Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation

Puget Sound Interfaith Youth Camp needs young people and adults to sign up by June 17: Kids who will enter 7th 8th or 9th grade this fall are warmly invited to build a more peaceful and just world by enjoying a week (Aug. 24-29) of fun with kids from other religious faiths. Most of the time campers swim, kayak, create art, hike, play sports and games, and sing around the campfire. What differs is the time spent talking and learning about one another’s religions, beliefs, and customs. Kids have the opportunity to be themselves, have a great time in a beautiful natural setting, and discover more about their common humanity. Organizers hope that campers’ growing understanding of each other’s worldviews will result in greater respect, appreciation, empathy and compassion. Campers have been a mix of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Baha’i, Unitarian, Native American, Atheist, Quaker, and other religions or spiritual affiliations. An adult faith leader for each religion also participates. Proselytizing is not permitted. The organizers must have 30 camper applications and 10 adult staff applications (counselors, nurse/medic/faith leaders) in order to proceed with this year’s camp. The fee for the camp is $100, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. This is a project of our local Interfaith Works and Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County. Info: www.soundinterfaithcamp.org and Interfaith Works 357-7224

Register now for FOR’s regional conference at Seabeck in Kitsap County: An important reason for the Pacific NW’s strong grassroots peace movement is that FOR members from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia have been organizing and attending a regional conference on Fourth of July weekend for 50 years. Enjoy outstanding keynote speakers; choose 4 workshops from a list of 25; and enjoy music, information and inspiration in a beautiful setting. Please register now for our 2008 conference, “Persevering for Justice & Peace.” Most FOR folks received in the mail a yellow brochure with complete information and registration form. If you don’t have it handy, you can get all necessary information at the Oregon FOR’s website, www.ofor.org or http://seabeck.ofor.org or from the Olympia FOR, 491-9093. The sooner you register, the better. Questions? Contact the registrar at (503) 585-5436 orjtb42@comcast.net or susanwat@peak.org Washingtonians who need scholarship assistance can get a form from www.wwfor.org or by contacting the Olympia FOR at 491-9093

Hot meals for Camp Quixote: If you, or your organization would like to provide a hot meal on a regular basis (such as once a week) while the Camp Quixote tent city stays at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, please contact Selena Kilmoyer 360-951-0326 or k.selena@gmail.com

Olympia’s waterfront for everyone or just for the wealthy few? What do you think about adding more big buildings on the little isthmus between Capitol Lake and Budd Inlet? If you’d rather not have a bunch of new 90 and 65 foot high-rises where the tall ugly building already blocks views, you might want to connect with Friends of the Waterfront. This local group is opposing the proposal for the Olympia City Council to rezone the area. Info: www.friendsofthewaterfront.org By the way, to see what the view would look like if the existing tall building were removed and no new tall buildings were built, see www.olyblog.net/blog/thad-curtz

More outreach to impeach Bush and Cheney: Since January the Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney has been holding signs at Plum & Union one hour a week and at State and Plum one hour a week. This spring CMIB/C has staffed information tables on three Saturdays at the Olympia Farmers’ Market. All of these activities have produced tremendous support. You can participate in the next outreach activity without even leaving your home! CMIB/C will produce a play soon and air it on TCTV (cable channel 22 for Thurston County cable subscribers) later this summer. The play, “I – The Impeachment Trial of George W. Bush,” (by Richard A. Lasser and Bruce Fein), will be performed as “readers’ theater” (reading from the script instead of memorizing the lines) on Saturday afternoon June 21 at the TCTV studio. If you can’t wait for it to appear on your TV later this summer, come and join the live audience! For information about impeachment visit www.CitizensImpeach.org. For current activities contact Glen at 491-9093 glen@olywa.net or Kerri at 867-9237 kerrigriffis@yahoo.com.

Call Congress now to impeach Bush and Cheney: Join a strong nationwide movement to urge the House Judiciary Committee to impeach Bush and Cheney by investigating crimes such as a widespread policy of torture; illegal programs for spying on U.S. citizens; and fraud in launching a war that has killed a million Iraqis and more than 4,000 U.S. service members, and many gross violations of the U.S. Constitution. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark recently wrote: “In his remaining eight months, President Bush will continue to threaten other nations in violation of international law and clearly intends to commit new aggressions in his belligerent presidency. If not stopped by impeachment he may strike Iran’s nuclear projects and immerse the United States in avoidable war for a generation far more exhausting than any we have known.” Please phone Rep. John Conyers, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, at (202) 225-5126, (202) 224-3121, (202) 225-3951, (313) 961-5670, or (734) 675-4084. Demand that articles of impeachment be introduced before the 4th of July. Nationwide info: www.ImpeachBush.org and www.AfterDowningStreet.org. A statewide group is at www.WashingtonForImpeachment.org. Local info at www.CitizensImpeach.org and 491-9093.

U.S. ranked 97th of 140 nations in Global Peace Index: A peace-oriented non-profit organization used a well-designed methodology and a number of experts to track 24 indicators and assign a numerical value indicating the peacefulness of 140 nations in the world. The United States ranked 97th and Iraq ranked 140th. The top five most peaceful nations were Iceland, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand and Japan. Info: http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/results/rankings/2008/

Voter-Owned Elections for Olympia? Now that the State Legislature has passed the “Local Option” bill, local governments can now choose to provide public financing for their elections instead of being trapped in the big money of special interests. How about doing this in Olympia? The new law gives permission for cities, towns, counties, and local districts to design their own rules to offer public financing for campaigns for local office. The law requires that any such program be submitted to local voters for approval or rejection, through a local referendum or advisory ballot. With publicly funded campaigns: (1) Lawmakers and elected officials are indebted to no special interest. (2) Qualified candidates can run regardless of their wealth or connections. (3) Voters get wider choice among candidates. (4) Candidates and Lawmakers work on voter’s issues, rather than fundraising for their next campaign. Local advocates for clean elections need help with research, community outreach, and other functions to work toward a ballot measure for publicly funded Olympia City Council elections. Can you help in any way? Contact Monica Hoover at 943-3070 mmhoove@aol.com Much more information is at www.WashClean.org and www.washclean.org/details-3-08.htm

Canada’s House of Commons votes to support U.S. war resisters: On June 3 the opposition parties in the House of Commons united for a majority “yes” vote for a resolution that – if it were to proceed through the rest of the Canadian government and be implemented – would allow U.S. persons resisting the Iraq War to obtain Permanent Resident status in Canada. U.S. and Canadian peace supporters have been urging this for a long time with disappointing results from the Conservative government. A coalition of minority parties produced a majority for this worthy cause. The resolution calls on the Canadian government to “immediately implement a program to allow conscientious objectors and their immediate family members to apply for permanent resident status and remain in Canada; and the government should immediately cease any removal or deportation actions against such individuals.” Lee Zaslofsky, a Vietnam War deserter who went to Canada in 1970 and now serves as Coordinator of the War Resisters Support Campaign, stated, “This is a great victory for the courageous men and women who have come to Canada because they refuse to take part in the illegal, immoral Iraq War, and for the many organizations and individuals who have supported this campaign over the past four years.” Info: Michelle Robidoux, (416) 856-5008 or Lee Zaslofsky, (416) 598-1222 Free confidential counseling for military and veterans: The Soldiers Project NW is a group of licensed, private mental health care professionals providing free confidential counseling to all active duty military and veterans (and their families and loved ones) who have served in the Iraq (“Operation Iraqi Freedom”) and Afghanistan (“Operation Enduring Freedom”) wars. The Soldiers Project NW encourages clinicians to become involved by attending one of their monthly informational sessions. Info: Trisha Pearce (206) 290-1035 (24-hour phone line) www.thesoldiersproject.org

Universal single-payer health care opportunity: Seven Health Care Caucuses will be held throughout the State of Washington, sponsored by the Healthy Washington Coalition. These are opportunities for ordinary citizens to speak out and connect. One will occur on Thursday, June 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at University Christian Church, 4731 15th Avenue NE in Seattle’s University District. Another will occur on Tuesday, July 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Temple Beth El, 5975 South 12th Street, Tacoma. Additional caucuses will be held in Bellevue, Everett, Vancouver, Yakima and Spokane in the coming months. Get more information from Health Care for All – Washington, an organization working for universal single-payer health care statewide. Contact Ruth Knagenhjelm, HCFA- WA Outreach Coordinator, at georgiaboy@qwest.net

Health Care Reform – weekly updates: Larry Kalb, who is active the Washington Health Security Coalition (WHSC), was recently elected President of Health Care for All – Washington, the universal single-payer advocacy group. Larry sends a weekly email message entitled “This Week’s Perspectives in Health Care Reform,” which contains many helpful links and digests of articles, etc. relating to health care and health care reform. If you’d like to receive Larry’s informative weekly summaries, please contact him directly at lkalb@openaccess.org. For more information contact the Washington Health Security Coalition (WHSC). Phone toll-free (877) 502-1873, e-mail legislative@wahealthsecurity.org, or visit www.wahealthsecurity.org

ACLU calls ICE immigration raids “reckless and unconstitutional” – On May 20 the American Civil Liberties Union criticized raids of immigrant families and communities. Since late 2006 the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) section has undertaken an unprecedented campaign of immigration raids in homes, and worksites. The ACLU has challenged the legality and constitutionality of many of these raids. “ICE’s immigration raids have been so sweeping that they have ensnared U.S. citizens, including innocent children, in their dragnet,” said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU’s Washington DC Legislative Office. “There are no regulations controlling ICE’s reckless raids, and ICE routinely violates due process while conducting raids.” Info: Matthew Allee or Linda Paris, (202) 675-2312, media@dcaclu.org

Immigration: Help Start a Conversation: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dramatically increased arrests of people allegedly violating immigration laws, with the result that the basic rights and civil liberties of hundreds of people have been denied, and thousands more have been held under inhumane detention conditions. The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), a Quaker-based peace & justice advocacy group, has endorsed a Night of 1,000 Conversations on June 19 to help raise awareness about these violations and to hold DHS accountable. To find out how you can join a conversation or host your own conversation among friends, see www.fcnl.org/issues/item.php?item_id=3336&issue_id=69

Human shields to protect Iran from attack: More than 10,000 volunteers from 22 countries have pledged to travel to Iran at a moment’s notice to place their bodies in front of expected targets there, if an attack on Iran seems imminent. Info: humanshieldsiran@hotmail.co.uk and www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/398598.html

Olympia FOR’s library of books, videos, etc.: Someone on the Olympia FOR’s mailing list gave a parting gift to our library before moving away. Inciting Democracy is subtitled “A Practical Proposal for Creating a Good Society.” This book of nearly 300 pages offers practical and humane support for grassroots organizing. The Olympia FOR’s library also contains a copy of A Force More Powerful, a book detailing more than a dozen nonviolent movements against war and oppression during the 1900s from all over the world – and the accompanying videos (6 of these movements documented in 30-minute episodes). We have other books and videos, including backup copies of the Olympia FOR’s monthly TCTV series over the past 21 years. Interested? Contact the Olympia FOR at (360) 491-9093 info@olyfor.org

111 nations adopted treaty banning cluster bombs, but US opposes the treaty: On May 30 111 nations from all over the world – including many NATO allies – adopted a treaty banning cluster bombs, which carpet an area with dozens to hundreds of explosions and kill and maim large civilians initially when dropped and later when duds explode. An estimated 1 million unexploded “bomblets” lie throughout southern Lebanon. The US boycotted the talks, along with other nations that manufacture them (Russia, China, Israel, India, Pakistan). The treaty would outlaw all current designs and require stockpiles to be destroyed within eight years. The treaty allows for safer cluster weapons to be designed, though.

New film The Singing Revolution documents Estonia’s courageous nonviolent movement for independence from the USSR – by singing folk songs in the traditional Estonian language: Most people don’t think about singing when they think about revolution. But song was the weapon of choice when Estonians sought to free themselves from decades of Soviet occupation. The Singing Revolution is an inspiring account of one nation’s dramatic rebirth. It is the story of humankind’s irrepressible drive for freedom and self-determination. The Singing Revolution has been embraced in more than 60 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada so far, with more theaters coming soon. Word of mouth is motivating more and more theaters to book the film. See more informtion and trailer at www.singingrevolution.com Who could arrange for the Olympia Film Society to show it?

Why not a US Peace Memorial? Most monuments in our nation’s capital commemorate war. While soldiers are told that it is honorable to fight and die for one’s country, peace activists are often labeled “un-American,” “anti-military,” and “unpatriotic.” This mentality has resulted in a country that recognizes contributions to war and the sacrifices of the military, but does not honor those who make valiant efforts to maintain global peace. The US Peace Memorial will honor the millions of thoughtful and committed Americans who have dedicated their lives to peace or taken a stand against a particular US war. It will serve as a reminder that Americans value peace. It does not seek to diminish or disparage those who serve in the US military. It seeks, instead, to balance the message. Information: www.uspeacememorial.org

Amnesty International group forms in Olympia to work for human rights worldwide: The new group will meet Friday July 11 and then the first Friday of each following month at 7:00 pm in the community meeting room at Mixx-96 radio, 119 Washington St. NE Olympia (SW corner of Washington and State). Everybody is welcome! For information contact Kerri Griffis, (360) 867-9237 kerrigriffis@yahoo.com

June is Torture Awareness Month – Churches mobilize against torture: “Torture Is a Moral Issue,” reads a 3-foot by 9-foot banner hanging prominently outside some Seattle area churches. The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is mobilizing churches and religious organizations to take a stand. For example, in Bellevue, just east of Seattle, Newport Presbyterian Church displays the banner, and pastor Jim Patten said, “Torture goes against the most cherished ideals of our country. Because the soul of our nation is at stake in the torture-abuse crisis, we felt it imperative to take a stand.” NRCAT’s founder, Princeton theologian George Hunsinger, said, “The people in power today are trying to break a part of our ethical backbone and make us insensitive to these terrible human rights abuses that are taking place.” He said torture “strikes at the heart of our democracy. It is the use of torture that separates barbarism from civilization, and constitutional democracy from dictatorship. Torture is the quintessence of lawlessness.” He added, “Once torture gets into a political system, it’s very hard to get it out,” and that habeas corpus, a person’s right not to be arrested and held without charge, is “basic to constitutional democracy.” The Western Washington FOR (206-789-5565 www.wwfor.org) is participating. Would your congregation or religious organization participate too? Info: www.nrcat.org

Burma: House parties to support Aung San Suu Kyi and human rights: The Burmese military dictator Than Shwe extended the detention of the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Aung San Suu Kyi. Dozens of members of the National League for Democracy were arrested when they marched to her home to plead for her release. Worldwide, more people are learning about her, urging her release, and urging the Burmese military dictatorship to restore human rights. People are organizing house parties about this. The house parties are easy to organize, and by inviting your friends and family over for food, drinks, and a short film (available from the US Campaign for Burma (www.uscampaignforburma.org) . The goal is to raise at least $300 from each house party. Info: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1189/t/5102/event/distributedEventSignup.jsp?distributed_event_KEY=388

Burma: Sources of information and advocates for human rights: In response to the ongoing governmental repression by the military dictatorship – and in response to the recent natural disaster – many organizations are providing information, advocacy, material relief, and/or other support. Some good examples include U.S. Campaign for Burma (www.uscampaignforburma.org), Human Rights Watch (www.hrw.org and www.hrw.org/doc/?t=asia&c=burma), the Free Burma Coalition (www.freeburmacoalition.org), Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org and www.amnesty.org/en/region/asia-and-pacific/south-east-asia/myanmar), and a new group called Avaaz (www.avaaz.org).