HUDSON
VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
April 1, 2013, Issue #667
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NOTE — This calendar goes
up to April 15. The calendar from April 16 to early May will be posted around
April 12. PS: we hope to see you at the anti-drone event April 13 (below).
Monday, April 1, OLD
CHATHAM: “The
First Grader,” a biographical drama film, will be screened at 7 p.m. at Powell
House Quaker Conference and Retreat Center, 524 Pitt Hall Rd., off County Route
13. A moderated discussion will follow.
Here’s what it’s about: “In a small, remote mountain top primary school in the
Kenyan bush, hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free
education newly promised by the Kenyan government. One new applicant causes
astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school. He is Maruge , an old
Mau Mau veteran in his eighties, who is desperate to learn to read. He fought
for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an
education so long denied — even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside
six-year-olds.” We haven’t seen this film but it sounds wonderful. Free and
public. Information (518)
766-2992.
Tuesday, April 2, NEW
PALTZ (SUNY campus): The Sociology Department and Inquiring Minds book store will host a
discussion with Nathanael Johnson, author of “All Natural: A
Skeptic’s Quest to Discover if the Natural Approach to Diet, Childbirth,
Healing, and the Environment Really Keeps us Healthier and Happier.” The event
starts at 6:30 p.m. in Student Union Building rooms 62/63. Information, coax@newpaltz.edu.
Thursday,
April 4, ROCK TAVERN: When do we go to
war? Why do we go to war? Is there an alternative to protect ourselves and
resolve conflict? These questions are the topic of a forum starting at 7 p.m. at
the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 9 Vance Rd. The speakers are Mark C.
Johnson, executive director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation,
and Dr. Lucian Mott. Free. Sponsored by the Social Action Committee
of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern. Information,
Verne M. Bell, (845) 569-8965.
Friday, April 5,
KINGSTON: The Palestinian documentary “Where Should the Birds Fly?” will be screened at 7
p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills, 320 Sawkill
Rd. We’re told: “This extraordinary film was made on location in Gaza during
and after Israel's Cast-Lead invasion. The film highlights the experience of a
young girl and the events seen through her eyes. Fida Qishta, the 27-year-old
Palestinian filmmaker, will be present at the showing and there will be an
audience discussion with her after the film. In addition, there will be a short
film by Eva Lewis on her trip to Gaza.” This is the beginning the upcoming
series “Films of Palestine,” scheduled for the first Friday of every month
through September. Guest speakers involved with the films will be part of the
series. Sponsored by Middle East Crisis Response, Hudson Valley Boycott,
Divestment and Sanctions. Free and open to the public. Information, (518) 678
2076, Jane.toby7@gmail.com.
Saturday, April 6,
ALBANY: An anti-fracking rally demonstrating the connection
between local food production and the dangers of hydro-fracking will be take
place 1-5 p.m. in Townsend Park at the corner of Henry Johnson Blvd. and Central Ave. New Yorkers Against
Fracking, the sponsor, says: “Our
state has a long history of agriculture, and today it is our main economic
engine. To protect our food, water, and air, we are raising awareness about the
specter of fracking and building power to demand that Governor Cuomo ban
fracking statewide. Join us and area groups for a rally that connects our food
with the need to keep fracking out of our state." Information, (518)
285-1990, daniel@nyagainstfracking.org.
Monday, April 8, TROY: "Depletion of the World's Resources: What Every Environmentalist
Needs to Know About Capitalism" is the title of a talk by Fred
Magdoff , an Emeritus Professor of Plant and Soil Science at the University of
Vermont. The title of his talk is also
that of a recent book he co-wrote with John Bellamy Foster, editor of Monthly
Review. This event, sponsored by Bethlehem
Neighbors for Peace and others, is well
worth attending. It begins at 7 p.m. at Oakwood Community Center (former
Presbyterian church) at 313 10th St. Donation of $5 requested, $2 unemployed
and students. Information, (518) 505-0948, jonathan.flanders@verizon.net.
Thursday, April 11, POUGHKEEPSIE: A demonstration against the Keystone XL Tar Sands project, which would bring super greenhouse-causing oil into the U.S. from Canada, will be held 4-6 p.m. in front of the TD Bank, 21 Market St. This bank is pipeline corporation TransCanada’s top shareholder. Dirty Tar Sands oil will become a major contributor to global warming should it be shipped by pipeline through the U.S. President Obama will soon rule on whether or not to allow construction of the pipeline. He leans toward approving the project, so it is important for the environmental movement to demonstrate its disapproval before it’s too late. Information (503) 704-3635, morganne.montana@gmail.com.
Thursday April 11, ALBANY: British author Victoria Brittain will read from her new book, “Shadow Lives: The Forgotten Women of the War on Terror.” According to IPS, “The book reveals the impact the post-9/11 wars have had on the wives and families of men incarcerated in Guantanamo, or in prison or under house arrest in the U.K. and the U.S. The author shows how these families have been made socially invisible and a convenient scapegoat for the state in order to exercise arbitrary powers under the cover of the War on Terror.” The event begins at 7 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut St./262 State St. The sponsors are Masjid As-Salam, Muslim Solidarity Committee, National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms (NCPCF) and Project SALAM. Co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Dr. Dhafir Support Committee, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Upper Hudson Peace Action, Veterans for Peace (Chapter 10), and Women Against War. Information, (518) 438-8728, finlandia@nycap.rr.com.
Friday, April 12, NEW
PALTZ: Marxist activist Fred Goldstein will discuss and sign his new book, “Capitalism
at a Dead end,” starting at 7 p.m. at Inquiring Minds Bookstore, 6 Church St. “
We’re told, “This book explains that the economic crisis, which began in August
2007, marked a turning point in the history of capitalism. This is more than
just another severe capitalist crisis. The author contends that the system will
not bounce back; it will not return to the normal capitalist boom-and-bust
cycle.”
Saturday, April 13, NEW
PALTZ: A demonstration against
pilotless drone warfare abroad and intrusive domestic drone surveillance at
home will take place today starting at 11 a.m. with a rally and vigil in front
of the Elting Library (93 Main St.). At 12 noon the participants will march
with signs and leaflets through the downtown area, returning to the library.
Many will stand with signs visible to heavy weekend traffic until 1:30 p.m. The
event is being organized by the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter and is
co-sponsored by New Paltz Women in Black, Occupy Southern Ulster, Middle East
Crisis Response, Real Majority Project, Dutchess Peace, Dutchess Greens
and other regional groups. Bring your own sign if you wish. Some signs and lots
of leaflets will be available. There’s parking on Plattekill Ave., just south
of main street and further down the street at Village Hall. Information, jacdon@earthlink.net, http://activistnewsletter.blogspot.com/.
