APRIL CALENDAR
April 1, 2016, Hudson Valley Activist Calendar, Issue #696
To subscribe contact us at jacdon@earthlink.net.
——————————
The Calendar is
updated with new events every few days throughout the month. New
items begin with this mark: √√.
——————————
The Activist Newsletter will be posted by mid-April at http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com/
The last Newsletter is here: 3-13-16 ACTIVIST NEWSLETTER
——————————
Wonderful Spring Is Here!
When proud-pied April, dress’d in all his trim,
Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing.
Shakespeare Sonnets
——————————
April Events:
Friday-Saturday,
April 1-April 2, POUGHKEEPSIE: The highly acclaimed, Brooklyn-based
Truthworker Theater Company will be performing two of their plays: Bar Code — a performative analysis of
the school-to-prison pipeline, written by the company and directed by Samara
Gaev; and In|Prism: Boxed In and Blacked
Out in America, which deals with the issue of solitary confinement. On
Friday, a fully staged production of Bar
Code will be performed at the Cunneen-Hackett Arts Center, 9 Vassar St., at
3 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Saturday, In/Prism will be performed at 5 p.m. at Vassar
college's Sanders Classroom Building, Sptizer Auditorium (room 212). Admission
is free, but space is limited. Reserving tickets in advance is highly
recommended. To reserve, call (845) 473-50466, EBrown6939@aol.com, http://www.enjan.org.
Friday, 5 p.m.: Sling-Shot
Hip-Hop (film), 2008, 100 mins.
7 p.m.
Arna's Children (film) 2005, 85
mins.
Saturday, 1 p.m. Divine Intervention (film), 2003, 100 minutes.
3 p.m.: The
Time That Remains (film), 2011, 119 mins.
5 p.m. The
Wanted 18 (film), 2014, 75 minutes.
Information Dina Ramadan, dramadan@bard.edu, (845) 758-7667.
.
Saturday, April 2, TROY: Anti-apartheid musical legend Thomas Mapfumo & the Blacks Unlimited from Zimbabwe will be the featured performers at a celebration of the first 10 years of The Sanctuary for Independent Media at 8 p.m., 3361 6th Avenue in North Troy. Tickets are $20, available in advance at http://www.mediasanctuary.org/mapfumo. Mapfumo has been the musical voice of protest in Zimbabwe and all of southern Africa for nearly half a century. Easily the most famous singer in his native country, Mapfumo lives in exile from the regime of Robert Mugabe, and his music is banned at home. Innformation, http://www.mediasanctuary.org/mapfumo.
From the film DREAMers Among Us.
Sunday, April 3,
POUGHKEEPSIE: DREAMers Among Us, a short documentary made by and for
undocumented youth, will be screened at 1 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, 67 South Randolph Ave. A taco lunch will be enjoyed
prior to the film at 12 noon. Members of the Youth Arts Group of the Rural and
Migrant Ministry created the film after years of fighting for the NY DREAM Act
and better futures for undocumented students everywhere. Members worked
with U. Roberto Romano and Ilene Cutler to create a professional film that
captures the pressing need for reform so that all young people have the chance
to pursue a higher education, and their dreams. There is no charge for the
lunch or the film but a free will offering will be taken to benefit the Rural
and Migrant Ministry. The Fellowship's Social Justice Committee is sponsoring
the event. Information, (845) 452-4013, patla42@gmail.com.
Sunday, April 3,
PEEKSKILL: A "Rally to Protect the Hudson Valley- Stop the AIM Pipeline"
will take place 2-4 p.m. at Riverfront Green Park. The event will focus on the
Algonquin Incremental Market pipeline, and other pipelines in our region and
beyond. A wide variety of speakers will address the gathering. Sponsors:
Hudson
River Sloop Clearwater; WESPAC, Stop the Minisink Compressor Station; Croton Climate
Initiative; Stop the Pipeline; Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy; Resist the
Pipeline, West Roxbury; Delaware Riverkeeper; Connie Hogarth Center for Social
Action Manhattanville College; Federated Conservationists of Westchester
County; Catskill Watershed Corporation; Dominican Sisters in Committed
Collaboration; Sierra Club, Atlantic Chapter; Grassroots Environmental
Education; Resist; AIM; Riverkeeper; Damascus Citizens for Sustainability;
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley; Earth Guardians;
People, not Pipelines; Earthworks; NYC Friends of Clearwater; Stop New York
Fracked Gas Pipeline; Indian Point Safe Energy Coalition.
Tuesday, April 5,
ALBANY: An environmental rally drawing participants from various New York
State regions will take place here today in East Capital Park 11:30 a.m. to
2:30 p.m., including a march to the headquarters of the Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC). At issue is stopping construction of the
"Constitution Pipeline" largely in upstate NYS. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission appears
ready to approve the project, pending a DEC decision that must be made by April
26 to approve what is termed a 401-water quality certificate. If the DEC
refuses to do so, as the rally will demand, we're told the pipeline cannot be
built. The proposed project has several alternate routes beginning in northeast
Pennsylvania and ending north of Albany. Rally organizers declare: "If you
want to save our trees, streams, and wetlands, and if you want to keep
pipelines, compressor stations, and power plants out of your community, then
make a commitment to come to Albany on April 5th." The speaker list
includes Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Karenna Gore – Center for Earth Ethics; Maya
van Rossum – Delaware Riverkeeper Network; Rosemary Wessel – No Fracked Gas in
Mass; Kim Fraczek – Sane Energy Project (march Leader). In case of rain gather
at the million Dollar Staircase inside the capital building. Over 60 large and
smaller state environmental groups are sponsoring this rally. Information, http://www.stopthepipeline.org.
 |
| Child cries as Syrian migrants cross a river, north of Idomeni, Greece, attempting to reach Macedonia on a route that would bypass the border fence, on March 14, 2016. |
Tuesday, April 5,
WHITE PLAINS: A Panel discussion on the Syrian Refugee Crisis will take
place at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Ave.
(Doors open at 7 p.m. with music, art and information tables.) Speakers include
Rev. Karen Eiler, pastor, Memorial United Methodist Church; Chris
George executive director Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services; Sana
Mustafa, Syrian activist refugee now a student at Bard College; Riva
Silverman of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society; Rabbi Julie Hilton
Danan, Pleasantville Community Synagogue; Rev. Doris K. Dalton,
Westchester MLK Institute for Nonviolence, moderator. Information, info@memorial4all.org.
Wednesday, April 6, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): "Climate Crisis - Separating Facts From Myth" is the title of a lecture by Geographer-Climatologist Professor Adam Kalkstein of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The 6 p.m. event is in the Coykendall Science Building Auditorium. Free and public. Information, Mike Boms at bomsm@newpaltz.edu
Thursday, April 7,
HYDE PARK: The CNN original series
Race for the White House: Kennedy v. Nixon will be screened at 3
p.m. in the Henry A. Wallace Center
of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential
Library and Museum. This free public showing will be followed by a conversation
with library director Paul Sparrow and historian Timothy Naftali. Information,
(845) 486-7745.
Thursday, April 7,
PURCHASE (Manhattanville College): Riverkeeper president Paul Gallay will
lecture on the global and local water crises at a public meeting starting at 5
p.m. on campus at Brownson 14, 2900 Purchase St.
 |
| Fidel with brother Raul (left), in mountain hideout months before victory. |
√√ Friday, April 8,
MANHATTAN: Liberation Flicks will screen the documentary Fidel the Untold Story at 7 p.m. in The
Justice Center En El Barrio,
1637 Park Ave. (116 St & Park.) Fidel Castro,
who will be 90 this year, was on of the great revolutionary leaders of the 20th
century. This documentary by filmmaker Estela Bravo, combines vintage footage
with exclusive interviews that offer an insight into Castro as a leader and the
Cuban people. See the trailer here.
Sponsored by the ANSWER Coalition. Public and free. Information, http://www.answercoalition.org/
√√ Saturday April 9,
NEW PALTZ: Every Saturday, 12:45 to 1:30 p.m., New Paltz Women in Black conducts
a vigil for peace and justice in front of the Elting Library, corner of Main
and North Front Streets. This is their 15th year. Join them. (Also
Saturday April 16, 23, 30.) Information, AnaHataSun@aol.com.
√√ Saturday, April 9,
KINGSTON: April 9: A Rally for Clean Eneregy, Safe Climate and to build
support Bernie Sanders will begin at
2 p.m. at BSP, 323 Wall St. (enter via rear doors on Crown Street). Speaking
will be Bill McKibben (350.org), Josh Fox (Gasland), Tara Houska (tribal rights
attorney and Honor the Earth Campaigns Director), and local organizers. (This
rally is considered an official e vent of the Bernie 2016 campaign.)
Sunday, April 10,
BEACON: "WOMEN'S WORK," a concert that features music for, by, and
about women, starts at 3 p.m. at the Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St. The
performers include Pat Lamanna, Lydia Adams Davis, Melissa Ortquist, Hope
Altkin, Susan Bozsó, Karen Brooks, Goldee Greene, Eleanor Kleiner, Sharleen
Leahey, Vickie Raabin, Laurie Siegel, Sarah Underhill, Susan Fisher Wright,
Mighty Xee, with special guest Connie Hogarth. $15 admission benefits the
Beacon Sloop Club's Woody Guthrie restoration. Information, www.beaconsloopclub.org, patla42@gmail.com, (845) 452-4013.
Monday, April 11, KINGSTON: The End The New Jim Crow Action Network (ENJAN) will meet 6-8 p.m. at the New Progressive Baptist Church, 8 Hone St. ENJAN
is a Hudson Valley network dedicated to fighting racist policies of racial
profiling, police brutality, and mass incarceration. (The following meeting is April 25) Information,
(845) 475-8781 or www.enjan.org.
and Gasland 2. The event will be held in Lecture Center 100.
Information, (845) 257-3770, bomsm@newpaltz.edu.
Monday, April 11-
April 18, WASHINGTON (continuing from April 2 above): The organizers say:
"When the march arrives in Washington we hope to rally to celebrate that
Congress has come to its senses and passed at least one of the perfectly-viable
reform bills now pending before it. But if they refuse to do anything, we will
have no choice but to reclaim the People’s House in mass, dignified but
determined, nonviolent sit-ins to
force their hand. Will Congress send thousands of patriotic Americans to jail instead
of simply doing its job to ensure that our elections are free and fair for all
people? Millions of people throughout the country watching an unprecedented
nonviolent confrontation at the Capitol will find out. During the sit-in, we
will maintain a public convergence center as a gathering point for supporters
and the press and will coordinate call-in days, online petitions, Twitter
storms, local solidarity actions and more to amplify the power of the mass
sit-ins for people across the country and the world. Democracy Spring is being
organized by a growing coalition of over 100 organizations, including a
steering committee made up of 99Rise, Avaaz, Democracy Matters, Energy Action
Coalition, the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU), and the
United States Student Association (USSA). We and many sponsoring organizations
are united by principles of unity." (Lots more material, including members
of the coalition, unity principles and more at http://www.democracyspring.org.)
Tuesday, April 12,
NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): There will be a free public screening of Josh
Fox's new film "How to Let Go of the World (And Love All Things Climate
Can't Change)," 7-10 p.m. There will be a Q&A with Fox after the film.
He is best known for his two anti-fracking documentaries, Gasland 1 and Gasland 2. Information,
Tuesday, April 12,
New Paltz (SUNY campus): Journalist and author Eyal Press, the 2016 James
H. Ottaway Sr. Visiting Professor of Journalism, will discuss his experiences
reporting on some of the most divisive issues of our time, including abortion
and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This event will be held in the Coykendall
Science Building Auditorium from 7-8:30 p.m. and is free and public.
Information, (845)
257-3573, phillipl@newpaltz.edu.
Wednesday, April 13, POUGHKEEPSIE: ENJAN (End The New Jim Crow Action Network) will meet 6-8 p.m. in the
Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library, Family Partnership Center, 29 N.
Hamilton St. ENJAN is a Hudson Valley network dedicated to fighting racist
policies of racial profiling, police brutality, and mass incarceration. The
following meeting is April 27. Information, (845) 475-8781 or www.enjan.org.
Thursday, April 14, WOODSTOCK: Middle East Crisis Response (MECR) will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. in the
Woodstock Public Library, 5 Library Lane. MECR is a group of Hudson Valley
residents joined together to promote peace and human rights in Palestine and
the Middle East. (The following meeting is April 28.) Information, (845)
876-7906 or www.mideastcrisis.org.
 |
| U.S. antiwar movement opposed war against Syria. |
√√ Thursday, April
14, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): A free public discussion of the crisis in
Syria will begin at 5 p.m. in Lecture Center 104,vsponsored by the Center for
Middle Eastern Dialogue. Speakers include: 1. Frederick Deknatel, senior editor
at World Politics Review, who will address “The War on Culture Being Waged in
Syria by ISIS and Assad.” 2. Stephen Pampinella, an Assistant Professor of
Political Science and International Relations at New Paltz, speaking on "The
Current Political Situation in Syria." Clinton Bennett, Adjunct Faculty
member teaching courses in religious studies at New Paltz, who will focus on
"Syria's Religious Landscape: the Civil War's Impact on Inter-Religious
Relations." Information, James Schiffer, SUNY Professor of English,
schiffej@newpaltz.edu, schiffej@newpaltz.edu.
√√ Saturday, April
16, POUGHKEEPSIE: A family friendly Earth Day celebration lasts 12 noon to
4 p.m. at 505 Main St. There will be lots of things for kids. Information, https://www.facebook.com/Poughkeepsie-Earth-Day-1012299282141587/
√√ Saturday April 16, NEW PALTZ: Every Saturday, 12:45 to 1:30 p.m., New Paltz Women in Black conducts a vigil for peace and justice in front of the Elting Library, corner of Main and North Front Streets. This is their 15th year. Join them. (Also Saturday April 23, 30.) Information,AnaHataSun@aol.com.
√√ Saturday April 16, NEW PALTZ: Every Saturday, 12:45 to 1:30 p.m., New Paltz Women in Black conducts a vigil for peace and justice in front of the Elting Library, corner of Main and North Front Streets. This is their 15th year. Join them. (Also Saturday April 23, 30.) Information,AnaHataSun@aol.com.
√√ SATURDAY, April
16, NEW PALTZ: The 14th annual Earth Day Fair takes place 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Reformed Church, 92 Huguenot St. It's billed as a "free fun filled educational and interfaith celebration
focused on "green living."
There will be children's activities, food, music and entertainment. The
sponsors are New Paltz Climate Action Coalition, Interfaith Earth Action, and a committee of
the Reformed Church. Information, (845)
255-4170.
√√ Sunday, April 17, POUGHKEEPSIE: A demonstration against the campaign appearance
of Donald Trump will begin at 5 p.m. at the Mid-Hudson Civil Center, 14 Civic
Center Plaza. Organizers say: "Let’s raise our voices and prepare to
mobilize to let him know that his bigotry and hate are not welcome in New York
State! Please spread the word." Sponsors include Hudson Valley Black Lives
Matter Coalition, Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson, Hudson Valley International
Socialist Organization, Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter. Information or to
sponsor, hudsonvalleysocialists@gmail.com
Tuesday, April 19, NEW YORK STATE: Today is our state's presidential primary election. You know the stakes are high this year. Since virtually all our readers are liberal Democrats or are various degrees left of the Democratic party, it's important that you get to the polls.
A Chernobyl child being well cared fore in Cuba. He is showing his strength despite illness.
√√ Wednesday, April
20, COHOES: An extraordinary film about a truly remarkable humanitarian undertaking
will be screened at 7 p.m.
at the Ukrainian-American Citizens Club,1 Pulaski
St. This film — Chernobyl and Cuba
—chronicles a little-known chapter in history when Cuban medical personnel came
to the rescue of Ukrainian children harmed in the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power
Plant disaster. An explosion in one of the reactors spewed radioactive fallout
400 times greater than at Hiroshima. Since its launch of the “Chernobyl
Children” program in 1990, Cuba has provided medical care to more than 25,000 children,
spending over $350 million, more than any other country. Thirty years after
Chernobyl, the Cuban program is still going strong. Remarkably, children born
years after the disaster still suffer physical consequences of the meltdown
that irradiated large parts of Ukraine and Belarus; equally remarkably, despite
severe economic limitations, Cuba’s outstanding health care system tends to
them to this day. Free and open to the public. Information, Mira Peck, at (862) 207-1541.
√√ Thursday, April
21, NEW PALTZ (SUNY: "Beyond Diversity — Visions of Equality and
Social Justice" is the subject of a lecture by Edward Pittman, associate
dean of the College for Campus Life and Diversity at Vassar College. This free
public event begins at 4:30 p.m. in Lecture Center 104. Information, Nancy
Schniedewind, (845) 257-2827.
√√ Monday, April 25,
GLENFORD: To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear
disaster two free films will be screened tonight starting at 6:30 p.m. at
the Glenford Church, 210
Old Rt. 28. They are The Battle of
Chernobyl and White
Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sponsored
by the Shandaken Democratic Committee. Information, (845) 688-2977.
Note: More events will be added as they come in, so check back
in a few days.
