Urban Action 10/30 

This week's calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.)

Conversations on race

Friends and Foundation of the Rochester Public Library will present "Conversations on Race," a series of discussions on race-related issues. The events will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, at the Sully Branch, 939 Bay Street; at 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, at the Central Library, 115 South Avenue; and at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, at Fairport Public Library, 1 Fairport Village Landing.

Workshops on poverty, racism

Project Urge will host workshops from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 2, to "Break Down Walls of Poverty and Racism." The event will be presented by faith and community-based organizations at Youth For Christ, 1 Favor Street. A light continental breakfast will be available. The workshops are free, but registration is required: 223-8340. Instead of payment, organizers recommend that participants bring canned goods, nonperishables, and gently used clothing.

Trans community issues

The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley will present "Trans World Today: A Community Forum," from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12. A panel of experts will address the status of health care, employment, and civil rights issues relevant to the transsexual community. The event will be held at 259 Monroe Avenue.

Talk on creating peace

Church Women United will recognize World Community Day with "Walking Through the Doors of Opportunity," a talk about the barriers to peace from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, November 1, at Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road. Cost: $3. Attendees are asked to bring a brown bag lunch and a contribution for the community food cupboard. Dessert and beverages will be provided.

Films on political asylum

The Flying Squirrel Community Space will show films and hold discussions on Jalil Muntaqim and Assata Shakur at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 2. Muntaqim is a former member of the Black Panthers and Black Liberation Army. He was convicted in the 1970's of killing two New York City police officers, and is serving a life sentence in Attica. Shakur was added to the FBI's most wanted terrorists list 40 years after she was convicted for murder, a crime she maintains she never committed. She escaped from prison and received political asylum in Cuba. The event will be held at 285 Clarissa Street.

Public forums on filling the loop

The City of Rochester will host two public forums on the early design concepts for the Inner Loop East Transformation Project. The forums are also opportunities for public comment on the project. Removing nearly a mile of the loop between Broadway and Charlotte Street in the heart of downtown has been discussed by several Rochester administrations. The general idea is to remove the mostly sunken section of the freeway to reconnect the residential neighborhoods outside the loop with inner city neighborhoods. Proponents say that this would allow for redevelopment, improve public safety, and increase tax revenue. Preliminary design work is scheduled for completion by January 2014. The forums will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, at Manhattan Square Lodge, Manhattan Square Park, 353 Court Street. Anyone who is not able to attend the forums can submit comments to Erik Frisch, city transportation specialist, at [email protected] by November 15. Information about the project: www.cityofrochester.gov/innerloopeast.