Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation

February/March 2008 Issue #214

TOM RAWSON’S FOLK MUSIC CONCERT TEN GOOD THINGS ABOUT 2007
TO BENEFIT OLY. FOR SAT. MARCH 8 - BY MEDEA BENJAMIN 12/30/07

Tom Rawson – a banjo-playing, crowd-delighting folksinger
– performs songs of peace, social justice and just plain
fun on Saturday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Traditions
Café at the corner of 5th and Water SW in downtown
Olympia. (Note change of location from
previous years.)
Rawson has charmed and invigorated audi-
ences throughout the Pacific Northwest
with his infectious wit, energy and songs
that you just can’t resist singing along with.
As Steve Durfee wrote in the Victory Re-
view, ―Tom Rawson-Pete Seeger. These two run together in
my mind. We gladly follow his lead and sing with the cho-
rus from the very first song… First timer or old fan, old
song or new, it always seems we are singing our favorites
with an old friend.‖
Admission to Rawson’s performance, a benefit for the
Olympia chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation
(FOR), is based on a self-determined sliding scale donation
of $10-$25.
We encourage buying tickets in advance either from
Traditions Fair Trade, 5th & Water SW, Olympia, or from
the Olympia FOR. To buy tickets by mail, please send
checks payable to Olympia FOR to 5015 15th Avenue SE,
Lacey, WA 98503-2723.
The Olympia FOR (www.olyfor.org) has been active since
1976. It is the local chapter of a 92-year-old nationwide
(www.forusa.org) and international (www.ifor.org) paci-
fist organization that has opposed every war since World
War I. While working for peace in foreign relations, the
FOR has simultaneously worked for nonviolence and social
justice throughout society.
For more information contact Glen Anderson at (360)
491-9093 or info@olyfor.org
As we close this year on the low of Congress giving
Bush more billions for war, and the assassination of
Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan, let's remember some of
the year's gains that can revive our spirits for the New
Year. Here are just ten:
1. With the exception of the White House, this has been a
banner year for environmental consciousness and action.
Al Gore and the scientists of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Green building and renewable energy have exploded.
Congress passed the Green Jobs Act of 2007, authoriz-
ing $125 million for green job training. Over 700 U.S.
mayors, representing 25 percent of the U.S. population,
have signed a pledge to reduce greenhouse gases by
2012. Illinois became the 26th state to require that some
of the state's electricity come from renewable sources,
and Kansas became the first state to refuse a permit for
a new coal-fired power plant for health and environ-
mental reasons. That's progress!
2. On the global environmental scene, the Bush dinosaurs
were tackled head on. When the US delegation at the
UN climate change conference in Bali tried to sabotage
the negotiations, the delegate from tiny Papua New
Guinea threw diplomatic niceties to the wind and said
that if the U.S. couldn't lead, it should get out of the
way. Embarrassed by international and domestic out-
rage, the U.S. delegation buckled, and the (cont. page 2)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
3 IMPEACHMENT MOVEMENT PROGRESS!
4 FEB. : POVERTY, HOUSING, & THE STATE LEGISLATURE
TCTV MARCH : THE OLYMPIA-RAFAH MURAL PROJECT
5-7 NEWS - RESOURCES - OPPORTUNITIES
8-9 BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PEACE MOVEMENT
10 “BIG PICTURE” TCTV DOCUMENTARY SERIES
11 CONTACTING YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR
11 MEDITATIVE PEACE WALK IN HONOR OF MLK
12-16 LOCAL CALENDAR
17-19 OUT-OF-TOWN CALENDAR

Our Mission Statement: The Olympia Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation seeks to replace violence, war, racism, in-
tolerance, and economic and social injustice with nonviolence, peace and justice. We are an organization of many faiths com-
mitted to active nonviolence as a transformative way of life and as a means of profound social change. We model these princi-
ples by personal example. We collaborate and dialogue with the larger community to educate
and to engage in nonviolent and compassionate actions.

Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation 5015 15 Ave SE, Lacey WA 98503 (360) 491-9093 www.olyfor.org
th
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TEN GOOD THINGS ABOUT 2007 - CONT.
way was cleared for adopting the "Bali road map." Al-
though it is a weak mandate, it lays the groundwork for a
stronger climate agreement post-2012 when the first
phase of the Kyoto Protocols ends.
3. Imagine living in a waste-free urban society? Well, it's no
longer a utopian dream but a well-thought-out plan for
India's state of Kerala. The plan to be "waste-free"
within five years includes waste prevention, intensive re-
use and recycling, composting, replacing unsustainable
materials with sustainable ones, training people to pro-
duce these materials, and providing funds for setting up
sustainably run businesses. The ground-breaking plan,
spearheaded by a local grassroots movement, demon-
strates how citizen groups can advance pioneering poli-
cies to heal the planet.
4.While the war in Iraq rages on, a new war was stopped.
The specter of war with Iran loomed large throughout
the year, with Washington accusing Iran of killing U.S.
soldiers in Iraq and being a nuclear threat. Then in De-
cember came the National Intelligence Estimate show-
ing that the Bush administration knew all along that Iran
had shelved its nuclear weapons program in 2003. It
exposed the Administration claims of an Iranian threat
as unjustifiably inflated, and the winds of war were sud-
denly subdued. Nothing is guaranteed, but a U.S. mili-
tary attack on Iran is less likely now than it was earlier in
the year.
5.This year also brought a decrease in tensions
with North Korea. Hostilities flared after
North Korea successfully conducted a nu-
clear test in 2006. But the Bush administra-
tion, bogged down in Iraq and pushed by
international pressure, agreed to negotiate.
Following a series of six-party talks involving
North Korea, South Korea, China, Russia, Japan, and
the U.S, on March 17, 2007, an historic agreement was
reached. North Korea agreed to shut down its main nu-
clear facility and submit a list of its nuclear programs in
exchange for fuel and normalization talks with the U.S.
and Japan. During this age of raw aggression, it is a wel-
come example of putting diplomacy first.
6. The Iraqi people have little to celebrate, but there was
one important victory for the people this year. Remem-
ber how the Bush administration and Congress were
insisting that the Iraqi Parliament pass a new oil law?
Touted as a way to "share oil revenue among all Iraqis",
the oil law was really designed to transform the country's
currently nationalized oil system to one open to foreign
corporate control. But opposition was fierce inside Iraq,
especially from the nation's oil worker unions. In a rare
sign of independence from Washington and concern for
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
domestic opinion, the Iraqi Parliament withstood intense
U.S. pressure and refused to pass the oil law.
7. In early 2007, few Americans had heard of
the private security company Blackwater.
By year's end, Blackwater had become infa-
mous for the killing of civilians in Iraq.
The radical privatization of our military to
corporations like Blackwater that are ac-
countable to no one was exposed for all to
see. This frightening process is still well under way, with
more private contractors in Iraq than soldiers, but at
least the issue has now entered the public dialogue. And
Blackwater has received such a black eye that it's unlikely
to get a new Iraq contract when the present one expires
in May.
8. One victory on both the war and environmental fronts
came in Australia, where Labor Party's Kevin Rudd beat
conservative John Howard to become Prime Minister.
Howard was an enthusiastic backer of George Bush's
disastrous war on terror, from defending the
Guantánamo prison and extraordinary rendition to send-
ing troops to Iraq and Afghanistan. Howard also joined
Bush in refusing to ratify the Kyoto Agreement, arguing
it would cost Australians jobs. After assuming office on
December 3, Kevin Rudd immediately signed the Kyoto
agreement and he has promised to remove Australia's
combat troops from Iraq by mid-2008.
9. Sometimes a loss is a win. Hugo Chavez had initiated a
constitutional referendum that would have, among other
changes, scrapped term limits. His immediate acceptance
of a razor-thin margin of defeat before all the votes were
even counted showed his democratic colors and made it
a lot harder for Bush and the corporate media to label
him a dictator. Despite the loss, Chavez remains ex-
tremely popular, especially among the poor and working
class in Venezuela. And throughout Latin America, the
historic transformation led by progressive leaders like
Chavez continues to blossom.
10. Last but not least, this year saw the resignation of some
of Bush's closest allies in government-Donald Rumsfeld
resigned as Secretary of Defense, Alberto Gonzalez as
Attorney General, and Karl Rove as Deputy Chief of
Staff. Best of all, we can give thanks that we only have
ONE YEAR left of the criminal, war-mongering, consti-
tution-shredding, rights-violating, torture-sanctioning
Bush Administration! It's just GOT to get better than
this!
So here's a toast to a green future, diplomacy, and surviving the
last throes of the Bush regime. Que viva 2008!
Medea Benjamin (medea@globalexchange.org) is cofounder
of CODEPINK and Global Exchange.
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IMPEACHMENT MOVEMENT MAKES TREMENDOUS PROGRESS!
Progress in Congress:
On January 23 Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio announced that he will introduce Articles of
Impeachment against Bush on January 28, the day of Bush’s State of the Union speech. Referring ―If impeach-
to the hundreds of lies Bush and his staff told about the need for the war in Iraq, Mr. Kucinich said, ment is off the
―We know the State of the Union. It’s a lie.‖
table, truth is
He also criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, who keeps saying that impeachment is
―off the table.‖ Kucinich charged, ―If impeachment is off the table, truth is off the table. If truth is off the table.
off the table, then this body is living a lie.‖ If truth is off
Kucinich’s Articles of Impeachment against Cheney (H.Res. 799) are in the House Judiciary Com- the table, then
mittee. Impeachment supporters are urging Committee members – especially Congressman John this body is
Conyers of New York – to hold hearings and move H.Res. 799 to a vote. For more information
about the ―Call to Action‖ to activate the House Judiciary Committee contact the Citizens Move- living a lie.‖
ment to Impeach Bush/Cheney at (360) 491-9093 glen@olywa.net
The most comprehensive nationwide website is www.AfterDowningStreet.org
Progress in the State of Washington:
The Legislature’s website, www.leg.wa.gov has a lot of specific information. Also see page ____ of this newsletter for in-
formation about contacting your state legislators.
Hundreds of impeachment supporters attended a hearing on Senate Joint Memorial 8016 (SJM 8016) on January 17, and
thousands more urged state legislators to support it. On January 21 the Senate committee passed it and moved it along. Im-
peachment supporters are urging their state senators, the Rules Committee, the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to
move it to the Senate floor and a successful vote.
A companion bill in the House (HJM 4027) was introduced and sent to the House Committee on State Government and
Tribal Affairs, which is chaired by Sam Hunt, a legislator serving the 22nd Legislative District, where most readers of this
newsletter live. Impeachment supporters are urging Representative Hunt, other members of the committee, and their own
respective representatives to hold hearings and support it in every way they can.
In late January the King County Democratic Central Committee passed a resolution supporting impeachment and specifically
supports SJM 8016 and HJM 4027. It will be considered by the Washington State Democratic Central Committee at its Janu-
ary 26 meeting.
Statewide information is posted at www.WashingtonForImpeachment.org
Many people who will be attending their Republican Party and Democratic Party precinct caucuses on Saturday February 9
will bring resolutions urging impeachment. For sample resolutions, contact the group listed below.
Progress in the greater Olympia area:
The Olympia-based Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney attracted 234 persons to its Impeachment Party on De-
cember 28. Most participants were from Thurston County, but some came from Lewis, Clark, King, Grays Harbor and
other counties.
The massive turnout convinced people that there truly is a “critical mass” of local folks who
want to impeach Bush and Cheney. Follow-up activities are energizing and mobilizing even
more people to help in many specific ways.
The next meeting is Mon. Feb. 4 at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW.
Info: (www.CitizensImpeach.org) and (360) 491-9093 or 491-1540.

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

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For 21 years the Olympia FOR has produced one-hour TV programs on issues related to peace, social jus-
tice, economics, the environment, and nonviolence. The Olympia FOR’s program airs on Thurston Com-
munity Television (TCTV), channel 22 for Thurston County’s cable TV subscribers. Each program airs
EVERY Monday at 1:30 p.m. and EVERY Thursday at 9:00 p.m. for a full month. This creates many
opportunities to watch each program.
FEBRUARY: “POVERTY, HOUSING, MARCH: “From Palestine to Puget Sound:
AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE” The Olympia-Rafah Mural Project”

Did you know that welfare payments to poor families – For quite a few years Olympia’s peace community been
which were already terribly low – have not been raised since building strong relationships of solidarity with Palestini-
1993? ans working for peace and justice there. Efforts increased
Grassroots people Did you know that a person who
after an Israeli military bulldozer murdered Olympia’s
are organizing Rachel Corrie in Rafah, Gaza, Palestine, nearly five years
is unemployable because of a
ago while she was nonviolently protecting a Palestinian
and pressuring temporary physical or mental
family’s home that the bulldozer was poised to destroy.
the Washington disability receives only $339 a
month – also stuck at the 1993 Now a new solidarity project is being organized: a mural
State Legislature level? in Olympia affirming the links between Olympia and
for practical and The two decades of massive in-
Rafah.
humane ways to flation in home prices also in- Although the Olympia City Council shied away from rati-
relieve the worst creased the cost of rent, so poor fying a sister-city relationship with Rafah, the Olympia-
pains of poverty. and working class people are Rafah Sister City Project (www.orscp.org), the Rachel
squeezed terribly. Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice
(www.rachelcorriefoundation.org), and other support-
Grassroots people are organizing and pressuring the Wash-
ers of peace and justice are moving ahead with a variety of
ington State Legislature for practical and humane ways to
activities and projects, including a mural in downtown
relieve the worst pains of poverty.
Olympia.
The Olympia FOR’s February TCTV program focuses on
Dr. Susan Greene, a Jewish-American artist/
the specific issues and legislation they’re working on. Two
psychologist/educator with the San Francisco Art Insti-
guests will lay it all out for us.
tute, has 20 years of experience with collaborative com-
Monica Peabody works with the Parents Organization for munity-based mural projects, including many in the Pales-
Welfare and Economic Rights (POWER). This new en- tinian Occupied Territories. Since 2005 she has been
tity replaces Olympia’s Welfare Rights Organizing Coalition working with the Rachel Corrie Foundation for a mural in
(WROC), for which Monica had provided outstanding lead- Olympia.
ership. Contact POWER at 352-9716 or welfare-
Our TV guests will be Cindy Corrie, Erin Genia and Ro-
rights@riseup.net
chelle Gause.
Pat Tassoni works with the Thurston County Tenants
Union (TCTU), which provides practical infor-
mation and advocacy from an office down-
town. Contact TCTU at 943-3036 or
tctu@tenantsunion.org

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

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Olympia FOR
NEWS - RESOURCES - OPPORTUNITIES
Urgent action: U.S. war resisters seek sanctuary in Canada – and need our help now: More and more U.S. military troops are re-
fusing to fight our illegal, immoral wars. Many of them (about 200 currently) are seeking sanctuary in Canada, but the
Canadian government has not welcomed them. The Canadian Parliament might vote on the matter as early as Febru-
ary. Peace folks in the U.S. are encouraged to ask the Canadian government to allow them in and allow them to stay
while necessary. People are visiting, writing, phoning, and e-mailing Canadian government offices in Canada and Ca-
nadian Consulate offices across the U.S. Please tell the Canadian government that you support U.S. service members
who are taking a stand against the Iraq war and don’t want them deported to face prosecution for following their con-
science and upholding international law. Many opportunities exist for U.S. peace folks right now, and our help is
needed right now. Info: www.salsa.democracyinaction.org and United for Peace and Justice 212-868-5545
www.unitedforpeace.org and Project Safe Haven, 206-499-1220 projectsafehaven@hotmail.com Send letters of
support to resisters c/o War Resisters Support Campaign, Box 13, 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1X7
CANADA.
Bush implies Palestinians don’t have it so bad after all: Bush recently visited Israel and Palestine. The Israeli government has
been sharply criticized by human rights supporters worldwide for its horribly repressive and humiliating military checkpoints that detain
Palestinians for many hours at a time and sometimes even prevent ambulances from taking Palestinians to hospitals. Delays at check-
points are a very sore issue for Palestinians. After Bush’s first day in the West Bank he commented to reporters at a checkpoint, ―You'll
be happy to know, my whole motorcade of a mere 45 cars was able to make it through without being stopped.‖
Who is making progress in health care? Researchers studied how well various countries were reducing rates of preventable deaths.
―The researchers found that while most countries surveyed saw preventable deaths decline by an average of 16 percent, the United States
saw only a four percent dip.... Other countries are reducing these preventable deaths more rapidly, yet spending far less.‖ The 19 coun-
tries, in order of best to worst, were: France, Japan, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Neth-
erlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States." www.opednews.com/
maxwrite/linkframe.php?linkid=49161
Health care reform in Washington: More and more people are coming together to work for a better health care system in our state.
The Washington Health Security Coalition (WHSC) is a nonprofit association of diverse organizations, health care advocates and profes-
sionals working together to secure comprehensive, high quality, affordable health care for all. WHSC wants a health care system that
guarantees quality affordable health care for all residents of Washington State and residents of the United States It supports: (1) Patients’
freedom of choice of their health professionals and providers; (2) Continuous health care coverage; (3) Accessible to individuals and
families; (4) Affordable and sustainable for society; (5) High quality and comprehensive health care - effective, efficient, safe, timely and
patient-centered; and (6) Equitable, fair and culturally competent health care for all. Info: toll-free 877-502-1873
www.wahealthsecurity.org. The statewide organization that specifically works for a universal, single-payer system is Health Care for All –
Washington, toll-free 877-903-9723 www.healthcareforallwa.org Both organizations are active in the current state legislative session
and year-around at the grassroots.
What do Washington’s children need from our State Legislature from now to mid-March? The Children’s Alliance, a well respected
nonprofit organization that helps Washington State’s kids in many ways, has strong priorities laid out in its 2008 Legislative Agenda, in-
cluding help for foster kids, food and nutrition, health coverage, and early education. See www.ChildrensAlliance.org for plenty of
good information. You can also track progress of these and other issues at the State Legislature’s own website, www.leg.wa.gov Also,
the Olympia FOR’s February TCTV program (see page ___) will focus on legislative priorities for poor families and renters.
82 people arrested at U.S. Supreme Court while opposing torture: On January 11 about 400 persons held a solemn march from the
National Mall to the U.S. Supreme Court. The march included a procession of activists dressed like the Guantánamo prisoners in orange
jumpsuits and black hoods. Inside the U.S. Supreme Court and on its front steps, 82 people were arrested as part of Witness Against
Torture's action marking six years of unjust imprisonment and abuse for the men held in Guantánamo. Many of the arrestees were de-
nied food and water for most of the 30-some hours they were detained. When arrested, about 70 of the arrestees withheld their legal
name and instead gave the name of a detainee. Today in court they gave their legal name but stated that their arrest on behalf of a de-
tainee. Thus one of the main goals for the action was achieved because a number the court dockets as well as individual citations now
have one of the detainees' names on them. Info: www.witnesstotorture.org
Cost of protests? Cost of war? The Olympian has published many letters to the editor accusing the people who protested the militariza-
tion of the Port of Olympia with wasting their tax dollars. The government and Olympian estimated the cost of policing,
etc., to be $110,000 over that period of approximately two weeks. How much did the Iraq war cost during that time? The
National Priorities Project (www.nationalpriorities.org and www.costofwar.com) calculates a running total of the war’s
cost – and breaks it down by state and local community. It shows that the taxpayers of Thurston County have spent
$374 million on the Iraq war through the end of 2007. Investing $110 thousand to stop a $374 million loss sounds like a
pretty good bargain.
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
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NEWS - RESOURCES - OPPORTUNITIES - CONT.

Federal budget action is happening now! What do you think? February is an important time for the public to push Congress for a
peaceful, humane federal budget. Bush will release his budget proposal on February 4. Then Congress will immediately start crafting the
federal budget and spending plans for fiscal year 2009, which starts October 1, 2008. The Friends Committee on National Legislation
(FCNL) is a tremendously well informed and well respected nonprofit group that distributes information and lobbies Congress based
upon Quaker values of peace and justice. FCNL relies upon volunteers – including a great many non-Quakers – to supplement the work
of its limited paid staff. Please see www.FCNL.org for federal budget information and specific ways you could help.
Don’t buy Bush’s wars: How much of your tax payment this year would
you like to allocate for waterboarding in Iraq or an invasion of Iran?
Around the world, people are puzzled as to why the U.S. public allows the
Bush administration to wage illegal wars and usurp our power. Why do we tol-
erate it and continue to pay for it? Chris Hedges wrote in the December 10
issue of The Nation, ―I will not pay my income tax if we go to war with
Iran… I will go to court to challenge the legality of the war.‖ People have
taken all of the ―responsible‖ actions that ―good citizens‖ do. We’ve written to
Bush and Congress, marched in the streets, and even voted for a new Congress that had campaigned against Bush’s wars. But the new
Congress continues to fund Bush’s wars with our tax dollars. A growing number of peace supporters are pledging to refuse to pay for
illegal, immoral wars. Some people have done this individually for years – with information and support from the National War Tax Re-
sistance Coordinating Committee, (www.nwtrcc.org 1-800-269-7464 PO Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY 11215). NWTRCC is supporting a
2008 War Tax Boycott. Contact NWTRCC for information. Other folks have started a new pledge stating, ―When I am joined by
100,000 other U.S. taxpayers, I will join in an act of mass civil disobedience and refuse to the portion of my taxes that pays the U.S. mili-
tary occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.‖ They say it’s time for taxpayers who oppose this war to join together in nonviolent civil dis-
obedience and show Congress how to cut off the funds for this war and redirect resources to the pressing needs of people. Former Secre-
tary of State Alexander Haig once said, ―Let them march all they want, as long as they pay their taxes.‖ And he was right. We can march
all we want, but if we cooperate with the funding of the war, we are culpable. As Chris Hedges explained his reasons for tax refusal, ―I
have friends in Tehran, Gaza, Beirut, Baghdad, Jerusalem and Cairo. They will endure far greater suffering and deprivation. I want to be
able, once the slaughter is over, to at least earn the right to ask for their forgiveness.‖ The world and history will judge us by how vigor-
ously we resist the illegal and immoral war tactics of the Bush Administration. Some of the wording in this announcement was provided
by Jodie Evans, a co-founder of CODEPINK: Women for peace. Info at NWTRCC (above) and at www.dontbuybushswar.org
Burma: U.S. House gives Congressional Gold Medal award to Aung San Suu Kyi: Grassroots pressure convinced the U.S. House
of Representatives to pass a bill 400-0 to award the Congressional Gold medal to Burma's imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been
Burma’s nationally recognized nonviolent leader for democracy since 1988. Please help persuade the Senate to follow! The Congres-
sional Gold Medal is the highest honor that the U.S. Government can award. Previous recipients include Mother Theresa, Winston
Churchill, Nelson Mandela, his Holiness the Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King Jr, Robert Frost, and Elie Wiesel. In 1988 she had joined
the National League for Democracy (NLD) political party and gave many speeches calling for freedom and democracy. The military re-
gime killed perhaps as many as 10,000 freedom-seekers of all ages and placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest before yielding to
popular demands for an election in 1990. When the NLD won a staggering 82% of the seats in parliament, and she should have led the
new government, the military regime clamped down again and began another reign of terror that has continued ever since. She has been
in and out of prison and house arrest ever since, including in 1991, when she won the Nobel Peace Prize. The military maintains an ex-
ceptionally brutal and violent control over the nation, which it has renamed Myanmar. Courageous people in Burma – especially Bud-
dhist monks – struggle nonviolently for democracy, and a worldwide campaign seeks Aung San Suu Kyi’s immediate and unconditional
release and restoration to the leadership role to which she was elected so many years ago. (By the way, several U.S. corporations shame-
lessly do business with the brutal government.) Information: www.uscampaignforburma.org
Science Debate 2008: Can we talk about issues now? The U.S. blocks climate agreement in Bali; American children trail the industri-
alized world in math; stem cell researchers are preoccupied with getting around the embryonic stem cell ban; the green revolution is di-
verted to feed SUVs instead of people; political hacks rewrite scientific reports to suit fundamentalists and lobbyists; and creationists are
conspiring to teach their religious beliefs in public school classrooms. In today’s U.S., science is being pushed backward. An impressive
number of science leaders have already signed on to an effort urging presidential candidates to discuss science seriously and accurately
during this election year. See www.sciencedebate2008.com
Third world debt: Update: In May 1998 some 70,000 people formed a human chain around the Birmingham, England, meeting of the
G8 (the nations on top of the world’s economy) and demanded that rich countries drop the debt owed by the poorest nations. Major
activities in May 2008 will mark the 10th anniversary, celebrate some accomplishments, and keep the pressure on politicians to finish the
job. Supporting organizations include: Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, CAFOD, Methodist Relief and Development Fund, Oxfam, World
Vision, ActionAid, Practical Action, Tearfund, TUC, UNISON, National Union of Teachers. See www.journeytojustice.org Especially
worth celebrating is the fact that – after a 7-year campaign – the West African nation of Gambia has finally had $140 million of its debt

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NEWS - RESOURCES - OPPORTUNITIES - CONT.

canceled. Gambia is so poor that 60% of its population lives on less than 1 dollar a day. Efforts are underway to wipe out another $374
million of its debt. Info: www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/gambia More info about the Jubilee Debt Campaign is at
www.jubileedebtcampaign.org
What did Congress do about peace and justice in 2007? The Friends Committee on National Legislation provides reliable informa-
tion and interacts with Congress. FCNL identified 10 important Senate votes and 15 important House votes and tracked each member’s
votes on those issues. Locally, Sen. Patty Murray voted for peace and justice 8 of the 10 times, voted wrong once and did not vote once.
Sen. Maria Cantwell voted correctly all 10 times. Congressman Brian Baird (3 rd Cong. Dist.) voted for peace and justice 9 of the 15 op-
portunities, voted wrong twice and did not vote four times. Congressman Adam Smith (9 th Cong. Dist.) voted correctly 12 times and
wrong 3 times. Please bear in mind that this is a limited sample of votes, but FCNL regards these issues as very important. More infor-
mation is at FCNL, toll-free 800-630-1330 and www.fcnl.org
New Jersey legislature votes to end death penalty: On December 13 New Jersey became the first U.S. state to legislatively abolish
the death penalty since the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976. The state Assembly (equivalent to our House of Repre-
sentatives) voted 44 to 36 in favor of a bill to scrap the death penalty, and substitute it with life in prison without the possibility of parole.
New Jersey’s Senate had voted to abolish it a few days before, and Gov. Jon Corzine, an opponent of capital punishment, signed it into
law. The victory follows a long, vigorous struggle of grassroots organizing, efforts by religious bodies, and other efforts for abolition.
New Jersey, which has not executed anyone since 1963, became the 14th state without a death penalty. Nationwide, its use is declining
year by year.
United Nations General Assembly strongly opposes the death penalty: The UN’s largest, most representative body, the General
Assembly, recently voted 104-54 (with 29 abstentions) to adopt a moratorium on death penalty executions, arguing that the death penalty
"undermines human dignity." The majority envisioned the call for a moratorium as a step toward total abolition. Worldwide, 134 coun-
tries have abolished the death penalty.
Progressive Secretary – a very easy way to communicate messages to government officials: Just one click is all it takes to send
messages on any of a variety of peace and justice issues to governmental officials, both elected and appointed. It’s easy and free to join
Progressive Secretary, a small non-profit organization that composes very brief messages and offers them for your approval. They are
very brief and quick to read. All you need to do is click ―Send.‖ You’ll be offered just a few per week. Info:
www.ProgressiveSecretary.org
A surge in Iraqi refugees: Before the U.S. attacked Iraq, Sunnis, Shiites, Christians, Jews, and others lived pretty harmoniously. The
U.S. war and military occupation of Iraq have has created political conflicts and the current civil war. Horrible hardships have triggered
religious animosities and ―ethnic cleansing,‖ both of which have forced millions of Iraqis to leave their homes. Some are refugees in
other parts of Iraq, and some have gone to other countries, where they stress the local economies and political balances. More than 4
million Iraqis have fled their homes for fear of violence and persecution. The U.S. – which caused the problem – has set a goal of reset-
tling only 12,000 of these 4 million by September 2008, but our actual progress is lagging behind even that modest goal. When politicians
and the mainstream media claim the ―surge‖ is working, they neglect to admit the ―surge‖ of refugees. The U.S. has a moral obligation to
solve the problems we have created. Before funding any more war, let’s fund the needs of the people we have in-
jured and made homeless by the war we’ve been conducting thus far. A great many sources of information about Iraq are
listed on the Iraq tab near the top of the Olympia FOR’s website, www.olyfor.org
International Women’s Day on Saturday March 8 – Special planning is starting now: The local chapter of the
National Organization of Women (NOW) invites community groups to try something a little different this year.
Instead of an event to mark International Women’s Day, NOW wants to develop a cooperative project that will
honor our link to women globally and the issues that affect us all. To participate in their planning meeting as an
individual or member of an organization, please contact Liana Francisco at 359-1290 or
now_thurston@yahoo.com
Artists invited to submit works on relationships with Latin Americans: The Thurston-Santo Tomas Sister Com-
munity Association invited local artists to submit works and images exploring our relationships and history with peo-
ple who live south of the U.S. border. They may become part of an exhibit in Olympia May 1-5 as part of the events
for the 9th delegation of guests visiting from Santo Tomas, Chontales, Nicaragua, from April 23 through May 13. Registration for art
submission is Fri. Feb. 29. Info: (206) 753-0942 artistslooksouth@mac.com A related conference on Immigration and Border Dia-
logues will occur May 15-18.
Are you curious about other faiths? Are you curious to hear what a Buddhist has to say about Buddhism? Or what Baha’i is all about?
Would you like to hear about Jewish holy days from a Jew? Perhaps your congregation, Sunday school class, youth group, or nonprofit
organization would be interested too! If you’d like to invite a speaker from another faith community, the staff of Interfaith Works could
help you find a speaker. Info: 357-7224 interfaithworks@comcast.net
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
 8

BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PEACE MOVEMENT

This is the second of a series of articles exploring various ways the peace movement can strengthen itself and become more
effective. These articles recognize that: (1) The way to win peace and social justice is through grassroots organizing to build
an ever-larger movement of the general public; (2) To win public opinion, nonviolence is both necessary and powerful; (3)
We need to strategize carefully to build this movement through a variety of smart campaigns and activities; and (4) Details
that might seem small can mean the difference between success and failure. Each issue of the Olympia FOR newsletter in-
cludes an article related to one of these topics, although not necessarily in this 1-2-3-4 order. The first article, ―Grassroots
People-Power Can Win Hearts and Minds,‖ appeared in our December-January newsletter and is on our website,
www.olyfor.org

WHAT “NONVIOLENCE” MEANS – AND WHY IT WORKS - GLEN ANDERSON

For peace & justice activists, is ―nonviolence‖ simply a given – to rewrite the “script” of what the adversary has in mind and
something that that we practice without thinking? Or – as some what the conflict is really about.
folks imagine – it is merely a set of specific tactics, like linking
Books and history and our own personal lives are full of these
arms together and sitting down to frustrate the police? Or – as
examples, but they are not often recorded as ―nonviolent‖ re-
some other folks imagine – is it spiritually based and largely over-
sponses. The history we learn in school is mostly a sequence of
lapping with their religious faith? Or – as some folks imagine – is
wars and generals, so people are not taught to imagine – let alone
it a consciously chosen way of life that guides how we live our
practice – creative nonviolent alternatives to the ―fight‖ or
daily lives, what we eat, what jobs we’ll perform, and how we raise
―flight‖ dichotomy. Nonviolence is often referred to as a
our kids?
―creative third way.‖
Perhaps ―nonviolence‖ is like the story of the blind people and
And it actually works!
the elephant. Each person touched a different part of the ele-
phant and characterized the elephant as being like that part. Military violence is so widely accepted as a legitimate way to con-
duct foreign policy that our society ridicules people who reject
Actually, nonviolence is probably all of those things – and more –
war and call for a nonviolent foreign policy. Mainstream politi-
and less – and different. It’s amazing how different people under-
cians assume that it’s OK to attack other nations and to over-
stand nonviolence so differently! The explanation below offers
throw governments that the U.S. government doesn’t like. Non-
some useful ways – but not the only possible ways – to un-
violence needs to challenge these basic cultural assumptions.
derstand nonviolence. The national Fellowship of Recon-
ciliation’s website www.forusa has additional information, as Nations have tried war for thousands of years, and it only results
does www.nonviolence.org We also recommend the writings of in deaths, bitterness, bankruptcy, and another cycle of wars. War
Gandhi, King, Gene Sharp, and others. Contact the Olympia has a proven track record of making problems worse. Violence
FOR at (360) 491-9093 or info@olyfor.org for additional re- is not only immoral but also ultimately self-defeating. How
sources and referrals. ironic that pacifists are ridiculed as naïve, while militarists and
mainstream politicians think that – even after thousands of years
A creative alternative:
of failure – the next war will fix everything!
Peacemaking involves some methodologies and some techniques.
Actually, nonviolence works better than violence – especially over
But a great deal of peacemaking has to do with attitude and faith.
the long haul. Martin Luther King often said, “The arc of the
If we approach situations with a peaceful attitude (friendliness,
moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” As we
openness, respect for all, etc.) and with faith in the deep dynam-
all know from our 10th grade geometry class, an arc is a line that
ics of nonviolence (e.g., the assumption that it’s possible to de-
curves a little. It doesn’t need to curve very much to qualify as an
vise a workable solution without violence and the principles ex-
arc instead of a (geometrically straight) line, but an arc curves
plained below), we are likely to do fairly well. If we happen to
nonetheless. And King affirms that history’s long track is on the
know some technical peacemaking methodologies and techniques,
side of justice!
so much the better!
Indeed, there is a long history of nonviolence actually working.
In school we learn that there are two basic responses to danger:
Gene Sharp’s amazing 3-volume series, The Politics of Nonvio-
―fight‖ or ―flight.‖ Actually, there is a third alternative: nonvio-
lence, documents 198 methods used over the past few thousand
lent action. This third option is to actively deal with the danger
years. The Olympia FOR has articles, books and videos docu-
without using violence (―fight‖) and without running away
menting nonviolence’s success rate – a success rate that has
(―flight‖). Nonviolent responses might include various
grown remarkably over the past several decades! Nonviolence
strategies of talking with the adversary (negotiating, appeal-
really works!
ing to conscience, re-framing the conversation, saying
things to catch the adversary off guard, etc.). A variety of The people who dismiss nonviolence as too ―nice‖ and ―moral‖
creative nonviolent actions and behaviors can also be used for the ―real world‖ don’t realize that nonviolence is also very

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

 9
WHAT “NONVIOLENCE” MEANS – AND WHY IT WORKS - CONT
practical and has a great track record of success.
Conflict has always existed, and conflict will always exist.
What nonviolence does is change the dynamics of conflict so
the parties are able to pursue workable solutions.
Ends and means:
I agree with Martin Luther King’s faith that ―The arc of the moral
universe is long, but it bends toward justice.‖ I believe that the
moral universe – and actual human society – work better:
- When we practice justice rather than injustice;
- When we live peacefully rather than violently;
- When we speak the truth rather than deceive others;
- When we respect the environment rather than abuse it.
Our responsibility is to live our lives in ways congruent with
how the universe was designed to function – a world of jus-
tice and peace. We need to actively work to promote justice and
nonviolence in our local community and in the world around us.
One of the most important reasons
why nonviolence works so well is that
nonviolence uses means that are con-
sistent with the ends. If we want to
build a world that is peaceful and just,
we must use methods that are peaceful
and just. What we do sows the seeds of
the world that will grow. Violent and
unjust seeds produce a violent and unjust world. Peaceful and
just seeds produce a peaceful and just world.
Violence keeps us ―stuck‖ in cycles of vengeful and ineffective
reactions. In contrast:
- Nonviolence rewrites the conflict’s ―script‖ and creates fresh
alternatives that allow people to actually solve the problems.
- Nonviolence is consistent with how the universe wants to work
– the arc that bends toward justice.
Nonviolence is sustainable:
Nonviolent solutions are sustainable because they are based
on truth and they preserve the human dignity of all of the
adversaries.
- Nonviolence recognizes the essential humanity of our adversar-
ies, even while we may strongly disagree with their behavior.
- Nonviolence engages and cultivates the conscience and personal
dynamics of the adversaries.
- Nonviolence engages and cultivates the conscience and personal
dynamics of the other people around us.
- Nonviolence also protects and cultivates our own human
dignity.
We live in a world – and in a nation – that seems think it is
exempt from the laws of nature:
- That global climate problems don’t affect us;
- That we can use as much oil as we want for as long as we want;
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
- That we can dominate and exploit other nations year after year
without any repercussions;
- That we can use violence against others without provoking
violence in return
Our society is just now starting to understand that in environ-
mental matters we cannot ignore Mother Nature’s laws without
suffering serious consequences down the line. Disregard for the
environment is not sustainable. Neither is disregard for human
dignity. Arrogance, violence, militarism and violations of human
rights are chickens that come home to roost. Our society’s con-
tempt for peace and human rights around the world is hurting us
at home too. The 9-11 tragedy is only one piece of evidence.
Others are all around us, and more will appear.
In contrast, the values supporting nonviolence (truth, love, jus-
tice) are congruent with how the universe works best, so these
values and nonviolence are sustainable. We need to realign our-
selves with the justice-based universe and resolve problems non-
violently.
Choosing a nonviolent future:
Working for nonviolence is an uphill struggle, because the world’s
powerful entrenched systems are built on power, greed, violence.
It will take a lot of work to turn things around. Our society ac-
cepts violence as a given, so every day we need to re-learn the
truth and power of nonviolence and substitute it in place of the lie
and weakness of violence.
In a time when the domineering politics-as-usual is taking away
our freedom, we need more freedom. In a time when the domi-
neering politics-as-usual is taking away due process for everyone,
we need more due process for everyone. In a time when the
domineering politics-as-usual is imposing secrecy and interfering
with people finding the truth and exchanging ideas, we need more
searching for truth, and more open exchange of ideas. We need
to make our means consistent with our ends – and we in the
peace & justice movement need to practice what we preach.
We need to walk our talk. We need to practice the most
scrupulous and profound nonviolence.
If we do this, we can succeed, because although ―the arc of the
moral universe‖ might seem very long, it does indeed bend to-
ward justice!
 10

OLYMPIA FOR’S “BIG PICTURE” DOCUMENTARY SERIES ON TCTV

In addition to the Olympia FOR’s TV series of locally produced interview programs (see page ____), we also air thought-provoking
documentaries that you’re not likely to see elsewhere on TV. Under the series title ―The Big Picture,‖ Carol Burns finds suitable docu-
mentaries and arranges to show them on Thurston Community Television (TCTV channel 22) for cable subscribers in Thurston
County. Thanks to Carol for continuing to inform the people! You can watch these programs at 10 p.m. every Sunday evening and
3:30 a.m. every Wednesday and Friday morning for a full month. Info: Carol 866-7645 carolburns98@comcast.net

GREG PALAST’S INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

IS FEATURED ON OLYMPIA FOR’S “BIG PICTURE” DOCUMENTARY SERIES ON TCTV
Investigative journalist Greg Palast is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Armed Madhouse and another
New York Times bestseller, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy. Palast is best known in his native USA as the jour-
nalist who, for the Observer (UK), broke the story of how Jeb Bush purged thousands of Black Florida citizens from voter
rolls before the 2000 election, thereby handing the White House to his brother George.
Palast’s reports on the theft of election 2004, the spike of the FBI investigations of the bin Ladens before September 11, the
secret State Department documents planning the seizure of Iraq’s oil fields have won him recognition six times by ―Project
Censored‖ for reporting the news American media doesn’t want you to hear. His web page is www.GregPalast.com.
Greg Palast’s video reporting style is as confrontational, and as occasionally funny, as that of Michael Moore, but without the
contrivances.
The Olympia FOR is happy to feature Greg Palast’s films for both FEBRUARY and MARCH.

FEBRUARY: “THE ELECTION FILES” MARCH: “THE BIG EASY”

Our FEBRUARY ―Big Picture‖ documentary will be The
Election Files, which reveals evidence of election fraud in
2000, and 2004, and predicts fraud in 2008. This one-hour
documentary will be followed by a 15-minute 2006 program
about Mexico’s presidential election.
Our MARCH ―Big Picture‖ documentary will be Big Easy
to Big Empty, a one-hour documentary describing the fed-
eral government’s criminal negligence in failing to recognize
the threat – or respond to the disaster – of Hurricane
Katrina in New Orleans. It will be followed by the 24-
minute report titled Assassination of Hugo Chavez.

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

 11

CONTACTING YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR

Who you The Washington State Legislature is generally regarded as one of the most
going open, accessible and user-friendly in the nation. Here is some information
to to help you make best use of the current session, which runs from January
call? 14 through March 13. This is the short session (60 days, including week-
ends and holidays). In odd-numbered years the session still begins on the sec-
ond Monday of January, but it runs twice as long.
The front of the Olympia phone book lists state government agencies, including the
House and Senate. It lists the phone numbers of all House members and all Sena-
tors under these respective headings.
The Legislature’s website, www.leg.wa.gov has a place to click where you can find
out who your legislators are. Simply type in your address and click to see their
names, photographs, biographies, committee assignments, and contact information
(office address, phone, e-mail, etc.). The same website lets you look up each piece
of legislation by bill number or topic, see and print the text of any bill, track committee hearings, and more. It’s very infor-
mative.
Besides their office phone numbers, you can call toll-free 1-800-562-6000 (TTY 1-800-635-9993) and leave messages for your
legislators – either for any one individual or for or all three at once – and for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. This
toll-free phone operates during the legislative session every weekday from 8 a.m. to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1
pm. Some other language translation services can be arranged within a few minutes for people who speak other languages.
Each legislator’s e-mail address follows this formula: lastname.firstname@leg.wa.gov (e.g., smith.jane@leg.wa.gov)
You can write to Representative _____ at P.O. Box 40600 or Senator _____ at P.O. Box 404__, where the last two digits of
the State Senate’s PO box are the number of the senator’s legislative district. The zip code is Olympia WA 98504.

SUCCESSFUL PEACE WALK IN HONOR OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowship (SSBPF) conducted a silent peace
walk in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. The walk was on Sunday January 20th. Though it was a cold, blustery day, about
60 people walked in silent meditation around Capitol Lake in support of peace and non-violence. There were no banners or
signs, no chanting and no cheering. People simply walked in silent dignity for peace - honoring the memory and prin-
ciples of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate of 1964, Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. nominated Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh for
the Prize in 1967. Since that time Thich Nhat Hanh has become
one of the most beloved Buddhists teachers in the world. Rever-
end Nhat Hanh offers a practice of "mindfulness" that is relevant
and beneficial for people of all faiths, by helping us resist and
transform the aggression and violence of our modern society. The
Buddhist Peace Fellowship is an international organization of
Engaged Buddhists which aims to employ the wisdom and com-
passion developed through Buddhist practice and social activism.
SSBPF, the local Olympia chapter, plans to make this a twice
yearly event, please join us the next time, probably in early August.
For info about our Buddhist Peace Fellowship group: please visit
our website: www.ssbpf.org or call 357-2825

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION


LOCAL CALENDAR
Within Thurston County
FOR-sponsored events have a 
before them.
These TCTV programs use cable
channel 22 in Thurston County.
The events on this page occur every week.
The Every Every Every Every Department: ▼▼▼
Every Sunday evening at 10 pm and every Monday
and Wednesday morning at 3:30 am: “Big Picture”
Videos on TCTV: The Olympia FOR airs interesting
documentaries on TCTV at 10 pm every Sunday during
the month. Watch Greg Palast’s films in February and
March! FEB: “The Election Files” MARCH: “Big
Easy to Big Empty .” See article on page ______. Info:
Carol 866-7645 carolburns98@comcast.net
Every Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 am
AND from 4:00 to 5:00 pm: “Democracy Now” with
Amy Goodman on TCTV
Every Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 am:
“Democracy Now” with Amy Goodman on KAOS
89.3 FM
Every Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 5:30 pm:
Free Speech Radio News on KAOS 89.3 FM
Every Monday from 6:00 to 7:00 am: “Reclaiming
Democracy,” a locally produced program on TCTV, ad-
dresses issues related to big business, public policy, de-
mocratic values, etc. Info: www.sounddemocracy.org
or Rus Geh 705-0862 rusgeh@yahoo.com
Every Monday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm: Olympia
FOR’s TCTV Program: FEB: “Poverty, Housing and
the State Legislature.” MARCH: “From Palestine to
Puget Sound: The Olympia-Rafah Mural Project.”
APRIL: “Creative Nonviolence and Iraq’s Human
Face.” See article on page ______.
Every Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00 pm: Peace
Vigil in NW corner of Sylvester Park (corner of Legion &
Capitol Way). Please come for all or part of the hour to
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
12
witness in a very friendly way for peace and nonviolence.
We provide plenty of signs, or you may bring your own.
Info: 491-9093 info@olyfor.org
Every Thursday from 12 to 1
pm: “Parallel University” on
KAOS 89.3 FM features inter-
esting, informative programs
about peace, social justice, the
environment, progressive poli-
tics, and other alternative view-
points. Info: parralleluniversity@yahoo.com
Every Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 pm: Olympia
L FOR’s TCTV Program: FEB: “Poverty, Housing and
O
the State Legislature.” MARCH: “From Palestine to
Puget Sound: The Olympia-Rafah Mural Project.”
C
APRIL: “Creative Nonviolence and Iraq’s Human
A Face.” See article on page ______.
L
Every Friday from 4:30 to 6:00 pm: Peace Vigil at
south end of Percival Landing near W 4th Ave. Please join
us for whatever length of time you can. We provide plenty
of signs, or you may bring your own. Sponsor: Olympia
FOR. Info: 491-9093 info@olyfor.org
Every Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm: “Women in
Black” Silent Vigil for Peace on the south side of W. 4th
Ave. near the fountain. Women only. Please wear black.
Some signs are provided. ―Women in Black‖ is a loose
network of women worldwide committed to peace with
justice and actively opposed to war and violence since
1988. Info: Karin Kraft 754-5352 kraftkf@comcast.net
Every Friday from 6:00 to 6:30 pm:
“Reclaiming Democracy,” a locally pro-
duced program on TCTV, cable channel
22, addresses issues related to big business,
public policy, democratic values, etc. Info:
www.sounddemocracy.org or Rus Geh 705-0862 rus-
geh@yahoo.com
L
O
C
A
L
The Every Every Every Every Department: ▲▲▲

Wed Jan 30 through Wed Feb 13: 5th Annual Middle East
Film Festival sponsored by Students Educating Students
About the Middle East (SESAME). Watch films from and
about the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa and the
Arab World, and hear a variety of speakers. Enjoy the Open-
ing Night Hip Hop Show on Friday January 18. Wrap up the
series with a discussion of ending the war and military occupa-
tion in Iraq. Program info: www.evergreen.edu/sesame
Sun-Fri Feb 3-8: “War/Dance” film
at Olympia Film Society examines
Uganda’s child soldiers: This new 105
-minute U.S. film was shot in northern
Uganda, where a terrifying group called
the Lord’s Resistance Army has been in
rebellion against the government for 20
years, often abducting children and forc-
ing them to be soldiers. Music and dance
are important in Uganda, so this film
features music and dance contests that
include war orphans. ―It is difficult for people to believe our
story,‖ 14-year-old Dominic says at the beginning of this enor-
mously emotional and spirit-raising film. ―But if we don’t tell
you, you won’t know.‖ The film won the documentary direct-
ing award at the Sundance Film Festival and might win an
Oscar. Olympia Film Society at Capitol Theater, 206 5th Ave
SE, on Sunday the 3rd at 5:00 pm, Monday the 4th at 9:00 pm,
Tuesday the 5th at 6:30 pm, Wednesday the 6th at 9:00 pm,
Thursday the 7th at 6:30 pm, or Friday the 8th at 9:00 pm.
www.OlyFilm.org
Mon Feb 4: “Poverty, Housing and the State Legisla-
ture” – Olympia FOR’s February TV program debuts to-
day and runs every Monday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm and every
Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 pm through Feb 28 on TCTV
cable channel 22 within Thurston County. See page
________. Info: Glen 491-9093 www.olyfor.org
Mon Feb 4: Citizens Movement to Impeach Bush/
Cheney: Meet with other local folks to plan ambitious activi-
ties to protect our Constitution and democracy from Executive
Branch abuse! 7:00 pm at Olympia Center, 222 Columbia
NW, downtown. See page _________. Info: 491-9093 or 491
-1540 or www.CitizensImpeach.org. Statewide info:
www.WashingtonforImpeachment.org. The most compre-
hensive nationwide site is www.AfterDowningStreet.org
Tues Feb 5: SPEECH Environmental group’s annual
meeting with speaker on climate and Puget Sound: Doug
Myers, People for Puget Sound’s Director of Science is the
featured speaker (―Climate Change Impacts on Puget Sound‖)
for the annual meeting of the South Puget Environmental
Education Clearinghouse (SPEECH), 7:00 pm at Traditions
Cafe, 5th & Water SW, in downtown Olympia. Enjoy the
speaker, the annual meeting, and related discussions.
SPEECH is the group that publishes Green Pages, the com-
prehensive local newsletter about environmental issues and
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
13
activities. Info: Janine 791-7736 and www.oly-wa.us/
greenpages
Wed Feb 6: Military draft? How would it work? How
could you protect your rights? Conscientious Objection?
Resistance? Glen Anderson from the Thurston County
Draft Counseling Center presents information at 6:00 pm at
Olympia Free School, 610 Columbia SW, downtown. Repeats
3 more Wednesdays: Feb 20, March 5, March 19. Info: 491-
9093 glen@olywa.net
Wed Feb 6: Stop big business abuses and corporate per-
sonhood: The South Puget Sound Chapter of the Alliance
for Democracy meets on the first Wednesday of each month
L from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist
O Church, 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Info:
www.sounddemocracy.org or Jacqui Brown Miller 236-9684
C
jacquiAFD@comcast.net
A
Thurs Feb 7: “History and Current State of the Death
L
Penalty in the US” – Presentation and discussion led by Dr.
Robert Hauhart, Associate Professor and Chair of St. Martin's
University’s Dept of Criminal Justice. 1:30 pm in the base-
ment Auditorium of the Quinault Bldg. at Panorama City
(south on Sleater-Kinney Road), Lacey.
Thurs Feb 7: Training to deal with legislators about pov-
erty and welfare rights: (Also see Mon Feb 18 listing below.)
6:00 pm at First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way
SE. Sponsor: Parents Organization for Welfare and Eco-
nomic Rights (POWER), 360-352-9716 or toll free 866-343-
9716 welfarerights@riseup.net
Thurs Feb 7: “Food and Our Future: Hope and Solu-
tions through Biointensive Farming” -- All of life on earth
depends on six inches of topsoil and the fact that it rains! The
soil is a living organism that must be fed and nurtured to keep
it feeding us. However, this basic understanding has been lost
by most current forms of conventional agriculture. John
Jeavons will share eight essential aspects of ―grow biointen-
sive,‖ including: deep soil preparation, raised beds, compost-
L ing, intensive planting, companion planting, carbon farming,
O calorie farming, the use of open-pollinated seeds, and a whole-
C system farming method. Enjoy Q&A about small-scale farm-
A
ing, long-term sustainable soil fertility, climate and market
challenges. 6:30-8:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water SW
L in downtown Olympia. Info: Tim McLeod 870-5946
Mon Feb 11: Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day:
Meet at 10:00 am in the Capitol Rotunda. Enjoy a self-guided
tour before the rally, which is planned for 11:45 am to 12:30
pm. Sponsor: The Refugee Women's Alliance, a nonprofit,
multi-ethnic organization that promotes inclusion, independ-
ence, personal leadership and strong communities by providing
refugee and immigrant women and families with culturally and
linguistically appropriate services. ReWA advocates for social
justice, public policy changes, and equal access to services
while respecting cultural values and the right to self determina-
 14

tion. Info: Paul Myers 206-721-8442 paul@rewa.org Fri Feb 15: Iraq Moratorium occurs on 3rd Friday of each
www.rewa.org month: The Iraq Moratorium will be an escalating monthly
series of actions demanding an end to the war. Devote a sig-
Tues Feb 12: Protect the separation of church and state: nificant part of today to build the peace movement and show
The new local chapter of Americans United for Separation of the U.S. government that our troops must be brought home,
Church and State will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Olympia now! Take this pledge: ―On the third Friday of every month,
Unitarian-Universalist Congregation, 2200 East End Street I will break my daily routine and take some action, by myself
NW (north on Division, left on 20th, right on East End to the or with others, to end the War in Iraq.‖ Info:
end) Info: Barry Christianson, (360) 379-4055 phoenixre- www.iraqmoratorium.org
search@cablespeed.com
Fri Feb 15: Heartsparkle Players: “Stories of Our Heart's De-
Wed Feb 13: Interfaith Earth Stewardship committee sire” -- Playback Theatre is a spontaneous collaboration be-
meets 12:00 noon in the library of First Christian Church, 7th tween performers and the audience. People tell moments from
& Franklin on the second Wednesday of each month. Info: their lives, then watch them re-created with movement, music
LeslieHR@aol.com L and dialogue. Heartsparkle Players is an outstanding local
Wed Feb 13: Olympia FOR Steering O troupe with a loyal following. This month’s performance is in
Committee meets to provide overall guidance C collaboration with The Thunders, an ensemble of Playback per-
and decision-making. 7:00 pm at Dan Ryan’s A formers. 7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water. A $5-$10
home, 123 Decatur (just south of W. Harrison) L donation is suggested, but no one will be turned away. Info:
in West Olympia. Everyone is welcome to at- Debe Edden 943-6772 debek@olywa.net
tend. Info: 491-9093 info@olyfor.org www.heartsparkle.org
Wed Feb 13: ACLU of Thurston County meets and hears Sun Feb 17: Veterans for Peace: All veterans and others are
Christina Drummond, the ACLU of Washington’s director of invited to connect and work for peace. 1:30 social time. 2:00
liberty and technology issues. 7:00 pm in Room 206 of the pm meeting. Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water. Info: Jody Tiller
Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW, downtown. Info: 451-6591 hungryforpeace@gmail.com
Heather Francks, HCF@stokeslaw.com Mon Feb 18: Poverty & Welfare Rights Lobby Day at the
Wed Feb 13: Abortion doctor/author shares personal ex- State Legislature: Meet at 10:00 am at First Christian
periences: Dr. Susan Wicklund, dynamic author of This Church, 7th & Franklin SE, downtown, for registration and
Common Secret; My Journey as an Abortion Doctor, basic information. Lunch and meet with legislators at 12:00
speaks about her experiences and the struggles of women who noon. Lunch and childcare provided. Sponsors: Parents Or-
make difficult decisions. As a doctor she has worked hard to ganization for Welfare and Economic Rights (POWER) and
serve women with dignity and respect, and her book brims the National Organization for Women (NOW). The basic
with the compassion and urgency of a skilled physician. 7:00 welfare amounts (TANF and GAU) have not been raised for
pm at Orca Books, 509 4 Avenue E. Sponsor: Thurston
th 15 years!!! Register with POWER 360-352-9716 or toll free
County chapter of National Organization for Women (NOW). 866-343-9716 welfarerights@riseup.net
Info: Liana Francisco 359-1290 now_thurston@yahoo.com Mon Feb 18: Alternative Health Care Advocacy Day at
Wed Feb 13: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace the Legislature: Mainstream medical professionals use laws,
(OMJP) meets from 7 to 9 pm to plan a variety of activities to L regulations and other methods to exclude non-mainstream
work for justice and peace everywhere. Olympia Community O medical practices. ―Health Freedom Washington‖ is the advo-
Free School, 610 Columbia SW. Everyone is welcome. Info: cacy group for wider choices. Meet from 10 am to 4 pm in
C the Cherberg Bldg. (immediately SE of the Capitol Bldg.) 1 st
Larry Mosqueda 867-6513 www.omjp.org
A Floor, Rooms A, B, and C. Organize to personally communi-
Thurs Feb 14: Housing & Homeless Advocacy Day at L cate to your legislators your desire to keep the freedom to
the State Legislature: Having a home is crucial for people’s choose the type of alternative healthcare you want. HFW will
lives, including education, health care, jobs and transportation. schedule appointments for you in advance with key Health
This year’s theme, ―It All Starts At Home,‖ is all about the Legislators for the afternoon of Mon Feb 18. Info: 360-357-
connection between affordable housing, supportive services, 6263 healthfreedom.wa@gmail.com
tenant protections and manufactured housing preservation and www.healthfreedomwa.org Health Freedom Washington,
the well-being of families, children and seniors. The day be- PO Box 6555, Olympia WA 98507
gins 8:30 am at United Churches, 11th Ave, just east of Capitol
Way. Register online with the Washington Low Income Hous- Wed Feb 20: Military draft? How would it work? How
ing Alliance at www.wliha.org. Childcare and lunch available. could you protect your rights? Conscientious Objection?
Local info: Pat Tassoni, Thurston County Tenants Union 943- Resistance? See listing for Wed Feb 6.
3036 tctu@tenantsunion.org Thurs Feb 21: Death penalty abolition committee of

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

 15
Olympia FOR meets at 7 pm in Tumwater. Everyone who operative project that will honor our link to women globally
opposes the death penalty is invited to help strengthen the and the issues that affect us all. To participate in their plan-
movement to abolish this atrocity. Info and location: Chuck ning meeting as an individual or member of an organization,
or Rozanne, 705-8520 please contact Liana Francisco at 359-1290 or
now_thurston@yahoo.com
Sat Feb 23: Books-Brownies-Beans fundraiser to bene-
fit local homeless families with young children: 10 am
to 3 pm at Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation Sat March 8: Tom Rawson folk music concert to
(OUUC), 2200 East End Street NW (off Division and 20th in benefit Olympia FOR: This year’s location is changed
NW Olympia). All proceeds benefit Out of the Woods, the to Traditions Cafe, 5th & Washington SW, downtown,
homeless shelter and services provided by OUUC. You’ll 7:30 pm. Please buy tickets ($10-$25 sliding scale) in ad-
find great bargains on used books, CDs, DVDs, games and vance if possible. (See page ____.) Info: 491-9093
videos – and you’ll enjoy coffee, brownies galore, and live
entertainment. Info: Jan Spiller 866-1921 spill- Sat March 8: TC Pro-Net Fund-
way24@earthlink.net or www.olyuu.org (You may do- L raiser: “Let Them Eat Cake and
nate books at the church on Sunday mornings.) O Love Art!” Enjoy an art auction,
C free champagne, cake walks, raffles
Sun Feb 24: South Sound Buddhist Peace Fellowship
and food. Support our local county-
hosts an open meeting. SSBPF includes members of the local A
wide network of progressive indi-
Buddhist community engaging in the Buddhist path of right L
viduals, organizations and businesses – Thurston County
action in regard to working for peace, justice and social
Progressive Network. TC Pro-Net wants to buy an industrial
change. 3:30-5:00 pm. Location & more info: Robert Lovitt
strength button maker for its members to use. Help raise the
357-2825 ssbpf@comcast.org or www.ssbpf.org
funds. 8:00 to 11:00 pm at Sherri Goulet’s home, 3516 Pifer
Wed Feb 27: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace Rd SE, Olympia. (Pifer is directly across from the Olympia
(OMJP) meets from 7 to 9 pm. (See Wed Feb 13 listing.) High School Readerboard on North Street SE, a number of
blocks east of the brewery.) Info: 352-8225
Mon March 3: “From Palestine to Puget Sound: The
www.tcpronet.org
Olympia-Rafah Mural Project.” – Olympia FOR’s
March TV program debuts today and runs every Monday Tues March 11: Protect the separation of church and
from 1:30 to 2:30 pm and every Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 state: The new local chapter of
pm through March 31 on TCTV cable channel 22 within Americans United for Separation
Thurston County. See page ______. Info: Glen 491-9093 of Church and State will meet
www.olyfor.org from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Olympia
Unitarian-Universalist Congrega-
Wed March 5: Military draft? How would it work? tion, 2200 East End Street NW
How could you protect your rights? Conscientious Ob-
(north on Division, left on 20th,
jection? Resistance? See listing for Wed Feb 6. right on East End to the end)
Wed March 5: Stop big business abuses and corporate Info: Barry Christianson, (360)
personhood: The South Puget Sound Chapter of the 379-4055 phoenixre-
Alliance for Democracy meets on the first Wednesday of L search@cablespeed.com
each month from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Olympia Unitarian Wed March 12: Interfaith Earth Stewardship committee
Universalist Church, 2200 East End St NW, Olympia. Info: O meets 12:00 noon in the library of First Christian Church, 7th
www.sounddemocracy.org or Jacqui Brown Miller 236- C
& Franklin on the second Wednesday of each month. Info:
9684 jacquiAFD@comcast.net A
LeslieHR@aol.com
Sat March 8: Interfaith Works’ World Sacred Music L Wed March 12: ACLU of Thurston County meets at 7:00
Festival will also include some visual arts this year: For the pm in Room 206 of the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia NW,
first time, there will be a Sacred Art Exhibit in conjunction downtown. Info: Heather Francks, HCF@stokeslaw.com
with the festival! Artwork will be displayed in the lobby of
the Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Wed March 12: Olympia Movement for Justice and
Community College. Info: 357-7224 interfaith- Peace (OMJP) meets from 7 to 9 pm. (See Wed Feb 13
works@comcast.net www.olysacredmusic.org listing.)
Sat March 8 International Women’s Day: The local chap- Thurs March 13: “My Cousin Vinnie” – Watch a
ter of the National Organization of Women (NOW) invites smart comedy about the death penalty: How unusual for
other community groups to try something a little different a movie this funny to expose so many flaws about the death
this year. Instead of an event, NOW wants to develop a co- penalty! Enjoy plenty of refreshments and social time before
and after watching this movie. Arrive between 6:30 and 7:00
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
 16
pm. The movie starts Sun March 23: South Sound Buddhist
PROMPTLY at 7:00 pm Peace Fellowship hosts an open meeting.
SHARP. Glen Anderson’s SSBPF includes members of the local Buddhist
home, 5015 15th Ave SE community engaging in the Buddhist path of
(second house east of Rud- right action in regard to working for peace,
dell Road SE, Lacey). Space justice and social change. 3:30-5:00 pm. Loca-
is limited, so please phone tion & more info: Robert Lovitt 357-2825
or e-mail to reserve your ssbpf@comcast.org or www.ssbpf.org
space. This repeats Sun.
March 16 at 1:30/2:00. Thurs March 25: Death penalty abolition committee
Sponsor: Olympia FOR’s of Olympia FOR meets at 7 pm in Tumwater. Everyone
Committee for Alternatives who opposes the death penalty is invited to help strengthen
to the Death Penalty. Info: the movement to abolish this atrocity. Info and location:
Glen 4 9 1 - 9 0 9 3 L Chuck or Rozanne, 705-8520
glen@olywa.net
O Wed March 26: Olympia Movement for Justice and
Fri March 14: Heartspar- C Peace (OMJP) meets from 7 to 9 pm. (See Wed Feb 13
kle Players: Playback listing.)
A
Theatre is a spontaneous collaboration between performers Thurs-Sat March 27-29 and Thurs-Sat April 3-5: Dis-
and the audience. People tell moments from their lives, then L pute Resolution Center offers 40 hours of excellent
watch them re-created with movement, music and dialogue. training to mediate disputes: Thursday times run 5:00-
Heartsparkle Players is an outstanding local troupe with a loyal 9:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday hours run 8:30 am to 5:30
following. This month’s collaborating organization is Mason pm. $565. Limited scholarships are available. Info: Marijke
County Literacy. They do excellent work and deserve our sup- van Roojen, DRC Training Manager 360-956-1155 mvan-
port. 7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water. A $5-$10 dona- roojen@mediatethurston.org
tion is suggested, but no one will be turned away. Info: Debe
Edden 943-6772 debek@olywa.net www.heartsparkle.org Thurs April 3: “Creative Nonviolence and Iraq’s Hu-
man Face” – Olympia FOR’s April TV program featur-
Sun March 16: “My Cousin Vinnie” – Watch a smart ing Kathy Kelly and Bert Sacks debuts today and runs
comedy about the death penalty: How unusual for a movie every Monday from 1:30 to 2:30 pm and every Thursday
this funny to expose so many flaws about the death penalty! from 9:00 to 10:00 pm through April 28 on TCTV cable
Enjoy plenty of refreshments and social time before and after channel 22 within Thurston County. Info: Glen 491-9093
watching this movie. Arrive between 1:30 and 2:00 pm. The www.olyfor.org
movie starts PROMPTLY at 2:00 pm SHARP. Glen Ander-
son’s home, 5015 15th Ave SE (second house east of Ruddell Tues April 8: “Restoring America” – Glen Anderson
Road SE, Lacey). Space is limited, so please phone or e-mail speaks at 1:30 pm to the Democratic Study Group at Pano-
to reserve your space. (Same as Thurs. March 13 6:30/7:00 rama City in Lacey. Info: 491-9093 glen@olywa.net
listing above.) Sponsor: Olympia FOR’s Committee for Alter- Fri-Sat April 11-12: Immigration/labor/human rights
natives to the Death Penalty. Info: Glen 491-9093 conference at The Evergreen State College will bring a vari-
glen@olywa.net L ety of workers together to explore issues and empowerment.
Sun March 16: Olympia Veterans for Peace: All veterans O Sponsor: TESC’s Labor Center. Info: Juan José Bocanegra
and others are invited to connect and work for peace. 1:30 C 360-867-5524 bocanegj@evergreen.edu
social time. 2:00 pm meeting. Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water.
A Sat April 26: Procession of the Species: Enjoy this
Info: Jody Tiller 451-6591 hungryforpeace@gmail.com amazing parade at 4:30 pm in downtown Olympia.
L
Wed March 19: Deadline for Olympia FOR’s April- www.procession.org
May Newsletter: Mail or e-mail articles, news, calendar items,
etc., before this date if possible, or slightly past this date for
late-breaking news. Contact Glen 491-9093 info@olyfor.org
Wed March 19: Military draft? How would it work? How
could you protect your rights? Conscientious Objection?
Resistance? See listing for Wed Feb 6.
Fri March 21: Iraq Moratorium occurs on 3rd Friday of
each month: See listing for Fri Feb 15.

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION


OUT-OF-TOWN CALENDAR
Outside Thurston County
FOR-sponsored events have a 
before them
Hundreds of events and activities (mostly in the Seattle area) are
listed at Jean Buskin’s calendar at www.scn.org/activism/
calendar. She’ll e-mail it to you regularly if you request it at
bb369@scn.org and specify text and/or RTF format.
Every Saturday: Peace Vigil in Centralia: 12 noon to
1 pm on the edge of Washington Park at Locust & Pearl in
downtown Centralia. Sponsor: Fire Mountain FOR. Info:
Stephen Barlow 360-736-8784 or June Butler 360-748-9658
Every Saturday: People for Peace Justice and Healing
(PPJH) meets 10 am to 12 noon at Associated Ministries,
1224 S. I St., Tacoma to plan local peace activities.
www.associatedministries.org/pages/directions.htm
Every Saturday: Peace Vigil in Tacoma: 12:30-1:30 pm
in front of Borders Books at 38th & Steele. Sponsor: United
for Peace of Pierce County, www.ufppc.org
O dustrial area near Tacoma’s tide flats. As the US govern-
Sat Feb 2: Global Warming U
Activist Workshop: Global T
warming is a huge, over-
whelming issue. Many feel
something should be done,
but don't know what to do.
Today you can learn how to
take action as a concerned
citizen and make a difference!
No experience is necessary to attend this workshop. Learn
about global warming’s impacts and what you can do.
Learn skills for lobbying and working with the media.
Sponsors: East Lake Washington Audubon and the Cas-
cade Chapter of the Sierra Club. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at
Bastyr University, Kenmore (NE of Seattle). The cost is
only $15 for the all day workshop, including lunch and ma-
terials. A limited number of scholarships are available for
those with a financial need. Info and registration: 425-576-
8805 or office@elwas.org
Sat Feb 2: “America’s Response to Global Poverty” –
A Public Forum: The world’s 191 nations have united to
make hunger and extreme poverty history. Many people are
working hard on this. Tonight’s panel consists of Rep.
Adam Smith (WA-9), sponsor of the Global Poverty Act of
2007; Samuel Worthington, President of InterAction, our
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
17
nation’s largest coalition of non-governmental organizations
focused on global poverty; and Craig Nakagawa, President
of VillageReach, a Seattle-based NGO providing healthcare
in developing countries. The moderator is Dave Ross from
KIRO radio. 6:00-8:00 pm at Town Hall, 8th and Seneca,
Seattle. A $5 donation is suggested. Many high quality,
respected sponsors, including Bread for the World, Jubilee
Northwest, Lutheran Peace Fellowship, the ONE Cam-
paign, RESULTS, UNA of Seattle, and the Puget Sound
Millennium Goals Project. Info: lpf@ecunet.org
Sat Feb 9: Nonviolent Peaceforce of Western Wash-
ington plans activities for 2008: This ambitious organiza-
tion that provides nonviolent accompaniment and other
services in global areas of conflict also carries out a variety
of nonviolence trainings and other opportunities in our own
region. Join with other nonviolent activists to review NP’s
2007 activities and plan what to do in Western Washington
during 2008. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (with potluck lunch),
probably in the greater Seattle area. Info: David Berrian
dberrian@earthlink.net
Sat Feb 9 (and every 2nd Saturday): Vigil for Human
Rights at the NW Immigrant Detention Center: Com-
munity to Community Development invites all social jus-
tice, faith, labor and community groups to vigil peacefully
from 11 am to 4 pm on the second Saturday of each month
at the privately-run Northwest Detention Center in the in-
ment’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
clamps down on immigrants,
people are coming together
O protect their human rights.
Come with signs that show
F
support for immigrant work-
ers inside and outside this
T modern day concentration
O camp. Consider bringing
W coffee, water and baked
N goods or sandwiches for
families visiting their de-
tained relatives inside. Stay
and learn how to get in-
volved with the growing im-
migrant rights network the
region! (From Olympia, go north on I-5 to Tacoma, take
the right-lane I-705 exit north, take the left lane exit toward
City Center and Tacoma Dome. Take the E 26th St. exit,
turn right onto E 26th, turn left onto E D St., which be-
comes E. 15th St. Turn right onto E. J St. and end at 1623
E. J St.) Info: 360-381-0293 decomunidad@qwest.net
Sun Feb 10: Fire Mountain (Lewis County) FOR
monthly meeting: 2:00 pm at the Centralia Timberland

Library. Info: Larry Kerschner 360-291-3946 or June Butler
360-748-9658
Fri Feb 15: "Not Forgotten:
Leonard Peltier and the Denial of
Justice" – Watch Michael Apted's
1992 film "Incident at Oglala"
and hear Tacoma’s expert Arthur
Miller discuss the Leonard Peltier
case. 7:00 pm at King's Books, 218
St. Helens Ave., just north of down-
town Tacoma. Info: United for
Peace of Pierce County,
www.ufppc.org
Sun Feb 17: Sister Jackie Hudson speaks on “Living
Nonviolence: Our Hope for the Future” – 1:00-4:00 pm
at Shoreline Library’s main meeting room, 345 NE 175th,
Shoreline (north of Seattle). Sponsors: Ground Zero Cen-
ter for Nonviolent Action and Lake Forest Park for Peace.
Everyone is welcome. No fee or donation requested. Info:
Karol or Glen Milner 206-365-7865 info@gzcenter.org
Sun Feb 17: Tacoma FOR enjoys a 3:00 business meet-
ing, 4:00 program, and 5:00 potluck at the Tacoma Friends
Meeting-House (Hillside Community Church), 2508 S 39th
St., Tacoma. Info: David Lambert 253-759-2280 or Vivi
Bartron 253-572-4912
O luck. Tacoma Friends Meeting House (Hillside Com-
Sun Feb 17: “Preventing a War on Iran” – Seattle U munity Church), 2508 S. 39th St., Tacoma, just west of
FOR topic: Join the Seattle FOR’s monthly gathering (5 T
pm finger-food potluck, 6 pm announcements, 6:30 - 8 pm
program) at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N
70th (on Phinney Ridge near Greenwood Ave N), Seattle.
Free, but dona-
tions will sup-
port peace ac- T land Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th (on Phinney
tivism. Info: O Ridge near Greenwood Ave N), Seattle. Free, but do-
206-789-5565
W nations will support peace activism. Info: 206-789-
Fri-Sun Feb 22-24: “Nonviolent Conflict Intervention” N
a Training for Trainers: The Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP)
offers a one-day training to introduce general audiences to
Nonviolent Conflict Intervention. NP’s Western Washing-
ton chapter is seeking volunteers to learn this curriculum
and serve as trainers to provide this workshop to commu-
nity groups throughout our region. Sign up now for the
Training for Trainers to be held in Seattle from Friday eve-
ning the 22nd through Sunday the 24th in Seattle. Expert
trainers who developed the Nonviolent Conflict Interven-
tion curriculum will come from Detroit and Boston to lead
this workshop. You do NOT have to be an experienced
trainer to take part in this training. The organizers ask that
you be willing to provide (with others) at least 4 community
trainings during the next year. The cost of the training is on
OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION
18
a sliding scale from $35 to $125 based on ability to pay.
Meals will be provided. Info: dberrian@earthlink.net
Sun March 8: Fire Mountain (Lewis County)
FOR monthly meeting: 2:00 pm at the Centralia
Timberland Library. Info: Larry Kerschner 360-291-
3946 or June Butler 360-748-9658
Sat March 8 (and every 2nd Saturday): Vigil for Hu-
man Rights at the NW Immigrant Detention Cen-
ter: See description for Sat. Feb. 9.
Fri-Sun March 14-16: “Untraining White Liberal
Racism” – This thorough multi-session series contin-
ues Sat-Sun April 12-13 and Sat-Sun May 3-4 (1:00-
6:00 pm) to help white people who are motivated to
investigate their white conditioning so they can be bet-
ter allies for social justice. 2100 Building in SE Seattle’s
Rainier Valley. The Untraining includes experiential
exercises, journaling, readings, and group discussion. It
gets beyond the dichotomy of 'good white person' ver-
sus 'bad racist' and helps whites find the white training
within ourselves. Pre-registration required. Sliding
scale of $550 to $700. Info: Swan Keyes 510-207-2377
swan@photon.net www.untraining.org
Sun March 16: Tacoma FOR enjoys a 3:00 pm
business meeting, 4:00 pm program, and 5:00 pm pot-
Borders Bookstore on 38th St. near the Tacoma Mall.
Info: David Lambert 253-759-2280 or Vivi Bartron 253
-572-4912
O
F Sun March 16: Seattle FOR: Join the Seattle
FOR’s monthly gathering (5 pm finger-food potluck, 6
pm announcements, 6:30 - 8 pm program) at Wood-
5565
Sat March 22: Peace demonstration at Fort Lewis:
will mark the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq War (3-20-
03). Sponsor: Iraq Veterans Against the War. Look
for publicity of other events that will be organized
around these dates.
Wed-Wed April 2-9: 9th Annual White Privilege
Conference in Massachusetts. The theme "Critical
Liberation Praxis" will clarify, describe and create prac-
tice/praxis that focuses on where we are going
(liberation), rather than where we are coming from
(oppression, racism) – and on what we want
(liberation), rather than on what we don't want (racism,
oppression). Info: www.uccs.edu/-wpc/
 19

Wed April 9: Washington State Nonprofit Confer- mountains—all in addition to the

ence: For the past 13 years this one-day conference regular Holden summer program
has gathered nonprofit community leaders, supporters, offerings. Register by Fri Feb 22.
and board members to explore how to strengthen the $275 per adult (youth rates are
nonprofit sector. Connect with more than 500 non- listed on the registration form) and
profit and community leaders from a wide variety of includes everything except trans-
organizations and positions statewide. Enjoy 21 cut- portation. Info: 206-632-2426
ting edge sessions led by respected community leaders; O www.EarthMinistry.org
open spaceroom; nationally renowned keynote speak- U
ers; more exhibitors and vendors; and the ever-famous T
free latte cart! 8:00 am to 4:30 pm at Meydenbauer
Center, near I-405 in downtown Bellevue. Several O
prominent sponsors. Register now. $135 before Feb.
15 or $175 after. Info: conference@exec-
F
alliance.org, or 206-328-3836
T
Mid-April: The Dalai Lama is scheduled to speak
in Seattle sometime between April 12 O
and 15 at the Seeds of Compassion W
Gathering. Tickets and info will be N
a v a i l a b l e s o o n a t
www.seedsofcompassion.org
Tues April 22: Earth Day
Sat April 26: “Living and Working
Cooperatively” – the Western Wash-
ington FOR Spring Assembly: Join with FOR folks
and others in our region to explore issues and activism
based on nonviolence and cooperation. A great oppor-
tunity for issue-based networking, information-sharing,
and movement-building! Arrive 9:00-10:00 am. The
Spring Assembly starts promptly at 10:00 am and runs
to 4:00 pm in West Seattle. Sliding scale around $15 O
includes lunch. Carpooling from Olympia. Look for U
information by March 1 at www.OlyFOR.org and T
www.scn.org/wwfor and in your March-April issue of
the WWFOR’s Pacific Call newsletter. Info: 491-9093
in Olympia or 206-789-5565 in Seattle. O
F
Thurs-Sun July 3-6: Fellowship of Reconcilia-
tion’s 50th Annual Regional Conference at Seabeck
in Kitsap County: Mark your calendars now to re- T
serve Thursday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. O
Look for information in April. Info: 491-9093 in W
Olympia N
Mon-Fri July 7-11: Faith-based environmentalists
hold summer retreat at Holden Village in Cascade
Mountains: Join Earth Ministry staff and members
for a week of reflection and rejuvenation at Holden
Village, located high in the mountains above Lake Che-
lan WA. Enjoy Earth Ministry-led workshops such as
their ―Greening Congregations‖ program and environ-
mental advocacy, as well as meditative hikes in the

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION

 20

Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation Non-Profit Org.

5015 15th Ave. SE U.S. Postage Paid
Lacey, WA 98503 Olympia, WA
Permit #162
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Financial Donations:
P.O. Box 7273
Olympia WA 98507-7273
Office location and newsletter:
5015 15th Ave SE, Lacey WA 98503
(360) 491-9093, info@olyfor.org
www.olyfor.org
To place items in the upcoming newsletter, please mail
or e-mail by the 19th of odd numbered months.
Newsletters will be mailed near the beginning of even
numbered months.

Content Editor: Glen Anderson

(360) 491-9093, glen@olywa.net
Layout Editor: Robert Lovitt

TOM RAWSON’S FOLK MUSIC Our feelings won’t be hurt!

We are happy to send our newsletter to anyone who
CONCERT wants it. We also realize that some people who once
TO BENEFIT OLYMPIA FOR wanted our newsletter might later decide that they
no longer want to receive it. If you would like to be
SATURDAY MARCH 8 removed from our mailing list please notify us at
7:30 P.M. AT TRADITIONS CAFÉ (360) 491-9093 or info@olyfor.org

OLYMPIA FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION