NEW YORK PEACE NETWORK Alert #226

Featured Event

Saturday, October 3, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
STATEN ISLAND. Family Life Center, 59 Wright St., Stapleton.
2ND ANNUAL "MAKE FOOD NOT WAR" BUFFET DINNER

WITH STATEN ISLAND’S OWN CELEBRITY CHEFS
Honoring Hashem El-Maligy, Thomas Good, Barbara Walker, Sylvia Zaage - four local peacemakers, each of whom in his or her own way helps to raise awareness of peaceful, non-militaristic solutions, and promotes acceptance of diversity with a focus on the humanitarian needs of our community and world. For more information at www.panys.org/SI/. $35 adults, $10 children. Reserve your tickets now at 718-989-2881.

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m.
GREENWICH VILLAGE. IRT Performance Space, 154 Christopher Street, Suite 3B
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE CELEBRATION WITH SCREENINGS AND STAGED READINGS.

Co-hosted by the New York Peace Film Festival and Interborough Repertory Theater. Admission is free. On Sept. 15, a screening of the documentary film "Nijuuhibaku( Double Hibakusha)" will kick off the series. Last March, Mr. Tsutomu Yamaguchi became the first person officially certified by the government as a double A-bomb victim, a “double Hibakusha.” The film, in Japanese with English subtitles, features Mr. Yamaguchi and others who experienced the atomic bombings of both Hirroshima and Nagasaki and survived both. Following the hour long documentary film, short poems by Mr. Yamaguchi (Tanka, a specific Japanese poetic form) will be read. Then, on Sept. 22, a staged reading of “Atomic Field,” a play by Kenneth Robbins directed by Sonoko Kawahara, will be performed in Japanese. Dying of lung cancer, the main character served during and post WWII, evoking memories of the war and nuclear testing during the 1950’s. There is no English translation for this reading. Due to the limited seating, reservations are strongly recommended and can be made at: nypeacefilmfestival@gmail.com or by calling 212-592-3311.

Wednesday September 23, 7:00 p.m.
FORT GREENE, BROOKLYN. Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 85 South Oxford Street at Lafayette Ave.
REMEMBER SHEM WALKER!
Shem Walker was shot and killed on July 11, 2009, in front of his home in Clinton Hill by a NYPD undercover cop. Police use of deadly force must end! Come to a Community Meeting: Program includes: Shavone Walker (Shem Walker’s Daughter); Kirsten Foy (Walker Family Spokesperson); Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (57AD); One Hundred Blacks In Law Enforcement Who Care. Question and Answer period will follow the presentations. Sponsors: Fort Greene Peace, Families United for Racial and Economic Equality (FUREE), Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (57th AD). Endorsed by Brooklyn For Peace. E-mail fortgreenepeace@gmail.com with any questions.

Wednesday, September 23, 7:00 p.m.
UNION SQUARE EAST
Friends Meeting House, 15 Rutherford Place, btwen 15th & 16th Sts, Second & Third Aves.
AN EVENING WITH CHRIS HEDGES
Join Chris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize winninig journalist and New York Times best-selling author of Empire of Illusion: the End of Literacy and the Triumph of Spectacle, as he charts the dramatic and disturbing rise of a post-literate America that craves fantasy, ecstasy, and illusion. Audience questions will be taken, and following the event there will be a book signing. Free of charge, first come, first seated.

Wednesday, September 23
GREENWICH VILLAGE. Angelika Film Center, 18 W Houston St;

"CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY" - NYC PREMIERE
“This film has it all …lust, passion, romance, and 14,000 jobs being eliminated every day” - Michael Moore. A fierce study of the current economic crisis, the hypocrisy of bailout-dependent banks, corporate greed, and those who, in the shuffle, are pushed to the (profit) margins.
(The film opens nationally on October 2.) www.capitalismlovestory.com
Angelika times and tickets.

Friday, September 24th at 7:30 p.m.
QUEENS. All Saints Church, 43-12 46th Street.
SCREENING OF “RETHINK AFGHANISTAN”
The Veterans For Peace, NYC Chapter, will show Robert Greenwald's "Rethink Afghanistan". The film interviews commentators from the U.S., Afghanistan and Russia. Is this occupation about national security? Open discussion to follow. Political candidates are invited to be on the panel. Recent polls show that 54% of Americans want us out of Afghanistan. For more info call Tom Siracuse ( 212-874-2154), Bill Gilson (914-419-9728) or Bob Keilbach (718-358-8568),

Thursday, September, 24, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
BROOKLYN. Brooklyn Friends Meeting House, 110 Schermerhorn St. @ Boerum Place,
CRISIS IN DARFUR, SUDAN: CONTRASTING RESPONSES.
Why did this conflict start? What’s happening now? Is it genocide? Is it Arab vs. black African? Who are the Janjaweed? Who can help? Two scholars – Two views. Mahmood Mamdani, Phd, is a Professor of Government and Anthropology at Columbia University. Originally from Uganda, he has researched and written extensively on the crisis, including his most recent book “Saviors and Survivors: Darfur, Politics, and the War on Terror.” Ali B. Ali-Dinar, PhD, is the Outreach Director for the African Studies Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He is from El Fasher in Darfur and is the grandson of the last Sulton of Darfur. He is the founder of “Darfur Information Center” and the Darfur Alert Coalition. Sponsored by Brooklyn for Peace (Darfur/Africa Committee), and the Peace & Social Action Committee of the Brooklyn Religious Society of Friends. Admission is free, donations appreciated. For questions, call 718-624-5921 or email darfur@brooklynpeace.org.

Thursday, September 24, 8:00 p.m.
MORNINGSIDE. Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York
GATHERING WITH PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ FRIAS OF VENEZUELA
President Chávez will be in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, and has requested an encounter with local community leaders and organizations in order to share his vision for creating peace and security in the hemisphere. In recent years, the President has stressed the need for international cooperation to end existing conflicts and avoid militarization. This goal of achieving peace is closely related with new policies in Venezuela designed to promote development and social justice. If you are able to attend, please write to unidosporlapaz2009@gmail.com, or call 212-826-1683 (office) or 202-365-6900 (cell). Please reply as soon as possible so that we may issue a ticket before Tuesday, September 22nd. Kindly let us know if you need any special assistance.

Saturday September, 26, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
STATEN ISLAND Staten Island Museum, 75 Stuyvesant Place.
PEACE ACTION STATEN ISLAND POTLUCK AND GENERAL MEETING
Speaker: LES LEOPOLD, author of "The Looting of America: How Wall Street's Game of Fantasy Finance Destroyed Our Jobs, Pensions, and Prosperity — and What We Can Do About It".
Free. There will also be discussion of fall events.

Wednesday, September 30, 7:30 p.m.
STATEN ISLAND Unitarian Church, 312 Fillmore Street.

THE SHMINISTIM TOUR: ISRAELI STUDENTS SPEAK AGAINST THE OCCUPATION
Two Israeli high school students, Netta Mishly and Maya Wind, jailed because they refused to enlist in the IDF, are taking their message of resistance to the Israeli occupation of Palestine to communities and colleges across the United States. Organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and CodePink, the nationwide Shministim Tour is also endorsed by American Friends Service Committee, Faculty for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, Global Exchange, and Interfaith Peace Builders. More info: www.uucsi.org/forum

Wednesday, September 30. 8:00 p.m. (7:30 p.m. refreshments)
GREAT NECK. Great Neck Library, Bayview Ave. & Grist Mill Rd.

RETHINKING AFGHANISTAN: HOW CAN WE END THE WAR?
with David Wildman, Executive Director. Human Rghts & Racial Justice,
General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church.
Come for a discussion with David Wildman on exit strategies and how the war is affecting communities in Afghanistan as well as well as in America. Watch segments of the film "Rethinking Afghanistan" and join in deciding what we can do as the administration plans its next moves in the eight year war. David Wildman has been to Afghanistan four times since 2004, most recently in May of 2009. He has written and talked extensively on the subject. For info & directions: 516-487-378

Friday, October 2, 7:30 p.m.
BROOKLYN. Park Slope United Methodist Church, 6th Ave. and 8th St.

A CONVERSATION WITH TOM HAYDEN
Does U. S. foreign policy in Iraq, Afghansitan and Pakistan mean Endless War?
Veteran ativist Tom Hayden is a leading voice for ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, closing sweatshops, saving the environment, and reforming politics through greater citizen participation. A former California State Senator and author or editor of thirteen books, Hayden was a founder of Students for a Democratic Society in 1961 and primary author if its visionary call, the Port Huron Statement, described by Howard Zinn as "one of those historic documents which represents an era." Q and A will follow the talk. Free admission, donations gratefully accepted. Reception follows the event. Sponsors: Brooklyn For Peace, Park Slope United Methodist Church Social Action Committee. Info: 1nfo@brooklynpeace.org, 718-624-5921, http://www.brooklynpeace.org.

Wednesday, October 7, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
BAY RIDGE, BROOKLYN. Office of Congressman Michael McMahon, 8505 4th Avenue
AFGHANISTAN PROTEST IN FRONT ON MICHAEL MCMAHON’S OFFICE
On Wednesday, October 7, the Interfaith Peace Coalition will hold a protest in front of the office of Congressman Michael E. McMahon, who replaced Vito Fossella in the 13th District, We will present petitions to Congressman McMahon and ask him to convey the petitions to President Obama, requesting that the President begin to bring our troops home from Afghanistan. In addition we will ask the Congressman to cosponsor HR 2404, a bill introduced by Congressman James McGovern, demanding an exit strategy from our military involvement in Afghanistan. Join your voice with ours on October 7 to send a loud and clear message to the government that we want our troops home now.

Wednesday, October 7, 7:00 p.m.
UNION SQUARE EAST Friends Meeting House, 14 Rutherford Place, between 15th and 16th Streets, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
AN EVENING WITH CHRIS HEDGES
Join CHRIS HEDGES, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of “Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and The Triumph of Spectacle” (Nation Books), as he charts the dramatic and disturbing rise of a post-literate America that craves fantasy, ecstasy and illusion. Audience questions will be taken, and following the event there will be a book signing. Free of charge. First come, first seated. Doors open at 6.30 p.m. For more information please go to www.nationbooks.org or call 212-822-0269.

Thursday October 8, 6:30 p.m.
PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN. Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, Prospect Park West & 2nd St.
SCREENING OF “VOCES INNOCENTES”
Feature film by Luis Mandoki (2005, Mexico) about a boy growing up in El Salvador during the Civil War of the '80's. Film begins promptly at 6:45 pm. Discussion to follow. Admission Free: Contributions Please!

Sunday, October 11, 12 noon – 2:00 p.m.
HUDSON RIVER. Depart from Bateaux New York, Pier 62, West 23rd Street at 12th St.
FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION FIRST PEACE BANQUET AND BOAT CRUISE.
Three annual FOR Peace Prizes will be awarded during the luncheon banquet. The recipients include an extraordinary network of Iraqis using nonviolence in the midst of war and occupation, and two outstanding individuals working on the front lines for peace and social justice. (A fourth prize, the Youth & Militarism Resistance Award will be presented later this year.) FOR's 2009 honorees are La’Onf, Cynthia Brown and Frances Pratt. Our keynote speaker is Rev. Michael Lapsley, the Director of the Institute for the Healing of Memories in Cape Town, South Africa.

Wednesday October 14, 7:00 p.m.
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN Brooklyn Friends Meeting House, 110 Schermerhorn Street @ Boerum Place. TOWN HALL MEETING ON A NUCLEAR WEAPONS FREE MIDDLE EAST
AND A NUCLEAR-WEAPONS-FREE WORLD.
No New Nukes ... No Old Nukes ... Nuclear ZERO!!! Come to a Town Hall Meeting on real paths to a Nuclear-Weapons-Free Middle East (Israel and Iran included) and a Nuclear-Weapons-Free World (including us all). President Obama is planning a Global Summit on Nuclear Security in March 2010. Are we ready to participate in the political dialogue?? John Burroughs, Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee on Nuclear Poilcy, will present some basic issues. Sponsor: Brooklyn For Peace. Co-sponsors: Peace & Social Action Committee of Brooklyn Friends Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers); Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy; Peace Action New York State; Peace Boat. Free admission, contributions appreciated! Questions? Call 718-624-5921 or e-mail nuclearzero@brooklynpeace.org./

Sunday October 18, 8:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN. Public Assembly, 70 N. 6th St between Kent & Wythe
BROOKLYN GET RADICAL!! BENEFIT CONCERT FOR BROOKLYN FOR PEACE.
Celebrate our 25th anniversary! Featuring MC K-Swift; Chesney Snow; Stephanie Rooker; Intangible Collective; Readnex Poetry Squad; & More! DJ Sets by DJ Chela and Ohio Party. Admission: $10 (must be 21+) Questions? Call 718-624-5921 or e-mail bfp@brooklynpeace.org.

Thursday, October 23, through Saturday, October 24.
CHELSEA. SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street.
SVA'S "VISIONS OF WAR" CONFERENCE: PLAY, FILMS, PANELS
The Humanities and Sciences Program at the School of Visual Arts is presenting a four-day conference, "Visions of War: the arts represent conflict" at the Algonquin Hotel from Thursday October 21 through Saturday October 23. Part of the conference this year are the following events, free and open to the public, held at the brand new SVA Theatre:

Thursday, October 23, 7:00 p.m.
PLAY: THE WARRIOR by Jack Gilhooley, with Talk Back session
The Warrior is a play about a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and two tours in Iraq, the damage her absence has done to her family, and to her mental health. After the performance there will be a Talk Back session which includes questions from the audience and answers. Preview for The Warrior.

Friday, October 24, 7:00 p.m.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Sponsored by Stephen Frailey, Chair, BFA Photography. More information to come.

Saturday, October 23, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
FILM SERIES: AFTER THE WARS
Film series hosted by Reeves Lehamna, Chair, Film Video and Animation Department. More information to come.

Saturday, October 23, 6:30 8:30 p.m.
PANEL: THE SCARS OF WAR: HEALING THROUGH THE ARTS.
Moderated by screenwriter/playwright/Vietnam combat veteran David Berry, a member of the SVA Film Department faculty. Panelists include film artists/combat veterans (screenwriters and directors), a psychologist with over three decades of experience treating Vietnam veterans, and a retired Army Colonel who has become a major spokesperson for those demanding official recognition and treatment of female victims of violence in the military.

Sunday, November 8, 1:30 – 5:00 p.m.
UPPER EAST SIDE. Hunter College/CUNY, 68th Street at Lexington Avenue
END US MILITARIZATION OF THE PACIFIC
The Granny Peace Brigade’s Fourth Teach-in will focus on U. S. military bases in Japan/Okinawa, the Philippines and South Korea, and their deplorable effects on the host countries’ populace and the environment. The event will be free and open to the public. Details on program and speakers will be forthcoming. For more details, please see www.grannypeacebrigade.org/.

Wednesday, September 30, 7:00 p.m.
PLEASANTVILLE. Lienhard Lecture Hall, Pace University, 861 Bedford Road
REPORT BACK FROM GAZA
Four members of a recent delegation to the Gaza Strip, including Felice Gelman, Ceil Lavan, Daniel Strum and Tom Suarez, are coming to speak to the Pace Community about conditions on the ground and prospects for peace. They will share short video clips of people that they met in Gaza. Palestinian artist, Lailati Nar, will attend the evening with a display of her artwork. Please RSVP to info@wespac.org.

Wednesday, October 7th, 7:00 p.m.
ROCHESTER. Downtown Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St.
COME HEAR ROSITA VALLE VARGAS, MAYOR OF EL SAUCE, NICARAGUA
The Rochester Committee on Latin America (ROCLA) invites you to hear the Mayor of El Sauce, Nicaragua, Rosita Valle Vargas. The Mayor’s presentation will focus on the current political and economic situation in Nicaragua; local and national changes since the Sandinistas lost the presidential elections in 1990 and won again in 2006; and the status of women in her city and her country. Ms. Valle Vargas is the fourth consecutive mayor from the FSLN (Sandinista) party elected in El Sauce. She is the third El Sauce Mayor to travel to the Rochester area at the invitation of the El Sauce/ Rochester Ciudad Hermana Task Force of Metro Justice of Rochester. Spanish-language interpretation will be provided. The meeting is free and open to the public. DPC is wheelchair-accessible and looped for those with hearing loss. Free parking is available in the City Hall parking lot across from the church.

Thursday, October 8, 7:00 p.m.
OSSINING. Theater Room, Ossining Public Library, 53 Croton Avenue
EVENING PRESENTATION BY GHADA KARMI
World-renowned commentator and author Ghada Karmi will be coming to Westchester County as part of her upcoming North America Tour. A powerful and eloquent speaker, Karmi will be speaking at the speaking on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict. Her tour coincides with the release of a second edition of her memoir In Search of Fatima. For more information http://wespac.org/index.php/middle-east/392-palestinian-author-at-ossining-library..

Friday & Saturday, October 9 & 10
AMHERST. Daemen College, Main Street.
6TH ANNUAL "WORLD ON YOUR PLATE" FOOD FORUM
Visit www.worldonyourplate.org to register and see updates.

Thursday, October 9, 6:00 p.m., Host Committee Reception; 7:00 p.m., Lecture
PURCHASE. Reid Castle, Manhattanville College
MEMORIAL LECTURE ON THE DEATH PENALTY
The Annual Henry Schwarzschild Memorial Lecture, sponsored by the Lower Hudson Valley Civil Liberties Union and the Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action. Guest speaker: Thomas Cahill, author of “A Saint on Death Row - the Story of Dominique Green.” This book was published this spring and was introduced by Archbishop Desmond Tutu at a public launch event at Riverside Church. Dominique Green was executed in Texas in 2004 at the age of 30, after spending 12 years on death row. The book raises many questions about the trial and tells the story of his family background and his 12 years of efforts to defend himself once he was placed on death row. For more information about the lecture, call (914) 997-7479.

Saturday, October 17, 6:00 p.m.
WHITE PLAINS. Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Avenue
2nd ANNUAL JOHN COLLINS JUSTICE FUND DINNER
Honoring Joanne Gardner for her efforts in trying to make a difference in the lives of women and men in need in and around Yonkers, and Reverend Ed Muller and the incarcerated men and women who together developed life-giving opportunities through the promotion of higher education in NY State and the Exodus Program. Tickets - $50. People who have participated in Ed's programs are invited as honored guests. Proceeds will go to support Rising Hope, offering college level education to men in prison leading to a Certificate in Ministry and Human Services and Awakenings, assisting women returning from prison to the Westchester community. To RSVP email ellnbaer@yahoo.com or call 2I2-752-4474. Checks should be made out to Memorial United Methodist Church.

Thursday, October 22 - Saturday, October 24
ROCKLAND. Rockland Community College
PRESENTATION OF THE AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT.
TOUCH (Together Our Unity Can Heal), a local HIV/AIDS advocacy and support organization, is bringing The AIDS Memorial Quilt to Rockland Community College. This will be the largest display of The AIDS Memorial Quilt in the Northeast in the past eleven years. We are looking to notify as many people as possible about the quilt’s arrival so that individuals can request panels, dedicate panels, and view the quilt. If your organization is interested in sponsoring a panel of The AIDS Memorial Quilt please contact Robert Maher at RMaher@touch-ny.org or call us at 845-268-8023 for more information.

Wednesday, November 18, time TBD
NEW ROCHELLE. Iona College, 715 North Avenue
SCREENING OF “PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL”
More details to follow later.

Many local peace groups hold regular events, vigils, "Honk for Peace" actions, etc.
See our list: www.panys.org/ongoing.htm

Monday, October 5
WASHINGTON DC
MARCH OF THE DEAD, A CALL TO ACTION
October 2009 marks the beginning of the ninth year of war and occupation in Afghanistan. A coalition is forming to demand an immediate end to atrocities committed by our government. On October 5, 2009, we will bring our demands to the White House: An immediate withdrawal of ALL U.S. troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as an immediate end to the illegal expansion of war into Pakistan. Accountability for those who have committed war crimes, torture, and other illegal acts, both past and present. An end to U.S. complicity in aiding the Israeli governments’ occupation of Palestine. We ask that you join in the developing coalition to plan the events of the day, and consider adding your organization as an endorser. In August there will be coalition meetings held in New York City and Washington D.C. If you would like to attend these meetings, endorse the day of action, or get more information, please call Laurie Arbeiter 917 915-6115, Sarah Wellington 201 446-2984 and/or write to wewillnotbesilent@gmail.com

Thursday, Oct. 15, 5:30 – 9:00 p.m.
WASHINGTON DC. National Press Club, 529 14th Street.
33RD ANNUAL LETELIER-MOFFITT HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS.
The 2009 Domestic Award will go to Domestic Workers United, a grassroots organization of Caribbean, Latina and African nannies, housekeepers, and elderly caregivers working together to end exploitation and injustice against vulnerable workers in New York. The International Award will go to La Mesa Nacional Frente a la Mineria Metalica, which has struggled against huge odds to press El Salvador to become the first country in the world to ban gold mining – their efforts will help preserve the environment and rural communities.

Going out of state? Check UFPJ's national Events Calendar: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/calendar.php.