Thursday, February 25, 2010

Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 1

Baltimore Activist Alert Feb. 25 – May. 17, 2010

 

"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] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLA  

5] Used stamps for humanitarian causes

6] Save Heart’s Place

7] Keep the Guard at Home

8] Photo exhibit of Central America – through Mar. 6         

9] Footprints for Peace – to May 1

10] Call to stop loans for nuclear reactors -- Feb. 25    

11] Call DOJ on behalf of Mumia – Feb. 25

12] Panel to discuss torture memo report – Feb. 25

13] Film GODS OF METAL – Feb. 25

14] Legislative Forum 2010 – Feb. 25

15] Laura Whitehorn at Red Emma’s – Feb. 25

16] Peace & Justice study – Feb. 25

17] NPT discussion – Feb. 25                                  

18] Last day to buy discounted tickets for Fiesta Tropical – Feb. 25                                  

19] Justice for Palestine/Israel vigil – Feb. 26

20] WIB Inner Harbor vigil – Feb. 26

21] WIB Roland Park vigil – Feb. 26        

22] White House vigil – Feb. 26          

23] Homewood vigil -- Feb. 26

24] Vigil to End the Wars – Feb. 26

25] No to Israeli Apartheid – Feb. 26

26] Film BONHOEFFER – Feb. 26

27] Vigil at Walter Reed – Feb. 26

28] Antiwar strategy session – Feb. 26

29] Legacy of Malcolm X – Feb. 26

30] Ballroom dancing – Feb. 26

 

66] Film MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA – Feb. 27 & 28, Mar. 1

67] Blueprint for Peace in Afghanistan – Feb. 28

.  

23] Women’s Bible Study – Feb. 20—Mar. 27

24] Creativity Event Workshop – Feb. 20                          

26] Guide to Schools – Feb. 20

27] Olney vigil to end the war – Feb. 20                               

28] Peace vigil in Chester, PA – Feb. 20                                       

29] Army Experience Center protest – Feb. 20

30] Peace vigil at Capitol – Feb. 20

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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. The White House Comment Email is accessible at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.


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] – 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. Also note organic cocoa and sugar are for sale.  For more details and to download the order form, go to http://friendsoflatinamerica.typepad.com/hocofola/2009/08/check-out-our-new-cafe-quetzal-order-form-1.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.

5] – Brad Hathaway spearheads an effort to sell donated used stamps to raise money for different humanitarian causes around the world. Go to www.mattapoisettquakers.org, and click the link for the stamp ministry.  Carefully clip canceled postage stamps and send to Quaker Missions, PO Box 795, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Send no small flag stamps or Liberty Bell Forever stamps.

 

6] – To keep Heart's Place open, you can send a check to Heart's Place, 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218. It is the only homeless shelter in Baltimore that serves families, and it is facing a severe financial crunch and needs your help right away to stay open!

7] – Delegate Sheila Hixson's HB 1037 to Keep the Maryland Guard at Home is in the House Health and Government Operations committee.  The following delegates are sympathetic, but send them an email indicating you support the legislation: James.Hubbard@house.state.md.us, Dan.Morhaim@house.state.md.us, Shane.Pendergrass@house.state.md.us, Joanne.Benson@house.state.md.us, Karen.Montgomery@house.state.md.us and Nathaniel.Oaks@house.state.md.us. Email Steve Lane at atticlane at yahoo.com after contacting the legislators.

8] – See a photo exhibit at Ascension Lutheran Church, 7601 York Rd., Towson, in the Luther Room: "Delegation and Travel Photos from Central America" by Dave Schott and Mike Susko. The photos taken in the summer of 2009 in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala try to capture some activities in the lives of the people and the beauty of those countries. It will continue until March 6. Go to www.ascensiontowson.org or call 410-825-1725.

 

9] – Footprints for Peace, an International Peace Walk, has started its march from the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, TN and is heading for the United Nations, aiming to arrive on Sat., May 1.  Go to http://footprintsforpeace.tripod.com/E10/NPT/npt_walk.htm.

 

10] – The NATIONAL CALL is Thurs., Feb. 25 to TELL CONGRESS:  NO MORE LOANS FOR NUCLEAR REACTORS. The idea is to stop the Obama administration's proposed $54 Billion loan program for new nuclear reactor construction--otherwise known as a giant taxpayer giveaway to wealthy nuclear corporations. You can reach every member of Congress through the Congressional Switchboard: 202-224-3121. Call your representative and both senators.  The giveaway should be voted down in committee if possible and on the floor. Email nirsnet@nirs.org and let the Nuclear Information and Resource Service know you made your calls and any response you receive. Go to www.nirs.org.

 

11] – CALL THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE on Thurs., Feb. 25 and leave a message on the HOTLINE, 202-353-1555, DEMANDING A CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION INTO THE CASE OF MUMIA ABU JAMAL. Let the DOJ know that it has the jurisdiction to conduct a civil rights investigation of his case.  If you are unsuccessful in leaving a message on the HOTLINE, call the switchboard at 202-514-2000.

 

12] – A Panel Discussion on THE OPR REPORT will feature David Cole, Georgetown Univ. Law Center, Michael Frisch, Georgetown Univ. Law Center, Scott Horton, Columbia Law School, William Yeomans, American Univ. Washington College of Law and moderator Nan Aron, Alliance for Justice, on Thurs., Feb. 25 from noon to 2 PM.  On Feb. 19, the Department of Justice released the long-awaited report by its internal watchdog, the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), investigating the actions of “torture memo” authors John Yoo, Jay Bybee, and Steven Bradbury. After five years of investigation, OPR found that Yoo and Bybee violated standards of professional conduct when drafting the early memos. Before the report’s release, a career DOJ attorney downgraded OPR's conclusions and declined to refer the torture memo authors to their state bars for disciplinary action.  The event will be hosted by WilmerHale, 1875 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, WDC 20006.  A light lunch will be served, but space is limited. RSVP is required to attend: Sean Easter at sean@afj.org or 202-822-6070.

 

13] – The Diocese of Arlington, VA will not permit the documentary GODS OF METAL to be shown on its property.  So a DVD of the film featuring Tom Siemer, a Pax Christi member, will be shown starting at 5:30 PM at Busboys and Poets, 4251 Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA.  Enjoy a terrific dinner.  Call 571-334-2654.

 

14] – The Progressive Working Group of Baltimore/Howard County is hosting a Forum on Progressive Legislation in Maryland Assembly on Feb. 25 from 7 to 9 PM at the Catonsville Library (Baltimore County Public Library), 1100 Frederick Road, Baltimore 21228. Join with others concerned about single payer health insurance, climate change and other progressive issues. Legislators are invited.  Hear updates where legislation stands, and how activists can be more effective in supporting each other on these issues. Email Cindy Farquhar at farquhar.cindy7 at gmail.com.

 

15] – On Thurs., Feb. 25 at 7 PM at Red Emma's, 800 St. Paul St., LAURA WHITEHORN, a former political prisoner, presents her new book, “The True Life Story of Becoming a Black Panther, Keeping the Faith in Prison, and Fighting for Those Left Behind,” an edited collection of the writings of Black Panther Safiya Bukhari, published by the Feminist Press. Call 410-230-0450.  

 

16] – On Thurs., Feb. 25, 7 to 8:30 PM, Christian Peace Witness presents the second of a weekly Thursday evening peace and justice study at Clarendon Presbyterian Church, 1305 N. Jackson St. Arlington, VA 22201.  The study will be based on a DVD bringing Tony Campolo, Sr. Dianna Ortiz, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Kathy Kelly, Joshua Casteel, Liz McAlister, Noah Baker Merrill and Ken Butigan to you.  If you can’t make the study but would like a copy of the DVD for use by you or a community, go to http://www.reachandteach.com/store/index.php?l=product_detail&p=744. Contact David Ensign at revdocdee@gmail.com. 

 

17] – On Thurs., Feb. 25, at 7:30 PM, Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore will present a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Mini-Assembly at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 2700 19th St S., Arlington, VA.  This is an evening of reflection on our nation's worship of nuclear weapons and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Summit ...featuring Tom Siemer, peace activist, and Dave Robinson, executive director of Pax Christi USA.  

 

18] – The deadline is 9 PM on Thurs., Feb. 25 for discounted tickets to the Sun., Feb. 28 Fiesta Tropical with a Nicaraguan beach theme. And even if you're planning to pay at the door, an RSVP is appreciated at 410-662-6292.  ADVANCE TICKETS are $25 one adult, $20 additional adults, $10 children ages 6 to 12, free ages 5 and under.  To make advance payment arrangements, contact Casa Baltimore/Limay at CasaBaltimoreLimay@yahoo.com. Go to http://www.casabaltimorelimay.org.

19] – A vigil for Justice in Palestine/Israel (now in its 8th year) takes place every Friday from noon to 1 PM at 19th & JFK Blvd., Philadelphia (across from Israeli Consulate.  It is sponsored by Bubbies & Zaydes (Grandparents) for Peace in the Middle East. Email cswartz@pil.net. Go to http://phillyjewishpeace.org/.

 

20] – Every Friday from noon to 1 PM, Women in Black, Baltimore, host a vigil at Pratt and Light Sts. in the Inner Harbor. Peace signs and flyers about the siege will be available. See http://www.peacepath911.com/ or write wibbaltimore@hotmail.com or call 410-467-9114.

 

21] – There is also a noon vigil, weather permitting, on Fri., Feb. 26 at Roland Park Place at 830 W. 40th St.  Call 410-467-9114. 

22] – A peace vigil takes place every Friday from noon at Lafayette Park facing the White House.  Join the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker at the vigil, which is co-ssponsored by Pax Christi Metro DC- Baltimore, TASSC, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Jonah House and Christian Peace Witness. Contact Art Laffin: artlaffin@hotmail.com.  This is part of Dorothy Day’s Lenten Witness for Peace and Justice. 

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

24] – On the last Friday of the month, join a vigil, Feb. 26, from 5 to 6 PM at Broad & Arch Sts., Philadelphia. It is a Vigil to End the Wars, with a Gold Star Mother for Peace, Celeste Zappala.  Email czappala1@yahoo.com.

 

25] – No to Israeli Apartheid will take place on Fri., Feb 26 starting at 6:30 PM, organized by PeaceAction Montgomery.  Don't Let Israel Ballet Tiptoe Around Apartheid is a call to boycott the Israel Ballet Performance at Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Performing Arts Center, Takoma Park Campus, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Go to http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/pac/takoma_park/takoma_park_map.htm.

 

Protest the Israel Ballet performance with US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Peace Action, and Code Pink: Women for Peace. Support the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, and help dance away apartheid! There will be tutus, music, dancing, and more. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an initiative called "Brand Israel," to salvage Israel's deteriorating image abroad, sending well-known novelists, writers, former ministers, theater companies, and exhibits overseas to "show Israel's prettier face" in an attempt to conceal the fact that it is committing grave violations of international law and denying basic human rights to the Palestinian people. Email Maria.L@riseup.net.

 

26] – The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee is hosting its latest FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS DVD SERIES. The theme is Seeking the Truth Through Documentaries.   The second film in the series is BONHOEFFER [USA, 2003], and it will be shown on Fri., Feb. 26 at a private home.  If interested in seeing the DVD, RSVP to Max at 410-366-1637.

 

 Director/writer Martin Doblmeier made this documentary of the dramatic story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the young German theologian who offered one of the first clear voices of resistance to Adolf Hitler. Bonhoeffer openly challenged his church to stand with the Jews in their time of need, and eventually joined his family in the plots to kill Hitler. The film, shot on location in Germany and the United States, features interviews with family members, friends, students and associates who knew Bonhoeffer, including the last interview given by Bonhoeffer's closest friend and biographer, Eberhard Bethge, and an interview with Ruth Alice von Bismarck, the sister of Bonhoeffer's fiancée, Maria von Wedemeyer.

 

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.

We face a terrible milestone in the war in Afghanistan as the number of U.S. soldiers who have died there approaches 1,000. We don't know how many civilians in Afghanistan and Pakistan have also been killed, but it is many times more.

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. The vigil calls for peace, care for the wounded, and full benefits for all veterans.  Contact Bruce Wolf - Haunteddog@aol.com.

 

28] – On Fri., Feb. 26 at 7 PM at Red Emma's, catch A Catalytic Conversation on Anarchy and Peace with ALEXIS BHAGAT.  The last time he was in Baltimore, he presented the “Atlas of Radical Cartography” project he co-curated. This time he will discuss his recent work, an attempt to catalyze discussions rethinking antiwar strategy in light of robotized warfare, escalation in Afghanistan, faith-based resistance, and a lot more. Call 410-230-0450.

 

29] – The Militant Legacy of Malcolm X is being hosted by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (DC) on Fri., Feb. 26 from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Justice Center, 617 Florida Ave. NW, WDC.  Take the Green Line to the Shaw-Howard Metro stop. Call 202-543-4900 or email DC@socialismandliberation.org.  Go to http://www.PSLweb.org.

 

30] –  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. 26. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.                  

 

To be continued

 

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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