HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
May 31, 2010, Issue #641
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
———————————————
EMERGENCY PROTESTS
Demonstrations are taking place in scores of American cities today in response to the Israeli government's shameful attack on a civilian flotilla of boats bringing humanitarian aid to besieged Gaza.
Hudson Valley activists may wish to attend tomorrow's (June 1) protest — which is certain to be large — at the Israeli UN Mission in New York City beginning at 5 p.m. at 42nd St. and 2nd Ave., just a couple of blocks east of Grand Central Station. It is sponsored by a large coalition.
———————————————
EDITOR'S NOTE:
1. The following events are up to June 6. A full listing of remaining June events will be sent next Sunday or Monday.
2. The entire hour of today's (May 31) Democracy Now radio/video program was devoted to a recent speech by Noam Chomsky titled "The Center Cannot Hold." In this exceptionally important talk he shows considerable understanding for the anger of many Americans at this time while drawing a parallel with the later years of Germany's Weimar Republic. Check it out. We think you will agree it is extremely informative and sheds welcome light into some dark corners. It will be on the DN website for a while. Just look for the May 31 program. It's at http://www.democracynow.org/.
———————————————
NEW EVENTS
Tuesday, June 1, MILLBROOK: "Gasland," a 2010 prize-winning documentary exploring the health and environmental risks associated with natural gas drilling ("fracking"), will be offered free starting at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44). It will be followed by a Q&A with film director Jeff Fox and Cary Institute scientists. We're told that when "a gas company offered Fox $100,000 to lease his family's Pennsylvania land, he decided to educate himself on the topic of natural gas drilling. What he discovered shocked him into filming a documentary. Flammable tap water, chronically sick citizens, and contaminated air were among the ills found in communities where natural gas fracking has been occurring." Information, (845) 677-7600, ext. 121, freemanp@caryinstitute.org.
Thursday, June 3, DELMAR: The important documentary "Coal Country," which describes the struggles to end mountaintop removal mining in the coal fields of Appalachia in West Virginia, will be shown free 6:45-8:45 p.m. A discussion will follow the screening, which is sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Information, (518) 466-1192, jlombard@nycap.rr.com, http://www.bethlehemforpeace.org.
Friday, June 4, NEW PALTZ: The documentary "Loose Change 9/11: An American Coup" will be screened free at 8:15 p.m. at the Elting Library, 93 Main St. This film, the fourth rendering of the original 2005 version, alleges that conspiratorial elements of the U.S. government were responsible for the events of Sept. 11, 2001, not al-Qaeda. It is sponsored by New Paltz Neighbors for Peace. Information, tellall45@yahoo.com, landreassen@juno.com.
Saturday, June 5, BEACON: A fundraiser to support the worthy work of Pastors for Peace will be held 2-5 p.m. at the home of Connie Hogarth and Art Kamell, 20 Hartsook Lane. Music will be provided by Pete Seeger, Emma's Revolution, and Howland Wolves Band. The speaker will be Rev. Thomas Smith, board president of IFCO/Pastors for Peace, an organization that is about to send its 21st good will caravan to Cuba. The caravan, which will bring good to Cuba banned by Washington's sanctions. It will travel via 13 different routes in school buses, trucks and cars, visiting 130 U.S. and Canadian cities with the message that the U.S. should end the economic blockade of its island neighbor and eliminate the travel restrictions. The groups will converge at the Mexican border and soon fly to Cuba for a friendship visit and touring, before returning home Aug. 3. The June 5 fundraiser requests a $20 donation. Information, (845) 838-2415. For information about the caravan itself (which you can also obtain at the Beacon event), or an application to join the procession for part or all of the way, contact cucaravan@igc.org, or call (212) 926-5757.
Saturday, June 5, BEACON: The musical group "Work o’ the Weavers" will perform a "concert celebration" in the folk and topical song spirit of the original Weavers (Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Ronnie Gilbert, Fred Hellerman). It takes place at 8 p.m. at The Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St. We're told, "the Weavers introduced a stream of authenticity into the current of American popular music that endures to this day. Blacklisted in the 1950s because of their political beliefs, the Weavers reunited and persevered to inspire the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, paving the way for many singers that followed." Donation, $20. Their website is http://workotheweavers.com/. Information, (845) 831-4988, http://howlandculturalcenter.org.
Sunday, June 6, ROSENDALE: The Sixth Annual Earthfest & Expo will be held 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Recreation Center on Rt. 32, hosted by the Rosendale Environmental Commission. We're told there will be "exhibits on energy and green-building, food and agriculture, water resources, re-use and recycling with Rosendale Farmer’s Market, music by Dog on Fleas plus Rusty Johnson and his Wild Animals." There will be food, activities, and games for kids. It's free, with donations accepted. Information, rosendaleearthfest@yahoo.com, (845) 337-0806.
Sunday, June 6, NEW PALTZ: Supporters of the Caribbean and Latin America Support Project will gather at 5 p.m. for a potluck supper followed by a social gathering and discussion of CLASP's future as an organization. The meeting will be at Village Hall. Information, (845) 255-0113.
NEXT CALENDAR IN A WEEK
