Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 2

Baltimore Activist Alert Jan. 18 – Jan. 24, 2013


"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 & stickers

2] Web site for info on federal legislation

3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists

4] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLa

5] For All the World to see exhibit – through Mar. 10

6] PDA lobbying on the Hill – Jan. 18

7] White House vigil – Jan. 18

6] Witness Against Torture marches – Jan. 18

8] WIB Roland Park vigil – Jan. 18

9] Justice for Palestine/Israel vigil – Jan. 18

10] Get rid of Citizens United – Jan. 18

11] Protest Mayor Nutter – Jan. 18

12] Get rid of nukes – Jan. 18

13] BeGreen2013 Summit – Jan. 18

14] Silent peace vigil – Jan. 18

15] Leaflet at the pro-torture film “Zero Dark Thirty” – Jan. 18

16] Film “Black in Latin America” – Jan. 18

17] Book GREEN ACRES – Jan. 18

18] Play THE MOUNTAINTOP – through Feb. 24

19] Ballroom dancing – Jan. 18

20] Progressive Central – Jan. 19

21] MLK PeaceWalk – Jan. 19

22] Movement strategy session – Jan. 19

23] Olney peace vigil – Jan. 19

24] West Chester, PA demo – Jan. 19

25] Silent vigil at Capitol – Jan. 19

26] Protest Wal-Mart – Jan. 19

27] Baltimore MLK Parade – Jan. 19

28] Open House – Jan. 19

29] No Blank Check rally – Jan. 19

30] Organizing meeting – Jan. 19

31] Stolen art – Jan. 20

32] Peace and Pancakes – Jan. 20

33] Conference on Organized Resistance to Capitalism and the State – Jan. 20

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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] – For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights explores the historic role played by visual images in shaping, influencing, and transforming the fight for civil rights in the United States. The exhibit includes photographs, television and film, magazines, newspapers, posters, books, and pamphlets. The exhibition will continue through Mar. 10. You can see it Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 AM to 5 PM in the UMBC Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, 1000 Hilltop Circle.

6] – Join Progressive Democrats of America on Capitol Hill at 10 AM in the Dirksen Senate Office Building cafeteria. PDA and its allies will be visiting senators with a progressive message: First, no more "hostage taking" re: the Debt Ceiling. President Obama is right to refuse to negotiate over paying the nation's bills. Second, the plan is to insist that members of Congress resolve to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits by refusing to vote for any deal that weakens these programs. Third, demand a balanced approach in budget policies. With over $1.7 trillion already cut from programs for American families and less than half of that amount in new revenue, any additional debt and deficit reduction must come from new revenue, and from deep cuts to Pentagon and other waste--not public sector programs that support the elderly, the poor, working families or the middle class. We could save over $110 billion by eliminating subsidies to oil and gas companies. The Inclusive Prosperity Act would raise hundreds of billions dollars by taxing Wall Street speculation. Allowing negotiation of drug prices under Medicare Part D would save more than $150 billion.



Fourth, we have a jobs crisis, not a deficit crisis. Support prospective legislation to make federal investments in direct job creation. RSVP at http://hq-salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1987/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=69985. Call Andrea Miller at 443-878-2071.



7] – 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.



8] – There is also a noon Women in Black vigil on Jan. 11 at Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St. Call 410-467-9114.



9] – A vigil for Justice in Palestine/Israel 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/.



10] – On Fri., Jan. 18 from 12 to 2 PM in LOVE Park, 15th & JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, there will be a rally and press conference to End Corporate Personhood and Demand Real Democracy, organized by Occupy Philly's Money Out of Politics Working Group, aka Philly Rootstrikers. There are many groups involved in the rally, including Brandywine Peace Community. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/324344267681250/.

11] – Protest Against Philadelphia Mayor "1%" Nutter on Fri., Jan. 18 at noon at 1001 16th St. NW. Join AFSCME as they rally against Philadelphia Mayor Michael "1%" Nutter, who "has waged class warfare on the working people of Philadelphia." Go to http://www.dclabor.org/ht/display/EventDetails/i/105141/pid/538

12] – On Fri., Jan. 18 from 2 to 4 PM, Ward Wilson, will discuss his book “Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons” at the Stimson Center, 1111 19th St. NW, 12th Floor, WDC. Nuclear weapons may seem such a familiar fact of life that we no longer really consider them. But Wilson, senior fellow at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, gives five important reasons for reassessing current policy, including arguments against their efficacy to shock enemies and keep peace. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHlFT2VGWWtoWnI4dEdoZFhRcDNaeHc6MQ.

13] – JOIN GREEN FOR ALL AND EPA BEGREEN IN 2013 in building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. The Environmental Protection Agency, Green for All and Amplify Public Affairs present… BeGreen2013, a National Summit on Environmental Education and Sustainability on Fri., Jan. 18 at 4 PM at the Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. The summit is a national dialogue on how individual environmental actions can make a positive impact on the environment.



The featured speakers are The Honorable Lisa P. Jackson, administrator of EPA, Phaedra Ellis–Lamkins, CEO, Green for All and others. RSVP at You can watch the conversation live at www.BeGreen2013.com. Call 202-828-0999 or email team@greenforall.org.



14] – There is a silent peace vigil on Fri., Jan. 18 from 5 to 6 PM outside Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St. Placards say: "War Is Not the Answer." The silent vigil is sponsored by Homewood Friends and Stony Run Meetings.



15] – On Fri., Jan. 18, Homewood Friends Meeting members will be at the Rotunda Mall, in the back parking lot, at 6:15 PM to leaflet at the pro-torture film “Zero Dark Thirty,” which begins at 6:40 PM. Contact Max at 410-3661637 or mobuszewski at Verizon.net.

16] – The Ujamaa School Friday Film Night will showcase a screening of “Black in Latin America” on Fri., Jan. 18 at 7 PM at 1554 Eighth St. NW. The film features Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Call 202-232-2997 or email UjamaaSchool1@verizon.net.

17] – On Fri. Jan. 18 at 7PM @ Red Emma's, 800 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21212, explore Green Acres: Artists Farming Fields, Greenhouses and Abandoned Lots. This evening is meant to inspire artists and citizens to think a little differently about art’s possibilities. Hear a public discussion on artist initiatives that impact their world, moderated by “Green Acres” author Sue Spaid, with panelists book catalog designer Kristian Bjørnard, the Baltimore Development Cooperative, Agri-Art professor Mark Cooley and performance artist J. J. McCracken. Call 410- 230-0450 or email info@redemmas.org.



18] – See the play, THE MOUNTAINSHIP, directed by CENTER STAGE Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah. It features Dr. Martin Luther King at the Lorraine Hotel, on the day before his assassination, when he gains a new perspective from a conversation with a maid.



Center Stage is located at 700 N. Calvert St. Ticket prices range from $10 to $56. Call 410-332-0033. The play will be performed through February 24.



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



20] – On Sat., Jan. 19 from 8 AM to 3:30 PM, be at Progressive Central: The Peoples' Inauguration. John Nichols (The Nation magazine writer, MSNBC Contributor, Author) will moderate a series of panel discussions focused on the most critical issues of today. Progressive Democrats of America presents Progressive Central III in partnership with The Nation Magazine, co-sponsored by the National Nurses United (NNU) and Busboys and Poets. It will be held at UDC Auditorium, 4200 Connecticut Ave. NW, WDC 20008. It costs $30 for a regular ticket, and $75 for Progressive Central and the After Party,



21] – The 2013 MLK PeaceWalk takes place on Sat., Jan. 19 at 9:30 AM at 2500 MLK Ave. S.E. at the United Black Fund. Celebrate the Life and Contributions of Dr. King. Assemble starting at 8:30 AM for an END THE VIOLENCE RALLY. At 10 AM, STEP-OFF and BEGIN THE OFFICIAL 6th ANNUAL MLK PEACEWALK, proceed up MLK Ave. to Shepard Park at King and Malcolm X Aves. S.E., and arrive at noon. Visit http://mlkholidaydc.org/.

22] – There’s a Human Rights Dialogue & Movement Strategy Session on Sat., Jan.19 from 10 AM to 3 PM at James McHenry Recreation Center, 901 Hollins St., Baltimore 21223. RSVP at 240-478-8193 or email HealthcareisaHumanRightMD@gmail.com. Join leaders of the Healthcare is a Human Right - Maryland campaign from throughout the state for a day of learning about the history of other movements and then to strategize on how to move this campaign forward in the coming year. There will be a group study on Dr. King's Poor People’s Movement and how the struggles of earlier decades connect to current work. And then there will be an in-depth group strategy session for the Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign.

23] – 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. [Route 97] in Olney, MD. The next vigil is Jan. 19. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167.



24] – 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.



25] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., Jan. 19. 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.



26] – RECLAIM REV. DR. KING JR’S DREAM. MAKE DR. KING’S BIRTHDAY – WORKERS & POOR PEOPLES RIGHTS DAY! There is a PICKET & RALLY AT THE SUPER WALMART STORE, 360l Washington Blvd., Baltimore 21227 on Sat. Jan. 19, noon to 1 PM. Demand justice for low wage workers from Wal-Mart to McDonalds. Stand for workers rights from Michigan to Maryland! Say NO to so-called “right to work” laws and YES to raising the minimum wage! No to inadequate health care and lack of right’s on the job!



This is initiated by Baltimore Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Baltimore Peoples Power Assembly. Call 410-500-2168.



27] – The 13th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade takes place on Sat., Jan. 19 at noon, near Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. Veterans For Peace has a permit, so peace and justice activists plan to march behind VFP. Gather on Eutaw Street at 11:30 AM. If you want to carry banners opposing the death penalty, contact Max Obuszewski at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at Verizon.net.

28] – Get over to the Free School Open House Kickoff on Sat., Jan. 19 at 2 PM at 1233 12th St. NW. Join the Peace House for food, music and activities. Childcare is available. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/497067970332203/?ref=22.

29] – Rally in Washington, D.C. on Sat., Jan. 19 from 4 to 6 PM and Tell President Obama: No blank check for Israel! Israel should not be above the law. Condition US aid to Israel on compliance with US & international law. There are over 50,000 signatures on the letter to President Obama.



Meet us at Farragut Square (Conn. Ave., 17th and K Sts. NW). The rally will be followed by a Candlelight Procession to the White House. Go to http://tinyurl.com/NoBlankCheckForIsrael or email Shelley Fudge [mailto:scfudge@gmail.com].



30] – There is an organizing meeting for the 28th Annual Maryland Peace, Justice and the Environment Conference on Sat., Jan. 19 from 5 to 7 PM at Turner AME Church, 7201 16th Place, Hyattsville., MD. For directions, go to https://plus.google.com/116295430505081980269/about?gl=us&hl=en#116295430505081980269/about?gl=us&hl=en. Dinner will follow at Busboys and Poets, Hyattsville. Email Paulette.d.Hammond@quest diagnostics.com. Go to www.mupj.org.



31] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. On Sun., Jan. 20, Monique Goss, artist and Holocaust survivor, will address “The Ethics and Morality of Restitution of Art.” She has an M.A. in education from New York University. Born in France, she came to the U.S. with her mother in 1947. Goss is a contributor to the website LootedArt.com and an artist living in Charles Village. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.



The process of claiming family-owned property and works of art is the topic of today’s talk. Our speaker’s perspective is gained from being the granddaughter and sole surviving heir of Ignatz Pick, who prior to World War II was an avid art collector as well as a successful antiquarian and gallery owner in Vienna, Austria. His business was confiscated by the Nazi regime during 1938’s Anschluss, the political union in which Austria was absorbed into Nazi Germany. Goss’s efforts to pursue her family property through museums and by working with international authorities will be described. The central ethical question she will pose is whether such works should rightfully continue as museum possessions or should be recovered by heirs.



32] – Join the Kadampa Meditation Center for Peace and Pancakes on Sundays at 10:30 AM at KMC Maryland, 2937 North Charles St. All are invited to participate in guided meditation and chant praying for world peace. There will be a talk based on Buddhist thought followed by brunch. Call 410- 243-3837. Brunch is $5.

33] – Global Crisis & Global Resistance! A Conference on Organized Resistance to Capitalism and the State is on Sun., Jan. 20 from noon to 5 PM at The Warehouse, 645 New York Ave. NW, WDC 20001. There is no charge. Catch the puppet performance. Go to mrpuppetarmy.wordpress.com.

Will Potter, an award-winning journalist, author, and public speaker based in Washington, D.C. who has become a leading voice on repression of the animal rights and environmental movements, and civil liberties issues post-9/11, will speak. See a film. See http://www.globaluprisings.org/ and frontlinesofnowhere.com.

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