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Past Events 2016

Peter_Frase

Friday, December, 9, 7:00 pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St., Troy,NY. The James Connolly Forum continues with Peter Frase, who will give a talk titled: Four Futures: Life After Capitalism. Peter Frase argues that increasing automation and a growing scarcity of resources, thanks to climate change, will bring it all tumbling down. In Four Futures, Frase imagines how this post-capitalist world might look, deploying the tools of both social science and speculative fiction to explore what communism, rentism, socialism and exterminism might actually entail. Photo: Scene from “They Live” In his new book. Co-Sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Hampton Institute. Located Exit 9E off 787 Collar City Bridge for Rte 7: on left at 2nd light between 9th and 10th Sts., Parking on left on 9th St., Old Fire station building parking lot left on 10th Use the door facing Hoosick St. Donation of $5 requested, $2 unemployed and students :more information: 518 407 3582.

 

Brian_Trautman

Brian Trautman Talk on Standing Rock
Thursday, December 1
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Brian Trautman will report on their experiences at Standing Rock. Brian will report on his October 12-17, 2016 experiences as he stayed at Standing Rock’s Oceti Sakowin Camp, which is next door to the Sacred Stone Camp located on the reservation. Brian was there to lend his support as a representative of Veterans For Peace in solidarity with the resistance. Brian will include relevant video material with the discussion of their experiences. Brian is a National Board Member of Veterans For Peace. He also teaches Peace Studies and Economics at Berkshire Community College. A discussion will follow the presentation. Information: 466-1192
Saturday,November 19, 1:30 – 3:00 pm, Townsend Park, Albany, NY (intersection of Central and Washington Aves), Rally Against Trumps 100Days Agenda. Join us for a rally and march. Stand up against Trump’s agenda for his first 100 days in office. Stop deportations, stop white supremacy, stop racism, stop Islamophobia, support free speech, support Social Security and other social benefits that are now threatened. Sponsored by Capital District Coalition Against Islamophobia. Endorsed by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Facebook Link

Sacco_and_Vanzetti

Film:”Sacco and Vanzetti”
Saturday, November 19, 7:30 pm
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
405 Washington Avenue (across the street from the downtown SUNY campus)
The Solidarity Committee presents “Sacco and Vanzetti” (2006, 80 minutes). This powerful documentary tells the story of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, two Italian immigrant anarchists who were accused of a murder in 1920 and, seven years later, after a notoriously biased trial, were executed in Boston. The ordeal of Sacco and Vanzetti came to symbolize the bigotry and intolerance directed at immigrants and dissenters, and millions of people in the United States and around the world protested on their behalf. In this award-winning film, John Turturro and Tony Shalhoub serve as voices of Sacco and Vanzetti, while Howard Zinn, Studs Terkel, and Arlo Guthrie are interviewed about the doomed men’s case-a case that remains all too relevant today as America grapples with issues of racial, religious, and national origins prejudice, the rights of immigrants, and civil liberties. Co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, the Social Justice Center, and Upper Hudson Peace Action, the film screening will take place in Channing Hall. Admission is free, and free refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend. Co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Admission is free, and free refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend. Information: 518-466-1192

Joel_Kovel

Friday, November 18, 7:00 pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St., Troy,NY. The Future of Israel: Occupier with a Wall or at Peace with the Palestinians? Joel Kovel, will speak at the The James Connolly Forum. Professor Joel Kovel is currently editor-in-chief of Capitalism Nature Socialism and an author, activist, and media commentator. Sponsored by The James Connolly Forum. Co-Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace, Albany Chapter Palestinian Rights Committee, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Located Exit 9E off 787 Collar City Bridge for Rte 7: on left at 2nd light between 9th and 10th Sts., Parking on left on 9th St., Old Fire station building parking lot left on 10th Use the door facing Hoosick St. Donation of $5 requested, $2 unemployed and students :more information: 518 407 3582.

Stop the TPP

Forum: Stop the TPP
Thursday, November 3
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Susan Weber and Susam DuBois will each give a presentation on the TPP. Trade is in the news, but most people know little about the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a multi-national agreement that, if Congress enacts it, will supersede federal, state and local laws and regulations that conflict with its provisions. The TPP is an anti-democratic corporate takeover that undercuts our nation’s ability to make policy at the federal, state and local levels. While trade is essential to our economy, only a few of the TPP’s provisions concern typical trade issues. Most give multi-national corporations undreamed-of powers over 40 percent of the world’s economy. The TPP lets international corporations sue our governments at every level for anticipated lost profits caused by our laws, and to have those cases heard, not in U.S. constitutional courts, but by unaccountable trade tribunals, whose decisions cannot be appealed. This undermines U.S. sovereignty and democracy. Outrage over the TPP is growing as people learn that it sets corporate profit-making over American’s health and safety. We must educate ourselves and use our people powe rto stop the lame duck Congress from passing the TPP in November. Susan Weber is a retired lawyer and former legislative counsel at DEC; on the Board of Citizen Action NY and state committee member of the Working Families Party; member of Popular Resistance fighting the TPP.Susan DuBois is a retired state worker, an Albany resident, and a member of the Capital District Area Labor Federation’s anti-TPPcommittee. A discussion will follow the presentation. Information: 466-1192

Where to Invade Next

Film:”Where to Invade Next”
Saturday, October 29, 7:30 pm
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
405 Washington Avenue (across the street from the downtown SUNY campus)
In preparation for dealing with the new President and Congress that will be elected this November, the Solidarity Committee opens its 2016-2017film series on Saturday, October 29, at 7:30 PM, with a free showing of Michael Moore’s “Where to Invade Next” (2015, 120 minutes). This hilarious documentary-in which the only invasion is by the zany Michael Moore-takes a look at how other nations have dealt successfully with some of the social and economic ills experienced in contemporary American life. Can the United States learn something from them? Can you? In any case, don’t miss what the BBC called“an act of guerrilla humanity.” Co-sponsored b Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, the film screening will take place in Channing Hall of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, located at405 Washington Avenue (across the street from the downtown SUNY campus). Admission is free, and free refreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend. Information: 518-466-1192

Democracy_in_Cuba

Friday, October 14, 7:00 pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St., Troy,NY. The James Connolly Forum continues with Arnold August, who will give a talk titled: Elections and Democracy in Cuba. Arnold August holds a Master’s degree in political science from McGill University, Montreal. The Montreal-based author, journalist and lecturer is the author of Democracy in Cuba and the 1997–98 Elections(Editorial José Martí, Havana, 1999). He has also contributed a chapter entitled “Socialism and Elections” to the edited collection Cuban Socialism in a New Century (University Press of Florida,2004, Contemporary Cuba series edited by John Kirk). In 2013, Cuba and Its Neighbors: Democracy in Motion was co-published in English by ZedBooks (UK) and Fernwood Publishing (Canada), distributed in the U.S. by The University of Chicago Press Books Sponsored by The James Connolly Forum.Co-Sponsored by: The Solidarity Committee, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, The Hampton Institute and Albany Cuba Solidarity. Facebook link. Located Exit 9E off 787 Collar City Bridge for Rte 7: on left at 2nd light between 9th and 10th Sts., Parking on left on 9th St., Old Fire station building parking lot left on 10th Use the door facing Hoosick St. Donation of $5 requested, $2 unemployed and students :more information: 518 407 3582.

Paying the Price for Peace

Film: Paying the Price for Peace
Friday, October 7
6:30 – 9:00 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Paying the Price for Peace: The Story of S. Brian Willson (2016, 110 minutes),is a powerful film about a very committed peace activist. Vietnam Veteran S. Brian Willson paid the price for peace by nearly beingkilled by a military train during a non-violent protest in 1987. Since then, he has not stopped calling attention to the US government’s defiance of international law through waging endless illegal wars. The film also stars: Dan Ellsberg, Ed Asner, Martin Sheen, Blase Bonpane, Colonel Ann Wright, Ron Kovic, Medea Benjamin, Alice Walker, Bruce Gagnon, & David Swanson, and other current outspoken anti-war veterans of the US Wars including Iraq and Afghanistan. A discussion will follow the film. Information: 466-1192

 

Sarah_Jaffe

Friday, September 16, 7:00pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St., Troy,NY. The James Connolly Forum continues with Sarah Jaffe giving a talk titled Necessary Trouble:America’s New Radicals. Sarah Jaffe is a Nation Institute fellow and an independent journalist covering labor, economic justice, social movements, politics, gender,and pop culture. She is the author of Necessary Trouble: America’s New Radicals(Nation Books, 2016) Her work has appeared in The Nation, Salon,the Week, the American Prospect, the Washington Post, the Atlantic, and many other publications. She is the co-host, with Michelle Chen,of Dissent magazine’s Belabored podcast, as well as an editorial board member at Dissent and a column is at New Labor Forum. Sponsored by The James Connolly Forum.Co-Sponsored by: The Solidarity Committee, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace and SEIU Local 200 United. Located Exit 9E off 787 Collar City Bridge for Rte 7: on left at 2nd light between 9th and 10th Sts., Parking on left on 9th St., Old Fire station building parking lot left on 10th Use the door facing Hoosick St. Donation of $5 requested, $2 unemployed and students :more information: 518 407 3582.

 

No_To_NATO

Is NATO Counterproductive to World Peace?
Wednesday, September 7, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Tom Ellis and Joe Lombardo will discuss NATO. They will discuss the history of NATO and it’s current function. They will also address other questions such as: Has NATO outlived its usefulness and should it be abolished? Could NATO provocations against Russia, lead to nuclear war? Join us for this important discussion. Information: 466-1192

Michael_Moore

Film- “Where To Invade Next”
Thursday, August 4, 6:30 – 8:45 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Where to Invade Next (120 minutes, 2015) is Michael Moore’s latest film, and maybe his best. With his typical sense of humor, he looked for solutions to the some of the biggest problems plaguing the US today. He traveled to European countries, interview ordinary people and found out how things are done differently,and better than in the US. He investigated: vacations,healthcare, family leave, and even school lunch programs. Many of the ideas originally came from the US, where sadly, they are not inpractice. “One of the most genuinely, and valuably, patriotic films anyAmerican has ever made… Optimistic and affirmative, it rests on onechallenging but invaluable idea: we can do better.” — GodfreyCheshire, rogerebert.com. A discussion will follow the film. Information: 518-466-1192

Hiroshima
Saturday, August 6, 11:00 – 3:00 pm, Townsend Park, Albany. Reading ofJohn Hersey’s book “Hiroshima” Theevent is free and open to the public and the public is encouraged tojoin in the reading. Those interested in reading can sign up toparticipate when they arrive. Please bring folding chairs. OnAugust 6, 1945 the United States of America used the atomic bomb forthe first time to destroy the city of Hiroshima, Japan; on August 9,the U.S. used the atomic bomb again on Nagasaki, Japan. Over 200,000people died immediately in the two bombings and over a hundred thousandmore died in the following decades as a result of the effects of theradiation. HiroshimabyJohn Hersey tells the story of the bombing on August 6, 1945 byfollowing the story of six of the survivors. The book version has beenin print since 1946. Co-sponsoredby the Poetry Motel Foundation, the Tom Paine Chapter Veterans forPeace, Upper Hudson Peace Action, Bethlehem Neighbors forPeace. Townsend Park is the triangle where Central Ave. converges withWashington Ave. adjacent to Henry Johnson Blvd. (across from the Social JusticeCenter). Information: Dan Wilcox at: [email protected]

Hiroshima
Monday, August 8, 5:00 – 6:00 pm,BNP Vigil: “No More Hiroshimas”, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar. Stay for a few minutes or an hour. Let’s stand together forpeace. Please bring a sign. Other sign suggestions:”No More Nagasakis”, “Ban Nuclear Weapons Now!”, “Hiroshima NeverAgain!” 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!

 

Leave_No_Soldier

Film: Leave No Soldier
Thursday, July 7, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Leave No Soldier (53 minutes, 2016) was directed by DonnaBassin, Ph.D., an artist and clinical psychologist. Footage includesevents and interviews of Veterans for Peace (Stan Goff, Ann Wright andothers), Iraq Veterans Against the War, and also veterans whohave been participants in the Rolling Thunder Memorial Day ride to theWall in Washington DC. ” Leave No Soldiertakes a dramatic look at the dynamics of activism among two generationsof US war veterans and paints a vivid picture of how America treats itssoldiers when they are no longer on the battlefield. W Information: 466-1192ithmst unbearable poignancy, Lave No Soldier documents veteransfrom Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq healing themselves throughcommunity action. Filmmaker and oanalyst, Donna Bassin impressesupon her audience the moral imperative of bearing witness to these menand women as they strule to overcome a legacy of war.” — GhislaineBoulanger, Ph.D. author of Wounded by Reality, Understanding andTreating Adult Onset Trauma.
Friday,June 10, 7:00 pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th Street, Troy NY.After the Primaries: Electoral Politics and the Left, Where Do We GoFrom Here? James Connolly Forum, with Jill Stein, Presidential Candidate for the Green PartyNomination, Bhaskar Sunkara: Jacobin Magazine and Ashley Smith from theInternational Socialist Organization(ISO). Co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, The Hampton Institute and Upper Hudson Green Party. LocatedExit 9E off 787 Collar City Bridge for Rte 7: on left at 2nd lightbetween 9th and 10th Sts. Parking on left on 9th St., Old Fire stationbuilding parking lot left on 10th Use the door facing HoosickSt.Donation of $5 requested, $2 unemployed and students :moreinformation: 518 407 3582

Wednesday, June 15, Noon, NYS Capitol, Albany, 2nd Floor (outside of Gov. Cuomo’s office),Protest Gov. Cuomo’s Executive Order creating a “blacklist” of entities that support the Palestinian initiated international nonviolentBoycott, Divestment & Sanctions movement against the government ofIsrael. Tell Gov. Cuomo: Don’t violate our first amendment rights! Wesupport Palestinian human rights! Rescind the unconstitutionalExecutive Order! Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace(Albany chapter), Palestinian Rights Committee of Upper Hudson PeaceAction, Codepink, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, and others.

Wednesday, June22, 5:30 – 8:30 pm, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 262 State Street,Albany , NY Welcoming the Pastors for Peace Caravan, with Pot Dinner,music, poetry, and speakers. Albany Cuba Solidarity and our community will be welcoming the Pastors for Peace Caravan ontheir national tour to mobilize the people of the United States to liftthe Embargo of Cuba and all travel restrictions. This is the 27thCaravan to come to the Capital district and will be traveling toover 100 cities and towns in the US. Manolode Los Santos will be the speaker. He is staff of Pastors for Peace andlives 6 months of each year in Cuba studying to become a pastor andoverseeing the American students studying to become doctors at the CubaLatin School of the Americas . He was raised in the Bronx and has donehumanitarian work in Haiti , Cuba , and the Dominican Republic . Hewill be sharing an up-to-date report on Cuba , the need to lift theEmbargo, and religious freedom in Cuba. Information: Mabel Leon at372-1531 or 265-0374 or [email protected]

Wednesday, June 22, 5:30-7:30 pm, Albany Public Library (Main Branch), 161 Washington Ave, 2nd fl. community room, Stop Pilgrim Oil Pipelines. Did you know that a 178 mile long twin oil pipeline is being proposed thatwould take 200,000 barrels per day of Bakken fracked crude oil fromAlbany to refineries in Linden NJ and then back again to Albany withthe refined product? Learn about the threats these pipelines poseto the environment, to our health, to our river, & how they wouldactually DOUBLE the number of bomb trains traveling through Albany.Then find out what we can do to stop them! Featured speakersinclude: Vivian Kornegay-Albany Common Council Member, RogerDowns-Sierra Club and CAPP-NY, Jeremy Cherson-Riverkeeper and CAPP-NY,Rev. Marc Johnson-St. John’s Church of God in Chris. Co-sponsors todate include Mothers Out Front, Sierra Club, Citizen Action-NY, 350.orgCapital Region, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Riverkeeper, Stop NYFracked Gas Pipeline contact: [email protected] For more info: www.stoppilgrimpipeline.com or www.pauseenergy.org

Unfit_For_Democracy

Talk by Professor Stephen Gottlieb
Wednesday, June 8, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Democracyand the Roberts Court, a talk by Professor Stephen Gottlieb. StephenGottlieb will discuss the topic of his recent book, “Unfit forDemocracy: The Roberts Court and the Breakdown of AmericanPolitics” (NYU Press 2016).

“Gottlieb has written a stunning book about democracy. … This is a work about law, political science,and history and is filled with important insights about what causesdemocracies to succeed or fail. The book culminates in a forcefulcritique of the Roberts Court and how it has damaged Americandemocracy. This is an important book, impressive in its scope and itsanalysis, and the cautions it offers for the future of democracy in theUnited States.” — Erwin Chemerinsky Dean and DistinguishedProfessor of Law University of California, Irvine, School of Law
Stephen Gottlieb is a professor at Albany Law School. Information: 466-1192

AOGIRI
Wednesday,June 1, 6:00 – 8:45 PM, Albany Public Library- Delaware Branch, 331 Delaware Avenue, Albany NY. Film: The AOGIRI – Phoenix Tree. “The AOGIRI-Phoenix” (120 minutes) is based on the true life storyof Ms. Susuko Numata, a victim of the Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima ( ahibakusha). Of that monstrous event, she said: “It was onlythree days before my wedding and my life was changed forever.” Her story of love needs to be told. The film reveals intricatedetails of the suffering of a young woman who in one horrific instantlost her leg. Though she was repeatedly forced into the depths ofdespair, she eventually made up her mind to live on as an atomic bombstoryteller for peace. In addition to telling a great manyothers, Suzuko Numata continually told her story about her experienceof suffering from the bombing to countless children under the Aogiritree (Chinese parasol tree) which also survived the A-bomb and is nowstanding in Hiroshima Memorial Peace Park. Ms. Numata passed away onJuly 12th, 2011, four months after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Inher last days she was extremely concerned about the victims of thecalamity, in the area affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plantaccident. Satomi Nakamura, the film’s producer, will never forget Ms.Numata’s words a month before her death; “I must live on to tell themmy story… I do not want anybody in this world to go through thesame pain ever again.” This film sows the seeds of peace embodiedin the message of the hibakusha. No more Hiroshima! No moreNagasaki! No more war! We will be joined by Satomi Nakamura, whoproduced the film. Satomi is also a song writer and musician and willperform a couple of the songs from the film if there is time, after thefilm. We will also have a brief discussion after the film. Co-sponsoredby Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, Upper Hudson Peace Action and WomenAgainst War. Free and open to the public. Information: 466-1192

Steve_Ellner
Wednesday,May 18, 5:30 slide show, 6:00 lecture followed by discussion, Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave, Albany, NY. SteveEllner: Defending the Revolutionary Gains of Cuba and Venezuela.Steve Ellner, Ph.D. is one of the most prominent Venezuela experts, andas a reviewer of one of his dozen books said, “one of our mostinsightful interpreters of Latin American politics.” Since 1977he has taught at the Universidad de Oriente in Puerto La Cruz,Venezuela, and has been a visiting professor at some of the mostprestigious American Universities. He has published scores ofjournal articles and over a dozen books, his most recent books areRethinking Venezuelan Politics: Class, Polarization and the ChávezPhenomenon and (editor) Latin America’s Radical Left: Challenges andComplexities of Political Power in the Twenty-First Century, whichprovides case studies of the radical left in power in Venezuela,Bolivia, and Ecuador and its influence in Nicaragua, El Salvador, andCuba. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Albany CubaSolidarity. Co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace.Information: [email protected]

UditaFilm- “Udita”
Thursday, May 5, 6:45 – 8:45 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

 

Udita (75 minutes, 2015), was produced by Rainbow Collective and Openvizor. ‘UDITA’ follows a turbulent 5 years in the lives of the women at the grass roots of the garment workers struggle in Bangladesh . From 2010, when organizing in the workplace would lead to beatings, sacking and arrests; through the tragedies of Tazreen and Rana Plaza, and to the present day, when the long fight begins to pay dividends. We see this vital period through the eyes of the unions’ female members, workers and leaders. Following the film, local activist GregGiorgio will lead a discussion. This film is one of severalevents planned in the Capital Region to recognize May Day (Labor Day in manycountries) . Watch the trailer. Information: 518-466-1192

Wednesday, May 11, 6:00 pm, Bethlehem Town Hall Auditorium, 445 Delaware Ave, First Floor, Delmar, NY. Pilgrim Oil pipelines traversing Albany County will be discussed at the Delmar-Bethlehem Town Board meeting. Pleas plan to attend this meeting and tell the Town Board that you do not want the pipeline running through the Town of Bethlehem. Please ask what the Town ofBethlehem plans to do to stop or delay the Kinder Morgan “ConnecticutExpansion” storage loop emanating from Bethlehem. Some members ofSNYFGP in Bethlehem offered to research the Town Of Bethlehem’sinteractions with Kinder Morgan re: “Connecticut Expansion” fracked gaspipeline project last fall. Their report should be interesting. This”Connecticut Expansion” project was approved by FERC and one hope isthat the Town of Bethlehem and possibly other towns or political allieswill find a way to slow down or stop this fracked gas project at thislate stage. Article on this subject by Mary Finneran. Information: [email protected]


Songs of Freedom
Friday,May 13, 7:00 pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St., Troy, NY. PM Press presents Songs of Freedom, East Coast Tour May 2016 with MatCallahan and Yvonne Moore. Celebrate James Connolly and the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising. Co-sponsored by The James Connolly, Irish Republican Club andBethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Info: [email protected] Located Exit 9E off 787 Collar City Bridge forRte 7: on left at 2nd light between 9th and 10th Sts., Parking on lefton 9th St., Old Fire station building parking lot left on 10th Use thedoor facing Hoosick St. Donation of $10 requested, $5 unemployed andstudents :more information: 518 407 3582.

Spirit of 45

Film:”The Spirit of `45″
Saturday, April 30, 7:30 pm
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
405 Washington Avenue (across the street from the downtown SUNY campus)
The Solidarity Committee of the Capital District concludes its 2015-2016film series with a free showing of “The Spirit of `45” (2013, 94minutes). Directed by the acclaimed British film-maker Ken Loach,this documentary celebrates the dramatic changes in postwar Britishlife that resulted from the Labour Party’s sweeping election victory in1945. From health care for all to public ownership of majorsectors of industry, these democratic socialist reforms ushered in anew, more égalitarian society. Only decades later did rightwingpolitical forces manage to begin dismantling them and push Britain backtoward its traditional system of social hierarchy and classprivilege. A glowing review in London’s “TimeOut” concludes that“The Spirit of `45” is “all at once a lament, a celebration, and awake-up call to modern politicians and voters.” Co-sponsored byBethlehem Neighbors for Peace, the Social Justice Center, and UpperHudson Peace Action, the film screening will take place in ChanningHall of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, located at405 Washington Avenue (across the street from the downtown SUNYcampus). Admission is free, and free refreshments will beprovided. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Celebrate_May_Day Sunday, May 1, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th Street., Troy, NY, Celebrate May Day in Troy, The event will include refreshments, with an open mic at 4:00 p.m., theSolidarity Singers at 5:30 p.m., and Jeff Halper speaking
at 6p.m. Jeff Halper’s will speak about the topic of his book,”War Against the People: Israel, the Palestinians and GlobalPacification”. He will discuss “how Israel exports inOccupation — its weaponry, its models, and tactics of control and its security and surveillance systems, all developedand perfected on the Palestinians. Halper’s presentation casts light ona critical aspect of our political lives that is little known or foughtagainst: the increasingly pervasive presence of systems of control athome and wars against peoples abroad that instead of securing usthreaten to pacify us all.” Jeff Halper is an American-bornIsraeli anthropologist, Co-Founder of the Israeli Committee AgainstHouse Demolitions, and Coordinator of the Wars Against the Peopleproject. Jeff Halper’s bio. Event Facebook link.
Mr. Halper will also speak at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 2 at Husted
Hall on the downtown campus of the University at Albany. Husted Hall
islocated on Western Avenue between Lake Avenue and Robin Street. The May 2 event is sponsored by the Palestinian Rights Committee.

 

No Justice No Peace

Round Table of Local Peace and Justice Activists
Thursday, April 7, 6:45 – 8:45 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

A Round Table of activists from diverse Capital District Peace andJustice groups will present very brief informal comments about thespecial issue focus of each group — its contribution to a more justand ultimately more peaceful social order. We hope to explore:What are the interconnections among the separate issues? Whatmutual support is desired? How can a whole cloth can be wovenfrom the diversity of issues threads? Following introductorystatement by the Round Table we anticipate vigorous audienceparticipation. The formation of the Round Table is inprogress. Several groups have specified delegates; several havebegun to select speakers; additional groups have been invited (or arewelcome to self-invite). You are invited to attend the event andto send one delegate to the Round Table. Peace and Justice groupsagreeing to participate in the round table include: Women Against War,Veterans for Peace, PAUSE, CANY, “Bernie”, Anti-Islamophobia Group ,Green Party of NYS, Saratoga Peace Alliance, Upper Hudson Peace Action,Jewish Voices for Peace, and the Palestinian Rights Committee. Additional groups will be posted as we hear from them. OrganizerandModerator: Michael Rice for Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace,[email protected]

Joe_Hill

Film:”Joe Hill”
Saturday, March 26, 7:30 pm
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
405 Washington Avenue (across the street from the downtown SUNY campus)
The Solidarity Committee continues its 2015 – 2016 film series, with a freeshowing of “Joe Hill” (1971, 117 minutes). Directed by therenowned Swedish film-maker, Bo Widerberg, “Joe Hill” is adramatization of the life of the famed IWW union organizer andsong-writer who was executed by a firing squad in the state of Utah in1915. Although the film was awarded a prize at the 1971 CannesFilm Festival, it was subsequently lost and commercially unavailablefor some four decades. Recently, though, it was restored by theNational Film Library of Sweden. This public screening of therestored version of “Joe Hill” is the first in the capital districtand, perhaps, in the United States. After the screening, therewill be a discussion of the film led by Greg Giorgio of the Upstate NYRegional Branch of the IWW. Co-sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors forPeace, the Social Justice Center, Upper Hudson Peace Action, and theUpstate NY Regional Branch of the IWW, the film screening will takeplace in Channing Hall of the First Unitarian Universalist Society ofAlbany, located at 405 Washington Avenue (across the street from thedowntown SUNY campus), Albany, NY. Admission is free, and freerefreshments will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Selma

Film- “Selma”
Thursday, March 3, 6:30 – 8:45 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Selma (128 minutes, 2014), isa historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay and written by PaulWebb. This film commemorated the 50th anniversary of the1965 civil rights march from Selma, to Montgomery, Alabama.The film highlights the courage of the marchers as they withstoodracist and violent attacks by the police. This film tells the story ofDr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s struggle to secure votingrights for all people. This was a dangerous and terrifying campaign that culminated with the epic march from Selma toMontgomery, and ultimately led to President Johnson signingthe Voting Rights Act of 1965. Trailer for the film. A discussion will follow the film. Information: 518-466-1192

Friday, February 26, 7:00 pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St., Troy,NY. Carol Barton on “Women and the Refugee Crisis”. Carol Barton is Executive for Community Action with UnitedMethodist Women national office based at the Church Center for theUnited Nations. Current UMW priority concerns include Immigrantand Civil Rights; Climate Justice; Human Trafficking and DomesticViolence. Carol is lead staff on UMW’s Immigrant and CivilRights Initiative and serves on the church-wide United MethodistImmigration Task Force. A priority focus is on the intersection of race, class and gender in women’s lives.She holds a masters in Political Economy from the New School for SocialResearch in New York City. She has also worked with Church WomenUnited; Women & Philanthropy; the UN Non-Governmental LiaisonService; and the Women’s International Coalition for Economic Justice. She lives in New York City. Sponsored by The James Connolly Forum,Co-Sponsored by: The Media Alliance, Bethlehem Neighborsfor Peace and TheHampton Institute. Located Exit 9E off 787 Collar City Bridge forRte 7: on left at 2nd light between 9th and 10th Sts., Parking on lefton 9th St., Old Fire station building parking lot left on 10th Use thedoor facing Hoosick St. Donation of $5 requested, $2 unemployed andstudents :more information: 518 407 3582.

Poster Girl

Film- “Poster Girl”
Thursday, February 4, 7:00 – 8:45 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY 12054

Poster Girl (38 minutes, 2013), is a documentary by filmmaker Sara Neisson.”Robynn Murray was an All-American high-school cheerleader who became the poster girl for women in combat. Since returning from Iraq, she has fought an insidious foe: post-traumatic stress disorder. This Oscar-nominated documentary short follows Robynn over the course of two years as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption through art and poetry.” “Packs a bigger wallop than most feature-length films.” ` The Boston Globe.Facebook link.



We will also show Iraq Paper Scissors, the 43 minute companion film to Poster Girl. This is a documentary film that takes us into the lives of five Iraq War veterans struggling with PTSD as they discover that they have dreams and talents beyond machine guns and combat. Expressing themselves as artists and individuals, those who have served are refusing to be forgotten and, more importantly, hoping to be understood.


My_Turn

Saturday, January 30, 7:00pm, Oakwood Community Center, 313 10th St., Troy,NY. Doug Henwood on his new book “My Turn”. NOTE: Date Change from 1/23. ““MyTurn” is compulsively good reading—not only for its glimpse intoHillary Clinton’s mind but for its insights into the entire Clintonpolitical-philanthropic machine. Doug Henwood is both smart and— almost uniquely for this campaign season—sane.” Barbara Ehrenreich, author of “Nickel and Dimed”
Doug Henwooded its Left Business Observer, a newsletter he founded in 1986, He also hosts Behind the News, a weekly radio show covering economics andpolitics on KPFA, Berkeley, that is rebroadcast on several otherstations
across the U.S., and has a worldwide audience via itsInternet archive. His latest book is “My Turn, Hillary Clinton Targetsthe Presidency” There will be additional remarks by LizaFeatherstone, editor of “False Choices: The FauxFeminism of Hillary Rodham Clinton” to be published by Verso in June Sponsored by The James Connolly Forum,Co-Sponsored by: The Media Alliance, Bethlehem Neighborsfor Peace and TheHampton Institute. Located Exit 9E off 787 Collar City Bridge forRte 7: on left at 2nd light between 9th and 10th Sts., Parking on lefton 9th St., Old Fire station building parking lot left on 10th Use thedoor facing Hoosick St. Donation of $5 requested, $2 unemployed andstudents :more information: 518 407 3582.

Syria
Monday, January 11, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, BNP Vigil: Solidarity with Muslims!, NO to Islamophobia, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood andDelaware Aves. in Delmar. Stay for a few minutes or an hour. Let’s stand together for peace. Pleasebring a sign. Other sign suggestions: “We Stand in Solidaritywith Our Muslim Friends and Neighbors”, Stop Islamophobia, Defend theMuslim Community” 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!

Cuba_2015

 

Joe Lombardo & Mo Hannah on their trip to Cuba
Thursday, January 7, 7:00 – 8:45 pm
Bethlehem Public Library
451 Delaware Ave., Delmar NY

Joe Lombardo and Mo Hannah traveled to Cuba in December. They attended a peace conference at Guantanamo Bay, traveling as part ofa United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) sponsored delegation. Joe and Mo will share photos of their trip and talk with us about theirexperiences. Free. Everyone is welcome. Information: 466-1192. (Photo on the right by Mo Hannah)