ACTIVIST CALENDAR, Dec. 3, 2009, Issue #152B
Of the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter/Calendar
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
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Editor's Note:
(1) We will be sending additional events in a few days. Activism drops off from mid-December to late January, but there are still several events worth consideration.
(2) We urge you to show up at our Saturday, Dec. 5, New Paltz picket line/vigil against an escalation of the Afghan War.
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Friday, Dec. 4, POUGHKEEPSIE: There will be an "Iraqi Student Project (ISP) Pot-Luck Supper" starting at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 67 South Randolph Ave. We're told: "Please bring your favorite dish, and have a night of fun! Meet ISP Bard College student, Raed Rakeen, enjoy good food, and participate in a silent auction and raffle. This supper/fundraiser is sponsored by the Board of Trustees, Social Justice Committee, the Coming of Age Class and the Dutchess Peace Coalition. Information, (845) 471-6580, http://www.uupok.org, http://www.dutchesspeace.org.
Saturday, Dec. 5, NEW PALTZ: Join the protest against sending more troops to the Afghan war from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Main St. in front of the (Stop 'n' Shop) shopping plaza. Bring signs or use ours. Rain or shine. Organized by Peace & Social Progress Now and the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter. Endorsed by New Paltz Women in Black. Information: jacdon@earthlink.net, http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com/.
Saturday, Dec. 5, ALBANY: A free, public forum on healthcare reform, featuring both progressive and conservative activist speakers, will begin at 1 p.m. in the Linda Norris Auditorium of radio station WAMC at 339 Central Ave. (at Quail St.). It's titled "Getting Past the Sound Bites." The goal, according to the organizers, "is to go beyond the angry discourse typical of recent town hall meetings on healthcare." The speakers are Douglas A. Bullock, Andrew Coates M.D., Roger Davidson, John Minehan, Brooke Newell, and Steven Vasquez. The event is sponsored by "The Right, Left and In Between Dialogue Planning Committee," which consists of members active in the following local organizations: MoveOn.org Capital Region Council, Campaign for Liberty, Interfaith Alliance of NYS, 9-12 project, Capital District Greens, We The People, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, John Birch Society, Labor Religion Coalition, and ARISE. Information, Dennis Karius at (518) 456-5721.
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.
Saturday, Dec. 5, WOODSTOCK: A craft sale to raise funds for the Haitian People's Support Project will be held at the Dutch Reformed Church, 16 Tinker St., at the Village Green in the center of Woodstock. The hours are 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. "There will be crafts from Haiti, and wares from Peru, such as alpaca gloves, hats, scarves, capes, etc., and kids sweaters." Information, prizantfanny77@hotmail.com.
Sunday, Dec. 6, NEW PALTZ: A lecture on Latin American Indigenous Movements with speaker Gerardo Renique, a history professor at City College/CUNY, will take place at 6 p.m. at Village Hall, 25 Plattekill Ave., a block south of Main St. next to the fire house. The main topic will be popular movements of resistance to land theft and environmental destruction by oil and mining corporations. A potluck dinner starts at 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Caribbean and Latin America Support Project (CLASP). Information, (845) 255-0113.
Saturday, Dec. 12, WASHINGTON: An Emergency Rally Against Escalating the Afghan War will be conducted in Lafayette Park, across from the White House, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The event has been called by more than 100 leading U.S. peace activists from most major national and regional antiwar organizations. Former Rep. Cynthia McKinney is a leading initiator of the event. In addition to McKinney, speakers include Sen. Mike Gravel, Kathy Kelly, Chris Hedges, David Swanson, Rev. Graylan Hagler, Gael Murphy, Coy McKinney, Debra Sweet, Brian Becker, Mathis Chiroux, Lynne Williams, Hon. Betty Hall, Elaine Brower, Marian Douglas, Dr. Michael Knox, Ralph Lopez, and ( Ret.) Capt. Ron Fisher. In addition there will be music by Jordan Page, Head-Roc, Emma's Revolution and Precise Science. We're told: "Rally organizers are calling for the left to end its support for Obama now that he has committed to a troop surge, and to condemn and oppose Obama’s war policy." Organizers also note that "This is a peaceful demonstration. We are committed to nonviolence and do not condone illegal acts of any kind, including civil disobedience." Information: (207) 604-8988, contact@enduswars.org, http://www.enduswars.org/.
