HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
November 15, 2012, Issue #663
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
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Thursday, Nov. 15,
NEW YORK STATE: Today is the “Call-In Day to Ban Fracking” by sending a message
to Gov. Cuomo in Albany — (866) 584-6799. The sponsor is New Yorkers Against
Fracking, a leading anti-fracking group. The group says: “Fracking is
inherently dangerous and threatens our water, health, communities, and
environment. The evidence is in, and the scientists and experts have spoken.
Instead of whitewashing fracking with a sham health study, Cuomo should ban
it.” The group says: Fracking is inherently dangerous and threatens water, health,
communities, and environment. Information, david@nyagainstfracking.com, (917)
514-0700, http://www.NYAgainstFracking.org.
Thursday, Nov. 15 , POUGHKEEPSIE: “Hip Hop is Bigger Than
the (Palestine) Occupation”— free film showing — starts at 7 p.m. in Spitzer Auditorium, Sanders Hall, at Vassar
College, 124 Raymond Ave. We’re told this “documentary is about a 10-day
journey of artists traveling through the West Bank, teaching and performing
nonviolent resistance. The tour included M1 of Dead Prez, Shadia Mansour,
Lowkey, Marcel Cartier, Mazzi of Soul Purpose, DJ Vega Benetton, as well as
many others. The group stayed at Bulata Refugee Camp in Nablus and experienced
first hand what it felt like living under occupation. Both films will
include some live performances. Organized by The New Jim Crow Action Committee.
Endorsed by Middle East Crisis Response, Dutchess Peace, Peace Action NY,
Vassar Grassroots Alliance for Alternative Politics, the Vassar Prison
Initiative, Hip Hop 101, and the Young Democratic Socialists. Information,
http://endthenewjimcrow.blogspot.com.
Friday, Nov. 16, POUGHKEEPSIE: A program similar to the above — “Hip Hop is Bigger Than the
Occupation (Palestine)” — will be repeated tonight at 6 p.m. in Lateef Islam
Auditorium, Family Partnership Center, 29 N
Hamilton St.
Friday, Nov. 16, ALBANY: The Catholic Worker Community is
organizing a 12:30-1:30 p.m. vigil in front of the Armory (at 195 Washington
Ave.) demanding the closure of the Pentagon's "Western Hemisphere Institute
for Security Cooperation," formerly known as the "School of the
Americas." The Fort Benning, GA, school is a training base for
political-military personnel of other countries, and has been implicated as the
catalyst for many assassinations and human rights violations in these countries
The vigil is in solidarity with thousands risking arrest in the Nov. 16-18
national protest in Fort Benning. Information, (518) 482-4966,
fred.acw@gmail.com, http://www.soaw.org.
Friday, Nov. 16, MILLBROOK: “The Seed Underground; A Growing
Revolution to Save Food” is the topic of a 7 p.m. lecture by Janisse Ray,
environmental activist, naturalist, and award-winning author. The venue is the
Cary Institute auditorium, 2801 Sharon Turnpike (Rte. 44). Known for her books “The
Ecology of a Cracker Childhood,” and “Wild Card Quilt,” Ray will discuss her
newest publication, “The Seed Underground.” We’re told, “In the age of
genetically-modified seeds, Ray takes us on a journey across the country to
farms and neighborhoods to witness a growing revolution. People saving seeds,
sharing them, and preserving the rich diversity of our food heritage—one seed
at a time.” The event is public and free but seating is limited, so take heed
that doors open at 6:30 p.m. Information, freemanp@caryinstitute.org.
Saturday, Nov. 17, ALBANY: "One Bright Shining
Moment" — the very worthwhile 2005 documentary on the life of Sen. George
McGovern — will be screened at 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist
Society of Albany (FUUSA), 405 Washington Ave. McGovern was the Democratic
Party’s final center left presidential candidate. His defeat by Richard Nixon
in the 1972 contest was among the factors that gradually propelled the party
over the decades to its contemporary resting place on the center right of the
political spectrum. We’re told: “The 123-minute film is narrated by Amy Goodman
of Democracy Now, along with a wealth of archival materials, and interviews
with prominent progressives like McGovern himself, Gore Vidal, Gloria Steinem,
Warren Beatty, Howard Zinn, Dick Gregory, Gary Hart, Frank Mankiewicz, Jim
Bouton, Sen. Jim Abourezk, Rev. Malcolm Boyd, Ron Kovic, Thomas Knock, Harvey
Kornberg, Chip Berlet, Rick Stearns, and JC Svec; and features music from Bob
Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Donovan, Leon Russell, and Elvis Costello.” This free,
public event is sponsored by the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District,
Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, and Upper Hudson Peace Action.. Information,
dbull34@verizon.net, (518) 426-0883.
Saturday, Nov. 17, POUGHKEEPSIE: "Mass Incarceration, Shame of the
Nation” — panel discussions on racism and the criminal justice system — will
take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Family Partnership Center, 29 N. Hamilton St.
A complimentary lunch will be served. Topics include the contemporary U.S.
prison system and the gross disproportion of black and poor people who are
locked up, with reference to Michelle Alexander's 2010 book "The New Jim
Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness." The panel, featuring Dr. Alice Greene, Theo Harris, and Ernest Henry, lasts 10-11:30 a.m. Lunch is 12-1 p.m. including a workshop by the National Lawyers Guild. The Juvenile Justice System is from 1-2 p.m. The event is public
and free but reservations are advised to guarantee a seat. The event is
sponsored by End The New Jim Crow Action Network and endorsed by Middle East
Crisis Response, Dutchess Peace, Peace Action NY, Vassar Grassroots Alliance
for Alternative Politics, the Vassar Prison Initiative, Hip Hop 101, and the
Young Democratic Socialists (YDS). Information, jeschneider@vassar.edu.
Reservations and info, (845) 475-8781,
http://www.endthenewjimcrow.blogspot.com.
Reminding: Sunday,
Nov. 18, DELMAR: The superb 2011 documentary "5 Broken Cameras,"
concerning nonviolent resistance in West Bank, will be screened free at 4 p.m.
at Bethlehem Town Hall, 445 Delaware Ave. A discussion will follow. We’re
informed this film is “a Palestinian farmer's chronicle of his nonviolent
resistance to the actions of the Israeli army. The film was shot almost
entirely by Emad Burnat, who bought his first camera in 2005 to record the
birth of his youngest son. Over the years the Israeli authorities broke five of
his cameras as he sought to film their oppressive activities. The footage was
given to Israeli co-director Guy Davidi, who edited it to be structured around
the violent destruction of the cameras. The filmmakers' collaboration follows
one family's evolution over five years of village turmoil. Burnat watches from
behind the lens as olive trees are bulldozed, protests intensify, and lives are
lost.” The event is sponsored Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Information,
jlombard@nycap.rr.com, (518) 466-1192
Reminding: Monday,
Nov. 19, ALBANY: Iranian American author
Trita Parsi speaks on "U.S. and Iran — Between War and Diplomacy" at
8 p.m. in the SUNY Uptown campus center, Room 375, 1400 Washington Ave. Parsi,
who is President of the National Iranian-American Council, is an advocate of
diplomatic approaches to conflicts in the Middle East, and will be speaking on
using diplomacy in the growing crisis between the U.S.-Iran. The free meeting
is sponsored are New York State Writer's Institute, Women Against War and
Fellowship of Reconciliation. Information, easter@nycap.rr.com,
http://www.WomenAgainstWar.org.
Thursday, Nov. 22, AMERICA:
“The symbolism surrounding the Thanksgiving turkey, much like the modern
domestic turkey itself, has been largely manufactured by cynical commercial
interests. There is neither compelling historical precedent nor meaningful
rationale for associating the butchered carcass of a turkey with our national
day of thanksgiving.” This information comes from a brief article titled “The
History of Thanksgiving” on the Farm Sanctuary website,
http://www.farmsanctuary.org/giving/adopt-a-turkey/adopt-a-turkey-history-of-thanksgiving/.
Google “Vegetarian or vegan recipes for Thanksgiving” and you will find some
very delicious recipes. [All told throughout the year, about 300 million
turkeys are raised for slaughter, nearly 47 million for this single day of
gluttony.]
Reminding: Sunday,
Nov. 25, STONE RIDGE: A Community Forum Against Fracking will take place at
Marbletown Community Center, 3564 Main St. This free public event will focus on
using Community Bill of Rights Ordinances (CBROs) as well as land-use municipal
ordinances to ensure against local fracking. We’re told, “speakers will explain
why a CBRO is effective as well as representatives from towns that have passed ordinances. The free public event
begins with a showing of the new documentary by Josh Fox “The Sky is Pink”
(“his first film was Gasland”). The film starts at 1 p.m. The forum follows at
2 p.m. The sponsor is the town of Rochester Defense Against Fracking (Ulster County).
Information, (845) 626-7355 or (845) 687-0692.
