Thursday, August 14, 2014

8-14 CALENDAR, Aug. & Sept.

HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVIST CALENDAR, Issue #683
AUGUST and EARLY SEPTEMBER 2014
Send event announcements or to reach us: jacdon@earthlink.net

                               (For the Newsletter, click on 08-08-14 Newsletter - 2 wars)
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Attention Readers: We update each calendar online as new events are announced until the next full calendar is posted. The additional items will begin with this mark: √.
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         SPECIAL FEATURED EVENT: CLIMATE MARCH. Others below. 






Sunday, Sept. 21, NEW YORK CITY: What is projected to be the “largest climate march in history” will take place in Manhattan today, two days before the 2014 Climate Summit will convene at UN Headquarters. The event comes at a time when the U.S. has been derelict in serious programs to reduce fossil fuel producing climate change. As of Aug. 1 there were over 700 national and local groups that will participate. More have been added since then. Organizations include environmental, religious, union, peace, justice, political, left, and various other good causes, collaborating to make this “People’s Climate March” a tremendous success.

Buses and special trains will arrive in NYC from all over the country, including from at least 10 different New York State locations. There are several in the the Hudson Valley including buses from New Paltz (information below on all olocations). For other states: http://peoplesclimate.org/transportation/. We will later post other dedicated buses from the region, if any, and car pools if the information is sent to us at jacdon@earthlink.net. Trailways and other commercial buses plus trains will also transport participants to this historic march. A number of events will take place in the city during the week before the event.

At this point organizers are negotiating the route of the massive march with city officials. We’re told it will be 2-3 miles in Manhattan starting Sunday in early afternoon. Just about everything you need to know is at http://peoplesclimate.org/march/.  This includes the schedule of all events, a list of all the sponsoring groups and answers to questions. There are also a number of leaflets you can download to distribute about the day and others that deal with aspects of the struggle to prevent climate change from becoming a long term disaster for the entire world.

Special buses and trains:

New Paltz buses may leave from the Thruway park and ride but that is to be determined, as is the time of boarding and returning. It will all be known soon. Round trip tickets are $20 ($10 student/low income). Send your check in advance to New Paltz Climate Action Coalition, PO Box 671. New Paltz, NY 12561. You are advised to reserve early to secure a seat. There is information about this bus on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/305349609625695/.

(Note: click on buy, More info or Email for what you want. Hope it works!)

Albany, Bus, Buy a ticket here.
Contact info: Kathleen Horvath, Email, 703-297-7576
Depew, Train, More info.
Contact info: Jennifer K., Email, 415-766-7728
Kingston, Bus, Buy a ticket here.
Contact info: Annabelle Vinois, Email, 845-443-0880
Rochester, Train, More info.
Contact info: Jennifer K., Email, 415-766-7728
Saugerties, Bus, Buy a ticket here.
Contact info: Annabelle Vinois, Email, 845-443-0880
Schenectady, Train, More info.
Contact info: Jennifer K., Email, 415-766-7728
Syracuse, Train, More info.
Contact info: Jennifer K., Email, 415-766-7728
Utica, Train, More info.
Contact info: Jennifer K., Email, 415-766-7728
Woodstock, Bus, Buy a ticket here.
 Contact info: Annabelle Vinois, Email, 845-443-0880




OTHER REGIONAL ACTIONS:

Michael Brown.

Tonight:  Thursday, Aug. 14, KINGSTON: Hands UP! Don‘t Shoot! A silent vigil in solidarity

with Michael Brown, murdered by cops in Ferguson, a St. Louis suburb, last weekend, and others who were and will be victims of police brutality, takes place at 7 p.m. tonight in front of Kingston City Hall (420 Broadway). Five minutes of silence will be observed for Michael Brown and all victims and survivors followed by a public statement about violence committed against our own citizens. Sponsors currently include: Citizen Action of New York, ENJAN ­ End the New Jim Crow Action Network, Community Voices Heard, and the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter. Information, (845) 475-8781, http://www.enjan.org.






Yesterday Ferguson police in battle dress issued by Pentagon, 
confronted nonviolent protester. Hands Up! Don‘t Shoot! 
Tonight:Thursday, Aug. 14, POUGHKEEPSIE: Hands UP! Don‘t Shoot! A silent vigil in. 
solidarity with Michael Brown (see above) takes place at 7 p.m. tonight in front of Dutchess County Jail, 150 North Hamilton St. Five minutes of silence will also be observed for Michael Brown. Sponsors currently include: Citizen Action of New York, ENJAN ­ End the New Jim Crow Action Network, Community Voices Heard, and the Hudson Valley Activist Newsletter. Information, (845) 475-8781. http://www.enjan.org

Thursday, Aug. 14, ALBANY: The Palestinian Rights Committee will conduct a demonstration/vigil 4:30-6 p.m. at Dana Park (Madison & Lark). The event will demand an end to the Israeli government's blockade of Gaza and an end to U.S. military aid to the Israeli government.

Thursday, Aug. 14, WOODSTOCK: A meeting of Middle East Crisis Response — a group currently active in opposing Israel’s war on Gaza — will meet 7-8:30 p.m. at the Woodstock Public Library, 5 Library Lane. Supporters are welcome. (The group will also meet Thursday, Aug. 28, same time, place). Information, (845) 876-7906, http//www.mideastcrisis.org

Monday, Aug. 18, CHATHAM: The Citizen’s Climate Lobby of Columbia County will meet at 6 p.m. at 11 Kinderhook St. “We are an active local chapter of a national non-partisan grass roots effort dedicated to building political will for Congress to take meaningful action for a sustainable climate. Attendees will get an update on what is going on at Citizens' Climate Lobby and take an action to move forward on slowing global warming and protecting our grandchildren. All are welcome. Information Iona Lutey at ccl.columbiacounty@gmail.com, www.citizensclimatelobby.org

Saturday, Aug. 23, NEWBURGH: The New Jim Crow Film Series presents the PBS Independent Films Documentary "Hard Road Home," followed by discussion at the Newburgh Free Library Auditorium, 1-2:45 p.m. The venue is 124 Grand St. The film tells the story of two men who had been incarcerated, trying to stay outside of prison walls while grappling with the constant challenges posed by poverty, addiction, peer pressure, family, rage and despair. Johnny Conyers, from Exodus Transitional Community in Newburgh, a prison re-entry support group, will facilitate.  Free, good will donation welcomed. Information, Verne M. Bell, (845) 569-8965.

√ Sunday, April 24, NEW PALTZ: A rally to demand justice for two black men recently murdered by police in Ferguson, Mo (Michael Brown) and Staten Island in New York City (Eric Garner) will begin at 1 p.m. in Hasbrouck Park on Mohonk Ave., close to Village Hall. Mike, 18, and about to enter college, was shot six times while his hands were up. Police left his body in the middle of a street without at least covering the corpse for four hours while his family on the sidewalk was prevented from tending the young man. Militant demonstrations have taken place for the last 10 days in Ferguson to protest police brutality, the militarization of police forces and to demand the jailing of the offending cop. Eric, a family man, was beaten by several police officers and when he sought to get up he was subjected to a choke hold that killed him. His crime was selling single cigarettes on a street corner. These incidents are the latest of a surge of racist police violence against black man who have either committed no crime or simply a petty infraction for which, in effect, they were sentenced to death. This is a quickly organized action by a group of SUNY faculty members and local residents. People are asked to bring their own signs or perhaps make some in the park. All are welcome to speak. Information and map, https://www.facebook.com/events/903434746350586/. 

A major protest to support Gaza took place in NYC Aug. 9.
Tuesday, Aug. 26, MIDDLETOWN: A public forum on the Middle East will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Town of Wallkill Town Hall on Tower Drive. A main speaker will be Sam Sussman, who will discuss his recent trips to the West Bank and the status of the situation in Gaza. Films will be shown concerning Israeli settlements and life on the ground in Gaza. The event is sponsored by Orange County Peace and Justice, the Democratic Alliance and WESPAC (Westchester People's Action Coalition). The Activist Newsletter endorses this important meeting. Information, Bennett Weiss <BenWeiss@aol.com>.

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 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 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the New Progressive Baptist Church, 8 Hone St. Information, (845) 475-8781,  http://www.enjan.org.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, POUGHKEEPSIE: The End the New Jim Crow Action network will meet 6-8 p.m. at the Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Library, Family Partnership Center, 29 N Hamilton St. Information, (845) 475-8781, http://www.enjan.org.

Keep Out!  for 800 miles. "Give us your tired…."
Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, OLD CHATHAM: The Quaker Meeting will screen “The 800 Mile Wall” at 7 p.m. at the Old Chatham Quaker Meetinghouse 539 County Rt. 13, Old Chatham, across from Pitt Hall Road and Powell House. This documentary highlights the construction of the new border walls along the U.S.-Mexico border as well as their effect on migrants trying to cross into the U.S. It looks unflinchingly at a failed U.S. border strategy that many believe has caused the death of thousands of migrants, and offers some thoughts on how the current human rights crisis may be resolved. Free and public. Refreshments will be served and a moderated discussion will follow. information (518) 794-0259. Directions, www.oldchathamquakers.org.



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