Ann Wright to speak at Kapaa Library Friday

KAPAA — Listen to a firsthand account of 2015 peace-building mission to North Korea, of the May seizure of the Venezuelan embassy in Washington and a recent Iran peace-keeping mission at 6 p.m. Friday at Kapaa Public Library.

Global politics are on the table courtesy of the Kauai Alliance for Peace and Social Justice, with retired Colonel Ann Wright speaking in a free event.

“Ann Wright is an activist and a journalist-at-large, who travels the world, then presents at venues large and small, sharing her experience as an eyewitness and sometime participant in current events that affect our lives,” said Kip Goodwin.

Wright is a 29-year Army veteran. After she retired, she served in the Foreign Service for 16 years and received the State Department Medal for Heroism in 1987 for helping with evacuation during the Sierra Leone civil war.

In May 2015, Wright was one of 30 women peace-builders who crossed the demilitarized zone to North Korea on a mission to help establish peace.

In February, Wright went to Iran to participate in a peace mission.

Wright resigned from her Army post in March 2003, the day before the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Later, she became a prominent figure in the movement opposing the Iraq occupation.

On Friday, she’ll be talking about her efforts and sharing experiences. A question and answer session will follow.

Also on tap for the Friday is an update on the Golden Rule Project and the activist peacekeeping mission the sailboat is currently undertaking.

That vessel set out on its maiden voyage in 1958 to stop nuclear testing and inspired many other peace maker voyages.

Currently, Golden Rule is touring Hawaii. Kauai sailor Connie Burton is a crew member. The Golden Rule is set to sail to Nawiliwili Harbor later this year.