Baltimore Activist Alert - Part 4

51] Save Wadi Foquin – Jan. 16


52] Julian Bond has a new book out – Jan. 16

53] Chris Hayes at the Pratt – Jan. 16

54] Green Baltimore Series – Jan. 16

55] Discussion on drones – Jan. 16

56] Drone Walk – Jan. 17 - 19

57] Get Money Out of Politics rally – Jan. 17

58] Support hotel workers – Jan. 17

59] Poverty Conference – Jan. 17

60] “Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons” -- Jan. 17

61] No Blank Check meeting – Jan. 17

62] Book SASHA AND EMMA – Jan. 17

63] Vermont activist speaks – Jan. 17

64] Art exhibit – through Feb. 28

65] MUPJ Conference – Apr. 12 & 13, 2013

66] Support Red Emma’s in its move

67] Fellowship position available



68] Spacious apartment available

69] Do you possess any Tom Lewis artwork?

70] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

71] Did You Vote?

72] Join Fund Our Communities

73] Submit articles to Indypendent Reader

74] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

75] Do you need any book shelves?

76] Join Global Zero campaign

77] Digital Information and the Criminal Justice System

78] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale

79] Click on The Hunger Site

80] Fire & Faith

81] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

51] – Campaign to Save Wadi Foquin will happen on Wed., Jan. 16 at 6 PM at the Jubilee Church, 1658 Columbia Rd. NW. Rev. Michael Yoshiiev, pastor of a California Methodist Church, will be in D.C. to petition the House of Representatives to address the issue of village human rights. Call Alice Azzouzi at 703-862-3622.

52] – Julian Bond Presents: Crossing the Line from Rhythm n' Blues to Rock n' Roll on Wed., Jan. 16 from 6:30 PM at the Graydon Center, American Univ. 4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW. From his student days as a founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to Chair of the NAACP, Mr. Bond has been a leader in the movements for civil rights, racial equality, economic justice and peace. The holder of 20 honorary degrees, he is a Distinguished Professor at American University.



In “Crossing the Color Line,” Mr. Bond presents the civil rights movement through a history of music, using images and bits of music. He traces the melding of jazz, blues, country music and pop into rock & roll, stopping along the way to examine the influences of race, demographics, war, immigration and technology in this transformation. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/467214256676545/permalink/467214260009878/?ref=notif¬if_t=like.

53] – Chris Hayes, editor-at-large of The Nation and MSNBC host of "Up With Chris Hayes," discusses his new book, “Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy” on Wed., Jan. 16 at 7 PM at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Library, 400 Cathedral St. Call 410-396-5430. Visit http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/central. The book examines the flaws of the ruling class.



54] – The Green Baltimore Series features experts from government, business, academia and non-profit organizations delving into issues such as green science and global warming, green business practices, media messaging on the environment, and health issues related to environmental conditions. Participating organizations will include the Baltimore Office of Sustainability, EarthShare and the National Resources Defense Council. Registration is requested at www.events.ndm.edu.

On Wed., Jan. 16 at 7 PM at the Loyola Notre Dame Library, [200 Winston Ave.], College of Notre Dame of Maryland, 4701 N. Charles St., the series continues with Session III: Media and Messaging. This is an examination of the role of the media in shaping the public debate on sustainability and climate change. The session will focus on the influences that impact the media’s positions and how those positions shape public opinion. The speaker is Bob Deans, associate communications director, Natural Resources Defense Council. Call 410-617-6800.



55] – On Wed., Jan. 16 at 7 PM, International Socialist Organization is hosting a panel discussion on the use of drones in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia at All Souls Unitarian Church, 16th Street, Columbia Heights NW, WDC. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/464694690258038/.



56] – Starting Thurs., Jan. 17 and finishing Sat., Jan. 19, there will be a Drone Walk from Baltimore to D.C. Peace activists, lead by Jules Orkin, will be walking from Baltimore to Washington to bring attention to the use of military drones around the world which kill innocent civilians, including children, and enable the U.S. to conduct an endless war against anyone from any country who the President decides to put on its kill list.(along with the “collateral damage”, i.e. civilian children, woman and men who happen to be nearby or who happen to come to the aid of those hit in the first strike when the “double tap” strike is made a few minutes later which usually kills first responders.



The group will be walking down Route 1 and displaying the drone at various places along the walk. If you live near their walk or can otherwise help these walkers, please contact Jules at 201-566-8403 or julesorkin@yahoo.com.



57] – On Thurs., Jan. 17 at 11 AM, participate in "Get Money Out of Politics--Pass a Constitutional Amendment to Overturn 'Citizens United'" rally at Lawyer's Mall, State House, 100 State Cir., Annapolis, MD 21401. State Sen. Jamie Raskin will speak about the sign-on letter he circulated among legislators in the 2012 General Assembly. Senator Raskin is expected to address next steps that the Legislators and the Maryland Congressional Delegation should take to pass an amendment. Other legislators and Maryland Congresspersons are expected to attend. Governor O'Malley is invited. Contact Joe Adams, joe@getmoneyoutmd.org. The rally takes place on the third anniversary of the disastrous ‘Citizens United’ Supreme Court decision which allowed corporations to spend unlimited sums on elections! RSVP at http://www.getmoneyoutmd.org.



58] – There's a picket line at the Sheraton City Center Hotel, 101 West Fayette St., on Thurs., Jan. 17 from 4:30-5:30 PM! Last week the Sheraton bargaining committee met again with their employer, Crossroads Hospitality Management. The Company refused to discuss issues regarding the housekeeping, engineering and banquet departments. The Company insists on having the right to contract out the workers' jobs, and they have refused to guarantee health insurance for the life of the contract. The committee decided to have all of their coworkers vote on the Company's proposal: they are recommending that their coworkers vote NO.



Call 443-438-5607 ext. 10. Like UNITE HERE Local 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UniteHereLocal7.



59] – Attend a Vision For a New America – A Future Without Poverty on Thurs., Jan. 17 at 6:30 PM at Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW. Unlike the wealthiest 1 percent, the perennially poor, newly poor, and near poor have no formidable champion or legion of lobbyists to defend their cause in Washington. When individuals can no longer turn to the shelter of extended family members or friends for aid and comfort-because everybody has been laid off-poverty takes on a new meaning. The magnitude of the Great Recession confirms that poverty is no longer a personal calamity; it’s a societal crisis.

Panelists will discuss proven solutions on how government officials can contain the wildfire of American poverty. They will challenge the Obama administration within its first 100 days to aggressively address the nation’s economic crisis by refusing to abandon those Americans most in need -- the perennially poor and the new poor—the country’s former middle class. Additionally, panelists will encourage citizens to make their voices heard by signing an online petition calling for a White House Conference on the Eradication of Poverty in the tradition of past White House conferences held on aging, children and youth, conservation, LGBT rights and civil rights. Registration is free. Go to http://www.tavistalks.com/visionforanewamerica/.

60] – On Thurs., Jan. 17 at 7 PM, Ward Wilson, will discuss his book “Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons” at Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave., NW, 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.



61] – There is a No Blank Check Rally on Jan. 19! The final rally planning committee meeting will take place next on Thurs., at 7 PM at the Old City Cafe of Jerusalem in Adams Morgan, 1773 Columbia Rd. NW, WDC 20009. Call 202-232-1322.



62] – On Thurs. Jan. 17 at 7PM @ Red Emma's, 800 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21212, explore the radical life of Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman. Karen Avrich will be presenting the book she helped her late father, the noted historian of anarchism Paul Avrich, complete—SASHA AND EMMA. It is an engaging and challenging book that brings to life two of this country's most infamous and charismatic rebels. Call 410- 230-0450 or email info@redemmas.org.

63] – Vermont Worker's Center state-wide budget campaign organizer, Avery Book, will speak on Fri., Jan. 18 from 9 to 10:30 AM at 1200 U St. NW. The Center has been doing some of the most successful organizing the United States has seen in recent years. In only 4 years they developed volunteer-run chapters all over the state with thousands of active members, went from one staff person to nine, and won universal single-payer healthcare for Vermont. Now, using a human rights framework, they have turned their sights on the state's budget process. RSVP at makeonecitypossible@gmail.com or 646-734-6705

64] – Get over to Ascension Lutheran Church art exhibit showing the work of local artists Phyllis Spirt and Shirley Neale. Ring back door for entry. The exhibit will run through Feb.28, Mondays-Fridays, noon to 4 PM at 7601 York Road. Call 410-825-1725 or visit http://www.ascensiontowson.org.





65] – The 28th Annual Maryland Peace, Justice and the Environment Conference [www.mupj.org] will take place Fri., Apr. 12 and Sat., Apr. 13 at the Turner Memorial AME Church, 7201 16th Place, Hyattsville. Save these dates. Email paulette.d.hammond@questdiagnostics.com.



66] – Red Emma's is in the process of closing down the location at 800 St. Paul St., and reopening in a much larger new space on North Avenue in the fall. The collective is seeking your help. It's time to reinvent the project started in 2004 to build a self-sustaining progressive space in Baltimore, committed to providing a daily reminder that another world was possible and that there were people working in the city to build it.



Here's how you can help: donate money, buy books at the current store, provide skilled help, and share these needs. Email john@redemmas.org or go to http://indiegogo.com/redemmas2.



67] – There is an Advocacy and Policy Fellowship for a person to work on global justice issues and gain valuable advocacy, research and professional experience? Jubilee USA Network is a coalition of over 75 faith communities, environmental organizations and a variety of other groups, working towards expanded debt cancellation and responsible lending and borrowing to impoverished countries.



Some of the responsibilities would be creating literature and fact sheets about debt and representing Jubilee at planning meetings, appointments with Congress members and public events and conducting research as needed to respond to new information or events that pertain to Jubilee's work. Some requirements would be a strong passion for economic justice and right relationships among people, excellent verbal and written communications skills, and a familiarity with general government and/or foreign policy issues. The position is a year-long commitment from August to August. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and 1-2 page writing sample to Jennifer Tong, Communications and Development Coordinator at jennifer(at)jubileeusa.org.



68] – There is a spacious and affordable two-bedroom apartment on the second floor above the apartment where Vince Tola resides. It is located in the Pen Lucy community, 501 1/2 East 43rd St., and rent is $575/month plus utilities. But the price could be negotiable. It is owned by David Greene, who is friendly. Contact Dave at 410-599-3730 or DGreene@All-systems.com. Vince can be reached at 443-414-2425 or vtola@yahoo.com.



69] – Stephen Kobasa is hoping to do an exhibit of the work of Tom Lewis opening in May 2013 in New Haven, CT. It would include a variety of his paintings, drawings, silkscreen prints, book illustrations, posters, banners and sketchbooks. This would not only be a display of objects on a gallery wall, but would also involve events which would return Tom's art to the streets where it was originally meant to make conscience visible.

Contact Stephen if you are in possession of original work and would consider loaning it for a month long display. You can reach him at stephen.kobasa at gmail.com or 203-500-0268.



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



71] – See an infographic which highlights and illustrates how voter turnout could have easily changed the outcome of the election. The title is Did You Vote? Go to http://www.learnstuff.com/did-you-vote/. This comes from www.learnstuff.com. Contact Chloe at chloecarter180 at gmail.com.



72] – 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. Plan to join FOC on an April 20 bus trip from Baltimore to D.C. Go to www.OurFunds.org.



73] – MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. Baltimore's Indypendent Reader is looking for individuals interested in creating media - written, photo, audio, or video - that relates to issues like...economic justice, race, prisons & policing, environment, gender & sexuality, war & peace and more! If you would like to create social justice media, then email indypendentreader@gmail.com. Visit http://www.indyreader.org.



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



75] – Can you use any book shelves? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.



76] – 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.



77] – Visit the Digital Information and the Criminal Justice System at http://www.onlinecriminaljusticedegree.com/. This link presents a wide range of insightful articles for criminal justice and legal professionals, both current and future. The project aims to be an objective, authoritative resource in the ever-changing court system.



78] – 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.



79] – 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.



80] – 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/.

81] – 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