Photos are from Monday the 7th of February 2011:

more photos below the fold:

On Saturday there was a celebration and memorial of the life and work of the late Howard Zinn. Zinn was scheduled to appear at Evergreen to give a talk titled "Three Holy Wars." The memorial celebration of the life of Howard Zinn was organized by Peter Bohmer, Sandy Yannone, Larry Mosqueda, Victoria Larkin, Jeff Antonnellis-Lapp, and Jana Dean.

Speakers giving tribute included Peter Bohmer, Cindy Corrie, Gary Galbraith, Victoria Larkin, Arun Chandra, Lin Nelson, and Josh Simpson.

The following video is the Three Holy Wars lecture, a version of which Howard Zinn was scheduled to give yesterday at Evergreen. The topics contained in the lecture include challenging the idea that a just cause can translate into a just war, and a revision of some of the popular myths about American wars - like the notion that the American Revolution was a popular revolt (Zinn argues that the war was not a popular uprising, but instead a revolt initiated and maintained by owning class interests.)

Howard Zinn's "Three Holy Wars"

After the video a few people made additional statements, and then David Rovics performed closing music.

Many of you have been influenced by Howard Zinn and read or even worked with his People's History of the United States. He had planned to speak here in Olympia, Saturday, Feb. 6, at 3 P.M. but passed away last week. He'd be delighted to know people will gather to consider the people's history and tell the people's stories that day anyway. Come honor and celebrate Howard Zinn's life and work at The Evergreen State College this Saturday Feb. 6 from 3 - 5:00 in Lecture Hall 1. The program will feature a recent interview of Zinn with David Barsamian and a recording of the address "Three Holy Wars" that Zinn had promised to bring to Olympia. Local educators and activists and artists will testify to the ways that Howard Zinn has touched their lives and work. We will close with music sung by David Rovics. The event is free. Donations will be collected in Howard Zinn's name to fund peace and justice work here in the US and in Haiti. For more information, contact Larry Mosqueda, 867-6513 From the committee organizing the Howard Zinn Celebration of Life Memorial: Jana Dean, Sandy Yannone, Victoria Larkin, Larry Mosqueda and Pete Bohmer --

Iraq Memorial to Life, September 2009

Arlington Northwest in Olympia, 2009

Slideshow: Iraq Memorial to Life It is estimated, based on census study, that as many as 1,300,000 Iraqis have been killed resulting from invasion/occupation related violence. Surely, millions more, if not virtually all, Iraqis suffer war related injuries. The Iraq Memorial to Life was designed to recognize the horrible violence wrought against the innocent people of Iraq, violence resulting from US interference.

Here's another account of the Memorial, posted to Portland Indymedia: Iraq Memorial begins in Olympia, Washington

Slideshow: Six Years of War Protest The sixth anniversary of the beginning of the invasion of Iraq was also recognized with a protest march and rally.

[updated with schedule:]

According to credible scientic census survey, as many as an estimated 1,300,000 Iraqis may have been killed in Iraq as a result of the US invasion and occupation. Countless more Iraqis suffer war related injury, from loss of limbs to permanent brain injury, and everything in between. When the psychological toll of living in a war zone is taken into account, there is probably no person who has been left unscathed.

Here in Olympia, Washington, thanks to the long hours of hard work by a dedicated core group of volunteers, we all have a chance to reflect on the true cost of war.

The Memorial is happening this week. And you can help to make it happen.

Gather for the Iraq Memorial to Life at Heritage Park (5th Ave and Water St) on Friday morning, March 20th, 2009. Memorial set-up will begin shortly after 8 AM. Your help is pleasantly requested to set-up thousands of symbolic grave markers, which are designed to memorialize the lives of individual Iraqis whom have died as a result of the US invasion and occupation.

You're also invited to a Community Observance ceremony to mark the actual six-year anniversary of the start of the bombing campaign. It will be Thursday, March 19th, 2009, from 6:30 until 7:30 PM at St. John's Episcopal (20th and Capitol Way.)

Schedule:

A Chance to Reflect

Heritage Park
5th Ave SW and Water St,
Olympia, Washington

Friday, March 20 and Saturday March 21

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians have died because of fallout from the March 2003 US-led invasion.

Community Observance

Thursday, March 19, 6:30—7:30 pm
St. John's Episcopal Church
114 - 20th Ave SE, (Capitol Way and 20th)

Memorial Set-up and Display

Friday, March 20

• 8AM Meditation and Begin Set-up
• 1PM Opening Meditation
• 2PM Dedication with Olympia Clergy
• 8PM Candle Lighting and Vigil

Saturday, March 21

• 8AM Meditation
• 4PM Closing Ceremony
• 5PM Display take-down

Volunteers Needed, Get Involved!

Help to set up and install the memorial, make a donation, make markers, assemble markers: www.iraqmemorialtolife.org
or call Kerri: 360-867-9237

"Fun-raising" Brunch with Audrey Daye

Sunday, March 15, 10 am - 2 pm
Traditions Café, 5th Ave and Water St
Waffles, quiche, baked goods, and more
Music by Vince Brown and Friends, noon - 2 pm
$10 donation at the door (no one turned away for lack of funds)
info: imtlbrunch@riseup.net

Iraq Memorial to Life

The Iraq Memorial to Life is on its way. The vision is of a memorial to Iraqis who have been killed as a result of the violence of the war. Planners intend to bring the memorial online in stages, starting with regional displays, which will then be moved to a national memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C..

It's an important project. Although the war has wound down some, people are still dying. And it's no less important to remember all of those who have been killed, and those who have lost loved ones as a result of the war. Conservative estimates peg the war dead at around 100,000. Other scientific estimates, which take into account unreported deaths, range up into the 1.4 million range. It's an impressive toll for 8 years of war.

It's easy to feel removed and distant. But these deaths are real. The dead deserve to be acknowledged in a meaningful and respectful way. The path of healing necessitates awareness and consciousness. What are the true costs of the Iraq war? This project will help to aid in the realization of the true costs of the war...

Those who died are more than "collateral damage." They were human beings with feelings, families, dreams and aspirations. I welcome you to get involved in the Iraq Memorial to Life. iraqmemorialtolife.org

Here's more information about the project from one of its principle organizers:

The Iraq Memorial to Life (IMtL) is being born because you—and your organizations—have been working hard for peace, and to preserve the earth, its inhabitants.   

A powerful visual image of gravestones, will be erected here in Olympia on March 20, the anniversary of the US attack in Baghdad. 

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Funeral Procession for Gaza

Saturday, Jan 17th

11am-1pm

Beginning at Percival Landing wearing black and carrying coffins, we will proceed through downtown Olympia , ending at Sylvester Park .

Please let everyone know about this upcoming event and wear black. We hope to make a visible statement to the greater Olympia community about what is happening in Gaza.

Sponsored by the Save Gaza Coalition of the South Sound.

Memorialize the deaths of Palestinians whom have suffered decades of violence oppression, discrimination and ill-treatment committed against them by Israeli occupiers. Increase awareness on this issue. Find nonviolent solutions to conflict. Help stop Israeli aggression and apartheid. Help to stop the massacre of Gazans!