International peace activist Kathy Kelly, a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, will speak at a Milwaukee Armistice Day event on Friday, Nov.11, at 7 p.m. in the City Hall rotunda. The event is a reminder that Nov. 11 – now a day to honor veterans – was established as a day to promote world peace. World War I, the “war to end all wars” ended on the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Thirty million soldiers had been killed or wounded. Kathy Kelly, peace activist, pacifist and author, is co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence in Chicago. As part of a peace team she has traveled to Iraq 26 times, remaining in combat zones during the early days of both US-Iraq wars. Her recent travel has focused on Afghanistan and Gaza, along with domestic protests against U.S. drone policy. She has been arrested in non-violent protests more than 60 times at home and abroad, and written of her experiences among targets of U.S. military bombardment and inmates of U.S. prisons. Her theme on Nov. 11 will be, "Confronting State Violence: an Armistice for our time," connecting the "war against the poor" with wars being waged and planned against people in other lands, including provocation against Russia and China. Drawing from personal experiences living alongside people in war zones and in U.S. Prisons, Kelly will discuss possibilities for peacemaking. The event is co-sponsored by Milwaukee Veterans for Peace, Peace Action Wisconsin, United Nations Association-Greater Milwaukee, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and the Pachamama Alliance.

Nearly two years ago President Barack Obama and Cuba's President Raul Castro announced plans to normalize relations. Since then, how much has really changed, and what are the prospects for the future? Two top leaders from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), will be in Wisconsin to help build bridges of friendship between the people of Cuba and of the United States. Founded in 1960, ICAP has worked to promote solidarity between the people of Cuba and nations worldwide. On November 15 at 7 p.m. hear Sandra Ramirez Rodriguez, Director of the North American Division of ICAP, and Leima Martinez from ICAP's North America Division, speaking on Cuba's perspectives on strengthening ties between our peoples. For example, Cuba is currently providing free medical school to two women from Wisconsin, and its medicines have been credited with prolonging the quality of life for at least one Wisconsin man with advanced lung cancer. What more can be done so that our citizens can travel and trade more freely and learn from each other? For more info contact: LASC 447-8369 or WI Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba 273-1040, www.wicuba.org. Sponsored by: Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba, Latin America Solidarity Committee, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Plowshares Marketplace and Education for Peace Waukesha, National Network on Cuba and Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP).

The Social Development Commission (SDC) was established in 1963 as an intergovernmental commission and, in 1964, the SDC became the sole Community Action Agency for Milwaukee County. From the very beginning, SDC's mission has been to empower Milwaukee County residents with the resources to move beyond poverty. A few years ago, the agency experienced a time of change as a result of adjustments in leadership and the loss of one of its largest programs. Today, after a great deal of hard work and dedication by the staff and agency commissioners, the SDC is once again on solid ground. Join SDC Executive Director, George Hinton, as he describes the journey to the new Social Development Commission. Although the event is free, registration is required for Program Number: 8300-9698. Please call, 414-227-3200.