MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

• SEPT. 6TH BOOK TOUR EVENT ON MICROFUNDRAISING

• SEPT. 8TH FILM SCREENING FOR PALESTINE

TODAY, 4:30 PM FRIDAY VIGIL

& POTLUCK DISCUSSION FOLLOWING

BOOK TOUR

We Are Not Able to Live In the Sky

The Seductive Promise of Microfinance

With author Mara Kardas-Nelson

Friday, September 6

6:30 PM

New Traditions Fair Trade

300 5th Ave SW, Olympia

On Friday, September 6, 6:30 p.m., author Mara Kardas-Nelson, who grew up here in Olympia, will speak at New Traditions Fair Trade about her recently published book, We Are Not Able to Live in the Sky.

The book is a deeply reported work of journalism that explores the promises and perils of microfinance, told through the eyes of those who work in small-scale lending, and women borrowers in West Africa.

Mara Kardas-Nelson's We Are Not Able to Live in the Sky is a story about unintended consequences, blind optimism and the decades-long ramifications of seemingly small policy choices that reverberate around the world. It is a story of poor women doing their best to make ends meet under the toughest circumstances, and of international development workers, funders, and advocates who promise a brighter future with a quick-fix solution that may ultimately trap poor people in poverty. The book is rooted in deeply immersive narratives of women who take out microfinance loans in Sierra Leone. Their stories are set against a detailed history of American foreign policy and how that shaped the meteoric rise of Muhammad Yunus’ lofty vision, as well as the gradual shift from non-profit to for-profit approaches across international development and within microfinance and what that means for poor people around the world.

Savvina Chowdhury, Evergreen State College professor of political economy and member of the local group Economics for Everyone, will participate in a Q & A with the author after the talk.

Read more here about the book, and at the entry for September 6th at New Tradition's website.

TWO FILMS FOR PALESTINE

A Benefit for the Middle East Childen's Alliance

Sunday evening, September 8th

at the Olympia Film Society

206 5th Ave SE, in downtown Olympia

On September 8th, the Olympia Film Society (OFS), Palestinian Action of South Sound (PASS), and the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice (RCF) present two films:

Imprisoning a Generation (50 min)

and Returning to Zarnouqa (14 min)

6pm doors / 7pm first film

with Q&A to follow

$10 Suggested Donation (no one turned away for lack of funds)

OFS, PASS, and RCF present this fundraiser for Palestinian children in Gaza and The West Bank with all proceeds going to the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). The evening will feature the double-feature screening, Q&A with the director of both films, speakers with updates from Palestine, a bake sale, book and info tabling, PASS merchandize and more!

Therese Saliba, Evergreen professor of Political Economy, Environmental Justice and Gender/ Queer studies, and Dr. Emily Antoon-Walsh, who has worked with children and healthcare workers in Palestine, will introduce the films, provide updates to the current situation in Palestine, and co-moderate a post-film video Q&A with director Zelda Edmunds – who will be video calling from Japan!

Tickets are available at the box office 30 minutes before showtime.

Peace Vigils Every Friday

4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Percival Landing in Downtown Olympia

4th & Water Street

With discussion/potluck following today!

As Israel continues its genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza, join us every Friday in downtown Olympia as we gather to call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to occupation, saving Gaza's children, and for peace.

TODAY, Friday, August 30, join us at 6 p.m., following the vigil, for an informal picnic and discussion near the Heritage Park Fountain - near the vigil site. From 6-7 p.m., we'll continue our conversation about vigil safety, improvements, expectations, and possibilities. Bring your ideas, questions and, if you can, a snack or food to share.

Thank you to everyone for continuing to respect the peaceful and welcoming atmosphere that the Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) has maintained at these weekly vigils for decades. Bring your own signs or use ours (and please remember to return signs to bags provided).

TAKE ACTION FOR PALESTINE!

Contact Our Elected Officials Today!

We must keep up the pressure.

For information and regular updates from the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, go to https://www.ochaopt.org/.

CONTINUE YOUR CALLS AND EMAILS TO THE WHITE HOUSE, emphasizing the need for a permanent and sustainable ceasefire, release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, unfettered access to aid for Gaza, and an embargo to military aid to Israel. Scroll down at this "email" link to send a message to Vice-President and Democratic Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris.

Call or write now! Your Senators and Representative need to hear from you.

• Demand a permanent ceasefire.

• Demand release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and of Palestinian prisoners illegally held by Israel.

• Demand that no further U.S. funding be provided for Israel's bombing, commission of war crimes, and actions against civilians in Gaza.

• Demand protection for the civilians of Gaza and the West Bank, for whom Israel holds responsibility - as stipulated by the Fourth Geneva Convention.

• Demand that humanitarian and life-saving aid needed by the civilian population of Gaza is provided and accessible.

Look up your Senators and Representative here and write your own message.

If you are residents of Washington State, the D.C. phone numbers

for Senators Cantwell and Murray are below:

(202) 224-3441(Cantwell)

(202) 224-2621(Murray)

For those in Olympia, our representative is Marilyn Strickland.

Her D.C. phone number is (202) 225-9740.

Email Rep. Strickland here.

Your support makes our work possible!

The Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations by check can be mailed to the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace & Justice, 203 East 4th Ave, Suite 402, Olympia, WA 98501.