2011 is a special year for us here at CALC-it is our 45^th Anniversary year!  It is pretty rare for a nonprofit organization focused on social justice and human rights to not only stay alive but to also thrive over nearly five full decades!  To celebrate, we are putting together a fabulous Gala celebration this Fall.

Expanding on our annual Cornucopia Multicultural Celebration: Sunday, November 13^th will find us at the Eugene Hilton for a 45^th Anniversary Gala Dinner and Cornucopia Celebration.  A wonderful buffet dinner, musical performers, a special anniversary program and a silent auction will be just some of what you can expect from this inspiring event. 

We are currently in the planning stages and if you have some volunteer time to spare, we could use energetic individuals to help with acquiring auction items and table and ticket sales.  If you would like to host a table of your own (great for businesses, organizations or avid CALC supporters), we're happy to let you know what that entails as well. If you would like to be a part of the planning committee or are interested in sponsoring the event, please call us at 541.485.1755 or email Kori

Additionally, mark your calendars for Sunday, November 13^th to make sure that you don't miss this special celebration-45 years of social justice work in Lane County is definitely something to celebrate!

The DREAM Act may be back-and it is newly improved IF it can pass both houses of Congress in this current anti-immigrant climate. The DREAM Act would provide a path to legalization for those undocumented young people brought here long ago by their parents and who meet certain requirements.  While all of us at CALC have long advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, we are especially pleased that the current version of the DREAM Act allows for in state tuition instead of prohibiting it, and it includes a broader definition of education.

To complete the steps for legalization undocumented youth would have to meet a variety of requirements including graduating from high school and then completing 2 years of college, military service or -newly-trade education.  This is a key change if undocumented youth are to have a realistic range of post high school choices.

Unfortunately, Congress seems more interested in punitive actions, with much focus on the E-verify system of assuring that businesses don't hire the undocumented.  The American Immigration Council has some good data documenting how costly such a system would be to economic recovery, US workers' jobs and individual businesses.  A group of Oregon businesses recently joined in an effort to protest the cost of an E-verify system.

So watch for requests from CALC and others to advocate for the DREAM Act-or comprehensive immigration reform-with our Congressional delegation should these measures get "legs" as they say about bills in Congress that are moving toward approval.  We at Truth In Recruiting are adamant that there must be more alternatives for youth than just "college" (which means only a course aimed at a 4 year degree) or the military.  Forcing youth to choose to enlist in the military to gain legalization is just wrong.

Congressman DeFazio has been a strong voice and a strong vote for peace in Afghanistan the past few weeks. Oregon Senator Merkley is now the strongest voice for peace in the U.S. Senate. He recently initiated a  letter to the President calling for a quicker withdrawal from Afghanistan and he posted an OP-ED with the same message in the New York Times.

The passage of the Eugene City Council's  "Bring the War Dollars Home"  resolution and the passage of a similar   resolution by the US Conference of Mayors is very encouraging as well. Both resolutions passed with conservative support and this indicates widespread opposition to the wars.

In the weeks ahead we shift our focus to nuclear issues. Both the July 21 interfaith peace walk and the August 6 Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Fukashima commemoration call for a world free of nuclear weapons and nuclear power. Both events will also be a benefit for Japanese Tsunami survivors. For more details see the CALC calendar. 

Springfield folks across the political spectrum are tired of hearing Eugeneans put down their city -- as though Eugene had solved all its own social problems.  Springfield residents understand their community and can best address its problems.     

Springfield Alliance for Equality and Respect (SAfER), guided by a steering committee of Springfield-based activists has been working in Springfield for human rights since 1997.  Major areas of concern are racial justice and immigrant rights, LGBTQ rights, and the right to shelter.  SAfER coordinates the Safe Schools Working Group and the Springfield Shelter Rights Alliance, co-sponsors Springfield's Martin Luther King, Jr. contest and celebration, organizes an annual Cesar Chavez Celebration, and presents three Human Rights Leadership Awards each year. That's our visible work, but we also are tireless behind the scenes, working with school and city personnel for a better, more inclusive community.  And we get results.  Just check out the City of Springfield website, or note that each school building in Springfield has a Safe Schools Network representative.

B2B Film Series at CALC 

Thursday, July 21, 6:30 p.m. 

458 Blair

We look forward to seeing you at this month's showing of, "Aimee & Jaguar." Set in Berlin in 1944, this film shows the blossoming love affair between Lilly and Felice. Based on a true story, the movie has had rave reviews for its frank and poignant portrayals of life, love and war. Sexual themes are involved, so no children please.  Popcorn to be served and lively discussion to follow.  Feel free to bring a non-alcoholic beverage.  

2011 Interfaith Peace Walk for a Nuclear Free Future

Thursday, July 21 5:30 p.m. potluck and program. 

At 8:00 a.m., a group gathered in the Japanese Memorial Garden to kickoff the interfaith Peace Walk for world peace and a nuclear free future from Eugene to the Bangor, WA Trident submarine base. All are invited tonight for a potluck and program at First United Methodist Church 1376 Olive St. For info about the Eugene event email Susan Cundiff or call 541-683-1350.

Saturday, August 6,

7:00 - 9:30 p.m. 

Alton Baker Park, small shelter near park entrance and duck pond. A 7:00 p.m. community potluck will be followed by an 8:00 p.m. program featuring Japanese Koto music, Taiko drumming, Obon dancing, origami making and a call by emcee Bob Watada to take action to abolish nuclear weapons.  The event will close at dusk with the floating of candle lanterns on the duck pond while Koto master Mitsuki Dazai plays traditional Japanese music. The ceremony honors those who died when the U.S. dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The event is free but folks will be asked to make a donation to benefit Japanese Tsunami survivors.

Call CALC at 485-1755 for more information.

Check out CALC's  Website calendar for more events.  

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani is an 80 year old homeless artist who survived the trauma of WWII internment camps and the Hiroshima blast where much of his family perished.   Through Mirikitani's art you are drawn into this harsh period of U.S. history and the lasting wounds of war, yet this film documentary is also a sweet tale about friendship and the healing power of community. Get it at the Eugene Library or on Netflix.