This week's calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.)
Immigration policy talk
A group of faith, labor, and civil rights organizations will present the talk "Race, Community, and Immigration Bias" by the Rev. Luis Barrios at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 28. Barrios is chair of the Department of Latin American Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an Episcopal priest with St. Mary's Church in West Harlem. He has studied US immigration policies extensively. The event will be held at Workers United Hall, 750 East Avenue.
Panel discussion on women's equality
Women's Equality Liberation and Defense and several co-sponsors will present "The Women's Equality Act: What's Next?" a panel discussion at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25. The New York State Assembly passed the full Women's Equality Act, but the Senate refused to vote on a portion of the bill dealing with abortion rights. Is New York at risk for the passage of harsh anti-abortion laws? Where do supporters of the Women's Equality Act go from here? KaeLyn Rich, director of the Genesee Chapter of the NYCLU, and Betty DeFrazio, executive director of the local chapter of Planned Parenthood, will answer these questions and others at Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street.
Voting rights discussion
The League of Women Voters and Monroe County Board of Elections Commissioners Thomas Ferrarese and Peter Quinn will present "Your Vote Counts," a discussion at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24. Last June, the US Supreme Court ruled that Section 4 of the 1963 Voting Rights Act was not needed, but it gave Congress the ability to rewrite the law. The LWV is strongly in support of doing so, and is working to expand access to voting. The event will be held at Asbury First Methodist Church, 1054 East Avenue.
Lecture on deaf culture
The University of Rochester will present "Deaf Ethnicity: For and Against," a lecture by Harlan Lane, a professor at Northeastern University and a specialist in the psychology of language. Lane is a controversial spokesperson for the deaf community. He is a critic of cochlear implants and his written extensively about speech, hearing, and the deaf culture. His lecture will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, in the Rush Rhees Library.
