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CENTRAL OREGON PEACE NETWORK
Promoting peace though education, networking and advocacy.
Central Oregon Peace Network (COPN) is a regional peace education, advocacy and action group.
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2007/2008 PAST EVENTS:
MAR 25: Rev. Dr. Lerry Chase, Blaming the Victim, NAFTA and Immigration Hysteria-
APRIL 25: Betsy Lamb and Ann Havill on "Guns, Greed, and Torture, the School of the Americas Exposed and Confronted" Discussion of the history of the "School of Assassins" and the movement to close this terrorist training center. The presentation included a showing of the video "Guns and Greed".
MAY 2007 “PRISONER in LHASA” a documentary film by Marie Louville. This dvd was shown on WEDNESDAY, May 23rd Here is the story of NGAWANG SANGDROL, a Tibetan nun who was imprisoned as a teenager for her activities promoting Tibetan independence. Ms. SANGDROL spent many years in brutal Chinese prisons. This is her story-a courageous transformation from unbroken “Prisoner of Conscience” to a citizen of the USA, free to practice her Buddhist religion.
Sarah Stark, on “Awareness to Action, Ending Genocide in DARFUR, SUDAN” on THURSDAY, June 21st at 7 pm at the Central Oregon Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas in downtown BEND
Ms. Stark is the organizer in 2005 of the Portland Coalition for Genocide Awareness. In 2006, she spearheaded the first-ever Genocide Awareness Week which has became an annual event and was officially recognized by Portland’s Mayor in 2007. She is now completing her Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution at Portland State University.
This gathering will have postcards and petitions that people can sign, information summing up the crisis in Darfur, and information packets on different ways folks can get involved in ending the genocide.
TUESDAY, July 10th 2007 at 7 pm Joshua Hough, of the Christian Peacemaker Team on “Working for Peace in Israel and Palestine” a power point presentation at Central Oregon Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas in downtown BEND.
NOTE:
2007 Hiroshima shadow project in downtown Bend on August 5th. tracing shadow outlines on the sidewalk to remind people of the bomb damage in people terms in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 continuing till today. Mark your calendars!
SEPT 21, 2007: GOUDARZ EGHTEDARI and GABRIELE ROSS “Iran, the Next Dirty War” at Central Oregon Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas in downtown BEND. Dr. EGHTEDARI is a political analyst, writer, Middle East Radio Producer at KBOO and a Traffic Engineer. His writings have been published in The Oregonian, Peaceworker, Iranian.com, Payvand, and numerous Persian online magazines.
Joining Dr. EGHTEDARI in the presentation was GABRIELE ROSS, a life long peace and justice activist. She is a Substance Abuse Counselor in Vancouver, WA. Ms. ROSS recently traveled to IRAN with a Global Exchange Citizens Ambassador Tour and shared some of her thoughts regarding that trip.
OCT 25, 2007 “BURMA’S STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, AN UPDATE FROM EDITH MIRANTE”
Ms. Mirante is the author of Down the Rat Hole: Adventures on Burma’s Frontiers and is currently working on her third book on Burma. In recent weeks the struggle for democracy in Burma has made headlines as Buddhist monks and students have staged a series of demonstrations against the brutal military dictatorship there. Longtime Burma activist, Edith Mirante, will give a special briefing about the situation in Burma as well as talk about her meetings with refugees from Burma who are now scattered across Southeast Asia.
NOVEMBER 29, 2007 Philip on home rebuilding in Palestine in a program entitled “Little House on the Rubble” Phil was part of an international work team that worked with the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions to rebuild two homes in Anata, Palestine in July 2007. On the fourth day of rebuilding the Hamdan house we heard that another house in the community was going to be demolished. Our international crew watched from the seventh floor of a nearby apartment building as the Turk family home was destroyed by the Israeli Defense Forces. That evening we voted to rebuild the “little house”, the Turk family house, also which was completed a week later. In this power point presentation, Phil will talk about their experiences on this two week working trip. SEE PHOTO
THURSDAY JAN 24 2008 “JAHALIN”
A DVD describing the struggle of the JAHALIN BEDOUIN clan to remain on their land in Israel. Moved in 1950 from the
Negev Desert to an area near Jerusalem, relocated again in 1967, and moved again in the late 1990’s as a result of the growth of Israeli settlements, the JAHALIN clan fight to maintain their traditional tribal identity and nomadic way of life.
FEBRUARY 23, 2008 Rashid Gelam and Ruben Subia of the Islamic Community of Central Oregon on “Islam, a Religion of Peace” on SATURDAY, Quoting from the Qur’an, Ruben and Rashid will show that Islam is a religion of peace and has been misrepresented by extremists who don’t speak for the faithful. Mr. Gelam is an Engineer with a degree in Engineering from Lehigh University. He grew up in Malaysia but now makes his home in Bend. Mr. Subia is an American convert to Islam. A former Roman Catholic, he tells how the transition to Islam was a perfect fit for him and how he is constantly growing in his faith. The meeting is free and open to the public. Contributions will be accepted to help defray the costs of planning this event. We ask that you come to this meeting with an open mind and in the spirit of peace.
MARCH 08: “Our Stories-from veterans in the 1960’s to peace activists in their 60’s”. What happened along the way that convinced these former soldiers that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are wrong and that is their duty and responsibility to support the troops and bring them home? Four local veterans, Bob Brookover, Nate Lund, Phil Randall, and John Schwechten will tell their stories as we look for a way out of the quagmire.
APRIL 08: Another Look at Hamas with attorney, Thomas H. Nelson, who is meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, Prime Minister of Palestine, in the Occupied Territories in April 2008. Mr. Nelson restricts his practice to the defense of Native Americans as well as to defending clients in international and human rights cases.
FRIDAY, May 23, 2008 at 7pm - MARISA HANDLER, author of LOYAL TO THE SKY. 30’ish Marisa grew up in apartheid
South Africa and moved to San Francisco with her activist parents when she was 12. She is a global activist and a
crusader for peace and justice. Come hear Ms. Handler tell her amazing story of working and living with the indigenous Sarayacu in Ecuador and her activism with the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico in “Stories From the Global
Justice Frontiers”. The Central Oregon Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas in downtown BEND. Marisa will also be
performing with our own local folk star, Katie Cavanaugh.
JUNE 2008, Shannon Keith, of the International Princess Project on
“Sewing Pajamas, Restoring Dignity” WEDNESDAY, June 25, 2008
The International Princess Project’s mission is to “Advocate for enslaved prostitutes, Restore their broken lives, and Empower them to live free”. IPP accomplishes their mission through creating micro-enterprise sewing centers where former prostitutes come for safety and healing. In these sewing centers in India the women create Punjammies, drawstring pajamas sewn from beautiful Indian fabric. The pj’s are sold in the US with the profit going back toward restoring these women.
August 9, 2008 Hiroshima Shadow Project by Central Oregon Peace Network
We had done the Hiroshima Shadow Project the previous two years in downtown Bend. However, it never gets easier because it reminds us of the terrible legacy of the atomic bomb from 1945 till today. It wasn’t just the 270,000 Japanese citizens who died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and August 9, but also the thousands of American serviceman who were used as guinea pigs to determine what affect the bomb would have on a human population.
Our small, but energetic band of seven fanned out down Wall St. in downtown Bend and started drawing shadow outlines on the sidewalk. We did this to remind our citizens that when the bombs were dropped that the Japanese civilians were fused in the sidewalk as the radiation from the bomb spread throughout the city. We took turns laying down and being traced and outlining the bodies of our friends on the sidewalk. We also went in to talk to business owners to let them know the significance of our street theater, and handed them letters addressed to our two Senators about the ongoing danger posed by the nuclear arms race.
This year we sent a combined total of 35 letters to Senators Wyden and Smith in Washington, D.C.
SEPTEMBER 2008 Sheri Foster, presented on “Rising Up in India, ART powers Education in Bodhgaya at 7 pm at the Central Oregon Environmental Center Sheri and her partner, Curtis, traveled to India in 2000. While in Bodhgaya, the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, they met some temple cleaners. This chance meeting led to the couple sponsoring a small school for Dalits (Untouchables) that originally included 25 students and 2 teachers and now has grown to its present capacity of three schools serving 250 students, 9 orphans and with a staff of 14. Sheri and Curtis support the schools through innovative art projects here in Bend.
OCTOBER 2008: Sister Jackie Hudson of Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action on “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS” FRIDAY, Oct 10, 2008 at 7 pm at Central Oregon Environmental Center 16 NW Kansas, Bend.
Sister Jackie Hudson was one of 3 Dominican nuns who in 2002 “staged a symbolic act to inspect, expose and disarm the weapons of mass destruction hidden deep within American soil”. A provocative 45 minute documentary “Conviction” describes this action and explores the connections between faith and war.
After the film, Sister Jackie, who spent 3 years in federal prison for this amazing act of courage will be on hand to answer questions.
Nov 2008 Dave McDowell
of Safe Harbor International Relief “In the Battle Zone of Darfur” Wed. Nov. 19, 2008 at 7 pm Central Oregon Environmental Center
16 NW Kansas in downtown BEND Sgt. Dave Mc Dowell is a Private Investigator and former police officer. Since 1990 Sgt. McDowell has made trips to third world countries providing training to policemen to assist in the improvement of ethics, officer safety, and improving relations with the communities they serve.
In 2006 Sgt. McDowell began a program among the police in the Darfur region of Sudan which included helping with humanitarian aid efforts there. Since 2006 he has spent 74 days in dangerous or battle areas throughout Sudan and in the Darfur region. On November 19th he will be showing a short video focusing on the work of Safe Harbor and talking about his experience working with refugees in Darfur.
December 8, 2008 from 3-8 pm The WRITE-A-THON on Human Rights Day, Bend Public Library, Please join us and “Write a letter or postcard and save a life.”Getting involved means rescuing a young mother from jail in Burma, writing on behalf of a young journalist railroaded to prison in Peru, saving the lives of two women in Iran, confronting the results of the toxic tragedy in Bhopal, India, and demanding justice for victims of sexual violence in Mexico. Please stop by for 15 minutes or half and hour and get some letters off.
COPN presents the award winning film “9 STAR HOTEL” by the Israeli film director, Ido Haar.
Thursday, January 29, 6 PM Brooks Room at the Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall, Bend
In Israel’s occupied territories, thousands of Palestinians work illegally as construction laborers. At night they sleep on hillcrests in improvised huts and coffin-like sleeping cubicles. These are a stark contrast to the luxury apartments they build by day. Haar tells the story of two Palestinian friends, Ahmed and Muhammad, as they share food and stories and live under the constant threat of arrest just in order to survive. The meeting is free and open to the public, although donations to help defray the cost of the presentation are appreciated. Please consider arriving earlier to sign letters and petitions addressing human rights violations around the world. This meeting is made possible through grants provided by McKenzie River Gathering Foundation and A Call to RESIST.
February 26, 2009 “The Role of Women in Islam” A discussion by three women from the local Islamic Community. Our objective in this presentation is to dispel some of the stereotypes about Islam and to bring adherents of the Abrahamic faiths together. The talk is free and open to the public. Please come with an open heart and an open mind. For more information please contact Philip at 388-1793 or phil@tiedyed.us This meeting is made possible through grants provided by McKenzie River Gathering Foundation and RESIST of Somerville, MA. Open PDF on right for more info.
Working with:
- Amnesty International 610
- Deschutes Public Library
- Human Dignity Coalition
- Local CODEPINK chapter
- Local Jobs with Justice chapter
- Military Families Speak Out
- Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Rural Organizing Project
- Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
Michelle Darr and members of "Camp Homebound" on "Fasting for Peace" WEDNESDAY, March 18th, 2009
Michelle and a determined group of peace activists (including Iraq veterans) have maintained an around-the-clock vigil since November 2008 at the State Capitol in Salem to stop the deployment of Oregon National Guard troops. For her courage, Michelle has been arrested, met with Governor Kulongoski and lost 58 pounds. She is also a prominent member of CODEPINK, so wear your best pink in honor of Michelle. It is important to note that this deployment is Oregon's largest since World War 2 (3,500 troops.)
This meeting is free and open to the public. Donations to help with the cost of the meeting are of course appreciated. For more information please call Phil at 388-1793 or phil@tiedyed.us
WRITING FOR PEACE
Saturday, April 25, 2009 Brooks Room at Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
WHAT YOU WILL GET FROM THIS WORKSHOP:
•
A QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY of DON’T THINK OF AN ELEPHANT by George Lakoff.
A QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY of DON’T THINK OF AN ELEPHANT by George Lakoff.•TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE LETTER WRITING
TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE LETTER WRITING•TIME TO PRACTICE REFRAMING TECHNIQUES
TIME TO PRACTICE REFRAMING TECHNIQUES•BRING YOUR LAPTOP OR A PEN AND WRITING PAPER.
BRING YOUR LAPTOP OR A PEN AND WRITING PAPER.•A slice of pie if you RSVP to Phil
A slice of pie if you RSVP to PhilFREE: Presented by Oregon Women’s Actions for New Directions representative Susan Cundiff. WAND empowers women (and men) to take political action to change our culture and national priorities toward peace and real security.
PRINTABLE PDF:>>>
Thinking Outside the Box: Supporting LesbianGayBiTransgenderQueer Youth in Central Oregon Monday, May 18, 2009 at 7 pm
Come learn about the barriers that LGBTQ youth face in Central Oregon and how these barriers are consistent with the challenges of LGBTQ youth in other rural areas with Heather Laurie, Program Coordinator for the Human Dignity Coalition, and Sydnee, a leader in the Central Oregon Community Gay Straight Alliance. Explore the parallel risk factors that are heightened for rural youth and LGBTQ youth in particular, as well as the efforts of young people in Central Oregon high schools to combat discrimination and harassment. Also the gaps in appropriate LGBTQ youth services in rural areas will be identified and explored and then how community advocacy groups can act as a resource in helping to fill in these gaps.
Printable Word Document----->>>
Monday, June 15th
Benji Lewis is a Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq including the first siege in Fallujah. Hear the personal testimony of his service and why he is publicly refusing involuntary activation after being honorably discharged in 2007.
June 25, 7 PM
FROM LEBANON TO IRAN, slide presentation
OPEN PDF right for INFO
THURSDAY, July 30, 2009 at 6 pm at the Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall Street in the Hutchinson Room.
“SLIDING LIBERIA”, a story of war, peace, and SURFING !!!
“Sliding Liberia” follows the story of 4 young surfers to Liberia. They risk everything to explore this West African nation devastated by decades of war. They record the stories of people they meet; like Alfred a young boy who becomes Liberia’s first surfer after he finds a boogie board while fleeing from rebels. The 4 American surfers find something more important than perfect waves-a way to travel This meeting was made possible through the generous support of our granting organizations -MRG Foundation of Portland, OR and RESIST of Somerville, MA.
September 25, 2009 Why do immigrants come here? Where do they come from? How do they get here? What happens while they are here? What’s the story on immigrants in Deschutes County? local activist Betsy Lamb in a presentation of “Stories of Migration” on Friday, at 7:00 p.m.
at the Central Oregon Environmental Center—16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend
Based in part on a recent Witness for Peace delegation to Mexico, the presentation will feature a portion of the video, “Dying to Get In”.
This event is free and open to the public (donations welcome). For more information please contact Phil at 388-1793 or phil@tiedyed.us
The meeting is made possible through the generous support of grants from the MRG foundation of Portland, OR, and RESIST of Somerville, MA.
Attorney Thomas Nelson, in a Power Point presentation “The Truth About Gaza” on FRIDAY, October 23, 2009 Mr. Nelson was aboard one of the two
“Free Gaza” boats that sailed from Cyprus. He was one of 41 international activists delivering humanitarian aid to the Gazan people living under siege. He was also part of a National Lawyer's Guild delegation of American lawyers who entered Gaza in February 2009, after the 22 day Israeli offensive there, to determine if war crimes had been committed.
A movie by award-winning filmmakers Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern: “The Devil Came on Horseback” about the genocide in Darfur.
MONDAY, November 23, 2009 Using exclusive photographs and first hand testimony from former Marine Captain Brian Steidle, the film goes on an emotionally charged journey into the heart of Darfur, Sudan where Steidle became witness to a genocide that has to date claimed over 400,000 lives and left 2.6 million people internally displaced.
A Better Life in AFRICA
with Malerie Prattt of Vima Lupwa (Zambia) and
John Schwechten of Better Life Children's Home (Kenya)
on THURSDAY, January 28, 2010
at 7 pm at the
Central Oregon
Environmental Center,
16 NW Kansas in
downtown Bend, Oregon
541.388.1793
DECEMBER 2009 Meeting: Letter writing campaign
