1. law, govt and politics
2. legal issues
3. death penalty

Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
5015 15th Ave SE, Lacey WA 98503-2723
(360) 491-9093 www.olympiafor.org
Issue #256 February + March 2015
What’s Sauce for the Goose Is Sauce for the Gander:
Should Nigeria or South Africa Overthrow the U.S.?
Folk Singer Tom Rawson
Performs SAT. MARCH 7
to Benefit Olympia FOR
In the past few decades the U.S. has militarily overthrown several foreign governments
through “humanitarian interventions” because
the U.S. claimed they were failing to protect the
human rights of some of their populations.
Tom Rawson – a banjo-playing,
crowd-delighting folksinger – performs songs of peace, social justice,
and just plain fun on Saturday,
March 7, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. at Traditions Café at the corner of 5th and Water SW in downtown Olympia.
Rawson has charmed and invigorated audiences throughout the Pacific
Northwest with his infectious wit, energy, and songs that you just can’t resist singing along with.
This is Tom’s annual benefit performance for the Olympia FOR. You
may determine how much to contribute on a suggested sliding scale of $10
to $25.
Last year we nearly filled Traditions, so we encourage buying tickets in advance. Buy tickets from
Traditions Fair Trade, 5th & Water
SW, Olympia, or from the Olympia
FOR.
If you want to buy tickets by mail,
please make checks payable to
“Olympia FOR” and tell us how many
tickets you want for your donation.
We’ll hold your tickets at the door.
Please send checks to Olympia FOR
to 5015 15th Avenue SE, Lacey, WA
98503-2723.
For more information contact Glen
Anderson at (360) 491-9093 or
[email protected]
Get Tom Rawson’s information
and music at www.tomrawson.com
Tom Rawson has added
many years and many
songs since this old
photo was taken.
Hear him at Traditions
on Saturday March 7 to
benefit Olympia FOR.
The Olympia FOR’s website,
www.olympiafor.org,
offers much information
about the death penalty, the
climate, guns, drones, and
other issues.
Watch our current and
previous TV programs
through our website,
read current and previous
newsletters, and so forth.
For centuries the U.S. has failed to protect
African-Americans’ human rights – all throughout the slavery era, during the Jim Crow era
from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, and continuing in the half-century since we passed civil
rights laws.
The U.S. imprisons AfricanAmericans at a grossly disproportionate rate, and
police seem free to kill unarmed people without
accountability. Now new state-level laws are
making it much harder for them to vote.
This long track record shows that the U.S.
has chronically failed to protect AfricanAmericans’ human rights. Since the U.S. often
overthrows other nations’ governments that fail
to protect human rights, it seems only fair for
some other country – perhaps South Africa or
Nigeria – to overthrow the U.S. government and
install one that will finally serve this large oppressed minority.
Since the U.S. does this to other countries,
we should allow another country to do that to us.
See the home page of www.olympiafor.org
for an article debunking Americans’ assumption
that military violence is a routinely OK part of
U.S. foreign policy.
We know violence is the wrong way for
individuals to settle their differences, but we
very commonly assumed the U.S. is entitled to
dominate and militarily attack other nations.
Our nation’s vigorous and expensive support
for military violence hurts our nation in many
ways. The bloated military and the common
acceptance of militarism are barriers to solving
our nation’s real problems.
Page 2
Confronting the Climate Crisis
The Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation – (360) 491-9093 www.olympiafor.org – is working vigorously to protect
the climate, along with working for other issues related to peace, social justice and nonviolence. This February-March
2015 newsletter offers some news items about the topics listed below.
Our website’s climate section -- www.olympiafor.org/Climate_Crisis.html -- includes A GREAT MANY MORE
news items, and THOSE LINKS ARE LIVE, so besides reading this newsletter, see much more there.
Our exciting, productive climate group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm at the Olympia Center,
222 Columbia Street NW, in downtown Olympia. Info: (360) 352-6327 [email protected]
Read about these topics below and on our website:
The Climate Crisis Gets Even Worse
Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Tar Sands, and Fracking
Trains and Ships Risk Spills and Explosions
We Urge Divesting from Fossil Fuel Investments
Carbon Pricing Makes Good Sense
We Are Building the Climate Movement
Other Climate-Related News and Resources
The Climate Crisis Gets Even Worse:
2014 was the warmest year ever recorded: The National Do the NE’s heavy snowstorms disprove “global warmClimatic Data Center, a division of the National Oceanic and At- ing”? Some people who do not understand the climate crisis
mospheric Administration (NOAA), noted the average tempera- say that heavy snowstorms disprove “global warming.” They
tures over the earth’s land and oceans were higher in 2014 than do not understand that heavy snowstorms (and heavy rain
any year since 1880, when record-keeping began. The average downpours) are caused by warmer oceans that evaporate more
temperatures were 0.07 degrees Fahrenheit (F) above the previous water into the atmosphere and by climate disruptions that conhigh. The agency also reported that December 2014 also had the centrate snowstorm seasons into more intensity. Let’s read this
third-highest average global land temperature (2.45 degrees F article and prepare ourselves to counter their misunderstanding:
above average) out of any December in the past 135 years. An ar- http://tinyurl.com/mbglhhe
ticle from another source, Joe Romm, reports on this from the Japan Meteorological Association: www.tinyurl.com/k2jubc8
Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Tar
President Obama, who says he is concerned about the climate, is supporting more oil drilling off the Atlantic Coast:
www.tinyurl.com/l2xs58m
Lummi nation stands firm against pressure to allow coal export terminal in Whatcom County: On January 15, 2015, the
Lummi Nation’s chairperson again confirmed that the tribe will not
negotiate with the company that wants to build a coal export facility at Cherry Point on Whatcom County’s waterfront. Tim Ballew’s
January 5 letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asked the
Corp to deny a permit by SSA Marine. On the 15th, Ballew stated,
“There is no way to mitigate the damages the proposed project
would bring.” The pier and nearly 500 vessels a year would seriously hurt traditional Lummi fishing grounds in violation of rights
guaranteed by treaty since 1855. More information appeared in the
January 17, 2015, issue of the Bellingham Herald at this link:
www.tinyurl.com/qz65k92
Sands, and Fracking:
Urge US Senators Murray and Cantwell to pressure the
US Army Corps of Engineers to respect the Lummi Nation’s treaty and reject the Cherry Point coal export terminal: The proposed coal export terminal would terribly disrupt the Lummi Nation's treaty-protected lands and waters beyond what “mitigation” could achieve. The US Constitution
requires our nation to obey treaties. Urge Murray and Cantwell to talk with the Lummi Nation’s leaders, and work with
them not against them. Urge Murray and Cantwell to respect
treaties and the Lummi Nation. Please call Senator Patty Murray at (202) 224-2621 and Senator Maria Cantwell at (202)
946-6937. Also you can e-mail them through their respective
websites:
www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
and
www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-maria
Trains and Ships Risk Spills and Explosions
Read this article about oil trains, and scroll down to look at pho- "NW Ships: Near Misses and Almost-Spills" – Info from
tos with embarrassing quotations: www.dailysightline.org is a Sightline Institute: www.tinyurl.com/pssvh23
great resource! See www.tinyurl.com/ny72ljd
See Page 3 for more information about the climate crisis.
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015
Page 3
Climate information continues here from Page 2:
problems in Alaska’s waters. The environment there is
sensitive and crucial habitat for various kinds of wildlife.
Oil spills in the NW: See raw data and information about the growing
risks at www.tinyurl.com/pxlh2d8
Fri Feb 27: Dan Leahy will conduct a session on organizing opposition to oil trains: The Olympia Movement for Justice and Peae (OMJP) has reserved Traditions
Café, 5th & Water SW, for 7:00 pm for this event on “How
to Stop an Oil Train.
Oil spill “clean-up” averages removing only 14% of the oil
spilled: “Even with the best efforts, it is nearly impossible to remove
all oil that is spilled into the water, and average removal rates are only
fourteen percent.” This quotation came from page 7 of the text of Senate Bill 5087 in Washington State’s 2015 legislative session:
www.tinyurl.com/nxj3fh9
New coalition of nine environmental groups says Shell’s Arctic
drilling vessels are not welcome in Seattle: On January 28, 2015,
the Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s Joel Connelly reported that Shell Oil’s
long-delayed intention to drill for oil in Alaska’s Arctic Chukchi Sea hit
another snag when these environmental groups opposed using Seattle as
a staging area for Shell’s drilling equipment, perhaps totaling as many
as two dozen barrages, tugs, exploration drill rigs, etc. Most of the Port
of Seattle’s commissioners had recently approved it. A few of the ships
that would be involved have recently broken moorings or had other
Do not be deceived by State Senator Ericksen’s deceptive and ineffective legislation oil spill bill: There
is a big difference between SB 5057 introduced by Republican Doug Ericksen and the serious bill (SB 5087) introduced by Governor Jay Inslee. Many people have concluded that Ericksen’s bill seems designed to confuse people by creating the illusion of addressing the problem
while actually letting oil companies and railroads do what
they want without any of the real protections that people
need. Their bill numbers differ by only one digit (5057 vs.
5087), so let’s keep our digits straight when we communicate with legislators, media, the public, etc.
We Urge Divesting from Fossil Fuel Investments:
University of Washington moves closer to divesting from
fossil fuels: The Stranger reports: www.tinyurl.com/psujxpn
Fri-Sat Feb 13-14: Global Divestment Day: Sell all investments in fossil fuel companies: An environment based on
fossil fuels is not sustainable! Neither is an economy or an
investment portfolio relying on fossil fuels! Already, institutions and individuals have divested $50 billion from the fossil
fuel industry. The global conversation about the future of fossil
fuels is changing dramatically. Another new study confirmed
that around 80% of fossil fuels do indeed need to stay underground. If you – or your pension fund or non-profit organization or foundation – own fossil fuel stocks or bonds, sell them
now before the bubble bursts! See national and local info at
www.gofossilfree.org/divestment-day
Carbon Pricing Makes Good Sense:
CarbonWA makes progress in promoting a revenue-neutral tive, both the initiative and the alternative will be on the Novemcarbon tax and building the campaign: Watch Yoram Bau- ber 2016 ballot. To get involved, contact Thad Curtz at (360)
man’s 8-minute video explanation at www.tinyurl.com/ljn6u6d 352-2209 [email protected]
More publications are reporting on the proposal for imposing a Olympia FOR’s “Confronting the Climate Crisis” group
tax on carbon fuels at the retail point of sale, and cutting sales tax supports BOTH the “cap and auction” proposal by Gov. Jay
by a full percentage point and using other ways to return money Inslee (the Carbon Pollution Accountability Act, HB 1314
to the public, so the overall effect will be revenue neutral (not the and SB 5283), AND ALSO the carbon tax proposal by
kind of “tax grab” that right-wingers like to complain about. Yoram Bauman and Carbon Washington. More than 240
People who conserve will come out ahead, so it’s their choice. It persons attended the January 27 kick-off of the new Alliance for
is very similar to British Columbia’s highly successful and popu- Jobs and Clean Energy, which is an extremely broad alliance
lar carbon tax. Info: www.CarbonWA.org This bipartisan ef- (including Olympia FOR’s “Confronting the Climate Crisis
fort has support from across the political spectrum, so the organ- group and Western Washington FOR, along with many labor,
izers think it is likely that the 2016 Washington State Legislature business, environmental, climate and community groups).
might actually pass it. CarbonWA does not oppose or compete
with Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposal for cap-and-auction, but rather More than 65 persons attended the Olympia FOR’s “Carbon Fee Forum” on Saturday January 31: A panel of experts
sees the revenue-neutral carbon tax as a follow-up solution.
explained why we need to put a price on carbon-based fuels (oil,
Local organizing for Carbon Thurston, a new county organ- gas, coal, etc.), explained Gov. Inslee’s proposal (HB 1314 and
ization that’s getting ready to gather signatures for Carbon SB 5283), and the carbon tax proposal by Yoram Bauman and
Washington’s initiative campaign for a real carbon tax: Carbon Washington (www.carbonwa.org). The Olympia FOR’s
Two long-time Olympia folks, Thad Curtz and Betty Hauser, are “Confronting the Climate Crisis” and Climate Solutions
active now and will persist through 2016. Carbon Washington (www.climatesolutions.org) co-sponsored this, and we enjoyed
(www.carbonwa.org) will work hard from this spring to No- support and participation from several other organizations.
vember 2015 gathering signatures for an Initiative to the 2016 Thanks to Bourtai Hargrove, chair of Olympia FOR’s “ConfrontLegislature. The 2016 legislative session can either pass it (hoo- ing the Climate Crisis” group, for working hard to lead the orray) or pass an alternative or reject it. If the Legislature rejects it, ganizing of this successful, productive event.
it will go onto the November 2016 ballot. If they pass an alternaOlympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015
Page 4
Progress toward Abolishing the Death Penalty Nationwide
Maryland completed their work to abolish the death penalty: In 2013 Maryland abolished the death penalty for any
future offenses, but the legislation did not help the four persons who were already on death row. Immediately before his
term ended, Maryland’s Governor commuted their sentences to Life Without Parole, so finally death row is completely
empty. The newly inaugurated Governor supports the death penalty but will not try to bring it back.
Death sentences and executions both declined further in 2014: The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty’s Executive Director, Diann Rust-Tierney (who spoke in Olympia decades ago when she headed the national ACLU’s
work against the death penalty), reported that executions continued declining in 2014 to 35, the fewest since 1974. Also,
only 72 new death sentences were imposed in 2014, the lowest number in the life of the modern death penalty. Only 7
states conducted executions (Texas, Missouri, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, Ohio, and Arizona), which is also the fewest
number of states in 25 years. But among the 35 persons executed were people who were intellectually disabled; a man
whose lawyer was drunk during his trial; and several African American men who were sentenced to death by all-white juries; and the list goes on. Lethal injection caused serious problems in Ohio, Oklahoma and Arizona, where prisoners being executed called out in pain and lingered in their dying. (See immediately below) Info: www.ncadp.org
Many of 2014’s lethal injections were botched: Lethal injection is not the medically clean, humane method of killing
people that its supporters claim. More and more people recognize that there is no good way to kill a person: Not hanging,
not the electric chair, not the gas chamber, not lethal injections. Each “reform” sought to make the atrocity less cruel and
disgusting, but every one of these “reforms” has proven to be seriously flawed. The National Coalition to Abolish the
Death Penalty (www.ncadp.org) reported these examples from 2014:
Michael Wilson (OK) said – while being executed – “I feel my whole body burning.”
Dennis McGuire (OH) gasped for air for 26 minutes.
Clayton Lockett (OK) struggled in pain for 45 minutes.
Joseph Wood (AZ) gasped for air for nearly 2 hours.
More innocent persons on death row are exonerated, now totaling 148: In 2014 another 7 former death row prisoners were exonerated. Now Florida leads the nation for wrongful death sentences at 25. Illinois’ record is nearly as bad.
Also, Ohio had to release Ricky Jackson, who spent an incredible 39 years in prison for a murder for which he was completely innocent. His exoneration brought the nation’s total to 148 persons exonerated from death row because of wrongful convictions.
A powerful new article opposes the death penalty: On January 31, 2015, the online Truthout (www.truth-out.org)
ran an article about some of the death penalty’s hard realities: mostly cruel tedium with occasional chaos. See this short
article summarizing many flaws: www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/28836-chaotic-tedium
Serious Injustices Still Persist
Eyewitness identifications are very often wrong. National Academy of Sciences issued a landmark report on
memory and eyewitness identification. The Innocence Project urges governments to adopt the report’s recommendations for improving police identification procedures: See the article at www.theinnocenceproject.org
and www.tinyurl.com/pr4582f
Texas plans to execute Rodney Reed – who is VERY LIKELY INNOCENT – on March 5, 2015: He is a black man
who was convicted by an all-white jury for allegedly killing a 19-year-old woman who was engaged to marry a white police officer, but she and Reed were also having a sexual relationship, and evidence points to a friend of the police officer
as the real killer. This person twice failed a polygraph question, “Did you strangle Stacey Stites?” No credible evidence
connects Rodney Reed to this crime. For 17 years Reed’s family and other people have been fighting for real justice, but
recently the courts denied his request to have DNA testing done on crucial evidence, and people who wanted to testify to
his innocence were never called to testify at his trial. Police did not adequately pursue evidence pointing to the guilt of
the police officer’s friend who is widely suspected of having committed the murder. See more information at the website
of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, www.nodeathpenalty.org
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015
Page 5
Help Us Abolish Washington State’s Death Penalty
Nine men languish on Washington State’s death row: In February 2014 Washington State’s Governor Jay Inslee declared a moratorium on executions during his term as Governor, saying that he will not allow executions to occur during
this time. However, Washington State’s death penalty law remains in effect, so prosecutors are still free to bring new
death penalty cases, and current cases can continue working their way through the process. Indeed, three death penalty
cases are underway in King County WA. Inslee’s moratorium means only that he will not execute anyone. But his
successor certainly can – unless we repeal the law.
Washington State’s death penalty cases cost much more than cases not seeking death: A new in-depth study by
four Seattle University professors found costs related to pursuing the death penalty are about 1.4 to 1.5 times more than
when a prosecutor does not seek death. Combining all cost categories, the average cost of a death penalty case in Washington is $3.07 million, compared to $2.01 million (in 2010 dollars) for cases in which the prosecutor does not seek death.
Adjusted to 2014 dollars, that average difference per case is $1.15 million.
Bipartisan legislation would abolish Washington State’s death penalty: In late January 2015, legislation to abolish
the death penalty was introduced in both the House and Senate, with some Republicans joining some Democrats in cosponsoring each of them. The bills are HB 1739 and SB 5639. This year’s Death Penalty Lobby Day will occur on Tuesday February 10, 2015. See that date’s calendar item in Olympia FOR’s February-March 2015 newsletter.
A Seattle Times editorial strongly calls for abolishing the death penalty: The January 21, 2015, Seattle Times editorial denounces the death penalty on several grounds, including its excessive cost, its failure to deter murder, and other
reasons. The editorial says the death penalty is really about vengeance, and it fails to provide real justice.
Seattle’s city government formally asks the Washington State Legislature to abolish the death penalty: Mayor Ed Murray and all nine City
Council members and City Attorney Pete Holmes have signed a letter urging all state senators and representatives from Seattle to pursue “safe and
just alternatives” to the death penalty. “Safe and Just Alternatives” happens to be the name of the statewide campaign to abolish Washington’s
death penalty. The SJA campaign (www.sjawa.org) is a project organized
with especially strong leadership by the Washington Coalition to Abolish
the Death Penalty (WCADP, www.abolishdeathpenalty.org), the ACLU of
Washington (www.aclu-wa.org) and significant participation by other organizations, including Olympia FOR’s Committee for Alternatives to the
Death Penalty and the Western Washington FOR.
Use your computer to send postcards to state legislators urging abolition of the death penalty: Part of the “Safe
and Just Alternatives” campaign (see above) is a statewide effort to send postcards to legislators. Now you can do this
through your computer. Here is the link to the e-postcards: https://www.aclu.org/secure/tell-your-legislators-its-timereplace-death-penalty
Olympia FOR’s death penalty committee surveyed people, gained insights, and is planning new outreach: In
December 2014 Olympia FOR’s Committee for Alternatives to the Death Penalty surveyed people on our mailing list and
a few other people to gain new insights into people’s thoughts, feelings, and ideas for new outreach activities toward abolishing Washington’s death penalty. With 69 responses, we did indeed gain insights and are planning to move ahead. If
you would like to join our friendly committee, contact our chairperson, Emily Hammargren, at (360) 352-0695
[email protected].
Olympia FOR’s death penalty committee meets the 4 th Tuesday evening of each month at a convenient location
in Tumwater: Our meetings are friendly and steadily productive. Besides meeting, we also have an “In the Loop” e-mail
list for occasional news and invitations to special events. We are also creating an interactive listserv that will allow local
people to share news, information, and organizing about the death penalty. To connect with either of these, contact our
chairperson, Emily Hammargren, at (360) 352-0695 [email protected].
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015
Page 6
Two Resources about Our February TV Topic, Human Trafficking
“How to Disrupt the Business of Human Trafficking” – The non-profit organization Human Rights First
produced a two-page resource. See www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/Trafficking-blueprint.pdf
THURSDAY MARCH 12: Cultural Grooming, Uncovering Vulnerabilities to Trafficking -- The Thurston
County Coalition Against Trafficking (TCCAT), part of Washington Engage (www.waengage.com), is sponsoring a forum on Thursday evening March 12 about how vulnerable people are “groomed” by our culture to be
more vulnerable to trafficking for sexual exploitation. This event will run from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Lacey
Conference Center, 975 Carpenter Road NE (north of Martin Way) in Lacey. For more information about trafficking humans for labor or sex, see Washington Engage’s website, www.waengage.com.
Our hyper-sexualized culture that allows practically anything for profit produces cultural factors that “groom” vulnerable people to be
exploited. The Thursday March 12 event in Lacey will engage local people in exploring how and to what degree cultural grooming
is a factor in human trafficking in our nation and – yes, even in our local communities. This evening will include a theatrical portion
(written and directed by Brian Willis) and a keynote by Dr. Carolyn West, a Ph.D. professor of psychology and expert in this topic
from the University of Washington’s faculty on the UW’s Tacoma Campus. (Dr. West is also one of the guests on the Olympia
FOR’s February 2015 TV program described below and available now and into the future for you to watch at www.olympiafor.org.)
Labor and sex trafficking involve force, fraud or coercion to get its victims to participate. How do the images and messages we see
around us constantly – primarily for selling products and services – make it easier for pimps and traffickers to groom their targets, especially children and persons with various disadvantages? How do the messages behind these commodities become social norms confusing and silencing adults? Help prevent trafficking in your area. Come to the Thursday March 12 Cultural Grooming Forum.
TCCAT and Washington Engage work to inform the public and change our culture and public policy to prevent human trafficking.
They increase public awareness by speaking to schools and a variety of faith-based and other community groups. They also work for
state and local laws, regulations and activities to prevent human trafficking. Info: www.waengage.com
TELEVISION PROGRAMS
Every month since February 1987 the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation has produced one-hour TV programs on issues related to peace, social
justice, economics, the environment, and nonviolence. The Olympia FOR’s program airs several times every week for the entire month on Thurston
Community Television (TCTV), channel 22 for Thurston County’s cable TV subscribers. You can see TCTV’s schedule at www.tctv.net.
You can also watch the program described below (and more than 100 of our previous interview programs and special programs at the Olympia
FOR’s website, www.olympiafor.org. Simply click the TV programs link, scroll down, and click the program you want to watch. Many of our website’s
TV program listings also include a .pdf document describing the program.
FEBRUARY 2015
“Human Trafficking: Problems and Solutions”
by Glen Anderson, producer and host of this TV series
This month we’ll explore an issue that most of us do not see. The problem is largely hidden from most of us, but it is very
real. This is the problem of human trafficking. Some people are trafficked as workers to be abused, and some people are trafficked to be exploited for sex.
We’ll look at problems and solutions.
We’ll lift up the work of several non-profit organizations, especially Washington Engage, www.waengage.com, which has
local affiliates in Thurston County and other parts of Western Washington.
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015
Page 7
This article continues onto page 7.
Continued from page 6:
We begin the program by explaining what “human trafficking” means. It includes trafficking some persons to abuse
them as workers and trafficking some persons to abuse them
for sex. Within each kind, there are several varieties of exploitation.
This is not just a problem in other countries or big cities.
It happens in local communities – including our own – and in
various kinds of businesses beyond the ones that seem obvious.
Our three guests explain how individuals (especially
young women and under-aged girls) are recruited and
“groomed” for domination and exploitation. In some businesses that might appear legitimate on the surface, they are
denied the rights that other employees have and are treated instead as “independent contractors” whose rights are not protected by labor laws.
Severe domination, brainwashing and violence make it
hard for victims to speak out or escape.
Our guests explain some of the cultural factors that feed
into the grooming and exploitation. These include the hypersexualization of various aspects of our culture, the pervasive
advertising that treats women as mere objects for men’s gratification, and commercial and cultural pressures on younger
and young girls to wear clothes and makeup that make them
appear like older sexual persons, and to behave on those
ways.
After we explore problems in the first half hour, we devote
the second half hour to exploring solutions. Many of the solutions are designed to reduce the demand for commercial sexual exploitation.
Some of the solutions include changing the cultural factors
mentioned two paragraphs above, in order to relieve the exploitative pressure on women and girls, and in order to allow
men also to escape from sexual stereotypes.
Law enforcement has focused on arresting prostitutes, but
this has not particularly reduced commercial sexual exploitation. Merely legalizing it (as a few European nations have
done) has only increased prostitution and allowed organize
crime to dominate it. Better results have come from arresting
the men who pay prostitutes. Sweden took that approach in
addition to decriminalizing the women who work as prostitutes. Sweden provides a variety of social services to help
women heal from exploitations and work in better jobs.
Various regulatory agencies at state and local levels have
failed dismally to use their full powers regarding worker
rights, workplace safety, health regulations at food service facilities, business licensing, business taxation, and so forth.
All three of our guests have collaborated in studying the
problems and working for solutions in a variety of ways. Our
program highlights a non-profit organization (Washington
Engage, www.waengage.com), that has worked vigorously
on problems and solutions.
Thurston County’s local part of Washington Engage is the
Thurston County Coalition Against Trafficking (TCCAT),
which meets monthly.
They invite the public to learn more at a “Culturing
Grooming Forum” scheduled for Thursday evening March 12,
2015, at a location on Carpenter Road SE in Lacey. Information will soon be posted at www.waengage.com.
We interview three knowledgeable guests:
Rose Gundersen is the co-founder and Executive Director
of Washington Engage, a non-profit organization that works
on this issue. We’ll discuss Washington Engage’s work
throughout this hour. Rose Gundersen has a law degree and
much experience researching and working on human trafficking. Dr. Carolyn West has a Master’s degree and Ph.D.
in Clinical Psychology. She has done extensive professional
and academic work on domestic violence and sexual violence
and other forms of oppression. She teaches about these at the
University of Washington. Linda Malanchuk-Finnan
is the local leader of the Thurston County Coalition Against
Trafficking. She also has long experience working with the
National Organization for Women and other progressive activities for peace and human rights.
We recommend several good sources of information and opportunities for positive action:
Washington Engage
PO Box 4101
Olympia WA 98501
www.waengage.com
Thurston County Coalition Against Trafficking (TCCAT)
(360) 357-7272
[email protected]
ASHHO
www.ashho.net
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
Polaris Project
www.polarisproject.org
Partners in Prevention Education
www.youthchangeagents.org
Truckers Against Trafficking
www.TruckersAgainstTrafficking.org
Emergency numbers for reporting these kinds of abuses
911 or 1-888-3737-888
February + March 2015
Page 8
MARCH 2015
“Friendly Water for the World”
Members of Olympia’s Quaker congregation (Olympia Friends Meeting) created a bold, effective non-profit organization
a few years ago that has already empowered a great number of people in a number of poor nations to purify dangerous existing water sources to provide clean drinking water for their families and local communities. They provide very simple
technology and training so people can build and operate low-tech “bio-sand” water filters that remove more than 99% of
impurities, especially dangerous microorganisms. Because the formal name of the Quaker faith is the “Religious Society
of Friends,” these Olympia folks call their effort “Friendly Water for the World. See information, photographs, etc., at:
www.friendlywaterfortheworld.com
By early March we will post a description on the “TV Programs” section of www.olympiafor.org. Also, if you are on the
Olympia FOR’s mailing list and have given us your e-mail address, we will e-mail the program description to you then.
Mark your calendars now for SATURDAY APRIL 11, 2015.
Look for the actual pre-registration form in late February.
“Nonviolent Solutions to Structural Oppression”
Western Washington FOR’s 17th Annual Spring Assembly
Saturday April 11, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Fauntleroy UCC Church, 9140 California Avenue SW, West Seattle
Every year WWFOR brings grassroots folks together
for a Spring Assembly to share ideas and strengthen the
movements for social justice, nonviolence and peace.
Our 2015 Spring Assembly on Saturday April 11 will be
more participatory than ever.
This year’s theme: The problems we keep seeing
at global, national, and local levels are huge, persistent, and
deeply rooted. The Vietnam war was not an aberration
from an otherwise peaceful foreign policy, nor are police
abuses caused by “a few bad apples,” nor is homelessness
the fault of people making bad choices, nor are people of
color to blame for the effects of racial disparities. Big
problems cause continuous violence, continuous injustice,
and continuous trauma stress. Society needs profound
healing from addictions to greed, violence, and racism.
These big problems that cause ongoing oppression
are structural – built into our society’s systems. Solving
them requires more than masking symptoms, applying
band-aids, or enacting liberal “reforms” that merely tinker
around their edges.
Real solutions require radical (getting to the root)
approaches based on nonviolent values that profoundly
respect the unity and equality of everyone in the human
family and all parts of our ecosystems. Real solutions require active listening and bold, creative alternatives to
structural oppression.
It’s participatory! Instead of one keynote speech to a
passive audience, everyone will be able to collaborate in
shaping our keynote message to flesh out 2015’s theme,
“Nonviolent Solutions to Structural Oppression.” The
morning’s workshops will explore problems. The afternoon’s small groups will allow everyone to generate creative nonviolent solutions.
The modest suggested donation ($15 or more or less)
includes a catered lunch!
It is sponsored by the Western Washington Fellowship
of Reconciliation (206) 789-5565 [email protected]
www.wwfor.org For information contact Glen Anderson
(360) 491-9093 [email protected]
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February + March 2015
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Mark your calendars now for Thursday to Sunday July 2 to 5:
“Peace, Justice and Sustainability: Strengthening the Links”
Join over 200 activists of all ages at the 57th Annual Fellowship of Reconciliation
Northwest Regional Conference Thursday-Sunday July 2-5, 2015
in a beautiful setting on the Hood Canal at Seabeck Conference Center in Kitsap County, Washington State
This year’s theme:
Endless wars; climate catastrophe; police violence; torture without repercussions; nuclear weapons; racial injustice; economic injustice; dysfunctional electoral processes – so many problems! It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the different issues. But they are all connected, so this year’s Seabeck Conference theme will help us
strengthen the links! Let’s educate ourselves and others about the connections and support each other’s work with synergy so we can make more progress all around.
Look for more specific publicity in April through Western Washington FOR, www.wwfor.org (206) 789-5565
Calendar for February-March 2015
Events sponsored by FOR are preceded by the symbol FOR.
Phone numbers are in (360) unless otherwise noted.
Events outside of Thurston County have their locations underlined.
TCTV programs use cable channel 22 in Thurston County.
EVERY WEEK:
Every Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 am:
“Democracy Now” with Amy Goodman on TCTV cable
channel 22 in Thurston County. (For a number of years the
Olympia FOR has provided financial support for TCTV’s airing of “Democracy Now,”)
Every Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 5:30 pm:
Free Speech Radio News on KAOS 89.3 FM
Every Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 am:
Amy Goodman’s “Democracy Now,” KAOS 89.3 FM
FOR Every Wednesday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm:
Peace Vigil in NW corner of Sylvester Park (at Legion &
Capitol Way). Please come for all or part of the hour to witness in a friendly way for peace and nonviolence. We provide
plenty of signs. Info: [email protected] 491-9093
www.olympiafor.org/vigils.htm
FOR Every Monday at 1:30 pm: Olympia FOR’s program on TCTV, cable channel 22 in Thurston County
– or watch it at any time on your computer through
www.olympiafor.org: FEBRUARY: “Human Trafficking: Problems and Solutions.” MARCH: “Friendly
Water for the World.” See descriptions in our FebruaryMarch newsletter. Info: Glen Anderson 491-9093
[email protected]
Every Monday through Friday from 4 to 5 pm: “Democracy Now” with Amy Goodman on TCTV cable
channel 22 in Thurston County. (For a number of years the
Olympia FOR has provided financial support for TCTV’s airing of “Democracy Now,”)
Every Monday at 5:00 pm: Veterans for Peace airs a locally produced program on TCTV. Info: Dennis Mills 8671487 [email protected] and www.vfp109rcc.org
Every Wednesday at 3:30 pm: Parents Organizing for
Welfare and Economic Rights (POWER) holds volunteer meetings every week at the POWER office, 309 5th
Ave, next door to Rainy Day Records. Children are welcome.
Info: 352-9716 [email protected]
www.mamapower.org
FOR Every Wednesday at 5:00 pm: Olympia FOR’s
program on TCTV, cable channel 22 in Thurston
County – or watch it at any time on your computer
through www.olympiafor.org: FEBRUARY: “Human
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Trafficking: Problems and Solutions.” MARCH:
“Friendly Water for the World.” See descriptions in our
February-March newsletter. Info: Glen Anderson 491-9093
[email protected]
Every Thursday from 12:00 to 1:00 pm: Kim Dobson’s
“Parallel University” on KAOS 89.3 FM features interesting, informative programs about peace, social justice, the environment, progressive politics, and other alternative viewpoints.
The producer and host is Kim Dobson. 951-4382,
[email protected],
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Parallel-UniversityRadio-Show/148750248532028) See list of current and past
topics and guests. Listen locally or at www.kaosradio.org
Every Thursday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm: Contemplative
Prayer Gathering: Join with others to explore prayer as the
early Church practiced it. Deepen your relationship with God,
quiet your mind, and open your heart. 3:30-5:00 pm in the Sacred Space at First Christian Church, 701 Franklin Ave SE,
downtown Olympia. Sponsored by Emmaus Ecumenical Catholic Community www.emmaus-ecc.org
Every Thursday at 8:00 pm: Veterans for Peace airs a
locally produced program on TCTV. Info: Dennis Mills 8671487 [email protected] and www.vfp109rcc.org
FOR Every Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 pm: Olympia
FOR’s program on TCTV, cable channel 22 in
Thurston County – or watch it at any time on your
computer through www.olympiafor.org: FEBRUARY:
“Human Trafficking: Problems and Solutions.”
MARCH: “Friendly Water for the World.” See descriptions in our February-March newsletter. Info: Glen Anderson
491-9093 [email protected]
Every Friday from 8:30 to 10:30 am: The Housing Justice Project can help tenants and others: From 8:30 to
10:30 am Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services presents
the Housing Justice Project at the Thurston County Superior
Courthouse, Building 2 at 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia.
They offer landlord/tenant advice for the tenants, unlawful de-
tainer docket representation, and help for mobile home owners
with complaints about rules violations, notices from landlords
or park owners and mobile home eviction cases. Call 705-8194
for information or to schedule an appointment. For immediate
legal information call 1-888-201-1041 between 9:15 am and
12:15 pm Monday through Friday.
FOR Every Friday from 4:30 to 6:00 pm: Peace Vigil at
Percival Landing’s south end, 4th & Water, downtown. Please
join us for whatever length of time you can. We provide plenty
of signs. The Artesian Rumble Arkestra street band joins us at
5:00 with lively music to support our vigil! Sponsor: Olympia
FOR. Info: 491-9093 [email protected]
www.olympiafor.org/vigils.htm and www.olywa.us/artesianrumble
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. Since 1988 “Women in Black” has been a loose network of women worldwide committed to peace with justice and
actively opposed to war and violence. Info: Rosemary Barnhart
866-7589 [email protected]
FOR Every Saturday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm:
Peace Vigil in Centralia on the edge of Washington Park at
Locust & Pearl in downtown Centralia. Sponsor: Lewis County’s “Fire Mountain” FOR chapter. Info: June Butler 748-9658
or Larry Kerschner 880-4741 [email protected]
Every Saturday at 2:00 pm: Veterans for Peace airs a locally produced program on TCTV. Info: Dennis Mills 8671487 [email protected] and www.vfp109rcc.org
Every Sat and Sun: The South Sound Estuarium, a
marine life discovery center, is open at its new, larger
location, 309 State Ave NE, Olympia, from 11 am to 4 pm every Saturday and Sunday. It is possible to schedule group visits
during the week by appointment only. Regular admission $5
for a family, $3 per individual adult, $1 for children 17 and
younger, and free for association members. Info: Leihla 8880565 www.sseacenter.wordpress.com
SPECIFIC DATES
th
Watch the film “Selma” about the Civil Rights Movement at Olympia’s Capitol Theater, 206 5 Ave SE. The
Olympia Film Society (www.olympiafilmsociety.org) will schedule it sometime soon, so look on their website for
dates, times, and description for this great new film.
FOR Mon Feb 2: “Human Trafficking: Problems and Solutions” -- The Olympia FOR’s February TV program debuts today at 1:30 this afternoon. See description in our February-March newsletter and on our website’s “TV Programs” section.
The program will air three times a week all month long on TCTV channel 22 for Thurston County’s cable subscribers. Also, you
can to watch it at any time through Olympia FOR’s website at www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm
Fri Feb 6: FILM: "The Power of Forgiveness" This 87-minute dramatic documentary film takes an honest look at the intensity of anger and grief – and the transformative power of forgiveness. Our movies, news, and even highways show an underlying anger in our country. Let’s interact in better ways. A facilitated discussion will follow the film. Free admission, but voluntary donations will be invited. This is part of “Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies” at 7:00 pm at Keystone UCC Church in Seattle’s
Wallingford neighborhood, 5019 Keystone Place N (From Olympia, go north on I-5 north, exit onto 50th Ave NE, turn left (west) for
a few blocks to Keystone Place N, and turn right. Info: www.meaningfulmovies.org
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Sat Feb 7: Bill Lindstrom, author of John Tornow: Villain or Victim? speaks about a century-old murder case:
The book is about John Tornow, who allegedly killed six men on Sept. 3, 1911, triggering a 19-month manhunt, the longest in NW
history at the time. Villain or Victim? asks whether Tornow was guilty of the murders, for he was never charged with a crime,
though a $5,000 warrant was on his head. The book – a novel based on actual events – attempts to find the truth as through the examination of newspaper articles, trial transcriptions and interviews with descendants of friends and neighbors who knew him. 3:00
pm at Orca Books, 509 E. 4th Ave, Olympia. Info: (360) 352-0123 [email protected]
Tues Feb 10: Death Penalty Abolition Lobby Day at the Washington State Legislature: The Safe & Just Alternatives
campaign (www.sjawa.org) is organizing teams of constituents to meet with lawmakers, and we need your help. Every year people
from around the state visit their legislators in Olympia to urge repealing Washington’s death penalty law. (When Gov. Jay Inslee announced a moratorium on executions in February 2014, that means only that he will not allow executions to occur while he is governor.
All current cases can continue proceeding, and new cases can still arise until we actually repeal the law.) Registration for today’s
Lobby Day was open until Tues Feb 3, but you can squeeze in if you sign up immediately (by Sunday the 8th) at
www.aclu.org/secure/make-your-voice-heard. Death Penalty Abolition Lobby Day is organized by the Washington Coalition to
Abolish the Death Penalty (WCADP), (206) 622-8952, www.abolishdeathpenalty.org, the Safe & Just Alternatives (SJA) campaign (www.sjawa.org), and the ACLU of Washington [www.aclu-wa.org, (206) 624-2184]. On-site registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Gather at 9:00 am in the Washington Room of the Pritchard Bldg, south of the parking lot behind the State Capitol Bldg at 415 15th
Ave SW, Olympia. Info about participating: (206) 624-2184 [email protected] or [email protected] To connect
with local organizing in the greater Olympia area, contact Olympia FOR’s Committee for Alternatives to the Death Penalty at (360)
352-0695 [email protected] and see www.olympiafor.org/death_penalty.htm By the way, if you have not signed a
postcard to Washington Stat’s Legislature within the past 11 or 12 months, please fill one out through www.sjawa.org or at www.
tinyurl.com/oetkguh Your signed card will be delivered to your legislators on Lobby Day.
Tues Feb 10: Thurston County’s chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) also serves adjacent
Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties. 5:30-7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water, downtown Olympia. Info: Linda
357-7272 [email protected]
Tues Feb 10: Olympia’s Science Café’ presents an expert speaker on long-term population response of Coastal
Cutthroat Trout to hydrologic and other environmental fluctuations in a temperate-rainforest stream: Robert
Vadas, an exceptionally well qualified scientist with special expertise about freshwater fish, will provide information especially
about upper Quinault and nearby habitats at 7:00 pm at Orca Books, 509 East 4th Avenue, Olympia. Info: (360) 352-0123,
www.orcabooks.com
FOR Wed Feb 11: Olympia FOR’s Steering Committee meets from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Kim Dobson’s home in NE Olympia. All Olympia FOR folks are welcome. Info: 491-9093 [email protected]
Thurs Feb 12: Thurston County Coalition Against Trafficking works to prevent human trafficking: 6:00 to 7:30 pm
at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North Street, across from Olympia High School’s stadium, near Henderson Blvd.
Info: Linda Malanchuk-Finnan, Core Leader [email protected] 360-357-7272 More info: www.waengage.com
Thurs Feb 12: David Cobb, an expert from Move to
Amend, speaks in Olympia about “corporate personhood”
and restoring effective democracy: Come and learn how to reclaim our democracy and return to a government “of the people, by
the people, for the people.” David Cobb, a lawyer, is a nationally respected political activist and a dynamic speaker from Move to
Amend’s national leadership team (and 2004 Green Party presidential
candidate). Cobb will speak about amending the U.S. Constitution to
declare that corporations are not “persons” and unlimited campaign
spending is not “free speech.” Move to Amend is a national coalition of more than 380,000 people and hundreds of organizations
working to amend the U.S. Constitution to end corporate rule by
building a multiracial, cross-class democracy movement. 7:00 pm at
Traditions Café, 5th & Water SW, downtown Olympia. Our statewide
WAmend group also is working on a new initiative like last year’s I1329, so people will be gathering signatures in 2015. Connect with the local Olympia Move to Amend Group through Acting Chair
Michael Savoca [email protected] and through https://www.facebook.com/MoveToAmendOlympia More info:
www.movetoamend.org and https://www.facebook.com/events/878448045541268/
Fri Feb 13: “Grant Writing 101” will be taught by John McLain, Grants Manager at The Evergreen State College, and Zach
Havekost, Adult Services Library Associate at the Olympia Timberland Library. Register now, because this course fills up quickly.
2:00 pm at the Olympia’s library on 8th Ave between Franklin and Adams, downtown Info: 352-0595 www.trl.org
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Fri Feb 13: Heartsparkle Players perform their amazingly good Playback Theatre. This month’s theme is “Stories
of Gratitude” in collaboration with The Thunders, an ensemble of young adults who have taken Playback Theatre workshops with the Heartsparkle Players: Playback Theatre is an original form of improvisation in which audience members tell stories
from their own experiences and watch them enacted on the spot. 7:30-9:00 pm at Traditions Café, 300 5th Avenue SW, Olympia. A
$7-$12 donation will be requested but nobody will be turned away for lack of a donation. Info: Debe Edden [email protected]
www.heartsparkle.org
Fri-Sat Feb 13-14: Global Divestment Day: Sell all investments in fossil fuel companies: An environment based on
fossil fuels is not sustainable! Neither is an economy or an investment portfolio relying on fossil fuels! Already, institutions and
individuals have divested $50 billion from the fossil fuel industry. The global conversation about the future of fossil fuels is changing dramatically. Another new study confirmed that around 80% of fossil fuels do indeed need to stay underground. If you – or
your pension fund or non-profit organization or foundation – own fossil fuel stocks or bonds, sell them now before the bubble bursts! See info at www.gofossilfree.org/divestment-day
Sat Feb 14: Gather locally with RESULTS members to participate in nationwide webinar about fighting poverty
and hunger worldwide: Everyone is invited to join with local members of the RESULTS organization for a nationwide webinar
featuring New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof to discuss his new book, A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating
Opportunity, our grassroots people-power, and the change that’s possible in the world. Olympia’s RESULTS group will host a live
viewing party for the event. Meet from 10:30 am to 12 noon today at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation in NW
Olympia at 2300 East End Street NW. The new book by Kristof and co-author Sheryl WuDunn highlights RESULTS and focuses
on what it means to be a change agent. Info: [email protected] and Nancy Curtiss [email protected] 463-3656. Nationwide info: www.results.org
Sat Feb 14: Olympia participates in the worldwide observance to stop violence against women: Please arrive in the
State Capitol Rotunda by 11:00 am for Olympia’s 11:30 am part of today’s global event. The One Billion Rising Global Campaign
to end violence against women was founded by Vagina Monologues playwright, Eve Ensler. Info: Local Contact: Elizabeth Bissett
(206) 949-5342 [email protected] or [email protected] National info: [email protected]
Sat Feb 14: First Annual Valentine’s Day of prayer for the Creation, environment and climate that we love: All of
life depends on Earth’s climate, but like the air we breathe and the water we drink, we often take it for granted. 2014 was the hottest
year in recorded history, and weather extremes are becoming the “new normal.” That’s why this Valentine’s Day people are calling
for a minute of prayer for healing of our climate to show our love for God and gratitude for the gift of Creation. Wherever you are
– and whatever you’re doing – at noon on Valentine’s Day, take a moment to join other people elsewhere in praying for conscientious climate action. Info: Interfaith Power & Light (a religious response to global warming),
www.interfaithpowerandlight.org and www.ourvoices.net
Sat Feb 14: Meeting to plan to strengthen democracy by passing a Community Rights Ordinance (CRO): 12:00
noon at Mixx-96 meeting room, SW corner of State & Washington. A local CRO could address any of these topics:
More neighborhood-level control over local zoning and infrastructure and big box stores and other construction;
Stronger local citizen control over various environmental issues and enforcement of environmental rights;
A Citizens Rights Information Office to help people understand and protect their rights;
Various ways to protect the health of Puget Sound (also known as the Salish Sea);
Several reforms to get the Washington State Dept. of Ecology to protect the environment more effectively;
Stronger community control over local police; and
Affirmation that constitutional rights pertain to actual human beings, not business corporations;
This local group encourages people to consult with other local grassroots groups that want more citizen control over legislative matters, develop proposals with those groups, and bring them to today’s meeting. They want to converge public interest and energy to
focus on creating a CRO for one of these. See information and watch the 44-minute video featuring Kai Huschke at www.crsouthsound.org More info: Janet Jordan [email protected] (360) 232-6165 and www.celdf.org
With TWO events back-to-back, this would be worth carpooling from Olympia. The second one features
Ron Young, who has been respected as one of the very best experts on this for many decades!
Sun Feb 15: “Field Notes from Gaza” – Education, photos and discussion with members of medical delegations from Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR, www.wpsr.org). 2:00 to 4:00 pm at University Temple United Methodist Church,
1415 NE 43rd Street in Seattle’s University District. Sponsored by WPSR. Please RSVP to [email protected] or (206) 547-2630.
FOR Sun Feb 15: Seattle FOR presents Ronald J. Young on “Middle East Peace: the Role of Religion in Fueling
and/or Helping to Resolve the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” -- Religion can be a source of peace or a source of violence.
After decades of work on the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict, internationally respected Ron Young will speak about how religion
has been and is a force fueling the conflict and an important source for helping to resolve the conflict and achieve peace. This is Seattle FOR’s monthly gathering from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N 70th Street (on Phinney Ridge
NW of Woodland Park), Seattle. Info: (206) 789-5565 [email protected] www.wwfor.org
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Mon Feb 16: Quaker Lobby Day at Washington State Legislature actually begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Olympia Friends
Meetinghouse, 3201 Boston Harbor Road (north of Priest Point Park, on the left) in Olympia 98506. There participants will discuss
priority issues, such as addressing climate change, support for former prisoners, and preserving the safety net for those with
limited resources. We they’ll go to the Capitol by noon to bring our Quaker perspective as we meet with individual legislators
about these issues until 3:00 pm. Quakers (the Religious Society of Friends) have been a leading voice for social justice for several
centuries. Sponsor: Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy (FCWPP), www.fcwpp.org
Register in advance for Tues Feb 17 Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day at the State Legislature: It
will run from 8 am to 4 pm. Start at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave SE (corner of Washington SE), Olympia. Info: Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, (206) 442-9455, www.wliha.org
Register by Tues Feb 10 for Tues Feb 17: Urge the Washington State Legislature to set common-sense limits on government drones: Unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) give governments unprecedented ability to spy on people, but
Washington State law does not limit governments’ use of drones, nor protect liberty, privacy or accountability. Come to the State
Capitol today to advocate for reasonable regulations to protect our privacy from drones. Register on-site at 9:00 a.m. for the 9:30
a.m. gathering at Conference Room ABC in the Cherberg Building (south of the Capitol), 304 15th Ave SW. Organized by ACLU of
Washington. RSVP at www.aclu-wa.org/events. Questions? Call (206) 624-2184.
Tues Feb 17: Americans United for the Separation of Church and State: You are invited to their monthly meetings on
the third Tuesday of each month (except August and December) at 6:30 pm at the Unitarian church, 2300 East End Street NW (north
on Division, left on 20th, right on East End). (Sometimes after convening the meeting decides to move itself to Pints & Quarts at
Capital Mall.) Info: Dennis Mansker [email protected]
Wed Feb 18: Annual Ash Wednesday Sunrise Peace Vigil and Service on W 4th Ave near the fountain, across
from the Oyster House: Today the Christian season of Lent begins with a day of repentance and works for compassion, justice
and peace. The US continually makes wars and drops bombs that turn families to ashes. This morning’s rush hour vigil (7 to 8 am)
is a witness against war – a witness for peace and reconciliation. Everyone – regardless of religious tradition or lack thereof – is
welcome to hold our signs for peace. Dress for the chilly morning weather. Info: Bob Zeigler (360) 570-0848
[email protected]
Wed Feb 18: Audubon Advocacy Day at the Washington State Legislature: Join the flock headed to Olympia for Audubon Advocacy Day! Speak up for birds and urge your elected officials to cut carbon pollution, invest in clean energy, and keep our
communities safe for birds and people. Info + registration: [email protected] and
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1150520
FOR Wed Feb 18: “Confronting the Climate Crisis” -- Olympia FOR’s vigorous group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 on the
third Wednesday of each month at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia Street NW, downtown. Info: Bourtai Hargrove 352-6327
[email protected] www.olympiafor.org/Climate_Crisis.html
Thurs Feb 19: People of various faiths gather to urge Washington State Legislature to support social justice,
sustainable environment, etc.: Register now for today’s Interfaith Advocacy Day, when people from various faiths from
around the state meet with your legislators to support a sustainable environment, economic justice, a sustainable state budget, criminal justice reform, food security, and protection of affordable housing. Jessie Dye from Earth Ministry and Interfaith Power & Light
will teach a session about those groups’ agenda for caring for the creation. The day starts at The United Churches, 110 11 th Ave SE
(corner of Washington SE), Olympia. Register: www.tinyurl.com/onz77ng It’s $15 if you register in advance or $20 at the door.
Arrive as early as 8:00 am to check in. The program starts at 9:00 am. A debrief at 3:00 pm will end the day. Sponsored by Faith
Action Network, www.famwa.org Questions? (206) 625-9790 or [email protected]
Thurs Feb 19: The Thurston Climate Action Team invites people to their monthly meeting: TCAT does good, practical work to protect the climate, especially interacting with governments and the Thurston Regional Planning Council. TCAT is also
looking for ways to fund local climate efforts. TCAT meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Thurston County
Courthouse, Building 1 Room 280, 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW. Info: Tom Crawford, [email protected] 280-0242
Thurs Feb 19: Justice Not Jails: More and more people in Olympia are working together to reform various aspects of our criminal “justice” system in humane ways. Our local “Justice Not Jails” groups meets at 7:00 pm on the third Thursday evening of each
month at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation, 2300 East End Street NW (north on Division, west on 20th, right on East
End). Confirm tonight’s meeting and get info: Steve Tilley [email protected]
Thurs Feb 19: Lake? Estuary? Learn what the Ruckelshaus Center’s Capitol Lake Assessment said: Chris Page
from the Ruckelshaus Center will explain their approach to collaborative problem solving, how they applied the process for the
Olympia’s Capitol Lake assessment, and a summary of the results. This is part of the Discovery Speaker Series of the South Sound
Estuary Association at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams Street NE, north of downtown. Doors open at 6:30 pm for the 7:00 to
8:30 pm presentation. Info: (360) 528-5742 www.wetsciencecenter.org For more info about Capitol Lake and the opportunity to
restore it to a natural estuary, watch the Olympia FOR’s December 2014 TV program through www.olympiafor.org, and contact the
Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) at www.deschutesestuary.org
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Fri Feb 20: Satirical singer-songwriter-guitarist Roy Zimmerman – who focuses mostly on social and political issues – performs in Olympia: This is what he says about his work writing and performing humorous songs on political subjects:
“There's nothing funny about World Peace. Social Justice never killed at the Comedy Store. If we ever attain a worldwide consciousness of peace and justice, I’ll be happily out of a job. But as long as there’s poverty, war, bigotry, ignorance, greed, lust and
paranoia, I’ve got a career.” 8:00 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water SW, downtown Olympia. Tickets are $18 general, or $12 for
students and low-income people. Info: www.traditionsfairtrade.com 705-2819
Fri Feb 20, 2015: “PROJECT UNSPEAKABLE” A Dramatic Reading of
Selected Sections of the Play, with
Video Vignettes: Friends of Meaningful
Movies will read portions of this play by
Court Dorsey (based on the book by James
W. Douglass), interspersed with historical
videos. Coinciding with the 50th commemoration of the death of Malcolm X, PROJECT
UNSPEAKABLE is a theatrical work about
the role of Thomas Merton’s “Unspeakable” in the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr., and
Robert Kennedy. A generation has lived in the rubble of shattered dreams, and has seen the great leaders of their generation slaughtered in officially whitewashed circumstances. We are now invited to come forward to insist that the truth finally be uncovered.
Join us for a facilitated discussion after the performance. 7:00 pm at Keystone UCC church, 5019 Keystone Place N (in Seattle’s
Wallingford neighborhood, west of I-5 and north of 50th Street. The public is welcome. Voluntary donations will be accepted to
cover costs. Info: www.meaningfulmovies.org
FOR Sat Feb 21: Global Days of Listening: On the 21st day of each month, you can connect by telephone and/or computer
(through Skype software) with the Afghan Peace Volunteers and other peacemakers of all ages in Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza, and many
other countries around the world. In the US’s Pacific Time Zone it runs from 6:30 to 9:30 am (yes, morning!), Pacific Time. Listen
to the live broadcast at http://globaldaysoflistening.org/pages/livestream or visit the home of Chuck Schultz and Rozanne Rants to
listen or help. Info: www.globaldaysoflistening.org Local info: Doug Mackey 915-6757 [email protected] Listen
anytime to the broadcast at this livestream link: http://tinyurl.com/nz7j77y
Sat Feb 21: Connect with Olympia RESULTS to empower citizen advocacy to fight poverty and hunger worldwide: RESULTS is an organization that empowers citizens in participatory advocacy to fight poverty and injustice. Olympia’s
chapter of RESULTS meets monthly to educate, train and inspire advocates about global and domestic poverty. Join these folks at
10:00 am this morning for its monthly Education and Action meeting. Info and meeting location: [email protected] and Nancy Curtiss [email protected] 463-3656 More info: www.results.org
Sat Feb 21: Solutionary Rail teach-in in Seattle will be good for workers, environment, climate, and quality of life:
Learn what you need to know to become an ambassador for the 21st century revitalization of rail from guest speakers on railroad labor and history and the Solutionary Rail team. It will run from 2:30 to 5:00 pm at the Washington State Labor Council building, 321
16th Ave S, Seattle 98119 RSVP through https://www.facebook.com/events/1552410478352919/
Sat Feb 21: Gaza Updates from a doctor recently returned from there, Skype with a United Nations representative
in Jerusalem. Also see the FILM “The War Around Us,” and perhaps donate to help Gaza’s people: Admission is
free, but a voluntary donation will be collected for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s help for Palestinian refugees.
6:30 pm socializing and hors d’oeuvres, 7:00 pm film at the Tacoma Urban League, 2550 Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405. If you
can’t attend, you can donate through https://unrwausa.org/tacoma Sponsor: Tacoma’s Jewish Voice for Peace. Info: [email protected] and www.thepierceprogressive.org/actionalertgazaupdate
Wed Feb 25: “Immigration 101 for Service Providers” training in Seattle: Do you work with or serve the immigrant
community? Do you have questions about the immigration system, enforcement, or how immigration issues affect the community?
This 4-hour training will provide useful information. It runs from 1 to 5 pm at New Holly Gathering Hall, 7054 32nd Avenue South,
Seattle 98118. $25 with some low-income discounts. Info: NW Immigrant Rights Project, www.nwirp.org
Wed Feb 25: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace (OMJP) typically meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each
month. Confirm tonight’s time and location: Larry 951-4894 [email protected] www.omjp.net
Wed Feb 25: “Torture, Empire and the CIA” presentation by expert dynamic duo Steve Niva and David Price:
Learn more about how and why the CIA was started, how has it morphed over the years, what legal justification has it offered for its
activities, what's it up to right now, what did the recent Congressional investigation show, and whether this was really anything new.
Also, explore whether the CIA has a healthy role to play in our democracy, and how can we limit the CIA to a legitimate role. Steve
Niva is on the faculty at The Evergreen State College, and David Price is on the faculty at St. Martin’s University. Niva and Price
are real experts with a loyal following. Both are extremely well informed and present powerful information in easy-to-understand
ways. After their presentation there will be plenty of time for Q&A. It’s free to everyone at 7:00 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & WaOlympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015
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ter SW, in downtown Olympia. Sponsored by the Green Party of South Puget Sound, www.greenparty-sps.net Info: Contact Janet Jordan (360) 232-6165 [email protected]
Thurs Feb 26: How much fish from Puget Sound is safe to eat? It depends on how polluted the water is. Tulalip
Tribal member (and 38th Leg.Dist. State Senator) John McCoy speaks to the public about Water Quality and Fish
Consumption Rates: The League of Women Voters of Thurston County invites the public to learn about this. The State of
Washington has been accused of seriously underestimating the amount of fish we eat, in order to avoid having to strengthen water
quality standards and require polluting businesses and local governments to discharge less pollution into Puget Sound. Learn about
this tonight. Social time starts at 6:00 pm, and the speaker begins at 6:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5 th & Water downtown. Info: 3528220 www.lwvthurston.org
Thurs Feb 26: “John Kennedy: the Man, Myth and Legend” -- Author Dean R. Owen presents this engaging, multi-media
educational opportunity on America’s 35th President at 7:30 pm at the Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8 th Ave SE. Info: 3520595 www.trl.org
Thurs-Fri Feb 26-27: Training for “Facilitating Effective Meetings” is offered by the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston
County, www.mediatethurston.org (360) 956-1155. This two-day training runs from 8 am to 5 pm both days. The DRC asks,
“Are you part of a group that meets regularly? Do you oversee or facilitate difficult meetings? Are you tired of attending unproductive or dysfunctional meetings?” The DRC offers this 16-hour training for anyone who runs or attends meetings for public input,
civic groups or non-profits, faith communities, student organizations, action groups, or other types of meetings. This training provides concepts, processes, and skills for designing and facilitating group meetings. It costs $300 per person ($200 if you’re a current
DRC volunteer). Info and registration: www.mediatethurston.org (360) 956-1155
Fri Feb 27: Dan Leahy leads a session about organizing opposition to oil trains this evening at Traditions Café, 5th &
Water SW. It’s sponsored by the Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace (OMJP, www.omjp.net).
Fri Feb 27 to Mon March 2: “Made in the USA: A Permanent Wartime Economy” – Weekend event sponsored by the
Pacific Life Community, which nonviolently opposes nuclear weapons and violent foreign policy, at the Vallombrosa Retreat Center, 250 Oak Grove Avenue, Menlo Park CA 94025. Low cost. Info: https://pacificlifecommunity.wordpress.com
Sat Feb 28 to Sun March 8: Join CODEPINK and other respected nationwide peace groups in protesting drone
warfare at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada during the Creech Convergence for Peace, a mass mobilization to stop drone
wars and directly confront US militarism. Since 2005, drone operators at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada have completed thousands of assassinations abroad of “suspected terrorists.” Despite this claim, they have in fact killed thousands of civilians, including more than 200 children in Pakistan alone and are terrorizing communities in several countries. This is hurting the United
States’ standing in the international community. Retired Colonel Ann Wright says, “As a former US diplomat, I am very sensitive to the perceptions of the international community toward US foreign policies. The U.S. assassin drone campaign is a source of
great anti-American sentiment around the world, not just in the Middle East. The moral and ethical aspects of illegal extrajudicial
executions should be weighing heavily on those men and women in our government who make the decisions to kill and those who
implement those decisions.” Info: www.shutdowncreech.blogspot.com and www.codepink.org, or one of the key organizers at
home, (510) 215-5974.
Sun March 1: Brunch to benefit Friends of Public Power: On the first Sunday each month Media Island International (MII)
hosts a benefit brunch from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm to raise visibility and funds for a local non-profit organization. Enjoy a simple,
tasty brunch for a worthy cause each month, and donate a voluntary amount rather than a fixed price. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00
p.m. at MII, 816 Adams Street SE (just east across Adams Street from Olympia's downtown library). If you need a handicap entrance, use the alley behind it, accessible from 9th Ave SE. The Sunday March 1 brunch will benefit Friends of Public Power, the
continuing non-profit organization that is following through after the 2012 campaign to have the Thurston County Public Utility District (PUD) take over from Puget Sound Energy the role of providing electricity within Thurston County. See
https://friendsofpublicpower.wordpress.com/news/
Sun March 1: Veterans for Peace (Olympia’s chapter 109) invites veterans and others to their monthly meeting at
2:00 pm at Media Island International, 816 Adams SE (across the street west of the Olympia Timberland Library). Info: Dennis
Mills 867-1487 [email protected] and www.vfp109rcc.org
FOR Mon March 2: “Friendly Water for the World” -- The Olympia FOR’s March TV program debuts at 1:30 this afternoon and three times a week all month long on TCTV channel 22 for Thurston County’s cable subscribers. Also, you can watch
it at any time at www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm, where in early March you will be able to read a description of this program. Our March 2015 program focuses on an Olympia-based effort to provide very simple technology and training for people in
poor nations so they can purify dangerous existing water sources to provide clean drinking water. It began with some local Quakers
and is active in a number of countries. See page 9 and www.friendlywaterfortheworld.com
Mon March 2 (and also Mondays March 9 and 16): “The Deep Politics of 9/11: Working the Dark Side" --Three evenings of films and conversation about the strange events and unanswered questions. 7:00 pm at University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 43rd Street NE, Seattle, tonight and Mon March 9 and Mon March 16
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FOR Tues March 3: Olympia FOR’s book discussion group about moving from war to peace: 6:00 pm at Chuck
Schultz’s home, 1621 Tullis NE (a little north of San Francisco Street Bakery). For this month’s book topic and other info contact
Chuck at 705-8520 [email protected]
Wed-Fri March 4-6: National mobilization against drone wars: Gather at Creech Drone Base in Nevada to shut down assassin drone operations launched from there to kill people in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere. Sponsors include
CODEPINK, Women for Peace, Nevada Desert Experience, Veterans for Peace, and Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Info: 216
South Meramec Ave, St. Louis MO 63105 (314) 725-6005 [email protected] and www.veteransforpeace.org
Thurs March 5: Rodney Reed – who is LIKELY INNOCENT – is scheduled to be executed today in Texas: He is a
black man who was convicted by an all-white jury for allegedly killing a 19-year-old woman who was engaged to a white police officer, but she and Reed were also having a sexual relationship, and some evidence points to a friend of the police officer as the real
killer. This person twice failed a polygraph question, “Did you strangle Stacey Stites?” No credible evidence connects Rodney
Reed to this crime. For 17 years Reed’s family and other people have been fighting for real justice, but recently the courts denied
his request to have DNA testing done on crucial evidence, and people who wanted to testify to his innocence were never called to
testify at his trial. Police did not adequately pursue evidence pointing to the guilt of the police officer’s friend who is widely suspected of having committed the murder. See more information at the website of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty,
www.nodeathpenalty.org
FOR Sat March 7: Tom Rawson’s benefit concert will benefit the Olympia FOR at 7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th &
Water, downtown Olympia. Tickets will become available in early February from Traditions and from the Olympia FOR. Info:
[email protected] (360) 491-9093
Sat-Sun March 7-8: Gather with RESULTS’ Pacific Regional Conference to fight poverty and hunger worldwide:
Local folks from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, and parts of Canada will gather at Pilgrim Firs Conference Grounds
near Port Orchard (southern Kitsap County). They’ll train, celebrate successes and explore solutions in order to better empower ourselves to make change happen toward ending poverty in our countries and the world. Info: [email protected] and Nancy
Curtiss [email protected] 463-3656 More info: www.results.org
Tues March 10: Thurston County’s chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) also serves adjacent
Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties: 5:30-7:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water, downtown Olympia. Info: Linda
357-7272 [email protected]
Tues March 10: Science Café of Olympia: The Science Café of Olympia meets at 7:00 pm at Orca Books, 509 4th Ave E,
downtown Olympia. It is a free opportunity for the public to hear scientists discuss their work. This month’s topic will be confirmed soon. Info: 352-0123 www.orcabooks.com
Wed March 11: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace (OMJP) meets at 6:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of
each month to work on a variety of global and local issues. Tonight meet at Traditions Café, 5 th & Water downtown. Info: Larry
951-4894 [email protected] www.omjp.net
Thurs March 12: A forum on “Cultural Grooming” will expose how vulnerable people are
prepared for sexual exploitation: Today’s event includes a drama written and directed by Bryan
Willis and a keynote by Dr. Carolyn West, Ph.D., from the faculty of the University of Washington’s Tacoma campus. (She is also a guest on the Olympia FOR’s February 2015 TV program, which you can
watch through www.olympiafor.org.) Sponsors include the Thurston County Coalition Against Trafficking and Washington Engage (www.waengage.org). Both organizations work to prevent human trafficking: Seating for today’s event is limited, so please register soon. Watch Olympia FOR’s February
TV program “Human Trafficking: Problems and Solutions” through www.olympiafor.org and read the
Program Description next to the link on our website’s “TV Programs” section and on page 6 of Olympia
FOR’s February-March newsletter – and the info at the top of page 6. $10, but free to students with ID.
5:30 pm hors d’oeuvres and 6:00 pm program at the Lacey Conference Center, 975 Carpenter Road NE
(north of Martin Way) in Lacey 98516. Hosted by Thurston County Coalition Against Trafficking for
the statewide nonprofit organization Washington Engage (www.waengage.com). Info:
[email protected] and Linda Malanchuk-Finnan [email protected] 360-357-7272. More info:
www.waengage.com
Fri March 13: Heartsparkle Players perform their amazingly good Playback Theatre. This month’s theme is “Stories of Connecting with the Natural World,” in collaboration with the Native Plant Salvage Project, a program that
rescues native plants from development and educates citizens in water conservation and habitat restoration.: Playback Theatre is an
original form of improvisation in which audience members tell stories from their own experiences and watch them enacted on the
spot. Heartsparkle Players typically pair up with a local non-profit organization. 7:30-9:00 pm at Traditions Café, 300 5th Avenue
SW, Olympia. A $7-$12 donation will be requested but nobody will be turned away for lack of a donation. Info: Debe Edden –
[email protected] www.heartsparkle.org
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Sat March 14: Up from Debt National Convention: This national convention
in Seattle will connect people’s experiences and fights, address impacts on people of
color and women, and start to frame debt as a deep and broad problem that needs
both universal and targeted solutions. It will:
Talk about the impact of debt on people’s lives, analyze how structures and institutions push people into the debt trap
Help people can break the shame and isolation associated with debt and feel empowered to fight back together
Give support at the grassroots level with those who are fighting against the various
forms of debt including medical debt, foreclosure debt, legal financial obligations, student loan debt, payday lending, predatory small business lending, and credit card debt
Identify big policy ideas for freeing people of debt, minimizing future debt, and ending the devastating impact
This Up From Debt National Convention is organized by the respected anti-poverty group Washington Community Action Network (Washington CAN, www.washingtoncan.org). It will run from 9 am to 5 pm at the SEIU 775 Office, 215 Columbia Street,
Seattle. Admission is FREE. Info and registration: [email protected] or call (206) 389-0050 ext 243.
Sat March 14: Meeting to plan to strengthen democracy by passing a Community Rights Ordinance (CRO): 12:00
noon at Mixx-96 meeting room at SW corner of State & Washington, downtown. See the Sat Feb 14 calendar item for info. More
info: Janet Jordan [email protected] (360) 232-6165
Tues March 17: Americans United for the Separation of Church and State: You are invited to their monthly meetings on
the third Tuesday of each month (except August and December) at 6:30 pm at the Unitarian church, 2300 East End Street NW (north
on Division, left on 20th, right on East End). Sometimes after convening the meeting decides to move itself to Pints & Quarts at
Capital Mall. Info: Dennis Mansker [email protected]
FOR Wed March 18: “Confronting the Climate Crisis”: Olympia FOR’s vigorous group meets on the third Wednesday
of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW. Info: 352-6327 climate@ olympiafor.org
www.olympiafor.org/Climate_Crisis.html
Wed-Sat March 18-21: Spring Rising: An Anti-War Intervention in Washington DC: The 12-year-long U.S. war in Iraq
was supposed to be over, but now it has been restarted in a new form. The US government needs a nonviolent intervention to
help it kick its addition to war. A great many respected nationwide peace organizations are supporting this event. Wednesday
March 18 will focus on a peace gathering and fellowship. Thursday March 19 will focus on lobbying on Capitol Hill, followed by
a tour of the war machine: homes and offices of war criminals. Friday March 20 will feature an afternoon and evening teach-in
about Ending Current Wars and Ending the Institution of War. Saturday March 21 will feature a protest at the White House, followed by a march. This nonviolent intervention has been endorsed and will be supported by a tremendous number of respected nationwide peace organizations. Info: www.SpringRising.org Info: [email protected] Join and share on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/430232700485435 Many other smart, nonviolent peace activities around the US and elsewhere
are listed at www.davidswanson.org, www.warisacrime.org, and www.worldbeyondwar.org
FOR Thurs March 19: Deadline for Olympia FOR’s April-May newsletter: Send news, announcements and calendar items
by this date or very soon after. 491-9093 [email protected]
Thurs March 19: The Thurston Climate Action Team invites people to their monthly meeting: TCAT does good,
practical work to protect the climate, especially interacting with governments and the Thurston Regional Planning Council. TCAT
is also looking for ways to fund local climate efforts. TCAT meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Thurston
County Courthouse, Building 1 Room 280, 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW. Info: Tom Crawford, [email protected] 2800242.
Thurs March 19: Shorebirds of Puget Sound: Joe Evenson from the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife will teach about
Puget Sound’s shorebird populations, changing trends, and relationships with forage fish populations. This is part of the Discovery
Speaker Series of the South Sound Estuary Association at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams Street NE, north of downtown.
Doors open at 6:30 pm for this 7:00-8:30 pm event. Info: (360) 528-5742 www.wetsciencecenter.org
Thurs March 19: Justice Not Jails: More and more people in Olympia are working together to reform various aspects of our
criminal “justice” system in humane ways. Our local “Justice Not Jails” groups meets at 7:00 pm the third Thursday evening of
each month at the Olympia Unitarian-Universalist Congregation, 2300 East End Street NW (north on Division, west on 20 th, right on
East End). Confirm tonight’s meeting and get info: Steve Tilley [email protected]
Fri-Sat March 20-21: Let’s Do Democracy! “Citizen University 2015” -- This annual national conference will bring together hundreds of change-makers, activists, and catalysts to learn about power, build their networks, and recharge their sense of purpose. They come from across the country, the political spectrum, and a wide range of domains – from immigrant rights to voting reform to veteran re-integration, civic education to Hollywood and tech. They are you! Nowadays people are solving problems in
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015
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new ways, bypassing broken institutions, stale ideologies, and polarized politics. This movement can revive democracy in the US.
Join them at the Seattle Center NW of downtown. Info: www.citizenuniversity.us/conference
FOR Sat March 21: Global Days of Listening: On the 21st day of each month, you can connect by telephone and/or computer
(through Skype software) with the Afghan Peace Volunteers and other peacemakers of all ages in Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza, and many
other countries around the world. In the US’s Pacific Time Zone it runs from 6:30 to 9:30 am (yes, morning!), Pacific Time. Listen
to the live broadcast at http://globaldaysoflistening.org/pages/livestream or visit the home of Chuck Schultz and Rozanne Rants to
listen or help. Info: www.globaldaysoflistening.org Local info: Doug Mackey 915-6757 [email protected] Listen
anytime to the broadcast at this livestream link: http://tinyurl.com/nz7j77y
Thurs-Fri-Sat March 19-20-21 and Thurs-Fri-Sat March 26-27-28: Take the Dispute Resolution Center’s 40-Hour
Mediation Training. This fun and highly interactive course will acquaint you with the philosophy, model and skills needed for a
working knowledge of the role of a neutral mediator. You can take this training without actually volunteering to serve as a DRC
mediator! The concepts and skills taught in this training are easily transferable and are designed to improve communication and enhance relationships at home, at work and beyond. It runs from 5 to 9 pm each Thursday and from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm on both Fridays and Saturdays. It costs $675, but teenagers get a significant discount. Watch Olympia FOR’s December 2013 TV program at
www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm for good background and inspiration. Info: Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County, (360) 956-1155 www.mediatethurston.org
Sat March 21: “The Future of Rail: Safety, Workers, Community & the Environment” – This great event in Olympia will be good for workers, environment, climate, and quality of life: We need railroads to be part of a modern, environmentally sensitive transportation system, rather than dependent on shipping fossil fuels. Several major events around the country
will bring together experts, build alliances (including with railroad workers), and engage stakeholders. It will run from 9 am to 9 pm
at the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia 98505.
Your $30 registration includes meals. Register at www.tinyurl.com/mnpm6rp It is organized by the Solutionary Rail team
(www.solutionaryrail.org) and the Backbone Campaign (www.backbonecampaign.org) and co-sponsored by the New Economy
Working Group of the Institute for Policy Studies (www.ips-dc.org). Some additional background information is at
www.FutureOfRail.org Also see www.tinyurl.com/lf7vojy
FOR Tues March 24: Attend the monthly meeting of the Olympia FOR’s Committee for Alternatives to the Death
Penalty at 7:00 pm at a convenient location in Tumwater. We educate ourselves and plan future activities toward abolishing this
atrocity. Info: Emily Hammargren 352-0695 [email protected] or Glen Anderson 491-9093 [email protected].
Our website has much info about the death penalty at www.olympiafor.org/death_penalty.htm
Thurs March 26: “Cap + Trade” and “Carbon Tax” are topics for the public to explore with the League of Women
Voters of Thurston County: The League of Women Voters of Thurston County invites the public to attend their March meeting, which will focus on several ways to reduce atmospheric CO2 by putting a price on carbon. Governor Inslee’s proposal would
generate much revenue for the state, but it would exempt the Centralia coal plant from further regulation and taxation until it closes
by 2025, as required by previously passed legislation. The 2015 legislature’s partisan division makes passage of Inslee’s proposal
unlikely. A creative alternative is a revenue-neutral carbon tax, much like the highly successful and popular one that British Columbia has enjoyed for several years. Economist Yoram Bauman is organizing an initiative (www.CarbonWA.org) to the Jan. 2016
Legislature and then to the Nov. 2016 election ballot. Tonight’s speaker, Jay Manning, was Director of the Dept of Ecology and
now is director of the Washington Environmental Council. Social time starts at 6:00 pm, and the speaker begins at 6:30 pm at Traditions Café, 5th & Water downtown. Info: 352-8220 www.lwvthurston.org
Wed Jan 28: Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace (OMJP) meets at 6:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each
month to work on a variety of global and local issues. Tonight meet at Traditions Café, 5th & Water downtown. Info: Larry 9514894 [email protected] www.omjp.net
Sat March 28: Sea Changes: Ocean Acidification Lab: Carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air helps insulate our planet and keep it
warm, but too much CO2 is bad. Our oceans absorb very much CO2 every day, and this makes oceans more acidic. Today’s handson chemistry lab gives an introduction to pH (the amount of acid), the effects of CO 2 on water, and the effects on local shellfish.
This workshop is appropriate for 5th grade and older, and a great opportunity for parents (or grandparents) to explore science together with kids. It is part of the South Sound Estuary Association’s Discovery Speaker Series at the WET Science Center, 500 Adams St NE, north of downtown, starting at 2:00 pm. Info: (360) 528-5742 www.wetsciencecenter.org
FOR Debut date: Wed April 1: The Olympia FOR’s April TV program debuts at 5:00 this afternoon and airs three times a
week this month on TCTV channel 22 for Thurston County’s cable subscribers. Soon be able to watch it at
www.olympiafor.org/tv_programs.htm and read the program’s description similar to the description that will appear in our AprilMay March 2015 newsletter.
Sun April 5: Veterans for Peace (Olympia’s chapter 109) invites veterans and others to their monthly meeting at
2:00 pm at Media Island International, 816 Adams SE (across the street west of the Olympia Timberland Library). Info: Dennis
Mills 867-1487 [email protected] and www.vfp109rcc.org
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Register now for Wed-Fri April 8-10 “Collaborative Negotiations” training sponsored by the Dispute Resolution Center
of Thurston County. This 20-hour training provides a foundation in the concepts, processes and skills of collaborative negotiations.
It is highly interactive and enjoyable. Register now through (360) 956-1155 or www.mediatethurston.org
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW: FOR Sat April 11: “Nonviolent Solutions to Structural Oppression” -th
Western Washington FOR’s 17 Annual Spring Assembly: This great annual event will be very much more participatory
than in any of our past years, and it will be profoundly multi-issue. It will also generate solutions rather than merely obsess about
problems. Look for information and an exciting and attractive flyer now at www.wwfor.org/projects/spring-assembly/ It might
move to another part of www.wwfor.org, so if you don’t see it there, look for a more conspicuous location. Also, see the home page
of www.olympiafor.org (after the description of our Sat. Jan. 31 climate forum) for a link to the Spring Assembly flyer. We’ll follow up by late February with an even more informative flyer that includes workshops, a registration form, etc. WWFOR’s Spring
Assembly will run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. We’ll organize carpooling from Olympia, Tacoma, and other places. Info: Glen Anderson (360) 491-9093 [email protected]
Mon April 13: Global Day of Action on Military Spending: Info: Global Campaign on Military Spending
www.demilitarize.org
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW: FOR Thurs-Sun July 2-5: “Peace, Justice and Sustainability: Strength-
ening the Links” – Enjoy FOR’s 57th annual NW regional conference at Seabeck: All of the issues we care about are
interconnected! Join with 200 activists of all ages in enjoying great speakers, many workshops, much music (with song leader Tom
Rawson), child & youth educational programs. Our keynote speaker will be Jacqueline Patterson, an African-American woman who
works as Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. She can connect the dots across a number of issues.
We meet in a beautiful, historic setting on Hood Canal at Seabeck Conference Center in Kitsap County for three days and nights of
work and fun, renewal and reinvigoration! Mark your calendar now and look for more specific publicity in early 2015 from Western
Washington FOR, www.wwfor.org (206) 789-5565
The Commons at 9th & Adams is a great community resource downtown.
This location offers a variety of resources for people to use and enjoy, including practical
spaces for community groups to use at reasonable rates. The Olympia FOR appreciates
using EcoHouse@Fertile Ground, 911 Adams Street SE for newsletter mailing parties.
Here is the welcoming gate at the corner of 9th & Adams.
Info: (360) 789-9669 www.ecohouse.fertileground.org
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation's Mission Statement
The Olympia Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation works for a nonviolent world, a healthy environment, social justice, economic
justice, and peace. We bring together people of diverse ages, races, and faiths who are committed to active nonviolence as a transformative way of life and as a means of profound social change. We model these principles by personal example. We collaborate and dialogue with the larger community for mutual education and to engage in nonviolent and compassionate actions.
Olympia FOR, 5015 15th Ave SE, Lacey WA 98503-2723 (360) 491-9093 [email protected] www.olympiafor.org
If you like what the Olympia FOR does, please tell your friends about us. Thanks!
Please visit www.olympiafor.org for a .pdf containing this current newsletter and previous issues,
along with our current and previous TV programs and much information about topics you care about.
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015
Non-Profit Org
US Postage Paid
Olympia WA
Permit #162
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
5015 15th Ave SE
Lacey WA 98503-2723
(360) 491-9093
www.olympiafor.org
Address Service Requested
Newsletter Writer, Editor, Layout: Glen Anderson
This issue of our newsletter offers
special sections on the Climate (pages 2-3),
Death Penalty (pages 4-5),
and Human Trafficking (pages 6-7),
and a HUGE CALENDAR (pages 9-19).
Olympia FOR’s Newsletter for February + March 2015
Page
Table of Contents
1
SAT MARCH 7: Tom Rawson’s folk music benefit for Olympia FOR
1
U.S.’s persistent failure to protect racial justice
2-3
Confronting the Climate Crisis
4-5
Death Penalty: Progress toward abolition, but problems persist even in Washington State
6-7
February TV program: “Human Trafficking: Problems and Solutions”
8
March TV program: “Friendly Water for the World”
8
SAT APRIL 11: “Nonviolent Solutions to Structural Oppression” -- West. Wash. FOR event
9
THURS-SUN JULY 2-5: “Peace, Justice and Sustainability: Strengthening the Links” -FOR’s 57 th annual conference at Seabeck in Kitsap County
9-10
10--19
CALENDAR: Events occurring every week
CALENDAR: Events on specific dates
Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation
February + March 2015