The Racial and Economic Justice task force will host this months Dinner and a Movie event. We will watch a film documenting Jane Elliott’s controversial, startling and now famous, “Blue Eyed Brown Eyed” exercise which labels participants as inferior or superior based solely upon the color of their eyes and exposes them to the experience of being a minority. Everyone exposed to Jane Elliott’s work, be it through a lecture, workshop, or video, is dramatically affected. Come watch the film and build community around delicious food, a good film, and lively discussion.

Where: Memorial Christian Church ~ 730 Tappan St. Ann Arbor

When: Thursday, July 12, 6:30 p.m.

Why: to build community around peace and justice.

How Much: FREE!!! You are invited to bring a dish to share, but it is not required. Donations are accepted.

So the big news right now is the opening of Michael Moore’s new film, Sicko, addresses the sorry state of health coverage in the U.S.

Now, with movies like this, I always enjoy them more if I have a change to discuss them afterward.

That’s why ICPJ is organizing a post-Sicko movie discussion.

After the 7:00 p.m. showing Sicko at the Michigan Theater on Saturday, June 30 , we’ll head down the block to Cafe Ambrosia at 326 Maynard St. to talk about the movie and what to do next.

Enjoy the show!

To promote peace we have to build a movement for peace, and that means talking to people.

This year at Art Fair from July 18-21, ICPJ will have a booth where we can hawk dove buttons and bumper stickers, sign up new members, and connect with people about peace.

This is a fun way to get involved. To sign up, just call 734-663-1870 or email chuck@icpj.net The list of open shifts is available below.

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Ben and Jerry’s Foundation awards grant to Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice for program to educate about poverty and budget priorities

The Ben and Jerry’s Foundation awarded a $4,670 grant to the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice to expand and their Welcome to the State of Poverty Welfare Simulations Program. Read the rest of this entry »

ICPJ was in the Ann Arbor News twice today, once for our Dinner and a Movie (which was good), and once for recent break-ins at our office.

Since you care about ICPJ, I want you to have the full story. Read the rest of this entry »

Now is the time!

Now is the time when the Congress is about to vote on cutting funds to the School of the Americas/Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.

This is an issue we’ve been working on for years; the School of the Americas is linked to some of the works human rights abuses in Latin America. And the vote to cut funding to it will come THIS WEEK, and the vote will be close. Read the rest of this entry »

Last weekend, ICPJ led a delegation to Washington DC to tell our elected officials that we want them to get serious about ending hunger and poverty. The delegation also participated in a Bread for the World/Alliance to End Hunger Conference on hunger and poverty. Helen Simon, Charles Williams, Angela Williams, Harlivleen Bajwa, Shubita Michra, Victoria Chonn Ching, Xin Chen, Sheng Li, Haojun Zheng, and Jason Crosby were those from the Ann Arbor area who went to DC for this event.

The group lobbied for broad reform in the farm bill to reduce hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. The farm bill is only reauthorized every five years. Therefore, the effects of this bill will be felt for years to come.

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On May 26, 2007, a beloved member of the world peace community, Miyo Bassett, passed away.

For many years Miyo and her husband, David, lived in Ann Arbor and worked with ICPJ to promote peace in the world.

Miyo’s life of service is well documented in her obituary.

When I remember Miyo, I remember her helping teach children and adults how to fold origami peace cranes. She was a superb teacher, in part because of the compassion and resolve she brought to her work.

What are your memories of Miyo? Feel free to share them below or email them to chuck@icpj.net.