ACTIVIST CALENDAR, June 7, 2009, Issue #147
Of the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter
Current and back copies of the Activist Newsletter as well as the Activist Calendar are at http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com. Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net.
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1. Editor's Note: As usual there are fewer peace and justice activities and progressive events in the Hudson Valley beginning in June and continuing through July and August. This changes starting in September and becomes more intense in October and November. But we've noticed something of a general reduction in activism throughout the region for about a year. Some of this was attributable to election campaigning and then to the exit of the Bush Administration. Yet, of course, war, injustice, and social inequality continue apace, compounded by high unemployment and foreclosures. Hopefully, the fall will bring a revival of our usual level of activities.
2. The Activist Newsletter will be emailed in a few days with a bunch of articles including the Obama Administration's national security policy, President Obama's record so far, religion in America (non-religion is gaining), single-payer healthcare, the torture issue, and much more.
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TODAY:
Sunday, June 7, NEW PALTZ: The recent elections that brought a progressive party to power in El Salvador for the first time will be the topic of a free public meeting at New Paltz Village Hall starting at 6 p.m. The speaker will be Dave Grosser of the Committee in Solidarity With the People of El Salvador (CISPES), a designated American observer of the March 16 election. Winning the presidential election — and thereby extending the substantial left political trend in Latin America — was Mauricio Funes of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), a former guerrilla organization that transformed into a democratic electoral party some years ago. His victory ended not only the 20-year rule of the right wing ARENA party but 130 years of oligarchy and military rule over this Central American nation of 7 million people. Attendees are welcome to take part in a 5 p.m. potluck. Village Hall is at 25 Plattekill Ave., one block south of Main St. (Rt. 299). This event is sponsored by the Caribbean and Latin America Support Project (CLASP), and endorsed by the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter. Information, jacdon@earthlink.net, or (845) 255-5779.
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Monday, June 8, KINGSTON: A demonstration in support of Dr. George Tiller, who was murdered this week in Wichita, Kansas, and other abortion providers will be conducted in front of the mall housing Barnes and Noble, 1177 Ulster Ave., from 5-7 p.m. This is a protest in opposition to right wing violence against abortion providers in the U.S. Information, Joanne at (845) 338-0300, aardvark@ulster.net.
Friday, June 12, NEW YORK CITY: Talk by Noam Chomsky and benefit: "Crisis and Hope: Theirs and Ours" at Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave. (north of 120 St.) in Manhattan at 7 p.m. Chomsky will address a variety of issues including U.S. military intervention, the election of Barack Obama, the global economic crisis and left electoral and social movement upsurges in South and Central America. Benefit for the Brecht Forum. Admission: $20 and up. Information and tickets, http://is.gd.q8ms, http://brechtforum.org/events/crisis-hope-theirs-and-ours.
Saturday, June 13, POUGHKEEPSIE: Concert: Betty and the Baby Boomers, David Bernz, Travis Jeffrey, and Raggedy Crew at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 67 S. Randolph Ave. at 7:30 p.m. This is a benefit for the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, whose environmental programs help to keep the Hudson River clean. Suggested donation, $15; free refreshments. Information, http://www.uupok.org patla@hvc.rr.com, (845) 452-4013.
Saturday, June 13, NEW YORK CITY: A concert/benefit to celebrate the 18th anniversary of the famous NYC Labor Chorus begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th St. in Manhattan. Joining the group tonight is guest artist David Rovics. This will be an evening of songs about labor struggles and social protest throughout history up to the present. Tickets are $25/$15 for seniors, students, and the unemployed. Information, (917) 597-7933, (212) 929-3232, http://www.nyclc.org.
Friday, June 19, POUGHKEEPSIE: The Fifth Annual Juneteenth Celebration will take place 6-9 p.m. in the Lateef Islam Auditorium at the Family Partnership Center, 29 N. Hamilton St. This celebration commemorates the end of slavery. This year’s program is dedicated to the civil rights workers of the early 1960s, including Woodstock activist Jane Van de Bogart, who died last year. (She donated a large collection of books and personal family papers to the Library.) Documents regarding Jane's experience in Mississippi during the freedom struggle will be among items on display in the Library’s showcases. There will be music and spoken performances by Youth in the Real Skills Network, the AL’Keblulan Drumming Circle , and Voices of Zion. Sponsored by Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library, Family Partnership Center, Realskills Network, the Healthcare Education Project of 1199 SEIU/GNYHA. Information (845) 452-1110, ext. 3343. The event is free but contributions are welcome. Information, Odell Winfield, (845) 679-5884, Brian Riddell, (845) 454-3792.
Saturday and Sunday, June 20¬-21, CROTON-ON-HUDSON: The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater's 31st Annual Great Hudson River Revival at Croton Point Park lasts from 10 a.m. until dusk on both days. It includes crafts, activists, story-tellers, and music on 6 solar-powered stages. Musical guests include Susan Tedeschi, Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Taj Mahal, Pete Seeger, as well as many others. Come celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River, Clearwater's 40th birthday, and Pete's 90th birthday. The Clearwater project keeps the Hudson River and environs clean through education, activism, and access to the river's shores. Until June 19 you may obtained advance tickets at $65 for single day or $90 for the weekend, for general admission. Admission at the box office is $75 for single day, $105 for weekend at the gate. There's a discount for members. For full information about the event, pricing, and ticket purchase, http://www.clearwaterfestival.org. Order tickets by phone at (503) 265-2270.
Thursday, June 25, MANY CITIES: Today is Torture Accountability Day — a reference to the Bush Administration's use of torture and a demand for a thorough investigation. Actions are scheduled in a number of cities across the country sponsored by a wide variety of organizations. The focal point is an 11 a.m. rally in Washington beginning at John Marshall Park, 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., followed by a march to the Department of Justice building for a demonstration. (Some participants may engage in nonviolent civil disobedience unless the government appoints a special prosecutor to investigate the torture charges.) The sponsors include After Downing Street, Code Pink, Democrats.com, Indict Bush Now, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Progressive Democrats of America, Torture Abolition & Survivor Support Coalition, Veterans for Peace, Washington Peace Center, Peace Action, and many more.
Information, http://tortureaccountablilty.webs.com.
Thursday, June 25, KINGSTON: A panel discussion on the topic of "Poverty in Kingston" will be held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 320 Sawkill Rd, at 7:30 p.m. Participating are Rev. Darlene L. Kelley of Clinton Ave. United Methodist Church, Michael Berg, executive director of Family of Woodstock, and Roberto Rodriguez, commissioner of Ulster County Department of Social Services. The moderator is Ramapo College Professor Howard Howenstein. Information, (845) 340-9512.
Thursday, June 25, WOODSTOCK: The Middle East Crisis Response group of Hudson Valley residents opposed to Israeli and U.S. policies toward the Palestinians meets 7-8:30 p.m. at the Public Library, 5 Library Lane. All welcome. Information, (845) 876-7906, gale@mideastcrisis.org, http://www.mideastcrisis.org.
