Thursday, December 4, 2008

Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 1

Baltimore Activist Alert Dec. 4, 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 with transportation

7] NLG is offering to hold seminars

8] AFSC Open House – Dec. 4

9] First Thursday protest of the war – Dec. 4

10] Celebrate tomato pickers’ victory – Dec. 4

11] History of the Congo – Dec. 4                         

12] Jim Douglass will discuss his book on JFK – Dec. 4                         

13] Two benefits for Heart’s Place – Dec. 4 & 14

14] LEFT OF KARL MARX signing – Dec. 4

15] Diplomacy in the Americas – Dec. 5

16] WIB Inner Harbor peace vigil – Dec. 5

17] WIB Roland Park vigil – Dec. 5

18] White House vigil – Dec. 5

19] Protest WYPR management – Dec. 5 - ?

20] Support The Congo demo – Dec. 5

21] Silent vigil at Homewood Friends – Dec. 5

22] Unveiling of Said portrait – Dec. 5                         

23] U.S Peace Memorial – Dec. 5

24] Free Mumia event – Dec. 5                         

25] Witness for Peace holiday party – Dec. 5                         

26] Vigil at Walter Reed – Dec. 5

27] RHETORIC FOR RADICALS – Dec. 5

28] Ballroom dancing – Dec. 5

29] Sounds of Hope – Dec. 5

30] Olney vigil to end the war – Dec. 6                              

31] Single payer workshops – Dec. 5 & 13

32] Peace vigil in Chester, PA – Dec. 6

33] Peace vigil at Capitol – Dec. 6

34] Free Mumia march – Dec. 6                         

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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 410-366-1637.

 

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.  He is doing very well, speaking well and regularly, getting around well, and also now has permission from his doctor to be left alone, that is unattended, as needed.

The big need going forward over the next few weeks is transportation for a portion of each day to the Sky Neurological Rehabilitation CenterPomona Square, 1700 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville 21208 - just inside the beltway. On a weekly basis, the web site at Caring Bridge will post the specific times that Chuck needs transportation assistance in getting to therapy. Go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chuckmichaels.  If you need to speak with someone about Chuck, call John Springer at 443-895-0166.  You can call him to sign up for a shift.   

7] – The National Lawyers Guild-Maryland Chapter is presenting "Know Your Rights" seminars on the topic of criminal law for any community group that is interested.  The seminars would include an overview of constitutional law and Maryland substantive law on police practices in regard to searches, seizures, arrests, interrogations and related topics.  For further information, kindly send an e-mail to walshlittle@verizon.net.

8] – The Washington Public Policy Office of the American Friends Service Committee is having a HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE on Thurs., Dec. 4, from 4:30-8:00 PM at 1822 R St., NW in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, a few short blocks from the Dupont Circle Metro stop on the Red Line. Join for light refreshments and an opportunity to see what’s new in the office – including talented new members of the policy team and recent renovations to Davis House. At 6 PM there will be updates from staff and a preview of plans for 2009. At 7 PM guests can enjoy a set of live musical entertainment from the band Brûlée, fronted by Washington Office Director Aura Kanegis.

9] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore hosts an End the War! End the Occupation! rally on Thurs., Dec. 4 starting at 5 PM in Mount Vernon at Centre & Charles Sts.  The Pledge gathers in Mount Vernon on the first Thursday of the month to protest the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

10] – On Thurs., Dec. 4 at 6 PM at 2640 St. Paul St., the Coalition of Immokalee Workers was to be in town as part of the 2008 Northeast Subway Tour.  However, Subway agreed to a contract with the tomato pickers in the fields in Florida.  So the event instead will be a celebration.  The United Workers who won a living wage for stadium workers in Baltimore will be at the celebration and talk about plans to get a living wage for all workers in the Inner Harbor.

11] – The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is home to 80% of the world's coltan reserves, an essential element used in the production of cell phones.  Its export is said to be a driving force behind the violence in the DRC, which has cost the lives of nearly 6 million people since 1996. Join Friends of The Congo on Thurs., Dec. 4 from 6:45 to 8:45 PM at the Institute for Policy Studies’ Conference Room, 1112 16th St. NW, Suite 600, WDC 20036, for an examination of the history and geo-politics of this issue. Pre-register by calling 202-234-9382 or faxing 202-387-7915.  

12] – Jim Douglass will discuss his book, JFK AND THE UNSPEAKABLE: Why He Died and Why It Matters on Thurs., Dec. 4 at 7 PM at the D.C. Peace mural Exhibition Site, 3336 M ST, NW, WDC. Call 202-832-1780.  The talk and book signing is hosted by Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns and Orbis Books.  Douglass will describe the steps that transformed President John F. Kennedy from a Cold Warrior to a leader determined with his adversary, Nikita Khrushchev, to pull the world back from nuclear holocaust. As the monk Thomas Merton anticipated, Kennedy was then marked out for assassination.

13] – Gimmie Shelter Productions continues its tradition of raising funds and consciousness about the financial needs of homeless shelters by doing two fund raising benefits for Hearts Place Shelter.  The first will be at the Read Street Café, 229 W. Read St., on Thurs., Dec. 4 at 7:30 PM. Featured poets will be Alan Barysh, Suzanne X, Ron Williams, Leo Horrigan and Marcus Colasurdo. Call 410-669-4103.

 

  The second benefit will be at the Minas Gallery, 815 W. 36 St. on Sun., Dec. 14 at 4 PM. Featured poets will be Julie Fisher, Liz Bolton, Alan Barysh, Miriam Botwick and Marcus Colasurdo. Call 410-732-4258. Admission for either event is $5. Additionally if people want to bring donations of clothes, toys or non-­perishable foods, they will be accepted.

 

Heart’s Place is in need of winter clothing—sweat shirts, pants, sweaters, gloves, hats, coats and scarves. Call 410-235-9269.

14] – IN LEFT OF KARL MARX, Carole Boyce Davies assesses the activism, writing, and legacy of Claudia Jones (1915–1964), a pioneering Afro-Caribbean radical intellectual, dedicated communist and feminist. Jones is buried in London's Highgate Cemetery, to the left of Karl Marx—a location that Boyce Davies finds fitting given how Jones expanded Marxism-Leninism to incorporate gender and race in her political critique and activism.  There will be a book signing & discussion with Davies, dean of Africana Studies at Cornell University, on Thurs., Dec. 4 at 8 PM at Sankofa Videos & Books 2714 Georgia Ave., NW, WDC 20001.  Call 202-234-4755.  

15] – Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for a conversation: U.S. Diplomacy in the Americas: A Conversation with the Diplomatic Corps. It will feature Thomas A. Shannon, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs and the U.S. Ambassadors to the Nations of the Western Hemisphere. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas A. Shannon and the U.S. Ambassadors to the nations of the Western Hemisphere will convene in Washington to reflect on U.S. policy toward the Americas. The assembled diplomats will discuss the administration's accomplishments and progress in the region as well as the challenges ahead on Fri., Dec. 5, from 9 to 10:30 AM, at 1615 H St., NW, WDC 20062. Contact Dawson Law at 202-463-5496 or dlaw@uschamber.com or via www.regonline.com/whambassadors.

16] – Women In Black sponsor a peace stand/vigil on Fri., Dec. 5 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.

 

17] – There is also a noon vigil on Fri., Dec. 5 at Roland Park Place at 830 W. 40th St.  Call 410-467-9114. 

 

18] – 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.

19] –  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. 

20] – There is a peace vigil to support the Congo every Friday, 4:00 to 6:30 PM at the Rwandan Embassy, 1714 New Hampshire Ave, NW.  Call the Rwandan Embassy at 202-232-2882 and register your concern about Rwanda's aggression towards the Congo.

21] – There is a silent vigil on Fri., Dec. 5 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 and Stony Run Meetings.

22] – The unveiling of Edward W. Said portrait is Fri., Dec. 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St., NW WDC.  Join the Busboys community and Edward’s friends to celebrate the unveiling of Anas Shallal’s portrait of Said: scholar, engaged critic, internationalist and human rights advocate. The evening will include personal reflections, poetry, and performances. Donations in Edward’s memory will be collected for the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Ramallah and Friends of Sabeel North America.

23] – The Friends Meeting of Washington Peace and Social Concerns Committee, 2211 Florida Ave., NW (Decatur Place entrance), invites you to hear the latest news on the US Peace Memorial on Fri., Dec. 5 at 6:30 PM. Start with refreshments and conversation.  Then there will be a presentation by Michael D. Knox, Ph.D., a Distinguished Professor at the University of South Florida.  Dr. Knox is the founder of the organization and chair of the Foundation Board of Directors of the US Peace Memorial. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist who has actively opposed war and aggression since 1965. Contact Malachy Kilbride at 202-841-2230 or malachykilbride at yahoo.com. Go to www.uspeacememorial.org.

24] – On Fri., Dec. 5, there will be a Free Mumia Event from 7 to 9 PM at the Cork Factory Building in the Cork Gallery, 4th Floor Doorbell #9, 302 E. Federal St. Call Ameejill at 443-850-2840.

25] – Witness for Peace is holding its Holiday Party and Auction on Fri., Dec. 5 at 7 PM at the Peace Mural Exhibition in Georgetown, 3336 M St. NW.  See two floors packed full of breathtaking war and peace paintings, including a whole section on Guantanamo.  Local actor and playwright Anu Yadav will be performing a part of her newest piece on the struggles of immigrant day laborers. Call 202-547-6112.

26] – 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

27] – Jason Del Gandio, activist and communication scholar, on Fri., Dec. 5 at 7 PM at Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, 800 St. Paul St., will talk about his book RHETORIC FOR RADICALS: A Handbook for Twenty-First Century Activists.  If you cannot communicate your message, then you will never realize your vision. Email info@redemmas.org. Go to http://redemmas.org.

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 Dec. 5. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

29] – Sounds of Hope: A Musical Fundraiser takes place Fri., Dec. 5 from 8 to 10:30 PM at 1658 Columbia Rd NW, WDC 20009.  This family friendly evening offers delicious home-style food and amazing music – all for a good cause. Performers include Bronson Hoover, who will perform originals on both guitar and piano, with a few jazz and blues standards thrown in. Perry King and Wendy Bond will do folk/rock music and ballads for justice. The ballad of Rachel Cory’s life will have its public debut. The Cause Just Peace Circles is sending an Eco Peace Delegation to Israel/Palestine in spring 09. Funds collected go towards green building supplies for a permaculture project on which the delegation will be working. Contact Bette Rainbow Hoover at bette@justpeacecircles.org or 202-329-4667.  Go to www.justpeacecircles.org.

30] – Friends House, 17715 Meeting House Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860, hosts a peace vigil every Saturday, 10:30 to 11:30 AM, on the corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave. in Olney, MD.  The next vigil is Dec. 6. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167. 

31] – There are two upcoming single payer workshops led by Margaret Flowers.  The first is on Sat., Dec. 6 from 10 AM to noon at Mercy Hospital, Weinberg bldg., 2nd floor conference room, 227 St. Paul St.  Parking is available.

The second is Sat., Dec. 13 from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Dr., Rockville [just off Viers Mill Rd. - 586, accessible by ride on bus (#45), Metrobus (#Q1 and #Q2) and Metro train (Twinbrook stop on Red Line). Contact Margaret at 410-591-0892 or conversationcoalition@gmail.com.

32] –  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.

33] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., Dec. 6. 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.

34] – On Sat., Dec. 6 at noon, join a Day of International Solidarity to Free Mumia Abu-Jamal at the District Attorney’s office, 2 South Penn St., East Side of City Hall.  Then march to the federal courthouse, 5th & Market Sts.  Call 215-476-8812.

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

 

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