Walk softly and carry a big sign

Friday, Nov. 28, Bay Area Women in Black holds its third annual silent walking vigil for peace. This year it's in support of the Geneva Initiative, a new peace plan for Israel and Palestine that has emerged as an alternative to President George W. Bush's "Road Map." The vigil also doubles as a protest of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Held in Union Square on the busiest shopping day of the year, the event is sure to draw attention. Assemble 11:50 a.m., Bank of America (across from the Powell Street BART station), S.F. Please wear black. Email for more information.

Popcorn and politics

Saturday, Nov. 29, the activism and social change programs at the New College of California present their second annual film festival. The all-day event features films focusing on resistance to injustice as well as on alternative ways of living. Films include Zapatista, which documents the uprising in Chiapas, Mexico, and Manufacturing Consent, a documentary exploring the political work of renowned linguist Noam Chomsky. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., New College of California, 766 Valencia, S.F. $3 for all-day pass (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 437-3400.

Exploring global AIDS activism

Sunday, Nov. 30, ACT UP East Bay joins the Action Life Film Collective to present Pills, Profits and Protest, a documentary about the global activist movement to improve access to AIDS treatment. The film examines the national and international grassroots responses to the AIDS epidemic, depicting activists' successes in bringing affordable treatment to the poor. The evening also features Zimbabwean music by Machingura and a panel discussion with filmmakers Nunu Kidane and John Iversen. It takes place in conjunction with a series of Bay Area World AIDS Day events. 3 p.m., Parkway Theater, 1834 Park, Oakl. $8. (510) 841-4339.

Rock for Matt

Sunday, Nov. 30, Cake joins American Music Club, Chuck Prophet and Stephanie Finch, Jonathan Richman, and others to play a benefit concert for Matt Gonzalez's mayoral campaign. And since Cake isn't touring, tonight is a special opportunity to see them live before the release of their next album. The evening also includes an optional dinner; menu items vary nightly but always include meat, fish, and vegetarian choices. 7:30 p.m., Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell, S.F. $15 (concert only), $33.95 (concert and dinner). (415) 885-0750 or (415) 478-2277.

This just in from Palestine

Sunday, Nov. 30, and Monday, Dec. 1, poet, activist, and journalist John Ross presents a report on his recent trip to the occupied Palestinian territories. Ross tells of his close encounters with Israeli soldiers and settlers and his experiences picking olives with Palestinian villagers in their annual autumn harvest. He also discusses the potential effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian agriculture and reads some of his new poetry inspired by the trip. Sun/30, 4 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 282-9246. Mon/1, Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar, Berk. $5-$15 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (510) 841-4824.

Mission District for Gonzalez

Monday, Dec. 1, the San Francisco Green Party, local labor leaders, Frontlines newspaper, and others host a rally in the Mission District to support Matt Gonzalez's mayoral bid. Speakers include Gonzalez, local labor and immigrant activists, and former Green Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Camejo. 7 p.m., San Francisco Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. Free. (415) 452-9992.

'Monday Night MATTinee'

Monday, Dec. 1, local filmmakers join with S.F. IndieFest to present "Monday Night MATTinee," a fundraiser for Matt Gonzalez's runoff campaign featuring film, food, and music. Recent Bay Guardian Goldie winner Sam Green is among the cineastes screening their work; others include Caveh Zahedi, Steve Yamane, and Melinda Stone. The evening also features tarot readings, chair massages, DJs, and a kissing booth, with catering by Rainbow Grocery and music by Carla Kihlstedt and Marika Hughes. 6-10 p.m., StudioZ.tv, 314 11th St., S.F. $10-$15 sliding scale. (415) 934-0501 or (415) 307-9849.

World AIDS Day demonstration

Monday, Dec. 1, Rep. Barbara Lee joins Nate Miley, Maudelle Shirek, and others to speak at a World AIDS Day demonstration hosted by the Priority Africa Network. The speakers address the issue of funding for state and federal AIDS drug assistance programs, discussing the role that trade policies play in the accessibility of affordable generic medicine. Noon, Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay, Oakl. Free. (510) 527-4099.

Cut your consumption

Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Foundation for Global Community presents Escape from Affluenza, a film about the growing epidemic of consumerism and what people can do to fight it. Combining vignettes, humor, and expert commentary, the film shows how you can live more simply by buying less – particularly helpful for those suffering from holiday-shopping madness. 7:30 p.m., Foundation for Global Community, 222 High, Palo Alto. $3-$5 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (650) 856-2019 or (650) 328-7756.

Think globally, eat locally

Tuesday, Dec. 2, stuff your face for a good cause at Unicorn Pan Asian Cuisine. The restaurant is donating 25 percent of today's proceeds to HealthGAP and ACT UP East Bay, two local organizations that educate and agitate to help end the AIDS crisis. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m., Unicorn Pan Asian Cuisine, 2533 Telegraph, Berk. Reservations strongly suggested. (510) 841-8098.

Photos from Chiapas

Through Jan. 5, Jutta Meier-Wiedenbach presents "En la Orilla de la Luz/At the Edge of Light," an exhibition of her stark, poignant photographs of life in Chiapas, Mexico, after the 1994 uprising. The photos document the conflict from the early days of armed resistance to the ongoing peaceful movement for justice, highlighting the beauty as well as the strife in this struggling community. The event is cosponsored by Global Exchange and Mexico Solidarity Network. Wed.-Sat., 1-6 p.m., La Peña Gallery, 3105 Shattuck, Berk. (415) 255-7296 or (415) 495-6334.