Friday, January 20, 2012

Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 1

Baltimore Activist Alert Jan. 20– Jan. 26, 2011

 

"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.

 

Tune into the Maryland Progressive Blog at http://mdprogblog.org.

   

1] Books, buttons and stickers

2] Web site for info on federal legislation

3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists  

4] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLA  

5] Double your donation to Baltimore Brew – through Jan. 20

6] Occupy Freedom Plaza – Jan. ??

7] Occupy Baltimore evicted—vows to stay relevant -- Jan. ??

8] Occupy the Supreme Court - Jan. 20

9] Occupy U.S. District Court in Baltimore – Jan. 20

10] White House vigil – Jan. 20

11] WIB Inner Harbor vigil – Jan. 20

12] WIB Roland Park vigil – Jan. 20

13] Justice for Palestine/Israel vigil – Jan. 20

14] Schools Not Jails action -- Jan. 20

15] Silent peace vigil -- Jan. 20

16] Charm City LGBT Film Festival -- Jan. 20-21

17] Global Warming book discussion – Jan. 20

18] Ballroom dancing – Jan. 20

19] Farmer's Market – Jan. 21

20] Olney peace vigil – Jan. 21

21] Occupy the Corporations March – Jan. 21

22] West Chester, PA demo – Jan. 21

23] Silent vigil at Capitol – Jan. 21

24] Global Day to Support Egypt – Jan. 21

25] Faith & Central Appalachia – Jan. 21

26] U.S. #1 for prisoners – Jan. 21

27] War on Drugs in El Salvador – Jan. 21

28] USLAW party - Jan. 21

29] Veterans tell their story – Jan. 21

30] Swinging Jazz duo – Jan. 21

31] Eco Conference – Jan. 22

32] Three Parts of Shakespeare – Jan. 22

33] Get on Bridge for Peace – Jan. 22

34] Film DAISY BATES – Jan. 22

35] Film STANDING SILENT – Jan. 22

36] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Jan. 22

37] Green Forum – Jan. 22

38] Film BLACK AND GOLD – Jan. 22

39] Film THE CORPORATION – Jan. 22

40] Red Emma's meeting – Jan. 22

41] Pentagon Vigil – Jan. 23

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1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available.  "God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions" stickers are in stock. Donate your books to Max. Call him 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/2010/02/hocofola-cafe-quetzal-order-form-2010.html. The coffee comes in one-pound bags.

 

Fill out the form and mail it with a check made out to HOCOFOLA on or before the second week of the month.  Be sure you indicate ground or beans for each type of coffee ordered.  Send it to Adela Hirsch, 5358 Eliots Oak Rd., Columbia, MD 21044.  Be sure you indicate ground (G) or bean (B) for each type of coffee ordered. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up.  Contact Adela at 410-997-5662 or via e-mail at adela4peace@verizon.net.

 

5] – Baltimore Brew - News for Your City is seeking your financial help: Give Us a Double Kickstart! The news outfit has launched a Kickstarter Campaign. Help It Keep Percolating.  They are asking readers, as well as supporters of quality community journalism around the country, to help out by dropping a generous donation into the Kickstarter tip jar.  Visit the Baltimore Kickstarter page today or donate directly at Baltimore Brew, 623 W. University Pkwy., Baltimore, MD 21210.

 

Now you can double down on helping the Baltimore Brew. Between now and Sunday, your support of the Brew's Kickstarter Campaign will be matched, dollar for dollar, thanks to an anonymous donor. Thanks to a very generous donor who has pledged to match any funds raised over $15,000, your Brew support counts double: every dollar you pledge turns into two.  This double-down will close on Sun., Jan. 22 at 10 AM.

 

6] – The occupation of Freedom Plaza, 14th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW, continues as U.S. troops, contractors and mercenaries remain in Afghanistan now for an 11th year.  The idea is to make the space a Tahrir Square, Cairo or Madison, Wisconsin.  NONVIOLENTLY resist the corporate machine by occupying Freedom Plaza to demand that U.S. resources be invested in human needs and environmental protection instead of war and exploitation.  Stop the Machine! Create a New World! Go to http://october2011.org/.

 

7] – Occupy Baltimore was evicted from McKeldin Square, Pratt and Light Sts.  Participants indicate the operation will continue in some fashion.  Sign up at http://groups.google.com/group/occupy-baltimore/.  Ask for the digest or you get hundreds of emails. 

 

8] – Occupy the Courts! Move To Amend is planning bold actions to mark the second anniversary of the infamous Citizens United v. FEC decision!  Occupy the Courts will be a one day occupation of federal courthouses across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court, one 1st St, NE, WDC, 20543.  On Fri., Jan. 20 at 9 AM, be in front of the U. S. Supreme Court for a day of action and a rally.  Sign up to participate at http://movetoamend.org/occupythecourts.  Email Bill Moyer at bill@backbonecampaign.org. 

 

There will also be a gathering at 11:45 AM at Senate East Capitol Lawn with feeder marches from DC Occupations and entertainment by "The Supremes."  At noon, speakers include David Cobb, Thom Hartmann and others.  At 2:30 PM, there will be a strategy meeting at the United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave.

 

9] – Occupy the Courts—Baltimore is being organized by B-HEARD (Baltimore Higher Education Alliance for Real Democracy) and has set it for Fri., Jan. 20 from noon until 1:30 PM at the U.S. District Courthouse, 101 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, MD 21201.  On Jan. 21, 2010, with its ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are persons, entitled by the U.S. Constitution to buy elections and run our government.   We say: Human beings are people; corporations are legal fictions.

 

We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights. This protest is in alliance with MOVE TO AMEND's National Day of Action. Go to http://www.movetoamend.org/.

 

10] – A peace vigil takes place every Friday from noon to 1 PM at Lafayette Park facing the White House.  Join the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker and friends. Contact Art Laffin: artlaffin@hotmail.com.   

 

11] – 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 will be available. See http://www.peacepath911.com/ or write wibbaltimore@hotmail.com or call 410-467-9114.

 

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

 

13] – 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/.

 

14] – The SCHOOLS NOT JAILS OCCUPATION will hold a PUBLIC RECREATION DAY AT WAR MEMORIAL PLAZA on Fri., Jan. 20 at 4 PM in a protest against the State of Maryland's proposed youth detention facility in East Baltimore, before heading to an evening workshop on participatory budgeting designed to prepare participants for the Mayor's Participatory Budget Hearing, which will be held Saturday at Cylburn Arboretum. Organizers will converge at War Memorial Plaza with games, art supplies, and sports equipment, turning the park into a makeshift recreation center for one hour to highlight a critical issue in the city's spending priorities: the closing of city recreation centers.  Call 410-849-9626 or email schoolsnotjails@gmail.com.

 

15] – There is a silent vigil on Fri., Jan. 20 from 5 to 6 PM outside of Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles St., in opposition to war in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. Placards say: "War Is Not the Answer." The silent vigil is sponsored by AFSC, Homewood Friends and Stony Run Meetings. 

 

16] – The Charm City LGBT Film Festival is happening Fri., Jan. 20 and Sat., Jan. 21 at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave. See LEAVE IT ON THE FLOOR at 7:30 PM on Jan. 20.  Call 410-276-1651 or visit http://www.creativealliance.org.  The cost is $10 per film, but members get in for $5.  For three films, the price is $25; for members it is $12.

 

17] – There will be a Global Warming book discussion with Delegate Dana Stein about his novel "Fire in the Wind," which he wrote to dramatize life in this country in the wake of major global climate chaos. Stein will discuss why he wrote the novel and ways we can use community and national action to meet the challenge of climate change during Friday night services on Fri., Jan. 20 at 7:30 PM at the Bolton Street Synagogue, 212 W. Cold Spring Lane.  The talk will address the Jewish value of being a good steward of the Earth.  Call 410-235-5354 or go to http://boltonstreet.org.

 

18] – 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 Jan. 13.  Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

19] – Go to the West Baltimore Farmer's Market for fresh fruits, vegetables, breads and other treats every Saturday from 8 to noon.  CPHA has worked with the West Baltimore Marc TOD and Transit Inc. (WBMTTI) to establish a Farmer's Market at the West Baltimore Marc Train stop at Smallwood Road at Franklin and Mulberry Sts.  Since opening in June, over 300 people buy fresh groceries there every Saturday morning. WBMTTI will continue to include the community in the transit-oriented developments on the west side and continue to improve the area around "the highway to nowhere" until it becomes the highway to somewhere. Go to www.cphabaltimore.org.

 

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 Jan. 21. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167. 

 

21] – Occupy the Corporations March is happening on Sat., Jan. 21 at 10:30 AM.  Gather at McPherson Square, and at 11 AM the group will leave to march to the Bank of America mortgage lending branch at 17th and Pennsylvania Ave. NW.  Rally against the foreclosure crisis.

 

22] –  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. Go to www.ccpeace.org. Email ccpeacemovement@aol.com.

 

23] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Jan. 21. 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.

 

24] – The Global Day to Support Egypt is on Sat., Jan. 21 at noon at the Egypt Defense Office, 2590 L St. NW.  Jan. 25, 2012 will mark one year since the beginning of the Egyptian revolution. Until now many of the revolution demands have not been met.

 

25] –  Connecting Our Faith to Central Appalachia will occur on Sat., Jan. 21 from 1 to 6 PM at the Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd. NW.  Join Faith & Money Network and the Servant Leadership School for Justice for the Mountains: Connecting Our Faith to Central Appalachia, with guest speakers from the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light, followed by a free screening of "The Last Mountain." Call 202-469-8512 or email Mike@FaithAndMoneyNetwork.org.

 

26] – What's Behind the Expansion of U.S. Prisons?  Between 1995 and 2005, the number of people in U.S. prisons rose by over 37 percent. By 2010, over 7 million people were incarcerated or on probation or parole. The prison population has steadily risen over the last 40 years. This makes the U.S. the country with the most people in prison. The government pays nearly $30,000 per year per prisoner, while slashing access to education and public services. This community forum to discuss: the root causes of mass incarceration, the "War on Drugs" from a class perspective, and the struggle against systemic racism takes place on Sat., Jan. 21 at 1 PM at Peace and a Cup of Joe, 713 W. Pratt St. Call 443-731-6471.  Go to http://pslweb.org.

 

27] –  The Effects of the "War on Drugs" in El Salvador is a discussion to be held on Sat., Jan. 21 at 2 PM  If interested in attending, go to http://www.justin.tv/cispes for the details.  Roger Blandino, mayor of the municipality of Mejicanos will be presenting and taking questions live from El Salvador.  The US backed "War on Drugs" has devastated Colombia and Mexico and is now being expanded to Central America with similar consequences. Mejicanos is a large densely populated municipality located on the outskirts of San Salvador.  Blandino has been the Mayor of Mejicanos since 2003 during which time he has been able to greatly reduce the crime indices in Mejicanos among other achievements.  The presentation should last about an hour with time for questions built in. Contact: questions@cispes.org.

 

28] – There is a Party for U.S. Labor Against the War on Sat., Jan. 21 at 6 PM at 1809 Clayton Drive, Oxon Hill, MD. RSVP to anicosia@uslaboragainstwar.org.  USLAW did not wait for the invasion of Iraq to start organizing workers and their organizations to oppose war-- particularly since war made by the bosses is always war pitting worker against worker. USLAW not only opposed the war, it significantly forged links with the workers of Iraq and their organizations, bringing Iraqi and Kurdish trade union leaders here to visit the broad length of our land to meet workers and union leaders from coast to coast. USLAW played an important role in supporting the building of solidarity among the major labor organizations in Iraq. USLAW guided the historic Resolution 54 at the AFL-CIO 2005 Convention that called for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. This was the first time in its history that the AFL, CIO, or AFL-CIO opposed US government war policy. Phyllis Bennis will speak.

29] – Seven Baltimore-area military veterans will gather to tell their stories as part of playwright Jonathan Wei's "The Telling Project." The vets go through extensive interviews, performance training and rehearsals before finally staging the story of their experiences in the military. Issues covered include public ignorance of the immediate impact of war on individuals and communities; the difficulties of transitioning back to civilian life; and the danger of an increasing rift between vets and civilians as it is posed to individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole. No political views are expressed as regards to the military or its actions.

 

The event takes place on Sat., Jan. 21 at 7:30 PM at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St., Annapolis.  The cost is $20. For MHCA members, it is $15.  Call 410-263-5544.  Call http://www.marylandhall.org.

 

30] – Gimmie Shelter Productions continues to have consciousness /fundraising events about the plight of the homeless and for the shelters that serve them. On Sat., Jan. 21 at 7:30 PM, join Mandy and Otis an up and coming jazz duo for a night of swinging jazz at the Hamilton Arts Gallery, 5502 Harford Rd.  A $5 donation is requested. Donations of warm clothing, pedialite and non-perishable foods, gladly accepted... Call 410 532-0193.

 

31] – On Sun., Jan. 22 at 10 AM, in conjunction with the American Visionary Art Museum's current exhibition "All Things Round: Galaxies, Eyeballs, and Karma," the museum will also be hosting an all-day State of Our Earth Eco Conference on the third floor of Jim Rouse's Visionary Center, 800 Key Highway.  Dr. Sandra Steingraber is the keynote speaker and the author of "Living Downstream: An Ecologist's Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment." Also appearing will be Dr. Susan Shaw, founder/director of the Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI) and Dr. Shira Kramer, founder of Epidemiology International, which focuses on scientific data to improve community health. Award-winning films will also be screened. Call 410-244-1900 or go to  http://avam.org.  Admission to the conference is free.

 

32] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 to 11:30 AM.  On Sun., Jan. 22, the topic of discussion is "Three Parts Shakespeare." The Merchant of Venice, a many-themed tragic comedy, is the focus of this platform, which opens with Jill Giles recounting this Shakespearean tale. Then Michael Boynton explores the play through the lens of "The Quality of Mercy as Relative: Gender, Ethnicity, and Justice" and Frank B. Moorman contributes, presenting "I Don't Know What Justice Is – or Mercy."

 

The Merchant of Venice will be presented by the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company (CSC) in Columbia during February and March 2012. Call 410-547-7798 or visit  www.baltimoreethicalsociety.org.

 

33] – 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/

 

34] – Limited space is available on Sun., Jan. 22 at 3 PM to see DAISY BATES:  FIRST LADY OF LITTLE ROCK at the WDC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St. NW.  The film directed by Sharon La Cruise. As a black woman who was a feminist before the term was invented, Daisy Bates refused to accept her assigned place in society. This film tells the story of her life and public support of nine black students who registered to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, which culminated in a constitutional crisis — pitting a president against a governor and a community against itself. Unconventional, revolutionary, and egotistical, Daisy Bates reaped the rewards of instant fame, but paid dearly for it. Register for a seat at http://ccdcdaisybates12212-eorg.eventbrite.com/.

 

35] – STANDING SILENT is filmmaker Scott Rosenfelt's 2010 documentary about  Baltimore Jewish Times reporter Phil Jacobs, and the journalist's investigation of several well-respected Orthodox rabbis in regards to allegations of sexual abuse, along with the difficulties he encounters on his quest. You can see the film on Sun., Jan. 22 at 2 PM at the Gordon Center for Performing Arts, 3506 Gwynnbrook Ave. The cost is $10. Call 410-356-7469 or go to http://www.gordoncenter.com.  

 

36] – Every Sunday, 4 to 5 PM, there is a Quaker Peace Vigil at Independence Mall, N. side of Market between 5th and 6th Sts., Philadelphia. Call 215-421-5811.

 

 

37] – A BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM, a monthly environmental education and discussion forum, takes place on Sun., Jan. 22 from 4 to 6:30 PM at the Maryland Presbyterian Church, 1105 Providence Road, Towson, MD 21286. Go to http://www.mpchurch.org/About.htm.  There will be a 45 minute presentation, followed by break-outs into affinity groups.  As always, there will be time for announcements and networking.

 

The Green Forum is held usually on the fourth Sunday of each month. Check out http://www.baltimoregreenforum.org/.

Peter I. May, PhD, senior environmental scientist, Biohabitats, Inc. will present The Promise of New Ecotechnologies: Biomimicry to replace some loss of wetlands and algae farming to clean water and create biofuels.  Dr. May's Baltimore-based company offers municipalities, developers and other businesses innovative ways to support, not obstruct, our working towards a world where the earth's complex living systems are intricately linked and delicately balanced with their surroundings.  -- a world where his clients' actions conserve critical habitats --  where their projects restore ecological processes – and where their footprints regenerate natural systems.  We have in Baltimore's harbor two examples of biomimicry, one in the creation of "floating wetlands" and the other in the construction of an Algal Turf Scrubber, used to clean water and to create algae based biofuels.

 The Baltimore Green Forum includes a 45 minute presentation, a few moments for contemplation, and then break-outs into Affinity (or focus) Groups, who report back with summaries of their discussions. As always, there is time for announcements and networking.

Go to http://www.baltimoregreenforum.org.  Donations to Maryland Presbyterian Church are greatly appreciated.  For questions, to co-sponsor, or to RSVP, contact baltimoregreenforum@gmail.com or 301-345-2234.

 

38] – There will be a screening of "Black and Gold" to benefit the North Carolina Latin Kings on Sun., Jan. 22 from 7 to 9 PM at the Radical Space, 5525 Illinois Ave. NW, WDC.  See http://www.akpress.org/2008/items/blackandgolddvd.  This event is part of a Greensboro Legal Defense Fund benefit tour. Learn more about the bogus case against the Kings and the support effort at http://alkqnsupport.com/.  Before the screening, there will be a debriefing on the situation in NC, and a short talk on how laws like RICO are part of the bigger picture in the crackdown on left organizing.  There is a suggested donation of $5 to benefit the NC Kings, but no will be turned away due to lack of funds.  Also visit www.astropressdc.com.

 

39] – Occupy DC Movie Night features "The Corporation" on Sun., Jan. 22 at 7:30 PM at The Radical Space-DC, 5525 Illinois Ave. NW, WDC, near Georgia Ave-Petworth Metro.  The documentary reveals how corporations are being given the same rights as humans and have a constant impact on the lives of all

 

40] – 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 Jan. 22. There is no meeting on the first Sunday of the month.  Call 410-230-0450. If you would be interested in volunteering or becoming a collective member of 2640, send an email to 2640@redemmas.org.

 

41] – 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., Jan. 23, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.  Call 202-882-9649.

 

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. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/

 

"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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