ACTIVIST CALENDAR, Sept. 21 2009, Issue #150
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: Part 2 of the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter will be emailed by Oct. 1.
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Tuesday, Sept. 22, KINGSTON: As part of MoveOn's "Big Insurance Makes Us Sick" day, there will be a 12 noon rally near the United Healthcare Insurance Co. at 505 Boices Lane and Enterprise Drive. From the organizers: "We will show how big insurance companies drive up costs and deny coverage in order to make big profits. We will dramatize how they 'make us sick' by wearing bandages, using crutches and wheelchairs and wearing slings. Folks will share stories of denied coverage and highlight some of the abuses of health insurance companies. We will let the community know how important a healthcare bill with a strong public option is." Information, anahatasun@aol.com, http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=98571.
Tuesday, Sept. 22, ALBANY: MoveOn and Citizens' Action are sponsoring a "Big Insurance Makes Us Sick" protest outside Group Health Incorporated's local headquarters at 80 Wolf Rd, beginning at 2 p.m. The activists will "present a report highlighting the health insurance company's service record, calling on GHI to meet a list of demands." Among the policies to be challenged are denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions, and using corporate dollars to fund the movement to stop health care reform. "Following a short rally and press conference, a group of protesters will attempt to hand-deliver the report to GHI's head executive in Albany." Information, (518) 465-4600, ext. 115, cscoville@citizenactionny.org, http://www.citizenactionny.org.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 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 , gale@mideastcrisis.org.
Friday, Sept. 25, ONEONTA (Hartwick College campus): A lecture entitled "Torture, Ethics, Human Rights, and the U.S. School of the Americas" will be held at Anderson Theater, 1 Hartwick Dr. on campus, from 7-9 p.m., featuring Father Roy Bourgeois, founder of School of the Americas Watch. The "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security," formerly known as the "School of the Americas," is a training camp for military personnel in Latin American countries under U.S. influence. Sponsored by Hartwick College Sociology, History, Political Science, Philosophy and Religious Studies. Information, (607) 437-4894, o_donnellk@hartwick.edu., http://soaw.org/, http://calendar.hartwick.edu:8080/calendar/ViewWeek.html?week=39&year=2009.
Saturday, Sept. 26, ALBANY: The film "Trouble the Water" will be screened at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Ave at 7:30 p.m. This film is a redemptive tale of two self-described street hustlers who become heroes, surviving Katrina and seizing an opportunity for a new beginning. Free and public. Sponsored by Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, and Upper Hudson Peace Action. Information (518) 426-0883, http://www.jflan.net/solidarity.
Saturday, Sept. 26, KINGSTON: Milan Cupurdija will discuss the innovations and social views of the innovative Serbian inventor, electrical and mechanical engineer, Nikola Tesla at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills, 320 Sawkill Rd. at 7:30 p.m. Tesla is often cited as being the most important contributor to the birth of commercial electricity. Tesla was a war opponent and hoped his inventions could help improve communications to avoid them. He was also a proponent of gender equality, and vegetarianism. Sponsored by Hudson Valley Humanists. A $4 donation is requested. Information, (845) 247-0098.
Tuesday, Sept. 29, EAST GREENBUSH: The Documentary, "Rick Steves' Iran - Yesterday and Today" will be shown at the East Greenbush Public Library, 10 Community Way, 7-9 p.m. World traveler Rick Steves, visits "the most surprising and fascinating land he's ever visited: Iran." See historical monuments of Iran's rich past, and hear the complex 20th century story of this country. Followed by a question and answer discussion with people who have visited Iran. Free and public. Refreshments served. Sponsored by Southern Rensselaer Neighbors for Peace, Peace Action, and Women Against War. Information (518) 859-5773, poetapoetus@taconic.net. About the film, http://www.ricksteves.com/iran/.
Thursday, Oct. 1, WHITE PLAINS: A "Take Back the Night!" event gathers at 6:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 252 Bryant Ave. There's a 7 p.m. rally and then a 7:30 p.m. march to the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester. A speakout starts at 8:15 p.m. This is a protest against the sexual assault of women and intimate partner violence. It is sponsored by the Alliance for Just Solutions, Girl's Inc, Lambda Peer Support Services, and others. Information, Antoinette Klatzky, (914) 949-6227, ext. 199, ajs@ywcawhiteplains.com.
Thursday, Oct. 1, TROY: "The Climate Crisis: Updating An Inconvenient Truth" is the 7:30-9:30 p.m. presentation by Dr. Steven A. Leibo, a professor of International History and Politics at the Sage Colleges, and Climate Project district manager for Upstate New York and Vermont. He is best known to Capital Region residents as a long time international affairs commentator for WAMC public radio. Information, (518) 244-2330, Leibos@sage.edu, http://sagethoughts.wordpress.com/.
Saturday, Oct. 3, WEST POINT: Antiwar picketing and leafleting to people arriving to attend the Army-Tulane football game starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Thayer Gate. (Thayer Gate is accessed by exiting Rt. 9W at the exit marked as the "Highland Falls, West Point.") RSVP (914) 806-6179, nickmottern@earthlink.net.
Monday, Oct. 5, OLD CHATHAM: The documentary, "Body of War" will be screened at Powell House Quaker Conference and Retreat Center, 524 Pitt Hall Rd. from 7-9 p.m. The film tells the story of a young American veteran who returns home from the Iraq war paralyzed by a bullet to his spine. He learns to deal with this disability, and indicts the government's handling of the invasion. Sponsored by Old Chatham Quaker Meeting. Information, (518) 794-0259, poetapoetus@taconic.net. Directions, http://www.oldchathamquakers.org/directions.html.
Tuesday, Oct. 6, NATIONWIDE: A group called World Can't Wait is calling for Anti-Recruiting Efforts in High Schools across the country today. They say: "Help stop the propaganda being professed by recruiters in High School, where serving the country in the military is a 'life with purpose,' but what purpose?" Information, (866) 973-4463, http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1170/t/3716/p/salsa/event/distributedevent/public/create.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=537.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, NATIONWIDE: Students for a Democratic Society is calling for a "U.S. out of Afghanistan! End the War Now" nationwide student protest today to commemorate the 8th anniversary of the Afghan war. Information, sdsantiwar@gmail.com, http://www.newsds.org?q=antiwar
Thursday, Oct. 8, 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 , gale@mideastcrisis.org.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-11, WASHINGTON, D.C.: The National Equality March and related rallies will take place in many parts of the nation's capital. The main event is a 12 noon on Sunday, culminating in a 2 p.m. rally Capitol West Lawn. From the organizer: "We will gather in Washington from all across America to let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT people. We've had a moment thrust upon us by the election of President Barack Obama and the spirit of hope and change, and also by the sense of entitlement in the new generation of grassroots organizing. This march is a vehicle to a larger goal. We want to work to bridge the gap between the national organizations and the grassroots community organizers. We will gather. We will strategize. We will march. And we will leave energized and empowered to do the work that needs to be done in every community across the nation." For transportation from New Paltz, Binghamton, Poughkeepsie, and Monroe contact Sussman.sam@gmail.com for more information. For a complete schedule of events, http://equalityacrossamerica.org/blog/?page_id=33. For local actions in NYC, (718) 768-7306, nycwrl@att.net.
Monday, Oct. 12, WESTERN HEMISPHERE: This is Trade Action Day. Say the organizers: "People throughout the Americas, including a majority of U.S. citizens, reject the destructive model of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Yet it continues to profit the few at the expense of the many. On Oct. 12, Indigenous Peoples Day, social movements across the hemisphere will launch coordinated actions to call for this failed model to be replaced with trade that actually benefits the majority. Host a movie night, do some street theater, or join a demonstration." At various locations. Sponsors: Witness for Peace, Nicaragua Network, Stop CAFTA Coalition, others. Information, (202) 403-1752, wfpma@witnessforpeace.org and http://witnessforpeace.org/article.php?id=809.
Saturday, Oct. 17, KINGSTON: A region-wide antiwar rally, commemorating the 8th anniversary of George W. Bush's ill-advised invasion of Afghanistan — a stalemated war that has lasted longer than World Wars I and II combined, with no end in sight other than the inevitable quagmire — will take place at Academy Green Park, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (rain or shine). There will be speakers, singers, literature tables, petitions — the works. It is sponsored by Peace & Social Progress Now! (PSPN), the new group organized by the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter, and endorsed by a number of local peace and justice organizations. As well as a protest, this rally is an effort to reinvigorate the Mid-Hudson regional peace movement, which has seen better days, as has the national movement. "Whether our action succeeds or not depends in certain measure on the thousands of readers of this calendar throughout the Hudson Valley, so join us for the sake of peace!" This protest is one of many taking place in the United States Oct. 17 (including in Albany, see below) in response to a call from the National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupation, the ANSWER Coalition, and a number of other national peace organizations. Academy Green Park is in the Uptown section of Kingston. From the traffic circle at NY Thruway Exit 19, go around the circle and emerge via the Chandler Drive outlet. At the first traffic light, turn right on Albany Ave. for about a block and you're there. Park in the lot of a small shopping center or on area streets. Arrive a bit early for the best parking. If you wish to distribute leaflets in your town before the rally or help out on the day of the event, contact us as soon as possible. Information, jacdon@earthlink.net, and (845) 255-5779. National information, http://answer.pephost.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=9193&news_iv_ctrl=0&abbr=ANS_ and http://natassembly.org/October17Endorsers.html.
Saturday, Oct. 17, ALBANY: A Capital District coalition is sponsoring a 12 noon-3 p.m. antiwar protest here at Capitol West Park (west side of Capitol building), demanding: "Bring all the Troops Home Now from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan." The event begins with a noon rally, followed by a mach up Lark St., then back to the park. This protest is sponsored by the Northeast Peace and Justice Action Coalition. Information, (518) 439-1968 and BethlehemNeighborsForPeace@yahoo.com.
Saturday, Oct. 17, BEACON: The annual Dissident Folk & Arts Festival will return for its fourth season to Beacon's Howland Cultural Center, 7-11 p.m. The Festival ‘s theme this year will be Looking Forward: In Praise of Activism. Its goal is to act as a bridge between socially-conscious arts and progressive philosophy, toward political awareness and social change. Performers include this year’s headliners, the progressive Hip-Hop artists Readnex Poetry Squad, from New Paltz and Newburgh; protest song ensemble The Flames of Discontent; folk expansionists Hope Machine from Peekskill; Beacon’s Alvin Bell and Chris Rhue's Freedom Song Review; and other poets, musicians and groups. The Howland Cultural Center is at 477 Main St. Admission is $10, seniors $7, unemployed by affordable donation. Information, (845) 831-4988, (845) 591-2161, leftmus@earthlink.net, http://www.flamesofdiscontent.org.
Saturday, Oct. 24, U.S. AND WORLD: This is the International Day of Climate Action. So far, about 1,600 actions, at minimum, are taking place in some 120 countries, and the list is growing by the day. Many actions are taking place in the Hudson Valley as well as the rest of the country. The worldwide climate change movement 350.org is organizing this international campaign. The number 350 is used, because it is the "safe upper limit," of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, in parts per million (ppm), to preserve the current climate conditions, and stabilize the planetary environment. Current climate treaty proposals act too slowly to get to this level, and it is often cited that 350 ppm is a turning point, where more than this number would make the effects of climate change irreversible. (One reason there are objections to the recently passed climate bill in the House is that it's aiming, at best, for 450 ppm.) Scores of actions are planned for this day within the circulation area of this calendar. To find one near you, access http://350.org, then click on "find an action." A list of all the protests in the U.S., including in our district, is at http://www.350.org/action-list?country=us&city=.
Saturday, Oct. 24, NEW PALTZ: There will be a 350 Climate Action Fair starting at 1 p.m. at Hasbrouck Park, just west of the SUNY campus (north side), a block south of New Paltz Village Hall, near Main St. This event is part of today's international protest (above). It is sponsored by the Climate Action Coalition of New Paltz and the SUNY NYPIRG. Say the organizers: "Come to the fair. Experience your green future: cool cars; solar-powered, energy-saving stuff; windmills, etc. Enjoy the outrageous climate change fashion show. Watch children make animal costumes, play games and use the 2,000-plastic-bag rope, listen to music from Mid-Hudson bands, talk with local scientists about the ways climate change might affect our region, and taste local food and beverages. The final event is a group photo of hundreds of people spelling out "350" on the field. Information, Ann Guenther, woodchuck@hvi.net, or call (845) 626-2847 or (845) 255-9297 or Ariana Bosco, abasco@nypirg.org. Also, http://www.350.org. .
Thursday, Oct. 29, PURCHASE (Manhattanville College campus): A lecture on the death penalty will be held in the Castle on campus (2900 Purchase St.) at 7 p.m., featuring author Thomas Cahill. Sponsors: Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of the NY Civil Liberties Union and the Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action. For more info (914) 997-7479, conart1@optonline.net.
