Recent Posts

An Introduction to the Washtenaw Equity Partnership Report

An Introduction to the Washtenaw Equity Partnership Report

ICPJ hosted an introduction to the report that the Wastenaw Equity Partnership put out last year. You can watch the video here. You can also sign up for an action team to work on one of these campaigns: Driving Equality Ordinance Overdose Prevention Center Unarmed 

Indigenous and Human Rights in Guatemala

Indigenous and Human Rights in Guatemala

2024 ICPJ Latin America Caucus Speaker Series Tuesday, February 13th 7pm (virtual) Registration RequiredRegistration is free, donations gratefully accepted:https://givebutter.com/Indigenous_and_Human_Rights_Guatemala  Join us online as the Latin America Caucus of ICPJ continues our 2024 Speaker Series with speakerJulie Bourdorseau, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, University of 

Reclaim January 6th: Nonviolence & De-escalation Training

Reclaim January 6th: Nonviolence & De-escalation Training

Registration Required: https://givebutter.com/De-escalationTraining

Meta Peace Team (MPT) and the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice (ICPJ) have co-created this full-day nonviolence & de-escalation training to prepare & organize ourselves to respond to animosity and hatred with non-violence, de-escalation, empathy, and love.

The training is a proactive response to increasing threats and violence against Black, Brown, Indigenous, Jewish, Arab, Muslim, Palestinian, and queer communities, especially since the January 6th attack, with a recognition of the potential for further escalation as elections approach.

Who should attend this training?

Those Interested in Joining Peace-keeping Teams:
Participants who wish to actively engage in peace-keeping efforts in response to rising threats and violence.

Individuals Wanting to Deepen De-escalation Skills:
Those who are uncertain about joining peace-keeping teams but are interested in enhancing their skills to de-escalate animosity and violence, both within communities and during protests.

Experienced Activists Seeking to Connect with Others:
Individuals who have previous experience in nonviolence and de-escalation but are looking to refresh their skills, connect with new activists, and re-activate their commitment to peace efforts.

What to expect?

  • We will provide materials ahead of the training and help you prepare with readings and reflection prompts.
  • Guidance to ground ourselves, reflect upon and understand our own emotional and physical being, needs, and capacities.
  • Discussion of power and bias in relation to offering community support and in our work to build trusting teams.
  • Skill-building will include nonviolent communication, de-escalation techniques, and empathy-building strategies.
  • We will offer practice space to experiment with and reinforce learnings.
  • This training is also geared toward building our community and trust with one another so that we can strengthen the network of peace-keepers.

Supporting others through de-escalation requires an open-heart and willingness to cultivate compassion, understanding, and empathy. De-escalation work involves recognizing and addressing our own inner challenges, personal histories and traumas, personal biases, emotions, and reaction patterns.

We seek to create a brave space, where participants feel encouraged to step out of their comfort zones, share openly, and engage in challenging conversations. A space that acknowledges discomfort but encourages personal and collective growth.

What is the cost for this training?
The training is free. We try to make our offerings free and accessible to all. We always accept donations, which will be shared between ICPJ and MPT.

Will there be child care?
Please contact Eleanore@ICPJ.org if you would require child care to attend this training.

Mexican Labor & Autonomous Movements

Mexican Labor & Autonomous Movements

Tuesday, January 9th, 7pm(virtual) Registration is free, donations gratefully accepted: https://givebutter.com/ICPJ_Mexican_Labor_Autonomous_Movement

Peace Circle | Saturday, November 4th

Peace Circle | Saturday, November 4th

Honduras:  Human Rights Crisis and Forced Migration

Honduras: Human Rights Crisis and Forced Migration

Blanca Esmeralda Valladares & Mary Anne Perrone Tuesday, November 14th | 7pm Church of the Good Shepherd2145 Independence Blvd, Ann Arbor Please RSVP Here Blanca Esmeralda Valladares is a native of Santa Cruz de Jojoa in the department of Cortés, Honduras, and former Judge of 

ICPJ Call to Action:Ceasefire Now!

ICPJ Call to Action:Ceasefire Now!

So many of us feel heart-sick, filled with rage, anxious, tense, hopeless. It’s important to acknowledge that our reactions are normal, even healthy. We are human and the real problem is when we are numb to terror, oppression, and violence. Instead of being paralyzed by 

Caravan with ICPJ to Support Driver’s Licenses for All Legislation

Caravan with ICPJ to Support Driver’s Licenses for All Legislation

Monday, October 16th, 6pm
Gabriel Richard Park | 7130 E Jefferson Ave. | Detroit, MI 48207

ICPJ is a member of the Drive Forward Coalition ~ Let’s Show Up to Support!!

Step #1: Sign up to caravan with & coordinate rides from Washtenaw County
Step #2: Register for the rally here: https://www.mobilize.us/mipeoplecampaign/event/585196/

Let’s WIN BACK driver’s licenses for all THIS year!

Join the Drive Michigan Forward coalition this on October 16 to demand that House Speaker Joe Tate call for a hearing on the Drive SAFE bills now.

This popular legislation would restore Michigan’s former 2008 policy, which provided driver’s licenses to all residents of Michigan, regardless of their background, so long as the technical requirements were met.

The bills enjoy widespread support from various segments of society, including:

  • Law enforcement agencies,
  • Labor unions, business & faith leaders,
  • and multiple municipal governments that have passed resolutions in support of this legislation.
Come listen to the experiences of four formerly incarnated people

Come listen to the experiences of four formerly incarnated people

The Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County, A Brighter Way, and The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice are pleased to co-host a live, very personal evening of reflection, storytelling, and faith from four formerly incarcerated people from Washtenaw County facing the barriers and challenges of re-entering society from prison.

“A Short History of Structural Racism” Series

“A Short History of Structural Racism” Series

Register Required Join ICPJ for a series on Structural Racism by Ayo Magwood and Uprooting Inequity. In the final session, ICPJ Co-Directors Desiraé Simmons and Eleanore Ablan-Owen will host a reflection and action-planning conversation. Join us for all of the virtual sessions, or join the 

2023 ICPJ Harvest Dinner

2023 ICPJ Harvest Dinner

Register Here ~ All Are Welcome!

During the Harvest Dinner, we will honor community leaders who live the values of ICPJ and work toward our collective vision. Please join us to honor Alex Thomas, Fed Up Ministries, Anna Lemler, Ann Arbor for Public Power, and the Graduate Employees’ Organization.

Together – with a clear vision toward racial and economic justice, working across generations, on a variety of issues, with multi-dimensional approaches – we are a strong collective voice for the just transformation that our communities and planet urgently need.

Our gracious emcee for the evening will be Pastor Jeffery Harrold from New Beginnings Community Church

We will share a delicious meal provided by Shrimp Flavours Indian Cuisine

As we settle in, we have two amazing artists to share with us…

Poetry offered by ICPJ Board Member Leslie McGraw

Musical Artist Baddie Brooks
Baddie Brooks Facebook

During the Harvest Dinner, we will honor community leaders who live the values of ICPJ and work toward our collective vision. Please join us to honor Alex Thomas, Fed Up Ministries, Anna Lemler, Ann Arbor for Public Power (A2P2), and the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO).

2023 Peace & Justice Honoree
Alex Thomas

Alex Thomas grew up in West Willow, Ypsilanti Township. As a Community Advocate, Alex supports residents struggling with housing, mental health, and substance use disorder. He also provides thought-provoking leadership and advocacy on critical local policy discussions.

Peace & Justice Network Organization of the Year
Fed Up Ministries

FedUp Ministries serves good, healthy, food truck style food with dignity to communities that are food insecure and economically exploited by unjust racial and economic systems in the United States. Founded by an ELCA pastor, FedUp seeks to blur the lines between faith and food justice.

Anti-Racist Advocate Award
Anna Lemler

In addition to years of community organizing, Anna Lemler served the facilitator and a co-founder for an abolitionist alternative to police program, the first of its kind in Michigan, called Care-Based Safety (CBS). This work included year-long meetings with a group of community leaders, 18 community co-creation sessions with 100 participants, and hiring two co-directors. Anna serves the community as a somatic coach and facilitation consultant.

Emergent Leader Award
Ann Arbor for Public Power (A2P2) 

Ann Arbor for Public Power is a grassroots coalition advocating for Renewable, Reliable, and Affordable Electricity in Ann Arbor.

Network Weaver Award
Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO)

GEO is the union of graduate instructors and staff assistants at the University of Michigan, AFT-3550.

Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the 1973 Coup in Chile

Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the 1973 Coup in Chile

September 11th, offers a time for us to more deeply understand the history and impacts of this attack on democracy and the ways that the people have fought for justice.1973 Coup in Chile Exhibit: “Secrets of State: The Declassified History of the Chilean Dictatorship”August 28 

Join the ICPJ 2023 Annual Meeting ~ June 22nd 5-7pm

Join the ICPJ 2023 Annual Meeting ~ June 22nd 5-7pm

Let us know you’re coming ~ RSVP for the ICPJ 2023 Annual Meeting Here! The next 18 months is critical for the future of democracy. ICPJ is building our collective capacity to organize for safe, accessible, transparent, and just elections and democratic processes. We are creating space for 

ICPJ Supports UM Grad Workers

ICPJ Supports UM Grad Workers

Most of the University community doesn’t know that GSIs are paid only $24,053 a year. We’re asking you to circulate the letter (https://bit.ly/SupportGEO) among your departments, coworkers, classmates, and unions. ICPJ has signed the letter to support UM Grad Workers, the below is a March 13th update from the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO).

Dear GEO Allies,

In a disappointing about-face, Academic Human Resources took a step backward in negotiations last Friday. After promising discussions on topics including trans healthcare and union rights at our bargaining session on Feb. 24, HR reverted to language GEO members expressed was unacceptable. They also packaged proposals where we were close to an agreement with those where we remain far apart, making the proposals dead on arrival. In an escalatory move, AHR also called for a state mediator to return to negotiations at our next bargaining session.

After months of bargaining, grad workers want to finish our contract – and yet it feels like we’ve never been further apart. How are we supposed to negotiate when the University won’t even consider our proposals? Grads are fed up. On Tuesday, March 7, 100+ grads and supporters picketed President Ono’s inauguration to draw attention to the University’s rejection of our proposals.

Next up: the possibility of a strike. To date, organizers have collected close to 1,500 strike pledges. GEO members will meet next week to decide on a strike authorization vote. Should a strike authorization vote pass, GEO leadership will be empowered to call a strike if the University fails to meet grad workers’ needs – most importantly, a living wage for all grad workers. 

Here’s what we need allies to do: 

Instructors/Staff: In the event of a strike, we ask that you do not pick up GSI/GSSA instruction, office hours, mentoring, committee work, or grading. All faculty, staff, GSRAs, grads on fellowship, and IAs are asked to sign: https://bit.ly/GEOHoldTheLine

Undergraduates: Attend the upcoming Undergrad Labor Solidarity meeting, Thursday, March 16 at 6 PM, 1511 East Quad (701 E. University Ave): http://bit.ly/undergrad_solidarity

Everyone! Sign and share our open letter: https://bit.ly/SupportGEO. To date, over 700 individual supporters have signed and more than a dozen organizations have endorsed. Add your name and share widely! 

Mark your calendars! Important Solidarity Events

March 20: GEO Solidarity Meeting, 6 PM, meeting at the School of Social Work. Our next allies meeting will take place in person. We will be planning solidarity pickets, strike fundraising, and more. Message spacchair@geo3550.org if you can attend!    

March 21: Attend the U-M Community Strike Town Hall, 12-1, Zoom to hear about campaign developments, next steps, and solidarity asks: https://bit.ly/UMStrikeTownHall

March 23: Living Wage Now! Pack the Regents Meeting, 4-6 PM, Ruthven. GEO and allies will attend the Regents Meeting to #ShowUp for a living wage. RSVP at https://bit.ly/RegentsMeeting. All out! Wear purple! 

Followed by the Undergrad Labor Solidarity meeting at 6 PM at 1511 East Quad (701 E. University Ave).

March 24: Show Up for Open Bargaining, 9 AM – 5 PM, at Palmer Commons/Zoom. All friends of GEO are invited to observe open bargaining between Human Resources and GEO Bargaining Team. This could be the last session before a possible strike, so it promises to be spicy! https://bi.tly/bargsesh_allies

Wear purple!

2023 Spring Connect & Act

2023 Spring Connect & Act

Register here: https://givebutter.com/ICPJ_2023_Spring_Connect_Act 2023 Spring Connect & Act will start with a session at noon to ground ourselves in our bodies and connect with our intention to build toward non-violence. After a brief welcome, we’ll move into skill-building sessions on: compassionate listening, conflict resolution, storytelling as an 

ICPJ Winter Mixer

ICPJ Winter Mixer

Join us for a low-key fun evening to welcome new ICPJ Members & connect with friends in movements for justice. RSVP here: https://givebutter.com/2023_ICPJ_Winter_Mixer We would like to do our best to keep everyone safe. Masks strongly recommended. Extra masks and sanitizer available.

2023 ICPJ Latin America Speaker Series

2023 ICPJ Latin America Speaker Series

This series is hosted by the ICPJ Latin America Caucus and the Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America, and U-M Latin American & Caribbean Studies (LACS).

Registration is free and open to all, donations welcome.
More information and links to register can be found here:

https://www.icpj.org/2023-icpj-latin-america-caucus-speaker-series/

Join Us to Build Toward Peace & Justice in 2023

Join Us to Build Toward Peace & Justice in 2023

We’ve been getting ready for the New Year & hoping you have some space and time to think about the ways that you will commit to working with ICPJ toward Peace & Justice in Washtenaw County in 2023. Join us to… + Build Community Power 

ICPJ Impact Report:     January – September 2022

ICPJ Impact Report: January – September 2022

2022 has been a busy year! Check out this Impact Report to see what were up to from January through September. You will see updates about how we did direct action, capacity-building, advocacy, community organizing, and education in areas that include Building Community Power and