Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 1

Baltimore Activist Alert Nov. 20, 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] Max is seeking housing

6] Chuck Michaels needs help – Nov. 20

7] Odetta is in the hospital

8] Death penalty commission meeting – Nov. 20

9] Two CCR events in D.C. -- Nov. 20

10] Former death row prisoner will speak – Nov. 20                         

11] The Green Table – Nov. 20                         

12] Restorative Justice Conference – Nov. 20                         

13] Support legislation to keep Guard at home – Nov. 20                         

14] Film ABUSED to be screened – Nov. 20

15] Voice of Change discussion -- Nov. 20

16] IWW meeting – Nov. 20

17] SOA Watch at Fort Benning – Nov. 21-23

18] Iraq Moratorium – Nov. 21

19] WIB Inner Harbor peace vigil – Nov. 21

20] WIB Roland Park vigil – Nov. 21

21] White House vigil – Nov. 21

22] Protest WYPR management – Nov. 21 - ?

23] Silent vigil at Homewood Friends – Nov. 21

24] Night of Remembrance – Nov. 21

25] Film THE PRISONER – Nov. 21

26] Stencil Nation talk – Nov. 21                                   

27] Vigil at Walter Reed – Nov. 21

28] Ballroom dancing – Nov. 21

---------

1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available.  “God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions” stickers are 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] – Max is in need of housing.  If you have any leads, please call him at 410-366-1637.

6] – Chuck Michaels is now home, and he will continue his recovery through out-patient therapy.  However, Jayme, his wife, has to work.  So the family is hoping that friends can visit and spend some time with Chuck, especially during the day on Monday through Friday.  Call John Springer at 443-895-0166 to sign up for a shift.  It is understood that you may only be available for an hour or two a week.  But if we can get enough people involved in a community effort, then we can provide Chuck with the assistance he needs in these troubled times.  He lost his ability to speak after the stroke, but on Nov. 16 & 18 he spoke haltingly to me over the phone.  He is on the road to recovery, but needs a helping hand.    

7] – Odetta is in serious condition in the hospital. You can send a get-well message to Odetta Gordon at Lennox Hill Hospital, Room 720, 100 E. 77th Street NYC 10021.

8] – The Maryland Commission on the Death Penalty is now holding open meetings to discuss the testimony received over the last few months.  The next open meeting in Thurs., Nov. 20 from 3 to 8 PM in Annapolis in the Joint Hearing Room of the Legislative Services Building, 90 State Circle.  Benjamin R. Civiletti is the chair.  Contact Rachel Philofsky, Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention at 410-821-2828.  Go to http://www.governor.maryland.gov/pressreleases/080710b.asp or http://www.mdcase.org/.

9] – Join the Center for Constitutional Rights for two exciting events on Thurs., Nov. 20. CCR President Michael Ratner will face off with Stuart Taylor, of the Brookings Institute in a debate titled "On War Crimes and Torture: Should High Government Officials Be Investigated and Prosecuted?" The debate, 3:30-5 PM at Georgetown University Law Center, Hotung Room 6005, 600 New Jersey Ave. NW, WDC, will be moderated by David Vladeck.

At 6:30 PM, Michael Rather will discuss his book, co-authored by CCR, THE TRIAL OF DONALD RUMSFELD: A Prosecution By Book.  The book-signing and discussion will take place at Busboys and Poets, Busboys and Poets Bookstore, 1025 5th St NW (at K St). Email events@ccrjustice.org.

10] – On Thurs., Nov. 20 at 4 PM at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, Room 201 (Building 38, Second Floor), listen to Seven Hours from Death: A Conversation with William Neal Moore. Moore was on Georgia's death row for over 16 years and was once seven hours away from the electric chair. The parole board commuted his sentence to life imprisonment with the support of many including the victim's family, Mother Theresa, and Jesse Jackson. A year later, he was paroled and has since lived an exemplary life.

11] – DANCE MACABRE: REVISITING THE GREEN TABLE will be moderated by Karen Bradley on Thurs., Nov. 20 from 5:30 to 7 PM at the Leah M. Smith Lecture Hall, Rm. 2200, Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts, UMD, College Park. Call 301-405-0387 or email kbradley@umd.edu.

The Green Table, the signature work of German choreographer Kurt Jooss (1901-1979), is examined in this special viewing and discussion. Created in 1932 with music by Fritz Cohen, this work was both a comment on the times and an enduring reflection on war and death. UM Dance scholar Karen Bradley will lead a lively discussion with other experts considering the historical context and current reverberations.

12] – Maryland's Second Restorative Justice Conference takes place on Thurs., Nov. 20 at Howard Community College, Columbia, MD.  Restorative Justice is a rapidly growing social movement that emphasizes accountability, healing, and reconciliation in response to harm done to individuals or communities. The conference's goals are to increase the understanding and awareness of the benefits of using restorative practices and principles, to promote increased use of existing restorative justice principles, practices and programs in Maryland. Email info@marylandrjconference.org or call Belinda Reed, MD Chapter Association for Conflict Resolution, at 240-338-8159.

13] – There is a plan in the Maryland legislature to pass a law requiring that the National Guard not be used in illegal wars. Sen. Richard Madaleno, from Montgomery County, has promised to introduce such legislation.  He is urging all concerned parties to be at the Priorities Hearing on Thurs., Nov. 20 at 6 PM to support his bill. The hearing is in the 1st Floor Auditorium, Executive Office Bldg., 101 Monroe St., Rockville, MD 20850. "This hearing is an opportunity for the public to bring issues of importance for the 2008 Session to the attention of the legislators." Go to www.MontgomeryCountyDelegation.com.

Madaleno requests that people sign up to speak in favor of his legislation. Others, who may not want to speak or who can't get on the agenda, can still help. When a speaker supports the legislation, as do lots of Marylanders, others can silently rise and wave and then sit back down.

14] – ABUSED will be shown on Thurs., Nov. 20 at 6:15 PM at UDC, 4200 Conn. Ave., NW in Bldg. 38, B-Level Studio.  Directed by Chuck Braverman, this documentary follows the incredible struggle and dramatic results of Susan Greenberg who eighteen years after pleading guilty to first degree murder, got a second chance. After serving 19 years in prison, she was one of the first women to test a law that allows convicted women to request a release based on evidence of “Battered Woman Syndrome.”

15] – The Voice of Change Has Spoken Loudly is the topic of discussion on Nov. 20 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at 1212 New York Ave, NW, Suite 710, WDC.  Ambassador John McDonald who was twice appointed by Presidents Carter and Reagan will share knowledge about what he thinks are the possibilities for the new administration. There will be a moment of silence with Sr. Jenna. You must RSVP at 703-992 6448.  

16] – The Baltimore branch of the Industrial Workers of the World [IWW] meets the third Thursday of the month.  Attend the next meeting on Nov. 20 at 7 PM at Red Emma’s, 800 St. Paul St.  Call 410-967-2202.

17] – SOA Watch – Fri., Nov. 21 through Sun., Nov. 23 – will converge on Fort Benning, Georgia for the annual vigil to close the School of the Americas. It will be an opportunity for the progressive movement to push the next administration to close the SOA.

Dave Schott will be leaving Baltimore early Friday morning.  He is looking for someone to drive to Columbus, where he has reserved hotel space.  If interested, call him at 443-604-3934. .

 Witness for Peace will hold its 8th annual Colombia Teach-in on Fri., Nov. 21 at 4 PM in the Howard Johnson Presidential Room, 1011 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA. This year's Teach-in will focus on U.S. coal-mining in Colombia as a case study of the intersection of human rights abuses and corporate profits. 

Witness for Peace will then have a breakfast & open house on Sat., Nov. 22 from 9 to 11 AM in the Howard Johnson Presidential Room. At 6:30 PM, there will be a migration workshop in the Convention Center, Columbus, GA. Anti-immigrant legislation and cruel raids and deportations are threatening our immigrant sisters and brothers in communities throughout the country.  Email wfpma@witnessforpeace.org.

On Sun., Nov. 23, there will be a vigil and procession to the front gate of Fort Benning. Go to www.soaw.org.

18] – Every 3rd Friday, observe the Iraq Moratorium - http://www.iraqmoratorium.org/.  On Nov. 21, wear a black ribbon or armband! Hand out ribbons or armbands to others. Wear an anti-war pin. Call your representative and your senators and tell their staff that you expect them to do everything possible to end the war and bring the troops home!  The Capitol Hill switchboard number is 202-224-3121. Write your representative and your senators, as a handwritten letter has even more impact than a phone call. Hit your elected officials where it hurts, with a voided campaign contribution check. Write a letter to your local newspaper. Don't buy gas. Drive 10 MPH under the posted speed limit. Don't shop at all. Put a sign on your lawn or in your window or on your car. Write "Stop the War" or other slogans on the sidewalk in chalk.  Buy toy soldiers, put tags on them that say "Bring Me Home" and leave them in stores, parks, libraries, laundromats, anywhere people will find them. Email friends and family and urge them to sign the Iraq Moratorium statement and to take one of these steps, too.

19] – Women In Black sponsor a peace stand/vigil on Fri., Nov. 21 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.

 

20] – There is also a noon vigil on Fri., Nov. 21 at Roland Park Place at 830 W. 40th St.  Call 410-467-9114. 

 

21] – 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.

22] –  Protest the illegal termination of The Marc Steiner Show from noon to 1 PM Monday through Friday 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. 

23] – There is a silent vigil on Fri., Nov. 14 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.

24] – The second annual Night of Remembrance, a night of fellowship and remembrance in the celebration of life and healing, is scheduled for Fri., Nov. 21 from 6:30 to 8 PM at New Life United Methodist Church, 4400 Parkside Dr., Baltimore, MD. 21206.  As part of the evening, five of Baltimore’s most distinguished men will be honored: Rev Eric W. King I, Rev. Heber Brown III, Cameron E. Miles, David Miller and Lamarr D. Shields.  Contact Kimberly Armstrong-Hughes at 443-845-3116 or just4me.diamond@gmail.com.

25] – The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee is hosting its latest FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS VIDEO SERIES.  The next film, THE PRISONER [USA/GERMANY, 2007], will be shown Fri., Nov. 21 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.  There is no charge, and refreshments will be available.  Call 410-366-1637.

 The film was produced, directed and written by Michael Tucker and Petra Epperlein, the documentary deploys comic book-style illustrations to tell the story of an Iraqi wrongfully imprisoned in Abu Ghraib.  They follow up on the misadventure of Yunis Khatayer Abbas, a freelance Iraqi journalist rounded up by U.S. soldiers seeking bomb-makers aligned with a terrorist cell.  This filmmaking pair, responsible for the critically acclaimed GUNNER PALACE, offer another stark and unsettling look at post-Saddam Iraq.

26] – On Fri., Nov. 21 at 7 PM at Red Emma's, 800 St. Paul St., Russell Howze will present “Stencil nation: Graffiti, Community, and Art.” Call 410-230-0450.  Go to http://redemmas.org.

27] – 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 in the middle of the 7100 block of Georgia Ave., NW. Call 202-441-3265. Go to http://www.codepinkalert.org/Local_CODEPINKs_Washington_DC.shtml. 

28] –  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 Nov. 14. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

 

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