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HUMAN
RIGHTS AWARDS NOMINATIONS SOUGHT
The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force is seeking nominations
for the 2002 Human Rights Awards, which will be presented on May
23rd, at the Sixth Annual Human Rights Award
banquet.
Deadline
for nominations is May 15th
EMAIL,
CALL OR MAIL NOMINATIONS
Nomination
form
Email to: whrtf@whrtf.org
Call in to: 733-2233
Mail to:
WHRTF
attn: Nominating Committee
PO Box 2191,
Bellingham, WA 98227.
A
nomination should include:
* The nominee's name and contact information
* The nominator’s name and contact information
* A short description of why the nominated person or group is exemplary
in her, his, or their service to human rights.
* Special consideration will be given to nominees who are long-time
grassroots activists for peace, justice, and human rights, and who
have worked for diverse human rights causes (issues of race, gender,
class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or political opinion.)
The
WHRTF has presented human rights awards for 6 years.
Past recipients include: Boys and Girls Club of Ferndale, Former
police chief Don Pierce, Cha-da-ska-dum Which-ta-lum, Sherry Jubilo,
Paul deArmond and Shirley Osterhaus.
There's
a form, located on our newletter page,you can email or snail mail:
[goto nomination form]
For more information, please contact WHRTF office at 733-2233
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CIVIL
LIBERTIES CELEBRATION , Seattle Central Community College
May
5th - Sunday, 12-3 pm Keynote
speaker: Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawaii.
Also featuring films and exhibits relating to the internment of
Japanese Americans during WWII as it relates to other civil rights
and civil liberties abuses.
The event is collaboration between the Seattle Community Colleges,
JACL, the Seattle Times, AK Media, and the Japanese National Museum.
For information call Jane Nakagawa at (206) 527-5661
Location: Seattle Central Community College
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BRAHMS
RECITAL BENEFIT for SLUM DOCTORS PROGRAMME/Nairobi, Kenya
May
9th - Thursday, 8pm - Whatcom Museum
The
Friends of the Slum Doctor Programme/Bellingham are sponsoring an
all Brahms Benefit Recital to help support the Slum Doctor Programme/Nairobi,
Kenya.
This
celebration of Johannes Brahms birthday will feature some of the
Northwest’s finest classical musicians playing songs of love
and springtime; including the Piano Quartet in C minor, the
Clarinet Trio, the Cello and Violin Sonatas, the Piano Duet Waltzes,
and vocal music.
FEATURING: Grant Donnellan, Owen Emlen, John Friesen, Ford Hill,
Eric Kean, Jack Morris, Judy Widrig, Eugene Zoro, Charlotte Sather,
Joy Wiebusch, Ian Dorsch and Matt Carey.
The
musicians have donated their time and talent to raise money for
the Slum Doctor Programme (SDP). The SDP is an HIV/AIDS outreach
program in the Kibera Slums of Nairobi and in Busia, a village in
Western Kenya. 20% of the adult population is infected with AIDS
in Kenya. Thousands of children are orphaned. Most Kenyans do not
have access to basic health care. Treatment for AIDS is unaffordable
and out of reach for 99% of people living with AIDS in Kenya. Dr.
Obwogo Subiri is the Director of the SDP, General Secretary of the
Kenya Medical Association, and is a clinician for Doctors Without
Borders. He has lost two sisters and a brother to AIDS.
The
Friends of the SDP collect medical supplies and unused medications
and ship them to Kenya. The Friends of the Slum Doctor Programme
was founded by Timothy Costello in September, 2000. After attending
the International AIDS Conference in South Africa, he returned home
with a strong commitment to do something for AIDS in the hardest
hit area of the world.
TICKETS*:
$12 Adults - $ 6 Students
*Dessert and wine reception included
LOCATION:
Whatcom Museum of Art and History
121 Prospect St.
Bellingham
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"ALARMED
FORCES FOR PEACE DAY"
Saturday, May 18th 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
•
ALARMED FORCES FOR PEACE DAY is being organized in cooperation with
the Paul Robeson Memorial Concert [view below]
which takes place directly after this event
On
what is traditionally recognized as Armed Forces Day, our mission
is to inspire and support positive change, while creating an abundant,
loving and respectful world community. In
a time where the threat of war continues to escalate on many fronts,
this event will serve to allow all members of our community to come
together in the name of peace. All
families and individuals of Whatcom County, both young and old,
are asked to join together in the festivities to inspire and support
positive change. Those who attend will have the opportunity
to create a powerful force of energy that promotes peace and understanding
in the face of increased world conflict.
The SOLE FOCUS OF THIS STRICTLY GRASS ROOTS
ACTIVITY is to CREATE A PEACEFUL WORLD COMMUNITY.
~ CURRENT EVENT LINEUP ~
Opening Music - Mockingbird
Speaker - Mark B. Polin (Event Co-chairperson)
Speaker - Gabriel Mayers, M.A. History
Speaker - Shirley Osterhaus, Educator/Activist
Music - Hannah Parks
Speaker - Joe Deeny, Vietnam Veteran and vice-chair of the Whatcom
Human Rights Task Force
Speaker - Larry Kalb (Event Co-chairperson)
Speaker - Lisa Fox, Chair, Whatcom Human Rights Task Force
Speaker - Nicholas Mele, Former U.S. Diplomat, Public Relations
Coordinator, Nonviolent Peace Force
Music - Linda Allen, Songwriter / Educator
Open microphone for the attending community
Commemorative tree planting and plaque dedication
Face-painting for the children and additional music.
We
will continue to promote these ideals through the dissemination
of information and educational pamphlets, as well as continued grass-roots
organizing.
CONTACT
Co-Organizers:
Mark B. Polin [email],
or Larry Kalb [email]
(360)715-1426 , (360)303-6704 or (360)738-9454
TIME:
11am to 1pm
LOCATION:Maritime Heritage Park
Bellingham, WA
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PAUL
ROBESON MEMORIAL CONCERT AND RALLY
Saturday, May 18 - 1 to 5pm
Here We Stand, a free concert at the Peace Arch Park,
will feature musicians, artists and social activists committed to
the same ideals.
The range of musicians performing at Here We Stand
is as varied as the range of people working forsocial justice.
•Special Guest, Danny
Glover, will read Paul Robeson's speech from 1953
•Total
Experience Gospel Choir
• D.O.A.
• Ronnie Gilbert of the Weavers
• Tom Hawken, longtime activist singer
• the combined voices of Seattle
Labor Chorus, Vancouver Solidarity Notes and the Vancouver
Jewish Folk Choir
• Spanish Civil War veteran Alden Bryant
 Please
join us.
MORE
INFORMATION: Shuttle buses from Vancouver and Seattle and
much more info can be found on the Here We Stand [website]
LOCATION: Peace Arch Park
Canada / US Border Crossing in Blaine, Washington / White Rock.
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6TH
ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS BANQUET and SILENT AUCTION
May 23, Thursday - 5:30 to 9pm -
[see
photo gallery]
 The
annual awards recognize individuals and groups who have a positive
impact on human rights in Whatcom County. Keynote speaker is Eric
Ward from the Northwest Coalition for Human Dignity office in Seattle.
The
Whatcom Human Rights Task Force proudly announces four recipients
of the 2002 Human Rights Awards.
Bill
Wassmuth, a former priest from Northern Idaho, has been instrumental
in bringing attention to Aryan Nations and white supremacist organizing
throughout the region.
Friday
Peace Vigil Group has been meeting at the federal building
every Friday, since the Vietnam War in the 70's, to call for peace
and justice.
Cecilia
Lopez, of Blaine, is active in working for immigrant rights
and services in Whatcom County.
Cynthia
Zaferatos is a third-grade teacher at Lowell Elementary whose
curriculum incorporates diversity and inspires students to excel.
The
Banquet features Middle Eastern food this year.
And don't forget the Silent Auction!!! Last year there were wonderful
things available.
Pick up Advance Tickets at:
• Village
Books, in Fairhaven, 1210 Eleventh Street, Bellingham WA 98225,
(360) 671-2626
• Food
Coop, 1220 N Forest, Bellingham, WA 98225, (360) 734-8158
• WHRTF Office, 1210 Indian Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, (360)
733-2233
INFORMATION: (360) 733-2233
COST:
$10
in advance, $12.50 at the door
LOCATION:
Faith Lutheran Church, 2750 McLeod Road, Bellingham (off Northwest
Avenue by the freeway)
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"JOINING
WORLDS" FILM SERIES in MAY
May 30th, Thursday 7pm
Whatcom
Human Rights Task Force presents ‘Sound and Fury’ as part
of our monthly film and discussion series, Joining Worlds.
Our
May showing takes place at the Fairhaven Library in the Fireplace
Room.
"Sound
and Fury"
followed by discussion
‘Sound and Fury’, an acclaimed film about deaf culture
has been described as "Impossible to forget!" It follows
the intimate, heart-rending story of an extended family with deaf
and hearing members across three generations. Together thay confront
a technological device that can help the deaf to hear but may
also threaten deaf culture—and their bonds with each other.
WWU professor Trula Nicholas will facilitate a discussion after
the film which will be shown with closed-captions. ASL Interpereters
will translate the presentation and the discussion following the
film.
This
is an opportunity for our community share in a lively discussion
concerning groundbreaking documentary and fiction films. Joining
Worlds film series addresses racism and television, African-American
history, the theft and appropriation of Native American culture,
and other important topics relevant to this region. The theme,
Joining Worlds, allows us to explore the interconnections among
different forms of oppression, and recognize our places in history.
Time:
7pm - 9pm ~ Snacks will be provided
NEW Location: Fairhaven Public Library,
Fireplace Room
For more information: Please call May
Film Coordinator Rebecca Treinen or WHRTF Office Manager Robin Elwood
at 733-2233.
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CONSTRUYENDO
PUENTES/BUILDING BRIDGES
Second annual Migrant Appreciation day and resource fair
June 2, Sunday - 1 to 4pm
Construyendo Puentes/Building Bridges is an annual event sponsored
by Whatcom Crisis Services and the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force,
with support from local businesses. Last year’s Construyendo
Puentes event featured ex-governor Mike Lowry, and attracted several
hundred Whatcom County Residents.
This year the keynote speaker is Rudolfo
Hurtado of the U.S.
Equal Opportunity Commission.
The
free family event will feature bilingual presentations on immigration
issues and community resources,as well as a variety of childrens
activities including Piñatas, folkloric dancers from the
Lynden school district, a Jalapeño-pepper eating contest,
craft-making, an open Talent Show and an opportunity to learn
more about the contributions of migrant workers to Whatcom County.
Other
presenters include Hollis Pfitsch & Daniel Perez of the Northwest
Immigrant Rights Project and PATADA:Peer Advocate Teens Against
Drugs and Alcohol a youth mentorship break-dancing crew from Mt
Vernon.
INFORMATION:
Please call Christina Fabian at 671-5714 or Robin Elwood at 733-2233
LOCATION:
Sterling Meadows Apartments
512 Sterling Drive (Take the Northwest Avenue exit off the freeway)
Bellingham
Sterling Meadows is a new apartment complex for fisheries and agricultural
workers. Follow the signs off of Northwest by Jerry Chambers Chevrolet.
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SHERMAN
ALEXIE'S MOVIE Special Showing
June 4
- Tuesday, 7:30pm
"The
Business of Fancydancing"
written and directed by Sherman Alexie with Evan
Adams, Michelle St. John, Gene Tagaban, and Swil Kanim. Please read
the review
in the Seattle Weekly about this long awaited film.
Special guest, Musican/Actor - Swil
Kanim will lead discussion after the movie.
Partial proceeds go to the Native American Mentoring Program a non-profit,
student run tutoring program at Western Washington University, Woodring
College of Education.
Cost: $4.00 students $6.00 general public
Location: Western Washington University PAC Main Stage
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WHRTF
2nd annual YARD SALE
June 14 -16, 9am to 4pm
On
Friday June 14 through Sunday, June 16th from 9AM to 4 PM, Whatcom
Human Rights Task Force will hold a front-lawn yardsale at the WHRTF
office, 1210 Indian street.
SEEKING
YARDSALE
ITEMS
Whatcom Human Rights Task Force is seeking donated items to include
in our benefit yard sale. Now's the time of get rid of all that
stuff you've been waiting to donate to some good cause. Yes folks,
the day is here. Items for the yardsale can be dropped off at 1210
Indian street, or call 733-2233 to arrange a pickup.
The sale proceeds will support the WHRTF’s
educational work for human rights in Whatcom County.
Information: call WHRTF at 733-2233
Location: 1210 Indian Street, Bellingham
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HUMAN
RIGHTS GATHERING
co-hosted by the Human Rights Coalition for Snohomish County
June 22, 2002, Saturday
-
9am - 5pm
We
are hoping to bring 40-50 grassroots human rights activists together
for a day of networking, movements building and fun!
Workshops
include:
Gender and Human Rights
Attacks on Immigration
Electoral Organizing
Grant Writing.
There
will also be a "no host" dinner/bar afterwards.
Location: Everett Community College, Everett, WA
To
register, please email:
organizing@nwchd.org
or call, 206-762-5627
Cost:
$20.00, sliding scale to zero.
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