This week's calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.)
Lessons from St. Paul
The Rochester Regional Community Design Center will present "New Currents in a River City," a talk by Christopher Coleman, mayor of St. Paul, and Tim Griffin, director of urban design for St. Paul Riverfront Corporation, on Tuesday, April 21. The speakers will talk about redevelopment, investing in infrastructure, and connecting St. Paul's downtown to its Mississippi riverfront. The event will be held at the Inn on Broadway, 26 Broadway Street, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets: $45; www.cdcrochester.org or 271-0520.
A new campaign for poor people
Several regional education, activist, and health care organizations will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, to mobilize "A New Poor People's Campaign." Willie Baptist, a longtime anti-poverty activist who organized the National Union of the Homeless, and Nikita Price, also an anti-homelessness activist, will lead the discussion. The event will be held at the College of Brockport's Metro Center Campus, 55 St. Paul Street.
Discussing climate change
The Sierra Club Rochester Regional Group will present "Climate, Energy, and Intergenerational Justice," featuring a talk by James Hansen at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21. Hansen, widely considered one of the country's experts on climate change, was described by Time as one of the world's most influential people. The meeting will be held at Monroe Community College, 1000 East Henrietta Road, building 4.
Talking about the LGBT movement
The Flying Squirrel Community Space will host "Against Equality: Queer Revolution, Not Mere Inclusion," at 7 p.m. on Friday April 17. Author and activist Ryan Conrad will discuss how the largest and most influential LGBT organizations have wed themselves to the interests of big business at the expense of the more marginalized members of the LGBT community. The event will be held at 285 Clarissa Street.
Discussion on gun safety
The Lifetree Café will present "Inside the Gun Debate: To Hunt? To Defend? To Assault?" at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 20. The video features filmed interviews with Tom Mauser, whose son died at Columbine High School, and Michael Lang, a concealed weapon firearms instructor. The program, which is being offered at Lifetree Café locations across the country, is designed to encourage discussion about the often-heated issue of gun safety. The event will be held at 1301 Vintage Lane, Greece. Information: 723-4673.
