ACTIVIST CALENDAR, Nov. 12 2009, Issue #152
Of the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net.
Thursday, Nov. 12, SCHENECTADY: Well known peace activist Kathy Kelly will speak tonight on her recent experiences with refugees in Pakistan who were victims of U.S. drone attacks and stories related to her visits in Iraq before and during the war. The event, which will also raise funds for Voices for Creative Nonviolence, will be held at the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady, 1221 Wendell Ave. A pot luck dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by Kelly's talk. The meeting is sponsored by the society's Social Action Council. There will be a "free will donation" as admission (and bring a dish to share for dinner). Information (518) 765-4386, info4co@yahoo.com, http://fussonline.org.
Saturday, Nov. 14, CLIFTON PARK: Dr. Shamshad Ahmad, the author of "Rounded Up: Artificial Terrorists and Muslim Entrapment After 9/11," will be signing books and speaking about the Aref-Hossain "sting" case at East Line Books, 1714 Rt. 9. Sponsored by Muslim Solidarity Committee. Information, (518) 371-4151, finlandia@nycap.rr.com.
Saturday, Nov. 14, TROY: Kathy Kelly will speak about creative nonviolence at a "networking" event taking place at The Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Ave. Members and supporters of various local peace, justice, refugee, veterans, and art groups will attend. A pot luck dinner begins at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. This event is part of a six month, nationwide Peaceable Assembly Campaign, aimed at ending the wars in Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Admission is $10, $5 for students. Sponsored by The Sanctuary for Independent Media, Veterans for Peace, and Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Information, info4co@yahoo.com, (518) 765-4386, http://www.thesanctuaryforindependentmedia.org/node/734.
Sunday, Nov. 15, POUGHKEEPSIE: A 4-6 p.m. discussion about the issue of same-sex marriage in New York State will be conducted by members of the gay and faith communities at Christ Episcopal Church, 20 Carrol St. Speakers include Tobias Haller, Jachie McNeil, Rev. Orlanda Brugnola, and Rev. Blake Rider. This free public event is sponsored by Justice For All Speakers Forum. Information, (845) 889-4181, fred@acornfilm.com, http://www.allforjustice.org.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, ALBANY: The film "Franz Jägerstätter: A Man of Conscience" will be screened at Emmaus House, 45 Trinity Place, at 7 p.m. Jägerstätter was a conscientious objector who refused to serve in the German Army during World War II, and was executed. He was declared a Catholic martyr by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. A pot luck dinner begins at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Albany Catholic Worker, Local Secular Franciscan Order, and Thomas Merton Society. Information, (518) 482-4966, fred.acw@gmail.com, http://www.stfranz.org.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, POUGHKEEPSIE: Rusty Johnson, wildlife educator and author of "The Twilight of the Wild," will speak at the Hudson River Rowing Association Boathouse, 270 North River St. at 7:30 p.m. as part of Mid Hudson Sierra Club's Third Wednesdays Speaker Social. Free and public. Information, (845) 255-5528.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, PLEASANTVILLE (Pace Univ. campus): A discussion of "Profiling: Protection or Discrimination?" will take place 12:15-1:15 p.m. at the Kessel Student Center (861 Bedford Rd.), Gottesman Dining Room. Both sides of the issue will be represented. Speakers include Linda Berns, director of the Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of the N.Y. Civil Liberties Union, and Vinnie Beatty, director of Security and Adjunct Professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Pace. Sponsored by the Peace and Justice Studies Advisory Board, Psi Chi, Dyson College, The Black Students’ Organization and the Division for Student Success.
Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 19-22, ALBANY: The Albany High School Theatre Ensemble is sponsoring the showing of "The Laramie Project," a play about Matthew Shepard, the Wyoming college student who was beaten to death at the age of 21 because he was gay. The play is based on some 200 interviews with local residents and court transcripts. From the organizers: "This touching true story transcends the persecution of a single minority group, exploring core issues of hate and violence, and the indelible scars they leave on communities plagued by intolerance." The first three performances begin at 7 p.m. Sunday's opening is at 2 p.m. The venue is the auditorium at Albany High School, 700 Washington Ave. Admission, $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Information, (518) 894-1684, fthompson001@nycap.rr.com/.
Friday, Nov. 20, NEW PALTZ: The documentary "Rethink Afghanistan" will be shown at Elting Library, 93 Main St., at 8 p.m. Filmmaker Robert Greenwald critically examines the Bush Administration's stalemated eight-year war, now being managed and widened by President Obama. A discussion will follow. This free public event is sponsored by New Paltz Neighbors for Peace. Information, (845) 255-4815, tellall45@yahoo.com.
Friday-Sunday Nov. 20-22, FORT BENNING, GA: Thousands of activists from throughout the country will arrive at this military base for the annual weekend vigil and direct action to protest the existence of the School of Americas. This is where the Pentagon trains military forces from willing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Many school graduates have participated in repressive actions against their own people. For example, the military leaders of the recent coup in Honduras are among those who were trained at Ft. Benning. Information, http://www.soaw.org.
Saturday, Nov. 21, ALBANY: The documentary, "Rethink Afghanistan" will be shown at First Unitarian Society of Albany, 405 Washington Ave. at 7 p.m. Filmmaker Robert Greenwald looks at the ever-escalating U.S.-NATO military adventure and its human and financial costs. Film to be followed by a short discussion featuring Connie Frisbee Houde. Sponsored by Solidarity Committee, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Upper Hudson Peace Action and Women Against War. Information, (518) 466-1182, tquaif@yahoo.com, http://www.bethlehemforpeace.org.
Sunday, Nov. 22, NEW PALTZ: Israeli-American Bekah Wolf will discuss "Beyond the Rhetoric: The Realities of the Israeli Occupation and Prospects for a Just Resolution in Palestine," beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1 Grove St.. She co-founded the Palestine Solidarity Project, an organization based in the West Bank village of Beit Ommar and dedicated to supporting popular, nonviolent resistance to the Israeli occupation. Sponsored by Middle East Crisis Response. Information, (845) 876-7906, http://www.mideastcrisis.org.
Thursday, Nov. 26, PLYMOUTH, MA: Join Native American activists on this 40th National Day of Mourning, and learn the real history of this Thanksgiving Day holiday at a 12 noon demonstration at Coles Hill. This year's annual event is dedicated to Native American political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Sponsored by United American Indians of New England. Information, http://www.uaine.org, (617) 232-5131, uainedom@earthlink.net.
Tuesday, Dec. 1, TROY (Russell Sage campus): Rep. Paul Tonko (NY 21st CD), an expert on energy issues, will discuss "Prospects for Copenhagen: Building an International Climate Pact" 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Bush Memorial Hall, First and Congress Sts. He will be joined in the discussion by Professor Steven Leibo. This free public event is sponsored by Sage Climate Project and the Climate Project. Information, (518) 244-2330, leibos@sage.edu. Map, directions: http://www.sage.edu/aboutsage/location/troy/.
Saturday, Dec. 5, WOODSTOCK: The 4th Annual Woodstock Phil Ochs Festival will be held at Colony Cafe, 22 Rock City Rd., 8-11 p.m. Featured artists remembering the legendary folk singer include The Flames of Discontent (the organizers), Graham and Barbara Dean, Greg Englesson (Mr. E), Raggedy Crew and others. Information, (845) 679-5342, leftmus@earthlink.net, http://www.colonycafe.com.
