This week's calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.)
Fracking film
The First Unitarian Church's Environmental Climate Committee will sponsor a showing of the documentary "All Fracked Up II" at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13. Filmmakers Jeff and Jodi Andrysick expose the collateral damages caused by fracking as the debate continues in New York State. The event will be held at 220 Winton Road South.
Remembering the riots
The Harley School will host a showing of the film "July '64" on Thursday, May 8. The film documents the Rochester riots. The event will also include a discussion with the filmmakers, Carvin Eison and Christine Christopher. Also included in the discussion will be Darryl Porter, a long-time Rochester public servant who is featured in the film. The film will be shown at 6 p.m., and following a brief refreshment break, the panel discussion will begin at 7:15 p.m., at 1981 Clover Street.
Local hearing on Ban the Box
The Rochester City Council will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, on whether Rochester should "Ban the Box." The event refers to a national movement to remove questions on employment applications that ask job seekers if they have been convicted of a crime. Supporters say the question deters employers from hiring good candidates and contributes to recidivism and generational poverty. The hearing will be held in Council chambers at Rochester City Hall, 30 Church Street.
Women's Equality Act rally
The New York Women's Equality Coalition will hold a peaceful rally at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 9, to call the public's and legislators' attention to the Women's Equality Act. Supporters believe the WEA will update and strengthen laws in New York to combat domestic violence, discrimination, and sex trafficking, as well as secure access to reproductive health care. The rally will be held at 2300 West Ridge Road. Information: www.nywomensequality.org.
Anti-war film series
The Upstate Coalition to Ground the Drones and End Wars will present the Women of the Silk Road film series. The first film, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, will be "Silent Water" from Pakistan, which tells the story of a widow living in Punjab with her son, who finds her quiet life torn apart by international events. The film will be shown at the Gandhi House, 929 South Plymouth Avenue. Information about the film series: www.deconstructedglobe.com.
May hikes in the sanctuary
The Thousand Acre Swamp Sanctuary, a property of the Central and Western New York Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, will hold several nature hikes, beginning with "Birds of the Swamp" at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 8. "Supernova Over the Swamp" will be held at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 9. And on Saturday, May 10, the hike will be in search of "Spring Wildflowers" at 10 a.m. All the hikes are free and open to the public and begin in the sanctuary parking lot at 1581 Jackson Road (between Atlantic Avenue and Plank Road). Be prompt because the hikes begin on time, and dress appropriately. Information: Marie Heerkens at 773-8911.
Protecting Ecuador's resources
Rochester Committee on Latin America will present "Ecuador: Politics, Environment, and the Continuing Challenges for Indigenous Communities," a talk by Paola Macas Betchart at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7. Betchart, an environmental anthropologist born in Ecuador, has been researching natural resources management, focusing on conservation and development issues facing the Ecuadorian Amazon region. She will discuss the politics of protecting the country's natural resources and the indigenous movement. The event will be held at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street.
