Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 2

31] Get on Bridge for Peace – Mar. 11

32] Egyptian revolution activist at Peace House – Mar. 11

33] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Mar. 11

34] Philadelphia Interfaith Walk preview – Mar. 11

35] Red Emma's meeting – Mar. 11

36] Film PRECIOUS KNOWLEDGE – Mar. 11

37] Pentagon Vigil – Mar. 12

38] God's Right Hand – Mar. 12

39] Progressive Summit – Mar. 12

40] Lobby for single payer – Mar. 12

41] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Mar. 12 – Mar. 15

42] Protest the death penalty – Mar. 12

43] Iran Strikes – Mar. 12

44] No assault on First Amendment – Mar. 12

45] Crusade 2.0 -- Mar. 12

46] History of Cuban Revolution – Mar. 12

47] Paul Baker performs -- Mar. 12 & 13

48] Film ANPO: ART X WAR -- Mar. 12

49] New Medical Knowledge -- Mar. 12

50] Preventing nuclear terrorism – Mar. 13

51] War Is Not the Answer – Mar. 13

52] Build Peoples POWER – Mar. 13

53] Film on WORLD OF BEES – Mar. 13

54] Book SOLUTIONS TO VIOLENCE – Mar. 13

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31] – 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/.

 

32] – Ahmed Salah, key organizer in the Egyptian Revolution, will speak on Sun., Mar. 11 from 4 to 7 PM at Occupy Peace House, 1233 12th St NW, WDC 20005. These are his words: "I've been an activist for a very long time, but being an activist that is trying to make change in the regime in the country using nonviolence started in 2004, with the creation of a movement that was called the "Egyptian Movement for Change" or "Kifaya," (enough). Also I was co-founder of the 6 of April Youth Movement and I was a strategist for quite some time until a few months ago." There is a suggested donation of $10. Finger foods and refreshments will be served.  Email dmv927@gmail.com.

 

33] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Mar. 4

 

33] – 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.

 

34] –  On Sun., Mar. 11 at 4:30 PM, enjoy the Brandywine Peace Community Monthly Potluck Supper & Program @ University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut St., Phila., PA. (Bring main dish, salad, or dessert to share). At 5:30 PM, there will be a presentation celebrating the Phila. Interfaith Walk for Peace & Reconciliation (http://www.interfaithpeacewalk.org) with inter-faith walk organizers (Ron Abrams, Jewish, Jim McGovern, Catholic, and Ayesha Weinberg, Muslim Sufi). See a film and enjoy music and catch a Spring 2012 Peace Preview with video shorts. Call 610-544-1818 or go to www.brandywinepeace.com.

 

35] – 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. 11. 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.

36] – "Precious Knowledge"/ March Focus-In! Film will be screened on Sun., Mar. 11 from 8 to 10 PM at Busboys and Poets, 14th & V NW, WDC.  The film is timely as the nation turns its focus toward a wave of anti-immigration legislation. Along with their harsh anti-immigrant stance, Arizona lawmakers abolished Ethnic Studies classes. The film provides an insider's perspective to a historic battle over civil rights as the student leaders in Tucson High fight to save their classes. "Precious Knowledge" dramatically illustrates what motivates high school teachers and students to form the front line of an epic civil rights battle. The filmmakers spent an entire year in the classroom filming this innovative social justice curriculum, documenting the transformative impact on students who become engaged, informed, and active in their communities. Go to  http://www.preciousknowledgefilm.com/.

37] – 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. 12, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.  Call 202-882-9649.

 

38] – Join the Center for American Progress and People for the American Way for a special presentation on Mon., Mar, 12 from noon to 1 PM at Center for American Progress, 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor, WDC 20005.  There is no charge to see God's Right Hand: How Jerry Falwell Made God a Republican and Baptized the American Rig. RSVP at http://www.americanprogress.org/events/2012/03/godsrighthand.html/rsvp. A light lunch will be served at 11:30 AM.

 

More than 30 years ago Rev. Jerry Falwell created The Moral Majority to organize religious conservatives into a powerful political constituency. From promoting school prayer to attempting bans on stem-cell research, abortion and same-sex marriage, Falwell's Religious Right claimed a monopoly on morality and God—and in so doing, influenced public attitudes towards religion and politics for years to come.

The influence of Falwell's Religious Right remains potent today. The 2012 election was supposed to focus on the economy and jobs, but presidential candidates are making headlines with talk about the immortality of contraception, the sin of homosexuality, and more. Hear a lively and insightful conversation with author Michael Sean Winters and columnist E.J. Dionne on religion and politics in America.

 

39] – On Mon., Mar. 12 attend the Progressive Summit in Annapolis; lobbying begins at 3:30 and the event continues until 8 PM.  Meet in the Ways and Means Committee Room, House Office Building, Annapolis. Second Annual Progressive Summit takes place on Mon., Mar. 12, organized by the Progressive Working Group.  Contact Norman Oslik at noslik@verizon.net or 301-322-5272. Lobby key legislators, including committee chairs, and afterwards there will be a review of the process. These are the KEY LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FOR THE 2012 PROGRESSIVE SUMMIT: 1. Fair Taxation, 2. Off Shore Wind Power, 3. Opposition to Pension Transfer to counties unless the means are provided to counties to fund them, 4. Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination, 5. End to the Death Penalty, 6.  Civil Marriage Equality, 7. Healthy Water including restricting fracking and controlling atrazine and other chemicals in the water supply, 8. Efforts to Support a U.S. Constitutional Amendment to overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, 9. Single Payer Health Care, 10. Healthy Maryland Initiative to raise taxes on non-cigarette tobacco products, and 11. Transparent Government in Annapolis to maximize citizen access and voting machines with a verifiable paper trail to ensure the integrity of our elections.

 

40] – Attend Lobby Night for Single Payer on Mon., Mar. 12.  First meet at 49 West Cafe, 49 West St., Annapolis at 4 PM and get lobbying materials.  At 5 PM, attend a 1/2 hour training for lobbying and Literature drop.  Contact Eric Naumburg at 443-562-6562 or enaumburg@hotmail.com.  It is helpful to set up meetings in advance. Healthcare-NOW! can be reached at www.MDSinglePayer.org.  Email info@mdsinglepayer.org.

 

41] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Thursday from 5 to 7 PM on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community, or online at www.weaa.org.   The call-in number is 410-319-8888, and comments can also be sent by email to steinershow@gmail.com. All shows are also available as podcasts at www.steinershow.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 Super Max Prison, at the corner of Madison Ave. and Fallsway in Baltimore.  Maryland's death row was moved out of Baltimore, but it was decided to continue the vigil. The next one is scheduled for Mon., Mar. 12. Call 410-366-1637.

 

43] – On Mon., Mar. 12 from 6 to 8 PM, Matthew Kroenig, Council on Foreign Relations, and Colin Kahl, Center for New American Security, will address"PONI Debates the Issues: Iran Strikes" at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, 1800 K St., NW, WDC. RSVP to David Slungaard at dslungaard@csis.org.

 

44] – There is proposed legislation in D.C. City Council which would allegedly prohibit peaceful protests in DC. If interested in opposing this legislation, come to a meeting on Mon., Mar. 12 at 6:30 PM at the Labor Council's office, 888 16th St NW Suite 520, Washington, DC 20006.  There is a legislative hearing coming up on Fri., Mar. 16 at noon at the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Room 500. Contact Ayla at asolomon@dclabor.org. 

 

45] – On Mon., Mar. 12 at 6:30 PM at the IPS Conference Room, 1112 16th St. NW, Suite 600, WDC, John Feffer will discuss his book "Crusade 2.0: The West's Resurgent War Against Islam" (March 2012, City Lights). It examines why anti-Islamic sentiment is on the rise and what can be done to stop it. The book focuses on contemporary Islamophobia and discusses three "unfinished wars" that have deeply shaped Western opinion and policy: the Crusades, the Cold War, and the current "war on terror" that continues to dominate U.S. thinking. To end this war against Islam and promote mutual engagement, Feffer suggests the West: Bridge the cultural divide by replacing the "Judeo-Christian" with the broader "Abrahamic" framework that includes Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.  Register http://knowledgecommonsdc.org/classes/islamophobia. Go to http://www.ips-dc.org/events.

 

What's behind the recent surge in anti-Islamic sentiment in the United States and Europe? John Feffer, author of a new book on the subject, looks at the three unfinished wars of the West against Islam and how they shape current public opinion in this class for Knowledge Commons DC. Knowledge Commons DC is a free school for thinkers, doers, and tinkerers – taught anywhere, by anyone, for everyone. John Feffer is the co-director of Foreign Policy In Focus at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC. He is the author of several books, including the just-published Crusade 2.0: The West's Resurgent War on Islam (City Lights). In September, he will begin an Open Society fellowship focusing on Eastern Europe.

46] – Students & Community Activists should know that there are classes & a Study Group on Cuba & the Case of the Cuban 5.  This will take place on Mondays in from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Solidarity Center, 2011 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218, sponsored by Workers World Party and the Solidarity Center.  On Mar. 12, study the early history of the Cuban revolution and Fidel's speech "History Will Absolve Me." Registration is encouraged. Contact "Cuba study group" at apcbaltimore@pipeline.com or call 443-909-8964.  Consider a $5-10 donation for class materials. (No one turned away for lack of funds.)  These classes are being conducted to coincide with the Washington D.C. "Obama Give Me Five!" Campaign so that volunteers will have a better understanding both of Cuba and the case of the Cuban 5. Go to www.thecuban5.org.

 

47] – Paul Baker Hernandez, folk artist and global activist, will be singing Victor Jara's 'Songs of Love and Courage' and his own compositions on Mon., Mar. 12 at 7 PM at Loyola University Maryland in the Reading Room of the Student Center.  Once an isolated hermit monk in Scotland, Hernández lives in the heat, dust and noise of a Managua shanty town. Married to ex-Sandinista guerrilla Fátima Hernández, who continues the health and education work she began as part of the Sandinista Revolution, Paul has published two books, and his most recent CD recording is Hasta el Aroma de la Flor (To the Very Fragrance of the Flower).   

Paul Baker Hernandez, folk artist and global activist, will be singing Victor Jara's 'Songs of Love and Courage' and his own compositions on Tues., Mar. 13 at 7:30 PM at St. John's of Baltimore City UMC, 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218.  A freewill donation is requested.  Call 410-662-6292 or email info@CasaBaltimoreLimay.org.

 

 

48] – See a screening of Award-Winning Documentary "ANPO: Art X War" (Japan, 2011) on Mon., Mar. 12 from 7 to 9 PM at 1102 South Campus Commons, Bldg. 1, Univ. of Maryland, College Park.  The film is sponsored by Beyond the Classroom, Spring 2012 Series on "People Power: Activism for Social Change." The documentary reveals the untold story of resistance to United States military bases in Japan through paintings, photographs and films by Japan's most respected artists. These stories and their art depict the struggle against the U.S. military presence, which provoked a national uprising in the 1960 and still festers today. ANPO refers to the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty, which permits the continued presence of numerous U.S. military bases in Japan. In 1960, public resentment against the military presence erupted in massive popular demonstrations that were crushed by Japan's C.I.A.-backed Prime Minister Kishi. A wide range of Japanese artists depicted this resistance with a rich archive of art and films, including many large-scale paintings long hidden from public view. Contemporary artists continue to draw on their predecessors' legacy, depicting problems generated by the bases. The film reveals the extraordinary passion behind this buried treasure trove of art and films. Go to WWW.BeyondTheClassroom.umd.edu.

 

49] – There is a Video and Discussion Series The Day the Universe Changed at the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21201-4661.  On Mon., Mar. 12 at 7:30 PM view a film in a video series by James Burke.  Burke entertainingly explores links between knowledge and reality. Join Ethical Culture Leader Hugh Taft-Morales for this seventh installment, "What the Doctor Ordered: Social Impacts of New Medical Knowledge." Call 410-581-2322 or visit www.baltimoreethicalsociety.org.

 

50] – On Tues., Mar. 13 at 2 PM, Kenneth Luongo, Partnership for Global Security, William Tobey, Harvard University, Michelle Cann, Partnership for Global Security, and Kelsey Davenport, Arms Control Association, will talk about "Preventing Nuclear Terrorism: The Seoul Nuclear Security Summit and Beyond." The event sponsored by the Stanley Foundation is at the National Press Club, First Amendment Lounge, 13th Floor, 529 14th St. NW, WDC. RSVP to Sean Harder at sharder@stanleyfoundation.org.

 

51] – 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. 12 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

 

52] – There is a National Tour to Build Peoples Power.  Join a BALTIMORE SPEAK OUT!  Open Mic! on Tues., Mar. 13 from  6 PM to 8:30 PM at the Workers United Union Hall, 7-9 W. Mulberry St., Baltimore 21202.  Come early to meet and greet Cynthia McKinney and other national tour representatives.  McKinney, 2008 presidential candidate for the Green Party, will join local activists, including Rev. CD Cortly Witherspoon, president of Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Call Occupy 4 Jobs at 443-909-8964 or go to www.Occupy4Jobs.org.

 

53] – The film "Colony- The Endangered World of Bees - 2009 -84 minutes can be seen on Tues., Mar. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the auditorium of the Central Library. 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA. Colony collapse disorder is the subject of this environmental documentary. As bee colonies around the United States disappear, scientists and beekeepers struggle to find the reason why and ascertain the impact on humans and the planet. Longtime beekeepers and newcomers alike are faced with economic ruin as they try to keep their hives healthy and prevent this crisis from wreaking havoc on a world that depends on pollination to sustain agriculture.

 

 

54] – On Tues., Mar. 13 from 7:30 to 9 PM – every Tuesday evening in Lent, as part of the Lenten Peacemaking Series – discuss peacemaking using Colman McCarthy's book "Solutions to Violence" at St. Patrick's Parish Hall Music Room, 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, MD 20853.  This Tuesday, review chapter 12 on Tolstoy.  You are welcome whether or not you have the book. 

 

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