The Eureka Interfaith Fellowship will conduct a community forum titled, “Our
Guns: For Sport, Safety or Violence?” on August 26th, from 2 to 5 at the First
Presbyterian Church, 819 15th Street, Eureka. The event will include both
special presentations and smaller group workshops.
Local attorney James Flower will give a plenary talk, “Perspectives on the 2nd
Amendment,” and lead a workshop discussion on the subject. Byrd Lochtie, will
discuss NRA Membership, highlighting the changes in the National Rifle
Association she has observed as a lifetime member. Lochtie is a former recipient
of the Eureka Interfaith fellowship Peace Prize and volunteers in civic
organizations including the League of Women Voters of Humboldt County, the
Humboldt County Human Rights Commission, and the Girl Scouts of Northern
California.
Participants at the forum can choose from options for two 50-minute
workshops. Carl Magruder, Chaplain at ResolutionCare, will lead an interactive
session titled, “On the Spectrum: A look at Violence, Self-Defense and Culture.”
Rabbi Naomi Steinberg will draw on the Biblical prophet Isaiah in a creative
writing workshop, “Hands Defiled By Blood ~ Writing in the Prophetic Voice.” In
“Firearms on the Farm and in the Forest,” Rev. Bryan Jessup will lead a
discussion on what gun control might or might not mean for gun owners who live
close to nature. Rev. Daniel London will offer, “Discussion on Violence and
Religion: Are they Partners or Opponents?” The Eureka Police Department will
lead a hands-on session on how to respond to an active shooter attack in a
school, business, and other public and private settings. Led by Senior
Dispatcher Katie Hill and Police Sergeant Greg Hill, this important training for
educators, event leaders, business managers and other concerned community
members will cover both of the two 50 minute workshop periods.
Rabbi Naomi Steinberg, one of the organizers comments, “At the student-led
March For Our Lives in Arcata last spring, members of the Eureka Interfaith
Fellowship and True North Spiritual Leaders promised the students that we’ll
work toward ending gun violence. In this forum we hope to use our grief and
shock to generate ideas and strengthen our resolve to make our community safer
for everyone, especially our children.”
The event is free of charge and the facility is wheelchair accessible.
Refreshments will be served. All perspectives on gun ownership and use are
welcome. For a full description of the workshop options, see the Eureka
Interfaith Fellowship Facebook page.