Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 3

47] Fast for Fair Food – Mar. 5

48] Protest at the White House-AIPAC/Lobby Day – Mar. 5

49] Protest Veolia – Mar. 5

50] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Mar. 5 – Mar. 8

51] Protest the death penalty – Mar. 5

52] Respect D.C meeting – Mar. 5

53] Study Group on Cuba & Cuban 5 – Mar. 5

54] Arts of Public Protest – Mar. 5

55] Film PRECIOUS KNOWLEDGE – Mar. 5

56] Pledge/Fund Our Communities meeting – Mar. 5

57] Ethics & the Supreme Court – Mar. 6

58] Book THE WORKING CLASS MAJORITY – Mar. 6

59] Paper on military aid to Israel -- Mar. 6

60] Support of HB 784, the Millionaires' Tax -- Mar. 6

61] Equal marriage discussion -- Mar. 6

62] War Is Not the Answer – Mar. 6

63] Vigil for Syria – Mar. 6

64] Film FOOD INC. – Mar. 6

65] Film on youth justice – Mar. 6

66] Book AMERICAN WASTELAND – Mar. 6

67] Book SOLUTIONS TO VIOLENCE – Mar. 6

68] Patti Solis Doyle at Goucher – Mar. 6

69] Testify to repeal death penalty – Mar. 7

70] Build Baltimore Schools – Mar. 7

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47] – From Mon., Mar. 5 through Sat., Mar. 10, join the Immokalee Workers in their FAST FOR FAIR FOOD.  You don't have to be at the Publix Headquarters in Lakeland, FL where many of the fasters will be to join the fast.  Go to http://ciw-online.org/fast/index.html.

 

48] –On Mon., Mar. 5 from noon to 1:30 PM protest at the White House while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with President Obama. From 7:30 to 9 PM, there will be a creative action outside the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual policy conference gala banquet, corner of 9^th St. and Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC.  On Tues., Mar. 6 is Lobbying Day.  From 10 AM to 2 PM, there will be a briefing on the Hill, organized by the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation featuring Josh Ruebner and others.

 

49] – Activists will rally on Mon., Mar. 5 at 1:30 PM outside the headquarters of Veolia corporation, 8601 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD, to protest its working to de-fund and privatize municipal bus and light rail systems, putting many bus drivers out of work. Oversized invoices will be delivered for "lost services, funds, and jobs."  Call 312-545-6871 or visit www.TransportationEquity.org

 

50] – 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.   

 

51] – 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. 5. Call 410-366-1637.

52] – There is a Respect DC Citywide Coalition meeting on Mon., Mar. 5 at 6:30 PM at the Florida Ave Baptist Church, 623 Florida Ave. NW, WDC.  Join residents and community leaders from across the city to meet and strategize next steps for pressuring Wal-Mart and developers so we get a citywide, enforceable Community Benefits Agreement. We will be discussing our plans for educating the community, targeting the big developers behind these projects like Foulger-Pratt and JBG, and how best to hold our elected officials accountable. Contact: Mike Wilson at mike@dcjwj.org or 202-255-7974.

53] – 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. 5, first--Who are the Cuban 5?—and then see the film "Will the Real Terrorist Stand Up" by Saul Landau. Classes will be interactive and led by participants in the struggle.  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.

54] – Attend An Evening with Nadine Bloch: The Arts of Public Protest! It is happening on Mon., Mar. 5 from 7 to 9 PM at the Univ. of Maryland, 1102 South Campus Commons, Building 1, College Park. This series on "People Power: Activism for Social Change" is sponsored by Beyond the Classroom Living & Learning Program, Office of Undergraduate Studies.  Nadine is an innovative artist, nonviolent practitioner, political organizer, direct-action trainer, and puppetista, who combines the principles and strategies of nonviolent civil disobedience with creative use of the arts in cultural resistance and public protest. She has trained activists in nonviolent direct action with the Ruckus Society in Berkeley and Oakland, California, participated in daring environmental protests with Greenpeace, led anti-globalization protests in Seattle in 1999, and engaged in "guerilla theater" at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank protests in Washington, D.C. Go to WWW.BeyondTheClassroom.umd.edu.

55] – See "Precious Knowledge" / March Focus-In! Film on Mon., Mar. 5 from 7 to 9 PM at the Busboys and Poets, 5331 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781. 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. Along with their harsh anti-immigrant stance, Arizona lawmakers abolished Ethnic Studies classes. "Precious Knowledge" dramatically illustrates what motivates high school teachers and students to form the front line of an epic civil rights battle. Go to  http://www.preciousknowledgefilm.com/.

 

56] – The Pledge of Resistance/Fund Our Communities Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM, and the meetings now take place at Max's residence.  The next meeting takes place on Mar. 5.  The proposed agenda will include reports on legislation and the Progressive Summit in Annapolis on Mar. 12, anti-drone organizing, the AIPAC Convention protests, and an update on the NSA 14. We need your help in alerting citizens from Dutch Ruppersberger's Congressional district that he supports the use of drones.  Go to www.knowdrones.com. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net for directions.

 

57] – In the Longworth House Office Building, Room 1539, Independence Ave. and S. Capitol St., WDC 20003, join Alliance for Justice and Common Cause for a congressional briefing on Supreme Court ethics reform, featuring a screening of AFJ's newest short documentary, "A Question of Integrity: Politics, Ethics, and the Supreme Court." On Tues., Mar. 6 from noon to 1 PM, enjoy lunch and a film narrated by award-winning actor, director, and activist Edward James Olmos.  Recent behavior by some Supreme Court justices undermines the public's faith in the integrity of our nation's most important legal institution.  Hear about reforms that would restore public confidence. The panelists are Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor and legal correspondent at Slate, Sherrilyn Ifill, professor of law at Univ. of Maryland Carey School of Law, and William Yeomans, fellow in law and government at American Univ. Washington College of Law.  RSVP at http://afj.convio.net/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=108563.

 

58] – On Tues., Mar. 6 at noon at Busboys and Poets, 1025 5th St. NW, WDC, the Bread and Roses Series will be discussing "The Working Class Majority: America's Best Kept Secret" by Michael Zweig.  Zweig will be on hand discussing and signing his new book. His books details how the United States is not a middle class society, and the majority of Americans are actually working class and that recognizing this fact is essential for them to achieve political influence and social strength.  This event is free and open to all. 

 

59] – Join US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation to Launch Our Policy Paper to End Aid to Israel during Occupy AIPAC.  The paper is being released as part of Occupy AIPAC--"U.S. Military Aid to Israel: Policy Implications & Options." The Palestine Center, a member group of our coalition, will be hosting a briefing to launch the paper on Tues., Mar. 6 from 12:30 to 2 PM.  Catch "Armed and Dangerous: U.S. Weapons Transfers to Israel" at The Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC 20037. Call 202.338.1290.     

 

60] – Come to Annapolis on Tues., Mar. 6 at 1 PM to testify in support of HB 784, the Millionaires' Tax, before the House Ways and Means Committee. Email Kate to coordinate at kate@progressivemaryland.org. 

 

61] – On Tues., Mar. 6 at 3:30 PM at the Towson Univ. Union, 8000 York Road, Rebels with a Cause: Religious Leadership and Gender will be addressed by the Rev. Jane Spahr, Imam Daayiee Abdullah and Rabbi Daniel Burg. They will also examine equal marriage within Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish religious traditions, respectively. All are religious leaders who have challenged gender prejudice and discrimination within their religious communities.

 

62] – 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. 5 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

63] – A Vigil for Syria is taking place on Tues., Mar. 6 from 6 to 8 PM at Dupont Circle NW.  Amnesty International's local DC chapter will be holding a vigil for all those who have been killed in the uprising that began almost a year ago in Syria.

64] – There will be a screening and discussion of "Food Inc." on Tues., Mar. 6 from 6:30 to 9 PM at the Univ. of Maryland, 1102 South Campus Commons, Building 1, College Park. The event is sponsored by Do Good through Nutrition and Beyond the Classroom. Go to WWW.BeyondTheClassroom.umd.edu.

65] – The Double Vision Film Series will showcase "The Cool and the Crazy" and "Real Time: A Youth Prison Documentary" on Tues., Mar. 6 at 7 PM at the Bohemian Coffee House, 1821 N. Charles St. Call 410-400-0022 or go to http://www.bmorebohemian.com. The first film is a cult classic of an unhappy married couple, and the other looks at California's youth prison system.

 

 

66] – Author Jonathan Bloom will discuss his book AMERICAN WASTELAND, which focuses on how people throw away so much food and what can be done about it. There will also be a book signing afterwards on Tues., Mar. 5 at 7 PM at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, central library, 400 Cathedral St. Call 410-396-5430 or go to http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/central/. Journalist Jonathan Bloom explores the root of our culture's wastefulness and searches for a way to counteract it.

 

67] – On Tues., Mar. 6 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 3 on Gandhi.  You are welcome whether or not you have the book. 

 

68] – On Tues., Mar. 6 at 7:30 PM, Patti Solis Doyle, first Hispanic woman to lead a U.S. presidential campaign, will speak as part of the Hyman Forum, the Athenaeum, Goucher College.  The event is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance by logging on to www.goucher.edu/tickets or by calling 410-337-6333. 

 

69] – Kirk Bloodsworth, wrongfully sentenced to death in Maryland, is asking for help to repeal Maryland's death penalty.  Come to Annapolis for the repeal bill hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee at 1 PM on Wed., Mar. 7 in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Hearing Room, Miller Senate Office Building, 2 East Wing, 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401-1991. We need the Senate to pass SB872. Contact Maryland Citizens Against State Executions at 301-779-5230 or info@mdcase.org.

 

70] – SUPPORT renovating all city schools on Wed., Mar. 7 for hearings in Annapolis to Transform Baltimore; Build Schools; Build Neighborhoods. Pass House Bill 304/Senate Bill 533!  This bill would lay the foundation to fund $1 billion+ in school construction and renovation needs in Baltimore City.  A Free Bus will leave at 11 AM on each day from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane (parking lot at the corner of Cold Spring and Falls).  To ensure that there is adequate room on the bus, you must RSVP ASAP.  Bus to return by late afternoon.  If you plan on driving, also RSVP at transform.bmore@gmail.com or call 410-889-8550 x 119.

 

After 100 enthusiastic advocates traveled to Annapolis in January to support City Schools' alternative financing proposal, two city legislators (Del. Haynes and Sen. Jones-Rodwell) introduced bills that would allow Baltimore City to receive a stable school construction allocation from the state in an annual block grant.  If passed, the school system would be able to leverage the block grant for large amounts of borrowing up front to begin much needed construction projects now!  SB533 will be heard on Wed., Mar. 7 at 1 PM at Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Miller Senate Bldg., 11 Bladen St. Annapolis, MD 21401.

 

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