-------------------------------------------------------------------- TODAY
Monday, Nov. 18, EVERYWHERE: The Senate is expected to vote on the Homeland Security Bill tonight (Monday) or tomorrow (Tuesday, the 19th). Constitutional rights groups maintain that the proposal is another step in the direction of abrogating civil liberties and privacy rights. NOW IS THE MOMENT to phone or email Sens. Schumer and Clinton to register your opposition. There isn't time to fully read and list your many objections to this 484-page reorganization of the federal government, but it will be enough just to tell these two senators that you oppose the erosions of civil rights contained in the bill, among other shortcomings, and that you want them to vote NO. You may email at the following addresses: Sen. Hillary Clinton, senator at clinton.senate.gov; Sen. Charles Schumer, senator at schumer.senate.gov. Telephone calls are said to be more effective. There are two numbers to dial to place FREE calls to each senator -- 1-800-718-1008, and 1-800-839-5276.
Monday, Nov. 18, EVERYWHERE: Today's online Roundtable Poll on the WAMC website concerns civil liberties vs. homeland security. The question is "Are you willing to give up a few civil liberties for homeland security? Vote at, http://poll.wamc.org/poll.cfm
-------------------------------------------------------------------- WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
Wednesday, Nov. 20, POUGHKEEPSIE: A demonstration to protest Sen. Chuck Schumer's recent pro-war vote in Congress will take place 7-9:30 a.m. at the Grand Hotel (next to the Civic Center on Market St., near Main St.). The occasion is a Chamber of Commerce breakfast featuring Schumer as the speaker. We're told, "There are a number of separate groups/folks who have said they are coming. We are calling for a picket as well as autonomous-affinity group style actions." People are encouraged to bring signs focused on Iraq. There is also a possibility that some protesters may purchase tickets for $16 to demonstrate inside the breakfast meeting. "Call 454-1700 for a ticket; they may ask for your occupation and will definitely ask for your name." Information, Email k00 at riseup.net or call (888) 365-0000 x1942. Leave a message for Konner. (After the protest, if you have the time, travel 20 minutes to New Paltz for the labor-community rally and march, below).
Wednesday, Nov. 20, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): There will be a campus and community rally in support of a drive to unionize the college's food service workers. The food service corporation, Sodexho Alliance, is conducting negotiations with SUNY New Paltz Camus Auxiliary Services for a long-term contract. Meanwhile, the Civil Service Employees Association (AFL-CIO) is calling on Sodexho not to place obstacles in the way union organizing but to allow the workers to gain CSEA representation if there is proof that a majority seek union protection. Sodexho is hardly considered a friend of labor and the march and rally is intended to underscore the rights of workers to organize and engage in collective bargaining. The demonstration is set to begin at the Faculty Tower where a march across campus is set to begin at 11:30 a.m., headed toward a rally in front of Hasbrouck Dining Hall. Campus parking may be a problem for community people arriving in cars, so a shuttle bus is supposed to run from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from the Plaza Diner in Ames Plaza on Main St. (Rt. 299) in New Paltz. If you wish to go directly to campus by car in hopes of finding a parking space or to have people dropped off, the Faculty Tower is near the Studley Theater and Hasbrouck Dining Hall is off Rt. 32 South within a cluster of student residence halls.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, ALBANY: Sen. Hillary Clinton will be visiting the SUNY Albany campus to tape an episode of MSNBC’s "Hardball" with Chris Matthews. Local antiwar activists are organizng to protest Clinton's support for the recent pro-war resolution in Congress. We're told, "Join activists at 6:30 p.m. in front of Page Hall (Western Ave off N. Lake) in demonstrating against the war with Iraq and her support for it. The program ("Hardball") and will be live starting at 9 p.m. Come speak out help us make national news." Information, (518) 273-0167.
Thursday, Nov. 21, BROOKLYN: An antiwar rally, co-sponsored by the ANSWER coalition and the M.L. King Peace Now Committee, will begin at 7 p.m. at the House of the Lord Church (415 Atlantic Ave.). Speakers include former Attorney General Ramsey Clark, NYC Councilmember Charles Barron, Viola Plummer of the Dec. 12 Movement, House of the Lord pastor Rev. Herbert Daughtry, and others. Information, ANSWER (212) 633-6676, or MLK Peace Now Committee, (718) 596-1991.
Thursday, Nov. 21, PURCHASE (Manhattanville College campus): Attend the screenings of two 25-minute activist films on the subject of Overturning Corporate Greed. The event starts at 7 p.m. in the Spellman Lounge, sponsored by the Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action. They include an "Interview with Vandana Shiva," an Indian environmentalist and anti-globalization activist; and “Crossing the Line,” mass resistance to the School of the Americas" at Ft. Benning, Ga. Discussion. Information, (914)323-7156.
Thursday, Nov. 21, CHATHAM: Welcome to the newest weekly vigil in what seems to be evolving into a vigil movement in the Hudson Valley. It's number 27. This one is being held Thursdays, 4:30-6 p.m., opposite the clocktower at the site of the summertime farm stand. For information, Bob Elmendorf, poetapoetus at earthlink.net.
-------------------------------------------------------------------- REMINDERS
Thursday, Nov. 21, NEW PALTZ (SUNY campus): Author and Bard Professor Joel Kovel will discuss "The Machine That Makes War," starting at 7 p.m. in Lecture Center 102. Kovel notes, "While it is obvious that the drive toward war in Iraq is the result of immediate political and economic motives, we also need to contend with U.S. militarism in all its forms. This talk shall address these deeper structures. In other words, why, and how, has the U.S. become a war-making machine?" Sponsored by the 9/11 Response Group.
REMINDER: VOTE NOW AGAINST WAR Have you voted yet against a war with Iraq in the People's Antiwar Referendum? If not, do so as soon as possible. Activists may download No War petition material for others to sign and also vote immediately at www.VoteNoWar.org.