newsletter of Western Washington FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
225 North 70th, Seattle WA 98103, 206-789-5565
Vol. XXIV, No. 2 - March / April 2004-
Editor: Tom Savage plus many helping hands. Web edition at: www.scn.org/wwforThe Western Washington FOR (WWFOR) seeks to replace violence, war, racism and economic injustice with nonviolence, equality, peace and justice. It links and strengthens FOR members and chapters throughout Western Washington in promoting activities consistent with the national FOR statement of purpose. WWFOR helps members and chapters accomplish together what we could not accomplish alone.
Vision statement of national FOR: The Fellowship of Reconciliation envisions a world of justice, peace, and freedom. It is a revolutionary vision of a beloved community where differences are respected, conflicts addressed nonviolently, oppressive structures dismantled, and where people live in harmony with the earth, nurtured by diverse spiritual traditions that foster compassion, solidarity, and reconciliation.
CONTENTS
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Message from MikeAbbreviations
: FOR=Fellowship of Reconciliationback to WWFOR homepage
Mike Yarrow, WWFOR Co-organizer
In this fateful election year, I sometimes get down as I hear about more tragic deaths in Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Colombia and elsewhere. Or the brouhaha about defending family values while cutting support for poor families. But then I think about all the good peace and justice education we can do. Let's hit the streets, public meetings and summer festivals with fact sheets. Should be fun!
Counter Recruiting: Last fall a diverse group of 25 folks gathered to talk about military recruiting in the high schools. We heard about abuses by recruiters from following students home to belittling their life chances if they didn't join the military. We hope to recruit volunteers to make sure that every high school in Seattle and beyond has counter recruiting materials, and speakers to counter misleading information and inform students about alternatives. WWFOR office manager, Sara Rinehart, arranged to have a table at the Manãna Coalition event at Seattle Center, reaching 700 Latino students with information sheets and 150 water bottles with the Spanish translation of Howard Zinn's comment "There is no flag big enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people." FOR folks in Centralia, Bellevue and Bellingham are also working on this issue.
Racial Justice: Seattle Chapter has restarted its Racial Justice Committee. National FOR is discussing how best to engage energetically with the struggle for racial justice. Our WWFOR Area Committee just discussed how to make racial justice a priority in our work. In recent coalition work on a large anti-war demonstration in Seattle for Mar 20 we again saw a failure to engage activists of color in the initial planning. I am reminded of the advice of Lilla Watson, Australian aboriginal artist, 1985: "If you have come to help me, I don't need your help. But if you have come because your liberation is tied to mine, come let us work together."
Militarism and the Federal Budget: Yesterday I received a legislative alert from a Quaker lobbying group in D.C., about how far the Administration's budget is out of balance with national needs. That budget calls for increasing military spending (including war fighting and "homeland" security) to $520 billion while making the tax cuts for the rich permanent, eliminating 65 non-military programs and substantially reducing 52 others: funding for low-income housing, childcare assistance, job training and education, environmental protection, public health, juvenile crime prevention, and the US portion of the UN HIV/AIDS fund. Let's call or write our reps NOW.
Special Fundraising: In a grim moment in November, our treasurer Brenda Collier reported a projected budget deficit for 2004 of $10,000. Paul Pruitt broke the silence by volunteering to form a special fund raising committee. With Marcia Mullins, George Lindsay and myself we decided on a three-way approach. 1) Ask chapters to conduct fun fund raising events and share the proceeds with WWFOR. 2) A special appeal to some generous donors asking them to create a Challenge Fund to encourage new donors and thus expand our donor base. Our goal was $5,000. The response to date has been great: $5600. 3) Soon the next fund appeal will go out, inviting other donors to match the Challenge Fund.
Optional tree-free, postage-free Pacific Call starts in May! Willing to read this newsletter online, or via email as a DOC or PDF file? Let WWFOR know, and you'll help us conserve.
back to WWFOR homepage
Spring Assembly, Apr 17: "Grassroots Solutions to Big Problems"
Gigantic problems such as war, racism and global economic injustice can seem overwhelming. But real solutions do exist! FOR members and other folks from Longview to Bellingham, Port Angeles to Wenatchee and beyond are working at real solutions from the grassroots up. We'll share those strategies at our 6th Annual Spring Membership Assembly. We're planning sessions on:
We'll start gathering at 9:00 a.m. for registration and social time on Saturday APRIL 17 at the Fauntleroy UCC Church at 9260 California SW in West Seattle. The assembly will start at 10:00 a.m. sharp. We keep costs low and ask registrants to pay $15 or whatever they can. Lunch included!
Please pre-register by April 9 if possible, so we can plan properly. Please reserve Saturday April 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on your calendars. It's fun to carpool from your local chapter! For more information contact the WWFOR office at 206-789-5565 or
wwfor@connectexpress.comTo help coordinate our regional efforts, WWFOR's Area Committee meets every 3 months. It includes representatives from each chapter, plus up to 4 at-large members elected at the Spring Assembly. If you would like to serve on our informative, action-oriented Area Committee, please become a nominee at the Spring Assembly.
back to WWFOR homepage
Olympia FOR: Active in Many Ways
School of Americas protest, Nov Justice in Iraq, Dec
Victory against sweatshops: After years of work, the South Sound Clean Clothes Campaign convinced the City of Olympia to require decent labor standards for some of the clothing it buys. Ramona Hinkle represents the Olympia FOR in SSCCC.
Gandhi Study Groups: Two new groups are meeting six times each from mid-February to early May.
TV programs: For 17 years we have produced full-hour TV programs. Each program airs twice a week for a full month on the local community access station. Recent and upcoming programs include programs on Palestine, "Take Back Your Time," sweatshops, WTO & FTAA, nuclear weapons, and nonviolence.
Vigils: Vigiling continues downtown twice a week. Over 100 were at our 28th annual Christmas Peace Vigil.
People keep inviting us: Because we're so active, people always think of us when they plan their activities. Recently we've accepted invitations to staff information tables at several local events, support a new homeless facility, contribute ideas for billboards supporting peace and democracy, co-sponsor Olympia's March 20 peace rally, and support additional showings of the new "Uncovered" video about Iraq.
Newsletter and information: Our newsletter is available on request. Find out about events at www.olyfor.org or contact Glen Anderson 360-491-9093 glen@olywa.net
back to WWFOR homepage
Nancy Jarmin, Wenatchee-Cashmere
Many Wenatchee Valley FOR members are deeply concerned about the presence of military recruiters in our schools and the less than honest, high pressure tactics the recruiters are using. We are also concerned about the possibility of the draft being reactivated.
On Sunday, Feb 29, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Brethren Baptist Church in Wenatchee, Rocci Hildum of the Wenatchee Valley FOR will lead training for people who are interested in doing Selective Service counseling. We'll have a mid-session break to enjoy a potluck dinner and conversation. The training is open to all. For planning purposes, please call in advance to Nancy Jarmin at: 509-782-5058 (eves/weekends) or by e-mail NJarminWVFOR@aol.com
Our fall, 2003 "American Democracy Series" brought in people who have never before attended an FOR event. Discussion was lively and thoughtful. The Wenatchee Valley FOR Events Committee is now planning our next outreach project: a Spring, 2004 movie series with selected films presented monthly in Wenatchee and Leavenworth. These evening events will be open to all in a relaxed, "coffee house" atmosphere, conducive to friendly discussion and fellowship.
Earl Ford, Vancouver WA NAACP President, at Centralia MLK Day Event
Change can take time, but that does not mean people must wait for it, NAACP chapter president Earl Ford noted as he spoke to about 30 people gathered at United Methodist Church in Centralia on MLK Day. He read from Dr. King's Apr 16, 1963 letter from Birmingham City Jail, in which Dr. King wrote "We must use our time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right. ... So the question is not whether we will be extremist but what kind of extremist will we be. Will we be extremists for hate or will be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice - or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?" The Centralia celebration ended with hands joined in a circle at the Peace Tree on Centralia College campus.
Jody ChastainCCFOR has changed its meeting location from Charlie's Restaurant to the Longview United Methodist Church. Through this next presidential election cycle, we will not alternate our meetings with the ACLU even though many of our members are ACLU members as well. Instead, our chair Dan Smith is launching a six-part viewing and discussion group on "A Force More Powerful". Visitors are most welcome! Call Dan Smith at 360-431-0245 for information.
Seattle FOR Racial Justice Committee Reinvigorated!
Ruth Yarrow, WWFOR Co-organizer|
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On November 23, energized by a two long-time members and six new members, we restarted Seattle FOR's Racial Justice Committee. Peggy Wolf led us off with a thoughtful introspection of her own struggle with this issue. We continued in December, assigning ourselves individual homework, ranging from attending an African American church to working in the minority-led Community Coalition for Environmental Justice. On Feb 15 we led a workshop on examining our own racism for the Seattle Chapter, greatly benefiting from contribution of Sarah Augustine, a Latina member. Over 30 of us, through participatory exercises, realized that we have little racial diversity, but considerable class and economic diversity, by answering questions such as "Did you have more than 50 books in your home when you were growing up?" We practiced interrupting racist comments, for example by responding "I'm not comfortable when you make a comment like that which demeans a whole group." We brainstormed the qualities that make a good ally, and will continue with an inventory on how WWFOR is working to dismantle racism. For great thought-provoking handouts and book lists, call WWFOR at 206-789-5565
Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center: PO Box 25681, Seattle 98165
SDMCC has a new mailing address. You can also reach SDMCC at 206-789-2751 or
www.sdmcc.orgback to WWFOR homepage
Cindy Cole and John Repp 206-932-9522
One of the goals of the West Seattle Group in January was getting members to attend their party caucuses. We gave out information on each of the hopefuls and their positions on the Iraq war and Peace. We also asked everyone to take the SNOW resolutions to the caucuses and attempt to get them passed. At our next meetings we will find out how we did! In January we also sponsored a forum on Israel Palestine with 80 people in attendance. On Mar 14 we will present a forum on the Middle East and Iraq. A small group continues to leaflet on Peace issues at various places in West Seattle, others have researched electronic voting and we have written our legislators on this. We have a monthly ongoing non-violent study group. This month we will read and discuss Gene Sharp's "There Are Realistic Alternatives"
Eastside FOR: Bellevue and beyond
Marion Ward 206-265-0311
On Feb 11, EFOR and the Eastside Peace and Justice Community sponsored a presentation by Stephen Dockter on his recent visit to Cuba. A four-week series sponsored by EFOR on food safety began on Feb 18 with the appearance of Professor James R. Simpson discussing Mad Cow disease. On Feb 25 Darin Detwiler, who lost his 17 month old son to an E-coli outbreak, spoke about hidden dangers in food.
EFOR co-sponsored with Veterans for Peace, a presentation by Stan Goff on Feb 20 at the Bradford Center, Bellevue.
Sign on at www.eastsidefor.org for events notification.
Jamie Donaldson, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
Bellingham FOR members are helping organize community participation in the worldwide Mar 20 "happening" to commemorate the first anniversary of the war on Iraq. A "March Against Fear: Another World is Possible", will snake through downtown Bellingham, led by the "City of Samba" band. Also on hand will be drummers, a youth horn-playing contingent and the Western WA University's "Radical Praxis" percussion band. Speakers at the rally will include Indira Rai Choudhury, a wounded Gulf War I veteran, plus folks representing homeless neighbors, farmers, and others impacted by a federal budget bloated by militarism and war.
back to WWFOR homepage
Bruce & Janet Pruitt-Hamm, 509-682-1230(day) 509-738-4962(eve)
Stevens County FOR is becoming two FOR groups
. For reasons of increased interest and of distance, members in Chewelah are forming a separate FOR group. And FOR members in Grand Forks, B.C., 40 minutes north of Colville, are forming a new FOR group with the assistance of the Kootenay FOR group based in Nelson, B.C.We've hosted several recent events. On Jan 19 about 20 gathered to watch the recently released video "Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War". In honor of the MLK holiday, on Jan 21 about 10 people watched the State of the Union address and contrasted the speech with Martin Luther King's visions. On Feb 8 we held a small strategizing session and developed new ideas for future programs.
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Pictured from 2003 ICC Mock Trial: Allen Nielson (now Superior Court Judge) with two students from Kettle Falls High School and Patty St. Clair then City Attorney for Colville . |
In late April we will again join the Stevens County Bar Association in holding a mock trial of the newly formed International Criminal Court
, in the county courthouse, utilizing high school students as the prosecution and defense, but with Stevens County Superior Court Judge Allen Nielson presiding, other judges and local attorneys assisting, and community members acting as witnesses. The President of the Rotary Club of Colville has also expressed interest in having the Rotary Club co-sponsor the mock trial this year.We have been invited to conduct a non-violence training session with the Kootenay FOR group in late spring. We are developing plans with Kooteny FOR and Spokane FOR (PJALS) to host leaders from the Muslim and Jewish Peace Fellowships to speak publicly with local clergy.
We're developing a Local Polling Project, inspired by a Listening Project developed by a rural southern FOR group to conduct very inexpensive localized scientific surveys. Utilizing software (http://www.runningmatesoftware.com/) and nationally available data (http://www.pollingreport.com), we intend to strategically target our local education campaigns and measure our progress in changing local public attitudes.
We're investigating use of video conferencing equipment now available in Colville to arrange for high quality speakers to reach our small rural constituency without expensive travel costs.
Dana Visali, TwispOn Jan 7 in Twisp we showed the video "Uncovered: the Whole Truth About the Iraq War", to about 100 people. On Jan 19, a smaller group listened to Martin Luther King's 1967 "Beyond Vietnam" speech. The crowd swelled to about 70 people on Jan 28 to watch a video on the process of "nonviolent communication" developed by Marshall Rosenburg. On Feb 17 Kim Bush, an educator and activist from the Seattle area, shared from his recent 8-month stay in Guatemala, where he served as a companion to people whose lives have been threatened because they are testifying in court about human rights abuses. On Apr 10, musician and political commentator Jim Page will perform in Twisp. [Editor's note: Dana will be in Iraq, Feb20-Mar3, with a Christian Peacemaker Team, a program of the peace churches, the Mennonites, Brethren and Quakers]
Sharon MooreAt Tacoma's waterfront on Feb 15 we commemorated last year's action to oppose the unilateral war on Iraq. I and an 80 year old brought up the tail; a flickering candle-lit and somewhat wavering line of people coordinated in vigil by United For Peace. Waves, smiles, honks, brightened our hope, esteem and power as we connected to truth and to clarification that reconciliation is indeed found in fellowship. Our vigil gave tangible expression to a vision whose possibility was affirmed in a moment of reality.
Martha Herman
passed away in December. We greatly miss her steady enthusiasm and ready assistance.back to WWFOR homepage
Connections: people & organizations
FOR National
PO Box 271, Nyack, NY 10960 845-358-4601 www.forusa.org publisher of Fellowship magazine (excellent!).International FOR (IFOR) Spoorstraat 38, 1815 BK Alkmaar, Netherlands
www.ifor.orgPacific Call Next issue story deadline is Apr 16. Send articles in Word or text to
savaget@msn.com Tom is at 206-522-6201Eastside FOR sign up for events notices at
www.eastsidefor.orgOlympia FOR
360-491-9093 www.olyfor.orgSeattle Draft and Military Counseling Center P.O. Box 25681 Seattle 98165 206-789-2751
www.sdmcc.org sdmcc@scn.orgSNOW 206-798-2684 www.snowcoalition.org
WWFOR office Mike and Ruth Yarrow, organizers 206-789-5565 email at wwfor@connectexpress.com
WWFOR web site
www.scn.org/activism/wwforStill 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 21 years) witness for peace and nonviolence; bring signs or use ours; info Glen 360-491-9093
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 Thursdays, 9 p.m. & Mondays 1:30 p.m., TCTV channel 22 or 29 in Thurston County, Olympia *FOR* TV monthly program; March program: "Free Trade Update". info Glen 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net or http://www.olyfor.org
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, 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. near the fountain, Olympia; Women in Black Silent Vigil for Peace. Signs provided. A network committed to peace since 1988. info Julie 360-705-2669 jmallessio@yahoo.com
Ongoing Saturdays, noon - 1 p.m., along Pearl St. at Washington Park in front of library in Centralia; Peace Vigiling by Fire Mountain *FOR*; info June Butler, 360-748-9658 or Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946
Ongoing Sundays, 10 p.m., on TCTV channel 22 or 29 in Thurston County; Olympia *FOR* sponsors documentaries on peace and social justice; info Carol 360-866-7645 or carolburns@olywa.net
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, across from the Albertson's on East Greenlake Way N, Seattle; Peace Vigil, all peaceful people invited, bring signs, leaflets, and your friends and dogs, info greenlakepeacevigil@hotmail.com
Mon March 1, 7 p.m., at Keystone Congregational Church, 5019 Keystone Place N. Wallingford, Seattle; SNOW - Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War - Meeting. info http://www.snowcoalition.org or 206-789 2684
Thurs March 4, 6:45 - 9 p.m., at Lincoln Elementary School, Washington and 21st downtown, Olympia; Nonviolent Communication Introductory Workshop: Tools for talking truth and hearing hope. Sponsored by Puget Sound Network for Compassionate Communication, info Liv Monroe 360-357-4503
Fri March 5, 6 p.m., at the College Club, 505 Madison, Seattle; keynote speaker Sister Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking Author, at WA Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Dinner & Auction, speakers include WCADP's Abolitionist of the Year; silent and live auctions. *WWFOR* is an active member of the Coalition. $50, student/ low-income $30, info, disability accommodations, and RSVP 206-622-8952
Fri March 5, 7 p.m., Wesley Terrace, lower level, 816 S. 216th, Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting, Phil Heft on his recent trip to Costa Rica including the Peace University supported by the U.N., info Mark Fredericksen 206-243-9238 or mark@fredericksen.net
Sat March 6, 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 6, 7 p.m., at University Friends Meeting House, 4001 9th Ave NE, Seattle; concert by peace activist and folksinger Mike Stern with William Limbach, dancer Erica Badgeley & other friends blending song, dance & visual arts, to benefit Seattle *FOR*, suggested $10 - $20 donation, info 206-789-5565 or info about Mike's music http://www.mikesongs.net
Sun March 7, 1 - 3 p.m., at the Dougass-Truth Library, 23rd Ave & Yesler Way, Seattle; Seattle Area Support Group of Nonviolent Peaceforce which will provide a resource for peacekeeping presence and training with a program on nonviolence. Organizational meeting follows 3 - 4:30. info David Berrian 425-482-3026 or dberrian@earthlink.net
Sun March 7, 2 - 4 p.m., at the Timberland Library on 8th Ave between Franklin and Adams, Olympia; Glen Anderson presents a Workshop for Olympia Community FreeSkool challenging "National Security" model: Move from fear to peace & justice: Promoting nonviolent and fair solutions, alternatives that would make us truly secure. Donations requested to cover costs. info 360-491-9093 Pre-register at 1-877-296-4981
Sat March 13, 9 am-4 pm, at Seattle Girls' School, at 2706 Jackson St. near Martin Luther King Way, Seattle; The National Coalition Building Institute Building Bridges workshop, an experiential workshop to take leadership to eliminate prejudice. $30-$80 sliding scale. Register at http://www.scn.org/ncbisea/, Calendar of Events, info 206-323-5427
Sun March 14, 2 p.m., at the Centralia Library; Fire Mountain (Centralia-Chehalis area) *FOR* meeting, info June Butler, 360-748-9658 or Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946
Sun March 14, 2:30-4:30 p.m., at Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, West Seattle; Iraq and the Middle East: Talking Without Despair, presentation followed by discussion. Panelists include: Bert Sacks, Anya Willow and Peter Lippman. Sponsored by West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice. No charge. Donations accepted. Refreshments! info 206-783-1088 or http://www.snowcoalition.org/westseattle
Sun March 14, 5:15 p.m. business mtg, 6 potluck, 7 program, at Hillside Community Church, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program - watch the "Uncovered" video about background on the Iraq war; info Al Kammerzall 253-272-9572
Sun March 14, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at Colville First Congregational Church, 205 N. Maple St., Colville; Stevens County *FOR* Monthly meeting, info Bruce Pruitt-Hamm 509-685-1230 or bruce@colvillelaw.com
back to WWFOR homepage
Tues March 16, 4 - 6 p.m., at Meany Middle School library, 301 21st Ave E, Seattle; Safe Schools Coalition meeting, *WWFOR* is a member, working to help schools become safe places regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, info http://www.SafeSchoolsCoalition.org
Tues March 16, 6:30 p.m., in the Olympia Ballroom, above the Urban Onion restaurant, 116 E Legion Way, downtown Olympia; community memorial and celebration for Rachel Corrie, on the one-year anniversary of her death defending Palestinian Human Rights, followed by a march finishing in Sylvester Park for a candlelight vigil and community members sharing recollections and inspirations from Rachel's life
Fri March 19, 7 p.m., at the Fellowship Hall, Longview United Methodist Church, 2851 30th Ave, Longview; Cowlitz County Longview/Kelso area *FOR* meeting, showing the second part of A Force More Powerful, on Mohandas K. Gandhi, documentary about nonviolent social change movements, Discussion and snacks will follow. Please come and join like-minded people; info Janey 360-423-7338
March 20 - April 3, in Israel, Palestine & Jordan; Join The Fellowship Of Reconciliation Interfaith Peace-Builder's Delegation; FOR is the largest and oldest interfaith pacifist organization in the country. Examine the effects of United States foreign policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Offer support to people struggling nonviolently for a sustainable and just peace in both Israel and Palestine. Upon return, delegates work to educate the public and influence U.S. policy. Meet with Israeli and Palestinian peace and justice and human rights activists and organizations. info http://www.forusa.org
Sat March 20, 11 a.m., Interfaith Service at First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard at Seneca, First Hill, Seattle, followed by noon march and rally, location TBA;"The World Still Says "NO" to War!" keynote speaker Ed Asner, Sponsors include Church Council of Greater Seattle and Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War, info http://www.MAR20th.org or 1-877-MAR20th
Sat March 20, noon rally at the Tivoli Fountain at the Capitol Campus, Olympia; march to a rally at Heritage Park between Capitol Lake and 5th Ave; "The World Still Says "NO" to War!" Primary sponsor is Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace. info omjp@omjp.org
Sun March 21, 5 p.m. potluck, 6 p.m. announcements, 6:30 - 8 p.m. program, at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th near Greenwood, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* presents Susan Helf of ACLU on "Big Brother Is Watching: The Patriot Act and You." Free, an offering will be taken. info 206-789-5565
Sat April 3, 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 April 4, and subsequent 1st Sundays, 1 - 3 p.m., at Dougass-Truth Library, 23rd Ave & Yesler Way, Seattle; Support Group of Nonviolent Peaceforce which will provide a resource for peacekeeping and training with a program on nonviolence. Organizational mtg 3 p.m. info 425-482-3026
Fri April 2, 7 p.m., Wesley Terrace, lower level, 816 S. 216th, Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting, call for topic, info Mark Fredericksen 206-243-9238 or mark@fredericksen.net
Sun April 4, 2 p.m., at the Centralia Library; Fire Mountain (Centralia-Chehalis area) *FOR* meeting, info June Butler, 360-748-9658 or Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946
Sun April 11, 5:15 p.m. business mtg, 6 potluck, 7 program, at Hillside Community Church, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program - a membership planning session; info Al Kammerzall 253-272-9572
Sun April 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at Colville First Congregational Church, 205 N. Maple St., Colville; Stevens County *FOR* Monthly meeting, info Bruce Pruitt-Hamm 509-685-1230 or bruce@colvillelaw.com
back to WWFOR homepage
Fri April 16, 7 p.m., at the Fellowship Hall, Longview United Methodist Church, 2851 30th Ave, Longview; Cowlitz County Longview/Kelso area *FOR* meeting, showing the part of A Force More Powerful, reviewing the nonnviolent struggle in South Africa, documentary about nonviolent social change movements, Discussion and snacks will follow. Please come and join like-minded people; info Janey 360-423-7338
Sat April 17, arrive 9-10 a.m. Assembly runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fauntleroy UCC Church, 9260 California Ave SW, West Seattle; *WWFOR* Spring Assembly: "Grassroots Solutions to Big Problems" - Collaborate with other FOR folks throughout West. Wash. to make practical grassroots progress on issues related to the global economy, military recruitment, racial justice, voter education, Iraq and more. Enjoy this upbeat, productive day! Pre-register promptly with the form enclosed with this newsletter. info 206-789-5565 wwfor@connectexpress.com
Sun April 18, 1:30 to 4:45 p.m. at Timberland Library, 8th Ave between Adams and Franklin, Olympia; Glen Anderson presents back-to-back Workshops. "The Power & Practicality of Nonviolence" Some activists think that nonviolence is a nice tactic or a nice theory. Nonviolence is very powerful and very practical. More than a mere tactic, nonviolence is a macro-level approach to creating positive social and political change. "Nuts & Bolts of Grassroots Organizing" Explore large-scale strategies and methods that work. We'll also consider very local nitty-gritty practical steps and helpful hints. Plenty of handouts available. Free, but donations are requested to cover costs, info 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net, Please pre-register at http://www.freeskoolco-op.org or 1-877-296-4981
Sun April 18, 5 p.m. potluck, 6 p.m. announcements, 6:30 - 8 p.m. program, at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th near Greenwood, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* presents Stephen Bezruchka, M.D., on "Is Our Society Making You Sick?." Free, an offering will be taken. info 206-789-5565
Tues April 20, 4 - 6 p.m., at Meany Middle School library, 301 21st Ave E, Seattle; Safe Schools Coalition meeting, *WWFOR* is a member, working to help schools become safe places regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, info http://www.SafeSchoolsCoalition.org
April 22 - July 8, Thursdays, 7 - 9 p.m., at St. Mary's Catholic Church; 224 Washington Avenue, Centralia; discussion group on Christianity and non-violence using a series of video and audio tapes by Fr. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy, one of the co-founders of Pax Christi. info 360-291-3946 evenings
Last week of April, date tbd, at Stevens County Courthouse; Stevens County *FOR* will participate in a Mock Trial of the International Criminal Court with Superior Court Judge Allen Nielson presiding, info Bruce Pruitt-Hamm 509-685-1230 or bruce@colvillelaw.com
Sun May 2, 2 p.m., at the Centralia Library; Fire Mountain (Centralia-Chehalis area) *FOR* meeting, info June Butler, 360-748-9658 or Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946
Fri May 7, 7 p.m., Wesley Terrace, lower level, 816 S. 216th, Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting, call for topic, info Mark Fredericksen 206-243-9238 or mark@fredericksen.net
Sat May 8 (tentative), Stevens County *FOR* presents an Ecumenical Panel on Religion and Terrorism with speakers from the Muslim and Jewish Peace Fellowship, info Bruce Pruitt-Hamm 509-685-1230 or bruce@colvillelaw.com
Sat May 15, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th near Greenwood, Seattle; *WWFOR* Area Committee. All are welcome to the meeting providing oversight of our network of local FOR chapters in Western WA. info 206-789-5565 wwfor@connectexpress.com
Fri - Mon July 2 - 5, at Seabeck conference center in Kitsap County, WA; "Training for Nonviolent Change" regional *FOR* conference - enjoy meeting more than 200 folks of all ages from Wash., Ore., and BC. Keynote speakers include Richard Deats, who has conducted nonviolence training all over the world and worked on the national FOR staff for more than 25 years. Workshops, networking, music, and fun. info Oregon FOR 503-585-5436
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Donations: Western Washington FOR needs your financial support.
If you like what we are doing, please send your donation to: WWFOR, 225 N 70th, Seattle WA 98103. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. FOR is a 501(c)(3) organization.Name:________________________________________________
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