Category: Blog

From Grand Rapids to a Guatemalan SaqJa Village

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ige-guatemala

From Grand Rapids to a Guatemalan SaqJa Village
A report on building friendship and partnership

Thursday, March 17, 2016
6 – 8pm @ Institute for Global Education (IGE)
1118 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids

Our reflection will focus on the progress in rebuilding the Mayan, Quiche village of SaqJa, destroyed in the ’80s by the U.S. backed Guatemalan military.

We will learn about the Grand Rapids/Guatemalan partnership built since 1996. We will discuss ways to address the underlying causes of immigration and the need for US immigration reform.

We will watch a slide show, enjoy music, and share a dinner of black beans with rice.

Contact:  Kathy Siegenthaler at 616-389-7340 and email hidden; JavaScript is required or IGE office at 616-454-1642 and Tom Burke at email hidden; JavaScript is required

Supported in Grand Rapids by Seeds of Justice Fund and East Congregational UCC and IGE

IGE Talks: The Flint Water Crisis

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IGE Talks LogoWe invite you to our next talk Thursday, Feb. 18. 2016 at 7 pm at IGE, 1118 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506.

The Flint Water Crisis remains in the news as a problem created by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, that would have been better if he had left it alone. Individuals will make short presentations, first on the science of polluted water. We will follow with a review of the “Emergency Finance Manager” laws, which the right wing passed to squeeze every nickel until it screams. Behind the Flint decision was that Detroit Water, renamed the Great Lakes Water Authority, should be bankrupted and privatized. When Governor Snyder is driven by profit schemes to privatize public utilities, then public health is damaged and children suffer for the rest of their lives.

IGE meets the challenge!

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Thanks to many of you, the Institute for Global Education met our challenge grant awarded by the Fountain Street Church’s–Social Action Committee! Thru a matching grant, we raised $5000 for IGE to work on peace and social justice in our community.

With your donations, we hired an office coordinator for 15 hours per week to make sure the IGE office runs smoothly and to expand our programing. Now we can put more into our GRTV and IGE Talks programs, the Mandela Day celebration, Peace Week activities and Interfaith Service, NVC trainings, and more. Our office currently hosts study groups, movie nights, book discussions, petition drives and meetings with various groups.

If you missed out, but would like to contribute to making local progressive activities a success then please donate $100, $50, or $20 to IGE today. Please click here: IGE donation (PayPal)

Or make your check out to the Institute of Global Education and mail to the IGE office:
1118 Wealthy Street SE
Grand Rapids MI 49506

We also accept cash, credit cards, and donations, which are deductible to the full extent of the law as IGE is a 501(c)(3).

For more info: call (616) 454-1642 or email Kate Shockey email hidden; JavaScript is required

The Institute for Global Education is a distinct voice in a changing and challenging world. We are a voice for those who value justice, seek peace, and advocate for progress. We depend on your contributions and volunteering to continue our work. When you invest in our mission, you become part of a local effort focused on global thinking.
The Institute for Global Education is registered with the State of Michigan as a non-profit corporation (501 c3). You can view the current list of registered non-profit charities at IGE 501 c3. You may need a receipt from IGE if you donate $250.00 or more in one payment but please consult your tax professional.
Usually your donation will be considered a membership to IGE. Please contact us if we can provide any assistance as you consider your gift.

Over 200 rally to Dump Trump in Grand Rapids!

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By Tom Burke

Over 200 people from West Michigan rallied to “Dump Trump!” on December 21, 2015. Organized by the Grand Rapids Anti-War Committee along with immigrant rights groups and student activists, it was the largest protest seen at a Republican campaign rally in Grand Rapids that anyone remembers. Trump and his supporters were confronted by a large crowd waving signs and chanting in opposition to his campaign of racism and war.

Burton Kroes of IGE led chants on a bullhorn as Trump supporters entered the parking lot, “Dump Trump! Dump Trump!” and “Hey Donnie! Let’s be clear, refugees are welcome here!”

Mike DeRuiter, also with the Anti-War Committee, stood with a big “Dump Trump” banner, anchoring the spot where hundreds gathered to send a clear message. DeRuiter said, “Look, the last thing we need is another Wall Street politician like Donald Trump. We are out here to oppose Trump and the Republican agenda of hate, fear and war.”

DeRuiter, pointing across the road to where immigrants gathered to demand respect and equality said, “Immigrants contribute a lot to this country, while billionaires like Trump profit off of them. Trump wants to scapegoat Muslims and refugees when the real problem is Wall Street and its wars in the Middle East.”

Eleven different people disrupted Trump’s hour-long speech inside, as 6000 Trump supporters and curiosity seekers listened. There was wide local and national media coverage of the protesters and their progressive, pro-equality message. The Trump campaign seemed unprepared for such a large protest in a part of the country dominated by conservative billionaires like himself.

Republicans have not stirred this much controversy in Grand Rapids since Gerald R. Ford pardoned the impeached President Richard Nixon following the Watergate burglary scandal.

Shame on Governor Snyder! Stand with refugees!

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With signs reading, “Shame on Snyder, thank you Heartwell” and “Stop war, not refugees!”, the Grand Rapids Anti-War Committee brought the torch of tolerance downtown on Nov. 30, 2015. They joined together with the weekly peace vigil under the steady gaze of the Union Soldier monument at Fulton and Division streets.

The 20 protesters, members and supporters of IGE, gathered in response to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s anti-refugee comments. Snyder kicked of a nationwide Republican campaign of fear and hatred towards Syrian and Iraqi refugees when he announced he was putting a pause on refugees coming to Michigan. Mayor Heartwell on the other hand said we must not give into fear.

At the busy corner of Fulton and Division, drivers honked their horns and gave protesters the thumbs up every time the traffic light changed. Kiersten Quilliams of IGE stood with her friends and held a sign with an image of the Statue of Liberty reminding people, “Refugees are welcome here!”

Passersby stopped to take flyers, ask questions, and show support. It was clear that public support for refugees, and against endless U.S. wars, is stronger than the corporate media portrays.

The Grand Rapids Anti-War Committee statement read:

“By claiming he will put Syrian refugees ‘on pause,’ Michigan Governor Snyder is not only threatening to violate federal law but also endangering the lives of the existing Syrian refugee population here in Michigan, and all Muslims and Arab Americans.

“Thanks to Governor Snyder’s comments last week, Republican governors and presidential candidates across the country are now promoting racism, hatred and bigotry. This creates theconditions for bigots and white supremacists to harass and attack Arab Americans, Muslims and anyone else they decide to target. It reminds us how this country treated Jews fleeing German Nazism, and the disgraceful imprisonment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps.

“We Michiganders will not allow this hatred and bigotry, as this governor attempts to go rogue against federal law, UN Human Rights and common human decency. Syrians are refugees from a civil war provoked by the U.S. State Department, with arms and funding from the U.S. government.

“We invite you to come stand with the refugees and send a message to Governor Snyder. We will demand that Snyder, and all the other racist governors admit refugees, especially from war-torn Syria. If there were no U.S. wars in the Middle East, there would be no refugees.