Thursday, February 26, 2009

Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 1

Baltimore Activist Alert Feb. 26 – 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] Max is seeking housing/peace house is available

5] Chuck Michaels needs help with transportation

6] Buy Mankekolo’s book

7] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLA

8] Bernie Brown needs household items

9] Peace Support Network video contest – through Feb. 28

10] Witness Against Torture 100 Days Campaign – through Apr. 30

11] BECRN meeting – Feb. 26

12] Plan Wall Street demo – Feb. 26

13] Tobacco Industry talk – Feb. 26

14] Donna Edwards leads conversation on Gaza and Israel – Feb. 26

15] Meet the Green Team – Feb. 26

16] FOR meeting – Feb. 26

17] Crabshell Alliance meeting – Feb. 26

18] Support vigil for Larry Egbert & Nick Sheridan – Feb. 27

19] Nuclear Lobby Day – Feb. 27

20] Phone bank to repeal the death penalty – Feb. 27                     

21] Conference on US Empire – Feb. 27—Mar. 2

22] WIB Inner Harbor peace vigil – Feb. 27

23] WIB Roland Park vigil – Feb. 27                    

24] White House vigil – Feb. 27                     

25] Support The Congo demo – Feb. 27

26] Silent vigil at Homewood Friends – Feb. 27

27] POISON WIND film – Feb. 27

28] Vigil at Walter Reed – Feb. 27

29] THE CAMDEN 28 film – Feb. 27

30] The Holy Land – Feb. 27

31] Ballroom dancing – Feb. 27

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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] – Max is in need of housing.  If you have any leads, please call him at 410-366-1637.  Note that there may be an opportunity for two or three people to move into a “peace house.”  If interested, call Max.

5] – 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.  Call Jaymie at 240-475-0041 if you wish to help with Chuck's transportation to rehab.     

 

6] – Rev. Dr. Mankekolo Mahlangu-Ngcobo has returned to live in Baltimore, and is writing her autobiography.  Consider purchasing her book" One A Day: Spiritual Vitamins. Be ready with daily Spiritual Vitamins from January 1 to December 31 in 2009.”  Send a donation of $10 with $3 shipping and handling to 3315 Mondawmin Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21216.

7] – You can help safeguard human rights and fragile ecosystems through your purchase of HOCOFOLA Café Quetzal. Bags of ground coffee or whole beans can be ordered by mailing in an order form. For more details and to download the order form, go to http://friendsoflatinamerica.typepad.com/hocofola/fair_trade/index.html.

Be sure you indicate ground (G) or bean (B) for each type of coffee ordered. Make the check out to HoCoFoLA and send it with your order form to HoCoFoLA, PO Box 94, Columbia, MD  21045. Contact Pat McLaine at 410-964-0960 or pamcl@aol.com.  The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up.

8] – Bernie Brown has found housing, however he is in need of basic household items.  His most urgent needs are a toaster oven and a mini vacuum.  If you have something to donate to Bernie, call Max at 410-366-1637.  

9] – The Peace Support Network is sponsoring a YouTube video contest. Create a short film based on the theme, "Create Peace". Show us your creativity and you could be given the grand prize of $1000 or three runner-up prizes.   All ages, school classrooms, not-for-profit groups, as well as individuals are urged to participate!  For complete details go to http://celebratingpeace.org/videos.cfm. Post your vision of peace right away, but no later than Sat., Feb. 28.  Contact Kelly Guinan at www.celebratingpeace.org or 402-426-5240.

10] – Witness Against Torture continues its 100 Days Campaign.  Go to www.100dayscampaign.org.   Groups have taken on each week through Apr. 30, and there will be daily vigils at the White House from 11 AM to 1 PM.  As well, there will be organized activities from film screenings to lectures and community meetings.  These activities are designed to mobilize people concerned about torture and keep sustained pressure on our elected officials to close Guantanamo with deliberate speed.  Witness Against Torture will have a team in D.C. for the duration of the campaign and will provide logistical support to all participants.  Call Carmen Trotta at 202 277 9869.           

11] – BECRN will meet at the ACORN office, 16 W. 25th St.  at 5:30 PM on Thurs., Feb 26.  Some of the topics for discussion are outreach, foreclosure, support for education funding and utility bills.

12] – On Thurs., Feb. 26 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Solidarity Center, 2011 N. Charles St., there will be an ORGANIZERS MEETING for the National March on Wall Street.

13] – On Thurs,, Feb. 26 at 7 PM at Red Emma's, 800 St. Paul St., Ryan Coffman, a tobacco treatment specialist from a D.C. metropolitan area hospital will expose the past, present, and future of one of the world's most controversial and influential companies.  His talk is entitled The Tobacco Industry Unfiltered: Behind the Smoke and Mirrors.  Call 410-230-0450.  Go to www.redemmas.org.

 

14] – On Thurs., Feb. 26 from 7 to 8:30 PM at Prince George's Community College, Largo Student Center--Rennie Forum, Largo, MD 20774, join Congressperson Donna F. Edwards for a "Community Conversation on Gaza and Israel.”

15] – Meet the Green Team on Thurs., Feb. 26 at 7 PM at the World Wildlife Fund, Conference Room 2004, 1250 24th St. NW #6, WDC. By proactively implementing energy efficiency measures, recycling and responsible purchasing, Green Teams can make real strides in reducing the carbon foot print of their workplaces. CarbonfreeDC presents three experienced panelists who will tell you how to get your Green Team off the ground and convince your CEO to go along! Go to http://www.carbonfreedc.com. RSVP at http://www.meetup.com/carbonfreedc/calendar/962715

16] – On Thurs., Feb. 26 at 7 PM, a meeting of the Fellowship of Reconciliation/D.C. Chapter will be at La Casa, 3166 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, WDC [just west of 16th St.]. John Lindsay-Poland will talk about "Colombia and Drug Policy in the New Era: Change We Can Organize For.”

 

17] – The Crabshell Alliance will meet on Thurs., Feb. 26 at 7:30 PM in the Rotunda, 711 W. 40th Street, Room 209. Go into the mall and take elevator in middle of building up to second floor, and 216 is to the left.  Call 410-206-3830. The mission of the Crabshell Alliance is to stop the construction of new nuclear power plants in Maryland, promote clean, safe, sustainable, and affordable energy, and educate the public about the hazards of nuclear power.

 

18] – Vigil outside Baltimore District Court on North Avenue at 8:30 AM to support Larry Egbert and Nick Sheridan, who are facing extradition to Georgia.  Larry is scheduled for a 9 AM hearing.  It is possible that Nick will be called as well.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

19] – National Nuclear Lobby Day is Fri., Feb. 27. If you are willing to meet with your legislator(s) or their staffs, please let the Nuclear Information and Resource Service know by e-mailing nirsnet@nirs.org. They can set up appointments for you, provide you with talking points, and even accompany you on your visit if you'd like. If you need housing, they will try to arrange that, but can't promise. Call 301-270-6477.

20] – Volunteer to phone bank from 9 to 5 PM on Fri., Feb. 27 to urge citizens to support a repeal of the death penalty. Call 301-779-5230 or e-mail niambimurray@mdcase.org.  Contact Maryland Citizens Against State Executions at info@mdcase.org.  Go to www.mdcase.org.

21] – Security Without Empire, a National Organizing Conference on Foreign Military Bases, takes place at American University, WDC from Fri., Feb. 27 through Mon., Mar. 2.  Some of the Speakers are Walden Bello – Focus on Global South, Bruce Gagnon – Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Joseph Gerson – American Friends Service Committee and Raed Jarrar – Iraq & American Friends Service Committee. March 2 is a lobby day. Contact Genevie Gold at GGold at afsc.org or 617-661-6130 x137.

Housing is needed for overseas delegates, including a large contingent from Japan. Logistical volunteers will also be needed for transportation, errands and as interpreters. Contact John Steinbach at johnsteinbach1 at verizon.net or 703-822-3485.

22] – Women In Black sponsor a peace stand/vigil on Fri., Feb. 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.

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

 

24] – 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.

25] – 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.

26] – There is a silent vigil on Fri., Feb. 20 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.

27] – "Poison Wind" will be screened on Fri., Feb. 27 starting at 5:30 PM in the Langston Room, Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St., NW, WDC. The documentary is narrated by James Cromwell, and focuses on the effect of uranium mining on the Navajo people of New Mexico.

28] – 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. 

 

29] – The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee is hosting its latest FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS VIDEO SERIES. The theme is First Amendment rights.  The next film is THE CAMDEN 28.  Director Anthony Giacchino asks the question, how far would you go to stop a war? On Aug. 22, 1971, twenty-eight activists broke into a Camden, NJ federal building to destroy draft files.  This documentary revisits that action and the subsequent trial. It will be shown on Fri., Feb. 27 at a private home on a large-screen television.  If interested in seeing THE CAMDEN 28, call Max at 410-366-1637.

Doors open at 7 PM, and the DVD starts at 7:30 PM.  There is no charge, and refreshments will be available.  A discussion will follow.

30] – On Fri., Feb. 27 from 7:30 – 9 PM at the Fellowship Hall, Crusader Lutheran Church, 1605 Viers Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20851,  the  Palestine–Israel  Peace  Project invites you to enjoy a Show–and–Tell presentation by people like you  “WORKING FOR JUSTICE IN THE HOLY LAND,” a panel of Washington suburbanites from Ravensworth Baptist Church, Annandale, VA reflecting on their visit to Palestine and Israel showing their slides of people and places and interacting with you, the audience.  It will be moderated by G.J. Tarazi, trip leader.

31] –  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 Feb. 27. 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

 

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