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

6 August: MIT International Development Design Conference, with presentations of alternative technology prototypes and a reception. 4-6:30 pm in the Bartos Theatre in the Meida Lab (MIT building E15, 20 Ames St., near Kendall Square). More information.

6 August: Vigil in Commemoration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings, 7-9 pm in Watertown Square, 7-9 pm. More information.

7 August: "CISPES Report-back", A People's Symposium from a fact-finding delegation of the Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), which recently met with former guerillas, opposition leaders, election experts, and the US Ambassador to El Salvador, during preparations for the upcoming El Salvadorian presidential election. 6 pm at Symposium Books (526 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore). More information.

7 August: Free screening of This Body Is a Prison, a 45-minute look at the psychological impact of the occupation in the West Bank. 7 pm at 243 Broadway, Cambridge (corner of Broadway and Windsor, entrance on Windsor). Refreshments provided, donations accepted. More information.

9 August: Vigil in Commemoration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings, 2 pm at the Park St. T station on the Common. More information.

9 August: Planning meeting for the October 11 antiwar demonstration, kick off organizing for the event and the formation of an ad hoc October 11 Coalition. 3 pm in Encuentro5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor, Chinatown).

9 August: What is Zionism? Is anti-Zionism anti-Semitic? Does the antiwar movement have to take a stand against Zionism as part of its work? Join the Socialist Party of Boston at 6 pm in the Corner Mall (food court) at Downtown Crossing for an informal discussion of these issues coming out of June's National Assembly in Cleveland.

9 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).

14 August: How to Use Open Media Boston, a free training. 6-8 pm in Encuentro5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor, Chinatown). Limited slots are available, so RSVP to info (at) openemediaboston (dot) org. More information.

14-17 August: "Think Outside the Bomb -- National Youth Conference on Nuclear Abolition", at MIT. Space is limited, get more information and apply here, news coverage.

14-16 August: Protest former American Psychological Association (APA) president Martin Seligman and psychologists' involvement with torture at the APA convention. More details to come.

16 August: The Mattapan Energy Fair, featuring hands-on workshops on building your own solar space heater for south-facing windows and movable window insulation, along with displays and talks from area organizations involved in conservation, clean energy production, and related issues. 10 am to 2 pm at the Mattapan Family Service Center (535 River St., Mattapan Square). 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).

16 August: Benefit party for radical publishers South End Press, featuring dancing, drinking, door prizes, raffles, books, friends, family, and good times. 8 pm to 1 am at Spontaneous Celebrations (45 Danforth St., Jamaica Plain). $8 suggested donation. More information.

21 August: Performance of Paint the Town Red, a one act play about two anarchists living in the subways of New York and how far they will go to attain absolute freedom. 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). More information.

22 August: Benefit for Open Media Boston Youth Training in Collaborative Media. 6-9 pm in Encuentro5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor, Chinatown). $10+ (sliding scale) at the door. More information.

23 August: Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration on the 81st anniversary of their execution. Rally at 1 pm in Copley Square, then march to the North End at 3 pm for a new world of freedom. More information.

23 August: Meet the editors and contributors to In the Middle of a Whirlwind, a one-off online journal of theory, art, activism and organizing that inquires into current organizing efforts in the United States, and through that process, assembles a strategic analysis of current political composition as a tool for building political power. 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). More information.

23 August: Benefit Show for the Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration Society, featuring live music, performances, food and fun, with proceeds going to paying the expenses of the day's rally, and also towards a fund to put up a memorial statue. 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). More information.

31 August: August 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).

1 September: Join the Socialist Party at the 24th annual Bread and Roses Festival in Lawrence. More information to come.

5 September: World premiere of The Boys of Winter, a new antiwar play written by Barry Brodsky, Dean B. Kaner, and Eric Small, directed by Bridget Kathleen O'Leary, with proceeds to benefit Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War. 8 pm at the Boston Playwrights' Theatre (949 Commonwealth Ave., on the Green Line (B), wheelchair accessible). $20 tickets (some discounts available). Order tickets or get more information.

13 September: Free screening of two groundbreaking documentaries about abortion by filmmakers Sarah Diehl and Angie Young. Berlin-based Diehl's film, Abortion Democracy -- Poland/South Africa, compares and contrasts abortion policy in the two countries and argues for a liberalization of abortion laws. Young's The Coat Hanger Project focuses on the current state of the US pro-choice movement 35 years after Roe v. Wade and specifically targets the post-1973 generation. 6:30 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). More information.

16 September: "When Checks and Balances Fail -- The Media and Civil Liberties in the 2008 Election", a Constitution Day conversation featuring Eric Alterman of The Nation, Ellen Hume of MIT, and Callie Crossley of Harvard, emceed by journalist Barry Nolan. 6-8 pm in the Boston Public Library's Rabb Lecture Hall (700 Boylston St., Copley Square). Free and open to the public, although registration is required. More information.

18 September: Walter C. Clemens reads from and discusses his new book, Ambushed! -- A Cartoon History of the George W. Bush Administration. 6 pm at Symposium Books (526 Commonwealth Ave., Kenmore). More information.

11 October: Antiwar demonstration supported by the June National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations.

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

August 2008

5 August: Free screening of Discovering Dominga, an hour-long film about the political awakening of a Guatemalan-American, which sheds light on an act of genocide against this hemisphere’s largest indigenous majority. 7-9 pm at the Central Square Library (45 Pearl St., Cambridge), refreshments provided.

5 August: "The Dynamics of Apartheid", featuring presentations on South Africa, Mexico, and Palestine, by Adam Habib, Nancy Murray, and Gabe Camacho. Also featuring the Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights' Exhibit: Apartheid -- South Africa to Palestine. 6:30-8:30 pm at the Community Church (565 Boylston St., Copley Square).

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.

2 August: Join Verizon workers and their allies for a candle-light vigil to mark the expiration of their contract. 10 pm at 185 Franklin St., Boston. More information.

2 August: Bill Fletcher speaks on his new book Solidarity Divided -- The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path toward Social Justice. 6-8 pm at the North Shore Labor Council (112 Exchange St., Lynn). Fletcher is a long-time Boston resident, union activist, and teacher at UMass Boston.

2 August: Protest Bush in Kennebunkport, ME, to demand an end to the war in Iraq and no further war against Iran. Assemble at the Consolidated School on School St in Kennebunkport by 12:30 pm, where the march will begin at noon. Allow plenty of travel time and bring comfy shoes and lots of water for the two-mile walk.

2 August: Demonstrate to stop recruitment and prevent a war on Iran. Meet at noon by the Park Street T station on the Common, then picket the US Army Recruiting Center across the street (141 Tremont St.). Followed by a march to the Israeli consulate. More information.

2 August: Beautiful Me(s): Finding our Revolutionary Selves in Black Cuba is the true story of a group of graduate students at Yale who journey to Cuba and discover hope for the struggle against racism. Three of the students featured are MMUF fellows (Erin Chapman, Ph.D., Josh Guild, Ph.D., and Besenia Rodriguez, Ph.D.) and two current MMUF fellows worked behind-the-scenes (Seulghee Lee as an associate producer and Kiana Green as an editor). Part of the Roxbury Film Festival see roxburyfilmfestival.org at Wentworth, Blount Auditorium at 11 am 550 Parker St., Boston, MA.

1 August: "McCain and Obama Contend to Lead U.S. Rulers' Wars Abroad and Assaults on Workers' Rights at Home", a talk by Alyson Kennedy, Socialist Workers Party candidate for Vice-president of the US. 7:30 pm at the Militant Labor Forum Hall (13 Bennington Street, second floor, East Boston), preceded by a reception at 7 pm. $5 suggested donation.

1 August: Join photojournalist and Latin America solidarity activist Jim Harney at an event honoring him as he embarks on a walk from Boston to Washington DC in support of the undocumented, while facing serious cancer. 7 pm at the First Church Unitarian (6 Eliot St., at Centre St., Jamaica Plain).

July 2008

31 July: Verizon Solidarity Rally. On 2 August the Verizon Contract expires for all of the Northeast. Come out and show your support for our telephone workers as they fight for their health care and the right to organize at Verizon Business and Wireless. 6 pm at 185 Franklin St., Boston. More information.

31 July: Rally against cost cutting that could harm quality care due to Bain Capital's corporate buyout at Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the third largest child care company in the US. 11:30 am at the Christain Science Plaza (Corner of Huntington and Belvedere).More information.

31 July: "Human Rights: Ideas and Action" conference to (1) explore how local organizing has used the idea; (2) appreciate global advances in human rights, especially from the Global South; and (3) deepen existing or foster new relationships between the scholars and activists. 9 am to 5:30 pm at the Boston Public Library and Old South Church (both in Copley Square). Free and open to organizers, including a lunch served at the Old South Church. More information, news coverage.

30 July: Rally for Justice and Dignity by janitors at Tufts University who, a day before their contract expires, are asking for just wages and full-time work so that they may be able to take care of their families in a struggling economy. 11:30 am at the Tufts-New England Medical Center (145 Harrison Ave., Boston).

30 July: Meet Guatemalan and Tanzanian engineers, featuring hear presentations on the Maya Pedal organization in Guatemala and the Vijana Vocational Training Center in Arusha, Tanzania. 7-9:30 pm at Bikes Not Bombs (284 Amory St., by the Stony Brook T stop on the Orange Line), food provided -- email carl (at) bikesnotbombs (dot) org so they know how much food to plan.

29 July: An evening of folk, rock, pop, and jazz music to benefit Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War. 8:30 pm at Johnny D's (17 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville). Performers include Celia Slattery, Deb Pasternak, Porch Party Mamas, Media Made, and Katrina Degel Jazz Quartet. Admission $15. More information.

29 July: "The Struggle for Abortion Rights in Ireland", a presentation about twenty years of pro-choice activism, given by Aileen O'Carroll, an Irish anarchist and member of the Workers Solidarity Movement. 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).

29 July: Meeting of the Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration Society, to plan 23 August actions. 6 pm at the Democracy Center (45 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square).

29 July: A vigil to press passage of three bills that would stop post-foreclosure evictions. 8-9:30 am at the State House. The bills are:
- A 6 Month Moratorium on Foreclosures (S2663/H4733)
- Extending Just Cause Protections for Tenants in Foreclosed Properties (S2664/H4734)
- Judicial Foreclosures: Right To A Day in Court (S2662/H4735)

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) -- minutes.

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 at the Community Church (565 Boylston St., Copley Square).

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).

25 July: Benefit Show for TJ's Vegan Pizza Collective at Papercut Zine Library (45 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square). 6 pm, $7.

24 July: "Which Way Forward for the Antiwar Movement?" a public meeting and discussion on the focus, strategy, and tactics it will take to building the antiwar movement and stop the wars and occupations. 7 pm in room 272 of Jamaica Plain's English High School (144 McBride St., two blocks south of the Green Street Stop on the Orange Line).

24 July: Planning meeting for antiwar actions on Saturday, 2 August. 6:30 pm in the Action Center (in the Brewery, 284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain). More information.

23 July: Protest against pro-war lobbying group AIPAC at their "Young Leaders' Fourth Annual Summer Event", 7 pm at the nightclub Felt (533 Washington St., Chinatown and Downtown Crossing T stations).

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.

23 July: "Two Walls, One Struggle -- A Report from Palestine" by Gabriel Camacho with guest speaker Merrie Najimy. 6:30 pm at Encuentro5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor, by the Chinatown T stop on the Orange Line). More information.

23 July: In solidarity with the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal being held in Colombia, Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner will introduce a resolution to declare Boston a "Coke Free" City. Join with Boston area unionists and community activists to support this important act of solidarity with Colombian trade unionists. 3:30 pm in the Piemonte Room on the third floor of Boston City Hall.

23 July: CORI Reform Day of Action to lobby for the passage of CORI reform before the legislature adjourns at the end of the month. Gather at noon on the State House steps for a speakout, followed by visits to legislative offices to lobby for CORI reform. News coverage.

22 July: Planning meeting for antiwar actions on Saturday, 2 August. 6:30 pm in the third floor lounge of the UMass Boston campus center.

22 July: Screening and discussion of Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, a 45-minute film on the North Atlantic slave trade. 12-1:30 p.m. at the Community Change Library on Racism (14 Beacon St., Room 605). More information.

21 July: Conference call interview with Steve Early, labor journalist and former organizing director of CWA (Communication Workers of America) District 1, on current events in SEIU (Service Employees International Union), and rank-and-file criticism of increasing centralism and deal-making with employers. 9:30 pm, dial-In number 712-580-8020, code 35851. More information.

21 July: Initial planning meeting for organizing antiwar actions in Boston on Saturday, 11 October. 6:30 pm at Encuentro5 (33 Harrison Ave., fifth floor, by the Chinatown T stop on the Orange Line). More information.

21 July: Protest John McCain as he visits Kennebunkport. Meet CodePink and the Kennebunks Peace Department at 10 am at the Consolidated School Parking lot on School St. in Kennebunkport. Be prepared for a long walk.

20 July: Author Seth Tobocman presents his new book, Disaster and Resistance -- Comics and Landscapes for the 21st Century with music by Eric Blitz (drummer) and Steve Wishnia (guitarist). 7:30-8:30 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).

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).

19 July: Protest the threat of an attack on Iran. Vigil begins at 10 am in Arlington Center, followed at 11 by a march to Porter Square and gathering there at noon. More information.

18 July: Screening of the film Labor's Turning Point -- The Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934, followed by discussion. 7:30 pm at the Militant Labor Forum Hall (13 Bennington Street, second floor, East Boston). $5 suggested donation.

18 July: Send-off party for Northeast Climate Confluence. 6-10 pm at The Democracy Center (45 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square), featuring music, speakers, food and dance. The Northeast Climate Confluence is a social/environmental justice gathering in High Falls, NY, 30 July through 3 August. $5-$50 sliding-scale suggested donation (no one turned away). More information.

17 July: Join the Women's Fightback Network and International Action Center to plan the August 2 demonstration to Stop the War on Iran, as well as actions to fight back against utility shutoffs and foreclosures. 6:30 pm at the Brewery (284 Amory St. Jamaica Plain, near the T stop on the Orange Line).

17 July: Help collect signatures for Todd Vachon at Willimantic's "Third Thursday" street festival (6-9 pm). More information.

17 July: Join telephone workers, elected officials, labor leaders and community supporters in a picket and rally for good jobs, 6:30 am in front of Verizon's facility in downtown Brockton (1690 Main St.). More information.

16 July: Frank Ackerman reads from his new book, Poisoned for Pennies, on the economics of toxics and precaution. 7-9 pm at the Stockholm Environment Institute (11 Curtis Ave., Somerville, near Tufts University). Light refreshments will be served 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.