Friday, December 16, 7:00 – 8:45 pm, DUE TO ICY WEATHER, THIS BECAME A ZOOM WEBINAR. HERE IS THE LINK TO SCOTT RITTER’s TALK, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Talk by Scott Ritter on the War in Ukraine. Scott Ritter is an author and a former United States Marine Corps intelligence officer and United Nations weapons inspector. He served as a junior military analyst during Operation Desert Storm and then as a member of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) overseeing the disarmament of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq from 1991 to 1998, from which he resigned in protest. After his resignation, he became a critic of the Iraq War and United States foreign policy. Mr Ritter is the author of several book on US foreign policy in the Middle East. His most recent book is titled, “Disarmament in the Time of Perestroika: Arms Control and the End of the Soviet Union ” and was published this fall. He will have copies of his book available for purchase. Sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Information: 518-466-1192.
Monday, October 17, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, BNP Vigil: “Say NO to US Wars!”, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar, NY. United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) has called for Back to the Streets, Say NO to U.S. wars! Stop Washington’s war moves toward Russia and China. Stop endless wars: Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Palestine, everywhere. Link to UNAC Join us! Possible signs: “Say NO to US Wars!”, “No War with China”, ” No War with Russia”. Stay for a few minutes or an hour. 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!
Monday, October 24, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, BNP Vigil: “UN Resolution: End U.S. Embargo on Cuba”, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar, NY. 60 years ago, President John Kennedy signed an executive order implementing an embargo on all US trade with Cuba. The embargo continues and has caused a great amount of pain and hardship for the Cuban people. At the beginning of November, Cuba will introduce a draft resolution to the General Assembly, for the 30th time, asking for an end to this U.S. embargo. Join us! Possible signs: “End US Embargo on Cuba”, “End Cuba Embargo”, “Remove Cuba from list of terrorist nations” . Stay for a few minutes or an hour. 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!
Tuesday, November 15, 7:00 – 8:45 pm, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Speak Out and Discussion on War in Ukraine. We will open the floor for individuals who want to give their perspective and offer solutions about how the Peace Movement can work to bring about Peace for Ukraine. There will be a sign up sheet for people interested in speaking. We will follow the speak out with a discussion of what direction we need to go to advocate for peace, and consider how we as activists, can work together to bring our message to the community. Sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Information: 518-466-1192.
Thursday, October 6, 7:00 – 8:45 pm, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Propaganda and Censorship in the Media. We will show 2 short films. The first is an interview with John Pilger, ‘This is a war of propaganda’: John Pilger on Ukraine and Assange | Talking Post with Yonden Lhatoo “(20 minutes, July 2022) . The second is “Propaganda and The Engineering of Consent for Empire with Mark Crispin Miller” (26:24 minutes,2016). We will also talk about censorship and how that has effected the media reporting on recent wars. Jeff Cohen is a leader of Roots Action. A few weeks after the Russian invasion, Jeff was interviewed for 30 mins by Free Speech TV and he contrasted US media coverage of Ukraine war with US media coverage (which he witnessed from inside mainstream media) when US is the invading country. We will also watch a short clip ( 5 minutes). of that interview. Sponsored by Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Information: 518-466-1192,
Sunday, September 11, 3:00- 4:30 PM, BNP Meeting on Zoom: Wars in Ukraine and around the world, the pandemic, the vigil and more. Our program will be an on-line meeting where we will have a discussion of current events, and suggestions for how we address these issues that are rapidly changing our own lives, and our country. Join us in this zoom meeting for an opportunity to share your ideas and consider how we can move ahead in our efforts to promote peace and justice. Please join us. Information: 518-466-1192
Wednesday, S
eptember 7, 7:00 – 8:45 pm, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Mabel Leon will discuss her recent 2 week trip to Cuba. Come Learn about Cuba and Its Vibrant Culture, Report Back on Recent Cuba Trip- Art , Culture, and Update. Photos and Presentation by Mabel Leon. Sponsored by Albany Cuba Solidarity and Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. More information soon. Information: 518-466-1192
Monday, August 8, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, BNP Vigil: Hiroshima Day”, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar. During the final stage of World War II, the United States detonated two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945. We must never forget. Bring your own signs or use one of ours. Possible signs: “Ban Nuclear Weapons Now”, “Hiroshima, Never Again!” “Retire the Bomb,” “Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki”, and “Stop the Arms Race” Stay for a few minutes or an hour. 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!
Sunday, July 31, 3:00 – 4:30 pm, Report on NATO Protests in Madrid, Spain by Pippa Bartolotti and Joe Lombardo via Zoom. Registration required. There was a NATO Summit at the end of June in Madrid, Spain. There were thousands of protesters at this summit, saying “NO TO NATO”. Pippa Bartolotti and Joe Lombardo were at these protest in Madrid. Pippa and Joe will report to us on the NATO protests and discuss the issues with NATO. There will be time for questions and discussion. Use this link to register for the webinar. Information: 518-466-1192
Monday, July 11, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, BNP Vigil: “Peace for Ukraine” , at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar. Women Against War will be joining us for this vigil as co-sponsors and will be bringing signs. Share one of theirs, or bring your own. Stay for a few minutes or an hour. Information 518-466-1192 Join us! Possible Sign messages: War Is Not the Answer, , War Makes Refugees, No NATO Expansion, US Join & Support Negotiations, Words Not Warheads, No Fly Zone=WWIII, Missiles Fly & Children Die, Russia Out of Ukraine, No War With Russia.
Monday, June 27, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, BNP Vigil: “Abort the Court!”, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar. Possible signs: “Keep Abortion Safe, Accessible and Legal”,”Protect Safe, Legal Abortion” , “Reproductive Rights are Human Rights”, “We Won’t Go Back”, “Abort the Court!”, “Stand With Women” Stay for a few minutes or an hour. 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!
Wednesday, June 29, 7:00 – 8:45 pm, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Video interview by Rania Khalek titled “Ukraine War: Europe Shackles Itself to America’s Reckless Foreign Policy, w/ Prof Wolfgang Streeck”. Why have Europeans allowed the US, which is of course not part of Europe, to dictate reckless policies against Russia over what are purely European issues? Is this a desperate last ditch effort to halt American and Western decline? To discuss the future of Europe and the Western-dominated order, Rania Khalek was joined by Wolfgang Streeck, a sociologist and emeritus director at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies. The video interview is about 1 hour long and a discussion will follow the film. Information: 518-466-1192
Sunday, June 12, 3:00- 4:30 PM, BNP Meeting on Zoom: Wars in Ukraine and around the world, the pandemic, the vigil and more. Our program will be an on-line meeting where we will have a discussion of current events, and suggestions for how we address these issues that are rapidly changing our own lives, and our country. Join us in this zoom meeting for an opportunity to share your ideas and consider how we can move ahead in our efforts to promote peace and justice. Please join us. Information: 518-466-1192
Monday, May 9, 5:00 – 6:00 pm, BNP Vigil: “Women’s Rights are Human Rights, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar. Possible signs: “Keep Abortion Safe, Accessible and Legal”,”Protect Safe, Legal Abortion” , “Reproductive Rights are Human Rights”, “Stand With Women” Stay for a few minutes or an hour. 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!
Tuesday, May 10, 7:00- 8:45 pm, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Film: “Whitewashed: The Racism Project” (2021, 1hr, 15 minutes), produced by Creative Action Unlimited and directed by Michael Kennedy. This film is an original documentary theater performance, based on Black history, current events, and the personal experiences of the cast. Directed by Michael Kennedy, the cast includes Shirey Archie, Royal Brown, Danielle Colin, Diaka Kaba Hill, Aaron Moore, Tim Martin, and Sakea Martin. Following the showing of the film, Shirey Archie, a member of the cast, will talk with us about the film and lead a discussion. The director, Michael Kennedy, will also attend and talk with us about the film. Co-sponsored by Women Against War. Information: 518-466-1192 Watch the trailer
Thursday, May 12, 6:00- 7:30 pm, Elm Avenue Park, Large Pavilion (at the end of the road), Delmar, NY. BNP General Meeting: Wars in Ukraine and around the world, the pandemic, loss of women’s rights, the vigil and more. Our program will be an outdoor meeting where we will have a discussion of current events, and suggestions for how we can address these issues that are rapidly changing our own lives, and our country. Join us in this in person meeting for an opportunity to share your ideas and consider how we can move ahead in our efforts to promote peace and justice. Please join us. Feel free to bring a snack to share. Information: 518-466-1192
Wednesday, April 20, 7:00- 8:30 PM, BNP Meeting on Zoom: Wars in Ukraine and around the world, the pandemic, the vigil and more. Our program will be an on-line meeting where we will have a discussion of current events, and suggestions for how we address these issues that are rapidly changing our own lives, and our country. Join us in this zoom meeting for an opportunity to share your ideas and consider how we can move ahead in our efforts to promote peace and justice. Please join us. Information: 518-466-1192
Thursday, April 14, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Revealing Ukraine, (2019, 89 minutes) by Igor Lopatonok and produced by Oliver Stone. This film documents the investigation of the history of the Ukrainian crisis, following Stone’s previous film on this topic, titled, “Ukraine on Fire”. This film provides another perspective on the history of the current war in Ukraine, and its dangerous potential for the world. A discussion will follow the film. Information: 518-466-1192
March 17, 7:00 pm via Video Link at Albany Unitarian Universalist Church, 405 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12206. Helen Yaffee on Cuba’s Life Task:Combating Climate Change. This is a virtual tour. Dr. Helen Yaffe is a Senior Lecturer in Economic and Social History at the University of Glasgow and a Visiting Fellow at the Latin American and Caribbean Centre at the London School of Economics. Since 1995 she has spent time living and researching in Cuba and participating in solidarity campaigns. for more information: Contact Albany Cuba Solidarity, [email protected] Cosponsored by The Upper Hudson Green Party: Troy Area Labor Council AFL-CIO: Veterans for Peace, Thomas Paine Chapter#10, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Information: [email protected]
Monday, March 21, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Capital District Border Watch and Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace Hold a Vigil to Save Asylum and End Title 42.The Biden Administration continues to rely on the Trump invocation of a little known and rarely used public health law, Title 42, to prevent a million asylum-seekers from requesting asylum at the southern border in violation of their international and US constitutional rights to do so. Tragically, Ukrainian families are also now getting caught in the shutdown of asylum as they flee war at home. Any barriers to asylum effect all those seeking relief. Both yesterday’s refugees and today’s need the protection of asylum and access to safe passage from the danger of war and violence in their home countries.
On the second anniversary of the implementation of Title 42, Capital District Border Watch, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace and human rights groups around the country are calling for an end to Title 42 expulsions and the reinstatement of the asylum process for all those fleeing war and imminent harm. Vigils are taking place in dozens of communities across the country including local events in Albany/Delmar and Saratoga, NY. (The Saratoga Immigration Coalition’s event will take place on March 21 at 5:00 PM in Saratoga Springs, downtown Post Office corner, Church St. and 475 Broadway. Contact: [email protected]; 518-306-1313)
Stay for a few minutes or an hour. 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!
Wednesday, March 16, 4:30-5:30 pm, West Capitol Park, South Swan Street and Washington Avenue, Albany. A vigil in remembrance of Rachel Corrie, calling for an end to the Israeli demolition of Palestinian homes. Rachel Corrie was a 23-year-old American peace activist from Olympia, Washington, who on March 16, 2003, was crushed to death by an Israeli bulldozer while trying to stop it from destroying a Palestinian home. Despite her sacrifice, such demolitions continue. Last year alone, according to the U.N., Israel destroyed or confiscated over 900 Palestinian homes, displacing more than 1,200 people, the majority of them children. We plead for an end to this outrage and for a suspension of the U.S. aid that makes it possible. Sponsored by: Palestinian Rights Committee/Upper Hudson Peace Action, Saratoga Peace Alliance, Tom Paine Chapter of Veterans for Peace, Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace. Information: Tom Ellis, 518-453-8874
Wednesday, March 16, 7:00- 8:30 PM, BNP Meeting on Zoom: Wars in Ukraine and around the world, the pandemic, the vigil and more. Our program will be an on-line meeting where we will have a discussion of current events, and suggestions for how we address these issues that are rapidly changing our own lives, and our country. Join us in this zoom meeting for an opportunity to share your ideas and consider how we can move ahead in our efforts to promote peace and justice. Please join us. Information: 518-466-1192
Thursday, February 24, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, BNP General Meeting. Let’s discuss current events and plan what is next for the peace and justice movement. There is no shortage of topics. Join us! Information: 518 466-1192
Tuesday, March 1, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Talk by Teresa Meade on her new book, “We Don’t Become Refugees by Choice: Mia Truskier, Survival, and Activism from Occupied Poland to California, 1920-2014.” The book is based on her interviews with Mia Truskier, who fled the Nazis as a young Polish Jew in early 1940 and once resettled in the US, became an activist for other refugees. She worked for decades assisting refugees fleeing from war, violence, dictators, and the devastation of climate change in Central America and Haiti. She turned her own tragedy into responsible activism until her death just short of 94 years. Co-sponsored by Women Against War. Read an excerpt from the book: “Don’t Give In, Don’t Give Up!” Refugees and the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, 1968–2014. The book is currently available in hardcover, but Teresa is working on getting the book published in a paperback version. It is also currently available at a very reasonable price, as an ebook. Co-sponsored by Women Against War. Please note that the library now requires everyone to wear a mask. Also, No food or drink are allowed in the meeting rooms. Note: This talk was originally scheduled for January 17, but was rescheduled due to COVID wave. Information: 518-466-1192
Monday, February 14, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, BNP Vigil, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar.
We will be standing in solidarity with the theme of that evening’s Valentine’s Day Webinar (presented by Grannies for Peace with special guests: Kathy Kelly and Phyllis Bennis.) “How US Sanctions Starve Afghans – and how we can move from a place of love to End this Continuing War.”
Right now under the cruel sanctions approach to regime change that our government applies, in spite of the suffering, starvation and death that it brings to civilians, we are creating yet another humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
“After spending five weeks in Afghanistan working as a consultant for the World Health Organization on an emergency surge team, I can clearly state that if the United States and other Western governments do not change their Afghanistan sanction policies, more Afghans will die from sanctions than at the hands of the Taliban.” Dr. Paul Spiegel
“Freezing temperatures and frozen assets are a lethal combination for the people of Afghanistan. Rules and conditions that prevent money from being used to save lives and the economy must be suspended in this emergency situation. International funding should be allowed to pay the salaries of public sector workers and to help Afghan institutions deliver healthcare, education and other vital services.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres
Bring your sign or use one of ours. Stay for a few minutes or an hour. Let’s stand together for peace. (518) 466-1192 for further information
Monday, February 14, 2022, 7:00 PM via Zoom, Save the Date! Grannies for Peace Valentine’s Day Webinar “How US Sanctions Starve Afghans – and how we can move from a place of love to End this Continuing War” with guest speakers Kathy Kelly and Phyllis Bennis
Guest Speakers:
Kathy Kelly: Author, peace activist and co-coordinator of the Ban Killer Drones campaign and co-founder of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, a campaign to end U.S. military and economic warfare who has spent much time living and working with Iraqis and Afghans in their communities during the wars in their countries. Kathy is also an advisory board member of World BEYOND War.
Phyllis Bennis: Author and foreign policy scholar, directs the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, focusing on Middle East, U.S wars and UN issues. She is the author or editor of eleven books, including Before & After: US Foreign Policy and the War on Terrorism. Phyllis works with many anti-war and Palestinian rights organizations, writing and speaking widely across the U.S. and around the world
Webinar hosting by World BEYOND War. Music by Terri Roben, singer, songwriter, and song leader. Moderator: Mabel Leon of Grannies for Peace.
Register at this link, where you can also see photos of our guest speakers.
Please join us to help end the “freezing temperatures and frozen assets that are a lethal combination for the people of Afghanistan.” (UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres). Sponsored by Women Against War.
Wednesday, February 2, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY. Talk by Scott Kellogg from the Radix Center. Scott Kellogg, is the Educational Director of the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, an urban environmental education non-profit in Albany, New York. Radix’s pedagogy applies questions of equity, access, race, and class to the p
ost-industrial urban ecosystem, seeking to create reciprocal and mutualistic relationships between urban youth and the soils, water, air, non-human life, and waste cycles of the city. Scott’s work with Radix is documented in his new book Urban Ecosystem Justice: Strategies for Equitable Sustainability and Ecological Literacy in the City (Routledge, 2021), which explores topics includ
ing community-based bioremediation, artificial floating islands, composting justice, and biocultural diversity. Scott holds a PhD in Science and Technology Studies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and teaches in Bard College’s Masters in Environmental Education program. http://radixcenter.org/
Please note that the library requires everyone to wear a mask. Also, No food or drink are allowed in the meeting rooms. Information: 518-466-1192
Monday, February 7, 4:00 – 5:00 pm, BNP Vigil: “NO WAR WITH RUSSIA”, at the Four Corners, intersection of Kenwood and Delaware Aves. in Delmar. Possible signs: “NO WAR WITH RUSSIA OVER UKRAINE” . “NO WAR WITH RUSSIA”, “PEACE NOW”, “WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER”. Stay for a few minutes or an hour. 518-466-1192 for further information. Join us!
Thursday, January 27, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, BNP General Meeting. Let’s discuss current events and plan what is next for the peace and justice movement. There is no shortage of topics. Join us! Here is the information: Topic: BNP Zoom Meeting Time: Jan 27, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)