JANUARY 2016 ACTIVIST CALENDAR
Jan 14, 2016,
Hudson Valley Activist Calendar, Issue #693
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The Calendar is updated with new events
every few days throughout the month. New items begin
with this mark: √√.
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Martin Luther King was born on January 15, 1929, and
assassinated at the age of 39 on April 4, 1968. Below we list several birthday memorial
events Jan. 15-18, as well as other events.
Here are two quotations from the great leader of the civil
rights movement that are ignored in nearly all the many commemorations of
Dr. King:
·
"A nation that continues year after year to
spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is
approaching spiritual doom."
·
"Capitalism does not permit an even flow of
economic resources. With this system, a small privileged few are rich beyond
conscience, and almost all others are doomed to be poor at some level. That's
the way the system works. And since we know that the system will not change the
rules, we are going to have to change the system."
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| Panthers in front of courthouse. |
Friday, Jan. 15, OLD CHATHAM: A free public screening of "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution"
will begin at 7 p.m. at the Old Chatham Quaker Meetinghouse, 539 County
Rt. 13. "In the late 1960s, as change was coming to America — as cities
were burning, Vietnam was exploding, and disputes raged over equality and civil
and women's rights — a new revolutionary culture was emerging seeking to
drastically transform the system. The film is the first feature-length
documentary to explore the Black Panther Party, its significance to the broader
American culture, its cultural and political awakening for black people, and
the painful lessons wrought when a movement derails." A discussion will
follow the film. A 6 p.m. potluck supper is available for those who wish to
partake. Sponsored by The Old Chatham Quakers and WMHT
Educational Telecommunication.
(This film will premier Feb.16 on the PBS TV program Independent Lens.) Information:
Bob Elmendorf (518) 766-2992, poetapoetus@taconic.net. About the film: http://itvs.org/films/black-panthers or www.wmht.org/indielenspopup.
Friday, Jan.15, TROY:
An MLK Day Social Justice Music Celebration begins at 8 p.m. featuring
Albany-based Puerto Rican vocalist Taína Asili,
an 8-piece Afro-Latin/reggae/rock fusion ensemble called la Banda Rebelde, and
special guests. The event takes place at 8 p.m. at The Sanctuary for
Independent Media, 3361 6th Ave. Admission is $10 at the door. Information,
(518) 272-2390.
Saturday, Jan.
16, ROCK TAVERN: The video of a talk titled "The Truth Behind the Murder of Martin
Luther King," will be screened at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 9 Vance Rd. (off Rt. 207). The speaker is Dr. William F. Pepper, the
author of the controversial book "An Act of State - The Assassination
of Dr. Martin Luther King." In The book he maintains the innocence of
convicted assassin James Earl Ray and argues that a conspiracy, including
elements of the U.S. government, was behind the murder. Coretta Scott King, wife of Dr. King, said: "We
recommend [the book] highly to everyone who seeks the truth." A $5 to $10
donation is welcomed but no one will be turned away who cannot afford this.
Snow date: Sat. Jan. 23, 7 p.m. Information, (845) 569-8965.
Saturday, Jan. 16,
STONE RIDGE: The MLK Day Celebration takes place 2-5 p.m. in the Marbletown
Community Center, 3564 Main
St. (Route 209). Live music and refreshments. Volunteers from Ulster Corps and other
Ulster County-based service agencies will be honored. (Snow date Jan. 18). Information
(845) 481-0331.
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| Martin Luther King in 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. |
Sunday Jan. 17,
WOODSTOCK: The 26th annual Birthday Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
will begin at 2 p.m. at the Community Center, 56 Rock City Rd. Featured will be
the Rev. G. Modele Clarke of New Progressive Baptist Church, Kingston; Woodstock
Supervisor Jeremy Wilber; Pam Africa of International Friends of Mumia
Abu-Jamal; Diane Harrell, wife of Samuel Harrell who died April 15 at Fishkill
Correctional Facility, a victim of prison guards, say his supporters; and Paula
Watson, wife of Shane Watson who has been in prison since 1993 on a murder
conviction his advocates believe was unjust. Performers include singer Journey
Blue Heaven with her band The Woodstockers, Experience, and folk singer Debra
Burger. Free and public. Information, (845) 679-7320.
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| At the March on Washington in in 1963. |
Monday, Jan. 18,
ALBANY: The Empire State Plaza Convention Center is the location of a
public memorial observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. The free
lengthy event begins at 9:30 a.m. at 279 Madison Ave. In addition to numerous
speakers, including many from the religious community, the there will be
videos, various musical performances, singing, and other attractions. There
will also be Concourse activities, including a Dr. King Memorial Exhibit, and
an Empire State "Be A King" Volunteer Fair, among other events. Immediately
following the program is a march to the Lincoln Park Dr. King Memorial
sponsored by the City of Albany and the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute. (All
marchers should assemble at the Madison Ave. Concourse doors. CDTA buses are
available in the bus turnaround for seniors and people with disabilities for
transportation to the march. A full schedule of events is available at http://www.nyking.org/2016-observance-information/observance-schedule.html.
Directions and parking http://www.nyking.org/2016-observance-information/empire-state-plaza-directions-parking.html.
Thursday, Jan. 21,
BEACON: A free public screening of the documentary "Where Are The
Bees?" starts at 7 p.m. at the Beacon Sloop Clubhouse, 2 Flynn Dr. (adjacent to the harbor, across from the train
station). The film takes an in-depth look at declining honeybee colonies in
California, Switzerland, China and Australia. A discussion follows.
Information, www.beaconsloopclub.org, (845) 463-4660.
Friday, Jan. 22,
MILBROOK: Dr. Margaret Palmer, Director of the University of Maryland's National
Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center, will discuss the realities of restoring
our nation's flowing fresh waters starting at 7 p.m. at the Cary Institute Auditorium, 2801 Sharon Turnpike.
Streams and rivers are among Earth's most degraded ecosystems. Palmer
has spent her career researching how activities like mining and urbanization
impact these ecosystems, with a focus on the promise and limits of restoration
science. Public and free. Information, (845)
677-5343, www.caryinstitute.org.
Monday, Jan. 25, ALBANY: Today is a day of action in the state capital on behalf of Planned Parenthood and Family Planning Advocates of New York from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Buses will bring out of town activists to join local supporters in a day including a rally, lunch and meetings with legislators. Information, Leila Ensha at (914) 467-7311, or leila.ensha@pphp.org. Online: http://www.ppaction.org/site/Calendar/1246949111?view=RSVP&id=126622&_ga=1.252238921.1539375147.1452115645.
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| Slash and burn in Indonesia. |
Friday, Jan. 29, BEACON: Slash and burn deforestation in Indonesia
contributes a large portion of the world’s carbon emissions. A film and discussion
begins at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Beacon, McKinley
Hall, 50 Liberty St. Sponsored by Beacon Peace Awards Foundation, Beacon
Independent Film Festival, and Southern Dutchess NAACP. Guest Speaker Rev.
Noelle Damico. Pubic and free. Information, (845) 838-2415, info@moviesthatmatterbeacon.org
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| Happy birthday FDR. |
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