PACIFIC CALL January-February 2006

Web edition at: www.scn.org/wwfor (may include articles and links that couldn’t fit into the print version).

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Expressions from Ellen Ellen Finkelstein

I watched "Paper Clips" over the holidays. A recently released DVD, it’s about Whitwell Middle School in Tennessee whose students began a project studying the Holocaust as a way to learn about intolerance and diversity. They decided to collect paper clips (invented by Norwegians and used as a symbol of solidarity against the Nazis) to try to fathom the vast number of victims. Word spread online and through media, and paper clips and stories poured in from around the world. The project changed the lives of the students and the town and touched thousands, including Holocaust survivors and their descendants. What began as a small act in a classroom had ripples far beyond it – into the hearts and lives and actions of many.

It got me thinking about what small act each of us might take in the new year – one small thing I might do for peace and justice that could enrich my life and that might, ultimately ripple beyond. Many of us do a lot already, but is there one small thing that might make a difference? Maybe it’s attending the Seattle Chapter January 15 program with Marion Ward on her recent trip to Iran (see article), so I can better talk with others about this flashpoint. Can I get someone who wouldn’t normally go to accompany me? Or plan to host Marion in my community? Or maybe I can commit to Olympia’s 3-day FOR Nonviolence Training in February (see article) to explore the power of nonviolence more – or to organize training in my community following the March training for trainers to spread that message.

Or perhaps I can write one letter a month to an official about the war in Iraq. There are people, including members of SNOW, who are launching a concerted effort to move Senator Maria Cantwell. My voice would be added to a chorus. Or maybe I will write a letter to the editor of my local paper about surveillance and freedom. If I write each month on the date of my birth (the 22^nd), and get a small group of friends or my FOR chapter to do the same, that would create a steady stream of voices. Maybe I can renew my efforts to reduce my dependence on fossil fuels in my everyday choices, in my community, in the state, and world. Or listen to one person talk about their life, or add a tool to be sent to those working to rebuild the Gulf Coast, or spend some time at Tent City. It won’t change the world all at once, but each piece is part of that larger puzzle. I can find one small thing to do today.

Notes from the WWFOR Fall Retreat "Creating Common Good in Challenging Times" are now available online: www.scn.org/wwfor/fallretreat2005.htm

Special thanks to Chuck Rinehart for building a new bookcase to make access to WWFOR’s resources more user-friendly. Seattle-area volunteers needed to help catalogue books and videos so even more people can benefit.
Ellen Finkelstein, WWFOR Organizer 206-789-5565

Dr. Joy Leary on Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS), Human Rights Day, Seattle Material from the Seattle FOR Racial Justice Committee

Dr. Joy Leary, author of "American Legacy: Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome" spoke on Dec 8 at the 10th annual Human Rights Day Celebration "Race in America: From Hate to Healing" at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Seattle. The Seattle Office for Civil Rights, the Seattle Human Rights Commission and the United Nations Association-Seattle presented the event. Several Seattle FOR members attended.

Dr. Leary is author of "American Legacy: Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome". She described how modern trauma theory is widely accepted in explaining war-based Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) and can be applied to other trauma situations. PTSD brings nightmares and flashbacks, irritability, exaggerated startle responses, and difficulties in relating to family, employment and parenting. Similarly, we recognize that trauma experiences can be shared and transmitted collectively, as with the survivors of the Holocaust and their descendants, and for many indigenous peoples whose cultures and populations were destroyed by oppressors.

The same principles, applied to the African-American slavery experience and its ongoing effects, support a theory of Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS). Traumatic experiences of brutality – including beatings, rape, murder, abuse and denial of basic humanity – are recounted from generation to generation. Left untreated, and in a national culture that still exhibits oppression and inequality, those experiences encourage an atmosphere of despair in which, for example, children’s talents are intentionally downplayed because of a tradition of protecting them from being visible (and desirable) to outsiders. You can find much more about PTSS in Dr. Leary’s extensive writings, and on the web. She is a professor of social work at Portland State University.

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From sharing office space to continued financial support, FOR members have and continue to be critical to Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center.

Since 1998, SDMCC has been involved with the GI Rights Hotline, a partnership of regional and national organizations providing counseling and information on the Delayed Entry Program, conscientious objection, discharges and service members' rights to active duty GIs as well as their supporters. We also refer people to legal help and to Congressional military caseworkers. In 2004 we fielded over 800 calls from GIs seeking help. Currently we have six counselors, three of whom are veterans. This winter we plan to add live, drop-in counseling in Bremerton, Everett and Tacoma. This exciting expansion will let us reach more soldiers and sailors. We coordinate with other groups such as AFSC on how to best meet needs in Seattle and in the region.

All SDMCC members are volunteers. We provide a free service at 206-789-2751, but the Hotline and SDMCC must pay for phone service, mailings and materials to meet an urgent demand for accurate information that is often otherwise not available to GIs. We need your support. We are always looking for new volunteers to table at events, put up posters, accompany counselors on visits (we always do this in pairs), to directly do counseling, etc. Contact Alex Bacon 206-214-8823 info@sdmcc.org. Donations to Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center, P.O. Box 25681 Seattle 98165 are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Wenatchee Valley FOR Speaks Out Nancy Jarmin

In November we were unpleasantly surprised to learn that St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Wenatchee arranged a visit from Oliver North. Hailed in our local paper and on billboards as "An American Hero", North was keynote speaker at a fundraiser for construction of a new church school. Many local people remember North's record:

* Sold missiles to Iran after Congress prohibited sales

* Skimmed arms sales profits to run guns to Contras

* Paid known drug runners to run guns into Nicaragua

* Funded terrorist attacks against Nicaragua’s democratically elected government

* Lied to Congress, illegally shredded documents

* Was indicted on 16 felony counts and convicted of three felonies (overturned on a technicality)

Wenatchee Valley FOR members and others wrote letters to the local paper, called and met with the pastor of St. Paul's, contributed to a newspaper ad that provided the above listed information and, with signs and banners joined over 100 truth-tellers to ring Wenatchee Convention Center the night North spoke. In front of the Convention Center, as late arrivals walked toward the entrance, WVFOR member Carl Florea used a PA mike to describe the horrors he and his wife witnessed when they served with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Nicaragua during the Contras' reign of terror.

Peggy Love made her second annual trip to School Of the Americas (now "WHISC") this fall, returning home even more committed than before to exposing what SOA is and does in perpetuating human rights abuse in Latin America.

Our Wednesday night vigils for peace continue despite frigid winter weather. With signs and candles, our warmly dressed folks stand along Highway 2 in Leavenworth and on the busy corner of Orondo and Chelan in Wenatchee for 45 minutes every Wednesday from 5:30 - 6:15 pm. Often people stop to ask questions, sometimes to join the vigil and to thank all who speak out for peace and justice for all God's children.

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Stevens County FOR Bruce and Janis Pruitt-Hamm 509-685-1230(day) 738-4962(eves)

We meet from 6:30-8:30 pm, the second Sunday of each month at First Congregational Church in Colville. Recently we invited guest speakers from a local evangelical "Vineyard" church to share and discuss with us why evangelicals, by and large, support the war in Iraq when it has been condemned by so many other Christian denominations. We wanted to listen, not persuade; to understand, not preach. The meeting was well attended and discussion was tightly facilitated. The depth of feeling and insight experienced by attendees was a direct result of the generosity of spirit and incredible vulnerability of those who shared, notably our guests. The sense of camaraderie at the close of the meeting was well expressed in the common sentiment to "do it again." We are discussing various follow up events and our guests are interested in joining or working with our local FOR group in the future.

In December we had a fruitful and enlightening discussion of the concept of "nonviolent war", stimulated by the thinking of Gene Sharp, who advocates this as more apt than "conflict resolution". A webcast interview of Gene is at http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2002/11/20021126_a_main.asp.

In Nov and Dec we formed an "Affiliated Organization" called CARE (Conflict And Resolution Education) to promote education and training to children, young adults and their caregivers (parents and teachers) in nonviolent conflict resolution. Working with Rural Resources, a local community service nonprofit, its domestic violence program (The Family Support Center) and its children’s advocacy center (Kid’s First), we obtained a grant from the UW Parenting Leadership Network to work with parents and students in the schools on nonviolent conflict resolution programs. Two of our members are Certified Domestic Violence Treatment Providers who provide treatment for domestic violence perpetrators. Two others are Certified Mediators who have trained judges, and mental health professionals. School personnel received us warmly. We’re actively preparing programs in parent training, anti-bullying, student mediation and conflict resolution.

In March we are bringing Dr. Edith Eger, Holocaust survivor and mental health practitioner, to speak to the community and to the local high school on "Reconciliation". The school plans to have her speak to the entire school body. Whitworth College is generously funding Dr. Eger’s visit.

We are planning to again join the Stevens County Bar Association in holding a mock trial of the newly formed International Criminal Court, in the local high school, involving high school students as the prosecution and defense.

Friendship Delegation Visits Iran Marion Ward

FOR friendship delegation with Morris Mottaned, Jewish member of Parliament, at Jewish Synagogue in Tehran.

An FOR delegation of 18 people traveled to Iran on a fact-finding, friendship mission during 12 days in December. The delegation included Pat Clark (FOR Executive Director), Clemens Ronnefeldt (FOR Germany), a human rights attorney from Puerto Rico, two fluent Farsi speakers and two clergy persons. All members of the delegation were exceptionally well traveled and extremely knowledgeable about the Middle East. Members from the Pacific Northwest in the delegation, in addition to me, were three women from Salem, OR. Trip reports and photos are available at www.forusa.org.

Ordinary Iranians are fond of Americans and want to get to know them. They are dismayed at the increasing tension between the two nations. Members of the delegation were awed by the friendliness of the Iranian children and adults they met on the street as well as in more formal meetings. The Iranian people all said that they differentiated between the American government and the people of the U.S. although several said that this is becoming more difficult to do.

It would be a gross mistake to consider Iran a third world country. People are well educated with mandatory education from the age of 7 to the age of 15. Students attend school six days a week. There is a sound infrastructure with good roads, bridges, buildings, etc. Tap water is safe for drinking. Food is plentiful and wonderful. I did not see any hungry or homeless people although we were not taken to Southern Tehran where we understood some of the poorest people live. There was no evidence of U.S. companies anywhere. I spent 12 days without seeing a single McDonalds, Jack in the Box or Burger King! Satellite dishes are illegal; yet between 20%-30% of the people have them in their homes. While we were having lunch in the home of a family in Tehran, the television was tuned to one of the four Iranian stations from Los Angeles! There are four newspapers published daily in English in Tehran. People are well informed about world events.

Although Shariah law is in effect, we did not experience the repression it is said to represent. Women are fully represented in all facets of Iranian life and constitute 60% of the University students. Three minority religions are recognized (Zoroastrian, Judaism, Christianity) and are allowed to function provided they do not try to convert Muslims to their faiths and do not speak unfavorably about the government. It should be remembered, however, that the B’hais were persecuted and have left the country.

The historical importance of the former Persian empire and its contributions to the world of art, architecture and other disciplines are vastly under-appreciated in contemporary Western culture. The delegation had the opportunity to appreciate this Indo-European country, its hospitable people, and its significant gifts to the rest of the world.

A second FOR delegation will visit Iran in late April. Marion Ward (360-883-5942 mjward1@comcast.net) is active with Vancouver for Peace and Portland Veterans for Peace.

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Explore the power of nonviolence – both within your own life and in organizing for peace and social justice – during an intensive weekend workshop. The Olympia FOR is bringing two out-of-state trainers to conduct the national FOR’s curriculum, "Creating a Culture of Peace: Nonviolence Training for Personal and Social Change." Please apply only if you can attend all sessions (Fri. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sun. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The weekend is limited to 30 participants. We expect many applicants. Register soon!

Strong preference will be given for persons who want to organize nonviolently from the grassroots and are willing to return three weeks later (Mar 16-19) for special training to conduct this workshop for additional people in the future. A sliding scale ranging from $20 to $300 should cover all costs, including food, if the average donation is $120. Out-of-towners may stay overnight in local members’ homes. Full info and the application form is at the Olympia FOR website, www.olyfor.org. For more details contact Jody Tiller at 360-956-7231 being-peaceful@changetheworld.org or Glen Anderson at Olympia FOR, 360-491-9093 info@olyfor.org.

More than 120 Attend Olympia Vigil

Olympia FOR’s annual Sylvester Landing peace vigil was on Dec 17. For info on our many projects go to www.olyfor.org

You’ll find short, to-the-point articles about peace and justice events and issues, especially from the perspective of high school and college FOR members, plus news from Centralia-Chehalis and all of Lewis County, in the Fire Mountain FOR monthly newsletter. The December issue included info about Counter Recruitment. To sign up for on-line delivery, send an email to Newt at newt@nbtsc.org If you don’t have email, find a friend who does and have them sign up for you. You’ll both enjoy the timely articles! Reach Larry Kerschner peacepoet@gmail.com, June Butler 360-748-9658, or Janice Orcutt 360-291-3109 for more info.

Still waging peace all over! Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War Puget Sound & beyond http://www.snowCoalition.org, Olympia plus http://www.OlyFOR.org, Seattle plus http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar, Bellingham http://www.bellinghampeace.org Tacoma http://www.tacomapjh.org, Tri-Cities http://www.tcfn.org/wcp

Ongoing Wednesdays, noon - 1 p.m., NW corner of Sylvester Park, corner of Legion & Capitol Way, Olympia, Peace Vigil, come for all or part of the hour to sustain Olympia *FOR’s* persistent (every week for over 25 years) witness for peace and nonviolence; bring signs or use ours; info Glen 360-491-9093

Ongoing 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 5:15 - 6:15 pm, on Pacific Ave. & S. 19th St. at Union Station, Tacoma; Tacoma Women in Black's Vigil for Peace; No signs please. info Alison 253-678-7053 or arboreal@speakeasy.org

Ongoing Thursdays, 9 p.m. & Mondays 1:30 p.m., TCTV channel 22 in Thurston County, Olympia *FOR* TV monthly program Jan "Religious Faith and Public Policy" Feb "A Conversation with Gandhi", info Glen 360-491-9093 or http://www.olyfor.org

Ongoing Thursdays; 5 - 6 p.m., near the Westlake Park arch at 4th and Pine, downtown Seattle; Peace Vigil and leafleting by Women in Black, a group in the tradition of the women who vigil weekly in Israel / Palestine, info 206-208-9715

Ongoing Fridays, 4 - 5 p.m., in front of the Bellingham Federal Building; join Bellingham *FOR* members and others in the Whatcom Peace Vigil followed by open discussion at Port of Subs, 5:15 - 6:15 p.m., info 360-738-9205

Ongoing Fridays, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., south end of Percival Landing, W 4th & Water, Olympia; Please join Olympia *FOR* in this very friendly peace vigil for all or part of this time. Signs provided or bring your own. info 360-491-9093

Ongoing Fridays, 5 - 6 p.m., on the south side of W. 4th Ave. at Water St. near the fountain, Olympia; Women in Black Silent Vigil for Peace. Signs provided. A network committed to peace since 1988. info Cynthia 360-352-4891 or pru4444@hctc.com

Ongoing Saturdays, noon - 1 p.m., along Pearl St. at Locust, along Washington Park in front of library in Centralia; 3-year old Vigil with focus on Peace and Education by Fire Mountain *FOR*; info June 360-748-9658 or Larry 360-291-3946

Ongoing Sundays, 12:30 -1:30 p.m., at the Brackett's Landing sign, Main Street and Railroad Avenue, in downtown Edmonds; Snohomish County Women In Black, Silent Vigil For Peace; Everyone is welcome. info Beth Burrows beb@igc.org

Ongoing Sundays, 2 p.m., at Greenlake, East Greenlake Way N near N 63rd, Seattle; Peace Vigil, all peaceful people invited, bring signs, leaflets, and your friends and dogs, info greenlakepeacevigil@hotmail.com

Ongoing Sundays, 10 p.m., on TCTV channel 22 in Thurston County; Olympia *FOR* sponsors documentaries on peace and social justice, Jan "The Oil Factor" looks at Bush's current wars in the context of oil. info Carol 360-866-7645 or carolburns98@comcast.net

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Fri Jan 6, 7 p.m., Wesley Terrace, lower level, 816 S. 216th, Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting with Glen Anderson on the Death Penalty, info Marion 206-870-4139

Sat Jan 7, 3 p.m., & subsequent 1st Saturdays, Keystone Cong. Ch., 5019 Keystone Pl. N, Seattle; meeting of Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq working for peace in Iraq; info Rich Gamble 206-632-6021

Sun Jan 8, 2 p.m., at Centralia Library; Fire Mountain (Centralia-Chehalis area) *FOR* meeting, info Jessica 360-767-0161 or Larry 360-291-3946

Sun Jan 8, 3 p.m. potluck, 4 pm program, 5 business meeting, at the Friends Center, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program with Richard McGrue, director, Center for Restorative Justice, speaking on Restorative Justice; info Vivi 253-572-4912

Sun Jan 8, Meditation 6:30 pm, discussion 7 - 8:30 pm, at the Seattle Buddhist Center, 3315 Beacon Avenue South, Seattle; Buddhist Peace Fellowship Monthly Gathering. This month we will reflect on the spiritual practice of engaged Buddhism in context of the past and coming year. All are welcome to attend. info or if you need a ride bpf@riseup.net

Mon Jan 9, 5:30 - 7 p.m., at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, call for exact room, Seattle; Jubilee 2000 NW Coalition meeting, working for debt relief for world's poorest nations, info Mary Margaret Pruitt 206-382-3785\

Thurs Jan 12, 6:45 - 9 pm, at Lincoln Elementary School at 213 21st Ave. SE, Olympia; introductory workshop on Nonviolent Communication "Communicating to Connect" by Liv Monroe. Perceive others as you would have others perceive you. Free. All welcome. info Liv 360-357-4503

Sat Jan 14, 10 am - 1 pm, at Seattle University, call for details; A conference on Mental Illness and the Death Penalty put on by the Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. *WWFOR* is a coalition partner. Followed at 2 -3 p.m. by the Coalition's Annual Meeting - all are welcome. info info@abolishdeathpenalty.org or 206-622-8952

Sat Jan 14, noon – 9 pm, at Skagit Valley College Cafeteria, 2405 E. College Way, Mt Vernon; People for a Peaceable Planet present a Martin Luther King Festival, portrayals of King and Gandhi, music by Kulshan Chorus, Dan Neff; speakers, workshops, activities for kids, childcare noon – 6; Diversity Soup dinner. co-sponsored by *WWFOR*. Suggested donation $10, Dinner $5. info Stoney Bird 360-336-1567

Sun Jan 15, 8:30 am, at the Sons of Norway Hall, 18891 Front St. NE in Poulsbo; "Dare to Build a Nonviolent World!" The Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action invites you to honor Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by taking a stand against nuclear weapons. Vigil and nonviolent direct action at the Bangor Trident Submarine Base. Nonviolence training 8:30 a.m. to noon. Gather 1 p.m. at Ground Zero, 16159 Clear Creek Rd. NW to walk to the Bangor gate for vigil and action. directions or info http://www.gzcenter.org, or Anne Hall 206-545-3562

Sun Jan 15, potluck 5 p.m., announcements 6, program 6:30, at Woodland Park Presby. Church, 225 N 70th, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* program with Marion Ward on "What I learned about Iran in 12 days of December" about the *National FOR* delegation, info 206-789-5565

Sun Jan 15, 7 pm, at King's Books, 218 St. Helens Avenue, Tacoma; Celebrating Martin Luther King's Impact On The Peace & Labor Movements, with spoken word & poetry, music, reflections and analysis. Featuring Zeke Green, Joye Hardiman, Michael Honey, Vance Lelli, Aaron Pointer, Lyle Quasim, and Luke Smiraldo. Sponsored by the South Sound Peace & Justice Center, and People for Peace, Justice and Healing

Mon Jan 16, 9:30 am, starts at Garfield High School, 400 23rd Ave at East Jefferson, Seattle; annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Rally and March, 9:30 am workshops, 11 am rally, noon march, to Federal Building, 2nd & Marion; theme "Racism, Povery, War: Katrina, Iraq ... No More!"; Look for the Seattle *FOR* contingent! info http://www.MLKSeattle.org

Mon Jan 16, 1 - 4 pm, at the Crossroads Shopping Center, NE 156th and NE 8th, Bellevue; "A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr" with Speakers, Youth Theatre, music, dance, the Total Experience Gospel Choir; more. Free. sponsored by the Bellevue Parks & Community Services Cultural Diversity Program, info Kevin Henry khenry@ci.bellevue.wa.us or 425-452-7886

Mon Jan 16, 2 p.m., at Matrix Coffeehouse, 434 NW Pringle, Chehalis; join Fire Mountain (Centralia-Chehalis area) *FOR* members and others in a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration with music. Anyone who wants to participate in invited to bring readings, poems or songs to share! info Matrix 360-740-0492.

Tues Jan 17, 4 - 6 p.m., at Planned Parenthood, 2001 E. Madison, Seattle; Safe Schools Coalition meeting, *WWFOR* is a member, working to help schools become safe places regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, attend in person or by phone; info Beth Reis, elizabeth.reis@metrokc.gov, 206-296-4970 or http://www.SafeSchoolsCoalition.org

Fri Jan 20, 7 p.m., at the Longview United Methodist Church, 2851-30th Ave., Longview; Cowlitz County Longview/Kelso area *FOR* meeting, topic TBA; info or transportation needs Janey 360-423-7338

Sat Jan 21, 9 am - 1 pm, at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW, Olympia; Local Organizing Against the Iraq War & Occupation: organize local ways to withdraw consent. co-sponsored by Olympia *FOR*. info Tom Crawford 360-280-0242 or http://www.olyfor.org/pages/ResistingLocally.htm

Sun Jan 29, 2 - 4 pm, at St. John's Episc. Church, 19th and Capitol Way, Olympia; Sing for Peace: The Seattle Children's Peace Chorus, Seattle's Raging Grannies, messages from Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., and more in a benefit for No More Victims, a nonprofit organization that provides medical assistance for Iraqi children. info Dan 360-705-1585 peaceguy02@yahoo.com

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Weds Feb 1, and subsequent 1st Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., at Labor Temple, Hall 8, 2800 1st Ave, Seattle; Jobs With Justice Seattle Organizing Committee meeting, *WWFOR* is a member of JwJ, info 206-441-4969

Fri Feb 3, please check website, 6:30 pm, at Cascade People's Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, Seattle; *FOR* affiliate Justice Works! meeting; an organization whose mission is undoing racism in the criminal justice system as experienced by African Americans; info 206-303-7559, http://www.justiceworks.info

Fri Feb 3, 7 p.m., Wesley Terrace, lower level, 816 S. 216th, Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting, topic TBA, info Marion 206-870-4139

Sat Feb 4, 10 am to 3:30 pm, at Wesley Gardens in Des Moines, Area Committee meeting - our *WWFOR* governing body, all members welcome, info 206-789-5565

Sat Feb 4, 3 p.m., & subsequent 1st Saturdays, Keystone Cong. Ch., 5019 Keystone Pl. N, Seattle; meeting of Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq working for peace in Iraq; info Rich Gamble 206-632-6021

Sat Feb 4, 7 pm, at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th, Seattle; join Tom Rawson and friends in a fundraising concert to benefit Seattle *FOR*, sing along with Tom in songs of peace, justice, and fun! Refreshments, suggested donation $10 - 20, info 206-789-5565

Mon Feb 6, and subsequent 1st Mondays (Unless that is a holiday, then 2nd Monday), 5:30 - 7 p.m., at St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, call for exact room, Seattle; Jubilee 2000 NW Coalition meeting, working for debt relief for world's poorest nations, info Mary Margaret Pruitt 206-382-3785\

Sun Feb 12, 2 p.m., at Centralia Library; Fire Mountain (Centralia-Chehalis area) *FOR* meeting, info Jessica 360-767-0161 or Larry 360-291-3946

Sun Feb 12, 3 p.m. potluck, 4 pm program, 5 business meeting, at Friends Center, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* with 1st part of "Iran, A Video Journey"; info Vivi 253-572-4912

Fri Feb 17, 7 p.m., at the Longview United Methodist Church, 2851-30th Ave., Longview; Cowlitz County Longview/Kelso area *FOR* meeting, topic TBA; info or transportation needs Janey 360-423-7338

Sun Feb 19, potluck 5 p.m., announcements 6, program 6:30, at Woodland Park Presby. Church, 225 N 70th, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* program with Joy Goldstein on the Disarmament Work of the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, info 206-789-5565

Tues Feb 21, 4 - 6 p.m., at Planned Parenthood, 2001 E. Madison, Seattle; Safe Schools Coalition meeting, *WWFOR* is a member, working to help schools become safe places regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, attend in person or by phone; info Beth Reis, elizabeth.reis@metrokc.gov, 206-296-4970 or http://www.SafeSchoolsCoalition.org

Fri - Sun Feb 24 - 26, at Huber's Gast Haus, in Olympia; "Creating a Culture of Peace: Nonviolence Training for Personal and Social Change" sponsored by Olympia *FOR* with trainers from National *FOR*. sliding-scale ranging from $20 to $300. info Jody Tiller 360-956-7231 or Glen Anderson 360-491-9093, application form at http://www.scn.org/wwfor/olyNVtrain.doc

Fri - Sun Feb 24 - 26, Seattle; Alternatives to Violence Project presents a Community Nonviolent Conflict Resolution Workshop. This experiential Basic workshop offers skills, tools, and practice in Transforming Conflict, Building Community, Making nonviolent choices, and more. Sliding $50 - $125, info http://www.scn.org/pbp, Registration and info 206-517-4047 or pbp@scn.org

Weds March 1, and subsequent 1st Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m., at Labor Temple, Hall 8, 2800 1st Ave, Seattle; Jobs With Justice Seattle Organizing Committee meeting, *WWFOR* is a member of JwJ, info 206-441-4969

Fri March 3, please check website, 6:30 pm, at Cascade People's Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, Seattle; *FOR* affiliate Justice Works! meeting; an organization whose mission is undoing racism in the criminal justice system as experienced by African Americans; info 206-303-7559, http://www.justiceworks.info

Sat March 4, 2 - 4 pm, at United methodist Church, 22225 9th Ave S, Des Moines; join South King County *FOR* and others in a Peace Fair with information on the proposed Dept. of Peace, organization tables, and more. info Marion 206-870-4139

Sat March 4, 3 p.m., & subsequent 1st Saturdays, Keystone Cong. Ch., 5019 Keystone Pl. N, Seattle; meeting of Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq working for peace in Iraq; info Rich Gamble 206-632-6021

Sat March 4, downtown Seattle details TBA; Wa Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Abolition Day Dinner & Auction. info http://www.abolishdeathpenalty.org or 206-622-8952

Sat March 4, Tom Rawson Guitar/ Banjo Folk Music Concert to Benefit Olympia *FOR*; info http://www.olyfor.org, or 360-491-9093

March 10 - 15, Nonviolent Communication workshops with Marshall Rosenberg, includes events at Rainier Beach High School Auditorium, 8815 Seward Park S, Seattle; Fri , 10th, 7-10 pm, Introduction to Nonviolent Communication; Sat 11th, 9:30 am - 5 pm Transforming Personal Challenges Into Global Change; Sun 12th, 9:30 am - 5pm, Nonviolent Communication in Daily Life; plus Mon, 13th noon - Wed, 15th, 4 pm; Immersion Retreat, 3 days with Marshall at Huston Camp, 14725 Ley Rd, Gold Bar; co-sponsored by *WWFOR*; Registration and info http://www.psncc.org or 206-382-8576

Sat April 22, 9 am - 4 pm, at Fauntleroy UCC Church, 9260 California SW, West Seattle; *WWFOR* Spring Membership Assembly, Network with FOR folks from throughout Western WA; preregistration, info & carpooling 206-789-5565

Sat - Tues July 1 - 4, at Seabeck, Wa; Fellowship of Reconciliation's Northwest Regional Conference with participants form Wa, Or, BC, and beyond. Theme Creating the Beloved Community, with keynoters Pat Clark and Paul Dekar. info Oregon Fellowship of Reconciliation, jrw1@open.org

Western Washington FOR needs your financial support. If you like what we are doing, please donate to: WWFOR, 225 N 70^th, Seattle WA 98103. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. FOR is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Western Washington FOR needs your financial support. If you like what we are doing, please send your donation to: WWFOR, 225 N 70^th, Seattle WA 98103. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. FOR is a 501(c)(3) organization.

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