They were giants among us. Although personally very different both Ralph DiGia and Grace Paley were firm anti-war activists much of whose work was done in support of the War Resisters League . Celebrate their lives.

Grace Paley at Judson Memorial Church Saturday April 26, 2008 2-5PM 55 Washington Square South. The life of poet, writer, leftist, tenant advocate, anti-warrior, has been honored and remembered by readings and demonstrations. This event celebrates “Her Political Life” includes Dan Berrigan, Dave McReynolds and a wonderful leftish chorus Harmonic Insurgence and others. .Click here for some good Grace photos and some more information.

Ralph DiGia at The Theatre For A New City Saturday May 10, 2008 2-5PM 155 First Avenue (9/10 Sts.) Karen DiGia and the Ralph DiGia Fund For Peace & Justice are celebrating Ralph’s life with music, movies schmoozing and memories. ( More info here)  read more »

Grace Paley, 84, dies.. NY Times obit here She was a writer, poet, feminist Jewish radical who was idolized by many of us who grew up in Greenwich Village in the late 50's & early 60's. She had been in the War Resisters League and honored last year by the Jews For Racial & Economic Justice. For a recording of Paley reading her own work including the short story "Friends," click here. Katha Pollitt has a good reminis in the Nation together with a Paley poem you should read right now .

Nicola Sacco and Bartolomo Vanzetti, Italian anarchist-oriented union organizers were executed 80 years ago on August 23, 1927. They’ll be remembered at Union Square at 6PM Thursday Aug. 23, 2007.-+

Genocide Remembered. Do not omit reading this moving story by the LA Times’ Maria La Ganga about a nazi holocaust survivor who remembers concentration camp life at the end of hers (via The Columbia Journalism Review.)

Genocide Forgotten The Anti-Defamation League has very reluctantly left the camp of Armenian genocide deniers.  read more »