alert@sfbg.com
FRIDAY 16
Justice begins with seeds
The California Biosafety Alliance hosts a two-day conference bringing together farmers, activists, and experts to discuss the threats of genetically modified foods. Speakers will discuss the corporate food model, how it impacts our lives and environment, and what people can do to change it. Dr. Vandana Shiva, activist and environmental justice leader, will be the keynote speaker.
Friday 9 a.m. to Saturday 6 p.m., $50–$200 sliding scale
The Women’s Building
3543 18th St. # 8
www.biosafetyalliance.org
SATURDAY 17
Stop corporate kleptocracy
Occupy Wall Street is a campaign started by Adbusters to sound the call of “Democracy NOT Corporatocracy” aimed at national policy makers. Organizers say 20,000-plus people will swarm Wall Street with peaceful barricades to set up tents and remain there until demands are met. To show West Coast solidarity, Occupy Financial District SF will host its own stay-in at the former Bank of America Building, which now houses Bank of America and Goldman Sachs offices.
2 p.m., free
555 California, SF
occupyfinancialdistrictsf@gmail.com
or Brian Cerney at bcerney@mail.csuchico.edu
Colossal coastal cleanup
Join 80,000 people to keep our waterways pristine as part of the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. Environmental organizations are hosting cleanups throughout the Bay Area, so find a group cleaning a place near and dear to you at www.parksconservancy.org/volunteer. Bring a bucket, sunscreen, and a can-do attitude to show your appreciation for our beautiful outdoors.
9 a.m.-noon, free
Throughout Bay Area
www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/ccd/ccd2.html
SUNDAY 18
Protest BART violence
Come to protest the recent violence propagated by BART police and discuss how to use other forms of public transportation as part of a BART boycott. Artists, poets, musicians, bicyclists, skateboarders, roller skaters and all are invited to come with their creativity flowing to this “celebration of life free of oppression.”
2-4:30 p.m., free
Ferry Building
Market and Embarcadero, SF
Jeremy Miller, 415-595-2894, djasik87.9@gmail.com
Mesha Monge Irizarry, 415-595-8251, mamalamesha@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY 21
Experiment with direct democracy
Hear a panel of experts speak to California’s direct democracy (or lack of) and join the discussion about how to return the political process to the people. Panelists include Kim Alexander of the California Voter Foundation; Bruno Kaufmann, Swiss-Swedish journalist and president of Initiative & Referendum Institute Europe; Paul Jacob, president of the Citizens in Charge Foundation; and James H. Fowler, medical geneticist and political scientist at UC San Diego.
7 p.m., free
Golden Gate Room, Building A Fort Mason Center
Marina and Buchanan, SF
Mail items for Alerts to the Guardian Building, 135 Mississippi St., SF, CA 94107; fax to (415) 437-3658; or e-mail alert@sfbg.com. Please include a contact telephone number. Items must be received at least one week prior to the publication date.