Urban Action 10/23 

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

Casino debate

The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester and the League of Women Voters will sponsor "More Casinos in New York?" a debate on the pros and cons of approving additional casinos, including one for the Rochester area. Jim Bertolone, president of the Rochester AFL-CIO, will present the pros and David Blankenhorn with the Institute for American Values will present the cons. The event is at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 28, at 1050 East Avenue.

Police brutality forum

The United Christian Leadership Ministry of Western New York and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance will present a public forum on police-community relations at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 24. Organizers have invited City Council, Mayor Tom Richards, and District Attorney Sandra Doorley. The forum will be held at Faith Temple Apostolic Church, 141 Arnett Boulevard.

Meet Rochester school board candidates

The Greater Rochester Parent Leadership Training Institute and the League of Women Voters will host a public meeting to introduce voters to Rochester City school board candidates. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, at Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street.

Charrette for Lima

The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design and the Rochester Regional Community Design Center will hold three day of workshops and discussions in the Village of Lima on, "Saving Our Small Towns and Villages." The workshops will be held from Friday, October 25, through Sunday, October 27, and will feature a panel discussion as well as a community charrette for the Village of Lima. The events are free, but registration is recommended since space may be limited. For a complete schedule of events, times, and locations: www.rrcdc.org or call 271-0520.

Prayer case examined

The Genesee Valley Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Rochester Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society, and the Monroe County Bar Association will present "Town of Greece v. Galloway: the Future of Legislative Prayer in America," at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29. The panel discussion will feature attorneys Heather Weaver from the ACLU and Brett Harvey from the Alliance Defending Freedom regarding the local prayer case that will be heard by the US Supreme Court next month. The event is at Nixon Peabody, 1300 Clinton Square.

Candidate night

The Latino National Republican Coalition of New York will hold a candidate night at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23. The event is an opportunity for the Latino community to ask questions and to learn how candidates' ideas would impact Latinos. The event is at Bible Baptist Church, 706 South Avenue.

'Harvesting Justice' symposium

The Rural and Migrant Ministry, PathStone Corporation, Latino Rotary, and Ibero-American Action League will sponsor "Harvesting Justice," a symposium on Tuesday, October 29. A panel discussion will cover topics such as immigration reform, welcoming immigrant workers to Western New York, and farmworker justice. The symposium begins at 3:30 p.m. and there will be a reception and dinner at 5:30 p.m. at Temple B'rith Kodesh, 2131 Elmwood Avenue. Reservations and additional information: Bill McKee at 615-8313.

Flying Squirrel film fest

The Flying Squirrel Community Space will present a three-day film fest on neoliberalism, education, and Mexico. "Granito de Arena" will be shown on Thursday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. "Un Poquito de Tanta Verdad," will be shown on Friday, October 25, at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Both films deal with the privatization of education and how the public has resisted it. "Brad" will be shown at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 27. The film is about independent journalist Brad Will. Tickets are $2 for each film, but no one will be turned away. The films will be shown at 285 Clarissa Street.

Interfaith panel discussion

Nazareth College will host a panel discussion, "Milestones of Rochester's Multi-religious Interfaith Journey: Intergenerational Experience," at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23. Nearly a dozen local leaders of a diverse group of faith communities will talk about the future of a multi-religious community. The event is at Nazareth's Otto Shults Community Center.

Talk on homophobia

The Downtown United Presbyterian Church's Sunday forum topic will be "Homophobia: An Illness of Heart and Soul, Church and Society" at 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, October 27, at 121 North Fitzhugh Street. The Rev. Ray Bagnuolo will give the talk.

AG will hold public forum

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will hold a community forum at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29. Schneiderman and his senior staff will discuss issues such as environmental protection, labor rights, health care, and consumer fraud and protection. The event will be held at the Eastman School of Music, Hatch Recital Hall, 433 East Main Street. RSVP: (716) 853-8567 or email [email protected].