Week of September 21, 2006

For an updated East End Report click here

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

Action Alert: Native Rights

S.O.S: Southampton Village Board Hears Public on Shape-Up Site

Peace & Justice Calendar (UPDATED: October 1 Concert for WPKN/M at Martha Clara Vineyard in Riverhead 2 - 7pm)

Suffolk Peace Vigils (Bridgehampton, Patchogue Vigils Sunday)

Counter Recruiting Schedule

Alternative Media for Eastern LI

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. Local News at 6:30 pm (Mon-Fri) has occasional reports from the East End.

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

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

ACTION ALERT - Native American Rights

A hearing on the suit filed by the Gristedes Corporation against Long Island Native Tribes and businesses will be held October 10, 2006 at 12:30PM @ 225 Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, the US Eastern District Court, Room 10D, 10th Floor

The Long Island Native American Business Alliance has issued this action alert:

FILL THE COURTROOM – DISMISS THE CASE!!!
Rally on for Native Rights…


EVENT: Gristedes’ case hearing followed by a press conference and rally/peaceful demonstration. Drummers, singers, speakers, friends and allies of native peoples welcome.

In recognition of International Solidarity Day with Indigenous Peoples…

STOP the attack on native sovereignty, and economic independence.
PREVENT future passing of unconstitutional laws!

BE THERE to show support in person. We need to fill the court room to make our message heard.

DONATIONS are needed! Sign materials, bottled waters, and monetary donations are appreciated.



Hosted By:

Long Island Native American Business Alliance (LINABA)

The Shinnecock and Unkechaug Nations of Long Island , NY have come together to defend their rights by forming an alliance.

For more info visit our site: www.SupportNativeBusiness.com

OLA: Statement to Southampton Village Board


[OLA’s statement to Village Board at Sept. 14 meeting re formal hiring site]
OLA of Eastern Long Island, the OrganizaciĆ³n Latino Americana, is proud to belong to the Coalition for a Worklink Center and to support a formal hiring site for day laborers in the Village of Southampton. Across America, as well as right here in Southampton, immigrant workers from all over the world are enriching our culture, contributing to our economy, and providing an invaluable supply of labor. OLA believes that our community’s response should be to welcome immigrant workers and recognize their contributions to the United States, the home we all share and cherish.

OLA also believes that our community’s response to the situation in front of the 7-11 should be one that is rooted in pragmatism and ethics, not one that stems from intolerance and bigotry. The local community has created the demand for day laborers and therefore the local community has a responsibility to address the current situation with compassion as well as with a concern for the common good.

A formal hiring site on the Aldrich Lane property or elsewhere in the Village would accomplish these goals. It would offer shelter and facilities to both workers and contractors and allow them to conduct business in a humane, well organized, and out-of-the-way environment.

Communities across the country are successfully establishing formal hiring sites with none of the adverse consequences they are demonized for, wisely recognizing that such centers not only address the situation at hand but also help integrate day laborers into mainstream American society through English classes, help with documentation and taxes, and setting good examples of what being an American truly is.

OLA urges the Village to act wisely and proactively and set a precedent for the East End of Suffolk County by voting in favor of the most practical, effective, and compassionate option—the establishment a formal hiring site.

S.O.S.: Southampton Village Board Hears Public on Shape Up Site at Park

A public comment session at last Thursday's Southampton Village Board meeting drew a capacity crowd to the Village Hall. The meeting came a week after Village Mayor Mark Epley proposed using a Village owned property purchased with Southampton Town Community Preservation Funds to build a park which would double as a location for a day laborer shape up site managed by a non profit local group. The mayor has collected signatures on a petition in favor of developing the park (over 60 as of early this month).

The group "Coalition for a Worklink Center" has pledges of foundation support for funding and agreement from Catholic Charities of Long Island to help run the facility.

Representatives from these organizations and from the Hagedorn Foundation, the Long Island Progressive Coalition's South Fork Chapter and OLA (Organizacion Latino Americana of Eastern Long Island) spoke in favor of the Mayor's plan along with several individuals from the Southampton area.

Speaking against the proposal were several individuals from the Village and nearby Southampton Town and a Montauk based representative of "Save Our Society" a newly formed organization.

Here are some of their comments:

Darren Sandow, Port Washington, Horace Hagedorn Foundation:

We are a private family foundation. ... Our misson is to promote and support social equity here on Long Island. One of our program areas is immigration. We are funding our immigration program both at the national level (because nationally our immigration system is broken) and also to deal with tensions in our local communities.

I commend the Mayor's leadership in trying to take a pro-active step to deal with this program...

Nationally (shape-up sites) have been very successful. I currently work with the Village of Freeport in their shape-up site. There are successful shape up sites also in Huntington Station and in the city of Glen Cove founded by Tom Suozzi ....

Right now, Southampton has a shape-up site. It's your main street. You've got a choice. You can either live with the chaos, where outside gropups like the Minutemen come and protest every day and that's the entrance to your community. Or you can take a pro-active step and organize the problem.

We as a private family foundation are willing help you support organzations such as the Worklink Coalition and Catholic Charities to staff and manage this site. No tax dollars have to be spent to run this site.

These men are here for one reason.. it's the same reason that all our ancestors came here and that is to bring a better life for their families. And I hope that Southampton Village will work with them to do this.

Herbert McKay, Montauk, of "Save Our Society":

"We are a group that is in formation now".... "over a hundred people".... "We have attorneys, doctors, business people. We are a broad spectrum of people that have come together for a reason."

"We don't believe it is legal to a take CPF funds and put any structure on it." ...
"We are particularly concerned with putting a building there on the property which would be a hiring hall."

"We are here to caution you and to advise you that we are going to watch what this particular village does."

Mayor Epley (in reply): We are looking into the legality of using the Aldrich Lane site. We have asked Assemblyman Fred Thiele to investigate (the New York law).

UPDATE: Subseqent to the meeting Assemblyman Fred Thiele contacted the Mayor. Mr. Thiele's opinion is that use of the Aldrich Lane site for the shape up site would not be an approved use according to the community preservation fund law.

Sister Margaret Smyth, Co-Chair-Coalition for a Worklink Center and Coordinator of the Hispanic Minstry for the East End of Long Island:

I am here to talk about an immediacy which is upon every one in Southampton Village and
the workers and also we of the Coalition.

... I am out there on the street and I work with the men and the people who talk to me (protesters) all the time ... beause we pride ourselves as being listeners to all sides.

When men come to me and ask "Can you tell people to stop spitting on me?" this is not what the Village of Southampton is about or wants to be.

When people poke signs in (workers) faces, this is not what we want to see in the Village of Southampton. This is not what we want to see at the 'gateway' to Southampton.

The men who gather at the 7-11 want to stand with you and do every thing on their part also to help realize a solution to what is existing.

We are here to talk about a temporary use of a piece of property .. while we look for a more permanent solution.

I look at it from a human side .. and I say every one deserves dignity. Everyone deserves respect. I have been part of towns and villages that missed the mark and will go down in history as having missed the mark. What are we going to be as the Village of Southampton?


Elaine Karl, North Sea. SH town

I find very, very unacceptable behaviour by many people lying on the ground drinking coffee and siting on publicly owned property.... I do not agree with the job site at his particular place... it sounds to me like a health spa. I believe these people deserve to be treated as human beings. I have no doubt about it. But I am here to tell you that the senior citizens are very angered by the great influx at the drop off point....

We have a law on loitering .. from my perspective they are soliciting work so loitering should apply....

These people are renting garages.. we need code enforcement ...

Frank Zakowski, Southampton Village:

Is the park a smoke screen for the hiring site?
People in the Village have a right to vote on this.

Reverend Ronald Richardson, Pastor Queen of the Rosary Cathlic Parish in Bridgehampton.

I am a member of the Coalition and I speak in favor of the enterprise.

I belong to another organizaton for 45 years as a priest. I guess we could also call ourselves 'SOS' and it would be 'Save Our Souls'.

I think of it in terms of Dr. King when he spoke in very passionate terms about America, that we were losing our soul. He spoke from the point of view of what fear leads us to if we accede to it.

I am sorry to say that I am old enought to remember listening with my family to Franklin Roosevelt on the radio. We heard him say "We have nothing to fear but fear itself".

Fear leads us to doing things that we would never conceive of doing.

Sadly in our society we are grappling with enormous fears that lead us to even have to contemplate should torture be applied? ... (whether) it is something we endorse, but it is because of fear - and real fears are present.

Basically what I would say is that the strength and the health of a community emerges when through its leadership and the courageous decisions people make they are able to steer a course that does not accede to fear.

Peace & Justice Calendar - Week of September 21

For details about the following events SCROLL DOWN:

* September 24 (Sunday): Vigil for Peace in Palestine and Iraq - in Bridgehampton at 5pm

* September 24 (Sunday): Monthly Vigil for Peace in Patchogue at 6:30pm

* September 25 (Monday): A Conversation with Bob Zellner in Riverhead at 6:30pm

* October 1(Sunday): Concert to Benefit WPKN/WPKM at Martha Clara Vineyard Riverhead 2-7pm

* October 5 (Thursday): The World Can't Wait - Rally in NYC

* October 10 (Tuesday): Rally for Native Rights and Hearing on Gristedes Suit Against Native LI Businesses in Brooklyn at 12:30 pm

*
October 15 (Sunday): Rachel's Words - Tribute to Rachel Corrie in Bridgehampton at 7:30pm

* November 17-19(Friday-Sunday): Annual School of the Americas Vigil / Demonstration at Ft. Benning Georgia

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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:
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September 24 (Sunday): East End Women in Black Vigil in Bridgehampton at 5pm

This vigil for an end to the occupations of Iraq and Palestine will be at 5pm in Bridgehampton at the Monument (Ocean Road and Rte 27).

see www.eewib.blogspot.com or call 631-831-4966

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September 24 (Sunday): Monthly Vigil for Peace in Patchogue at 6:30pm

A monthly candlelight vigil, a memorial to all those who have died in the Iraq conflict will be held Sunday, September 24, 6:30 pm at the Four Corners in Patchogue (Where Ocean Ave crosses Main St/Rte 27A)

There will be a reading of the names of (some of) those killed in Iraq .

Sponsored by the South Country Peace Group, St Joseph the Worker Pax Christi
and the Bellport Women In Black

Information: Dennis at dmu7@optonline.net
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September 25 (Monday): A Conversation with Bob Zellner in Riverhead at 6:30pm

Civil Rights activist, historian and educator Bob Zellner will speak at the Riverhead Library on Court Street at 6:30 pm . Mr. Zellner currently teaches History of the Civil Rights Movement at Long Island University and lecures throughout the country.

Mr. Zellner a grandson of an Alabama KKK member, was personally recruited for the Civil Rights Movement by Dr. M. L. King, Jr. He takes an active part in diverse social issues.


The talk will be at the Riverhead Public Library-Lower Level, Court Street, Riverhead.

This is the first in a series of community presentations sponsored by the Riverhead Town Anti-Bias Task Force.

for more info: call 631-727-3200 or 631-463-5810

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October 1(Sunday): Concert to Benefit WPKN/WPKM at Martha Clara Vineyard in Riverhead 2 - 7pm

It's time again to celebrate WPKN and WPKM with a music concert at the Martha Clara Vineyard, 6025 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. From 2 to 7pm on Sunday October 1 you can enjoy the music of Gail Storm with guitarist Alonzo Pennington and the Matt Marshak Band.

A reasonable admission charge ($15 in advance - $20 at the door) will get you in! Help support our community radio station that brings you strictly non-commercial music and alternatives to the corporate news.

Contact: Kevin Ross at 631-445-9432
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October 5 (Thursday): The World Can't Wait - Rally in NYC

From 'World Can't Wait': On Thursday October 5, in New York and other cities people will make a huge political statement that cannot be ignored by massing in large numbers to say: "Bring This to a Halt! The World Can't Wait! Drive Out the Bush Regime!"

More Info: worldcantwait.org
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October 10 (Tuesday): Rally for Native Rights and Hearing on Gristedes Suit Against Native LI Businesses in Brooklyn at 12:30 pm

A hearing on the suit filed by the Gristedes Corporation against Long Island Native Tribes and businesses will be held October 10, 2006 at 12:30PM at 225 Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn, the US Eastern District Court, Room 10D, 10th Floor

The Long Island Native American Business Alliance has issued this action alert:

FILL THE COURTROOM – DISMISS THE CASE!!!
Rally on for Native Rights…


EVENT: Gristedes’ case hearing followed by a press conference and
rally/peaceful demonstration. Drummers, singers, speakers, friends
and allies of native peoples welcome.

In recognition of International Solidarity Day with Indigenous Peoples…

STOP the attack on native sovereignty, and economic independence.
PREVENT future passing of unconstitutional laws!

BE THERE to show support in person. We need to fill the court room to make our message heard.

DONATIONS are needed! Sign materials, bottled waters, and monetary donations are appreciated.

*We will begin to begin to gather at 11:45 in the plaza. Please be prompt so we can enter as a group.

Hosted By:

Long Island Native American Business Alliance (LINABA)

The Shinnecock and Unkechaug Nations of Long Island , NY have come together to defend their rights by forming an alliance.

For more info visit our site: www.SupportNativeBusiness.com

__________________________________________________________________
October 15 (Sunday): Rachel's Words - Tribute to Rachel Corrie in Bridgehampton at 7:30pm

The Committee for Peace in Israel and Palestine will present

RACHEL'S WORDS a tribute to Rachel Corrie who died, trying to bring peace to a violent world

(Rachel Corrie, a young American, was crushed to death by an Israeli Army bulldozer, as she tried to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian pharmacist's house in Gaza).

Sunday, October 15, 2006, 7:30pm

At the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House
977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike
contribution: $10
All are Welcome

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November 17-19(Friday-Sunday): Annual School of the Americas Vigil / Demonstration at Ft. Benning Georgia

The fight to close the military training camp for Latin American military continues. Close to 20,000 participants are expected to be there, many from Long Island.

Contact Bill McNulty at wmcnult@suffolk.lib.ny.us

________________________________________________

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

Plain old text would be appreciated!