Palestinian support group

Wednesday, Jan. 21, join International Solidarity Movement volunteers Terry Ross Baird, Bruce Gowdy, David Makofsky, Elizabeth Ooms, and Francesca Rosa for an evening of presentations, slides, and discussion on the nonviolent resistance group's recent action to help Palestinian farmers. 7-9 p.m., New College Cultural Center, 766 Valencia, S.F. $5-$15 sliding scale. (510) 236-4250.

Lies about Iraq

Thursday, Jan. 22, join Robert Scheer and Christopher Scheer in a discussion of their latest book, The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us about Iraq (Akashic Books/Seven Stories Press). 7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus, S.F. Free. (415) 362-8193.

Reproductive rights rally

Thursday, Jan. 22, as the Bush administration diminishes a woman's right to choose, Bay Area pro-choice groups invite you to march and rally in celebration of the 31st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Organized by a coalition including Access: Women's Health Rights Coalition, the National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood Golden Gate, the Women's Building, and the Center for Young Women's Development, this is a big opportunity to defend the right to choose. Bring signs, friends, and noisemakers. Gather 5 p.m., Market and Powell; rally 6:30 p.m., Civic Center Plaza, Larkin between Grove and McAllister, S.F. (415) 334-1502.

Kucinich concert

Friday, Jan. 23, catch Kucinich fever at this benefit concert for Democratic Party presidential candidate Dennis J. Kucinich. Greg Brown, Linda Tillery, Cascada de Flores, and others perform; Pulitzer Prize nominee Michael Parenti speaks. The candidate delivers a call-in message during the reception beforehand. Reception 7 p.m., concert 8 p.m., First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison, Oakl. Reception and concert $75 donation, concert $25 donation (general seating) and $35 donation (preferred seating); no one turned away for lack of funds. (510) 420-0772.

Poet fundraiser

Friday, Jan. 23, attend a star-studded benefit to pay medical bills for Uchechi Kalu, a Nigerian-born poet and member of Poetry for the People. The event features Youth Speaks mentor Marc Bamuthi Joseph, spoken word performer Aya de León, performer-comedian Sia Amma, and others. 7 p.m., Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. $10-$100 sliding scale. (415) 642-9099.

Ward Churchill talk

Friday, Jan. 23, hear Ward Churchill – professor, prolific writer, and activist for indigenous peoples' rights – speak about his latest book, On the Justice of Roosting Chickens: Reflections on the Consequences of U.S. Imperial Arrogance and Criminality (AK Press). 7-9 p.m., New College of California, Center of Education and Social Action, 777 Valencia, S.F. $10. (Also, book-signing party Sat/24, 7 p.m., AK Press, 674 23rd St., Oakl. Free. 510-236-4250.)

Chinatown town hall meeting

Saturday, Jan. 24, celebrate Chinese New Year with food and fun while discussing pedestrian safety. Sup. Gerardo Sandoval and city officials invite residents of District 11 to a town hall meeting. 10 a.m.-noon, Monroe Elementary School, 260 Madrid, S.F. (415) 554-6978.

Drag king event

Saturday, Jan. 24, help turn four-minute documentary "Strap 'Em Down! The World of Drag Kings" into a 60-minute feature by attending "Art, Sex, Gender, and Race: The Drag King Revolution!" Sponsored by Rainbow Grocery Collective and others, the event features drag performer Lu Read and UC San Diego professor of gender studies Judith Halberstam presenting forums on queer and trans issues with speakers and performers from the transgendered community. 7-9 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Screening Room, 701 Mission, S.F. $15. (415) 978-2787.

Greenaction benefit

Saturday, Jan. 24, environmental justice group Greenaction holds its seventh-anniversary celebration with music and a screening of Tamar Turner's documentary "Defending the Sacred," which shows how activists saved Ward Valley and sacred Indian lands from nuclear waste. Proceeds benefit Greenaction's Indian Lands Environmental Project. 7 p.m., Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. $10-$50 sliding scale. (415) 248-5010.

Queer activists on Israel

Saturday, Jan. 24, attend a presentation by anti-Israeli occupation activists Dalit Baum and Mazen Nasser titled "Tearing Down Fences: Queer Activism in Israel/Palestine." Baum shows pictures and videos from recent actions she did with Black Laundry, a collective of Jewish and Palestinian lesbians, gay men, and transgendered people. Nasser, a gay Lebanese American civil rights and AIDS activist, talks about his trip to Palestine and the need for queer communities to build new coalitions to support justice in Palestine. 7 p.m., New College of California, Theater, 777 Valencia, S.F. Free. (510) 655-5269.

Rock for tenants' rights

Saturday, Jan. 24, rock bands Poisin Jett Gunz, Sweet Polly Purebred, Coup de' Gras, and Judo Rodriguez perform at a benefit to support the San Francisco Tenants Union. 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Curve Bar, 747 Third St., S.F. $5. (415) 282-5525.

Gay marriage matters

Tuesday, Jan. 27, Maggie Gallagher, a conservative columnist and scholar; Matt Coles, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project; and author Christopher Carrington participate in a debate on civil liberties and same-sex marriage at Inforum, a division of the Commonwealth Club of California. Bill Schechner of CBS 5 Eyewitness News moderates. Reception 6 p.m., program 6:30 p.m., Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, S.F. $18, $10 members. (415) 597-6719.

US VISIT meeting

Tuesday, Jan. 27, learn more about the US VISIT program at "Flying the Friendly Skies under Ashcroft." Edward Hasbrouck speaks about the U.S. government tracking of travel by citizens and noncitizens. 6-8:30 p.m., Berkeley Public Library, Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue, Berk. Free. (510) 704-5293.

U.S.-Latin America relations

Wednesday, Jan. 28, Brazilian consul general Georges Lamaziere and Mexican acting consul general Fernando Sandoval preside over this panel on Latin America's economic relevance to the United States. Ron Scheman, who heads an agency with the Organization of American States, gives a report on the presidential summit in Monterrey, Mexico. 6 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter, second floor, S.F. $12, $5 students, free members. (415) 293-4600.