Mid-Hudson Region
including Jack Smith's Calendar
http://activistresource.org/calendar/calendar.php
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS THIS WEEK
Monday, Feb. 25, ALBANY: The New York Immigration Coalition is holding
a full day of action here today on behalf of immigrant rights. Those
who wish to participate should see the information sources below for
exact times and events. The center for the action is at the Kitty Carlisle
Hart Theatre at The Egg near the state Capital. The coalition urges,
"Join us as we call on the Governor, the State Legislature, and
state agencies for action on critical immigrant community issues: Establish
a major NYS Citizenship Initiative; Strengthen education funding and
services for English language learner youth; Improve and ensure immigrant
access to healthcare; Strengthen immigrant worker protections; Increase
adult English language and education classes; Increase quality, affordable
housing for immigrants." Information, Jose Davila, (212) 627-2227,
ext 241, http://www.thenyic.org.
————————————
Tuesday, Feb. 26, WHITE PLAINS: Adam Isacson of the Center for International
Policy will deliver a talk on Human Rights, Militarization and U.S.
Policy in Colombia, a country with a government closely aligned to Washington
that is among the biggest recipients of American foreign aid, much of
it devoted to defeating leftist guerrilla movements seeking social change.
We're told that "scandals during the last two years have exposed
the state's collaboration with paramilitary death squads…. Some
of the closest political allies of President Alvaro Uribe have been
incarcerated for ties with these groups. The pending approval in the
House of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement has halted in light
of these scandals. During the last few weeks, tense relations between
Colombia and Venezuela were exacerbated by Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice's recent visit to Bogotá, the Colombian capital." The
event begins at 6:45 p.m. at the Public Library auditorium, 100 Martine
Ave. It is sponsored by the WESPAC Foundation. Information, (914) 682-4690,
http://www.wespac.org.
————————————
Tuesday, Feb. 26, PURCHASE (Manhattanville College campus): There will
be a talk tonight at 7:15 p.m. on the topic, "Veterans for Peace
— What Vietnam and Iraq Veterans have to Say About the War."
Speaking will be Fabian Bouthillette, a Navy veteran, member of Iraq
Vets Against War, Jim Murphy, former Air Force radioman who served in
Vietnam 1967-8, Dayl Wise, who was drafted into the Army in 1969 and
served in Vietnam and Cambodia, and members of VVAW, Veterans for Peace
and Veterans Speak Out on War. The meeting will take place at the college's
Reid Hall (The Castle). It is sponsored by the Connie Hogarth Center
for Social Action. Information, directions, (914) 323-7156.
————————————
Wednesday, Feb. 27, ALL OVER: The documentary, "Pete Seeger: The
Power of Song," will be shown on the American Masters TV program
on PBS at 9 p.m. tonight. According to the program notes, "This
first authorized film poetically documents Seeger’s unique experience
and contributions. The man who introduced America to its own folk heritage,
he deeply believes in the power of song and is convinced that individuals
can make a difference. He made a whole generation passionate about playing
the guitar and picking the banjo, and got them singing together and
using music as a force for social change. Largely misunderstood by his
critics, including the U.S. government, for his views on peace, civil
rights and ecology, Seeger went from the top of the hit parade to the
top of the blacklist — banned from commercial television for more
than 17 years. His inspiring, but not always easy, story is told by
everyone from Bob Dylan to the Dixie Chicks and through a remarkable
historical archive -- a history that Seeger himself, now almost 90 years
old, helped create." For more information, about the film and to
listen to some of his songs, visit http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/seeger_p.html.
————————————
Wednesday, Feb. 27, DOBBS FERRY: Mercy College (555 Broadway) is the
venue for a 7 p.m. talk on wrongful court convictions and the death
penalty. The speaker will be Jeffrey Deskovic, who will discuss his
own case, his prison experience, the failure of the appeals process,
how he came to be exonerated, the general causes of wrongful convictions,
and more. Information, http://myspace.com/180415823
————————————
Wednesday, Feb. 27, POUGHKEEPSIE: In a couple of weeks from now, on
the evenings of March 13-14, there will be a benefit production of The
Vagina Monologues to raise awareness and funds for local organizations
working to end violence against women and girls. Today, there will be
a meeting (7-9 p.m.) of people interested in playing a part in organizing
the event and/or performing in Eve Ensler's famous feminist play. The
sponsor, V-Day Poughkeepsie, says it "needs people to volunteer
for the organizing committee, and there may be a couple of monologues
that have not yet been assigned. No experience is necessary, but if
you can do lighting, sound, or create a program to project the subtitles
on the screen please call, email, or come to the next meeting….
Women of all ages, including high school students, are invited to be
involved." The performances, organizing and practice location is
at the Family Partnership Center, 29 N. Hamilton St. For information,
directions volunteering and anything else, contact (845) 255-3558, Iarasap@gmail.com,
http://www.vday.org. For a schedule of performances visit http://events.vday.org/2008/World/Poughkeepsie_(TVM).
————————————
Thursday, Feb. 28 NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): "Overkill: The Rise
of Paramilitary Police Raids in America" is the title of a talk
on civil liberties by Radley Balko, a senior editor of Reason Magazine
and former policy analyst for the Cato Institute. This event, sponsored
by the Libertarian Club, will start at 7 p.m. in Lecture Center 102.
It is public and free. A campus map is at http://www.newpaltz.edu/map/.
Information, Igor Gembitsky, (646) 508-1688, gembit45@newpaltz.edu,
http://www.theagitator.com/about/.
————————————
Friday, Feb. 29, POUGHKEEPSIE: The Dutchess Peace Coalition is organizing
a screening of an excellent documentary critical of the unjust Iraq
war, filmmaker Rory Kennedy's "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib." This
free event, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Muddy Cup, 305 Main St.,
will be followed by an audience discussion. This is part of the coalition's
film series, "Give Peace a Film." Information, http://www.dutchesspeace.org.
————————————
Saturday, March 1, KINGSTON: A memorial gathering for Jane VanDeBogart,
an extraordinary peace and justice activist in the Mid-Hudson Region,
will be held today starting at 1:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist
Congregation at 320 Sawkill Rd. in the Town of Ulster. Jane, 67 and
a resident of Woodstock, died at home Feb. 16 — surrounded by
many friends — after a long struggle with cancer. A strong, stoic
and determined woman, she remained active until the last weeks of her
life. We knew her primarily from her decades-long membership in the
Caribbean and Latin America Support Project, but she was involved with
a score of different groups and causes and always seemed to be engaged
in several endeavors at once — from peace activism to the weekly
Women in Black vigil in Woodstock to reproductive rights issues to Quilters
for Peace and so on, and on. Jane also made a point of continuing a
practice begun by her late parents soon after the Cuban revolution that
consisted of organizing an annual picnic/celebration of Moncada Day
(July 26), the day a small band of guerrillas led by Fidel Castro attacked
the dictatorship's Moncada military installation and suffered a serious
defeat that ultimately led to victory several years later. She presided
at her last Moncada Day event at her home in July. Jane was a lifelong
progressive Democrat and was active in party affairs, occasionally as
a critic. For more information about Jane's life, and comments from
those who knew her, visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/vandebogart.
The Woodstock Times published a warm obituary with a full account of
Jane's activities. It is at http://www.ulsterpublishing.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=441838/.
————————————
Saturday, March 1, KINGSTON: The alternative protest ensemble Flames
of Discontent will perform a free 6-7:30 p.m. concert at uptown Kingston's
Alternative Bookstore (35 N. Front Street), in "keeping our promise
of playing as much protest music as we can until we are all finally
rid of the Bush/Cheney band of thieves."The Flames are John Pietaro
(vocals, electric banjo) and Laurie Towers (lead electric bass, backing
vocals). Information, (845) 331-5439, leftmus@earthlink.net, http://www.flamesofdiscontent.org.
————————————
Saturday, March 1, ALBANY: Students for Workers' Rights and Campus Greens
of the University at Albany (SUNY) are organizing a 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
series of panels and workshops "on contemporary issues including
the war in Iraq, violence against women, voting rights, media reform,
environmental advocacy, and more. The purpose of the conference is to
open a dialogue between students, faculty, community members, and community
organizations about global issues and to encourage local activism and
local solutions to global conflicts." The events will be held at
the university's Campus Center, 2nd floor, 1400 Washington Ave. Information,
sweatfreeua@gmail.com.
————————————
Saturday, March 1, NEW YORK: A presentation of music for peace by the
Ensemble Pi, titled "The Rest is Silence," will start at 8
p.m. in Cooper Union's Great Hall, 7 East 7th St. at 3rd Ave. The guest
speaker is Naomi Wolf, author of The End of America. Among the performers
will be Iraqi actress and singer Namaá Alward, who was a young
leftist political exile from her homeland when she returned to join
the Human Shield project in the days before the U.S. launched its "shock
and awe" bombings and unjust invasion. The event will mark the
fifth anniversary of the war as well as the death of Rachel Corrie.
The event will also premiere John Harbison's "Abu Ghraib"
for cello and piano. Mid-Hudson antiwar activist and 2003 Human Shield
Judith Karpova, who met Namaá Alward in Baghdad, tells us that
"her singing is intricate, emotional and pure. I urge everyone
who has a chance, to go to Cooper Union and see her and the other world-class
musicians and performers." Admission is $15.
————————————
Saturday, March 1, OSSINING: A Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition
is opening today until March 16. The opening ceremony today is at 2-3
p.m. The exhibition will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Spellman Room
of the Maryknoll Society, 55 Ryder Rd. It is sponsored by the City of
Hiroshima, the City of Nagasaki, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Nagasaki
Atomic Bomb Museum, Pax Christi Maryknoll N.Y., and Scarsdale Quaker
Meeting. Information, (914) 941-7950.
HUDSON VALLEY WEEKLY VIGILS
[NOTE: The following list of weekly peace vigils in the Hudson
Valley is
organized first by the day of the week, then alphabetically by town.
Unless
you know for sure that a particular vigil will be held, contact the
information number first because there may be changes we haven't received
yet. PLEASE INFORM US if you know of new vigils or if there are changes
in
your local vigil.]
Monday, DELMAR: Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace holds a peace
vigil 5-6 p.m.
at the four corners (Delaware and Kenwood). Information,
raindan@wildernessawareness.org.
Monday, MIDDLETOWN: A vigil is taking place Mondays at 7 p.m.
at the
Fireman's Monument, corner of North and James Sts. (Use Thrall Library
public parking lot.). Information, rreader@hvc.rr.com.
Monday, ONEONTA: Citizens' Alternative Voice organizes a weekly
anti-war
vigil from 12:30-1:30 p.m.. Information, Eugene Marner,
carolegene@frontiernet.net.
Monday, SARANAC LAKE: A weekly antiwar vigil will be held from
4-5 p.m. in
front of Town Hall, sponsored by Adirondack Voices for Peace. Information,
Michelle Syverson, (518) 891-9260.
Tuesday, GLENS FALLS: A weekly peace vigil, 8-8:30 p.m. outside
the Crandall
library, sometimes wandering to the 4-way intersection on Glen St.
Information, Bernice Mennis, (518) 798-3992.
Tuesday, SCHENECTADY: A peace vigil takes place at 5-6 p.m.
in front of the
Peace Pole at the First United Methodist Church, 603 State St. Information,
Carolyn Micklas at carolynmicklas@yahoo.com .
Wednesday, ALBANY: A weekly peace vigil takes place at noon
on the east side
of the state Capitol building (Eagle St., across from City Hall). Sponsored
by Albany Friends Meeting, information, (518) 477-4004.
Wednesday, CHAPPAQUA: A weekly peace vigil takes place 5-6
p.m. at the train
station. Information, Rev. Melanie Miller, First Congregational Church.
Information, (914) 238-4411, ext. 103.
Wednesday, COLD SPRING: A peace vigil will be held 5:30-6:30
p.m. on the
corner of Rts. 9D and 301. Information, call Gordon Duggan, (845) 265-3995.
Wednesday, COLONIE: A peace vigil takes place 5-6 p.m. Wolf
Road side of
Colonie Center. Information, maumand@nycap.rr.com.
Wednesday, NEW YORK CITY: The Ground Zero Witness for Peace
and Justice
takes place 12:15-1:15 p.m. weekly at Church St. (behind St. Paul's
Chapel
churchyard), between Vessey and Fulton Sts. It is sponsored by people
directly affected in one way or another by the 9/11 attack on the nearby
Twin Towers. Information, wtcwup@hotmail.com.
Wednesday, POUGHKEEPSIE: Weekly peace vigil, 7:30-8: p.m. at
the corner of
College and Raymond Aves. Candles will be available at the vigil. ³Try
to
stop by when possible.² Information, junichols@vassar.edu
<mailto:junichols@vassar.edu> .
Wednesday, RHINEBECK: Weekly peace vigil, 6 p.m. at the stop
light. Candles
available at the vigil. Information, JoelTyner@eathlink.net.
Thursday, CHATHAM: Weekly peace vigil, 6-7 p.m., opposite the
clock tower at
the site of the summertime farm stand. For information, Bob Elmendorf,
poetapoetus@earthlink.net.
Thursday, CLIFTON PARK: A weekly peace vigil, 4:30-6 p.m. at
Rt. 146 and
Maxwell Rd., organized by Clifton Park Neighbors and Friends for Peace.
Information, llakritz@hotmail.com, bayb1@juno.com.
Thursday, CROTON: Weekly peace vigil, 7-8:15 a.m., across from
Prudential
Realty, at the top of the Croton Harmon train station parking lot. They
advise, "Bring your own poster or borrow one, as we will have extras...and
maybe a cup of hot coffee. Be sure to wear warm clothing. Come join
us for
the full time or whatever amount of time you can commit before you head
off
to work by train or car. Information, Ginny Stillman,
stillman@computer.net.
Thursday, ELIZABETHTOWN: A weekly antiwar vigil will be held
from 4-5:15
p.m. in front of the county courthouse, sponsored by Adirondack Voices
for
Peace. Information, Michelle Syverson, (518) 891-9260.
Thursday, NEW ROCHELLE: A weekly antiwar vigil takes place
12:15 -1:15 p.m.
at the intersection of Main Street and Memorial Highway. Information
from
Vivian at vfbergen@aol.com.
Thursday, NEW YORK CITY: A vigil to end the occupation of the
Palestinian
territories takes place 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 14th St. and Broadway (Union
Square, on the island opposite the Virgin Megastore). Sponsored by Women
in
Black, part of the Israeli Coalition of Women for Peace. Men welcome.
Wear
black if possible. Information, mkk@netstep.net or hhwg2001@hotmail.com.
Thursday, OSSINING: A weekly peace vigil from 7-8 p.m. is established
in
front of the High School on Rt. 9. Information, sabine@ossiningnewyork.org,
(914) 941-8309, (914) 682-0488.
Thursday, PITTSFIELD, Mass. (6 miles from Columbia county line):
A weekly
peace vigil takes place 5-6 p.m. at Park Square. Information,
litchard@rcn.com.
Saturday, July 9, HUDSON: A weekly outdoor ³gathering
for peace, justice,
and a reverence for life,² held continuously since 9/11, will take
place 2-4
p.m. at the 7th St. Park at Warren St. Information, (518) 851-5150,
amble@taconic.net.
Friday, SCHENECTADY: A weekly peace vigil takes place from
11 a.m. to noon
at the Armed Forces Recruiting Center, Jay and Liberty Sts. Organized
by the Good Friday Coalition. information, (518) 861-5627.
Saturday, CAMBRIDGE: A weekly peace vigil 11:30 a.m.-12:30
p.m. at Main St.
and Rt. 22. Information, hodnipps@mybizz.net.
Saturday, COBLESKILL: A weekly peace vigil begins at 11 a.m.
in front of the
library. A discussion group on issues related to peace and sustainable
living meets inside the library at 10 a.m., prior to the vigil. Information,
(518) 234-3915.
Saturday, DELHI: A weekly antiwar vigil will
be held from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at
Village Green, organized by Delaware County Voices for Peace. Bring
signs
if you wish. Information, (845) 676-3653, (845) 254-4602.
Saturday, GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. (6 miles from Columbia county
line): A
weekly peace vigil, 11 a.m.-noon, in front of Town Hall. Information,
litchard@rcn.com.
Saturday, GREENWICH (Washington county): A vigil will be held
at 11:30 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m. at the library corner.
Saturday, HILLSDALE: A weekly vigil sponsored by Women in Black
takes place
from 11 a.m.-12 noon at the war memorial at the corner of Anthony St.
and
Rt. 23 in the center of town. Wear black, bring a sign. Information,
harp@taconic.net.
Saturday, HUDSON: A weekly peace vigil gathers at 2 p.m. at
the 7th St.
Park, ³until the madness stops.² Information, mathamila@yahoo.com
.
Saturday, JOHNSTOWN: A vigil for peace is held 3-4 p.m. in
front of the band
shell on Main St. Information, Dorothy Okray (518) 762-7165,
djso@telenet.net.
Saturday, KINGSTON: A weekly peace vigil is being held 10:30-11:30
a.m. in
front of the Main Post Office on Cornell St., sponsored by Kingston
Women in
Black. ³Black attire is hoped for, as is silence. Men are welcome
to join us
in solidarity.² Information, wibkingston@yahoo.com.
Saturday, LIBERTY: Sullivan Peace will be holds its MONTHLY
(not weekly at
this point) vigil/march on the first Saturday of each month at 12:45
p.m. in
front of the Liberty Theater. Bring signs, puppets, buttons or just
your
opposition to current U.S. international and homeland policies. At 1:30
p.m.
we meet at 109 South Main Street at the Liberty Free Theatre. All are
welcome. Information, 1-888-477-4343,
http://www.sullivanpeaceandjustice.org.
Saturday, MONTGOMERY: WIB has a weekly vigil, 2-3 p.m. at the
corner of Rt.
211 (Union St.) and Charles St. . Information, heavey@frontiernet.net.
Saturday, NANUET: The Rockland Peace Coalition conducts vigils
1-3 p.m. at
the four corners on the northwest corner of Rt. 59 and Middletown Rd.
Parking lot near the Tuxedo store, across from the little park. Rain
or
shine! Information, info@rocklandaction.org.
Saturday, NEW LEBANON: A weekly one- or two-hour peace walk
through town
starts from New Lebanon High School on Rt. 22. Information,
Jesse_Millett@hotmail.com.
Saturday, NEW PALTZ: There is a peace vigil starting at 12:30
p.m. in front
of the Elting Library on Main and N. Front Sts., coordinated by New
Paltz
Women in Black, Direct Action Group, Arts for Peace, Synthesis Club,
the
Peace and Justice Concerns Committee of the New Paltz Religious Society
of
Friends (Quakers), and the Mid-Hudson National People's Campaign.
Information, womeninblacknp@aol.com.
Saturday, NEW YORK CITY: A weekly public meeting "to promote
open dialogue
and disseminate information on the conflict over Palestine" takes
place from
3-5 p.m. at Union Square, 14th St. and Broadway (on the traffic island
opposite the Virgin Megastore. It is organized by PAUS (Palestine Action
Union Square). Information from Sally Eberhardt, sallyeb@aol.com.
Saturday, NEW YORK CITY: Peace vigil, weekly at 11:30-2 p.m.,
northern end
of Union Square park. Organized by War Resisters League. Information
(212)
228-0450, (800) 975-9688, wrl@igc.org.
Saturday, POUGHKEEPSIE: (CALL FIRST, to make sure) A weekly
peace vigil,
10-11 a.m. at the intersection of Rts. 44-55 east and South Hamilton.
Information, Jane, (845) 454-3325., jmgreen@bestweb.net.
Saturday, SCHUYLERVILLE: A 10 a.m.-1 p.m. peace gathering takes
place at the
intersection of Rts. 29 and 4, organized by the Battenkill Greens. Signs
welcome. Information, unorg@msn.com.
Saturday, RED HOOK: Women in Black Silent Vigil against the
Iraq war and
occupation. Men are welcome, of course. It takes place 1-2 p.m. at the
four
corners. Information, Patti Gordon, pgordon@frontiernet.net, (845) 758-1051.
Saturday, SARATOGA SPRINGS: From 12-1 p.m. a weekly peace gathering
takes
place in at the Broadway post office. Sponsored by the Saratoga Peace
Alliance. Information, Jim Fulmer, (518) 583-7501, jfulmer1@nycap.rr.com.
Saturday, SAUGERTIES: A weekly peace vigil is held noon-1 p.m.
at Market and
Main Sts., organized by the Saugerties Committee for Peace and Justice
and
others. Information, (845) 246-3449, SaugertiesPeaceCommittee@operamail.com.
Saturday, SCHUYLERVILLE: A peace gathering and witness will
be held 10 a.m.
to 1 p.m., organized by the Battenkill Greens at the intersection of
Rts. 29
and 4. Bring signs, if you wish. Information, unorg@msn.com.
Saturday, TROY: There is a weekly peace vigil 11 a.m.-12 noon
at Riverfront
Park, near the Uncle Sam statue, organized by Rosa House Peace Community.
Information, (518) 272-1468, info@rosahouse.org.
Saturday, WAPPINGERS FALLS: A weekly vigil is held 12:30 -2
p.m. at the
intersection of Rts. 9 and 9D, across from Staples, near the South Hills
Mall. Information, vicki379@earthlink.net,
Pescadoroo@aol.com.
Saturday, WHITE PLAINS: A peace vigil is being held at 1 p.m.
at the
fountain at Main St and Mamaroneck Ave. "No sticks or poles allowed
and no
sound system." Information, Jane Mercaldi (914) 682-3354,
bjmhowe@warwick.net.
Saturday, YONKERS: Weekly antiwar vigil, noon-1:30 p.m., outside
Shop-Rite
intersection of Yonkers Ave. and Riverdale Ave. Sponsored by Concerned
Families of Westchester. Information, bkatzen@bestweb.net.
Sunday, SARATOGA SPRINGS: A candlelight vigil is held from
7-8 p.m. at
Congress Park on Broadway. Bring a candle, no signs please. Sponsored
by
Saratoga Peace Alliance, building peace in the community through dialogue
and action, http://www.saratogapeacealliance.org
<http://www.saratogapeacealliance.org/> .
Sunday, Vorheesville: Peace Vigil weekly, 7-8 p.m. in the gazebo
in the
center of town. Information, cburger@peoplepc.com.
Sunday, WARWICK (Orange County): Women in Black will conduct
a weekly
walking vigil starting at 1 p.m. Meet at the South St. parking lot.
This is
a silent vigil, all in black. "Men may attend as supporters, but
do not
walk." Information, cymru@optonline.net.
Sunday, WOODSTOCK: A weekly peace vigil lasts from 1-2 p.m.
at the Woodstock
Village Green, on Tinker St. just off Mill Hill Rd. (Rt. 212). Sponsored
by,
Woodstock Women in Black, Peace Action Network and others. Information,
PAN@netstep.net, JaneToby@aol.com.