HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
May 4, 2010, Issue #159
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
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Editor's Note: Rosemarie Pace sent us this information:
"On Sunday, May 2, 10,000 people from around the world gathered at Times Square in advance of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty triennial Review Conference at the UN that will be taking place throughout the month of May. These people were there to support nuclear weapons abolition. About 100 participants were hibakusha, survivors of the U.S. government's atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Others included Mayors for Peace from several different countries. Nuclear weapons now exist in the thousands in nations around the world. They are far more powerful than those dropped in 1945. Just one nuclear attack could trigger mass annihilation of all living things on this planet with radiation poisoning persisting for decades, if not longer. Why, then, was this extraordinary event noticeably missing from most news coverage?"
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ACTIVIST EVENTS:
Wednesday, May 5, SARATOGA SPRINGS: A town hall meeting on corporate influence on politics will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Saratoga Arts Center, 302 Broadway. The topic of the meeting will be "Town Hall: Returning Government to by the People, of the People, and for the People." A speaker panel will be followed by breakout groups, with participants returning to the larger group to plan solutions. Sponsored by MoveOn Capital Region Council and partner groups. Information, Dennis Karius (518) 456-5721, Joe Seeman (518) 583-4326, http://pol.moveno.org/event//2010townhall/103214.
Thursday, May 6, ALBANY: A MoveOn-sponsored meeting on "Town Halls to Tackle Problems of Corporations and Lobbyists, and fix our Democracy" begins at 7 p.m. at FUUSA Channing Hall, 405 Washington Ave. The Speakers include, Nick Willson on "Corporations and Our Taxes," Mark Schaffer on "Energy," Aaron Mair on "Roll Back 20 years of Tax Shift," and Dennis Karius on "Media Democracy." Free and public, all are invited. Information, Dennis Karius (518) 456-5721, Joe Seeman (518) 583-4326.
Friday, May 7, NEW PALTZ: A free public showing of Michael Moore's film, "Capitalism: A Love Story," will be screened at the Elting Library, 93 Main St. from 8:15 p.m.-10:15 p.m.
Saturday, May 8, POUGHKEEPSIE: The documentary film "Rethink Afghanistan" will be screened from 7-9 p.m. at Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting, 249 Hooker Ave. The film by journalist Robert Greenwald, takes a critical look at the war just as the Obama Administration is in the process of greatly expanding the conflict. Discussion to follow. Sponsored by Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting and Dutchess Peace Coalition. Information, (845) 454-6431, (845) 454-2870.
Sunday, May 9, NEW PALTZ: The Mother's Day Proclamation written by Julia Ward Howe in 1870 is the inspiration for a Mother's Day Peace Action today by women and men who want to affirm their commitment to abolishing war. Mother's Day was started after The Civil War and during the Franco-Prussian War as a protest to the carnage of war, by women who had lost their sons. Copies of the proclamation will be given with a flower to women who may be mothers. This will be done individually or collectively, anywhere mothers might be on that day. Arts For Peace is happy to supply flowers and flyers to anyone anywhere who would like to do this. The choral group, Bloom, directed by Debbie Lan, will stand in front of the Elting Library on Main Street in New Paltz from 1 to 2 p.m., singing peace songs as activists hand out flowers and copies of the proclamation to those who pass by. Others will participate in their churches, in parks, playgrounds, shops, restaurants, on the streets or in their mothers' homes. To obtain flowers and copies of the proclamation or for more information, contact Julie Wegener, Arts For Peace at yo-mom@earthlink.net.
Thursday, May 13, 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 Library, 5 Library Lane, just off Tinker St. All welcome. Information, (845) 876-7906, http://www.mideastcrisis.org, gale@mideastcrisis.org.
Friday, May 14, ALTAMONT: A concert of labor, peace and justice songs by songwriter/folksinger George Mann will be performed at Village Hall, 115 Main St. 7-9:15 p.m. This concert will benefit the Long Memory Project, which honors the work of the late activist, Utah Phillips. Recommended donation, $10. Sponsored by the James Connolly Upstate N.Y. branch of the International Workers of the World. Information, (518) 861-5627, http://www.upstate-ny-iww.org, ggwob56@yahoo.com.
Saturday, May 15, ALBANY: A day-long conference on "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All -- Round 2!" will take place at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, 405 Washington Ave., 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., organized by Single Payer New York and Capital District Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). Speakers include Steffie Woolhandler, MD, of PNHP and Harvard Medical School; Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW); and Rose Roach of the California School Employees Assn. A regional panel with representatives from the minority community, labor, and activist groups will respond to the issues raised by the speakers and the audience. Sponsored by NYS NOW, NYS Nurses Assn., Capital District Alliance for Universal Healthcare, Single Payer NY of Saratoga and New Paltz, Troy Area Labor Council, Solidarity Committee, Hunger Action Network NYS, Social Responsibilities Council, First Unitarian Universalist Association of Albany. Pre-register at euthemia@nycap.rr.com, with your email address. Information, singlepayernow77@gmail.com, (518) 729-3068.
Saturday, May 15, GOSHEN: A teach-in to educate the public "about the impact of the ongoing wars" is expected to be held here today in preparation for the May 22 protest in Highland Falls, near the entrance to West Point, when President addresses the graduation class (see below). The details of the teach-in are not yet known but mark the date. We will send an update later.
Saturday, May 15, TROY: The Sanctuary for Independent Media presents a reception, screening, and discussion featuring the film "Addicted to Plastic: The Rise and Demise of a Modern Miracle" beginning at 7 p.m. at 3361 6th Ave. in North Troy (at 101st St.). An interactive reception to offer everyday alternatives to using plastic will take place 7-8 p.m., followed by the film, which will show the history and scope of plastics pollution around the world, and explore solutions. Filmmaker Ian Connacher tells the story of plastic’s ubiquity, having filmed on five continents and visited the so-called plastic island floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The documentary presents grim facts, but offers viewers practical steps to address this environmental problem on a personal level. Admission is by donation ($10 suggested, $5 student/low income). About the film: http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/atp.html. Information, info@MediaSanctuary.org, (518) 272-2390, http://www.TheSanctuaryForIndependentMedia.org.
Saturday, May 15, KINGSTON: You are invited to a special Arabic meal that will be served to raise funds for a new children's library in the West Bank town of Mas-ha. The event will take place 1-3 p.m. at La Florentina Restaurant 604 Ulster Ave. We're told: "This unique culinary event, prepared by excellent Palestinian chefs, will focus attention on a contingent of Bard students traveling to the West Bank this summer. There will be live music and a presentation by the students. Tickets will be $25 if purchased beforehand or $30 at the door (students, $15). Cosponsored by Bard College Trustee Leader-Scholar Program, Bard Palestine Youth Initiative (http://www.bpyi.org), and Middle East Crisis Response (http://www.mideastcrisis.org). Make checks payable to MECR and mail to Library c/o MECR, PO Box 1362, Woodstock, NY 12498. Information, (845) 679-3299 or takauff@gmail.com.
Sunday, May 16, NEW YORK CITY: Attention vegetarians and vegans, and all animal lovers who want to learn about this lifestyle — this is your day! Head down to the big city for the Veggie Pride Parade and Rally. Line up starting at 11 a.m. in Manhattan's West Village, where Little West 12th St., Gansevoort St., Greenwich St. and 9th Ave. converge (2 blocks south of 14th Street and 9th Ave.). Start marching at 12 noon to the north end of Union Sq. Park (17th St. and Union Sq. West) for the rally where there will be speakers, music, veg/vegan food, animal kindness information, and fun. Scores of exhibitors will have tables with interesting information, some with free things to take. Our region's Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society, and Woodstock Farm Animals Sanctuary will be among them. Signs and costumes are welcome (dress as your favorite vegetable— perhaps you will win a prize!) Here are the five Veggie Pride Parade goals: "1. To set a positive example by standing proud and standing up for the veg’n lifestyle. 2. To show our true love of animals, which must include farmed animals. 3. To celebrate our healthy diet. 4. To educate about the issues surrounding today’s cruel, unsustainable, and exploitative meat, egg, and dairy production systems. 5. To encourage meat eaters — through advocacy and example — to join us in our compassionate way of living." Bring the kids. We hope to see you there. Information, http://www.veggieprideparade.org/, info@vivavegie.org, (212) 242-0011.
Sunday, May 16, ALBANY: Thornton Wilder's play "Our Town" will be performed at 8 p.m. at the Albany Civic Theatre, 235 2nd Ave., to benefit the Women Against War "Afghan Well Project." Help support 120 families who live in a small Afghan village to restore their infrastructure, which has been destroyed by many years of war. Tickets, $12-20. Silent auction and Afghan food sale starts at 7 p.m. For tickets, (518) 462-1297. Ask for special benefit performance May 16, or contact Barbara Spring (518) 772-2290 barbarakspring@msn.com. Information http://www.womenagainstwar.org/women_against_war_afghanistan_pr.htm.
Wednesday, May 19, HUDSON: "Brown Bag Lunch Vigil for Healthcare Not Warfare" will take place at the office of 20th CD Democrat Rep. Scott Murphy, 623 Warren St. at 12 noon-1 p.m. The group plans to do this each third Wednesday until troops are out of Afghanistan and Iraq. There is also a car pool from Dutchess County that will meet in front of Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 Market St., at 11 a.m. Information, (845) 242-3571, joeltyner@earthlink.net.
Thursday, May 20, ALBANY: A debate will take place 6-9 p.m. on the recent Supreme Court decision allowing corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money on political campaigns. Sponsored by the local chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union, the debaters are Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause NY, and Mitchell Pearl, Esq., ACLU board member. The event will be will moderated by Professor Stephen Gottlieb of Albany Law School. The venue for this free public meeting is B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation, 420 Whitehall Rd. Information, (518) 436-8594, mtrimble@nyclu.org, http://www.nyclu.org/regions/capital-region.
Saturday, May 22 , HIGHLAND FALLS: An antiwar demonstration opposing the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (as well as incursions into Pakistan and Yemen) will be held here today near the entrance to the West Point Military Academy where President Obama will address the commencement ceremony for the graduating class of 2010. A few hundred demonstrators from the Hudson Valley region protested in the same place last December when Commander-in Chief Obama chose the military installation to announce his decision to widen the Afghan war. Hopefully even more will take part in the May 22 action, which was initiated by peace forces in Orange County, where West Point is located, and supported by many groups through the region. The Activist Newsletter and its protest group, Peace and Social Progress Now, are among the sponsoring organizations. We will send complete information and a sponsor list when available. Mark the date on your calendar and join all of us in saying "NO" to the Bush-Obama wars. It would be good if people could organize car pools. Let us know. And if you want to find out what the U.S government is really planning in terms of wars and nuclear weapons, make sure to read the article "Obama's Military Intentions" in the Activist Newsletter in the posting directly below this calendar.
Thursday, May 27, 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 Library, 5 Library Lane, just off Tinker St. All welcome. Information, (845) 876-7906, http://www.mideastcrisis.org, gale@mideastcrisis.org.
Saturday, May 29, VALHALLA: The 12th Annual Asian American Heritage Festival will be held at Kenisco Dam Plaza 12 noon -6 p.m., rain or shine. This festival celebrates the diversity and accomplishments and cultures of Asian Americans. Ethnic food, music and dance, arts and crafts, language, culture and religious exhibits. Sponsored by OCA-WHV, Westchester County Parks, various corporations and local businesses. Information, (914) 338-5617, info@oca-whv.org, http://www.oca-whv.org.
