Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 4

 

48] Justice for Trayvon meeting – May 30

49] Occupy Bilderberg – May 31 – June 3

50] Protest Wal-Mart – May 31

51] Film THE NEO-AFRICAN-AMERICANS – May 31

52] James Fallows, a new book – May 31

53] MOBConf – June 1 – 3

54] The 12th Annual DC Caribbean Filmfest – June 1 - 4

55] Save a rec center – until June 8

56] CCAN internships

57] HELP MAKE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!  

58] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

59] Join Fund Our Communities 

60] Submit articles to Indypendent Reader 

61] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

62] Do you need a television and/or a computer?

63] Join Global Zero campaign

64] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale

65] Click on The Hunger Site 

66] Fire & Faith  

67] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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48] – There is an Organizing Meeting for Justice 4 Trayvon Martin Committee and Occupy 4 Jobs. This Special Session on a Peoples Assembly - Hearing – will present an update on West & East Baltimore cases on Wed., May 30 at 7 PM at the Solidarity Center, 2011 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218.  Justice 4 Trayvon Martin Committee is convening a Baltimore Peoples Assembly -- HEARINGS ON POLICE ABUSE, RACISM & MISCONDUCT – on Sat., June 30 from 3 to 5 PM at Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church, Dolphin & Ettings Sts., Baltimore 21217.

 

HAVE YOUR RIGHTS BEEN VIOLATED!  It is critical to come to this hearing and testify before the People's Council.  Volunteers & student interns are needed. Call 410-500-2168 or email info@justice-4-trayvon.org.  Go to www.justice-4-trayvon.org.

49] –  Occupy Bilderberg 2012 is happening on Thurs., May 31 from 8 AM through Sun., June 3 at 11 PM at Westfields Marriot, 14750 Conference Center Dr., Chantilly, VA 20151.  Truth Exposed Radio, WeAreChange San Antonio and FunkMasterFive are uniting activist groups from around the world to finally expose the Bilderberg Group.  Go to http://occupybilderberg.org/.

50] –  Respect DC Parade and Rally takes place on Thurs., May 31 from 11 AM to 1 PM at CDT,  801 New Jersey Ave. NW, WDC.  Help highlight Wal-Mart's 50 years of bad practices.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/238641449578721/.

51] – In the spirit of African Liberation Day, IPS' Foreign Policy In Focus project will hold a screening of THE NEO-AFRICAN-AMERICANS, which is about how rapid, voluntary immigration from Africa and the Caribbean is transforming the "African-American" narrative, on Thurs., May 31 from 6 to 8 PM at IPS Conference Room, 1112 16th St. NW, Suite 600, WDC.  The documentary is a jump off point for dialogue about even the broader identity issues confronting all people of African descent worldwide. Following the film, the director Kobina Aidoo will be present.

These screenings are free and open to the public but a suggested $5 donation will be appreciated. Popcorn and beverages will be provided.  RSVP to

netfa@hotsalsa.org.

52] – On Thurs., May 31 from 6:30 to 8 PM at University of California - Washington Center, 1608 Rhode Island Ave. NW, WDC, join the World Affairs Council-Washington, DC as it hosts print and radio journalist, James Fallows, author of CHINA AIRBORNE, an illuminating peek into China's rapidly expanding air transport industry, networks and capabilities, and the central role it plays in enabling China's ambitious internal development and economic growth plans. Over the past ten years, air traffic has declined throughout most of the world, while in China it has more than doubled. But the Chinese are determined to be more than just customers. In 2011, China announced its twelfth "Five-Year Plan," which included the commitment to spend a quarter of a trillion dollars to jump-start its aerospace industry.  In China Airborne, James Fallows examines, for the first time, the extraordinary magnitude and scale of China's air transport project, highlighting how it is poised to catalyze the nation's hyper-growth and hyper-urbanization trends, revolutionizing China in ways analogous to the building of America's transcontinental railroad in the 19th century. This event is open to the public, but there is a $10 fee for non-members.  Members, students and teachers get in for free.  Visit www.worldaffairsdc.org or call 202-293-1031.

 

 

53] – Red Emma's is organizing Mobilizing and Organizing from Below, a multilayered, multifaceted conference starting Fri., June 1 through Sun., June 3. It begins Fri., June 1 at 8 AM and closes on Sun., June 3 at 8 PM at and around the 2640 Space, 27th and St. Paul St., Baltimore MD 21218.  Visit www.mobconf.org.

 

 

There will be panel discussions and workshops on topics ranging from youth organizing to lessons from history, from the local struggle for living wage jobs in Baltimore to international solidarity with Haiti, Quebec and Greece.  Sessions will deal with personal issues, such as surviving sexual assault, coping with mental illness, and combating oppression based on race and sexuality, but from politicized standpoints.

MOBConf will be a weekend of intensive, horizontally-organized political education, in which we can share skills, analyze the problems we face, and pose difficult questions. It will also provide a space for people from different traditions to come together and recognize the depth of our similarities and the richness of our differences; a space for reflection and discussion, distinct from both the chaotic excitement of spontaneous mass actions and the intense demands of long-term organizing work.

54] – The 12th Annual DC Caribbean Filmfest in honor of Caribbean Heritage Month is happening from Fri., June 1 at 8:30 AM through Mon., June 4 at 8:30 PM at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD. This program of the Arthur R. Ashe, Jr. Foreign Policy Library acquaints people in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and beyond with African, Caribbean and Latin art and cultural traditions through films, presentations, discussions, and exhibits. For the festival schedule, visit www.AFI.com/Silver or www.TransAfrica.org or call 202-223-1960 ext.13. 

The series advances TransAfrica's mission of disseminating information on issues of concern to Africa and its Diaspora. Centerpieces to the African World Film Series are three major festivals: the New African Films Festival co-sponsored by afrikafé and AFI; the DC Caribbean Filmfest co- sponsored by Caribbean Association of World Bank and IMF Staff (CAWI), Caribbean Professionals Network (CPN), Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), and AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and the Washington African Diaspora Film Festival co-sponsored by the African Diaspora Film Festival.

55] – Help rally Baltimore citizens to support the DeWees Recreation Center for the opportunity to win $50,000 worth of renovations. The Rec Center is one of the oldest community centers in the city and offers an array of activities including sporting events, community meetings, homework assistance, acting courses, arts and crafts, water aerobics, cooking and nutrition classes, computer education, and photography classes to the Baltimore community. Viewers can vote online for one of 10 community centers, and the top three will receive renovations.  This will continue until Fri., June 8 at midnight.  Go to http://maxwellhouse.com.

56] – Do you want to fight global warming while gaining valuable grassroots organizing knowledge and experience? If yes, the Chesapeake Climate Action Network has the perfect internship for you. The group is currently hiring interns for the summer to work out of its Takoma Park and Richmond offices.   For ten years, CCAN has been working in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. to fight climate change by standing up to polluters and working to pass clean energy policies. Bill McKibben called CCAN "the best regional climate organization in the world."  You can contact Chesapeake Climate Action Network by emailing info@chesapeakeclimate.org or at P.O. Box 11183, Takoma Park, MD 20913 or at 240-396-1981.

57] – HELP MAKE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST! Since a civil war in 1974 the island of Cyprus has been divided in two with a United Nations patrolled border.  Turkish/Muslim Cypriots are in the north; Greek/Christian Cypriots are in the south.  Animosities and prejudices run deep. Children throw rocks at each other across the border.  Experts believe that Cyprus is at a crossroads between renewed conflict or becoming an example in the Middle East of how two such cultures can live in peace.

 

The Cyprus Friendship Program, based on the successful model that helped build peace in Northern Ireland, brings over a Muslim and Christian teen to stay with an American host family for the month of July (or ½ month if paired with another host family). This bonding experience in a neutral environment almost always results in a strong friendship. Programming here and after their return to Cyprus turns them into peace builders who are trained in how to influence their peers.  The teens are chosen for their maturity, leadership potential, and English speaking ability. You choose the gender and age (from 15 to 17). To learn more contact Tom McCarthy at 301-774-7069 or Thomas.McCarthy@RaymondJames.com.

 

This video is only 3 minutes long but gives a good overview of the program. It was made by the US State Department

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8rSmOKgY_4. This video is about 8 minutes, gives more info on some of their activities while here, and was made in part by the teens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egcM0Fnj2YA.  

                                                                                                      

58] – The Washington Peace Center has a progressive calendar & activist alert! Consider signing up to receive its weekly email: info@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

 

59] – Fund Our Communities campaign – is a grass roots movement to get support from local organizations and communities to work together with their local and state elected officials to pressure Congresspersons and senators to join with Congresspersons Barney Frank and Ron Paul, who have endorsed a 25% cut to the federal military budget.  Bring home the savings to state and county governments to meet the local needs which are under tremendous budget pressures.  Go to www.OurFunds.org.      

 

60] – The new Indypendent Reader is seeking articles for its web site at http://www.indyreader.org.  Submit an article. 

 

61] – If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net. 

 

62] – Can you use a television set and/or a computer, monitor etc.? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net. 

 

63] – 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.  

 

64] – 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.

 

65] – 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.  

 

66] – Go online for FIRE AND FAITH: The Catonsville Nine File. On May 17, 1968, nine people entered the Selective Service Offices in Catonsville, Maryland, and burned draft records in protest against the war in Vietnam. View http://www.prattlibrary.org/digital/.

 

67] – 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.

 

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/.

 

"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