Fifty people, from young teens to elders, watched the gripping documentary
Freedom Riders at WES on January 25, the first of a five-part film series on the civil rights movement. A special feature of the series is the opportunity to hear from guests who helped make history--the first was Dr. Rip Patton who told the audience about his own participation in the Freedom Rides. Long-time WES member June Fair was instrumental in organizing the series, which was supported through the Bridging Cultures project of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Other partners in the film series include the Washington Interfaith Network, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Neighbors Inc., Family and Friends of Incarcerated People and the Shepherd Park Community Association. The series continues on Sundays throughout February at WES at 7:00.
Next up: Slavery By Another Name, which tells the story of how forced labor continued after Reconstruction, well into the 20th Century, to show on February 8 at 7:00. The guest speaker will be Eugene Puryeear, local justice activist and author of Shackled and Chained, The Re-Enslavement of Black Americns from the Civil War to World War II.
Saturday, March 14—5:30 for hors d’oeuvres, 6:00 catered
dinner
Long time Senior Leader Don Montagna will give his first platform at WES since retiring in 2006. Don is currently the Director of Project Development and the President of the Board of International Partners. He writes, "Since departing WES leadership 9 years ago, my experiences working in El Salvador with people who live in extreme poverty have validated humanistic spirituality as a guide for creating a more satisfying life and a better world."
In just two months, WES members pitched in and raised over $10,000 -- exceeding our goal of $6,500 -- for the next phase of the project to bring clean, running water to our sister community of El Rodeo, El Salvador. The project began 5 years ago, with WES members buying temporary water filters for every home in El Rodeo, as well as the school. The recent effort will go to purchase the local spring which will be the source of a future water system. Clean water is the top priority of people in the community.