|
View this message online:
http://www.panys.org/alerts/197.htm
Alert #197 February 18, 2009
First, a note about last week's message. The $1B for nukes was successfully cut at the last minute from economic stimulus bill. Thank you, peacemakers! The sixth anniversary of the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq is only four weeks away, and we urge you to prepare for it now. With everyone's attention on the economy, the natural tie-in for any discussion on the anniversary of Shock and Awe is the billions we are still spending in Iraq - which has been strangely absent from most public discussion of the U.S. economic meltdown. The anniversary offers us the perfect opportunity to correct that omission. Senator Barney Frank has just released a plan based on a report from the Center for American Progress. It details the cost of maintaining our current 140,000 troops in Iraq ($10B/month) and the total savings ($3.6B/month) that could be realized by bringing home all 50,000 combat troops. Those savings can be doubled to $7.2B/month by bringing home an equal number of support troops. Senator Frank's plan calls for the final savings of $2.8B/month to be realized by bringing all remaining troops home by the end of calendar year 2011, as the Status of Forces Agreement mandates - a total savings of $370B over the next four years. That's equal to half the stimulus package. Unfortunately, the main thrust of planning from the Obama administration seems to be focused not on bringing home troops from Iraq, but sending an additional 20,000 troops into Afghanistan - adding an additional $54B burden on taxpayers. Now is time to make the connection between our economic crisis and the cost of our military misadventures in the Middle East. If your local peace group has plans for the anniversary, please let us know. We'll promote your events on the Network and on our calendar page. In Peace, John Bostrom Peace Action Fund of New York State info@panys.org 646-723-1749  |
|
Sunday, February 22, 4:00 p.m.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NYC. Address sent with reservation receipt. "CONFRONTING THE CRISIS" WITH FRANCES FOX PIVEN A PRE-OSCAR LIVING-ROOM FUNDRAISER FOR NYC-UFPJ 
Frances Fox Piven, a professor at CUNY Graduate Center, is a noted
academic and an activist who has long joined astute analysis of our social conditions
with her engagement in the struggles of poor people for their human rights. She is the
author of The War at Home - The Domestic Costs of Bush's Militarism
and Challenging Authority: How Ordinary People Change America
among many other publications. She will offer her analysis of what can be done to advance
peace and social justice in the current economic crisis. The party will take place in
the home of a supporter in Washington Heights. Wine and light refreshments will be served.
Tickets are $30.
Purchase tickets here or by calling 212-868-5545.
The address will be sent with a receipt of payment.
Wednesday February 18, 7:00 p.m. MIDTOWN NYC. CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Avenue (34th-35th Sts.) PLANNING MEETING FOR THE NATIONAL MARCH ON WALL STREET For more information, call 212-633-6646 or go to www.bailoutthepeople.org Tuesday, February 24th, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. PARK AVENUE SOUTH AREA, NYC. Baruch College, Engleman Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington at 24th St ROUGH CUT SCREENING OF “LYNNE STEWART: AN AMERICAN STORY”  A new film by Francis
van den Heuvel, featuring Noam Chomsky,
Amy Goodman, Ramsey Clark and others. The cliché after the September 11th
attacks was that "the world had changed forever." And in some ways this is true. But
more than the Twin Towers may have been destroyed - since that day centuries of judicial
protections and procedures have been under attack. In the name of a "War on Terror"
there has been a war on justice - and there may be no better example than the prosecution
and conviction of one of New York's best known defence attorneys,
Lynne Stewart. Her case forms the backbone of this film.
By following Lynne's case, Lynne Stewart - An American Story
explores how the Bush Administration used the September 11th attacks to push forward
a concerted attack on the American justice system and, in a number of cases, changed
strongly held judicial traditions like habeas corpus and the right of a defendant to
have adequate legal counsel. Most importantly, this film looks at the long-range
impact of these actions and poses the question: "Has something fundamental been
altered in the US and international justice systems, impacted individual freedoms
and the very essence of democracy - something that will outlive the Bush Administration
and persist far into the 21st century? Hosted by the Lynne Stewart Defense Committee,
www.lynnestewart.org.
Wednesday, February 25, 7:00 p.m. FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN. Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 
85 South Oxford Street (between Fulton St.and Lafayette Ave.)SCREENING AND DISCUSSION OF “SOME PLACE LIKE HOME: THE FIGHT AGAINST GENTRIFICATION IN DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN” Narrated by Kevin Powell. “Some Place Like Home” tells the stories of community residents and small businesses that are displaced to make way for high-end retail and luxury condominiums to the area. It depicts the pulling out of Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene's legacy of being a once-forgotten neighborhood built from the ground up by generations of low-income and working families from all walks of life. Small business owners that have helped to make the area the third-largest retail district in New York City talk about the deferment of their dreams as entrepreneurs. It reveals practices and policies used to support massive real estate projects as the historical, economic and cultural fabric of the area is torn apart. It follows the battle of community residents and small businesses as they fight for some place like home. For more information about FUREE or to view a trailer of the film go to furee.org/film/premiere/ Co-sponsored by Fort Greene Peace. Thursday, February 26, 7:00 p.m. 
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NYC. Brooklyn Friends Meeting House, 110 Schermerhorn St (corner of Boerum Place).HUMAN RIGHTS IN GAZA AND THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. Please join Dr. Maya Sabatello, the US legal advisor of B’Tselem (The Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories), for a discussion on the human rights situation in the Occupied Territories and for an up-to-the-minute report on the military campaign in Gaza. Co-sponsored by Fort Greene Peace. Free Admission. Everyone Welcome. Questions? Call 718-624-5921 or e-mail is.pales@brooklynpeace.org. 
Monday, March 2nd, 7:00 p.m.UPPER WEST SIDE NYC. St Mary's Episcopal Church, 521 West 126th Street, NYC SCREENING OF “HAVE YOU HEARD FROM JOHANNESBURG?” AND DISCUSSION. From Johannesburg to Jerusalem: Anti-Apartheid Organizing in the U.S. Showing of critically acclaimed film "Have You Heard from Johannesburg?", followed by a discussion with David Wildman of the United Methodist Church and Mahmood Mamdani of Columbia University. Friday, March 6th, 7:00 p.m. GREENWICH VILLAGE. Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, NYC PANEL DISCUSSION WITH AHDAF SOUEIF, OMAR BARGHOUTI AND REMI KANAZI. The Art of Resistance: Culture and the Boycott of Israel Panel discussion with best-selling author Ahdaf Soueif, founding member of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel Omar Barghouti, and NYC poet Remi Kanazi; moderated by Brooklyn College Professor Moustafa Bayoumi. 
Saturday, March 7, 8:00 p.m. start, doors open at 7:30 p.m.MIDTOWN, NYC. People’s Voice Cafe 40 East 35th Street NYC RAGING GRANNIES PROTEST-SINGING CONCERT Friday, March 20, 7:30 p.m. MIDTOWN EAST, NYC. Saint Peter’s Church, Lexington Avenue at 54th Street 
A CONCERT FOR PEACE.Join Dr. Maya Sabatello, U.S. legal advisor of B'Tselem Hosted by The Iraqi Student Project, in collaboration with Musicians For Harmony, Saint Peter's Church and the Midtown Arts Common. Featuring the Kinan Azmeh Quartet in a celebration of Middle Eastern music, peace, and the culture of Iraq. Special appearance by ISP student pianist, Karam Salem. This concert is part of a ‘Day for Peace’ at Saint Peter’s Church to mark the 6th anniversary of the war in Iraq. Proceeds will benefit the Iraqi Student Project. To purchase concert tickets, visit this page: http://iraqistudentproject.org/nyc-concert Friday, February 20, 1:30 for media, 2:15 for community members. TONAWANDA. Kaufman Avenue Playground, 57 Kaufman Ave. WESTERN NY CLEAN AIR COALITION RALLY FOR CLEANER AIR Followed by a book signing at Talking leaves bookstore on 3158 Main St. at 6:00 p.m. A VAN IS LEAVING BUFF STATE AT 1pm from the classroom building. Friday, February 20, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. CORN HILL, ROCHESTER. Nathaniel's Pub, 251 Exchange Blvd. UNHAPPY HOUR. It's time to put our heads together! Join local non-profits and others facing significant losses with the proposed state budget cuts. Support an alternative to the budget cuts! Meet allies facing cuts. Get an audience for your clients as they tell their stories. Learn more about the Fair Share Tax Reform proposal. Learn specific action you, your colleagues and your clients can take to stop the cuts. 
Saturday, February 21, 7:30 p.m.ALBANY. First Unitarian Universalist Society, 405 Washington Avenue SCREENING OF “THE DEVIL’S MINER” A film on Bolivia. The Solidarity Committee of the Capital District continues its 2008-2009 film series with the showing of this powerful documentary, co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace and Upper Hudson Peace Action . This unusual film presents the story of two brothers, twelve and fourteen years old, who work in Bolivia's Cerro Rico silver mines, a place so dark, depressing, and frightening that miners are firmly convinced it's the home of the devil. Chewing coca leaves to stave off hunger and keep their wits about them, these and other child laborers risk their lives daily in the hope of securing a better existence. Over 8 million workers reportedly have perished in Bolivia's mines since the 16th century. Admission is free, and free refreshments will be provided by the Honest Weight Food Coop. Everyone is welcome to attend. Monday, February 23, 7:00 p.m. GATES. Gates Presbyterian Church, 1049 Wegman Road CANDADIAN MINING AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN GUATAMALA. An event with Grahame Russell, Executive Director of Rights Action. Free and open to the public. 
Thursday, March 5 at 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.BUFFALO. Buffalo State College Bulger Communications Center North (lower floor) ALTERNATIVE SPEAKER SERIES: LECTURE WITH AMIRI BARAKA "A revolutionary poet, for revolutionary times" Friday, March 6 – Saturday, March 7 BRONXVILLE. Sarah Lawrence College, 1 Mead Way. 
11TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S HISTORY CONFERENCE: GENDER AND POWER IN THE MUSLIM WORLD. Keynote Speaker: Mona Eltahawy, Journalist and lecturer on Muslim and Arab issues. Presented by the Sarah Lawrence College Women’s History Graduate Program. Western discourse on Muslims overflows with images of dangerous men and downtrodden women locked into monolithic traditions sharply at odds with life in the “modern” and “tolerant” West. We aim to dismantle such stereotypes by analyzing their construction, assessing their political valence, and exploring the realities they obscure. Within this context we especially seek to challenge essentialist understandings of masculinity, femininity, and Muslim communities, societies and cultures. Free and Open to the Public. Register at http://www.slc.edu/womens-history/conference. Sunday, March 8, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. ROCHESTER. MOKA (Museum Of Kids Art), 90 Webster Ave. OFF THE WALLS: GALA ART AUCTION TO SUPPORT AN EXPANSIONI OF THE ANTI-WAR STOREFRONT. Here’s a great way to support Rochester’s anti-war efforts and put some money in your own pocket, too. The Anti-War Storefront at 658 Monroe Avenue (a retail store, art gallery, performance space, and gathering spot for progressive grassroots organizations) will be holding an “Off the Walls” art auction to raise funds for its anticipated expansion. Look around your home for works of art (paintings, lithographs, posters, pottery, sculpture, etc.) that you would be willing to donate to our Off the Walls Art Auction to be held later this year. You will receive 1/3 of the final sale price for each work you submit, can specify the minimum amount, or you may choose to donate the full sale amount. Starting February 10th auction items may be dropped off at the Storefront (658 Monroe Avenue) Call (585) 582-1322 or 598-4703 for details. Friday, March 13, 6:00 p.m. ROCHESTER. Gates Presbyterian Church, 1049 Wegman Road, near Tinseltown. ANNUAL RICE AND BEANS DINNER, HONORING FATHER RAY BOURGEOIS. 
Hosted by the Rochester Committee on Latin America (ROCLA). $15.00 - $25.00/person (sliding scale). Father Roy Bourgeois, founder of the SOA Watch, will receive the International White Dove Award. For 19 years Fr. Roy has led a growing number of people in protest against the School of the Americas (SOA), which has been used to train military people from Latin American countries who then return to their homeland and brutalize citizens. Fr. Roy not only has led the annual protest at Fort Benning, GA, but also has traveled extensively throughout Latin America to encourage countries to withdraw from the program. He has been successful in several cases. John Honeck, an active member of ROCLA, has been deeply committed to the SOA Watch since 1996. After actions of civil disobedience in 1998 and 1999, in 2000 he and nine others were tried in Federal Court and John spent three months in Allenwood Federal Prison Camp. For his courage and his witness John will receive the Local White Dove Award. Last year the auction was a highlight of the evening, and ROCLA is planning an exciting one this year. Go to www.rocla.org for details. Please reserve your tickets in advance. Call the Kaisers at 585-293-3194 or the Motts at 585-381-5606. Tickets will be held for you at the door. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door before the dinner. Friday, March 20, around midnight ALBANY. Exact location TBA. BUSES TO DEMONSTRATION: U.S. OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN NOW. Two buses will be leaving Albany around midnight, the night before this demonstration and return to Albany after the demonstration on March 21. Bus ticket will be $55. Partial scholarships available. Information: Joe Lombardo at 439-1968. Reserve a bus seat today. Checks can be sent to, BNP, PO Box 473, Delmar, NY 12054 (please include name, phone and e-mail address with check) Weekend of March 27 – 28. Friday night entertainment at 7:00 p.m. Saturday begins at 9:00 a.m. 
WHITE PLAINS. White Plains High School Auditorium,.550 N. St. Bryant Ave.LOWER HUDSON VALLEY SOCIAL FORUM. The Lower Hudson Valley Social Forum is a response to the various pressing issues that we are all facing. Our purpose is to broaden the "single issue" focus of groups that the non-profit industry has created along with a climate of competition for resources, and build a broad movement locally that is clear in opposing all forms of oppression and exploitation. We will highlight voices that are marginalized and made invisible by the corporate media. With Rebel Diaz, the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, Evan Greer, Dr. Robin Kimmerer, Monica Walker, Dada Maheshvarananada and Deepa Fernandes. For more information see www.lhvsocialforum.org or contact Wespac Foundation at 914-449-6514 or info@wespac.org. . Saturday, April 25, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. SYRACUSE. NY State United Teachers Offices, Brittonfield Park, East Syracuse (just off 481, exit 7) PEACE ACTION OF CENTRAL NEW YORK’S 3RD ANNUAL PEACE CONFERENCE. “A Nuclear Free Future: Confronting Today’s Challenges to Nuclear Abolition” 12:30 - 1:00 Registration
1:00 – 2:00 Activist Workshop with Linda Gunter, Andy Mager, Pam Jenkins, Jim and Jean Weiss.
2:00 – 2:30 Refreshments
2:30 – 4:30 Keynote speakers Linda and Paul Gunter from Beyond Nuclear with panelists
Congressman Dan Maffei and Larry Wittner, activist and author.
Price $15. For more information contact Peace Action of Central NY at 315-478-7442 or
info@peaceactioncny.org
Sunday, April 26th, 2:30 p.m. ELMSFORD. Greenburgh Public Library, Tarrytown Rd. OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ON THE ECONOMY Hosted by the Westchester Progressive Forum. Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc. See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm Saturday, March 21. WASHINGTON, D.C. DEMONSTRATION: U.S. OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN NOW. Money for jobs, health care, housing and pensions, not for wars and occupations. End US support for the occupation of Palestine. The US has been at war in Iraq for almost 6 years. The priorities of the new administration will be set in the next few months. The 6th Anniversary of the war in Iraq is the time to make our voices heard. Two buses will be leaving for D.C. around midnight the night before this demonstration and returning to Albany after the demonstration on March 21. Bus ticket will be $55. There will be partial scholarships available. Sponsored by several national anti-war groups and coalitions, including the National Assembly. Information: Joe Lombardo at 439-1968. Reserve a bus seat today. Checks can be sent to, BNP, PO Box 473, Delmar, NY 12054 (please include name, phone and e-mail address with check) Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php. |