From the Redwood Peace & Justice Center press release: “Proceeds from this year’s event on Friday March 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Vets Hall, at 1425 J Street will also go to the Humboldt Committee for Conscientious Objectors/GI Rights Hotline. The HCCO/GI Rights Hotline volunteers advise and support young people with military issues.”
Several local bakeries and micro-breweries were listed as sponsoring the event. When called, all of the businesses claimed no knowledge of the reason for the event.
Speaking for the Eel River Brewery, a company official stated, “we don’t make political statements and were unaware of the anti-military message.” A popular local bakery, Ramone’s, echoed the remarks, relating that the people requesting the donations of their products for the beer and bread tasting did not mention the anti-military focus of the event.
None of the event sponsors which we contacted, were aware of the use to which the money raised would be put.
Military recruitment within city limits came to the forefront of local issues last November when the cities of Arcata and Eureka voted to ban military recruiters within city limits. These measures are being challenged by the Department of Defense and Department of Justice. The “Beer and Bread” tasting is to raise money to defend the measures in court.
Humboldt Couny local and Southern Oregon Corporate sponsors listed are: Beer - Lagunitas, Sierra Nevada, Six Rivers, Mad River, Lost Coast and Eel River. Bread - The North Coast Co-op Bakery, Los Bagels, Brio, Tofu Shop, Wildberries, Wild Flower Café and Ramone’s.
Calls to phone numbers associated with the Redwood Peace & Justice Center for comment were either disconnected numbers or in one case, after identification as media request for comment….. denial of association with the organization. Even though the number is listed as their organization contact number.
Eureka and Arcata are located approx 5 hours north of San Francisco in Humboldt Co.