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Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
IRAQ WAR ANNIVERSARY:
On Wednesday, March 10th, the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center will co-host anti-war folk musician DAVID ROVICS at 100 E. Maple Street, 7:00 PM. Tickets will be $10 at the door (tix will also be sold in advance—more details to come). This event will observe the 7th Anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and will include a candlelight vigil to remember all who have suffered, and still suffer, in this ongoing tragedy. This event is being co-hosted by the Mission, Justice & Social Concerns Committee of the First Congregational Church and Veterans for Peace Chapter 111.
INTERFAITH event rescheduled for Tuesday, February 23 (see details in Calendar below).
On Wednesday, March 10th, the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center will co-
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Let high school students know that the military isn’t the only option! Attend the New Volunteers Orientation to learn about volunteering with WPJC’s Alternatives to Military Service program. We table in nine Whatcom County high schools every semester, providing information about Conscientious Objection, nonviolent career/educational alternatives, and the “fine print” of joining the military. Orientation for new volunteers is Thursday, February 11th, 5:30-6:30 PM at the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, 100 E. Maple Street. RSVP to Gemma at vosn.wpjc@gmail.com or (360) 734-0217.
Let high school students know that the military isn’t the only option! Attend the New Volunteers Orientation to learn about volunteering with WPJC’s Alternatives to Military Service program. We table in nine Whatcom County high schools every semester, providing information about Conscientious Objection, nonviolent career/educational alternatives, and the “fine print” of joining the military. Orientation for new volunteers is Thursday, February 11th, 5:30-
IMMIGRATION Solidarity Vigils take place monthly at the Tacoma ICE Detention Center (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). To participate, please call Community to Community Development at (360) 738-0893.
CALENDAR:
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all World Issues Forum (WIF) lectures take place on Wednesdays 12-1:30 in the Fairhaven Auditorium at WWU. The WIF Coordinator is Fairhaven Professor Shirley Osterhaus. All events are free and everyone is welcome. Information: (360) 650-2309 or http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fairhaven.
Wednesday February 3: About Afghanistan: Can we learn anything useful from history? A lecture by Dr. David Curley, Department Chair, Liberal Studies, WWU. 7:00 PM at Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie Street.
Wednesday February 3: WIF hosts "Health Care Reform, American Style (what's not to like?)" a lecture by Aaron Katz, principal lecturer of Health Services and Global Health (adjunct), University of Washington School of Public Health. Congress has passed major health care legislation, President Obama's domestic policy priority. What will it really mean for the goal of providing quality, effective and efficient care for all Americans? And does this mean the U.S. finally joins the "community of nations" that manifest a human right to health?
Wednesday February 10: WIF hosts "What's best for children? - and what this means in an unequal world,” a lecture by Thomas Weisner, Professor of Anthropology, Departments of Psychiatry (NPI Semel Institute, Center for Culture and Health) and Anthropology at UCLA.
Wednesday February 10: WIF hosts "What's best for children? -
Wednesday February 17: WIF hosts "Challenging Canadian Multiculturalism: The Community Effects of Hate Crime,” a lecture by Barbara Perry, University of Ontario. Faculty of Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies. A surprisingly underexplored dimension of hate crime is the impact that it has not only on the immediate victim, but on the broader community. Hate crimes are direct threats to the principles of multiculturalism, and have the potential to present obstacles to the ability or willingness of affected communities to engage in civic life.
Wednesday February 17: Brown Bag Lunch at Rep. Rick Larsen’s office, 119 N. Commercial Street, sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America. For more information contact Bob Burr at BobBurr@comcast.net or 360-671-7813. These monthly events (third Wednesdays) will protest the limitless spending for endless wars.
Thursday February 18: Prayers for Peace in the Middle East will be held at 5:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 1031 N. Garden Street. In March, it will be hosted by United Church of Ferndale, 2034 Washington Street.
Sunday February 21: VFP is hosting ‘Global Domination for World Peace,’ a tournament for board game enthusiasts based on the Parker Brothers/Hasbro favorite for over 50 years, Risk, The Game of Strategic Conquest. 10:00 AM until Global Domination at CEAEE Space (above UISCE Irish Bar) 1317 Commercial Street. The organizers for this year’s event are anticipating at least 125 competitors in what they hope will help sustain the Chapter outreach for local charities and veterans’ assistance and advocacy. A $25 entry fee for all Risk “diplomats and generals” is all it will take to be a gamer, with proceeds also resulting in cash and prizes for finalists. Entry forms are available at Eagle Games, 221 W. Holly St. in Bellingham. For additional information contact James Gillies at 384-9158 or email poppydog@dishmail.net .
Monday February 22: Jeff Halper will speak in Bellingham, the time and location TBA. Dr. Halper co-founded Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) to challenge and resist the Israeli policy of demolishing Palestinian homes in the occupied territories-- and to organize Israelis, Palestinians, and international volunteers to jointly rebuild demolished Palestinian homes. He has created a new mode of Israeli peace activity based on nonviolent direct action and civil disobedience. Halper was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by the American Friends Service Committee for his work "to liberate both the Palestinian and the Israeli people from the yoke of structural violence" and "to build equality between their people by recognizing and celebrating their common humanity."
Tuesday February 23: The Whatcom Interfaith Group (TWIG) will host an interfaith conversation café at 7:00 PM at First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham (rescheduled from January 27th). This conversation entitled ‘Misconceptions and Misunderstandings’ is the second in a quarterly series. All people of goodwill are invited to participate in this lively, popular discussion series. More info, call Marie at 734-0217.
Wednesday February 24: WIF hosts "Reproductive Health: A Rights Based Approach in Nepal,” a lecture by Sarmila Shrestha, Public Interest Lawyer, Human Rights and Social Justice, Nepal PILI Fellow, Columbia Law School, NYC, USA. Noon-1:20 PM in Fairhaven College Auditorium, then again 4:00-5:15 in Communications 314. Women in Nepal face extreme problems relating to their reproductive health, even though this right is incorporated into Nepal's Interim Constitution. Public interest litigation has proven to be one of the most effective tools for creating change in the promotion of reproductive health service to women in Nepal. The rights-based approach, judicial decisions, and effective steps for implementation of court decisions will be discussed.
ONGOING MEETINGS:
The Peace Vigil gathers every Friday afternoon in front of the Federal Building at Cornwall and Magnolia from 4-5:00 PM. Join the Peace Zone afterwards for announcements and discussion at The Mount Bakery Restaurant, 308 W. Champion Street. Thanks, Vince, for opening up your restaurant for these weekly meetings!!
Contact United for National Healthcare for meeting dates and times: (360) 714-8999; supporter@unitedforhealthcare.org. The group meets at 1700 N. State Street (downstairs), Bellingham at 7:00 PM.
Veterans for Peace meets every third Friday at 6:00 PM, 1220 N. Forest Street. Veterans and non-Veterans invited. Call (360) 961-4999 for details.
Amnesty International meets the last Tuesday of every month at The Public Market, 1530 Cornwall Avenue, at 6:30 PM.
Bellingham Socialist Alternative meetings are every Monday through mid-June 2010 (except March 22) at 6:30 PM at Western Washington University. To find out the building & room number, contact Bellingham@SocialistAlternative.org or (713) 458-0366.
CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS:
This calendar is a service of the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center (PO Box 2444, Bellingham, WA 98227). We do not necessarily endorse all of the events listed. When we are co-sponsoring or hosting an event, we list our name in that announcement. (360) 734-0217; WhatcomPJC@fidalgo.net. To have your event included, please send an email one week prior to the end of the month with “Event Notice” in the subject line. Thanks!