Civil rights legacy

Wednesday, Jan. 28, Henry Louis Gates Jr., a preeminent scholar of the civil rights movement and its legacy, discusses today's African American experience. Check-in 11:30 a.m., program noon, Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. $12, free for members. (415) 597-6705.

Questioning 9/11

Wednesday, Jan. 28, Ken Jenkins presents a multimedia demonstration titled "Perspective on 9/11: Exposing the Lies of the Official Story." 7 p.m., Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakl. Free. (415) 721-2844.

Labor for peace

Thursday, Jan. 29, join a public dialogue on labor's role in helping resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with speakers from labor unions and groups focused on peace in the Middle East. The event is sponsored by the San Francisco Labor Council AFL-CIO and the Vanguard Public Foundation. Reception 6:30 p.m., meeting 7:30 p.m., International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 34, Second and King Sts., S.F. Free. (415) 861-0318.

Nora Castaneda appearance

Thursday, Jan. 29, Sup. Tom Ammiano wants to declare this day Nora Castaneda Day. Castaneda speaks at "Creating a Caring Economy in Venezuela" about her efforts to create the Women's World Bank of Venezuela and grant more constitutional rights to women and indigenous people in her country. 7 p.m., St. Boniface Church, 133 Golden Gate, S.F. $5-$25 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 626-4114.

Youth forum

Thursday, Jan. 29, Lateefah Simon, executive director of the Center for Young Women's Development, and the Youth Leadership Institute invite youths ages 13 to 23 and adults to participate in a forum examining how young people have made and continue to make change in San Francisco. Check-in 4:30 p.m., program 5 p.m., Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. $12, free for members. (415) 597-6705.

Lynne Stewart benefit

Friday, Jan. 30, The Middle East Children's Alliance, Joining Hands, and A Jewish Voice for Peace hold a fundraising reception for Lynne Stewart, the attorney charged with aiding Egyptian sheik Omar Abdel Rahman in a conspiracy to bomb public buildings in 1995. 7-9 p.m., Middle East Children's Alliance, 901 Parker, Berk. Donation requested. (510) 548-0542.

Palestinian report

Friday, Jan. 30, hear a report on the work of the International Solidarity Movement to support Palestinian people, with a slide show by Paul Laroudi, Bay Area ISM coordinator. 7:30 p.m., Arab Cultural and Community Center, 2 Plaza, S.F. Free. (415) 664-2200.

Atheist meeting

Saturday, Jan. 31, join San Francisco Atheists in a discussion titled "Opposing Creationist Groups" lead by Glenn Branch, deputy director of Berkeley's National Center for Science Education. 6 p.m., Elephant and Castle, 424 Clay, S.F. (415) 771-9872.

'Socialist Action Newspaper' anniversary

Saturday, Jan. 31, attend a rally and celebration for the 20th anniversary of Socialist Action Newspaper, hosted by Socialist Action Bookstore, that features activist-musician Michael Franti, attorney Lynne Stewart, and others. Reception 6 p.m., celebration 7:30 p.m., Socialist Action Bookstore, 298 Valencia, S.F. $5-$10 donation. (415) 255-1080.

Women's Building turns 25

Saturday, Jan. 31, celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Women's Building with its members, drag kings, DJs, and the Radical Cheerleaders. 8:30 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. $10-$20, free with purchase of Women's Building membership. (415) 431-1180, ext. 11.

Comics on U.S. terrorism

Sunday, Feb. 1, comics such as Will Durst, Bill Santiago, and Rene Hicks (with musical entertainment by David Rovics) present "Behind Every Terrorist – There Is a Bush" to benefit the international inquiry into 9/11. Veterans for Peace, American Legion Post 315, the 9/11 Truth Alliance, and KPFA-FM are sponsors. 7-9 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness, S.F. $9-$22. (415) 392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com, www.deceptiondollar.com. (Also Mon/2, 7 p.m., Gunn High School, Spangenberg Theatre, 780 Arastradero, Palo Alto.)

Save Golden Gate Park

Monday, Feb. 2, the Save Golden Gate Park organization provides an update on a lawsuit to preserve the park's Music Concourse and pedestrian tunnels. 6:30 p.m., Grant Building, 1095 Market, Room 605, S.F. Free. (415) 621-3090.

War motives uncovered

Monday, Feb. 2, the East Bay Community Against the War presents a screening of Uncovered, a controversial documentary detailing the spin and hype that served as reasons to go to war with Iraq, featuring interviews with former Central Intelligence Agency operatives and weapons inspectors. 7-8:30 p.m., Grand Lake Neighborhood Center, 530 Lake Park, Oakl. $1 suggested donation. (510) 658-8994.

Artist activism panel

Tuesday, Feb. 3, this "artivism" panel of local curators and artists, organized by Southern Exposure, examines the role of the arts in the current political climate and explores issues around using art as a tool for social commentary and political change. 7-9 p.m., Southern Exposure, 401 Alabama, S.F. $5, $3 members. (415) 863-2141.

Dissing the PATRIOT Act

Tuesday, Feb. 7, discuss the USA PATRIOT Act, the targeting of Arab Americans, and attacks on our civil liberties at a forum sponsored by International ANSWER called "Government Repression and Civil Liberties: How Can We Fight Back?" 7 p.m., 2489 Mission, Room 28, S.F. $5. (415) 821-6545.

Kucinich open mic

Tuesday, Feb. 3-Tuesday, Feb. 24, KPOO-FM host Diamond Dave hosts a spoken word night at the Dennis Kucinich headquarters every Tuesday leading up to the March 2 primary. Tues., 6-8 p.m., 1751 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 440-5530 or (415) 553-4025.

Analyze this

Wednesday, Feb. 4, join key Gonzalez for Mayor campaign organizers in a discussion and analysis of the recent mayoral race. 6:30-9 p.m., Women's Building, Audre Lorde Room, 3543 18th St., S.F. $10 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. (415) 279-1473.

Dean convergence

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 11 citywide locations and local grassroots organizers provide information on and opportunities for volunteering for Howard Dean's presidential campaign. 7-9 p.m. For locations go to dean2004.meetup.com. (415) 789-8008.

Peace planning meeting

Wednesday, Feb. 4, Not in Our Name meets to plan anti-military recruitment and anti-ROTC campaigns on high school and college campuses, along with other antiwar mobilization efforts, such as the March 20 global day of protest against occupation. 7-9 p.m., Not in Our Name, 1611 Telegraph, Oakl. (510) 444-6466.