Pax Christi Minnesota

The Rochester Diversity Council, First Congregational United Church of Christ in Zumbrota, First Unitarian Universal Church, Peace United Church of Christ and the Rochester Area Foundation invite you to Race Matters.

November 7-8, 2008
Rochester, MN

Victor Lewis, an internationally-recognized leader in the field of anti-oppression diversity work and alliance-building, will conduct a workshop on Race Matters.  He has 15 years of experience with diversity issues and violence prevention.  Part of his specialty is in helping create unified communities of commitment that can heal and dismantle racism.

The purpose of the sessions is to provide in-depth conversation and leadership training about race and to encourage new initiatives for improved racial justice in our community.

The Friday night lecture and two sessions on Saturday will be offered at no cost to participants but free-will contributions will be appreciated.

For more information, please contact Joan Bietz at Peace United Church of Christ, 507.282.3310                                                                                                        

Thursday, September 25, 2008
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Nicollet Mall and 12th Street
Downtown Minneapolis

Come and see Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer speak about “Building a Movement to Rescue a Nation and Save the Earth” at the prestigious Westminster Town Hall Forum. This event is FREE and open to the public.  Begins at noon with live music 30 minutes beforehand and an hour long reception following.

Convenient parking is available across the street from Westminster at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and at Orchestra Hall ramp.

This event will also be carried live on MPR’s Midday with Gary Eichten.

For more information visit http://www.ewestminster.org/town_hall_forum.

Report from the Republican National Convention
By Chris Curran, Pax Christi Minnesota Regional Coordinator

I have just completed 3 days of being on the streets in St. Paul during the Republican National Convention. The convention is taking place at the Excel Energy Center. There are three layers of steel barricades surrounding the convention center which is called the “public viewing area”. It is also the triangle turnaround that was approved as part of the permitted marches during the convention.

A month ago I went through training to be part of the MN Peace Team which is based on the model and experience of the Michigan Peace Team. 100 people were trained during August and we have gathered each morning and formed affinity groups of 5-7 people who then go out to do what we do.

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PC member, Steve Clemens, and Sr. Betty McKenzie on ABC’s “Faith Matters Now.”  Watch Steve and Sr. Betty discuss the protest at the RNC.

Chris Curran, MN Peace Team member and PC MN State Coordinator, talks to police during the protest.