PEACE CENTER EVENTS
Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 PM
Reese Erlich and Norman Solomon on The Elections, Iraq and Iran
Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek 94596
Two outstanding writers offer their views on how progressives can forge an alliance against war. The Republicans promise more war. Leading Democrats, while talking peace, have not firmly committed to withdrawing US troops from occupied Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the major media misreport the wars and the reasons for them.
Reese Erlich is a freelance correspondent for CBC (Canada), U.S. public radio and most recently author of The Iran Agenda: The Real Story of US Policy and the Middle East Crisis
Norman Solomon is a nationally syndicated columnist on media and politics. He has been writing the weekly "Media Beat" column since 1992. Solomon's book War Made Easy, published in 2005, was called "brutally persuasive" and "a must-read" by the Los Angeles Times. A documentary based on the book was released in 2007. His latest book is Made Love, Got War: Close Encounters With America's Warfare State.
Erlich and Solomon co-authored Target Iraq: What the News Media Didn't Tell You, which has been published in German, Italian, Hungarian, Brazilian and South Korean editions.
Suggested donation: $12-$20 (no one turned away for lack of funds); wheelchair accessible.
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Third Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:00 PM (Ongoing) (Next meeting is May 15)
Nonviolence Study and Discussion Group
Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
Study and discussion of nonviolent principles guided by Lorin Peters, who serves on a Peacemaker Team each summer in Israel-Palestine. Mr. Peters has taught “Alternatives to Violence”, based on Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, to high school seniors since 1972, and is a founding member of Educators for Nonviolence. This is a new group that is just forming. You are invited to join us. Our purpose is to understand and integrate nonviolent principles into our lives. The first book we are discussing is Rabbi Michael Lerner ’s The Left Hand of God. For further information, call Mary Alice O’Connor at (925) 933-7850.
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Wednesday, May 28, 7:00 PM
Screening of Soldiers of Conscience (86 min)
Mt. Diablo Peace & Justice Center, 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek
When is it right to kill? In the midst of war, is it right to refuse? Eight U.S. soldiers, some who have killed and some who said no, reveal their inner moral dilemmas in Soldiers of Conscience. Made with official permission of the U.S. Army, the film transcends politics to explore the tension between spiritual values and military orders. The film follows the stories of both conscientious objectors and those who criticize them. Through this clash of views, the film discovers a surprising common ground: All soldiers are "soldiers of conscience," torn between the demands of duty and the call of conscience. This thought-provoking documentary ponders the questions—and explores the consequences.
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Other Bay Area Events
Thursday, May 1, all day
San Francisco May Day Actions: No Peace, No Work!
Various locations
Join Direct Action to Stop the War (DASW) as we join in solidarity with immigrants and ILWU dockworkers on May Day. Dockworkers are taking direct action against the war by stopping work at West Coast ports on International Workers' Day. Meanwhile, immigrant rights groups will again be marching this year demanding amnesty. DASW will also go to the military recruitment center and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Let's call for an end to the war and protest the military's bribing of immigrants to enlist in the war as a fast track to citizenship!
10:30 AM Join the DASW contingent in the ILWU's anti-war march. Meet at Beach St. at Mason St. (Take Muni F-Market.)
12:00 NOON Join DASW at the ILWU's anti-war rally Justin Herman Plaza (Embarcadero BART)
12:30 PM March/protest at military recruitment center & ICE. Depart from Justin Herman Plaza (Embarcadero BART)
2:30 PM Join DASW at the immigrant rights rally and march. (Please, no direct action here, per immigrant groups' request.)
Dolores Park ( 18th St. at Dolores, 16th Street BART) For more information, go to www.actagainstwar.net or email dasw.mayday@gmail.com.
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Thursday, May 1, 4:30 - 5:30 PM
Holocaust Remembrance Day exhibit and talk
Library, St. Mary's College, Moraga
As part of the Holocaust Remembrance Day event, a large exhibit has gone up in the Library that is not to be missed. The first and second floors are filled with posters from the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, a chronological photographic exhibit interspersed with poetry and reflections, maps, books, and other material. The Library has attempted to make this exhibit provocative, thought provoking, and challenging. Many of the posters face out so people can see them as they walk past the building. This exhibit will be up through mid-May. Please plan a visit to the Library soon to see it all, and plan some time... there is much to take in one visit. Former SMC professor Chester Aaron, one of the liberators of Dachau, a prolific author, teacher, and now, a garlic farmer, will share his experiences and thoughts. For more information, contact Sue Birkenseer at 925-631-4229 ext. 4255 or sbirkens@stmarys-ca.edu.
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Saturday, May 10, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Moraga Beautiful Week Faire
Rheem Center, Moraga Road, Moraga
Moraga will hold its second Community Faire at the Rheem Shopping Center on Moraga Road. It is co-sponsored by the Moraga Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Moraga, collaborating with Sustainable Moraga, Lamorinda Art Alliance, and the Lamorinda Wine Growers' Association. For full schedule of Moraga Beautiful Week, go to http://www.moragabeautiful.com/.
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Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Your American Freedoms: Protect Them or Lose Them / presented by Fred LaCosse
Vista Room, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek
Retired Bay Area TV newsman Fred LaCosse, formerly with both KRON and KGO, is bringing his one-man show about how our democratic republic was born. He illustrates dramatically how the checks and balances built into our government protect our unique American individual/group rights and values. Mr. LaCosse “discusses” these historical points with founding fathers (and mothers), George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John and Abigail Adams, Ben Franklin, and others. These figures helped America change history in crafting a US treasure trove of freedoms, ones we sometimes take for granted today. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters-Diablo Valley.
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Ongoing Events
Lafayette Crosses
First and third Sundays, 10 AM to 12 Noon
First Sunday meditation sessions led by Nora Mukai-Rosenbaum, 9:30 AM
Deerhill Rd. across from Lafayette BART. Help put up and paint new crosses. Donations for materials can be sent to Jeff Heaton, 3576 Terrace Way, Lafayette, CA 94549.
Grandparents for Peace Meeting
2nd Monday, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Del Valle Club House, Rossmoor
Weekly Peace Vigil
Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Corner of Tice Valley Blvd and Rossmoor Parkway in front of Rossmoor sign.
All are welcome. Signs and Cheers provided.
Call Bob Hanson, 944-3366
Lafayette Square Anti-War Protest
Thursdays, 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Corner Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Moraga Rd, Lafayette
Please join us to protest the Iraq War and to support the efforts of Congress to bring an end to this war. Please bring signs if you have them. If not, signs and flags will be provided (materials also available to make your own signs).
If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Klein at kathyrklein@hotmail.com.
Weekly Vigil at Oakland Federal Building
Tuesdays at Noon, 1301 Clay Street (2 blocks west of 12 th St. BART station)
This vigil began in the Spring of 1998, when Madeline Albright tried to gain support for a war against Iraq. The focus has changed over time, and is now calling for an end to the Iraq War and the occupation.
Bay Area Women in Black Vigil
Saturdays, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland
The Bay Area Women in Black vigil offers visible opposition to both the U.S. Occupation of Iraq and the Israeli Occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
Martinez Peace Vigil
Sundays from 5:00 to 5:30 PM in front of Martinez City Hall.
For more information, call Barbara at 925) 372-4152
Benicia Peace Vigil
Thursdays, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Corner of Military West/First Street in Benicia
Vacaville "Peace on Earth" Vigil
Saturdays, 9:00 to 10:00 AM
Vacaville City Hall, 650 Merchant Street, Vacaville
Peace Center Tabling
2nd Sunday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2-hour shifts
Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market
Volunteers needed. Call 925-933-7850.
Committee Meetings
Art and Writing
Call 933-7850 for schedule.
Youth & The Military
1st Tuesday of the month - 7:00 PM
Peace Center Office: 55 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek.
Discuss strategies for providing full disclosure to youth about military enlistment. The Committee visits local community colleges and high schools to provide information to students and organize presentations. Contact Rick Sterling at (925) 256-7728 for details.
Department of Peace and Nonviolence Task Force HR 808
Usually 3 rd Monday of the month – 7:00 PM
Goals are to enact this federal legislation (which establishes a cabinet level position and focuses on domestic and international peace) and to inform the local population about the Department of Peace and Nonviolence.
Contact Jeff Day at 925-906-9318 for details.
Fundraising Committee
First Monday of the month. Volunteers needed.
Peace Center Office
Please contact Mary Alice at 925-933-7850.
Newsletter Committee
Last Monday of the month - 7:00 PM
Peace Center Office
Articles due: 2nd Friday
