ACTIVIST CALENDAR, July 6, 2009, Issue #148
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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Editor's Note: The Activist Newsletter will be emailed in a few days. The main article will be Iran: What's Really Going On? As usual, things are not always as they seem. We will try to answer these three questions: (1) Was the election rigged, as charged by the leading opposition candidate? (2) Did the U.S. play a role in the protests, seeking an outcome similar to the so-called color revolutions? (3) Is the coalition of religious and secular elites that has governed Iran since the 1979 revolution falling apart?
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TAKE ACTION NOW against the right wing coup in Honduras.
Contact the White House and Congress to demand
that the United States end all military ties to Honduras!
Link to the following website to send your message:
http://secure2.convio.net/pep/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=249
The Honduran oligarchy, using military officers who received their training at the infamous School of the Americas, has ousted the democratically-elected progressive government of Manuel Zelaya. Yesterday, Zelaya was prevented from returning to Honduras to reclaim his rightful position. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators were waiting outside the airport for him to return. The authorities shot into the crowds, killing two.
It is inconceivable that this coup could have been undertaken without the support and encouragement of some sectors within the U.S. military and intelligence organizations. We demand that the U.S. cut all military ties with Honduras.
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ACTIVIST EVENTS
Thursday, July 9 and 23, 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, http://www.mideastcrisis.org.
Friday, July 10, NYACK: The documentary "Flow" will be shown at the Fellowship for Reconciliation, 521 N. Broadway from 7-9 p.m. Irena Salina's film investigates the one of the most important environmental and political issues of this century — the worldwide water crisis. Information, (845) 358-4601 ext. 32 . To view trailer and reviews http://www.flowthefilm.com.
Friday-Sunday, July 10-12, PITTSBURGH: The National Assembly to end the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations is holding a weekend national conference at La Roche College. Attendees will work toward building a larger and more activist peace movement. If you wish to attend or seek more information: http://www.natassembly.org/Home_Page.html.
Saturday, July 11, POUGHKEEPSIE: Documentary, "The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends" will be screened at Friends Meeting House, 249 Hooker Ave. from 7-9 p.m. This film features American soldiers describing their experiences on the battlefields in Iraq, then afterward trying to adjust to civilian life at home. Discussion to follow. Film is rated 'R' for violent content and language. Sponsored by Dutchess Peace Coalition and Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting. Information, fred@acornfilm.com, http://www.dutchesspeace.org.
Saturday, July 11, WOODSTOCK: Free Palestine Vigil at 2 p.m. Meet at the Sunflower Natural Food parking lot at 75 Mill Hill Rd and march through town, ending up at the Village Green. Sponsored by Middle East Crisis Response. Information, mecr@mideastcrisis.org, http://www.mideastcrisis.org.
Saturday, July 11, 18, and 25, NEW PALTZ: Demonstration for single payer health care from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in front of the Stop 'n' Shop plaza, on Main St., for the next three Saturdays. Demand Congressional passage of HR 676, which calls for universal health care for all Americans. Sponsored by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of New Paltz. Information, Ruth Molloy (845) 256-0733. rmcfood61@live.com.
Sunday, July 12, TARRYTOWN: A Discussion on "Doing Justice in Our Own Homes." Speakers include members of Jews for Radical and Economic Justice and Domestic Workers United who will talk about their Shalom Bayit campaign. It's about getting around the divisions of race, gender, class and other issues for domestic workers and employers. Sponsored by Jews for Radical and Economic Justice. For location, information, or to RSVP, (917) 517-3627, cbell@igc.org.
Monday, July 13, ALBANY: A presentation entitled "Education as a Tool for Justice and Peace in the Middle East" will be given by Brother Jack Curran, Vice President for Development of Bethlehem University in the Holy Land, at the Albany Public Library. 161 Washington Ave. at 7 p.m.
Monday, July 13, WHITE PLAINS: People will arrive at 9 a.m. at the Federal Courthouse, 300 Quarropas St. in support of a suit against West Point officials for the violating First Amendment rights of eight protesters. Westchester County activists are seeking judgment against the Military Academy for forcing them to end "Out of Iraq" messaging at an annual Army-Navy basketball game and for preventing them from entering West Point for five years. Information, Don DeBar, dondebar@yahoo.com.
Monday, July 13, NEW YORK CITY: Rally for Mumia Abu-Jamal at the NAACP Anniversary Convention, at the Hilton Hotel, 1135 6th Ave. at W. 54th St. in Manhattan, noon-2:30 p.m., with an educational rally from 5-8 p.m. Speak out as Attorney General Eric Holder addresses the NAACP's 100th anniversary convention, calling for justice for one of America's best known political prisoners — an innocent man on death row for decades. Sponsored by International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition of NYC, Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People, Millions for Mumia, Iglesia San Romeo de las Americas, Jericho Movement, and others. Information, (212) 330-8029, mateare@gmail.com, http://www.freemumia.com.
Tuesday, July 14, NEW YORK CITY: A roundtable report from Gaza and the West Bank will feature eyewitness accounts from members of delegations trying to break the blockade of Gaza — some successfully, some not. Invited speakers include Medea Benjamin (CodePink), Felice Gelman (NY delegation to Gaza, member WESPAC), Phil Weiss (journalist, Mondoweiss blog), Manijeh Saba (Iranian-American human rights activist), Daniel Strum (member of Adalah-NY). This event takes place 6-8:30 p.m. at the Brecht Forum, 451 West St. (between Bank & Bethune Sts.) The sponsors are Adalah-NY, CodePink, Committee for Open Discussion of Zionism, Jews Against the Occupation, Jews Say No!, WESPAC Middle East Committee, UFPJ, and Women in Black. Information, (212) 242-4201, brechtforum@brechtforum.org and http://www.brechtforum.org.
Saturday, July 18, KINGSTON: Free Palestine Vigil at 2 p.m. Line up at the Ulster Plaza parking lot, in front of Barnes and Noble, 1177 Ulster Ave. Sponsored by the Middle East Crisis Response. Information, mecr@mideastcrisis.org, http://www.mideastcrisis.org.
Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19 and July 25-26, NEW YORK CITY: Workshop: "Marxism: A Revolutionary Cure for Capitalism's Depression?" with Humberto Brown, Vivek Chibber, Harriet Fraad, Harmony Goldberg, Lisa Maya Knauer, Peter Marcuse, Liz Mestres, Wasir Mohammed, Manny Ness, Cleo Silvers, Bill Tabb, Lincoln Van Sluytman, Rick Wolff, and others, at Brecht Forum, 451 West St, between Bank and Bethune. Cost is $ 75-95 whole workshop or $45 for one weekend. For info call (212) 242-4201, brechtforum@brechtforum.org.
Thursday, July 30, WASHINGTON, DC: Rally and lobby for single-payer healthcare, HR 676, on the 44th anniversary of Medicare." Meet at 1 p.m. in the Upper Senate Park, Constitution and Delaware Aves. NW. Later in the day, lobby Congress to pass universal health care, or "Medicare for all." People are arriving from many cities and towns. Sponsors: Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Health Care, Healthcare-NOW. For transportation from the Hudson Valley, contact, email nickmottern@earthlink.net. If there are sufficient numbers, the group Hudson Valley Action will try to arrange bus transport or assist in car pooling. Information (800) 435-1305, info@healthcare-now.org, http://www.healthcare-now.org.
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16, WOODSTOCK: Forum: "Building a Peaceful, Just and Sustainable Economy. Speakers include Diane Wilson, Jeremy Scahill, Joel Kovel, Simon Harak, Robert Pollin, Jeff Cohen, Mary Beth Sullivan, Peter Woodruff, Ariel Schanberg, Finlay Schaef, Silvia Federici, George Caffentzis and Janine Vega. Saturday 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. at Town Hall, on Tinker St. Sunday at the Colony Cafe 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. "On the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock festival, help shape the future economy to enhance local jobs in a peaceful and sustainable way. Whereas Woodstock is known for "peace and love," the town's largest employer is a military contractor." Sponsored by Woodstock Peace Economy. Donations requested. Information http://woodstockpeaceeconomy.org.
