Chico Peace and Justice Center

July 31, 2007
Chico Peace and Justice Center

The right of habeas corpus has been a part of our country's legal tradition longer than we've actually been a country. It means that our government has to explain why it's holding a person in custody. But now, the War on Terror has nixed many of the rules we used to think of as fundamental. At Guantanamo Bay, our government initially claimed that prisoners should not be covered by habeas - or even by the Geneva Conventions - because they're the most fearsome enemies we have. But is that true? Is it a camp full of terrorists, or a camp full of our mistakes?

The Peabody Award winning "Habeas Schmabeas 2007" radio show from Public Radio International was played following by a discussion.

August 1, 2007
Chico Peace and Justice Center

With an excess of eggplants and a shortage of tomatoes, a plethora of peaches but a craving for apricots, local farmers and non-farmers filled their bags with extra (but edible) fruits and/or veggies and SWAPPED them with another grower for something they liked better.

August 6, 2007
Community Park (MLK Jr. 20th Street Park)

August 6, 2007 marked the 62nd anniversary of the first use of atomic/nuclear weapons on a civilian population. Regardless of justification used at that time, over two hundred thousand civilians were killed. Working for peace requires remembrance of the humanity of our neighbors, brothers and sisters. An exhibit of poems, essays, photos, and drawings of the survivors of the atomic bomb was displayed at Community Park (MLK Jr. 20th Street Park) for this reason.

August 8, 2007

When the atomic bombs detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, people within 300 meters of the hypocenters were instantly vaporized by the intense heat, leaving nothing behind but faint "shadows" on nearby walls, pavement, and other stone and concrete surfaces that weren't vaporized with them. Survivors traced these shadows with chalk, and the tracings have become a symbol for state terrorism and nuclear annihilation.

A group of people set out in the streets of Chico to chalk these shadows as a reminder of the devastation that took place sixty-two years ago.

August 9, 2007
Butte County Library

Former CPJC director, Rachel Morones-Black hosted a Fair Trade Party which featured complementary Certified Fair Trade coffee and offered Certified Fair Trade merchandise for purchase. The philosophy behind Certified Fair Trade and its importance in our community and around the world was the topic of conversation.

August 10, 2007
Chico Peace and Justice Center

G.R.U.B. is an organization focused on resourcefully growing healthy food in local yards for residents that do not have the time or "know how" to grow their own. The program builds community by distributing the harvests among members and neighbors. There is no charge to the gardening space providers.

G.R.U.B. organizers hosted a benefit to fund the program. An indian curry dinner was served, there was live music by Dick and Jane and Dave Mulligan, and lots of talk about G.R.U.B.

Click here to read about G.R.U.B. in the Enterprise Record.

August 17, 2007
Chico Peace and Justice Center

Eartha Shanti explored the use of the Law of Attraction to create peace in our lives and in the world. Using a clear understanding of metaphysics and the ancient spiritual practice of the Sevenfold Peace, we will discussed how to create a world that works for everyone.

August 18, 2007
Chico Peace and Justice Center

A new group met to form Voices for Peace, a group of dramatic, fun loving individuals in a chorus of classic peace activism songs such as, "If I Had a Hammer" to contemporary peace activist songs like, "If Everyone Cared."

August 28, 2007
Chico Peace and Justice Center

Two seasoned activist gave a presentation covering the speakers' insights and experiences working in solidarity with grassroots communities living under threat of violence and its constant repercussions.

Noah Dillard is a seasoned activist who has spent the last two years working in solidarity with rural, indigenous communities of Colombia caught between an ongoing civil war and the violent hand of current US foreign policy. Previously he spent 6 months living in the Gaza Strip and working with the International Solidarity Movement to end the illegal occupation of Palestine.

August 28, 2007
1st St. and Broadway

In solidarity with cities around the country for the National Take a Stand Day, Chicoans gathered at Children's Playground to demand and end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The vigil joined up with the ongoing group Street Peace to "Take A Stand" in conjunction with Moveon.org.