Thursday, March 12, 2009

Baltimore Activist Alert

Baltimore Activist Alert Mar. 12 – 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] Witness Against Torture 100 Days Campaign – through Apr. 30

9] Remember Baltimore’s victims of violence – Mar. 12

10] Ziad Abbas at Busboys – Mar. 12

11] WIB Inner Harbor peace vigil – Mar. 13

12] WIB Roland Park vigil – Mar. 13                   

13] White House vigil – Mar. 13                    

14] Support The Congo demo – Mar. 13

15] Silent vigil at Homewood Friends – Mar. 13

16] Stadium playground fundraiser – Mar. 13

17] Poet Ryan Coffman at Red Emma’s – Mar. 13

18] Vigil at Walter Reed – Mar. 13

19] Ballroom dancing – Mar. 13

20] Olney vigil to end the war – Mar. 14                          

21] Peace vigil in Chester, PA – Mar. 14

22] Peace vigil at Capitol – Mar. 14

23] Speak out for the repeal of the death penalty – Mar. 14 

24] Westminster WIB vigil – Mar. 14                                       

25] Baltimore Tribunal – Mar. 14                         

26] Film FINDING OUR VOICES – Mar. 14

27] Torture workshop – Mar. 14

28] Green Scooter grand opening – Mar. 14

29] Drum for peace – Mar. 14

30] Global Justice fundraiser – Mar. 14

31] Benefit for homeless shelter -- Mar. 14

32] Economic crisis pastoral – Mar. 15

33] African Service – Mar. 15

34] Bridge peace vigil – Mar. 15

35] Bethesda peace vigil – Mar. 15

36] D.C. peace vigil – Mar. 15

37] Red Emma’s needs volunteers – Mar. 15

38] Peacemakers potluck – Mar. 15

39] Pentagon vigil – Mar. 16

40] UFPJ outreach to soldiers – Mar. 16

41] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Mar. 16-- 19 

42] Protest the death penalty – Mar. 16 

43] Paper ballot lobby night – Mar. 16

44] ICC lobby night – Mar. 16

45] Roy McGovern will speak – Mar. 16

46] Save the Senator Theatre – Mar. 16 

47] BUPJ meeting – Mar. 16

48] Pledge of Resistance meeting – Mar. 16

49] Tuesday peace vigil – Mar. 17

50] Ecolocity DC meeting -- Mar. 17

51] Death penalty meeting – Mar. 17

52] Amnesty meeting – Mar. 17

53] Peace vigil in Philadelphia – Mar. 18

54] Peace vigil in W. Mount Airy, PA – Mar. 18

55] WIB Frederick vigil – Mar. 18

56] Green Film Festival – Mar. 18

57] Chestnut Hill, PA vigil – Mar. 18

58] War on Terror discussion – Mar. 18

59] Israel/Palestine roundtable – Mar. 19 

60] Remember the War – Mar. 19

61] IWW meeting – Mar. 19

62] Occupation 101 – Mar. 19

63] New African Films – Mar. 19 - 23

64] Iraq Moratorium – Mar. 20

65] Remember William Thomas – Mar. 20

66] March on Pentagon – Mar. 21

67] CINEMA PARADISO film – Mar. 27

68] First Thursday protest of the war – Apr. 2

69] Antiwar march in NYC – Apr. 4

70] MUPJ conference – Apr. 4

71] Contribute to the Georgia Four defense fund

72] Human rights lawyer from the Congo is seeking speaking engagements

73] Join Global Zero campaign

74] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale

75] Publish your peace article

76] Become a member of the Washington Peace Center

77] Click on The Hunger Site  

78] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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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] – 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.           

9] – Support the families which have lost love ones to violence in Baltimore City. Rev. Willie Ray and Pastor Howard are sponsoring a spiritual service of commemoration at the Enon Baptist Church, 601 N. Schroeder St., at Edmondson Ave. on Thurs., Mar. 12 at 6 PM.  Call 410-728-1490.

 

10] – Ziad Abbas, a Palestinian refugee and journalist from Dheisheh Refugee Camp in the West Bank, is the cofounder of the Ibdaa Cultural Center.  Go to www.ibdaa194.org. He is on tour speaking about Gaza and the Right of Return and will be at Busboys and poets, 1025 5th St., NW on Thurs., Mar. 12 at 7 PM.  Donations to the Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA, www.mecaforpeace.org), a non-profit organization based in Berkeley, CA, will be welcomed.

11] – Women In Black sponsor a peace stand/vigil on Fri., Mar. 13 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.

12] – There is also a noon vigil on Fri., Mar. 13 at Roland Park Place at 830 W. 40th St.  Call 410-467-9114. 

 

13] – 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.

14] – 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.

15] – There is a silent vigil on Fri., Mar. 13 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.

16] – There is a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Fri., Mar. 13 starting it at 5:30 PM at the New Waverly United Methodist Church, 644 E. 33rd St. (across from the Giant) to rebuild the playground at Stadium Place.  The menu will include a vegetarian option, and entertainment will be provided by the Waverly Middle School Band and Drum Line and the Stadium School Judah Praze Dance Team.  The dinner is $5 for adult and $3 for children. Go to www.stadiumplayground.org. Email friendsofourplayground@gmail.com or call 443-756-6198.

17] – Poet Ryan Coffman presents on Fri., Mar. 13 at 7 PM at Red Emma’s, 800 St. Paul St., “Mendicant of the Hidden, Votary of the Sepulcher,” his new book.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org. 

18] – 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. 

 

19] –  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 Mar. 13. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

 

20] – 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 Mar. 14. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167. 

 

21] –  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.

22] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., Mar. 14. 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.

23] – The Coalition Against the Death Penalty is hosting a speak out on  Sat., Mar. 14 at 1 PM outside the SuperMax, Fallsway and Madison St., to call for the repeal of Maryland’s death penalty.  Call 410-488-6767 or 443-838-3221.

24] – Westminster WIB hosts a vigil the 2nd Saturday of the month from 2 – 3 PM in front of the War Memorial on Main St. The next vigil will be Mar. 14. Email wibwestminster@mizmail.com.

25] – There will be a BALTIMORE TRIBUNAL on Sat., Mar. 14 at 2 PM at Sojourner Douglass College, 200 N. Central Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201.  Call 443-599-0106.

26] – Join the folks at the Washington Peace Center for a free screening of FINDING OUR VOICES at 2:30 PM on Sat., Mar. 14 at Friends Meeting, 2111 Florida Ave. NW, WDC.  Local film maker Laurel Jensen will join be there to discuss her film about the recent anti-war movement. This film series sponsored by the Peace and Social Concerns Committee and the Washington Peace Center will continue once a month (on Saturday) through March. Contact the Peace Center at 202-234-2000.

27] – On Sat., Mar. 14, from 4:30– 6 PM, attend “Next Steps in Ending U.S.-Sponsored Torture,” a workshop at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days.  The advocacy days will be held Mar. 13-16 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA. The workshop will feature Matthew Alexander, author of "How to Break a Terrorist," Scott Horton, Harper's Magazine and George Hunsinger, NRCAT Founder and professor, Princeton Theological Seminary.

28] – The future of transit in Baltimore may be beginning this Saturday and you can be part of it.  Green Rider, see http://www.greenriderusa.com/, will be opening this weekend and selling electric scooters. You are invited to attend the Grand Opening Party of Green Rider LLC to view the new models of Motorino Electric Scooters at 6 PM on Sat., Mar. 14 at 723 S. Broadway.  Drinks and snacks will be served.

29] – Come drum for peace every second Saturday at the Unitarian Universalists of Fallston, MD, 1127 Old Fallston Road (across Rte 152 from Fallston High).  On Mar. 14, the drum circle begins at 7 PM.  Call Franz at 410-925-9351.

30] –  There's a fundraiser for Global Justice Action on Sat., Mar. 14 from 7 to 10 PM at the Potter House, near Adams Morgan, Columbia Rd NW & 17th St NW.  Support organizing for the people's resistance to the IMF and World Bank meetings in April! There's a suggested donation of $10 for a night of music, art, & activism.  One can purchase a vegan dinner. Call 202-234-2000.

31] – Gimmie Shelter Productions continues to do benefits that raise consciousness about the state of homeless shelters and funds to help them serve the needy.  On Sat., Mar. 14 at 8 PM at Hamilton Arts Collective, 2927 Hamilton Road.  The featured poets will be Suzanne X, Ron Williams, Alan Barysh, Mike Monroe, Liz Bolton and Marcus Colasurdo. Call 410-961-2254.   Admission is $5.  In addition, donations of hoodies, sweat suits and jeans will be gladly accepted.  To arrange interviews with members of Gimmie Shelter Productions call 410-532-0193.

32] – Jim Wallis, author of The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America, will be at the Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, on Sun., Mar. 15 to engage in a spirited conversation with the dean of the cathedral, Samuel T. Lloyd, for the weekly dialogue series, "The Sunday Forum: Critical Issues in the Light of Faith." They will focus on the topic of "A Pastoral Response to the Economic Crisis." The event will start at 10:10 AM in the cathedral nave. Call 202-537-6382 or email DDavis@cathedral.org.

Following the Sunday Forum, Jim will preach at the 11:15 AM Holy Eucharist. As part of the ongoing "Celebration of American Preaching" series, Jim is among an array of distinguished preachers from various perspectives and traditions to preach at the Canterbury Pulpit. Call 202-537-6250 or email KKeenan@cathedral.org.

33] –  On Sun., Mar. 15, 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.

34] – 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/.

35] – Every Sunday until Nov. 3, from 4:30 to 6 PM at the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda Aves., near Barnes & Noble and the Landmark Theaters, there will be a peace vigil organized by Bethesda Friends. Everyone welcome to participate!  

36] – On Sun., Mar. 15, from 5 to 6 PM, there will be an ecumenical peace vigil in Lafayette Park!  You are invited to join the latest in a series of peace vigils designed to give members of Washington area churches--Episcopalians, Methodists, UCC'ers, Presbyterians, Baptists, Mennonites, Quakers, Lutherans, Unitarians, Catholics and all others--a chance to pray together for an end to the tragic war in Iraq. The vigil is a locally organized witness affiliated with Christian Peace Witness for Iraq (CPWI).  The vigil will take place on the third Sunday of the month, at 5 PM, until the war comes to an end.

 

37] – 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 Mar. 15. Call 410-230-0450.

38] – Join a Sun., Mar. 15 potluck and celebration of peacemakers at 6 PM at 806 N. Frederick St., Arlington, VA.  During the week of March 15 peace activists affiliated with the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance will attempt to visit Secretary of War Robert Gates to follow up on a letter requesting a meeting and expressing their concerns about the illegal war and occupation of Iraq and an increase in the US military occupation of Afghanistan. Risking arrest, their work this week will be carried out in honor of Peter DeMott who died after a tragic accident.  RSVP to Malachy Kilbride at malachykilbride@yahoo.com or 202-841-2230.  To join the meeting with Gates, call Max at 410-366-1637.

39] – 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 Mon., Mar. 16, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.  Call 202-882-9649.

40] – United For Peace and Justice announces Courage to Resist: National Week of Letter-Writing for War Resisters, Mon., Mar. 16 through Mon., Mar. 23.  Go to http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/content/view/664/1/.

41] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Thursday from 5 to 6 PM on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community.  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.   Go to http://www.centerforemergingmedia.org.

42] – 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., Mar. 16.

Call 410-233-0488.

43] – Lobby Night in Annapolis for accurate, verifiable paper-ballot voting is Mon., Mar. 16 at 5:30 PM. Meet in the Senate Building, 11 Bladen St., in the Rotunda (turn right and walk up the ramp after passing through the metal detector). Organize into teams, receive assignments, talking points and other materials. Bring a valid ID!  Find your delegates and senator at http://mdelect.net/. Email mike@pdamerica.org.

44] – The Intercounty Connector's cost is far too high for the budget and environment. Join Sierra Club on Mon., Mar. 16 at 6 PM for an issue briefing in the public lounge of the House Office Building, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401, and from 6:30 to 8 PM to meet with legislators.  Afterwards, everyone will socialize and continue celebrating St. Patrick's Day at a local pub.  The hearing for the bill to de-fund the ICC (HB27/SB753) is scheduled for Tues., Mar. 17.  RSVP to Alana Wase at 301-277-7111 or alana.wase@mdsierra.org. Go to www.maryland.sierraclub.org/action/p0139.asp.

45] – On Mon., Mar. 16 at 7 PM, Witness Against Torture and The Washington Friends Peace & Social Concerns Committee will host Ray McGovern,  who as a CIA analyst for 27 years, chaired National Intelligence Estimates. He also prepared (and briefed one-on-one) the President's Daily Brief.  On March 3, 2005 he returned the Intelligence Commendation Award medallion given him for "especially commendable service," saying:  "I do not wish to be associated, however remotely, with an agency engaged in torture."  The event will be held at the Washington Friends Meeting, 2111 Florida Ave., WDC.  

46] – The historic Senator Theatre has been pursuing a transition to community-based ownership, but debt and operational deficits are threatening to derail the plan. The theatre's mortgage is in default and analysis of current cash flow indicates that closure and an auction sale are imminent.  In response was formed The Senator Community Trust, a non-profit entity.   To make plans to stave off an auction, a town hall meeting will be held at The Senator on Mon., Mar. 16 at 7 PM.  Contact Clearpath Management at 866.944.4409 x1 or info@clearpathmanagement.com.

47] – Baltimore United for Peace and Justice will meet at 7 PM on Mon., Mar. 16 at the AFSC, 4806 York Road. The BUPJ agenda will focus on organizing an anniversary commemoration of the Iraq War on March 19 and the April 4 march and rally in NYC.  As this meeting ends, the Pledge meeting will begin.

48] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM at the AFSC, 4806 York Road [three blocks north of Coldspring Lane].  However, the next meeting will be Mar. 16, as Pledge members will be in Annapolis on Mar. 9.  The agenda at the Mar. 16 meeting will include a Mar. 17 demo at the Pentagon, a report on testimony in favor of legislation to prevent future spying scandals and the arrests of Larry Egbert and Nick Sheridan.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

 

49] – 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 Mar. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

50] – There is a meeting of Ecolocity DC every Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM at the EMERGENCE COMMUNITY ARTS COLLECTIVE, 733 Euclid St. NW, WDC 20001.  It is for people who live in, or are interested in making D.C. a transition town starting with an intentional community that will encompass clean energy, freecycle, natural building, organic farming, community salvage, new urbanism, etc. The next meeting will be on Mar. 17. Go to http://ecolocity.ning.com www.ecacollective.org.

51] – The Coalition Against the Death Penalty will meet Tues., Mar. 17 at 7 PM at the AFSC, 4806 York Road.  Agenda items will include the spy scandal, death penalty legislation and an anti-death penalty demonstration. Call 410-488-6767 or 443-838-3221.

52] – Amnesty Chapter 228 meets regularly at 7:30 PM in rooms 18/19 of the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, Columbia, MD, on the third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be on Mar. 17.  Go to www.amnesty228.com.

53] – Each Wednesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the House of Grace Catholic Worker holds a weekly vigil for peace in Iraq outside the Phila. Federal Building, 6th & Market Sts. The next vigil is Mar. 18. Call 215-426-0364.

54] – Each Wednesday in clear weather, there is a peace vigil from 5 to 6 PM outside the Unitarian Society of Germantown, 6511 Lincoln Drive (between Wayne & Hortter) in West Mount Airy, PA. The next vigil is Mar. 18. Call 215-843-4256 or email nwgreens@yahoo.com.

55] – WIB Frederick holds a silent vigil mourning all violence, the third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 7 PM at the intersection of Patrick & Market Sts. in Frederick.  The next vigil is Mar. 18.  Please dress in black, and bring no additional signs.  Men are welcome. Call 301-834-7581 or email wibfrederick@mizmail.com. Go to www.frederick.org.

56] – There Green Film Fest runs through Sun., Mar 22. Go to http://www.newdream.org/emails/al33.html. At this year's Environmental Film Festival, the health and sustainability of earth’s oceans and sea life will be a major theme. Presentations will include journalist Hedrick Smith about his film, POISONED WATERS, comparing the health of the Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound and David Conover on the practical uses of the genome and Craig Venter's ocean discoveries from his film-in-progress, LIFE v2.0.

There’s a special screening honoring environmentalist Rachel Carson on Wed., Mar 18 at 7 PM at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for America Art and Portraiture, Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium. The screening of A SENSE OF WONDER is free, and actress Kaiulani Lee will appear.

Contact Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital, 1228½ 31st St., NW
WDC 20007
, at 202-342-2564 or info@envirofilmfest.org.

57] – Each Wednesday, there is a peace vigil from 7 to 8 PM outside the Borders Book Store, Germantown Ave. at Bethlehem Pike in Chestnut Hill, PA. The next vigil is Mar. 18.  Call 215-843-4256 or email nwgreens@yahoo.com.

58] – On Wed., Mar. 18 at 7:30 PM at Georgetown Univ., St. Mary's Hall, Room 107, listen to Voices of Resistance: Standing Up To Injustice and War.  The speakers are LAILA AL-ARIAN and DAVE ZIRIN, and they will address the war on terror.  Al-Arian’s father is Palestinian political prisoner Dr. Sami al-Arian. She is the co-author of  COLLATERAL DAMAGE: America's War Against Iraqi Civilians. Zirin is a prominent political sportswriter for The Nation and author of A PEOPLE’S HISTROY OF SPORTS.  Go to voices.resistance.tour@gmail.com.  

59] – On Thurs., Mar. 19, the WEEKLY ROUNDTABLE SEEKING A JUST PEACE IN PALESTINE/ISRAEL takes place from 12:30 - 1:30 PM at Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Road NW, WDC.  Join a civil discourse which explores the history, issues, myths, realities, and truth of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Contact Alice Azzouzi at 202-232-5483.

 

60] – Baltimore United for Peace and Justice is again planning a Public Meeting on the anniversary of the invasion of Iraq on Thurs., Mar. 19.  There will be a vigil from 6 to 7 PM, tentatively scheduled for York Road and Woodbourne Ave.  The program will start at 7 PM at Govans-Boundary United Methodist Church, 5210 York Road.  The theme of the evening will be to honor Dr. Martin Luther King and his campaign to end the Vietnam War and for Labor Rights.  Call 410 433-3269.

61] – The Baltimore branch of the Industrial Workers of the World [IWW] meets the third Thursday of the month.  Attend the next meeting on Feb. 19 at 7 PM at Red Emma’s, 800 St. Paul StCall 410-967-2202.

62] – Occupation 101: Voices of the Silenced Majority will be shown by the Solidarity Center, 2011 N. Charles St., on Thurs., Mar. 19 at 7 PM to raise money for transportation to the March on the Pentagon on Mar. 21.  The suggested donation is $5, but no one will be turned away. Call 443-909-8964.

63] – The New African Films Festival runs from Thurs., Mar. 19 through Wed., Mar. 25 at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center 8633 Colesville Rd. Use the Silver Spring Metro. Go to http://www.afrikafe.com http://www.transafricaforum.org or http://www.afi.com/silver.

64] – Every 3rd Friday, observe the Iraq Moratoriumhttp://www.iraqmoratorium.com/. On Feb. 20, 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.

65] – William Thomas (known to most as Thomas) passed away the morning of January 23rd.  He spent the last 27 years in front of the White House, in Lafayette Park, protesting the inhumane policies of the US, especially the US nuclear policies exemplified by the US dropping nuclear bombs on the civilians of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Thomas is survived by his wife, Ellen Thomas, who resides at the Peace House, and his partner in the vigil, Concepcion, who still maintains a presence of conscience in Lafayette Park against US nuclear policies.  A memorial service has been planned for Thomas in Lafayette Park at noon on Fri., Mar 20, Thomas's 62nd birthday.  Please send any anecdotes about Thomas to Ellen at et@nucnews.net.

66] – MARCH ON THE PENTAGON on Sat., Mar. 21, the 6th anniversary of an unjust war.  Go to www.pentagonmarch.org. Gather at noon at 23rd St. & Constitution Ave. NW and march with the Washington Peace Center. Call 202-234-2000 or email virginia@washingtonpeacecenter.org

 

67] – The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee is hosting its latest FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS VIDEO SERIES. The theme is First Amendment rights.  The next film is CINEMA PARADISO [ITALY, 1988] which will be shown on Fri., Mar. 27 at a private home on a large-screen television.  If interested in seeing CINEMA PARADISO, RSVP to Max at 410-366-1637.

Written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, the film includes Jacques Perrin and Philippe Noiret.  In a Sicilian village, the fatherly projectionist takes a boy under his wing and instills a love of movies.  The village priest, though, censors the films.

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.

 

68] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore hosts an End the War! End the Occupation! rally on Thurs., Apr. 2 from 5 to 6:30 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.

 

69] – There will be a United for Peace and Justice demonstration in New York City on Sat., Apr. 4, anniversary of Dr. King's 1967 "Beyond Vietnam" speech and his assassination in 1968 and concurrent with international demonstrations for peace on the 60th anniversary of NATO.  Buses leave from Stony Run Friends, 5116 N. Charles St. at 7 AM with a return around 11 PM.  Tickets are $40.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

70] – The 24th annual Maryland Peace and Justice conference has been set for April 4, 2009 at the Church of the Resurrection in Burtonsville, MD, easily accessible off of Rt. 29. Please put the date on your calendar and try not to schedule any other major events on that day. Thanks so much for your cooperation, and the organizers hope to see you there!  Call Paulette at 410-747-3811.

71] – Larry Egbert and Nick Sheridan remain in Georgia awaiting an April arraignment.  They are out of jail, and the "Georgia Four" is seeking contributions to a legal defense fund.  Go to www.finalexitlibertyfund.org to make a contribution.

 

72] – Sylvie Maunga Mbanga, a human rights lawyer and women’s activist from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is in the DC area waiting for asylum. She works with seven local organizations to end the horrific sexual violence against women in the eastern region of the Congo. She is eager to speak to audiences about her situation and that of the DRC. Though she will speak for free, honoraria or donations (even Metro cards, or food/grocery gift certificates) would help her meet her day to day needs. Call her at 202-355-4511.

73] – Join an extraordinary global campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons: http://www.globalzero.org/sign-declaration. A growing group of leaders around the world is calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and a majority of the global public agrees.  This is an historic window of opportunity.  With momentum already building in favor of Zero, a major show of support from people around the world could tip the balance. When it comes to nuclear weapons, one is one too many.  

74] – WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER signs from Friends Committee on National Legislation are again for sale at $5.  To purchase a sign, call Max at 410-366-1637.

75] – Publish Your Peace Article. Daniel Frasier is soliciting peace articles for the biweekly series of commentaries Paths to Peace in the Frederick News Post Religion and Ethics section. For details, email path2peace07@yahoo.com.

 

76] – Become an active member of the Washington Peace Center, which is now located at 1233 12th St. NW.  All members are granted voting rights and are invited to join one or more of our many working groups. Members are asked to pay suggested annual dues of 25 dollars, or volunteer. Email wpc@igc.org - subject "membership.” The mailing address is The Washington Peace Center, P.O. Box 50032, WDC 20019-0032. Call 202-234-2000. Subscribe at www.washingtonpeacecenter.org.  Send donations to The Washington Peace Center.

 

77] – The Hunger Site was initiated by Mercy Corps and Second Harvest, and is funded entirely by advertisers.  You can go there every day and click the big yellow "Give Food for Free" button near the top of the page; you do not have to look at the ads. Each click generates funding for about 1.1 cups of food.  So consider clicking.  

78] – Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981.  Go to http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282.

Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 East 25th St. Baltimore, MD 21218 Ph: 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski [at] Verizon.net.

 

"One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan

 

 

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