Portland Current
2009 May 23

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Media Day of Action on Afghanistan

Thursday, May 21 (ongoing)
The first step to ending the war in Afghanistan is shifting public opinion. We moved the public on Iraq, now is the time to step up our game and use the media to advance OUR message on Afghanistan: Out Now! Join PDX Peace and UFPJ in our National Media Day of Action on Afghanistan. Go to UFPJ's website for a list of resources to help you change your Facebook status, write a Tweet, send in a Letter to the Editor, and many more! http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=4056

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Memorial Day with Veterans for Peace, Benji Lewis and Cindy Sheehan

Monday, May 25, 12:00pm - Memorial Day Ceremony
Memorial Coliseum
Noon Begins at The Korean War Memorial Wall at the Memorial Coliseum
12:30pm Following the ceremony, participants will march to Peace Park
6:00pm - Cindy Sheehan, Book Reading
First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th Ave

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Veterans, Military Families to Demand a Vote on "Guard Home" Bill for Memorial Day

Wednesday, May 27, 11:30 AM
State Capitol
Speakers to include Nationally-Known Author/Military Mom Cindy Sheehan
Military families, veterans, and Oregonians from all walks of life will hold a news conference on the State Capitol steps demanding a vote on HB 2556, the "Guard Home" bill. The bill, which is supported by both Democratic Rep. Chip Shields (Portland) and Republican Rep. Dennis Richardson (Central Point) with proposed amendments, directs the state to deploy the National Guard for federal activity only with a valid Congressional enactment. Members of the year-long "Campaign to Keep Oregon's Guard in Oregon" believe that there are enough votes to pass the bill in the Oregon House, and are calling on the Legislature to hold a work session and a vote immediately. Speaking for Veterans for Peace will be Leah Bolger, who is both the national Vice President of that organization and a member of the Corvallis chapter.
In January, Campaign organizers delivered the signatures of roughly 7200 Oregonians to officials along with a demand that our state militia not be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan.
"Oregon has the chance to be the national leader on this, as we have been with other laws like the bottle bill and public beaches," said Leah Bolger of Veterans for Peace Chapter 132, Corvallis. "But to pass this law the Legislature must hold a hearing in the next two weeks or it will never get to the Governor's desk."
For more information on the Oregon Campaign:
Campaign to Keep Oregon's Guard in Oregon
c/o Peace and Justice Works
PO Box 42456
Portland, OR 97242
(503) 236-3065
campaign@pjw.info

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PCC Invites Minor Parties to Present Info to Students

Wednesday, May 27, 10:30am to 1:30pm
Portland Community College's Sylvania campus on Southwest 49th
PCC provides the setting and the table and chairs; the SPO and other minor parties provide the paper handouts and the red tablecloth.
It's a job of work for one person to cover this for the whole time period, 10:30 to 1:30, so we need to share the fun. Call  503-289-3511, or write cass@zzz.com, if you are "able to table".

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: IMMIGRATION, EMPLOYMENT & RELATED ISSUES.

Wednesday, May 27th, 6 P.M. – 8 P.M.
First Baptist Church, 1221 SW Taylor Street
The Oregon State Bar Civil Rights Section is pleased to present this forum open to the public. Please join us for this forum that will discuss the rights of documented and undocumented immigrants in the workplace and beyond.  Presenters includes D. Michael Dale, attorney, Mark Griffin, attorney with Griffin & McCandlish, Steven Manning, attorney with Immigration Law Group LLP, and Francisco Lopez, CAUSA Oregon.  The presentation will be in Spanish, with headsets available for English speakers who are not fluent in Spanish. This event is FREE to the public.
--
Beth Poteet
Coordinator, Oregon New Sanctuary Movement
503.550.3510
portlandsanctuary@gmail.com
http://www.oregonsanctuary.org/

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Palestinian Via Dolorosa: Journey of Suffering

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 5:30 - 7:30PM
SMITH MEMORIAL STUDENT UNION 101 (PARKWAY NORTH ROOM)
Photo Gallery following the Journey from Nakba to Present
Actions for Justice in Palestine
Selection of Gifts & Crafts from the West Bank & Gaza
Olive Oil Tasting & Purchase Artwork
Traditional Dress Display & More
Sponsored by SUPER, Endorsed by AUPHR, Oregon Campaign to End Israeli
Apartheid, Vancouver for Peace, Friends of Sabeel - North America.

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YOUTH INVASION! (of City Hall)

Friday, May 29
1221 S.W. 4th Avenue (downtown Portland)
FREE!
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Meet and talk to Commissioners and Staff
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Workshops, including:
Youth Empowerment Through Style while surviving on a shoestring with the AFSC's United Voices/Beats for Peace
Spin and Scratch like a DJ with Universal Zulu Nation
Rock out with School of Rock!
"That's so gay! Is that okay?" with SMYRC
Tell your story through photography from My Story
"Talk About It!" with Teen2Teen
"OMG Democracy!" with the Bus Project
Do some service learning with Campfire USA
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m: CELEBRATE!
Free food and games!
Live performances by Urban Arts, Stuey B, School of Rock, Don't Hurt Miles, Chico, Black Market and Mic Crenshaw.  Hosted by Ro Deezy and Blaque Butterfly
Sponsored by: City of Portland Youth Planning Program; Multnomah Youth Commission; Bureau of Planning and Sustainability; Our Bill of Rights - Children + Youth; Campfire USA; SMYRC; School of Rock; Cascade AIDS Project; Universal Zulu Nation; Urban Arts; Oregon Zoo; United Voices/Beats for Peace; Rock 'n' Roll Camp 4 Girls; Bus Project; Traveling Pillar; PO Soul; Music in the Schools; KBOO Youth Collective; NAYA; Youth Corps; Portland Schools Foundation; Portland Parks, and Dare2Read.

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The Dangers of Debt: Martin Sanchez of the Venezuelan Consulate

Sunday, May 31, 2:00pm
Jobs with Justice, 6025 E Burnside St, Portland

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Left-wing President takes power in El Salvador:

June 1st, 6:30 - 8:30
City Hall 1221 SW 4th Avenue, Portland
Elections Observers Host Celebration of June 1st Inauguration at Portland City Hall
This March, nine Portlanders traveled to El Salvador to volunteer as international observers for the Presidential Election.  Now a public event sponsored by the office of Mayor Sam Adams and organized by the Portland Central American Solidarity Committee (PCASC) will celebrate the inauguration of El Salvador's first left-wing President Mauricio Funes of the FMLN.
Nan Stark, a planner for the City of Portland and member of PCASC who has participated in past delegations to El Salvador, said, "It is such an honor to celebrate the triumph of democracy in El Salvador at City Hall, a place that is a symbol of democracy [sic] in Portland."
The public is invited to celebrate the June 1st Presidential Inauguration at Portland?s City Hall, which will include music, footage from the inauguration festivities in El Salvador, and reports from the local delegates who witnessed this historic shift in power. Food and merchandise will be available. This event is free and open to the public.

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Multnomah County Socialist Party

Sunday, June 21, 1pm
Belmont Library, 1038 SE 39th

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WITNESS FOR PEACE NORTHWEST REGIONAL ORGANIZER JOB POSTING

Witness for Peace (WFP) is a politically independent, grassroots organization made up of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Our mission is to support peace, justice, and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing US policies and corporate practices that contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin American and the Caribbean. We stand with people who seek justice. The Witness for Peace Northwest Regional Organizer works from Portland, Oregon (preferred), or another agreed-upon location in the region.
Responsibilities:
The Northwest Regional Organizer (RO) will develop measurable work goals each year. This person will work in close collaboration and consultation with WFP program staff, other Regional Organizers and the Regional Board to address the following responsibilities:
1. Recruit and resource networks of local volunteer leaders, including state, congressional district, campus, faith community, delegation, and media coordinators.
2. Organize/Recruit at least 2 delegations per year from the region (providing opportunities for travel)
3. Provide follow up to involve returned delegates in WFP campaigns and actions
4. Develop and resource a network of WFP local groups for advocacy and action around WFP campaigns
5. Organize annual regional WFP education and training events
6. Coordinate at least one WFP regional speaker tour annually
7. Organize regional participation in WFP national gatherings, campaigns, and events
8. Within WFP coalition guidelines, build partnerships and alliances among diverse groups and constituencies in the region
9. Cultivate financial support among WFP membership, grantors, religious communities and individual major donors in the region
10. Participate in WFP Regional Organizer meetings, organizational planning meeting, and once a year national board meeting
11. Produce regional newsletters and update regional page on WFP website
12. Establish Witness for Peace as a well-known and respected peace and justice organization in the region
Qualifications:
 Proven grassroots organizing experience
 Respect for WFP mission and covenant
 Significant experience organizing among diverse constituencies
 Demonstrated fundraising ability
 Excellent writing and speaking skills
 Knowledge of WFP issues
 Past WFP experience a plus
 Commitment to WFP mission and nonviolence philosophy
Compensation: $12-14 per hour (depending on experience) for 20 hours weekly, plus (limited) health coverage stipend
Application to be received by Friday, July 10, 2009
Send cover letter and resume (electronically preferred) to: Aleita Hass-Holcombe; aleita@cmug.com; (2022 NW Myrtlewood; Corvallis, OR 97330)
This job is located in: Portland, Oregon (preferred) or another agreed-upon location in the region
Anticipated Start Date: August 24, 2009
Witness for Peace is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, and people from all faith and conscience backgrounds and sexual orientations are encouraged to apply.
Beth Poteet
Organizer, Witness for Peace Northwest
503.287.7847
wfpnw@witnessforpeace.org
http://www.witnessforpeace.org/northwest

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Portland Jobs with Justice, an eighteen-year-old labor/community coalition
of over 80 member organizations is seeking a full-time Program Organizer.
Women and people of color are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have a
demonstrated commitment to building a social justice movement in a labor,
community, or student setting. Job duties will include base building,
fundraising, leading JwJ's organizing work to support local labor struggles and support for other priorities and committees of JwJ. Salary range is $28,000- $32,000 depending on experience. Health benefits and vacation are provided. Two years organizing experience required. Applications are due May 20, 2009.
For a complete job description and application packet, please email
<mailto:margaret@jwjpdx.org> margaret@jwjpdx.org or call 503-236-5573.

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