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Progressive Action Roundtable: A forum for progressive groups in the Greater New Haven Area where actions and ideas may be publicized so that others are aware of peace, health, justice, energy, environmental and other issues for the common good.

Archive for category Events

Amy Goodman to Receive Gandhi Peace Award May 3

May 2

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– By Augusta Girard, PEP Program Coordinator

The 2012 Gandhi Peace Award will be presented to investigative journalist Amy Goodman on Thursday, May 3, 2012, by Promoting Enduring Peace, to honor her contributions to world peace through the transparency of truth and the democratizing of information. The award ceremony, which also celebrates the organization’s 60th anniversary, begins at 5:30 p.m. at the United Church on the Green, 323 Temple Street in New Haven, and is free and open to the public. A reception and book-signing follows. Her latest book, Breaking the Sound Barrier will be on sale during the event.

Amy Goodman is the award-winning investigative journalist, syndicated columnist, author, and host of the independent news program Democracy Now!, which airs daily on more than a thousand television and radio stations worldwide. Though she has received numerous journalism awards, this will be her first award specifically for her contributions to world peace.  PEP highly values the dissemination of essential information, and believes it is time that this internationally known award take into account the role of committed independent journalists such as Amy Goodman in making an enduring peace more possible.

The Gandhi Peace Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the promotion of an enduring international peace founded on justice, self-determination, diversity, compassion, and harmony, achieved through cooperative and nonviolent means. The award is always accepted in person and was first presented to Eleanor Roosevelt in 1960. The 43 honorees since then include “peace heroes” such as Linus Pauling, Norman Thomas, Dorothy Day, Daniel Ellsberg, Helen Caldicott, Benjamin Spock, William Sloane Coffin, César Chávez, George McGovern, Marian Wright Edelman, and Dennis Kucinich.

For further information please go to PEPeace.org or contact Augusta Girard at (203) 376-3120.

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Labor and Community Spring Offensive! International Workers’ Day Celebration Sunday, May 6

May 2

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International Workers’ Day on Sunday, May 6

– By Joelle Fishman, People’s World

It is very exciting that many groups and individuals are joining together this spring to organize on behalf of the 99% for the future of our country.

As a part of this great effort, the People’s World in Connecticut is hosting an annual celebration of International Workers’ Day on Sunday, May 6 at 4 p.m. at the Peoples Center, 37 Howe Street, New Haven.

The afternoon will include a slide show of May Day Around the World and solidarity messages from Connecticut workers on strike or in organizing drives.  A Labor-Community Organizing panel will share experiences in the on-going  struggles for jobs and union rights, ending racial profiling and attacks on women, ending the wars, taxing the 1% and preparing for the 2012 elections.

There will also be music and a home made buffet to round out the family day. Tickets are $5 or what you can afford,. No one will be turned away.

This is a fund raiser toward the annual $10,000 People’s World Connecticut fund drive goal to keep the paper going and growing with working class news and views.  All donations, from $5 to $500, are welcomed and appreciated.

To reserve tickets or for info, e-mail: ct-pww@pobox.com or call (203) 624-8664.

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West River Memorial Park Water Festival Takes Shape — 1-4 p.m. June 14

May 2

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– By Kathy Fay, Neighborhood Housing Services

Learn more about the upcoming West River Memorial Park Water Festival at our launch event, Monday, May 7, 6-7:30 p.m. at Neighborhood Housing Services, 333 Sherman Avenue, New Haven., Building #3 (Home Improvement and Energy Conservation Lab).

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 14th, from 1-4 p.m. The West River Memorial Park Water Festival returns with another day of family fun and educational activities.

The Elm City Parks Conservancy, West River Watershed Youth Council and the West River Watershed Partnership and Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven are a few of this year’s sponsoring organizations. If you or your group would like to sponsor an activity, have a booth, volunteer or do a demonstration at the Water Festival, or would simply like to learn more, contact Sandra Cox at (203) 558-1300 sadrakayaker40@sbcglobal.net

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Labor History Association Annual Meeting June 3 to Feature Special Guest John Wilhelm, President of Unite Here

May 2

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– By Joan Cavanagh, Archivist, GNH Labor History Association

The annual conference and meeting of the Greater New Haven Labor History Association will be held on Sunday, June 3rd from 1:30-5 p.m. at the New Haven Labor Council/ Teachers Building, 267 Chapel Street, New Haven.

This year’s two Augusta Lewis Troup Preservation Award winners are the late Vincent Sirabella, long time leader of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees union and the struggle to unionize workers at Yale University in the 1970s; and Anthony Riccio, author of ”The Italian American Experience in New Haven” and “Cooking with Chef Silvio.” John Wilhelm, president of UNITE HERE, will give the posthumous award to Mr. Sirabella, along with a presentation about his role in labor history. Steve Kass, member of the GNHLHA Executive Board and coordinator of the labor history in the schools legislative initiative, will present the award to Mr. Riccio.

The event will also include a tribute to the late David Montgomery and a preliminary conversation about the pros and cons of transitioning to become the Connecticut Labor History Association.

The event is free to all current GNHLHA members with a $10 suggested donation from all others. More details will be posted on our web site (www.laborhistory.org) and sent by email and postal mail closer to the event. In the meantime, please take this opportunity to join GNHLHA or to renew your yearly membership (due May 1, 2012 and renewable April 30, 2013) by making your check out to GNHLHA and mailing it to 267 Chapel Street, New Haven CT 06513.

Dues are: $25 for individuals; $100 for organizations of 100 members of less; $250 for organizations of 101—300 members; and $500 for organizations with over 300 members.

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Bingo With Sisters With A New Attitude, second Tuesdays 5:30-7 p.m., New Haven

May 2

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– By Deborah Elmore, Director, SWANA

Women’s support group SWANA, Sisters With A New Attitude, is now hosting Community Bingo.

Due to the economic circumstances people are forced to live check to check. Others are living on a monthly budget and some have nothing at all. This situation can cause frustration and lead to depression.

Let SWANA’S Women Support Group get you off of the couch and out of the house once a month to enjoy and socialize at community bingo.

All of our prizes are donated household goods, perishables and nonperishable items from local stores, organizations and people who understand the need.

Laundry detergent- toilet paper-toothpaste- Depends-trash bags-mops-brooms-paper goods-soap-deodorant- sanitary products-canned goods-sugar-flour-oil-coffee- and other items that you may run out of during the month.

Bingo will be held the second Tuesday of every month from 5 :30-7 p.m., at the Wilson Branch Library, 303 Washington Avenue.

A fun, free community activity- for ages 21 and up.

“Up in Arms!” Rally on the Green

Susan Yolen, Planned Parenthood of CT

On Saturday afternoon, May 12, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, “Up in Arms!” a coalition of groups and individuals concerned about human and reproductive rights, health care, peace and justice will rally on the New Haven Green to mark Mother’s Day 2012 (officially on Sunday, May 13).

A wide range of speakers will touch on issues currently being debated on the national stage, sometimes being characterized as a “war on women.”

Participants are encouraged to express their concern, and even their outrage at the attacks on women’s rights and health care. The “Up in Arms!” image expresses the frustration and anger of women, as we mark Mother’s Day, but also calls attention to the nurturing and peaceful role women play within their families, the global community and in our relationship to Mother Earth, our home.

Brass Tacks, Seth Adams, Marjorie Lee, Nina Hurwitz and the Raging Grannies will participate in the event, performing a variety of music.  Join us!

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A Gala Event – Another Octave Concerts 8 p.m. May 5, 19 in So. Windsor and Hamden

May 2

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Join Another Octave for an evening of upbeat music celebrating song, dance, and spring — with old favorites and new discoveries from pop, jazz, Broadway, country, and more.

The Saturday, May 5 concert will be at Unity Church of Hartford, 919 Ellington Rd, South Windsor. The Saturday, May 19 concert will be at the Unitarian Society of New Haven, 700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden. Both concerts will begin at 8 p.m.

The Hamden concert will be preceded by a colorful fund-raising event featuring wine, women, food, and song.  Gather with fellow AO fans for hors d’oeuvres, wine and other beverages, and conversation with the directors before the show (6:00-7:30). Tickets are $45 per person and include preferred concert seating. Proceeds will help send chorus staff to the GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association of) Choruses  gathering in Denver in July.

Tickets to the concert only on either date are $20/advance and $22/door. $15 for students, seniors, kids under 12.

Info, and tickets for the concerts and the fund-raiser: www.anotheroctave.org, 203.672.1919.

Tickets can be purchased online or by mailing your check to: AO:CWC, P.O. BOX 185234 HAMDEN, CT 06518. Please note that tickets ordered either through our website or by mail will be held at the door. For information regarding event ticket availability or inclement weather status, please call the Chorus line at (203) 672-1919.

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Tuesday, May 1st, May Day on the Green

May 2

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– By Jeff  Spalter, May Day Celebration Committee

Come celebrate May Day, International Workers’ Day, Tuesday, May 1, from noon until 6 p.m. on the New Haven Green. This is the 26th consecutive year of May Day on the Green. May Day is a multi-cultural participatory festival featuring live music, poetry, dance, children’s activities, speak-out time, a Maypole Dance, free vegetarian food and displays and information tables from local labor, peace, social service and social justice groups. May Day concludes with a March for Jobs, Dignity and Justice at 6 p.m.

Our performers on the Green include the incredible I Anabassa, a reggae band with a powerful message, at 5 p.m. The Amazing Andy will perform magic and juggling at 12:30 p.m. Grammy award winning Joseph FireCrow will bring the excitement of Native American flute and storytelling to the Green at 3:30 p.m. Bill Fischer and Out On a Whim will lead our Maypole Dance at 4 p.m., the highlight of the day. Imagine a Maypole 20 feet tall with enough streamers for 40 dancers, weaving an intricate pattern around the pole. At 4:30 we are honored to present Ngoma, a masterful poet, musician and performance artist from NYC.

Come celebrate May Day, International Workers’ Day, Tuesday, May 1st from noon until 6 p.m. on the New Haven Green. It’s free. It’s entertaining and it’s a great excuse to take a day off from work.

In case of rain, May Day will be held indoors at the United Church on the Green, 270

Temple Street, corner of Temple and Elm.

For more information check out our web site at www.maydaynewhaven.org or call (203) 843-3069.

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May 3, 2012, Promoting Enduring Peace Honors Amy Goodman with Annual Gandhi Peace Award, New Haven

Apr 2

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by Augusta Girard, PEP Program Coordinator

Promoting Enduring Peace annually recognizes distinguished peacemakers by bestowing the Gandhi Peace Award to foster admiration for extraordinary devotion to the cause of peace and nonviolent social progress.

On Thursday, May 3, 2012, we will be not only be honoring Amy Goodman with the 2012 Gandhi Peace Award but we will also be celebrating 60 years as a peace organization.

Ms. Goodman is the host and executive producer of Democracy Now!, a national, daily, independent, award-winning news program airing on over 900 television and radio stations in North America. We strongly believe that she does significantly contribute to the goal of peace and justice through her dissemination of essential information and believe it is time that this historic honor take into account the contributions to world peace made by committed journalists such as Amy Goodman.

Recent examples of her work include her leadership of Democracy Now!, her work opposing the Keystone XL pipeline, her intrepid coverage of the Arab Spring and Occupy movements, and the vision presented in her latest book, Breaking the Sound Barrier. Though she has received numerous journalism awards, this will be her first award specifically for her contributions to the promotion of enduring peace.

The first Gandhi Peace Award laureate was Eleanor Roosevelt in 1960. Since then, other laureates have included peace activists John Haynes Holmes, Linus Pauling, Norman Thomas, Dorothy Day, Daniel Ellsberg, Helen Caldicott and Dennis Kucinich. Last May’s presentation honored Rabbis Arik Ascherman and Ehud Bandel, representing Rabbis for Human Rights.

Please join us on Thursday May 3rd at the United Church on the Green from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Following the ceremony there will be a book signing and reception. Admission is free and all are welcome.

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Coalition for People 30th Annual Meeting April 23

Apr 2

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by Mary Johnson, Coalition for People

Originally scheduled for April 16, the 30th annual meeting of the Coalition for People will take place on Monday, April 23, 2012. We hope you will join us from 4:45-7:45 p.m. in the Program Room of the New Haven Free Public Library at the corner of Elm and Temple Streets.

This year, our speaker will be Dr. Margaret Flowers, an active member of Physicians for a National Health Program. She is also part of a group which started planning an occupation in D.C. several months before Occupy Wall Street arrived.

The evening will also feature music by Frank Panzarella and Friends, pizza, pot-luck donations and meeting friends, old and new.

We need to know how many are coming, so please call Mary at (203) 387-7858. We look forward to seeing you.

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GNH Peace Council’s Open House April 21

Apr 2

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by Mary Compton, GNHPC

Are you committed to peace, economic and social justice and international solidarity with the peoples of the world?  Join us at the Peace Council’s Open House on April 21 at

3 p.m., 37 Howe Street, New Haven to learn about local, national and international actions taking place around issues of nuclear abolition, NATO and ending wars to fund human needs. Vijay Prashad, will speak on NATO and Pentagon policies. Invite a friend or two to attend!  Info: Henry, (203) 389-9547  grnhpeacecouncil@gmail.com. 

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May Day Celebration Tuesday, May 1, 12-6 p.m.

Apr 2

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by May Day Celebration Committee

Come celebrate May Day–International Workers’ Day–on the New Haven Green. May Day is a festival to celebrate the great work we do every day in our struggles to promote peace, justice and human rights. We believe that by working together we can make the world a better place. We are the ones who think globally and act locally. We are the ones who demand that immigrants be respected and welcomed. We are the ones who demand an end to borders. We stand up in the face of police violence and the violence our country perpetrates against other peoples. And we stand up for workers’ rights everywhere and for a safe workplace and fair wages. Info: Jeff, (203) 843-3079. Festivities include music, dance, arts and crafts, political speakers, open microphone, poetry, juggling, activities for children, free food, and Maypole dance. See: www.maydaynewhaven.org

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Connecticut’s Largest Sustainable Food and Agriculture Conference, March 3

Mar 4

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–Bill Duesing, CT NOFA

The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA) announces its 30th Annual Winter Conference, an important focal point about the future of our food system. Geared not only toward farmers, but also gardeners, locavores, homesteaders and anyone interested in a sustainable lifestyle, the conference features workshops, internationally-celebrated speakers, and the renowned potluck.

The 2012 Winter Conference’s keynote speaker is Jeffrey Smith, noted author and speaker on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). He is the author of Seeds of Deception and Genetic Roulette, and will share insights on the real threats that GMOs pose to local food production as well as to consumers’ health. A second workshop on GMOs will be hosted by Daniel Ravicher, legal counsel representing CT NOFA and 80 other plaintiffs against Monsanto to legally protect small farms and farmers.

The Winter Conference is a celebration of local foods and farms. In keeping with this theme, attendees are encouraged to bring a favorite food dish for the potluck feast. Local, organic vendors including Sweet Sage Bakery of Madison, CT and Bean & Leaf of New London, will be selling delicious, sustainable treats. Children are welcome to spend time in the Family Play ‘n’ Chill room.

The CT NOFA 30th Annual Winter Conference will be held March 3, at Manchester Community College, on Great Path Rd in Manchester, CT, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is $50 for NOFA members, $60 for non-members ($35 for students or seniors). For more information and registration online, visit www.ctnofa.org, or call the office at  (203) 888-5146.

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March 3: “Sustainable Living, Community Resilience, and Transition Towns” with Tina Clarke

Mar 4

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– Katie Bunn, Canton Public Library

On Saturday, March 3, at 1:30 p.m., Canton Public Library hosts Tina Clarke in a program titled “Sustainable Living, Community Resilience, and Transition Towns.”  The presentation is funded by a grant from the Newman’s Own Foundation.

A “transition town” is one that has recognized that we are on an unsustainable trajectory in our energy use, our economy, and our treatment of the planet. The international Transition Towns movement seeks to address issues of sustainability by “engaging local communities in vibrant, grassroots community initiatives that increase local self-reliance and resilience.” The movement believes that the challenges we face are not insurmountable, but our approach to meeting the challenges is key: “If we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.”

Tina Clarke is a certified Transition Towns Trainer who has worked with over 60 communities across the U. S. and Canada. While in Washington, DC, she directed the Greenpeace USA’s citizen activist network. As a Campaign Director for Clean Water Action, she initiated and helped lead coalitions on environmental justice, toxins, and energy. And Tina “walks the walk.”  She lives in a below-zero energy house that she helped design and build, with passive solar heating, Platinum LEED, and low toxins. The house is free of all fossil fuels and wood-burning, and it generated 2.5 times more energy than needed in 2009.
The program “Sustainable Living, Community Resilience, and Transition Towns” is free; registration is requested. Canton Public Library is at 40 Dyer Avenue, Canton. For information: (860) 693- 5800 or www.cantonpubliclibrary.org