Governor Inslee’s action in issuing a moratorium on the death penalty was a necessary step toward “equal justice under the law” which we agree should be the state’s primary responsibility. We thank the Governor for his leadership and courage with this action which has increased conversation on this important issue. We look forward to working with the Legislature to bring a bill to the Governor’s desk to fully repeal the death penalty in Washington State.

—statement from PJALS and Inland NW Death Penalty Abolition Group

A Time for Celebration!

by Shar Lichty

On Tuesday, Feb. 11^th as the news of Governor Inslee’s moratorium on the death penalty reached me, I found my eyes welling up with tears of joy. While I knew there was a possibility this historical moment would come, I was completely unprepared for the announcement and the emotions it would evoke on that morning.  Somewhat overwhelmed with joy, relief, and hope I scrambled to spread the good news to the amazing folks I am honored to work with on this issue, the members of the Inland NW Death Penalty Abolition Group (INDPAG). INDPAG is an affinity group of PJALS which was formed 30 years ago by Rusty & Nancy Nelson. Read more »

Rusty Nelson on Peace and War 

Veterans for Peace is such a tonic for me that it seems almost unthinkable there could be sharp divisions among its members and chapters. I remember the thrill of solidarity at the national convention in Seattle a few years ago and affirmation from Spokane vets who attended subsequent conventions. I loved being with Western Washington members last November in Auburn, and in Tacoma in February, not to mention planning, laughing, and solving global problems with our local members.

What disharmony could exist among veterans who agree that war should be abolished as our default foreign policy and that our leaders should be accountable for the devastating costs of war? Alright. That’s a silly question for anyone who’s spent years working in peace and justice organizations.  Peace mongers come in all imaginable types. In fact, it was reassuring to hear VFP leaders talk, at our Tacoma conference, about recent internal squabbles, because they involve disagreements which allow for constructive discourse and encourage independent points of view.

As one who joined VFP about the time I started working for PJALS, I was not drawn to the regional conference to be enlightened by workshops, but to be part of the community-building for our chapter as well as among state-wide chapters. Feeling some success in that, I was caught off guard by one workshop: “Vietnam Commemoration.” Read more »

by Jeremiah Manes

The Young Activist Leaders Program benefits those of us involved on so many levels. As a member of this program I can say that learning in connection with a small and committed group of young people provides an environment well suited to build our boldness, sense of camaraderie, and desire to create change.

The Young Activist Leaders Program effectively provides skills for activism in workshops and context for necessity of action during retreats. Young people who may feel disenfranchised from the problems they face will gain a more in-depth understanding of oppression and will be able to personalize an effective plan of action on an issue of importance.

Specifically, we have learned successful speaking skills for motivating people to action, facilitating meetings, and building campaigns.  We’ve also learned community-specific ways to mobilize allies in Spokane. And always we are provided with written resources that will be valuable in future campaign planning.

I encourage any young person who is feeling immobilized, in a rut or lacking resources, to join next year’s program and be a part of the energizing group process at YALP!

by Dom Felix

One year after voters passed amended the City Charter to mandate independent investigation authority by the Office of Police Ombudsman (OPO), City Council approved a contract between the city of Spokane and the Police Guild, along with an accompanying ordinance, that severely limits when or even if the Ombudsman will have that power. Read more »

Kareem Khan with picture of his son, killed by a drone. Credit: Noor Behram/Reprieve

by Bobby Kirl

Remember drones? The President, in his lengthy State of the Union Address last month, gave a mere three sentences to one of the most pressing issues of our age. He mentioned the word drone only once. For many of us this is not only a snub that fell far short of calling for the necessary action to put an end to the immoral use of these terrible machines, it is outright indifference to the suffering of those who his drone policies have affected so terribly.

An international call for Spring Days of Action — 2014 is ringing out across the social airwaves. This coordinated grassroots campaign, supported by a litany of activist groups and individuals of conscience, is being held this April and May. The campaign is simple in its concept, but bold in its purpose. It aims to encourage activists around the world to join in consolidated effort for a common set of goals; winning passage of local laws that prohibit drones and drone surveillance; keeping drones from being used in our communities; and seeking national laws to bar the use of weaponized drones and drone surveillance. This campaign has the potential to be a massive coalition for human rights. Read more »

Hermanas Spokane and Camp Salvador Counselors are raising money for the library of Huisisilapa:

Dinner and Auction: Saturday, March 8, at The Community School 1300 W. Knox. Tickets: $10 (a donation accepted for families). Doors open at 5:00 pm; 6:00 pm Live auction; 6:15 pm Program.

Huisisilapa (we-si-si-la-pa) is a community of former refugees from Mesa Grande in Honduras as a result of the Salvadoran Civil War.  The last refugees to repopulate El Salvador from the refugee camp went to  an area known as Huisisilapa (Huisi).  The area was pastor land without as much as one outbuilding and of course no infrastructure.

The people arrived in Huisi April 1, 1992, to begin rebuilding their lives.  They had lost everything during the war. Read more »

by Bobby Kirl

On January 20^th, I and members from the 6^th Legislative District participated, alongside PJALS and Washington CAN members from many Eastern Washington Legislative Districts, in an exciting and highly effective lobby day in Olympia. Our PJALS delegation of 16 people was our largest to date! The atmosphere and mood of the delegation was more than this aspiring activist could have hoped for right from the start.

My first lobby day began with an inspirational rally. Several highly motivated organizers and activists shared heart-felt personal stories of their struggles and triumphs on important legislative issues like the Washington DREAM act–which has since been signed into law!– as well as increasing access to dental care, paid sick days for all workers and health care reform. The rally left the congregation with no doubt of the importance of the agenda. Shortly after that inspiration the entire group, nearly 200 strong, took to the streets for a multi-block march from the Capitol Theater all the way to the steps of the State Capital building. Read more »

by Dom Felix

The Spokane Regional Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) released its report “Blueprint for Reform” January 10th 2014. Many of the Smart Justice Campaign’s policy recommendations are in the CJC’s report–ideas like moving to an evidence-based criminal justice system, creating a Disproportionate Minority Contact Workgroup to address racial disparities, building culturally appropriate programs and support service for offenders, reforming the system to be offender-centered rather than offence-centered, and delaying the building of a new jail or increasing jail capacity until after alternatives and new practices are implemented and evaluated.

This is a great success for the Smart Justice Campaign. These recommendations have the power to improve our criminal justice system and save money at the same time. Read more »

This has become the largest skill-building, relationship weaving event of its kind in the Inland NW, bringing together 200 progressives from Montana to Seattle and beyond. There are 21 fantastic workshops to chose from! You can still register at pjals.org/2014conference, or you can come and register at the door!

Our Keynote Speaker is Kristin Stoneking, Executive Director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR). A vocal advocate for the Occupy/Decolonize movement, Kristin achieved national attention in November 2011 for her role in a situation with violent overtones. Police officers pepper-sprayed activists who had joined a large Occupy Davis protest.  Kristin successfully mediated between the parties and, when video footage of the dramatic incident “went viral” via social media, promoted the disciplined, principled use of nonviolent action. Check out this interview with Kristin about her upcoming keynote!  Read more »

The new year is getting going strong! Our EWU Activist in Residence series began with a panel of young changemakers & me to kick off an exciting series of workshops as the Activist in Residence. All events are open to community members–please spread the word and do come!

I’m excited to be on campus and connecting with some wonderful student activists, and I’ll be attending their events–will you join me?

The EWU Black Student Union is holding an Anti-Violence Memorial Candlelighting on Friday Jan 17 at 5pm (details here).

Activist in Residence Workshops:

Students who at­tend all four workshops will receive a certificate. Read more »

We built a bookstore out of donated books in the lobby of the Community Building on Oct 5. Volunteers sorted out some “staff pics” to highlight. Bobby Kirl and Sheila Fox played music we all enjoyed! Roast House loaned us their melitta station. And folks gathered to drink coffee, tuck books under their arms, and chat!

Much appreciation to all who donated books and goodies, played music, and helped make this event a big success! 

Chatting in the coffeeshop zone

I’ve been an activist and organizer since high school, and I’ve worked with some inspiring folks on a wide variety of issues. But my depth of experience with fundraising is much less, well, deep. This past year has brought a great deal of new information, practice, and some dawning understanding about what it can mean to raise the funds we need in order to organize social justice campaigns, develop new leaders, and involve people like you.

The most important thing I know for sure is that we never need to rely on foundation grants. Organizing for “peace” isn’t very “fundable” right now. But that’s ok, because community members who support PJALS at every level are our most steadfast source of support for our lean & efficient budget and always have been.  Read more »

WANTED: Volunteer Coordinator, Office Manager, Bookkeeping Assistant, Bookkeeper, Treasurer, CPA

We’re seeking justice-lovers and peaceniks to join the team of dedicated volunteers that make this organization function from the inside out!  Good work environment and lots of appreciation guaranteed! Call 838-7870 or email slichty@pjals.org for more information.  Read more »

Rusty Nelson on Peace and War 

May Americans with some degree of accountability or any inclination for peace please agree to stop pretending that counter-terrorism is something other than terrorism?

It seems to me that the land of the free and the home of the brave used to be a little more squeamish about openly discussing our intentions to terrorize populations in other parts of the world. Today, anyone we want to call a terrorist is considered fair game for murder or torture by our counter-terrorists, and if we kill a few too many bystanders who happen to be elderly, pre-adolescent, and/or female, well, they could hardly have been less than potential terrorists. “Collateral damage” is a specious term and so last war. And if we can’t nail them as terrorists, they must be, at least, insurgents. This is all said or thought, not out of freedom or courage, but out of debilitating fear. Read more »

By Dom Felix, Intern

The struggle for independent oversight of police continues. After 21 months of negotiations between the Mayor and the Police Guild, the voters are not any closer to it than they were after passing Proposition 1 way back in February 2013.

On November 1st, City Legal and The Police Guild released a Tentative Agreement (TA) that they and Mayor Condon claimed fulfilled Proposition 1.  Read more »

Our snowflakes created a facebook blizzard that could not be ignored! Thank you to the more than 40 individuals who helped spread the message: Mayor Condon failed the voters; Council: Reject the new police contract; Police Accountability for Spokane NOW! Click here for the collage all the “snowflakes”!

We helped to call out Mayor Condon on his complete failure to listen to the voters who overwhelmingly passed Prop. 1 and put pressure on the Council to unanimously reject the police contract.

There is still a lot of work ahead for us to achieve independent oversight for the Office of Police Ombudsman but for now let us bask in our victory!

Jeremiah Manes is a 24 year old senior in the EWU Social Work program. He is from Coeur d’Alene and recently transferred from Lewis and Clark State and moved to Spokane. He pursued social work because the values associated with it resonated strongly with him. He joined PJALS hoping to build skills in the area of political activism where he has no previous experience

Jeremiah is involved in the Young Activist Leaders Program (YALP), the Peace and Justice Action Committee (PJAC) and the Palestine-Israel Human Rights Committee (PIHRC). Read more »

Dom Felix joined PJALS this year as part of an internship through Eastern Washington University’s Social Work program. Dom has been a long-time resident of the Spokane area who recently chose to pursue higher education in hopes of becoming a chemical dependency counselor. Now as a senior in the program, Dom has come to the decision that working on systemic social change would be a more constructive use of his social work career. This realization lead to Dom choosing PJALS as an internship placement when he became aware of the organization during a lobby day trip to Olympia last year. Read more »

Bobby Kirl is a Master’s level social work student at Eastern Washington University and has chosen to spend his practicum hours with us. Bobby was first introduced to the work of PJALS during a university course on human rights and was later able to become involved when his affiliation with the local Vets for Peace chapter led to an opportunity to play music at our PJALS membership meeting.  Read more »

PJALS members and friends revealed their true superhero identities on Oct 25 at our SuperFriends Party! Big thanks to photographer Aaron Kathman for documenting the fun in our Hall of Justice Photo Booth!

Super Women of PJALS (and son): Catalyst, CAT-alyst, The Lavender Menace, Equity, Working Class Hero, and two unnamed heroes

Read more »

PJALS members join OneAmerica for Immigration Reform Action Nov 13

Momentum for commonsense immigration reform is growing. But Speaker John Boehner has yet to schedule a vote. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers continues to stand behind him. And 1,100 people are deported each day. We spoke out to call on GOP leadership to vote on a pathway to citizenship this year!

filling the sidewalk in front of Rep McMorris-Rodgers’ office

Filling the street, while we chant, “Move, Cathy, Get Out of the Way!”

12 risk arrest for 11 million people living in shadows, including PJALS members David Brookbank and Mark Hamlin

Members of Washington Community Action Network and PJALS as well as college students from Whitworth, EWU, and Whitman were arrested in a civil disobedience action to convey the urgency of comprehensive immigration reform.

By Dom Felix, Intern

The Spokane County Commissioners and Mayor Condon appointed a joint City-County Regional Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) in November 2012, charged with recommending reforms to our criminal justice system. The Commission’s final recommendations will provide the “to do list” for City and County elected officials to implement criminal justice reform. Their recommendations were released in a 60 page draft November 1st 2013.

On Nov. 6th the CJC held a hearing to get input from the community. There were nearly 150 community members at the hearing. Read more »

Frustrated with the political process? Feel like your voice is not heard when communicating with your legislators? Want to increase skills for effective meetings with legislators?

If so, please join us on Thursday, Dec. 5th at 5:30pm in the Community Building, 35 W. Main.

Come and learn effective methods of communicating with your state representative! We will use state revenue as the subject matter for this workshop, but the principles of communication apply to any issue. Come and learn how to let your voice be heard here and in Olympia! We will also be recruiting for a delegation to go to MLK Lobby Day in Olympia to put these skills to good use!

For more information, contact Shar at slichty@pjals.org or 838-7870.

This summer, PJALS members like you stood together for peace and against war on Syria. Headlines predicted US missile strikes were just days away. But because of people like you taking action together, the story began to change!

Together, PJALS members like you deluged our then-undecided Senators and Representative with calls and emails with reasons to oppose war. Read more »

By Jeremiah Manes, Intern

On October 22nd, members of PJALS along with others in the community were able to attend a workshop by Glenn Harris titled, “Why Race Matters: Tools and Strategies for Strengthening Community.” This interactive workshop on bias and race allowed for participants to assess their organization and it’s possible contribution to disparity, while fostering conversations on questions such as, “Why does race matter?” Read more »

We start our series of member profiles with our wonderful long-term interim treasurer, Mike Nuess. Mike is an author and an expert on environmental design.

Can you tell us about your role as a PJALS volunteer?

I’ve been with PJALS for roughly a decade and serving as interim treasurer, accountant and bookkeeper for most of that time. I wasn’t trained in these skills but it was something PJALS needed at the time. It was time consuming at first, but I’ve managed to learn, often with the generous support of others more qualified, and it’s much more streamlined now. It’s an essential role. And now PJALS needs a volunteer(s) to replace me. Having a like-minded volunteer member perform these duties is ideal for PJALS as it frees more member donations and staff time for direct program work.

Tell me how you first got involved in with the cause to further peace and justice.

I probably first realized I lived deep within “The Matrix” when I was in high school. I saw a teacher ruthlessly shame, demean and humiliate a student for something he hadn’t done. Both his error and deliberate meanness shattered my illusion that adult authorities were there because they had grown sufficiently wise. The doors of perception began to open: I was on my own when it came learning the truth. Read more »

PJALS leader Mike Nuess has this strong op-ed on Truth-Out: 

Regarding Syria

While thinking about Syria it may be valuable to keep in mind something Chomsky regularly and wisely suggests: that the realization of a just and eventually peaceful world certainly requires our sustained commitment to the fundamental moral principle of universality, which simply means that we hold ourselves to the same set of standards that we expect of others. Then it would be complete hypocrisy to consider ourselves civilized were we to claim an act wrong for others but not for us.

On August 26, 2013 US Secretary of State Kerry said, referring to Syria, “The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children, and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity.”

Yet Kerry should know the U.S. has failed to renounce both its direct use of and complicity in the use of chemical weapons to indiscriminately kill thousands—possibly millions—in Vietnam, the Iran-Iraq war, the 2003 Iraq Invasion and 2008-9 in Gaza. The hypocrisy of our own government’s barbaric sale, tolerance and use of internationally outlawed weapons lends no credibility to its current claim that Syria’s alleged use of chemical weapons is its real motive for attacking that nation.

Every act of state terrorism needs its pretext. … Read the full article here.

Like millions of people across the country, I was very saddened when I learned a Florida jury had found George Zimmerman not guilty of murder nor manslaughter for shooting and killing Trayvon Martin. Read more »

Rusty Nelson on Peace and War

Why is it that we – humans, Americans, patriots, progressives, veterans, educators and educated, thinkers and doers – have never been able to get violence out of our system? This question screamed at me, again, as I pondered the unlikely existence of the Kellogg-Briand Pact, signed by most of the world’s nations in 1928. Read more »

Spokane Veterans for Peace, Chapter 35, has contracted for the placement of a billboard on I-90 between Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls urging that we “Stop $30 Billion to Israel.” This was a joint collaboration with an anonymous matching grant funder who has helped placed dozens of such billboards across the country, many of them sponsored by local Veterans for Peace chapters.

Spokane Vets for Peace views our $30 billion funding for Israel as both unnecessary and counterproductive to the aims of 1) peace in the Middle East and 2) filling domestic needs. We note, too, that funding for Israel has substantially increased in the face of the sequester that has devastated social programs and infrastructure spending drastically.

PJALS members at our July 3rd 2013 action against government violations of our civil liberties received positive responses from passersby.

by Sheila Fox

I identified with Moji Agha, the Iranian-American poet/writer and peace, human rights and Earth activist that PJALS sponsored recently. Thank you PJALS!

It got me going…..wheels turning….. Moji, a cultural psychologist described himself as having a unique psycho-culturally informed perspective, a Sufi orientation and a “wisely humble” approach to  “the nonviolent global struggle against injustice, war and suicidal destruction of human civilization and the planet we share. “  He used language like the “integrated good” “civil spirituality” and “understanding the oneness of all beings.”

This approach speaks to me.  It is a somewhat unique perspective and fosters a conversation I feel is crucial to nonviolent resistance, the redefinition of power. Read more »

by Shar Lichty

At the end of July I was fortunate to attend the Activists Mobilizing for Power (AMP) Conference put on each year by Western States Center in Portland. I have been wanting to attend this conference  for four years and this year all the forces were in alignment to make it happen.

I have a lot of respect for the work Western States Center does, particularly in the areas of racial and queer equity. As I found myself surrounded by 400 like-minded individuals at a conference that offered several workshops on how to advance this work, had gender neutral restrooms, and a plenary on the gender binary, I felt at home.

One of the most moving experiences I had during my three days at AMP happened at a film screening for All of Us North Carolina, a documentary about queer people of color who fought against NC’s Amendment One, which stripped domestic partners of their civil rights. Read more »

Our community has a huge opportunity to make major reforms our criminal justice system starting this year. A three-member Spokane Regional Criminal Justice Commission that was appointed by the Mayor of Spokane and the County Commissioners is in the process of conducting a comprehensive and broad review of the criminal justice system that is in the process of conducting a comprehensive and broad review of the criminal justice system. Read more »

PJALS is excited to announce that director Liz Moore will serve as the first Activist-in-Residence at EWU this winter. This is a wonderful opportunity to further the work we’ve begun through our Young Activist Leaders Program and our community organizing internships. Read more »

by Carroll W. McInroe, former Sgt., U.S. Army and WACAN Editorialist

“Mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them.” Jefferson wrote those words in an 1826 letter to a friend, only days before his death – but he wrote for all of us. He was sounding a warning for the ages; mankind has always been plagued by the privileged and the powerful riding roughshod over the rest of us. And they always will – if we let them. Read more »

by Jeremy Street, PJALS member

Progressives will see a positive social sea-change when they start thinking and acting more like my father did.  Read more »

by Shar Lichty

After a summer off, our Peace & Justice Action Committee (PJAC) will be resuming our meeting schedule on Sept. 19th with a new approach: leadership development and campaign-specific organizing. Read more »

by Lucia Vazquez

To bring attention to the suffering and struggles of undocumented Americans, I participated in a 12-hour fast along with 10 other folks from Spokane and Walla Walla on July 3^rd in front of Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ office.

At first I was very optimistic of being able to do the full 12 hours with only water to drink yet as the day progressed I doubted being able to make it– my feet were sore, my head pounding, constant thoughts of food raced in my head.

My pain was nothing compared to the number of years families wait to see their loved ones, the deaths of innocent people attempting to seek a better future, the agony undocumented students experience knowing that tuition is due, the fear children face when their parents leave for work, the cruel reality that you’re one traffic stop from deportation–these are all real scenarios and being able to symbolized the suffering undocumented people face every day was my motivation. Read more »

PJALS and the Inland Northwest Death Penalty Abolition Group participated last Friday in a TweetChat focused on ending the death penalty here in Washington. It was PJALS’ first TweetChat experience, and we can see the potential of this relatively easy tactic to spur conversation, raise awareness, and help people connect with important campaigns. All you need is a moderator, several discussion questions, and folks sharing their thoughts with the same hashtag. If you’re on Twitter, connect with us @pjals!

You can view the full Twitter thread with the hashtag #WARepeal. Equal Justice USA also participated, and here discusses this new tool:

Are TweetChats important?

TweetChats are a great way for our organizations to learn from people in the movement and to collaborate with our partners. It’s also a way for you to promote what you do by offering advice, and sharing your expertise on a topic. We look forward to participating in more TweetChats around the country.

This next week we’re going to hear a lot about patriotism. What does patriotism mean to you?

To me, it’s most important to be loyal to humans and our planet as a whole, not to focus too much on nationality. I feel suspicious of so-called patriotism being used to silence critical thinking and dissent. I like Barbara Ehrenreich’s quote: “No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.” In fact, dissent, rebellion, and hell-raising have a strong track record of strengthening democracy & justice in our country and all over the world.

On that note–Will you join me and other PJALS folks to speak out against US violations of civil liberties–NSA spying, call-tracking, email surveillance; unlawful detentions, force-feeding, & rights violations at Guantanamo; and the persecution of whistleblowers Eric Snowden & Bradley Manning? Join us on Wednesday July 3 at 5pm on Division at North River Dr, near the Wendy’s. Read more »

by Louise Chadez

Aloysius Anthony Mangan, Jr. died on Holy Saturday, March 30th at the age of 92.  He had been living in California with son Barry and his family.

I first met Al Mangan in 1984 at a rally against the white trains at Fairchild, there with my then 2 month old daughter.  Al had moved to Ford, WA, but later moved to a small house on Dean in the West Central neighborhood.   His house was full of books and he was always reading.   And he could recite passages from Tennyson, Burns, and Poe.

Al was both a mentor and a friend. He was active in PJALS, involved in bringing a Pax Christi group to Spokane, and always involved in the local protests.  Read more »

by Rusty and Nancy Nelson

In the development of PJALS, the contributions of Al Mangan are unlikely to be matched. We who treasure his friendship and example are saddened by his death and inspired to be more proactive in the promotion of justice.

Remembering Al, we are first tempted to try to list the times he was arrested for disturbing the war or following the demands of the Nuremberg Principles, the times we were arrested with him, and his example of knowing and upholding the law in spite of distortions and evasions by the courts. His rap sheet, impressive as it was, shows little of his depth. His courage and convictions were bolstered by his faith and a relentless self-education. Read more »

Rusty Nelson on Peace and War

Long ago, in a time of relative innocence and prosperity, the people of the Spokane area hitched themselves to the star of the U.S. Air Force. It didn’t take much reflection or study, just a simple faith that our country and it’s military establishment had always been noble and right and would never betray our confidence that Fairchild Air Force Base would make us all safer, prouder, and wealthier.

As the USAF celebrates 65 years, many of us have been cynical for a long time, especially we who have done horrible things under military orders and then watched as our safety, pride and wealth are stripped from people and bestowed upon corporations. In spite of hard numbers and unresolved superfund sites, we are expected to believe that Fairchild is the best thing that ever happened to our area’s economy. Read more »

By Lucy Vazquez, PJALS intern

The streets of Downtown Spokane echoed with a powerful “Sí Se Puede” (yes we can) on May 1st as approximately 150 Mechistas, PJALS folks, students, and other community members marched on the streets in support of a just and humane Comprehensive Immigration Reform that will create a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11.2 million undocumented people currently living in the United States. Read more »

by Michelle Little

When I first chose to do my internship with PJALS, I was a bit wary of how well I could function as a community organizer. I can’t even keep my house organized, so the thought of organizing a whole community was a bit intimidating. However, looking back over the experience I have had with PJALS it was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. Read more »

by Justin Filla

These past nine months at PJALS has been a great experience. I have had the privilege of sitting on the Marriage Equality Committee as well as the Palestine and Israel Human Rights Committee (PIHRC). From sitting on these committees I had the opportunity to work with some amazing individuals who have an abundance of knowledge and passion for the issues we worked on. Read more »

by Lucy Vazquez

The past nine months at PJALS have been very rewarding. There were many times I doubted my abilities in community organizing and often thought that perhaps community organizing wasn’t for me. During my practicum experience I didn’t get the intern-to-client work experience that my fellow classmates did, however I do understand the importance of lobbying and the importance of being politically involved. I would like to continue working around changing policy for social justice. One of my professors mentioned to us, “social workers are the lobbyists of the poor.” At first I didn’t understand her statement but now after seeing all the work that PJALS does for our community, I get it. Read more »

by Joshua Neil

I started the school year off excited to be able to gain knowledge and experience from PJALS.  Now I have a little over a week left of my undergraduate career and I’m wondering where the time went!  My time as an intern at PJALS has been so enriching.  I have learned so much about the issues I’ve worked on, and at the same time I’ve learned more about myself.  The thing I will remember most about my practicum experience is the people.  Read more »

by Mike Nuess

The May 10, 2013 conviction of former Guatemalan dictator and School of the Americas attendee, Efraín Ríos Montt, for genocide and crimes against humanity sets a major milestone along the long path toward justice on this earth, marking the first time a head of state has been convicted of genocide by his or her own country, and clearly testifying to the extraordinary and courageous perseverance of thousands of persecuted Guatemalans who toiled to bring the truth to light.

But the path toward justice leads further, continuing both within Guatemala and beyond it, too—perhaps especially to the U.S. Read more »