December 11, 2002

Becoming an activist

Thursday, Dec. 12, attend the first night in a monthly series in which local activists share the experiences that led them to their calling. 7:30 p.m., Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar, Berk. $5 donation. (415) 927-1645.

Mothers and welfare

Thursday, Dec. 12, join Every Mother Is a Working Mother Network for the premiere of the "Welfare Mothers Speak Out!" video and a community dialogue on war and the right to welfare. The event marks the launch of the Global Women's Strike 2003 and the Global Anti-War Petition. 7-9 p.m., Friends Meeting House, 65 Ninth St., S.F. Free. (415) 626-4114.

Tenant party

Thursday, Dec. 12, join the Campaign to Save Rent Control for a victory party and retire-the-debt fundraiser. Defeating Proposition R on the November ballot left tenants groups $5,000 in debt. 6 p.m., 730 Carolina, S.F. Donations accepted. (415) 282-5525.

Women's resistance

Thursday, Dec. 12, participate in a roundtable discussion with the San Francisco State University Women Studies Department titled "Women's Voices of Resistance: Confronting Economic Restructuring across Borders." 7 p.m., San Francisco State University, Humanities Building, Room 129, 1600 Holloway, S.F. Free. (415) 338-1389.

Living wage

Friday, Dec. 13, attend the San Francisco Living Wage Coalition's year-end party and help the campaign to guarantee that tax dollars and use of city property only go to businesses paying family-supporting wages. The event includes live music and spoken word. 7-10 p.m., 255 Ninth St., S.F. $5-$10 sliding scale. (415) 248-1763.

Protest at ChevronTexaco

Friday, Dec. 13, join Amazon Watch as it launches the "Chevron Clean Up, Pay Up" campaign to pressure the oil company to attend to the toxic mess it left in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The campaign starts with a protest and press conference in front of the ChevronTexaco building in downtown San Francisco and continues at the company's San Ramon headquarters, where participants confront the company's CEO. Protest and press conference noon, 575 Market, S.F. Bus to San Ramon departs 575 Market 1 p.m., returns 3:30 p.m. (510) 419-0617.

Journalism and war

Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 14, join Dennis Bernstein, host of KPFA-FM's Flashpoints, and Dan Coughlin, executive director of Pacifica Radio, as they present "Journalism under the Perils of War." Friday, Bernstein speaks about the war at home and abroad, as well as censorship and civil liberties. Saturday, Coughlin discusses Pacifica's role in war and peace reporting and its influence on mainstream media coverage. 7:30 p.m., New College of California Cultural Center, 766 Valencia, S.F. $5 donation each evening, no one turned away for lack of funds. (415) 437-3425.

Antiwar teach-in

Saturday, Dec. 14, learn from leading peace activists how to use historical context and political analysis to better understand what Bush's war plans are truly about. Speakers include representatives from the International ANSWER Coalition, the Middle East Children's Alliance, and Free Palestine, among others. 7 p.m., Horace Mann Middle School, 3351 23rd St., S.F. $5 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. (415) 821-6545.

Defend the defender

Saturday, Dec. 14, join the Lynne Stewart Defense Committee for a discussion about resisting the federal government's attempts to revoke traditional legal safeguards concerning attorney-client privileges. Stewart was arrested for assisting a client, Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman (who was convicted for the 1995 bombing of the World Trade Center), in communicating with his followers. 10 a.m.-noon, National Lawyers Guild, 558 Capp, second floor, S.F. Free. (415) 285-1055.

Women in Black

Saturday, Dec. 14, say no to war alongside San Francisco Women in Black on International Human Rights Day by demonstrating to the shopping public your opposition to U.S. military aggression around the world. 1-2:30 p.m., Union Square, Powell between Geary and Post, S.F. (510) 434-1304.

Palestinian art benefit

Sunday, Dec. 15, help the town of Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip raise money for a new community center at "Art under Occupation," a benefit including photojournalism multimedia presentations and a children's art exhibit. Refreshments 6:30 p.m., show 7 p.m., Mission Neighborhood Center, 362 Capp, S.F. $2-$50 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. (415) 271-0576 or (510) 548-0542.

The U.N. and war

Sunday, Dec. 15, attend a panel discussion hosted by Not in Our Name focusing on the United Nations and its role in the military buildup in the Middle East. Presentations by the panelists are followed by an audience Q&A session. 5-8 p.m., Brava Studio Theatre, 2781 24th St., S.F. $5-$10 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. (510) 594-4076.

Peace messages

Monday, Dec. 16, come to an informal discussion on how antiwar dialogue can break through the "establishment media quarantine" and reach people who support the war but don't have the proper information. 6:30 p.m., Leaning Tower of Pizza, 498 Wesley, Oakl. Free. (510) 763-8712.

The PATRIOT Act and Oakland

Tuesday, Dec. 17, show support for the Oakland City Council as it introduces a resolution to oppose the USA PATRIOT Act and related executive orders. 7 p.m., 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, third floor, Oakl. Free (510) 377-1912.