INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

April social justice calendar

Friday, April 4
A Ripple of Hope
King and Kennedy

Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy, will attend Friday’s memorial service for her husband and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Indianapolis Public School 27. Robert Kennedy’s 1968 Indianapolis speech on the day King was assassinated — 40 years ago this week — was widely credited with helping to spare Indianapolis the riots that erupted in cities across America after King’s death. Youth events are scheduled from 3-5 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 5 p.m. at IPS 27, 545 E. 19th St., and adjacent Peace Monument at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Following the memorial activities, a free public premiere of the King-Kennedy documentary A Ripple of Hope will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Madame Walker Theatre on Indiana Avenue, followed by a panel discussion. For more event information, call 317-232-9874.
 
Saturday, April 5
Midwest Peace and Justice Summit
IUPUI campus

Hosted by Student Advocates for Global Equality at IUPUI and sponsored by a number of local organizations, the Midwest Peace and Justice Summit invites activists, organizers, politically minded individuals and the community at large to share their ideas about everything from volunteering to the electoral process. The summit will be held from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. All events will be held in the IT building on the corner of Michigan and West streets. For more information or to register, go to www.mpjs.org.

Saturday, April 5
Pitch in and pick up
White River cleanup

Lend a hand! Pitch in and pick up at the 20th Annual White River Cleanup from 8 a.m.-noon along the future South White River Trail. Volunteers should arrive by 8 a.m. at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., near the east side of the river, facing Victory Field. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. This is a rain or shine event. Register at www.greenwaysfoundation.org.
 
Saturday, April 5
“Unite Here” rally
Monument Circle

Unlike Chicago, Atlanta and other large Midwest cities, Indianapolis has no hotel workers unions — reflected, in large part, by an hourly wage in Indianapolis that is $5-$6 less than union cities. Workers will hold a rally to draw attention and support for their efforts to unionize at Monument Circle this Saturday beginning at noon.  These organizing drives are part of a national Hotel Workers Rising movement, seeking to improve working standards in the hospitality industry. Hotel Workers Rising is a national campaign coordinated by UNITE HERE, the union of hotel workers in North America.

Saturday, April 5
Puppy mill protests
Fishers and Avon pet stores

In an effort to stop local pet stores from continuing to use and support puppy mills in Indiana, local animal rights activists will once again peacefully demonstrate outside of local pet stores. The protests will take place at Uncle Bill’s Pet Center in Fishers and Safari Pets in Avon from 2:30-4 p.m. For more information, contact IndianaProtest@petshoppuppies.org.

Wednesday, April 9
GLBT community
Creating Greater Awareness Forum
St. Luke’s Methodist Church

The Sam H. Jones Creating Greater Awareness Forum has shone a light on challenges and opportunities offered by unique communities, including Asian, African, Native American and West Indian. This month’s forum seeks to do the same for the gay and lesbian community, including discussions of the complex issues and struggles faced by the gay and lesbian community at work, at home and in the church; the experiences of teens who are gay and lesbian; and how current proposed legislation can impact the lives of the GLBT population. The event takes place from 4-7 p.m. at St. Luke’s, 100 W. 86th St. Presented by Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) in partnership with Indiana Youth Group and the Indianapolis Chapter of Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). For more information, go to www.cicf.org.

Friday-Saturday, April 11-12
Eyes Wide Open: The human cost of war
Monument Circle

While previous Eyes Wide Open exhibits have consisted of a single pair of boots representing every dead American, the death toll that now tops 4,000 has required smaller state-focused memorials. This exhibit will feature 130 pairs of boots in formation at Monument Circle, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, representing each of the Indiana soldiers who have died thus far in the war in Iraq. For more information, or to volunteer to help with the event, contact Erin Polley at epolley@afsc.org.

Saturday, April 12
Gathering of Goddesses and Gods
Westin Indianapolis

Experience a night of pampering, purchasing and partying at Planned Parenthood’s fifth annual Gathering of Goddesses and Gods dinner and auction fundraiser. All proceeds from the evening support Planned Parenthood of Indiana’s Women’s Health Fund, which assists low-income women and men with critical reproductive health services. To purchase tickets, call 317-637-4156, or visit www.ppin.org.

Monday, April 14
DJ Belly and Krukid
Ambassadors for Children fundraiser
Butler University

Teamed with Building Tomorrow, Butler University Ambassadors for Children is working to raise funds to build a school in the Wakiso District of Kampala, Uganda. This music benefit, featuring DJ Belly and Krukid, will raise funds toward the goal of $35,000 to build a school with eight rooms, a kitchen, toilets and a soccer field, providing nearly 350 children of Uganda with educational opportunities. The concert begins at 7 p.m., on Switzer Lawn, and is free and open to the public; donations are encouraged and much-needed. For more information, contact Martha Funston, mfunston@butler.edu.

Thursday, April 17
“Night at the Museum”
Indiana State Museum

The Central Indiana Land Trust, sponsor of the Indiana State Museum exhibit Footprints: Balancing Nature’s Diversity, will be hosting a “Night at the Museum” in conjunction with the exhibit. Michael Crowther, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo, will discuss how we as humans have affected biodiversity, and how that, in turn, affects us. Crowther’s talk will take place at 7 p.m. at the Indiana State Museum auditorium.  Tickets are $20. For more information, go to www.cilti.org.

Thursday, April 24
Radical Reading
Abbey Coffee House

Come join the initial discussion of a new radical reading group forming in Indianapolis. The first selection of the book club is Naomi Klein’s Shock Doctrine. The discussion begins at 7 p.m.; the Abbey is located at 825 N. Pennsylvania. For more information, contact Jason at labourleft@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 26
Earth Day
American Legion Mall

The Earth Day Indiana Festival combines 100 environmental and conservation exhibits with live music from some of Indiana’s best new bands, special activities for kids and good food. Stop by the NUVO booth for a copy of our first-ever Green CityGuide! The big event is from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis at North Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets. For more information, go to www.earthdayindiana.org.

Wednesday, April 30
Global Peace and Justice Day
Marian College

The Peace and Justice Studies Program at Marian College hosts a day of events — including drama, art exhibits, eco-tours, workshops and film. Special events include a screening of Alex Gibney’s Taxi to the Darkside, 2008 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary. Amnesty International, Indianapolis Peace Institute and Veterans for Peace are just a few of the many participating organizations. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, go to www.marian.edu/PeaceAndJustice or contact Dr. Ralph Leck at rleck@marian.edu