IGE is a meeting place for community groups that share our concerns about human rights and education for multicultural and religious awareness. We promote peaceful conflict resolution through training, workshops with youth and adults, and ongoing community discussion.

IGE Talks presents: Building the movement against Trump’s attacks

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IGE Talks presents:  Building the movement against Trump’s attacks

There is a rising movement opposing the racist, anti-woman, anti-Muslim, and anti-worker attacks of Trump and the Republicans. Can we turn it into a force that will actually make gains for women, oppressed nationalities, immigrants, and working people?

 

Monday, February 27 at 7:00pm at the Institute for Global Education

1118 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI

 

All are welcome to participate in this one hour plus discussion and to present their views to be aired on Grand Rapids cable television.

Please make a donation to keep the Institute for Global Education moving forward. We need it now more than ever. https://www.igegr.org/

Hosted by Tom Burke and Barbara Howard

Produced by Chuck Neller

Fred Van Liew on Restorative Justice

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fred van liew photoFred Van Liew will be speaking in Grand Rapids on restorative justice on November 16, 2016.

The first talk will take place at noon at the Kent County Courthouse and the second will take place at 7:00pm at the Dominican Center at Marywood.

Please see the flyers for more information:

Fred Van Liew – lawyer, mediator, consultant, community organizer, and writer:

“I write about ordinary people and their experiences with the justice system, with the professionals – the police, prosecutors, judges, those who run our jails, prisons and correctional programs, those who defend the accused and, most importantly, those most adversely effected by the system.” from The Justice Diary – An Inquiry into Justice in America by Fred Van Liew

Support Our Rapid Bus Drivers!

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We invite you to our next Talk at a slightly later time, at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Oct. 27 at IGE, 1118 Wealthy SE.
Hear from union bus driver Jay DeShane of ATU Local 836. Why is the Rapid Board (Interurban Transit Partnership) taking over a year to give the bus drivers a contract? Why is the Rapid trying to take away the workers’ pension and downgrade their health insurance? We will hear from union members, riders, and community leaders who are organizing to get a fair contract and social justice for workers in Grand Rapids and the surrounding towns.
Hosted by labor activist Tom Burke.

IGE Annual Meeting on Nov. 15 5:30pm dinner, 7pm program

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You are invited to the IGE Annual Meeting

“Seeking peace and justice in a time of war and austerity under President Trump”

With guest speaker Mark Kane, PhD at 7pm

Tuesday, November 15, 5:30pm with good food and socializing–potluck and beverages

The Library Room at Trinity United Methodist, 1100 Lake Drive SE (west of Fuller), Grand Rapids, Michigan

RSVP at email hidden; JavaScript is required or IGE office 616 454 1642

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Freethought Cafe–report back on Jim Crow Museum, Sun. Oct. 9

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Last time, we traveled to the The Jim Crow Museum of Racial Intolerance in Big Rapids.  The intent of the museum is to promote healing, social activism, and the discussion of race and relations.

Since it is difficult to process alone and frankly upsetting, let’s talk about it. Let’s think deeply about better ways and places to live, learning from the ugliness of the past rather than dwelling upon it, while potlucking with coffee and good people.
 
We will be asking:  What has changed in your lifetime?  What did your elders tell you?  Does discrimination alter what we actually, physically, perceive?  Do we live in a police state now?  Are we, or can we be, post-racist?  How does racism compare to sexism, nationalism, immigration or homophobia?  Where does policy and poverty factor in to all of this? What are we hardwired to do and what can we do about it? What are your thoughts on social engineering (for good)?  
If you are white and full of yourself, we might throw peanuts at you! 
Then we will go forth, braver and more buoyant, tummies full (maybe with peanuts). B(us)YOB if it helps!
Freethought Cafe is at Institute for Global Education, 1118 Wealthy St. SE noon – 2 p.m. Sunday Oct. 9
 Oct 16 we will meet at 1819 Oakwood for a special Halloween screening of Arsenic and Old Lace, with “elderberry wine” for everyone!  Coming in costume encouraged!  Cary Grant lookalikes encouraged to attend!
immigrants

Fighting cancer fundraiser for Chester Lowe, showing “Free State of Jones”

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Fighting Cancer Fundraiser for Chester Lowe

Institute for Global Education Office, 1118 Wealthy Street (just west of Wealthy Theater)

showing “Free State of Jones”

offering pizza and beverages   

Sunday Oct 9, 2 PM

Discussion following film. Call IGE at 454 1642 or write to us at email hidden; JavaScript is required

Freethought Cafe field trip to Jim Crow Museum of Racial Intolerance

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Freethought Cafe Field trip to the Jim Crow Museum of Racial Intolerance

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Carpool to Big Rapids (less than an hour drive) and tour the museum at Ferris State. We will meet to discuss what we saw and felt in two weeks on October 9.
Please RSVP to me, Laura email hidden; JavaScript is required  for the museum’s sake! We may or may not qualify for a special tour.
Meet at 11 a.m. in the lot on the corner of Ann NE and Monroe NW. We will want to get to the museum before the homecoming football crowds come in.

Vision For Black Lives: Discussion & Action Group

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Vision For Black Lives: Discussion & Action Group

Thursday, September 29 at 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

at Institute for Global Education, 1118 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI

Centering Black voices, let’s come together to review the incredible document “A Vision for Black Lives”, a massive collaborative effort initiated by The Movement for Black Lives.

Let’s discuss how this could work in Grand Rapids based on priorities and goals of local Black leadership, and collaboratively work towards creating an action plan.

Please review the demands document at https://policy.m4bl.org/beforehand.

IMPORTANT: White SURJ participants: come to listen, bring a snack to share, drinks to share, and notepads and pens to share.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1679440722375882/

Contact Marie at (616) 446-3622
or email hidden; JavaScript is required

Justice for Rasmea Odeh–September 22 update

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Justice for Rasmea Odeh–Tuesday, September 22 update, 7:00pm at IGE

Institute for Global Education is at 1118 Wealthy Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Rasmea Odeh is the target of U.S. government repression because she stands for equality, freedom and justice. Rasmea Odeh is a “serve the people” leader of the Arab American community in Chicago, an icon of the Palestinian liberation movement, and a determined activist for equality and justice for women and all oppressed peoples.

Two years ago the U.S. government raided and arrested her, put her on trial for a minor immigration paper work problem, and is attempting to imprison and deport her. In an unfair trial where she was not allowed to talk about being tortured by the Israeli Military, she was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison and then deportation to a country other than her own. This trial was overturned by an appeals court in Cincinnati.  A victory for the movement in solidarity with Rasmea Odeh.

At 69, Rasmea Odeh embodies the life long struggle of the Palestinian people to be free from colonization and occupation. We ask you to come here a report on her case, build the solidarity movement with Rasmea Odeh, and attend her next court hearing in Detroit on Tuesday, November 29 in front of Judge Drain.

Tom Burke with the Committee to Stop FBI Repression at www.StopFBI.net will make a short presentation and then discuss organizing solidarity with Rasmea Odeh.

International Day of Peace Celebrations in Grand Rapids

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United Nations International Day of Peace

September 2016

Each year the United Nations International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21. It’s a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples. The theme for 2016 is Sustainable Development, through 17 interrelated goals. Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss proclaims September 21, 2016 as the International Day of Peace in Grand Rapids.

International Day of Peace on September 21st:

1. Saturday, September 10, 2016, 9am-8pm: A Peace Festival at the entrance of the Eastown StreetFair where children and adults can participate in hands on activities based on the 7 Principles of Peace.

2. September 19th-23rd, 2016: A Week of Peace Education. The Grand Rapids Public Schools will participate by a resolution in appropriate activities from our Program Guide for observing peace and celebrating people of different cultures now in its 37th year.

3. Sunday September 25, 2016, a Gathering in St. Francis Garden on the front lawn of Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids, Motherhouse at Marywood (E. Fulton and Lakeside Dr.) from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., sponsored by the Instruments of Hope. Fol- lowed by an Interfaith Peace Service from 2-3 p.m. at The Dominican Chapel at Marywood, and a reception.

UNIDP events are sponsored by The Institute for Global Education, the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids and the Instruments of Hope

www.igegr.org • (616) 454-1642 • email hidden; JavaScript is required