what I really want to do tonight

[jinian]

I'd like to get some people together tonight to keep vigil overnight at a mosque somewhere in Seattle. To be honest, I'm not sure where to find one, but I'm worried about vandalism by drunken assholes on Friday and Saturday this week. There's already been some, and I think the "high spirits" of the weekend are likely to incite more people to do things like that. I can't guard every Arab-American who may receive death threats, but I can guard a public place.

What I'm asking for:
Most importantly, a suitable place (contact info so people don't just turn up on their doorstep would probably be good!). The online yellow pages haven't been useful so far.
Protest-style signs.
Maybe some publicity once we get the location bit worked out.
Also very importantly, other people to do this with me. I've got concert tickets for tonight but will probably be free by midnight; I'd like this event to start before then -- maybe we could have shifts. And I'm afraid to do it all alone, but I feel like it's the right thing to do.

Can any like-minded people help me out?

Comments

[jenett]

I wish I were in Seattle so I could go help with this. I think it's a great idea.

However, I *can* help (thanks to Google) with some possible places and contact info:

http://www.eskimo.com/~misry/localm.html

If there's an Islamic student group at the U, you might also try contacting them? They may have more information, or be a good place for furhter publicity.

There's a department of Islamic Studies at http://depts.washington.edu/islam/

http://128.95.234.54/FMPro?-db=2000.fp3&-format=clubdetail2000.htm&-lay=webpub&-sortfield=Name&Type=Religious%2fSpiritual&-lop=or&-max=20&-recid=58&-find=

is the Muslim student organization contact info.

I'm in

[baxil.livejournal.com]

My schedule tonight is fairly crammed -- if I am lucky enough to reschedule my flight reservations, I'm going to be leaving Saturday morning for California to help move my sister into college -- but I fully support this idea, and can donate several hours (not like I'm planning on getting any sleep tonight anyway).

I'm at work right now and can't check my usual mail -- send to my backup at ddragon (at) ecis.com, or give me a call when I get home after 4:30.

-- Bax

... or maybe not

[baxil.livejournal.com]

angilong found out that I'm going to California, and we're negotiating ride-share arrangements; an integral part of this would be leaving early tonight.

I'll give you a call when I get home to confirm my plans; just wanted to warn you that I may be backing out on my earlier commitment. :/ It's for a good cause (http://www.livejournal.com/users/clairaide/), though.

[elynne.livejournal.com]

I'm at home, in the pre-shower caffiene-absorbing stage. I was planning on going to the peace rally in the Seattle Center tomorrow morning... I'm not quite coherent enough to make plans just yet. I'll check back later, and see what's up.

UPDATE!

[jinian.livejournal.com]

I got off work early and went to the mosque, and I found that the Church Council had beaten me to it. :) (It's such a good idea, the Christians thought of it too! Yay!) They were having a minor press conference when I got there, actually.
They say that the churches have tonight and tomorrow completely covered, and they are expecting many many volunteers after the news show. The number they gave was 206-525-1213; I called just now and nobody picked up, so I expect one should call during the daytime to volunteer. The lady from the Church Council cut me out of their actual conversation very effectively, so I didn't get to enthuse at her, but I still think this is a very good idea and I'm happy someone else is doing the work of organizing it.
So everyone should go volunteer if you can. And tonight I can go to see Belle and Sebastian with a clear conscience. :)