Each year the PEACE Club of Bluffton University selects a global issue to highlight during Justice Week. Past Justice Weeks have focused on the issues of sweatshops, racism and the homeless.
"The PEACE Club students have been working hard at planning this week since mid-semester last fall. They are focusing Justice Week this year on the plight of undocumented immigrants - a very timely topic as it turned out, given the events that are presently unfolding in the news," said Professor Perry Bush. Unless noted, all events are open to the community at no charge.
Justice Week 2006 events
Focusing our Attention on the Plight of Undocumented Immigrants
Monday, April 3
Latin American style worship service with Anton Flores
9:30 p.m., Ropp Residence Hall Lobby, aka The PitAnton Flores is a professor of social work and the chair of the department of human services and sociology at LaGrange College in Georgia. He is currently active in a Christian service community that has provided direct assistance to more than 25,000 refugees, as a member of Hispanic Ministries Task Force, on the boards of DOOR-Atlanta, (DOOR provides opportunities which help inform, educate, challenge and motivate individuals to respond to the issues and concerns facing an increasingly urban world), and Dependable, Affordable, Sustainable Housing (DASH) for LaGrange, Inc. He also initiated Peacemaker Partners, where he and his wife work to offer affordable rental housing for undocumented immigrants, free tutoring for neighborhood children, a community garden, organization of neighborhood social activities, employment assistance and advocacy.
Tuesday, April 4
Forum presentation - "The Immigration Crisis: Beyond Borders"
Presented by Baldemar Valesquez, founder and president of Farm Labor Organizaing Committee (FLOC)
11 a.m., Yoder Recital HallValesquez was once a migrant worker himself and speaks from his experience. more info...
Coffeehouse
9:30 p.m., Bob's Place
catered by Common Grounds CoffeehouseThere will be a variety of presentations including poetry, short readings and music, focused around migrant labor and Hispanic culture. Anton and Baldemar are invited to participate, but are not committed to do so. Indira Sultinic and Phil Gratz will be opening with Hispanic songs.
Wednesday, April 5
Harvest of Shame
7 p.m., Marbeck Center Room ABA showing of the classic documentary. Discussion to follow.
Thursday, April 6
Chapel
11 a.m., Yoder Recital HallA Justice Week drama will be presented
Environmental Justice
4 p.m., Marbeck Center Kreider Board RoomBob Antibus, professor of biology, will speak on Environmental Justice
A Day Without a Mexican
9:30 p.m., Thursday, April 6
Stutzman Lecture Hall in Centennial HallA viewing of this feature film
Friday, April 7
Prayer Service
tentativePEACE Stone Soup Dinner
5 p.m., Ropp Residence Hall Lobby, aka The Pit
For PEACE Club members
