Com-munity Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is wel-

come. Info: Larry Mosqueda 867-6513 www.omjp.orgWed April 9: Vigil in Support of Tibetan Rights. Corre-sponding to the arrival of the Olympic Torch in San Fran-cisco. For details: [email protected]

Fri April 11: Heartsparkle Players: Stories of MissedConnection-Playback Theatre is a spontaneous collabora-tion between performers and the audience. People tell mo-ments from their lives, and then watch them re-created withmovement, music and dialogue. Heartsparkle Players is anoutstanding local troupe with a loyal following. Thismonths performance is in collaboration with Hearing Loss

Association of Washington (HLA-WA), a nonprofit organi-zation that opens the world of communication to peoplewith hearing loss by providing information, education, sup-port and advocacy. 7:30 pm at Traditions Caf, 5th & Water.

A $5-$10 donation is suggested, but no one will be turnedaway. Info: Debe Edden 943-6772 [email protected]

Sat April 12: Impeach Bush and Cheney: Info table atOlympia Farmers Market: The Citizens Movement toImpeach Bush/Cheney will staff an info table with printedmaterials, bumper stickers, DVDs, and other resources atthe Olympia Farmers Market at the very north end of Capi-

tol Way, from 10 am to 3 pm. Info: [email protected] andwww.CitizensImpeach.org

Sat April 12: What Are We Doing to Budd? The Story ofPeople and Fish: People have livedon the shorelines of Budd Inlet forthousands of years, using the water-

way for transportation and theabundance of fish and shellfish for

survival. In the last 100 years major changes to the landhave impacted the water quality. Mindy Roberts, Ph.D., En-gineering, Wash. State Dept. of Ecology, explains andshows visuals about what happened. This is the second in a

4-part series, Whats Up with Budd? Doors open 1 pmfor 2 pm event. FREE. Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave SE.Info: Patricia Pyle 570-5841 orwww.ci.olympia.wa.us

Sat April 12: Social event & music to benefit local anti-sweatshop group: For several years the South Sound CleanClothes Campaign (SSCCC) has been organizing and in-forming our community about sweatshops. They have beenhelping the City of Olympia find non-sweatshop alterna-tives for some clothing the city buys its employees. Valerie


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Orth, a Global Exchange worker, got San Francisco topass a comprehensive sweat-free purchasing law. She isalso a touring musician and - with her band - will performan energetic benefit for SSCCC at Traditions Cafe, 5th &

Water, at 8 pm. Each song has its own unique twist offolk, reggae, funk, heavy rock, or even a little trip-hop.Her singing has been described as soulful, genuine andedgy. She will also talk some about anti-sweatshop orga-nizing. Contribute on a sliding-scale basis: you decide howmuch to donate. Info: Dick Meyer, [email protected]

Sat April 12: Jim Hightower- Swim Against The Cur-rent: Even A Dead FishCan Go With The Flow -- Jim Hightower, nationalradio commentator, writer,public speaker, and author ofa forthcoming book (titleabove), will speak at the Capi-tol Theater, 206 5th Ave SE.He has spent three decadesbattling the Powers That Be onbehalf of the Powers That Ought

To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists,small businesses, and just-plain folks. Hightower believesthat the true political spectrum is not right to left but topto bottom, and he has become a leading national voice forthe 80 percent of the public who no longer find them-selves within shouting distance of the Washington and

Wall Street powers at the top. Doors open at 7:00 pm for

this 8:30 pm event (with Q&A following) to benefitKAOS 89.3 FM Community Radio and the Olympia FilmSociety (OFS). $20 general admission ($15 for OFS). Ad-

vance tickets available at Traditions Cafe, Phantom CityRecords, or online at www.buyolympia.com. Ticketsalso at the box office on the night of show. Another op-tion: Attend the preshow reception at Plenty Restaurant(4th & Columbia SW) beginning at 6:00 pm. Limited tick-ets for this special event are $40.00 and only available online at www.buyolympia.com or at Traditions Cafe.

Ticket price for the pre-show reception include, admissionto the evening event, VIP seating, a copy of Jim

Hightower's new book, and delicious snacks provided byPlenty!

Mon April 14: Impeach Bush and Cheney: The Citi-zens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney meets in Room101 of the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW, down-town. Info: 491-9093 [email protected] andwww.CitizensImpeach.org Statewide info:www.WashingtonforImpeachment.org. The mostcomprehensive site iswww.AfterDowningStreet.org

Tues April 15: Income Tax Day: Do you want your money spent for war?Will there be a Tax Day event in Olympia?Yes, if you would organize it. See page 4.

Tues April 15: Interfaith Works - Cele-brate 35 years of good work! Enjoy an-

nual meeting of members: For 35 years InterfaithWorks has helped people of different religious faiths un-derstand and appreciate each other and work togetherfor social justice and community service. Celebrate IWsanniversary, meet old and new friends, enjoy refresh-ments, entertainment, and the brief annual meeting. Visit-ing and light refreshments start at 6:45. Introductions andbrief business start at 7:15, and the celebration and enter-tainment start at 7:45. The United Churches, 11 th & Wash-ington SE. The Olympia FOR is a member of IW. Info:357-7224www.interfaith-works.org

Tues April 15: Protect the separation of church and

state: The local chapter of Americans United for Separa-tion of Church and State meets on the third Tuesday ofeach month from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Olympia UnitarianChurch, 2200 East End Street NW. Go north on Division,left on 20th, and right on East End St. Info: Dennis Man-sker 786-9584 [email protected]

Thurs April 17: Army Colonel Ann Wright (ret.),speaks about dissent and consciencevs. the Iraq war: This former US armycolonel and diplomat resigned her com-mission and her diplomatic job to pro-test the U.S. attack on Iraq. She has cou-

rageously supported Lt. Ehren Watadaand other military personnel who haveprotested the war. She will tell storiesfrom her new book Dissent: Voices of

Conscience, which will be available for purchase. The bookhighlights stories from Agustin Aguayo, Camilo Meija,Katherine Jashinski, and Brandon Hughey. 12 noon and 7pm in Building 26, Room 105 of South Puget SoundCommunity College. Free admission. Presented bySPSCCs progressive student group BRICK and by thePeace Action Network.

Thurs April 17: Sound Alliance Leadership Institute

(Session 1 of 3) helps people organize for the com-mon good: Tonight and on two more Thursday eveningsyou can learn to strengthen your organization and helpyour members engage in public action for the commongood. The Institutes 10 hour of training (session 2 onthe 24th and session 3 on May 1) use the philosophy andpractices developed by the Industrial Areas Foundation(IAF) in over 65 years of organizing experience. Cost ismodest. 5:30-9:00 pm at St. Johns Episcopal Church, 114
http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/blocked::http:/www.buyolympia.com/http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/blocked::http:/www.buyolympia.com/http://webmaila.juno.com/webmail/new/blocked::http:/www.buyolympia.com/


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20th Avenue SE. Info & registration: Rachel da Silva at 206-200-8192 or [email protected]

Fri April 18: Iraq Moratorium occurs on 3 rd Friday ofeach month: The Iraq Moratorium will be an escalatingmonthly series of actions demanding an end to the war.Devote a significant part of today to build the peace move-

ment and show the U.S. government that our troops mustbe brought home, now! Take this pledge: On the third Fri-day of every month, I will break my daily routine and takesome action, by myself or with others, to end the War inIraq. Info and tools are at: www.iraqmoratorium.org

Sun April 20: Veterans for Peace: All veterans and othersare invited to connect and work for peace. 1:30 social time.2:00 pm meeting. Traditions Cafe, 5 th & Water. Info: Jody

Tiller 915-6757 [email protected]

Sun April 20: South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowshiphosts an open meeting. SSBPF includes members of thelocal Buddhist community engaging in the Buddhist path ofright action in regard to working for peace, justice and so-cial change. 3:30-5:00 pm. Location & more info: Robert at357-2825 [email protected] orwww.ssbpf.org

Mon April 21: Communicating to Connect A FreeIntroduction to Nonviolent Communication: Wouldyou like to fill your world with more respect, hope and love

and reduce the criticism, misunderstanding and violence?Liv Monroe offers her popular introduction to NonviolentCommunication, providing specific, immediately usabletools to promote honesty and compassion. NonviolentCommunication (NVC), Marshall Rosenbergs radicalprocess, helps resolve conflicts and reduce criticism, defen-siveness, blame, shame, misunderstandings and violencebetween and within individuals. Join us to see if this fits foryou as a way to increase the worlds supply of respect, integ-rity, trust, cooperation, and love. Mark your calendar now.6:45 to 9:00 pm at Lincoln Elementary School on the cornerof 21st and Washington SE, Olympia. Info: Liv Monroe357-4503www.psncc.org

Tues April 22: Earth Day: Do something meaningful toprotect the earth from the violence being done to it.

Wed April 23: Olympia Movement for Justice andPeace (OMJP) meets from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of

activities to work for justice and peace everywhere. OlympiaCommunity Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is

welcome. Info: Larry Mosqueda 867-6513 www.omjp.org

Wed April 23 through Tues May 13: Nicaraguan guestsare in town! Welcome and interact with four guests fromSanto Tomas, Chontales, Nicaragua, who are brought hereby the Thurston-Santo Tomas Sister County Association(TSTSCA). This is the 9th delegation to come here since1990. Four tomasinos will spend almost three weeks in the

Olympia area engaged in activities relevant to their pro-fessional and community activist lives in Nicaragua. Infoand involvement: Call TSTSCA at 480-8720. Specificevents are listed throughout this calendar. Also see theenclosure that came with this newsletter.

Fri-Sat April 25-26: Kids peace-related art at Arts

Walk: Every year Kristen Dahle, an Olympia FOR Steer-ing Committee member and local school teacher, arrangesfor a local elementary school class to create art on somepeace-related theme for display during Arts Walk. Thisyear 5th graders at Olympic View Elementary Schoolpainted self-portraits that will be displayed with perspec-tive paintings. The art will be displayed in the windows ofBucks Fifth Avenue, 209 5th Ave SE.

Sat April 26: Procession of the Species: Enjoy thisamazing parade at 4:30 pm in downtown Olympia.www.procession.org

Sat April 26: The Thurston-Santo Tomas SisterCounty Association and four guests from our sistercommunity in Nicaragua will watch the Procession ofthe Species from 4:30 to 6 pm from the NW corner ofCapitol and Legion. Come meet the tomasinos as we en-joy Olympia's signature parade.

Sat April 26: Meera Shantis Classical Piano Recitalto benefit the Rachel Corrie Youth and Cultural Cen-ter in Rafah, Palestine: Enjoy the music of Bach, Al-beniz, Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Granados, & Schubert and support a very worthy cause at the same time! With asuggested donation of $10 (but nobody turned away), all

funds will go to the Rachel Corrie Youth and CulturalCenter in Rafah, Palestine. The Center provides creativeand educational opportunities for the children of RafahCity and Rafah refugee camps, and it helps Rafahs iso-lated young peoplebuild relationships

with their peersfrom other coun-tries. Meera Shanti,17, has been playingthe piano since theage of two. 7:30 pm,

The United Churches,

11th & Capitol WayInfo: 352-0506 [email protected]

Sun April 27 (weather permitting): Join with TSTSCAand four guests from Nicaragua for a day of wonder,snow and sledding on Mount Rainier: Leave Olympiaat 8:30 am. Call 943-8642 by Sunday the 20th to reservespace or to offer your car for riders.


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Tues April 29: Death penalty abolition committee ofOlympia FORmeets at 7 pm at a new location: the Mixx-96 meeting room on the first floor at the SW corner ofState and Washington in downtown Olympia. Come andstrengthen the movement to abolish the death penalty.Info : Chuck or Rozanne, 705-8520

Thurs May 1: Immigration: Bridges Not Walls

Olympia FORs May TV program debuts today and runsevery Monday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm and every Thursdayfrom 9:00 to 10:00 pm through May 29 on TCTV cablechannel 22 within Thurston County. Info: Glen 491-9093www.olyfor.org

Thurs May 1 (May Day): Artists Look South:Neighbors and Inmigrantes Enjoy this exhibit hon-oring our relationships around borders and in spite ofborders. Its an evening of solidarity, art, photography andcommunity, 7-9 pm at the Mixx-96 meeting room at the SWcorner of State & Washington. This event and the May 5event are part of the activities of Bridges Not Walls and the

Thurston-Santo Tomas Sister Community Associations 9 thdelegation to our community from Santo Tomas, Chontales,Nicaragua. Info: 753-0942 [email protected]

Fri May 2: Annual May Day Hoe Down for progres-sives:South Puget Sound Community Colleges progressivestudent organization BRICK (Building Revolution by In-creasing Community Knowledge) is hosting its annual MayDay Hoe Down. Hundreds of people - especially progres-sives - from SPSCC and the larger community come toshare information and networking - and to enjoy live blue-grass music, square dancing, free food, and other fun activi-ties. 7 pm at SPSCCs Student Union Building. Info: SaschaFischel-Freeman [email protected]

Sat May 3: Cuando Venga La Paz - When the PeaceComes Potluck dinner with our four visitors fromSanto Tomasat St. Johns Episcopal Church, 20th & Capi-tol Way. Hear perspectives from our sister towns and sisterschools in Nicaragua. The dinner begins at 6:00 pm, with asuggested donation of $15/plate, $7.50 for kids under 12.Info: Jean 943-8642.

Sat May 3: Jim Page & Citizens Band: Long-time activ-ists, street singers, and community supporters Jim Page ofSeattle and Citizens Band of Olympia are here to get us riled

up. They will give us a full evening of social and personalcommentary that zings to the gut as well as to the funnybone. 8:00 pm at Traditions Cafe, 5 th & Water SW. $12 ($8if student or low-income). Info: 705-2819

Sun May 4: CROP Walk to raise moneyto stop hunger: In 2007 local walkersraised $50,000 by asking people to pledge

some amount per mile walked. To volunteer, walk orpledge, call 352-9703 or 357-7224.

Mon May 5: Poets Look South - Enjoy poetry, art, soli-darity and community, 7-9 pm at the Mixx-96 meeting roomat the SW corner of State & Washington. Spoken word andpoetry in the Artists Look South exhibit space, especiallycelebrating the work of Nicaraguan poet/delegate Wilfredo

from the 9th delegation from our sister community, Santo Tomas, Chontales, Nicaragua. Organized by Bridges Not Walls and the Thurston-Santo Tomas Sister CommunityAssociation. Info: 753-0942 [email protected]

Thurs May 8: Carbon Footprints: Olympia and SantoTomas, Nicaragua: Explore climatechange and sustainability issues withdelegates from Nicaragua. Join theMother's Day 1Sky call for bold solu-tions to combat climate change.Great family event! 6:00 pm at Tradi-tions Caf, 300 5th Ave SW Olympia.Info: Beth Doglio 570-8804.

Fri May 9: Heartsparkle Players: Playback Theatre is aspontaneous collaboration between performers and the au-dience. People tell moments from their lives, and then

watch them re-created with movement, music and dialogue.Heartsparkle Players is an outstanding local troupe with aloyal following. 7:30 pm at Traditions Caf, 5 th & Water. A$5-$10 donation is suggested, but no one will be turnedaway. Info: Debe Edden 943-6772 [email protected]

Sat May 10: Dance with our Nicaraguan guests and

others:Join D.J. Bernys from Nicaragua & Olys own D.J.Dalya for "Baile Los Dos Pueblos: salsa, merengue, reggaeton ypop." Join TSTSCA at 7:30 for salsa and merengue lessons,followed at 9:00 by the dance you won't want to miss! Inthe old K-Records 2nd floor space across from Fish BrewPub in downtown Olympia. Enter at 525 Cherry Street. $10

with lessons, $7 from 9:00 on. Info: 943-8642.

Tues May 13: Karma Cafeopen forum explores life asseen through Buddhist/Taoist perspective: This round-table discussion is casual and allows everyone to share per-sonal viewpoints in an open and nonjudgmental setting. 6-8pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the Mud Bay

Coffee Meeting Room (1600 Cooper Pt Rd SW, west ofBlack Lake Blvd SW, Olympia). Info: [email protected]

Wed May 14: Interfaith Earth Stewardship committeemeets 12:00 noon in the library of First Christian Church,7th & Franklin on the second Wednesday of each month.Info: [email protected]

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Wed May 14: ACLU of Thurston County meets in room206 of the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW, downtown.Special presentation by Andy Ko, an expert on the abusesof drug laws, and a viewing of the new video about mari-juana. Info: Heather Francks, [email protected]

Wed May 14: The Global Brain video examines inner spiritual devel-

opment possibly leading to a majorleap in evolution. Co-sponsored byInterfaith Works Earth StewardshipCommittee and Earth Care Catholicsof Olympia. 7-9 pm at Traditions Cafe,300 5th Ave SW. Info: 357-7224www.Interfaith-Works.org

Wed May 14: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace(OMJP) meets from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of activitiesto work for justice and peace everywhere. Olympia Com-munity Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is wel-come. Info: Larry Mosqueda 867-6513 www.omjp.org

Thurs-Sun May 15-18: "Immigration and Border Dia-logues Conference" will examine barriers (real or per-ceived) that divide our communities. Topics will includepolitical and socioeconomic status, culture and ethnic heri-tage, and current immigration policy. Participants will exam-ine current realities faced by migrants and refugees and cre-ate space for a more just and humane future. Enjoy panels,

workshops, and performances. See page 9. The conferenceis organized and sponsored by a new local group, BridgesNot Walls. It will be held at The Evergreen State College inOlympia. Childcare is provided with pre-registration. Infor-mation and forms are at http://oly-wa.us/bridges Info:280-6480 or [email protected]

Fri May 16: Iraq Moratorium occurs on 3 rd Friday ofeach month: The Iraq Moratorium will be an escalatingmonthly series of actions demanding an end to the war.Devote a significant part of today to build the peace move-ment and show the U.S. government that our troops mustbe brought home, now! Take this pledge: On the third Fri-day of every month, I will break my daily routine and takesome action, by myself or with others, to end the War inIraq. Info:www.iraqmoratorium.org

Sun May 18: Veterans for Peace: All veterans and others

are invited to connect and work for peace. 1:30 social time.2:00 pm meeting. Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water. Info: Jody

Tiller 915-6757 [email protected]

Mon May 19: Olympia FORs Annual Meeting &Election: Gather at Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water. If you

want to eat, please place your dinner and drink orders longbefore the kitchen closes at 6 pm. Enjoy social time until6:30. Meeting 6:30-8:30. See page 1. Info: Glen [email protected]

Mon May 19: Deadline for Olympia FORs June-JulyNewsletter: Mail or e-mail articles, news, calendar items,etc., before this date if possible, or slightly past this date forlate-breaking news. Contact Glen 491-9093 [email protected]

Tues May 20: Protect the separation of church andstate: The local chapter of Americans United for Separationof Church and State meets on the third Tuesday of each

month from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Olympia Unitarian Church,2200 East End Street NW. Go north on Division, left on20th, and right on East End St. Info: Dennis Mansker 786-9584 [email protected]

Tues May 27: Death penalty abolition committee ofOlympia FORmeets at 7 pm at a new location: the Mixx-96 meeting room on the first floor at the SW corner of Stateand Washington in downtown Olympia. Come andstrengthen the movement to abolish the death penalty. Infoand location: Chuck or Rozanne, 705-8520

Wed May 28: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace

(OMJP) meets from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of activitiesto work for justice and peace everywhere. Olympia Com-munity Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is wel-come. Info: Larry Mosqueda 867-6513 www.omjp.org

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Outside Thurston County

FOR-sponsored events have abefore them

Hundreds of events and activities (mostly in the Seattle area) arelisted at Jean Buskins calendar at www.scn.org/activism/calendar. Shell e-mail it to you regularly if you request it [email protected] and specify text and/or RTF format.

Every Saturday: Peace Vigil in Centralia: 12 noon to 1pm on the edge of Washington Park at Locust & Pearl indowntown Centralia. Sponsor: Fire Mountain FOR. Info:Karen Kirkwood 360-767-0161 or June Butler 360-748-9658

Every Saturday: People for Peace Justice and Healing(PPJH) meets 10 am to 12 noon at Associated Ministries,1224 S. I St., Tacoma to plan local peace activities.www.associatedministries.org/pages/directions.htm

Every Saturday: Peace Vigil in Tacoma: 12:30-1:30 pmin front of Borders Books at 38 th & Steele. Sponsor: Unitedfor Peace of Pierce County, www.ufppc.org

Thurs April 3: Hans vonSponeck: A Peace Plan forIraq Hans von Sponeck, for-

mer Assistant Secretary Generalof the United Nations, served theUN for over 30 years. In 2000, inprotest of the economic sanctions,he resigned his post as UN Hu-manitarian Coordinator in Iraq.Since that time, he has workedcontinuously to bring peace and

justice to the Iraqi people. He comes to Seattle to presentthe Plan for Peace that has been circulating in Europe and

will now be told in the Northwest. Sponsored by many highquality sponsoring groups, including Seattles United Na-

tions Association and the Western Washington FOR. Eve-ryone welcome! Free admission, but a free-will offering willbe collected to cover costs. 7:00 pm at University TempleUnited Methodist Church, 1415 NE 43rd Street, Seattle.Info: 425-488-9965

Mon April 7: Let Me Stand Alone - The Journals ofRachel Corrie: Reading, Q&A, book signing with Cindyand Craig Corrie along with Special Guest Readers. Town

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Hall, 1119 8th Ave, Seattle. Info: University Bookstore, 206-634-3400

Tues April 8: Hope in the Midst ofHopelessness seminar led by Mar-garet Wheatley: How do we main-tain our courage, conviction, and clar-

ity as the darkness deepens around us?How do we learn from others whoconfronted dark times and foundmeaning and purpose? Participants inthis seminar will consider these ques-tions in honest inquiry. Dr. Margaret

Wheatley (global citizen, consultant, author) will lead theseminar and invite participants to attend to the quality oftheir relationships and the strength of their community.Sponsor: Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL) ofPuget Sound, a sponsored ministry of the Oregon Provinceof Jesuits. 7-9 pm at Piggott Auditorium, Seattle University.

Cost: $40. Register online at www.seelpugetsound.org(limited tickets at the door).

Tues April 8: Strip the Rich Right Down to theirShirts: St. John the Almsgiver and the Transformationof the City - public lecture by Brenda Ihssen, professorof religion, 7:30 p.m. in Xavier Hall Room 201, Pacific Lu-theran University, at south end of Tacoma.www.plu.edu

Wed April 9: Washington State Nonprofit Conference:For the past 13 years this one-day conference has gatherednonprofit community leaders, supporters, and board mem-bers to explore how to strengthen the nonprofit sector.Connect with more than 500 nonprofit and community

leaders from a wide variety of organizations and positionsstatewide. Enjoy 21 cutting edge sessions led by respectedcommunity leaders; open space room; nationally renownedkeynote speakers; more exhibitors and vendors; and theever-famous free latte cart! 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at Mey-denbauer Center, near I-405 in downtown Bellevue. Severalprominent sponsors. $175. Info: [email protected] ,or 206-328-3836

Thurs-Fri April 10-11: He Loves Me, He Loves MeNot: Men's Role In Ending Violence Against Women

a conference sponsored by Pacific Lutheran UniversityWomen's Center & Men Against Violence. This conferencewill showcase best practice models for effectively engagingcommunities in addressing violence against women. One offew conferences like it in the nation, professionals, collegeand university staff, faculty and students from all over thecountry will attend. PLU is at the south end of Tacoma.Info: Bobbi Hughes, Director of PLUs Women's Center,253-535-8759 [email protected]


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Fri-Sat April 11-12: Immigration/labor/human rightsconferenceat The Evergreen State Colleges Tacoma cam-pus (1210 6th Ave) will bring a variety of workers togetherto explore issues and empowerment. The Assembly is for

workers to talk to one another about immigration, how itaffects working families in all of our communities, and what

we can do to stop exploitation on the job and in the streets.How can immigrant communities and their supportersrespond to ICE raids? How can we overcome stereotypesand myths about each others communities to create astronger power base and solidarity? Friday 4:30-8:00 pmand Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Sponsor: TESCsLabor Center. Info: Juan Jos Bocanegra 360-867-5524 or360-650-2106 [email protected]

Fri-Sun April 11-13: Veterans for Peace Northwest Con-ference: 4 pm Friday to 2 pm Sunday at First UnitarianChurch, 1011 SW 12th Ave, Portland, OR Meals will beincluded in conference fee. Info: www.vfpchapter72.org/

regional08.htmFri-Sat April 11-12: Healing Our Planet Earth: Singing A New Song of Hope: This national conference focuseson the web of relationships between faith, justice and theenvironment. People from all faith and spiritual traditionsand environmental communities will come together tolearn, share, inspire and seed plans for sustainable action,and a global sustainable future. Hear speakers. Explore hotissues and activities. Discover how to help your church,place of ministry, or work, integrate eco-justice into yourmission and ministry. St. Margarets Episcopal Church,4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue. The $80 registration cov-

ers lunch, snacks, and materials to take home. Info & regis-tration: www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=151535.Scholarship assistance is available at [email protected]

April 11-15: The Dalai Lama speaks in Seattle severaltimes during the Seeds of Compassion gathering, whichseeks to nurture kindness and compassion in the world,starting with children and all those who touch their lives.

The Seeds of Compassion gathering will connect scien-tists, educators, governments, businesses and schools withthe scientific research, evidence-based programs, tools andstrategies to build the foundations of learning and compas-sion in children and youth. It will create a community of

activists from many sectors who will work together to builda compassion movement that will extend far into the future.Several events in several places - typically with free admis-sion, but tickets are needed. Tickets and info:www.seedsofcompassion.org

Sat April 12: Fire Mountain FOR meets 10:00 am to12:00 noon at Centralia Public Library, just before their 12noon peace vigil. Please bring finger food to share at the

meeting. Info: Karen Kirkwood 360-767-0161 [email protected]

Sat April 12 (and every 2nd Saturday): Vigil for Hu-man Rights at the NW Immigrant Detention Cen-ter: Community to Community Development invitesall social justice, faith, labor and community groups to

vigil peacefully from 11 am to 4 pm on the second Sat-urday of each month at the privately-run NorthwestDetention Center in the industrial area near Tacomastide flats. As the US governments Immigration andCustoms Enforcement (ICE) clamps down on immi-grants, people are coming together protect their humanrights. Come with signs that show support for immi-grant workers inside and outside this modern day con-centration camp. Consider bringing coffee, water andbaked goods or sandwiches for families visiting theirdetained relatives inside. Stay and learn how to get in-

volved with the growing immigrant rights network the

region! (From Olympia, go north on I-5 to Tacoma,take the right-lane I-705 exit north, take the left laneexit toward City Center and Tacoma Dome. Take the E26th St. exit, turn right onto E 26 th, turn left onto E DSt., which becomes E. 15th St. Turn right onto E. J St.and end at 1623 E. J St.) Info: 360-381-0293 [email protected]

Sat-Sun April 12-13: Seattle Green Festival: Cele-brate whats working in your community at thisfirst annual event! Enjoy 150 visionary speakers and300 green exhibits on a great variety of topics - fromsustainable food and strong local economies to greenbuilding and youth in action. Speakers include BillyFrank, Jr., Frances Moore Lapp, John Perkins, DavidKorten, Kevin Danaher, Medea Benjamin, Gifford Pin-chot III, Riane Eisler, Thom Hartman, Vicki Robin,

John DeGraaf and many more. Washington State Con- vention Center 800 Convention Place, Level 4, indowntown Seattle. www.greenfestivals.org All-

inclusive entry: $15 ($10 at the door for seniors, busand bike riders, union members and students. Childrenunder 12 and volunteers are free. Register atwww.greenfestivals.org

Mon-Wed April 14-16: The unMoney Convergencean interactive (un)conference (www.unconference.net)in Seattle on the systemic transformation of money andits connection to the social transformation of theplanet as a whole. Everyone who comes is welcome to
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present. (The format will be 80% open space technol-ogy - (http://unmoney.wik.is ) The convergence willsupport an inclusive conversation and will explore po-tential for collaboration among people engaged in dif-ferent efforts from the edge of the conventional to

very experimental. This includes social venture and

entrepreneurship, micro-credit, slow money, comple-mentary currencies, open money, ecological account-ing, monetary systems theory, value network mapping,barter networks etc. Hazel Henderson will speak. Info:http://unmoney.wik.is &[email protected]

Sun April 20: Tacoma FORenjoys a 3:00 businessmeeting, 4:00 program, and 5:00 potluck at the TacomaFriends Meeting House (Hillside Community Church),2508 S 39th St., Tacoma. Info: David Lambert 253-759-2280 or Vivi Bartron 253-572-4912

Sun April 20: Seattle FOR: Join the Seattle FORsmonthly gathering (5 pm finger-food potluck, 6 pmannouncements, 6:30 - 8 pm program) at WoodlandPark Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th (on PhinneyRidge near Greenwood Ave N), Seattle. Free, but do-nations will support peace activism. Info: 206-789-5565

Fri April 25: Joanna Macy & David Korten:Finding Our Power inthe Great Turning - Jo-anna Macy and DavidKorten will engage in a con-

versation about their senseof where we are in time and

what they see happening.(NOTE: This is not an in-troductory event to David

Kortens work; participants are encouraged to be famil-iar with Davids book The Great Turning.). Musicprogram begins at 7 pm. Seattle Unity Church, 288 8 th

Ave N (near Denny, off Mercer exit), Seattle. Direc-tions at www.SeattleUnity.org Tickets $10 advance atBrown Paper Tickets(www.brownpapertickets.com/event/26825 ) or $15at the door.

Sat April 26: Living and Working Coopera-

tively - the Western Washington FOR Spring As-sembly: Join with FOR folks and others in our regionto explore issues and activism based on nonviolenceand cooperation. A great opportunity for issue-basednetworking, information-sharing, and movement-building! Arrive 9:00-10:00 am. The Spring Assemblystartspromptly at 10:00 am and ends at or before 4:00pm in West Seattle. Sliding scale around $15 includeslunch. Carpooling from Olympia. See page 1 and the

enclosure with this newsletter and with the March-Aprilissue of the WWFORs Pacific Call newsletter. It isposted at www.scn.org/wwfor or www.wwfor.org Infoand carpooling: 491-9093 in Olympia or 206-789-5565 inSeattle.

Sat May 10 (and every 2nd Saturday): Vigil for Human

Rights at the NW Immigrant Detention Center inTacoma: (See description for Sat. April 12.)

Sat May 10: Fire Mountain FOR meets 10:00 amto 12:00 noon at Centralia Public Library, just beforetheir 12 noon peace vigil. Please bring finger food toshare at the meeting. Info: Karen Kirkwood 360-767-0161 [email protected]

Sat May 10: A World Without Trident Creates Hope for theChildren - Nonviolent gather-ing & action at Trident nu-

clear submarine basein Kitsap County.Gather 8:30 am. Info will be posted at

www.gzcenter.org

Sun May 18: Tacoma FORenjoys a 3:00 pm businessmeeting, 4:00 pm program, and 5:00 pm potluck. TacomaFriends Meeting House (Hillside Community Church),2508 S. 39th St., Tacoma, just west of Borders Bookstoreon 38th St. near the Tacoma Mall. Info: David Lambert253-759-2280 or Vivi Bartron 253-572-4912

Sun May 18: Seattle FOR: Join the Seattle FORsmonthly gathering (5 pm finger-food potluck, 6 pm an-

nouncements, 6:30 - 8 pm program) at Woodland ParkPresbyterian Church, 225 N 70th (on Phinney Ridge nearGreenwood Ave N), Seattle. Free, but donations will sup-port peace activism. Info: 206-789-5565

Tues April 22: Earth Day: Do some-thing meaningful to protect the earthfrom the violence being done to it.

Thurs-Sun July 3-6: Fellowship of Reconciliations50th Annual Regional Conference at Seabeck in KitsapCounty: Mark your calendars now to reserve Thursday

afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Look for informa-tion in April. Info: 491-9093 in Olympia

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Office location and Newsletter:5015 15th Ave SE, Lacey WA 98503

(360) 491-9093, [email protected] Donations:P.O. Box 7273Olympia WA 98507-7273

To place items in the upcoming newsletter, please mailor e-mail by the 19th of odd numbered months.Newsletters will be mailed near the beginning of evennumbered months.

Content Editor: Glen Anderson(360) 491-9093, [email protected]

Layout Editor: Robert Lovitt

Our feelings wont be hurt! We are happy to send our newsletter to anyone whowants it. We also realize that some people who once

wanted our newsletter might later decide that theyno longer want to receive it. If you would like to be

removed from our mailing list please notify us at(360) 491-9093 or [email protected]

Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation5015 15th Ave. SELacey, WA 98503

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage Paid

Olympia, WAPermit #162

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Some folks are feeling guilty because they have not been asactive lately as they think they should. Dont worry about it-youve been granted amnesty! Spring is here, so now isa good time to:

- Start vigiling for peace again on Wednesdays from 12noon to 1 pm in the NW corner of Sylvester Park andon Fridays from 4:30 to 6 pm at the south end of Per-cival Landing. (Weve been quite short-handed on Fridayslately, so we really need you!)

- Share your thoughts with newspaper readers by writing aletter to the editor.

- Mail that contribution youve been thinking about sendingto Olympia FOR, PO Box 7273, Olympia WA 98507

- Come to one of the great events in our newsletter andinvite a friend to carpool with you.

Yeah! Thats the spirit! Amnesty and renewed activism arethe remedies for the winter blahs and inactivity guilt. Thearticle on page 5 can also help with this.See you soon!

april-may 2008 olympia fellowship of reconciliation newsletter

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