Chicago Indymedia : http://chicago.indymedia.org/archive
Chicago Indymedia

LOCAL Announcement :: Miscellaneous

Calendar of Chicago Area Progressive Events -- Updated February 16, 2005

All activities are in Chicago, unless otherwise noted. Events outside of the Chicago metro area are advertised ONLY if sponsors/endorsers are organizing publicly accessible transportation from here.
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."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FEATURED ITEM:

Next Organizing Meeting for the March 19th Anti-War Protest

2-5 PM this Saturday, February 19th
********** NOTE NEW LOCATION *********
UIC Behavioral Sciences Building
1007 W. Harrison Street, Chicago

Join the March 19 Chicago Coalition, a new ad hoc coalition, to organize for protest(s) on the 2nd anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. The Coalition currently is in a permit battle with the City of Chicago over the right to march from the N. Michigan Avenue area to Federal Plaza (see chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/52073/index.php). Please join us at the next organizing meeting to organize protest(s) on the anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. The meeting will begin at 2 pm, this Saturday, February 19 with working group meetings that will draft proposals for approval by the overall meeting, which will run from 3-5 pm. The working groups are currently defined as:

a. Outreach, Media/Publicity, Website/e-communications, and pre-cursor action(s)
b. Program
c. Logistical/Tactical/Permit/Legal

The meetings will take place at UIC Behavioral Science Building, 1st floor cafeteria, at 1007 W. Harrison Street, near the UIC/Halsted Street stop on the Blue Line. When you exit the UIC/Halsted station, go out the west exit (away from downtown), which will put you on Morgan Street. Turn left at the exit of the station and walk south one-half block to the corner of Morgan and Harrison. The Behavioral Sciences Building is on the south side of Harrison, a little bit to your right.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Support the LIVE RADIO Web Broadcast
Of the March 19th Protest

Help setup a live radio web broadcast covering this year's Iraq war anniversary protest in downtown Chicago!. On March 20, 2004, a live radio webstream covering the March 20 protests in downtown Chicago, relayed phone calls from protesters and broadcast them in real time on radio stations in Illinois and across the world. To listen to last year’s broadcast check out the archives online at chicago.indymedia.org/mod/info/display/radio/index.php

This year help is needed with setup, staffing and promotion of the web broadcast to make it successful. Particular help is needed with engineering for the setup and with staffing the station during the day of the broadcast. The link to the broadcast will be made available on the morning of March 19, 2005 at chicago.indymedia.org. Radio broadcasters are welcome to rebroadcast this audio stream when it becomes available. Info: Mitchell Szczepanczyk at Chicago Indymedia

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

Thru February 26 - The Brown Couch Theatre Company presents Jonathan Tolin's The Twilight of the Golds, which examines the family conflict that ensues when a couple discovers that the newly-pregnant wife may be carrying a homosexual child. With each production, Brown Couch ensemble members pick a local organization whose mission matches the themes of the production, volunteer with that organization, and make a donation. Chicago’s lesbian and gay library and research center, the Gerber/Hart Library, is happy to be the beneficiary for this production. For tickets, call the Brown Couch Theatre Company at 312.409-2010. Tickets are $12–$15. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. The play is being performed at Profiles Theatre, 4147 N. Broadway.

Thru February 28 - "Then I must be grey...,” The Awkward in Hybridity and the Appropriation of Black History Month, an exhibit in celebration of African-American History Month. Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville Avenue, will host an exhibit by Aaron Joseph with an opening reception on Sunday, February 6, 5-8 pm. A participatory crocheted performance entitled “Cocoon” will take place that evening at 6:45 pm. Info: 773.381.8030, www.gerberhart.org/ or info (at) gerberhart.org

Wednesday, February 16 - Chicago Independent TV on CAN TV in February: Chicago Independent Television will be cablecast on CAN TV (cable channel 21 in Chicago) at 10 pm. This month’s show includes: “The Midwest Still Says No To War” – Complete coverage of the March 20, 2004 protest on the one-year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. Includes interviews with the participants and protest organizers. “Weapons of Mass Destruction Scavenger Hunt” – Local activists search for WMD’s on the campus of the University of Chicago where the first atomic bomb experiments were conducted. “Kathy Kelly Interview” - Part 1 of the interview we conducted with Voices in the Wilderness co-founder Kathy Kelly. “M20 - The World Still Says No To War” – A collaborative video that shows us a different side of the M20 protests. This piece has won critical acclaim at a number of film fests.

Wednesday, February 16 - Author Christopher Benson discusses his book on the murder of Emmett Till, “Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America.” 6 pm, Loyola University Rubloff Auditorium, 25 E. Pearson. Sponsored by the Loyola Library Book Club

Wednesday, February 16 - "Legal Lynching in America," a public forum for Black History Month. Fifty years have passed since Emmett Till was murdered in Mississippi for whistling at a white woman, and today, lynching is supposed to be a thing of the past. However, since 1976 there have been nearly 1000 executions in the United States. This state-sponsored murder is nothing short of legal lynching. Come to this forum during Black History Month to join in a discussion about legal lynching then and now with Reverend Calvin Morris of the Community Renewal Society and a call-in from a prisoner who will participate in the discussion via telephone hook-up. Sponsored by the Campaign to End the Death Penalty. 7-9 pm, Harold Washington College, Room 1115, 30 E. Lake Street. Info: 773.955.4841 or www.nodeathpenalty.org.

Wednesday, February 16 and Thursday, February 17 – “Don’t Kill in Our Names: Families of Murder Victims Speak Out Against the Death Penalty.” Author and state campaign coordinator of the ACLU's Capital Punishment Project Rachel King discusses her book. 7:30 pm, February 16 at Barbara's Books, 1218 S. Halsted. 7:30 pm, February 17 at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark

Thursday, February 17 – National Lawyers Guild National Day of Outrage. Here in Chicago, please attend a panel discussion on the Lynne Stewart Verdict, 12:15 pm at the DePaul Law School, 25 E. Jackson, Room 903. On February 11th, veteran civil rights activist and longtime Guild lawyer Lynne Stewart was convicted on charges of conspiracy, providing material support to terrorists, and defrauding the U.S. government. The National Lawyers Guild condemns this as an attack on lawyers who represent unpopular clients. Guild chapters throughout the country are organizing events for a National Day of Outrage on this day. Here at DePaul, we will have speakers from the National Lawyers Guild, the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Federal Defender, and other legal organizations as well as two community activists. Please come to this very important emergency event and help to support Guild lawyer Lynne Stewart. More info: chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/52541

Thursday, February 17 – “Friends or Lovers?: Same Sex Relationships in the 19th Century.” 6:30 pm, Chicago Historical Society, corner of Clark Street and North Avenue, with scholars Victoria Brown, Jay Grossman and Martha Vicinus discussing Jane Addams, Walt Whitman, Charlotte Cushman and others.

Thursday, February 17 – “Asian-American and Latino Perspectives on Integration,” with panelists Gerald Torres of School of Law University of Texas; Vijay Prashad of International Studies Program Trinity College, and Mae Ngai of Department of History of University of Chicago. Part of the Brown V. Board 50 Years Later program. 6:30 pm, Newberry Library, 60 W Walton

Thursday, February 17 – Kari Lydersen discusses her new book, “Out of the Sea and Into the Fire: Latin American-US Immigration in the Global Age.” 7 pm, New World Resource Center, 1300 N. Western. Info: 773.544.0804 or www.commoncouragepress.com

Thursday, February 17 – “Dyke-tectives & Gay Dicks.” Dr. Judith A. Markowitz continues her popular monthly lecture series based on her newly-published book, “The Gay Detective Novel.” 7-9 pm, Gerber Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville. The theme for the session will be "Private Investigators," and attendees are encouraged (but by no means required) to read Joseph Hansen's “Fadeout” in advance. A limited number of copies of the book are available at the library for check out.

Friday, February 18 – “Labor Trail: Chicago's History of Working-Class Life & Struggle.” Public unveiling/celebration of the award-winning map. 7-9 pm, UIC Chicago Center for Working Class Studies, 815 W. Van Buren, Suite 110. Info: 312.996.2623

Friday, February 18 - Gay Liberation Network (formerly Chicago Anti-Bashing Network) live call-in show on CAN-TV, 6:30-6:55 pm on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago. This month’s show will discuss the upcoming

Friday, February 18 - Western & Armitage Community Meeting to oppose Western Ave Condominiums. 5 pm, Alderman Flores office, 2058 N. Western Avenue.

Friday, February 18 thru Sunday, February 20 – “Dead Man Walking,” Loyola University Threater’s production of Tim Robbins’ play. Loyola Theatre, 1125 W. Loyola. Info: www.luc.edu/theatre/dmw/

Friday, February 18 thru Sunday, February 20 - Breaking America’s Oil Addiction: Chicago Action Summit and Activist Training. Around the nation and across the world, folks are taking on big corporations and big banks to fight for economic and environmental justice. It’s time we turned our attention to America’s big problem: oil addiction. Join Rainforest Action Network, Global Exchange, SEAC, and University of Chicago ECO for a 3-day activist gathering. Gain in-depth knowledge of the real impacts of America’s Oil Addiction, learn direct action techniques, media strategies, and how to hold corporations accountable in your community. We’ll help you strategize, plan, and take action on some of the most important issues of our time! Info & registration: www.ran.org/training or call 415.902.8966

Friday, February 18 thru Monday, February 21 – United Students for Fair Trade Convergence. Speakers, workshops, more. DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson. Info: www.usft.org/index.php/

Friday, February 18 thru Thursday, February 24 – “The Take,” Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein’s extraordinary film documentary of a factory takeover & workers’ occupation in Buenos Aires during Argentina’s 2001 economic collapse. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Info: www.nfb.ca/thetake/ & www.onf.ca/thetake/flash/viewPress.php

Saturday, February 19 – Planning meeting for the March 19th protest on the 2nd anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, 2 pm at the UIC Behavioral Sciences Building, 1007 W. Harrison Street (see above notice for directions and details). The ad hoc coalition organizing the event, the March 19 Chicago Coalition, is engaged in a struggle with the City of Chicago over a permit to guarantee the right to march from the N. Michigan Avenue area to Federal Plaza (see chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/52073/index.php).

Saturday, February 19 – “A Calling to Justice: An Interdisciplinary Academic Conference Exploring Social Justice in the Professions and Disciplines.” Loyola University. Sponsor: Loyola University Water Tower Campus Ministry. Info: www.sba.luc.edu/wtcministry/

Saturday, February 19 - Michael Klare on "Blood and Oil: Escaping the Oil Dependency Trap,” sponsored by the North Suburban Peace Initiative. Michael T. Klare, Ph.D serves as the Director and Professor of the Five College program in Peace and World Security Studies, PAWSS - a joint appointment at Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Dr. Klare is an expert on U.S. defense policy, the arms trade and world security affairs. He is the author of several books including “Resource Wars: The New Landscape of Global Conflict”; “Rogue States and Nuclear Outlaws”; “American Arms Supermarket” and “War Without End: American Planning for the Next Vietnams.” Besides acting as the Defense Correspondent of “The Nation” magazine and as Contributing Editor of “Current History,” Dr. Klare serves on the Editorial Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists as well as the Boards of the Arms Control Association. He is a member of the Committee on International Security Studies of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the serves on the Advisory Board of the Arms Division of Human Rights Watch. 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2515 Central Park, Evanston (One block south of Central Street). Info: 847.475.3692 or www.nspipeace.org

Saturday, February 19 – “African Art: The Diaspora and Beyond,” with Daniel Park, Professor Emeritus of African American Studies at Olive Harvey College. 2 pm, Barbara’s Books, 1218 S. Halsted

Sunday, February 20 - "Memories of Underdevelopment," the first film from revolutionary Cuba to be released in the U.S. It established Tomas Gutierrez Alea as a leader among non-Hollywood film-makers, and had an impact unequaled in the history of Third World cinema. Set in the 1960s, the film centers on a Europeanized Cuban intellectual, too idealistic to leave for Miami, but too decadent to fit into the new society. Part of the Cuba Film Series sponosred by the Chicago Committee to Free the Cuban 5. 2 pm, DePaul University's Schmitt Academic, 2320 N. Kenmore, Room 254. All films in the series are in English, or in Spanish with English subtitles. Info: 773.376.7521, 773.465.0177, or uscubachi (at) hotmail.com

Sunday, February 20 – “Fair Trade Night in Rogers Park,” an event in concert with the United Students for Fair Trade’s International Convergence. Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood.

Sunday, February 20 - Paul Rusesabagina will speak at 11:15 am at The Faith Community of Saint Sabina, 1210 W. 78th Place. The former proprietor of the Milles Collines Hotel in Rwanda, Rusesabagina turned his hotel into an impromptu refugee camp for more than a thousand terrified Tutsis and moderate Hutus at the height of the Rwandan Civil War in the 1990s. His story became the subject of the acclaimed film "Hotel Rwanda." A discussion about the events and lessons learned will take place immediately following the service in the church sanctuary. Info: www.saintsabina.org/index2.htm

Monday, February 21 - “Transitional Society or Absolute Liberation? On What Happens the Day after the Revolution.” 6:30 pm, News & Letters, 36 S Wabash, Rm 1440. Discussant: Ali Reza of Anjornan Azadi. Part of the “Beyond Capitalism” series. Info: 312.236.0799 or arise (at) newsandletters.org

Tuesday, February 22 – “Freedom of Expression®.” 7 pm, 57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th Street. Author Kembrew McLeod discusses his book on commercialization of intellectual property.

Wednesday, February 23 - Hear the Code Pink & Global Exchange activist Medea Benjamin. 7 pm, Assumption Church, 323 W. Illinois. Info: www.codepink4peace.org/

Thursday, February 24 – “Deconstructing Dylan: Reading Bob Dylan’s Chronicles.” Writer-critic Warren Leming takes on the Dylan art and rock machine. 7 pm, Acme Art Works, 1741 N. Western. Sponsor: Open University of the Left. Info: 773.384.5797

Thursday, February 24 - Protest Militarism and Imperialism! 3-5 pm at the Armed Farces Recruitment Center, 2600 W. Addison, across the street from Lane Tech High School every other Tuesday. As with its cousin, the Northside Peace Gathering, these events are not connected to any political party or group, but are “Free Form” and open to anyone opposing militarism, imperialism and their root cause -- capitalism. Bring a friend and a sign. Extra signs are available as well as an excellent anti-military pamphlet, mostly borrowed from Central Committee for Conscientious Objection (thanks). Join us, or do "something" somewhere, sometime. But always remember "Silence is Consent." Get Angry and Get Active!

Thursday, February 24 – “Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land: U.S. Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” a free film/discussion program. Co-sponsored by Not In My Name (www.nimn.org/), a predominately Jewish group that sees ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian lands seized in1967, as required by international law, as a needed first step toward attaining a just peace, and Students for Justice in Palestine at University of Chicago, a student group organized for the purpose of promoting the liberation of the Palestinian people and the possibility of true peace in the Middle East. 5 pm, University of Chicago, Social Sciences, Room 122, 1126 E. 59th Street. Info:sjpuc-announce (at) listhost.uchicago.edu

Thursday, February 24 thru Sunday, February 27 - “Dead Man Walking,” Loyola University Threater’s production of Tim Robbins’ play. Loyola Theatre, 1125 W. Loyola. Info: www.luc.edu/theatre/dmw/

Thursday, February 24 thru Saturday, May 14 - Students For Justice in Palestine at DePaul University introduces "The Subject of Palestine," an art exhibit brought to the DePaul University Art Museum by Students for Justice in Palestine. While Palestine and Palestinians are the subject of steady newspaper and television coverage, the media seldom give a sense of the diversity, complexity, and human experience of the Palestinian population, both within the territories and living abroad. This exhibition takes as its starting point the different life experiences inside and outside, the range of issues of concern to artists, and the varied audiences to whom Palestinian artists address their work. The show will feature the work of more than ten artists of Palestinian nationality living at home or abroad--some established and well known, others at early stages of their careers. The exhibition will be documented by an illustrated brochure. Opening reception 5-7 pm, Thursday, February 24 at the North Gallery, DePaul University Art Museum, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave. Programs and events relating to the exhibit, including poetry readings, curator's lecture, artists' panel discussion, films, etc., will be announced as they get finalized. Info: Menna Khalil, mennakhalil (at) gmail.com or 630.674.1626.

Friday, February 25 – Sunday, February 27 - Colombia Action Network presents a conference, “Defend Colombian Trade Union and Human Rights: Stop Plan Colombia!” at DePaul University , co-sponsored by the DePaul University Alliance for Latino Empowerment, and the Activist Student Union of DePaul. In Colombia, two to three trade unionists are murdered by paramilitary death squads every week. As the U.S. wages war in Iraq for control of oil, Colombia becomes more important as an oil producer for the U.S. empire. Under “Plan Colombia,” the United States has sent sends over $4 billion to the Colombian government, which supports the terror and allows the killers to operate with impunity. Yet, despite ten years of intensifying repression, the unions continue to organize, struggle for human rights and dignity, and to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. Hear from courageous trade unionists and activists, who confront the repression every day. The conference will bring together activists, students and scholars to learn about the grave situation facing Colombia directly from the experiences and analysis of these trade unionists and leaders of the movements for social justice and freedom. The Conference will also host U.S. trade unionists, students, lawyers and solidarity activists from the Boycott Coca-Cola Campaign and other work promoting solidarity and human rights for the Colombian people. Our goal is to empower participants to defend, more effectively, trade union rights and to “Stop Plan Colombia” before no one is left to silence. No Blood For Oil in Iraq OR Colombia! Friday, February 25: Welcoming Event Conference registration fee of $20, per participant, ($10 for students) includes lunch and dinner on Saturday. Free housing is available. Additional support from Rev. Dan Dale and the Wellington Avenue Church of Christ. Info: Colombia Action Network Info (at) colombiaactionnetwork.org or Bob Hearst, 773.866.2390, bobhearst (at) msn.com or www.colombiaactionnetwork.org

Friday, February 25 - Critical Mass Bike Ride, 5:30 pm, Daley Plaza. Info: www.critical-mass.org

Friday, February 25 – “Singing in the Dark Days” - Hear singer Kristin Lems, also a reading from Clifford Odets’ “Waiting for Lefty.” 6-9 pm, Chicago Labor Education Program Office, Suite 110, 815 W. Van Buren. Info: 312.996.2623

Friday, February 25 - "The Invention of Race: Palestine, a Contemporary Example,” with Dr. Noel Ignatiev. 7 pm, Loyola University’s Damen Hall, 10th floor Hussey Lounge, 6525 N. Sheridan Road (Loyola stop on the red line el). Historian and race studies scholar Dr. Noel Ignatiev will discuss "The Invention of Race: Palestine, a Contemporary Example". His talk will outline the history of race, focusing on the United States, and then consider today's situation in Palestine, which he considers a "laboratory example" of race in formation. Dr. Ignatiev is a History Professor in the Department of Critical Studies at Massachusetts College of Art, a Fellow at Harvard's W.E.B. DuBois Institute, author of the highly-acclaimed book How the Irish Became White, and co-editor of Race Traitor, Journal of the New Abolition. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Loyola Campus Greens. Info: tsmith6 (at) luc.edu or www.racetraitor.org

Saturday, February 26 - Stop CAT Coalition meeting to plan the “International Day of Action Against CATRERPILLAR” in Chicago on April 13. The meeting will be from 2-4PM (committee meetings from 1-2PM) at the New World Resource Center, 1300 N. Western Avenue. Info: info (at) stopcat.org or www.catdestroyshomes.org

Saturday, February 26 - An Equal Marriage Rights. Hear State Rep Sara Feigenholtz and representatives of the ACLU and Equality Illinois discuss the current status of equal marriage rights in Illinois. Rep Feigenholtz will specifically cover the legislative process and how to define a new direction and strategy to move toward an equal marriage rights. After a question and answer session, “The Love That Dare Speak”, a new two person play based entirely on actual love letters written by same sex couples will premiere. 6 pm, The Johnsonese Gallery, 867 W. Buckingham Place, lower level, at the corner of Clark and Buckingham. Look for the State Bank of Countryside on the main level. Info: Christopher Johnson, 773.525.5877, www.johnsonese.com/ or cdj1 (at) rcn.com

Saturday, February 26 – Youth Struggling for Survival’s movie night. Please join us for a night of conscious raising and a reality check. Bush (and company) are preparing to spend another $80 billion dollars plus in Iraq and Afghanistan while they cut homeland educational and social programs. They're also preparing to renew portions of the Patriot Act and of course this administration is preparing to widen the war to include Iran and Syria. “The 4th World War” is a docu-movie that needs to be witnessed and experienced if for nothing else to awaken our humanity and to hopefully encourage others to unite under the banner of REAL change. These changes will have to be done without the politicians (Democrats and Republicans alike) because it has become all to clear that they have another agenda. Politicians are not our leaders, they are suppose to be our public servants. They have sold us out! True leaders were never elected, they just spoke the truth and people followed the path to truth and honest actions. Truckers Union Hall (near Ashland and Marshfield), doors open at 6 pm (open mic 6 pm to 7 pm), movie starts at 7 pm (running time 1hr 10 mins). Suggested donation $5 (but no one, absolutely no one will be turned away). Info: ysschicago (at) earthlink.net, mexicapride (at) earthlink.net, or www.youthstrugglingforsurvival.org/

Sunday, February 27, 7 pm, First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple, Downers Grove – Dupage Peace Through Justice Coalition Discussion Group: Venezuela Info: 630.852.9741 or lsmpax (at) 3arts.us

Sunday, February 27 - Not In My Name and S. Siders for Peace are co-sponsoring a free film/discussion program with a film showing of “Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land: U.S. Media and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” 4 pm at the World Folk Music Co., 1808 W. 103rd Street. Info: 773.239.1439.

Sunday, February 27 – Rally to Close the School of the Americas (WHINSEC) and Support New Prisoners of Conscience! 2-5 pm, St. Gertrude’s Social Hall (lower level of the gymnasium), 1401 W. Granville (southwest corner of Granville and Glenwood. On-street parking is available or take the Red Line and get off at Granville). Music by Voices Vicios de Papá (one of Chicago’s hot, young Latino bands) and the Mariachis Amables (including Peter Buttitta, Maura and John Neafsey, Jim Manzardo and Jim Szmurlo) Light refreshments will be served. $5-$10 suggested donation (no one will be turned away). Come meet two of the 14 friends and human rights activists who were arrested last November for crossing onto the U.S. army base at Ft. Benning, GA where the School of the Americas/WHINSEC is located. Each was sentenced at trial to 3 months in prison: Liz Deligio, Director of Ministry at Misericordia and Catholic Theological Seminary student and Ron Durham, St. Francis Catholic Worker. Their courageous acts of resistance call the U.S. government to end its policy of training foreign soldiers and to close the SOA's doors forever! Support them with your presence at the rally as they wait to hear when they will serve their time. Also hear from Hector Sepulveda, Colombian journalist and NGO worker, political asylee in Chicago. His life was permanently threatened by paramilitary groups because of his reports and statements defending human rights and social justice in Colombia. Colombia has sent more soldiers to be trained at the School of the Americas/WHINSEC) than any other Latin American Country. Kathy Long and Dick Heidkamp, recently returned from a delegation to Colombia, will speak about the people they have met, people who are struggling to survive in a land where poverty, displacement, environmental destruction and death are a way of life, fueled by U.S. policies and interests. Erica Spilde of the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America will provide the latest information on the new bill to close the School of the Americas/WHINSEC and tell us what we can do to ensure its passage!

Friday & Saturday, March 4 & 5 – “Do You Feel a Draft?” Draft counseling information night and training workshop. Chicago Youth for Conscientious Objection and other area peace groups are offering two events related to the specter of a new draft and conscientious objection to war, and the militarization of our schools. 7-9 pm, Friday, March 4, “Information Night.” Free – all are welcome. High school seniors, college freshmen and sophomores will be most adversely affected if and when a draft begins, and are especially encouraged to attend. J.E. McNeil, from the Center on Conscience and War in DC (www.nisbco.org) will discuss the likelihood of a military draft, the reality of the “poverty draft”, and the legal elements of conscientious objection status. 9 am – 5 pm, Saturday, March 5, “One-Day Draft Counseling Training Workshop.” $60 - includes complete training, manual and lunch. J.E. McNeil will facilitate this intensive training for potential draft counselors who may then provide counseling to young people of registration age in the event of a draft. Space is limited, to register in advance. To register, call Pam Heiser, 847.791.4791, or Elizabeth Sprague, 773.383.8609, or e-mail draftcounseling (at) yahoo.com. Both events will be held at the Portage Park Center for the Arts, 3914 N. Menard Avenue (one block S. of Irving Park Road, one block west of Central Ave, plenty of free parking is available). Sponsored in part by Youth for Conscientious Objection, Evanston Friends Peace and Social Concerns Committee, and North Shore Friends Meeting

Friday & Saturday, March 4 & 5 – Coalition of Immokalee Workers Farmworkers visit Chicago. Info: www.ciw-online.org

Saturday, March 5 – Join us to celebrate International Women's Day! Theme: “Confronting the Bush/U.S. government's Backlash on Women.” Conference, 9:30 am – 1 pm at the UNITE Hall, 333 S. Ashland. Panels, discussions, visuals, food. $5 donation. Listen to women talking about the impact of the Bush government on women in the U.S. and around the world. Share your thoughts. Sponsored by the International Women's Day Committee 2005. Info: 773.278.6706

Saturday, March 5 – Sing/Shout/Shimmy/DANCE! A Celebration of International Women's Day. Join the women of HotHouse and Chicago Indymedia for an evening of music, burlesque, song and raucous celebration -- coupled with a meet-up of women’s projects from across the city -- to celebrate International Women’s Day. 7 pm, the HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo. The evening's festivities are designed to dovetail with a variety of workshops, conferences and forums being held throughout the city to mark International Women's Day, and give participants a place to kick back, conspire and dance like crazy to revel in solidarity and celebration. The evening consists of two parallel components: a rolling series of bands, musical ensembles and burlesque acts in the performance room; and displays and representatives from women's projects throughout the region in HotHouse's gallery space. Women's rights remain a cutting-edge issue across the globe, and IWD marks a time when women on all continents come together to celebrate the creative contribution of women to making this world a more just, equitable and beautiful place. IWD celebrates the story of ordinary women as makers of history, rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate fully in society. Tabling for the event is free. For more info on how your group can participate, contact Chris Geovanis at 312.446.4939. Admission is $20, sliding scale, and NO-ONE will be turned away. Festivities kick off with jt newman’s sensational Girlie-Q Variety Show: neo-burlesque with a queer edge, mixing drag, striptease, dance and comedy to entertain, dazzle – and make you think. Other performers include Bloodshot Records’ sensations Kelly Hogan & Nora O’Connor: Hogan has lent her dulcet tones to artists that include the Mekons, John Weseley Harding, Alejandro Escovedo – and Nora O’Connor; Luna Blues Machine: Latin-tinged hiphop/folk/soul fronted by two of Chicago’s very own proud Latinas; singer/songwriter Linda Smith: wildly popular local performer voted Most Talented Unsigned Artist by the MIX in Chicago, with several national tours, cd releases and a rockumentary of her work under her belt; vocal ensemble My Damn Butterfly: exuberant all-female a cappella group that puts a new twist on music from Bach to Stevie Wonder; Almost Rosario, a three-piece Latina ensemble reminds that gender is no bar to throwdown powerhouse rock; singer/songwriter Kelli Hicks: often linked to the ‘New Americana’ musical genre, ’ Hicks’ finely honed lyrics and down-to-earth stylings cut right to the chase – soulful and straight-to-the-heart.; The Honeybees: from jump blues to throbbing rockabilly, this outfit is renowned for its tight vocal harmonies and explosive drumming; DJ Honeypot, DJ Margaret Nelson, DJ Amp, performance shorts from The Stockyards Theatre Project and Batey Urbano. Flyer available at: www.emilylonigro.com/shimmy.html

Saturday, March 5 - Amnesty International Group 40 of Evanston and Evanston Township High School's Amnesty International present a Stop Violence Against Women Event. Join us to bring this issue home! Including tabling, an all women Marimba Group, speakers, and a march/rally from 12:45 pm to 4 pm at the Lake Street Church, 607 Lake Street, Evanston (NE corner of Lake and Sherman). Speakers include Dr. Mardge Cohen, Ana Maria Murillo and Dr. Mary Fabri. Cohen is from the Ruth Rothstein CORE Center for HIV Prevention, Care and Research in Chicago. She has made several trips to Rwanda to treat women with HIV who survived the genocide there. Murillo is Executive Director of the U'wa Defense Project. The project provides legal, community development, research & advocacy support to the Indigenous U'wa people in Colombia as they work to defend their life, land and cultural autonomy. She is a young Colombian woman of Indigenous ancestry and the Director of the U'wa Defense Project (UDP) in San Francisco. The UDP is a small NGO dedicated to providing direct support to build the capacity of the U'wa tribe. UDP works with a strong network of sister organizations nationwide, and they are proud to be the only US-based organization to prioritize on-the-ground commitment to U'wa-led community development. Fabri is director of the Kolver Center for Treatment of Survivors of Torture Chicago. At 3:30 pm there will be a march/rally in which your group is invited to march and hold posters, wear SVAW (Stop Violence Against Women) shirts, or any other creative ideas you may have. March begins at Lake Street Church in Evanston, ends at Fountain Square in Evanston. If your group would like to have a table at this event, please e-mail Chanel Govreau at ringsonwater (at) hotmail.com

Sunday, March 6 - Monthly potluck dinner meeting for the Chicago chapter of the International Solidarity Movement. The event will begin at 5 pm at the ISM-Chicago apartment. Please contact ISM-Chicago at 773.489.3505 or ISMinChicago (at) aol.com for further details. Visit www.palsolidarity.org for details on ISM.

Tuesday, March 8 – Interantional Women’s Rally and March. Noon - 1 pm, gather at the Daley Center and march to the Federal Building. Bring signs, noisemakers. Sponsored by the International Women's Day Committee 2005. Info: 773.278.6706

Tuesday, March 8 - Celebrate Women’s History Month! “ Mujeres Valientes/Brave Women,” a bilingual, primarily Spanish-language program of songs from the Americas about famous & every day women including many folk and popular songs you know and love. Hear Lin Boyle singer/song writer/cultural historian. Join us for good food, community, and song at Pilsen’s famous Decima Muse Mexican Restaurant, 1901 S. Loomis (time tba). Decima Musa, the 10th Muse, was the name given to (Sister) Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz of Mexico, called the first feminist in North America. Info: LinBoylesing (at) aol.com or 312.243.1556

Tuesday, March 8 – Save Senn Community Forum. Stop the military takeover of our public schools! 6:30 pm at Chicago’s Senn High School, 5900 N. Glenwood. Panel discussion speakers include Philip Jones and Darryl Gibson (others t.b.a.). Discussion of future actions (opt-out forms, etc.). Info: www.savesenn.org

Saturday: March 12 - Stop CAT Coalition meeting to plan the “International Day of Action Against CATRERPILLAR” in Chicago on April 13. The meeting will be from 2-4PM (committee meetings will be from 1-2PM) at the New World Resource Center, 1300 N. Western Avenue. Info: info (at) stopcat.org or www.catdestroyshomes.org

Sunday, March 13 - "Up to a Certain Point," a film by Tomas Gutierrez Alea, a leader among non-Hollywood film-makers. The film questions the hypocrisy of men who profess support for women's rights but fail to challenge their own old-fashioned attitudes and lampoons self-proclaimed intellectuals who look down on workers. Part of the Cuba Film Series sponosred by the Chicago Committee to Free the Cuban 5. 2 pm, DePaul University's Schmitt Academic, 2320 N. Kenmore, Room 254. All films in the series are in English, or in Spanish with English subtitles. Info: 773.376.7521, 773.465.0177, or uscubachi (at) hotmail.com

Tuesday, March 15 - Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism general meeting. All who want to organize against war and racism are welcome! Rather than meeting bi-weekly, we now meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month -- 6:30 pm at 1st Methodist Temple, 77 W. Washington (at Clark), lower level. Call 888.471.0874 or e-mail CCAWR (at) aol.com for information.

Wednesday, March 16 - Second anniversary of the murder of International Solidarty Movement volunteer Rachel Corrie by Israeli Occupation Forces in Gaza. Please join us for a celebration of her life and the struggle for self-determination for the Palestinian people. We will show a video on the illegal destruction of Palestinian homes by Israel and have a period of personal testimony by those attending on Rachel’s life. The event will be held at the New World Resource Center, 1300 N. Western Avenue from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Free admission, however, a goodwill collection will be taken to assist solidarity volunteers traveling to Palestine. This program is co-sponsored by the Chicago chapers of the Palestine Solidarity Group and the International Solidarity Movement. Info: 773.489.3505 or ISMinChicago (at) aol.com

Wednesday, March 16 thru Sunday, March 20 - Women in the Director's Chair International Film & Video Festival. Info: widc (at) widc.org and 773.281.4988

Friday, March 18 - Gay Liberation Network (formerly Chicago Anti-Bashing Network) live call-in show on CAN-TV, 6:30-6:55 pm on Cable Channel 21 in Chicago.

Saturday, March 19 – PROTEST on the 2nd anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, sponsored by the March 19 Chicago Coalition, a new ad hoc coalition which is in a permit battle with the City of Chicago over the right to march from the N. Michigan Avenue area to Federal Plaza (see chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display/52073/index.php for more on this). Next planning meeting is at 2 pm, Saturday, February 19th at the UIC Behavioral Science Building, 1st floor cafeteria, at 1007 W. Harrison Street, near the UIC/Halsted Street stop on the Blue Line. A Palestine Solidarity feeder march will be one of several planned for this day. It starts at 11 am at the Israeli Consulate (just east of Michigan Avenue on Wacker Drive) and will then march to join the main protest. The feeder march is being organized by the Chicago chapters of the International Solidarity Movement and the Palestine Solidarity Group.

Saturday, March 19 - Northern Illinois Peace Conference & Demonstration, Rockford, Illinois. Info: 815.964.7111

Friday, March 25 – 8th Day Center for Justice’s 25th annual Good Friday Walk for Justice! The Walk begins at Congress and Michigan and ends at the Thompson Cetner (Clark and Dandolph). If you, your church, mosque or temple or organization wish to co-sponsor, call 312.641.5151.

Thursday, March 30 – Sunday, April 2 – “Healthy Streets Conference” offers more than 20 educational sessions with topics ranging from creating safe and dedicated places to ride to introducing the concept of Safe Routes to School in a school district. An expert from Mexico will keynote the event. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation is offering a two-day conference for transportation professionals, public officials and advocates on ways to improve bicycling and walking conditions in Chicagoland. Martha Lucy Barriga Hernández, director of Via RecreActiva Sunday Parkways in Guadalajara, Mexico, will deliver Friday’s keynote luncheon. The 20th Anniversary Gala, “A Tribute to Randy Neufeld,” and the Chicago Bike Show will take place in conjunction with the conference. March 31 – Chicago Area Transportation Study, 300 W. Adams Street, 9 am to 4 pm; Friday, April 1, 3 pm to 8 pm, Chicago Bike Show; Saturday, April 2, 10 am to 7 pm.; and Sunday, April 3, 10 am to 5 pm

Friday, March 31 – Critical Mass Bike Ride. 5:30 pm, Daley Plaza. Info: www.critical-mass.org

Wednesday, April 6 - The Three Arts Club of Chicago present Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Quintet. Call 312.944.6250 for tickets ($20 standard admission for one concert, $150 series admission for eight concerts). www.threearts.org

Wednesday, April 13 – International Day of Action Against Caterpillar. Over 50,000 Palestinians have been made homeless by Caterpillar bulldozers CAT supplies equipment used by the Israeli military to destroy Palestinian homes, infrastructure, orchards, greenhouses, agricultural land filled with crops and sometimes lives. Among the dead are Palestinian Suha Sweidan, who was nine months pregnant when she was murdered in a middle of night in an illegal home demolition and American peace activist Rachel Corrie. While U.S. taxpayers foot the bill, Caterpillar profits from the wholesale destruction of Palestinian homes and livelihoods. Taking what Human Rights Watch calls a “head in the sand” approach, Caterpillar officials have repeated the same line over and over again, that CAT has “neither the legal right nor the ability to monitor and police individual use” of its equipment. Last year, instead of looking into the wanton destruction that their company’s policies cause, the Caterpillar Board of Directors successfully urged the defeat of a shareholder resolution investigating whether Caterpillar is adhering to its own “corporate code of conduct” regarding sales to Israel. Caterpillar not only has the ability to monitor the use of its equipment, but after calls from human rights organizations, members of the UN Commissioner on Human Rights, several religious and social justice organizations, and the victims themselves, CAT has the responsibility to investigate the ethics of selling bulldozes as weapons and profiting from human rights abuses. On Wednesday, April 13, Caterpillar shareholders will once again meet in Chicago. We call on groups to organize local demonstrations that protest CAT’s sale of home-crushing bulldozers to Israel. In Chicago, the Stop Cat Coalition will send a strong message to the CAT Board of Directors and dealerships that cooperation in human rights abuses will not be tolerated.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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 - 1st Monday of the month - Monthly meetings of Andersonville Neighbors for Peace, at N. Shore Baptist Church, 5242 N. Lakewood, room 131 (Lakewood is three blocks E. of Clark, and the church is one block N. of Foster).

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

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

Tuesdays, 9 am - noon - Progressive radio show on WZRD-FM, 88.3 FM

Tuesdays, 6-7 pm - Weekly protest against the occupation of Iraq, N.W. corner of 95th and W.ern Ave. Proceeds the weekly 7:30 pm meeting of S. Siders for Peace at the Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S. Longwood Dr, Chicago. Info: lswolf (at) imaxx.net

Tuesdays (second Tuesday of each month) - "Beyond Today" Peace and justice organization general planning meeting. 6:30 pm, non-violence study group, 7:30 pm, main meeting. Ravenswood Fellowship United Methodist Church, 4511 N. Hermitage (Sunnyside & Hermitage). Info: BeyondToday (at) beyondtoday.com or www.beyondtoday.com/

Tuesdays, 7 pm, 2nd & 4th of each month - Hyde Park Committee Against War and Racism weekly meeting at University Church, 57th and University, Chicago. Info: www.chicagoantiwar.org/hydepark/hpcawr.html

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

Thursdays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday afternoons at 3pm throughout December 04 and into January come what holidays may, “The Joy of News,” Aaron Freeman's new comedy. Therapy for the downcast after 11/2. Prop Theatre, 3504 N. Elston (just S. of Addison, Kedzie, Elston tri-corner). For tickets or info: 773.539.7838, or go to Aaronfreeman.com or propthtr.org

Thursdays, 1:30 pm - "The Ministry of Truth," a weekly haven for left-wing thought and comment with Chicago Media Action's Mitchell Szczepanczyk. WHPK 88.5-FM radio. Info: msszczep (at) midway.uchicago.edu or whpk.uchicago.edu

Thursdays, 5-6 pm - "Party from Damascus" radio program on WHPK, 88.5 FM. Politics plus Arab music - shaabi, pop, dabke, khaleeji and MORE!

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

Thursdays, 7 pm - S.side 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

Fridays - Health Care Professionals Vigil for Peace and Witness Against War; an ongoing weekly Friday vigil in front of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center at 820 S. Damen Avenue, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm

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

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

Saturdays, 2-4pm - N.side Peace Gathering. Three Cornered Island of Peace: Milwaukee, Logan & Kedzie Aves. Protesting war and empire since Sept. 2, 2003. Info: www.mundopaz3 (at) hotmail.com">hotmail.com

Saturdays, 5 pm - Food Not Bombs serving at 18th Street and Loomis.

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

Sundays, 3 pm - Come to the intersection of Fullerton, Lincoln and Halsted for a free, healthy, vegan meal brought to you by Food Not Bombs.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chicago Coalition Against War & Racism
CCAWR (at) aol.com, 888.471.0874
 
 

Donate

Views

Account Login

Media Centers

 

This site made manifest by dadaIMC software