NYC Area Events, April 3 and April 12

The Chameleon Ball:
A Celebration of Youth Activism & Entrepreneurship
Friday, April 3, 2009
7-11 pm

Benefits the youth organizing of IPOWER! (Immigrant People Organizing & Working for Empowerment & Rights). Entertainment will include a scene from a powerful play about immigrant youth in New York, created by the actors themselves based on their experiences and those of their friends.

At the Brecht Forum
451 West St (between Bank and Bethune Streets)
New York, NY
Subway: A,C, E, L to 14th St & 8th Ave, 1, 2, 3 to 14th St & 7th Ave

Donation: $5-$35 sliding scale
Information: 212-242-4201, brechtforum@brechtforum.org and http://www.brechtforum.org/

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"Enemy Alien":
Special Anniversary Screening
Sunday, April 12, 2009
3 pm

On April 12, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released New York-based Palestinian activist Farouk Abdel-Muhti from immigration detention after a federal judge ruled that the government had no right to continue holding him in prison. Farouk had spent two years in detention and had been subjected to beatings, repeated verbal abuse, seven months in isolation, and health problems resulting from the withholding of necessary medication.

Farouk fought back through all this like the activist he was: with a stream of writings from prison, with media interviews, with organizing among his fellow prisoners. He died of a heart attack just three months after he was freed, but his release remained a victory both for him and for everyone who cares about human rights.

Celebrate the fifth anniversary of Farouk's release this April 12 at a special screening of "Enemy Alien: The Fight to Free Palestinian Activist Farouk Abdel-Muhti," a gripping first-person documentary-in-progress told through the eyes of filmmaker Konrad Aderer, the grandson of Japanese Americans interned during World War II.

At Women Make Movies
462 Broadway (above Grand Street), 5th Floor
New York, NY
Subway: Canal Street Station (J, M, N, Q, R, Z, and 6 trains)

After the screening there will be a discussion with people involved in Farouk’s fight for freedom, and the director will be seeking detailed feedback on the film and on how it can be used to further the work of organizations working for immigrants’ rights.

SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP to producer@lifeorliberty.org with “Enemy Alien April 12 screening” in the subject line with your name, the name of your organization or affiliation if applicable, and the number of attendees.

Donations for the documentary and the rental of the space will be gratefully accepted (suggested minimum: $8, no one turned away). This can be done by cash, tax-deductible check made out to “Fractured Atlas” or online at the Life or Liberty donation page (also tax-deductible).

For more information and to see the trailer, go to http://www.lifeorliberty.org/