NORTH FORK PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE Receives Grant

The Southold-based peace group, North Fork People of Conscience, is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF). The award came with a recommendation from the Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund (LIUU Fund).

This generous grant will be transmitted through the Community Land Trust of Southold, Inc. (CLT) which will serve as the funds administrator for North Fork People of Conscience. NFPOC is a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers. The group is non-partisan and the funds will not be used to support fundraising events for political candidates or other electioneering activities.

According to NFPOC director, Pat Hovey, “We are grateful to LICF and LIUU because this grant will help support our ongoing work, including educating the public about the consequences of the war in Iraq and the connections between war and other national and local issues confronted by our community.”

The funds will support NFPOC’s Honor the Fallen memorial to the casualties of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars. Through panels of photographs and biographies, the Honor the Fallen memorial bears witness to the U. S. servicemen and women who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The memorial also honors the Iraqis who have perished in the war. The memorial has been displayed in numerous venues, from New York City to Greenport. “Visiting the memorial has been a very moving experience for most people,” said Eleanor Oakley, an NFPOC director. “when they look at the faces of those killed and read about whom they have left behind. After spending time with the panels, those killed can no longer remain anonymous. Unfortunately, we have to update the memorial every month because every month more soldiers die.”

As part of its community-based mission, NFPOC is presenting a Documentary Film Series spotlighting films that deal with the consequences of war. The first in the series, “Sisters in the Resistance” will be shown at Peconic Landing in Greenport on August 25 at 8PM. Admission is free. The group plans to screen films on a monthly basis. “This very generous grant will allow us to screen more films in numerous venues”, says Ms. Hovey, “and this in turn will, hopefully, generate more awareness and discussion about the costs of war”.

Congradulations to NFPOFC. More Information can be found at nfpofc.blogspot.com

Peace & Justice Calendar Starting Thursday Aug 31

For details about the following events SCROLL DOWN:

* September 1 - 4 (Friday-Monday): 60th Annual Pow Wow at Shinnecock Res. 3pm-10pm Friday, 10 am-10pm Sat. & Sun, 10am-6pm Mon.

* September 3 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm

* September 5 (Tuesday): Prayer Meeting in Support of Immigrant Rights Prior to Suffolk Legislative Meeting in Hauppage at 8am.

* September 5 (Tuesday): Suffolk Peace Network Meets in Bellport at 6:30pm

* September 5 (Tuesday): Veterans for Peace Meet in Bellport at 7:30pm

* September 11 (Monday): Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace on Fire Island 8 - 9:30am

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

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

September 1 - 4 (Friday-Monday): Pow Wow at Shinnecock Res. 3pm-10pm Friday, 10 am-10pm Sat. & Sun, 10am-6pm Mon.

The 60th annual Shinnecock Pow Wow will be held this Labor Day weekend at the Shinnecock Reservation off of Montauk Highway west of Southampton Village.

The event will include:

Music (Shinnecock's own singing Thunder Bird Sisters, flutist Derek Whirlwind, rapper Litefoot (Oklahoma Cherokee), dance (Aztec Dancers from Mexico, Thunderbird American Indian Dancers) and the Inter-tribal singing and dancing competitions.

Crafts demonstrations: ( bow and arrow making, wood and antler carving, leather work and more).

Food and other Items for sale: chowders, frybread, succotash, venison, Navajo rugs, moccasins, jewelry.

Not enough info? Contact the tribal office at 631-283-6143 or go to www.shinnecocknation.com
or email nationspowwow@optonline.net.

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September 3 (Sunday): Vigil for End of Occupations of Palestine and Iraq and for Peace in Gaza and Lebanon - in Bridgehampton at 5pm

East End Women in Black continue their long running vigil this Sunday September 3 at 5pm at the monument/flagpole in Bridgehampton. This is the fifth year of these vigils.

There will be another vigil at 5pm in Bridgehampton on Sunday September 10 and in Sag Harbor at the Wharf on September 17.

More Info: www.eewib.blogspot.com or 631-831-4966

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September 5 (Tuesday): Prayer Meeting in Support of Immigrant Rights Prior to Suffolk Legislative Meeting in Hauppage at 8am.

Please join us this Tuesday morning, September 5 at 8:00 am for a morning of prayer, song and silence in solidarity with a community that needs healing and compassion. Please plan on speaking out to this frightened and cowered legislature against this proposed law. Bring a prepared 3 minute statement to present at the legislative hearing.

Immigration is a deeply relevant issue for both Americans and the faith community. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants, one that has been continually reshaped by new groups of people bringing diverse cultures, perspectives, and resources. Immigration is also a core issue for the faith community that reveres the Bible: the biblical story continually shows God's concern for the migrant and the outcast. The early Hebrews were "strangers in the land of Egypt " and were asked to remember this heritage by protecting the strangers among them in the promised land. Similarly, throughout the New Testament, Christians are called to care for the outcast and the stranger. (from Sojourners)

Despite this call to higher acts, many immigrants find themselves under attack. In early August, the Suffolk Co Executive proposed the legislature pass the most draconian anti-immigrant law seen in New York State since 1920. The law will force businesses with County contracts to fire suspected 'illegal' immigrants. Suffolk County has decided to enforce its own national immigration policy rather than leaving it to the Federal government. It is a pattern we have unfortunately seen exhibited by our County Executive previously.

County Executive Steve Levy, has lashed out against Latinos due to what he cites as a rise in crime. In fact, the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports show that despite the influx of more than 200,000 immigrants in the last decade, crime has actually fallen. The rate of criminality among immigrants is only slightly more than the rate in the U.S. Congress. Since the immigrant workers have arrived, Suffolk has seen the declining economy rebound since 1993 and housing values have more than doubled! He has repeated the untruth that immigrants are bankrupting our hospitals, even though he knows full well that 65 million American citizens are without any health coverage during some time in the last 12 months. For the middle class and poor health delivery has been catastrophically dismal for decades. It is not immigrants that have exposed a health system on the brink of collaspe. It is not immigrants that cause an estimated 18,000 deaths per year, because these people are without the resources to pay for medicines and necessary care. Yet the immigrant has become the easy scapegoat of ambitious, but often unscroupulous politicians

Despite the demonstrable and magnificant value that these working people have brought to our community, Levy' s law has brought out the worst in a segment of the county's population. The Minutemen have disrupted public and private meetings refusing to reduce their bullying agressive tactics to intididate our neighbors into silence.

All participants are asked to not engage counter-protestors or police. This Interfaith Prayer vigil is about solidarity for a community under attack. On this Labor Day Weekend let's remember that immigrants are workers too!


What you can do:

Join us in Hauppauge (Exit 56) at the Suffolk Co. legislature for the event.

Contribute money to the effort. Make your donation to the LI Immigrant Alliance AND notify us of your generous support by e-mailing us at immigrantalliance@ yahoo.com

If you cannot attend, encourage your pastor, rabbi or imam to offer prayers of solidarity for the Suffolk County immigrant and worker community, including the work of the LI Immigrant Alliance.

Contact: Luis Valenzuela, Executive Director
Long Island Immigrant Alliance
631 789-0720
immigrantalliance@ yahoo.com

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September 5 (Tuesday): Suffolk Peace Network Meets in Bellport at 6:30pm

The Suffolk Peace Network meets at 6:30 - 7:30 pm at 51 Browns Lane in Bellport.
You are encouraged to arrive early since there is a meeting immediately following (Veterans for Peace at the same location.

Info: Dennis Urlaub dmu7@optonline.net
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September 5 (Tuesday): Veterans for Peace Meet in Bellport at 7:30pm

The newly formed LI Veterans for Peace will meet at the Bellport UU, 51 Brown's Lane in Bellport at 7:30pm to 9:30pm on Tuesday 9/5.

Contact: Thomas at 631-889-0203 or email: ltbrin@earthlink.net
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September 11 (Monday): Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace on Fire Island 8 - 9:30am

Mark the anniversary of September 11th in a Walk for Peace to reflect on the tragic events of that day, remember those who lost their lives in the attacks, those who lost or risked their lives saving others, and make a stand for peace at a time of great danger, suffering and war around the world.

The walk is on Monday, September 11th. It starts at 8am at the top of No Name Walk in Lonelyville, Fire Island (a.k.a Plank Walk -- most western walk in Lonelyville, Fire Island) and ends at the Fire Island Lighthouse -- approximate arrival time 9:00am.

Why:

• To take a step in the right direction for a peaceful world.
• Because Fire Island offers a beautiful, serene environment that will enable thoughtful reflection and bring like minds together.
• Because volunteers have created peace inspired displays along route.
• Because the Fire Island Ferries has generously donated a FREE return ferry ride from the Lighthouse/ Ranger's Dock at leaving 10:45am to FAIR HARBOR.

Directons: From Bay Shore, take the Fire Island Ferries (99 Maple Avenue, 7:00am boat) to Dunewood. At the Dunewood ferry dock walk south to Central Walk. Make a left (heading east) at the tennis courts and continue past the Lonelyville community garden (wooden walk). At end, make a right and continue straight up to beach.

The "Lonelyville to the Lighthouse Walk for Peace" will take place rain or shine

For information call Tara at (631) 583-877-9219, or via email at tmcb@erols.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.

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 - BRING A POT LUCK DISH FOR 5 OR 6 PEOPLE – share our drinks, hotdogs & ice cream - (Perhaps a dish from each of our own cultural backgrounds);

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

(If it rains, picnic will begin at noon until 3 P.M. with inside fun!!)

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

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)

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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!

Week of August 24, 2006

For an updated East End Report click here

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


Southampton to Purchase Small Part of Hills Site

Bellport Village v. South Country Peace Group

Rev. Holly Haile Davis: Message to Town Board

The Spirit of the Land

Peace & Justice Calendar

Suffolk Peace Vigils (East End Women in Black and South Country Peace Group 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

Southampton To Purchase Small Part of Shinnecock Hills Historic Site

The Southampton Town Board acted Tuesday night to purchase about 3 acres of a 13 acre hillside site along Shinnecock Bay. The property currently owned by developer Robert Romeo is an ecologicaly sensitive site in the Shinnecock Hills and is believed to contain Native American graves.

At a hearing on the purchase speakers from the Shinnecock Nation and the Inter-Tribal Historic Preservation Task Force as well as non-native neighbors voiced dissapointment and urged the Board to purchase the whole 13 acres.

Native grave sites have been identified on eastern slopes of high points in the area. One of these sites adjacent to the Romeo property was developed in the 1980s.

Shinneock Rebecca Genia of the Preservation Task Force said "we have been talking over 4-1/2 years about what this property means to us"

She recounted how the Task Force was formed after a land owner built a horse barn over a native grave site where bones had been discovered on Shelter Island. The owner bulldozed the graves, sending bones flying, after promising to stop construction. After the main house was destroyed in a fire, the property was sold for preservation.

Reverend Holly Haile Davis of Shinnecock* noted that native grave sites have been found on the Shinnecock Hills Golf Course and neighboring Southamtpon College.

Reverend Davis spoke about grave sites of saints and kings in England, Scotland and in Egypt preserved as holy places.

"· People from all over the world make pilgrimages to Egypt's Mount Sinai in order to behold the ancient St. Catherine's Monastery, respected by Muslim and Jew and Christian, and which is to this day protected, because there are people who are committed to safeguard that hallowed place and believe it important to do so as long as it is possible.

At St. Catherine's there is a sign posted on which it is lettered plainly for all the world to read, these words: "DO NOT FORGET THAT YOU ARE IN A HOLY PLACE".

"It seems that many of our non-Shinnecock neighbors have forgotten that YOU ARE IN A HOLY PLACE, and that the Shinnecock Hills – all of the Shinnecock Hills, is a HOLY PLACE - an ancient burial place for our people."

"We have asked you to not desecrate our HOLY PLACES. And we have asked repeatedly for our Hills to be preserved, we have asked continually for this land and our spiritual beliefs and our sacred connection to this land be respected, and time and time again you ignore what we say, and over and over you draw lines on your paper, and trace boundaries on your maps, and sign checks in your checkbooks and record deeds in your deed books, and you think your inadequate attempts to truly protect and care for this HOLY PLACE worthy of our gratitude. "

Shinnecock Hills resident Hope Sandrow said that the area has been a battle ground and urged the Board to start a reconcilliation with the Shinnecock by purchasing all of the site.

A move by Suffolk County to purchase part of the Romeo property is still under consideration.

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This report was prepared for broadcast on WPKN Local News, heard Monday-Friday at 6:30 pm on WPKN 89.5 Bridgeport and WPKM 88.7 Montauk.

* A complete record of Reverend Davis' remarks is posted on this week's East End Report.

Bellport Village v. South Country Peace Group

Thursday, August 24 6:30 pm

At the Bellport Community Center—Bell St, Bellport

PRESS CONFERENCE

(across from the parking lot adjacent to the Chowder House)

Join & support the South Country Peace Group as we make a statement to the Long Island media concerning legal issues that have arisen with the Bellport Village over the use of the roads in Bellport Village leading up to our 24th World Peace Vigil Event that takes place each August 6 (Hiroshima Day).

The Suffolk County Chapter of the NYCLU has stated its intention to file a federal lawsuit against the Village of Bellport for violating the First Amendment rights of the South Country Peace Group.
The Village has just recently put into effect regulations that require anyone wishing to use the public streets for a parade or protest to show proof of at least a two million dollar liability insurance policy and that they sign an agreement to indemnify the Village for any costs or expenses arising from claims or law suits due to injuries or accidents that happen at or as a result of that parade or protest. The Village denied the South Country Peace Group’s application for a permit to hold the protest on August 6.

The South Country Peace Group hopes that members of our organization and members of the LI peace & justice community across LI will stand with us Thursday night. We do need a strong showing of support. Two people from our organization have been designated to be spokespersons. All we request is that you come out for a half hour or an hour and stand with us.

Dennis Urlaub
Co-Chair
South Country Peace Group