BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:www.indybay.org
PRODID:-//indybay/ical// v1.0//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:Indybay-18598500
SEQUENCE:18647941
CREATED:20090527T043000Z
DESCRIPTION:THIRST \n\nThe evening begins with a social hour and optional pot luck 
 supper at 6:00 pm,\nfollowed by the film at  7:30 pm,\nfollowed by a 
 discussion at the end of the film. \n\nIs water part of a shared "commons," 
 a human right for all people?  Or is it a commodity to be bought, sold, and 
 traded in a global marketplace?  This documentary tells the stories of 
 communities in Bolivia, India, and the U.S. that are asking these 
 fundamental questions.  Over a billion people lack access to safe drinking 
 water.  The corporate consensus for large dams and privatized, corporate 
 water systems is challenged by experts and activists who assert that water 
 is a human right, not a commodity to be traded on the open market.  The 
 film brings us to Bolivia where there's a full-scale insurrection against a 
 water privatization contract with the US-based Bechtel Corporation.  Tens 
 of thousands of people battle police and the army to protect their water 
 rights.  The central story in the film takes place in Stockton, California. 
  Mayor Gary Podesto proposes to give control of the water system to a 
 consortium of global water corporations.  He is surprised by the reaction 
 as Stockton residents create a new grassroots coalition to demand a say in 
 the decision.  They are worried about price hikes, water quality, and 
 layoffs of public employees, who tend to be women and/or people of color.  
 African-American water plant supervisor Michael McDonald sees democracy 
 itself at stake in this battle.  In India, a grassroots movement for water 
 conservation has rejuvenated rivers, literally changing the desert 
 landscape.  Led by Rajendra Singh, who locals call “a modern day Gandhi." 
 the movement opposes government efforts to sell water sources to companies 
 like Coke and Pepsi.  Singh journeys across India to organize resistance, 
 finding millions eager to join his crusade.  Water activists from Bolivia, 
 Stockton, and India all meet at the World Water Forum in Kyoto as part of a 
 new movement against global water privatization.  As the Forum reaches its 
 final day, no one anticipates the explosive outcome.\n  \nWheelchair 
 accessible around the corner at  411  28th  Street \n\n$5 donations are 
 accepted\n\n\n https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/05/26/18598500.php
SUMMARY:Thirst
LOCATION:Humanist Hall\n390  27th  Street\nuptown Oakland, between Telegraph and 
 Broadway\nhttp://www.HumanistHall.org
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/05/26/18598500.php
DTSTART:20090611T023000Z
DTEND:20090611T043000Z
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR