Category: Events

May Day/International Workers’ Day Events in New Haven

The annual May Day rally on the New Haven Green and immigrants’ rights march through downtown New Haven will take place on Thursday, May 1. Unidad Latina en Acción (ULA) and other local organizations will be setting up displays, info tables, food, and children’s activities on the Green. There will also be entertainment and music to celebrate International Workers’ Day. Planning meetings are every Saturday in April at 5 p.m. at the New Haven People’s Center, 37 Howe Street. The space is wheelchair accessible. For information and to get involved, please call John Lugo, 203-606-3484.

There will also be May Day events on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, that are being planned by Yale students in Dwight Hall in coordination with ULA and other New Haven community organizations and individuals. Everyone who wants to build for May Day is welcome to the planning meetings, held every Saturday in April, 5 p.m. at 37 Howe St., and every Monday in April, 7 p.m. at 67 High St.

Get Involved in May Day 2025! Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3

May Day 2025 will be held on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 on the New Haven Green and in locations at Yale. Commemorate the 55th anniversary of May Day 1970 and the Black Panther trials in New Haven.

May Day 2025 is intended to serve as a People’s Rally for the betterment of all New Haven communities. May Day 2025 seeks to again create a people’s university at Yale, which sees institutional resources shared.

Have something to say about migrant rights, police accountability, food sovereignty, community health, environmental justice, or other issues? Sign up to speak at the rally! Host a workshop! Set up an info table about your organization! Are you a performer? We’re looking to host local artists, musicians, and other creatives.

The Dwight Hall May Day 2025 Steering Committee wants YOU! Contributions to May Day 2025 can take any form. By including many voices and perspectives in these conversations, we can best reflect community sentiment. Attend our weekly planning meetings, 7 p.m. every Monday in April at Dwight Hall, 67 High St. (wheelchair accessible).

Contact allie.lopez@yale.edu and lizzie.chiarovano@yale.edu for more information.

Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride Is Set for Saturday, April 26

by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven/León Sister City Project

Rock to Rock Earth Day ride is moving ahead this spring, working with 20 partner organizations to take real action in response to the climate emergency, and raise critical support for local environmental organizations.

2025 Rides include 5, 12, 20, 40, 60-mile, and two Family Rides in East Rock Park, plus a hike in East Rock Park and West Rock Park.

All rides start and end at East Rock Park, with a Green Fair, live music and food trucks.

Participants raised over $200,000 in 2024 for local environmental projects. All of the participating organizations are continuing to work in a hundred different ways to make our community greener, healthier, more welcoming, and more connected.

We will also hold our annual Day of Service on Saturday, April 12. Sign up on the website. For more information on Rock to Rock, to register, or to donate, go to rocktorock.org. Email: info@rocktorock.org, phone: 203-479-0298.

Grab Your Beads & Dancing Shoes—Mardi Gras 2025 Is Almost Here!

by Manmita Dutta, New Haven Free Public Library Foundation

Mark your calendars—Mardi Gras is back on Tuesday, March 4! Join us for the Annual Mardi Gras Fundraiser benefiting the New Haven Free Public Library.

Celebrate with us as we bring the vibrancy and spirit of Mardi Gras to New Haven! Enjoy a night filled with festive music, delicious food, and incredible community spirit—all while supporting programs that promote equity, literacy, and access for all.

This year, we’re excited to honor two extraordinary individuals. Alder Honda Smith (Ward 30) will receive the Library Champion Award for Community Service, and Brad Gallant—Former President of the NHFPL Board of Directors and Former Member of the NHFPL Foundation Board of Directors—is the recipient of the Champion Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Tickets are now on sale. More information: https://tinyurl.com/52utcw7c

1st Black History Month People’s World Celebration: Black Youth Leadership – Resistance 2.0 in Today’s Freedom Struggle

by Connecticut People’s World Committee

The 51st People’s World Black History Month Celebration, including the annual arts and writing competition for grades 8 to 12, will take place Saturday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. at the New Haven Peoples Center, 37 Howe St., New Haven.

Black Youth Leadership – Resistance 2.0 in Today’s Freedom Struggle is the theme for the event and competition. The full invitation to the competition is below.

In addition to the presentation of prizes for the competition, the event on Saturday, Feb. 22, will include drumming, a panel discussion by youth activists, and guest speaker Aaron Booe, national organizer for the YCL USA.

A $5 contribution is asked if possible or what you can afford. No one will be turned away.
For information contact ct-pww@pobox.com or leave a message at 203-624-8664.

African American History Month, February 2025

Arts and Writing Competition for Students Grades 8 to 12 is sponsored annually

by Connecticut People’s World Committee to remember the lives and dedication of Dalzenia Henry and Virginia Henry to the youth of New Haven and to make a better future.

BLACK YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Resistance 2.0 in Today’s Freedom Struggle

This SOLIDARITY PLEDGE: We Won’t Go Back! was made by all present at the People’s World Amistad Awards, Dec. 14.

“It’s up to us to defend our hard won democratic rights and protect our future. We reject all racism, bigotry, militarism and attempts at fear and division. We reject the use of smear tactics to justify war, repression and deportations. We join together in solidarity, and celebrate our diverse multi-racial, multi-national, multi-gender and multi-generational working class and people. Inspired by the historic freedom struggle, we pledge resistance and solidarity to defeat the Project 2025 corporate agenda and move forward, not back. We pledge to join in rapid response with our allies to resist every attack on any section of the people – an injury to one is an injury to all. We pledge to organize for multi-racial workers’ rights and worker power to win transformational change that puts people, peace and planet before profits. We Who Believe In Freedom Will Not Rest Until It’s Won.”

In 1964 when three young civil rights workers were murdered in Mississippi, civil rights activist Ella Baker said: “Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s son—we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.” James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner disappeared together during Freedom Summer. In response, hundreds more young people came to the South to take their place.

Express in artwork, essay, poetry, rap or song:

  • What can you do along with others in your school to promote equality?
  • What can you do along with your friends to reject, and educate against, hate speech?
  • Reflect on historical figures in the freedom struggle and victories that were won. How can you help continue the fight and work to change your community now?

Share digital art work, drawings, paintings, collage, prints, photographs, essays, poems, raps or songs (max. two pages).

Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 13. MUST INCLUDE: Entry title, Name, address, phone, email, age, school, teacher’s name (if applicable). Send entries to: ct-pww@pobox.com. Prizes: Gift cards ($200 first place, $100 second place, $50 third place) and books. Presentation Prizes and recognition for all entries will be presented February 22 at the 51st Annual African American History Month Celebration. Info: ct-pww@pobox.com or leave messages at: 203-624-8664.

CT NOFA Winter Conference Feb. 25-27 ECSU

CT Northeast Organic Farming Association’s 43rd Winter Conference features virtual workshops on Feb. 25-27 and a full-day, in-person gathering and celebration on March 1, at Eastern Connecticut State University in partnership with their Institute of Sustainability.

Workshops will cover topics such as farming, seed saving, organic land care, community food security and social justice issues, and the presentation of the Bill Duesing Organic Living on the Earth award and our members’ annual meeting.

Conference registration includes access to all virtual and in-person sessions, lunch at the conference, and exclusive access to all recordings. Registration info, including fee, registration fee waiver request and travel stipend can be found at https://ctnofa.org/winter-conference/2025-winter-conference.

Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Legacy of Social and Environmental Justice

by Peabody Museum

Every January, we gather at the Peabody Museum, 170 Whitney Ave., to honor Dr. King’s legacy and uplift Black leadership in the social and environmental justice movements. Our special celebration evolves annually as we co-create programming with our community partners from across New Haven and Connecticut.

Co-founded and co-presented with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, each year’s celebration includes:

  • Two days of music and dance performances on the World Stage;
  • A youth art contest and youth-led summit co-presented with Students for Educational Justice;
  • A poetry open mic and professional poetry slam;
  • Storytelling at the New Haven Museum at 114 Whitney Ave.;
  • Special access to Peabody experts and collections;
  • Activities designed and presented by environmental and social justice organizations from across the state.

This important event draws visitors from all over the region. We can’t wait for you to join us!

We are currently planning our 29th celebration, to take place the weekend of Jan. 19–20, 2025. Please visit https://peabody.yale.edu/events/calendar for updates on this year’s event. Hope to see you there!

Internationally Known Palestinian Speaker in CT Dec. 9

by LouAnn Villani, Middle East Crisis Committee

Mazin Qumsiyeh, who has spoken all over the world about Palestinian rights and also on science issues, will talk in Connecticut on Monday, Dec. 9, in three different
places.

First he’ll be in New Haven at the central New Haven (Ives) Library, 133 Elm St., across from the Green at noon. The Middle East Crisis Committee is sponsoring the event along with the Jewish Voice for Peace Health Advisory Council. Qumsiyeh lived in Connecticut at the start of the 2000s as he headed the Cytogenetic Department at Yale Medical School. His books include Sharing the Land of Canaan and Popular Resistance in Palestine. Back in occupied Palestine in the West Bank he founded the Palestine Museum of Natural History and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability. He has written Mammals of the Holy Land, The Bats of Egypt, and scores of scientific papers.

He has spoken in most U.S. states and in dozens of countries around the world. He helped found the Right to Return online movement and was an early proponent of the “one-state solution.” See qumsiyeh.org and palestinenature.org. His emails that go out weekly to thousands are known for their humanity and optimism mixed with mention of the terrible oppression and murder inside Palestine. He signs off with the slogan, “Stay Human.”

Later on Dec. 9 he’ll speak at Wesleyan University and Trinity College. See TheStruggle.org for details in early December.

People’s World Amistad Awards on Dec. 14

by People’s World Amistad Awards Committee

This year’s People’s World Amistad Awards will be held Saturday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School, 177 College Street in New Haven. The 2024 Awards are themed “We Who Believe in Freedom Will Not Rest Until It’s Won.”

People’s World is honored to present the Amistad Award to three wonderful allies and working-class champions. Together they represent the kind of unity, solidarity and vision needed to build the movement that can transform our country to put people, peace and planet before profits. Seth Freeman, president of Congress of CT Community Colleges (4Cs), is an inspiring and passionate union leader and coalition builder for racial and economic justice in public higher education who courageously envisions funding human needs instead of corporate greed and wars. Maribel Rodriguez, first Latina president of the Western CT Labor Coalition, former healthcare worker, tireless champion for respect and dignity of all workers in the community, on the job, in the legislature, is beloved for her courage and dedication.

Teresa Quintana, Housing Equity Organizer at Make the Road, rose up against exploitation as an immigrant from Bolivia to achieve a life of dignity and rights for all, with unapologetic extraordinary commitment, and is the proud mother of two.

The event will stand “IN SOLIDARITY” with Unite Here Local 217 and NE1199 SEIU for their courageous organizing, campaigning and strikes to take on corporate greed and build worker power, This annual event is hosted on the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party USA, in the spirit of building unity against racism, red-baiting and all forms of bigotry, and standing for workers’ rights, equality, peace, democracy, and a better world. Tickets are $10. For more information, please email ct-pww@pobox.com or phone 203-624-8664.

Compassionfest 2024: Back for the Bats!

by Tabitha Logan, Compassionfest organizer

Compassionfest returns for its 8th annual event on Saturday, Oct. 12th, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Whitneyville Cultural Commons, 1253 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. Join us for a day filled with community, compassion, and celebration.

Compassionfest unites like-minded people who believe in justice, kindness, equality, and compassion. This year’s event will feature diverse vendors, vegan food, and activities for all ages. The festival offers a wide variety of activities, including vegan food from local vendors and animal-friendly products. Non-profits sharing their missions and local artisans showcasing crafts will be among the vendors. Vegan tattooing will be available along with yoga and healing workshops.

New to 2024 is the Jack-o-Lantern Lighting and Pumpkin Swap. Festival-goers can bring a lit pumpkin for the lighting at 6 p.m., with a pumpkin swap at 7 p.m. Swap your pumpkin with someone else’s for a fun, interactive experience.

The event will also feature live music throughout the day. Whether you’re a long-time vegan, curious about compassionate living, or just looking for fun, Compassionfest 2024 has something for everyone.
 Admission is free, with a suggested donation to support the CT Vegan Center‘s “SAVE THE BATS” campaign. Contributions will help fund conservation efforts to protect vital bat populations.

RSVP for your free ticket via Eventbrite. Stay informed by following Compassionfest on social media.

Join us for a day of compassion and community. Spread the word and let’s make a difference together!

2024 Greater New Haven Labor History Association Conference Sept 8, 4 – 6 p.m.

by Steve Mooser, Greater New Haven Labor Association

Les Leopold, the Executive Director of the Labor Institute, is the Keynote Speaker at the Greater New Haven Labor History Association’s annual conference on September 8. He and longtime community organizer and housing advocate, Kim McLaughlin, will receive the organization’s Augusta Lewis Troup award.

For decades, Leopold has been an impassioned and articulate advocate for workers’ rights and financial well-being. He founded the Labor Institute in 1975 to work for a more equitable and just society. The Institute conducts educational programs for unions, environmental organizations and other community activist groups. Bringing diverse groups out of their respective “silos” to work together has been a priority.

In 2009, Leopold wrote “The Looting of America: How Wall Street’s Game of Fantasy Finance Destroyed Our Jobs, Pensions and Prosperity and What We Can Do About It.” His 2015 book, “Runaway Inequality: An Activist’s Guide to Economic Justice,” focused on the causes of income inequity. The most significant impact has been caused by the growth of the financial sector. Neo-liberal austerity measures and significant cuts in corporate taxes and those of the wealthy forced communities to scramble to fund basic service needs, including incurring greater debt to financial entities.

In his latest book, Wall Street’s War on Workers, he expands on how the financial sector has strip-mined middle-class wealth. Leopold clearly demonstrates the result of stock buybacks. Venture capitalists buy up control of an economically healthy company by incurring tremendous debt. Borrowed funds are used for bonuses and to buy back stock. The once-healthy company is saddled with debilitating debts, resulting in massive layoffs.

A second theme is using polling data to debunk the commonly presented message that the blue-collar workforce and white working class are lost to extreme right-wing political forces.

We look forward to an exciting meeting, including music by labor troubadour Frank Panzarella. Admission is free; donations appreciated!

GNHLHA Conference is Sunday, Sept. 8, 4–6 p.m. at The Labor Center/NHFT Union Hall, 267 Chapel Street, New Haven. Parking is available in the back.

Pizza will be served at the conclusion of the program. For more info: Steve Mooser, nowunion@yahoo.com.

1 2 3 … 22