02-28-14 Activist Calendar

HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR

February 28, 2014, Issue #680

Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net

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Attention Reader: The calendar is a monthly and we usually do not add new events until the next month. Starting now we will insert new events into the existing issue online one by one, so you may wish to check things out from time to time. We start over again with the next monthly calendar.
New items added after calendar first appears have X in front of them.

MARCH IS NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH. Its roots go back to March 8, 1857, when women from New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions. International Women’s Day was first observed in 1909, but it wasn’t until 1981 that Congress established National Women’s History Week to be commemorated the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month. Every year since, Congress has passed a resolution for Women’s History Month, and the President has issued a proclamation.

IN HONOR OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY the Activist Newsletter joins with the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapters of WORD (Women Organized To Resist And Defend) and Amnesty International in sponsoring a public forum at SUNY New Paltz Thursday March 6, in Coykendall Science Building Auditorium on campus. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m. Heavy snow date March 7.)

THIS FORUM will both celebrate the many advances women have won through long struggles and signal the hard work necessary to eliminate the remaining obstacles to full female equality in America and the world. We urge our readers to join us in this empowering and educational commemoration. There will be a Q&A, and the speakers will be available for conversation at the end.

In addition to the three sponsors, endorsers include New New York Civil Liberties Union, Mid-Hudson Valley Planned Parenthood, Working Families Party, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), Hudson Valley Area Labor Federation, Upper Hudson Central Labor Council, and United University Professions (UUP, SUNY NP chapter). Also OXFAM America @ SUNY NP, Democracy Matters (SUNY NP), Dutchess Greens, Hudson Valley Progressives, La Voz (Bard), Middle East Crisis Response, Mid-Hudson ANSWER, New Paltz Women in Black, Orange County Democratic Alliance, Real Majority Project, Ulster County Democratic Women, Women Against War, WESPAC, Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies (SUNY NP), Queer Student Union (SUNY NP), Students for Sustainable Agriculture (SUNY NP), Unitarian Universalists of Poughkeepsie (Social Justice Committee), Dutchess Peace, American Assn. of University Women (Kingston), Environmental Task Force.

Speaking March 6 are Donna Goodman, of the Mid-Hudson WORD chapter, a UUP union delegate and an editor of the Activist Newsletter; Ilgu Ozler, a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at SUNY New Paltz and chair of Mid-Hudson Amnesty; Daniella Monticciolo, member of Feminist Collective (SUNY NP); Urban Lyrics (a campus slam poetry group); Himali Pandya of Grace Smith House (a women's and children's shelter); Lydia Johnson, CLUW & UUP; and Leah Obias of the Philippina activist organization Damayan.

The meeting will call for an end to violence against women — in the home, on the street and in all public and private spaces; reproductive justice for all women — including full access to contraception, abortion, health care and child care; a living wage for all, and equity in the workplace, with paid family leave, and an end to sexual harassment at work; and full equality for women in all areas of society. We stand for full equality and respect and against racism, sexism, anti-LGBT bigotry, and commercialization of women in mass media."

For information about the March 6 event or to volunteer, contact NP@defendwomensrights.org. Here is the campus map: http://www.newpaltz.edu/map/.

OTHER EVENTS:

Sunday, March 2, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): The student chapter of Oxfam America is staging its second annual Hunger Banquet 7-9 p.m. in the Fine Arts building next to the library. (A $5 donation is suggested.)  The students proclaim: “One in seven people goes hungry. But hunger is not about too many people and too little food. Our rich and bountiful planet produces enough food to feed every woman, man, and child on earth. Hunger is about power. Its roots lie in inequalities in access to resources. The results are illiteracy, poverty, war, and the inability of families to grow or buy food.”  Information, https://www.facebook.com/OxfamAmericaAtSunyNewPaltz.

Monday, March 3, NEW PALTZ: The Communications Workers of America is one of many U.S. unions that oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement that President  Obama had been seekng to fast-track through Congress. The union will hold a press conference to explain its views at 11 a.m. in New Paltz Town Hall, 1 Veterans Drive off Rt. 32 north of Rt. 299.Opponents of TPP are welcome to join in. Information, John O'Malley CWA local1120 at (845) 656-3730

Saturday, March 8, POUGHKEEPSIE and HIGHLAND: International Women’s Day will also be commemorated by a march across the Walkway Over The Hudson between these two locations beginning at the Poughkeepsie side of this popular pedestrian bridge at  9 a.m. The main sponsor for the fourth year is the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Alliance (WLA). We’re told: “Men and women and those both young and old are encouraged to attend, as are students and groups from throughout the region.  Prior to the annual walk of solidarity across the Walkway, attendees will browse tables staffed by local not-for-profits that serve women and hear speaker Mecca Santana, the newly appointed New York State Chief Diversity Officer.” Shuttle buses will be provided for participants who wish to park on the Highland side of the river. Parking on the Poughkeepsie side is limited.  For information and to register, visit http://wlahv.org.

Tuesday, March 11, KINGSTON: The End the New Jim Crow Action Network! (ENJAN), a Hudson Valley network dedicated to fighting racist policies of racial profiling, police brutality, and mass incarceration (the "new Jim Crow"), meets at 6 p.m. at the New Progressive Baptist Church, 8 Hone St. (NOTE: Also meets here Tuesday, March 25.) Information, (845) 475-8781,  http://www.enjan.org.

Wednesday, MARCH 12, POUGHKEEPSIE: The End the New Jim Crow Action Network will meet at 6 p.m. at the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library, Family Partnership Center, 29 N Hamilton St. (NOTE: Also meets here Wednesday, March 26.) Information, (845) 475-8781, http://www.enjan.org.

X Wednesday, March 12, SCARSDALE: The Greenburgh Nature Center is the venue for a 7 p.m. free showing of the film “Blue Gold: World Water Wars. It’s sponsored by the Lower Hudson Sierra Club. Information, George Klein, 914-941-2505, lowerhudson@gmail.com.

Thursday, March. 13, WOODSTOCK: Middle East Crisis Response, a group of Hudson Valley residents joined together to promote peace and human rights in Palestine and the Middle East, will hold  its regular meeting tonight, 7 p.m. at Woodstock Public Library, 5 Library Lane. (NOTE: Also meets here Thursday, March 27.) Information, (845) 876-7906, http://www.mideastcrisis.org.

Sunday, March 16, SAUGERTIES: In honor of Women’s History Month, Heritage Folk Music presents Pat Lamanna and Lydia Adams Davis singing songs of the Abolitionist, Temperance and Women’s Suffrage movements from 3-5 p.m. at Kiersted House, 119 Main St. Dressed in period garb, Pat and Lydia will sing songs, often to well-known tunes, from each of these movements and relate their histories.  Many of the songs were sung in the Hudson Valley by local women espousing the causes of the abolition of slavery, prohibition of alcohol, and the right of women to vote. These seemingly disparate causes were intertwined in many interesting and surprising ways. Admission is $10. Refreshments will be served.  All are welcome. Information, Pat Lamanna at (845) 452-4013or patla42@gmail.com.

X Wednesday, March 19, PURCHASE: “Gasland 2” will be screened at 7 p.m. at The Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action in the Castle at Manhattanville College. Public and free. Information, (914) 323-7156.

 X Thursday, March 20, ALBANY: Over 20 largely liberal organizations have joined to sponsor a major statewide protest here today 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the State Capitol building. Because of the nature of the protest some demonstrators may stay later. The organizers declare: This and last year both, allies in multiple statewide campaigns have rallied, made phone calls, lobbied, written letters, earned media and gotten people elected who have claimed to support our issues all over the state.  Little progressive legislation has passed here in New York. Please join us for a collective action of civil disobedience with our allies to exercise our right to object to a broken system.  Participants willing to get arrested, as well as those willing to stand in vigil as supporters are needed.  Please bring friends.”

• Leadership from the following campaigns will be participating: Fair Elections. Universal Pre-K. Fair Taxation. Public Education. NYS DREAM. Affordable Housing. Marijuana Decriminalization. Fracking Ban. Renewable Energy. Gender Non-Discrimination. Women’s Equality. Higher Education. Wage Theft, Fair Taxes & Better Budgets.

• The sponsors include: Citizen Action of New York, New York Communities for Change,  Strong Economy for All Coalition,  Make the Road New York, United NY, NARAL Pro-Choice New York, Greater NYC for Change, Occupy Network, Alliance for Quality Education of New York, Metro Justice , Environmental Advocates of New York, MinKwon Center for Community Action 민권센터, New Yorkers For Fiscal Fairness, ALIGN NY, Labor-Religion Coalition, Judson Memorial Church - New York City, Long Island Progressive Coalition, ACT NOW, The New York Immigration Coalition, Chelsea/West Village Change.

• HUDSON VALLEY CARPOOL MEET UP:  8 a.m.  Newburgh Mall McDonald's, 1402 Rte. 300 

8:30  a.m. New Paltz I87 Park & Ride.  9 a.m Kingston Dietz Stadium, 170 N Front St.  9:30 a.m  Saugerties Stewart's, 356 New York 212. 

Information, , Kat Fisher, (845 637-0174, kfisher@citizenactionny.org, http://citizenactionny.org

X Sunday, March 22, CANAAN: Chatham Neighbors for Peace will screen “Gasland Part 2” at 3:P.M. at the Canaan Town Hall, 1647 County Rt. 5 just south of the blinking light on Rt. 295. We’re told: “In this explosive follow-up to his Oscar-nominated film Gasland, filmmaker Josh Fox uses his trademark dark humor to take a deeper, broader look at the dangers of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the controversial method of extracting natural gas and oil, now occurring on a global level in 32 countries worldwide. There will be a discussion following the film, moderated by climate change activist Bart Schoenfeld, MD, who is a member of Physicians for Social Responsibility and Citizens’ Climate Lobby. All are welcome, free. Refreshments. Information, Bob Elmendorf (518) 766-2992. 

X Saturday, March 22, NEW PALTZ: A rally and march, themed "Fly Kites, Not Drones!," begins at Peace Park, behind Village Hall, at 3 p.m. (In case of horrific weather, Sunday 3/23). Information, Andrew (845) 699-3051.

X Sunday March 23, NEW PALTZ: Starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Elting Library Community Room, 93 Main St., There will be a free showing of the "Wounds of Waziristan" —  a recently released 25-minute documentary by a female Pakistani filmmaker. Survivors of U.S. Predator drone strikes speak. Find out how your tax dollars are spent creating mayhem among people simply seeking to live safely in their own homes and country. Information, Andrew (845) 699-3051.

X Tuesday, March 25, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): A discussion titled “Reclaiming Quality Education — Test Refusal as a Human Right” will be held at 7 p.m. at the Coykendall Science Bldg. Auditorium. Speakers include Brian Jones, an elementary school teacher; Tim Frley, Principal of the Ichabod Crane Middle School; Maya Gold, a New Paltz Middle School student; and parent Bianca  Tanis, co-founder of NYS Allies for Public Education. This event is co-sponsored by the Departments of Educational Studies, Elementary  Education, Secondary Education, Sociology, Campus Auxiliary Campus Auxiliary Services, Re-Thinking Testing (Mid-Hudson region), NYS Allies for Public Education, and the SUNY New Paltz chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. Information, Nancy Schniedewind, (845) 257-2827, schniedn@newpaltz.edu.

X Saturday, March 29, HIGHLAND/POUGHKEEPSIE: The Walkway Over the Hudson is the venue for a "Fly Kites, Not Drones!" demonstration beginning 2:45 p.m. on “your” side of the bridge, converging at the flag poll at 3 p.m. for a rally. Since no signs are permitted to be carried on the walkway, wear pinned/taped signs on clothing. (Horrific weather date Sunday 3/30). Information, Barbara Kidney, dronealerthv@wordpress.com.

CWA anti-TTP protest in Washington.

Friday, April 4, ROCK TAVERN: A meeting titled “Nuclear Disarmament now — A Call to Action” opens at 7 p.m. at  the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 9 Vance Rd. (off Rt. 207). A  Forum discussion on this vital topic will take place after a brief service in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated on this date in 1968. Speakling will be Larry Wittner, a U.S. historian who has written extensively on peace movements and foreign policy, and Guy Quinlan, president of the Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy. A discussion will follow. “A $5-$10 donation  welcomed to defray expenses, but no one  turned away for lack of funds.” The sponsor is the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern, http://www.uucrt.org. Information, Rev. Chris Antal, (845) 297-2792.