All activities are in Chicago, unless otherwise noted. Please send all submissions to CCAWR (at) aol.com with the subject heading "CALENDAR."
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Featured Items:

MARCH 20TH - Midwest Still Says NO to War!
* End the Occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan & Palestine * Troops Out Now! * Money for Jobs, Housing, Healthcare & Education, Not for Wars & Occupation * Stop Racial Profiling - Defend Civil Liberties and Immigrant Rights!
12 PM - Gather to March at Michigan and Pearson
1:30 PM - Rally at Federal Plaza (Adams and Dearborn)

MARCH 20TH ANTI-WAR ORGANIZING COALITION:
Please join us in planning the March 20 anti-war march and rally! It is vital that as many different communities and organizations as possible take part in planning, participating, and promoting the events. All are welcome at the following meetings.

NEXT GENERAL MEETING:
Sunday, February 22
1 - 3 pm
DePaul University
25 E. Jackson (Jackson and Wabash)
11th Floor

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Thursday, February 19 - Silencing Dissent: Political Repression and the PATRIOT Act: A Forum on the Future of Civil Liberties
7:30 pm, DePaul University - Loop Campus, Lewis Law Center #241, 25 E. Jackson Blvd (Jackson & Wabash)
Keynote Speaker: Michel Shehadeh, L.A. 8 defendant, National Council of Arab Americans, Free Palestine Alliance
Additional Panelists:
- Standish Willis, National Council of Black Lawyers
- Michelle Morales, Boriqua Human Rights Network
- Emma Lozano, Pueblo Sin Fronteras
- Suzanne Adely, Arab American Action Network
- Emile Schepers, Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights
- Live call in from Lebanon with PATRIOT Act victim Rabih Haddad

Why This Forum?
In the last two years, literally thousands of immigrants from Arab and Muslim countries have been harassed, intimidated, secretly incarcerated or deported as part of the Bush administration's ongoing efforts to curtail civil liberties and immigrant rights. In September 2003, the government renewed a decades long campaign to deport L.A. Eight defendants Michel Shehadeh and Khader Hamide for distributing Palestinian literature and raising humanitarian aid in Los Angeles during the 1980s. The Bush administration claims that these constitutionally protected activities are retroactively illegal under the USA PATRIOT Act. The following month, a confidential memo leaked to the New York Times revealed an FBI scheme to have local law enforcement agencies spy on anti-war groups organizing national demonstrations in Washington, DC and San Francisco. Despite growing public opposition, the Bush Administration has urged Congress to renew the recently expanded PATRIOT Act. The costs of this unbridled assault on basic liberties are potentially immense. Join us for a forum that explores the growing threat to our freedom--and new strategies to build a movement to fight for and secure our rights. Sponsored by: The Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism. Endorsers List (in formation): Arab American Action Network, Boriqua Human Rights Network, Chicagoland Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights, Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights, Chicago Anti-Bashing Network, Chicago Council of Black Lawyers, Free Palestine Alliance, International Action Center, International Socialist Organization, National Council of Arab Americans, National Council of Black Lawyers, National Lawyers Guild - Chicago, Nicaragua Solidarity Committee, Palestine Aid Society, Palestine Solidarity Group, Pueblo Sin Fronteras, Students for Social Justice

- Related Stories:
The Latest New "War on Terrorism" - Michel Shahedeh, CounterPunch -- www.counterpunch.org/shehadeh1203.html
9/11 and the LA 8 - David Cole, The Nation - www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml%3Fi=20031027&s=cole
- Background on the L.A 8:
Do Immigrants Have First Amendment Rights? - Jeanne Butterfield, MERIP Reports -- www.merip.org/mer/mer212/212_butterfield.html
For more info, or to add your organization's endorsement, please call CCAWR at 888-471-0874, or email CCAWR (at) aol.com.

Download PDF Flyer from the Chicago IMC website: chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/35979/index.php

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Thursday, February 19 & ongoing - 24/7 Union Picket - Support the Congress Hotel Strikers! Congress Hotel, 520 S. Michigan. Sponsor: HERELocal 1. Info: www.congresshotelstrike.info

Thursday, February 19 - "Are Settlements an Obstacle to Peace?," with Geoffrey Aronson, Director of Research and Publications at the Foundation for Middle East Peace in Washington, He is the Editor of the Foundation's bi-monthly Report on Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Territories. Aronson is the author of "From Sideshow to Center Stage: U.S. Policy towards Egypt and Israel" and "Palestinians and the Occupied Territories: Creating Facts in the West Bank." Aronson appears frequently at symposia on a wide range of Middle East related issues and has consulted for both the World Bank and U.N., and has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives. 7 pm, Evanston Public Library, Church & Orrington, Evanston. Co-sponsored by Not In My Name. Sponsor: Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine and Not In My Name. Info: JustPeace1 (at) aol.com, 312.427.2533, x18 or www.geocities.com/cjpipwebsite/0402_aronson.html

Thursday, February 19 - "Silencing Dissent: Political Repression and the PATRIOT Act" with Michele Shehade of the LA8 and other local leaders active in civil rights issues such as Standish Willis, National Council of Black Lawyers; Michelle Morales, Boriqua Human Rights Network; Emma Lozano, Pueblo Sin Fronteras; Suzanne Adely, Arab American Action Network and Emile Schepers, Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights. The meeting is at 7:30 pm, at DePaul University - Loop Campus, Lewis Law Center #241, 25 East Jackson Blvd (Jackson & Wabash). Sponsored by the Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism. Cosponsored by Northwest Suburban Sustain, and ISM-Chicago. Info: CCAWR (at) aol.com or 888.471.0874

Thursday, February 19 thru Saturday, March 6 (8 pm, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) - Lysistrata 3000, presented by the American Demigods. The Athenaeum Studio Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, $12. Lysistrata 3000 sets the classical Greek premise of women holding a sex strike to end a devastating war in the far future of New Athens. The bawdy comedy of the Aristophanes original is blended with character driven drama and epic scope. The inaugural production of the American Demigods, written and directed by Rory Leahy. Lysistrata 3000 was first produced by Mr. Leahy in November of 2000 while he was a student at the University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign through the Penny Dreadful Players student theatre company. That production earned "Best Original Work" as well as several individual performance awards at the company's awards ceremony in May of 2001. Info: 312.902.1500, www.ticketmaster.com or www.whatjailislike.com/adg www.whatjailislike.com/adg>

Thursday, February 19 - "After the Strike: A Century of Labor Struggle at Pullman," with historian Susan Elenor Hirsch discusing her new book. 6 pm, Newberry Library Bookstore, 60 W. Walton. Info: 312.255.3520

Thursday, February 19 - "Changes in Medicare & Prescription Drugs: How Will They Affect Seniors & the Disabled?" 1 pm, Grace Place, 637 S Dearborn. Hear Rep Jan Schakowsky, William McNary of US Action. Sponsor: Committee for New Piorities, Jobs With Justice, others. Info: 312.243.6296 or 312.666.3037

Friday, February 20 - Pink Bloque's Post-Valentine's Day Dance Party Fundraiser. 9:30 pm, The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Benefits 4/25 March for Women's Lives in Washington DC. Info: www.pinkbloque.org

Saturday, February 21 - Noam Chomsky and Greg Palast on "This is Hell" radio. 9 am, WNUR 89.3 fm radio. Info: www.thisishell.net

Saturday, February 21 - A screening of the documentary Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, followed by a reception, panel discussion and break-out groups. 1-5 p.m., Ida Noyes Hall, University of Chicago, 1212 E. 59th. Info: 773.549.4151, www.rustin.org

Saturday, February 21 - "October," Sergei Eisenstein's legendary 1927 flm recreation of the Russian Revolution of 1917. 3:30 pm, Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State (repeats 2/26, 6 pm). Info: 312.846.2600

Saturday, February 21 - STOP the Disappearances! Join the Car Caravan which will travel through north side neighborhoods en route to a solidarity rally on Devon Avenue - the center of Chicago's Pakistani community which has been devastated by deportations. Gather at 10 am in the parking lot of Our Lady of Mercy Church, 4432 N. Troy St. (1 block north of Montrose, 1 block east of Kedzie). 2 pm, Aftermeet, 2pm, Bundoo Khan Restaurant, 2501 W Devon. For info or to endorse: chicago (at) refuseandresist.org or 312.683.5194 or 773.216.5464 (Urdu). Co-sponsored by: Afghan News Network; Albany Park, NorthPark, Mayfair Neighbors for Peace and Justice; American Muslim Alliance; Arab American Action Network; Chicago Anti-Bashing Network; Chicago Chapter of Refuse & Resist!; Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism; Chicago Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights; Coalition of Pakistani Organizations; Democratic Socialists of America, Chicago Chapter; Logan Square Neighbors for Justice and Peace; Loyola Anti-War Network; Muslim Civil Rights Center; National Lawyers Guild, Chicago Chapter; Not In Our Name Project; Chicago; Pakistani-American Democratic Forum; Palestine Solidarity Group. Chicago Car Caravan is being held in conjunction with the 3rd National Day of Solidarity with Muslim, Arab and South Asian Immigrants. Download the Chicago Car Caravan flyer (PDF format) at: www.righttodissent.org/downloads/feb21caravan_flyer.pdf

Saturday, February 21 - "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin," a film documentary sponsored by University of Chicago alumni, with two of the filmmakers, Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer and NYU Professor Adam Green leading a discussion following the showing. 1-5 pm, Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th Street. $12 general admission, $5 for students. Info: Joan, 773.549.4151.

Sunday, February 22 - Stand Up Against Israel's Separation Wall! Noon to 1 pm, Water Tower Park, 830 N. Michigan (at Pearson). On February 23, the International Court of Justice at The Hague is scheduled to hear testimony regarding Israel's Separation Wall. In the days leading up to the trial, Pengon/Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign has called upon groups, networks and movements to raise their voice and focus attention on this illegal wall. We will hold signs describing the travesties imposed by this wall: separation of Palestinians from their lands, their livelihoods and each other; a land grab masquerading as a security measure; the creation of a defacto border; and confiscation of resources, including water, olive trees and farm land. We will pass out literature to hundreds of tourists and shoppers ... acquainting them with the disastrous effects this wall is having on Palestinians living in the West Bank. We will stand under a simulated wall that depicts the wall's injurious impact on West Bank Palestinians. We will hold signs stating in simple, factual terms the consequences the wall will have on the lives of ordinary Palestinians. Signs will be provided for all demonstrators. Sponsored by Not In My Name. Info: www.nimn.org

Sunday, February 22 - "Gacaca: Living Together Again in Rwanda?" This 2002 film documents the Gacaca Tribunals, a new form of citizen-based justice, aimed at unifying the scarred nation of Rwanda. Sponsored by the Film Studies Center of theUniversity of Chicago. Info: Maureen Loughnane, the University of Chicago Human Rights Program, 773.834.0957 or human-rights (at) uchicago.edu

Sunday, February 22 - Next general planning meeting of the March 20 Anti-War Organizing Coalition. 1 - 3 pm, DePaul University, 25 E. Jackson (Jackson and Wabash), 11th Floor. Info: CCAWR (at) aol.com or 888.471.0874. See "Featured Items" above for more details.

Sunday, February 22 - "Anthony Burton: The Going Home Initiative," a discussion of jobs programs for ex-cons. 10 am, Third Unitarian Church Forum, 301 N. Mayfield. Info: 773.626.9385

Tuesday, February 24 - See the Oscar Award winning 1975 Vietnam war documentary "Hearts and Minds." This emotionally and visually intense documentary details the history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam and the psychology of the American people that permitted this unjust war. The movie challenges Americans view of the Vietnamese people as uncaring people. Hearts and Minds establishes that the U.S. war on Iraq is not bad foreign policy but inherent to the U.S. system. 6:30 pm, Schmitt Academic Center, Room 254, 2300 N. Kenmore by Fullerton and Sheffield. Sponsored by Peace Pledge and Activist Student Union of DePaul.

Tuesday, February 24 - Labor Informational Picketline at Halliburton / KBR corporate offices. 10 am, Hallliburton/KBR offices 208 S. LaSalle Street.. As the Bush Administration attacks U.S. workers at home and our tax dollars go to anti-union corporations with no-bid contracts in Iraq, Iraqi workers are being denied the fundamental right to organize unions and bargain collectively to meet basic needs. On January 22, 2004, AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney issued a press release calling for Iraqi labor rights, and national organizations including USLAW have called for an international day of protest. On February 24th, join CLPPJ and others around the country to protest anti-union corporate profiteering in Iraq, and speak out for workers' rights and self-determination. Notoriously anti-union Halliburton and its subsidiary, US construction giant Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) are making billions in Iraq with U.S. tax dollars, while Iraqi trade unionists are being jailed and Iraqi workers are being denied the fundamental right to organize. Texas-based Halliburton and its construction arm have a long history of fighting unions wherever they go. "Brown & Root as an entity has never had a labor agreement," says Dale Wortham, president of the Harris County AFL-CIO in Houston. "They have been one of the most anti-union, anti-worker corporations in the world." Stop the Corporate Invasion of Iraq / Support Iraqi Workers' Rights. Sponsors include USLAW, United for Peace and Justice and Global Exchange. Local action sponsors include Chicago Labor for Peace, Prosperity and Justice (CLPPJ) and Chicago Labor Against the War (CLAW). Info: CLPPJ (at) aol.com

Wednesday, February 25 - "No More Victims: Close the School of the Americas," a media presentation to close the School of the Americas, the United States government's terrorist training facility. 7 pm, Healing Earth Resource, 3111 N. Ashland. Followed by discussion with SOA watch prisoners of conscience & recent arrestees, including Kathy Kelly. Info: 773.274.8979 or www.soaw.org

Wednesday, February 25 - "Post-Civil War Third Party Efforts," examining the 19th Century rise of populism. 7 pm, ACME Artworks, 1741 N. Western. Part of Third Parties in the US-Past & Present forum series. Sponsor: Open University of the Left

Thursday, February 26 - "October," Sergei Eisenstein's legendary 1927 flm recreation of the Russian Revolution of 1917. 6 pm, Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Info: 312.846.2600

Friday, February 27 - Critical Mass Bike Ride, 5:30 pm, Daley Plaza. Info: www.ChicagoCriticalMass.org

Friday, February 27 - "Understanding Arab-Americans & Arab Immigrants Living in the United States," a training workshop for social service providers. 10 am-4 pm, Metropolitan Family Services, 3848 W. 63rd St. Info: 773.476.3534, x63

Saturday, February 28 - Voices of the Disappeared: Chicagoans For a Peaceful Colombia Third Annual Conference on Colombia. Panels, workshops and more. 9:15 am - 5 pm, UIC Rafael Cintron-Ortiz Cultural Center, 803 S. Morgan, Lecture Center B2. Info: 773.454.0820, colombia (at) chicagoans.net or www.chicagoans.net

Saturday, February 28 - Your Vote, Your Future: A Festival of Music, Ideas, Empowerment. 10 am - 4 pm, Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Avenue, $5 suggested donation. Meetings include: "Propaganda in the Media" with Liane Casten, Chicago Media Watch, Laura Miller, PR Watch, and Matt Rothschild, The Progressive; "The Help America Vote Act" with the Illinois League of Women Voters; Other speakers include Kathy Kelly from Voices in the Wilderness, Breeze Luetke-Stahlman, Carolyn Kay, Dan Johnson-Weinberger and Kelly Bateman. Presented by Chicago Rolling Thunder in cooperation with The Mansfield Institute for Social Justice. Info: 773.235.4488

Saturday, February 28 - Back to the Future: Generations of Feminism. Feminism is "assumed" out of existence; and that the relationship between second wave feminists and later generations needs to be rethought. This event aims to confront the ways in which feminism - as an academic disciple, a politics, or an economic, legislative and cultural issue - has changed. Has the coalition aspect of contemporary feminist discourse - the conjoining of feminism with other political and/or epistemological projects - fundamentally altered the discipline. Do globalization studies, race studies, queer studies, even "gender" studies need to be reinfused with feminism? Is there a value to calling out feminism again on its own terms? Or not? Panelists include Dorothy Allison, Sabrina Craig, Judith Halberstam, Sharon Holland, Nancy Miller, Kate Millet, Aihwa Ong, Lynn Speigel, Gayatri Spivak and Michelle Wallace. University of Chicago, Ida Noyes Hall, Max Palevsky Theater

Saturday, February 28 - First Midwest Regional Racial Justice 911 Meeting. Developing a regional network of racial justice organizations. Info: 773.476.3534, x34

Sunday, February 29 - "Is the World Safer Without Saddam?" First-hand observations from McGuire Gibson, a University of Chicago professor of Mesopotamian Archeology who has lived and worked in Iraq since l964. The talk will be preceded by a Vigil against the Occupation: 4:15 pm, vigil (Folk Singer Anna Stange will perform), Beverly Unitarian Church, 1909 W. 103rd Street (103rd and Longwood Drive). Talk begins at 5 pm. Info: 773.239.1439

Sunday, February 29 - Reparations for slavery discussion, led by Dr. Conrad Worrill of the National Black United Front. 10 am, Third Unitarian Church Forum, 301 N. Mayfield. Info: 773.626.9385

Tuesday, March 2 - Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism general meeting. All who want to organize against war and racism are welcome! 6:30 pm, 1st Methodist Temple, 77 W. Washington (at Clark), lower level. Call 888.471.0874 or e-mail CCAWR (at) aol.com for information.

Tuesday, March 2 - "To Intervene or Not to Intervene: The Uses and Limits of American Power," with R. C. Longworth, executive director of the Global Chicago Center, Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, and former Senior Correspondent, Chicago Tribune. 7:30 pm, University Church, 57th Street and University Avenue. Sponsored by the Chicago Area Chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation in conjunction with the Hyde Park Committee Against War & Racism and Hyde Parkers for Justice and Peace.

Wednesday, March 3 - Next Chicago Social Forum meeting. 6:30 pm, American Friends Service Committee, 637 S. Dearborn. Hosted by the Coalition to Protect Public Housing. The Coalition to Protect Public Housing will look at how we can utilize the United Nations system to vindicate the right to housing as well as pursuing housing rights in the Inter-American system. Followed by a Chicago Social Forum business meeting. Info: 312.427.2533.

Thursday, March 4 - National Youth and Student Peace Coalition action against military recruitment and war. Info: Call Dan @ 773.505.2579 or s4sj (at) hotmail.com. Walk-outs and other activities at campuses around the Chicago area and across the nation. Chicago area actions will culminate with a rally at 4:30 pm, Federal Plaza, Adams & Dearborn Streets. Local cosponsors include the University of Chicago Action Towards Peace & Students Organizing and United with Labor

Thursday, March 4 - "Coming Together to Stay Apart: Andy Warhol's Collaboration with Ron Tavel," with Douglas Crimp of Rochester University's Art and Art History Departments. Part of the "Queer Origins of Modern American Culture" series sponsored by the University of Chicago Lesbian and Gay Studies Project and cosponsored by the American Cultures, Performance Studies, Social History and Gender & Sexuality Studies Workshops. 3:30 pm, Classics 10, 1010 E. 59th Street. Information: 773.834.4509 or visit humanities.uchicago.edu/orgs/cgs/lgsp.html

Friday, March 5 thru Sunday, March 7 - Midwest Regional Conference of the National Lawyers Guild, hosted at the DePaul College of Law, downtown Chicago. For more information, contact the DePaul Chapter of the Guild at 312.362.6841 or lcavise (at) depaul.edu

Saturday, March 6 - "From Oslo to the Road Map: Explaining the Failure of Peace in the Middle East" with Sara Roy. 3 pm, Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL. Sara Roy has lived in and visited the Gaza Strip repeatedly since 1985, conducting extensive research into the effects of occupation on the Palestinian economy. A senior research scholar at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University, Roy is author of The Gaza Strip: The Political Economy of De-development. Roy provides an important analysis of the relationship between violence and occupation and on the prospects for peace offered by the current negotiations. Roy's message contains both the personal reflections of the daughter of Holocaust survivors and the analytical perspective of a political economist. Co-sponsored by the DuPage Peace Through Justice Coalition

Saturday, March 6 - Celebrate International Women's Day! 9:30 am - 4 pm, UNITE Hall, 333 S. Ashland Avenue. Start with a women's only breakfast, 9:30 -10:30 am ($5 donation). Then, there will be a conference open to all. Theme: "Women's Realities, Women's Choices." First panel: "The impact of U.S. economic and military policies on women around the world." Followed by discussion groups. Then we will have testimonials from women on issues such as: women and immigration, working women, students, trafficking of women, violence against women, lesbian rights and health and reproductive rights. Sponsored by: International Women's Day Coalition which includes the Battered Woman's Network, Boricua Human Rights Network, Chillean Women, 8th Day Center for Justice, Chicago; National Organization for Women; Peace Pledge Chicago; Prairie Fire Organizing Committee; and UNITE. For info or to co-sponsor: 773.278.6706.

Saturday, March 6 - Volunteer With the GI Rights Hotline! Join Us For Training! A day-long training for those who want to volunteer with the GI Rights Hotline to counsel active military personnel seeking information about options for conscientious objection and discharge. This is a new project for the Chicagoland area. Volunteering with GI Rights Hotline entails: willingness to be available for at least one shift a month starting within a month of training; ability to receive notice of calls (pager, cell phone, etc.) during your shift; ability to return phone calls promptly within GI Rights Hotline standard; ability to maintain detailed call records and to forward them on a monthly basis; ability to provide phone records for reimbursement of costs related to Hotline calls; commitment to attend a monthly support / follow up meeting; commitment to confidentiality; commitment to attend to GI concerns with accurate information and without a personal political "agenda." Veterans are especially welcome. Pre-registration is Required! 9 am - 5 pm (gather by 8:45 am), Lake Forest Friends Meeting House (Quakers), Lake Forest, IL. The trainer will be J.E. McNeil, Attorney & Executive Director, Center on Conscience & War, Washington, DC. Co-operating Organizations are IYM Peace Resources Committee (PRC), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), and Lake Forest Friends Meeting (Quakers) Peace & Social Concerns Committee. Cost is $35, which includes materials and lunch on site. Register by Monday, March 1 by sending an email to peaceresources (at) ilym.org. Info: peaceresources (at) ilym.org

Saturday, March 6 - "From Oslo to the Road Map: Explaining the Failure of Peace in the Middle East," with Sara Roy of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard. 3 pm, Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL. Sponsor: DuPage Peace Through Justice Coalition

Sunday, March 7 - Grace Paley's Essays about the First US-Iraq War. Ruth Dear facilitates an all-woman panel discussion. 10 am Third Unitarian Church, 301 N. Mayfield, Oak Park, IL. Info: 773.626.9385

Sunday, March 7 - Dave Roviks & Attila the Stockbroker, anti-war protest songs & poems. 8 pm, Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood. Sponsor: Chicago Media Action

Sunday, March 7 - Hear from Health Professionals from Palestine! An all day conference, exploring the topic "Health Consequences of Military Occupation and its Impact on Palestinian and Israeli Populations." 8:30 am - 5 pm, University of Illinois Chicago, School of Public Health (SPH-PI), 1603 W. Taylor Street (SW corner of Taylor and Ashland). Speakers include professionals with expertise in mental health, post-traumatic stress syndrome, environmental public health, economic development, nutrition, hospital administration, child development, and community health. For a complete review of the program go to health.peacechicago.org/program.htm To register: health.peacechicago.org ($50 registration fee/$25 for students, includes lunch). Organizers of this conference include Arabs and Jews, students and health professionals, activists and educators, who are committed to making this conference a success. Info: 312.427.2533, x18

Sunday, March 7 - First of a three part Chicago Historical Society lecture series entitled "Out of CHS: Exploring the LGBT Past." For lecture titles, speakers and times of this series on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered history, call the Chicago Historical Society at 312.642.4600.

Monday, March 8 - March and Rally for International Women's Day. Join us at noon at the Daley Center for our annual march and rally to celebrate International Women's Day. We will focus on: the impact of U.S. war on women economically ? cuts in health care, education, women in prison and more. We will then march to various consulates and talk about the reality of women in these countries. International Women's Day Coalition. Sponsored by: International Women's Day Coalition which includes the Battered Woman's Network, Boricua Human Rights Network, Chillean Women, 8th Day Center for Justice, Chicago; National Organization for Women; Peace Pledge Chicago; Prairie Fire Organizing Committee; and UNITE. Info: 773.278.6706

Monday, March 8 - Dave Roviks & Attila the Stockbroker, anti-war protest songs & poems. 8:40 am, York High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst, IL.

Friday, March 12 - "Where We Stood," the release of a documentary about Chicago's March 20, 2003 resistance to the U.S. war on Iraq. 7 pm, Thorne Auditorium, Northwestern University, 375 E. Chicago Avenue. On March 20th, 2003, at the start of the U.S. war on Iraq, more than 500 people were arrested in Chicago during a peaceful protest. More than 100 people were arrested in the following days during planned non-violent civil disobedience actions. This documentary by Chicago producers Linda Beckstrom, Blake Beckstrom and Jon Groot features interview segments from 30 protesters and organizers, taking you inside their experiences, from chaos on the streets, to jail solidarity, to renewed personal commitment to peace. Dramatic footage from the March 20th demonstration and other protests illustrates stories of resistance from a cross section of those who stood up to say no to war. Tickets $8 at the door with a reservation (no advance purchase possible), $10 at the door withouta reservation. All proceeds benefit Peace Pldege-Chicago. Reservations: 312.494.5840.

Saturday, March 13 - "Wearing Buttons Is Not Enough," joint benefit for Rebel Grrrl Distro and Unbound Books Distro. 7pm-Midnight (starts on time, really). $5 -15 sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds), United Church of Roger's Park, Insight Arts, 1545 W. Morse (a block and half west of the Morse Redline stop). Hosted by Scott Free. Bands include: Close But Not Quite; Scott Free; Spit for Athena; Three Dollar Bill; more TBA. This is a joint benefit to raise funds for a button maker which would be shared by both Rebel Grrrl and Unbound Books Distros. We've discovered that button-makers are disturbingly expensive and that's where you come in. The button-maker will be used to create radical and subversive propaganda...that you can wear! However we feel that wearing buttons is not enough and we encourage you to go out and effect real change. In the spirit of mutual aid and cooperation we're inviting other alternative distros and political organizations to table and speak at this event. Rebel Grrrl Distro is... first and foremost a feminist distro. We are anti-sexist, anti-racist, pro-queer/trans/etc. We are political, liberal, and anti-authoritarian. We are pro-choice. We are environmentalists. We believe in challenging learned behavior, especially -isms (racism, ablism, classism, and so forth). We are (safe) sex-positive. We are anti-copyright. We believe in change through creativity, community, and the exchange of information. Unbound Books Distro is... a mailorder distro with plans of becoming a collectively-run worker-owned bookstore, resource center and community space located somewhere in Chicago. We are anti-racist, anti-authoritarian, pro-queer, trans-inclusive, (safe) sex-positive, fat-positive and feminist. We don't believe in waiting until after the revolution. We believe that if you want a better world you should start acting like it now. That is why we choose to work within a non-hierarchical, anti-authoritarian structure. All decisions are made through consensus. There are no bosses. For more information: Info (at) RebelGrrrl.org or Unbound (at) UnboundBooks.org

Saturday, March 13-Sunday, March 14 - Break Through 2004: Carrying the Refuser Message into the Mainstream. A conference for anti-occupation organizers sponsored by the Refuser Solidarity Network and hosted at DePaul University. Break Through 2004 will gather together official representatives of all the Refuser groups, other refusers living in the United States, leaders and volunteers of the Refuser Solidarity Network, and anti-Occupation activists from around the country. Through discussions, workshops and sharing of ideas, we will develop concrete plans for using the courageous stand and sacrifices of the Refusers to increase the effectiveness of our own anti-Occupation organizing. The information below will give you a solid overview of Break Through 2004. For much more detailed information and to register, please visit www.refusersolidarity.net Who should attend Break Through 2004? You should make it a priority to attend Break Through 2004 if you: 1) Plan to bring a Refuser to your community for speaking events or would like to organize support activities for Refusers. Not only with you learn about the Refuser Movement at BT2004, but you will meet with and establish personal relationships with key Refuser leaders. You will also learn concrete skills and take back materials to help make your events extremely successful; 2) Are actively organizing to end the Occupation now and want to figure out how to increase the effectiveness and impact of your work. The Refuser message should be a key part of everything you do; the story of an Israeli soldier or conscript rejecting Occupation open doors and minds in a way that few other voices from the region can; 3) Would like to help the Refuser Solidarity Network get bigger and stronger in 2004 and beyond. We are growing quickly and expanding our capacity, but we still need many volunteers to help increase our effectiveness. Info: www.refusersolidarity.net

Tuesday, March 16 - Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism general meeting. All who want to organize against war and racism are welcome! 6:30 pm, 1st Methodist Temple, 77 W. Washington (at Clark), lower level. Call 888.471.0874 or e-mail CCAWR (at) aol.com for information.

Friday, March 19 - A Memorial Performance of the War in Iraq and Benefit for Humanitarian Aid in Iraq. Sliding scale, location to be announced. A call for poets, musicians, writers, actors, performance artists, mixed media artists with material relating to the war, sanctions, and occupation and their effects both in Iraq and around the world. Please email Stephanie at sturniphorse (at) yahoo.com or call her at 773.539.7595.

Saturday, March 20 - International day of protests against war! Here in Chicago, please join the protest: Midwest Still Says NO to War! * End the Occupations of Iraq, Afghanistan & Palestine * Troops Out Now! * Money for Jobs, Housing, Healthcare & Education, Not for Wars & Occupation * Stop Racial Profiling - Defend Civil Liberties and Immigrant Rights! 12 PM - Gather to March at Michigan and Pearson. 1:30 PM - Rally at Federal Plaza (Adams and Dearborn). See "Featured Items" above for more info on the event and open planning meetings for it.

Sunday, March 21 - IndyTV & Korean Drums! Chicago Indymedia is screening its new TV show at the Beat Kitchen's Mish Mash Variety Nite, and stay for the intense sounds of ARIRAME, Chicago-based Korean Percussion Ensemble. 8 pm, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont. Check out Episode 2 of Chicago Indymedia's new TV show, Chicago Independent Television (Chicago Indy TV), which airs on CAN-TV. Episode 2 features footage from the Miami FTAA protests, a Pilsen-area industrial polluter expose and more! Chicago IndyTV is independent of corporate and commercial interests and shows Chicago-area grassroots media, providing and open space for local media. We will also show Judy Hoffman's unruly video short on last year's March 20th protest downtown. Special secret guest appearances during the screening AND meet the famous Chicago Indymedia volunteers. We will have a bunch of new Indymedia propaganda for free and sale, too. Chicago Indymedia is a part of a growing worldwide network of media producers, journalists, citizens and activists, working to put the media in the hands of every day people and away from corporate and commercial interests. chicago.indymedia.org. Indymedia's screening will be followed by a performance by ARIRAME. ARIRAME is a Korean percussion group whose unique form of samulnori (Korean ensemble percussion) brings together sight and sound, action with reaction, and east with west. With the ability to output an incredible range of tone, texture, speed and volume, ARIRAME delivers a show of traditional Korean sensibilities mixed with modern-day style all within an unforgettable percussive performance. www.arirame.com/ $5, 21+ 8 pm, doors open. 8:15 pm, Indymedia Films, and 9:15 pm, Arirame. Info: mle_17 (at) lycos.com

Sunday, March 21 - "The Finger," all-gender-queer-open-mic-and-variety-show. Hosted by Nomy Lamm (www.nomylamm.com) and Ana Jae. 7 pm at Early to Bed (female queer owned and operated sex toy store) 5232 W. Sheridan. $3 donation

Friday, March 26 - Critical Mass Bike Ride, 5:30 pm, Daley Plaza. Info: www.ChicagoCriticalMass.org

Tuesday, March 30 - Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism general meeting. All who want to organize against war and racism are welcome! 6:30 pm, 1st Methodist Temple, 77 W. Washington (at Clark), lower level. Call 888.471.0874 or e-mail CCAWR (at) aol.com for information.

Friday, April 9 - "Weaving a Just World With All," the 24th annual Good Friday Walk for Justice sponsored by 8th Day Center for Justice. Noon - 3 pm, beginning at the northeast corner of Congress and Michigan Avenue. Wheel chair accessible and sign language interpretation provided. Walk proceeds north on Michigan to Jackson, west on Jackson to the Board of Trade, east on Jackson back to the Federal Plaza at Adams and Dearborn. North on Dearborn to Daley Plaza, crossing the Plaza and ending at the Thompson Center (corner of Clark & Randolph). Info: 312.641.5151 or 8thday (at) claret.org

Tuesday, April 13 - Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism general meeting. All who want to organize against war and racism are welcome! 6:30 pm, 1st Methodist Temple, 77 W. Washington (at Clark), lower level. Call 888.471.0874 or e-mail CCAWR (at) aol.com for information.

Thursday, April 15 - "The Homintern: Critical Anxieties about Homosexual Influence on the Arts in Cold War America" with Professor Michael Sherry of Northwestern University's History Department. Part of the "Queer Origins of Modern American Culture" series sponsored by the University of Chicago Lesbian and Gay Studies Project and cosponsored by the American Cultures, Performance Studies, Social History and Gender & Sexuality Studies Workshops. 3:30 pm, Classics 10, 1010 E. 59th Street. Information: 773.834.4509 or visit humanities.uchicago.edu/orgs/cgs/lgsp.html

Saturday, April 17 - 48th Ward Green Committee Earth Day Festival and Civic Fair. 10 am - 4 pm at the Broadway Armory. Info: marcloveless (at) yahoo.com

Sunday, April 18 - "The Finger," all-gender-queer-open-mic-and-variety-show. Hosted by Nomy Lamm (www.nomylamm.com) and Ana Jae. 7 pm at Early to Bed (female queer owned and operated sex toy store) 5232 W. Sheridan. $3 donation

Wednesday, April 21 - "Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict," with Norman Finkelstein, author of "Image and Realtiy fo th eIsrael-Palestine Conflict," "The Rise and Fall of Palestine," "A Nation on Trial: the Golhagen Thesis and Historical Truth," and "The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering." His writings have appeared in the London Review of Books, Journal of Palestine Studies, New Left Review, Middle East Report, Christian Science Monitor, and Al Ahram Weekly. Born in Brooklyn, NY, he is the son of Holocaust survivors. Sponsor: Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine. Info: JustPeace1 (at) aol.com or 312.427.2533, x18

Friday, April 23 - International Day of Action Against Caterpillar. Details t.b.a. Sponsor: the Chicago chapter of the International Solidarity Movement. Info: ISMinChicago (at) aol.com or call Kevin Clark, 312.491.1789

Sunday, April 25 - On this day the largest gathering of pro-choice Americans will assemble on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the March for Women's Lives! Don't miss this chance to speak out for reproductive freedom on the nation's largest stage, just blocks from the White House. Buses from all over Illinois are being organized right now and bus tickets are available. Call the National Organization for Women at 312.578.9351 to get tickets.

Tuesday, April 27 - Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism general meeting. All who want to organize against war and racism are welcome! 6:30 pm, 1st Methodist Temple, 77 W. Washington (at Clark), lower level. Call 888.471.0874 or e-mail CCAWR (at) aol.com for information.

Friday, April 30 - Critical Mass Bike Ride, 5:30 pm, Daley Plaza. Info: www.ChicagoCriticalMass.org

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On-Going Events:

Daily, 7-9 am - Democracy Now! is now in Chicago! Amy Goodman, Juan Gonzalez, and their guests are a daily independent source of news on matters like the occupation of Iraq. WZRD, 88.3 FM

Mondays thru Fridays, 3:45 pm - Hear Pacifica's Free Speech Radio News on WZRD 88.3 FM

Mondays thru Fridays, 6 pm - Hear Pacifica's Free Speech Radio News on WLUW 88.7 FM.

Mondays, 6 pm - Peace Pledge Chicago meetings, 2502 W. Division.

Mondays, 7-9 pm - Twice-monthly meeting (1st and 3rd Mondays) of Andersonville Neighbors for Peace, at North Shore Baptist Church, 5242 N. Lakewood, room 131 (Lakewood is three blocks east of Clark, and the church is one block north of Foster.).

Mondays - First Mondays of each month. Department of Peace Coalition meetings. 7 pm, Thomas Ford Library, 800 Chestnut, Western Springs. (MarjorieZ (at) DOPC.us)

Tuesdays, 7 pm - South Siders for Peace at the Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S. Longwood Dr, Chicago. Info: lswolf (at) imaxx.net

Tuesdays, 7 pm - Hyde Park Committee Against War and Racism weekly meeting at University Church, 57th and University, Chicago. Info: www.chicagoantiwar.org/hydepark/hpcawr.html

Tuesdays, 8 am - Silent Presence for Peace at the Federal Building - Peace Vigil, Federal Plaza, Dearborn & Jackson. 8th Day Center for Justice: 312.641.5151

Wednesdays, 3 pm - Food Not Bombs: Meals for the Hungry. Loyola El Station.

Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 pm - Neighbors for Peace weekly meeting. St. Nicholas Church, 806 Ridge Ave. Evanston (3 blocks west of the Main St. 'L' station).

Thursdays, 7 pm - Southside Slam. Open Mics at N'diga Coffee & Books, 3510 W. 63rd Street. List opens at 6 pm, performances begin at 7 pm. Bring a gently used book and get in free ($2 otherwise, performers free, no cookbooks please). Non-smoking, children friendly environment. Info: 773.925.2517

Thursdays, 9 pm - Homolatee, Queer Words and Music, hosted by Scott Free. No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood. www.scottfree.net/homolatte.html

Every last Saturday of the month - Waukegan Food-not-Bombs will be serving vegetarian and vegan food to all those who wish to eat at Jack Benny Plaza in downtown Waukegan. People who can bring or donate food are highly appreciated, but the most important thing is your stomach and your sense of social justice. Please contact the RedAlert Collective for more info. www.redalertcollective.cjb.net or redalertcollective36 (at) hotmail.com

Saturdays, 9 am - "This Is Hell" irreverent radio show. WNUR 89.3-FM. Info: www.thisishell.net

Saturdays, 9 am - "Live from the Heartland" progressive radio show. WLUW 88.7-FM. Info: www.heartlandcafe.com

Sundays, 1:00-2:45 pm - Food Not Bombs serving free vegetarian meals to the hungry @ corner of Lincoln and Fullerton.

Sundays, Noon-1 pm - Not In My Name weekly vigil: End Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip & East Jerusalem. Water Tower Place, 830 N. Michigan. For more info, go to www.nimn.org

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Emergency Response Plan to War & Racism
Sponsored by the Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism

1. If the U.S. starts another full scale war on another country besides Iraq, a protest will take place at 5 pm+ at the Federal Plaza, Adams & Dearborn Streets, Chicago, the day the bombing begins. There will be a larger follow up protest at the same time & place the day after.

2. In the event of a provocative attack on community leaders or organizations in the Chicago area, CCAWR has constructed a phone tree to mobilize the community to quickly protest the attack, whether at a police station, federal government office, or other appropriate place. To get on the Emergency Response phone tree / e-mail list and receive regular calendar updates such as this one, send your contact information to CCAWR (at) aol.com