Upcoming Events
Community Discussion
Monday, June 8, at the Municipal Court, 2014 C. Street, at 7pm.
Join a Community Discussion about GI Sanctuary City hosted by The City of Bellingham on Monday, June 8, at the Municipal Court, 2014 C. Street, at 7pm. This public forum will be an opportunity to voice your opinion on the topic of Bellingham?s role in addressing AWOL soldiers of conscience who are refusing to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Community Discussion begins at 7pm. If you are interested in speaking, please arrive at 6:45 to sign-up, and bring prepared remarks 2-4 minutes in length.
If you have anything to say about this, please speak out! Your words are crucial. This night does not only mean a lot to the Sanctuary City Movement in general, but also to the thousands of AWOL soldiers that we are in support of. Having a community discussion about the issues around desertion and veterans affairs is the big step toward letting those voice be heard and moving in a direction towards peace and healing.
Thank you to everyone who came out to speak at the City Council meeting on May 18th. Your words were heartfelt and inspiring, a true testimony to the beliefs of this community. We will not back down. The council voted 7-0 in favor of a town hall forum, which only goes to show the power of dedication and this community?s value.
Pre-Forum Meeting: Wednesday (June 3rd) at 6:00 Pm at the Public Market for Sanctuary City members to discuss topics prior to the Community Discussion.
Monday, June 8, at the Municipal Court, 2014 C. Street, at 7pm.
Join a Community Discussion about GI Sanctuary City hosted by The City of Bellingham on Monday, June 8, at the Municipal Court, 2014 C. Street, at 7pm. This public forum will be an opportunity to voice your opinion on the topic of Bellingham?s role in addressing AWOL soldiers of conscience who are refusing to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Community Discussion begins at 7pm. If you are interested in speaking, please arrive at 6:45 to sign-up, and bring prepared remarks 2-4 minutes in length.
If you have anything to say about this, please speak out! Your words are crucial. This night does not only mean a lot to the Sanctuary City Movement in general, but also to the thousands of AWOL soldiers that we are in support of. Having a community discussion about the issues around desertion and veterans affairs is the big step toward letting those voice be heard and moving in a direction towards peace and healing.
Thank you to everyone who came out to speak at the City Council meeting on May 18th. Your words were heartfelt and inspiring, a true testimony to the beliefs of this community. We will not back down. The council voted 7-0 in favor of a town hall forum, which only goes to show the power of dedication and this community?s value.
Pre-Forum Meeting: Wednesday (June 3rd) at 6:00 Pm at the Public Market for Sanctuary City members to discuss topics prior to the Community Discussion.
Sanctuary News
Army deserter deported from Canada, placed in Whatcom County Jail
February 6, 2009, Sam Taylor, Bellingham Herald
Link to Article
US War Resister Arrested Following Canada Deportation (Video)
February 5, 2009, Headlines, Democracy Now!
Link to Video, 9 minutes into the video
Call Canada to let U.S. war resisters stay
January 26, 2009 - Courage to Resist
Link to Article
VIDEO: Iraq Veterans Against the War: End the War Now
January 20, 2009 - IVAW
Link to Video
André Shepherd, Iraq vet, applies for asylum in Germany
January 8, 2009 - Sarah Lazare, Courage to Resist
Link to Article
Sanctuary for active duty war protestors has a long way to go
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - Mark Larabee, The Oregonian
Link to Article
Seeking sanctuary in Portland
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - Mark Larabee
Military resisters - Peace activists want the city to declare itself a legal refuge for troops who go AWOL
TV News Coverage
From Portland GI Sanctuary City Movement
http://www.katu.com/news/35481474.html
http://www.kgw.com/video/video-index.html?nvid=309803
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - Mark Larabee Military resisters - Peace activists want the city to declare itself a legal refuge for troops who go AWOL
Five Myths Regarding the War and Deserters
November 18, 2008
PDF Article from Evan Knappenberger
Ithaca Declares Itself a Sanctuary City
October 8, 2008
http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/article.php?id=17249
WWU CASCAID Event Schedule
http://www.wwucascaid.org/schedule08.htm
WWU Mock Occupation
http://westernfrontonline.net/200804299946/news/mock-occupation-aims-to-show-western-students-realities-of-war/
Berkley Sanctuary City Letter Proposal
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970111/posts
YouTube: Portland, OR - Sanctuary City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m8NUdlSaN0
February 6, 2009, Sam Taylor, Bellingham Herald
Link to Article
US War Resister Arrested Following Canada Deportation (Video)
February 5, 2009, Headlines, Democracy Now!
Link to Video, 9 minutes into the video
Call Canada to let U.S. war resisters stay
January 26, 2009 - Courage to Resist
Link to Article
VIDEO: Iraq Veterans Against the War: End the War Now
January 20, 2009 - IVAW
Link to Video
André Shepherd, Iraq vet, applies for asylum in Germany
January 8, 2009 - Sarah Lazare, Courage to Resist
Link to Article
Sanctuary for active duty war protestors has a long way to go
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - Mark Larabee, The Oregonian
Link to Article
Seeking sanctuary in Portland
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - Mark Larabee
Military resisters - Peace activists want the city to declare itself a legal refuge for troops who go AWOL
TV News Coverage
From Portland GI Sanctuary City Movement
http://www.katu.com/news/35481474.html
http://www.kgw.com/video/video-index.html?nvid=309803
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - Mark Larabee Military resisters - Peace activists want the city to declare itself a legal refuge for troops who go AWOL
Five Myths Regarding the War and Deserters
November 18, 2008
PDF Article from Evan Knappenberger
Ithaca Declares Itself a Sanctuary City
October 8, 2008
http://www.uslaboragainstwar.org/article.php?id=17249
WWU CASCAID Event Schedule
http://www.wwucascaid.org/schedule08.htm
WWU Mock Occupation
http://westernfrontonline.net/200804299946/news/mock-occupation-aims-to-show-western-students-realities-of-war/
Berkley Sanctuary City Letter Proposal
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1970111/posts
YouTube: Portland, OR - Sanctuary City
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m8NUdlSaN0
Past Events
War and Resistance Conference
March 2nd to 6th at WWU
The War and Resistance Conference will encourage multi generational dialogue between students, war veterans, citizens, peace advocates, and activists of all ages. The conference consists of panels and workshops relating to a wide range of issues from human rights to veteran's affairs to gender and sexuality within the military. Conference participants will learn about how war affects individuals and communities, locally nationally and internationally. The conference will be held on Western Washington University's campus March 2nd-6th, 2009. Each evening will feature at least two events happening at 5 PM and 7 PM, which will all be free and open to the public.
More Information and Schedules:
Conference Schedule (Pamphlet format)
Conference Schedule
The Desserter: A Benefit
November 14th, 7:00pm, Whatcom Peace and Justice Center (100 E. Maple St.)
Join the Bellingham GI Sanctuary city campaign as we celebrate an evening to benefit war resisters in Bellingham. "The Desserter" is a gathering, party, dessert music show to support the campaign to make Bellingham a Sanctuary city for war resisters. Join us for an evening of celebration and conversation. $5-25 dollars sliding scale, no one turned away.
Soldiers Experiences After War
November 13th, 7:00pm, Communications Facility 115
Communications Facility 115: Join a discussion with local veterans and those directly affected by the Iraq war, as they share stories of what it means to return after war time. The community is invited to an unbiased, depoliticized discussion around issues of what it means to be a returning soldier in the U.S., current V.A. treatment, and readjusting to civilian lives. This event is co-sponsored by Bellingham GI Sanctuary city, Social Issues Resource Center, Veterans Outreach Center, and Civil Controversy Series.
March 2nd to 6th at WWU
The War and Resistance Conference will encourage multi generational dialogue between students, war veterans, citizens, peace advocates, and activists of all ages. The conference consists of panels and workshops relating to a wide range of issues from human rights to veteran's affairs to gender and sexuality within the military. Conference participants will learn about how war affects individuals and communities, locally nationally and internationally. The conference will be held on Western Washington University's campus March 2nd-6th, 2009. Each evening will feature at least two events happening at 5 PM and 7 PM, which will all be free and open to the public.
More Information and Schedules:
Conference Schedule (Pamphlet format)
Conference Schedule
The Desserter: A Benefit
November 14th, 7:00pm, Whatcom Peace and Justice Center (100 E. Maple St.)
Join the Bellingham GI Sanctuary city campaign as we celebrate an evening to benefit war resisters in Bellingham. "The Desserter" is a gathering, party, dessert music show to support the campaign to make Bellingham a Sanctuary city for war resisters. Join us for an evening of celebration and conversation. $5-25 dollars sliding scale, no one turned away.
Soldiers Experiences After War
November 13th, 7:00pm, Communications Facility 115
Communications Facility 115: Join a discussion with local veterans and those directly affected by the Iraq war, as they share stories of what it means to return after war time. The community is invited to an unbiased, depoliticized discussion around issues of what it means to be a returning soldier in the U.S., current V.A. treatment, and readjusting to civilian lives. This event is co-sponsored by Bellingham GI Sanctuary city, Social Issues Resource Center, Veterans Outreach Center, and Civil Controversy Series.
Cliff Cornell
Thanks to Gene Marx of Veterans for Peace (www.vfp111.org) for this update:
War Resister Released in Bellingham!
A throng of supporters greeted AWOL GI Cliff Cornell as he was released on his own recognizance yesterday afternoon from the Whatcom County Jail in Bellingham. After an eight-hour delay on the US/Canadian border and a night of incarceration, Cornell is finally able to rejoin his unit at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
A public vigil crowd, including members of VFP-111 and IVAW, in solidarity with the war resister effort and co-sponsored by the Bellingham Sanctuary City Movement organizers and Whatcom Peace and Justice, were still present on the street outside the jail shortly after 1:00 pm to provide a much appreciated welcome for the 28-year-old Arkansas native.
According to Cornell's lawyers and Project Safe Haven representative Gerry Condon, Cliff Cornell faces a maximum sentence of one year of imprisonment if convicted, but plans to return to Gabriola Island near Nanaimo, BC, which he now considers home, upon his release.
A legal defense fund for Cliff Cornell is being established by Courage to Resist, a war resister support group, at www.couragetoresist.org.
Additional Notes:
KIRO News and The Western Front were there to interview Cliff and his supporters. The Bellingham Herald did a small story:
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/784599.html.
You can check out photos of the day at www.WhatcomPJC.org.
Cliff resisted because of his conscience. He is a hero, not a criminal. You can send him a note of support and solidarity (which will be MUCH appreciated as he begins the next phase of his difficult journey) in care of Courage to Resist, 484 Lake Park Avenue, #41, Oakland, CA 94610. Thank you.
War Resister Released in Bellingham!
A throng of supporters greeted AWOL GI Cliff Cornell as he was released on his own recognizance yesterday afternoon from the Whatcom County Jail in Bellingham. After an eight-hour delay on the US/Canadian border and a night of incarceration, Cornell is finally able to rejoin his unit at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
A public vigil crowd, including members of VFP-111 and IVAW, in solidarity with the war resister effort and co-sponsored by the Bellingham Sanctuary City Movement organizers and Whatcom Peace and Justice, were still present on the street outside the jail shortly after 1:00 pm to provide a much appreciated welcome for the 28-year-old Arkansas native.
According to Cornell's lawyers and Project Safe Haven representative Gerry Condon, Cliff Cornell faces a maximum sentence of one year of imprisonment if convicted, but plans to return to Gabriola Island near Nanaimo, BC, which he now considers home, upon his release.
A legal defense fund for Cliff Cornell is being established by Courage to Resist, a war resister support group, at www.couragetoresist.org.
Additional Notes:
KIRO News and The Western Front were there to interview Cliff and his supporters. The Bellingham Herald did a small story:
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/784599.html.
You can check out photos of the day at www.WhatcomPJC.org.
Cliff resisted because of his conscience. He is a hero, not a criminal. You can send him a note of support and solidarity (which will be MUCH appreciated as he begins the next phase of his difficult journey) in care of Courage to Resist, 484 Lake Park Avenue, #41, Oakland, CA 94610. Thank you.