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Musical Rascals of Spokane – The P-Jammers
P-Jammers – An accompaniment for marches and protests
By Diane Lloyd
So what is P-Jammers all about? They are part of a community street band movement whose bands play not for the people but “among the people and invite them to join the fun. They are active, activist, and deeply engaged in their communities, at times alongside unions and grassroots groups in outright political protest, or in some form of community-building activity…” says the website for Honkfest (honkfest.org), an annual festival of activist bands held first in Boston then Seattle and Austin and now in many other cities. Drawing from sources as diverse as Klezmer, Afrobeat, and Hip Hop they are “outrageous and inclusive, brass and brash, percussive and persuasive — reclaiming public space with a sound that is in your face and out of this world.”
PJAMRS, the Peace and Justice Activist Musical Rascals of Spokane, or P-Jammers Community Marching Band, was founded by Greg Youmans in response to the need for a musical accompaniment for marches and protests and o
ther events where people are making themselves heard. Greg had been in Seattle’s Anti-Fascist Marching Band and participated with them in the Battle in Seattle – the enormous 1999 anti-WTO protests. After moving to Spokane and becoming active in protests here he discovered the Peace and Justice Action League. Recruiting other musicians through the PJALS newsletter he and Bill Lockwood p
ut together a band that made their debut at a September 2005 peace march. In addition they perform at events such as Earth Day and First Night.
Ready to join the fun and action? A diverse group of amateurs and professionals, young and old, P-Jammers welcomes anyone who wants to share in their musical exuberance. Practices are organized in preparation for specific events.
Contact Greg Youmans at (509) 638-7554.
Something We Can All Do: Life Under Trump #10
Investigate. Figure things out for yourself. Spend more time with long articles. Subsidize investigative journalism by subscribing to print media. Realize that some of what is on your screen is there to harm you. Bookmark PropOrNot or other sites that investigate foreign propaganda pushes.
Spokane in Action: How Can I Get Involved?
Click here for Opportunities to organize, protest, make your voice heard
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
Something We Can All Do: Life Under Trump #9
Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.
What White Women Can Do!
Who Does Safety Pin Box Support?
Safety Pin Box benefits all people involved, but is specifically geared at supporting Black women & femmes who are contributing to the movement for Black lives.
Every month, Safety Pin Box will give one-time financial gifts to individual Black women who have demonstrated a commitment to serving Black people. Financial gift recipients will be featured in that month’s box at their discretion, and will be invited to contribute to that month’s task writing. Any and all Black women contributing to Black liberation in any way are encouraged to apply and recipients will be chosen at random each month from Black women applicants in our pool. The more subscribers we have, the more Black women we can support. Subscription fees, as a form of reparations, go directly to supporting Black women freedom fighters every month.
Learn More Click https://www.safetypinbox.com/black-women-being/
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
Something We Can All Do: Life Under Trump #8
Be kind to our language. Avoid pronouncing the phrases everyone else does. Think up your own way of speaking, even if only to convey that thing you think everyone is saying. (Don’t use the internet before bed. Charge your gadgets away from your bedroom, and read.) What to read? Perhaps “The Power of the Powerless” by Václav Havel, 1984 by George Orwell, The Captive Mind by Czesław Milosz, The Rebel by Albert Camus, The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt, or Nothing is True and Everything is Possible by Peter Pomerantsev.
PJALS on the Forefront
Join PJALS! Sign up for notifications of what’s going on in Spokane and the world.
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!