In this Issue:

Rally to Stop Gun Violence: Tuesday, August 28, Noon
UCC 100,000 for Peace: Join Protest to Prayer
H4PJ to Launch Art4PJ with Art Show: Artists sought for month-long show
Inside the H4PJ Blog: Texas' 400th Execution
Take ACTION: Call for Death Penalty Moratorium
H4PJ Online Action Center: Make a Difference Today!

Rally to Stop Gun Violence
Tuesday, August 28, Noon

Last Monday, Rev. Michael Piazza, President of Hope for Peace & Justice, had lunch with longtime civil rights activist Rev. Peter Johnson. You may remember Rev. Johnson as our guest preacher on Juneteenth 2006. Rev. Johnson and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence are actively recruiting folks from our church/community to attend a rally this Tuesday, August 28 to commemorate the anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech. Rev. Johnson believes, and Rev. Piazza concurs, that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights will never advance in Texas unless we build a coalition with the African-American community. While gun violence may not be “our issue,” we have got to stand with others on “their issues” if we EVER want or expect to gain support.

The Rally to Stop Gun Violence will gather at the statue of Martin Luther King at the MLK Library, 2922 MLK Jr. Blvd. and will march one block to Warren United Methodist Church, 3028 Malcolm X Blvd. For more information, email endgunviolence@yahoo.com, or call Marsha at 214-762-3475 or Claudia at 214-607-6461.

As Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “History's biggest tragedy is not the violent acts of bad people, but the appalling silence of good people.”

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This October, the Rev. John H. Thomas -- the UCC’s General Minister and President -– will travel to Washington, DC, along with other church leaders, to call on the US government to end the war in Iraq. He intends to carry with him the names of 100,000 people for peace, those who stand in solidarity with the UCC's Pastoral Letter on the Iraq War. Will you be listed among the 100,000? Sign Petition TODAY!

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H4PJ to Launch New Program with Art Show
Artists sought for month-long show at Artizen Fine Arts

Dallas, Texas–July 23, 2007–Hope for Peace & Justice, a non-profit ministry of the Cathedral of Hope, will launch its highly-anticipated new program, Art for Peace & Justice (Art4PJ), the weekend of September 14–16, 2007 in Dallas. The launch’s highlight will be the beginning of a month-long art show at Artizen Fine Arts, one of the premier locations for Dallas art lovers. Planned to coincide with the Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA) fall Art Walk, the show begins Saturday, September 15 from 2-8 p.m. Artizen Fine Arts is located at 1215 Dragon Street, Dallas, Texas 75207.

Inside the H4PJ Blog

Texas' 400th execution today Johnny Conner has the dubious distinction of becoming the 400th person to be executed in Texas since the death penalty was reinstated in 1982. Without intervention from the US Supreme Court, his execution will be carried out tonight (8/22/07). MORE...   Call for Death Penalty Moratorium Write your legislator to call for a moratorium on executions and to conduct a comprehensive bi-partisan review of the system. The death penalty is broken and prudence demands that we pause executions until questions of innocence and fairness are reviewed. Even if you are a strong supporter of the death penalty in theory, you must admit that in practice there are so many problems that we need a moratorium just to examine the system. Take Action NOW!

Bill Moyers on Karl Rove - Christian Right Used by Secular Manipulator; Religion Used For Political Combat Hello. I hope this blog entry finds you well. Bill Moyers has an excellent commentary on Karl Rove that I would like to call to your attention. MORE...

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H4PJ Online Action Center
Make a Difference Today!

To better equip our supporters to work for peace and justice in their communities, Hope for Peace & Justice launched the H4PJ Online Action Center to help you and thousands of others to contact your elected officials and the media about important issues and legislation.

With the H4PJ Online Action Center you can:

• stay up-to-date on current legislation and votes
• find who represents you at the Local, State and Federal level
• know how your representatives are voting
• email your representatives
• contact local, state and national media organizations
• Sign up for updates on important legislation

The Online Action Center gives you the ability to quickly and effectively cause change. You can easily find out information about important legislation and send alerts to your friends and family. You have been faithful in taking action with the H4PJ Action Alerts and we know you'll continue to help now as well via the Online Action Center.

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