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Vol. XXIII, No. 4 September-October 2003- Editor: Tom Savage plus many helping hands. web edition at: www.scn.org/wwfor

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This quote came via e-mail a couple of weeks ago and I have been chewing on it ever since. It seems particularly appropriate to FOR. I would be interested in your thoughts. I find it very hard to let go of past wrongs. Maybe it is partly out of loyalty to people who have been wronged but I am afraid the indignation becomes part of me. Anyway for me the message is to focus on a better future while being informed by the mistakes and tragedies of the past.

For many reasons I have been enjoying this summer - sunny weather, visits from dear friends and our son back briefly from Chile, an inspiring bunch of 5 high school trainees, a large and energetic Seabeck Conference, a hike in the north Cascades with some FOR friends and on and on. In the midst of all this are reports of attacks on Americans and Iraqis, tragedy in Liberia and Colombia and elsewhere.

On August 16 I joined a delegation to meet with Senator Cantwell's aides. She was leaving for Israel and Iraq the next day, and wanted suggestions on questions to ask leaders she will meet. Stressing that she should talk to non-governmental organization workers and common people, I suggested pointed questions about plans to reduce civilian casualties, abide by the lawful obligations of an occupying power to provide safety, food, water and basic human services, and to make sure that the elected representatives of the Iraqi people determine how to use oil revenues. Amnesty International's list of obligations of occupying powers is:

1. Restore and maintain law and order.
2. Provide food, medical care, facilitate relief assistance.
3. Make only limited, internationally accepted, changes to local law.
4. Impose only limited, accepted changes to the legislature.
5. Provide fair criminal trials, under Iraq judges as possible.
6. Use internment only in accord with international law.
7. Prohibit coercion, torture and other forms of brutality.
8. Prohibit deportation and transfer from occupied areas.
9. Protect property and natural resources.
10. Allow free movement of ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) delegates.

Please consider those points in your own letters.

A recent encouraging development is the rapid growth of the "Bring Them Home Now" campaign by families of military personnel and veterans. The group formed after George Bush's "Bring 'em on" taunt in response to attacks on American troops. Susan Schuman, one of the organizers, said on Aug. 13, "Our soldiers are demoralized. They are fighting an illegal and unjustified war." We hope to make contact with members of the group in Washington State.

I look forward to seeing you at a meeting, video, party
or action for peace and justice real soon! Peace, Mike

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"Shut your mouth, close your lips and say something." This Zen proverb is a recipe for taking action. To involve more young people in FOR issues and activism, this July WWFOR ran a program for five high school students. The Abe Keller Foundation provided financial support.

Our Peace Activist Trainees gained confidence by engaging passersby on a nearby sidewalk in lively conversations, and by gathering signatures on the I-297 petition to stop shipments of radioactive waste to WA. They gained skills from experienced community activists in guerilla theater, peace keeping and nonviolence. Our staff led them in developing additional skills including running effective meetings, giving short powerful speeches, creating clear, attention-getting leaflets, writing publishable letters to the editor and good press releases.

The trainees attended the trial of a local peace activist. It left them with strong impressions of earnest witnesses, slow trial process, challenges of jury selection, powers of a judge and the difficulty many citizens face in accepting that police officers can lie.

The trainees gained a sense of the history of nonviolence through discussions of "A Force More Powerful" videos. They were especially moved by personal contacts with civil rights, environmental and peace activists, veterans, and conscientious objectors. The trainees said that meeting such people inspired them and gave them a clear sense that they too could make a difference.

To find influence their elected representatives with their concerns, the trainees wrote letters and emails, made phone calls, and designed and used group petitions and surveys. They compiled the data from the surveys into graphs, and met with staff members in a Senator and Congressman's office.

The five of us who led the trainee program were exhilarated that it went so well. So were the trainees:

"It's been really reassuring to work with other teens who are as interested in the peace movement and being activists as I am." --- Suzanna

"Incredibly interesting and inspiring. I enjoyed every moment of it." --- Jeb

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Last summer, when the Bush administration threatened to send troops to the ports of Tacoma and Seattle to replace Longshore union dockworkers, Jobs with Justice helped stop it. And when SeaTac employers used the INS to arrest low wage airport service workers who were organizing unions, JwJ helped prevent future raids. And when the Bellingham City Council hesitated to pass Washington's first municipal Living Wage Ordinance, JwJ helped pass it.

Success in workers' rights struggles must be part of a larger campaign for social and economic justice. To that end, JwJ is a coalition of local labor, community, youth, and faith-based organizations dedicated to workplace and community justice campaigns. While policy, research, and lobbying efforts are critical to justice movements, JwJ's unique role is to mobilize its coalition members to take creative actions and turn out a crowd.

WWFOR is a participating member of Washington State Jobs With Justice, and along with more than one hundred other local organizations has a seat on the JwJ Steering Committee. This year the JwJ Steering Committee voted to focus on three broad issues: Worker Organizing Impacted by War, Immigrant Worker Rights, and Global Justice.

More than 3,000 workers' rights activists in our state have taken the "I'll be there" pledge. You can stay active in this ongoing effort by signing the enclosed pledge form, mailing it to JwJ, and "being there" 5 times in the next 12 months. The pledge is also at www.wsjwj.org.

The most contaminated site in the western world, Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington State. The Administration is currently attempting to ship 70,000 more truckloads of mixed chemical and radioactive waste from nuclear weapons production to Hanford. The focus of citizen initiative I-297 is to contain the radioactive mess at Hanford and prevent further contamination of Washington's environment. Have you signed I-297? Call us and we'll provide petitions. People are eager to join you in signing! Signatures deadline is end of December, not September

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c/o Sue Ablao at 3495 Dyes Inlet NW, Bremerton WA 98312, until Jackie is assigned to a final federal prison. On July 25, Jackie was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment for symbolic protest at a Minuteman III missile silo near Greely Colorado, despite military witness testimony that at no time did their actions threaten national security. Two other Dominican nuns received sentences: Ardeth Platte (41 months) and Carolyn Gilbert (33 months). Letters welcomed! [note added Sept 15: Jackie is now at: Jacqueline Hudson, 08808-039, Federal Prison Camp, Victorville, P.O. Box 5100, Adelanto, CA 92301]

While some organizations slow down for summer, the Olympia FOR charged ahead with an ambitious mix of activities. Besides vigiling twice every week, producing new TV programs every month and airing each program twice a week, publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, holding two summer picnics, we accomplished some special activities:

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Fire Mt. Chapter in Lewis County has three main issue-action areas of concern: Globalization, Decade for a Culture of Nonviolence, and De-militarization. We've chosen to concentrate on the Decade of Nonviolence, and have been working steadily since January 2001 to sow the seeds of peace and social justice. Our coalition, the Lewis County Tree of Life, has helped plan events such as peace workshops, two lecture series on Afghanistan and Iraq, Family FunFest at Centralia College, MLK celebrations, and domestic violence summits. Currently we are reaching out to student leaders at Centralia and W.F. West high schools to encourage tree plantings and other projects related to the Decade.

With regard to demilitarization, we've held downtown peace vigils every Saturday noon-1 p.m. since last November. We've also demonstrated at the local military recruiting centers in Centralia, with good press coverage. Our local paper, The Chronicle, prints some great letters to the editor.

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An uplifting celebration of Arab, Jewish, Sikh, Muslim heritages along with commemoration of the 58^th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, this year's event included appeals for respect of endangered civil liberties, cast in the light of Japanese-American experience. Seattle FOR was again a sponsor, and several FOR members assisted.

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In March two of our members flew to Washington D.C. to participate in a peace march and several other events focusing on peace; most events were spearheaded by Code Pink/ Women for Peace. Soon after many of our members joined in Wenatchee's vigil in solidarity with the Worldwide Candlelight Vigils for Peace, called for by Archbishop Tutu. Later in March, Wenatchee Valley FOR spearheaded a Candlelight Procession and Prayer Service for Peace, co-sponsoring with two church groups. About 100 participated. In March we held a non-violence training, led by Erica Kay.

Barbara Rossing hosted a coffee hour in May for area folks here to meet Lloyd Berg, from national FOR staff.

Our issues committees began meeting this spring. One is researching and raising awareness of "Hate Radio", and was encouraged to learn that Mike Savage was removed from his TV show for too many hate-filled remarks. Another committee is organizing a of video/ discussion series and speaker/ discussion series for fall and early winter, on "9-11 and the Threat of Terrorism", and "Patriot Acts I and II."

Bayard Rustin was an important FOR staff member who advised Martin Luther King Jr. on nonviolent strategy in Montgomery and was a pivotal African-American organizer for the March On Washington in 1963. Besides reviewing an exciting period of peace and justice movement history, the film raises important issues about compromises made in hope of effectiveness. Bayard was convicted in Southern California of sexual perversion for having sex with a man and eased out of FOR. Later he cooperated with LBJ and Humphrey and did not oppose the Vietnam War, working instead to improve conditions for poor people. You can borrow this 50-minute video, first aired on PBS Point Of View, from WWFOR. More background at http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002/brotheroutsider/rustin.html

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The Friday PeaceVigil (every Friday since 1966) has leveled off to 30 to 60 persons - not bad for vacation time! 20 to 30 vigilers then gather at the Peace Zone for discussion.

Several new projects have developed: Wednesday Peace Vigil during afternoon rush hour at a very busy intersection; Progressive Political Parlor meets every other week for stimulating discussion; Brewski for Peaceski - a weekly social time for peace activists. The Peace Vigil/Zone co-sponsored the annual Rainbow Coalition Candidates Forum. We provided the moderator and one questioner.

Our "Opt-Out" form was approved by our school district, for parents of high school students who do not want their information to go to military recruiters. One church is mailing it this week to their High School families.

Our first year open house celebration featured the Bellingham Raging Grannies. www.bellinghampeace.com

Ever hear of or see the old "Burma Shave" signs along roads in the 50's and 60's? It was one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history. Using that concept, we've been posting signs along the streets of West Seattle, such as: "Yankee Doodle wants to rule. The world and thinks he'll try it. The only thing he needs for that. Is "we the people" quiet." At the end of the signs, we hold our West Seattle Neighbors for Peace sign and wave cheerfully. Our reward is many peace signs, smiles and happy clapping. Waves, honks, blank stares and the odd one-finger objection. But mostly positive. We've learned to constantly stay with the signs after one unattended set was stolen in 2 minutes! For more verses see www.westseattleneighborsforpeace.org

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EVENTS

Still waging peace all over! See Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War SNOW website for neighborhood groups around Puget Sound & beyond http://www.snowCoalition.org/contact.php, more events: Olympia plus http://www.OlyFOR.org; Seattle plus http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar, Bellingham http://www.bellinghampeace.org or http://www.revolutionz.org Tacoma http://www.tacomapjh.org, Tri-Cities http://www.tcfn.org/wcp

Ongoing Thursdays, 9 p.m. & Mondays 1:30 p.m., TCTV channel 22 or 29 in Thurston County, Olympia *FOR* TV monthly program repeats twice weekly; September "U.S. Uses Uranium Weapons" October "Choosing Peace"; info Glen 360-491-9093 or http://www.OlyFOR.org

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 peace group in the tradition of the women who vigil weekly in Israel / Palestine, info 206-208-9715

Ongoing Fridays, 4:30 - 6 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, 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., vigil may be extended to 6 p.m., info 360-738-9205

Ongoing Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Junction, California SW and SW Alaska West Seattle; "The Junction Function" a Peace Presence by West Seattle *FOR* etc. info jmrepp@attbi.com or http://www.snowcoalition.org/westseattle

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, 2 p.m., at Greenlake, near the intersection of 63rd and East Greenlake Way N, 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 or 29 in Thurston County; Olympia *FOR* sponsors interesting documentaries, different each month; info Carol 360-866-7645 or carolburns@olywa.net

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Sept 1 - mid-Nov, in Olympia; "Choosing Peace: A Series for the Whole Community." The Olympia *FOR* and many other community groups have planned dozens of peace-related activities and events throughout Thurston County. info the "Choosing Peace" page website http://www.olyfor.org or 360-491-9093

Fri Sept 5, 7 p.m., Wesley Terrace, at Wesley Terrace, 815 S. 216th, Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting, call for topic, info Mark Fredericksen 206-243-9238 or mark@fredericksen.net

Sat Sept 6, at Bellevue Community College, Bellevue WA; Washington State Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, conference for parents, friends and allies as well as GLBT individuals. 27 workshops, buffet dinner and entertainment by ensemble group from the Seattle Men's Chorus, registration includes continental breakfast and lunch, $50 adults, $35 students; evening event $20, info Wendy 425-483-6642

Sat Sept 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

Sun Sept 7, and subsequent 1st Sundays, 2 - 4 p.m., at the Dougass-Truth Library, 23rd Ave & Yesler Way, Seattle; meeting of the Nonviolent Peaceforce -- Seattle Area Support Group, a local group that will provide an on-going resource for peacekeeping presence and training; with a discussion on "Terrorism and Nonviolence". and our country's response to the terrorism of two years ago; info David Berrian 425-482-3026

Weds Sept 10, 7 - 9 p.m. at the Downtown Bellevue Park; Circles of Hope, A gathering for peace, healing and greater understanding. In remembrance of those whose lives were lost, Eastside *FOR* is a sponsor, info Diane Love 425-453-1160

Thurs Sept 11, 6 p.m., assemble at Bergen Place, corner of Market & 22nd Ave. NW, march one mile to Trinity United Methodist 6512 23rd Avenue NW, Seattle; Democracy At Risk: An Interfaith Service of Grief and Healing. We chose the path of violence and retribution and are reaping the bitter harvest of the wrath of war. info Rev. Rich Lang 206-784-2227

Sun Sept 14, 2 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, Centralia; Fire Mountain *FOR* meeting. info June Butler, 360-748-9658 or Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946

Sun Sept 14, 5:15 p.m. business mtg, 6 potluck, 7 program, at Hillside Comm. Church, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program with Jean Buskin on Demonstrating for Peace & Going to Prison; info Al Kammerzall 253-272-9572

Tues Sept 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 Sept 16, 7 p.m., at Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water, downtown Olympia: Join with Olympia *FOR* to watch and discuss 12 short videos from the "Media that Matters Film Festival." This collection includes a number of powerful and gritty topics such as prison rape, but also includes some lighthearted explorations of understanding between people. less than 90 minutes of viewing time, with some time to discuss them; info Carol 360-866-7645 or carolburns@olywa.net

Thurs Sept 18, 7 p.m., at 1621 Tullis Street NE, Olympia; Death Penalty Abolition Meeting; The Olympia *FOR* Committee for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, info Glen 360-491-9093

Fri Sept 19, dinner 6:30 p.m., program 7:15, at Charlie's Restaurant Banquet Room, 1826 -1st Ave, Longview, Cowlitz County *FOR* and others will hear a program by Justice Works, advocates for prisoners and racial justice in the criminal justice system, info Janey 360-423-7338

Sun Sept 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 Jeanie Sedgely, of Physicians for Social Responsibility, "The Challenge of Hanford and Health: Cleanup First! What You Can Do Prevent Hanford From Becoming a National Nuclear Waste Dump"; Free, an offering will be taken. info 206-789-5565

Thurs Sept 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Media Island, 816 Adams SE, Olympia; Two back-to-back Workshops: "The Power And Practicality Of Nonviolence" and "Going Beyond Protest"; presented by Glen Anderson of Olympia *FOR*, part of Olympia FreeSkool. info Glen 360-491-9093 or glen@olywa.net

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Fri Oct 3, at Buck's Fifth Avenue, 209 5th Ave SE, downtown Olympia; Arts Walk: Olympia *FOR* Displays Students' Peace-Related Art as part of participation in UN-sponsored International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World. info Kristen Dahle 360-357-3553

Fri Oct 3, 7 p.m., Wesley Terrace, at Wesley Terrace, 815 S. 216th, Des Moines; South King County *FOR* meeting, call for topic, info Mark Fredericksen 206-243-9238 or mark@fredericksen.net

Sat & Sun Oct 4 & 5, free workshop on the International Solidarity Movement to End the Occupation, history and issues about Palestine, nonviolence, affinity groups, logistics, packing, jail solidarity, and more; a pre-training for anyone hoping to join the ISM or be a support person for an ISMer. info 206 633-1086

Sat Oct 4, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Daybreak Star, Fort Lawton, Seattle; Peace activists to listen to Native peoples, explore wisdom concepts, prepare for long term struggle, and maintain vision and hope. info Bob Zeigler 360-570-0848 or ZeiglerBob@msn.com

Sat Oct 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

Sun Oct 5, and subsequent 1st Sundays, 2 - 4 p.m., at the Douglass-Truth Library, 23rd Ave & Yesler, Seattle; meeting of the Nonviolent Peaceforce - Seattle Area Support Group, a local group that will provide an on-going resource for peacekeeping presence and training; info David Berrian 425-482-3026

Thurs - Sun Oct 9 - 12, at The Evergreen State College, Olympia; "Fostering Alternatives to Violence" - 2nd Annual Conference of the nationwide Peace and Justice Studies Association: renowned speakers & outstanding workshops. info 360-867-6196 or http://www.peacejusticestudies.org

Fri - Sun Oct 10 - 12, National Weekend of Faith in Action on the Death Penalty, presented by Amnesty International USA. info http://www.amnestyusa.org/abolish/faithinaction.html

Fri Oct 10, in Centralia; Lewis County Domestic Violence Summit; info June Butler, 360-748-9658

Sat Oct 11, 1 p.m., at Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, 16159 Clear Creek Road NW, Poulsbo; Ground Zero's first anniversary annual meeting of its governing Council; this group works to abolish nuclear weapons

Sat Oct 11, 2003 Earth Charter Community Summit; Celebrate our community's reflection in the Earth Charter - Care and Respect for the Community of Life; Ecological Integrity; Social and Economic Justice; Peace, Nonviolence and Democracy. info Kat Gjovik kmgjovik@aol.com or 206-842-0223 or http://www.earthchartersummits.org

Sun Oct 12, at the Olympia Center, 222 N. Columbia, downtown Olympia; Children's Day: Olympia *FOR* Offers "Hands Are Not for Hurting" Activity and pledge, "I will not use my hands or words for hurting myself or others." The Olympia FOR provides this activity every year in the context of the United Nations-sponsored International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World, amid the many other kid-related activities. info Kristen Dahle 360-357-3553

Sun Oct 12, 2 p.m., at Centralia Library; Fire Mountain *FOR* meeting. info Stephen 360-736-8784

Sun Oct 12, 5:15 p.m. business mtg, 6 potluck, 7 program, at Hillside Comm. Church, 2508 S. 39th St, Tacoma; Tacoma *FOR* program with topic, Israel & Palestine - What Next?; info Al Kammerzall 253-272-9572

Fri Oct 17, dinner 6:30 p.m., program 7:15, at Charlie's Restaurant Banquet Room, 1826 -1st Ave, Longview, Cowlitz County *FOR* program , info or rides Janey 360-423-7338

Sun Oct 19, 5 p.m. potluck, 6 p.m. announcements, 6:30 - 8 p.m. program, at Woodland Park Presb. Church, 225 N 70th near Greenwood, Seattle; Seattle *FOR* presents Vivien Sharples of the Dispute Resolution Center on Mediation: Win-Win Conflict Resolution Free, an offering will be taken. info 206-789-5565

Tues Oct 21, 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 Oct 21, 7 p.m., at Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water, Olympia: Join with others to watch and discuss interesting videos in Olympia *FOR's* "In Search of the Big Picture" series, info Carol 360-866-7645 or carolburns@olywa.net

Thurs Oct 23, 7 p.m., University of Washington, Kane Hall, Seattle; "The Myth of Redemptive Violence" a public lecture by Walter Wink, a respected biblical scholar, author of a trilogy of books: Naming the Powers, Unmasking the Powers, and Engaging the Powers. info 206-632-5218

Fri & Sat Oct 24-25, at Campion Hall, Seattle University, Seattle; "Engaging the Powers - Embracing Hope" A two day workshop on nonviolence led by Walter Wink and June Keener Wink. info 206-632-5218

Mon-Tues Oct 27-28, in Tacoma; Jesus' Third Way: Nonviolence and the Local Church: focus on Walter Wink's book, The Human Being Jesus and the Enigma of the Son of Man. Conducted by the author, and June Keener Wink, info Gail C. Jones 253-759-6292

Sat Nov 1, 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church, lower level, Des Moines; South King County *FOR* will participate in the second annual Peace Fair, including displays of variety of Peace projects, and a short stimulating program. info Mary Emma Hibbard 206-870-2005

Fri & Sat Nov 21 & 22, at Westwood Retreat Center, Gwinwood Conference Center, Lacey, near Olympia; mark your calendar now! *WWFOR Fall Retreat* with Theme: Steps to Justice; you will be challenged and inspired to take steps toward justice by helping to expand FOR's work with constituencies that are underrepresented in our chapters. Excellent resource people will help us plan steps to reach out to young people, people of color, and people in the labor movement. We will enjoy music, our own cooking and wonderful fellowship. *WWFOR* Area Committee meeting follows, info 206-789-5565

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