Peace and Justice Network of the Triad

Special PJN Update - Be Part of the Alliance Building Program

May 29, 2009

Dear Friends:

Thanks to all who have been involved with the PJN’s alliance building project. One of the primary purposes of this ongoing program is to create stronger community connections and collaboration between the many diverse organizations in Greensboro working toward peace, justice, and ecological sustainability.

Over the last two months we’ve had many informal discussions with various organizations, coalitions, and individuals and have hosted several group gatherings focusing on nourishing stronger, enduring relationships that bridge our collective work.

On March 28, we featured a presentation by noted activist and author Robert Jensen who spoke about the “collective effort to do good in the world.” Jensen talked about the way different hierarchies control our ways of thinking, and urged us to create and imagine new authentic alternatives that sustain hope. We generated a list of big ideas that focused on potential collective areas of work that can make a positive difference in our community.

On April 25, George Friday, co-founder of Wholeworks and Bryan Profit, a local activist and teacher, facilitated a workshop to “Connect, Collaborate and Create a More Just and Sustainable Community.” They stressed the need to build mutual trust and shared power, and of staying with each other even when the going gets tough. We talked about the need for balance between tearing things down and building future alternatives.

During the summer months, the PJN will continue to build on this process by having more informal discussions with local organizations and networks as a way to plan for a community-wide panel and dialogue in early September. The panel will include local activists who will present their organization’s mission, and opportunities to build meaningful collaborations. We will also address “what gets in the way” of building greater trust and more sustainable and interconnected communities.

We invite you to join us in this process by attending our next planning meeting on Monday, June 29 at 6:30 pm, by offering suggestions for panelists, and by contributing new ideas that will to reinforce a vibrant and active collective community.

Sincerely, Larry Morse & Kathe Latham PJN Alliance Building Project For further information please contact us at pjn@triad.rr.com www.peace-justice.net 

National Day of Resistance to US Torture, May 28

Who: NC World Can't Wait, Muslim-Americans for Palestine

What: National Day of Resistance to U.S. Torture

Torture is a War Crime: Prosecute!

When: Thursday, May 28, 4:30 - 6:30

Where: 4200 block of W. Wendover, near intersection of Big Tree Way (up the sidewalk from Sheetz and Burger King, Greensboro, NC

Additional Information: In response to an ACLU lawsuit, Obama announced he will not release photos documenting detainee abuse in U.S. facilities because releasing the photos would create “anti-American” sentiments. Would these photos draw outrage and resistance to America’s torture state? Hell yes! Torture is immoral and resistance to this IS what is needed.

Release the Torture Photos! Prosecute the War Criminals!

The torture memos released last month show that torture was widespread, sustained, and systemic, not an “aberration” but an integral part of the global war of terror. The Obama Administration, which is continuing indefinite detention, CIA rendition, Bush’s executive powers, and denying Bagram detainees the right to challenge their detention, says prosecution of torturers would stop them from “moving forward.” Democratic Party leader Nancy Pelosi knew about the torture as early as 2002, but said and did nothing to stop it.

Visible Resistance Actions in May!

It’s up to the people to act! World Can’t Wait and other groups are planning non-violent civil resistance protests, programs digging into the substance of the charges, water-boarding and rendition re-enactments, and film showings in communities around the country to demand prosecution of the Bush era war criminals.

More information, listings, posters, flyers & background on the war criminals at warcriminalswatch.org.
Contact: 272-2155

Wherever the Bush era war criminals are appearing this month, raise the cry “Torture is a War Crime! Prosecute!”

Campaign for Clean Elections Meeting, May 28

What: Update on status and needed action steps to supprot passage of legislation for clean local elections

When: Thursday, May 28, 5:30 to 7 pm.

Where:
Lindley Rec Center 2907 Springwood Dr.

Here is the website if you need directions or more information:
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/departments/Parks/Facilities/recreationcenters/lindley/

Agenda items for this month include:

1. Update from Raleigh. HB 120 (Public Municipal Campaigns) has cleared a Senate committee, and is now before the full Senate for consideration. Since the Governor is generally supportive of this legislation, the full Senate vote represents our last major hurdle to getting this bill passed!

2. Summer councilor-constituent meetings: We want to spend the summer building relationships with the city council, and getting a clearer picture of where everyone on the council stands with respect to clean elections for Greensboro.

3. Campaign plans for the fall: Since the candidates for this fall's elections have very different views on clean elections, the campaign trail is a great opportunity to highlight differences and insert clean elections into the debate.

Since this meeting is likely to be our best opportunity to gather over the next few months, it is really important that we get a good (and diverse) turnout for this meeting. So, I encourage you to come, and bring friends from across the city. Ideally, we'd like to have people at the meeting from all 5 city council districts.

For More Information Contact: Josh Glasser Coordinator, Greensboro Citizens for Clean Elections Office: 919-836-0027; Cell: 919-260-1364 www.greensborocleanelections.org

Reminder: Meeting to Support Immigrants, May 27

What:
Meeting tomorrow to discuss ongoing ways to support immigrants in our community. Please consider attending! here is good parking in the church parking lot. Pastor Miller Carter will be our host. In case you need it, the church phone number is 336-275-4658.

When: Wednesday, May 27th at 11 a.m

Where: Metropolitan United Methodist Church
1701 East Market St., Greensboro, NC 27401

Sponsors: AFSC is joining Faith Action in inviting Greensboro residents and faith leaders to a meeting tomorrow to discuss ongoing ways to support immigrants in our community.

Contact:--Lori Fernald Khamala American Friends Service Committee, Project Voice Southeast 6306 W. Market St. Greensboro, NC 27409 336-854-0633 (office), 336-413-8905 (cell) lkhamala@afsc.org

Info: Hate crimes committed against our immigrant and refugee neighbors in Guilford County are on the increase. More and more criminals are targeting immigrants as easy prey because so many immigrants fear the police more than they fear criminals. Families are being ripped apart by sudden raids (such as one that took place in Greensboro two weeks ago) that result in the disappearance of some 20 fathers and/or mothers, sometimes leaving young children unattended. Individuals are being denied due process, resulting in at least one Raleigh man (a life-long US citizen) being wrongly arrested, deported, and left on his own in a country where he knew not a soul, not even the language.

Chris Liu Beers the organizer of the North Carolina Religious Coalition for Justice for Immigrants will join us. It will give us an opportunity to begin our dialogue, identify our allies, and start developing plans for productive actions we can take together to build a more just and inclusive society in Guilford County.

Feminist Theory and Music Symposium, May 27 - 31

What: A biennial, international, interdisciplinary symposium on music, gender, sexuality and feminist theory

When: May 27 - May 31

Where: UNCG School of Music, 100 McIver St.

Program Information: The tenth Feminist Theory and Music symposium will take place on the beautiful UNCG campus in historic Greensboro, North Carolina. Special features this year include Sherrie Tucker's on-stage interview with former members of the "Darlinettes," Greensboro's "all-girl" band of the WWII era; Yolanda Broyles-Gonzalez, author of Lydia Mendoza's Life in the Music; Tammy Kernodle, author of Soul on Soul, a biography of composer and pianist Mary Lou Williams; and a panel on Title IX, Music, and Academic Careers.

In addition, FTM 10 will include an opportunity to participate in a pre-symposium half-day workshop on feminist ethnography/oral history with members of the Darlinettes, led by Sherrie Tucker, and an exhibition of feminist visual art at UNCG's outstanding Weatherspoon Art Museum. Concerts and lecture recitals will include works by women composers, both historical works and world premieres. Please join us for music, community, and intellectual inquiry!

Program Link: http://www.uncg.edu/mus/FTM10/FTM10-Preliminary-Program-RevB.pdf

Direct inquiries to Elizabeth L. Keathley, Associate Professor of Historical Musicology and Women's & Gender Studies: 336) 334-5911 * fax: (336) 334-5497 * elkeathl@uncg.edu

Cancer Disparities Forum, June 16

Who: Greensboro Health Disparities Collaborative, Carolina Well, Moses Cone

What: Cancer Disparities Forum Can your Race affect your cancer treatment?

When Tuesday, June 16, 2009 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: Greensboro Central Library Nussbaum Room
219 N. Church St.

Program Information: Can your race affect your cancer treatment?
In 2008, the Greensboro Health Disparities Collaborative in partnership with the Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center and UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health conducted a study with local breast cancer survivors to better understand complexities in the system of breast cancer care which may contribute to a woman’s deviation from reasonable breast cancer care.

We spent time with the women to learn about their cancer journey. Now, we want to share with you what we learned, how we did it, and hear your opinions. Please join us on June 16!

For More Details:
Contact: Christina Hardy, The Partnership Project office, 271-6632

Guilford Congregational Assistance Network Meeting, May 27

Who: Guilford Congregational Assistance Network (GCAN)

What: The meeting will focus on a number of issues surrounding the topic of bringing refugees into our community. This meeting should include numerous health care providers, representatives from different schools, city officials, various agencies, and numerous churches.

Key areas of discussion are: What sorts of collaborative structures might we need to help our community meet the needs of the refugee community? How can we support one another and the agencies in our work? How can we improve communication amongst all those working in the refugee community? Where will we find funds and jobs? All interested parties are invited to join us as we work toward viable solutions for some of these problems.

When: Wednesday, May 27, 1:30

Where: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Broome Hall 607 N. Greene St. Greensboro, NC 27401

For more information, contact: The Rev. Virginia Herring Assistant to the Rector Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

336 272 6149 ext. 220 www.holy-trinity.com

Writer's Workshop: Open House May 16; Workshop Program May 30

What: Writing Workshop Open House Writing Workshop (actual event)

When: Open House: May 16th 3pm-4pm Workshop: May 30th 1pm-5pm

Where: The Yoga Cafe, Inc - 711-A Milner Drive, Greensboro, North Carolina 27410

Who: Led by Celeste Krueger, Ed.S. who has been writing and teaching for over 25 years. She is the student with Natalie Goldberg, renowned author and poet.

Why: Because personal peace is important in achieving universal peace. This is a writing group for people at all levels of experience. We will be writing for ourselves, no work will be criticized...

No More Stolen Lives! No More Shattered Families!

Who:
Families of the October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation.

What:
On the eighth anniversary of the death of Gilbert Barber . . . Picket Line Demanding Justice for the Murder of Gil Barber by Guilford Co. Deputy Sheriff Thomas Gordy in 2001 and Sheriff' Department's attempt to institute the 21st Century "Fugitive Slave Act" (otherwise known as 287(g)).

When:
Monday May 18th at 5-6 P.M.Guilford County Sheriff's Department

Where: Corner of Washington and Eugene St. in Greensboro.

Why:
Gil Barber was shot and killed in 2001, devastating his familiy who refused to back down and demanded justice. Law enforcement is deadlier than ever today. There have been eight killings of people by law enforcement in Guilford County since 2008, devastating families and whole communities. Sheriff BJ Barnes now plans step up repression of the Latino Community. 287(g) will further tear apart families with deportations and by driving immigrants deeper into the shawdows for fear of contact with any sort of authorities. Meanwhile, the communities who fall vicitim to these policies, working class whites, Arabs, Latinos and Blacks are being set against each other by major media loudmouths who want people to distrust, blame and fear each other for the problems beign created by this economic system.

Ensuring Open Spaces for Guilford County - Meeting May 14

What: "Ensuring Open Spaces for Guilford County: Protecting Forests, Wetlands, Meadows and Wildlife for Future Generations. Alex Ashton, the Guilford County Open Space Planner and John Young, Chair of the Guilford County Open Space Committee, will be presenters.

When: Thursday, May 14 at 6 pm

Where: Presbyterian Church of the Covenant at corner of Walker Ave. and S. Mendenhall in Greensboro

Sponsored by: Triad Intentional Communities Network

For more info: contact Gratia Wright at 336.370.9987 or Carolyn Biggerstaff at 336.852.6272 if you have questions.

More Info: The door to the fellowship hall is to the left of the After Gateway portion of the building, and is across from the entrance to the church office. The Triad Intentional Communities Network (TICN) brings together people who are exploring paradigms that offer affordable alternatives to living in isolation or institutionalized settings, especially as we age.