Seattle Press on Line - Peace cafe offers political activism or just a cup of joe

Roosevelt

Peace cafe offers political activism or just a cup of joe

Dec 06, 2001 -- It is not unusual for a coffeehouse to have couches or for its walls to be papered with politically oriented messages, but it is uncommon for a cafe to be a non-profit organization. However, that is only the beginning of what sets the Peace Cafe apart from its colleagues.

Founded by Peace Action of Washington, the coffeehouse is openly political in its views about war, but also welcomes healthy debate from customers, according to manager Erin Riley.

"I would say [debate] happens a good deal here," Riley said. "That's sort of the principle that this place was originally founded on. We wanted people to come and have a meeting place in the community that was open [for political discussions]."

Because of this atmosphere, the cafe does not get much traffic from people who just need their morning coffee.

"We don't get much of the commuter crowd," Riley said. "Of course, we would like to tap into that crowd, but we're not going to cater to it. I train all of our baristas to make each drink individually, not to do a high-speed business. It's peaceful, not just in the sense that that's what we stand for, but that's it's quiet and relaxed. You can relax here."

Indeed, not everything about the cafe is political. Customers can choose a simple house blend, from Cafe D'Arte. However, they do have the option of requesting coffee from the Equal Exchange Company, which Riley calls "about the most politically correct you can get." Equal Exchange uses only shade-grown, fair trade, kosher coffee.

The cafe has a host of events each week and posts these on its Web site, www.peacecafe.org. These range from political--with organizations such as the Mexican Solidarity Network or speakers such as Afghan speaker Gina Aaf, as well as weekly movie nights with films such as Wag the Dog or Bob Roberts--to nonpolitical, including Ambient Nights each Thursday, when the coffeehouse stays open until midnight and local DJs spin at the shop.

Of course, most of the cafe's events and actions are political, and most of the clientele agrees with basic message. However, the Peace Cafe embraces discussion and even disagreement. According to Riley, though the most customers agree with the coffeehouse's founding principles, the baristas and clientele know everyone does not feel the same way.

"We stand for that mythical 10 percent of people who weren't for the war [in Afghanistan]," Riley said of the coffeehouse regulars. "I feel strongly about war, but of course everyone has their own opinion about it."

In fact, the Peace Cafe will let any group meet there. For more formal settings, the conference room next door is also available. The cafe simply asks that convening groups purchase some drinks, but there is no set amount.

Despite this openness, however, the cafe retains its clear peace message. Riley cautions, however, that this does not necessarily mean it is anti-war.

"Mainly, this place encourages that we do everything with caution, that we draw as much understanding as possible," she said.

Riley personally likes the coffeehouse because it coincides with her political beliefs.

"I feel very fortunate that, just by virtue of my job, I get to work for a non-profit," she said. "Not everyone gets to do that."

But she said that the best part about the coffeehouse is just helping the community. The Peace Cafe's profits go toward organizations such as Freeze, a children's education fund.

"What people don't seem to understand is that, just by where you buy your coffee, you can make a difference," Riley said. "Why fund corporations when you can come here, where every dollar makes a difference?"

Peace Cafe is located at 5828 Roosevelt Way NE, phone 529-8081.

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