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Conference

9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Conference
“ Teaching As If Democracy Matters ”
January 13, 2007, 8:30am (registration) - 4pm

The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, along with co-sponsor Whatcom Community College, present the 9th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Conference on Saturday January 13, 2007, to be held at Whatcom Community College’s Syre Center. The theme chosen for this year’s conference is Teaching As If Democracy Matters.

Keynote speakers [details on speakers]
Author/educator, Dr. Gregory Michie
WWU Political Science Professor, Dr. Vernon Damani Johnson.

This year’s workshops are set up in three interconnected tracks: an Educator Track, Youth Track and Community Track. [please see conference page for full details]

Registration begins at 8:30AM, with the opening ceremony at 9AM. No advanced registration necessary. Workshops will run throughout the day. The conference is FREE and open to ALL community members.
Free accommodations include childcare, parking and light refreshments.
Sign language interpreters will be provided if requested by January 9th.
Please contact the office at (360) 733-2233 or whrtf@whrtf.org.

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GREGORY MICHIE AT VIKING UNION
Friday, January 12th at 2PM
Dr. Michie will meet with teachers, students, WWU faculty, and community members in WWU’s Viking Union 565 for a discussion seminar
The Center for Educational Pluralism strives to provide educationally enriching events that address issues related to equity, diversity, self-exploration, inter-group relations, multicultural education, democratic empowerment and civic engagement. Michie’s visit serves this purpose and we would like to collaborate with you to offer this event as an option for your students. If you would like to incorporate this event into your winter courses, please contact Lorraine Kasprisin – Lorraine.Kasprisin@wwu.edu. Local community partner, Village Books, is offering a 15% discount towards the purchase of Holler If You Hear Me to students, teachers, and faculty members who want to participate.

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GREGORY MICHIE AT VILLAGE BOOKS
Thursday, January 11th, at 7 PM
Village Books will host a reading by Michie

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INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENT

December 10 - Sunday - 1:30 pm “The Legal Rights of Detainees“
In honor of International Human Rights Day December 10th, The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force is sponsoring “ The Legal Rights of Detainees“ Her Honor Mary Kay Becker will be speaking
	Co-sponsored by: local chapter-Amnesty International local chapter-Veterans for Peace local chapter-ACLU Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship Social Justice Committee Bellingham High School Human Rights Advocates Whatcom Peace and Justice Center Optional: bring finger food to share For additional information, contact Kara Black 676-2300, kara@treefrognight.com or the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force office at 360-733-2233, whrtf@whrtf.org. LOCATION:  Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship 1708 I Street Bellingham

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“The Lynching of Louie Sam”
FREE Lecture and slide show by Keith Thor Carlson
November 16, Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Whatcom Museum

This is an upcoming program that is quite important for this area’s native population, especially the Nooksacks. The Whatcom County Historical Society was very fortunate to get the speaker, Keith Thor Carlson, of the Sto:lo Nation to come. The state and B.C. governments have recently issued formal apologies based on his research of this horrible historic crime. Please pass the word.

PHOTO FROM CBC/CA SITE
Keith Thor Carlson is an associate professor of history at the University of Saskatchewan -- one of Canada’s leading centres for the study of Aboriginal history. He is originally from the west coast, growing up in Powell River just north of Vancouver, and completing his university education in Victoria and Vancouver. From 1992-2001 he worked as research coordinator for the Sto:lo Tribal Council in Chilliwack. He is currently working on several book projects, one of which re-examines the history behind the lynching of Louie Sam. His most recent book, “Call me Hank”: An Aboriginal Man’s Reflections on Life, Logging and Growing Old, is being launched by the University of Toronto Press on November 18th at a traditional Native gathering at the Leqamel Community Hall near Mission BC.

On a cold February night in 1884 a mob consisting of some of Whatcom County’s most respected citizens crossed the international border into Canada. They went directly to a farmhouse where a Canadian police officer was holding a young Native boy named Louie Sam on charges of having murdered Nooksack township shopkeeper James Bell. Wearing women’s dresses and with their faces disguised with Native ceremonial paint, the armed mob entered the house, abducted Louie, and then summarily lynched him from a giant cedar tree a few hundred feet north of the international boundary.

Though largely ignored or overlooked for more than a century, this event has recently received a great deal of attention on both sides of the Canada-US border. In February of 2006 Washington State’s Lt. Governor, Brad Owen, invited members of Louie Sam’s community to Olympia to witness the passing of two State resolutions expressing sorrow and regret over the way the Washington Territorial government of the time white-washed the investigation into Louie Sam’s lynching. In Canada, B.C. Lt. Governor, Iona Campagnolo, similarly issued a public statement criticizing her predecessor for burying the results of an investigation that revealed who the members of the lynch mob were, and what their leaders’ motivations might have been. Just this month, October 2006, a 600 lb stone figure was repatriated from the Burke Museum in Seattle back to the Sto:lo people. That stone, known as T’ixwelatse, is considered by Louie Sam’s living relatives to contain the soul of one of the founders of the Chilliwack Tribe. It was taken from the Sto:lo people after they abandoned their Sumas Prairie village in the wake of the 1884 lynching, fearing further cross-border terrorism.

University of Saskatchewan Prof. Keith Carlson’s research has been at the centre of these recent happenings. His 1996 scholarly article “The Lynching of Louie Sam” brought the issue back into the public view. It inspired film maker David MacIlwraith’s 2005 film of the same title, which in turn caught the attention of the B.C. and Washington Lt. Governors. [read some background info ] Prof. Carlson acted as consultant in the making of that film, and conducted further oral research to augment his original article.

Though government resolutions have been passed and reconciliation between natives and newcomers initiated, several questions remain unanswered. Was Louie guilty of the original murder of James Bell or was he framed to cover up the tracks of Bell’s actual killers? Were Canadian authorities complicit in not only covering up the lynching, but in actually encouraging and aiding the mob to find and kill Louie Sam? And what does this cross-border, cross-dressing, racial crime reveal about larger questions Native-newcomer relations on the Northwest Coast in the nineteenth century, and today?

FREE LECTURE AND SLIDE SHOW
Sponsored by the Whatcom County Historical Society.
For more information, call 966-2312.
LOCATION:
Whatcom Museum of History & Art
121 Prospect St.,
Bellingham, WA

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Street Heat: Speak Up for Community Security and Melt I.C.E
October 6, 5:00pm - Friday
As the "War on Terrorism" has turned into a racist war on poor people abroad, "Homeland Security" has unleashed their "Fugitive Operations Teams" to harass immigrant workers and their employers in the U.S. Recent Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the state - in Bellingham, Yakima, Tacoma, Everett and more - have torn several hundred people from their families and communities. I.C.E. raids have become increasingly militaristic, aggressive and heartless: spreading insecurity, fear and terror among immigrants and their neighbors and employers throughout Washington.

Immigrant workers and families are not terrorists, they are our friends, loved ones and hard working members of our society - now being held in the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, WA.

The Northwest Detention Center is privately run by Corrections Service Corporation, a company with numerous accounts of human rights abuses in facilities across the U.S. As ICE gears up for more raids in the coming years, Community to Community Development (C2C) calls upon organizations and individuals in Washington to stand up, get up and work for true community security.

C2C Caravan from Bellingham leaves from Terra Organica parking lot
(1530 Cornwall Ave) at 2pm SHARP.
Bring your car!

Read more:
Detention Center Blues - June 14, 2004
http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/780/

Local Mexican Workers ICE-ed
http://whatcomindy.com/news.php?start_from=&ucat=2&subaction=showfull&id=115
7643155&archive=1158245565&

Directions:> From I-5
http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?newaddr=&taddr=1623+E.+J+Street&csz=Seattle%
2C+WA&country=us&tcsz=Tacoma%2C+WA&tcountry=us

ICE in our Communities? Time to bring the heat! Melt I.C.E.

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MEDIA CONFERENCE PROVIDES OUTLETS TO BECOME MORE ACTIVE
October 14, 9am-4pm [see agenda below]

The second annual Bellingham Grassroots & Independent Media Conference urges participants to Raise Your Voice and become more active in the local media outlets in Whatcom County.
This event is sponsored by the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, a local organization that seeks to create an active, inclusive, community voice for peace and social justice.

featured speaker: Ray McGovern

Ray McGovern, an ex-CIA analyst who has boldly spoken out against the misuse of intelligence data for political purposes, will deliver the keynote address in the morning. Following the keynote, will be a series of workshops that focuses on issues of media literacy and education, reform, marginalized communities, youth-based media, broadcasting, and internet legislation.

Each year media are consolidated into fewer and fewer hands, while important, local issues are pushed to the wayside. This makes speaking out more vital than ever before. This conference will provide the opportunity for local media advocates to share ideas with the community, while also networking and presenting outlets for getting your voice out effectively, strategically and responsibly.

The conference cost is a $5 to $20 sliding scale admission, but no one is turned away.
Lunch is available on site for a donated cost of $5.
.
LOCATION:
Fairhaven Auditorium
Western Washington University
Parking is free.

INFORMATION:
email grassroots.indymedia@gmail.com or
call 509-303-0583

********************************************************************************
Bellingham Grassroots & Independent Media Conference
AGENDA

9 am :Registration

9:15 am
Keynote by Ray McGovern
(ex-CIA analyst who has boldly spoken out against the misuse of intelligence data for political purposes)
Q & A

10 am—11:15 am
Youth Media Action
Broadcasting for Marginalized Communities
Intro to Freelance Journalism

11:30 am—1:00 pm
Media Reform and Legislation
Access & Representation: The Media's Role in Poor Communities
Gender, Class, Culture & Media Justice

1 pm—2:00 pm
Lunch (catered on site-$5 donation)

2 pm—3:15 pm
Native Voices & Independent Media
Webcasting & Safety of Internet
Press Releases & Spin in Organizing

3:30 pm—4 pm
Breakout Sessions
*******************************************************************

INFORMATION:
email grassroots.indymedia@gmail.com or
call 509-303-0583
LOCATION:
Fairhaven Auditorium
Western Washington University
Parking is free.

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WORLD ISSUES FORUM
David Wallechinsky, Olympic historian, author and NBC commentator
October 4, Wednesday- 12-1:30pm

“ Holding Hands with Dictators: Implications for American Democracy”
In extensively researching 20 world rulers who make oppression, torture and murder routine, David Wallechinsky poses challenging questions: What is the role of governments and corporations in supporting these regimes. What is the role of the UN? How are women’s lives affected under dictators? Which of the world’s tyrants poses the biggest threat to American security? Where does President Bush stand on the grid of dictatorships?
LOCATION:
Fairhaven College Auditorium at WWU

October 5, Thursday- 5:00-6:00
“ Tyrants: The World’s 20 Worst Living Dictators”, by David Wallechinsky, Sept. 2006
LOCATION:
Village Books, 1210 11th St.

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WORLD ISSUES FORUM
Rene Ausecha Chaux, Colombian campesino leader
October 11, Wednesday 12-1:30pm

“ A Colombian Coffee Story”
What’s in your morning cup? Fumigation, deforestation and uncertainty
Since 2000, the U.S. government has given the Colombian government nearly $4.2 billion in military aid through Plan Colombia, all under the guise of fighting the “War on Drugs.” Still, the cultivation of cocaine-producing coca continues to grow. Take a deeper look into Plan Colombia, the impact of fumigation and free trade on small farmers in Colombia, organic and fair trade coffee production, and the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Find out how you can make an impact as you enjoy your morning cup of coffee!
LOCATION: Fairhaven College Auditorium

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**WORLD ISSUES FORUMS
The World Issues Forums of Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies is dedicated to providing educational opportunities to the campus and Bellingham community that support an informed and engaged global citizenry.

Paths to Global Justice series, an expansion of the forums, is a collaborative effort of departments across campus to strengthen interdisciplinary international education at WWU.

An optional and repeatable two-credit class (375t) accompanies the forums. Students explore varied media information sources related to the topics, learn to digest and question what they hear and read, and are consistently challenged to act for positive social change.

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CONNECTING THE DOTS SERIES
…a joint educational effort of the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force and the World Issues Forums of Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Western Washington University.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
October 11, Wednesday 7:00-8:30pm
“From Cocaine to Coffee, From Free Trade to Fair Trade -- Colombian Farmers Change Course”

featured speaker:
Rene Ausecha Chaux, Colombian campesino leader

Since 2000, the U.S. government has given the Colombian government nearly $4.2 billion in military aid through Plan Colombia, all under the guise of fighting the “War on Drugs.” Still, the cultivation of cocaine-producing coca continues to grow. Take a deeper look into Plan Colombia, the impact of fumigation and free trade on small farmers in Colombia, organic and fair trade coffee production, and the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Find out how you can make an impact as you enjoy your morning cup of coffee!

Mr. Chaux works for COSURCA, a cooperative organization of peasant, indigenous, and Afro-Colombian groups in southern Cauca province. During the past five years, COSURCA has received funding from USAID and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for organic coffee production and coca eradication efforts. Two rounds of aerial fumigations in Macizo, Cauca in 2005 caused 57 COSURCA families to lose their organic crop certification and suffer from the destruction of their food crops, contamination of water supplies, and deforestation.

Kath Nygard, a native of Minnesota, joined Witness for Peace’s International Team in Colombia in March of 2006.She has extensive experience living and working in Latin America and she has studied social movements and grassroots organizing. She also brings experience accompanying threatened human rights defenders and the communities of peace and civil resistance in Colombia. She will be providing the translation during this tour.

This will be the first of the WHRTF “Connecting the Dots” Event Series.
Look for more events in the upcoming weeks and in the upcoming WHRTF Newsletter.
If your mailing address has changed, or if you want to renew your membership with the WHRTF to ensure that you get the newsletter, please contact our office at whrtf@whrtf.org or 733-2233

LOCATION:
Co-Sponsor: Community Food Co-Op
Co-Op Connections Building,
314 E Holly (next to Community Food Co-Op parking)

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CONNECTING THE DOTS SERIES

October 17 - Tuesday, 7-8:30pm,
A Nation Of Immigrants: A Love and Hate Relationship
featured speaker:
Leo Chavez, Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Irvine

This talk will provide a brief history of immigration to the United States and the issues surrounding immigration and immigrant incorporation into society. Continuities and discontinuities from past to present will be examined, as well as the reasons why people migrate across borders. The politics of immigration, always an emotional issue, will also be discussed, especially the current emphasis on surveillance. Issues of rights and citizenship will be explored during the new era of globalization.

Co-Sponsor: Social Justice Committee of BUF
LOCATION:
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
1708 I Street

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CONNECTING THE DOTS SERIES

October 24, Tuesday, 7-9:00pm
"The Bush administration, the Corporations, and why the War in Iraq Still is not Over."
featured speaker:
Antonia Juhasz, Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies, California & author of “The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time

Presenting the Iraq War as the most brutal application of the Bush agenda, Antonia Juhasz reveals the “oil time-line” driving the war, and how the administration has fundamentally transformed Iraq’s economy, locking in sweeping advantages to its corporate allies—including increased access to Iraq’s oil. The administration has expanded its target to the whole Middle East through the U.S. Middle East Free Trade Area. Juhasz will bring to sharp focus the dangerous fallacy that the United States can combat terrorism and spread democracy through its so-called “free trade” policies.
Co-Sponsor: Social Justice Committee of BUF
LOCATION:
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
1708 I Street

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

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