HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
Jan. 12, 2011, Issue #654
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
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Dedicated to Helping Build Activist
Movements in the Hudson Valley
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Editor's Note: Activism's mid-December/mid-January break is ending, but it will take a few more weeks before the Hudson Valley's stride really picks up. Our late January and February Calendar listing should be ready in a week or so. The Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter will be published online in a couple of days.
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ACTIVIST EVENTS
Thursday and Friday, Jan. 13-14, NEW PALTZ: Free public events on two consecutive days examining the dangers of fracking — the process of horizontal hydraulic fracturing to obtain natural gas — will take place at the Woodland Pond community, 100 Woodland Pond Circle, off of North Putt Rd. about a mile north of Rt. 299 (Main St.). The Climate Action Coalition of New Paltz is sponsoring both events.
• Thursday, there will be a 6:30 p.m. screening of the documentary "Gasland," a new film by Josh Fox exposing the serious downside to fracking, a method that natural gas companies will use in New York State when, and if, the state government gives permission.
• Friday at 1 p.m. Climate Action members will explore the pros and cons and the many myths and half truths about fracking and suggest what opponents can do. Also, Ann and Dan Guenther, who visited fracking sites in Pennsylvania last summer, will share their experiences. Audience questions are welcome. Information, (845) 255-9297, rosalyn@clutterkit.com.
Thursday, Jan. 13, ACCORD: A free screening of the film “Gasland,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Accord Firehouse, 22 Main St., sponsored by the Town of Rochester Environmental Conservation Commission. "Gasland” examines the controversial natural gas extraction process called fracking (hydraulic fracturing). Members of Un-Natural Gas and Catskill Mountainkeeper will introduce the film and take questions. (Snow date is Jan 20.)
Saturday, Jan. 15, NEW ROCHELLE: Women in Black (Westchester) has organized a 2-3 p.m. Palestine Solidarity Vigil at Main St. and Memorial Highway. Sponsored by CodePink Westchester and WESPAC. Information, ceilie@aol.com, (914) 654-8990.
Sunday, Jan. 16, WOODSTOCK: This community's 21st Annual Birthday Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will begin at 2 p.m. at Woodstock Community Center, Rock City Rd. Speaking will be Rev. Dr. Modele Clarke, New Progressive Baptist Church, Kingston; Jeff Moran, Supervisor, Town of Woodstock; and Pam Africa, Family and Concerned Friends of Mumia Abu Jamal. Performing will be Debra Burger, Freedom Songs; and an original skit by actor/playwright Michael Monasterial of Passing the Torch Through the Arts. It's free and there are refreshments. The event is sponsored by The Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee, The Haitian People's Support Project and The Town of Woodstock. Information: (845) 679-5884, (845) 679-7320. Directions: From Rt. 28 take Rt. 375 to Rt. 212 and turn left. Just before the Woodstock Green, turn right on Rock City Rd. (if coming from the west on Rt. 212, turn left onto Rock City Rd.). Go about 1/8 mile to the Community Center.
Monday, Jan. 17, SAUGERTIES: Jeff Halper, author and the director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD), will be the guest speaker at a fundraising event for his organization taking place 4-7 p.m. at The Inquiring Mind Bookstore, 200 Main St. (at the corner of Partition St.). The meeting, sponsored by Middle East Crisis Response (MECR), is billed as "Palestine 2011" and also includes a slide show and light fare. Halper is the author of "Obstacles to Peace: A Re-framing of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict" and "An Israeli in Palestine: Resisting Dispossession, Redeeming Israel." He was one of 44 people on the SS Free Gaza, which along with the SS Liberty broke the blockade of Gaza in August 2008. He was subsequently arrested on his return to Israel. According to the sponsors: "Jeff will update us about what is happening on the ground in Israel and the Occupied Territories and strategize with us about organizing in the era of the Obama presidency." (If you are unable to attend but wish to make a tax-deductible contribution, please mail to ICAHD-USA at P.O. Box 2565, Chapel Hill, NC 27515. Information, (845) 255-8300, http://www.icahdusa.org.
