Week of September 7, 2006

For an updated East End Report click here

In this week's report: [ click on any of the bold headers below ]

Thunder on the Isle of Shells

Tell Suffolk Legislators to Oppose Levy Bill

Culture of Peace

Peace & Justice Calendar

Suffolk Peace Vigils (East End Women in Black Vigil Sunday)

Counter Recruiting Schedule

Alternative Media for Eastern LI

Support Independent Media: WUSB and WPKN/WPKM need your support.
Go to wpkn(dot)org and wusb(dot)fm and contribute on line.

See wpkn.org/today for program details on WPKM heard at 88.7 Montauk to Water Mill and WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport to Southampton and Southold.

Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez: Monday- Saturday on Riverhead/Southampton/Southold Channel 20.

Monday 10pm
Tuesday 9 pm
Wednesday 6am
Thursday 5pm
Friday 7pm
Saturday 8pm

See the North Fork People of Conscience web site

Also see the Suffolk Progressive Vision web site for links to more local events.

The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst.

Send comments, corrections and event listings to eastendreport@yahoo.com

Thunder on the Isle of Shells

The Shinnecock Indian Nation hosted their 60th annual Pow Wow this past weekend at the Reservation near Southampton.

The first Shinnecock Pow Wow, a gathering of native peoples was organized by the late Chief Thunder Bird to focus his community on their identity as native people and to let non-natives learn about their native neighbors.

Chief Thunder Bird's daughter Elizabeth (Chee-Chee) Thunder Bird Haile spoke to us Sunday about the Pow Wow. She says Shinnecocks who live outside the Reservation most of the year return to their land for the Pow Wow.

"they want to do their cultural things and they need their spiritual connection - they come to Shinnecock land - to the land of our people"

Among the music groups performing at the event were the Thunder Bird Sisters, grandaughters of Chief Thunder Bird. They are Becky Genia, Tina Tarrant and Rev. Holly Haile Davis.

From "Song of Hope" (*):

"You look like my neighbor, your face says, 'I know you'.

We stand in the struggle to strengthen each other.


If you're seeking justice, I too stand up with you.

You're family to me 'cause you want to be free.


Survival is part of the hand of our elders,

tradition, the gift given to us at birth.

Do not believe that we live without hope

Make your steps worthy and honor this earth.


Hopeless is never the song that we sing.

Defeated is never the message we bring.

Empower the people by standing together.

Hatred and fear will be banished forever.

Lift up the people, together we keep hope alive."



Elizabeth Thunder Bird Haile summed up the Shinnecock view of what she calls modern issues - "all issues of land - land which has never left Shinnecock ownership."

"Other people have come and leased the land from us and they developed it into the township of Southampton but no one ever bought it because it wasn't for sale."

She says the right of New York State or the federal government to tax goods on the reservation is a land issue because "that's who we are - we are the Shinnecocks of the Shinnecock land."

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(*) "Song of Hope", copyright 1999. Thunder Bird Sisters, LLC.
Information: Thunder Bird Sisters Records, 40 Montauk Highway, Southampton, NY11968


This report was prepared for WPKN local news heard Monday-Friday at 6:30 pm on
WPKM Montauk at 88.7 and WPKN Bridgeport at 89.5 MHz FM.

The WPKN East End Long Island News Team needs interested volunteers. Contact us at
eastendnewsteam@yahoo.com

Tell Suffolk Legislators to Oppose Levy Bill on County Hiring

Legislation before the Suffolk County Legislature is designed (by County Exec. Steve Levy) to prevent hiring of undocumented workers by contractors doing business with the county. The legislation which has been revised twice since it was introduced in an attempt to quiet objections by advocates for immigrants rights drew strong objections from speakers at Tuesday's hearing at the legislature meeting in Hauppage.

However the legislators are expected to vote to approve it. Messages addressed to the east end's legislator Jay Schneiderman have been running 50-50 for and against the legislation.

Immigrant Rights advocates including the Long Island Immigrant Alliance are urging us to tell our legislators to oppose this legislation. Some reasons for this are found in the following:


via email to:

Jay.Schneiderman@suffolkcountyny.gov


Dear Mr. Schneiderman:

What is gained by passing a law which will

- cost the jobs of documented and undocumented workers
with Latin surnames when they are fired by employers who
won't take the time to check on their status but don't want to
lose their county contracts?

- cost the county money to administer ?

- engender an atmosphere of ill will in our communities?

- offer no solution to our real problems ... of low wage economy and disappearing higher paying jobs ... jobs that are disappearing for the same reasons that drive immigration from Latin America ..
the so-called Free Trade (free for those who are hiring) and
our gov's support of US agribusiness ?

- will fuel the propaganda campaign of the neo-nazi linked Minute Men Civil Defense Corps ?

But I guess you have heard this before ... So I hope you will stand for justice in this case as you have in the past.

regards,

Tony Ernst
Southampton

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Contact Info for East End County Legislators

Hon. Ed Romaine
423 Griffing Avenue, Suite 2
Riverhead, NY 11901
Edward.Romaine@suffolkcountyny.gov
Phone: 852·3200
Fax: 852·3203

Hon Jay Schneiderman
75 Washington Street
PO Box 1827
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Jay.Schneiderman@suffolkcountyny.gov
Phone: 852-8400
Fax: 852-8404

Culture of Peace: North Fork People of Conscience Offer Scholarships

To show our support for the Creating A Culture of Peace program being offered by the Fellowship of Reconciliation, North Fork People of Conscience are offering five need-based scholarships to enable five people in the community to participate in the three-day workshop to be held at the Southold Methodist Church on September 22, 23 and 24.

The cost of the workshop is $75 of which NFPOC will pay $60.

If you or anybody you know--of any age or faith--would be unable to attend this nonviolence training workshop without the scholarship, please email us at nfpofc@optonline.net or call Pat at 631 765-4612. Please tell us why you would like to attend the workshop and how you think you might use the training to achieve nonviolence in our community.

If you are not applying for the scholarship, please email us to register for the workshop. William Moore at 631-765-4663 or Lorraine DeArmitt at 631-765-3449, organizers of the workshop, can answer any questions you may have.

For more general information, please visit the Fellowship of Reconciliation website at www.forusa.org or the NFPOC blog at http://nfpofc.blogspot.com/

We look forward to seeing you at the workshop.

Peace & Justice Calendar - Starting September 7

For details about the following events SCROLL DOWN:

* September 17 (Sunday): "Number the Dead" of Iraq War in New York 10-11 am

* September 17 (Sunday): : East End Community Gathering at Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays 1 to 6pm

* September 17 (Sunday): East End Women in Black Vigil in Sag Harbor at 5pm

* September 17 (Sunday): Constitution Day - Reading the Constitution in Bridgehampton from 6 to 9pm

* September 19 (Tuesday): US Foreign Policy and Immigration with Bill McNulty in Freeport at 7pm

* September 24 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm

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Looking Ahead:

October 5 (Thursday): The World Can't Wait - Rally in NYC

From 'World Can't Wait': On Thursday October 5, in New York and other cities people will make a huge political statement that cannot be ignored by massing in large numbers to say: "Bring This to a Halt! The World Can't Wait! Drive Out the Bush Regime!"

(An organizing rally will be held this Thursday, September 7 at the Metropolitan Community Church, 446 W 36th St in New York (west of 9th Av.). Speakers include Jonathon Tasini - Democratic Primary Candidate for New York Senator, Father Luis Barrios, activist priest,
Elaine Brower, mother of a marine in Iraq and anti-war activist, Henry Chalfant, filmmaker, Kathleen Chalfant, actress, Esther Kaplan, author of With God On Their Side, Mark Crispin Miller, author of Fooled Again)

More Info: worldcantwait.org
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November 17-19(Friday-Sunday): Annual School of the Americas Vigil / Demonstration at Ft. Benning Georgia

The fight to close the military training camp for Latin American military continues. Close to 20,000 participants are expected to be there, many from Long Island.

Contact Bill McNulty at wmcnult@suffolk.lib.ny.us

Repeating Events:

( see Counter-Recruiting for listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations)

* Sunday Nights: "Bush is a Liar Choir" rehearses in Lindenhurst from 7 to 9pm

* Every Thursday evening - Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30

* "Herstory" Writing Workshops on Wednesdays in Farmingville (Spanish and English) 3 to 5 pm and Thursdays in Spanish only in East Hampton at 7 pm

* Second Tuesday of Month: South Fork Chapter of LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30 pm

Details Follow:
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September 17 (Sunday): "Number the Dead" of Iraq War in New York 10-11 am

From North Fork People of Conscience:

On Sunday, September 17, from 10-11 am, in New York City, we will be joining the NUMBER THE DEAD line of people holding pictures of the soldiers who have died in Iraq. The line will stretch down Fifth Avenue from 98th Street to 8th Street.

We all need to see what the number 2,651 dead (as of Sunday, September 3) looks like. We hope you will spread the word (a flyer is attached) and join us on the line.

Here is the information we have received from the organizers.

On Sunday September 17th there will be 2700 concerned persons lining the east sidewalk of 5th Avenue from 8th Street to 98th Street in NYC. The number corresponds to the number of US soldiers that have died in Iraq.
Each person will hold a poster board with the name, age and hometown of every fallen US soldier. In addition, each block will have a poster marking the number of Iraqis who have been killed.

Also, please visit our blog at: nfpofc.blogspot.com
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September 17 (Sunday): Constitution Day - Reading the Constitution in Bridgehampton from 6 to 9pm

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork and the East End Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights will again celebrate Constitution Day at the Unitarian Meetinghouse, 977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike on Sunday, Sept 17, from 6-9 pm. Constitution Day has been proclaimed by Congress to celebrate the anniversary of the ratification of our Constitution in legislation sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd. All are invited to help read the Constitution in its entirety. There will be special early American music as well as the reading.

Call Myrna Truitt, 631 728-7601 for more information.
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September 17 (Sunday): East End Community Gathering at Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays 1 to 6pm

AFTER-SUMMER EAST END COMMUNITY GATHERING

Family, Friends and Neighbors!!!

Free Food - share our drinks, hotdogs & ice cream

Also consider bringing a pot luck dish for 5 or 6 people
(Perhaps a dish from your own cultural background);

PRIZES; PRIZES; PRIZES; PRIZES
Music, Poetry, Games, Dancing, Sports & More

Location: Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays
(Exit 65 North from Sunrise Hwy; first right and third left into Park)

Time: 1 to 6pm
(If it rains, picnic will begin at noon until 3 P.M. with inside fun!!)

For information & to let us know you’re coming call: Picnic Committee @ 631-727-6831

Picnic Committee:

Anti-Bias Task Force: Riverhead, Southampton, Southold & East Hampton;
Chamber of Commerce: Southampton & Greater Westhampton Beach;
Citizens Advisory Council of Southampton/Tuckahoe; Human Resources of the Hamptons; Kiwanis Club -- Riverhead;
Lions Club Southampton;
N.A.A.C.P.;
Peconic Community Council; Rogers Memorial Library;
Shinnecock Museum & Cultural Center;
Spanish Apostolate -- North & South Forks;
St. Rosalie’s Church – Hampton Bays ;
Suffolk County Community College;
Youth Bureau-Town of Southampton (list in formation)

September 17 (Sunday): East End Women in Black Vigil in Sag Harbor at 5pm

This vigil is held every month on the third Sunday in Sag Harbor at the Wharf. Also this month on all other Sundays in Bridgehampton at the Monument (Ocean Road and Rte 27).

see www.eewib.blogspot.com
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September 19 (Tuesday): Discussion with Bill McNulty -US Foreign Policy and Immigration in Freeport at 7pm

A discussion with Bill McNulty, Suffolk coordinator of the School of Americas Watch will be held at the Freeport Memorial Library on Tuesday evening, September 19.

The subject is how US foreign policy is related to immigration.
Mr. McNulty will defend the following analysis:

"For more than a century U.S. foreign policy has been geared to protect “U.S. interests” throughout the world. These “interests” have been the economic interests of the big corporations. The “protection” of these interests has been reflected in invasions of countries, overthrow of foreign governments, support of genocidal dictatorships, and, due to wars and/or “free trade agreements”, destruction of local economies that could compete or otherwise interfere with the interests of the corporations.

Results of these policies in Latin America: displacement of populations that must migrate in order to survive.

The U.S. foreign policy has a big responsibility in the problems facing the immigrants. Closing the border will not bring a solution. The solution lies in changing the foreign policy and ending the unconditional support of the big corporations that exploit both, U.S. workers and the rest of the world."

Bill McMulty is a veteran of both the US military and the fight to close the terrorists training camp at Fort Benning, Georgia, formerly called the School of the Americas. His radio program is heard weekly on WUSB-FM 90.1 from noon to 2pm on Thursdays.

The Freeport Memorial Library is at 144 West Merrick Road, Freeport.

Co-sponsors: Five Towns Forum, I.F.C.O., Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives, Nassau Greens, Workplace Project. Long Island Media Watch.
For more information call: Mara Bard - (516) 379-8522
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September 24 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm

(see September 10, 17 above)

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Repeating Events:

See Suffolk Peace Vigils for a complete list of weekly and monthly vigils.
See Counter Recruiting Schedule for a listing of weekly and monthly demonstrations.
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Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst: Join political action singing group.

Participate in songs regarding environment, anti-war, labor, multiculturalism, civil rights, and other issues. Sing historic songs of struggle and social change. Explore the role of music in political movements. Experience singing musical arrangements, in four part harmony.

Perform these songs for others. Contribute to the progressive movement while becoming culturally enriched. If you've ever wanted to be in a singing group, now is your chance! Experienced and non-experienced singers are welcome. All we ask is that you are able to sing on pitch.

Rehearsals take place, Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 in Lindenhurst.

Anyone interested, please call Lisa Fishbein at: (631) 957-4954
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Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30 pm

The group meets at the Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway on Thursdays at 6:30pmContact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita(at)verizon(dot)net
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"Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English

Mondays in Farmingville:

Herstory Writers Workshop meets every Monday afternoon at the Farmingville branch of the Workplace Project from 3 to 5. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking women come together to share and shape their life experiences through memoir writing. The workshop is conducted in both English and Spanish.

Call 631-723-0150 for more information and directions to the center.

Thursdays in East Hampton:

Every Thursday Spanish-speaking women come together to share their writing with one another and receive feedback on how to structure and shape their lifewriting.

The East Hampton workshop is open to East Hampton Town residents and is conducted entirely in SpanishIt meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 128 Springs-Fireplace Road.Call 631-723-0150 for more information.
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Second Tuesday each month:

South Fork Chapter - LI Progressive Coalition Meets in Water Mill at 6:30pm The regular monthly meeting of the South Fork chapter of the Progressive Coalition is at 6:30pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Lutheran Church on Montauk Highway & Hayground Rd. between Water Mill and Bridgehampton.

Info: 516-541-1006, ext.55 or www dot lipc dot org
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Send event listings for next week's report by 5pm Tuesday to eastendreport@yahoo.com

Plain old text would be appreciated!