Urban Action 8/22

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This week's calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.)

State candidate speaking here

Jumaane Williams, one of four candidates for New York lieutenant governor, will speak at a townhall-style meeting in Rochester on Wednesday, August 22. His topic: "Schools and Not Jails." Williams has made progressive issues like social-justice reform a high priority in his campaign. He says the state has failed to fully fund many of its public school systems, including Rochester's. The underfunding of schools combined with the criminalization of black and brown youth is fueling the school-to-prison pipeline, Williams says. The event will be held at the Edgerton Recreation Center, at 41 Backus Street, at 5:30 p.m.

Films explore disabilities

The Center for Disability Rights will present a "Free Our People Film Festival" on Thursday, August 23, featuring short films selected from submissions earlier this year. The films explore institutional bias and the struggle many people with disabilities face when trying to live in their own homes and communities. The film festival will be held at The Little Theatre, 240 East Avenue, at 6 p.m. A question and answer session will be held after the showings.

Updating news from Nicaragua

The Rochester Committee on Latin America will present "Perspectives on Nicaragua: Two Progressive Viewpoints on the Current Nicaraguan Reality," on Wednesday, September 5. The program will look at the recent anti-government protests and violence in Nicaragua.

Some analysts says that American and international media have mostly blamed President Daniel Ortega for attacks on citizens, police, and infrastructure. Longtime ROCLA members Michael Argaman and Arnold Matlin share their observations of what is actually happening on the ground. Karleen West, Associate Professor of Political Science at SUNY Geneseo will moderate the discussion. The event will be held at Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street, at 7 p.m.