www.nashvillepeacejustice.org 1

I’ll get to the point. STAY HERE. Stay in Tennessee, stay in Davidson County or Lebanon or Clarksville and focus on supporting local groups working on specific issues. The darker it

gets, the brighter your light, your willingness, will shine.

Governor Bredesen is on the verge of dismantling TennCare, a program that serves 1.3 million Tennesseans. At least 430,000 will have no insurance and the remaining 900,000 are going to receive severe restrictions in their coverage. NPJC, Tennessee Health Care Campaign, and others of the TennCare Saves Lives Coalition will need committed and focused volunteers and support to advocate for what is left of the Tennessee health care system. NPJC has continued to do health care organizing through a newly formed Grassroots Organizing Committee on TennCare (GROC) (See Tammy Nix’s story on page 6). If you know people who are on TennCare, we are collecting their personal stories so we can demonstrate the human face to changes in health care policy.

The Nashville Youth for Peace and Justice are at the early stages of doing work on equity issues in the Metro school system and will need support from local teachers, students and others connected with the system. The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition continues to advocate for the right of all immigrants to have a driver’s license, allowing them to sustain themselves and families while creating

a majority of the bounty that we all enjoy (highways, homes, harvesting, picking, manufacturing, sewing, etc.).

At NPJC it is essential that we build relationships and get to know, understand and support each other’s issues. This February (see inside) 30 new and emerging activists will get an opportunity to explore their commitments to social justice through NPJC’s Leadership Institute: Training for Grassroots Organizing. Jen Cartwright, our NPJC Director of Education, has been working hard connecting with different grassroots organizations like the Organized Neighbors of Edgehill, Bordeaux Beautiful, Homeless Power Project and other groups to determine how NPJC can best support them to do the good work they are doing for equitable housing and

a clean environment in our neighborhoods. We invite you to consider being a student in the nine-week institute, or send people our way.

Like it or not, WE are U.S. Americans. We can run to Canada or Mexico but our U.S. “privileges” and therefore responsibilities will follow us there. We carry a responsibility to claim what we want for this globe and how we want to utilize our citizenship/residence and activism to move us in that direction. It is possible to change this world and this country. We are doing it every day and many of us are having fun while we do it.

Letter From the Centerby Matt Leber, Coordinator

Local Progressive News from the Nashville Peace & Justice Center

vol. 5 - issue 1 - January 2005Calendar........................2NPJC Leadership Institute......3Radio Free Nashville News.....3Leadership Institute Calendar....4Eyes Wide Open Exhibit.........6War Resisters League..........6From a TennCare Enrollee.....6What’s New at NPJC.................7King Weekend/EarthMatters....7Stop Religious Discrimination...7

(continued on page 8)

Where Do We Go from Here?

December’s candlelight vigil to help save TennCare.

More than 50 homeless people died on the streets of Nashville in 2004. On Saturday, December 18, we stood for 40 minutes in the cold sunshine to honor their lives and their passing. We

heard their names called out into the clear morning air.The morning began with breakfast offered by Food Not Bombs,

along with donations of sleeping bags, blankets, jackets and the like for any who were interested. Howard Allen of the Homeless Power Project (the group which organized the event) welcomed the crowd and announced the speakers, including Vice Mayor Howard Gentry, Metro Councilman Mike Jameson, Rev. Don Beisswinger and John

Zirker of the Homeless Power Project. Also participating in the event were the American Legion Post 82 Color Guard, singer Vida Finley and singer/songwriter Peter Moon. Vice Mayor Gentry spoke of the plan Mayor Bill Purcell has unveiled to end homelessness in Nash-ville within 10 years, and Councilman Jameson read the non-binding council resolution recognizing Homeless Memorial Day. A variety of people—an elderly man, a physically challenged woman, a 10-year-old, a teenager and others—read the names of the 57 people who have died this year. Thirteen of them had only an initial for a last name, because that’s all anyone knew.

Will the 17th Annual NashvilleHomeless Memorial Day Be the Last?

by Marguerite Mills, First UnitarianUniversalist Church of Nashville

2 www.nashvillepeacejustice.org

January 4: Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing Monthly Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m. at NPJC*. Agenda includes moratorium planning for first quarter 2005, electing chapter leadership for 2005 and organizing against first-quarter executions. More Info: www.tcask.org or 615-329-0048.January 7: Dance Your Prayers at Nashville Friends Meeting House. 8-10 p.m.; warm-up at 7:30 p.m. $10 cover, first time free.January 9: Resist War (with your life). War Resisters League monthly meeting at 1827 Morena Street, Nashville. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting at 7 p.m. More Info: 615-322-9523.January 11: Amnesty International Nashville Monthly Meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. at NPJC*. Agenda includes electing chapter leadership for 2005 and letter writing for Fessahay Yohannes (Eritrea). More Info: lynn_e@comcast.net.January 15: EarthMatters Tennessee Annual King Day Winter Gathering and Potluck, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the eARTh Food Park, Lealand Avenue & Gale Lane at the I-440 overpass in South Nashville. Speakers include Rev. Edwin Sanders and Daynise Couch (beginning 12:30 p.m.). Games, food, music and some of Dr. King’s recorded speeches. More Info: www.earthmatterstn.org or 615-252-6953.

January 17: Nashville’s Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. City Wide March and Convocation. 9-11 a.m. gathering at march sites, 12 p.m. convocation at TSU with keynote speaker Rev. James Tex Thomas. More Info: 963-5331.January 17: MLK with NPJC and Greater Bethel at Greater Bethel AME on 12th and South Street.

Service: 8:30 a.m. March: 9 a.m. MLK was assassinated just as he began taking his strongest stands for peace (Vietnam) and for justice (sanitation worker rights in Memphis). Join us as we march and recommit ourselves to these causes.January 18: Nashville Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State Business Meeting, 7-8:30 p.m. at NPJC*. More Info: 615-646-9946 or president@nashville-au.org.January 20: Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program: Exploring Issues of Crime and Justice Behind the Walls with Rev. Janet Wolf, Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. through May 19. More Info: 615-297-8764 or jlwolf@comcast.net.January 27: Mozart’s Birthday Benefit Concert for NPJC at Edgehill United Methodist Church, 1502 Edgehill Ave. 7-9 p.m. $5. More Info: matt@nashvillepeacejustice.org or 615-321-9066.January 27-29: Health Action 2005, 10th Annual Grassroots Conference of Families USA, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC. More Info: Families USA, 1334 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005; 202-628-3030; info@familiesusa.org or www.familiesusa.org.February TBA: Nashville Chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State Meeting, with speaker Hedy Weinberg. More Info: 615-646-9946; email president@nashville-au.org to be notified of date.February 1: Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing Monthly Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m. at NPJC*. More Info: www.tcask.org or 615-329-0048.Feb 3-6: UN Peace Advocate Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev Presents Inner Engineering at Nashville’s Renaissance

Hotel (beginning 6:30 p.m. on Thursday). Program offers powerful scientifically structured practices that transform one inwardly to promote peacefulness, natural conflict resolution, and compassion toward all beings. $225. More Info (and Registration): 615-665-3812 or nashville@ishafoundation.org. February 6-8: Defend the Dream: Economic Opportunity and Tax Fairness, United for a Fair Economy’s National Conference and Lobby Day, Washington, DC. Networking on progressive taxes and estate taxes. Registration $75. More Info: www.faireconomy.org. February 8: Amnesty International Nashville Monthly Meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. at NPJC*. Final plans for International Women’s Day; letter writing. More Info: lynn_e@comcast.net.

February 12: Annual Love Your Mother Earth Valentine’s Day Event from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the eARTh Food Park, Lealand Avenue & Gale Lane at the I-440 overpass in South Nashville. Special gifts, prizes and activities designed to deepen our love for Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants. More Info: www.earthmatterstn.org or 615-252-6953.February 16: A Month of Sundays with the Green Team, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville’s environmental advocacy group. Free and open to the public at 1808 Woodmont Blvd. What would you discover if you traced the wires from your light switch to its energy source? Find out in the documentary Kilowatt Ours by Jeff Barrie at 7 p.m. Potluck at 6 p.m. More Info: 615-383-5760 or socialjustice@firstuunashville.org.February 19: Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing Board of Directors Meeting from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at NPJC*. Open to the public. More Info: www.tcask.org or 615-329-0048.February 23: A Month of Sundays with the Green Team, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville’s environmental advocacy group. Free and open to the public at 1808 Woodmont Blvd. Dave Cooper’s “Mountaintop Removal Road Show,” 7-8:30 p.m. More Info: 615-383-5760 or socialjustice@firstuunashville.org.March 1: Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing International Death Penalty Abolition Day Write-a-Thon, 6-9 p.m. at Portland Brew Coffeehouse, 2605 12th Ave. S. in Nashville. Raise awareness, get sponsors, write letters, generate publicity. More Info: Email tcask@tcask.org to participate.March 4-6: Interfaith Alliance 9th Annual National Leadership Gathering, Wyndham City Center, Washington, DC. More Info: jdavis@interfaithalliance.org. March 8: Amnesty International (AI) Nashville Write-a-Thon for International Women’s Day, 6-9 p.m. Support AI Campaign to stop violence against women. Write on behalf of women in Colombia, Mexico, Yemen, and Turkey. More Info: lynn_e@comcast.net (email for location).

* NPJC offices and board room are located at 1016 18th Ave. S., Nashville, Tenn. 37212. Call 615-321-9066 for directions.

Calendar January/February 2005

NPJC Hosts:Where Do We Go From Here?

Special Presentation with Naomi TutuHow do we unite the social justice movements?

How do we work together?PEACEing Together, one step at time.

Co-sponsored by Fisk Race Relations InstituteOn the Fisk University campus (Location TBD)

Saturday, February 12, 2-4:30 p.m. Call 321-9066 for more details

NASHVILLE PEACE AND JUSTICE CENTERA community-based, multi-issue center forthe Middle Tennessee region seeking to promote peacemaking, social justice and environmental issues in our society and

the world.

M E M B E R O R G A N I Z A T I O N S

Americans United for Separationof Church and State

Amnesty International

Bring Urban Recycling to Nashville Today

Common Cause

Cumberland Greens Bioregional Council

The Emma Center

Earth Matters

First Unitarian Universalist Churchof Nashville

Greater Nashville UnitarianUniversalist Congregation

Homeless Power Project

Interfaith Alliance of Middle Tennessee

Latin American Central AmericanSolidarity Association

Living Wage Campaign of Nashville

Middle Tennessee Presbytery/Peace With Justice Committee

Mideast Peace Coalition

Nashville Friends Meeting

National Organization for Women

Pan Africa

PeaceRoots Alliance

Radio Free Nashville

The Scarritt-Bennett Center

Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing

Tennessee Immigrant andRefugee Rights Coalition

United Nations Association

Veterans for Peace

War Resisters League

A L T ERNA T I V E S

is the official bimonthly publication of the Nashville Peace & Justice Center

E D I T O R I A L C O L L E C T I V E

Ashley Crownover, Al Levenson,Gene Kelly, and Karl Meyer

S U B M I S S I O N S

We seek cartoons, articles, letters and photos related to peace and justice issues relevant to the Tennessee progressive community. We will try to respect the integrity of your

submissions, but we reserve the right to edit for clarity, grammar, spelling and length.

Objections? Write us a letter.

Fax: 615-320-8897 Phone: 615-321-9066Email: ashleycrownover@yahoo.com

Photo by Al Levenson.

www.nashvillepeacejustice.org 3

A s part of the Peace and Justice Center’s ongoing mission to deepen and widen the base of skilled community organizers in Middle Tennessee, we are excited

to offer our first Leadership Institute this spring: a series of nine workshops on fundamental skills of organizing for social justice. Each two-hour workshop will cover a different topic (see the “Leadership Institute Calendar” on pages 4-5) but all will focus on building practical “how-to” skills and providing locally specific and detailed information on relevant institutions, organizations and resources. Each workshop will be facilitated by a pair of highly experienced trainers. These 18 trainers who have generously volunteered to share their wisdom, advice and practical tips include some of Nashville’s most experienced grassroots leaders, lobbyists, journalists, elected officials, union organizers and community activists. Taken together, their depth of knowledge is an invaluable resource.

The Leadership Institute is designed to train people who have an interest in social justice and want to be more involved in

their community, especially young people, people of color and people in low-income communities. Participants will be provided a wealth of practical resources and locally relevant information, plus skills training valued by future employers in the nonprofit sector. Because participants will attend all nine workshops together, the Leadership Institute also builds community by creating a network of motivated activists working toward common goals.

We are very excited that, in partnership with the Oasis Center (www.oasiscenter.org) ten to fifteen AmeriCorps volunteers will

be participating in the Leadership Institute. These emerging community leaders have been recruited through community centers in low-income neighborhoods of Nashville, including Antioch, Coleman Park, East Park, Kirkpatrick, McCabe, and Napier.

We are thrilled to provide professional development and support to these AmeriCorps volunteers. A limited number of additional slots are still available for others interested in participating. For more information or to register for the Leadership Institute, please contact me at jen@nashvillepeacejustice.org or 615-321-9066.

NPJC Leadership Institute Trains aNew Generation of Grassroots Organizers

Partnership with Oasis Center Brings Training to AmeriCorps Volunteers

by Jen CartwrightNPJC Director of Education

Weekly ActivismSundays: Food not Bombs from 1:30-3 p.m. at Legislative Plaza (between Capitol and Sheraton, at 6th and Union). More Info: ryan@monsterlabs.com or 615-293-0603.Wednesdays: Peace Coalition from 6-7:30 p.m. at NPJC*. Join the two-year-old NPJC Peace Coalition as they plan protests and educational events.Thursdays: Women in Black from 12-1:00 p.m. on Broadway between 12th and 11th. “Silently stand in black: to mourn, to remember, to be a presence for peace.”

* NPJC offices and board room are located at 1016 18th Ave. S., Nashville, Tenn. 37212. Call 615-321-9066 for directions.

(Press Release from Radio Free Nashville)—Radio Free Nashville (98.9 WRFN-LPFM), Nashville’s new community radio station, has launched a capital campaign to fund the construction of its broadcast facility. The station, which is set to sign on in late February, hopes to raise $30,000 in phase one of the campaign.

“We’re ready to go with the actual building construction,” says Ginny Welsch, executive director of WRFN. “We have teams of volunteers who will raise the building, do plumbing and electrical, and get us in legal compliance to sign on. The only thing holding us back is money.”

The capital campaign has two phases. Phase One will fund construction of the physical plant. Phase Two will allow the station to expand with an off-site production facility. The off-site location will allow community programmers to tape interviews and programs for broadcast at a later date, and practice their on-air skills. “We’ve already had over 50 community programmers take the on-air master class,” Welsch says. “Now they need to practice to get more familiar with

broadcast equipment, and get used to the sound of their own voices.” Phase Two will also allow the station to purchase a vehicle and equipment for remote broadcasts. The target goal for Phase Two is also $30,000.

The capital campaign is running concurrent with Radio Free Nashville’s ongoing fundraising efforts. “Our goal is to eventually hire a paid staff,” says Welsch. “Right now everyone is working in a volunteer capacity. That’s been the case since we started this effort in 1997. But we know that to be successful, we need to have paid staffers overseeing daily operations.” Welsch estimates the station needs to secure about $50,000 to begin hiring staff and cover ongoing operating expenses.

Contributions to the WRFN capital campaign can be sent to Radio Free Nashville, 725 Wildview Drive, Nashville, Tenn. 37211, or they can be made via PayPal through the station website, www.radiofreenashville.org. All contributions are tax deductible. For more information, contact Welsch at 293-3365.

Radio Free Nashville Launches Capital CampaignStation Set to Sign on in February

4 www.nashvillepeacejustice.org

www.nashvillepeacejustice.org 5

6 www.nashvillepeacejustice.org

Peace Coalition Working to BringAnti-War Exhibit to Nashville

The NPJC Peace Coalition hopes to bring the exhibit “Eyes Wide Open” to Nashville sometime this year. Created by the American Friends’ Service Committee

(AFSC), this “multimedia journey through the words, images, and sounds of the Iraq war” includes a pair of combat boots for every American serviceperson killed in Iraq, a pair of shoes for every 100 Iraqi civilians killed and much more.

From the AFSC website (www.afsc.org), General Secretary Mary Ellen McNish describes the exhibit’s impact: “As the exhibit makes its appearances across the country, families and friends come to grieve for lost loved ones and strangers honor those who gave their lives to a cause far from home. At each stop, person after person leaves notes of commemoration, photographs of lost soldiers, identification tags, flowers, and American flags to accompany the boots on their journey. Although a majority of Americans now believe this war is a tragic

misadventure, the human cost of the Iraq War grows every day. How many more boots will be standing at silent attention before this war ends, before Iraqis and American soldiers are out of harm’s way? This traveling exhibit is a memorial to those who have fallen and a witness to our belief that no war can justify its human cost.”

The Peace Coalition is the mobilizing body for many NPJC public forums for public witness (demonstrations, marches, teach-ins, etc.). The group is made up of concerned individuals from the community. If you come to a meeting, you have the right to participate. Come and help plan and strategize for making voices for peace heard in Nashville. The coalition meets Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Nashville Peace and Justice Center, 1016 18th Ave. S. For more information, contact Chris Lugo with Independent Media Center at christopher_lugo@yahoo.com or call 615-593-0304.

Even the White House Contradicts

Bredesen’s PlanTestimony from a TennCare Enrollee

A ccording to President Bush, every public dollar spent on methadone treatment programs saves 4 public

dollars. According to the National Institute of Health, “Coverage for these programs should be a required benefit in public and private insurance programs.” (National Institute of Health Consensus Development Statement on Effective Medical Treatment of Opiate Addiction.) Nonetheless, Governor Bredesen’s TennCare program has stopped covering methadone treatment and will cost the state millions of dollars. Below is a testimony from NPJC member Tammy Nix, current TennCare enrollee, fully employed caregiver for several years and former drug addict:

I am very frightened to think that when my TennCare quits paying for my methadone treatment that my life will return to the miserable, shameful condition it was in when I was in a drug addiction. In the 1980s I started taken strong pain medication help me with the pain resulting from a degenerative disc disease. I was a nurse who worked in Critical Care. I had terrible back pain and had left my pain medicine at home. I foolishly decided an intramuscular shot of Morphine would help. Within days I was a full-fledged opiate addict. My life quickly spiraled downward. I lost my husband, custody of my two sons, my nursing license, my confidence and self respect. The nature of the opiate addiction is that one feels like one can’t survive without their fix. I forged prescriptions, I shoplifted developed a long record of petty offenses, and all were committed for or under influence of drugs. As an unfortunate result of my addiction, I acquired Hepatitis C, which will affect me for the rest of my life.

By the grace of God I survived my addiction and in 1997 I got into a methadone treatment program. Methadone worked, plain and simple. It removed the gnawing physical and psychological obsession with opiates. I quit breaking the law. I’ve been clean for a couple years now, I have a wonderful relationship with my sons now 26 and 22 years old and I work full-time as a caregiver to an elderly woman.

I am very afraid without TennCare I will not be able to pay my weekly 87 dollar fee for methadone maintenance and I am sure my life will begin the fast downward spiral it took before. Iam not opposed to paying some of my bill. I would support a co-pay to avoid stopping methadone coverage entirely. I would be happy to share or speak one to one with anyone that may need insight on how important methadone is in an addict’s life.

From Political Frustration to Personal Empowerment

by Karl MeyerNashville Greenlands

In 2004 some of us invested a lot of hopes in the election campaigns of the Democrats, the Green Party or Ralph Nader. Those hopes were trashed by the election results.

At Nashvi l le Greenlands we’re wondering if some of you might be willing now to start taking money away from the imperial military machine, by effective nonpayment of military taxes. The federal government spends about 50 percent of all income tax revenue for current military costs plus interest on debts accrued to pay for past military deficit spending. Paying these taxes is the only thing the government demands of us to sustain its policies.

At Nashville Greenlands we have years of practical experience and counseling knowledge in refusing to pay military taxes. Our methods can work for people with different income levels, professions and family situations. These methods include community living and simple living for people willing to live on incomes below the taxable threshhold; for others, there are self-employment options and practical methods for reducing or resisting taxes on wages or salaries.

We are activating our chapter of the War Resisters League especially as a support group for people who want to move on from the voting booth and take their tax money out of the hands of Bush and spend it for the common good. “Cast your whole vote, not a strip of paper merely, but your whole influence”—H. D. Thoreau.

Join us monthly forSecond Sundays at Seven(first gathering January 9)at Nashville Greenlands

1827 W. Morena Street, Nashville

6 p.m. Informal supper—bring a dish if you like

7 p.m. Group discussion ofresistance options

For more information, contactPam or Christina at 341-0255

or Karl at 322-9523.

www.nashvillepeacejustice.org 7

New at NPJC!Photo Gallery Coming SoonThanks to generous donations and the extraordinary talents of international photojournalist Fred Clarke, founder of the Seeds Project (www.theseedsproject.org), and local photojournalist Al Levenson, the NPJC will launch a photo gallery in January. Prints of the photographs featured in this permanent exhibit will be available for purchase. All proceeds go to the NPJC operational budget.

Come Check Out Our Micro Book StoreThe NPJC’s new book store is now open! Choice selections

have been made to help you increase your knowledge base as a committed supporter of peace and justice. All proceeds go to the NPJC operational budget.

Contribute Items to NPJC’s EBay Campaign We are starting an EBay project to raise funds for the center. If you have an item you

would like to donate, contact Kate at npjcebay@yahoo.com. Please include the item’s name, estimated value, and a description. All proceeds go to the NPJC operational budget.

The team at EarthMatters Tennessee invites you to join us for Dr. King Weekend at the eARTh Food Park,

Lealand Avenue & Gale Lane at the I-440 overpass in South Nashville. On Saturday, January 15, from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m., we will host the annual King Day Winter Gathering and Potluck. Bring the family, including leashed “furkids,” a healthy snack or dish and enjoy the day in green community.

Scheduled to speak are Rev. Edwin Sanders of Metropolitan Interdenominational Chuch, Daynise Couch of the Tennessee Economic Renewal Network and other invited guests including 88-year-old Johnny Ewing. Speakers will begin at 12:30 p.m. Games, prizes, food and camaraderie will be featured along with music and some of the recorded speeches of Dr. King.

On Monday, January 17, join the EMT team at Fisk University. We will meet at the Bakari Memorial Tree, across from the chapel and library, at 10 a.m. From there we will join the marchers as we head to Gentry Center at Tennessee State University. Look for our giant Earth Flag.

State and federal governments are increasingly using religious organizations to provide social services, such as job training and substance-abuse treatment. These

arrangements often violate the law and divide people along religious lines. Americans United for Separation of Church and State is requesting that everyone be alert to any such violations in your community. Please report these to legal@AU.org or phone 800-875-3707 and ask for the Legal Department. If you prefer, mail to Americans United, Legal Dept., 518 C Street NE, Washington DC 20002. If you are concerned that you may suffer consequences for reporting a violation, please state this so that your identity will be kept confidential. Following are some possible violations:

Discrimination in EmploymentA publicly funded organization cannot

require employees to be of a particular religion or to sign a statement of faith.Discrimination Against Those in Need

A religious organization that accepts public funds cannot limit its services to persons of a particular religion.

Religious CoercionA religious organization cannot require

people to attend a religious event as a condition of receiving services.Public Subsidy for Religious Programs

A religious organization cannot use tax dollars to fund some or all of a religious program.Religious Activities in Publicly Financed Buildings

A religious institution cannot use public funds to construct or renovate a building used for religious instruction or worship.Religious Set-Asides

A government agency cannot make certain funds available to religious organizations only.

We contend that public money and public institutions are for the benefit of ALL people without discrimination. We believe that true religious liberty, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, belongs to “the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and the Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.” Keeping the institutions of church and state separate and free helps to ensure this. For more information, visit www.nashville-au.org.

By Charles Sumner (President, Nashville Chapter)Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Help Stop Religious Discrimination

Dr. King Weekend with EarthMatters

Tennesseeby Sizwe HerringEarthMatters Tennessee

Photo by Al Levenson, from the upcoming NPJC photo gallery.(Original in color.)

8 www.nashvillepeacejustice.org

President George W. Bush1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington, DC 20500

(202) 456-1111; FAX (202) 456-2461; president@whitehouse.gov

Citizen Comment: (202) 456-1111(A one-minute call before

8 a.m. costs 29 cents)

Congressional Switchboard(800) 648-3516

U.S. Senator Bill Frist461 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.,

Washington, DC 20510(202) 224-3344; senator@frist.

senate.gov

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander302 Hart Senate Office Bldg.,

Washington, DC 20510(202) 224-4944;

senator@alexander.senate.gov

U.S. Representative Jim Cooper1536 Longworth House Office Bldg.,

Washington, DC 20515(202) 225-4311; visit http://cooper.

house.gov to send an email

Gov. Phil BredesenGovernor’s Office, Tennessee State Capitol, Nashville TN 37243-0001

(615) 741-2001; phil.bredesen@state.tn.us

Tennessee Senator Jim Bryson 310 War Memorial Building, Nashville, TN 37243-0023 (615) 741-2495; sen.jim.

bryson@legislature.state.tn.us

Tennessee SenatorThelma Harper

2 Legislative PlazaNashville, TN 37243-0219

(615) 741-2453; sen.thelma.harper@legislature.state.tn.us

Tennessee Senator Joe Haynes 5 Legislative Plaza

Nashville, TN 37243-0220 (615) 741-6679; sen.joe.

haynes@legislature.state.tn.us

Tennessee SenatorDouglas Henry

11 Legislative PlazaNashville, TN 37243-0021

(615) 741-3291; sen.douglas.henry@legislature.state.tn.us

1016 18th Ave. S.Nashville, TN 37212

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDNashville, TN

Permit, No. 1716

Address Service

Requested

The refrain throughout was “may it never be needed again.” As the vice mayor pointed out, the number has exceeded 50 for years now. That has to change—and some advocates are optimistic that it will.

“If I had to describe my feelings in one word,” said Zirker, who is himself formerly homeless, “it would be hope. We’re on a journey now with the mayor’s commitment to a 10-year plan. I’d like to think that with everybody supporting this, we can eliminate homelessness and this (Homeless Memorial Day) won’t continue to happen. We have so many organizations out there—the Homeless Power Project, the Nashville Coalition, the Campus for Human Development, the mayor’s task force and many others—working toward solutions. But everybody needs to get on board—it’s a journey we’re on together. If we all press in the same direction, if everyone commits themselves to solutions that include education and job training, then I believe hope is on the way.”

As the service concluded, a man sat down on the pavement with his friend and hugged their dog, Bear. With typical puppy exuberance, she seemed just plain happy to be alive. They take care of each other. Nearby, a teenager, on hearing an adult wonder where the superheroes are when you need them, said, “We are the superheroes.”

The Homeless Power Project is an organization of homeless and formerly homeless people who work to confront the root causes of homelessness and develop concrete solutions within the Nashville community. For more information, contact John Zirker at 615-573-6895.

Homeless Memorial Day(continued from page 1)

Educate Those in Power.Write. Call. Visit.