Activist Alert 2-26-2015

• A public meeting on the 2015 Eugene Trails Plan will be at 6 pm Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Eugene Public Works Parks and Open Space facility, 1820 Roosevelt Blvd. Email philip.s.richardson@ci.eugene.or.us or call 682-4906 for more information.

Janet Range, who supervises education programs at three immigrant detention centers in Portland, will join a discussion about “The Children Who Came Across the Border” at 7 pm Thursday, Feb. 26, at First United Methodist Church, 13th and Olive. 

• Citizens in Lane County are joining the international Education is Not a Crime campaign and Maziar Bahari’s new documentary To Light a Candle will be shown at 7 pm Thursday, Feb. 26, in the Lillis Business Complex Room 182 on campus. A panel discussion will follow with Iraj Kamalabadi, whose sister is currently imprisoned in Iran because of her religious beliefs; Shiva Sabet, who graduated from the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education, the only avenue open to Baha’is in Iran to get a higher education; Ibrahim Gassama, who teaches international law and human rights at UO School of Law; and the Rev. Dan Bryant, a longtime local human rights activist. See eugenebahai.org for more information. 

Hands Up is an all-ages “hip-hop police brutality awareness concert” presented by the Black Student Union on the UO campus. The event begins at 7:30 pm Thursday, Feb. 26, at the EMU Ballroom. A suggested $3 donation will be collected by the Civil Liberties Defense Center. The event will include performances by emcees, DJs, producers, B-Boys and live painting. Find the event on Facebook.

• “A Human Rights View of Fracking” is the topic at City Club of Eugene at noon Friday, Feb. 27, at the Downtown Athletic Club. Speaker is professor Thomas Kerns of North Seattle College. Kerns is the author of Environmentally Induced Illnesses: Ethics, Risk Assessment and Human Rights. $5 for non-members.

• The Eugene-Springfield NAACP and associated organizations are holding their annual Freedom Fund Dinner at 6 pm Friday, Feb. 27, at Valley River Inn. Master of ceremonies will be City Councilor Greg Evans and the theme is “Public and Community Service: Why it is important to engage our young people to serve.” The event sold out last year. To register, visit wkly.ws/1yd or call 484-1119 or email freedom@naacplanecounty.org.

• The Nobel Peace Park at Alton Baker Park will host a cleaning and planting event at 10 am Saturday, Feb. 28. Volunteers can show up to help and tools, drinks and snacks will be provided by Eugene Parks & Open Space Department. Email info@nobelpeacelaureats.org to get involved.

• An emergency preparedness workshop focusing on food and water storage will be from 10 am to 1 pm  Saturday, Feb. 28, at the OSU Extension Service office, 996 Jefferson St. Cost is $20 which includes snacks and handouts. Pre-register at the Extension office or call 344-5859.

• Author David Barsamian, founder of Alternative Radio, will speak at 1 pm Thursday, March 5, at Building 17, room 309, on the main LCC campus. His topic is “Media and Democracy.”

• A community forum on “A Fair Shot for Oregon” will begin at 6:30 pm Thursday, March 5, at First Christian Church, 1166 Oak St. Discussion will focus on legislation regarding the minimum wage, paid sick leave, retirement security, profiling and discrimination. Sponsored by Lane County Strong Voice.

• Coming up is the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference March 5-8 on the UO campus. The internationally known conference draws some 3,000 activists, attorneys, students, scientists and concerned citizens from more than 50 countries. See pielc.org for information.