November 13, 2002

Disarming Iraq

Thursday, Nov. 14, former United Nations Special Commission weapons inspector Scott Ritter presents his documentary In Shifting Sands: The Truth about UNSCOM and the Disarming of Iraq. The feature-length film examines the intricate chess game between the United States, the United Nations, and Iraq in regard to Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. 5:45 p.m., Roxie Cinema, 3117 16th St., S.F. $12 (415) 431-3611.

Haight voting

Thursday, Nov. 14, attend a panel discussion focusing on how the Haight voted in comparison to the rest of San Francisco. The event, sponsored by the Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Council, features Bay Guardian executive editor Tim Redmond and housing activist Calvin Welch. 7-9 p.m., San Francisco Public Library, Park Branch, 1833 Page, S.F. Free. (415) 752-8520.

Hunters Point Shipyard

Thursday, Nov. 14, come and see the final presentation for the Hunters Point Shipyard by the mayor's Hunters Point Shipyard Citizens Advisory Committee. This is the last opportunity to give input before the final report is completed. 6-8 p.m., Alex Pitcher Community Room, 1800 Oakdale, S.F. Free. (415) 822-4622.

Israeli refusenik

Thursday, Nov. 14, find out why Ron Gerlitz, after serving in the Israeli Defense Forces for six years, made the decision to refuse to serve in the occupied West Bank and Gaza territories. 7:30 p.m., San Francisco Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. $5. (415) 789-8279.

An evening of music and solidarity

Friday, Nov. 15, see the short documentary "Our Land/Our Future" and hear live marimba music at an event promoting solidarity with the indigenous people of Nicaragua's Atlantic coast in their current land struggles. It is speculated that the strife a result of the area being targeted by the Plan Pueblo Panama for the construction of a port and high-speed freight corridor to move sweatshop goods. 7:30 p.m., San Francisco Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. $5-$20 sliding scale. (415) 431-1180.

Salvadoran torture survivors

Friday, Nov. 15, attend the panel discussion "A Glimmer of Justice for El Salvador: Torture Survivors' Successful Lawsuit Against Salvadorian Former Top Ranking Generals." Two of the three men who sued two generals in federal court in Florida will be on hand with members of their legal team to discuss the case, in which foreign commanders were held liable for human rights violations by troops under their command. 5-7 p.m., University of San Francisco Lone Mountain Campus, Pacific Rim Conference Center, Room 148, 2800 Turk, S.F. Free. (415) 422-5901.

Civil liberties conference

Friday, Nov. 15-Saturday, Nov. 16, attend the two-day National Conference on Civil Liberties, Democratic Rights, and the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Hosted by the Mobilization to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal, UC Berkeley Department of Ethnic Studies, and others, the conference features more than 50 workshops, plus numerous speakers. Fri/15: registration 6 p.m., opening session 7 p.m., UC Berkeley, Dwinelle Hall, near Bancroft and Telegraph, $5-$10 sliding scale. Sat/16: registration 9 a.m., conference 10 a.m., closing session 7:30 p.m., Dwinelle Hall. $10. (415) 695-7745.

Free trade

Saturday, Nov. 17, learn how free trade in Central America helps enforce land theft, at an event presented by Carolina Dutton. 12 p.m., Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakl. Free. (510) 451-5818.

Health care

Sunday, Nov. 17, join the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign to rally for the right to health care. The group's New Freedom Nationwide Bus Tour makes a stop in Oakland to help residents get the treatment they deserve. 3 p.m., Summit Hospital, West Pavilion, 3100 Telegraph, Oakl. Free. (510) 451-7379, ext. 217.

Political prisoner

Sunday, Nov. 17, hear Brigadier General Jose Francisco Gallardo Rodriguez discuss inter-American human rights issues, American national drug policies and their effect on human rights in Mexico and Latin America, and the impact of Sept. 11. General Gallardo was a political prisoner in Mexico for more than eight years, and since being released in February 2002, he has been involved in advocating military reform in Mexico as well as demanding freedom for Mexican political prisoners. 7-9 p.m., New College Cultural Center, 766 Valencia, S.F. $5 donation. (415) 575-5545.

Racial justice in education

Monday, Nov. 18, community leaders in education will discuss problems facing students of color, as well as actions and solutions beyond testing and budgeting wars. Speakers include Sheila Quintana, president of the Oakland Education Association, and Mark Sanchez, member of the San Francisco Board of Education. 4:30-6:30 p.m., Oakland Technical High School library, 4351 Broadway, Oakl. Free. (510) 654-8613.

After the election

Tuesday, Nov. 19, attend a public discussion concerning the results of the November election, sponsored by the Gray Panthers. Issues addressed include supporting the progressive movement. Also, Caleb Klepperman of Fair Vote will give a progress report on the push for instant-runoff voting. 1-3 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Center, 1187 Franklin, S.F. Free. (415) 567-5348.

Youth writing

Tuesday, Nov. 19, come to a volunteer orientation for Streetside Stories, a nonprofit organization that helps youth develop their reading, writing, and oral communication skills. 6-7:30 p.m., 285 Ninth St. S.F. (415) 864-5221.