Join the resistance!

Friday, Oct. 8-Saturday, Oct. 9 attend "Resisting Government Secrecy in a Time of Terrorism," a conference presented by the California First Amendment Coalition and the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Seymour Hersh (Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m.) Conference Oct. 8, 2:30-7:45 p.m.; Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. $45-$55, $20-$25 students, $35-$45 CFAC members, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, North Gate Hall, Hearst and Euclid, Berk. To register call (415) 460-5060 or go to www.cfac.org/assembly_reg.htm. For a full program go to www.cfac.org/assembly.htm.

Anti-Zionism explained

Wednesday, Sept. 22, attend a discussion by activists David Barsamian, As'ad Abu Khalil, and Kevin Chojczak, who argue it's not anti-Semitic to denounce Israel's policy toward Palestine. 7 p.m., Haymarket Books Library, 110 Capp, S.F. Free. (415) 282-1364.

Art against Bush

Wednesday, Sept. 22, bid on work by more than 30 East Bay artists at an auction and fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee. 4-7 p.m, Inferno Gallery, 4401 San Leandro, Oakl. Free admission. (510) 435-4843.

Krist Novoselic appearances

Wednesday, Sept. 22, show support for instant-runoff voting at a book-signing for Krist Novoselic's Of Grunge and Government. The former Nirvana bassist, who recently joined the board of the Center for Voting and Democracy, also appears at a house party to raise money for the CVD. 6:30 p.m., Virgin Megastore, 2 Stockton, S.F. Free. (415) 397-4525. For location and time of house party call (301) 270-4616, e-mail rr@fairvote.org, or go to www.fairvote.org/novoselic. $25-$100 suggested donation.

Media criticism

Thursday, Sept. 23, come to "Who Owns the News? – 2004 Election Coverage," a talk by former New York Times correspondent and current UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism professor Susan Rasky and former wire services reporter Randall Harrison. 7:30 p.m., Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro, S.F. Free. (415) 641-4488.

Welfare Radio report-back

Thursday, Sept. 23, get an update on the Sept. 4 March to End Poverty in Washington, D.C., and find out about the Bush administration's plan to spend billions promoting marriage to poor women, from the Welfare Radio Collaborative, a new activist group that trains low-income women in grassroots media advocacy. Dinner 6:15, program 7 p.m., New Valencia Hall, 1908 Mission, S.F. $6.50 requested donation. (415) 864-1278.

Performance about prison

Thursday, Sept. 23, and Sunday, Sept. 26, attend Barred from Life, about the consequences of wrongful conviction. David J. Popalisky created the performance in collaboration with Northern California Innocence Project director Cookie Ridolfi. Thursday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m., University of San Francisco, Presentation Theater, 2350 Turk, S.F. $15-$30, $7 students. (415) 422-5255, www.usfcs.edu/presentationtheater.

Dick Cheney exposed

Friday, Sept. 24, John Nichols, author of Dick: The Man Who Is President, argues Cheney is actually the one in charge of the country. 7:30 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 282-9246.

Lech Walesa lecture

Friday, Sept. 24, Lech Walesa speaks about what he sees as the most pressing issues of the 21st century. Check-in 11:15 a.m., program noon, Fairmont Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 950 Mason, S.F. $40-$65, $20 members. (415) 597-6705 (reservations).

Lewis Lapham talk

Friday, Sept. 24, the author and Harper's Magazine editor speaks about our diminishing right to criticize the government. Noon, World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter, second floor, S.F. $12, $5 students, free for members. (415) 493-4600, www.itsyourworld.org.

PATRIOT Act discussion

Saturday, Sept. 25, the Gray Panthers of San Francisco hosts a discussion about the USA PATRIOT Act featuring Samina Faheem Sundas, executive director of American Muslim Voice. 2-4 p.m., San Francisco Public Library, Presidio Branch, 3159 Sacramento, S.F. Free. (415) 552-8800.

Political artists benefit

Saturday, Sept. 25, attend a benefit film screening focusing on the Buffalo, N.Y., performance art group Critical Art Ensemble and the arrest of its members for bioterrorism under the PATRIOT Act. 8 p.m., Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5-$50. (415) 824-3890.

Tax resisters report

Saturday, Sept. 25, two war-tax resisters hold a potluck supper, presentation, and discussion to share their respective experiences at the 10th International Conference on War Tax Resistance in Brussels and with the Christian Peacemaker Team in Hebron. 6-8:30 p.m., 2220 Sacramento, Berk. Free. (510) 843-9877, www.nowartax.org.

Walk against homicide

Saturday, Sept. 25, the About My Father's Business Ministry and the OMI Faith Action Network sponsor a prayer fellowship and peace walk to promote community and raise awareness of neighborhood problems with street violence. Prayer service noon, Ocean View Park and Recreation Center, Capitol and Montana, S.F.; peace walk 3 p.m., begin on Capitol and circle back to Ocean View Park, S.F. (415) 850-7387.

Discuss Israel's 'apartheid wall'

Sunday, Sept. 26, join a dialogue with Jews for a Free Palestine and hear activist Dr. Susan Greene speak about her recent experiences in occupied Palestine. 4:30-6:30 p.m., La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk. Free. (510) 534-9768, j4fp@lists.riseup.net.

Forum on union retention

Sunday, Sept. 26, learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the labor movement and how union workers can create a united front. Noon, Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakl. $3 requested donation. (415) 786-7530, carltv214@aol.com or www.laboractioncoalition.org.

KPFA town hall meeting

Sunday, Sept. 26, tune in or join a live audience and find out what's going on locally, at KPFA-FM's live-broadcast town hall event. Hosted by Poor Magazine's Tiny Garcia, the event features reports on topics including seniors, housing, health care, safety, and homelessness. 2-6 p.m., Blue Cube, 34 Mason, S.F. To RSVP or for other information, call (510) 835-2488 or e-mail tlsummit@yahoo.com.

Transgender fundraiser

Tuesday, Sept. 28, help raise funds for San Francisco Transgender Empowerment, Advocacy, and Mentorship and help support future events such as Trans Pride 2005 and Transgender Day of Remembrance. 6 p.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. (415) 865-5555.

District Five candidate forum

Wednesday, Sept. 29, meet the District Five candidates for the Board of Supervisors at a forum on health- and human-services nonprofits. 6-8:30 p.m., University of San Francisco, McLaren Center, 2130 Fulton, S.F. Free. (415) 668-0444.

Assistance by Lori Musicer.