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Artists upset by Trump’s budget cuts to hold resistance event Wednesday

Via Facebook

March 17, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan

A group of Jackson Heights based writers are using their craft as a form of protest against President Donald Trump and his policies.

As part of a political resistance series, three local writers will host “Queens Writers Resist,” a night dedicated to responding to current events with art, music, writing and poetry. The event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Terraza 7 at 40-19 Gleane Street.

“All artists are under attack now by Trump’s proposed federal budget, which completely eliminates arts funding. So we need to come together to celebrate our power,” said Meera Nair, one of the organizers of the event.

The event will feature various writers responding to current events with their poetry and prose, as well as a performance by a local musician, and projections of the work of several visual artists. Coordinators will also lead a writing exercise for audience members.

Though the event is free, organizers are hoping to collect donations to support Turning Point, a Queens-based nonprofit offering free and confidential services for Muslim women and children, including help with immigration, child safety, domestic abuse and poverty.

The event series kicked off last month with a standing room only event called “ReInaugurate Our Democracy.” Following its success, the organizers decided to follow it up with other similar events.

“Folks told us how much these performances were both healing and empowering to express dissent, break silences and create dialogue across communities,” said organizer Nancy Agabian.

For more information, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1206766826087634/.

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