Works In Progress - June 2006 - Sister Jackie Hudson to Speak at Northwest Premier of Documentary About Plowshares Nuns

Since 2002, readers of Works in Progress have followed the case of the unjust imprisonment of three Dominican Sisters: Jackie Hudson, Ardeth Platte, and Carol Gilbert for their non-violent symbolic disarmament of a Minuteman III nuclear missile in Northern Colorado. Following a questionable trial in which planned defenses and witnesses were denied them, they were convicted of damaging and sabotaging a national defense area.

Each sister served over three years in separate federal penitentiaries for this Plowshares action, carried out in the tradition of the Berrigan brothers since the 1960s. Plowshares activists choose civil disobedience and as a result are prepared to go to jail, if need be, in the spirit of obedience to higher law.

Over the years, WIP has published the nuns' letters, reflections, and news from inside. Now, all three nuns are free!

Sunday, June 4th, 2006 is the 10th anniversary of Sunflower Peace Day. It is also the day a coalition of peace and justice groups -- led by Beyond Hiroshima -- is proud to bring Sister Jackie Hudson and Colorado filmmaker Brenda Truelson Fox to the Capitol Theater for the Northwest premier of Conviction, a documentary about the nuns' action and its aftermath.

This 48-minute film evokes important conversations about the role of religion in politics, the role of nuclear weapons in national defense and the role of international law in the federal courts. It offers much food for thought to all who work for justice, peace, and disarmament in the face of current US foreign policy and this administration's apparent lust for endless war.

This film is suitable for all audiences, and copies will be available in DVD format. Short and succinct, Conviction is an excellent teaching tool and dialogue-starter, especially for upper grades and college-level classes.

This event marks the first official Olympia appearance by Sister Jackie Hudson since her standing-room-only talk at Traditions before her sentence came down in 2003. Opening the evening, which begins at 6:30 PM, will be Holly Gwinn Graham performing her documentary song about the sisters' action titled "Sisters of Sacred Earth and Space". Brenda Truelson Fox will introduce the film, and after the screening, she and Sister Jackie will answer questions from the audience.

In a wonderful show of solidarity, this evening is sponsored by a coalition of area peace, social justice, and nuclear disarmament groups that include Beyond Hiroshima, Veterans for Peace Rachel Corrie Chapter 109, Ground Zero/Stop Trident, The Quaker Friends, Unitarian Social Justice Committees, Women in Black, St. Michael's Social Justice Committee, Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation, The Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, Traditions Fair Trade, the Antique Sandwich Company, and many individuals.

Admission is based on a sliding scale of $3-6, with $3 advance tickets available from http://www.buyolympia.com , http://www.ticketweb.com , Rainy Day Records, Traditions, and groups listed above. Box office opens at 5 PM the night of the show. Doors open at 5:30, and to get you there, Sunday June 4th also features an opportunity you won't want to miss . . .

Join your friends and neighbors in a Town Photo to be taken at 5PM prompt at Heritage Park, 5th and Water Streets, across from Traditions! Assemble on the corner with the Capitol in the background, and smile your way into history as one who supports nuclear-free Olympia and all our community efforts towards peace, non-violence, and justice in 2006. Come as you are, shining your light, and join us for this first-ever town photo. Copies may be ordered at the park, at the theater, or from the photographer at a later date. Bring friends, family, classes, groups, and then amble over to the Capitol Theatre, 206 East 5th, for the premier of Conviction.

In fact, make June 4th a full day of celebration for peace and -- let's say it -- love! Earlier in the day, Beyond Hiroshima will be giving out free packets of giant sunflower seeds at the Farmer's Market. Come get your own. Sunflowers are the international symbol of a nuclear-free world. Planting them in your yard will, like disarmament, bring beauty to your life and provide nourishment to some things that really matter . . . the earth, the birds, the spirit, the heart, the soul.