Anarchy and Peace

Sat., Jan. 9, 7 p.m., $5, Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South St., 215-413-0999, woodenshoebooks.com.

by Josh Middleton

activism

President Barack Obama's decision to send extra troops into Afghanistan has puzzled devotees who hoped he'd bring a speedy end to America's two wars, but Alexis Bhagat (pictured), a member of the Institute for Anarchist Studies, says the outcry hasn't been loud enough. To ignite the fire for a more peaceful 2010, he's arranged a discussion on war at Wooden Shoe Books, where he'll also gather feedback from locals who are interested in orchestrating their own forms of activism. "I'm excited to be giving this talk in Philadelphia because it is historically an exciting center of the peace movement," he says. "There is such a wealth of wisdom and experience from older Quaker and Movement for a New Society folks to be shared with young activists." The three-part conversation will focus on topics that include an analysis of the situation in the Middle East, disturbing new trends in nuclear warfare, and what can be done locally to inspire change. If you've been complaining about Barry, now's the time to do something about it.

Sat., Jan. 9, 7 p.m., $5, Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South St., 215-413-0999, woodenshoebooks.com.