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NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS 2008
Deadline for nominations is May 1st.

The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force is seeking nominations for the 2008 Human Rights Awards which will be presented at the 11th Annual Human Rights Awards Celebration.

Nominations may be submitted by

* phone, 733-2233
* email:  whrtf@whrtf.org
* regular mail:
WHRTF Nominating Committee
PO Box 2191
Bellingham, WA 98227-2191

A nomination should include the nominator’s name and contact information, the nominee's name and contact information, as well as a short description of why the nominated individual or group is exemplary in 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 issues such as race, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, political opinion, or other arbitrarily assigned status.

The WHRTF has presented annual human rights awards for the past10 years. Past recipients include Joy Keenan, Larry Estrada, Cynthia Zaferatos, the Boys & Girls Club of Ferndale, Jewell Praying Wolf James, Rosalinda Guillen, Slum Doctor Programme, plus many others.

MLK Candlelight Nite, Hosted by the WWU Black Student Union
WWU Red Square
Thursday, January 17th, 2008
5-9pm
FREE

During the WWU Black Student Union meeting in VU 420, students will march to Red Square with candles and hold a mini program especially for Dr. King. Following the march, students will meet in the Viking Union Underground Coffeehouse at 6:30pm for spoken word and more tributes to Dr. King.

For more information:
360.650.7277
bsu.wwu@gmail.com

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10th ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE
“ Breaking the Silence”
January 19, 2008 - Saturday 9:30 am - 6 pm

2008 will be the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honor of his work and in commemoration of his passing., The theme for this year’s conference is “Breaking the Silence” and was inspired by Dr. King’s pivotal speech “A Time to Break Silence”, which was written in collaboration with this year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Vincent Harding.

[VIEW] CONFERENCE PAGE

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LOCATION:  Whatcom Community College’s Syre Center
Registration begins at 9:30AM,
Oening ceremony and keynote address at 10AM.
Workshops will run throughout the day.
The conference is FREE and open to all.
DETAILED INFO ON OUR CONFERENCE PAGE

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MLK Read-In
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday the 21st of January.
11am-4pm

Who: Western students
What: The MLK Read-in, is Western’s annual winter quarter service project. Western students will gather to help spread Dr. King’s message of social justice and equality by reading books with a message of equality and social justice to children.
Where: Students will meet at Village Books in Old Fairhaven. Some will remain there, others will move to day care locations around the Bellingham area.
Why: There are many reasons why you should get involved, here are just a few.
To celebrate the life of Dr. King and honor him by promoting social justice.
Because little efforts can make a big difference.
Surveys show that 75% of incoming students want to get involved in community service. With so many people getting involved this is a great way to meet new friends and make connections
What else are you going to do on your day off? We even give you time to sleep in.
How: Students will need to sign up in advance for this event. Training is required and will be conducted during the Whatcom County Human Rights Conference on Saturday, January 19th.

Sign Up Here
For more information:
360.650.3846
New Student Services

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Bellingham City Hall MLK Celebration
Bellingham City Hall
Monday, January 21, 2008
Noon - 1PM
Free

" Hope for the Dream" is the theme of this year's Martin Luther King Day celebration at Bellingham City Hall, featuring a key note address by Dr. Vincent Harding and performance by the Kulshan Chorus.

Harding collaborated extensively with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was involved in the freedom movement. He has had a distinguished career as professosr of history at the University of Pennsylvania, Spelman College, and Temple University, among other institutions of higher learning. Dr. Harding currently serves as co-chairperson of the Veterans of Hope Project, a center for the study of religion and democratic renewal, located at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, where he also holds a position of Vice President of Institutional Transformation and teaches Religion and Social Transformation. Dr. Harding is the author of over a dozen volumes on African American History and the Civil Rights Movement, including There Is a River: The Black Struggle for Freedom in America and We Must Keep Going: Martin Luther King and the Future of America.

For more information:
Office of the Mayor

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Community Food Co-op hosts MLK, Jr., Poetry Reading and Open Mike
Community Food Co-op>Monday, January 21, 2008
7-9pm
FREE and Open to All

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Community Food Co-op will host its tenth annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Poetry Reading and Open Mike from 7 to 9 pm on Monday, January 21, 2008 at the Co-op’s Swan Café.

The poetry reading and open mike has traditionally been emceed by local graphic artist Bob Paltrow, who will continue the tradition in 2008. Everyone is invited to share a poem or song focusing on diversity, human rights, or related issues. (Please limit your presentation to five minutes.) All are welcome to enjoy this free event.

For more information:
contact Kit Hughes at (360) 734-8158 or kith@communityfood.coop

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World Issues Forum "King's World Vision and Ours" with Dr. Vincent Harding
Fairhaven College Auditorium
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Noon - 1:30pm
FREE

Dr. Harding worked closely with Martin Luther King, Jr., and as an influential leader of the civil rights and broader freedom movements, helped establish the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Congress of Racial Equality. Dr. Harding has had a distinguished career as a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, Spellman College, and Temple University, among others. Dr. Harding currently serves as co-chair of the Veterans of Hope Project, located at the Iliff school of Theology in Denver, where he also holds the position of Vice President of Institutional Transformation. Dr. Harding is the author of over a dozen volumes on African American History and the Civil Rights Movement, including There Is a River: The Black Struggle for Freedom in America and We Must Keep Going: Martin Luther King and the Future of America.

For more information:
http://www.wwu.edu/depts/fairhaven

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8TH ANNUAL BELLINGHM HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL
Feburary 21 through March 1, 2008
website page [here]
blog page [myspace]

Award Winning Films plus Speakers

February 21 - Pickford Theater (opening night only)
All other night showings - Fairhaven College -  7 pm
March 1 - Matinees from 12 - 6 at Fairhaven College

Free Admidssion

Award-winning documentary films, and speakers, will highlight some of the most compelling human rights situations in the world today, while illustrating exemplary, inspiring efforts in the quest for greater justice and equity.

All films are screened at 7pm at the Fairhaven College auditorium, on the campus of WWU except the opening night film, Thursday Feb 21, which will be shown at the Pickford Cinema. On Saturday, March 1, matinee films will be shown from 12-6 at Fairhaven College.

This festival is brought to you from the dedicated, volunteer efforts of campus and community members and over 40 local businesses, organizations and church groups. Our primary sponsors include: Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, Fairhaven College, Pickford Cinema, and Bellingham Amnesty International.

Check our websites for speakers, film times, descriptions, and directions.
Parking and admission is free to all films.

To volunteer for this year's festival, or for more information call: Jerry Swann 360-319-7776

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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