Ongoing nationwide U.S. speaking tour March 17-April 16, 2015
Featuring activists Hee Eun Park and Paco Michelson
"If You Don't Give Up, You Can't Lose"
Since 2007, the people of Gangjeong and their supporters have struggled every day to oppose the construction of a Korean naval base on Jeju Island, the only special autonomous province of South Korea.
The naval base will be home to U.S. and South Korean Aegis Combat Systems, which are produced by Lockheed Martin to track and guide weapons. South Korean Navy officials say the base will be able to accommodate 20 warships and two 150,000-ton cruise liners.
The clash is a clear example of U.S. neocolonialism. The Korean people of Jeju are being violently forced to endure the theft of their land and a cultural landmark to serve the interests of the governments of South Korea and the United States.
Nationwide U.S. speaking tour March 17-April 16, 2015
Featuring activists Hee Eun Park and Paco Michelson
Hee Eun “Silver” Park: During her 30 years, Hee Eun “Silver” Park has been a peace builder in conflict areas across Asia with a small Korea-founded community network, The Frontiers. Most recently she has rejoiced, struggled, and cried for justice in Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island, Korea.
Paco Michelson: With a small Korea-founded community network, The Frontiers, Paco Michelson has worked and lived in a number of conflict areas across Asia, most recently on Jeju Island, Korea, where a war base is being built against the wishes of the people of Gangjeong Village. He hopes that islands facing militarism and oppression can build strong resistance together.
Schedule Overview:
Click on a location to go to that locations section in the list.
April 4-9 – San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, CA
April 9-12 Seattle, WA (and Surrounding Area)
April 12-20 – Portland, OR (and Surrounding Area)
Detailed Schedule:
All events listed below are open to the public. There are occasionally non-public events as well, check with your local groups in your area for details on those.
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley
April 4 (Saturday) – April 9 (Thursday)
April 5 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose
Date: April 5 (Sun)
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Organizer: HOBAK (Hella Organized Bay Area Koreans)
Location: Eastside Arts Alliance
Contact Info: Paul Liem ([email protected])
April 7 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing
Date: April 7 (Tues)
Time: 7 p.m.
Organizer:
Location: East Bay Media Center
Contact Info: Paul Liem ([email protected])
April 8 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose
Date: April 8 (Wed)
Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Organizer: The Metta Center, St. John’s Episcopal Church
Location: St. John’s Episcopal Church (40 5th St, Petaluma, CA 94952)
Contact Info: Michael Nagler ([email protected])
Seattle
April 9 (Thursday) – April 12 (Sunday)
April 9 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing
Date: April 9 (Thurs)
Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Organizer: SahnNokSoo
Location: Wing Luke Museum (719 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104)
Contact Info: James Keum ([email protected]), Christina Seong ([email protected])
April 11 – Live Music, Film Screening, and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing
Date: April 11 (Sat)
Time: 7 p.m.
Organizer: Seth Martin
Location: The Matrix Coffeehouse (434 NW Prindle St, Chehalis, Washington 98532)
Contact Info: Seth Martin ([email protected])
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/850433715023993/
April 12 – Potluck Dinner, Live Music, Film Screening, and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing
Date: April 12 (Sun)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Organizer: Seattle Catholic Worker
Location: Seattle Catholic Worker (12914 74th Ave S, Skyway, WA, 98178)
Contact Info: Seth Martin ([email protected])
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/566047346832246/
Portland
April 12 (Sunday) – April 16 (Thursday)
April 15 – Potluck Dinner, Live Music, Film Screening, and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing
Date: April 15 (Wed)
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Organizer: Eloheh Farm
Location: Eloheh Farm (13510 NE Roedel Rd, Newberg, Oregon 97132)
Contact Info: Seth Martin ([email protected])
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1557027914580890/
For more information about the tour:
Juyeon JC Rhee <[email protected]>
www.SaveJejuNow.org
@SaveJejuNow
Facebook.com/Groups/NoNavalBase
Appeal
Since 2007, the people of Gangjeong and their supporters have struggled everyday against state violence, corporate power, war profiteering, and environmental destruction. They have done so nonviolently and passionately. As a result of their work for peace, the tiny village of Gangjeong now has one of the highest “crime” rates in all of South Korea. More than 220,000 police officers (as of 2012) have been stationed in Gangjeong. So far, more than 700 arrests have been made, leading to approximately 200 court cases for more than 650 people, approximately $270,000 in fines levied, and 46 imprisonments. More than 30 internationals have been refused entry, deported, or denied entry. All for the “crime” of peacefully resisting the construction of a naval base that threatens villager’s livelihoods, the local ecology, and the peace of northeast Asia.
Many of Gangjeong villagers are farmers whose struggle for justice has meant sacrificing their crops. Many Gangjeong supporters work fulltime for the struggle and rely on odd jobs and occasional field labor to survive. The fines are increasing and many people owe thousands of dollars they cannot afford to pay.
Please think of these brave peacemakers who are giving everything they can in this fight for justice and make a donation to help cover their legal costs.
To donate visit: http://savejejunow.org/donate/ and click the “Donate Now” link. Be sure to make a note that it is for “Jeju legal” with your donation.