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Conference

“ON THE BORDER: THE RETURN OF THE MILITIAS” CONFERENCE
Saturday, December 10, 9 am to 3:30 pm

Community organizations, political researchers, law enforcement and public officials will meet in Bellingham on December 10, International Human Rights Day, to discuss the recurrence of vigilantes as a political pressure group. The border militias, such as the Washington Minuteman Detachment and their affiliated national group, the Minuteman Project Civil Defense Corp, have raised questions about the role of armed groups in the political process. These and other issues will be discussed in presentations at the conference.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
David Neiwert, author and veteran journalist.  Author of Strawberry Days: How Internment Destroyed a Japanese American Community; Death on the Fourth of July: The Story of a Killing, A Trial, and Hate Crime in America; and In God’s Country: The Patriot Movement in the Northwest
[read David Neiwert's blog]
to read about or to order Mr. Neiwert's books, please go to our "books page"

The all day conference will feature panel discussions and workshops presented by national political researchers, public officials, and regional human rights organizations and activists. Presentations will be made by Washington State Human Rights Commissioner Jerry Hebert; Alice Woldt of the Washington Association of Churches; Jay Taber, author of Blind Spots; representatives of the Washington ACLU; and many others.

Conference Location:
9 am to 3:30 pm
Garden Street United Methodist Church
1326 N. Garden Street
Tickets:
for the conference are $20, hardship $15 and a $5 student rate with valid ID.

DINNER AND DANCE FOLLOWING THE CONFERENCE
December 10th, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm: dinner
8pm - the dance begins
Dinner and Dance Location:
Bellingham Senior Center
315 Halleck Street
The Mexican dinner will be served for $10 and the dance will begin at 8:00pm for $10.
Special rates are available for combination tickets.

The conference is sponsored by:
The Coalition for Professional and Law Border Enforcement
co-sponsored by:
Washington Association of Churches, Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, Rainbow Coalition, Whatcom County Democratic Party, Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, Public Good Project, Whatcom ACLU, Veterans for Peace, Whatcom County Democratic Women’s Club, Whatcom Farm Worker Solidarity Committee and the Social Justice Committee of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.

Ticket outlets :
Village Books in Fairhaven, Community Food Co-op, the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center or at the door. On-line ticket purchases are available at www.notinmycounty.org

Contact for more information and conference registration:
www.notinmycounty.org
Sharon Monteiro (360) 734-7650
Rosalinda Guillen (360)756-2330

The Coalition for Professional and Law Border Enforcement in Whatcom County, Washington was formed to prepare community opposition to the activities of the Washington Minuteman Detachment (WMD) patrolling the U.S./Canadian border.

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International Human Rights Day Commemoration:
Defending Human Rights in a Time of War
Friday, December 9th
5:00 pm - Federal Building - candelight vigil
5:30 pm - Garden Street Family Center

The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force is joining with the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, Jobs with Justice and Amnesty International to commemorate International Human Rights Day.
The commemoration will begin with a candlelight vigil from 5 to 5:30 pm at the Federal Building at the corner of Cornwall and Magnolia. Event goers will then march on the sidewalk to Garden Street Family Center.

SPEAKER: After music and a simple meal, Michael Ramos of the Greater Seattle Church Council will speak on the theme of the event. [about Mr. Ramos]

The event is free and open to the public
For more information contact Shirley Osterhaus at 360-734-5176.
LOCATION:
• 5:00 pm candelight vigial and march
The Bellingham Federal Building, downtow, Cornwall and Magnolia
• 5:30 pm Garden Street Family Center
1231 N. Garden Street
(at the corner of Garden and Holly)

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Beyond Bars: A Conference on the Politics of the Prison Industrial Complex
Saturday, December 3rd, 10am -5pm
The WWU Social Issues Resource Center, along with a host of co-sponsoring campus and community groups will be hosting a conference addressing the increasing incarceration rate in the U.S., and its effects on diverse populations in our society.

The free event will include more than a dozen local and national speakers, along with screenings of a variety of movies, focusing on issues ranging from political prisoners to institutional drug rehabilitation.
CONTACT INFORMATION
360-650-6804 or as.rop.social.issues@wwu.edu
LOCATION
Fairhaven College

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November 16th,7:00pm - FREE
RIGHTS ON THE LINE: VIGILANTES AT THE BORDER"
Film Showing and Panel Discussion with human rights activists
Communications Facility 115, Western Washington University

You are invited for a film showing and discussion regarding the Minuteman Project. Watch the film and stay for a discussion with human rights activists and community leaders such as:

- Rosalinda Guillen, Whatcom County Community Leader
- Michelle Vendiola, Faculty, Northwest Indian College
- Amal Rana, No One Is Illegal-Vancouver
- Vernon Johnson, Professor, Western Washington University
- Larry Estrada, Professor, Western Washington University

"For more than a decade, the southern border of the U.S. has resembled a war zone. Aggressive, military-style actions by the Border Patrol have made human rights abuses everyday events in border communities. Alongside this official militarization, armed vigilante groups have harassed border crossers and communities, but their numbers were relatively limited until recently. In April 2005, a new group called the "Minuteman Project" became a national media darling when several hundred recruits gathered in Arizona to patrol the border. Only months later, they are expanding their activities into California, Texas and several other states throughout the country.

Leaders of the Minuteman Project have been very skillful at portraying themselves as no more than a well-meaning "neighborhood watch group." They have been featured on many major television and radio programs and have been welcomed by the governor of California. Their racism and xenophobia are rarely explored, nor their legality publicly challenged. In the coming months, it is essential that opposing voices be heard and actions taken to counteract their growing influence.

"Rights on the Line: Vigilantes at the Border" exposes the ugly anti-immigrant politics that lurk behind the Minuteman Project - and shows the continuum between official border militarization and vigilante action. This video was shot by human rights activists and residents of border communities. It tells the story of border tensions from the point of view of those affected and reveals the underlying motivations of the vigilantes through interviews and disturbing footage of their nighttime patrols."

Sponsored by the Social Issues Resource Center, ACLU-WA Whatcom County Chapter, ACLU-WA WWU Club, Coalition for Professional Law and Border Enforcement.

FOR MORE INFO OR DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS CONTACT: (360)650-6804 -
as.rop.social.issues@wwu.edu

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The WHRTF and the Coalition for Professional Law and Border Enforcement are asking for your support to pass a resolution opposing border vigilantes in Whatcom County.

**Monday, October 10th, 6:30pm at Bellingham City Hall. Please raise your voice during the Public Comment Period and ask your city council to vote to support the resolution opposing border vigilantes.** Monday, October 10th, Blaine City Council will be holding a vote on the resolution.

** Tuesday, October 11th, 6:30pm at County Court House. Please raise your voice during the Public Comment Section and ask your county council to consider and pass the resolution opposing border vigilantes at the next county council meeting.

UPDATE from our woman at the councils, Sharon Monteiro:

Tonight the Bellingham City Council passed our border vigilante resolution!
The vote was 5 to 1, with Grant Dieger absent. Bob Ryan said that with the exception of about seven words or so, he would have also voted yes. They also voted to send their resolution to the Gov. and request that she develop state policy around this. This we hadn't asked for but what fabulous news, indeed.
I haven't heard yet how the Blaine City Council vote went tonight as they were also voting on a border vigilante resolution. Will let you know when I get the information.
Thank you to everyone who came to the council meeting tonight to speak and show support!
Sharon
10/11/05

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The general resolution reads

WHEREAS a just society that respects the civil rights of all people should be the goal of all Whatcom County residents, and

WHEREAS the Whatcom County Council works to uphold and protect human and civil rights, and is committed to including and representing all people, and

WHEREAS the activities of self-appointed militia or vigilante groups with limited training and no legal authority present a potential danger to the safety and well-being of society and all members of that society who might become the victims or inadvertent targets of such activities, and

WHEREAS the existence and activities of vigilante groups in other regions have created fear, an atmosphere of racism and violence, and increased suspicion, intolerance and even hate in those regions,

WHEREAS the presence of vigilante border militia groups, such as the Minutemen's operation on our nation's southern borders, can create a negative image for our region and harm our local economy as occurred in the state of Idaho, and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council opposes any effort to deputize, finance, or otherwise encourage the presence of self-appointed vigilante groups within the County who might take into their own hands the legal authority vested in our law enforcement officials and those of the federal and state governments, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council expresses once again its absolute commitment to a safe and secure environment where individual civil rights are respected by all.

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Vigil for Peace and Freedom
Saturday, October 1st - 2:00pm to 8:00pm

Join community folk from Whatcom County, U.S. and British Columbia, Canada in united opposition to the presence of the Minuteman Project and other armed vigilantes on our common border.
We are calling for Prayer and Dialogue instead of fear and division

LOCATION:
The International Peace Arch
Blaine, WA

INFORMATION:
For more information call (360) 756-2330
Sponsored by the Coalition for Professional Law and Border Enforcement

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Planning Session: Vigil for Peace and Freedom
Tuesday, September 27th, 5:30 pm

LOCATION:
Unitarian Fellowship Social Hall (downstairs)
1708 "I" St., Bellingham WA

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The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force
Scholarship: Academic Year 2005

The Award

The WHRTF scholarship is designed to make higher education more accessible to promising students who intend to pursue a career in furthering human rights. This 500.00 scholarship will be awarded to Whatcom County residents and will be awarded during the Fall of 2005. The Task Force is providing this opportunity on a one time basis. easy print [applicant info form]

Scholarship Guidelines: Preference is given to students who demonstrate the following characteristics (but not limited to):

- Strong involvement in school or community

- GPA indicating satisfactory progress towards a degree/diploma

- Must enroll or be enrolled at least half-time at an accredited post secondary institution (community or technical college, public or private university)

- Demonstrated financial need, copy of prior annual income

- Applicants must submit a report in writing and report to the WHRTF board members at a monthly board meeting. This report should address how the scholarship helped to contribute to their studies to protect/further their efforts in human rights work.

Application Requirements

1. A typed or written statement (two pages maximum) describing:
    - How you have been influenced by ___..and how you will use your education to contribute ___
    - Extra-curricular activities; including community service, employment, high school/college and other activities
    - Special circumstances that you feel may be important
    - How your studies will contribute to protecting/furthering human rights.

2. Two letters of recommendation from a teacher, professor, counselor, community leader, elder, or mentor which provides an assessment of your potential.

**************

Application Checklist

o Applicant information form [easy print form]

o Typed or written statement included

o Two letters or recommendation included or mailed separately (must be postmarked by July 15, 2005

o A recent financial statement

Recipients will be notified by September 2005

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Law Advocates Book Club group
Folks from Law Advocates are interested in beginning a new bookgroup. For those who are interested, call Sofia @ 734-9761

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