Week Starting August 31, 2006

For an updated East End Report click here

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

Sit Together in Peace on Good Mother Earth

From Long Island to New Orleans

North Fork People of Conscience Receives Grant

Peace & Justice Calendar

Suffolk Peace Vigils (East End Women in Black Vigil Sunday)

Counter Recruiting Schedule

Alternative Media for Eastern LI

Support Independent Media: WUSB and WPKN/WPKM need your support.
Go to wpkn(dot)org and wusb(dot)fm and contribute on line.

See wpkn.org/today for program details on WPKM heard at 88.7 Montauk to Water Mill and WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport to Southampton and Southold.

Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez: Monday- Saturday on Riverhead/Southampton/Southold Channel 20.

Monday 10pm
Tuesday 9 pm
Wednesday 6am
Thursday 5pm
Friday 7pm
Saturday 8pm

See the 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

Sit together in peace on Good Mother Earth

This weekend the Shinnecock Nation hosts the 60th annual Shinnecock Indian Powwow at the reservation off Montauk Highway, just west of Southampton Village from Friday to Monday.

The first Powwow was organized in 1947 by the late Shinnecock chief, Henry Bess - Chief Thunder Bird, in order to focus the community on their identity as native people and to welcome non-natives so they could learn about their native neighbors.

Chief Thunder Bird welcomed his guests by saying "Sit together in peace on Good Mother Earth".

This year among the many features of the Pow Wow (see Peace & Justice Calendar) which include music and dance, food and crafts we will have a chance to hear the award winning Thunder Bird Sisters for the first time in quite a while. They are the grandchildren of Chief Thunder Bird.

Their music includes original compositions that reflect their native culture. As indigenous people, they are storytellers -- singing of traditional ways of life in the Natural World and our sacred connection to Creation. The Thunder Bird Sisters' music offers a commentary on social issues that have historically faced their people, and continue to confront Indian People to this day.

Their performances are scheduled tentatively for the 'dinner break' (roughly between 5 and 7 pm) on Sunday and Monday. Check here for updates.

Dates and times for the Pow Wow:

Friday 3pm - 10pm
Saturday, Sunday 10am - 10pm
Monday 10am - 6pm

From Long Island to New Orleans

A year after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, a grass roots group,
the People's Organizing Committee is working with residents to rebuild.
Recently, Salam Hussein of the P.O.C. and Kim Mosby, a student volunteer
spoke with us at the Sag Harbor home of Dan Steiger for WPKN News.

The People's Organizing Committee has established what they call "Survivor's
Councils" in the poor, Lower Ninth ward of New Orleans and outside the city where
residents have been displaced.

Salam Hussein of the P.O.C. explained their main focus:

"We've been charged with, first of all, finding our survivors. The've been strung
out all over the country. Seeing how we can help them and inviting them to a
meeting to sit down with other residents to figure out the common problems they
all share - which number one in New Orleans is rebuilding; coming back, getting
their house fixed up, trying to re-establish schools, trying to find jobs, trying
to find health care, so people can come back."

Kim Mosby of New York University is one of many black students who volunteered
with POC. She described conducting a levee tour for other volunteers:

"the volunteers can see the differene between the wall which they call the levee
in the lower 9th ward and the 50 ft structures of concrete with earth on top of
them and parks and highways in the French Quarter and the white community off of
Lake Ponchatrain -- those are communities which didn't get any water."

Housing in the lower 9th ward is being gutted by the volunteers in preparation for
re-building. Local people are trained in the skills needed.

Mosby is also working with home owners to get them signed up for the list of
houses being saved.

"If houses aren't gutted by the 29th the government is going to consider them a
blight to the city, go in and clean them up for the resident and charge the
resident for the clean up process. If they can't really afford to get their house
gutted in the first place, they're not going to be able to pay the fees the
government is going to charge them and therefor the government is going to end up
seizing their property."

The POC has set up "Survivors councils" near Baton Rouge. People there live in
trailer parks which Mosby calls concentration camps, cut off from home town news.

Mosby says the elderly are dying in the trailers:

"They've had a huge problem with elderly in these trailers of finding them dead
weeks later - because they survey the trailer parks but don't knock on doors
of the elderly. I think in Renasaince Village, the largest park, they have found 58
bodies since it opened."

The P.O.C is seeking more volunteers and contributions of money and materials for
the rebuilding effort.

Information is available at www.peoplesorganizing.org
or you may contact Dan Steiger on Long Island at 631-831-4966.
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This report was prepared for WPKN Local News heard Monday-Friday at 6:30 pm
on WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport, CT, WPKM 88.7 Montauk, NY

NORTH FORK PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE Receives Grant

The Southold-based peace group, North Fork People of Conscience, is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF). The award came with a recommendation from the Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund (LIUU Fund).

This generous grant will be transmitted through the Community Land Trust of Southold, Inc. (CLT) which will serve as the funds administrator for North Fork People of Conscience. NFPOC is a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers.
The group is non-partisan and the funds will not be used to support fundraising events for political candidates or other electioneering activities.

According to NFPOC director, Pat Hovey, “We are grateful to LICF and LIUU because this grant will help support our ongoing work, including educating the public about the consequences of the war in Iraq and the connections between war and other national and local issues confronted by our community.”

The funds will support NFPOC’s Honor the Fallen memorial to the casualties of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars.
Through panels of photographs and biographies, the Honor the Fallen memorial bears witness to the U. S. servicemen and women who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The memorial also honors the Iraqis who have perished in the war. The memorial has been displayed in numerous venues, from New York City to Greenport. “Visiting the memorial has been a very moving experience for most people,” said Eleanor Oakley, an NFPOC director. “when they look at the faces of those killed and read about whom they have left behind. After spending time with the panels, those killed can no longer remain anonymous. Unfortunately, we have to update the memorial every month because every month more soldiers die.”

As part of its community-based mission, NFPOC is presenting a Documentary Film Series spotlighting films that deal with the consequences of war.
The first in the series, “Sisters in the Resistance” will be shown at Peconic Landing in Greenport on August 25 at 8PM. Admission is free. The group plans to screen films on a monthly basis. “This very generous grant will allow us to screen more films in numerous venues”, says Ms. Hovey, “and this in turn will, hopefully, generate more awareness and discussion about the costs of war”.

Congradulations to NFPOFC. More Information can be found at nfpofc.blogspot.com

Peace & Justice Calendar Starting Thursday Aug 31

For details about the following events SCROLL DOWN:

* September 1 - 4 (Friday-Monday): 60th Annual Pow Wow at Shinnecock Res. 3pm-10pm Friday, 10 am-10pm Sat. & Sun, 10am-6pm Mon.

* September 3 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm

* September 5 (Tuesday): Prayer Meeting in Support of Immigrant Rights Prior to Suffolk Legislative Meeting in Hauppage at 8am.

* September 5 (Tuesday): Suffolk Peace Network Meets in Bellport at 6:30pm

* September 5 (Tuesday): Veterans for Peace Meet in Bellport at 7:30pm

* September 11 (Monday): Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace on Fire Island 8 - 9:30am

* September 17 (Sunday): : East End Community Gathering at Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays 1 to 6pm

* September 17 (Sunday): Constitution Day - Reading the Constitution in Bridgehampton from 6 to 9pm
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Repeating Events:

( see Counter-Recruiting for listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations)

* Sunday Nights: "Bush is a Liar Choir" rehearses in Lindenhurst from 7 to 9pm

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

* "Herstory" Writing Workshops on Wednesdays in Farmingville (Spanish and English) 3 to 5 pm and Thursdays in Spanish only 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:

September 1 - 4 (Friday-Monday): Pow Wow at Shinnecock Res. 3pm-10pm Friday, 10 am-10pm Sat. & Sun, 10am-6pm Mon.

The 60th annual Shinnecock Pow Wow will be held this Labor Day weekend at the Shinnecock Reservation off of Montauk Highway west of Southampton Village.

The event will include:

Music (Shinnecock's own singing Thunder Bird Sisters, flutist Derek Whirlwind, rapper Litefoot (Oklahoma Cherokee), dance (Aztec Dancers from Mexico, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers) and the Inter-tribal singing and dancing competitions.

Crafts demonstrations: ( bow and arrow making, wood and antler carving, leather work and more).

Food and other Items for sale: chowders, frybread, succotash, venison, Navajo rugs, moccasins, jewelry.

Not enough info? Contact the tribal office at 631-283-6143 or go to www.shinnecocknation.com
or email nationspowwow@optonline.net.

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September 3 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Gaza and Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm

East End Women in Black continue their long running vigil this Sunday September 3 at 5pm at the monument/flagpole in Bridgehampton. This is the fifth year of these vigils.

There will be another vigil at 5pm in Bridgehampton on Sunday September 10 and in Sag Harbor at the Wharf on September 17.

More Info: www.eewib.blogspot.com or 631-831-4966

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September 5 (Tuesday): Prayer Meeting in Support of Immigrant Rights Prior to Suffolk Legislative Meeting in Hauppage at 8am.

Please join us this Tuesday morning, September 5 at 8:00 am for a morning of prayer, song and silence in solidarity with a community that needs healing and compassion. Please plan on speaking out to this frightened and cowered legislature against this proposed law. Bring a prepared 3 minute statement to present at the legislative hearing.

Immigration is a deeply relevant issue for both Americans and the faith community. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants, one that has been continually reshaped by new groups of people bringing diverse cultures, perspectives, and resources. Immigration is also a core issue for the faith community that reveres the Bible: the biblical story continually shows God's concern for the migrant and the outcast. The early Hebrews were "strangers in the land of Egypt " and were asked to remember this heritage by protecting the strangers among them in the promised land. Similarly, throughout the New Testament, Christians are called to care for the outcast and the stranger. (from Sojourners)

Despite this call to higher acts, many immigrants find themselves under attack. In early August, the Suffolk Co Executive proposed the legislature pass the most draconian anti-immigrant law seen in New York State since 1920. The law will force businesses with County contracts to fire suspected 'illegal' immigrants. Suffolk County has decided to enforce its own national immigration policy rather than leaving it to the Federal government. It is a pattern we have unfortunately seen exhibited by our County Executive previously.

County Executive Steve Levy, has lashed out against Latinos due to what he cites as a rise in crime. In fact, the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports show that despite the influx of more than 200,000 immigrants in the last decade, crime has actually fallen. The rate of criminality among immigrants is only slightly more than the rate in the U.S. Congress. Since the immigrant workers have arrived, Suffolk has seen the declining economy rebound since 1993 and housing values have more than doubled! He has repeated the untruth that immigrants are bankrupting our hospitals, even though he knows full well that 65 million American citizens are without any health coverage during some time in the last 12 months. For the middle class and poor health delivery has been catastrophically dismal for decades. It is not immigrants that have exposed a health system on the brink of collaspe. It is not immigrants that cause an estimated 18,000 deaths per year, because these people are without the resources to pay for medicines and necessary care. Yet the immigrant has become the easy scapegoat of ambitious, but often unscroupulous politicians

Despite the demonstrable and magnificant value that these working people have brought to our community, Levy' s law has brought out the worst in a segment of the county's population. The Minutemen have disrupted public and private meetings refusing to reduce their bullying agressive tactics to intididate our neighbors into silence.

All participants are asked to not engage counter-protestors or police. This Interfaith Prayer vigil is about solidarity for a community under attack. On this Labor Day Weekend let's remember that immigrants are workers too!


What you can do:

Join us in Hauppauge (Exit 56) at the Suffolk Co. legislature for the event.

Contribute money to the effort. Make your donation to the LI Immigrant Alliance AND notify us of your generous support by e-mailing us at immigrantalliance@ yahoo.com

If you cannot attend, encourage your pastor, rabbi or imam to offer prayers of solidarity for the Suffolk County immigrant and worker community, including the work of the LI Immigrant Alliance.

Contact: Luis Valenzuela, Executive Director
Long Island Immigrant Alliance
631 789-0720
immigrantalliance@ yahoo.com

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September 5 (Tuesday): Suffolk Peace Network Meets in Bellport at 6:30pm

The Suffolk Peace Network meets at 6:30 - 7:30 pm at 51 Browns Lane in Bellport.
You are encouraged to arrive early since there is a meeting immediately following (Veterans for Peace at the same location.

Info: Dennis Urlaub dmu7@optonline.net
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September 5 (Tuesday): Veterans for Peace Meet in Bellport at 7:30pm

The newly formed LI Veterans for Peace will meet at the Bellport UU, 51 Brown's Lane in Bellport at 7:30pm to 9:30pm on Tuesday 9/5.

Contact: Thomas at 631-889-0203 or email: ltbrin@earthlink.net
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September 11 (Monday): Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace on Fire Island 8 - 9:30am

Mark the anniversary of September 11th in a Walk for Peace to reflect on the tragic events of that day, remember those who lost their lives in the attacks, those who lost or risked their lives saving others, and make a stand for peace at a time of great danger, suffering and war around the world.

The walk is on Monday, September 11th. It starts at 8am at the top of No Name Walk in Lonelyville, Fire Island (a.k.a Plank Walk -- most western walk in Lonelyville, Fire Island) and ends at the Fire Island Lighthouse -- approximate arrival time 9:00am.

Why:

• To take a step in the right direction for a peaceful world.
• Because Fire Island offers a beautiful, serene environment that will enable thoughtful reflection and bring like minds together.
• Because volunteers have created peace inspired displays along route.
• Because the Fire Island Ferries has generously donated a FREE return ferry ride from the Lighthouse/ Ranger's Dock at leaving 10:45am to FAIR HARBOR.

Directons: From Bay Shore, take the Fire Island Ferries (99 Maple Avenue, 7:00am boat) to Dunewood. At the Dunewood ferry dock walk south to Central Walk. Make a left (heading east) at the tennis courts and continue past the Lonelyville community garden (wooden walk). At end, make a right and continue straight up to beach.

The "Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace" will take place rain or shine

For information call Tara at (631) 583-877-9219, or via email at tmcb@erols.com
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September 17 (Sunday): Constitution Day - Reading the Constitution in Bridgehampton from 6 to 9pm

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork and the East End Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights will again celebrate Constitution Day at the Unitarian Meetinghouse, 977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike on Sunday, Sept 17, from 6-9 pm. Constitution Day has been proclaimed by Congress to celebrate the anniversary of the ratification of our Constitution in legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd. All are invited to help read the Constitution in its entirety. There will be special early American music as well as the reading.

Call Myrna Truitt, 631 728-7601 for more information.

September 17 (Sunday): : East End Community Gathering at Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays 1 to 6pm

AFTER-SUMMER EAST END COMMUNITY GATHERING

Family, Friends and Neighbors!!!

FREE FOOD - BRING A POT LUCK DISH FOR 5 OR 6 PEOPLE – share our drinks, hotdogs & ice cream - (Perhaps a dish from each of our own cultural backgrounds);

PRIZES; PRIZES; PRIZES; PRIZES
Music, Poetry, Games, Dancing, Sports & More

(If it rains, picnic will begin at noon until 3 P.M. with inside fun!!)

Location: Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays
(Exit 65 North from Sunrise Hwy; first right and third left into Park)

For information & to let us know you’re coming call: Picnic Committee @ 631-727-6831

Picnic Committee:

Anti-Bias Task Force: Riverhead, Southampton, Southold & East Hampton;
Chamber of Commerce: Southampton & Greater Westhampton Beach;
Citizens Advisory Council of Southampton/Tuckahoe; Human Resources of the Hamptons; Kiwanis Club -- Riverhead;
Lions Club Southampton;
N.A.A.C.P.;
Peconic Community Council; Rogers Memorial Library;
Shinnecock Museum & Cultural Center;
Spanish Apostolate -- North & South Forks;
St. Rosalie’s Church – Hampton Bays ;
Suffolk County Community College;
Youth Bureau-Town of Southampton (list in formation)

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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.
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Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst: Join political action singing group.

Participate in songs regarding environment, anti-war, labor, multiculturalism, civil rights, and other issues. Sing historic songs of struggle and social change. Explore the role of music in political movements. Experience singing musical arrangements, in four part harmony.

Perform these songs for others. Contribute to the progressive movement while becoming culturally enriched. If you've ever wanted to be in a singing group, now is your chance! Experienced and non-experienced singers are welcome. All we ask is that you are able to sing on pitch.

Rehearsals take place, Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst.

Anyone interested, please call Lisa Fishbein at: (631) 957-4954
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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 6:30pmContact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita(at)verizon(dot)net
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"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 Spanish-speaking 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 and is conducted entirely in SpanishIt meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 128 Springs-Fireplace Road.Call 631-723-0150 for more information.
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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

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