HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR
November 20, 2013, Issue #676
Send event announcements to jacdon@earthlink.net
11-12-13 ACTIVIST NEWSLETTER IS JUST BELOW THIS ARTICLE
Editor’s note: 1. In mid-December activism subsides until
the end of January, unless there are emergencies. Happy holidays. 2. We
unavoidably missed a few events last week, sorry.
————————————
Thursday, Nov. 21, ALBANY: Rashid
Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Modern Arab Studies at Columbia University,
will discuss his new book, “Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. Has Undermined
Peace in the Middle East,” at 7 p.m., Albany Law School, 80 New Scotland Ave.
He will be welcomed by school Dean Penny Andrews, and introduced by Rabbi David
Gordis, past president of Hebrew College. This free public event is sponsored
by the Palestinian Rights Committee of Upper Hudson Peace Action, Albany N.Y.
Chapter, National Lawyers Guild, The Solidarity Committee of the Capital
District, Women Against War, Muslim Solidarity Committee, and Project Salam.
Information, (518) 465-5425, gdamm@nycap.rr.com.
This is the 10-point program for women's rights that the
Cuomo administration, backed by a statewide coalition of women's rights
activists, tried to get passed in the spring 2013 session of the state
legislature. The Assembly passed all 10 points, but the Senate refused to pass
the part of the bill that would have codified into state law provisions of Roe
v. Wade that legalized abortion and would have strengthened the reproductive
rights laws that are now on the state’s books. Since this was an all-or-nothing
piece of legislation, the 10-point Women's Equality Agenda was not passed in
2013. The NY Women's Equality Coalition -- of over 850 organizations -- is
gearing up to get this passed in 2014. Information, Tiffany.Card@ppmhv.org,
http://www.nywomensequality.org.
Sunday, Nov. 24:
WOODSTOCK: In recognition of the Nov. 29 International Day of Solidarity
with the Palestinian People, activists here will demonstrate against the illegal Israeli occupation, 12 noon -1 p.m. at the Village Green, 6 Tinker St. The
Day of Solidarity is a UN-organized observance. Events are held at UN offices in
New York, Geneva and Vienna, as well as observances by solidarity
groups around the world. The sponsor is Middle East Crisis Response and Hudson
Valley BDS. Information, (845) 876-7906.
Monday, Nov. 25,
POUGHKEEPSIE (Vassar Campus): The extraordinary 2011 award-winning documentary
“Miss Representation” will be screened 5-6:30 p.m. at the College Center
Bookstore.
We’re told: “The film examines the powerful influence of mainstream media
in our contemporary culture... showing how it creates a generation of women
defined by beauty and sexuality and not by their capacity as leaders." The
campus main entrance is at 124 Raymond Ave. As you enter, the Main Building is
straight ahead. The Campus Center is in the back of Main. The bookstore is
hosting this free, public event. A campus map is at http://www.vassar.edu/visitors/pdfs/map.pdf.
Information, Susan Vinett, suvinett@vassar.edu, (845)
437-5870. A film trailer is at
Thursday, Nov. 28, AMERICA: We don’t
proselytize much for animal rights and vegan/vegetarianism in the
calendar, except around Thanksgiving, which is today. We’d like to talk turkey
about turkeys. All told throughout the year, about 300 million turkeys are
raised for slaughter, nearly 47 million for this single day of gluttony. Their
lives are short and brutal. Many never leave the cruel factory “farm” until they
are about to be killed. “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/. The
Catskill Animal Sanctuary has a new and disturbing piece about raising turkeys
for slaughter at http://casanctuary.org. Google “Vegetarian and vegan recipes
for Thanksgiving” and you will find some very delicious recipes.
Sunday, Dec. 1, WHITE
PLAINS: Protests are taking place in a number of cities in opposition to
the sale of SodaStream carbonation products which are produced in an illegal
Israeli settlement through the exploitation of Palestinian land, labor, and
resources. In White Plains, demonstrators will gather at 2 p.m. at the
kitchenware entrance to Macy’s, 100 Main St. and Court. “We will hold posters outside the store
and give handouts to shoppers. Some of us will go into the store to
distribute handouts and ask to meet with the manager. Afterward, depending on time, we will walk to Target and/or
Walmart to repeat our action. We will sing carols with SodaStream lyrics as
part of the holiday shopping event.”
For more than a year, Palestine solidarity organizations
have been challenging Target and other U.S. vendors asking them to stop selling
SodaStream. Activities are taking place between Nov. 29 (the International
Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People) and Dec. 10 (Human Rights Day). A two-minute video explaining the action
is at http://www.youtube.com/watchv=SVNR2gxfhrk&feature=youtu.be. A
petition is at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/641/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=12341.
Sponsored by the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, http://www.endtheoccupation.org/section.php?id=456.
Monday, Dec. 2, OLD
CHATHAM: The Quaker Meetinghouse at 539 County Rt. 13 is the venue for a 6
p.m. potluck and 7 p.m. showing of “In the Family” — a documentary about “Chip,
a precocious six year old, who has only known life with his two dads, Cody and
Joey. And a good life it is. When Cody dies suddenly in a car accident, Joey
and Chip struggle to find their footing again. Just as they begin to, Cody's
will reveals that he named his sister as Chip's guardian. The years of Joey's
acceptance into the family unravel as Chip is taken away from him. In his now
solitary home life, Joey searches for a solution. The law is not on his side,
but friends are. Armed with their comfort and inspired by memories of Cody,
Joey finds a path to peace with the family and closer to his son. Free and public. A moderated discussion will follow. Information, (518) 766-2992.
Directions, http://www.oldchathamquakers.org.
Tuesday and Friday,
Dec. 3 & 6, ROSENDALE: In recognition of International Human Rights
Week, the Amnesty International USA Mid Hudson Valley Chapter is organizing two
events. On Tuesday, Amnesty’s 3rd
Annual Human Rights Film showing starts at 7:15pm, at the Rosendale Theater
(408 Main St.). “Half the Sky: Turning
Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” is a documentary film
inspired by the widely acclaimed book of the same name by Nicholas Kristof and
Sheryl WuDunn. (Contributions requested.) On Friday at 8 p.m. in the Rosendale Café, 434 Main St., DJ Michael
Wilcock will be spinning a mix of funk, soul, top 40 and classics. Information,
group1003@aiusa.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 4, ROSENDALE: “The Wisdom to Survive: Climate Change, Capitalism and Community,”
a new 56-minute documentary, will premiere at 7:15 p.m. at the Rosendale Theatre,
408 Main St. Present for the screening will be the filmmakers, Anne Macksoud
and Ulster County local John Ankele. We’re told: “In discussions with thought
leaders and activists, the film
explores how unlimited growth lies behind climate disruption, and is
devastating the planet’s life support system, the social fabric, and the lives
of billions of people. The film features Bill McKibbin (350.org), author Joanna
Macy, whale scientist Roger Payne, Herschelle Milford (Surplus People Project),
Quincy Saul (Ecosocialist Horizons), and more. They provide insights, answers,
and hope. What becomes clear is, we already have the tools we need to change
our economy and lifestyle. Our attention must focus on taking action and
building community.” Tickets are $7 general admission, $5 for members. A trailer
for the film is at http://olddogdocumentaries.org.
Friday, Dec. 6,
KINGSTON: Media critic and journalism professor Jeff Cohen will discuss “My
Inspiring Trip to the Occupied West Bank” at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of the Catskills, 320 Sawkill Rd. The program will
also include "My Neighborhood," a 25-minute film about a Palestinian
teenager, Mohammed El Kurd, whose home in East Jerusalem is taken over by
Israeli settlers.Information, Jane Toby, Jane.toby7@gmail.com, http:// www.mideastcrisis.org.
Thursday, Dec. 17,
NEW PALTZ: The Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of Amnesty International holds its
monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. at New Paltz Village Hall, 25 Plattekill Ave. (a
block south of Main St., Rt. 299). “We welcome new members.” Information, group1003@aiusa.org.
