Seeds of Peace Memorial Day Action May 22nd

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capability. Archbishop Oscar Romero - martyred March 4, 1980 in San Salvador

Please join members of the Summit Interfaith Peace Coalition outside of the Summit Post Office on Thursday May 22nd from 12:30 to 2:00 pm as we distribute “seeds of peace” and ask people to sign the “Defund/Refund” petition from the American Friends Service Committee.

The Summit Interfaith Peace Coalition has been invited to join in a statewide Memorial Day Action against the Iraq War. NJ Citizen Action has purchased hundreds of forget-me-not seed packets. They will be passing them out in actions across the state on Thursday May 22nd, asking people not to forget the soldiers who gave their lives, the families they left behind, the 2 million Iraqi refugees, and those in the US who are suffering without health care, quality education, and clean energy as a result of the war. They will also be holding a press conference at the Statehouse in Trenton.

There is a planning meeting this coming Monday at May 19th at 7:30 at the Bridgewater Diner. For more information contact

Crystal Snedden

North Jersey Regional Organizer

New Jersey Citizen Action

744 Broad Street, Suite 2080

Newark, NJ 07102

973-643-8800 Ext.31

973-643-8100: Fax

Stamp Out Despair

Not ten miles from the Statue of Liberty there are 300 political asylees languishing in “detention”. They have no access to the outside living in a windowless, remodeled warehouse. They are not permitted to have possessions or even their own clothes. One of their only pleasures is corresponding with family and friends. The problem is that the detainees can use only pre-stamped envelopes, which they purchase from the detention center commissary for much more than the 50 cents you can purchase them for at the post office. Many detainees come here with little or no money so it difficult for them to afford the postage.

The detainees look forward to their letters. Says one, “I frequently read (your) card every single new born day.”

Help us to stamp out their despair.

You can help by donating:
Two-pocket folders (without a buisness logo)
Ruled white paper
Unruled color paper – no construction paper please
Envelopes
Pens (with caps, no springs)
Greeting cards with envelopes
Monetary donations which can be used to purchase stamps or stationary
First class national or international postage stamps
(Forever 41 cent “BELL” stamps purchased before 5/12/08 save the need for additional stamps)


Help us meet our goal and collect 3,000 stamped envelopes so we can send each detainee at least 10! You can purchase the post office pre-stamped envelopes or put a 42 cent (or Bell) stamp or 94 cent stamp on your own envelope. Send them to First Friends before June 16, 2008 and we will send them to the detainees.

This is a great project for your group, class or religious organization!

First Friends: Elizabeth Detention Center Visitors Project
321 South Broad Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Tele: (908) 965-0455
E-Mail: firstfriends2@juno.com

Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 10AM to 4PM
Call to schedule a pick up or a drop off time!

Summit Green Fest This Weekend

Saturday, May 10, 2008 on the Village Green 9 am – 4 pm

Check www.summitgreen.org for updates.

9 AM Terra Sky drum ceremony and yoga on the green
9 AM – noon, Freecycle drop off, Morris Ave at Elm St.

Shop Summit Green Walking Tour
Collect ten clues about Summit’s green downtown, and receive a free, fair trade, organic cotton “Shop Summit” tote bag. Look for the treasure map of Summit’s downtown in the May 4th Independent Press, or pick one up at the Summit Green Booth.

Art Tent
• Decorate a mask and join the parade. Paint a cotton tote bag to use and re-use a lovely Mother's Day gift www.1Sky.org.
• See a growing tree made from recycled materials and add your pledges on its leaves! All made possible by Artist/ Activist Kevin Buckland from www.350.org

• At noon, join Mommy Meet Up’s group photo urging the U.S. Congress to protect our children’s future.
• Bring old sneakers for the Co-op Nursery to make new playgrounds.

In the Band Shell
10 A Clear Blurr, energetic rock music
12 BIG GREEN COMES TO SUMMIT - Mayor Glatt and visiting dignitaries
12:30 Nation Beat, world music
2 – 4 Summit Rocks – Baldi and the Suburban Graffiti
and other local talent


Green Film Festival in the movie tent
10:30 “King Corn” followed by Q&A with Martha Ma
1:30 “Who Killed The Electric Car” with Chelsea Sexton to answer questions.

In the Workshop Tent
9 “Greening Your Business” with Doug Cohen
10 “Green Living Solutions” with Grey Russel
11 “Green Cleaning” with Bob Graf
12:15 “Organic Cooking” demonstration with GoOrganics.com
1:15 “Why Eat Organic” Susan Saxe
2 “Diet to Slow Global Warming” with Martha Ma
3 “Organic & Biodynamic Wines” with The Wine List
3:30 “Micro Lending” with Greg Cosogrande

At the YMCA
2 – 5 Awaken the Dreamer! workshop

Awakening the Dreamer Symposium @ Summit Green Fest, NJ



Saturday, May 10, 2008 (02:00 PM - 05:00 AM)

Saturday, April 26, 2008, 2 - 5 pm
Summit YMCA Across the Street from Summit Green Fest




On the Road
• Look for all-electric cars, Hybrids and Public Works vehicles
• Freecycling – Drop and Shop. Drop off from 9 AM – noon, Morris Ave at Elm St.
• Trailside Museum Eco Van – insects and other local animals


Serve and be Served
• Bring your old eyeglasses to New Eyes for the Needy
• Bring old cell phones to Summit Supports Our Troops
• Bring non-perishable food and new or gently worn men’s jeans to fill up the Bridges truck
• Recycle your inkjet and laser toner cartridges with Boy Scout Troop 67
• Punch and destroy your old computer hard drive at AERC Recycling Solutions

US Torture Policy Discussion at The Unitarian Church in Summit

"Racism and other unjust discrimination, torture, the use of the death penalty, resorting to unjust war, war crimes, the failure to respond to those who are suffering from hunger or lack health care, or unjust immigration policies are all serious moral issues that challenge our consciences and require us to act." USCCB press release Nov. 14, 2007 announcing the approval of faithful citizenship statement.

On Sunday, May 18th, Jameel Jaffer, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union's National Security Project, will discuss the ACLU's most recent, findings on the practice of torture by the United States government. The program will take place at 1:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall of the Unitarian Church in Summit, located at 4 Waldron Avenue at the corner of Springfield Avenue. The forum sponsored by the Unitarian Church of Summit Social Action Committee is free and open to the public.

FINAL HEARING - The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy

"When an alien resides with you in your land, do not molest him. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God. Leviticus Chapter 19:33-34



FINAL HEARING - The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Policy

The Immigrant Policy Panel is charged with developing recommendations regarding how to more successfully integrate the rapidly growing immigrant population in New Jersey. The Panel calls on the public to testify on issues confronting New Jersey’s immigrant population, including:

Ø Work force, labor and economic development

Ø Issues related to State and local government

Ø Social services

Ø Education

The third and final public hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2008, from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at New Jersey City University, Margaret Williams Theatre, 2039 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07305.



Directions www.njcu.edu/i2e/visit/directions.asp.

To testify or for more information email immigrantpolicypanel@advocate.state.nj.us or call (609)826-5107.


Important Pending Legislation

S. 2481/HR4611 End Racial Profiling Act of 2007. Would prohibit all law enforcement agents or agencies, including immigration agents and agencies, from engaging in racial profiling. Includes traffic stops, pedestrian stops, searches of persons or possessions (including vehicles), “inspection of entrants into the U.S. that are more extensive than those customarily carried out,” immigration-related workplace investigations, and more. (Both Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, and Congressman Rothman, are sponsors.) Introduced 12/15/07. In committee.


HR 1176. The Child Citizen Protection Act. Would provide discretionary authority to an immigration judge to determine that alien parents of a U.S. citizen child should not be ordered removed, deported, or excluded from the U.S. (Sponsor: Rep Jose E. Serrano, NY; only Rep. Sires in NJ is co-sponsoring) Introduced 2/16/07. In committee.

May 17th Morris County Catholic Young Adults Hike/Outdoor Mass

- Here's a note from Bridget Haskell:

" Come join the Morris Catholic Young Adults (MCYA) for a nature hike in Lewis Morris Park (Morristown, NJ) followed by the unique experience of an outdoor Mass! This is an event for young adults in their 20s and 30s, both married and single and their friends! We are going to have a beautiful hike followed by a delicious BBQ and then a wonderful outdoor mass. Don't miss this special event! Check our website at www.morriscatholicya.org for more details!"