All activities are in Chicago, unless otherwise noted. Out of town events are advertised ONLY if sponsors/endorsers are organizing publicly accessible transportation from the Chicago area. DON'T see your item listed?!? Don't let us make that mistake again! Please send your calendar listing to CCAWR (at) aol.com with the subject heading "CALENDAR."
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Featured Items:

Tuesday, May 25 - Friday, May 28 - Emergency Week of Response to the Slaughter and Collective Punishments in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Initiated by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine, a formation of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim organizations throughout greater Chicagoland dedicated to advocacy and organizing in support of Palestinian national, civil, political, and human rights. In response to Israel's massive military atrocities and war crimes in Rafah refugee camp and other areas of the Gaza Strip, the Coalition for Justice in Palestine is calling on all concerned people and supporters of justice to take part in a series of actions and activities during the week of May 24th through May 28th. These actions are being convened in the wake of a spike in home demolitions and civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks, including a brutal military attack on thousands of peaceful protesters that left as many as dozens dead and scores more injured. Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks have provoked global outrage and condemnation from human rights groups, governments and popular movements across the world. Amnesty International and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights has said Israeli home demolitions and destruction are "grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention" and "war crimes," and have called on Israel to halt these actions immediately. The week’s worth of protests culminate with a Candlelight vigil on Friday, May 28 at 7:30 pm at the corner of Delaware and Michigan Avenues. Details of each day’s activities are listed below. Info: psg_chicago (at) hotmail.com

Wednesday, May 26 - Oppose Wal-Mart! City Council votes today. Show up and make sure your alderman does the right thing! City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 2nd floor. Info: www.unionvoice.org/alert-description.tcl

Thursday, May 27 - Iraq War Memorial Day. Remember ALL--including Iraqi soldiers and civilians--who have died as a result of the U.S. invasion, not just U.S. soldiers. 4 pm, Federal Plaza. Sponsor: Circle of Life Affinity Group, 8th Day Center for Justice, DuPage West Suburban Faith Peace Coalition, Voices in the Wilderness, American Friends Service Committee, Pax Christi Illinois, Fellowship of Reconciliation, United for Peace - Faithful Citizenship, Illinois SOA Watch, Chicago Religious Leadership Network, Chicago Anti-Bashing Network, Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism. Info: 312.641.5151

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Tuesday, May 25 & ongoing - 24/7 Union Picket - Support the Congress Hotel Strikers! Congress Hotel, 520 S. Michigan. Sponsor: HERE Local 1. Info: www.congresshotelstrike.info

Tuesday, May 25 - Thursday, May 27 - "Super Size Me," Morgan Spurlock's film about his 30-day fast-food only diet, with predictable results. Landmark Century Cinema, Clark & Diversy. Info: 773.509.4949

Tuesday, May 25 - Thursday, May 27 - "The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine," Rithy Panh's documentary about the Cambodian holocaust. Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Info: www.artic.edu/webspaces/siskelfilmcenter

Tuesday, May 25 - DAY TWO of Emergency Week of Response to the Slaughter and Collective Punishments in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Candlelight vigil at Lipinski's office at 5832 S. Archer Ave. in Chicago, at 8 PM. Lipinski has been invited to join the vigil. (see details above under "Featured Items"). Initiated by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine. See details above under "Featured Items." Info: psg_chicago (at) hotmail.com.

Tuesday, May 25 - 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.

Wednesday, May 26 - DAY THREE of Emergency Week of Response to the Slaughter and Collective Punishments in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Call and fax U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell between the hours of 11 AM and 2 PM Central Standard Time: Telephone 202.647.6575; fax 202.261.8577. Initiated by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine. See details above under "Featured Items." Info: psg_chicago (at) hotmail.com.

Wednesday, May 26 - "Non-Profit Budgeting 101," part of the Crossroads Fund Technical Assistance Workshop Series. 9 am-noon, Chicago Bar Foundation, 321 S. Plymouth, Suite 1505. Info: www.crossroadsfund.org/TAWorkshops.html

Wednesday, May 26 - Oppose Wal-Mart! City Council votes today. Show up and make sure your alderman does the right thing! City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 2nd floor. Info: www.unionvoice.org/alert-description.tcl

Wednesday, May 26 – “Where We Stood,” a video presentation and benefit about Chicago’s resistance to the U.S. war on Iraq, sponsored by Healing Earth and Peace Pledge-Chicago. On March 20, 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, Jon Groot, and Seth Skundrick, features interview segments from more than thirty protestors and organizers, taking you inside their experiences, from chaos on the street to jail solidarity to renewed personal commitment to peace. Dramatic footage from the March 20 demonstration and other protests illustrates stories of resistance from a cross section of those who stood up to say no to the war. Reservations recommended - call the Peace Pledge hotline at 312.494.5840. Tickets $8 at the door with a reservation (no advance purchase possible). $10 at the door without a reservation; $5 for students with ID. All proceeds to benefit the Peace Pledge-Chicago.

Thursday, May 27 - DAY FOUR of Emergency Week of Response to the Slaughter and Collective Punishments in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Call and fax U.S. President George W. Bush between 11 am and 2 pm, Central Standard Time: phone 202.456.1111; fax 202.456.2461. Initiated by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine. See details above under "Featured Items." Info: psg_chicago (at) hotmail.com.

Thursday, May 27 - Town Hall Meeting on the Medicaid Attendant Services and Supports Act (MiCASA). 1 pm, Red Danny Davis Office, 3333 W. Arthington. Public testimony for this important long term care rights legislation. Info: 312.253.7000 or 312.253.7019 tty or 708.209.1500

Thursday, May 27 - Public Speaking Boot Camp, 9 am - Noon at Community Media Workshop, 623 S. Wabash, Room 201. Would you rather die than speak in public? Learn to present like a pro from a pro, Loree Vick, a former CBS and FOX news anchor and reporter who now teaches public speaking. You will learn how to focus all that nervous energy, present yourself visually by mastering the mechanics of speaking, and organize an effective presentation that can inform, inspire, or call to action. You will see yourself on videotape as Ms. Vick assesses your skills and nurtures your growth as a speaker. Two sessions are designed to help you polish a specific presentation. Register at www.newstips.org/register/index.php

Thursday, May 27 - Meeting to organize flyering, steet theater and other creative actions in solidarity with the Palestinian people and the rally and march to demand justice in Palestine on June 4. Organized by the Chicago chapter of the International Solidarity Movement. 7-9 pm, New World Resource Center, 1300 N. Western Ave. Info: ISMinChicago (at) aol.com, 312.491.1789 or 773.227.4011

Thursday, May 27 - Iraq War Memorial Day. Remember ALL--including Iraqi soldiers and civilians--who have died as a result of the U.S. invasion, not just U.S. soldiers. 4 pm, Federal Plaza. Sponsor: Circle of Life Affinity Group, 8th Day Center for Justice, DuPage West Suburban Faith Peace Coalition, Voices in the Wilderness, American Friends Service Committee, Pax Christi Illinois, Fellowship of Reconciliation, United for Peace - Faithful Citizenship, Illinois SOA Watch, Chicago Religious Leadership Network, Chicago Anti-Bashing Network, Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism. Info: 312.641.5151

Thursday May 27 - Protest Against Great Lakes Bears scabbing on the Congress Hotel Workers strike! Calling all GLBTs, queers and allies! Your support is needed on the Congress Hotel picket line (Congress and Michigan) during early registration for the Great Lakes Bears, 5-8 pm. The Great Lakes Bears are inviting people to rent rooms at the Congress Hotel for Bears Pride X in spite of the fact that the hotel's workers have been on strike for nearly a year. The Congress Hotel is the only downtown hotel that did not sign an agreement with HERE Local 1 last June which would insure a living wage. Instead, the Congress has decided to cut wages and gut health care benefits. The contract that the Congress Hotel refuses to sign includes sexual orientation nondiscrimination language and domestic partnership benefits. The Great Lakes Bears have been offered several other hotels, including at least one that has offered to match the rates of the Congress. However, the Great Lakes Bears would rather turn their backs on the concerns of the workers (including queer and queer-supportive workers) and cross the picket line. We're asking all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people to stand in solidarity with the hotel workers! GLBT/Queer people are also encouraged to join in the picket line any time during the weekend of Bear Pride & International Mr. Leather (May 27th through May 31st), especially between 10 am and 8 pm on Friday May 28th for the Great Lakes Bears' second day of registration. While you're at it, feel free to express your outrage to: BearPride (at) glbears.com. Sponsored by the Queer/Trans Caucus of the Chicagoland Anarchist Network (formerly Chicago Anarchist Anti-Authoritarian Autonomist Coalition - CAAAC)

Friday, May 28 - FINAL DAY of Emergency Week of Response to the Slaughter and Collective Punishments in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Candlelight vigil in downtown Chicago at the corner of Delaware and Michigan Avenues, at 7:30 PM. Initiated by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine. See details above under "Featured Items." Info: psg_chicago (at) hotmail.com.

Friday, May 28 - Critical Mass Bike Ride, 5:30 pm, Daley Plaza. Info: www.ChicagoCriticalMass.org

Friday, May 28 thru Monday, May 31 - "Fifth National Grassroots Organizing Conference on Iraq", Bloomington, IN. Info: www.endthewar.org/conference.htm or 888.363.2927

Friday, May 28 – Thursday, June 3 - "Carandiru," Hector Babenco's film on the largest penitentiary in Latin America, the São Paulo House of Detention. Landmark Century Cinema, Clark & Diversy. Info: 773.509.4949

Saturday, May 29 - Scholarship benefit party for SCUPE-North Park University's M.A. in Community Development Program. 9 pm, Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood. Live Set by The Blaq Dawn Collective, a montage of gifted and spiritual artisans, who use soul, hip-hop, spoken word and jazz to plant seeds of change. DJ Macanudo, DJ Ray, & DJ Mongoose will be spinning the best in Reggae, Salsa & Merengue, Old-School Hip-Hop, Soul, and much more! $12 suggested donation. Info: www.amum.net/macd/macdflyer.pdf

Saturday, May 29 - Women of the movement, let us reason together! Weaving together years of journey as poet, a RasTafarian elder, direct-entry midwife, home-school educator of hundreds of movement children (including the young Tupak Shakur), counselor and healer, Mata Imani will be conducting introductory classes in Human and Community Development beginning today at 4pm. Join Mata Imani for a discussion of Spiritual Midwifery in Relationship to Human & Community Development. Enrollment is limited. Email resist_this (at) riseup.net for details on workshop location and enrollment.

Saturday, May 29 - Soulforce Chicago, GLBT Direct Action, Non-violence training. New Spirit Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), 542 S. Scoville Avenue, Oak Park from 9am to 3:30pm. The training is free and open to all, however, registration is required. The goals of this training are to educate people about the anti-gay religious policies which cause "spiritual violence" and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) persons, teach Soulforce's method of nonviolence and provide reasons why this method changes hearts and minds and saves lives, and prepare people for the upcoming Direct Action at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis, IN from June 13-16, 2004. The training is co-sponsored by the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches, The Committee Council of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Park Forest, IL, Grace Baptist Church (Chicago), MCC of the Fox Valley (Elgin, IL), and New Spirit MCC (Oak Park, IL). This training is intended not only for members of religious groups and communities of faith concerned about the treatment of their GLBT loved ones, but anyone interested in learning the transformative principles of nonviolence embodied by Mohandas K. Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesus of Nazareth and the Jewish prophets, and many others throughout history. Leading the training is Jean Holsten from the Bread of Life Center for Spiritual Formation in Davis, CA. Jean is a trainer, attorney, consultant and nonviolence practitioner. To register, go to www.soulforcechicago.org. For more information about Soulforce Chicago, e-mail soulforcechicago (at) yahoo.com.

Saturday, May 29 - "Conditions For Life," Scot Heckman's one person play on being queer & HIV positive. 7:30 pm, New World Resource Center, 1300 N Western. Info: www.azone.org

Saturday, May 29 – “Otras Voces,” a community authored video festival sponsored by Video Machete presents. Screenings of the latest youth and community self-authored media from Chicago’s very own neighborhoods with presentations by the producers and welcomed guests including Proyecto Voz, Ritual Multimedia, Beyond Media, Street-Level Youth Media and others. Doors open at 5:30 pm, video screening 6 pm – 9 pm, Video Machete, 1180 N. Milwaukee, 2nd floor (corner of Milwaukee and Division, Division St. stop on CTA Blue Line). Free and open to the community! Info: 773.645.1272 or demetrio (at) videomachete.org

Monday, May 31 - Viet Nam Veterans Against the War. Memorial Day Ceremony. 11-12 pm, Wacker at Wabash. Demand an end to Iraq war & decent benefits for all vets. Info: www.vvaw.org/events/

Tuesday, June 1 - Join DAWN (DuPage Against War Now) when they host a screening of the movie "Uncovered” at the Glen Ellyn Library , 400 Duane St., Glen Ellyn. The movie becomes even more meaningful as the events in Iraq continue to unfold. Info: www.d-a-w-n.org or DAWN151 (at) msn.com. The DAWN meeting will follow the movie at 7:30 pm. The public is welcome.

Wednesday, June 2 - The Queer/Trans Caucus of the Chicagoland Anarchist Network will be meeting 7pm at the UIC Behavioral Sciences Building (room number will be posted), 1007 W. Harrison. The agenda will mostly comprise of planning for an anti-authoritarian anti-capitalist contingent in the "pride" parade, including themes (reclaiming pride, returning to a focus on queer liberation), confronting anti-gay bigot counter-demonstrators, possible feeder march and any other ideas you want to bring to the table. We will also be talking about a contingent in the Dyke March and other pride month plans. As well as a report back from the Great Lakes Bears protest/Congress Hotel picket line. This is the 35th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion! Let's not let the corporate ass-kissing, politician-loving assimilationists rewrite Radical Queer History! Let's not forget that STONEWALL WAS A RIOT! That the Stonewall Rebellion was largely drag queens, transwomen, butch dykes and other gender varient people, mostly working class People Of Color who fought back against homophobic police, throwing bricks and barricades. The birth of the modern Gay Rights movement comes from the courage and strength of people that the mainstream gay elite now wish to abandon, sweep under the carpet. The Queer/Trans Caucus of the Chicagoland Anarchist Network is open to all queer or trans identified people with anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist, anti-statist tendencies. You don't have to be a member of the larger Chicagoland Anarchist Network.

Wednesday, June 2 - Thursday, June 3 - "Mayking Media Connections 2004." To talk about promoting news that matters, to discuss your stories and how to get the word out about the important work you do and issues facing our communities, journalists, nonprofit executives and media relations experts from these news outlets and organizations will be there for you: USA Today, Washington Post, Lake Magazine, Time Magazine, Times of Northwest Indiana, In These Times and dozens more. 9 am - 4 pm, Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren. On Thursday, June 3 - "Generation Next: Media Coverage of Youth Beyond Triumph and Tragedy" at the same location. Journalists, teen media mentors, youth advocates, parents, teachers, all Chicago-area teenagers and the interested public is invited to offer their opinions and insight about how the media covers youth and the issues affecting them. Join Chicago Public Radio's Sylvia Ewing as she leads a roundtable discussion about media's relationship with our communities' young people. We'll discuss what is currently being reported and how it's being done, how youth media
covers youth issues, what's working, what needs to get better and how to facilitate better coverage. While the full conference has a registration fee, this roundtable discussion is free, but please RSVP to cmw (at) newstips.org with "youth roundtable" in the subject line. To register, see www.newstips.org/interior.php Info: cmw (at) newstips.org

Wednesday, June 2 – Defend Abortion Rights! Defend Women’s Rights! Confront anti-women anti-abortion protests! University of Chicago, 8:30 am sharp, exact location t.b.a. DePaul University, 11:30 am sharp, exact location t.b.a. The anti-women “Pro-Life Action League” has announced plans to assault two Chicago campuses a month. Don’t let their anti-woman message to go unchallenged! Info: Chicago Refuse & Resist!, chicago (at) refuseandresist.org or 312.683.5194

Thursday, June 3 – “Blocking the Way to the Altar: A Discussion Concerning Same Sex Marriage and Efforts to Protect Against Discrimination in State and Federal Marriage Laws,” featuring State Representative Larry McKeon. 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Chicago Historical Society, Rubloff Auditorium, 1601 N. Clark Street (at North Avenue). Recent decisions by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts and the City of San Francisco to extend the hundreds of governmental benefits established by civil marriage to same sex couples has set off a firestorm of high decibel debate across the nation. From state capitols including Springfield to our nation's capitol in Washington, DC, politicians and pundits are discussing what benefits should be extended to same sex couples - or, perhaps more importantly, what benefits should be denied to long-term, committed couples simply because they are gay or lesbian. Other panelists include John Knight, ACLU of Illinois and Patricia Logue, LAMBDA Legal Defense Fund. Free admission, but reservations required! Parking is located just steps away from CHS at the corner of Clark and LaSalle, with the entrance on Stockton Drive. Part of the 2004 ACLU of Illinois Annual Meeting - the public is welcome to attend.

Friday, June 4 - One day prior to the 37th anniversary of the illegal military occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, the Coalition for Justice in Palestine is organizing a rally and march to demand justice for the Palestinian people. Despite widespread international condemnation and U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding immediate withdrawal, Israel continues to occupy and violate the human, civil, political and national rights of the Palestinian people. Since September of 2000 the occupation has escalated into the vicious repression of the Palestinian Intifada, in which over 3300 Palestinian have been killed and more than 45,000 injured; another 6000+ are being subjected to torture and inhumane conditions as political prisoners; and more than 5 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants continue to have their Right of Return denied. Adding to the plight of the Palestinian people is the construction of the Apartheid Wall resulting in more expropriation of Palestinian land and water resources, paralyzing restrictions on movement, limited and sporadic access to basic medical care, education, employment and other services, and the continued Bantustanization of Palestine. Help transform Tribune Plaza into a sea of Palestinian flags, keffiyas, banners, signs and people demanding justice in Palestine! 3:30 pm rally, Tribune Plaza, 435 N. Michigan (Michigan & the Chicago River). 4:15 pm march to the Israeli Consulate, 111 E Wacker Drive. (Wacker & Michigan). 4:30 – 5 pm rally at the consulate. For info or to endorse contact psg_chicago (at) hotmail.com. Also visit www.palsolidaritygrp.org. Sponsored by the Coalition for Justice in Palestine. Endorsed by Students for Social Justice, Palestine Solidarity Group, DePaul Students for Justice in Palestine, Palestine Aid Society, Palestinian American Community Center, Islamic Association for Palestine, Chicago Chapter of the International Solidarity Movement, Northwest Suburban SUSTAIN, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, Tri-Taylor Neighbors for Peace, and the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network

Friday, June 4 - Dear Mary Night! A dearmary.com and dontamend.com benefit featuring Dylan Rice, Scott Free, and Christopher Becerra. Late night beats by HB Rayker. 9 pm at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia.

Friday, June 4 – Thursday, June 10 – “Alila,” Amos Gitai's drama of Israeli society. Facets Cinémathèque, 1517 W. Fullerton. Info: www.facets.org

Friday, June 4 – Thursday, June 20 – Third Annual Chicago Palestine Film Festival. Begins at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State, and moves to the Southwest Youth Collaborative, 6400 S. Kedzie Avenue, on June 18. The selections this year include 20 films by Palestinian, Israeli, American and European filmmakers. This powerful program of features, documentaries, and shorts will be shown in English or Arabic, Hebrew, German or French with English subtitles. The festival selections feature numerous North American premieres and one world premiere film. Highlights include the opening-night screening of "Arna's Children," by Palestinian-Israeli director Juliano Mer Khamis, winner of the "Best Documentary Feature" at the Tribeca Film Festival 2004. On Saturday, June 5 the festival will hold the world premiere of "Jihad!" by New York-based Palestinian director Muhammed Rum. Rum, who wrote, acted in, and directed this dark comedy will be present for audience discussion. On Sunday, June 13, Egyptian/French documentary filmmaker Samir Abdallah will present the North American premiere of "Writers on the Borders: a Journey to Palestine," which he directed with Jose Reynes. Tickets to each screening are $9/general admission and $5/Film Center members and may be purchased at the Film Center Box Office, which opens at 5 pm on weekdays and at 2 pm on weekends. General public tickets are also available through Ticketmaster, 312.575.8000, www.ticketmaster.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets. More info available at 312.846.2800 (24-hour movie hotline) or 312.846.2600 (general information, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday), or log on www.siskelfilmcenter.org. There is no admission price to June 18-20 screenings at the Southwest Youth Collaborative, and reservations are accepted only for groups of 10 or more. Call the festival hotline 312.873.4401 for more information about this venue and to make reservations. For a complete schedule and updated information visit www.palestinefilmfest.com regularly or call the hotline 312.873.4401.

Friday, June 4 - Sunday, June 6 - Radfest '04 in Wisconsin, Lake Geneva Campus of Aurora University, Williams Bay, WI, 80 miles northwest of Chicago. Over 50 panels and workshops, including “Latinos and the Struggle for Political, Social, and Economic Justice,” Elizabeth Martínez, Richard Moore, Christine Neumann-Ortiz, and Reneé Saucedo, and “Progressive Strategy for 2004, and Beyond,” with Medea Benjamin, Brenda Konkel, Elizabeth Martínez, and Jamala Rogers. More than 100 speakers, musical entertainment, the award-winning play One Wall Missing, daytime recreational activities, and a major book signing session with authors Charles Derber, Robert Jenson, Robert McChesney, Jason Mark, and Thomas Ponniah. www.havenscenter.org/radfest/radfest04/radfest04whatis.htm Midwest Social Forum - RadFest 2004. Email: info (at) havenscenter.org or phone 608.262.0854

Friday, June 5 – “Precious Stones,” a play by Jamil Khoury directed by Gregory Gerhard and featuring Jenn Sava Ryan and Sheri Winkelmann. Precious Stones boldly examines the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the "safe" yet turbulent terrain of American Diaspora. Set in Chicago in 1989, the story unfolds against a backdrop of disturbing images, as the first Palestinian intifada rages in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Two women, one Jewish, the other Palestinian, join forces to organize an Arab-Jewish dialogue group, only to find themselves falling in love. Hosted by The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago, and sponsored by the following University of Chicago Departments: Center for Gender Studies; Lesbian and Gay Studies Project; Rockefeller Memorial Chapel; Center for Middle East Studies; Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture; Franke Institute for the Humanities; and the Human Rights Program. 5 pm, Breasted Hall at The Oriental Institute, 1155 E. 58th Street. The performance will be followed by a Q & A session with playwright Jamil Khoury. Free Saturday parking at Ellis Avenue Parking, 55th St. and Ellis Ave (five blocks the venue).

Saturday, June 5 - International Day of Emergency Protests demanding “Bring the Troops Home Now; All foreign troops OUT of Iraq, Haiti, Korea, Afghanistan, Philippines, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela; Money for Jobs, Education, Housing & Healthcare - Not for War!; Defend Civil Liberties & Civil Rights!; End the Colonial Occupation of Palestine - Support the Right to Return!” Washington, DC, gather at 12 noon, the White House, followed by a march on the Pentagon. Round-trip bus tickets from Chicago now available for $80 (on line with credit card via Paypal at www.chicago-answer.org, or by mail by sending a check payable to "Chicago ANSWER" before Friday, May 21 to Chicago ANSWER, 27 N Wacker Drive, #223, Chicago, IL 60606). Buses leave Chicago at 5:30 pm, Friday from Columbus & Monroe (behind Art Institute). Sponsor: Chicago Volunteers for International A.N.S.W.E.R. [Act Now to Stop War and End Racism]. Info: 773.250.7006 or ChicagoANSWER (at) comcast.net. For march logistics, or to endorse, go to www.internationalanswer.org

Saturday, June 5 – Chicago Recycling Coalition Benefit. 8 pm, Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood

Saturday, June 5 – Sunday, June 6 – New World Resource Center Book Table at Printers Row Book Fair. Thousands of insanely great used books, priced to move! 10 am - 6 pm, Dearborn & Congress.

Saturday, June 5 – “The Killing Zone” and “500 Dunam on the Moon,” two videos on the Palestinian struggle. In “The Killing Zone,” two BBC reporters document activist struggles in the days following Rachel Corrie's murder. The other film is a documentary on the Ayn Hawd village depopulated in 1948. Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark. Info: www.chicagofilmmakers.org/

Sunday, June 6 – Burnham/Ward Lakefront Vision Ride, a two hour bike ride exploring the history and future of Chicago’s car-free lakefront. Noon, Daley Plaza. Sponsor: Campaign For a Free & Clear Lakefront. Info: www.ForeverFreeandClear.org.

Monday, June 7 – “An Evening With Laura Flanders” at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. Author and Air America Radio host Laura Flanders appears in performance pieces based on her best-selling book, “Bushwomen: Tales of a Cynical Species.” This event is hosted by Peace Pledge-Chicago and co-sponsored by Chicago NOW, Evanston NOW, and Women & Children First. Tickets & info at 773.472.3492 or www.lakeshoretheater.com.

Monday, June 7 - Demand M&M/Mars Sell Fair Trade Chocolate! Protest at the candy expo against child labor and other human rights abuses!! The largest United States chocolate manufacturers buy their cocoa beans at rock bottom prices that impoverish cocoa farmers worldwide. Often they turn to using child labor in abusive conditions, and sometimes even child slavery. All that could change if big companies like M&M/Mars purchased Fair Trade cocoa beans that guarantee farmers and their families a living wage. Greet the wholesale buyers! 9:30 am, outside of the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Wacker Drive (Stetson Street entrance, 1 block east of Michigan Avenue). There will be samples of Fair Trade "Just Coffee" and Fair Trade chocolate! Sponsors: Chicago Jobs with Justice, American Friends Service Committee, Faith in Place, Chicago Religious Leadership Network, Jubilee Economic Ministries, Call to Action, Loyola Amnesty International and Global Exchange. Info: Valerie Orth, Global Exchange, 415.558.6938 or 510.551.9685, or valerie (at) globalexchange.org For information about our Fair Trade & Economic Rights Campaigns, please visit www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade

Tuesday, June 8 - "Beyond Today," peace and justice organization general planning meeting. 7:30 pm, Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church, 4511 N. Hermitage (Sunnyside & Hermitage). Info: www.BeyondToday.org, 773.588.8785 or BeyondToday (at) BeyondToday.com

Friday, June 11 - Thursday, June 17 - African Diaspora Film Festival, www.Facets.org

Friday, June 11 – An Evening of Puerto Rican Culture! Youth poets’ performance Batey Urbano, dinner, and a special keynote by activist Jose Lopez of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. Sponsored by the Urban Life Center as part of their colloquium, “The New Majority Minority: The Impact of Latinos in Chicago.” 7 pm, Puerto Rican Cultural Center, 2739-41 W. Division Street. $15. Please RSVP to 773.363.1312 www.urbanlifecenter.org

Sunday, June 13 – Wednesday, June 16 - Direct Action at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis, IN. See May 29th entry for details.

Tuesday, June 15 - One year anniversary of the Congress Hotel strike.

Tuesday, June 15 - "The Gempei War," a cycle of Noh Plays, adapted for the modern stage by Kyle Gorden. Free and open to the public! Part of the Al Qasida Staged Reading Series. Directed by Julieanne Ehre. Hosted by The Consulate General of Japan at Chicago. 7 pm, Japan Information Center, 737 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1000 (10th floor). Entrance is on the south side of Chicago Ave., just east of the Walgreen's at the corner. “The Gempei War” investigates the messy aftermath of war, as told in three classic Japanese plays. “Tomoe” tells the story of a female samurai, unable to forgive her master's final betrayal. In “Atsumori,” a war-weary samurai is changed forever after being forced to kill a young musician. And in “Ataka,” a great general is brought to self-degradation by his brother's paranoia. Long overlooked in the cannon of classic theatre, these ancient but timeless texts are given new life by a vigorous adaptation for the modern stage. The staged reading will be followed by a Q & A session with adaptor/translator Kyle Gorden. Parking - Validated parking available for $6 in the Olympia Centre Garage at 161 E. Chicago Ave. Turning east on Chicago from Michigan Ave., Olympia Centre is the 2nd garage entrance on the right and is marked with a green "self park" sign.

Wednesday, June 16 - "Police Brutality and Political Activism," a meeting sponsored by the Chicago IWW Forum Committee. Featuring Joan Parkin and Mildred Henre of the Enough is Enough Campaign. 7 pm, New World Resource Center, 1300 N. Western. $5 - $10 suggested donation. All are welcome. Info: Tom Pierce, TPierce139 (at) earthlink.net or 708.837.6036.

Thursday, June 17 - Sunday, June 20 – “Ideas That Can Change the World: Socialism 2004.” Join with activists and others for a weekend of political debate, discuss and entertainment about changing the world. More than 100 discussions include “Do Revolutions Lead to Dictatorship,” “50 Years of Rock and Roll,” and “SUVs and Advertising: Do Americans Consume Too Much?” Speakers include radical journalists Alexander Cockburn and John Pilger, Socialist Worker columnist Sharon Smith, and Palestine solidarity activist Rania Masri. Register online at www.socialismconference.org by May 27 to get the discount rate of $60 for all three-and-a-half days of meetings and entertainment. Sponsored by: Center for Economic Research and Social Change (CERSC), publisher of International Socialist Review, and International Socialist Organization (ISO), publisher of Socialist Worker. O'Hare Holiday Inn. Info: www.socialismconference.org or www.socialism2004.org

Saturday, June 19 - Monthly Street Peace Vigil. Make/display signs such as "Mr. President, Fire Rumsfeld!" and "Futility of Military 'Solutions'" and "Honk for Peace." 4-5 pm, Montrose and Western at Welles Park. Info: www.BeyondToday.org, 773.588.8785 or BeyondToday (at) BeyondToday.com

Sunday, June 20 - "The Finger," all-gender-queer-open-mic-and-variety-show. Hosted by Nomy Lamm (www.nomylamm.com) and Ana Jae. Every third Sunday of the month at Early to Bed (female queer owned and operated sex toy store) 5232 W. Sheridan. 7 pm $3 donation

Friday, June 25 - Critical Mass Bike Ride, 5:30 pm, Daley Plaza. Info: www.ChicagoCriticalMass.org

Sunday, June 27 - Gay Pride Parade! March with Equal Marriage NOW! to demand equal marriage rights. Details forthcoming. Info: info (at) equalmarriagenow.org

Wednesday, June 30 - TASTE OF DEMOCRACY! Protest the phony "transfer of power" in Iraq and demand the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq and all other occupied countries. Location: Taste of Chicago. Details forthcoming. Watch Chicago.IndyMedia.org for more info.

Saturday, July 10 – Sunday, July 11 – Chicago Peace Fest! Join the annual festival of music, speeches and other culture at Cricket Hill, near Montrose Avenue and the lakefront, noon – 8 pm each day. Info: gnrlpatt (at) ameritech.net

Sunday, July 11 - "Citizens' Assembly" of DuPage-Lake-Cook Counties. 3:30 pm sharp (seating begins at 3 pm), Chicago Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom. Confirmed Guests Include BOTH Illinois Candidates For US Senate: Barak Obama (Democrat) and Jack Ryan (Republican). Sponsored By: DuPage United, Lake County United and United Power for Action & Justice (Cook County). Info: Mike Kisler, mlkisler (at) comcast.net

Sunday, July 18 - The 2004 Inaugural Disability Pride Parade! The overall mission of the Disability Pride Parade is to change the way people think about and define "disability"; to break down the internalized shame among people with Disabilities; and to promote the belief in society that Disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity that people living with Disabilities can take pride in. Specific objectives for the parade are to organize a fully inclusive, annual event that will celebrate and strengthen the pride, power, and unity of people with disabilities, our families, and allies, and to generate national visibility of the Disability community. The event features Yoshiko Dart as the Parade Grand Marshal. Mrs. Dart played a key role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) alongside her husband, the great disability and human rights activist, Justin Dart, whose leadership during his lifetime is the main inspiration for the Disability Pride Parade. There are no registration fees required to participate in the parade, but all participants are asked to make a suggested donation if possible. Parade registration forms are available at: www.disabledandproud.com/forms.htm Parade Cosponsors: (list in formation): Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services, Progress Center for Independent Living, Mouth Magazine, Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago ADAPT, Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership, Kids As Self-Advocates, Family Voices, National Disabled Students Union, Open Doors, Inc., Not Dead Yet, Forest Park Chapter of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities of Illinois, United Cerebral Palsy Detroit, National Conference for Community and Justice Detroit, American Association of People with Disabilities, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago LIFE Center, University of Illinois at Chicago Disabled Students Union, and the University of Florida Union of Students with Disabilities. Info: www.disabledandproud.com/parade.htm , or call the American Association of People with Disabilities toll free at 800 840-8844 (v/tty) and let them know you are calling about the Disability Pride Parade. For info on becoming a formal co-sponsor of the Disability Pride Parade, contact Laura Obara, Parade Finance Chair, at lalaot (at) yahoo.com, or call 711 and give the relay operator the following phone number: 847.545.1807 (TTY).

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

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

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On-Going Events:

Thru July 22 - "Amazwi Abesifazane: Voices of Women," an exhibiting featuring embroidered and beaded works of indigenous South African women documenting their lives during and after apartheid. Betty Rymer Gallery, 280 S. Columbus. Info: www.artic.edu/saic/art/galleries/brsched.html

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, 6-7 pm - Weekly protest against the occupation of Iraq, northwest corner of 95th and Western Ave. Proceeds the weekly 7:30 pm meeting of 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

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Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism
CCAWR (at) aol.com 312.458.9559 888.471.0874 chicagoantiwar.org