Baltimore Activist Alert October 15, 2017 to May 5, 2018
"I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours." -Martin Luther King Jr.
Friends, this list and other email documents which I send out are done under the auspices of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center. Go to www.baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com. If you appreciate this information and would like to make a donation, send contributions to BNC, 325 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Max Obuszewski can be reached at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net.
1] Books, buttons and stickers
2] Web site for info on federal legislation
3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists
4] Two friends are looking to buy a house in Baltimore
5] Strengthening Our Nation of Immigrants” – Oct. 15
6] Panel Discussion on Fair Elections – Oct. 15
7] Green Party FALL PARTY – Oct. 15
8] Protest at the Pentagon – Oct. 16
9] “Burned: Are Trees the New Coal?” – Oct. 16
10] Peace vigil – Oct. 17
11] Protest drone research – Oct. 17
12] No Muslim Ban -- Oct. 18
13] Land grabs and disputes -- Oct. 19
14] "Where Do We Go from Here?" – Oct. 19
15] Peace vigil at White House – Oct. 20
16] WIB peace vigils – Oct. 20
17] Black Lives Matter vigil – Oct. 20
18] Help create Episode 11 of Burns Novick series – Oct. 20 - 21
19] Call to Action conference -- Oct. 20 - 21
20] Ballroom Dancing – Oct. 20
21] Divest from the War Machine – Oct. 21 - 22
22] West Chester peace vigil – Oct. 21
23] Honor a Peacemaker – Oct. 21
24] Enemies and Empathy – Oct. 22
25] Pray for Peace – Oct. 22
26] Close Foreign bases Conference – Jan. 12 – 14, 2018
27] Catonsville Nine Commemoration – May 4 – 5, 2018
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1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available. “God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions” stickers are in stock. Call Max at 410-323-1607.
2] – To obtain information how your federal legislators voted on particular bills, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/. Congressional toll-free numbers are 888-818-6641, 888-355-3588 or 800-426-8073. The White House Comment Email is accessible at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.
3] – THE ORGANIZING LIST will be the primary decision-making mechanism of the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR]. It will be augmented by conference calls and possibly in-person meetings as needed. It will consist of 1 or 2 representatives from each local, regional, or national organization (not coalitions) that wishes to actively work to carry out the NCNR campaign of facilitating and organizing nonviolent resistance to the war in Iraq.
To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to mobuszewski at Verizon.net. Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.
THE NOTICES LIST will include only notices of NCNR actions and related information and is open to any interested person to subscribe. It will be moderated to maintain focus & will include periodic notices about getting involved in NCNR national organizing. To join the NOTICES List, send an email message to ncnrnotices-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. You will get a confirmation message once subscribed. If you have problems, please write to the list manager at ncnrnotices-admin@lists.riseup.net.
4] – Janice and Max are looking to buy a house in Baltimore. Let Max know if you have any leads—410-323-1607 or mobuszewski 2001 at comcast dot net.
5] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 AM to noon. On Sun., Oct. 15, the Sunday Platform is “Strengthening Our Nation of Immigrants.” Ever since Europe occupied Native American land, the United States has been a nation of immigrants. An immigrant himself, Felix Adler, the founder of Ethical Culture, knew that embracing diversity was important to our country. How do we transform recent anti-immigrant hysteria into more productive and welcoming attitudes and policies? Dr. Javad Mohsenian, an immigrant, author and psychiatrist will explore the process of immigrant adoption, adjustment, and contribution to American society, cultural and religious conflicts, as well as the role of the 1979 Iran’s revolution in immigration from that country. Dr. Mohsenian will have copies for sale and signing of his sixth book, Gold for Sugar, a collection of short stories covering East and West. Dr. Mohsenian is an Iranian-American psychiatrist who lives in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.
6] – On Sun., Oct. 15 from 6 to 8 PM, there will be a Panel Discussion on Fair Elections at Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045, Progressive HoCo is cosponsoring with Together We Will of Howard County. Currently confirmed panelists are Rep. John Sarbanes, Jennifer Bevan-Dangel of Common Cause and Larry Stafford of Progressive Maryland. Raise awareness of the process of getting Fair Elections legislation passed at the local level, and to encourage other jurisdictions to think about implementing Fair Elections legislation. Contact Dave Bazell at daveb13704@gmail.com or 410-707-7930. Progressive HoCo and the Howard County Chapter of the NAACP will be holding a Voter Registration Drive throughout the fall.
7] – You are Invited to The Howard County Green Party FALL PARTY with Friends of Latin America featuring FIRN: foreign-born information and referral network on Sat., Oct. 14 from 2 to 4 PM (Rain Date: Sunday, October 15, 2 to 4 PM) at 4879 Manor Lane, Ellicott City 21042. RSVP to Joan: 410-992-9088 or joanpontius@gmail.com. Join in for fall apples, a pony ride, bonfire, baked goodies and more. The Howard County Green Party and Friends of Latin America are honored to be hosting FIRN - a Howard County immigrant rights organization that provided support for 20,000 of our foreign-born community members last year through immigration services, career development, ESL and outreach programming. Any and all donations will be given to FIRN to continue its amazing work helping our foreign-born neighbors and friends. In addition to financial contributions, non-perishable food items will be accepted for FIRN’s emergency food bank, detergent, toiletries, feminine hygiene products, gift cards for gas, clothing and grocery stores, and children’s school supplies.
8] – There is a weekly Pentagon Peace Vigil from 7 to 8 AM on Mondays, since 1987, outside the Pentagon Metro stop. The next vigil is Oct. 16, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Email artlaffin@hotmail.com or call 202-882-9649. The vigil will be outside the Pentagon's south Metro entrance and in the designated "protest zone" behind bicycle fences across from the entrance to the Metro. By Metro, take Yellow Line and get out at the "Pentagon" stop. Do not go to the Pentagon City stop! Go up south escalators and turn left and walk across to protest area. By car from D.C. area, take 395 South and get off at Exit 8A-Pentagon South Parking. Take slight right onto S. Rotary Rd. at end of ramp and right on S. Fern St. Then take left onto Army Navy Dr. You can "pay to park" on Army Navy Dr., and there is meter parking one block on right on Eads St. Payment for both of these spots begin at 8 AM. No cameras are allowed on Pentagon grounds. Restrooms are located inside Marriott Residence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr.
9] – On Mon., Oct. 16 at 7 PM, Reel and Meal at the New Deal presents “Burned: Are Trees the New Coal?” at the New Deal Café, 113 Centerway, Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt. An optional vegan buffet is served at 6:30 PM for $14. Utopia Film Festival brings Burned -and also Lynne Cherry's 7-min. Save Tomorrow. Alan Dater & Lisa Merton's film Burned tells the little-known story of the accelerating destruction of our forests for fuel, and probes the policy loopholes, huge subsidies, and blatant green washing of the burgeoning biomass power industry. The New Deal Café is accessible from the Greenbelt Metro station by buses G 12 and 14.
10] – Each Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the Catholic Peace Fellowship-Philadelphia for peace in Afghanistan and Iraq gathers at the Suburban Station, 16th St. & JFK Blvd., at the entrance to Tracks 3 and 4 on the mezzanine. The next vigil is Oct. 17. Call 215-426-0364.
11] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. join this ongoing vigil on Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.
12] – The Supreme Court just dismissed a case against President Trump’s second version of the Muslim Ban -- since part of President’s Trump’s ban expired two weeks ago -- but the fight isn’t over. Three weeks ago, Trump announced yet another version of his unconstitutional Muslim Ban. And make no mistake, this version is just as heartless as the prior ones. This ban is permanent -- there’s no expiration date -- and it threatens to keep countless families apart. The new Muslim ban is scheduled to go fully into effect on Wed., Oct. 18. RSVP to join the #NoMuslimBanEver rally on Oct 18 at 11:30 AM outside the White House. Go to http://act.mpowerchange.org/signup/nomuslimbanever-scotus/?source=nilc-em171011-invite. March, rally and deliver a petition to Congress.
13] – Stimson Center's South Asia Program is hosting The Fait Accompli in the 21st Century Security Landscape: From Crimea to Doklam to the Spratly Islands. This is an on-the-record discussion with Dan Altman on recent controversial land grabs and disputes, with insight for possible future scenarios and policy options. Lunch will be served. This will happen on Thurs., Oct. 19 from 12:15 to 2 PM at The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, 8th Floor, WDC 20036. From Ukraine to the South China Sea, the fait accompli reappears time and again as the strategy of choice to challenge the status quo, imposing losses in a calculated gamble that victims will relent rather than escalate. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyMGZ2daJ_VNkFkhHQA7F_W0RlxfsBpaXSzr9w0-kPhzJ7Ng/viewform.
14] –RESEARCH ASSOCIATES FOUNDATION (RAF) INVITES YOU TO "Where Do We Go from Here?" This is a lecture by Lester Spence, followed by a concert by Son of Nun, which will include refreshments/cash bar on Thurs., Oct. 19 from 7 to 10 PM in the 2640 SPACE, 2640 ST. PAUL STREET, BALTIMORE 21218. This is a FUNDRAISER in which there is a request for a FREEWILL OFFERING.
SPENCE is an Associate Professor of Political Science, and is one of two co-directors of the Center for Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Spence has published two books: Stare in the Darkness: Hip-hop and the Limits of Black Politics, winner of the 2012 W. E. B. Du Bois Distinguished Book Award, and Knocking the Hustle: Against the Neoliberal Turn in Black Politics, winner of both the Baltimore City Paper and Baltimore Magazine 2016 Best Nonfiction Book Awards, named to The Atlantic’s 2016 “Best Books We Missed” list.
SON OF NUN doesn’t just entertain, he empowers. His lyrics are rooted in the movements he’s fought; he’s at the meeting, the protest, the action, and the mic. S.O.N. has released two albums, Blood and Fire, produced w/ DJ Krimson and The Art of Struggle w/ DJ Mentos. Go to rafbaltimore.org.
15] – On Fri., Oct. 20 from noon to 1 PM, join the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker in a vigil urging the powers that be to abolish war and torture, to disarm all weapons, to end indefinite detention, to close Guantanamo, to establish justice for all and help create the Beloved Community! This vigil will take place at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Contract Art @ artlaffin@hotmail.com or at 202-360-6416.
16] – On Fri., Oct. 20 from noon to 1 PM, join a Women in Black peace vigil. A vigil will take place in McKeldin Square at the corner of Light and Pratt Sts. Another one is at Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St, Baltimore. 21211. After this vigil, gather for lunch at the café on the site. Stay for as long as you can. Wear black. Dress for who knows what kind of weather. Bring your own poster or help with the "NO WAR IN MY NAME" banner. When there are others to stand with, you don't need to carry the burden alone. Do this to be in solidarity with others....when everything around us says “Be afraid of the stranger.” Carpool and parking available. Just send an email that you need a ride [mailto:wibbaltimore@peacepath911.org]. Peace signs will be available.
17] – There is usually a silent vigil on Fridays, from 5 to 6 PM, sponsored by Homewood Friends Meeting, outside the Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St. The next scheduled vigil is on Oct. 20. Black Lives Matter.
18] – Help create Episode 11 of Burns Novick series on Fri., Oct 20 and St., Oct. 21. LIVE AND UNFINISHED, BE PART OF ITS CREATION. Feel like the history you lived didn't quite make it into the eighteen hours of "The Vietnam War" on PBS?
While the Burns/Novick series presented a devastating account of the war and of the responsible US politicians, it slipped over essential facts and failed to present fairly the full story and impact of the peace movement. Nor did it offer conclusions or lessons learned from the war and the successful opposition.
Telling a better story of the anti-war movement and its relevance for today is the purpose of our October 20-21 event. We mark not only the 50th anniversary of the March on the Pentagon, but also of the national emergence of the draft resistance movement. The first nationwide collection of draft cards culminated October 20th with the presentation of about one thousand to the Attorney General. One consequence was the infamous indictment of Dr. Benjamin Spock, et al., for promoting non-cooperation with the draft.
If you're able to volunteer for the event, and need or can offer housing, contact VPCC's Washington representative Terry Provance at terryprovance@gmail.com or 202-258-9562. RSVP athttps://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?etid=10075&utm_source=VPCC+October&utm_campaign=August+24&utm_medium=email.
19] – Starting Fri., October 20 at 6 PM and continuing on Sat., Oct. 21 engage with Call to Action (Maryland) East Coast Conference -- “Justice and Mercy under the Trump Administration.” The keynote speakers are Sr. Simone Campbell on "Social Justice under a Trump Administration;" Greer Gordon on "Racism and Privilege in our Church and Society;” and Sr. Patty Chappell/Executive Director of Pax Christi USA on "Called to be a People of Peace."
The conference is at the DoubleTree by Hilton—BWI Airport, 890 Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum 21090. Registration cost is $125, which includes a Friday reception and Saturday breakfast and lunch. The event is sponsored by Call to Action Maryland (and the Call to Action East Coast chapters). Register at www.calltoactionmd.org
20] – There is an opportunity to participate in ballroom dancing, usually every Friday of the month, in the JHU ROTC Bldg. at 8 PM. Turn south on San Martin Dr. from the intersection of Univ. Parkway and 39th St. Drive on campus by taking the third left turn. The next dance will be on Oct. 20. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.
21] – Divest from the War Machine Summit/Let's Stop Those Who are Making a Killing on Killing starts on Sat., Oct. 21 from 9 AM to 5 PM, and ending on Sun., Oct. 22 from 10 AM to 1 PM at the UDC Law School, 4340 Connecticut Ave. NW, WDC 20008. As Trump is creating dangerous confrontations with North Korea and Iran, while increasing militarization in our streets, join us to target his military contractor cronies profiting from the chaos!
Hear from arms trade and foreign policy experts, voices from the military, activists working on nuclear disarmament, and divestment experts to learn how to best confront the war machine. Let’s use divestment to shine a light on the weapons producers that profit from deadly hyper-militarism at home and abroad. Purchase your tickets at http://www.codepink.org/divest_launch. The list of speakers will include Andrew Feinstein, former Member of South African Parliament and author of The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade; Susi Snyder, producer of the Don’t Bank on the Bomb report targeting nuclear weapons producers; William Hartung, director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy; Vijay Prashad, historian, journalist, and professor of international studies; and many more amazing individuals.
22] – Each Saturday, 11 AM – 1 PM, Chester County Peace Movement holds a peace vigil in West Chester in front of the Chester County Courthouse, High & Market Sts. Go to www.ccpeace.org. Email ccpeacemovement@aol.com.
22] – Honor a peacemaker, Melinda Thompson, and gather to support and encourage one another in the work of nonviolence, even in the face of seemingly intractable violence. The keynote speaker is General Assembly Co-Moderator Denise Anderson with a message of encouragement that we all need. The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship invites you to join in celebrating Melinda Thompson, 2017 Recipient of the Anne Barstow & Tom Driver Award for Excellence in Nonviolent Direct Action in Retirement. Rev. Denise Anderson, Co-Moderator, Presbyterian Church (USA), will address "From Bethlehem to Baltimore: Resolute Nonviolence in Discouraging Times." Come together on Sat., Oct. 21 at 6 PM with a Reception and at 7 PM enjoy Dinner & the Program. It will take place at The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Ave., WDC. RSVP at https://ppf.z2systems.com/np/clients/ppf/eventRegistration.jsp?event=74&. See www.presbypeacefellowship.org.
23] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 AM to noon. On Sun., Oct. 22, the Sunday Platform is “Enemies and Empathy.” In our minds, human beings both create images of the enemy and feel deep empathy towards others. We dehumanize those we label as threats and share the feelings of those we embrace. How do we balance these two often-conflicting tendencies? Can we find a way to protect ourselves while deescalating our own “fight or flight” reactions? Hugh Taft-Morales explores these opposing poles of psychological frameworks for relating to other people and their relation to Ethical Humanism. Hugh Taft-Morales joined the Baltimore Ethical Society as its professional leader in 2010, the same year he was certified by the American Ethical Union as an Ethical Culture Leader. He also serves as Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.
24] – On Sun., Oct. 22 at 7:30 PM, Pray for Peace at St. John’s Methodist Church, 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218. Contact the Rev. Charles Cloughen, Jr., Interfaith Peace Service Coordinator, at ccloughen@episcopalmaryland.org or by calling 410-321-4545.
25] – Attend a Conference on U.S. Foreign Military Bases from Fri., Jan. 12 through Sun., Jan. 14, 2018 at the University of Baltimore, Learning Commons Town Hall, 1415 Maryland Ave., Baltimore 21201, hosted by the Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases. Thirteen prominent peace and justice organizations in the United States are collectively organizing this conference. Some of the groups are Black Alliance for Peace, CODEPINK, Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, Popular Resistance, Veterans For Peace, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and World Beyond War. The conference will feature national and international experts. Several expert panels will discuss the economic, political, environmental and health costs and impact of U.S. foreign military bases in various regions of the world, including South America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The conference will be live streamed for the international audience. For more information and to register for the conference, go to http://noforeignbases.org/conference-on-u-s-foreign-military-bases/?epl_action=process_cart_action&cart_action=add&event_id=723&_rand=59d50af323702.
26] – Save the Dates. The fiftieth anniversary of the Catonsville Nine draft board raid will be commemorated There will be a CATONSVILLE NINE SYMPOSIUM on FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 from 4 to 10 PM at the Shriver Center, University of Maryland – Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Cir, Catonsville, MD 21250. Enjoy Films, Lectures, Discussion Panels and Dramatic Readings. There will be more CATONSVILLE NINE COMMEMORATION ACTIVITIES on SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018 from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Baltimore County Public Library Catonsville Branch, 1100 Frederick Rd., Catonsville, MD 21228. Enjoy more Films, Lectures, Discussion Panels and Dramatic Readings. Go to http://www.catonsville9.org/50th-anniversary-commemoration/.
To be continued.
Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/.
"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs
