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Military recruiting and counter-recruiting at Western Washington University
(pics by Phil at Midline Design)
current programs  

The Whatcom Peace and Justice Center has representatives come to Mt. Baker High School and stay during our lunches. I wanted to let you know how much I respect and appreciate what you all do. You are making a difference in our school by opening the eyes of many students. Many people at my school have changed their opinions on war after meeting you, other students who were thinking about enlisting in the military have decided otherwise. Thank you for your time you are truly making a difference!
Student at Mt. Baker High School, Whatcom County

ALTERNATIVES TO MILITARY SERVICE: Since 2002, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center has been offering high school youth vital information on the reality of military promises and war; nonviolent career and educational alternatives; and becoming a Conscientious Objector. Veterans and other volunteers table once per quarter in each of Whatcom County’s high schools.

By offering housing, healthcare, and exorbitant bonuses, the military may seem like an attractive option. But many youth feel forced to join because of lack of skills and money for college. WPJC gives them options.

 

Hundreds to gather for Bellingham’s fifth annual
International Day of Peace!!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 11, 2008

WHEN:           Sunday, September 21, 2008, 4-6pm
WHERE:         First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Avenue

Hundreds will gather in solidarity with people around the world as the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center hosts its 5th Annual International Day of Peace on Sunday, September 21st in Bellingham. In 1982, the United Nations declared this day an annual worldwide 24-hour cease-fire to envision what our world can look like without weapons, violence, and oppression. Bellingham’s International Day of Peace brings together hundreds of people each year for an inspiring event that will be followed by a half-mile peace march to Maritime Heritage Park for a short rally and concert with musician Robert Sarazin Blake.

This year’s event features Internationally-known humanitarian Kathy Kelly, the 90-member Kulshan Chorus, a concurrent Children’s Peace Art Program, and the presentation of the Howard Harris Lifetime Peacemaker Award. Lummi musician Swil Kanim will be the Master of Ceremonies.

“International Day of Peace is a community celebration of nonviolence, resistance and hope,” said Executive Director Marie Marchand. “We are privileged to be hosting Kathy Kelly. She embodies fierce courage, gentle power, and hope.” 

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Kathy Kelly co-founded Voices in the Wilderness, a campaign that worked to end the UN/US sanctions against the people of Iraq. She has been to Iraq twenty four times since January 1996, and stayed there through the US bombing campaign in March 2003. Kathy has also participated in nonviolent direct action teams in Haiti, Bosnia, Lebanon, and the West Bank of Palestine. She recently returned from Amman, Jordan, where she worked with Iraqi refugees. Her articles appear regularly on www.Truthout.org.    

The peace march will lead to Maritime Heritage Park for a short rally with emcee Robert Sarazin Blake.  Speakers for the rally will be activist Sarah Bjorknas of the War Resisters Support Campaign in Vancouver, BC; local immigrant rights activist Porfiria Gonzales; and Nick Spring of the Bellingham Sanctuary Movement for War Resisters.   

The day’s events are co-sponsored by twenty-five local businesses, organizations, and faith communities. Everyone is welcome.


Kathy Kelly, Keynote Speaker
International Day of Peace
Sunday, September 21, 2008

Whatcom Peace & Justice Center is proud and honored to welcome humanitarian, activist, and educator Kathy Kelly as our 2008 Keynote Speaker on International Day of Peace. This will be WPJC’s fifth annual observance of this United Nations holiday.

Kathy helped initiate Voices in the Wilderness, a campaign to end the UN/US sanctions against Iraq and bring medicine and toys to Iraqi children. Voices in the Wilderness organized 70 delegations to Iraq in the period between 1996 and the beginning of the “Operation Shock and Awe” warfare in March 2003. She has been to Iraq twenty four times since January 1996.

In October 2002, Voices in the Wilderness declared their intent to remain in Baghdad, alongside Iraqi civilians, throughout a war they still hoped they could prevent. Kelly and the team stayed in Baghdad throughout the bombardment and invasion and maintained a household in Baghdad until March, 2004. During 2007, she spent five months in Amman, Jordan, living amongst Iraqis who’ve fled their homes and are seeking resettlement.

Kelly helped organize and participated in nonviolent direct action teams in Haiti (summer of 1994), Bosnia (August, 1993, December, 1992) and Iraq (Gulf Peace Team, 1991). In April of 2002, she was among the first internationals to visit the Jenin camp, where conventional military forces of the Israeli Defense Force had destroyed over 100 civilian homes in the Occupied West Bank.

She and three companions from Voices were in Beirut, Lebanon during the final days of the Israel-Hezbollah war in the summer of 2006 and subsequently reported from southern Lebanon following a ceasefire.

In 1988 she was sentenced to one year in prison for planting corn on nuclear missile silo sites. Kelly served nine months of the sentence in a maximum security prison in Kentucky.

In the spring of 2004, she served three months at Pekin federal prison for crossing the line as part of an ongoing effort to close an army military combat training school at Fort Benning, GA.

She currently helps coordinate the Voices for Creative Nonviolence campaign. www.vcnv.org

GI RIGHTS HOTLINE: 1-800-394-9544
A telephone hotline for military personnel wanting information about military discharges, grievance and complaint procedures, and other civil rights.

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION: WPJC also offers information and support on Conscientious Objection (CO): What is CO? How do I claim CO status? How does the draft work? This is information they will not otherwise receive from their schools.

INFORMATION SHEET: Click here for an information sheet on the Draft and Conscientious Objection to war:

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: WPJC worked with the Bellingham School District to implement an “equal access” policy for WPJC and the military. Thanks to this partnership, high school students get exposed to enriching, exciting, and nonviolent opportunities for their futures.

TO VOLUNTEER: Contact WPJC at (360) 734-0217 to schedule an orientation.

Responding to World Events: We host, support, and co-sponsor vigils, marches, and educational events throughout the year in response to changing world and local events

Listserv: Calendar of events in the local community, including action alerts & volunteer opportunities.

Resource Center: Volunteers offer support and resources to seasoned activists & newcomers. We offer yard signs, buttons, bumper stickers, & literature. We affirm an active open door policy.

Trainings: We provide training on Strategic Nonviolence and Alternatives to Military Service tabling.

Signature Event: We celebrate International Day of Peace on September 21.