For Oaklanders that couldn't make it to Detroit for the U.S. Social Forum in June, the "Making Contact" radio show, of the National Radio Project, is bringing together community groups to discuss some of the highlights of the conference, particularly surrounding issues of immigration.

"'Making Contact' was there so that we could build our relationships from grassroots groups from around the country," said Khanh Pham, associate director for the radio show. Pham also was a representative of "Making Contact" at the U.S. Social Forum and a key coordinator for the local event.

The report back will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. this Thursday at Mama's Vietnamese Restaurant, 365 19th Street, near the 19th Street BART station.

While the U.S. Social Forum addressed a number of issues, "Making Contact" has chosen to focus its report back on conversations surrounding immigration and SB 1070 - the controversial law recently passed in Arizona, which, according to Pham and many local activists, mandates racial profiling.

This law has generated a lot of movement nationwide in defense of human rights, prompting the radio show to address the topics at the U.S. Social Forum surrounding immigration during its happy hour.

"We could have talked about so many different workshops," Pham said. "This happy hour we're going to focus on immigration as one facet for the U.S. Social Forum."

Four local Oakland organizations will be attending the happy hour; the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Presente.org, the Center for Media Justice and Mujeres Unidas y Activas will have representatives speaking about what they learned at the forum and how to cultivate these ideas in Oakland.

"The theme of the U.S. Social Forum is another world is possible and another U.S. is necessary," Pham said. "While we're facing these convergent crises, economically and environmentally, we know that we need to change radically, we can't make small reforms. We need to learn how to change systems."

This week's happy hour event is open to the public. The intention is to impart some of the key ideas and values from the U.S. Social Forum upon the Oakland community.

"People know that we're facing a lot of problem and I think people are really focused and wanting to hear solutions," Pham said.

Be a part of the movement by attending "Making Contact's" happy hour this week.