BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Houston Peace & Justice Center - ECPv6.17.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://hpjc.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Houston Peace & Justice Center REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20230312T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20231105T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20240310T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20241103T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250405T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250405T143000 DTSTAMP:20250330T181859Z CREATED:20250316T185307Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250330T181859Z UID:10002310-1743850800-1743863400@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Spring Networking Mixer- Connect for Change: Networking for a Peaceful Revolution DESCRIPTION:Who: Activists and Non-Profit Organizations who use the tools of nonviolence to advocate for justice in all areas of our community in order to bring about a more peaceful world  \n\n\n\nWhen: Saturday\, April 5\, 2025 — 11 AM to 2:30 PM  \n\n\n\nWhere: Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd Houston TX 77021 \n\n\n\nThis event is free and lunch is provided\, but space is limited to the first 100 guests. Save your spot by registering early\, using this RSVP form. \n\n\n\nIn order to ensure enough food and seating for everyone attending\, please RSVP. Tabling space is limited and provided on a first come\, first serve basis. \n\n\n\nFor more information\, contact Sophia Moreau (phone/text 832-326-6149 or email sofymoreau212@gmail.com) URL:https://hpjc.org/event/spring-networking-mixer/ LOCATION:Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room\, Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd\, Houston\, TX\, 77021\, United States GEO:29.7072291;-95.3832631 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room Dominican Sisters of Houston 6501 Almeda Rd Houston TX 77021 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd:geo:-95.3832631,29.7072291 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250330T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250330T150000 DTSTAMP:20250226T040659Z CREATED:20250226T040659Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T040659Z UID:10001893-1743343200-1743346800@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Finding Common Ground on Conservation DESCRIPTION:In our hyper-polarized political environment\, with upheavals beginning again that will impact conservation efforts nationwide\, how can those of us who care about nature find messages and actions that will bridge the divide? Especially from the voice of the faith community? Jeff Sargent of the Native Prairies Association of Texas will share his perspectives from a professional and personal standpoint\, and seek your feedback on what you are doing individually that has worked\, or not. This program will be recorded and the recording distributed to all registrants. Time for interactive Q&A with the speaker will be provided. Please register for this talk on www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-common-ground-on-conservation-tickets-1230882826669. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/finding-common-ground-on-conservation/ LOCATION:online\, not applicable\, not applicable\, not applicable\, United States CATEGORIES:Environmental & Environmental Justice,Presentation or Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://hpjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jeff-Sargent.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church":MAILTO:ctk@ctkelc.org GEO:38.888684;-77.004719 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=online not applicable not applicable not applicable United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=not applicable:geo:-77.004719,38.888684 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250328T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250328T210000 DTSTAMP:20250319T165908Z CREATED:20250319T165905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250319T165908Z UID:10001909-1743181200-1743195600@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Night of Ideas featuring Dr. Peter Hotez Presented with Villa Albertine & Institut Français DESCRIPTION:Villa Albertine’s signature evening of arts and culture marathon\, “Night of Ideas” will take place from March 27 through April 6 across 20 US cities. The event invites thought leaders\, activists\, performers\, authors\, and academics to engage the public in late-night discussions addressing major global issues. This year’s unifying theme is “Common Ground\,” prompting participants to consider how we can commit to and protect what we have in common. How can we foster authentic interpersonal connection in an increasingly digital world? In a polarized political landscape\, where are our opportunities for dialogue? As extreme weather threatens our planet\, how can we preserve the land beneath our feet? Night of Ideas is presented by Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation and coordinated worldwide by the Institut Français.\n\nThis year’s festival at the Rothko Chapel will include events exploring common ground in pursuit of health justice with performances and talks:\n5pm – “Connecting through Music & Medicine\,” Performance by Texas Medical Center Orchestra\n6pm – “Texas Through Women’s Minds\,” Talk by Prune Antoine\, French journalist-researcher & Current Artist in Residence with Villa Albertine\n6:45pm – “The Advocacy Power of Music & Poetry\,” Performance & Discussion with Toni Hickman & Sofia Heyl\nSpecial Thanks to Community Partner ReelAbilities\n7:30pm – “The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science\,” Talk by Dr. Peter Hotez\, epidemiologist & professor\n8:30pm – Reception & Book Signing with Dr. Peter Hotez URL:https://hpjc.org/event/night-of-ideas-featuring-dr-peter-hotez-presented-with-villa-albertine-institut-francais/ LOCATION:Rothko Chapel\, 3900 Yupon St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77006\, United States CATEGORIES:Environmental & Environmental Justice,Presentation or Lecture,Social ORGANIZER;CN="Rothko Chapel":MAILTO:info@rothkochapel.org GEO:29.7378214;-95.3957425 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Rothko Chapel 3900 Yupon St. Houston TX 77006 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3900 Yupon St.:geo:-95.3957425,29.7378214 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250323T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250323T160000 DTSTAMP:20250226T040720Z CREATED:20250226T040720Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T040720Z UID:10001889-1742738400-1742745600@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Beach Clean-Up DESCRIPTION:Calling people of all faiths\, or no faith at all\, to care for our common home in a beach clean-up in Surfside! We will remove trash polluting a shoreline at Surfside Beach\, helping to protect and restore our beautiful Gulf. This event will offer activities for all ages and skill levels\, so bring the whole family! Supplies will be provided. You just need a reusable water bottle and closed-toe shoes. This beach clean-up is organized by the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston in partnership with the Village of Surfside Beach. Registration for this event is limited and required for participation. Specific meeting location in Surfside Beach will be sent to all registrants several days prior to the event. Register on www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beach-clean-up-tickets-1230893929879.  Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions. \n. \n  URL:https://hpjc.org/event/beach-clean-up-3/ LOCATION:Surfside Beach\, Highway 332 at Surf Drive\, Village of Surfside Beach\, 77541 CATEGORIES:Environmental & Environmental Justice,Social,Video Showing ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://hpjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/beachsign.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston":MAILTO:gcs.lrc@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250322T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250322T210000 DTSTAMP:20250130T000218Z CREATED:20250130T000216Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250130T000218Z UID:10001870-1742652000-1742677200@hpjc.org SUMMARY:UU Houston Music Fest DESCRIPTION:Music Fest: Local bands\, food\, belly dancers! URL:https://hpjc.org/event/uu-houston-music-fest/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250322T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250322T210000 DTSTAMP:20250129T123347Z CREATED:20250129T122453Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250129T123347Z UID:10001869-1742652000-1742677200@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Music Fest DESCRIPTION:A day of music and fellowship with local bands\, food\, belly dancers. Bring Children\, coolers\, pets on leases\, lawn chairs\, frisbees and any pastime you please. Arts & Crafts. Hand drumming. children’s Peace Club Activities. Vendors welcome. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/music-fest/ LOCATION:Unitarian Fellowship of Houston\, 1504 Wirt Road\, Houston\, TX\, 77055\, United States CATEGORIES:Live Performance,Peace Education for Children & Families,Social GEO:29.7968444;-95.4843976 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Unitarian Fellowship of Houston 1504 Wirt Road Houston TX 77055 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1504 Wirt Road:geo:-95.4843976,29.7968444 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250320T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250320T203000 DTSTAMP:20250319T165744Z CREATED:20250319T165740Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250319T165744Z UID:10001910-1742495400-1742502600@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Women's History Month: Looking at Internalized Sexism DESCRIPTION:Please join the Center for Healing Racism in a facilitated discussion of internalized sexism on Thursday\, March 20\, 2025\, 6:30 PM 3412 Crawford Street\, Houston\, TX 77004.  Parking in HCC Lot 9 (Holman@Crawford/Almeda).  This event is free and open to the public with donations appreciated. Registration required at https://www.centerhealingracism.org/event/womens-history-month-looking-at-internalized-sexism/ URL:https://hpjc.org/event/womens-history-month-looking-at-internalized-sexism/ LOCATION:Center for the Healing of Racism\, 3412 Crawford Street\, Houston\, TX\, 77004 CATEGORIES:Presentation or Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://hpjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CFHR-Womens-History-2025.png ORGANIZER;CN="Center for the Healing of Racism":MAILTO:cfhr1@juno.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250313T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250313T190000 DTSTAMP:20250105T170407Z CREATED:20250105T170404Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250105T170407Z UID:10001851-1741887000-1741892400@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Protest/Vigil: The Execution of David Wood DESCRIPTION:The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has scheduled the execution of David Wood. Join the Death Row Angels and other activists outside the Walls Unit in Huntsville on the corner of Ave. I and 12th Street for the vigil/protest and let TDCJ\, Gov. Abbott\, Attorney General Ken Paxton and all of Texas know we oppose the use of capital punishment. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/protest-vigil-the-execution-of-david-wood/ ORGANIZER;CN="Death Row Angels":MAILTO:lheughan@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250309T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250309T180000 DTSTAMP:20250219T004959Z CREATED:20250218T233156Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250219T004959Z UID:10001906-1741521600-1741543200@hpjc.org SUMMARY:March For Future Generations DESCRIPTION:The March for Future Generations is a multi-generational initiative uniting individuals concerned about the environmental legacy being left for children\, grandchildren and beyond. On Saturday March 9 from 12-6pm join us for a family friendly day at Discovery Green Park (Lindsey Waterside Landing). THEN on Monday March 10\, join us for the March For Future Generations. Meet at 11am March starts at 12PM (NOON) at Root Square Park in Downtown Houston. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/march-for-future-generations/ CATEGORIES:Environmental & Environmental Justice END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250305T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250305T235959 DTSTAMP:20250109T015611Z CREATED:20250109T015607Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250109T015611Z UID:10001862-1741132800-1741219199@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Protest of US Obstruction of Disarmament Treaty DESCRIPTION:The Atlantic Life Community (ALC) is organizing a protest in New York City during the 3rd Meeting of the States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Held at the United Nations from March 3-7\, the meeting seeks to advance global nuclear disarmament\, though nuclear armed states remain opposed. The ALC\, along side the War Resisters League and Veterans for Peace\, will protest the US Role in obstructing disarmament efforts. Catholic Worker communities are among the organizers. For more details contact Steve Baggarly of the Norfolk Catholic Worker at 757-423-5420. \n\n\n\nThis protest is on Ash Wednesday. Archbishop Wester will be offering evening mass on March 4 before he speaks to the United Nations on March 5. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/protest-of-us-obstruction-of-disarmament-treaty/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250302T020000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250302T160000 DTSTAMP:20250221T181839Z CREATED:20250221T181837Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250221T181839Z UID:10001907-1740880800-1740931200@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Susan Abulhawas the realities of the Gaza Situation DESCRIPTION:Susan Abulhawa’s very short presentation\, 18 minutes at the Oxford Student Union\, is an important video. We watch and discuss in detail. Please come with an open and inquisitive mind. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSusan Abulhawa is a Palestinian-American scientist\, writer\, and activist. Her first novel\, Mornings in Jenin\, was translated into 32 languages and sold over a million copies. The sales and reach of her debut novel made Abulhawa the most widely read Palestinian author of all time.  URL:https://hpjc.org/event/susan-abulhawas-the-realities-of-the-gaza-situation/ LOCATION:Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room\, Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd\, Houston\, TX\, 77021\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="HPJC":MAILTO:director@hpjc.org GEO:29.7072291;-95.3832631 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room Dominican Sisters of Houston 6501 Almeda Rd Houston TX 77021 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd:geo:-95.3832631,29.7072291 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250301T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250301T235959 DTSTAMP:20250109T022148Z CREATED:20250109T022145Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250109T022148Z UID:10001863-1740787200-1740873599@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Houston Student Climate Conference DESCRIPTION:Sunrise Houston is an organization dedicated to building a movement of young people across race and class; stopping the climate crisis and creating millions of good jobs in the process. \n\n\n\nWe will be hosting a MASS MEETING for any and all high school and college students interested in stopping the devastating effects of climate change. We will have food\, drinks\, games\, but we will also be covering some big topics! These will include: \n\n\n\nHaving fun! \n\n\n\nGoing over climate issues in the city. \n\n\n\nEmpowering each other so we know we can make a difference. \n\n\n\nBuilding community and friendship with one another. \n\n\n\nDeveloping a plan to take action after the conference. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/houston-student-climate-conference/ ORGANIZER;CN="Sunrise Movement Houston":MAILTO:sunrisemvmthtx@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250226T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250226T210000 DTSTAMP:20250226T042753Z CREATED:20250226T042646Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T042753Z UID:10001908-1740596400-1740603600@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Live Oak Friends Meeting Of Houston Inc DESCRIPTION:Join Live Oak Friends in welcoming singer songwriter Tom Neilson to Houston to share his witty yet right on social commentary in support of building a movement toward creating a world that works for all of us. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/live-oak-friends-meeting-of-houston-inc/ LOCATION:Tom Neilson concert\, 1318 W 26th St\, Houston\, Texas\, 77008\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://hpjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image-4.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250222T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250222T160000 DTSTAMP:20250105T163906Z CREATED:20250105T163903Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250105T163906Z UID:10001848-1740214800-1740240000@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty Annual Conference 2025 DESCRIPTION:The TCADP 2025 Annual conference: Becoming a Catalysts for Change will feature a keynote address by State Representative Joe Moody and a panel discussion with David Martin Davies\, Beech Stolhandske McNeel and Michelle Pitcher. Presentation of Awards will be given to the Friends meeting of Austin\, Shirl A. P. Solomon\, Rev. Brian Wharton\, and Gretchen Sween. We will provide workshop sessions on a variety of topics featuring experts and voices of experience on death penalty issues. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/texas-coalition-to-abolish-the-death-penalty-annual-conference-2025/ LOCATION:Thompson Conference Center on the University of Texas campus\, 2405 Robert Dedman Dr.\, Austin\, Texas\, 78712\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty":MAILTO:info@tcadp.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250222T040000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250222T043000 DTSTAMP:20250218T231246Z CREATED:20250218T231244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250218T231246Z UID:10001905-1740196800-1740198600@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Black History Event GA DESCRIPTION:Join Texas Organizing Project Members in unity with the community in a lively\, joyful atmosphere\, as we celebrate Black History Month in acknowledgement of our ancestors. There will be live performances and a pop-up market with local vendors. CONTACT CHRIS JENKINS \n\n\n\n5830A VAN FLEET STREET\, HOUSTON TX 77033 URL:https://hpjc.org/event/black-history-event-ga/ ORGANIZER;CN="Texas Organizing Project":MAILTO:info@organizetexas.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250215T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250215T103000 DTSTAMP:20250105T173849Z CREATED:20250105T173846Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250105T173849Z UID:10001855-1739610000-1739615400@hpjc.org SUMMARY:HPJC Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Our first HPJC Board meeting for 2025 will be held over Zoom. The Zoom Invitation and Agenda will be sent by email to all board members no later than Feb 8th. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/hpjc-board-meeting-4/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250213T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250213T190000 DTSTAMP:20250105T170109Z CREATED:20250105T170106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250105T170109Z UID:10001850-1739467800-1739473200@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Protest/Vigil: Execution of Richard Tabler DESCRIPTION:The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has scheduled the execution of Richard Tabler. Join the Death Row Angels and other activists outside the Walls Unit in Huntsville on the corner of Ave. I and 12th Street for the vigil/protest and let TDCJ\, Gov. Abbott\, Attorney General Ken Paxton and all of Texas know we oppose the use of capital punishment. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/protest-vigil-execution-of-richard-tabler/ ORGANIZER;CN="Death Row Angels":MAILTO:lheughan@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250208T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250208T203000 DTSTAMP:20250204T004715Z CREATED:20250204T004712Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250204T004715Z UID:10001873-1739039400-1739046600@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Sunrise Movie Night DESCRIPTION:Sunrise Movement Houston Hub and the Economic Justice Working Group of HPJC invites you to our Discord Server for Movie Night! \n\n\n\nSaturday\, February 8\, 2025\, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm \n\n\n\n“Storming Caesar’s Palace” chronicles the life of Ruby Duncan\, an activist who fights the welfare system and becomes a White House advisor. A real-life superhero\, she takes on both the Nevada political establishment and organized crime in a valiant and resolute act of civil disobedience. \n\n\n\nA movie about a Black Single Mother who fights the “No Man in the House” laws that were preventing poor children from receiving the benefits that they needed to eat 🙂We will have about 1 hour 30 minutes of movie and 1/2 hour of discussion after.Here is the discord link to join Movie Night: https://discord.gg/SvUFaeBG \n\n\n\nPlease contact Faye Ku at (903) 922-6367 if you have any questions or need help getting into the Discord or the movie. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/sunrise-movie-night/ ORGANIZER;CN="Sunrise Movement Houston":MAILTO:sunrisemvmthtx@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250205T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250205T190000 DTSTAMP:20250105T165637Z CREATED:20250105T165634Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250105T165637Z UID:10001849-1738776600-1738782000@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Protest/Vigil: Steven Nelson Execution DESCRIPTION:The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has scheduled the execution of Steven Nelson. Join the Death Row Angels and other activists outside the Walls Unit in Huntsville on the corner of Ave. I and 12th Street for the vigil/protest and let TDCJ\, Gov. Abbott\, Attorney General Ken Paxton and all of Texas know we oppose the use of capital punishment. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/protest-vigil-steven-nelson-execution/ ORGANIZER;CN="Death Row Angels":MAILTO:lheughan@gmail.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250120T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250120T170000 DTSTAMP:20250116T000608Z CREATED:20250116T000605Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250116T000608Z UID:10001864-1737374400-1737392400@hpjc.org SUMMARY:We Fight Back! National Day of Action DESCRIPTION:On January 20th\, people from cities and towns across the country will come together in a nationwide mobilization opposing Trump’s ultra-right\, billionaire agenda. It will be a National Day of Action to demand a future that centers the needs of the people over the interest of the wealthy elite. There will be actions in all major cities including Houston. \n\n\n\nJoin us to protest Trump’s ultra-right\, billionaire agenda and honor the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.! URL:https://hpjc.org/event/we-fight-back-national-day-of-action/ LOCATION:Emancipation Park\, 3018 Emancipation Ave.\, Houston\, 77004 ORGANIZER;CN="Party for Socialism & Liberation":MAILTO:houston@pslweb.org GEO:29.7357077;-95.3643926 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Emancipation Park 3018 Emancipation Ave. Houston 77004;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3018 Emancipation Ave.:geo:-95.3643926,29.7357077 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250120T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250120T120000 DTSTAMP:20250105T172639Z CREATED:20250105T172636Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250105T172639Z UID:10001853-1737367200-1737374400@hpjc.org SUMMARY:The 47th Annual Original MLK Day Parade 2025 DESCRIPTION:HPJC is proud to be marching in the Original Martin Luther King Jr Day Parade hosted by the Black Heritage Society in Downtown Houston. If you would like to march with us\, please contact Sophia Moreau at 832 326 6149 or sofymoreau212@gmail.com for details on when and where to meet. We have limited spots in a vehicle for those who are unable to walk the route. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/the-47th-annual-original-mlk-day-parade-2025/ ORGANIZER;CN="Black Heritage Society":MAILTO:info@blackheritagesociety.net END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250118T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250118T170000 DTSTAMP:20250115T235246Z CREATED:20250108T194700Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T235246Z UID:10001859-1737205200-1737219600@hpjc.org SUMMARY:The People's Peaceful Protest: Resistance is Resilience DESCRIPTION:Due to permit issues\, we will have a peaceful protest/sit-in and the People’s Peaceful Protest is changing venues from Discovery Green to City Hall. We will meet at City Hall at 1PM Jan. 18. Lawn chairs and small coolers will be allowed. Please leave glass containers at home. No mace\, pocket knives\, guns\, multi-tools or any weapons of any style are permitted. Megaphones are not allowed because we do not have a noise permit. There will be police presence at the event in case of counter protesters. \n\n\n\nIf you believe that decisions about your body should remain yours\, that books belong in libraries\, not on bonfires\, that healthcare is a right not a privilege for the wealthy; if you believe in the power of free speech and protest to sustain democracy; or if you want an economy that works for the people who power it- then this is the protest for you! \n\n\n\nRSVP https://map.peoplesmarch.com/events/people-s-march-houston-peaceful-protest URL:https://hpjc.org/event/the-peoples-march-houston-is-marching-forward/ LOCATION:Houston City Hall\, 901 Bagby Street\, Houston\, 77002 CATEGORIES:Protest END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250118T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250118T120000 DTSTAMP:20250117T233513Z CREATED:20250117T233448Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250117T233513Z UID:10001865-1737190800-1737201600@hpjc.org SUMMARY:1st Annual MLK Jr Parade Iowa Colony DESCRIPTION:Local neighborhood celebration of the good works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. \n\n\n\nLocation: 3144 Meridian Pkwy Arcola\, TX 77583 (Just west off HWY 288 South) URL:https://hpjc.org/event/1st-annual-mlk-jr-parade-iowa-colony/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250115T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250115T200000 DTSTAMP:20250115T224125Z CREATED:20250105T162312Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T224125Z UID:10001847-1736965800-1736971200@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Annual MLK Birthday Observance "Sick of War: Discussion Health Impacts of US Militarism" DESCRIPTION:Join us for a timely conversation of the adverse health impacts of war and the US military-industrial complex. Keynote speaker David Vine will share a historical narrative of the relationship between the US economy and military imperialism\, including the ways this history has impacted our community health\, followed by a panel discussion with a doctor\, veteran and chaplain\, and medicine historian. \n\n\n\nEvent details: \n\n\n\nhttps://www.rothkochapel.org/experience/events/register/2584 URL:https://hpjc.org/event/annual-mlk-birthday-observance-sick-of-war-discussion-health-impacts-of-us-militarism/ LOCATION:Rothko Chapel\, 3900 Yupon St.\, Houston\, TX\, 77006\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Rothko Chapel":MAILTO:info@rothkochapel.org GEO:29.7378214;-95.3957425 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Rothko Chapel 3900 Yupon St. Houston TX 77006 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3900 Yupon St.:geo:-95.3957425,29.7378214 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250111T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250111T120000 DTSTAMP:20250105T173414Z CREATED:20250105T173411Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250105T173414Z UID:10001854-1736586000-1736596800@hpjc.org SUMMARY:HPJC Annual Planning Workshop 2025 DESCRIPTION:Join other members of HPJC to learn and share ways we can make HPJC more effective this year in supporting all peace and justice issues. A light breakfast will be served. Please RSVP by Thursday\, Jan 9 so we have enough food! RSVP to Sophia Moreau 832-326-6149 or sofymoreau212@gmail.com URL:https://hpjc.org/event/hpjc-annual-planning-workshop-2025/ LOCATION:Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room\, Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd\, Houston\, TX\, 77021\, United States GEO:29.7072291;-95.3832631 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room Dominican Sisters of Houston 6501 Almeda Rd Houston TX 77021 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd:geo:-95.3832631,29.7072291 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20241110T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20241110T170000 DTSTAMP:20241007T145403Z CREATED:20240821T203354Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241007T145403Z UID:10001670-1731247200-1731258000@hpjc.org SUMMARY:2024 HPJC Peacemaker Awards Ceremony DESCRIPTION:The Houston Peace & Justice Center is excited to announce the Peacemaker Awardees who we will recognize at our annual Peacemaker Awards Ceremony on Nov. 10\, and encourage you to make your reservations soon for this event – which is also the primary fundraiser for the year\, for all of HPJC’s activities. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPhoto credit for the Three Amigos: The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston \n\n\n\nPeacemaker Awardees\n\n\n\nWe’re doing something a bit different this year for the National Peacemaker Award. Instead of being giving on one person\, we will give it posthumously to three outstanding individuals who were leaders in three different faiths and who worked individually and collectively for more than 50 years to make major strides in social justice and more. They are the “Three Amigos of Houston” — Rev. William A. Lawson\, Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza\, and Rabbi Samuel E. Karff. Accepting the award on their behalf will be family members of Rev. Lawson and Rabbi Karff\, and one of the Dominican Sisters for Archbishop Fiorenza. Details are below. \n\n\n\nLocal Peacemaker Awardees this year are Dr. John Theis\, the Death Row Angels of Houston\, Barry Klein\, and Laisha Harris. More on each of them is below as well. \n\n\n\nReserve your Seats for the Ceremony\n\n\n\nSeats for the ceremony are limited\, and ticket prices go up as we get closer to the event\, so please make your reservations today. Here’s the registration link: https://form.jotform.com/hpjc/hpjc-peacemaker-awards-2024\n\n\n\nThe Awards Ceremony is not just a fun event\, that recognizes some outstanding people and organizations. It’s also HPJC’s primary fundraiser for the year\, that helps to cover expenses for our varied programs\, including Peace Camp Houston. \n\n\n\nTicket prices:\n\n\n\n\n$80 per person through Oct. 10\n\n\n\n$90 Oct. 11-20\n\n\n\n$100 after Oct. 20\n\n\n\n\nFood\, Drinks\, Location\n\n\n\nWe will not have a full dinner\, but there will be plenty of food and drinks for all – another reason we need everyone to reserve seats in advance\, so we’ll know how much food and how many chairs and tables will be needed. \n\n\n\nThe Ceremony will be Sunday afternoon\, Nov. 10 (after the general elections) at the Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room\, 6501 Almeda Rd\, Houston 77021. This is the same location of last year and we are thrilled that the Sisters are providing this venue for us again. This is just east of Hermann Park\, north of Holcomb Blvd. There is plenty of free parking. Doors open at 2 pm\, with food/ drinks/ reception starting then\, with the program starting around 45 minutes later. Pre-registration is required! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPeacemaker Awardee Details\n\n\n\nNational Peacemaker Award – to be given posthumously to the “Three Amigos of Houston”:\n\n\n\nThe three faith leaders Reverend William A. Lawson (Baptist)\, Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza (Catholic) and Rabbi Samuel E. Karff (Jewish) are all now deceased\, but they joined forces for more than 50 years to help make Houston a better place to live. The coverage of the recent death of Reverend Bill Lawson highlighted some of their work together. \n\n\n\nLongtime Houston faith and civil rights leaders Rabbi Samuel Karff of Congregation Beth Israel\, and Reverend William Lawson\, Pastor Emeritus of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston\, and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza of the archdiocese of Galveston Houston were affectionately called the “Three Amigos” for their lengthy experience of working together to end injustices and to “respect thy neighbor” \n\n\n\nMuch of the group’s efforts led to long-lasting systemic change for good as a early result of their friendship and a shared interest in trying to bring justice for all in our city and our state and our country. \n\n\n\nTogether\, the “Three Amigos” were a mighty force. They united their formidable powers to champion the causes that were important to them. In the mid 1980’s during Houston’s economic downturn\, the Three Amigos\, along with other local clergy\, banded together to form the Campaign for the Homeless\, which exists today as the Coalition for the Homeless. They were also leading voices in the Anti-Defamation League’s Coalition for Mutual Respect since its inception twenty-five years ago. Additionally\, they worked for numerous other city causes including juvenile justice reform\, geriatric health care needs\, and distribution of funding for low-income victims of Hurricane Harvey. The beautiful Plaza of Respect at the Interfaith Ministries building in downtown Houston is dedicated to all three of them. It is a lasting legacy of their love of each other\, this city and humanity. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRev. William A. Lawson\n\n\n\nRev. William A. “Bill” Lawson (1928–2024) was born in St. Louis\, but made his home in Houston as a young man when he accepted a professorship at Texas Southern University. Within a few years of his 1955 arrival in the city\, he became one of its civil rights leaders. He listened to his students at the historically Black Texas Southern\, who were inspired by lunch counter sit-ins elsewhere in the country: They wanted to mount their own in an effort to desegregate Houston. Drawn into the movement by their passion\, Lawson became an important voice for peaceful integration there.   \n\n\n\nLawson joined meetings of Houston business leaders as they discussed the sit-ins and considered whether and how to desegregate the city. Lawson advised the officials as they came to a consensus to quietly remove “whites only” signs and other symbols of segregation\, effectively ushering in integration with little fanfare. The stealth tactic worked\, and Houston’s 1960 integration was notably peaceful.  \n\n\n\nIn 1962\, Lawson founded Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church\, a prominent faith community in Houston that he went on to lead for more than 40 years. The following year\, King came to Houston and preached at Wheeler Avenue Baptist. It marked the beginning of a friendship between the two activists\, as well as a working relationship in which Lawson established a Houston office of King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference.  \n\n\n\nEarning the nickname “Houston’s Pastor\,” Lawson remained an important figure in the city throughout his life. Among his many efforts of service\, he helped establish the first African-American studies program at the University of Houston\, worked to get out the vote\, and sponsored the city’s largest troop of Boy Scouts.  \n\n\n\nThe above bio is from legacy.com \n\n\n\nAccepting the award on behalf of Rev. Lawson\, telling everyone about him\, and answering questions will be one of his family members (TBD). \n\n\n\nArchbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza\n\n\n\nArchbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza (1931-2022) was was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the seventh bishop and the first archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas\, serving from 1985 to 2006. He previously served as bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo in Texas from 1979 to 1984. \n\n\n\nAbout the Archbishop\, Rev. William Lawson shared the following message with the Archdocese following Fiorenza’ shared this message to the Archdiocese’s death: \n\n\n\n“My friendship with Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza was a genuine one. I respect his title\, but to me\, he was always “Joe.” He shared my values to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and that we should love our neighbor as ourselves” (Luke 10:27). His leadership among the Catholic Bishops of America\, and even his extraordinary involvement in the construction and planning of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart\, are a testament to his skills of collaboration. In service to our faiths and shared values\, Joe and I\, along with the late Rabbi Samuel Karff\, did our best to humbly answer the call in Isaiah (1:17) to do good\, seek justice\, and defend the oppressed. We worked to de-segregate Houston’s schools and businesses\, created alliances to provide solutions for Houston’s homeless\, committed to increase Harris County’s responsiveness to the legal needs of the indigent and even labored to create a vision for age-friendly care which supports seniors who need geriatric services. Joe spoke in a quiet voice\, but he was a strong presence wherever he went. My prayers are with the Fiorenza family and the many persons who\, like me\, loved him. I will always miss him.” \n\n\n\nAccepting the award on behalf of the Archbishop\, telling everyone about him\, and answering questions will be Maureen O’Connell\, OP\, who founded Angela House in 2001 to serve women coming out of incarceration. She also served as Chicago police officer and police chaplain; 16 years as a clinical social worker serving children and families who had experienced physical and sexual abuse in Houston and as Victim’s Assistance Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Sister Maureen has also served as Director of the Secretariat for Social Concerns in the Archdiocese of Galveston Houston since January 2020. She is a Dominican Sister of Adrian\, Michigan\, and has lived and ministered with the Houston Dominican Sisters. Both are Catholic religious community known for their commitment to social justice. \n\n\n\nRabbi Samuel E. Karff \n\n\n\nRabbi Samuel Egal Karff (1931-2020) was the son of two Israeli immigrants\, Louis and Reba Karff\, who were both Hebrew school teachers\, and he grew up with a strong love of both Judaism and education. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard\, and was ordained as a Reform Rabbi in 1956 from the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati\, Ohio where he also received a Doctorate in Hebrew Letters in 1962. Prior to starting his career as a congregational Rabbi\, he served as an Air Force Chaplain both in the states and overseas. Rabbi Karff’s rabbinate took him first to Temple Beth Israel in Hartford\, Connecticut. In 1963\, Rabbi Karff’s career took him from Flint to the prestigious Reform congregation\, Sinai Temple in Chicago’s Hyde Park. In addition to his rabbinic responsibilities\, Rabbi Karff taught classes at the University of Chicago Divinity School and Notre Dame and became involved in social justice issues that he would champion the rest of his life. In 1974\, Rabbi Karff accepted the position of senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel\, (Texas’s oldest synagogue) in Houston\, Texas. During his twenty-four year tenure at Congregation Beth Israel\, he founded the Shlenker School which continues to provide a rich Jewish and secular education for students from early childhood through fifth grade. The role of congregational rabbi is multi-faceted\, and Rabbi Karff was uniquely gifted in all of the different areas. He was a phenomenal speaker and wove brilliant sermons together by blending biblical scholarship\, contemporary literary fiction\, current events and film. Each sermon was a profound collage that moved the congregation so much you could often hear their collective murmurs of awe after he finished speaking. He was also able to preach and teach to the youngest members of his congregation. But he was also the consummate spiritual guide as his own deep and abiding faith was both genuine and constant. Rabbi Karff was also a Rabbi’s Rabbi\, leading his colleagues as the President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis from 1989-1991 and by sharing his experience of being called to the rabbinate in his memoir\, For This You Were Created. While in Houston\, Rabbi Karff found many ways to interact with the larger community outside the congregation. He taught in the Religion Department at Rice University and was actively involved with Interfaith Ministries. His social justice work\, begun in Chicago\, took on even deeper meaning\, when he joined forces with Rev. William A. Lawson\, Founding Pastor Emeritus Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. \n\n\n\nAfter becoming the Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in 1999\, Rabbi Karff embarked on new challenges in the Texas Medical Center. He founded the Health and Human Spirit Program–the precursor to the McGovern Center. He also co-created the Sacred Vocation Program (SVP) at the University of Texas Medical School and served as its co-director. SVP is a program which focuses on the relational aspects of being a physician; Rabbi Karff believed deeply that all members of a patient’s health care team— and all employees of health care institutions—were part of a sacred vocation because they had opportunities to make each person feel honored and nurtured. The Sacred Vocation Program is now incorporated into medical centers across the United States. He shared a very special bond with the other two thirds of the Three Amigos\, Reverend Bill Lawson and Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Fiorenza. www.beth-israel.org \n\n\n\nAccepting the award on behalf of the Rabbi will be Liz Seitz\, who is one of his daughters. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLocal Peacemaker Awardees\n\n\n\nDr. John J. Theis\n\n\n\nJohn Theis\n\n\n\nDr. John J. Theis\, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement for the Lone Star College System and professor of Political Science on the Kingwood Campus\, introduced deliberative forums work to college campuses. He recently brought together a predominantly black church with a predominantly white church to discuss racial and social justice issues for several years now. He cofounded Occupy Kingwood where the group occupied a corner in Kingwood for 52 consecutive weeks. He works with teens engaging them in our current body politic and much more. \n\n\n\nIn an article titled “How Civic Engagement Spread across Six College Campuses”\, author Maura Casey describes how Dr. Theis introduced deliberative forums work to college campuses. Here’s an excerpt: “He began looking for ways to give students more experience with democracy that went beyond voting. At the request of his department head at the college where he taught\, Theis met with a group from Minnesota interested in civic engagement. One person from that group\, Harry Boyte\, talked about helping people identify issues in their community and getting young people involved. “I thought\, ‘This is exactly the experience I want my students to have.’ So I told them\, ‘I’m in. Political science doesn’t teach this stuff. Let’s figure out how to do this.’” \n\n\n\nMore information about his work using deliberative forums to get students involved in community affairs is at: https://www.nifi.org/en/read-about-dr-john-j-theis-and-his-work-students-how-civic-engagement-spread-across-six-college \n\n\n\nDeath Row Angels of Houston\n\n\n\nDani Allen\n\n\n\nLinda Snyder\n\n\n\nDeath Row Angels of Houston is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Dani Allen and Linda Snyder.  Their mission is to provide outreach to offenders and their families as well as to educate the public about the death penalty.  \n\n\n\nHere is a list of activities they do: \n\n\n\n\nThey correspond and personally visit  with 5-20 prison inmates every week with the goal of proving hope\, love and peace which is often absent in the day to day life of the incarcerated. \n\n\n\nThey donate food\, books\, hygiene products and help replace old or broken personal items such as a winter coat\, hot pot or radio. During visits Dani and Linda are able to purchase hot meals and cold drinks for the inmates. \n\n\n\nDani and Linda also reach out to the families of the inmates if needed offering guidance and support.  They host at their homes family members who travel to Texas to visit their loved ones in prison. They provide transportation to and from the airport and to and from the prisons. \n\n\n\nThey attend court hearings as support for the inmate. They stand outside the Huntsville Unit during every execution in protest. They attend rallies that support an inmate’s legal appeals and oppose the use of the death penalty. They write to elected officials to help inform and express concern over pending executions and new legislation.\n\n\n\nThey fund an active Pacer account (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) in order to provide access to legal filings for inmates. \n\n\n\nThey use their social media pages to educate the public about prison conditions and the death penalty process as well as keep people updated with current events and news. \n\n\n\n\nDani and Linda deserve recognition of their tireless efforts to help the men and women on death row as well as their families. Dani and Linda are the only people some of the inmates have. They bring a little bit of humanity into an inhumane system.  While registered as a non-profit organization\, the group is still very small. All of the energy is spend doing to work rather than fundraising or marketing. The vast majority of funds come from their own pockets.  \n\n\n\nBarry Klein\n\n\n\nBarry Klein\n\n\n\nBarry Klein is a long-time Houston area activist. In 1969 he was a volunteer  with the campaign to set up a Pacifica station in Houston and later became a board member. Circa 1972 he stood on a Houston esplanade in front of an office building holding a homemade sign\, saying “Dow Shall Not Kill”.  \n\n\n\nCirca 1980\, as an advocate for liberty and smaller government\, he became a reformer on local issues. Over the succeeding years he pushed for expanding transit options such as jitneys\, fought Metro’s plan to replace buses with rail\, and opposed needless freeway expansion which induces sprawl. \n\n\n\nBarry believes his most significant work is his defense of property rights with his opposition to zoning\, a traditional tool of racial and economic segregation that was being pushed by leaders of upper income neighborhoods. This led to the creation of the Houston Property Rights Association in 1992 and a successful petition drive that put the final decision in the hands of voters. The result is that voters defeated a proposed zoning ordinance in 1993 and then\, with a second vote\, added an amendment to the Houston charter in January 1994 that guarantees voters an election any time a new ordinance is proposed\, giving Houston residents a higher quality of property rights than all other major US cities. \n\n\n\nIn the course of the petition drive Barry was repeatedly interfered with by Houston police while gathering signatures or distributing flyers at public meetings. With help from pro-bono attorneys he was able sue the city and win a settlement agreement that reined in this aspect of police misconduct (HPD Circular\, Sept 1993; “LAWFUL EXERCISE OF FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS AND GATHER PETITION SIGNATURES IN PUBLIC PLACES”) \n\n\n\nIn 2015 he worked with the HPJC Military and Foreign Policy working group to plan a conference on foreign policy reform. He recruited some Republican and Libertarian Party friends who oppose unconstitutional wars. The result is that the HPJC was able to create a trans-partisan committee that sponsored an event held at Texas Southern University in April 2015 titled\, “PEACE OR WARS WITHOUT END? US Foreign Policy: A Conference to Explore Our Choices”. In the months after the conference\, the committee continued to meet with several participants to plan a post conference followup. Thus the Foreign Policy Alliance (FPA)\, as an HPJC spinoff\, was formed in 2016. \n\n\n\nBarry has devised a novel approach to peacemaking by writing a 12 point strategy to “Make foreign policy a local issue.” Most important of the tactics is direct democracy. In this case\, binding and non-binding ballot measures can be used at the local and state levels\, similar to the Nuclear Freeze playbook in the 1980s. These initiatives set the stage for a series of treaties (Ronald Reagan\, a hawk in his first term\, became a dove in his second) between the US and USSR that made massive cuts in the nuclear arsenals of both nations. The websites of Ballotpedia and the Initiative and Referendum Institute offer details on direct democracy\, and are covered comprehensively in Let the People Rule (2020)\, by professor John Matsusaka at the Univ. of Southern California. \n\n\n\nSome of the tactics promoted by Barry appear on the Take Action page of ForeignPolicyAlliance.org\, including use of home-based teach-ins to expand the antiwar movement\, and direct democracy with initiative and referendum elections\, and advisory votes. In recent years Barry has mailed dozens of packages\, and sent hundreds of letters and emails to antiwar and anti-nuke activists around the country to alert them to the power of direct democracy and local ballot measures\, with some financial assistance provided by FPA. \n\n\n\nLaisha Harris\n\n\n\nLaisha Harris\n\n\n\nLaisha Harris moved to Texas in 2017 and taught 8thgrade middle school girls before going to law school. Her students encouraged her to get back into the community and work towards the change that she so desperately wanted to see in the world. She then went to\, and graduated from\, Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. \n\n\n\nCurrently\, she serves as an Assistant Public Defender at the Harris County Public Defender’s Office. She is the author of “A Tale of Two Americas” and “Qualified Immunity: The Court’s Brain Child and a License to Kill\,” published by The Bridge. She is also the creator/organizer of “Legal Bootcamp\,” which is an interactive community program that breaks down how the government and law works for kids and nonlawyers. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/2024-hpjc-peacemaker-awards-ceremony/ LOCATION:Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room\, Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd\, Houston\, TX\, 77021\, United States ORGANIZER;CN="Bill Crosier":MAILTO:hpjc@crosierbiomed.com GEO:29.7072291;-95.3832631 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Dominican Sisters of Houston Spirituality Center Meeting Room Dominican Sisters of Houston 6501 Almeda Rd Houston TX 77021 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Dominican Sisters of Houston\, 6501 Almeda Rd:geo:-95.3832631,29.7072291 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240910T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240912T170000 DTSTAMP:20240619T035249Z CREATED:20240619T035102Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240619T035249Z UID:10001629-1725955200-1726160400@hpjc.org SUMMARY:PeaceCon 2024: It's Ticket Time! DESCRIPTION:PeaceCon 2024: Get Your Tickets Today!Tickets for PeaceCon 2024 – Status Quo No More: Building Peace in the Time of Rising Violent Conflict are now available\, and for a limited time\, we are offering an “Early Bird” discount! PeaceCon 2024 will operate in both virtual and in-person formats\, meaning that participants may choose to attend digitally via Zoom or in-person in Washington\, DC. Day 1 of PeaceCon will take place at the United States Institute of Peace\, located at 2301 Constitution Avenue NW\, Washington\, DC 20037. Days 2 and 3 will take place at George Mason University – Mason Square\, located at 3351 Fairfax Drive\, Arlington\, VA 22201.Ticket prices and discounts vary depending on the selected format. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets: In-Person ParticipationIf attending the conference in-person\, we look forward to seeing you in Washington\, DC September 10th-12th!Please note—tickets for in-person participation are limited. Click HERE to purchase tickets for in-person participation.  \n\n\n\n\nGet In-Person Tickets Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets: Digital ParticipationIf attending the conference digitally\, you will receive an immersive PeaceCon 2024 experience from the comfort of your own space! Upon registration\, digital attendees will receive an email with instructions on how to join the conference via Zoom.  Click HERE to purchase tickets for digital participation.  \n\n\n\n\nGet Digital Tickets Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTickets: Support a Local PeacebuilderAfP invites members to sponsor a local peacebuilder\, allowing them to attend the conference virtually free of charge.Click HERE to a support local peacebuilder.If you’re a local peacebuilder seeking sponsorship\, apply HERE. \n\n\n\n\nSupport a Local Peacebuilder Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSponsor PeaceCon 2024Finally\, we are thrilled to share that organizations and individuals can now sponsor PeaceCon 2024! Sponsorship of PeaceCon 2024 provides an unparalleled opportunity to show your commitment to uniting for peace and building the field. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities for PeaceCon 2024\, click HERE. \n\n\n\n\nBecome a PeaceCon 2024 Sponsor Here\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nQuestions? Please email peacecon@allianceforpeacebuilding.org. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/peacecon-2024-its-ticket-time/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://hpjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240722T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240726T150000 DTSTAMP:20260415T204308Z CREATED:20240619T043418Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T204308Z UID:10001631-1721638800-1722006000@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Peace Camp 2024 (7th Grade - 12th Grade) – Register today! DESCRIPTION:This page is for the 2024 Peace Camp. For more information and registration for this year’s Peace Camp\, see the main Peace Camp Houston web page.\n\n\n\nGeneral information about Peace Camp Houston:\n\n\n\nFor each week\, the camp runs from 9 am to 3 pm – day camp only! We plan for staff to be there by 8:30 am each day so you can drop off your children after that time. After-camp care is available if requested in advance on the registration form. For children of all ages\, parents must register them in advance. \n\n\n\nDon’t wait\, as each week of Peace Camp almost always fill up! Join us in helping our youth and community become more peaceful\, and to learn skills that will help them throughout life. \n\n\n\nPeace Camp is not religious\, and welcomes all children. \n\n\n\nTuition is just $100 for those who will be in grades 7-12 in the fall\, and both full and partial scholarships are available. (It takes more staff for the younger children.) We want all children to be able to attend. \n\n\n\nJoin us for Peace Camp! With room for 25 campers in each session\, yoga\, drumming\, cooperative games and special guests will be part of the program. \n\n\n\nPeace Camp Goals\n\n\n\n\nTo teach concepts of peace\, equality\, and justice at the appropriate age level.\n\n\n\nTo encourage the development of self-esteem and critical thinking skills.\n\n\n\nTo encourage respect for the environment and each other.\n\n\n\nTo introduce peaceful non-violent conflict management skills and alternatives to competition and violence.\n\n\n\nTo provide an opportunity for children of diverse backgrounds to create comfortable relationships.\n\n\n\n\nSchedule\n\n\n\nCamp Sessions are Monday through Friday\, 9 AM – 3:00 PM*. *After-Camp Care Hours will be available if requested in advance. \n\n\n\nDate\n\n\n\nJuly 22 through July 26th \n\n\n\nWhere:\n\n\n\n\nHouston Mennonite Church (in northwest Houston)\n\n\n\n1231 Wirt Rd\n\n\n\nHouston\, TX 77055\n\n\n\n\n\nClick HERE for the Peace Camp Registration Form\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere’s a one-page flyer that you can download and email or print and give to friends: English Español \n\n\n\nClick Here for Peace Camp Photos and Videos\n\n\n\nFor more information and registration\, see our main Peace Camp Houston web page. URL:https://hpjc.org/event/peace-camp-2024-7th-grade-12th-grade-register-today/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://hpjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-4.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240721T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240721T190000 DTSTAMP:20240619T043043Z CREATED:20240619T042913Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240619T043043Z UID:10001628-1721584800-1721588400@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Revitalizing Levy Park DESCRIPTION:In the heart of Houston lies Levy Park\, a once-neglected space now transformed into a vibrant community hub. Join Stephanie Kiouses\, Park Director\, as she explores Levy Park’s renewal\, restoration\, and regeneration\, showcasing the transformative power of urban revitalization projects.   Time for interactive Q&A with the speaker will be provided. Please register for this talk on www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/revitalizing-levy-park-tickets-923157006457. This program will be recorded and the recording distributed to all registrants. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions. \n  URL:https://hpjc.org/event/revitalizing-levy-park/ LOCATION:online\, not applicable\, not applicable\, not applicable\, United States CATEGORIES:Environmental & Environmental Justice,Presentation or Lecture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://hpjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Stephanie-Kiouses-photo-e1718771193294.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church":MAILTO:ctk@ctkelc.org GEO:38.888684;-77.004719 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=online not applicable not applicable not applicable United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=not applicable:geo:-77.004719,38.888684 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20240708T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20240712T150000 DTSTAMP:20260415T203631Z CREATED:20240619T042357Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260415T203631Z UID:10001630-1720429200-1720796400@hpjc.org SUMMARY:Peace Camp 2024 (Ages 6 through 6th Grade) – Register today! DESCRIPTION:General information about Peace Camp Houston:\n\n\n\nThis page is for the 2024 Peace Camp. For more information and registration for this year’s Peace Camp\, see the main Peace Camp Houston web page.\n\n\n\nFor each week\, the camp runs from 9 am to 3 pm – day camp only! We plan for staff to be there by 8:30 am each day so you can drop off your children after that time. After-camp care is available if requested in advance on the registration form. For children of all ages\, parents must register them in advance. \n\n\n\nDon’t wait\, as each week of Peace Camp almost always fill up! Join us in helping our youth and community become more peaceful\, and to learn skills that will help them throughout life. \n\n\n\nPeace Camp is not religious\, and welcomes all children. \n\n\n\nTuition is just $200 per week for grades 1-6 and both full and partial scholarships are available. (It takes more staff for the younger children.) We want all children to be able to attend. \n\n\n\nJoin us for Peace Camp! With room for 25 campers in each session\, yoga\, drumming\, cooperative games and special guests will be part of the program. \n\n\n\nPeace Camp Goals\n\n\n\n\nTo teach concepts of peace\, equality\, and justice at the appropriate age level.\n\n\n\nTo encourage the development of self-esteem and critical thinking skills.\n\n\n\nTo encourage respect for the environment and each other.\n\n\n\nTo introduce peaceful non-violent conflict management skills and alternatives to competition and violence.\n\n\n\nTo provide an opportunity for children of diverse backgrounds to create comfortable relationships.\n\n\n\n\nSchedule\n\n\n\nCamp Sessions are Monday through Friday\, 9 AM – 3:00 PM*. *After-Camp Care Hours will be available if requested in advance. \n\n\n\nDate\n\n\n\nJuly 9 through July 12. NOTE: This was originally to be July 8-12\, but due to Tropical Storm Beryl\, Monday July 8 will not be a camp day. However\, we will have an extra 1.5 hours each day Tue-Fri. this week. \n\n\n\nAlso note that July 22-26 is another Peace Camp session\, for older campers (those who will be in grades 7-12 this fall. For more information and registration\, see our main Peace Camp Houston web page. \n\n\n\nWhere:\n\n\n\n\nHouston Mennonite Church (in northwest Houston)\n\n\n\n1231 Wirt Rd\n\n\n\nHouston\, TX 77055\n\n\n\n\n\nClick HERE for the Peace Camp Registration Form\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHere’s a one-page flyer that you can download and email or print and give to friends: English Español \n\n\n\nClick Here for Peace Camp Photos and Videos\n\n\n\nFor more information\, see https://hpjc.org/peace-camp/ URL:https://hpjc.org/event/peace-camp-2024-ages-6-through-6th-grade-register-today/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://hpjc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-4.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR