Recent Posts

How Do Judges Impact Racial and Economic Justice?

How Do Judges Impact Racial and Economic Justice?

Join the VOTE Caucus and the ICPJ Network as we meet to learn more about the District and Circuit Courts and to hear directly from the local judicial candidates. Register in advance for this meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArfuyppzosGtwuzx6X-0nBa73cq0wjLp9R Friday, October 7 from 5:30-7 pm Moderated by Alexandria Hughes 

New Life for Mohamed, Ann Arbor Sanctuary Guest since 2018

New Life for Mohamed, Ann Arbor Sanctuary Guest since 2018

The local community is celebrating a new lease on life for Mohamed Soumah, who has been in sanctuary in Ann Arbor Friends Meeting House since October 2018. A deportation order at that time would have been a death sentence for Mohamed, 47, who has been 

RE:CLAIM: An Unprecedented Collaborative Exhibit

RE:CLAIM: An Unprecedented Collaborative Exhibit

RE:CLAIM {Rooted Exhibition: Community ~ Love ~ Abundance ~ Intergenerational ~ Multiplicity} is a project that is a collective of artists, advocates, and movement builders seeking to honor the complexity and diversity of the community impact of the criminal legal system as it affects youth, adults, and families. The layers of the immersive installation offer audio and visual arts as a catalyst for visioning practices, and resources supporting the wellness and safety of our neighbors.

The exhibition events will take place at the Washtenaw County Court House the evenings of September 15, 22, and 30 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm. Registration Required. The 5:30pm arrival time accounts for security screening upon entrance. 

The organizational leadership of RE:CLAIM is: Youth Arts AllianceInterfaith Council for Peace & JusticeWashtenaw My Brother’s KeeperAmplify Project, and Title Track. Working in partnership with the Washtenaw County Trial Court, these organizations will collaborate with many organizational partners, artists, musicians, and culture makers to participate in this exhibition and programming series.

September 15th is RE:CLAIM: IMMERSION.  Join us as we celebrate the opening reception of RE:CLAIM! An evening of stories, music, dance, history, poetry, and immersive/thought provoking art representing dozens of organizations and local artists. The evening will consist of ambient sounds by Amplify Fellow, Ki5 Loops (Kyler Wilkins), the release and performance of the second album from the Washtenaw My Brother’s Keeper supported Formula 734, spoken word performances by Staying Power poets, as well as dancer, choreographer, and artistic director Gina Danene Thompson’s world premieres of two dance performances entitled ‘Did You March, and if so Why?’ as well as ‘DEARLY BELOVED’. This display will layer dance and seemingly contrary artistic forms to create an emotionally immersive experience. The effort combines 30 dancers, poets, and musicians of all ages and genres to create two separate experiences.

September 22: “What If We Were All Free?”

As part of the collaborative RE:CLAIM project, ICPJ is hosting a Compassionate Community Conversation called “What If We Were All Free.” We will use poetry, storytelling, and reflection to help guide the conversation and to explore the foundational tenets of prison industrial complex abolition. We are grateful to be joined by Leslie McGraw, Lisa Jackson, and Natalie Holbrook with others from the American Friends Service Committee and the stories they will share from “Let Me Tell You.”

Hosted by ICPJ as part of our Compassionate Community Conversations program to build greater empathy and understanding within our communities, even when we hold different viewpoints. Providing ambient sound and vibes will be ‘The Chill Place’, a multi-media production house, focused on bridging the gaps between all demographics of people.  

September 30: Soundwaves and Moods

During the final evening-installation of this series, we welcome a number of musicians focused on making the closing of our programming series complete and festive.  We are very honored to welcome the stylings of John E. Lawrence, Dani Darling, and DJ Khlonez.

John E. Lawrence is a lifelong resident of Ypsilanti and one of Michigan’s most talented and respected guitarists. He is the Former Head of the Music Performance Program and the Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Washtenaw Community College, and in 2019, he dedicated himself to writing and recording music fifteen to twenty hours a day and to date, he has written, recorded and produced over three hundred and fifty songs. John has opened for famed artists including Smokey Robinson, Chaka Khan, Lionel Richie and the Commodores, Rick James, Teena Marie and Frankie Beverly and Maze. 

Dani Darling is an imaginative chanteuse, guitarist, producer, band leader and songwriter from Ann Arbor.  As an “artist to watch” she has evolved from jazzy lofi grooves, to lush, layered funk and soul. Dani debuted her most recent effort, a Psychedelic Soul EP called “The Future”, on the cover of the Detroit Metro Times to critical acclaim, earning her a Detroit Music Award nomination for best R&B Recording.

Kayla Hensley is a DJ with Washtenaw County roots.

People’s Budget Community Dinner & Gathering

People’s Budget Community Dinner & Gathering

Tuesday, September 20th 6-8PMYpsilanti Freight House The Community Dinner & Gathering on Tuesday, September 20th is an opportunity for community members to look at ways that we can have an impact on how monies are spent & to learn more about the ideas that community 

Join Us for the 2022 ICPJ Harvest Dinner

Join Us for the 2022 ICPJ Harvest Dinner

Ann Arbor Farmers MarketThursday, October 20th 5:30 – 8PM! We will be honoring activists who embody the values of ICPJ. 2022 Peace & Justice Honoree: Sheri Wander Peace and Justice Network Organization: The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) Emergent Leader: Victor Liu Anti-Racist Advocate: Alyshia Dyer 

2022 Charlie King & Annie Patterson ICPJ Benefit Concert

2022 Charlie King & Annie Patterson ICPJ Benefit Concert

Saturday, October 22nd
Doors Open at 7pm; Concert at 7:30


Church of the Good Shepherd
2145 Independence Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104

Registeration Requested: https://2022-charlie-king-annie-patterson-ICPJ-benefit-concert.eventbrite.com

Charlie King is a musical storyteller and political satirist who sings and writes passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people, in the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Malvina Reynolds, and Pete Seeger (see charlieking.org).  Charlie has performed in Ann Arbor since 1979 and won the Phil Ochs Award for music and activism in 2017. Pete Seeger called Charlie “one of the finest singers and songwriters of our time.

Annie Patterson is the co-creator of the popular songbooks “Rise Up Singing” and “Rise Again.” She is a master song interpreter and accompanies herself on guitar and banjo.

Concert proceeds benefit the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice. Founded in 1965, ICPJ centers racial and economic justice as we address the root causes of violence from oppression, poverty, environmental devastation, patriarchy, and war. We wage love and practice nonviolence in all its forms through education, community organizing, advocacy, and direct action. We unite across our differences and empower leadership in people to create the change we need for a more peaceful and just world.

Masks are required for in-person attendees, and online streaming is also available.

Vote YES for the August 2 Transit Proposal

Vote YES for the August 2 Transit Proposal

ICPJ is part of a diverse group of community advocates calling on voters in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Ypsilanti Township to vote YES on transit in the August 2 election. Good bus and transit service is a 21st century solution that promotes justice, affordability, labor, 

State Representative District 32 Candidate Forum: Tuesday  June 21, 7-8:30 pm

State Representative District 32 Candidate Forum: Tuesday June 21, 7-8:30 pm

Join the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice VOTE Caucus, Protectors for Equality in Government, and WeROC for a forum focused on Racial and Economic Justice issues. We will be joined by 5 of the 6 candidates for District 32! As part of the forum 

County Commission Candidate Forum      (Districts 2, 5, and 6)|Thursday June 23,              6-7:30 pm on Zoom

County Commission Candidate Forum (Districts 2, 5, and 6)|Thursday June 23, 6-7:30 pm on Zoom

Join the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice VOTE Caucus, Protectors for Equality in Government, WeROC, and Sigma Rho Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for a forum focused on Racial and Economic Justice issues. We will be joined by six of the candidates running for the County Commission from Districts 2 (Superior Township), 5 (Ypsi Township), and 6 (City of Ypsilanti/Ypsi Township).

If you’d like to submit a video with a question for the candidates you can record your video here!

Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tc-Gvrj0qH9z2fqCu907MrEvbLeulkpEi After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

ICPJ Generations Campaign Launch Party ~ Sunday, June 26th

ICPJ Generations Campaign Launch Party ~ Sunday, June 26th

Register at the link here:https://bit.ly/ICPJGenerationsLaunchParty All Are Welcome!!!For no-cost tickets, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/SnxcBZCQb7ubKW6w5or email Info@ICPJ.org, or leave a message at 734.663.1870 Now it the Time to Act Boldly for Racial and Economic Justice! ICPJ is launching the Generations Campaign – an opportunity to 

Washtenaw Faces Race: Rescuing Democracy 2022

Washtenaw Faces Race: Rescuing Democracy 2022

Informed and educated citizens are essential to a working democracy. To this end, Ypsilanti District Library and Washtenaw Faces Race  present an evening conference of informative and thoughtful speakers who discuss how the issue of racism in the U.S. is currently and always has been entangled with threats against democracy. We invite you 

Connect & Act and 2022 Annual Meeting- May 21st!

Connect & Act and 2022 Annual Meeting- May 21st!

The gathering is free to attend, although donations are always welcome. Please register at the link here so that we can plan accordingly. Also, sign up to bring a potluck dish for the community meal or to volunteer for logistics for the community gathering.

This is an in-person event as we do our best to gather safely together. Please wear masks and respect others’ space. (We will have extra masks and hand sanitizer.)

Connect & Act (1-5pm) is an opportunity for the community to come together in order to learn, share, and act for justice and collective power. This year it will be run as an “unconference” (though with less technology than the article describes). This means that the sessions are determined by who is in the space and the conversations that happen allow everyone to bring in their expertise.

We’ve had some members already provide topics that they would like to share with others. These include:

  • Improved Medicare for All
  • Immigration Justice Issues & Driver’s Licenses for All
  • People’s Budget for Dignity & Justice
  • Organizing for Sustainability & Solar Power
  • Organizing for Environmental Justice
  • Sustainable Food, Farm Production, & Supply System
  • And more to be offered day-of!

What do you want to share?!? What conversations would you like to launch or expand?

The Annual Meeting (5:30-7pm) will be an opportunity to gather around good food with the ICPJ members and network. We will share an update and vote on ICPJ business.

You can register to bring a potluck dish for the Annual Meeting and someone will be in touch with you for more information.

The Struggle for Environmental, Racial & Human Rights in Honduras | Speaker Mary Anne Perrone Tuesday, May 10th, 7:00 – 9:00pm

The Struggle for Environmental, Racial & Human Rights in Honduras | Speaker Mary Anne Perrone Tuesday, May 10th, 7:00 – 9:00pm

Register for the (online) event here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/228024355987. There is no cost for these events, but your donations to ICPJ help us to be able to continue this work of educating and mobilizing in our communities.  Mary Anne is an educator, an activist, and a spiritual guide. For 

EARTH DAYS DOWNTOWN ANN ARBOR ON THE COMMONS: APRIL 21-24, 2022

EARTH DAYS DOWNTOWN ANN ARBOR ON THE COMMONS: APRIL 21-24, 2022

Library Lane and Fifth Avenue Noon to 6 and into the evening with Drums and Dancing, weather permitting THURSDAY April 21, 2022:The Commons is Open, Cars are Gone. Tables and Chairs. carpets and kids toys, open Mic. Central Park Now!noon > opening bell and Land 

JOIN US: Community Conversation:After the CREW Report Thursday, March 10, 6:30 – 8:00pm

JOIN US: Community Conversation:After the CREW Report Thursday, March 10, 6:30 – 8:00pm

In an effort to contribute to the goal of a criminal legal system that ensures equal justice for all participants, Citizens for Racial Equity in Washtenaw (CREW) was formed to gather public data on the charging and sentencing of individuals in Washtenaw County and to assess whether the data reflected any racial disparities and the impact of any disparity on members of our community.

ICPJ,WeROC and the Faith Leaders Forum are hosting a virtual community forum as a follow-up to the CREW report. What happened since it was released, what the response has been, and what still needs to be done will be discussed.

What you can do:

  1. Register in advance for this community meeting at the link here.
  2. Read the CREW Report on Racial Disparities in the Washtenaw County Criminal Legal System at the link here
  3. Read about the Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) complaint The Detroit Free Press published an op-ed submitted by ICPJ’s Eleanore Ablan-Owen and AFSC’s Natalie Holbrook about the lack of response from the JTC regarding their complaint about Judge Archie Brown based on the data from the CREW report at the link here.
  4. Visit the Washtenaw Equity Partnership (WEP) website
Borders, Homeland Security, & Bridges | Speaker Todd Miller Tuesday, April 12th ~ 7pm

Borders, Homeland Security, & Bridges | Speaker Todd Miller Tuesday, April 12th ~ 7pm

Register for the (online) event here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/228024355987. There is no cost for these events, but your donations to ICPJ help us to be able to continue this work of educating and mobilizing in our communities.  Todd Miller writes a weekly post for The Border Chronicle. He has 

Provide Your Input: Washtenaw County’s Climate Planning

Provide Your Input: Washtenaw County’s Climate Planning

Be a part of the County’s process for developing its Resilient Washtenaw climate action plan! Join the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (www.icpj.org) in a zoom “listening” session with Washtenaw County’s Climate Plan developers on Wednesday, March 9 from 3:00-4:00 pm. (See description below).  Join Zoom 

Current Realities in El Salvador| Speaker Danielle Mackey | Tuesday, March 8th ~ 7pm

Current Realities in El Salvador| Speaker Danielle Mackey | Tuesday, March 8th ~ 7pm

Register for the (online) event here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/228024355987.  There is no cost for these events, but your donations to ICPJ help us to be able to continue this work of educating and mobilizing in our communities. 

Danielle, a member of The New Yorker‘s editorial staff, based in New York, lived mostly in El Salvador from 2008 until 2021 and was a freelance investigative, longform reporter. Her work has appeared online in The New Yorker, The New Republic and The Atlantic, among others. She still writes and speaks as an independent journalist.

Her ongoing projects include a series of investigations into narco-activity and corruption in Honduras, with Contracorriente, supported by the Fund for Investigative Journalism, Columbia University’s Center for Mexico and Central America, and the Centro Latinoamericano de Investigación Periodística. Another project involves policing, gangs, and non-carceral and tertiary responses to violence in Central America and in U.S. foreign policy. She has conducted years of reporting on this, funded by grants from various journalism foundations. Danielle has worked as an adjunct professor in the journalism department at CUNY Lehman College and on the research team at The Intercept, among other media posts. Before journalism, she was an NGO-worker and horse trainer. She is an alum of the NYU M.A. in Global Journalism and Latin American Studies.

This event is hosted by The Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice Latin America Caucus, the University of Michigan Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Wayne State University Center for Latino/a & Latin American Studies, and Huron Valley DSA

#Licenses4LovedOnes

#Licenses4LovedOnes

Monday, February 7th 8am-11am (in person)Join ICPJ to send postcards to legislators!Meet us at the Daytime Warming Center First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor, 517 East Washington, Ann Arbor Monday, February 7th 10am-11am (Online)Join ICPJ to send postcards to legislators!Register via this link. Wednesday, February 

Biden’s Approach Toward the Northern Countries of Central America | Speaker Lisa Haugaard | Tuesday, February 8th ~ 7pm

Biden’s Approach Toward the Northern Countries of Central America | Speaker Lisa Haugaard | Tuesday, February 8th ~ 7pm

Register for the (online) event here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/228024355987.  There is no cost for these events, but your donations to ICPJ help us to be able to continue this work of educating and mobilizing in our communities.  Lisa is the Co-director of the Latin America Working Group,