Friends Don't Let Friends Watch Debates Alone
Members of the Cincinnati League of Pissed Off Voters gather to watch the final debate between former Gov. George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Carol's on Main.
Slavery Among Us
A report released Sept. 23 counted at least 10,000 people working as forced laborers in the United States, according to Free the Slaves, a nonprofit organization. An estimated 27 million slaves worldwide are forced to work in agriculture, mining and prostitution. Jolene Smith, executive director of Free the Slaves, will speak on the theme "Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy" at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Miami University's Hall Auditorium. Admission is free.
Living with Globalization
The School of Living at St. Xavier Church meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Oct. 27 for a light supper followed by a prayer service and discussion of globalization of the economy. RSVP for the supper by calling 513-721-4045.
Dead Man Living
Shujaa Graham, a former death row inmate, speaks out against the death penalty at 7 p.m. Thursday before a showing of The Ghosts of Attica in the Tangeman University Center Theater at the University of Cincinnati. The film chronicles the Attica prison uprising.
Calling on Lawyers
The Ohio Voter Protection Coalition seeks attorney volunteers to monitor election polls and provide legal hotline coverage Nov. 2. Lawyers, law students, paralegals and other legal professionals will be stationed at low-income and minority precincts for at least four hours. Training is 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church. To participate, contact Leslye Huff at 216-570-8123 or [email protected] or Naima Clarke at 513-272-3307.
Hang Those Chads
Become a poll monitor to prevent the disenfranchisement that marked the last presidential election, when a lack of voter education, inadequately trained poll workers and faulty machines disenfranchised a disproportionate number of minority voters. The Ohio Voter Protection Coalition Project trains poll monitors from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, 3458 Reading Road. Monitors must be at least 17, available for at least six hours on Election Day and cannot endorse candidates or issues while monitoring. Brunch is provided. Call Carmen Roach at 460-0400.
Rock the Vote
Rock the Vote has a free festival from 1-5 p.m. Saturday at the main branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The festival includes live music, panel discussion, films and a meet-up at noon with State Sen. Mark Mallory. For more details, contact [email protected] or 513-369-6971 or visit CincinnatiLibrary.org.
Lights, Camera, Activism
Every Monday until the election, Kaldi's Coffeehouse and Bookstore on Main Street offers free showings of politically minded films starting at 8 p.m. This Monday meet Karl Rove, the brain behind the Bush, in Bush's Brain. On Oct. 25 Liberty Bound shows a "U.S. citizen's journey of discovery into the lies, oppression and corruption that have invaded her country since 9/11." Finally, on the eve of the election, watch Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry.
Other People's Children
The focus is on education and juvenile justice when the Isaac M. Wise Political Advocacy Committee and the American Jewish Committee convene a panel to discuss "Why Other People's Children Matter: Election 2004" from 7:30-9 p.m. Monday at the Wise Center in Amberley Village. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call Wise Temple at 513-793-2556.
Tour of Duty
Nobel Peace Prize-winner Bobby Muller stops by the University of Cincinnati on his fall "Tour of Duty," speaking at 7 p.m. Tuesday in room 400 ABC of the Tangeman University Center. Muller, a paraplegic since Vietnam, founded the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation and co-founded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
Money with a Message
The Rev. David Schilling talks about principled investing and how universities and individual stockholders can have a say in the ethical decisions made by corporations. His presentation, "Corporate Responsibility: How to Use Global Principles" takes place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Kelley Auditorium at Xavier University. Contact Peace and Justice Programs at 513-745-3046 for more information.
Appetizer with That Issue?
The Cincinnati Public Schools tax levy (Issue 32) and the repeal of Article 12 of the city charter (Issue 3) are the focus of a Local Issues Night hosted by the Urbanists and Teach for America Alumni at Mr. Pitiful's Oct. 20. Speakers from the school levy campaign include Sue Taylor, president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers. Gary Wright, co-chair of Citizens to Restore Fairness and City Councilman John Cranley speak about Article 12. The program starts at 6 p.m. with appetizers and happy hour specials and lasts 'til the conversations are done.
Sound Off for Kerry
A stellar lineup of local musicians rocks Southgate House Oct. 21 in support of John Kerry. At 8 p.m. Over-the-Rhine kicks off a program featuring three stages, 21 bands and short movies. Suggested donation is $10, minimum is $5. All proceeds go to Republicans for Kerry. For more information, contact Laura Chenault at [email protected] or 513-861-1858.
About That Speech...
A tri-partisan American Destiny Forum takes place Oct. 23 at Union Terminal, where President Bush explained his rationale for invading Iraq two years ago. The program examines what has grown out of Bush's speech. Speakers include Libertarian Jim Marrs, whose book Crossfire was the basis for Oliver Stone's movie JFK; conservative Republican John Buchanan and Democrat Jim Garrison. The forum is from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and features three lectures: "American Truth Serum, from a Republican" by Buchanan; "9/11, the Patriot Act, and the Theft of Liberty," by Marrs; and "America as Empire: The End, or a New Beginning?" by Garrison. The cost is $20. For more information, contact Byron Belitsor at 415-453-4023.
No More Homeless Pets
More than 400 animal welfare advocates from across the country convene in Cincinnati for No More Homeless Pets, a conference from Oct. 22-25 at Holiday Inn Cincinnati-Eastgate. Topics include creating no-kill communities, increasing adoptions, establishing spay/neuter programs and humanely managing feral cats, fundraising, community outreach, volunteer recruitment, media relations and coping with burnout. For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/conference_oct04.cfm or call 435-644-2001, extension 255.
Karma for the Vote
A vigil for the electoral transformation of the country takes place at Lone Star Pavilion in Clifton from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 23. The vigil starts with a potluck picnic at 5:30 p.m., followed by meditation and non-verbal prayer through music, dance and drama. From 8-8:30 p.m. participants will line Clifton Avenue with signs and banners as a public statement of their commitment to reversing America's course in the upcoming election. The New Jerusalem Community seeks co-sponsors for the event; contact Anne at 513-591-2942 or [email protected].
Policing the Police
Wendell France, the head of Cincinnati's Civilian Complaint Authority, is the guest speaker for the annual Justice Watch Dinner from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 23 at St. Joseph Church in the West End. France led the investigation into the death of Nathaniel Jones while in police custody; the CCA found evidence that police used excessive force.
NAFTA and the Disappeared Women in Mexico
The International Caravan for Justice stops by UC at 3 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Tangeman University Center Atrium. The caravan is traveling the country to fight for justice in Juarez and Chihuahua, Mexico, where almost 400 young women have been murdered in the past decade. Half of them worked in maquiladoras opened in Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement. See www.mexicosolidarity.org/juarezcaravans.html for more information.
Lobby Your Neighbors for Kerry
Cincinnati Labor Council AFL-CIO is gearing up for the annual Get Out the Vote Ward Walk, a neighborhood canvassing operation in support of labor-endorsed candidates. The walk takes place October 29-31, the weekend before the election. Sign up by calling 513-421-1846.
