Peace Camp Houston – Register Now!
Peace Camp is sponsored by HPJC and provides the Houston metropolitan area with an alternative day camp experience that fosters an understanding of peace, justice, and environmental awareness appropriate to the age of the children involved. It’s fun, and an opportunity for students to learn about interesting things they usually don’t hear about in school.
We are having 3 weeks of Peace Camp this summer, at different locations around Houston. The first two sessions will be for children who will be in grades 1-6 this fall, and the third session will be for those in grades 7-12.
The number of campers will be limited to about 20 each week, so sign up now to reserve space for your child(ren). For dates, locations, and other details, and to pre-register (required), visit https://www.hpjc.org/peace-camp/
Statement on Russia/Ukraine War
Uncategorized / February 28, 2022
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a violation of International law. We condemn it.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a deadly escalation of a long-simmering conflict. Russia is not solely responsible for the tensions, but they are the ones who have initiated a large-scale military action. Russian forces should immediately withdraw to the positions established in the Minsk II agreement of 12 February 2015.
But even as we condemn Russia’s initiation of the largest ground war in Europe since WWII we should remember that the United States and its allies have done much to fan the flames.
In 1998 when the Clinton Administration was expanding NATO, George Kennan, former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union and the architect of the Cold War “containment” policies told a journalist that growing NATO in the wake of the collapse of the USSR, “shows so little understanding of Russian history and Soviet history. Of course there is going to be a bad reaction from Russia, and then [the NATO expanders] will say that we always told you that is how the Russians are — but this is just wrong.”
Our mistreatment of Russia is not an excuse for this invasion, but as we search for peace and a negotiated way out of this deadly mess, it is important that we acknowledge that NATO expansion and the threat of Ukraine similarly joining the alliance is also wrong. But just as we have condemned many egregious U.S. violations of international law (Iraq invasion, murderous drone strikes, etc) we must similarly condemn Russia’s flagrant violation.
This is a statement by Global Exchange, and endorsed by HPJC. It’s at globalexchange.org/2022/02/24/russias-invasion-of-ukraine-is-a-violation-of-international-law-we-condemn-it
A Way Forward: A History of Racism in Law Enforcement
Recently The Center for the Healing of Racism examined the history of racism inlaw enforcement in the United States. Jeff Reese discussed the origins of the problem and how we got where we are today. Reese led the audience in seeking A Way Forward to dismantle institutional racism and mass incarceration.
During his 26 year career with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Jeff Reese worked as a hostage negotiator, suicide counselor, certified Mental Health Peace Officer, state-certified law enforcement instructor, and a front-line supervisor. After retiring from the Sheriff’s Office, he joined the Houston Peace & Justice Center (HPJC) and the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice. For the past three years, he served as president of the HPJC.
Join the movement for peace and justice in Houston:
Support Peace Camp Houston, one of HPJC’s major projects:
Donate to Erik James Memorial Scholarship fund for Peace Camp Houston
Connect with HPJC
- Join our email list so you can get our twice-monthly e-mail Calendar of Progressive Events newsletter and other news.
- Submit your own organization’s events to our calendar.
- Please follow us and share on social media.
News Feeds – Updated Automatically Each Day
Check back here for the latest national and international news!
