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.

Free Thought Cafe field trip to Geek Group on Saturday

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Free Thought Cafe field trip to Geek Group  http://thegeekgroup.org/

This Sunday, we’re meeting on Saturday, because it’s summer and time for adventures!

And: We’re meeting at the Geek Group at 12:30, Saturday, June 4, 2016 for their tour.  It’s their birthday and the place is amazing!  The Geek Group is at 902 Leonard NW.

Then after the tour try out the Mitten brewing company down the street at 527 Leonard NW for some coffee, a good pretzel, or a local craft beverage.

There are lots of fun options this time of year.  You might want to mark your calendar now:
June 4    902 Leonard NW   12:30 p.m, Geek Group (food afterwards)
June 12  1118 Wealthy SE   noon-2   The Enbridge Five (potluck)
June 17  1819 Oakwood NE    7 p.m.   Aliens party (dress the part!)
June 19   No Cafe, Father’s Day. Call your dad (you’re welcome)
June 26  1118 Wealthy SE   noon-2
Do not miss the aliens!!  If you want to help with the party, let me know!  Laura Casaletto

Democracy Spring at Freethought Cafe

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Freethought Cafe is getting a visit from Democracy Spring this Sunday, 12:00 noon- 2 p.m. at the Institute for Global Education, 1118 Wealthy St SE.

Who are they? Citizens of all parties and none, risking arrest creating the biggest mass events at the capitol in a generation.  Why don’t you know this? There’s been a media blackout!  What are they fighting?  Big money in politics!
Democracy Spring will discuss the importance of citizen activism and the politics of respectability which intertwine with all social movements. The session will conclude with brainstorming about direct actions — small or large — which you can do in your communities.
We have a potluck too–share as you are able.  And if you disagree, that is fine too–we love us some articulate controversy.  This week, cocktails!
With special appearances from Democracy Spring Marchers, The Dome 12, Wolf PAC, the Prison Creative Arts Project, TYT Army, and some stirring chants.
Thank you, Democracy Spring. Now, I’m going to go create an appropriate beverage.  Democracy Stingers, anyone?

A Discussion on Anarchist Decision Making & PRDM

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A Discussion on Anarchist Decision Making & PRDM

May 9 – 7:00pm

at the IGE office

The idea of PRDM (or Decision Making that relates to proximity and resource) is as *a* response to age old questions (in anarchist circles) of power and communication. The perception, and perhaps the attraction, of anarchism for most young people is that it is a way to be involved in the decision making that dictates the arbitrary choices that life is filled with. It is a way to seize power over ones own life by participation. Formal consensus is successful at structuring a method of what purposeful self-determination could look like for a group. Informal consensus is successful at evading what feels arbitrary and collectivist about formal consensus by being more casual and ad hoc about the points in formal consensus that seem arbitrary and bureaucratic.

We are proposing experimentation around a model we call PRDM. PRDM emphasizes autonomy and production rather than collectivity and personal growth regarding our projects. It sketches an idea of an anarchist decision methodology rather than a system of processes. It is also the system that we have been attempting to use at Little Black Cart over the last 10 years.

Benefit for Chester Lowe

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BENEFIT FOR CHESTER LOWE!

We are hosting a benefit to cover Chester Lowe’s medical expenses in his fight against blood cancer–multiple myeloma. Chester must now take 31 medications and maintain a C-PAP machine. Chemo treatments can take a year or longer, with monthly hospitalizations. Fortunately, his vital signs are improving, but this will be a difficult fight. We need your help to raise the money Chester needs to live longer.

Film showing: “Where To Invade Next” by Michael Moore

Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 2:30pm

Institute For Global Education

1118 Wealthy Street S.E.

Grand Rapids MI 49506

 

Serving food and beverages, with a discussion after the movie. Event is free and open to the public.

Please donate generously, make checks to: “Chester A. Lowe Donation Account” at IGE address above.

Sponsored by Friends of Chester Lowe, contact Katie Villarie 616-459-6626