Church of Scientology to Host Fifth Annual Peace Day Event

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) will have a large inter-religious, multicultural event for International Peace Day.

The Church of Scientology in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights will hold the fifth annual Nashville Celebration of International Day of Peace on September 19, from 5:00-7:00pm, with a large number of religious and cultural leaders, each bringing words of peace from their respective traditions and backgrounds. The event is being dubbed “Religious Freedom in the Bible Belt.”

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past four years, each with a different theme related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. TUHR promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness.  During each of the past Peace Day events, a different human right has been the focus.

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light. This year we are proud to bring together a multicultural, multi-faith community of people who can speak to peace on a universal level,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The Peace Day event will be held on September 19^th at 5:00 pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about Peace Day or to register, visit nashvillepeace.eventbrite.com, and to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

International Human Rights Day Celebrated in Tennessee

The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day took place in Nashville at the First Amendment Center in early December.  

International Human Rights Day occurs every year to commemorate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations, some seventy years ago, on Dec 10, 1948. In Tennessee, the Human Rights Day celebration has become a time to reflect and look to the future. During the annual event, people are honored that have given a lifetime of service to making human rights a reality, those who have demonstrated outstanding service to forward human rights and those who are picking up the torch and carrying it forward.

Tennessee celebrated Human Rights Day this year on December 11 in Nashville with a moving and memorable event at the John Seigenthaler Center. The theme for 2018 was chosen to align with the United Nations’ theme and was ‘Born Free & Equal? The Timeline of Justice in Nashville.’ This was showcased through segments on the past, present and future of human rights for Nashville with an audio recording from lifetime human rights advocate, Rev. Bill Barnes (1931-2017), a panel discussion of current human rights issues in the city, and a performance of encouragement by musical artist Wyte T Breezy.

Awards were presented for lifetime achievement and outstanding service in the field of human rights with video segments, along with recognition of rising advocates.

This year, four Rising Advocate Awards were given to those who have made great strides for human rights and show even greater promise for the future. They were Anne Barnett & Odessa Kelly, both with STAND UP Nashville, who were instrumental in making sure the ‘Do Better Bill’ passed earlier this year; Fayo Abadula, who co-founded Oromo Youth of Nashville, a mentorship group for the Oromo youth and anyone from the African Diaspora interested in pursuing a college degree; and the Community Oversight Now coalition which recently successfully got Amendment 1 passed which will create a Community Oversight Board for the police in Nashville, and has advocated for social justice and civil rights.

The award winners in the category of Outstanding Service are Dawn Deaner, who has served unselfishly as Nashville’s Executive Public Defender and stood strong against a criminal justice system fraught with injustice; and Tom Negri who has served on nearly 20 boards and action committees including the YWCA and Conexion Americas as well as taking a leading role on Nashville for All of Us, the initiative to defeat the ‘English Only’ bill.

Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to King Hollands, who fought for civil rights as a student of Fisk University during the Nashville sit-ins; and Dr. Blondell Strong Kimbrough, a lifelong advocate for civil rights and justice.

The program was co-organized by the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, the Metro Human Rights Commission, the United Nations Association, UNICEF USA, Amnesty International, Tennessee United for Human Rights and the Church of Scientology.  

Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology, has been the event chair since 2011. He said, “Not only do you have to educate people about their rights, but you have to celebrate and honor those who are in the fight. The more people who join in to work for human rights for all, the closer we get to human rights being a reality for everyone.”

Fesler said that the Church of Scientology supports United for Human Rights, the world’s largest nongovernmental human rights educational campaign. For more information about United for Human Rights or programs supported by the Church of Scientology, visit www.scientology.org.

To find out more about the Tennessee Human Rights Day event, visit tnuhr.org. 

Tennessee United for Human Rights Educates the Next Generation

Part of an international movement, Tennessee United for Human Rights is raising awareness in commemoration of the 70^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Tennessee United for Human Rights held two events to commemorate 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this December. The first took place in early December and introduced young advocates to the subject of human rights.

This event included interactive visual displays on each of the human rights, easy-to-assimilate materials, and activities that gave young advocates a practical view of specific rights. Young people created art that demonstrated various human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  

Julie Brinker, event coordinator for Tennessee United for Human Rights, led the activities, “I’ve been involved with United for Human Rights since 2004, and I know that this program can help people across the globe by utilizing education to lift people up so they know their rights.” Brinker helped the young people understand what “human rights” means, then showed them the various human rights and asked them to begin demonstrating one of their rights through artistic activities.

Human Rights day commemorates the United Nations adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--the world's premier human rights document. Despite the best intentions of those who crafted the Declaration, 68 years later, the UN points out, "disrespect for basic human rights continues to be widespread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack."

United for Human Rights is the world's largest nongovernmental human rights education campaign, active in 192 countries and partnering with 1,500 groups and organizations.  For more information, visit humanrights.com.

Tennessee United for Human Rights Celebrates 70 Years of the Universal Declaration

Part of an international movement, Tennessee United for Human Rights is raising awareness in commemoration of the 70^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Tennessee United for Human Rights will have two events to commemorate 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this December. The first is December 8^th and will introduce young advocates to the subject of human rights, and the second is the annual celebration for Human Rights Day on December 11^th which honors and awards top leaders and advocates in Tennessee.

The first event will see interactive visual displays on each of the human rights, easy-to-assimilate materials, and activities that will give young advocates a practical view of specific rights. Youth will be creating art that demonstrates the various human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  For more information or to RSVP, visit the Facebook page for Tennessee United for Human Rights.

The second event takes place at the First Amendment Center and will see a slate of seven advocates and one coalition receive awards for outstanding service to forward human rights. Tickets are available for this event and can be found at tnuhr.org.

Human Rights day commemorates the United Nations adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights--the world's premier human rights document. Despite the best intentions of those who crafted the Declaration, 68 years later, the UN points out, "disrespect for basic human rights continues to be widespread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack."

United for Human Rights is the world's largest nongovernmental human rights education campaign, active in 192 countries and partnering with 1,500 groups and organizations.  For more information, visit humanrights.com. 

Drug-Free Tennessee Reminds Youth to Stay Healthy this Holiday Season

Drug-Free Tennessee recently participated in community events to remind young people to be safe and healthy by distributing the Truth About Drugs booklets.

Drug-Free Tennessee is committed to making neighborhoods drug and crime-free. So it was that volunteers joined community partners, neighbors and police for local neighborhood health fairs and community events recently to remind kids to make good choices.

The final week of October is Red Ribbon Week. “Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country,” according to imdrugfree.com. This is the best time to educate young people and help prevent drug abuse. The Red Ribbon Campaign was started to commemorate DEA agent Kiki Camarena, who died in the line of duty in 1985. This began the continuing tradition of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a Drug-Free America, according to redribbon.org.

With Halloween falling during the same week, volunteers found several community events to participate in where they could help remind young people to make safe choices during the holiday.

Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator for Drug-Free Tennessee, says, “Youth today make decisions about drugs at a younger age. We need to get them reliable information so they can make educated choices and lead healthier lives.”

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which provides booklets with information on how drugs affect the body and mind, what a dealer might say, and common street names to young people know how to avoid them. The materials are available free of charge, and can be obtained through drugfreeworld.org.

For more information on Drug-Free Tennessee or to order materials, visit drugfreetn.org. 

Church of Scientology Asks Religious Leaders to ‘Speak Your Peace’

The Church of Scientology with the Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) held a large inter-religious, multicultural event for International Peace Day.

The Church of Scientology, in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights, held its fourth annual Celebration of International Day of Peace, with a large number of religious and cultural leaders, each bringing words of peace from their respective traditions and backgrounds for an event dubbed “Speak Your Peace.”

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

In Nashville, International Day of Peace has been observed over the past three years, each year with a different theme related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. TUHR promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness.   This year is the 70^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, since it was signed in 1948, so TUHR wanted to do something on a large scale involving all people. Thus, an event that would tie together people of all faiths in unity through words of peace.

“I’m proud that we were able to bring together a multicultural, multi-faith community of people who could speak about peace on a universal level,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

Participants represented a myriad of faith traditions and religions including Baha'i, Baptist, Jewish, LDS Church (Mormon), Sikh, Unity and Scientology. A common theme among all of the religious messages was that in unity, there is peace.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Preparations in Motion for the 70th Anniversary of International Human Rights Day

The planning committee for the Tennessee celebration of International Human Rights Day is preparing for the 2018 event.

Each year, Tennesseans gather to celebrate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations on Dec 10, originally signed in 1948. This year will mark the 70^th anniversary of the signing of this important document. “Human Rights Day is a special event where future leaders come together with lifelong advocates to be inspired, educated and readied for the next challenge,” says planning committee chair Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology.

The celebration centers around the presentation of awards to human rights champions in three categories: Rising Advocate, Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement. Past recipients of these prestigious honors have included the Rev. Bill Barnes, Rev. James “Tex” Thomas, Senator Thelma Harper, Kwame Lillard, Rosetta Miller Perry, Father Joseph Breen, Gatluak Thach, First Baptist Capitol Hill, and many more.  The committee is now accepting nominations for this year’s award recipients.

A committee of human rights organizations and nonprofits, including the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, United Nations Association, Amnesty International, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Church of Scientology and others, work together each year to plan the event.

The committee plans to feature many different human rights organizations, especially the Tennessee governmental and non-profit agencies that have commitments to the thirty rights as laid out in the UDHR. Organizations who wish to participate in the planning may contact the organizer through www.tnuhr.org.

Nashville Church of Scientology Honors Volunteers on World Humanitarian Day

The World Humanitarian Day open house at the Nashville Church of Scientology acknowledged volunteers and inspired others to take action, exemplifying the spirit of the day.

The Nashville Church of Scientology held an open house for World Humanitarian Day to acknowledge volunteers, while also lifting up others to help people in times of need.

Three volunteers were recognized for their work over the past year. The first awarded was in the youth category and had clocked the most volunteer service hours among her peers. The second awarded had been active volunteering week in and week out on programs to rehabilitate and help those who have been released from jail and are looking to turn their life around. The third awardee spent the better part of a month full time helping in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey which devastated Texas last year.

“Helping others is an incredible virtue, and one that should be recognized more often,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology.

The Church of Scientology Volunteer Minister program is a religious social service created in the mid 1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who said, "The Volunteer Minister helps 'on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others.'"

To make this technology broadly available, the Church has a Volunteer Minister tent that is set up at fairs and other community events to offer help freely to anyone. The Church also provides free online training at the Volunteer Ministers website. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities.

The Volunteer Minister program was expressly intended for use by Scientologists and non- Scientologists alike. Transcending all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries, the Volunteer Ministers program is there for anyone in need of help. Volunteer Minister training is available free of charge through the Scientology Volunteer Minister website to anyone who wishes to help others, at www.volunteerministers.org.

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee Spreads Positivity on Night Out Against Crime

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee participated in National Night Out Against Crime by distributing the booklets at a neighborhood event.

The Way to Happiness Association of Tennessee volunteers joined community partners, neighbors and police for National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday to help put an end to rampant crime.

"True joy and happiness are valuable," begins the common sense guide, The Way to Happiness, written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1980s. Since then, the book has sparked a movement and has been reprinted and passed hand to hand to a wide variety of cultures and peoples. In Tennessee, The Way to Happiness Association works with communities and neighborhoods to spread the booklet to as many people as possible. Organizers say that when the booklet is passed from hand to hand, it is like oil spread upon a raging sea, the calm flows outward and outward.

The Tennessee Association launched its campaign to distribute the booklet in 2009. Since that time, the group has visited local health fairs, festivals and community gatherings.

National Night Out is meant to stop crime before it starts. It was designed to heighten awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to natw.org.

This year marks the 36th annual event to combat drug use and prevent crime. Neighborhoods frequently celebrate with a mix of food, dancing, information booths and crime forums to help promote safer living.

The Way to Happiness booklet details 21 precepts predicated on the fact that one's survival depends on the survival of others. According to thewaytohappiness.org, "This code of conduct can be followed by anyone, of any race, color or creed and works to restore the bonds that unite humankind." The Way to Happiness aims at giving people back a sense of what is right and wrong in a way that is easy to understand. In the three decades since it was authored, some 80 million copies of the book passed hand to hand.

For more information, visit twthtn.org.

Drug-Free Tennessee Working Against Crime on National Night Out

Drug-Free Tennessee participates each year in National Night Out Against Crime by distributing the Truth About Drugs booklets at neighborhood events.

Drug-Free Tennessee is committed to making neighborhoods drug and crime-free. So it was that volunteers joined community partners, neighbors and police for National Night Out Against Crime to help put an end to rampant crime and drug violations.

National Night Out is meant to stop crime before it starts. It was designed to heighten awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to natw.org.

This year marks the 36th annual event to combat drug use and prevent crime, and the 10^th year that Drug-Free Tennessee has participated in the Nashville festivities. Neighborhoods frequently celebrate with a mix of food, dancing, information booths and crime forums to help promote safer living.

Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator for Drug-Free Tennessee, says, “Youth today make decisions about drugs at a younger age. We need to get them reliable information so they can make educated choices and lead healthier lives.”

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which provides booklets with information on how drugs affect the body and mind, what a dealer might say, and common street names to young people know how to avoid them. The materials are available free of charge, and can be obtained through drugfreeworld.org.

For more information on National Night Out, visit natw.org.  For more information on Drug-Free Tennessee or to order materials, visit drugfreetn.org. 

Church of Scientology to Hold 10 Days of Peace in September

The Nashville Church of Scientology will be doing a series of events for “10 Days of Peace,” ending with a large event on September 21^st for International Day of Peace.

The Nashville Church of Scientology works with Tennessee United for Human Rights to hold events that promote human rights education for everyone. The church has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past three years and will be holding an event again this year on September 21. Leading up to this, the church is having “10 Days of Peace” which launches on September 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. To launch the 10 Days of Peace, the church will hold a special event each day, culminating in the large event for Sept 21.

This is the fourth annual observance of Peace Day by TNUHR, and promises to be bigger than ever. In 2015, the group organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” and in 2016, TNUHR held an event under the theme “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Last year the group held a panel discussion on “Religious Freedom and What This Means Today.”

“We are excited to hold ’10 Days of Peace’ this year and make these events larger than ever before,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, Pastor of the Nashville Church of Scientology.

’10 Days of Peace’ launches on September 11 at the Church of Scientology, and all are welcome.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about the events on Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org.

Tennessee United for Human Rights to Hold Panel Discussion for Fourth Annual Peace Day Event

The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) is making plans for International Peace Day on September 21st.

Tennessee United for Human Rights has a mission to bring human rights education to everyone. And what better way to do this than through discussing these rights at public events? The group has held an event for International Day of Peace for the past three years and will be holding an event again this year on September 21.

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This is more relevant than ever, and TNUHR is planning an event to focus on issues of domestic violence.

This is the fourth annual observance of Peace Day by TNUHR. In 2015, the group organized an eye-opening panel discussion on “Exposing the Hidden World of Human Trafficking,” and in 2016, TNUHR held an event under the theme “Know Your Rights and Survive: Overcoming Domestic Violence.” Last year the group held a panel discussion on “Religious Freedom and What This Means Today.”

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light. We are returning to the issue of domestic violence this year, as this is something that seriously needs to be addressed,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, “…nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.”

The Peace Day event will be held on September 21^st at 4pm in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall.

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society. For more information about the events on Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org.