Category: Events
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 [email protected] 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, [email protected].
Brian Tokar To Give the 2024 Shafer Lecture
by Stanley Heller, Administrator, Promoting Enduring Peace
The annual Shafer Lecture, presented by Promoting Enduring Peace, will feature Brian Tokar, author of “The Green Alternative,” “Earth for Sale,” “Toward Climate Justice,” and “Climate Justice and Community Renewal: Resistance and Grassroots Solutions.”
This free event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Unitarian Society of New Haven, 700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden. Please see the enclosed insert for more information.
To learn more about Promoting Enduring Peace, please see PEPeace.org or @pepeace on social media.
Elm Shakespeare Company presents Richard III
Elm Shakespeare Company presents Richard III, Tuesday-Sunday at 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 1.
This production is free in Edgerton Park!
Elm Shakespeare Company’s 29th annual summer production, Richard III, directed by Rebecca Goodheart, Elm’s seasoned Producing Artistic Director, is set to be a landmark event at the Alexander Clark Playhouse Stage in Edgerton Park, running until Sept. 1st.
With over two decades of experience in directing, acting, and teaching Shakespeare, Goodhearted will explore the role society plays in creating villains and the cost of political violence on us all.
This year’s production features Lisa Wolpe, an internationally renowned theater artist known for her groundbreaking work on Shakespeare and gender, in the title role of Richard. Wolpe’s involvement brings a unique depth to the character, offering audiences a new perspective on the classic play. Her innovative approach to gender in theater juxtaposed to a traditional medieval setting, promises to be a production that continues Elm Shakespeare’s tradition of bringing thought-provoking and accessible Shakespeare to New Haven.
For more information, visit https://www.elmshakespeare.org.
Interfaith Service Festival — Sunday Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Haven Green (at College and Elm)
This announcement has everything you need: the Program Schedule, Early Morning Joe Volunteer links, Kosher Cookout Menu, Habitat Volunteer links, bring your lawn chair reminder….. it’s all here.
Read on, take your time, plan ahead, and make the most of our day together on August 4.
Thank you for waging peace,
Bruce A. Barrett, Founder/President
For complete information, visit https://mailchi.mp/e028abead27c/interfaith-festival-update-august-4th-schedule-and-more?e=f00696fb56
Black Wall Street Festival Aug. 12-18, New Haven
Black Wall Street Festival focuses on supporting black and brown entrepreneurs and creatives. It aims to combat systemic racism and enhance economic growth within these communities in New Haven. The event celebrates their contributions to the city’s prosperity and encourages community engagement, education, and activism on racial and economic justice.
For more info on being a vendor, volunteering, becoming a sponsor or partner, visit
or — on Facebook
or on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/blackwallstreetfestival/
Interfaith Service Festival on New Haven Green 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 4
The Interfaith Service Festival on New Haven Green will take place under the trees behind the churches 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 4, 2024. The theme this year is Courageous Love. The schedule of volunteer service projects, discussion groups and learning opportunities and much more will be updated here: https://www.iwagepeace.org. Community involvement opportunities include Swing a hammer and pound guns into Jewelry at the forge: Swords to Plowshares CT; Join a Round table on Gun Violence: Swords to Plowshares CT; Enjoy a Crypt Tour under Center Church (learn our challenging history); Clean a beach with Save The Sound. (shuttle bus provided); Build a house with Habitat for Humanity (advance signup required); Joyfully assemble 875 Blessing Bags for the unhoused with Columbus House and Beth-El Shelter; and many more listed here https://www.iwagepeace.org!
Book talk — Radical Connecticut: People’s History in the Constitution State
“Radical Connecticut: People’s History in the Constitution State” authors Andy Piascik and Steve Thornton will discuss their new book Saturday, June 15, beginning at 5 p.m., at Possible Futures Bookstore, 318 Edgewood Ave., New Haven. This is a free event and the bookstore is wheelchair accessible.
‘I Heart New Haven Day’ June 1
by Jane Hendrickson, Executive Director, Bridges of Hope I Heart New Haven Day, Committee Chair
Bridges of Hope is a group of diverse New Haven area churches from across denominational, social, and cultural lines that have agreed to come together as one to serve the New Haven community as members of the community.
This year we are organizing our ninth annual “I Heart New Haven Day,” which will take place on June 1. The goal is to serve the city through over 25 different projects with 450 volunteers participating from Christian Tabernacle Baptist Church, Church on the Rock, Vox Church, Vertical Church, Trinity Baptist Church, Christ Presbyterian Church, All Nations Church, Shoreline Community Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, CT Korean Presbyterian Church, and several other churches.
Year after year, our church members, as residents and community members in New Haven, come together to build partnerships, serve immediate needs and give back to the city they know and love. People know these volunteers as the “blue shirts,” but they are also residents, public servants and leaders in the city. The day will begin at 9 a.m. on the New Haven Green with words of encouragement from the pastors and then the volunteers will be sent off to their projects to serve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Here is a glimpse of sites we will be serving across the city. A full and comprehensive list can be supplied upon request:
● Organizing clothes and goods at Loaves and Fishes,
● Landscaping, painting for elderly community members.
● Cleanup at local public schools,
● Expanding a deck for a non-profit organization.
Please email Bru Hickey with any questions at [email protected] or phone her at 475-271-7978.
Workshop on Climate Change May 9
Join Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Access to Resources for Climate Change (ARCC), and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, 6-7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Q House, 197 Dixwell Ave. in New Haven, for a workshop on climate change, with speaker Vanessa Brown, Education Outreach Coordinator, Statewide Legal Outreach Services of Connecticut, and after the workshop, a Climate Justice Poetry Showcase.
Climate change will cause more heat waves, hurricanes, and floods across Connecticut. Due to systemic discrimination, low-income communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Unfortunately, the most vulnerable communities also have the least access to disaster assistance resources.
The workshop is available to the public and service providers who work with low-income communities in New Haven, West Haven, East Haven, and across Connecticut.
This workshop will cover:
- The basics of climate change
- How climate change will affect New Haven
- The link between systemic discrimination and climate change vulnerability
- What you can do to prepare for climate change
Food will be available for purchase. Want to join virtually? Email [email protected] to receive the Zoom link.
24th SCSU Women’s & Gender Studies Conference April 19
On April 19th and 20th the Dept. of Women’s & Gender Studies (WGS) at Southern CT State University (SCSU) is holding its signature conference on campus. The theme is “Continuities, Ruptures, Resurgences: Still in Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens,” inspired by Alice Walker’s womanist essays, which continue to be a vision for those of us engaged in the feminist and social justice struggles. The 2024 WGS Conference at Southern offers a critical space and place for a two-day inquiry across differences and communities into the intersections of gender, race, communities, and institutions. Since 1991, the feminist collective at SCSU has been hosting conferences that reach across communities and bring together activists, academics, artists, and feminist practitioners from diverse backgrounds for a two-day conference at SCSU, 501 Crescent St., New Haven.
Please visit the WGS website for more information and contact info: https://www.southernct.edu/academics/womens-gender-studies; 203-392-6133; [email protected].
African American Women’s Summit: A Sister’s Collaborative March 30
The African American Women’s Summit brings together African American women’s organizations in the New Haven area. It focuses on the issues and concerns that affect the lives of African American families and communities.
The Annual African American Women’s Summit will be held on Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dixwell Community Center (Dixwell Q House), 197 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven. The event is free to the public. This year’s theme is “AAWS Rocks the Vote 2024: Let’s Get Out the Vote!” A free continental breakfast and hot lunch will be served.
In addition to adult workshops, we will also have several youth workshops for ages 10 and up. Please contact Dr. Cynthia McCraven [email protected], Linda Jackson [email protected], or Robin Wilson [email protected] if you have questions.
Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride Supports Twenty Local Environmental Projects April 27
by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven Climate Movement
Rock to Rock is moving ahead for this spring, working with over 20 partner organizations to take real action in response to the climate emergency, and raise critical support for local environmental organizations.
2024 bicycle rides include 5, 12, 20, 40, 60-mile, and two Family Rides in East Rock Park, plus hikes in East Rock Park and West Rock Park.
Join the fun Saturday, April 27. All rides start and end at East Rock Park, with a Green Fair, live music and food trucks.
Register at rocktorock.org.
CT NOFA Winter Conference on Gardening, Farming, Land Care, and Advocacy
by Kimberly Stoner, Director of Advocacy, CT NOFA
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA) is proud to present our 42nd Winter Conference, featuring a series of virtual workshops on March 20–21 in the lead-up to our full day, in-person gathering and celebration on March 23, 2024, at Eastern Connecticut State University, in partnership with their Institute of Sustainability.
Among the workshops in the virtual schedule on March 20:
- New Haven’s own Lori Martin of Haven’s Harvest will present a workshop on a “new model for food systems” to get food to the people and not into the waste stream,
- Ana Legrand on “Insect Pest Management When Transitioning to Organic Production,”
- Anne Hulick of Clean Water Action on “PFAS Contamination in CT and What Can Be Done.”
And among the workshops virtually on March 21: - “A Beginner’s Guide to Funding Opportunities with the CT Dept. of Agriculture, UConn Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Farm Services Agency,”
- Yonghao Li of the CT Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven will present “Biological and Organic Control of Plant Diseases,”
- Kip Kolesinskas on “Creating a Climate Adaptation Plan for Your Farm or Garden.”
On the big day, in person on March 23, the keynote speaker will be Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeeper and national leader of the movement to get Green Amendments into the constitution of every state and eventually into the US Constitution. And there will be an abundance of workshops all day, including starting a community farm, sustainable cannabis and hemp production, making quality compost with New Haven’s Domingo Medina, and bridging community and diversity with experiential farming programs with New Haven’s Nadine Nelson.
One ticket will get you into all three days of workshops, plus lunch on Saturday, and a great opportunity to gather with people from across the state who love the Earth.
Registration is open! Get your tickets at this website: https://ctnofa.org/winter-conference/2024-winter-conference.
50th Annual People’s World Black History Month Event Feb. 25, 2024
BLACK VOICES FOR PEACE – GAZA TO CONNECTICUT
You are invited to a special celebration on Sunday, Feb 25 at 4 pm (doors open 3:30) at the Peoples Center 37 Howe St. New Haven and live streamed: “Black Voices for Peace – Gaza to Connecticut” marking the 50th annual People’s World Black History Month event.
The occasion will include prizes for the Arts and Writing Competition Grades 8-12, a workers’ rights panel with 1199 and 4 C’s union members, and guest speaker JOE SIMS co-chair CPUSA and lifelong civil rights and peace activist.
Drumming by Brian Jarawa Gray and friends will also highlight the program.
The event is hosted by the CT People’s World. Donations will be accepted for the 100th Anniversary Fund Drive.
Please circulate this invitation widely. Attached are the event flier and the arts and writing competition announcement. For more information leave a message at 203 624 8664 or reply to this email at ct-[email protected].
