FORsooth Volume 19, No. 6 A publication of the Louisville Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation www.louisville-for.org July-August 2008
“The legacy of Louis Coleman… is to organize and organize and organize.” Justice center calls on Mattie Jones after Coleman dies by George Morrison FORsooth editor The unexpected death of acclaimed justice activist Rev. Louis Coleman July 5 stunned activists and neighborhood organizers and propelled retired national FOR director of racial and economic justice Mattie Jones to temporarily take the director post of the Justice Resource Center Coleman founded in the 1970s. Coleman, who was 64, died after a series of seizures in his home and en route to a hospital, ending 35 years of nonviolent struggling for breathable air, safe streets and a fair share of economic opportunities for the West Louisville neighborhoods which, although he worked in many other communities in Kentucky, were his primary focus as director of the JRC. Maintaining a dizzying schedule, he led protests, vigils, boycotts and marches —photos by Eddie Davis for civilian review of police, more minority The death July 5 of Rev. Louis Coleman, left photo, left a gigantic void that longtime activist and retired contracting by state government, strong FOR administrator Mattie Jones, right photo, will help his Justice Resource Center fill as interim director. regulations to clean up severe air pollution See more on Coleman and Jones on page four. in the Rubbertown neighborhood and open housing in neighborhoods where black confronted drug dealers with daring street Coleman also lent his support to causes Coleman, along with Mattie Jones, residents faced harassment. vigils to try to reduce crime. not commonly associated with African- publically supported it, helping to move black Under Coleman’s leadership, the JRC “He loved people. He loved equality,” American ministers, such as media reform, public opinion to the pro-fairness side. also organized the Street Academy, weekly Jones said July 8 at a memorial at West an effort to make broadcasters more inclu- With a poll in the mid-1990s showing education sessions designed to improve Broadway and 28th street, often a vortex of sive and less corporate-dominated. He also a majority of African-American city the academic work and behavior of black Coleman’s whirlpool-like activism. “He stepped up when support for the Fairness residents supporting fairness (and a wide males at risk of dropping out of school. He wasn’t just a leader of black people. He was Amendment, Louisville’s proposed gay majority backing it throughout the city), also regularly did gun buy-backs and a leader of all the people that God created.” rights law, was scant in West Louisville. (continued on page 5) Talk on atomic horrors
PAID starts commemoration
U.S. Postage
Louisville, KY
Permit No. 962 Non-Profit Org. by Ken Nevitt unconsciousness after the blast, she opened her eyes and saw that everything had been While on an errand to a post office in destroyed to the west, except for a factory, Miyuki-bashi, in Hiroshima, Japan, under and thought a bomb had been dropped on the the scorching sun, young Miyoko Watanabe factory. Watanabe saw her mother, whose could not bear the heat anymore, so she hair was a mess and standing on end, her lips turned back home to fetch her parasol. She cracked and her head bleeding, standing like was just about to open the parasol, when an some unearthly creature. intense flash burst upon her. She told of seeing a woman lying dead Through her interpreter, Elizabeth at a house by the river bank, her neck stuck Baldwin, she told a gathering July 11 at through with a piece of glass blown by the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church: “It blast. Watanabe said the woman had been looked as if the gas tanks in Minami-machi suckling her baby, adding that the glass on the other side of the river had exploded. must have cut an artery and that blood was The flash was a yellowish orange color, scattered around her. Watanabe said the just like magnesium light but hundreds of baby continued to suckle her breast. times stronger. It became dark and there Watanabe’s father came home with were ghastly crashing and rattling sounds.” his body burned all over and died the next In a moving talk on “Hibakusha ,” or
Call F.O.R. at 502/458-8056 Call F.O.R. day, Watanabe said, adding that she was atomic bomb survivors, Watanabe shared numbed by facing many deaths throughout the stage with American Steve Leeper, a the following weeks. A single bomb Japanese resident and the first foreign chair- inflicted tremendous agony and pain on the man of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Founda- people of Hiroshima, she noted. The city
Fellowship of Reconciliation Louisville Chapter 2236 Kaelin Avenue Louisville, KY 40205-2608 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED tion, which is the peace and international was reduced to ashes. relations arm of the City of Hiroshima. The damage caused by the bomb was Their talk is just one of several area not confined to those who were actually events in commemoration of the dropping exposed to it. People who sustained no of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, injuries, including those who went near the Japan in 1945, which killed about 145,000 hypocenter to search for their children, INSIDE and 80,000 people, respectively, and caused suffered a high fever and soon had purple radiation sickness in countless others. spots all over their bodies, Watanabe said. A group will gather Wednesday, Aug. They soon went almost mad, and died one National FOR busily re-invigorates our group...... p. 2 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Muhammad Ali th after another during the six months Boulevard and 4 Street (also known as following the bombing, she added. Merton Square) to read from John Hersey’s Watanabe said her elder brother was People power in Louisville Ð budget progress ...... p. 2 book Hiroshima and pass out literature. suddenly stricken with leukemia and died Concerned people will gather Saturday many years after that dreadful experience. Aug. 9, just before sunset for the very moving Leeper has also served as the U.S. A review of a review of Robeson ...... p. 3 yearly Candle Floating Ceremony at the lake representative to the nongovernmental at Lexington Road and Grinstead Drive. agency Mayors for Peace, which seeks For more information on these abolition of nuclear weapons. Their events, call Interfaith Paths to Peace at Obama and affirmative action ...... p. 7 presentation, titled “Voices from (502) 214-7322. Hiroshima: Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Continuing her talk at Thomas Jefferson, Watanabe said that following a period of (continued on page 5) US FOR out to become an even greater communicator by Phil Schervish Peacemaker Training Institute so that FOR both the international peace-making Peace Fellowships will select two members may put more effort into developing the community and the operating environment each year. Local groups and chapters have June 20 to 22 marked the beginning of Nonviolent Youth Collective. This year’s of local non-profit organizations. The hopes been divided into six regional groups. Three the 93rd year of FOR National. The National theme, “Building the Conscientious are that the plan will be a living document, regions will participate in the selection of Council held one of its three-times-per- Objector Movement through Creative consulted often during the day-to-day three council members each year. year meetings. Resistance,” will have a primary focus on decision making process. Louisville, in the Mid-West region, along The council has expanded to 24 developing college campus chapters. The FOR National wants to hear from you. with the Mid-Atlantic and Northwest members representing all geographic areas. major event for the year will be International Check out, and feel free to contribute to the regions will select council members Louisville is represented by two people: C.O. Day, May 15, 2009, and the new FOR blog at www.forpeace.net. beginning their terms in even-numbered Dennis Bricking is beginning his three- continuation of the “I Will Not Kill” As you might have picked up, years. A complete list of chapters by region year term, while I am entering the last year campaign. Those interested can stay abreast enhanced, meaningful communication is a is forthcoming. of my term. Dennis serves on the of Youth + Militarism activities at the goal for the coming year. The FOR USA Finally, the new National Council Administration Committee and I am on the website, youth.forusa.org. website is undergoing complete redesign. Committee will propose three at-large Membership and Program Committee. Iran Program: Iran continues to be a It can be accessed at www.forusa.org. Also, candidates for selection each year. When The national office is completing a focus of FOR National. The third Civilian the national office hopes to facilitate the first cycle (three years) is completed, reorganization brought about by some Diplomat delegation (21 people) recently communication among the chapters with the National Council will have six members financial and staff problems a few years from the traditional peace fellowships, nine ago. Mark Johnson, the executive director members from local chapters, and nine at- for the last year, and almost an entirely new large members. staff have performed admirably in bringing FOR National wants to hear from you. Check out, and feel free The council passed a $1.8 million bud- FOR back to a national stature. The get for the operation of these programs and reorganization has focused on the following to contribute to the new FOR blog at www.forpeace.net. for communication. This budget, although primary programs now undertaken by FOR: in-part covered by funds on reserve, calls Colombian Peace Community. The for significant increases in fundraising. FOR’s Task Force on Latin America and returned from its tour of Iran. These del- the creation of a chapters listserve. E-mail In addition to National work, the the Caribbean continues to operate and egates, like the previous delegations, did not to [email protected] will be echoed to budget represents a continued commitment expand its staff based in Southern waste any time once they returned, immedi- all local group and affiliate subscribers. to FOR-International and peace work in California. FOR maintains a continuous ately starting to work on plans for public The expansion of the National Council Palestine-Israel with direct appropriations presence in Colombia. This visible education, government relations and media completed a year of discussion on to FOR-I and Interfaith Peace-Builders. international presence provides credibility interactions. The program is now directed by governance and representation to the My take on the weekend: FOR-USA is to and a modicum of protection for the a full-time staff member, Leila Zand. Leila is national office. The Council will be alive and vibrant and reasserting itself as a peace village natives. Since FOR-USA a young Iranian woman. Her background and maintained with a new selection process national and international leader in the began its involvement, several other heritage give her access to areas of Iran other which goes into effect in October. The search for peace and social justice. Please international delegations have taken up groups might miss. Already, she has begun a process will see eight members selected to show them your continued support. residence in Colombia. To solidify, process of public education and media pres- the council each year. Five of the new coordinate, and better account for the ence for the National office. Her latest article members will be selected by local chapters The writer is a member of the steering presence of internationals, FOR-USA is in in the Middle East Times received a lot of and affiliates. committee of the Louisville FOR and outgo- the process of registering as a formally attention and was translated into Arabic, The affiliate traditional Religious ing member of the FOR National Council. recognized international organization with French and Spanish for republication. The the Colombian government. FOR will open activities of the returned delegates can be an office and provide a full-time staff followed at the web site they created, member working in Colombia. Volunteers www.peacewithiran.com. The next delega- to live in the peace village for extended tion, in November 2008, will be an interfaith Like this paper? periods are still needed and encouraged. group composed of leaders from the Jewish, Youth + Militarism: FOR National is Muslim and Christian communities. Then sign up here to receive each issue very active in a Youth De-militarization The National Council began a two- program. National will continue to sponsor year process of developing a new strategic of FORsooth in the mail! nonviolence training and Advanced plan scheduled to go into effect in June Peacemaker Training for high school- and 2010. The process will start with a “blank Name ______college-aged young adults. However, the slate” and a new “environmental scan” of actual training will be contracted out to the Address ______City ______State ____ Zip ______Cuts to needy lessened Telephone ______(day) ______(evening) MAIL TO: Fellowship of Reconciliation by Louisville council 2236 Kaelin Avenue ¥ Louisville, KY 40205 502/458-8056 by Ike M. Thacker IV again, the agency’s entire city allocation E-mail: [email protected] and Eustace Durrett — which helps many hundreds of victims of child sexual abuse each year. We are Note: If you are already receiving FORsooth but haven't sent a contribution lately, The fiscal year 2009 budget that simply not so poor that we can’t afford please send your check now to help with our increasing expenses. nominally Democratic Louisville Mayor these things. Bravo for the Council! Jerry Abramson proposed to the Metro To fund these and other changes they Council in late May looked decidedly made in the mayor’s proposed budget, Republican. For example, it would have which came to an additional $8 million on appropriated more than $1.2 million to one top of the $812 million version Abramson “economic development” independent sent them, the council used about $3 million agency, Greater Louisville Incorporated in expected savings from state pension (GLI) — and cut more than twice that reform; saved $1.5 million by delaying mostly from similar agencies that serve the three bond issues; and increased the general poor and needy. obligation bond by about $3.5 million, And despite the alleged tightness of which Metro Council president Jim King Founded 1915 funds, Abramson somehow found money has told media will cost metro taxpayers enough to increase police funding only $125, 000 in debt service this year and FORsooth is published by the Louisville chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. substantially (by about $4 million) and fire $225,000 yearly after that, burdens he said Send submissions for news stories or commentaries to George Morrison, editor, protection stipends at least would be greatly outweighed by the benefits c/o 2236 Kaelin Ave., Louisville, KY 40205, e-mail:
Page 2 FORsooth Some capitalists opposing others – yes, times are hard Once upon a time there were big compa- ing out private profiteers? And what about nies that profited from making weapons of surplus-value-hoarders Citigroup, Merrill A sentence in the 30th paragraph of war, and they were proponents of war. Then Lynch, and JP Morgan Chase, all tottering on the June Labor Paeans column had there were capitalists who made their for- the precipice of unplanned-economy melt- an error in transmission from Ira tunes from non-war making industry, like down? Well, why shouldn’t we bail out the Grupper’s original writing. It should Cyrus Eaton, the enlightened billionaire in- big owners? We did it for Chrysler Corp. have read: “Service, intellectual dustrialist who created the Pugwash Confer- many years ago. workers, bureaucrats, the informal ences on Science and World Affairs, and was As folk singer Tom Paxton put it back a critic of United States foreign and military then: “Since the first amphibians crawled economy Ð all go to the creation and policies during the Cold War (even if he had out of the slime/We’ve been struggling in an marketing of stuff.” worshipped at the feet of John D. Rockefeller). unrelenting climb/We were hardly up and Big capital accumulators nowadays, like walking before money started talking/And GE, make their money from peace as well as it’s sad that failure is an awful crime/Well it’s 2008 Labor Paeans) of the storming by war manufacturing, from washing machines been that way for a millennium or two/But SEIUers (Service Employees International as well as missile components. So, there is now it seems that there’s a different point of Union) of the Labor Notes Conference on not that big split in the ruling class any more. propriators of our labor power. These airlines’ view/If you’re a corporate titanic and your April 12, 2008 states, ‘one worker died in Or is there? collective ox is being gored, and they see an- failure is gigantic/Down in congress there’s the ensuing scuffle.’ This is misleading. David Northwest Airlines issued on July 10 “An other sector of the ruling class, Big Oil, as a safety net for you.” Smith, a SEIU home care worker from Michi- Open letter to All Airline Customers,” in which currently doing the goring. Seems like a gory And here is Tom’s chorus: “I am chang- gan, did die of a fatal heart attack which took it states: “Our country is facing a possible sharp mess to me, when thieves fall out. But, hark, ing my name to Chrysler/I am going down to place during or right after the SEIU people economic downturn because of skyrocketing one need not worry. Northwest will be laying Washington D.C./I will tell some power bro- forced their way into the hotel, led by SEIU oil and fuel prices, but by pulling together, we off 2,500 workers. Now, that’s a great solution. ker/What they did for Iacocca/Will be per- staff, but the way you describe his death can all do something to help now.” It lists a These soon-to-be unemployed workers fectly acceptable to me/I am changing my might cause people to conclude that someone website titled “Stop Oil Speculation Now.” could soon join the millions of others facing name to Chrysler/I am headed for that great died of another cause and this is not true…. We don’t make this stuff up, y’all. mortgage foreclosure and other unplanned- receiving line/So when they hand a million “I believe the rank and file members of Our environmental champion con- economy perks. Did you know, by the way, grand out/I’ll be standing with my hand out/ SEIU were manipulated into participating in tinues: “For airlines, ultra-expensive fuel that house sellers outnumber purchasers by 15 Yes sir I’ll get mine” (Lee Iacocca was then the planned storming of the conference (or means thousands of lost jobs and severe to 1 (Financial Times reported this June 22)? the head of Chrysler). else why would they have brought children reductions in air service to both large and The plot thickens, as the two biggest Now, I have a question for Ben Bernanke with them?). As a nurse, I believe the ex- small communities. To the broader economy, mortgage guarantors, the Federal National (Federal Reserve chairman) and Henry treme stress of this action may well have oil prices mean slower activity and wide- Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Paulson: will you back the good working class precipitated David Smith’s heart attack. Cali- spread economic pain. This pain can be alle- Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation folk whose mortgages have already been fore- fornia members of SEIU’s African Ameri- viated, and that is why we are taking the (Freddie Mac), are in deep financial doo- closed, and let them return to their homes? Or can caucus, AFRAM, issued a statement extraordinary step of writing this joint letter doo. Again, don’t worry, be happy. U.S. Trea- is it just the rich folk you help out? which strongly criticized the way in which to our customers.” sury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr., is com- It’s enough to make you sick. So, we rank and file members were used in this Read on, ye of little faith: “Since high ing to the rescue: “Fannie Mae and Freddie need healthcare. The U.S. Conference of irresponsible action.” Sister Marilyn’s criti- oil prices are partly a response to normal Mac play a central role in our housing fi- Mayors unanimously adopted a resolution in cism/clarification is correct. market forces, the nation needs to focus on nance system and must continue to do so in June in support of single-payer national health Kerry Taylor writes from Chapel Hill, increased energy supplies and conservation. their current form as shareholder-owned com- insurance. This is the result of excellent N.C. with reference to your correspondent’s However, there is another side to this story panies. Their support for the housing market grassroots organizing on behalf of Healthcare- presentation at State University of New York because normal market forces are being dan- is particularly important as we work through NOW, Physicians for a National Health Pro- (June Labor Paeans column): “I may have gerously (undermined).” the current housing correction.” gram (PNHP) and other groups. misunderstood your point about steel, but if Well, we’re scratching our heads, think- A few days later, on July 15, the New The mayors unanimously backed a reso- it’s any help, the U.S. produces more steel ing about the time, a few years ago, when York Times gives some background: “The lution calling for the enactment of the “United than all but two nations in the world (China Northwest declared bankruptcy, and got the warnings of a potential systemic failure led States National Health Insurance Act,” H.R. and the E.U.). U.S. production has bankruptcy judge to allow the company to to the resulting rescue package, and one of 676. The bill, which is also known as the remained robust for the past 30 years or so. slash its union retirees’ pensions (it is now the most striking — though unspoken — “Improved and Expanded Medicare for All I’m not sure what you mean by only two out of bankruptcy). regulatory shifts in modern times. For de- Act,” is sponsored by Rep. John Conyers of remaining steel mills in the U.S. They are all To continue with this company cades, Treasury secretaries and Federal Re- Michigan and 90 other members of Congress. over the country from Georgetown, S.C. to epiphany: “Twenty years ago, 21 percent of serve chairmen have insisted that the govern- Rep. Conyers’ bill would guarantee ev- Gary, Ind.” oil contracts were purchased by speculators ment did not stand behind the debt of Fannie eryone care for all medically necessary ser- Brother Kerry needs to add Japan as the who trade oil on paper with no intention of and Freddie. But the safety net Mr. Paulson vices, contain costs by slashing the adminis- third country leading the U.S. in steel pro- ever taking delivery. Today, oil speculators announced on Sunday sends the opposite trative waste and bureaucracy associated with duction. His bigger point, concerning the purchase 66 percent of all oil futures con- message: that the government is determined the private insurance industry and assure large amount of steel still being produced in tracts, and that reflects just the transactions not to let either one fail.” patients their choice of doctor and the U.S., is right. However, the huge number that are known.” Why? Same article: “The Bush admin- hospital. Thirty-four state AFL-CIO federa- of workers at U.S. Steel (now called USX) in The letter was signed not just by North- istration hastily arranged the dramatic… res- tions and 110 central labor councils support Pittsburgh is no longer there, replaced by west Airlines, but also by a gaggle of other cue of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac after this legislation. many small steel specialty producers. U.S. airlines. So, now we know: the airline in- Wall Street executives and foreign central Steel’s Fairfield (Ala.) Works is still a major dustry has gone green, opposes manipula- bankers told Washington that any further Our mailbag contains two letters. The employer, though the number of workers is tion of “normal” market forces, and wants erosion of confidence could have a cascading first is from Marilyn Albert of Cleveland. nowhere near what it was in the 1950s. And to expose oil speculators. Well, shut my effect around the world, officials said.” She is a registered nurse and National Nurses Buffalo, N.Y. can hardly still be considered mouth — and I done thought leopards These two companies were government- Organizing Committee/Attendee at Labor a robust steel town. couldn’t change their spots. created, but are for-profits, and what busi- Notes Conference in Dearborn, Michigan.” Ah, but leopards cannot. Nor can the ex- ness does U.S. taxpayer money have in bail- She wrote: “(your) description (May Contact Ira Grupper at [email protected]. Robeson review strong, but more on him would help it An Evening with Kenneth his life and after, even though this doesn’t ever, at least one student program in con- Anderson as Paul Robeson really come out in his concerts, which (in junction with the Robeson film festival is REVIEW addition to the Negro spirituals and the “sig- also planned for January. This student pro- nature” Robeson songs) include folk music gram will include activities to introduce reviewed by Eustace Durrett, A. and labor union and peace-related numbers. the life, artistry, and significance of David Bos and Ike M. Thacker IV to sing. It is important to Anderson (and in Perhaps the examples of Robeson and Robeson to high school and college stu- On Friday night and Sunday morning fact) to refer to these songs as Negro Anderson also are testaments to the dents. Anderson-as-Robeson may be avail- May 9 and 11, Kenneth Anderson of Bath, spirituals, because if we do not we lose fundamental radicalism of Dr. Martin able for the January or February program, N.Y. made appearances at the Unitarian three things: first, that the songs (and Luther King Jr., by whom Anderson has or perhaps both. Universalist Church in Lexington, Ky. His therefore the blues and jazz traditions that been strongly influenced. one-man performance consisted of were derived in large part from them) were Anderson has presented his one-man Eustace Durrett and Ike M. Thacker selections from Paul Robeson’s song based in slavery and thus reflect radical Robeson show throughout the country. One IV are regular contributors to FORsooth. repertoire; excerpts from Robeson’s beginnings; second, the breadth and depth hopes he can be persuaded to participate in A. David Bos is a retired Presbyterian speeches; and discussion of Robeson’s life, of the corpus of Negro spirituals; and the Third Annual Paul Robeson Film minister who co-chairs the Presbyterian artistry, political philosophy, and activism. finally, the musicological significance of Festival here in Louisville. Association for Community Transforma- Anderson — singer, actor, and activist, the Negro spiritual. The Festival is scheduled for the 2009 tion, which encourages involvement by the himself — also presented his concept of Anderson also expounded at some Black History Month (February). How- denomination in social justice. “black” music history and its evolution length about the significance of the Negro from Negro spirituals to blues and jazz. spiritual in the civil rights movement. From time to time, the (barely) octogenarian In Anderson’s Robeson reviews there Anderson has made joint appearances with seem to be three competing focuses: Paul his old friend and fellow activist, Pete Robeson, obviously; the rehabilitation FOR’s Mission Statement Seeger, who is some ten years older yet. of the Negro spiritual; and the role of “Robeson” (Anderson) began his full Robeson and the Negro spiritual in the The Fellowship of Reconciliation seeks to replace violence, length Friday concert by singing some of civil rights movement. war, racism and economic injustice with nonviolence, While this makes for fascinating and the songs most identified with Robeson — peace and justice. We are an interfaith organization such as “Ol’ Man River” (written specifi- entertaining evenings (or mornings), his cally for Robeson by Jerome Kern), “Deep presentation could perhaps be more tightly committed to active nonviolence as a transforming way of life River,” “Joe Hill,” and “Swing Low, Sweet focused on Robeson. and as a means of radical change. We educate, train, Chariot” — in his deep bass/baritone voice. This, one gets the feeling, would not sit build coalitions, and engage in nonviolent and ill with Anderson: in talking with him you Anderson then proceeded to request compassionate actions locally, nationally, and globally. Negro spirituals from the audience for him still sense the “fire in his belly” about the many injustices done to Robeson both during
July-August 2008 Page 3 Coleman: Effective, imperfect, beautifully nonviolent by George Morrison Louis Coleman is an agitator, he doesn’t FORsooth editor have his facts straight, he only wants his
st picture in the paper (unlike the mayor or He broke all the rules of the 21 century. corporate CEOs, who loathe publicity). While most observers of the left would C-J columnist Bob Hill, after praising say street-based civil disobedience by most of Louis’ work, added: “The other handfuls of people is inadequate in the era side of that was he seemed to have just one of instantaneous cyber-activism that has gear — and it didn’t allow, at least in his millions e-mailing their grievances to public persona, for the many complexities officials, followers of Rev. Louis Coleman that come with race and racism.” might disagree. This and other non-vituperative criti- While even progressive figures are cisms are fair enough Ð yes some non-racist blaming behavior by African-Americans and non- reactionary folks said Louis some- for the troubles of their neighborhoods, times lacked finesse in his relentless actions. Louis still pointed out Ð and to a small but Of course, one person’s (say, for inspiring extent helped to locally reverse Ð instance, a person not living next to deadly the draining of good jobs from black pollution) complexities are another’s race- communities by the white power structure. based intransigence rooted in unquestioning While Bill Cosby punctuates his allegiance to corporate greed. lectures to black communities by repeating This is not to say Louis wouldn’t sit the mantra “50 percent drop-out rate,” across the table from corporate people. His Louis dared to call these black youth “push persistent, often fervent actions always in- outs,” rather than “drop outs,” asserting cluded opening the door to negotiations. This, that the educational system had exiled them. coupled with straightforward vows to esca- And with no blog, hired PR late protests outside the Valhalla Golf Club professionals or political action committee, around the 1996 PGA championship, Louis, who died July 5, and the Justice prompted the golf body to make moves to Resource Center (JRC) he founded 35 years improve minorities’ opportunities in golf as ago got results. The Strategic Toxic Air competitors and event vendors. Reduction (STAR) plan approved by the A similar approach persuaded the Louisville Metro Council in 2005 Ð which University of Louisville to find more black was credited with greatly reducing subcontractors to finish its football stadium dangerous pollution in the Rubbertown and to expand minority contracting goals neighborhood Ð came about directly for all university projects. because of the work of neighborhood How effective were Louis’ follow- activists spurred on by Louis. throughs on calling for more corporate A Courier-Journal story this spring inclusiveness? Depends on whom you about vastly lower levels of one toxic watch or read. airborne substance in the neighborhood WLKY-TV in Louisville reported that bordering rubber and chemical plants many firms and groups who had hired the credited “local regulators” with enacting JRC to teach them diversity concluded that the plan, making no mention of the group the center had failed to do so. The magazine Rubbertown Emergency Action (REACT). Louisville Eccentric Observer, however, This group, whose lobbying, protesting shortly reported that many of those firms and outstanding public speaking forced the said WLKY took their words out of context city to force the Rubbertown firms to clean and that the JRC was effective. up, was created by the JRC. Whatever imperfections Louis and his Early on, those “regulators” wouldn’t JRC had, one of my lasting memories of them even acknowledge the health crisis for the is likely to be Louis intervening during a neighborhood’s residents as officials fretted demonstration outside Metro Police head- over the possible loss of jobs Ð until quarters to absolutely stop a few people from scientific evidence gathered by the JRC becoming more violent when they started kept mounting, overwhelming the contrary breaking glass on the outside of the building. statistics chemical industry groups released. Police chief Robert White said after While pro-business groups locally and Louis’ death that he was very helpful in nationally kept insisting there was no need keeping the many demonstrations against for STAR, not one of their members police shootings from turning violent. So, demonstrated their confidence in the health I’ll conclude with this unpublished letter I of the Rubbertown air by moving there. wrote to the Courier-Journal after his death: That illustrated exactly what was so Lexington and Cincinnati had riots in unfair about the bulk of the daily, often recent years over police shootings of blacks. vitriolic criticism Louis received on blogs, Why didn’t Louisville? Very possibly, in C-J letters and over radio airwaves. it’s because of the tireless work of Rev. From neighborhoods where, unlike Louis Coleman, who persevered through West Louisville, state contract dollars health problems, right-wing backlashes and flowed in freely, where Rubbertown’s a day that had only 24 hours in it to show polluters would never have been allowed angry, dispossessed black youth that to set up shop, where police don’t shoot persistent, strategic and unrelenting fleeing suspects in the back who pose no nonviolent action gets results. immediate danger, came the drumbeat: Thank you, Louis. Activist and photographer Eddie Davis saved many moments from the life of Rev. Louis Coleman. Top photo, Louis confers in 2002 with U.S. Rep. John Conyers about police issues in Louisville. With his trademark megaphone, second photo from top, he marches on West Broadway to protest killings by police and jail staff. Mattie Jones, second photo from bottom, was named interim Justice Resource Center director after Louis’ death. Louis, right photo, prays during one of his always nonviolent actions. Left photo, he supports reforming area broadcast media to make them more inclusive and honest.
Page 4 FORsooth Justice center calls on Jones (continued from page 1) Atomic the city and county councils voted in several “Don’t let them tell you the struggle is husband during times of heated controver- steps to extend civil rights protection to over… or that it is out of date to demonstrate sies and constant right-wing backlashes. horrors sexual orientation and gender identity, with or that it is out of date to use civil disobedi- “It takes a strong woman to overcome the crowning achievement being the 19-6 ence,” adding that such tactics “got us from all the obstacles and Etta did it,” Tennyson (continued from page 1) vote for fairness by the merged Metro the back of the bus to the front of the bus and said. “Thank God for her.” Council in 2004. from the front of the bus to the driver seat.” One person interviewed in the crowd Now or Never,” was preceded by Thomas Jones, 75, an area and national activist JRC board member Ruben Pulliam at the memorial service wondered whether Jefferson pastor Rev. Elwood Sturtevant for equality through the JRC, FOR and other summed up how Coleman, who served as a higher power helped Coleman achieve leading a moment of silent meditation. The groups, was chosen hours before the memo- pastor of First Congregational Methodist his many successes, such as persuading the event was sponsored by The Louisville rial service as interim director of the JRC. Church, viewed his calling: “He took the golfing organization PGA to take concrete Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration “I don’t know exactly when the board word ‘faith’ not as a noun, but as a verb. He steps to improve minority opportunities Committee, Interfaith Paths to Peace, will begin the search for a permanent put faith into action.” associated with golf events nationwide and Thomas Jefferson Unitarian, The Louisville director,” she said days later, adding that Coleman, a former minor league forcing U of L to adopt goals for more FOR, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, she accepted the interim position because baseball player, also had worked for the minority contracting for its projects, Saint William Catholic Church, The U.N. she wanted to help the JRC weather the Louisville Urban League and had served as particularly construction of the school’s Association of Louisville and the LEO loss of Coleman. director of the Smoketown Presbyterian football stadium. weekly newspaper. “We do not want the work of Rev. Community Center. He earned a master’s “If you want to try to understand the Leeper talked about the history of the Coleman to cease, slow up or just go away,” degree in community development from Rev. Louis Coleman, look at the principles Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear she said. That will require grass-roots effort, the University of Louisville and a divinity of Jesus Ð and you will understand why he Weapons, which has as its goal a nuclear Jones said at the memorial service after it was degree from the Louisville Presbyterian seemed, sometimes, to be in three places at weapon-free world by the year 2020. He announced she would take the interim post. Theological Seminary. once,” said Howard Owens, who had said the treaty provides for verification “I’m asking for your help,” she Coleman and his widow Etta had three attended anti-drug vigils with Coleman. which can be monitored by satellite. passionately told the crowd of about 100. children and 12 grandchildren. Owens said he hopes those mourning Still, Leeper explained, more countries “I need you. I need you.” Rev. James Tennyson, pastor New the loss of an irreplaceable leader will also each year are moving toward acquisition of Commenting on a line put forth by Golden Star Baptist Church and a JRC see his death as “a great opportunity to build nuclear weapons, and every year the some of Coleman’s critics that his tactics board member introduced Etta Coleman as on his legacy,” adding: “We must keep in likelihood of such weapons being used were too steeped in 1960s methods and no “the first lady,” describing her as a woman mind the legacy of Louis Coleman, which is increases dramatically. He urged listeners longer effective, Jones said to the gathering: of few words, but who strengthened her to organize and organize and organize.” to sign — and encourage others to sign — the Cities Are Not Targets (CANT) project petition drive. This petition, which can be found at the website for the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, demands that the leaders of all nuclear weapon states agree that they will not target cities, towns or villages with nuclear weapons, and that ECUMENICAL LECTURE SERIES they engage in good faith negotiations to abolish all nuclear weapons. Prior to the presentation, the group from Hiroshima attended a luncheon (provided by Zen Garden restaurant) at the Crane House, the Asian cultural center in God and Empire Louisville. There they met with Dave Thomas, the Crane House’s executive director, and several others, including Margie Hunt, a Hibakusha from Hiroshima, The Normalcy of Violence and the Ambiguity of Bible and Barbara Brown, a Hibakusha from Nagasaki, both of whom now live in Louisville. At the Crane House, the group viewed a poster exhibition titled “Voices John Dominic Crossan From Hiroshima,” which will be on display through July 31. Sponsored by: Professor Emeritus of Religious The writer is a member of Interfaith St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Studies, DePaul University, and Paths to Peace, through which he has New Albany author of many books including God helped organize Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemorations for five years. Archdioceses of Louisville and Empire: Jesus Against Rome, Bellarmine University Then and Now and The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Episcopal Dioceses of Kentucky Jewish Peasant. Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary November 7-8, 2008 Mid-Kentucky Presbytery Bellarmine University Louisville, Kentucky Registration: $20.00 (includes lunch)
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This is a printable page Friday, Nov. 7 7:30—9:00 PM Civilization & Empire Mid-Kentucky Saturday, Nov. 8 Presbytery 9:00—10:30 AM Bible & Power 425 S. 2nd St, Ste 301 11:00—12:30 PM Jesus & God Louisville, KY 40202 502-561-8300 12:30—1:15 PM Lunch provided by Bellarmine 1:30—3:00 PM Apocalypse & Violence
July-August 2008 Page 5 Guatemalans emigrate – and cooperate – to find hope by Emily Brown Family survival is therefore the main reason for emigration, all the more necessary as This summer’s Witness for Peace delega- the average family has seven members. About tion to Guatemala (June 12 to 20) was an enlight- five million Guatemalans or 40 percent of the ening and enriching experience for all 12 mem- population depend on remittances which amount bers of the delegation. Our focus was on the to $4.1 billion a year; still 60 percent of the causes of emigration from Guatemala to the U.S. population falls below the poverty line and and the phrase “connecting the dots” was used as lives on $1-to-2 a day. The significance of a principal theme. We wanted to find out why over remittances is even more evident when one million Guatemalans (10 percent of the popu- compared with the total value of exports, which lation) have felt it necessary to undertake the is $4.2 billion. arduous and risky journey to the U.S. Naturally, some remittances are also spent For many, the cost is extremely high and on non-essentials such as televisions, cell phones, can mean death or dismemberment, especially refrigerators and construction, but it is what is if they take the “train of death” from Chiapas on known as a “retransfer of value” economy. Money the southern border of Mexico north to Oaxaca. is earned by emigrants at low wages and is then If lucky, someone will pay from $5,000 to spent on items produced by large multinationals $10,000 to a good “coyote,” or smuggler of which have helped place them in a situation of people, then will make the trip successfully, poverty. While there is no official government cross the border and secure a job. sanction of emigration, some government officials Most, however, are much less fortunate view emigrants as “heroes.” and if not killed or injured, will be captured, The money they send back is directed to detained, and deported. (The publication banks, large businesses, cell phone companies, Entremundos reports that only 17 out of 200 financial and construction companies and thus Guatemalans that leave on a daily basis for helps stimulate the economy. Unfortunately, it — photo courtesy Emily Brown Mexico actually get to the U.S.) Such was the does little to help those who need it most. case of Lucio, a 15-year old whom we met, Guatemala is known to have the most Mayans from Cajola, Guatemala join Americans on a delegation along with his parents, in the town of Cajola. inequitable distribution of land in the Western (including, at left, longtime Louisville activist Father Jim Flynn) in After spending several days in a detention Hemisphere, the Network in Solidarity with the June. They are in front of a community center built by an emigrant to facility where he was given very little sustenance, People of Guatemala, an NGO, has found. Claudia the U.S. who returned. as well as being shackled, he was sent back to Samayoa, Director of Human Rights’ Defenders, Guatemala and met at the airport by his parents. has said land was basically given to 110 families The majority, however, are not fortunate during the time of colonization by the Spanish. spiritual ceremony and then heard from a former to benefit others so that they could earn a decent enough to have a loving family to receive them Even following the Declaration of Independence emigrant who had returned to Cajola with enough living and not have to make the trek northward. and help them resettle. This is why the Episcopal in 1871, this “feudal system” continued. money to build a solid two-story home. Another interesting experience on our trip Conference of Guatemala has founded the Vagrants were required to work for free Cajola is a town of about 16,000 people, to Xela was a visit to the Santa Anita coffee Centro Pastoral de Atencion al Migrante in for large landowners for many years, a practice 6,000 of whom have emigrated to the U.S. (It is cooperative about two hours outside the city. order to provide a haven for at least three days, officially banned by law in 1945. Agriculture is easy to see the impact of remittances by The cooperative is farmed by former if necessary, to those deported as well as serving still extremely important for the economy of observing the number of concrete block homes “guerrilleros,” guerilla fighters in the civil war, as a stopover for those emigrating. Guatemala and more than 50 percent of Guate- that have replaced the previous tin-roof and their families. The organization emphasizes that it is by malans rely on it for their livelihood, but a mere dwellings.) After returning, however, the former The farm produces only organic coffee, and no means encouraging emigration and it warns five percent of the population (two percent of emigrant decided that he really did not need our visit made all of us appreciate the time and of the hardships. We visited one of its facilities, labor necessary in this type of production. Each called the Casa Migrante, which was located in family has its own plot parceled out by a lottery. Guatemala City. The organization has other Some have been able to be self-sufficient shelters in Guatemala and Mexico. Increasing President Arbenz had initiated a program of land reform that while others have had to seek additional work numbers of Guatemalans are being deported outside the community. After the visit we heard from the U.S.; one source placed it as high as would have brought about a more equitable distribution of land, from one of the members about worsening 11,000 over the past six months economic conditions influenced by low salaries, While it is well known that Guatemala en- but this was opposed by the United Fruit Company and a CIA lack of job opportunities and lack of education. dured a brutal civil war lasting for 36 years (1960 According to our speaker, only 40 out of 100 to 1996), it seems to have been a civil war that orchestrated coup was the result. Guatemalans complete elementary school and 20 received less press in the U.S. than the civil wars percent finish secondary school. About 50 per- in Nicaragua and El Salvador. The Iran-Contra cent of those continue to the university level. affair put Nicaragua on the front pages and U.S. farmers) control 65 percent of the arable land. such a nice house and decided to construct a Fortunately, the cooperative does provide aid to the government of El Salvador was openly Of the other 95 percent, 80 percent are community center instead. an elementary and secondary school for children publicized, but the role of the U.S. in Guatemala peasant farmers whose plots of land are too small In addition to the center there has been a in the community. Coffee from Santa Anita is was probably less visible to most U.S. citizens. for them to subsist off what they produce. The women’s cooperative established to raise exported to Heine Brothers. The cooperative It was preceded with our helping to over- most fertile land is in the southeast section of the chickens and sell eggs. All profits are divided accepts volunteers to help with clearing and throw the elected government of Jacobo Arbenz country and belongs to the wealthiest families. among the 25 women in the cooperative. The planting, as well as the harvesting of beans, all in 1954. President Arbenz had initiated a pro- While emigrants are from all over project currently consists of one large structure of which is done entirely by hand. gram of land reform that would have brought Guatemala most come from densely populated with about 1,000 chickens, but the project has about a more equitable distribution of land, but areas such as Xela, a region in the altiplano, been immensely successful and there are plans Part two of Emily Brown’s piece, slated this was opposed by the United Fruit Company where there are 793 people, mostly campesinos, to house another 4,000 chickens. for the September FORsooth, will look at the and a CIA orchestrated coup was the result. per square kilometer. Such areas also lack good There are also plans for a sewing and murder of a Roman Catholic bishop and the The purpose of the delegation was not to roads and have less fertile land. weaving project which would give women the effects of the Central American Free Trade study the war itself, but we were made aware of One of our most interesting visits was to opportunity to make items with native Mayan Agreement (CAFTA). Brown, of Louisville, some of the long-lasting effects of U.S. policy Cajola, about one and one-half hours from designs and fabrics. What was truly exciting teaches Spanish at Providence High School in during this epoch and we learned about the thou- Quetzaltenango (Xela). Here we attended a Mayan was to see someone invest his time and resources Clarksville, Ind. sands of people who were tortured, killed or disappeared by Guatemalan forces. Many of these forces had been armed by the U.S. government or trained at the School of the Americas. By the time the war ended, more than 200,000 people had been tortured, killed or disappeared. Many of these were Mayans who 40th Anniversary of the Israeli were killed during the genocide of 1981 to 1983. Peace Accords were officially signed in 1996 and were intended to address some of the Military Occupation of the West Bank, social, political and economic problems that brought on the war. Unfortunately, however, the Guatemalan Congress has never ratified the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem them, and in a referendum in1999, amendments containing some of the accord’s provisions were defeated by the Guatemalan voters. June 1967-June 2007 Our first official meeting was with the executive director of INCEDES (Central American Institute for Social Studies and Call upon the U.S. to act with courage and determination Development), an organization that studies emigration and gathers statistics about migrants and their communities. According to the to end the occupation and secure a state of Palestine executive director, emigration is the responsibility of Guatemala because the reasons beside the state of Israel for emigration are partly the government’s fault. Concentrated ownership of land, scarcity of jobs and low salaries are all “push factors” at the VIGIL that propel people to the north. A typical day’s wage for an agricultural worker in Guatemala is $5-to-7, and the same amount can be typically earned per hour in the U.S. Every Friday: 12 Noon Ð 1:00 PM According to the Migration Policy Institute, 48.7 percent of remittances, money Corner of 6th Street & Broadway sent home from emigrants to the U.S., are used mainly for food and other essentials of the Louisville, Kentucky family budget. Goods and services use up another 20.6 percent, savings and investments Louisville Committee for Israeli/Palestinian States (502.451.5658) www.louisvillepeace.org/twostates.html absorb 15.2 percent and the remaining 15.4 percent is spent on education and health. Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR)/Louisville Chapter (502.458.8056) www.louisville-for.org American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)/Kentucky Chapter (502.893.9828) www.adckentucky.com
Page 6 FORsooth Would the right recoil, or rejoice over an Obama win? I can already hear George F. Will vote similarly said: so much for anti- believed by a boss could easily rise to the clicking away at his keyboard, his thesaurus Semitism. Isn’t Obama’s win the same surface if a job interviewee were named at his side, eager to tell millions of episode for blacks? O’Bryan or Greenberg, but what about newspaper readers the real meaning of the Anti-Catholic bias, however, was on seeing someone with those monikers 2008 election outcome. its last legs by 1960, and, I also am happy walking down the sidewalk, or moving in Likewise for Matt Labash, R. Emmett to observe — at least from my gentile next door or sitting at the lunch counter? Tyrrell Jr. and the rest of the ardent right- perspective — that anti-Semitism had Would the reaction have been at all as wing press. drastically declined by the time the great as the hostile and violent responses to And oh, won’t black conservatives Connecticut senator was tapped by Al Gore African-Americans doing these simple like Ward Connerly, Larry Elder and the 40 years later. things to which they were entitled? Hoover Institution’s Thomas Sowell It’s still around, but consider the I don’t want to be misunderstood. emphatically join in on this reverse spin on national furor when Louisville native Louis Barack Obama being elected president the election (should it happen) of Barack Brandeis became the first Jew on the U.S. would be a giant step forward. However, Obama: If America has just hired a black Supreme Court, barely overcoming a far from portending the end of affirmative man to be president, then we clearly don’t feature of that institution they despise, bigoted backlash to win confirmation. action, the advent of a black president need…. You know what. affirmative action. Compare that to Stephen Breyer’s and Ruth would show the value of it. The federal government, Will and the What does this say about that same Bader Ginsburg’s confirmations – did Let us be mindful of how affirmative others shall say, makes restaurant owners populous’ ability to hire minorities fairly anybody care about religion any more than action’s bringing blacks and whites together and car repair shops hire a certain in the offices, shops and factories of in the confirmations of Antonin Scalia or — as co-workers, classmates, bosses and percentage of minorities because the effects America without any prompting from John Roberts? employees Ð has lessened the suspicions of generations of official discrimination Washington, they will ask just hours after Prejudice against Irish, Catholics or and stereotypes and fostered a level of trust and segregation make the white mind the election, using its outcome to launch a Jews, I would further tell those equating an between the races impossible during the unable to open the doors of power to blacks. drive against affirmative action before Obama win in November with a sign that days of job and academic discrimination. But look what door was just opened to anything on Obama’s actual agenda can affirmative action should cease, waned And that trust, as much as anything, an African American (perceived to be such get moving. largely because of intermarriage and just may be what allows enough whites to if not fully ethnically) by a nation 75 percent After all, they’ll remind us, JFK’s because those groups — even before check the name “Obama” on their ballots white without candidate Obama receiving election largely extinguished anti-Catholic nuptials commonly spanned ethnicitiesÐ in November and make history. any help whatsoever from quotas, set- discrimination and Joe Lieberman running weren’t as easy to identify. asides, goals and timetables or any other on a ticket that finished first in the popular Yes, I know that negative stereotypes Contact George Morrison at [email protected].
A ray of hope may be on the way for deserters in Canada. In the case of a favorable IS CANADA CLOSING outcome for Joshua Key, the Federal Court stated that the regular abuse of Iraqi civilians ITS DOOR? at the hands of the U.S.military are systematic violations of the Geneva Conventions, and should be a basis for granting refugee status In our April 2008 issue we spoke hopefully of the Canadian lenient policy toward Iraq deserters. Some 200 deserters were said to PASTORS FOR PEACE CARAVAN have found an uncertain haven in Canada. While the Canadian government does not RETURNS FROM CUBA grant asylum, still it had not moved to deport Members of the 19th US/CUBA Friendshipment Caravan returned via Mexico on July any of these deserters. In fact, on June 3, 2008, the Canadian 14 after challenging the US blockade on travel to Cuba and delivering nearly 100 tons of humanitarian aid to that island nation — but not without some harrassment. On the way Parliament passed an historic motion to down, authorities had seized the computers that were an important part of the shipment. officially welcome war resisters! This action, however, may have triggered an unfavorable Now on the way back, when they crossed through Mexico and reached the US border at Hidalgo, TX, the 32 computers that had been seized were handed over. This as a result of constant response. For it now appears that the pressure from communities all across the U.S. Nevertheless, the question arose as to how to get Conservative government of Canada may be disregarding the motion. We have an Associated Press report (7-17-08) stating that a U.S. Army deserter, Robin the computers over to the Mexican side. The determined caravanistas then hand-carried the computers across the International Bridge from Hidalgo, Texas into Reynosa, Mexico. Long, who fled to Canada three years ago, was deported on July 15, 2008. This marks the The computers were then sent from Reynosa on to Cuba, which means that every item first time a resister to the U.S. war effort in Iraq has been removed from Canada. He was taken to Fort Carson, Colorado, according to a report from www.couragetoresist.org Long, of the nearly 100 tons of humanitarian aid collected by the caravan from all across the United States was donated to Cuba. 25, a native of Boise, Idaho, fled to Canada in 2005 to avoid serving in Iraq. He said he sought In his final statement, Rev. Lucius Walker, Jr., executive director of IFCO/Pastors for refuge because the U.S. Army wanted him to participate in what he calls an “illegal war of aggression in Iraq.” Courage to Resist has made legal representation available to Robin, and Peace, said: “Even now, our work is not complete until this mean-spirited, foolish, petty, counterproductive, immoral blockade against our Cuban sisters and brothers is ended.” will be doing everything possible to provide him with full support. While in Cuba, the caravanistas visited different provinces, homes for the elderly, and Another report came in the July FOR newsletter from Spokane, WA. Corey Glass, 25, an Iraq war veteran and a sergeant in the Indiana National Guard, was scheduled to be health care sites. They also visited the Latin American School of Medicine where young people from 30 nations of the Americas and Africa are studying medicine on full scholarship deported on July 10th. A massive protest was organized and ten thousand letters were sent in order to serve as physicians in their home countries. More than 100 students in this to Canadian officials with the message, “Dear Canada, Abide by the June 3rd Resolution. Let U.S. War Resisters Stay!” Actions were quickly organized at 14 Canadian Consulates program are from medically under-served communities in the United States. in the U.S. In a surprising victory, a Canadian Federal Court granted Corey a last minute reprieve of at least several months while his lawyers are given an opportunity to appeal earlier negative rulings. NEW NUKES LOSE: THANK YOUR Recently in Louisville, our media has focused on resister James Burmeister of Eugene, Oregon who went through a court martial at Fort Knox and was sentenced to six REPRESENTATIVE months in the stockade plus a bad conduct discharge. James, 23, was serving in Baghdad Good news! By one of the widest margins in years, the House has rejected the when his humvee was hit by a roadside bomb. He was knocked unconscious and bits of administration’s request to build a new nuclear weapon. By a bipartisan vote of 271 to 145, shrapnel were embedded in his face. Suffering from his physical and emotional wounds the House refused to add money for the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) to its resulting from his injuryy, and his experiences working with “bait and kill” teams in Iraq, military authorization bill. This vote is particularly important because the RRW would have James went AWOL and fled to Canada. Earlier this year he decided to return to the US, turn been the first new U.S. nuclear weapon in two decades. himself in and move on with his life. Burmeister and his family felt devastated upon hearing The Senate still needs to act on its funding bills, so the RRW is not dead yet. But thanks the harsh sentence. Read more at www.couragetoresist.org to your help, chances are good that the Senate will follow the House’s lead and refuse to fund the program. (From Kathy Guthrie, Friends Committee on National Legislation, June 26, 2008. E-mail: [email protected] Help make THIRD ANNUAL PEACE ESSAY CONTEST PLANNED the dream of The Louisville Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) is making plans now to sponsor another peace essay contest for high school students. The contest is designed to justice and peace help students thoughtfully consider and frame peaceful alternatives for solving difficult international conflicts, while improving their writing and critical thinking skills. Cash awards and certificates will be presented to the winners at a school assembly. a reality. Details are coordinated by FOR’s Aim Higher Committee. Your help is needed in suggesting names and contact information of high school principals and teachers who can help us develop and promote the 2009 contest. Please contact Ellen Schagene, [email protected], or Chris Harmer, [email protected] or Jim Johnson, Join the Fellowship of [email protected] The Committee felt highly rewarded for its efforts when they received the following Reconciliation thank-you note from Irina Markina who won third place for her essay “Planting the Seeds of Peace in Iran.” She wrote: LOCAL CONTACT: “I’d like to thank the Fellowship of Reconciliation and all of the people who make it possible for providing me with an opportunity to be published in FORsooth as well Fellowship of Reconciliation / Louisville Chapter as for inspiring me to learn more about the world. Writing this essay led me to 2236 Kaelin Avenue / Louisville, Kentucky 40205 understand just how valuable peace is to the world and how much it could benefit the [email protected] 502-458-8056 entire global society. Thanks to organizations like the Fellowship of Reconciliation more people will appreciate peace and help spread this concept to others. Thank you!”
July-August 2008 Page 7 Calendar for peacemakers July 26 (Sat) BRADEN CENTER ANNUAL OPEN Aug 25 (Mon) F.O.R. STEERING COMMITTEE. Regular Meeting Times for HOUSE. Free backyard BBQ, youth presentations, and Presbyterian Seminary, 1044 Alta Vista Road. Meets good company! This event is dedicated to the memory every fourth Monday. Visitors encouraged. Call Dennis Area Organizations of Alice Wade. 3208 West Broadway, 1-5 PM. Donations Bricking, 298-0590, or Pat Geier, 456-6586. ADDICTION RECOVERY ADVOCATES OF to the Braden Center and the Kentucky Alliance are Aug 26 (Tue) KCADP (Ky Coalition to Abolish the Death KENTUCKIANA Ð 2nd Thursday (585-3375) welcome. For more information, call Shameka at 502- Penalty) every last Tuesday. Highland Presbyterian AIDS INTERFAITH MINISTRIES (AIM) OF 619-8294, or email: [email protected]. Church, 1011 Cherokee Rd, 6:30 pm. Call Kaye KENTUCKIANA, INC. Ð 1st Tuesday (574-6085 or 574-6086) July 27 (Sun) SUSTAINABLE LOCAL PUBLIC Gallagher, 721-8885 or Mark Meade, 541-9998, E-mail: AMERICA 2000 DEMOCRATIC CLUB Ð POLICY. Meets each Sunday at 2 PM at the Legal [email protected]. 4th Tuesday (459-0616) Aid Society, 416 W. Muhammad Ali. Become a part Aug 28 (Thurs) FORsooth LABELING at Beverley AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND of this grassroots movement bringing principles of Marmion’s, 6:30 pm. We need you for one hour! Please STATE Ð 3rd Thursday, every other month at noon (608-7517) sustainability into local public policy. Meetings also stop by and socialize while your fingers do the work. held Monday evenings. For more information, please Call 451-5658. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Ð 1st Saturday (637-8951) contact: [email protected]. Sept 28 (Sun) LOUISVILLE AIDS WALK 2008. For APPAF (American Palestine Public Affairs Forum) Ð July 28 (Mon) PIZZA a la Heart, All you can eat Pizza more information about the walk, visit: 2nd Thursday (895-8155) Buffet. Benefit for AIDS Interfaith Ministries of www.louisvilleaidswalk.org. BREAD FOR THE WORLD Ð 1st Tuesday (239-4317) Kentuckiana (AIM). Clifton’s Pizza, 2230 Frankfort Oct 10-12 (Fri-Sun) KFTC ANNUAL MEETING. Held CAPA (Citizens Against Police Abuse) Ð Ave, 6:00 -9:30pm. Tickets $12; $6 for children 10 and at the Kentucky Leadership Center in Jabez, Ky. Family- 2nd Thursday (778-8130) under. Call Janet Mann, 574-6086, or Paige Gottlieb, friendly atmosphere! Relax, meet new people, visit old CART (Coalition for the Advancement of Regional 377-4196. Tickets also at the door. Enjoy music, door friends, learn about KFTC, share stories, dance, listen Transportation) Ð 3rd Wednesday, 1578 Bardstown Road prizes, good food, and fun. to music, attend workshops, and have fun! For more (895-5172) July 28 (Mon) SUSTAINABLE LOCAL PUBLIC information, visit: http://www.kftc.org/. CLOUT [Citizens of Louisville Organized and POLICY. Meets each Monday at 6 PM at the Center Oct 12 (Sun) FUNERAL CONSUMERS ALLIANCE OF Working Together] -(583-1267) for Neighborhoods, 610 South Fourth Street, #701. GREATER LOUISVILLE, annual meeting. Speakers COMMITTEE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Ð Become a part of this grassroots movement bringing will be Evelyn Glass from Kentucky Organ Donor Affili- 2nd Monday (456-6586) principles of sustainability into local public policy. ates ( KODA) and Steve Anderson from UofL Dept of COMMON CAUSE Ð 1st Tuesday, every other month Meetings also held Sunday afternoons. For more Anatomical Sciences & Neurobiology — Body Bequeathal (454-7797) information, please contact: [email protected]. Program. Main Library, 4th & York Sts. Call 499-8043 July 30 (Wed) DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR or visit: www.funerals.org/louisville. COMMUNIST PARTY USA Ð First Sunday at 5:00 PM (384-3875) NOVEMBER PEACE DELEGATION TO IRAN. Oct 15 (Wed) “DZOGCHEN—THE GREAT Sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation. PERFECTION.” Public talk and introduction featuring COMMUNITY FARM ALLIANCE OF JEFFERSON Tentative delegation dates are Nov. 15-30, 2008. For the Venerable Tsoknyi Rinpoche. Gardencourt, COUNTY Ð 2nd Tuesday (775-4041) more information, visit: www.forusa.org/programs/iran/ Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 7 PM. CONVERSATION CAFE Ð Wednesday evenings (560-0085) or contact Leila Zand, Iran Program Director, at 845- For more information, visit: http://pyus.com/client/fv/ COUNTER RECRUITMENT, “Aim Higher” – 358-4601 or [email protected]. 2008b.html or contact the Fons Vitae coordinator at Second Sunday (893-2334) July 31ÐAug 3 (Thurs-Sun) CREATION SPIRITUALITY [email protected]. EARTH SAVE LOUISVILLE Ð 2nd Saturday (569-1876) COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE. Featuring Matthew Oct 16 (Thurs) ACLU OF KY BILL OF RIGHTS FAIRNESS CAMPAIGN Ð Quarterly community dialogues Fox, author of Original Blessing and The Coming of the DINNER. 5:30 PM-9:00 PM. The Henry Clay, and volunteer opportunities (893-0788) Cosmic Christ, and Nancy Abrams, author of The View Louisville. Join us for an evening of dynamic FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION Ð from the Center of the Universe. DePauw University, In- presentations focusing on our past, present and future 4th Monday (451-6638 or 895-8516) diana. For more information or to register, please visit: vision for protecting civil liberties in Kentucky. For www.creationspirituality.info/Events.html. more information, details will be posted at: www.aclu- FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF LOUISVILLE Ð 2nd Tuesday (893-8436) Aug 2 (Sat) POETRY SLAM CELEBRATING JAMES ky.org, or call 502-581-9746. BALDWIN. Expressions of You Coffee Shop, 5:30 Oct 16-19 (Thurs-Sun) “DZOGCHEN—THE GREAT GREATER LOUISVILLE SIERRA CLUB Ð PMÐ8 PM. Poets from across Metro Louisville will PERFECTION: A Retreat with the Venerable Tsoknyi 3rd Tuesday (897-3335) participate and men from MENSWORK will read from Rinpoche on the Nature of Mind.” Law’s Lodge. For HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Ð Wednesdays, Thursdays, James Baldwin’s works. For more information or to more information or to register, visit: http://pyus.com/ Fridays & Saturdays (637-6265) purchase tickets, contact MENSWORK through Rus client/fv/2008b.html or contact the Fons Vitae INTERFAITH PATHS TO PEACE Ð 1st Tuesday (214-7322) Funk at 494-9044 or [email protected]. Tickets can also coordinator at [email protected]. JOBS WITH JUSTICE KENTUCKY (582-5454) be purchased at Expressions of You Coffee Shop. Oct 18 (Sat) “RACE, POVERTY, AND HEALTHCARE.” JURISDICTIONARY CLUB OF LOUISVILLE Ð Aug 6 (Wed) HIROSHIMA OBSERVANCE. Leafleting Featuring Dr. Adewale Troutman, Director of Louisville Know the law and how to use it (500-8161) and readings from John Hersey’s book HIROSHIMA. Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. 9 AMÐ JUSTICE RESOURCE CENTER Ð 3rd Saturday (562-6737) 4th & Muhammad Ali (Merton Square). 11:00 - 2:00. 3 PM. Church of the Epiphany, 914 Old Harrods Creek Contact Terry Taylor, 299-7591 or email: Road. For more information or to register, call Mary Ann KFTC [KENTUCKIANS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH] Ð [email protected]. Stenger, 425-5473. 2nd Monday (589-3188) Aug 9 (Sat) PEAK OIL. Every 2nd Saturday, Main Oct 19 (Sun) 30TH ANNIVERSAY HUNGER WALK. KY ALLIANCE AGAINST RACIST & POLITICAL Library, 4th & York, Mezzanine, Boardroom. 9:00 AM. Sponsored by the Dare to Care Food Bank and REPRESSION Ð 3rd Monday (778-8130) Call George Perkins, 425-6645. Kentuckiana Interfaith Community. For more KY COALITION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY Ð Aug 9 (Sat) NAGASAKI OBSERVANCE. Candle information or to register, contact Lauren Hensley, 966- Last Tuesday (541-9998) Floating Ceremony at the lake in Cherokee Park, 3821, or visit: www.thehungerwalk.org. KITLAC (KY INTERFAITH TASKFORCE ON LATIN Grinstead Drive and Lexington Road, 8:00 pm. Contact Oct 24 (Fri) ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN) Ð 2nd Wednesday (479-9262) Terry Taylor, 299-7591. [email protected]. NATIONS. Celebrate by urging your member of KY RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION Ð (245-2272) Aug 10 (Sun) “AIM HIGHER” focusing on military Congress to support US funding for the UN. It provides LOUISVILLE COMMITTEE FOR ISRAELI/PALESTINIAN counter-recruitment. Every 2nd Sunday at 7:00 PM, a much needed forum to resolve global disputes and STATES Ð 3rd Sunday (451-5658) 2236 Kaelin Avenue at the FOR office. This group address transnational problems such as extreme poverty, LOUISVILLE PEAK OIL GROUP Ð 2nd Saturday (425-6645) welcomes invitations to speak about conscientious weapons proliferation, climate change and disease. objection, military recruitment, and the possibility for Nov 7-8 (Fri-Sat) “GOD AND EMPIRE: The Normalcy of LPAC (LOUISVILLE PEACE ACTION COMMUNITY) Ð high school students to “opt out” of having their names Violence and the Ambiguity of Bible.” Ecumenical Lec- 3rd Thursday (558-9124) given to recruiters. Call Chris Harmer, 893-2334. ture Series, featuring John Dominic Crossan. Bellarmine LOUISVILLE WOMEN CHURCH Ð [email protected]. University. $20. For details on the lecture schedule or to Meditation 1st & 3rd Sundays (473-8435) Aug 13 (Wed) KITLAC (Ky Interfaith Taskforce on register online visit : www.midkentuckypresbytery.org. LOUISVILLE YOUTH GROUP Ð Friday nights Latin America and the Caribbean). Every second Nov 20-24 (Thurs-Mon) “VIGIL TO CLOSE THE U.S. (893-0788), www.louisvilleyouthgroup.org Wednesday at the Presbyterian Seminary. 7:30 pm. Call ARMY’S SCHOOL OF THE ASSASINS.” Thou- METRO SWEEP FOR ACCESS Ð 3rd Tuesday David Horvath, 479-9262, or Pat Geier, 456-6586. sands will gather at the gates of Fort Benning in Geor- (895-0866 or 899-9261) Aug 14 (Thurs) APPAF (American Palestine Public Affairs gia for the vigil and the nonviolent direct action to close METROPOLITAN HOUSING COALITION Ð Forum). Meets every second Thursday. Award-winning the School of the Americas. More information to come! 4th Wednesday (584-6858) documentary: “Occupation 101: Voices of the Silenced MIGHTY KINDNESS Ð [email protected] Majority.” 7:30 PM, League of Women Voters, 115 S OUT OF TOWN EVENTS (235-0711) Ewing. For more information, call Bashar Masri, 773-1836. Sept 14 (Sun) FESTIVAL OF PEACE, by the Hudson. MUHAMMAD ALI INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND Aug 17 (Sun) LOUISVILLE COMMITTEE FOR JUSTICE, at UL (852-6372) ISRAELI/PALESTINIAN STATES. Meets every Fourth Annual Festival of Peace sponsored by the third Sunday. First Unitarian Church, 4th & York Streets, Fellowship of Reconciliation in Nyack, NY. Music, NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Ð 3rd Monday (776-7608) 3:00 PM. Call Beverley Marmion, 451-5658. multi-media art exhibition, food, fun, families, festivities, plus the awarding of FOR’s annual Dr. King NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) Ð Peace Award and also the Pfeffer International Peace 2nd Monday (245-5287) Aug 18 (Mon) DEADLINE FOR THE SEPTEM- Prize. For more information, contact: 845-358-4601, PARENTS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND BER ISSUE OF FORsooth. Contact George ext. 22. [email protected] GAYS (P-FLAG) Ð 3rd Sunday (329-0229) Morrison, editor, 944-6460, E-mail:[email protected] Oct 18-28 WITNESS FOR PEACE, Delegation to Colom- PEACE & COMPASSION BUDDHA CIRCLE/CML Ð Note: Please email new or updated calendar list- bia. “GLOBALIZATION AND COFFEE: The Impact (451-2193, [email protected]) ings to [email protected], or call Nikki of Free Trade and Fair Trade on Colombian Farm- RCRC [Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice] Ð at 451-3402. ers.” Application due by August 22, along with deposit (866-606-0988) of $150. Cost $1,350 includes deposit, plus airfare to RESULTS (a hunger lobby) Ð 2nd Saturday (451-4907) Colombia. Apply online: www.witnessforpeace.org/ Aug 21 (Thurs) KENTUCKY SINGLE PAYER travel/application.html Sponsored by the Equal Exchange SINGLE WOMEN’S GROUP – 3rd Sunday (812-866-1667) HEALTH CARE, every third Thursday, 5:30 PM. Main Interfaith Program and Witness for Peace. For more in- 911 TRUTH LOUISVILLE (502-609-6020) Library, 4th & York Streets, Mezzanine Board Room. formation call Anna Utech, 774-776-7411. US DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CAMPAIGN OF KY Ð Call Kay Tillow, 636-1551. [email protected] Learn about the historical 3rd Sunday (472-1772) Aug 21 (Thurs) LPAC (Louisville Peace Action context of Colombia and the economic and political roots YOUNG DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS Ð Community) every third Thursday evening. Douglass of the inequality and conflict that exist in Colombia to- every Friday at 2:30 PM (712-2338) Blvd Christian Church, 7:00 pm. Call Judy Munro- day. Visit an indigenous coffee cooperative. Stay in homes Leighton, 456-6914. Website: www.louisvillepeace.org of coffee farmers. Meet with experts and activists to hear Note: If your group would like to be added to this list or if information E-mail: [email protected]. their analyses of US policy in Colombia. needs to be updated, please let us know by calling 458-8056.