Screening of Solmaz Mohadjer’s film

Dear Peace Community,

Today we say goodbye to an integral member of the Students for Peace and Justice who has helped organize the Peace and Justice Film Series for several semesters. Iranian graduate student Solmaz Mohadjer has finished her studies at the UM and will be moving at the end of March.

Tonight, the Peace and Justice Film Series will screen Solmaz’s short film on Tajikistan, along with two other shorts about the newly-constructed wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Mountainous, impoverished, and isolated, Tajikistan faces impediments to social progress that can turn natural phenomena into humanitarian disasters. In this region, advancements in Earth sciences hardly translate into practical geohazards awareness for a citizenry that remains largely oblivious to the scientific explanations of seismic events. Solmaz traveled to the region to investigate how this might be changed. Please join us this evening at 5:30 or 7:30 PM at the University Center Theater for our “Shorts Night”.

Solmaz will be present to say adieu and to discuss her film with the audience. For more information on the Peace and Justice Film Series, please visit www.peaceandjusticefilms.org, or join the Students for Peace and Justice group on Facebook.

Yours in Peace,

Sean Gibbons, Coordinating Council Member

6 Years in Iraq

Today, March 19, 2009, is the sixth anniversary of the terrible “shock and awe” attack on Iraq.  While we might like to put it all out of our minds, along with the billions of dollars, thousands of American lives, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqi victims of this terrible six-year war and occupation, every year JRPC has organized commemorative events and rallies during this anniversary week.  This year’s events, smaller and more focused on inviting community reflection and discussion than on visible protest, reflect an awareness of people’s fatigue and hope that troops really will be withdrawn soon.  But we dare not sit back and just hope!  We must continue to work to help President Obama to end the Iraq occupation and all U.S. actions which lead to violence in the Middle East.  In addition to attending at least one of the events listed in the calendar below, I hope every person on this list will commemorate the sixth anniversary with at least one positive, physical action to promote peace in the Middle East, whether it is in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Palestine, or some other country.  The internet makes it easy to take action – a click or two and you’ve signed a petition against troop buildup in Afghanistan or asked a Congressman to vote against U.S. use of cluster bombs.   A phone call takes only a little longer. Numerous groups like Code Pink and United for Peace and Justice continue to work daily for peace (see “Peace Actions” below). We, as individuals in Missoula, Montana (or wherever you may be) must do the same, and sustain “an alert, informed, practiced, and active state of being,” always ready to make our strong voices for peace heard.  We can nurture our spirits, seek peace, and stay strong by reaching out to our peace community and enjoying our beautiful natural surroundings, including the Peace Park.

Thank you.

Ethel MacDonald, Coordinating Council Member

Jim Caron – The 2009 Peacemaker!

Dear friends,

It is my honor to announce our 2009 Peacemaker – Missoula’s very own Jim Caron!   Jim fondly remembers Chicago’s Grant Park in 1968.  He moved to Missoula after his old VW van – with a peace sign on it – broke down here.  And he quietly and significantly started building peace, one child at a time.  He uses theater as his building block. Jim Caron started the Missoula Children’s Theatre in 1970 and has touched the lives of thousands of children in this country and throughout the world, helping them to cross borders, nationalities, races and creeds to succeed together. Jim was attracted to the theater because it is one of only a few places where people come together and build community out of nothing. There could be no more basic building block to peace than in helping young people achieve this “new stage” as productive, peaceful citizens in their countries all over the world.  He works to remove race, gender, disability, etc. as obstacles to achievement, so that all young people can shine.  Please plan to join us in celebrating Jim on Monday, April 6 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts, 200 N. Adams. The Missoula Peace Quilters are putting the finishing touches on a very special quilt for Jim, as they do for each of the award recipients. The event is free and open to the public. However, to assist in seating, tickets will be available at the door.  A reception will follow with a beautiful Peacemaker Cake from Bernice’s Bakery.  As long as the peacemakers among us continue to inspire, there is hope.

~Betsy

International Women’s Day – March 8th

Dear friends,

International Women’s Day is March 8, a day to celebrate the accomplishments of women throughout history as well as honoring those women who hold special places in each of our lives.  The theme for this year’s Women’s History Month is Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet.  Beginning with Jeannette Rankin, there are certainly many examples of how this country was challenged and changed for the better through the contributions of women.  This month the women of Codepink will be bringing over 2000 baskets of luxury items to the women of Gaza; the Coalition of Women for Peace in Israel are working to educate people about the results of Israeli occupation of Palestine (http://www.whoprofits.org); The Iraq group La’Onf is organizing a national campaign to end violence against women and to amend their Constitution so that Iraqi women have equal rights with men (http://www.laonf.net/default.aspx?page=articles&c=activities&id=434); Fozia Naseer, who will be in Missoula this Sunday, has struggled against odds to receive an education with Greg Mortenson;  many Missoula teachers have organized our young people to work for “pennies for peace”; Women in Black protest war all over the world, including Missoula, each Friday;  Missoula’s Women for Peace have been meeting for over 20 years;  local organizations like YWCA and WORD are working to improve the lives of women.  Check out more stories of great women at http://womenshistorymonth.gov/.  Join me in celebrating these and so many more examples of the rich history of women.  This newsletter is full of events honoring women.  Hopefully you will take in some of them, and find ways to honor the special women in your lives – as well as all those great supportive men!

With honor and thanks, Betsy

Search for Peace

Dear friends,

We received over 50 entries from many area schools in the Fr. Jim Hogan Search for Peace. There is art, poems, collages, quilts, music, flags, pottery, dance and even a large production honoring Martin Luther King. I know you will be inspired by the expressions of peace that the young people of Missoula have to share with us. And if you are like us, you will find at least one perspective that opens your mind to a new idea of peace. Please plan to attend the Award Celebration on Tuesday, March 3, 5:30 to 7 pm at the Missoula Children’s Theater. We will be making cash awards for the selected and appreciated entries in each category. Annie Garde will MC the event and Fr. Jim Hogan will be on hand to present the Fr. Hogan Peace Award to one very special entry.

Come be inspired with us.…Betsy