More events worth going to!

**FRI MAY 8, 3:30 - 5:30 pm, at University of Washington, HUB 106-B, Seattle; Patterns of INDIGENOUS MOBILITY: GUATEMALA, MEXICO AND THE U.S. A conference on indigenous migration presented by the Department of American Ethnic Studies in collaboration with the National Autonomous University of Mexico to mark the establishment of the UNAM's Office for the Pacific Northwest of the United States and Canada. info AES, 206-543-4343 or aes@u.washington.edu

*FRI MAY 8, 7:30 p.m., at Saint Mark Cathedral, Leffler House Living Room, 1245 10th Ave E, Seattle; Friday Film Nights at the Saint Mark's film night, is a community of film lovers, social activists, and lifelong learners who gather to watch and discuss compelling films from around the globe in order to expand our worldview about people, the environment, current issues, cultures, and global spirituality. Together we watch and discuss foreign gems, dramas, documentaries, family films, and American blockbusters. WOMEN'S REBELLION AGAINST TRADITION AND AUTHORITY Moolade (2004, NR, 124 minutes) "An inspiring story, set in Burkina Faso, about a group of women who stand up for their rights against the traditions of their village; When a woman shelters a group of girls from suffering female circumcision, she starts a conflict that tears her village apart. Moolaade illuminates the agonies of women in some parts of Africa and leaves you admiring their bravery and resolve." Winner: Cannes Film Festival, National Society of Film Critics Awards, Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival, Marrakech Int'l Film Fest. info Kevin Meadows FilmNights@saintmarks.org or http://www.SaintMarks.org

**SAT MAY 9, 10 am - 5 pm, International Humanitarian Law Today: The LASTING CONSEQUENCES OF WAR. In Honor of World Red Cross Day, the American Red Cross serving King & Kitsap Counties is putting together an INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW SEMINAR, which will feature speakers from the ICRC, Clear Path International, the Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network (W.A.R.N.), as well as a panel of Immigrants and Refugees. This unique event will provide the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear experts on International Humanitarian Law speak about their areas of expertise, and find ways of getting involved in your own community! Please RSVP to Andrea Kao at andrea.kao@seattleredcross.org or 206-726- 3554

SAT MAY 9, and subsequent 2nd Saturdays, 10 am, at Northwest Leadership Foundation, 717 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma; HATE FREE ZONE FAMILY MEETINGS: Please join us for a family meeting for those who have been AFFECTED BY DETENTION AND DEPORTATION. Families are encouraged to share their stories and learn about their human rights. Meetings are meant to provide support for families and an opportunity to advocate for change. info Deena 206-723- 2203 ext. 209 or deena@hatefreezone.org tollfree helpline 1-866-HFZONE1 (1-866-439-6631) [added 11/7/07]

SAT MAY 9, and subsequent 2nd Saturdays, please confirm at website, 10 am, at the cafe in Third Place Books- Ravenna; SEATTLE ESPERANTO SOCIETY, the Seattle chapter of an international peace movement. The meeting is an informal discussion and language practice; beginners are welcome. info http://seattleesperanto.org, Free online Esperanto lessons at http://www.lernu.net

TUES MAY 19, and subsequent 3rd Tuesdays, 6 - 8 pm, at Pacific Gender Center, 1812 E Madison, Seattle; Seattle Police Department/LGBTQ Advisory Council Meeting. The Seattle POLICE DEPARTMENT'S SEXUAL MINORITIES/LGBTQ ADVISORY COUNCIL is a Council established by the Police Department to increase relationships and communications between the community and the Department. info 206-684- 8760 or Daniel Dueball: Daniel.Dueball@seattle.gov or http://www.seattlelgbt.org [updated 12/21/08]

TUES MAY 19, and subsequent 3rd Tuesdays, but please confirm, 6 - 8 p.m., at Boards & Commissions room, Floor L2, City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, downtown Seattle; Public Meeting on POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY held by the Office of Police Accountability Review Panel (OPARB), info 206-684- 8146 or opareviewboard@seattle.gov, Listen to meetings in progress on the Boards & Commissions Listen 206-684-4718

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Check out my blog: A young professional's guide to civic engagement in Seattle: http://www.involvedseattleite.blogspot.com/

"Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours." - Cesar Chavez

Human Rights Events

The Economic Crisis and its Impact on Communities of Color. When: Friday, May 8, 2009 (12-5pm) Where: Seattle Public Library- Douglass-Truth Branch, 2300 Yesler Way RSVP: Please email Sarah Studer at the Social Justice Fund NW to RSVP to this event. Space is limited, lunch will be provided. The event will include a keynote presentation on the racial dimensions of the economic crisis, a panel of community leaders who will talk about impacts on communities of color, and speakers from the philanthropic community who will talk about the implications for funding. There will also be a small group strategy session. Our goals are to 1) understand the economic crisis and its impact on communities of color, and 2) to identify strategies and best practices to better support communities of color. This forum is co-sponsored by the members of POCPN and the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS). It was inspired by a town-hall forum last December on the economic crisis hosted by IPS and co-sponsored by SJF. Also , the Network is operating out of and being staffed at the Social Justice Fund NW. I’ve updated http://www.pocpn.org to be a blog-based website which allows us to more easily update the site with job opportunities, workshops/trainings, and interesting articles from the field. POCPN is also on Facebook! Become a fan!

Saturday, May 9, The Lasting Consequence of War - including panel of refugees. The event, described below, will take place at Highpoint Library (3411 SW Raymond St., Seattle). The First Person Testimonials (3:15-4:00) will feature three refugee/immigrant community leaders from Burma (a recently arrived Karen), Sudan (Harriet Dumba, co-founder of http://www.hah-s.org [http://www.hah-s.org]), and Congo (Longondo "Das" Eteni). --- In honor of World Red Cross Day, the American Red Cross serving King & Kitsap Counties is hosting a full-day International Humanitarian Law event including speakers from the ICRC, Clear Path International, the Washington Anti-Trafficking Response Network (W.A.R.N.), and a panel of immigrants and refugees. See below for the program agenda. Please RSVP with Andrea Kao at andrea.kao@seattleredcross.org [us.mc396.mail.yahoo.com] or (206) 726- 3554 and forward to any and all potentially interested parties.

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Applications are out for 2009 Tyree Scott Freedom School!!! AFSC, Village of Hope, and People’s Institute NW brings you the 9th Annual: TYREE SCOTT FREEDOM SCHOOL July 27th - 31st, 2009 - Seattle, Washington 10:00am-4:30pm Daily Freedom School is for youth ages 15 – 21 to learn about racism and organize to undo it. We take field trips around the city, learn anti-racist community organizing skills, and listen to community elders. We learn about why people are poor and break down the education system, the media, and the criminal justice system. We come together to create change and share culture. Freedom School is completely free and lunch is provided each day. *It is important that everyone comes each day and stays the entire time* Please mail this application to: 814 NE 40th St, Seattle WA, 98105 or fax to 206-632-0976 or email to dwashington@afsc.org Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 30th Space is limited and Freedom School fills up quickly so apply right away! Questions, Contact Dustin Washington at dwashington@afsc.org or (206) 632-0500 x14