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Category Archives: Social Justice
New First Thursday Coffee and Discussion Group
There are now three First Thursday Coffee and Discussion groups meeting this Thursday March 1.
- Original Group 10:00 am Rocket Market 726 E 43rd
- First Thursday Evening at 6:30 pm Rocket Market 726 E 43rd
- Perry Street discussion usually held at The Shop at 10:00 am but this week being held at the organizer’s home so they can write letters to legislators as well as share resources and updates on what is happening. If you are interested in this group message Susan Hales on Facebook.
Possible discussion topics:
- President Trump’s State of the Union speech
- Youth Incarceration
- 13th The Movie
- Black Lunch Table
- Oscars: Moonlight/Hidden Figures/Fences
- Local Actions
- …….And anything else you have on your mind
First Thursday Coffee and Discussion March 2, 2017
There are now two First Thursday Coffee and Discussion groups:
- Original Group 10:00 am Rocket Market 726 E 43rd
- First Thursday at 6:30 pm Rocket Market 726 E 43rd
- Third discussion group to be announced
Possible discussion topics:
- Youth Incarceration
- 13th The Movie
- Black Lunch Table
- Oscars: Moonlight/Hidden Figures/Fences
- Local Actions
- …….And anything else you have on your mind
PJALS on the Forefront

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Our 8th Annual Peace & Justice Action Conference will be held February 24-25th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane.Friday,
Feb. 24 6-9pm Rise Up! Opening Reception
Saturday, Feb. 25 9am-5pm All Day Action Conference Register Now!
Rave reviews about our Action Conference:
“Great variety of programs and the opportunity to meet new people!”
“It gave me inspiration and hope.”
“Surrounded by the energy of like minded people, rare in Spokane!”
“Open discussions, amazing positive energy, and equality.” Read more »
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane, 4340 W. Ft. Wright Drive
Friday, February 24th: Opening Reception
6:00-9:00 Join us for tasty nosh, wine & more, and performances from local musical & spoken word artists:
Saturday, February 25th: Conference
Join us for a full day with three workshop sessions, a fantastic keynote, breakfast, lunch, and lots of opportunities to connect with like-minded folks who are putting their values into action!
8:00-9:00 Registration and Networking Breakfast
8:45-9:00 Opening Performances
9:00-9:30 Welcome and Dedication
9:30-9:45 Mixer Break
9:45-11:15 “Education for Action” Workshop Session 1 (90 min)
Mobilizing for Justice and Community: How-To’s for Powerful Actions and Campaigns Liz Moore, Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane
Challenging Oppressive Statements Shar Lichty, Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane
No Discrimination Spokane: Defeating Spokane’s Anti-Immigrant Proposition
Erin Williams Heuter, Lutheran Community Services NW, Breean Beggs, City Council member, and John Lemus, City of Spokane Human Rights Commission
Developing Skill in Compassionate Communication: Alternatives to Judging,Shaming, and Blaming Mark Hamlin, Carol Bryan, & Susan Burns – Nonviolent Communication Facilitators
Impacts of Military Occupation on our Communities
Hollis Higgins, Ray Thorne, Mike Edwards, Larry Shook, Mary Kay McCollum, & George Taylor, Veterans for Peace, Spokane Chapter #35
Friar Tuck Faith
Liv Larson Andrews, Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church
Wake Up and Work: Anti-Racism for White People
Taylor Weech, PJALS Steering Committee
11:15-11:30Mixer Break
2:45-4:15 “Education for Action” Workshop Session 3 (90 min)
Building a Unified Movement: Power, Identity, & Solidarity Stina Janssen, Board member, Tenants Union of Washington, and Ingrid Chapman, United Auto Workers
Bystander Intervention Tara Dowd, Red Fox Consulting
A Lesson on Privilege for Progressives: Why are People of Color So Angry?
Sandy Williams, Black Lens News
How to Advocate for Justice in the State Legislature Liezl Rebugio, ACLU-WA
More than Just Malice: the Most Dangerous Law in America Gabe Meyer & Reynelle Warren, Not this Time
4:15-5:00 Closing Plenary: Going Forward Together!
Local Direct Action
What’s your burning issue? What are you doing about it? There are lots of opportunities locally and nationally to make your voice heard and be part of making positive change. Scroll down to check out some options.
Spokane Indivisible Together for Washington
PJALS Peace & Justice Action Leaque First Thursday Discussion
4comculture Partners With Black Lens News
Something We Can All Do: Life Under Trump #5
When listening to politicians, distinguish certain words. Look out for the expansive use of “terrorism” and “extremism.” Be alive to the fatal notions of “exception” and “emergency.” Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary.
How I Saw: Spokane’s 8,000 Women March by Robert Lloyd
Protester’s sign read stand up! speak up! and these protesters did it this cold Spokane winter day. Some who were lucky made it to inside halls standing and sitting in the warmth and could hear the messages from the Ballroom. Others filled sidewalks for blocks east and west and entertained each other with songs, music, chatter. The Davenport Hotel Coffee and Bar was a hit place to keep warm.
After the March People Rose Up!
Marchers continued on to the Community Building where they shared chili, soup, music, poetry, speakers, a movie, action tables, creative activities for kids and adults, and began networking to take action.
Let’s Commit Ourselves
Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2017
OK, we had our celebration with speeches and the march.
Now Let’s Commit Ourselves
Since 2008 news and social media have done nothing but complain about what politicians did and did not do. If they have not accomplished goals and objectives it is no one’s fault but your own. If you are not satisfied with the 2016 election I suggest that you step up and do something about it.
From the list below, choose the issue you feel needs action, list the issue and the name of an organization that works on that issue in the comment box below and fill in your contact information. If you do not know of an organization, volunteer to start such an organization. I will pass your contact information on to the appropriated organization. Also I will collate the information everyone contributes and post the results at this site 4comculture.com. To stay aware of current posts at this site in the right hand side bar SUBSCRIBE to receive an email notifying you of new posts (a couple per week).
What Will You Commit To
Protest (Civic Disobedience, Non-violent direct action, Go to jail), Government service, Social justice, Political action, Political parties (Democratic, Republican, Independent, Progressive), Employment (Jobs and training), Housing, Healthy food production, Education (K12, College), Environment (Climate change etc.) Community organizing, Social justice, Community service, Social services, Health and safety, Drug abuse prevention, Community security, Reproductive rights, Hunger, Homelessness, Race relations, Human relations, Art and culture, International affairs, Belief systems (Humanism etc.).
MLK Week Kicks Off!
After the showing of the documentary film 13th at Bethel AME Church at 10 am on January 14, across town at the Spokane Public Library PJALS (Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane) sponsored a 5 hour hands on workshop: Love > Hate: Bystander Intervention Training which covered:
Being Resistant to Assertiveness
- Self-defense
- Continuum of Oppression / Nature of Prejudice
- The Spinach in Your Teeth Theory and Overview
- Putting Assertiveness into Context
- Assertiveness Model & Calling In
My observation as I photographed the workshop was that it was excellent. I thought that the information below that was listed on a wallet sized card was a good tool for it was an excellent tool for using white privilege to intervene in oppressive situations.
Assertiveness Model
Breathe.
Describe the problem or name the problem behavior. “The situation is ______.”
Tell why the behavior is wrong or say how it makes you feel. “That’s not ok because _____.” “I feel ________when you _____.”
State your needs or give a direction. “What I/we need is _____.”
Be firm and persistent.
Practice Assertiveness!





