Easter Sunday Action with the Bozeman Peace Seekers

The Bozeman Peace Seekers, an active and visible influence in the Gallatin Valley for mindfulness both locally and globally for many years, is galvanizing support for an Easter Sunday evening installation commemorating over 5 years of occupation, and its consequences, in Iraq. Details regarding the event including contact information for the Peace Seekers can be found below this post. We strongly encourage all to attend and/or participate; this is a great opportunity to connect with a greater community of like-minded individuals, as well as a wonderful way to gently and peacefully involve families and peace-building activities.

Dear Peace Seekers,

Sunday, March 23rd, 5 PM, front of Montana Hall, MSU Campus
Bobcats for Progress will be installing 4,000 red flags commemorating the
deaths of our soldiers and Iraqi civilians. There will be sandwich boards for people
to write on with their thoughts and reactions.

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN SUCH A DISPLAY, IT IS A MOVING AND POWERFUL EXPERIENCE.

BUT..... It takes a lot of work to install, and YOU are needed to come lend a hand.

QUESTIONS: John Thompsonh (406) 209-2209

“One person can gently shake the world.” ~Gandhi

Documentary Lending Library

Miss one of our films? Want to check it out? You can! Any of the films we have previously shown are available to be checked out of our Lending Library for a term of one week; we ask a donation (suggestion is $1 per week per film but more is always gratefully accepted), which goes directly and in its entirety to support the relevant charity designated for that particular film. A list of titles currently available for "check out" will be kept in the left-hand column of this blog; check back periodically for new additions. Here are the films in our Lending Library as of today, along with the charities/organizations that will benefit from the donations given for their loan:

"The Water Carriers" ...... MSU's Engineers Without Borders
"Jesus Camp" ...... United Religions Initiative's Global Youth Interfaith Dialogue and Exchange
"The Story of the Weeping Camel" ...... Doctors Without Borders
"Sicko" ...... Bridger Clinic of Bozeman
"I Know I'm Not Alone" ...... Global Exchange
"A Crude Awakening" ...... Bozeman Biofuels
"Oil on Ice" ..... Bozeman Biofuels
"Who Killed the Electric Car?" ...... Eco Auto of Bozeman
"An Inconvenient Truth" ...... Bozeman Biofuels
"World in the Balance" ...... Bridger Clinic of Bozeman
"On Tip Toe: Ladysmith Black Mambazo" ...... The Mambazo Foundation

"Music in March" Film Series Underway

Our film series for March, "MUSIC as a Force for Social Change" opened tonight with "On Tip Toe", the award-winning documentary on the music and work of Ladysmith Black Mambazo who will perform this Sunday, March 9th at the Emerson Cultural Center. Committed peace activists as well as incredibly talented musicians since 1964, the South African group's uplifting songs and joyful performances played a role in the end of apartheid as well as continuing to help preserve traditional Zulu culture and Isicathamiya music. As we learned through this evening's film, a beautiful and loving spirit infuses all that they do: their music, their connection to those for whom they perform, the people of Africa for whom they sing, and the work they do through the Mambazo Foundation. The show on Sunday is one not to be missed; contact Porterhouse Productions for information about tickets or work-for-entry opportunities.

Our series will continue next week with a further look at the role music played in the ending of apartheid South Africa with "Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony", followed in subsequent weeks by a buildup to Michael Franti and Spearhead's visit to Bozeman at the end of March with Franti's own film "I Know I'm Not Alone" (back for its second encore due to high request!) and a look at the Spearhead-organized "Power to the Peaceful" annual peace- and social-change-inspiring music and spoken word festival. Join us as we celebrate the coming of spring, and the growth of the possibility of peace in our world, with "Music in March"!

MARCH FILM SERIES: "MUSIC as a Force for Social Change"

March 13th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm

Music not only got South Africa through apartheid – it was responsible for the revolution and struggle against it. “Through archival footage and interviews with musicians, freedom fighters, and even members of the former government police, Amandla! creates a vivid and powerful portrait of how music was crucial not only to communicating a political message beyond words, but also to the resistance itself--how songs bonded communities, buoyed resistance in the face of bullets and tear gas, and sowed fear in the ruling elite.” A film that both educates and inspires, Amandla! will also make you sing.

March 20th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"I Know I'm Not Alone"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm

In 2004, out of frustration at being disconnected from the events occurring in volatile areas occupied by American forces, Michael Franti set out with his guitar, a group of friends, and a video camera to capture the true human cost of war, explore his own ability to make a connection and enact social change.

March 27th -- Thursday Documentary Film Night
"Power to the Peaceful"
Held at the Bozeman Yoga Center
Doors at 7pm

In partnership with Porterhouse Productions, we present this look at the amazing event that is the annual Power to the Peaceful Festival: a yearly gathering of likeminded musicians and spoken-word artists who utilize the power of music to inspire social change and create a drive for world peace.

Think Tank Meeting March 24th to Discuss Direction of PSJC

Where: Wild Joes Downtown (supporting organics and Fair Trade!)
When: Monday, March 24th
Time: 6:45 pm
Why: There has been a great response to the work begun with PSJC, and much expressed desire to see it continue; now it's time to plan how to man the ship, decide how we want to grow, what that structure should look like, and how to carry it sustainably forward.

For more information, to think-tank ahead of time or to help out with operating or planning any PSJC events, please email us at peaceandsocialjustice@gmail.com