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ICUJP Friday Forum
Feb. 20th 7:30-9:30 am Pacific  

La Lucha Continua: From Nashville 1959 To The Present Day, The Struggle Continues

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Event Description: 

It would be hard to trace the history of the Civil Rights Movement in this country without highlighting the immense contributions of Rev. James Lawson. From his studies of Satyagraha ("Truth Force/Civil Resistance) in India, he was able to mentor many young leaders of the movement in nonviolence. From the Nashville Lunch Counter Boycotts to the Freedom Riders, Rev. Lawson was integral to the success of the movement.

Filmmaker Karen Hayes will be speaking to us on her new documentary, A Better Way: James Lawson, Architect of Nonviolence, and we will be showing sections of the film prior to the screening Saturday, Feb. 21st, 11:00 am at the Culver Theater as part of the Pan African Film Festival.

The history of antifa (Anti-Fascist) struggle in this country has been going since before its founding, and one organization that has been right in the midst of that work is Anti-Racist Action Los Angeles/People Against Racist Terror. For almost 40 years Michael Novick, along with other activists, has been at the forefront of confronting colonialization, the "justice" system, and predatory capitalism.

His bi-monthly publication Turning The Tide has put a spotlight on important issues with writers such as Mumia Abu-Jamal on the American prison system, as well as more recent issues such as the overwhelming presence of Artificial Intelligence and how it is being used by the military-industrial complex and for state surveillance

Join the conversation with our speakers:

Producer/Director Karen Hayes holds an M.F.A. in Film and TV Production from UCLA.  Her production company, Ubuntu Motion Pictures, is devoted to telling stories that spark dialog about and promote equity, justice and healing.  In AFI's Directing Workshop for Women he wrote, produced, and directed the short film An Incident in the Life of a Slave Girl, based on the autobiography of abolitionist Harriet Jacobs. She was granted unique access to film Desmond Tutu internationally over a 15-year period and is completing the documentary feature, The Foolishness of God: A Forgiveness Journey with Desmond Tutu.

Michael Novick is a long-time anti-racist and internationalist, a rank and file labor activist in UTLA, a former member of the ICUJP board, and served as the unpaid General Manager of KPFK from Sept. 2022 through Nov. 2024. He has edited and published Turning The Tide: Journal of Intercommunal Solidarity since 1988, and also works on the Change Links community calendar & news. He was a co-founder of the John Brown Anti-Klan Committee, the Anti-Racist Action Network, and the Torch Antifa Network. His recent work has focused on the military and surveillance uses of A-I, and its threat to human agency and solidarity, the environment and the future. Examples of his work can be found at https://antiracist.org and https://change-links.org

7:30 - 7:35  Log in and socialize
7:35 - 7:45  Welcome and introductions 
7:45 - 7:50  Reflection (5 min. maximum)
7:50 - 9:15  Program and Q&A
9:15 - 9:20  Announcements
9:20 - 9:30  Closing circle and prayer

Start your morning with us! 

Facilitator: Rick Banales
Reflector: Don Smith

** Meetings begin promptly at 7:30 am Pacific. **

Here's how to join the online meeting:

To join by video conference, you'll need to download the Zoom app on your computer or mobile device. Click on the link to join the meeting and then enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You'll be able to see slides and video, as well as speakers and other attendees.

If you prefer to join by phone, you'll be prompted to enter the Meeting ID number and passcode. You won't be able to see the visuals or attendees, but you can view them on the meeting video recording afterward. 

If you're new to Zoom and would like to use the video option, we recommend you download the app well ahead of time.

ICUJP Friday Forum 02/20/26
Time: 07:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

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*Meeting controls for call-in attendees:
To mute/unmute yourself: *6
To raise hand: *9

(To find a dial-in number closer to you, go here.)

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Please note: Our Friday Forums and other events are open to the public. By attending, you consent to having your voice and likeness recorded, photographed, posted on ICUJP's website and social media, and included in ICUJP materials and publications for noncommercial purposes. If you don't want to be photographed or recorded, please let the facilitator know.

Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace recognizes the Gabrieliño Tongva as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land, water, and cultural resources in the unceded territory of Los Angeles.

Last week, the House passed a bill giving ICE billions more dollars. It is immoral to fund the separation, persecution, and death of our people. The Senate votes this week on funding billions of dollars for ICE. We must act now!

EMAIL YOUR SENATORS NOW and tell them to:

• VOTE NO on any additional funding for DHS this year.

• Get ICE out of our communities and demand a pause on ICE activities pending a thorough bipartisan investigation of their actions that lawmakers must create. We demand meaningful regulation, transparency, and accountability for ICE, including clear limits on enforcement tactics, independent investigations of use-of-force incidents, and protections for civil liberties.

• We stand with Minnesota and demand that ICE and CBP officers in both cases must be charged and prosecuted. FBI evidence must be released to Minnesota law enforcement.

• Congress must investigate! Click on the link and let your senators know!

Tell Your Senators; Vote NO On DHS Funding!

Attend the Premire of the Documentary A Better Way: James Lawson, Architect of Nonviolence.

Premiere Screenings at the Pan African Film Festival
Reserve tickets here:
Sat, Feb 21st, 11:00 AM @ The Culver Theater

This documentary feature will provide a fresh lens on the inner workings of the Nonviolence Movement of America through the untold story of Rev. James Lawson, the man Martin Luther King, Jr. called, 'the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world.”

Rev. Lawson’s story provides evidence that nonviolent direct action is effective, and offers untapped strategies for future justice movement-building.

Give the gift of Justice and Peace!

This year, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace  commemorates 25 years of advocacy for the disenfranchised and abused at home and around the world. In the aftermath of September 11th 2001, Los Angeles religious and secular leaders and activists came together to seek an alternative to the fearmongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation.

The main message of ICUJP is that “Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence.”

We have endured and spread our message through very trying times - five Presidents, four California Governors, and numerous crises and challenges  that would shake the resolve of even the most devout and dedicated group of activists. But through it all, we have held true to our mission to be the voice for "the least of these", and to our determination to create the change we want to see in the world, no matter how daunting the opposition can seem.

ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for over twenty years through the generosity of individuals and organizations such as yourselves. 

We would be honored if you can donate $25, $50, $100 (or more) to help us keep up with the increasing costs of securing live venues, renting audio and video equipment, printing valuable information for live events, and bringing our social media tools up to date.

We have several ways for you to support our work:

You can go to the ICUJP donation page on our website to make a one-time donation, or spread your donation out monthly.

You can also visit our ICUJP Threadless Store where you can make a purchase and wear your support for our organization, or give the gift of a tote bag, a mug, or a cute little onesie so your grandkids can be fashionable!

If you make a donation using either of these options, we will also send you a personalized ICUJP membership card for yourself or as a gift to print out:

ICUJP operates as a largely volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff. We have survived for 25 years through the generosity of individuals like yourselves and organizations such as yours.

Thank you for your ongoing support – we are honoured to be standing shoulder to shoulder with you in the struggle for universal Justice and Peace.

RESOURCES FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF A PEOPLE UNDER SEIGE

ICUJP Condemns the actions of the current administration to foment unrest in Southern California and other parts of the US. We hope you will find the following information useful in keeping involved and safe.

RSVP Here

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