Grief for peace

Wednesday, April 17, the UC Berkeley Department of Peace and Conflict Studies presents "Our Grief Is Not a Cry for War: September Eleventh Families Speak Out for Peace," featuring Kelly Campbell, sister-in-law to a Sept. 11 victim, discussing her recent journey to Afghanistan and what can be done to help the victims of the U.S. bombings. 8 p.m., UC Berkeley, Valley Life Sciences Building, Room 2050, Berk. Free. (510) 527-8076.

Stop Sharon!

Wednesday, April 17, the International Socialist Organization hosts a discussion about U.S. involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and what we can do to fight for justice in Palestine. 7 p.m., San Francisco Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. Free. (415) 336-5034.

Get down for Afghanistan

Thursday, April 18, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, music, an Afghan fashion show, and appearances by Michael Franti and Lavay Smith at this fundraising party sponsored by Global Exchange and S.F. Friends of Afghanistan. Proceeds go toward Afghan aid projects. 5:30-8:30 p.m., International Market Gallery Home, 1830 Harrison, S.F. $15 donation. (415) 346-3150.

War on the poor

Friday, April 19, poets and activists address the topic "Global War and the War on the Poor" at an event hosted by the League of Revolutionaries for a New America. 8 p.m., Luggage Store Gallery, 1007 Market, S.F. $3-$5 donation. (415) 255-5971.

City budget meeting

Saturday, April 20, Sup. Jake McGoldrick holds a town hall meeting to review the preliminary 2002-03 San Francisco city budget, answer questions, and take public comments. 2-4 p.m., Richmond Recreation Center, 251 18th Ave., S.F. Free. (415) 554-7410.

Clean energy protest

Saturday, April 20, demonstrate for renewable energy with Literacy for Environmental Justice and others at this Earth Day event featuring an urban-sustainability fair and a march on the Hunters Point power plant. Fair 11 a.m.-3 p.m., India Basin Shoreline Park, near Hunters Point power plant, 1000 Evans, S.F.; march 3:30 p.m.; rally 4 p.m., Hunters Point power plant, S.F. Free. (415) 508-0575.

End vivisection

Saturday, April 20, and Monday, April 22, Animal Rights Direct Action Coalition sheds light on the horrors of animal experimentation at a conference focusing on the campaign against Huntington Life Sciences on Saturday. On Monday protest animal cruelty at a march through the San Francisco Financial District. Sat/20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar, Berk. Free. Mon/22, assemble 11 a.m., Embarcadero at Market, S.F.; march 11:30 a.m. Free. (415) 364-3053.

National march against war

Saturday, April 20, demonstrate against the axis of evil right-wing militarism at a national march and rally sponsored by more than 100 organizations. Rallies in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., bring citizens together to protest war, the U.S. military presence abroad, excessive military spending, and civil rights abuses. Assemble 11 a.m., Dolores Park, 18th Street between Church and Dolores, S.F.; march noon; rally 1 p.m., Civic Center, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place at Grove, S.F. (415) 821-6545.

Environmentalist speaks

Sunday, April 21, peasant activist and 2000 Goldman Environmental Prize-winner Rodolfo Flores speaks about human rights and environmental conditions in Mexico at an event sponsored by Global Exchange, Rainforest Action Network, the Sierra Club, and others. 7 p.m., Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission, S.F. $5-$10 donation. (415) 255-7296.

Support the Palestinian worker

Sunday, April 21, San Francisco Labor Council representatives discuss the group's March 11 resolution to protest the U.S. arming of Israel. 3 p.m., Fellowship of Humanity Hall, 390 27th St., Oakl. $5 donation. (415) 641-4440.

'Paramilitaries in Colombia'

Monday, April 22, visiting professor and political expert Mauricio Romero talks about paramilitary groups and violence in Colombian politics at an event sponsored by the University of San Francisco Center for Latin American Studies. 4 p.m., USF Lone Mountain Campus, Room 140, 2800 Turk, S.F. Free. (415) 422-5684.

Flood Bechtel Corp.

Tuesday, April 23, march in protest of corporate human rights abuse with Bolivian activist Oscar Olivera, hero of a successful revolt against Bechtel Corp.'s privatization of the water utility in Cochabamba, Bolivia. In response to the revolt, the company filed a $25 million lawsuit against Bolivia for lost future profits (see "Bechtel v. Bolivia," page 11). Wear blue to create a living river of protest. Assemble 3 p.m., City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F.; march 3:30 p.m.; rally 5 p.m., Bechtel corporate headquarters, 50 Beale, S.F. (510) 663-0888.