Pledge to be Peaceful!
Dear friends,
According to the American Psychological Association “this election is a significant source of stress for more than two-thirds of American adults -- up from half during the 2016 presidential election” and another survey from More in Common cites “about 7 in 10 Americans are worried about the risk of widespread violence after the election”. This is disturbing because our peaceful transfer of power has been one of the hallmarks of our government. When one candidate won’t meet with you because you aren’t in his party and the campaign ads are more about fear and negativity rather than any productive discussion of the issues we face, it is clear the system is broken and the stress and worry are warranted.
I’d like to propose that we make a pledge today to “step back from the brink” as this article in Humanity United outlines and regardless of the outcome, be a voice for peace, for hope and for reconciliation. The DC Peace Team is offering some trainings in nonviolent election action starting this Sunday. If we each pledge not to engage in violence in any form and urge the same from our families, our neighbors and co-workers, we the people can take an important step to healing our fractured world.
Let’s lead the way -- join me in pledging to be peaceful, Betsy
We are working hard behind the scenes to get our online auction ready to roll next month but we have a little pre-auction special to plant before the election! Anne Frank trees available with a donations to the Peace Center.
Anne Frank’s favorite tree was the beautiful horse chestnut which comforted her in her isolation (see her diary). A member of the Peace Center has potted 9 of these beautiful trees and would like to make them available to others for donations to the Peace Center. The trees need to be planted soon, and so cannot wait until the Peace Center’s upcoming auction. If you have a place where a little tree can grow into a big beautiful tree, and would like this connection to Anne Frank – Contact Vicki.watson@umontana.edu. Suggested donation $25.
"I will fight with all my power against the divisions that undermine us
and which are tearing us apart."
Emmanuel Macron
Upcoming Special Store Hours
Saturday, October 24: 1:30-5:00
Tuesday, November 3rd: Closed for Election Day
Practicing strict social distancing?
Please contact us about private and virtual shopping options!
October Read, Watch, & Listen List
Nigerian End SARS Protests
If You Don’t Know, Now You Know
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Read
- 3 Ways People Around the World Can Support Nigeria's #EndSARS Protests
- Parents of 545 Children Separated at the Border Cannot Be Found
- Ikea Will Buy Back, Recycle, or Resell Your Unwanted Furniture
- What’s the Right Term: POC, BIPOC, or Neither?
- Microinterventions for Maximum Effect
- 4 Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services Around the World
- How Cape Town Went From Water Crisis to Overflowing Dams in Just 2 Years
- Sustainable Missoula: What being a parent has taught me about uncertain times
- Here's Why KitKat Can't Say 'Black Lives Matter' While Abandoning Fair Trade
- ZERO WASTE HALLOWEEN 2020
- Sustainable Missoula: Getting dirty on Public Lands Day
- Why Ethical Fashion isn't a Bigger Deal
- 40% of All Plants Face Extinction as Global Warming Threatens Crucial Crops
- 7 Lawyers Continuing RBG's Fight for Women's Rights Around the World
Watch
- This Uprising: How to Make Black Lives Really Matter
- What Does It Mean to Defund or Abolish the Police?
- What is Fairtrade?
- Why Fair Trade is So Important
- The Story of Chocolate: Unwrapping the Bar
Listen
- Code Switch Podcast
- Art of Citizenry Podcast
- She Votes! (Podcast)
- Failed Missionary Podcast
Act
- Join the Missoula Advocacy Team, Contact Carol (programs@jrpc.org) for details!
- Peoples Movement Assembly - Towards a Peoples Constitution
- Active Bystander Intervention Training
"We humans are hardwired to be connected - we want to share things with one another. Now, in the age of social media, we’re sharing more and more. The latest news, some handy advice, a funny story. All it takes is a click and we’ve shared something with the world. These tidbits of information can spread like wildfire, and a small share can have big consequences."
"We can’t wait for technology companies, we must all act now to break the chain and stop misinformation from spreading."
Upcoming Events & Action Opportunities
Friday, October 23
4:00pm Mountain Time
The Institute for Climate and Peace, based in Honolulu, Hawai'i, is dedicated to advancing inclusive processes to build peaceful and climate-resilient futures for all, with a particular focus on Hawaii and the Pacific-Asia region. They have recently embraced Biomimicry as a central focus of their work.
This participatory session is an opportunity to engage with leaders from Hawai'i and the Pacific Rim, applying Life's lessons to island communities as they ensure resilient and collaborative capacities for the future.
This event is free and open to all.
Calling all Women, supportive Men, and Non-binary friends!
Plan to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment with other folks in Missoula on October 24, 2020. Let’s honor the women who fought for our rights and women’s equality over the years, including the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center and the League of Women Voters of Missoula are asking you to wear white in honor of the suffragists (and maybe a little yellow and purple trim!). Bring your ballot to the election office (140 N Russell St.) in person Saturday, October 24 between 9 am and 1 pm.
You can either drop it off in the box located in the election office or use the convenient drive by box. Please wear a mask and keep a safe social distance from others. We would love to have women safely lining Russell St for the duration of those 4 hours, so if you would like to sign up for a shift, contact us at peace@jrpc.org.
Please do not bring or wear any partisan political signs or buttons, etc. These are not allowed on election property, and we want this to be a celebration of our progress rather than a continuation of political divisions. There will be suffrage centennial buttons for the first 150 women, information about the Equal Rights Amendment and more. Our votes could not be more important this year. So before you mail that ballot in, plan to be part of this visual celebration of the impact women make when they vote.
We also want to acknowledge that many of our BIPOC sisters across the US were not included in the 19th Amendment and are still battling voter suppression today. Let's make this generation the one that finally sees protected equal voting rights for ALL women in our country.
Mansfield Dialogue
Japan-U.S.-China: Japan's Indo-Pacific Diplomacy
Wednesday, October 28
Dr. Mie Oba, Professor at Kanagawa University, will reflect on critical relations between our three nations given the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The coronavirus disease pandemic has made clearer various trends and contradictions that emerged in the last decade. Japan had searched for a new direction in its diplomacy by proposing a free and open Indo-Pacific, while facing the transformation of regional order. Under the new administration, Japan will have to continue to address various severe problems to promote the free and open regional and international order. This lecture will review Japan’s Indo-Pacific diplomacy, with a focus on the U.S. and China.
Mansfield Dialogue: Election Post-Mortem
Wednesday, November 4
The MTPR Campaign Beat Crew of Sally Mauk, Holly Michels, and Rob Saldin will analyze election results and what they mean for the future of politics and governing in Helena and Washington.
Mansfield Dialogue: The Myth of Chinese Capitalism
Wednesday, November 18
Award-winning journalist and author of The Myth of Chinese Capitalism Dexter Roberts will discuss how surging income inequality and rising social tensions block China’s continued economic rise, with global implications. Moderated by special guest Bay Fang, recently President of Radio Free Asia.
Roberts is an award-winning writer and speaker who previously spent more than two decades as China bureau chief and Asia news editor of Bloomberg Businessweek. He now serves as a UM Mansfield Fellow and instructor in political science, and as a Nonresident Senior Fellow in the Atlantic Council’s Asia Security Initiative.
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Please Note, Due to the Higgins Bridge construction the Women in Black are now standing on the corner of Front & Orange! Join them this Fridays at 12:15.
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Nonviolent Communication Practice Group
Every second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, at Noon join Patrick Marsolek to practice and learn to use Nonviolent Communication. No Charge. No experience necessary. This weekly group provides an opportunity to give and receive empathy, do role play with challenging or stressful life situations, and practice the fundamentals of Nonviolent Communication. If interested, email Patrick for more info on how to join the Zoom meeting. info@PatrickMarsolek.com
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Stamps for a Cause
Did you know that your used stamps can help fund a great cause? Simply rip the corner with the stamp off the envelope and drop it by JRPC next time you are in! For those who have been bringing stamps for years there have been a couple of changes. The Quaker Meeting that is managing the project is now giving 100% of the proceeds to a very vital Quaker Organization, the Right Sharing of World Resources. Also, due to the large number of "Flag" stamps and the Non-profit stamp, they have no value for collectors so please do not submit them.
"Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want."
ANNA LAPPE
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Jeannette Rankin Peace Center has been in Missoula since 1986, working to build non-violence, social justice and sustainability. We are pleased to be a member of the Montana Shares Network, a partnership of Montana-based nonprofit groups devoted to improving the quality of life in communities throughout the state. Give to JRPC through your workplace. www.montanashares.org
The JRPC e-newsletter is sent to our listserv each Thursday. Deadline for calendar items is noon, Wednesday. We always appreciate your contributions, comments and suggestions. If you would like to be taken off our mailing list, please unsubscribe above.