NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                         

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Rick Banales, Communications/Social Media Director, ICUJP, [email protected]

Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace celebrates its 25^th anniversary with our Rev. George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards, Sunday, September 27^th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena, CA

Pasadena, CA, 09/01/2026 – In commemoration of Interfaith Communities United for Peace’s 25 years of work seeking an alternative to the fearmongering and vengefulness sweeping much of our nation, we are proud to hold our 2026 Rev. George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards at All Saints Episcopal Church on Sunday, September 27th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm.  

The theme of this year’s event is Looking Forward, Looking Back; 25 years of ICUJP, and we will pay tribute to  the following remarkable activists at our event hosted by Mimi Kennedy:

·       Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories

·       Stephen Rohde, constitutional lawyer, lecturer, writer and political activist

·       The Late Father Chris Ponnet, Director St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care/LAC+USC Medical Center

·       Bishop John Taylor, former Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles

·       Rick Steves, travel writer, activist, and host of Rick Steves' Europe on PBS

·       And local activist organization Pasadena For Palestine

Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace has Board members and staff available for quotes and interviews.

ICUJP exists because of an extraordinary peace advocate - the late Rev. George F. Regas. In the days after 9/11, the former rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena brought together Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Quaker, and other faith leaders and activists in Los Angeles to oppose the forces pressing for war and its devastating consequences. In his honor, every year we have recognized the work of other Peace advocates through the George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards.  Previous recipients have included Rev. Desmond Tutu, Black Lives Matter - Los Angeles, Rev. James Lawson, Housing Works, NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change, The Poor People’s Campaign, Dolores Huerta, and the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.

Please visit our website ( https://www.icujp.org/ ), or contact Communications/Social Media Director Rick Banales at [email protected] for further information.

Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 09/19/2025

Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace

A. Introduction

Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace  is committed to protecting your privacy.
This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your
personal information.

B. Information We Collect

a) Personal Information:
When provided voluntarily by individuals, we may collect personal information
such as names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers.

b) Non-Personal Information:
For statistical purposes, we may also collect non-personal information such as
browser type, operating system, and IP address.

C. How We Use Your Information
We may use the collected information for purposes, including but not limited
to:
a) Providing and personalizing our services.
b) Processing transactions and delivering products.
c) Sending periodic emails related to your orders or inquiries.

D. Disclosure of Information
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to third
parties without your consent, except as set forth in this Privacy Policy.

a) Third-Party Service Providers:
We may share information with third-party service providers who assist us in
operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you.
b) Legal Compliance:
We may disclose information when required by law or in response to lawful
requests by public authorities.
Data disclosure laws vary between countries, and even within countries, they
can be subject to federal, state/provincial, and local regulations. In the United States
and Canada, data disclosure laws encompass a combination of federal and provincial/
state regulations. I'll provide you with a brief overview of the major federal laws in
both countries.

United States:
1. Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act):
• Overview: The FTC Act broadly prohibits unfair and deceptive practices in
commerce, including the unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
• Enforcement: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces the FTC Act.

2. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA):
• Overview: Primarily applicable to financial institutions, GLBA requires these
institutions to protect the privacy and security of consumer financial
information.
• Enforcement: Various federal agencies, including the FTC, have enforcement
authority.

3. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA):
• Overview: Applies to protected health information held by covered entities and
their business associates. It sets standards for the privacy and security of health
information.
• Enforcement: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is
responsible for enforcing HIPAA.

4. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA):
• Overview: COPPA regulates the online collection of personal information from
children under 13. It requires obtaining parental consent.
• Enforcement: The FTC enforces COPPA.

5. California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
• Overview: State-level legislation granting California residents specific privacy
rights and imposing obligations on businesses handling their personal
information.
• Enforcement: The California Attorney General can enforce the CCPA.

Canada:

1. Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA):

• Overview: Applies to private-sector organizations engaged in commercial
activities. It regulates the collection, use, and disclosure of personal
information.
• Enforcement: The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC)
oversees PIPEDA compliance.

2. Provincial Legislation:
• In addition to PIPEDA, some provinces have their own privacy legislation. For
example, Alberta and British Columbia have their own private-sector privacy
laws.

Please be advised these laws are subject to change, and new regulations may be
introduced. Always consult with legal professionals to ensure compliance with the
latest data disclosure laws that apply to your specific circumstances.

E. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. You can control
cookies through your browser settings.

F. Your Choices
You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information. To do
so, please contact us at [email protected].

G. Security
We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information. However,
no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure.

H. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be
effective immediately upon posting to the website.

I. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us
at [email protected].

LOVE FOR PALESTINE ACTION PAGE

Here are links to resources and sample templates for you to contact elected officials and corporations:

ICUJP Partners with Ten Thousand Villages This Holiday Season!



Drop into a non-profit Ten Thousand Villages shop in Pasadena or in Redondo Beach, between November 28 and December 12, immerse yourself in the amazing handiwork of women and men of the world, and buy at least one gift for someone you were shopping for. 

If you say “ICUJP” to the volunteer when you check out, 15% of your purchase will go to ICUJP!

ICUJP Fair-Trade Shopping List & Resources

ICUJP's Fair Trade Shopping List

Most Fair Trade producers are women and men who have broken out of the capitalist hold by forming worker-owned co-ops. No bosses. And in place of the profiteering middle-man, Fair Trade companies form long-term relationships with the workers, buying at a fair price, and selling to us through a non-profit store chain like Ten Thousand Villages, small shops, pop-up bazaars, websites, or in some cases major stores.

From bars of chocolate to major gifts, what we give makes a difference in the world.

Here is a list of great Fair-Trade suppliers and online merchants/stores - please consider picking up your holiday gifts from one (or more) of these great organizations.

Shops in L.A. County
https://www.tenthousandvillages.com Pasadena and Redondo Beach
https://www.fairtradelongbeach.com/
contact.html Long Beach
https://www.thelittlemarket.com Pacific Palisades
https://wuitusu.com Santa Monica and Hollywood
Members of Fair Trade L.A.
https://fairtradela.org/pages/businessmember-directory

Global
https://www.fairtradewinds.net
https://www.serrv.org
https://www.luciasworldemporium.com
https://shopnativeonline.com
https://humblehilo.com
https://www.oneworldprojects.net
https://alternativesglobalmarketplace.com
https://www.giftswithhumanity.com
https://sojournsfairtrade.com
https://www.globalgiftsft.com
https://www.market.unicefusa.org
https://stores.silkroadmkt.com
https://justgoods.org/collections/fair-trade
https://www.giftswithhumanity.com
https://www.culturalelements.com
https://www.villagescalgary.ca
https://riverfairtrade.com

Africa
https://www.swahilimodern.com
https://www.nontando.com/contact_us.php
https://oceansole.com
https://globalmamas.org
https://mifuko.com
https://www.thepeaceexchange.com
https://africanteamstore.square.site
https://www.kapula.com
https://www.kapula.com/hand-paintedceramics-designs

Middle East
https://www.shoppalestine.org http://
palestineonlinestore.com
https://handmadepalestine.com
https://equalentrance.com/

Caribbean
https://www.haitimetalart.com
Latin American
https://www.sanyorkfairtrade.com
https://upavimcrafts.org
https://www.sharingthedream.org
https://tramatextiles.org
https://buenaondagames.com
https://www.storetribu.com
https://altiplano.com

Asia
https://matrboomie.com
https://noahsarkindia.com
https://kahiniwalla.com
United States
https://www.southernhighlandguild.org
Opening Soon
https://elishac.com
https://www.facebook.com/madigner.kessab
https://www.prosperitycatalyst.org

Upcoming FTLA pop-ups

Alternative Christmas Market at American Martyrs Church
1431 Deegan Pl, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
11/19 4-7p & 11/20 8a-2p

Holiday Market with Valley Country Market
20929 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
11/26 time is TBD

Holiday Night Market with Gasolina Cafe
21150 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364,
12/3 4-9p

Holiday Market with UUCLB
5450 E Atherton St, Long Beach, CA 90815
12/4 10a - 12p

Fair Trade LA's Holiday Party 2022
Ten Thousand Villages Pasadena, 567 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Time : TBD

Holiday Market of The Good News Festival
500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108
12/10 11a-6p

Holiday Market with First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
540 S Commonwealth Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
12/11 12-1:30p

ICUJP has agreed to become the fiscal sponsor for the Jerusalem Prayer Project (JPP) and its documentary and multi-media work committed to telling stories of interfaith peace makers in Israel and Palestine.  JPP is the handiwork of longtime ICUJP board member, interfaith minister and musician Stephen Fiske, together with documentary filmmaker Robert Corsini.  

Your fully tax-deductible donations will support their work completing the pilot to their documentary series Warriors of the Heart:  Peacemakers in the Holy Land.

For more information and to contact the filmmakers directly — visit

JerusalemPrayerProject.org 

Email Us [email protected]          

Text of Call 310-706-83

Friday Forum Schedule

Description: List of upcoming Friday Forums and assigned roles for facilitator, reflector and Zoom host

Speaker Appointment Scheduler

Description: Link to online appointment scheduler for CONFIRMED ICUJP Friday Forum Speakers

Instructions to send speakers:

6. That's it for now!  ICUJP's Director of Communications will be in touch with you shortly with more information regarding your scheduled presentation. Thank you!

Speaker Outreach Tracking Sheet

Description: List to track speakers contacted to present at Friday Forums and status

Template - Speaker Outreach

Social Media Post Request Form - Partner Organization

Description: Form to be filled out by partner organization's requesting ICUJP to post on their behalf

 "Special Event" Form

Description: Form to be filled out by ICUJP members requesting promotion for a special event

Social Media Links

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Sry8-OSkJHr94eXG3ssw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icujp_socal/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ICUJP_SoCal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICUJP

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@icujp_socal?lang=en

Thank you for your interest in becoming a sponsor of ICUJP's anniversary event. The deadline to purchase sponsorships unfortunately has passed. If you would like to make a donation instead, please visit https://ICUJP20th.eventbrite.com. Thank you for your support!

-----

Twenty years ago, days after the devastating 9/11 attacks, the late Rev. George F. Regas brought together Christians, Jews, Muslims, Quakers, humanists and people of many other beliefs to found Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace. Acutely aware that this moment posed a dire threat to peace and justice, George knew instinctively that peacemakers needed a place to gather, organize, pray, and act together - united by the fundamental principle that Religious Communities Must Stop Blessing War and Violence. 

Since its founding, ICUJP has remained true to George's vision. Meeting at over 1,000 Friday Forums, ICUJP has:

• heard speakers from all over the world
• organized mass demonstrations, vigils, and acts of civil disobedience
• presented numerous conferences and webinars
• held an annual Close Guantanamo rally
• sent many delegations to meet with elected officials
• issued statements, petitions, and policy papers on a wide range of international and domestic issues
• provided scholarships to young peace activists
• supported our allies in the cause of peace and racial and economic justice
• and provided a loving and safe home for all who are working toward a peaceful, compassionate nation and world that offer liberty, opportunity and justice for all.

Please join us in person or online to celebrate ICUJP's 20th Anniversary, honoring George's life and legacy, and recognizing our colleagues in peace and justice with the 2021 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemaker Awards! 

Pursuing Justice and Peace for
Twenty Years

ICUJP 20th Anniversary and 2021 George F. Regas
Courageous Peacemaker Awards

Saturday, September 11, 2021  •  4:00-6:00 pm PDT

In person Program and Reception and live streamed online
All Saints Episcopal Church  •  132 N. Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101

With very special guests

Rev. James Lawson
Rachael Worby, Artistic Director and Creator, MUSE/IQUE

Please note that the in-person event will strictly adhere to all COVID restrictions required by the Pasadena Public Health Department and the CDC

We're delighted to honor the 2021 George F. Regas Courageous Peacemakers:

U.S. Representative Judy Chu, D-CA-27
for her ongoing commitment to justice and peace

In addition, we'll honor the following organizations for their steadfast peace and justice efforts and for serving and advocating for people impacted by the Covid pandemic:

• All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena
• Black-Jewish Justice Alliance
• Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE)
• Friends Committee on National Legislation CA Advocacy Team
• Housing Works
• ILM (Intellect, Love, Mercy) Foundation
• Immanuel Presbyterian Food Pantry
• Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
• National Religious Campaign Against Torture
• NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change
• Poor People's Campaign
• St. Mark's Lutheran Church/Sola Community Peace Center

ICUJP operates largely as a volunteer organization with a small part-time paid staff.  For 20 years, we've carried out Rev. Regas's vision through the generosity of individuals and organizations like you. As with many other nonprofits, the Covid pandemic has hampered our ability to raise donations.  The annual Peacemaker Awards event is our primary fundraising activity of the year.  We're eager to sustain - and expand - our work.  We are committed to doing that with your generous help.

Please become a co-sponsor of Pursuing Justice and Peace for 20 Years. The benefits at each level of sponsorship are shown below. Please purchase a package and submit a tribute ad honoring:

• the life and legacy of Rev. Regas
• the extraordinary organizations we're recognizing
• ICUJP's 20 years of important work
• any person or organization who's partnered with ICUJP through the years
• all of these in the largest tribute ad you can afford!

Individual admission tickets to the in-person program and reception are also available for a donation of $25 or more. Please be as generous as you can to help underwrite scholarships for those who cannot afford a ticket. (To request a scholarship, based on limited availability, please email Daryn Kobata, Director of Communications and Special Events.) The live-streamed online event will be free.

**To purchase tickets or co-sponsorships by check, please make the check out to Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace. In the memo line, please note "9/11 ticket" or "9/11 co-sponsorship." Mail to: Rod Sprott, c/o Church-Biz, 1125 N. Fairfax Avenue #46836, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Be sure to to confirm your purchase details with Daryn Kobata by email or at 213.373.4006.

Thanks very much for your generous support! A portion of your donation or co-sponsorship is tax deductible as allowable by law. If you have questions about co-sponsorships or admission tickets, please email Daryn Kobata.

Again, thank you so much for your support and for all you do in pursuit of justice and peace.We look forward to seeing you on September 11. 

On behalf of the ICUJP Board of Directors,

Stephen Rohde
Chair

Grace Dyrness 
Vice Chair

If you have resources to suggest, please email us.

LA District Attorney George Gascón's First 100 Days in Office report:

https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/district-attorney-george-gascon-outlines-reforms-made-during-first-100-days-office-promises-more

Sign Black Lives Matters' open letter to support DA Gascon's progressive justice reforms:

tinyurl.com/StandWithGeorge

Learn about and expose those who have killed Black people and others of color with impunity:

https://www.prosecutekillercops.org

Sign Dr. Melina Abdullah's petition to fire LAPD Chief Michel Moore for his longstanding pattern of abuse and failed leadership:

https://campaigns.organizefor.org/petitions/fire-lapd-chief-michel-moore

Join Black Lives Matter LA and others to end police associations:

Every Wednesday, 3:00 pm – Fund Services, Not Police!
#EndPoliceAssociations at 1313 W. 8th St., Los Angeles

We’re taking down the police associations that function as organized crime, enabling killer cops, bullying and bribing elected officials, and criminalizing our people. Gather in front of the ACLU building directly across the street from the headquarters of the Los Angeles Police Protective League. Bring your drums, bodies, spirits and dedication.

Learn about SB 300 (Cortese), the Sentencing Reform Act of 2021:
This bill will end the injustice of people being sentenced to death or LWOP even if they did not kill anyone nor intend for anyone to die. It will allow resentencing for those now sentenced to death or LWOP as accomplices in a felony murder. It also restores power to judges to dismiss any special circumstance. Organizational letters of support are due March 30 on the legislative portal for this bill's hearing, set for April 6.

Fact Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W9_WBMm2kZWQkurgFyVx6oFCZQ5hpQL7/view

Learn about AB 256 (Kalra), the California Racial Justice Act for All:
Remember how we passed the Racial Justice Act last year but it’s prospective only? This bill will make it retroactive, allowing people on death row and serving LWOP (and anyone else) to challenge racial bias in their case. This bill is set for hearing on March 23. It is too late to be listed in support in the official analysis but you can send a letter now to be listed for the next committee.  

Fact Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uEUU9NBWxPutfh8s1wzW5dKgWjzQqSHJ/view

Email your Los Angeles city councilmember to demand that money reallocated from the LAPD budget - a result of #BlackLivesMatter protests - go to Black organizations to benefit Black communities:
https://www.lacity.org/government/popular-information/elected-officials/city-council 

Toolkit to learn more about and have a voice in the LA city budget:
https://peoplesbudgetla.com/toolkit/

Learn more about the campaign to drop LWOP (life without parole) for the 5,100 people currently serving these "living death sentences":

Kelly Savage-Rodriguez, DROP LWOP: [email protected]

[email protected]

https://droplwop.com

Join an ICUJP working group to end systemic racism:

Fernando Fernando, [email protected]

Join the Campaign to Preserve Democracy & Accountability at Pacifica Radio:

https://pacificafightback.org

Subscribe to ICUJP's email list for weekly Friday Forum and special event announcements:

https://www.icujp.org/join

Donate to ICUJP to support more programs like this one:

https://www.icujp.org/donations