Current events

From SP Boston

Events listed here are not necessarily organized or endorsed by the Socialist Party.

1 Upcoming events
2 Ongoing events
3 Other calendars
4 Past Events

Upcoming events

4 July: Anti-Imperialist Fourth of July celebration, 12-4 pm in the Charles River Reservation off Soldiers Field Rd. past Elliot Bridge. More information.

4 July: Unwelcome Cheney to Boston. 10:30 am at Pier 1 in the Charleston Naval Yards, where the Constitution docks.

5 July: Commemorate the 197th anniversary of Venezuelan independence with the Venezuelan Consul General, Carlos Osorio. Noon at City Hall (Government Center), 1 pm at Brookline Public Library (31 Pleasant St., Coolidge Corner), featuring music, food, and a screening of the film Francisco de Miranda: Life, Labor and Legacy.

8 July: "Welcoming Massachusetts" Campaign Kick-Off Event. Wear red or a white shirt and come hear about what we can do to help make a difference in our own communities as we make Massachusetts a welcoming state. 11 am to noon on the Grand Staircase in the State House. There will be a small potluck lunch at the end of the event. More information.

8 July: Free screening of Las Cruces, a film about a brutal military attack on a Guatemalan village in the 1980s. 7-9 pm at the Central Square Library (45 Pearl St., Cambridge), refreshments provided.

9 July: Join Veterans For Peace in supporting war resistors in Canada. 2 pm at the back side of the Copley Square. Show up at 11:30 am to help collect signatures to the letter linked here: More information.

9 July: Hear a report about Community Labor United's "Secure Jobs, Secure Communities" campaign. 6 pm at the First Church in Roxbury (10 Putnam St., near Dudley Square and the Roxbury Crossing T stop on the Orange Line). More information.

11-13 July: Socialist Party National Organizing Conference, at the ICC Education Center (1522 Hill St. Ann Arbor, MI). More information.

12 July: Help send bikes to Ghana, 10:30 am until it's done (around 4 pm?) at 179 Boylston St., Jamaica Plain, 2 blocks from the StonyBrook T stop on the Orange Line. Pizza lunch provided around 1 pm, along with a short talk about the project, run by Bikes Not Bombs and the Village Bicycle Project, which has sent thousands of used bikes to Ghana, and more to other nations in Africa and Central America. In addition to the bikes, the VBP brings subsidized bike tools to Ghana, building an entire bicycle infrastructure for the country. More information.

16 July: "Winter Soldier: Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations", featuring selections from Winter Soldier testimony by Iraq Veterans Against the War, and discussion of how to help build support for soldiers speaking out against and resisting the war. 7 pm at the Cambridge Friends Meeting House (9 Longfellow Park, off of Brattle Street by Harvard Square). More information.

19 July: New England United antiwar coalition general meeting, 1-5 pm at Encuentro5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor, by the Chinatown T stop on the Orange Line).

23 July: Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Dr. Bernard Lown discusses his new memoir Prescription for Survival -- End Nuclear Madness. 7 pm in the Druker Auditorium at the Newton Free Library (330 Homer St., Newton Centre). Followed by a book-signing.

26 July: Do-It-Ourselves Skillshare on Water Conservation. Discussion of political aspects of water rights, and strategies for households to conserve and reuse water, including a demonstration of making and installing a rain barrel from a garbage can and information on reusing gray water. 2 pm at the Lucy Parsons Center (549 Columbus Ave., near the Massachusetts Ave. T stop on the Orange Line, the Symphony T stop on the Green Line (E), and the #1 bus).

26 July: "Continuity and Change in Cuba", featuring a report-back from a recent trip to Cuba by Tufts professor Claudia Kaiser-Lenoir, updates on the Cuban 5, discussion, a silent auction, photo displays, light refreshments and Cuban music. 7:30 pm, location to be announced.

27 July: July 2008 Local Meeting, noon at the Lucy Parsons Center (549 Columbus Ave., near the Massachusetts Ave. T stop on the Orange Line, the Symphony T stop on the Green Line (E), and the #1 bus).

2 August: Emergency day of action to stop war on Iran. A demonstration in New York has been planned, and others may be scheduled across the country. Check StopWarOnIran.org for current information.

2 August: Benefit show for folk singer Renzo Ortega. 7 pm at the Lucy Parsons Center (549 Columbus Ave., near the Massachusetts Ave. T stop on the Orange Line, the Symphony T stop on the Green Line (E), and the #1 bus).

4 August: Protest Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, as she discusses her new autobiography at the Kennedy Library Forum (5:30 pm at the JFK Presidential Library). While there will be no attempt to disrupt Pelosi's presentation, activists will challenge her with questions on her support for the war in Iraq, opposition to impeachment, granting immunity for illegal surveillance by telecoms, and threats of war on Iran, among other issues. At the same time, demonstrators outside the library will stage a visibility with signs. It is too late to register for the forum, which has already reached capacity. If you were able to register, make sure to arrive early as seating is open. More information.

16 August: Do-It-Ourselves Skillshare on wild food. Discuss the food crisis, alternative ways to feed ourselves, and ways to develop sustainable and just food systems, then take a weed walk with Iris Weaver, local herbalist, to identify common edible weeds. 3 pm at the Lucy Parsons Center (549 Columbus Ave., near the Massachusetts Ave. T stop on the Orange Line, the Symphony T stop on the Green Line (E), and the #1 bus).

Ongoing events

De-Militarized Zone: "Chillin' Against the Villins". Join the Socialist Party and the Stop the Wars Coalition every Friday, 6-8 pm at the corner of Mass Ave. and Boylston St., to establish a De-Militarized Zone where all those who wish can congregate to denigrate and repudiate the war machine and celebrate the movement against war and oppression. Bring your signs and minds, ready to chalk, talk, play music, paint art, and sing leftist songs with caring and sharing, in unity declaring that we are "chilling against the villins" in this zone to show our independence from the state.

The Education Department of the Boston IWW runs Spanish classes for radical labor and community organizers every Monday, 4:30-6 pm at the Jamaica Plain public library (second floor). The fee is $5 per class; the first class is free.

The Greater Boston Stop the Wars Coalition meets most Monday evenings at 6:30 pm in Encuentro 5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor) -- schedule.

Radical film night at the Lucy Parsons Center, every Wednesday at 7.

The Boston general membership branch of the IWW meets at 2 on the second Sunday of each month at the Lucy Parsons Center.

Critical Mass assembles at 5:30 on the last Friday of each month, in Copley Square.

Truth and Justice Radio, every Sunday morning 6am-10am on WZBC, Newton 90.3 FM, web streams on [1], play lists and archives accessible on [2].

Radio with a View, WMBR, Cambridge 88.1 FM and wmbr.org, Sundays 10 am to noon.

Socialist Alternative Radio, WMFO, Medford 91.5 FM and wmfo.org, Fridays 7-9 am.

Other calendars

Massachusetts Jobs with Justice events.

Current events listings on Act-MA, an email list for Boston area activists (subscribe by sending a blank email to act - ma - subscribe (at) act - ma (dot) org). See also their listing of events calendars.

Boston IMC calendar.

Upcoming events at Encuentro 5.

Past Events

July 2008

3 July: Free screening of Leila Khaled, Hijacker, a film about the first woman ever to hijack an airplane, in 1969. 7 pm at 243 Broadway, Cambridge (corner of Broadway and Windsor, entrance on Windsor). Refreshments provided, donations accepted.

3 July: Join the Women's Fightback Network at a rally and speak out to demand affordable food, fuel, and housing, and an end to utility shutoffs. 4:30-6 pm at NStar Electric & Gas (1165 Mass Ave., Dorchester, across from South Bay Mall and Super Stop-n-Shop). More information.

2 July: "The Declaration of (Whose?) Independent -- A Round-Robin Reading of Frederick Douglass’s The Meaning of July 4th for the Negro". 12-1:30 p.m. at the Community Change Library on Racism (14 Beacon St., Room 605). More information.

2 July: Global warmin g day of action. Rally at noon on Beacon St. in front of the State House, followed by lobbying for a Global Warming Solutions Act. More information.

June 2008

30 June: Author Robert Foster reads from and signs copies of his new book, Coca-Globalization -- Following Soft Drinks from New York to New Guinea. 6 pm at Symposium Books (526 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore). More information.

29 June: June 2008 Local Meeting, noon at the Lucy Parsons Center (549 Columbus Ave., near the Massachusetts Ave. T stop on the Orange Line, the Symphony T stop on the Green Line (E), and the #1 bus).

28 June: Freedom Singer Hollis Watkins performs at Boston's Old South Meeting House (310 Washington St., near Downtown Crossing). 3:30-5 pm, $5. More information

28 June: Allston Really Really Free Market, 10 am to 4 pm in Ringer Park. Experience gift economics -- bring things to give away, get free stuff (no furniture, please), meet the neighbors. Also featuring chalk, games, and sports for all ages.

28-29 June: Open National Conference to Stop the War in Iraq and Bring the Troops Home Now, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Cleveland, OH). More information.

27 June: Benefit show for a new Asheville (VA) Workers' Collective at TJ Scallywaggle's Vegan House of Pizza and Subs (487 Cambridge St., at Brighton Ave., Allston). Proceeds will go towards helping workers pay off the enormous debts that their former boss left behind. Come out for a night of great fun, great food, great music, and great education. Jam out to Jake and the Infernal Machine, learn about workplace democracy, and eat some vegan pizza! Show starts at 7, any donation welcome.

27 June: "14 Hands, 7 Toolbelts, and 1 New Orleans Family", a report-back from post-Katrina Louisiana by electricians Peg Preble and Rick Yoder, plumbers Maura Russell and Barbara Taggart, general contractor Jeff Murray, carpentry and electrical helpers Louise Johnson of SEIU and her brother Eric Johnson of Red Sun Press. 7 pm at the First Church in Jamaica Plain, Unitarian Universalist (6 Eliot St.). More information.

27 June: "The Clintons’ Antilabor Legacy -- From the Roots of the World Financial Crisis to the 2008 Elections", a talk by Second Suffolk State Senate candidate William Leonard. Dinner at 6:30 pm, talk at 7:30 pm, at the Militant Labor Forum Hall (13 Bennington Street, second floor, East Boston). Suggested donation: $5 dinner, $5 program.

26 June: Rally for Colonnade Maintenance Workers. Join members of the Area Trades Council, Jobs with Justice and other activist at a rally at the Colonnade Hotel (location), 3-5 pm. More information.

26 June: Live Webcast on the case of Del Monte Fresh Produce Southeast farmworkers who were cheated out of their hard-earned pay, featuring Richard Cohen (President of the Southern Poverty Law Center) and Mary Bauer (SPLC Immigrant Justice Project director). 2-2:30 pm. Register here to learn how to receive the Webcast and submit questions.

26 June: Protest Against Health Insurance Companies. 12-1 pm outside the MA Association of Health Care Plans offices (40 Court St., by the Government Center T Station on the Green Line). More information.

26 June: IBEW mobilization rally for Verizon telecommunications workers whose New England contract is set to expire on Saturday, 2 August. In four weeks of contract negotiations with IBEW and CWA, the company has refused to talk about any local issues. Please join the IBEW and Verizon workers in rallying for a fair contract. 6:30-7:30 am at 76 Ash St., Danvers. More information.

25 June: "Report Back from Venezuela -- Barrio Adentro Healthcare Initiative Update", a talk by two Bostonians returning from Venezuela who were able to see first hand the progress of the Barria Adentro health program. 7 pm at Encuentro 5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor).

25 June: Author Charles Lane discusses his new book, The Day Freedom Died: The Colfax Massacre, the Supreme Court, and the Betrayal of Reconstruction, which chronicles how a small army of ex-Confederate soldiers massacred dozens of African Americans in 1873 and got away scot-free. 6:30 pm in the New England School of Law's Cherry Room on the second floor of 154 Stuart St.

25 June: Meet the Community Change, Inc. Rapid Response Team and learn how to put your anti-racist values into action. The CCI Rapid Response Team is a network of volunteers who are willing to participate in antiracist actions. Meet them and find out how to become involved, 6:30-8 pm at the Community Change Library (14 Beacon St., room 605). Refreshments will be served. More information.

24 June: "Guantanamo: Into the Seventh Year", a presentation by Doris Tenant and Ellen Lubell, Newton lawyers working pro-bono in defense of a young man imprisoned at Guantanamo. 7:30 pm at the Newton Main Library (330 Homer St., Newton Centre). More information

24 June: "What a Great Society Looks Like", a talk by radical historian and author Howard Zinn to benefit Spare Change News, Boston's street paper about and sold by homeless, formerly homeless, and low-income individuals. 7-9 pm at the Old South Church (645 Bolyston St., Copley Square), $25 -- reduced-price tickets available. More information.

24 June: "The Cultural Significance of Free Software", a talk by Christopher M. Kelty, on his new book, Two Bits. 5:30 pm, room 32-144 (Stata Center) at MIT. More information.

24 June: Show support for the Cuban Five, anti-terror activists unjustly imprisoned in the United States. 4:30-6 pm in front of the Government Center T stop on the Green and Blue Lines. More information.

24 June: Rally and hearing on the working conditions of Boston area taxi drivers. Stand in solidarity with the Boston Taxi Drivers Association in demanding a reasonable fair wages and respect for these drivers 9:30 am rally and 10 am hearing in the Media Arts Auditorium at Roxbury Community College (1234 Columbus Ave., Roxbury). More information.

23 June: Free screening of Kilowatt Ours, a one-hour documentary on the environmental and social consequences of America’s voracious appetite for coal-generated electricity, possible solutions that are surprisingly accessible and affordable. Followed by a brief presentation on energy efficiency. Complimentary light appetizers will be available. Suffolk University will be distributing free compact fluorescent light bulbs. 6-8 pm at Suffolk University (73 Tremont St.). More information.

23 June: Rally in support of striking workers at the Hynes Convention Center and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, who have been working without a contract since October 2007. 5 pm at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (425 Summer St.). More information.

23 June: Civil Rights March and Speak-out to Protect Asian American Voting Rights. March begins at 10 am at the China Trade Center (Boylston St. at Washington St., at the Chinatown T stop on the Orange Line), with the speak-out at 11 am in the Great Hall of the State House. More information.

22 June: "My Trip to Gaza", a presentation by Skip Schiel. 12:15 pm at the Friends Meetinghouse in Cambridge (5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, off Brattle St.)

21 June: Benefit concert for Iraqi families featuring five-member acoustic folk band Woodwork. 7 pm at the Cambridge Friends Meeting House (5 Longfellow Pl., Cambridge, off Brattle St. near Harvard Square). $10 donations requested, to go directly to families in Baghdad. More information.

21 June: March and rally for new members of SEIU Local 615 as they go into negotiations. 12:45 pm starting at the Cathedral Church of St Paul's (138 Tremont St., across from the Park Street T Station on the Common). More information.

20 June: Forum on the Case of the Cuban Five. 7:30 pm at the Militant Labor Forum Hall (13 Bennington Street, second floor, East Boston). $5 suggested donation.

20 June: CODEPINK Banner Drop, 7 pm at the pedestrian overpass on Storrow Drive, between the Science Park T Station on the Green Line and the Charles/MGH T Station on the Red Line. Safe for both drivers and participants. More information.

18 June: "The Recession, Working People and Our Future -- Time to Organize and Fight Back!", a community forum hosted by Socialist Alternative. 6 pm at the Jackson Mann Community Center (Corner of Cambridge St. and Brighton Ave., Allston). Free and open to the public. More information.

18 June: Join PCAs, consumers and allies to tell the governor that PCAs deserve adequate pay and benefits before the home care system can fully improve in Massachusetts. Meet at noon on the Grand Staircase inside the State House. Lunch will be served. More information.

18 June: Anti-Foreclosure Rally and Lobby Day, 10:30 am at the State House. Three important bills requiring just cause for evictions, imposing a six-month moratorium on foreclosures, and allowing judicial review of foreclosures are in the works. Join the Mass Alliance Against Predatory Lending (MAAPL) to promote them and help tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents in danger of losing their homes. More information.

17 June: Author Erick Lyle of "SCAM" magazine reads from his new book, On The Lower Frequencies: A Secret History of The City, joined by Cindy Crabb, author and publisher of the autobiographical political zine "Doris" since 1994. 7:30 pm at the Lucy Parsons Center (549 Columbus Ave., near the Massachusetts Ave. T stop on the Orange Line, the Symphony T stop on the Green Line (E), and the #1 bus).

17 June: 19th Annual Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba Sendoff Event. Live music featuring Bojah and the Insurrection, speakers, food, dance, and literature. 5-8 pm at Spontaneous Celebrations (45 Danforth Street, Jamaica Plain, by the Stony Brook T stop on the Orange line). Free admission, donations to the caravan accepted. More information.

17 June: Support New Bedford Eagle Garment Workers trying to form a union at a rally at the plant gate. 4-5 pm at 89 Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford. More information.

16 June: Rally with the Norfolk County Central Labor Council to demand the contractors at the Quincy High School Project use union jobs, as required by the the Project Labor Agreement and Responsible Employer Ordinances in effect. 7 pm at Quincy City Hall (1350 Hancock St., Quincy). More information.

15 June: "CPR for the Antiwar Movement -- Mass Action and Lessons from the Vietnam Antiwar Movement". 5 pm at Encuentro 5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor). Pizza and other refreshments will be served.

15 June: "One in a Hundred: What Drives Mass Incarceration?", a talk by Lois Ahrens, founder of the Real Cost of Prisons Project. 11 am at the Community Church (565 Boylston St., Copley Square).