|
[top
of page]
B.U.G.
YOUTH GROUP IS FORMING
organizing - March 6 & 7, Kick off March
23nd.
BUG - Building and Uniting the Generations
-
BUG is a youth-led group committed to creating a positive sense
of community for diverse young people in Whatcom County between
the ages of 13-20. We foster a safe and supportive environment to
discuss issues and learn from each other. Our goal is to educate
ourselves and people of all ages about human rights, celebrating
diversity, and building ally networks.
B.U.G. is open to all youth who want to support human rights as
well as learn about the world and help improve it collectively.
Please read BUG's mission statement -
Goals, Why is it Important, How adults can assist
Organizing meetings - March 6
and 7.
Kick off Event at Allied Arts -
March 23rd, 2-4pm.
[top
of page]
WHRTF
General Meeting
Thursday, March 21st - 7 to 9pm
This meeing is free and open to all members and people
that are interested in the WHRTF.
 Featured
speaker: Aiko Schaefer, of the Statewide Poverty Action Network. Read
Aiko's bio on the Project Alchemy site (3/4 of the page down).
The discussion will address cuts to social services and meeting the
needs of our community. Aiko Schaefer is director of the Statewide
Poverty Action Network, an alliance of organizations and individuals
in Washington State working to eliminate the root causes of poverty
by informing public debate,organizing communities, and influencing
public policy.
The WHRTF will also be soliciting nominations for board elections
at the meeting, which is open to the public.
WHRTF Quarterly meetings
are free, and everyone is welcome to attend.
Location: Fairhaven Library Fireplace Room
Fairhaven District
1117 12th St, downstairs
[top
of page]
THE
LARAMIE PROJECT
Thursday-Saturday, March 21, 22, & 23 and March 28,
29, 30..
Matthew Shepard's story presented by Anacortes High
School students.
This is a theatrical docudrama -- a piecing together of the killing
of Matthew Shepard, a young, gay, college student -- and the reactions
and revelations of the people within the small town where it took
place.
It is very rare that "The Laramie Project" is produced at any level,
let alone a high school. Anacortes
High School is only the second high school to do this show.
In a letter to a WHRTF board member the play's director writes:
"As we get close to opening night, some
of the forces of intolerance are raising their heads. It is so good
to hear from people like yourself. We would love to have you and
the members of your fellowship join us for "The Laramie Project."
As you may know, this play was written by a group of New York actors
who went to Laramie right after the murder of Matthew Sheppard and
completed over 200 interviews. The play does not focus on the violence
to Matthew, but rather deals with the reaction of the community
and the self-reflection of all the people involved. Time Magazine
called "The Laramie Project," "...the best play of the year" two
years ago.
"It has been interesting to see how my young actors deal with
their own feelings and social pressures that accompany a play about
gay fear and violence toward homosexuals. I am so proud of how they
have responded.
"I know it is a long way to travel, but your support will mean
so much to these young people. I know that your outreach will be
returned with their best efforts. Please be sure and say hello to
me after the performance. Anything you can do to let others know
about this unique opportunity, would be greatly appreciated."
Location: Brodniak
Theatre on the campus of Anacortes
High School-(see site for links to reviews)
Time: 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be
gratefully accepted.
More information, contact Drama Director Scott
Burnett, Anacortes
H.S.
Scott Burnett: 360/221-2128 (Home), 360/293-2166 ext. 745 (School)
send email to: burnett@whidbey.com.
[top
of page]
ARAB
AMERICAN COMMUNITY COALITION DEMONSTRATION
March 28, Thursday, at 4pm in Seattle
Since 9/11 there has been numerous
FBI/INS arrests, interrogations, and detentions of Moslem immigrants
from Arab, South Asian and East African countries. Several hundreds
remain in detention around the country.
On February 22, three members of a local Syrian immigrant family
were taken from their home at gun point by the FBI and the INS and
are now in detention at the INS building. They were picked up under
the new absconder initiative put out by the Secretary of State,
which blatantly targets Moslems, Arabs, south Asians, and East Africans.
This
local family, the Hamouis, have been residents of Lynnwood for the
past ten years where they own a home. Safouh, age 59, owns a small
business. Safouh and Hanan have four children including a little
boy that is a US citizen and another young girl. Both of these children
are seriously distressed and being looked after by an uncle, but
Nadin the 19 year old daughter is in detention as well.
An immediate concern is Hanan's failing health. As a sufferer of
Crohn's disease, she was hospitalized March 20th but was returned
the following morning to INS detention. Her doctor has recommended
that she be released from detention immediately and receive a thorough
evaluation. There is also some concern as to whether she is receiving
proper attention, including medication, in detention. Also, there
is very real fear of deportation to Syria, which would result in
not only the break up of the family but the torture and death of
Safouh.
-*
United Nation conventions clearly prohibit deportation of immigrants
and refugees to any country where their lives might be endangered.
-* We are demanding the release of the Hamouis family.
-* They are not a flight risk.
-* More importantly, Hanan needs proper medical attention and the
family needs to be reunited.
-* We demand this family given a chance in the system.
Please
speak out in support of all immigrants.
QUESTIONS?:
call (206)723.2203
- Ibrahim al-Husseini
of the Hate Free Zone [website]Campaign
of WA
DEMONSTRATION TIME:
4pm
DEMONSTRATION LOCATION:
in front of INS Building
815 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA.
[top
of page]
BENEFIT
CONCERT for WHRTF !!!
March 30th, Saturday, 9-11 PM -
NOTE TIME CHANGE
21-and-over, $5/door, Special Prime Rib Dinner
10.95.!!!!
WHRTF
is pleased to announce a fundraising Concert in the beautiful Dakota
Creek Roadhouse!
Featuring headliner - 'Gary's Project', a top-notch local band,
gold record veterans of the Philippine Rock Scene.
See you there, and bring your dancing shoes!!!
Location: Dakota Creek Roadhouse
8732 Blaine Rd (see directions on the website)
$5.00 at the Door
[top
pf page]
CIVIL
RIGHTS PROJECT SCHEDULES A TRAINING FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS!
April 6th, Saturday - 9am to noon
The
Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) has scheduled a training session
for intake volunteers on Saturday April 6th from 9 am - noon at
Fairhaven College. The training, conducted by local attorneys and
Fairhaven College Law and Diversity Program faculty, will prepare
volunteers to conduct intake interviews for the Civil Rights Project.
The
Whatcom Civil Rights Project was founded in the fall of 2001 as
a joint endeavor of LAW Advocates, the Whatcom Human Rights Task
Force, and the Law and Diversity Program of Fairhaven College, Western
Washington University. WCRP provides legal assistance and advocacy
for victims of discrimination and civil rights abuse in the greater
Whatcom County region.
Anyone
who is interested in volunteering with the Civil Rights Project
is welcome to attend.
Location: Fairhaven College
For more information, please contact Dustin Till at (360) 671-6079
ext. 15
or wcrp@whatcomcivilrightsproject.org.
[top
of page]
FILM
SERIES RETURNS WITH THEME "JOINING WORLDS"
Thursday nights beginning April 18.
Whatcom
Human Rights Task Force presents a Monthly Film Series, "Joining
Worlds".
Beginning in April, the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force will begin
the second annual human rights film series, offering our community
an opportunity to share and discuss groundbreaking documentary and
fiction films in an open and lively environment.
Our theme, "Joining Worlds", is an expression of our desire to explore
interconnections among different forms of oppression, and to facilitate
a recognition of our own places in history.
In preparation for the kick off of the film series this year,
we’d like to let you all know about some changes that have been
made from last year.
Our new venue: The Fairhaven Library
Fireplace room.
Film dates: The first film will be
shown Thursday, April 18th. We're hoping to bring a brand-new Northwest
film..
The
Historical Impact of the 'S' Word:
From One Generation to the Next
This
brand-new film features interviews with Native American women from
6 nations about the ugly history of the word 'Squaw' and what we
can do to make change.
All
following films on the last Thursday of each month. Those dates
are May 30th, June 27th, July 25th, August 29th, and September 26th.
A CALL FOR RESOURCES
* * TV or VCR - The series will be
held in the Fireplace Room at the Fairhaven Library this year, a
wonderful venue lacking in just one way: no TV
or VCR! As these are important components to video watching,
we are hoping that someone will be able to offer their entertainment
system for the films each month.
* * Co-sponsors, funders, and volunteers for
the events
Times:
7pm - 9pm
NEW Location: Fairhaven Public Library, Fireplace Room
For more information, Please call Robin Elwood, WHRTF Office Manager,
at 733-2233.
[top
pf page]
COMMUNITY-BASED
SOLUTIONS for ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & JUSTICE CONFERENCE
April 20, 21- Saturday,
9:00am - 5:00pm & Sunday, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Hosted
by the Community Coalition
for Environmental Justice and the Northwest Network for Environmental
and Economic Justice, this conference features interactive workshops
on environmental health issues and solutions, lead by people of
color and indigenous people from the Pacific Northwest.
Workshops will be interactive with discussions on community-based
solutions as well as issues. Workshops will provide tools needed
to create environmental justice.
Keynote Speakers:
Dolores Huerta:
Well known labor activist and Co-Founder of United Farm
Workers.
Diane Wiwa: Nigerian Activist [info]
and International Women's Rights Advocate.
Community activists, tribes, youth, parents, teachers, students,
researchers, health organizations, labor organizations, community
groups, university faculty and all concerned individuals are encouraged
to attend.
To register or for more information: call 206-720-0285.
Email: justice@ccej.org.
Cost: $0 - $25 (sliding scale).
Location:
University of Washington
Ethnic Cultural Center,
3931 Brooklyn Ave. NE
Seattle, WA
|
HOME 
Books