The Fresno Peace and Social Justice Calendar

THE PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE CALENDAR

The Peace and Social Justice calendar is a free service of:
The Community Alliance magazine
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Web site: http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home/
Phone: (559) 226-0477 Fax: (559) 226-3962
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Wednesday, April 14
5:30 PM Meet and Greet
7:30 PM Presentation at CSUF
Amy Goodman, host of the award-winning news program Democracy Now!, is coming to Fresno on Wednesday, April 14^th on her Exception to the Rulers tour.

Amy will be appearing at two venues on the Fresno State University campus. From 5:30 to 7:00 pm you can meet and greet her at a reception in the Renaissance Room in the University Center building. Admission is $50 per person, which includes a copy of her book "Exception to the Rulers", refreshments, and preferred seating at the lecture. Following the reception, Amy will speak at 7:30 pm at the Satellite Student Union in a free public lecture. Amy Goodman's visit is sponsored by KFCF Radio, the Beth Ann Harnish Lectures, and the Campus Peace and Civil Liberties Coalition.

Tickets for the reception are available from the Movies, 1435 N. Van Ness, or by calling KFCF at 559-233-2221.

Wednesday, April 14
7 PM
John Kerry Meet-In. Fresno Democratic Office, 255 N Fulton Ave #104. Details: 486-5422 or 439-8140.

Thursday, April 15
Tax Day: Fresno WILPF has a long history of leafleting on April 15th at a local Post Office with information on where the majority of our tax dollars go: they go to the military and war instead of social justice programs. Please help WILPF educate the public so hopefully they will push their elected officials to spend our tax dollars in a more humane manner. Last year’s event was very successful with over 1,000 leaflets handed out at Post Offices in Fresno, Clovis, North Fork and Oakhurst. They need 3-4 people to sign up per 2 hour shifts on April 15th at the Cardwell Post Office, 1606 Griffith Way, between 10AM-6PM. If you can help please contact Vickie Fouts at 559-658-8260 or vmfout1@sti.net as soon as possible. It can’t be done without your help.

Thursday, April 15
Deadline for articles and calendar items to the May Community Alliance magazine. Send information to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net

Friday, April 16
6:30-8:30 PM 
Dick and Karen Peterson, members of our group will present "Views of Cuba," from their recent experience in Cuba with Witness for Peace. This event is sponsored by the Reedley Peace Center and will be held at the Fellowship Hall of First Mennonite Church, on 'L' street between 12th and 13th streets in Reedley. Contact Don Friesen by email at dfriesen@telis.org

Sunday, April 18
4 PM
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte 9^th annual auction gala will be held at the La Ryan Event Center at 4277 N West Ave.

Sunday, April 18
6 PM
The Fresno Earth Day Committee Presents: "Dinner and Documentaries" at The Starline. $10 donation Return of the Scorcher a film by Ted White This half-hour documentary looks at bike culture and bike lifestyles around the world with beautiful and inspiring scenes of bike use filmed in China, The Netherlands, Denmark and the U.S. Tales of the San Joaquina film by Chris Beaver A provocative look at the history of the San Joaquin River followed by a discussion "How can farms and rivers properly coexist?"

7:30 PM - Panel Discussion "How can farms and rivers properly coexist in the Central Valley?

Lloyd Carter, Denis Prosperi & You.

Lloyd Carter is professor of water law at San Joaquin College of Law and heads the California Save Our Streams Council. An attorney, he previously spent 20 years as a journalist for United Press International and the Fresno Bee. He won numerous statewide journalism awards in the mid 1980s for his coverage of the eco-disaster at the Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge.

Denis Prosperi farms winegrapes and almonds in Madera. He spearheaded a successful effort to prevent ENRON from exporting San Joaquin River water out of our region. Denis was one of eight growers to form a precedent setting 400 acre ag land preserve on Madera's urban edge. His knowledge of local water issues is extensive. Vegetarian food provided by T&D Willey Farms www.tdwilleyfarms.org and prepared by Daily Harvest Catering (www.dailyharvestcatering.com) For more info and tickets email info@fresnoearthday.org or visit http://www.fresnoearthday.org

Thursday, April 22
6:30 PM
Central California Criminal Justice Committee Meets at their new location: Fresno Center for Non Violence, 1584 North Van Ness, Corner of McKinley and Van Ness, across the street from City College. There is parking in the back. For more information about the CCCJC go to: http://www.fresnoalliance.com/cccjc/

Friday, April 23
8 PM
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler opens at Theatre Three. The play will be performed through Saturday, May 22. For details go to www.theatre3.com or call Gordon Goede at 486-3333 or by email at gordongoede@aol.com . For more information about the Vagina Monologues go to http://www.vday.org/main.html

Saturday April 24
9 - 11 AM
The Fresno County Chicano/Latino Caucus will hold their meeting at Bobby Salazar's Restaurant located at 2839 Blackstone (at the corner of Blackstone & Princeton). Yvette Andrade,the current Chairperson of the State Chicano/ LatinoCaucus will speak about issues related to the budget cuts the Caucus has or hasn't endorsed, the plans for the November elections, and what is the current status of the Caucus State-wide. This is an open meeting.

Saturday, April 24
11 AM - 3 PM
Fresno Center for Nonviolence OPEN HOUSE at their new location, 1584 N. Van Ness, south of McKinley. Come See the Center's new home & Celebrate With Us. Refreshments Provided

Saturday, April 24
7:30 PM
ALICE STUART in concert sponsored by the Fresno Folklore Society. Fresno Art Museum 2233 N. First. Tickets $15 Advance, $20 Day of the Performance. Info? 497-5033 Alice's music is a heartfelt mix of revived acoustic blues-based songs with a tasty touch of folky feel. Her career has spanned 4 decades including a number one billboard hit right here in Fresno, "Freedom's the Sound" in the early '70s. She is a unique and gifted guitar player, an inspirational singer, and songwriter, reinventing her music with each performance, captivating every audience with dynamic energy. Her newest CD, "Can't Find No Heaven," was nominated for both a Grammy and a Handy Award and was chosen Best Northwest CD by the Washington Blues Society in 2003. "She cut the road Bonnie Raitt traveled."--Taj Mahal

Sunday, April 25
To demonstrate overwhelming majority support for a woman's right to choose safe, legal abortion and birth control, the largest pro-choice majority in history will march on Washington on Sunday April 25, 2004. For the first time ever this pro-choice march is a collaborative effort - four leading national women's rights groups have come together to organize this momentous event. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Feminist Majority, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and National Organization for Women are the principal organizers of the March for Women's Lives and have pooled efforts and resources to lay the groundwork.

The march will begin at noon from the Lincoln Memorial, although participants may begin assembling as early as 10 a.m. After marching on Washington, a rally will be held from 1-4 p.m. on the National Mall. Special seating will be available for people with disabilities. The rally program will be signed for the hearing impaired. The route is wheelchair accessible and transportation will be provided for those who cannot negotiate the route.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in Fresno proudly supports the March for Women's Lives on April 25, 2004. Locally, they are working on this exciting national event by sponsoring events to educate community members on the march and threats to reproductive freedom at the local, state and national levels and working to send as many people to the march as possible.

Sunday, April 25
Noon till Sundown
5th Annual Fresno Earth Day Festival 2004 will be held at Roeding Park. Live music and speakers on a solar-powered stage, environmental exhibits, a farmers market, children’s environmental education, cuisine from around the world, arts & crafts sales and the return of the Sunset Drum Circle so bring a drum! This is a community sponsored event made possible through the support and efforts of local organizations and green businesses in order to increase awareness about the preservation of our natural resources. Brought to you by the Fresno Earth Day Committee.

For more information visit http://www.fresnoearthday.org

Sunday, April 25
7:30 PM
Renowned folk singer and human rights activist CHARLIE KING will perform in concert at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 4144 N. Millbrook (1/2 block south of Ashlan) in Fresno. Admission is $10. For tickets and information, call Donna at 275-4974, or Maria at 255-9492.

Tuesday, April 27
3:30 - 5 PM
In celebration of the 89th Anniversary of the founding of the Women's International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF) and the annual Jane Addams Children's Book Awards, a special ceremony and donation will be held at the Fresno County Free Library in the Sarah McCardle room. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this free event. Since 1953 Jane Addams Children's Book Awards have been gifted to public and school libraries from Maine to Hawaii. The awards annually acknowledge books published in the United States that effectively address themes or topics promoting peace, social justice, world community and equality of the sexes and all races. The Fresno Branch of WILPF will continue this tradition with a celebration ceremony in honor of Jane Addams and her accomplishments in the field of Social Work, and in the social justice movement. 

WILPF will also make a special donation to the library of the 2003-04 Jane Addams Children's Book Award winners. As part of the celebration, children will be invited to attend a reading of the award winning books in the Doris Gates Children's Room. Dr. Donna Hardina, professor of Social Work at California State University, Fresno will address the incredible influence Jane Addams has had on shaping the field of Social Work and how her efforts have changed communities around the world. Carol Bequette, former president of the Fresno Branch of WILPF, will share the strength, struggles, and dedication of Jane Addams to the social justice movement, the peace movement, and the founding of WILPF. 

Ellie Bluestein, founder of the Fresno Branch of WILPF, will announce the addition of the Jane Addams Memorial Statue to the California State University, Fresno Peace Garden. Jane Addams will be the first woman to be honored in the Peace Garden along side Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi and Cesar Chavez. Organized by the Women's International League for Peace & Freedom and sponsored by the Jane Addams Peace Association, California State University, Fresno Social Work Department and the Fresno Center for Nonviolence. Contact: Women's International League for Peace & Freedom Ruth Obel-Jorgensen, Program Intern Phone: 559-916-5748

Tuesday, April 27
7 PM
"Whites Looking at White Privilege", sixth in a series of discussions in which whites will be challenged to examine the benefits received from centuries of racism. Fresno City College, Room SO-110. Contact Richard Stone to enroll: 266-2559. Contact Gerry Bill for parking permit: 227-2133, or 442-4600 ext. 8348. Note Change in meeting day.

May 2004
May is Bike month, and the third week in May (17-21^st) is bike week. May will also have a Saroyian Ride (to all his old haunts) – details to follow. Sunday May 2^nd is Asthma Day at the Grizzles, and some will ride their bikes –– from the Tower Theatre –– down to the game.

Bike Week will include a bike to school –– bike to work day (Friday May 21^st) too…………..

More details on state wide events at: http://www.bikelink.com/calendar.htm

Saturday, May 1
All Day
International Workers Day commemorates the successful struggle for the eight hour day and honors the working class throughout the world.

Saturday, May 1
8:30 AM - 3 PM
The Economics of Peace and Justice - a conference sponsored by the Mennonite Peacemakers will be held at the Mennonite Community Church (on the corner of Olive and Willow in Fresno). For more information call (559) 291-3344 or go to www.peacemaking.com/mennos/

Sunday, May 2
2:30 PM
Through the Eyes of Youth, 2^nd Annual Digital Film Festival at Roosevelt High School Auditorium, 4250 E Tulare Ave in Fresno. For more information go to http://www.yesfresno.org/Welcome%20to%20the%20Digital%20Arts%20Partnership%20Film%20Festival.htm

Wednesday, May 5
5 PM - Festival
6 PM - march
UNITED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS! FESTIVAL & MARCH

STOP THE EDUCATION FUNDING BUDGET CUTS!!¡¡STOP THE NEW 187 PROPOSITION! SAFE HIGHWAYS FOR EVERYONE! LEGALIZATION OF IMMIGRANTS! (DRIVER LICENSES &LEGALIZATION FOR IMMIGRANTS!) AT FULTON MALL FRESNO, CA. FOR MORE INFORMATION: (559)497-0206,(559) 266-9942,(559) 498-6033

ORGANIZERS: Comité No Nos Vamos,Unión de Exbraceros,Comité Central Menonita,Frente Indígena Oaxaqueñño Binacional,MAPA del Valle,PAN Valley Institute-,Proyecto Campesino, Reedley Social Services, Carpenters Union Local 701, Iglesia Catolica de Fowler, Centro Bellas Artes, Arte del Pueblo, Comité PRO-UNO,Comité Consejero de la Educación.,Californianos por Justicia, MECHA,

Thursday, May 6
1 PM
CSUF Campus Peace & Civil Liberties Coalition meeting at CSUF room USU 311. For more information contact ruthoj@csufresno.edu

Friday, May 7
5 & 8 PM
Fresno Filmworks will show the recently restored print of THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS, a political masterpiece about the Algerian people’s struggle to throw off colonial rule. Tickets are available at the Tower Theatre Box Office, 815 E. Olive Ave., The Movies, 1435 N. Van Ness Ave., the Fig Garden Bookstore in Fig Garden Village, and at the door. Tickets are $9.00; $7.00, for students and seniors. For more information call the FFW info line, 221-0755, or go to www.fresnofilmworks.org .

Friday, May 14
8 PM
Leo Kottke, a true American original - Guitar Virtuoso at the Tower Theater.

Saturday, May 15
Deadline for articles and calendar items to the June Community Alliance magazine. Send information to AllianceEditor@Comcast.net

Saturday, May 15
REEL Pride in the Arts, will be held at California State University, Fresno. The event is co-sponsored by Fresno REEL Pride Film Festival and the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute at Fresno State. All info about the film contest are attached - if you would like more info, please contact speechadvice@yahoo.com or 559-730-3833

Saturday, June 5
The Pride! The Parade! The Party! Fresno's Gay Pride Parade will be held in the Tower. The parade will begin at Palm and Olive, and go straight down Olive Avenue past the Tower Theatre to the festival site on Van Ness just south of Olive Avenue. For more information, people can contact Community Link at 559/486-3464 or at ClinkInc@aol.com

The group is looking for donations and sponsors. Donations should be sent to Community Link at P.O. Box 4959, Fresno, CA 93744. Donations should be marked "Parade." Anyone interested in sponsorships should call or email (info above).

Sunday, June 6
Intermountain Music Festival. This will be a benefit for KFCF 88.1 FM. Great music, food and more in a great environment! more info soon

Saturday, June 19 - 21
'Occupied Territory 2004'
This gathering will be in Fresno CA. June 19-21 of 2004. The Space is a Green outdoor space. Workshops are being offered by -Food Not Bombs, Book Collectives, AK Press, Earth First, Mental Health Workshops, Fire Dancing, Panel on Latin American Politics, Reiki, Silk Screening, Book binding and more DIY skills, Bio-Diesel/Veggie Oil Cars, Premaculture, Political Prisoners, Direct Action, Protest, Puppet making, Black Bloc - what’s next?, Radical Cheerleading and soooo much more...if you have something to offer - write occupiedterritory@riseup.net with workshop description in subject!!

For more information go to: http://www.calendar.igc.apc.org/day.cgi?limit=25&state_values=CAMPUS*:fresno

http://www.infoshop.org/

SATURDAY, JUNE 26 
Fresno Center for Nonviolence Twelfth Anniversary. Dessert & Coffee Suggested Donation $10.00 Time, Place and Speaker TBA

Sunday, July 4
9 AM - 12 Noon
The Interfaith Alliance 4th of July Diversity Celebration Brunch, will be held at O'Neill Park which is located on the north side of Barstow, east of Cedar (on the CSUF campus). There will be food, various kinds of entertainment from many of our diverse groups of people, singing of patriotic songs and an opportunity for all of us to stand proudly among the wonderful assortment of our earth's family of people.

Monday, September 6
Labor Day is the day working families celebrate and rededicate themselves to guaranteeing that every worker has the freedom to form a union without employer interference. We know that: + Union members earn 26 percent more than their nonunion counterparts. + More than 75 percent of union workers have health benefits. Less than half of nonunion workers have health coverage. + Nearly 70 percent of union workers have a pension. Only 14 percent of nonunion workers have one.

+ The 10 states where unions are strongest have higher earnings, better health coverage, less crime, more civic participation, less poverty and better schools than the 10 states where union membership is lowest. That is why more and more of America's workers want union jobs or want a union where they work. More than 42 million nonunion workers say they want to join a union. However, employers often harass and intimidate workers when they join together to form their union. That is wrong, often illegal and most definitely a violation of the human rights of those workers. Independent research shows that, + 25 percent of employers illegally fire at least one worker for union activity during organizing campaigns. + 75 percent of employers hire union-busters to fight union organizing. + 78 percent of employers force employees to attend one-on-one meetings with their own supervisors against the union. + 52 percent of employers threaten to call the Immigration and Naturalization Service during organizing that includes undocumented workers. + 51 percent of companies threaten to close the plant if the union wins the election, however, less than 1 percent ever actually do that.

Saturday, September 11
September 17 - 21  (date may change)
REEL Pride 2004, Fresno's 15th International Gay and Lesbian Film festival is proud to announce the addition of a fifth day of programming! Building on the success of last year's four days of films, star appearances, events and receptions, this year's festival promises to offer our audiences even more as we gather to celebrate the very best in gay and lesbian films, documentaries and shorts. For more information call 443-0600 or email reelpride@aol.com Their web site is www.reelpride.com

Thursday and Friday, September 23 & 24
New California Media conference will be in Fresno. The 2004 Ethnic Media Expo will have a special focus on the Central Valley and the Inland Empire. For more information, go to: www.ncmonline.com

Friday, October 22
5:30 PM
Demonstration against police brutality will be held in Fresno. Participants are asked to wear black, bring candles and the name of the love one who has been lost to law enforcement/migra/ prison guard violence. For more information contact No Nos Vamos at (559) 498-6033 or defensora@hotmail.com

Wednesday, October 27
6 PM
Take Back The Night is a gathering and march that will be held at the Fresno State Peace Garden. It is an international event that made its first US debut in San Francisco in 1978. Now, it is celebrated all over the US, with the essence of making the night safer for everyone, especially women.

"The purpose of Take Back The Night is to unify women, men, and children in an awareness of violence against women, children, and families," according to Campus Outreach Services, an online resource "on today’s critical gender issues." www.campusoutreachservices.com

During the gathering, there will be speakers with diverse life experiences surrounding domestic violence and sexual assault. There will also be community awareness groups providing information to the college community and the Fresno area. The march, a symbolic act of "taking back the night," will take place after the speakers and candle light vigil that marks a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives due to violence.

An "open mike" session will conclude the event and will offer individuals the opportunity to respond to the issues of violence against women and sexual assault in a comfortable environment of acknowledgment, support, and advocacy. In the weeks prior to the event, the Women’s Alliance will provide the opportunity for individuals to participate in this gathering by designing luminaries, as well as placing ribbons on the Spiral of Healing memorial quilt. The quilt was designed to remember those women who have been victims of violence - - those who survived and those who did not.

Take Back the Night is sponsored by the Women’s Alliance and the Women’s Resource Center. For more information, please call the Fresno State Women’s Resource Center at 278-4435.

Tuesday, November 2
Election Day - Unite to defeat Bush!

Friday, November 26
National Buy Nothing Day. For more information go to: http://adbusters.org/campaigns/bnd

Saturday, December 4
10 AM - 4 PM
A smorgasbord of offerings will be displayed for the community’s perusal at the First Congregational Church in Fresno. WILPF’s annual Community Craft Faire brings talents of locals from across the Valley to one place. Unique and handmade items will be available at various booths along with information about peace and social groups. Best of all, warm soup, fresh bread and desert will be sold to enjoy while you shop. There is no cost to attend and live music will be sure to get anyone in the festive mood. Get a start on holiday shopping without emptying your pockets at the WILPF craft faire.

A silent auction, raffle and other events will be held throughout the day. Come by the "big red church" (First Congregational Church, 2131 N. Van Ness, Fresno) for the annual occasion. The WILPF faire dates back to the late 1960s when the Fresno Chapter was just getting off the ground. It has been held nearly every year since its inception and serves as a social event just as well as a faire.

Friday, December 10
5 PM
El Comite NO NOS VAMOS annual candlelight vigil at the federal building honoring the International declaration of Human rights. Bring candles, poetry, drums, and people to combat the on going human rights abuses in the world and here at home by the United States Government. Call Comite No Nos Vamos at 498-6033 for more information.