THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16

7 PM. Washingtonians for Energy Security Renewable Energy Campaign Kick-Off Meeting. Help volunteers collect 160,000 signatures from Washington voters by June 30 for the November 2006 ballot. Hear from experts on the Energy Security Initiative, which will ensure that electric utilities purchase 15 percent of their power from clean and renewable sources by 2020. University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE, Seattle. Info: 206-283-3335.

7 PM and 9 PM. Amnesty International and ACLU of Western Washington present Seattle Human Rights Film Festival and a showing of "Fighting for Life in the Death Belt," a film that considers the controversial institution of capital punishment in America through the eyes of Stephen Bright, the nation's leading death penalty lawyer. 7 PM showing followed by 9 PM screening of "Out of Status," a film that follows four immigrant families permanently altered by post-9/11 America where civil liberties are curtailed in the name of national security. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, Seattle. Info: amnestyusa.org/filmfest, 206-612-3011, or kbax99@yahoo.com.

7:30 PM. Radical Women present a Black History Month video showing "Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde." The film features the life of the African American writer and lesbian activist while covering her West Indian roots, her fight against racism, and the challenges she faced as a young author to combine politics and writing along with her battle against breast cancer. Dinner with a vegetarian option at 6:30 PM, $7.50 donation. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave S, Seattle.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17

7 PM. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington presents Loretta Ross, speaking on "Organizing for Reproductive Justice: SisterSong's Vision for Bridging the Race and Class Divide in the Women's Movement." Ross is a nationally recognized advocate for reproductive justice and the national coordinator of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S, Seattle. Info: SashaCousineau@ProChoiceWashington.org, 206-624-1990, nw-womensconference.org or yoson66@yahoo.com.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18

All Day through Monday, Feb 20. 26th Annual Festival Sundiata. This year's theme is "A Family Reunion," chosen to reflect the collaborations and partnerships that unite and celebrate the greatness of black culture. Traditional black families have many layers, immediate siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, Mema, Gramps, Smitty, neighbors, and more. This year's festival provides space for families to come together, reconnect, and meet new families along the way. The Village is alive and well! Seattle Center. Info: festivalsundiata.org/index.html.

7 PM. In honor of Black History Month and the 4th anniversary of the execution of Shawn Maxwell by Seattle police, the October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality presents the documentary, "FBI's War on Black America." Throughout the 1960s and 70s the US government's counter-intelligence program COINTELPRO aimed to discredit and "neutralize" black political leaders. Film exposes the government's role in the assassinations of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Fred Hampton. Cascade People's Center, 309 Pontius Ave N, 2 block E of Fairview or 2 blocks W of Eastlake, on Thomas St, Seattle. Info: 206-264-5527, oct22seattle@hotmail.com, october22.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

2 PM. Seattle Review and Elliott Bay Book Company present Pulitzer-prize winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa who writes about African Americans through the lens of rural southern life before the Civil Rights Movement and his experiences as a soldier during Vietnam. He will read and speak about his work with Colleen J. McElroy, poet, author, and editor of the Seattle Review. Tickets $20. Town Hall, 8th Ave at Seneca, Seattle. Info 206-624-6600.

2-6 PM. 206 Zulu Anniversary Tsunami/ Earthquake Benefit featuring Silent Lambs Project, H-Bomb, Klose, Specs One, Cyphalliance, SistaHailStorm, Abyssinian Creole, dRED.i, Motion Recordings Tour, and DJs Mr. Supreme, Scene, Topspin, WD4D, Dirty Dev, B-Mello, Sean Malik, The Elefaders, and hosted by Yoda from Crash Crew. Donations encouraged. Seattle Center, Pavilion Room.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

7 PM. Elliott Bay Books and Mount Zion Baptist Church present Taylor Branch, author of a three-volume series, "America in the King Years." In his latest book, "Caanan's Edge: America in the King Years," Branch discusses the last years of King's life and work and places King in the role of one of America's "modern founders." Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1634 19th Ave at Madison, Seattle.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

6-8 PM. In honor of Black History Month, celebrate the life of activist Tyree Scott (1940-2003) with food, spoken word, and testimonials. A skilled electrician, Tyree Scott was denied construction jobs due to racism. In response he founded the United Construction Workers Association, mobilizing black, Latino, and Asian workers and later shutting down major construction projects including Sea-Tac Airport terminals. Sponsored by Every Worker's Movement, People's Coalition for Justice, Riseone, African Youth United, and the Seattle Friends Service Committee. Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way, Seattle. Info: KL Shannon at 206-250-541 or Dustin Washington at 206-632-0500 ext14.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24

2:30-5 PM. West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice present "Three Kings." Four soldiers (George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze) set out to steal gold that was looted from Kuwait, but discover people who need their help. Discussion to follow. Free. Popcorn for peace and juice for justice served. High Point Branch, Seattle Public Library, West Seattle, 3411 SW Raymond St, corner of 35th Ave SW and Raymond St.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

Start of Shanti Volunteer Training. Shanti volunteers provide one-to-one, nonjudgmental emotional support to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, MS, and other life-threatening illnesses. Shanti seeks mature, compassionate, good listeners to support these people in their homes, in hospitals, or in jail. People of color and LGBT folks encouraged to apply. Info: seattleshanti.org or 206-324-1520.

8 AM-4:30 PM. Puget Sound Asian Pacific Islander Leadership Conference. Connect with fellow Asians and Pacific Islanders, build your personal and community leadership skills. A day of leadership training by a selection of nationally renowned trainers. Register by Feb 17. Shoreline Community College, Student Union, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline. Info and registration: 206-625-3850, aclfnw@aclfnorthwest.org, aclfnorthwest.org.

9 AM-1 PM. Community Meeting on health care with opening remarks from Congressman Jim McDermott sponsored by Citizens Health Care Working Group (CHCWG). Congress and the President have set up CHCWGs that hold town meetings in cities across the US to determine the opinions of Americans on health care. This is your chance to be heard! Seattle Center, Northwest Rooms, Snoqualmie Room, 305 Harrison St, Seattle. Registration: citizenshealthcare.gov/register. Info: citizenshealthcare.gov, healthcareforallwa.org, 206-323-3393.

Noon-5 PM. The Underground Railroad Film Series celebrates Black History Month and makes its final stop with "Safe House" partner Seattle Public Library for a marathon of "Race Films." Race films were made before 1950 with all-black casts to be shown for segregated African American audiences. These independent productions provided black viewers with images of African-American experiences that were absent from Hollywood films including black romance, urban migration, social upheaval, racial violence, and prejudice within black communities. Central Branch, Seattle Public Library, Microsoft Auditorium, 1000 4th Ave, downtown Seattle.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26

7 PM. Rabbi Michael Lerner, theologian, founding editor of Tikkun Magazine, and organizer of the Spiritual Progressives Network, challenges Democrats, Greens, liberals and progressives to work towards what he calls a "spiritual covenant with America." He will discuss this movement based on personal responsibility, environmental responsibility, social responsibility, values-based education, right to health care, separation of church and state and more. Discussion points detailed in Lerner's new book, "The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right." University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Ave NE, Seattle. Info: 510-52-6250.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27

7:30 PM. Forum: Civil Rights in Seattle Today. What is the state of civil rights in Seattle? What can today's activists learn from battles of the past? King County Councilman Larry Gossett, InterIm Director Bob Santos, El Centro de la Raza founder and director Roberto Maestas, and Dorry Elias Garcias, director of the Minority Executive Directors Coalition are joined by moderator Eric Liu in a candid conversation about the challenges of organizing for justice in these times. Free. Town Hall Seattle, 8th and Seneca, enter on Seneca, Seattle. Info: townhallseattle.org/calendar.cfm or 206-652-4255.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

7:30 PM. Seattle Arts and Lectures presents Azar Nafisi as part of a series of Iranian-related authors, speakers, and events. Info: Elliott Bay Books 206-624-6600 or elliotbaybook.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

March is National Women's History Month

7:30 PM. Scott Ritter on Iraq and the CIA. Former UN weapons inspector, Scott Ritter's never-before-told story, "Iraq Confidential: The Untold Story of the Intelligence Conspiracy to Undermine the UN and Overthrow Saddam Hussein," reveals in detail how the CIA sabotaged the work of the UN to achieve America's foreign policy agenda in the Middle East. Tickets $5 at door. Town Hall, 8th and Seneca, enter on Seneca, Seattle. Info: townhallseattle.org/calendar.cfm or 206-652-4255.

For an excellent and much, much longer compilation of upcoming and ongoing progressive events in Seattle, check out Jean Buskin's Peace Calendar: http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar/ or e-mail her at bb369@scn.org. Also, check out www.seattleactivism.org.

Eat the Airwaves

Hear Eat the State! political commentary on Mind Over Matters every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:00 on KEXP 90.3 FM. If we can get up that early, the least you can do is turn on your radio and listen! If you can't - you can listen to archived programs on the web.