Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 1

Baltimore Activist Alert June 26, 2008 – April 4, 2009

"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 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.

The Baltimore IndyMedia Center publicizes peace-related events. Go to http://www.radicalendar.org/group/_baltimore.

1] Books, buttons and stickers

2] Web site for info on federal legislation

3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists

4] Eyes Wide Open exhibit available

5] June is Adopt-A-Cat month

6] Help an Iraqi student

7] Hunger strike against occupation of Iraq and attack on Iran

8] Play IN THE HEART OF AMERICA – thru June 29

9] Play EXONERATED – thru July 12

10] Play STUFF HAPPENS – thru July 27

11] Guantanamo Cell Tour – thru June 29

12] ETAN meeting – June 26

13] ISM presentation and potluck – June 26

14] Unity Walk meeting – June 26

15] See CONSTANTINE ’S SWORD – June 26

16] Film BREAKING THE SILENCE – June 26

17] Protest WYPR management – June 27 - ?

18] WIB Inner Harbor peace vigil – June 27

19] WIB Roland Park vigil – June 27

20] White House vigil – June 27

21] Geography of Torture – June 27

22] Silent vigil at Homewood Friends – June 27

23] Takoma Park peace vigil – June 27

24] DVD showing of RENDITION – June 27

25] Vigil at Walter Reed – June 27

26] Working with Our Enemies – June 27

27] Anti-torture vigil – June 27-28

28] Peace vigil in Chester , PA – June 28

29] Peace vigil at Capitol – June 28

30] Westminster WIB vigil – June 28

31] Olney vigil to end the war – June 28

32] Benefit for a well in Africa – June 28

33] Eco-Justice party – June 28

34] CODE Pink dance party – June 28

35] African Service – June 29

36] Bridge peace vigil – June 29

37] Discuss homelessness – June 29

38] Take Back YPR – June 29

39] Peace Walk in D.C. – June 29

40] Hiroshima-Nagasaki meeting – June 29

41] Red Emma’s needs volunteers – June 29

42] Pentagon vigil – June 30

43] Shut down Gitmo meeting – June 30

44] Death penalty demonstration – June 30

45] Call for MD commission to repeal death penalty – June 30

46] Pledge of Resistance meeting – June 30

47] War Is Not the Answer vigil – July 1

48] Death penalty meeting – July 1

49] Convention protests – July 1

50] Marc Steiner on WEAA – July 2

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1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available. “God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions” stickers in stock. Call Max at 410-366-1637.

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.

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 donmuller@msn.com. 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] – The Baltimore American Friends Service Committee office has assembled an exhibit Maryland Eyes Wide Open which details the Human Cost of the Iraq War and reflects the costs of war to the state of Maryland. The exhibit consists of at least 40 pairs of combat boots, representing the US military deaths from Maryland; civilian shoes, tagged with names and ages of a very small fraction of the tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis who have died; a representative pair of combat boots and 7 red poppies, representing the estimated number of wounded US military personnel (approximately 7 times the number of dead); and signs and literature detailing the human and financial costs of the war on the cities and counties of Maryland.

AFSC will help with logistics and contribute to your planning for auxiliary events or activities presented in conjunction with the exhibit. For information on obtaining and displaying the exhibit, call 410-323-4200, extensions 20 or 21 or e-mail at tsteele@afsc.org or ggillespie@afsc.org. Go to www.afsc.org/midatlantic/baltimore-programs.htm.

5] – June is American Humane's Adopt-A-Cat Month. Adopt a cat from your local shelter today, and you will enrich your world in a million different ways.

6] – The Iraqi Student Project invites colleges to accept qualified students who have lived most of their lives in Iraq , giving these students tuition waivers for undergraduate study. Members of the local community then provide support of every kind that these students will need during their college years. ISP believes there is a college in the Baltimore area which is willing to provide tuition and to waive any fees for an Iraqi student. However, there is a need to provide this student with housing and other amenities. If you are interested in getting involved in this project, contact Bill Marx at Pax Christi Western New York at 716-984-8341 or paxchristiwny@aol.com. Go to www.iraqistudentproject.org/.

7] – A campaign to end the occupation of Iraq and to prevent the bombing of Iran has resumed on Capitol Hill. This 7/24 occupation and 50-day hunger strike is now in progress. During storms and occasionally on weekends, Start Loving will go to a refuge and then be able to return emails. Go to http://startlovingusforcesiraniraq.blogspot.com/.

8] – The play IN THE HEART OF AMERICA continues at the Rep Stage through Sun., June 29 in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center’s Studio Theatre at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Colombia. Naomi Wallace’s play is set in the Iraq War and the Vietnam War. Times vary. Tickets cost between $17 and $25. Call 410-772-4900.

9] – The play EXONERATED is being performed by the Mobtown Players through Sat., July 12 at the Mobtown Theater at Meadow Mill, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 114. The play, which centers on the true stories of death-row inmates, was written by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen. Tickets are $12 with student and senior discounts. Call 410-467-3057 or go to www.mobtownplayers.com. Showtimes are 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 4 PM on Sundays.

10] – STUFF HAPPENS is a dark comedy which mixes re-creations of real public statements with private meetings of Bush and the others who orchestrated a war with Iraq . It will be performed through July 27 in Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab at Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road , Olney. Times vary. Tickets cost between $25 and $48. Call 301-924-3400.

11] - Visit a replica of a Guantanamo Cell, four blocks from the Smithsonian Metro Station – corner of 14th and Constitution through June 29. The hours are as follows: June 26 through 7 PM, June 27, 10 AM – 7 PM, June 28, 10 AM – 5 PM, and June 29, 10 AM -4 PM. Go to www.amnestyusa.org/celltour or email ctwj@aiusa.org or call 202-807-8400.

12] – The next East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)/DC meeting is Thurs., June 26 at 6:30 PM at 415 10th St., NE , near Union Station on Metro’s Red Line. Email etandc@etan.org for directions. The meeting includes a potluck dinner. Please bring a dish or beverage to share. One of the main goals of this meeting is to share/exchange information with people travelling to Indonesia or East Timor in the near future. Four visiting East Timorese scholars from the University of Hawaii will be at the meeting. Go to http://www.etan.org.

13] – You are invited to a presentation and potluck dinner at 6:30 PM on Thurs., June 26, sponsored by PeaceAction Montgomery. Keren Batiyov will speak informally on her personal journey as a Jew of conscience and her experiences working with the International Solidarity Movement in Palestine . This event will take place at the home of Jean and Whit Athey, 2305 Gold Mine Road , Brookeville , MD 20833 . Bring a dish to share! You must RSVP at info@peaceactionmc.org or 301-570-0923.

14] – The first planning meeting for the 9/11 Unity Walk is Thurs., June 26 at 7 PM at 3417 Mass. Ave. NW , WDC. Join the 4th year kick-off meeting at the Soka Gakkai center. After a tour and intro to Soka Gakkai, Clark Lobenstine will chair and then working groups will be set up. Email Kyle Poole at kpoole@globalunitywalk.org.

15] – CONSTANTINE'S SWORD can be seen on Thurs., June 26 at 7:10 PM at the Charles Theatre, 1711 North Charles St, Baltimore. The film by Oren Jacoby is a documentary taken from Jim Carroll's book CONSTANTINE ’S SWORD, a sprawling work of history, theology and personal confession. He surveys Catholic anti-Judaism beginning with the New Testament and proceeding through the early Church, the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Enlightenment and World War II, before concluding with” A Call for Vatican III," a Church council that would make meaningful repentance for an entrenched tradition of hatred. Call 410-727-FILM.

16] – JUNE IS TORTURE AWARENESS MONTH. The numbers 100 and 250 are really important numbers for Torture Abolition and Survivors Support International (TASSC). They hope to get 250 people to the premiere showing of Breaking the Silence: Torture Survivors Speak Out on Thursday, June 26 at 7 PM at the E St. Theatre in WDC. Some survivors who appear in the film will be available for a Q&A session after the film.

And the organizers want to see 100 supporters at 8 AM on June 28 in Lafayette Park . Come and show support for survivors of torture, and speak out against the unspeakable.

17] – Protest the illegal termination of The Marc Steiner Show from noon to 1 PM Monday through Saturday in front of WYPR, 2216 N. Charles St. You may consider calling the station to complain at 410-235-1395. Contact Max at 410-366-1637 to join Take Back YPR.

18] – Women In Black sponsor a peace stand/vigil on Fri., June 27 from noon-1 PM at the Inner Harbor , corner Pratt and Light. Everyone welcome, wear black if you can. See http://www.peacepath911.com/ or write wibbaltimore@hotmail.com or call 410-467-9114.

19] – There is also a noon vigil on Fri., June 27 at Roland Park Place at 830 W. 40th St . Call 410-467-9114.

20] – A peace vigil takes place every Friday from noon to 1 PM on Pennsylvania Ave., by the press gate to the White House. It is organized by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Call 202-882-9649.

21] – The Geography of Torture: The Global Torture Situation takes place on Fri., June 27 from 1:30-4 PM at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University. Campus Room 307. Survivors of torture will discuss the situation in their home countries—including but not limited to Iraq , Pakistan , Nigeria , Sudan , Colombia , Mexico , and Bolivia .

22] – There is a silent vigil on Fri., June 27 from 5 to 6 PM outside of Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles St. , in opposition to war with Iraq . Placards say: "War Is Not the Answer." The silent vigil is sponsored by AFSC, Homewood Friends Meeting and Stony Run.

23] – Join the Takoma Park peace vigil, which takes place the last Friday of the month from 5 to 6 PM at Takoma Junction (Rte. 410 and Carroll Ave. ). The next vigil to end occupation in Iraq , Palestine and the White House will be June 27. Call 301-589-5410 or go to www.Tpkids4peace.org.

24] – The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee is hosting its latest FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS VIDEO SERIES. The last film, RENDITION [ U.S. , 2007], will be shown Fri., June 27 at AFSC, 4806 York Road [three blocks north of Cold Spring Lane ]. Doors open at 7 PM, and the video starts at 7:30 PM. Suzanne O’Hatnick will lead the discussion afterwards. There is no charge, and refreshments will be available. Call 410-366-1637.

Directed by Gavin Hood (TSOTSI) and starring Omar Metwally, Igal Naor, Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon, Alan Arkin, Peter Sarsgaard and Meryl Streep, the film tells the story of a family torn apart when the father is kidnapped by the CIA and tortured in North Africa . One riveting scene occurs when the victim is water boarded. While the story is fictional, it is very much what happened to the Canadian citizen Maher Arar who was tortured in Syria . The film has a back story: the head of the secret prison has a rebellious daughter who is involved with a student who may be involved in a bomb plot.

25] – SHED LIGHT ON US WAR CASUALTIES: FROM THE FRONT LINE TO THE BACK DOOR of Walter Reed Army Medical Center (North Gate), every Friday night, from 7 to 9 PM, 7200 Georgia Ave., at Elder St. , NW. Call 202-441-3265. Go to http://www.codepinkalert.org/Local_CODEPINKs_Washington_DC.shtml.

26] – On Fri., June 27 at 7:30 PM, join the Washington National Cathedral and the Kay Spiritual Life Center of American Univ. for” Working with Our Enemies: Finding Freedom from Hostility and Fear.” The event will be at the Kay Spiritual Life Center , American Univ. , 4400 Mass. Ave., NW , WDC. Two prominent Buddhist teachers, Sharon Salzberg and Robert Thurman tackle the mighty spiritual challenge of enemies. Register at http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/register/salzberg2008sp.shtml.

27] – Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition’s 11th annual 24-hour vigil begins on Sat., June 28 at 7 AM and concludes on Sun., June 29 at 7 AM in Lafayette Park. Survivors and their supporters will gather to remember their brothers and sisters who are being tortured and to call for end to torture worldwide. Email info@tassc.org. Go to www.tassc.org.

28] – 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. This vigil has been the target of counter-demonstrators and harassment from the " Chester County Victory Movement" but has grown and persisted. Go to www.ccpeace.org.

29] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., June 28. Look for the blue banner with the message, "Seek Peace and Pursue It. --Psalms 34:14." The vigil lasts one hour and is silent except when one responds to the occasional questions. Go to http://www.quaker.org/langleyhill/seekpeace.htm or email seekpeacevigil@yahoo.com.

30] – Westminster WIB holds a vigil the last Saturday of the month. On June 28 meet at 2 PM in front of the library on Main St. Please wear black, everyone welcome at all stands, signs provided. Contact wibwestminster@mizmail.com

31] – Friends House, 17715 Meeting House Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860, hosts a peace vigil every Saturday, 3:15 to 4:15 PM, on the corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave. in Olney, MD. The next vigil is June 28. Call 301-774-9792.

32] – On Sat., June 28 at 5 PM at the Minas Gallery, 815 W. 36 St., Gimmie Shelter Productions will be having another benefit for Lutheran World Relief, and their Africa Fresh Water Wells Fund. Featured performers are Aussett, Alan Barysh Leo Hurigon, Jasaga, Marcus Colasurdo, Suzanne X and Robin Gunkel. Admission is $5. Call 410-532-0193.

33] – On Sat., June 28 at 7 PM, there will be an Eco-Justice Party at 1214 Irving St. NW , WDC. There are plans to re-open the Eco-Justice Coffeehouse. RSVP at http://www.evite.com/app. Email zaharapeace@gmail.com.

34] – On Sat., June 28 from 8 to 10 PM at Busboys and poets, 2021 14^th St., NW, WDC, there will be a CODE Pink music and dance party for peace. Among the performers will be Lizzie West and The White Buffalo , known best for “19 miles to Baghdad .” The suggested donation is $20, but no one will be turned away. Call 202-290-1301 or email dc@codepinkalert.org.

35] – On Sun., June 29, the KALAFONG AME CHURCH invites you to a Prayer for Africa at 11 AM at the HISPANIC SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST DAY CHUCH, 5100 Edmondson Ave., Baltimore 21229 . Contact Rev. Dr. Duane Rawlings at realministr@aol.com. Go to www.orgsites.com\md\kalafong-ame-mission-church/index.html.

36] – Maryland Bridges for Peace welcomes you to stand for peace Sundays from noon (or thereabouts) to 1 PM on the Spa Creek Bridge in Annapolis . Contact Lucy at 410-263-7271 or mdbridgesforpeace@toadmail.com. Signs are not allowed to be on a stick or pole. If there is interest, people will be standing on the Stoney Creek Bridge on Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena [410-437-5379 or magicalgodmom@aol.com]. Go to http://BridgePeace.blogspot.com/.

37] – There’s a meeting to end homelessness on Sun., June 29 at noon at Friends Meeting of Washington , 2111 Florida Ave. NW , WDC. Laura Zeilinger of the DC Dept of Human Services will be in the Assembly Room to discuss homelessness. Call 202-483-3310.

38] – Take Back YPR is meeting on Sun., June 29 at 2 PM at Gecko’s Restaurant in Canton , 2318 Fleet St . Exit I83 and head east on Fleet St. Gecko’s is near Patterson Park , and the meeting will be on the second floor. Call 410-336-1637.

39] – Join the weekly Peace Walk on the Mall at 4 PM on Sun., June 29 starting at the WWII Memorial ( 17th St .). Northern Virginians for Peace and Justice will commence a weekly Peace Walk on the Mall. The walk will be from the World War II Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial and back via Constitution and Independence Aves. Contact Ken at kiask@comcast.net.

40] – On Sun.., June 29 at 4 PM, the D.C. Hiroshima-Nagasaki Committee will meet at 1233 12th St. NW , WDC. Help plan commemorative events from Aug. 3-10. Call Ellen at 202-682-4282.

41] – Red Emma’s needs volunteers. Stop in to the weekly Sunday meeting at 7 PM at 800 St. Paul St. or email info@redemmas.org. The next meeting is June 29. Call 410-230-0450.

42] – Vigil at the Pentagon, last Monday of the month, 7 to 8 AM at the entrance to the Pentagon Metro Station. The next vigil will be June 30. Dorothy Day Catholic Worker can be reached at 202-882-9649.

43] – There is a meeting on Mon., June 30 with Rep. John Sarbanes to urge him to call for the closing of the Guantanamo detention facility. If interested in going to the meeting, call Max at 410-366-1637.

44] – There is usually a vigil to abolish the death penalty every Monday from 5 to 6 PM, outside the prison complex and across the street from Maryland’s death row, at the corner of Madison Ave. and Fallsway in Baltimore . The next vigil is scheduled for Mon., June 30. Call 410-233-0488.

45] – On Mon., June 30 at 5:30 PM, members of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty will join the vigil at Madison Ave. and Fallsway. The group will urge the commission from the State of Maryland to call for the repeal of the death penalty. The commission will be impaneled on Tues., July 1

46] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM at the AFSC, 4806 York Road . The next meeting will be on June 30, and the agenda will include planning a visit to the National Security Agency, discussing the Ghosts of the Iraq War trial and organizing to keep the Maryland Guard from going to Iraq . A documentary filmmaker will be there to get some footage for a movie about the peace movement. Call Max at 410-366-1637.

47] – There is a vigil to say "War Is Not the Answer" each Tuesday since September 11, 2001 at 4806 York Road . Join this ongoing vigil. The next vigil is July 1 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.

48] – The next meeting of the Baltimore Coalition Against the Death Penalty will be Tues., July 1 at 7 PM at American Friends Service Committee, 4806 York Road. The agenda will focus on a forum to discuss the Supreme Court decision on lethal injection and the Maryland legislation calling for a commission to study the state’s death penalty. Call 410-488-6767 or 443-

838-3221.

49] – On Tues., July 1 at 7:30 PM, Red Emma's, 800 St. Paul St. , will host a presentation of an online journal of theory, practice, art, activism and organizing. Afterwards there will be a discussion of the 2008 convention protests. Go to www.redemmas.org. Call 410-230-0450.

50] – The Marc Steiner Show is back on Wed., July 2 at 9 AM on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community. During the summer, the hour-long show will continue each Wednesday. And in Fall 2008, the show will begin broadcasting daily Monday through Friday. The call-in number is 410-319-8888, and comments can also be sent by email steinershow@gmail.com.

You can listen to interviews by Steiner through his Center for Emerging Media podcasts. To hear the interviews, email Jessica@centerforemergingmedia.com.

To be continue

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center , 325 E. 25th St. , Baltimore , MD 21218 . Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net

"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