The theme for the series is 'Joining Worlds.' Future films will address racism and television, African-American history, the theft and appropriation of Native American culture, and other important topics. In particular, we see a pressing need for Bellingham's Human rights community to explore the interconnections among different forms of oppression, and to recognize our places in history. We think that you will find these films entertaining, inspiring, controversial, and very worthwhile.

The Task Force Series continues on the final Thursday of each month.

ETHNIC NOTIONS
THURSDAY - MAY 31st, 7-pm
Take a look at the historic and ongoing representations of African - Americans
in the U.S. mainstream culture.
This film is a groundbreaking mix of
skits, dance, photo album, music and documentary.
Many thanks to Belle Shalom and Majorie Lightness for sponsoring this film.

The entire series will be shown at the Bellingham Public Library @ 7pm.
Hope to see you there!

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP on the film series:

1) Volunteer to help with publicity for any month's film by putting up posters, calling WHRTF members, and so on. Pick any month from now until September, and call the office to sign up!

2) Volunteer to bake cookies or bring snacks for a film night!

3) Do you know of a good film, or want to make sure a particular issue gets addressed? Call and let us know!

4) We're looking for ways to minimize the cost of this series. How about sponsoring the series for a month? For just $35.00, you or your business can help us cover the cost of the room, the film, and publicity!

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As 2001 slides into spring, the Task Force is hard at work re-vamping the Victim Referral program. Since the Task Force's beginning, we have kept a volunteer phone line going, in order to provide referral and advocacy for callers, as well as to document hate crimes and incidents of discrimination. Now, we are working to increase our visibility in the community, and also improving our response quality when folks call. We look forward to providing better access to a wide range of local and state-wide services, as well as improved multi-lingual resources.

Part of our job is making sure everyone knows about us. Several board members and new volunteers (hint hint!) are creating an information manual for services and referrals, as well as a training program for new volunteers fielding incoming calls, both of which will allow us to take more calls. Local volunteer translators have been very involved in translating many of WHRTF's informational documents into Spanish and Russian, and we look forward to continued support from this community.

We also want to make sure our services are as good as our advertising. The Victim Referral Committee is expanding our mission to include a greater focus on advocacy. In conjunction with our mission, "To promote and protect the rights of all members of the human family…", we feel that WHRTF needs to offer more than referral services. As advocates for all members of the human family, we are committed to advocating for callers, locating real resources, and making sure people don't slip through the cracks.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP on the Crisis Line and Victim Referral…

1) Call to report incidents you hear about or experience personally.

2) Volunteer to come into the office about once a month to help us keep our typed report list up to date!

3) Spread the word: Come by and pick up some cards to hand out, or tell your friends!

4) If you have special skills, such as a second language, legal expertise, or experience with advocacy, let us know!

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A MESSAGE FROM LISA FOX
WHRTF CHAIR

We are well into another year in Whatcom County with exciting challenges to the membership of the WHRTF. In recent months, we have entered into several important partnerships. Two of these alliances are with Lummi Nation and the Bellingham Police Department. Both of these outreach programs encourage continuing dialogue and support from our community.

The Lummi Nation has taken several opportunities in recent months to educate Whatcom County on the key issues that face the Lummi Nation. Those issues involve Sandy Point tidelands and the desecration of burial grounds at Semiahmah. On April 29th, Lummi nation and WHRTF jointly presented these issues to a capacity crowd of more than 100 at Bellingham Public Library!

The ACLU has partnered with WHRTF and the Black Social Action Network (BSAN) in forming a coalition to combat racial profiling. Continuing dialogue with Whatcom County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs is bringing strong support in favor of data collection.

Here in Washington, the Legislature adopted a law advanced by the ACLU to tackle this issue. Our biggest hurdle will be financing the collection and analysis of this data. In the past week, WHRTF, BSAN, and ACLU leaders traveled together to Olympia to meet with legislators regarding this important issue.

There are MANY issues facing Whatcom County and as it is the mission of the WHRTF to promote and protect the rights of all members of the human family we will continue our efforts with the strength and solidarity of our community. I am encouraged with the positive and ongoing work here in Whatcom County, but realize we still have a ways to go. I am very excited to share that journey with all of you.

In Peace and Solidarity, Lisa Fox, Chair of WHRTF

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WHRTF HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS BANQUET
MAY 19, 2001 - Saturday, 4pm at Faith Lutheran Church

Note: this is a revised date/day from the printed newsletter.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!
We are looking for nominations for our 2001 Human Rights Awards.

update: 5.14.01

19 wonderful people were nominated for our 2001 awards. We are so lucky to live in a place where people CARE ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING.

After long discussions our Nomination Committee for 2001 decided on three awardees.

Chadaskadum Wichtalum

Paul deArmond

Linda Lyman

 

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FROM OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY!!

If you have any questions, please call 733-2233.

AUCTION ITEMS:
Yes, items are being sought for the silent auction. This a great fund raiser and if you have anything you would like to donate to this auction it would be greatly appreaciated by your task force.
Please call the office for information: 733-2233
or drop by at: 1210 Indian Street, Bellingham, Wa.

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:

WHRTF office
Community Food Co-Op
Village Books

Tickets purchased ahead of time are: $12 each/$20 pair
Tickets purchased at the door are: $17 each/$30 pair

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The Task Force Needs ....YOU!

Want to get involved? Have a little time each week, month, or every once in a while? Call the office (360-733-2233), and lend us support. We need everything from envelope stuffing to event planning.

The Education Committee is working on a variety of ongoing events, in cluding a monthly video series addressing different aspects of social change throughout the year. They are also hoping for you to join them! One long-time member says "We're burnt out, and we need a bunch of new people to take on the conference! We heed a group of people specifically to do the conference, so the Education Committee can focus on other events. And we need new talent on the Education Committee, too!"

The Human Rights Awards Banquet planning committee needs you ASAP, in order to put together a fabulous and affordable celebration of human rights work locally.

For more about when these groups meet, or for more opportunities (there are many!), call 360-733-2233, email, or come by the office -- 1210 Indian Street, Bellingham, Washington!

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RACE Update

RACE (Representing Adolescent's Cultural Education), a pro-diversity youth group, has been busy attending conferences around the Pacific Northwest and receiving awards and recognition.

 

There are still some great MLK T-shirts left for $6.00...Call Sherry @ 734-0287

The yearly Human Race Pledge Walk is coming up...want to join the RACE team? call Sherry at 734-0287 or Alton at 671-9105. Get pledges of $75.00, and get a free T-shirt!

RACE meetings are at Stuart's Coffee House in Bellingham, every Tuesday at 6:30. See you there!

 

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Special Event Spotlight...
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT

In the past decade, the WWU Women's Center has transformed the goals and schedule of their yearly Take Back the Night March protesting violence against women. This local event addresses violence against women in a wide variety of forms. In the past few years, speakers have expanded the definition of violence against women to include not only domestic violence and rape, but also sweatshop factory conditions, environmental racism and sexism, colonization, forced sterilization, and a host of other issues.

Take Back the Night 2001 is scheduled for 7pm on April 19th . This year continues the trend towards exploring interconnections: the keynote speaker, Aurora Levins Morales, writes and speaks internationally about Chicana/Jewish identity, about radicalizing and reclaiming history, about healing from sexual assault and abuse, and about transforming the world for the next generation of children.

Professor Greta Gaard, a graduate of the WHRTF Board will also be a featured speaker.

The Take Back The Night Rally is open to everyone, with a women-only march following.

The 6pm rally is free, and indoors at the WWU Performing Arts Center. The march hits the street about 8pm, and be sure to bring a sign and/or umbrella!

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Enter Here for More Calendar Events

AND WHEN YOU'RE NOT ON THE INTERNET....
Come by the WHRTF Office at:

1210 Indian Street,
Bellingham, Washington
or give us a call at 360-733-2233,
We will help you get any information you might need about what we're doing.

There are many issues facing Whatcom County .... WHRTF needs communication to be effective, and we need to hear your voice. There are many ongoing issues, and new concerns that need to be brought to the table. At our general membership meeting on Thursday, March 8th, we invite you to bring your ideas and concerns. -- In Peace and Solidarity, Lisa Fox-Hillaire

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april 2001