Week of March 16, 2006

For and updated East End Report click here


In this week's report: [ click on any of the bold headers below ]

Leonard Peltier Petition


East End to New Orleans

March 19 in Riverhead: East End Women in Black Join North Fork People of Conscience at the start of the 4th Year of the Iraq War

Peace & Justice Calendar

Suffolk Peace Vigils

Counter Recruiting Schedule

Alternative Media for Eastern LI

See the new North Fork People of Conscience web site

Also see the Suffolk Progressive Vision web site for links to more local events.

The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst. Send comments, corrections and
event listings to eastendreport@yahoo.com

Leonard Peltier Petition

"...we give of ourselves in order to make the world a better place. Leonard has made an immeasurable contribution as a symbol of hope, for all those to whom it has been long denied - the Native Peoples of this and every Land. Might the empires of this world finally choose courage enough to show the generations who are yet to come, that all people have the right to dignity, all people have the right to justice."

Rev. Holly Haile Davis, DD
Shinnecock Reservation, NY



In 1975, members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) were called on for protection by Oglala Sioux residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. A corrupt tribal goverment ruled the reservation. Violent acts by the tribal police and gangs allied with the tribal council were perpetrated against those who opposed them. The Tribal Council cooperated closely with US government Bureau of Indian Affairs personnel in the area.

Members of AIM were camped out on the reservation when the FBI staged a raid which resulted in a fire fight and the death of one Native American and two FBI agents.

Subsequently Lenard Peltier of AIM was hunted down and tried for the murders of the two FBI agents. He was sentenced to two life sentences. His supporters believe there is little or no evidence to connect him with the murders.

Supporters of Leonard Peltier are circulating a petition to get the FBI to release files never published that may have a bearing on his murder conviction.

To sign the petition you can go to www.petitiononline.com/comerade/

Excerpt:
"I am writing in regard of Leonard Peltier. Mr. Peltier is a Native American activist who is currently imprisoned at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Mr. Peltier has been incarcerated for over 27 years as a result of a shoot-out at the Pine Ridge Reservation on June 26, 1975 that resulted in the deaths of three men: two FBI agents & a young Native American man.

Currently, Mr. Peltier's attorneys are attempting to secure his files from the FBI under the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA requests have been made on Mr. Pelter's behalf to FBI Headquarters as well as to a number of FBI field offices around the country. Unfortunately, the FBI has used a number of methods to circumvent its obligation under the FOIA. ..."

The following excerpts from "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Peter Matthiessen * may explain reasons for the cooperation between the government and a 'puppet regime' on the Pine Ridge Reservation and the 'war' between the government and AIM.

"After World War II uranium was discovered not far south of the Black Hills city named for Custer."

In 1971 an Interior Department- endorsed study "decreed that the Black Hills aquifers - the only real source of water in this dry country - could sustain massive exploitation of the coal, oil, and uranium resources of the region."

"Exploratory drilling endsued in the Black Hills and government agencies made preliminary surveys on the Indian reservations..."

".. in the early 70's even the tribal councils were forced to weigh the benefits of the mining leases against the long-term welfare of their nations, not simply because the terms arranged by the BIA were so disadvantageous but because the destruction of the land must lead to the certain destruction of the Indian people."

(In 1974) "...AIM now intended a shift of emphasis toward the prevention of continuing resource exploitation in Indian land"

"On the day before the shoot-out at Oglala Richard Wilson of the Tribal Council awarded custody to the US government of a large tract of Indian land .. on the Pine Ridge Reservation."

* Viking, New York, copyright by Peter Matthiessen, 1980, 1983, 1991

East End to New Orleans

Several East Enders are headed to New Orleans to participate in reconstruction of homes destroyed in the flooding of the lower 9th ward, home to African-Americans whose neighborhood is threatened with abandonment by city, state and federal authorities.

Dan Steiger of Sag Harbor, founder of East End Direct Action is planning his second trip to NOLA. Dan tells why he is going again and how you can help with this effort:

Recently I went to New Orleans with my friend Conor Wolf to volunteer in some reconstruction efforts and to learn more about what happened during and after Katrina.

I learned a lot particularly about the levee system and why parts of it failed while other parts held. I got to spend two weeks contributing my labor to the reconstruction of a house damaged by the hurricane and flooding. I learned a little more about FEMA; how they waste government funds and why they did'nt deliver the trailers that should have been delivered to people who lost their homes.


In order to be more effective and participate with local people in New Orleans, we are partnering with People’s Hurricane Relief Fund and Oversight Committee. This coalition has been
“set up to address the immediate and long term need for justice,
accountability and comprehensive reconstruction of the communities neglected and devastated following Katrina.”

The idea of partnering is one in which we seek to establish a working relationship with persons in New Orleans. We can take direction from them, and share our abilities with them. Learning from them and working together we make all our lives better.


We have decided to return to New Orleans’s 9th Ward to help with more reconstruction. We will be leaving on March 22 from Sag Harbor for a 2-week stay and we invite you to join us.


We need carpenters, masons, painters, builders, laborers and handypersons. If you would like to come but can’t stay for the entire 2 weeks we would still welcome you.


If you can’t come with us but can contribute to this effort we would appreciate that as well. Tools the group needs most are a power washer and a small generator to power tools where there is no electricity.


For more information on the trip and ways you may be able to help please contact me at 631 - 276 - 6544 or email me at meriger@hotmail.com.

More information about Katrina relief efforts can be found at Katrina Action Network

Peace & Justice Calendar Starting March 16

For details about the following events scroll down:

* March 17 (Friday): Green Party Fundraiser in Setauket 7-10 pm

* March 18 (Saturday): NAACP Emancipation Jubilee in Riverhead at 11 am

* March 18 (Saturday): Bellport Women In Black March Against War 11-11:45am

* March 18 (Saturday): LI Progressive Coalition Awards Program in Great River at 11 am

* March 18 (Saturday): Procession and Vigil to Mark 3rd Anniversary of Iraq War in Setauket at 11am

* March 19(Sunday): Voices Against The War - Films, Speakers & Honor the Fallen Exhibit in Riverhead 1-5pm

* March 23 (Thursday): Jobs With Justice Assembly / Dinner in Commack at 6pm

* March 26(Sunday): Mideast in Crisis - Talk by Anna Baltzer in Bridgehampton at 4:30pm

* March 27 (Monday): LI Counter Recruiting Committee Meets in Bellport at 6:30pm

* March 27(Monday): Veterans For Peace - LI Meet in Bellport 7:30 pm

Repeating Events:

( see Suffolk Peace Vigils for a complete list of weekly and monthly vigils and

New Counter Recruiting Schedule
for listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations)

* First Thursdays: Waging Peace - Meditation and Visualization in Westhampton Beach at 7pm

* Every Thursday evening - Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30

* "Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English: Mondays in Farmingville 3 to 5 pm Thursdays in East Hampton at 7 pm

* Second Tuesday of Month: South Fork Chapter of LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30 pm

Details follow:

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March 17 (Friday): Green Party Fundraiser in Setauket 7p.m.-10p.m.

The Green Party of Suffolk County will be holding its 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Fundraiser at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main Street, Setauket. (Main Street is north of 25A and west of Nichols Road)

It will be an evening of Music, Food, and Auctions. Children are welcome. Vegetarian and Vegan dishes will be served. There is an admission charge and tickets may be purchased for the tea-cup auction of white elephants, CDs and artwork.

For more information call 751-7145 (Joan) or 351-5763 (Roger) or www(dot)gpsuffolk(dot)org


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March 18 (Saturday): NAACP Emancipation Jubilee in Riverhead at 11 am


The Eastern Long Island Branch of the NAACP will hold its Annual Jubilee Celebrating the Emancipation Proclamation on Saturday, March 18, 2006 (11:00 a.m.) at the First Baptist Church of Riverhead on Northville Turnpike.

Local high school honor roll Students will be recognized.

More Info at elinaacp(at)aol(dot)com
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March 18 (Saturday): Bellport Women In Black March Against War 11-11:45am

The Bellport Women in Black's weekly vigil will mark the 3rd anniversary
of the occupation of Iraq. The group will meet in Bellport on Station Rd.
at South Country Rd. at 11:00-11:45 a.m. and will march up Main St. with
signs calling for an end to war.

All welcome. Signs will be provided.

For more info call: 631-286-5879
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March 18 (Saturday): LI Progressive Coalition Awards Program in Great River at 11 am

The Long Island Progressive Coalition will honor community leaders at a luncheon at the Timber Point Country Club on Great River Road in Great River from 11 am to 2pm Saturday March 18.

Those honored include East Hamptonite Anne Kellett. Ms. Kellett, a registered nurse, is an advisor on public health for the Town of East Hampton and for Suffolk County.

Also to be honored are Suffolk Legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher, Dan Cantor of the Working Families Party, Herman Washington and union leader Ernesto Mattace.

The LIPC is a grassroots organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development, revitalizing local communities, creating effective democracy and achieving economic, social and racial justice.

The LIPC's South Fork Chapter meets in Water Mill on the first Tuesday each month at 6:30pm at the Lutheran Church, Route 27 and Hayground Road.

For reservations contact the Long Island Progressive Coalition at 516-541-1006.

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March 18 (Saturday): Procession and Vigil to Mark 3rd Anniversary of Iraq War in Setauket at 11am

The North Country Peace Group (NCPG), with the support of other Suffolk-based peace and social justice organizations, will mark the third anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq with a procession and vigil on Saturday, March 18. All are welcome to join the march, which will start from the King Kullen shopping center on 25A in Setauket at 11:00 am and end at the site of the NCPG's weekly demonstration against the war at the corner of 25A and Bennett's Road (about .4 mile). After the procession, a vigil with guest speakers and music will take place at the corner location from 11:30 am - 12 noon.

For further information about the NCPG and/or the March 18 event, please contact (631) 473-0136 or (516) 398-9386.
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March 19(Sunday): Voices Against The War - Films, Speakers & Honor the Fallen Exhibit in Riverhead 1-5pm

On Sunday, March 19th, 2006 North Fork People of Conscience will be marking the day we enter the fourth year of the Iraq war. The event will be held from 2-5 pm. at Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, 18 Peconic Avenue in Riverhead.

The program includes the Honor the Fallen Memorial. In an ever-growing series of 120 photographic panels, each holding 18 individual lives in photographs and short biographies, the memorial remembers the more than 2,400 US soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. These panels will be displayed on the walls, floors and balconies of the Hall - as many as there is space for. The Memorial will be open for viewing at 1 pm.

Two films will be shown: "Occupation: Dreamland" about combat in Falluja prior to the bloody attempt to retake the town. "Recruit Me", a short film by Matt Dadonna, a North Fork high school student.

Speakers include:

Michael Harmon, a recently returned Iraqi Vet and member of Iraq Vets Against the War, who was deployed as a combat medic.

Carmen Trotta, Catholic Worker activist.

John Phillips, retired NYPD officer who was arrested for protesting in Senator Hillary Clinton’s office

Funds raised through admission tickets, merchandise and refreshments will be used entirely to create more laminated panels to reflect the mounting dead.

More information at the new North Fork People of Conscience web site www(dot)nfpofc(dot)blogspot(dot)com

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March 19 (Sunday): East End Women in Black Join North Fork People of Conscience on the 4th Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion 1-5 pm in Riverhead


East End Women in Black will move their usual 3rd Sunday vigil from Sag Harbor to the Vail Levitt Music Hall in Riverhead.

We will join North Fork People of Conscience in observing the 3rd anniversary of the Iraq War. We urge everyone to join us and to contribute to the fund to memorialize the US war dead. For details of the program see March 19 posting above.

Info about East End Women in black at www(dot)eewib(dot)blogspot(dot)com or 631-276-6544
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March 23 (Thursday): Jobs With Justice Assembly / Dinner in Commack at 6pm

The next Jobs with Justice-LI Delegate Assembly is set for Thursday, March 23rd.
Dinner is at 6pm. The meeting will take place at CSEA in Commack (directions below).

These meetings are open and welcoming to new faces.
For more Info contact Jim McAsey. Email jim@jwj.org

CSEA region 1 is at 3 Garet Pl in Commack.

From the east:

LIE W to exit 53. Continue on the service road past the Sunken Meadow PK. Make a RIGHT on Commack Rd (route 4). Make your first RIGHT onto Henry. Go straight into the shopping center. CSEA is between Expo and Costco.

From the west:

LIE E to exit 52. Continue straight on the service road to Crooked Hill Rd (route 13). Make a LEFT on Crooked Hill. Go under the LIE, and make a RIGHT into shopping center. CSEA is between Expo and Costco.

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March 26(Sunday): Mideast in Crisis - Talk by Anna Baltzer in Bridgehampton at 4:30pm

Hear the facts first hand from Anna Baltzer, a Jewish-American observer living in the West Bank and working with the International Women's Peace Service.

See Anna's blog: http://annainpalestine.blogspot.com/

The talk will be held at the new Unitarian Meeting House at 977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton at 4:30 pm. Discussion after the talk.

Sponsored by:
Committee for Peace in Israel and Palestine,
Peconic Bay Quaker Meeting,
Unitarian Social Action Committee,
East End Women in Black

Contact Helen at misfitz(at)optonline(dot)net
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March 27 (Monday): LI Counter Recruiting Committee Meets in Bellport at 6:30pm

The LI Counter Recruiting Committee will hold a meeting for interested adults
to discuss the rights of the Conscientious Objector. The intention is to pass
this info along to youth to help them interested in establishing a CO file.

The meeting will be at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bellport,
51 Browns Lane. For info call 631-875-8647
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March 27(Monday): Veterans For Peace - LI Meet in Bellport 7:30 pm

Long Island Chapter of Veterans for Peace will meet at the Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Bellport, 51 Browns Lane at 7:30pm

For info call 631-286-0090.
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Repeating Events:

See Suffolk Peace Vigils for a complete list of weekly and monthly vigils

See Counter Recruiting Schedule for a listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations.

___________________________________________________

First Thursday each month:

Waging Peace - Meditation and Visualization in Westhampton Beach at 7pm

A community gathering designed by a psychotherapist to combat feellings of helplessness and powerlessness. This is the first of a series every first Thursday of the month at 32 Mill Road in Westhampton Beach from 7 to 8pm.

Contact Nancy Privett at 325-1402 or nlprivett@yahoo.com ___________________________________________________

Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30 pm

The group meets at the Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway on Thursdays at 6:30pm

Contact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita(at)verizon(dot)net ____________________________________________________

"Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English:

Mondays in Farmingville:

Herstory Writers Workshop meets every Monday afternoon at the Farmingville branch of the Workplace Project from 3 to 5. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking women come together to share and shape their life experiences through memoir writing. The workshop is conducted in both English and Spanish. Call 631-723-0150 for more information and directions to the center.

Thursdays in East Hampton:

Every Thursday women come together to share their writing with one another and receive feedback on how to structure and shape their lifewriting.The East Hampton workshop is open to East Hampton Town residents.

It meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 128 Springs-Fireplace Road. ___________________________________________________

Second Tuesday each month: South Fork Chapter - LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30pm

The regular monthly meeting of the South Fork chapter of the Progressive Coalition is at 6:30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Lutheran Church on Montauk Highway & Hayground Rd. between Water Mill and Bridgehampton. Info: 516-541-1006, ext.55 or www dot lipc dot org

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Send event listings for next week's report by 5pm Tuesday to eastendreport@yahoo.com

Plain old text would be appreciated!