Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace

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‎Sunday, February 7, 2:00 – 4:30 pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, Emerson Hall, 405 Washington St., Albany, “Can We Survive Health Care “Reform”? Capital District Alliance for Universal Healthcare (CDAUH) was organized in June, 2005 to educate both the general public and elected officials on universal health care, and to advocate for universal health care for all.  We have been very active this past year as the health care reform movement became a priority of the new administration in Washington, DC. and we already have scheduled our first activity of 2010, a forum titled “Can We Survive Health Care “Reform”?  Carol Paris, MD, one of the “Baucus 8”, will be a featured speaker.  We have much more work to do, however, to achieve real health care reform.  Information:  euthemia@nycap.rr.com

Sunday, February 14, 3:00 PM, Meet at Central Ave & Wolf Rd, Albany, WAR BREAKS GRANNIES’ HEARTS:  Grannies for Peace Fifth Annual Valentine’s Day Demonstration. Grannies will vigil with banners, signs & large broken hearts at this busy intersection until 3:30 PM.  Then we will proceed into Colonie Center – wearing pinned-on signs with broken red hearts & the message WAR BREAKS GRANNIES’ HEARTS.  We’ll stroll through the Center singing All We Are Saying Is Give Peace a Chance.  Dot Richards & Sue Clark are in charge of this event & need to know numbers to plan for. Please contact Dot to let her know you can participate by Wed, Feb 3rd. wrichard@nycap.rr.com 478-2220.  Wear something red (for outside wear & with your coat off).  Bring your grandchildren  & children if you can.  Please come help make props for this demonstration: Friday, February, 5,
1:30 PM, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Ave., Albany

Monday,  February 22,  6:00 PM, Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Ave.,  Albany, Large Auditorium.   Re-Start Meeting of Alliance for Democracy (AfD) All are invited to attend, current and former members, and particularly representatives of every advocacy organization  that is up against moneybag lobbyists who can defeat your every move with cash.AfD. was founded in 1995 "to free people from corporate domination of politics..." Corporate lawyers and lobbyists have influenced legislation, even written bills, all of which benefitted corporations and their bottom lines over the needs and wishes of the voters.The AfD has been in the forefront of this fight for more than 34 years. Most of our members have lobbied extensively on campaign finance reform and now, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v Federal Election Commission, we want to continue to work for the benefit of  "we the people".  Questions and information, e-mail eth27@verizon. net, Parking lot in rear (Elk St.) Free meters on street after 6:00 PM.

Wednesday, February 24, 5pm, Costanzo's Riverside Restaurant, 405 Hudson River Road, Waterford, NY,  Labor Activist and Author Steve Early to Speak on:  Contract Bargaining in Tough Times: Lessons from the Recent Past.  Several important labor battles have developed in the last year in the Capital District of New York.  A strike for union recognition at the Holiday Inn Express by workers seeking to join Workers United Local 471 carried on over most of 2009.  A drastic mid-contract wage cut for the workers employed at Momentive Applied Materials in January 2009 now goes to the National Labor Relations Board in April. The contract in place at Momentive will expire in June 2010 and negotiations will begin shortly. The union representing the Momentive workers, IUE/CWA local 81359, and the Troy Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, have invited author and former union representative Steve Early to discuss ways to respond to the crisis situation facing organized labor in the Capital District and beyond. After Steve Early’s presentation, a discussion concerning how the Capital District progressive community can strategically and effectively assist in upcoming labor struggles will occur. Complementary food will be provided.  Please RSVP to MikeKeenan@PEFencon .info so that sufficient food is available.

GNP  Film:  Vietnam- American Holocaust
Friday, February 26,  6:30 -9:00 pm
Guilderland Public Library
2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12084

Vietnam:  American Holocaust is an  87 minute documentary on the Vietnam War.  The film covers the history of the conflict from WWII, the defeat of the French, and the long term American involvement. During the Vietnam War the U.S. dropped more bombs on Vietnam than had been dropped by all countries in World War II. They also used chemical weapons on the people, including Agent Orange and White Phosphorous.The film exposes one of the worst cases of sustained mass slaughter in history. Our  generals and foot soldiers, knowingly or unknowingly, killed 3 million people,  mostly using incendiary bombs.  Vietnam has never left our national consciousness, and now,  it has more relevance than ever. Martin Sheen, who played the leading role in Apocalypse Now almost 30 years ago, has generously lent his powerful voice to this actual history of the War in Vietnam.Written, produced and directed by Clay Claiborne. Following the film, a discussion will be lead  by Rudyard Edick, a 22 year service veteran, who will discuss what lessons we can apply from Vietnam to today's geopolitics..  Sponsored by Guilderland Neighbors for Peace.  Information:   rudyarde@verizon.net  

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Contingency Plan in Case of Overt Attack by US or Israel on Iran
 
  At the request of NEPAJAC, Women Against War's Iran Project has developed a contingency plan for a community-wide protest demonstration in the case of an overt attack by the US or Israel against Iran. Please share this plan immediately with your organization' s members and save it to send out again with a specific date if an attack occurs.

    *       When there is a news report (any time before 7 PM of that day) of an overt military attack by the US or Israel against Iran, the protest demonstration will occur on the following day. E.g., a news report before 7 PM on a Tues will trigger a demonstration on a Wed; a news report after 7 PM on a Tues or before 7 PM on a Wed will trigger a demonstration on Thurs.
    *       Demonstration at Wolf Road & Central Ave. from 5-6:30 PM.
    *      Dress all in black if you can.
    *      Bring a large print sign.
    *      Bring pots and spoons to bang and other noise makers.

   We have focused this demonstration on overt action because the US is already engaged in covert actions against Iran. A permit will not be required for this sidewalk demonstration, and we will ensure there is a plan to notify the media. We will bring our Iran banners, photos and a new banner urging calls to Congress. If a US blockade situation is developing, we will consult with other NEPAJAC members about an appropriate trigger for a response. Let's all keep working hard to prevent this demonstration from ever needing to happen! If anyone has questions, please contact Maud Easter, easter@nycap. rr.com.

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