Thursday, April 18, 2013

Baltimore Activist Alert - April 18, 2013

70] “Solitary Confinement in an Age of Mass Incarceration” – Apr. 18

71] Human Rights Happy Hour – Apr. 18

72] Book talk “The Window 2 My Soul” -- Apr. 18

73] Twin Oaks and the Communities Movement – Apr. 18

74] "Young Thurgood: A Future Supreme Court Justice's Baltimore Roots" -- Apr. 18

75] Max is part of a Defending Dissent Forum – Apr. 18

76] Max is seeking a place to live after June 30

77] Job opportunity with PSR

78] Support Red Emma’s in its move

79] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

80] Join Fund Our Communities

81] Submit articles to Indypendent Reader

82] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

83] Do you need any book shelves?

84] Join Global Zero campaign

85] Digital Information and the Criminal Justice System

86] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale

87] Fire & Faith

88] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil



70] – You are invited to join the National Religious Campaign Against Torture [NRCAT] and its partners at the ACLU National Prison Project on Thurs., Apr. 18 at 4 PM EDT for a webinar, “Solitary Confinement in an Age of Mass Incarceration.” In this hour-long webinar, hear from leading policy experts with an overview of legislative efforts to end prolonged solitary confinement, including survivors of solitary confinement, and from members of the faith community who are engaged in efforts to end this destructive practice. The webinar will include information about causes of the dramatic expansion of the use of solitary confinement in the context of mass incarceration, and a description of recent reform successes and future opportunities for members of the faith community to be engaged. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/936638020950716416.



71] – There is a Human Rights Happy Hour on Thurs., Apr. 18 at 6 PM at Liam Flynn's Ale House, 22 W. North Ave. Amnesty International's local group in Baltimore is organizing the happy hour to talk about human rights issues. Contact Zaineb Majoka at zainebmajoka@gmail.com.



72] – On Thurs., Apr. 18 at 7 PM @ 2640, 27th & St. Paul Sts., Yusef Bunchy Shakur will discuss his book “The Window 2 My Soul.” The book talk, co-sponsored with the Maryland Friend of a Friend Program, will track Shakur’s inspiring political trajectory from incarcerated teenage gang member to one of Detroit's most important community activists. He will talk about fatherhood, the consequences of mass incarceration of men of color in the United States, and how the gang mentality can be broken. Go to http://2640.redemmas.org.



73] – On Thurs., Apr. 18 at 7 PM @ Red Emma's, 800 St. Paul St., get the scoop on Twin Oaks and the Communities Movement. After 45 years, Twin Oaks Community in Central Virginia is one of the oldest and most established intentional communities in the US, with a focus on egalitarianism, nonviolence, and collectivized economics. There are many other communities, both in the US and abroad, also seeking to promote sustainability and social justice by designing communities based on those values. This presentation will look at a collection of these communities, their strengths and challenges, and what they have to offer as models and examples. Call 410-230-0450 or go to http://www.redemmas.org.

74] -- The Baltimore City Historical Society will be co-sponsoring its fifth year of Baltimore History Evenings at the Village Learning Place, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218. Contact Michael Franch, Baltimore History Series coordinator at franch@verizon.net. The primary goal of the Baltimore City Historical Society is to promote the study, presentation, and appreciation of Baltimore City history.

On Thurs., Apr. 18 hear a lecture "Young Thurgood: A Future Supreme Court Justice's Baltimore Roots" by Larry S. Gibson, University of Maryland School of Law. Each evening begins with a reception at 7 PM, and the speaker begins at 7:30 PM. There is no charge for the receptions or speakers, but contributions to the co-sponsor Village Learning Place are encouraged.





75] – Be a participant at the Defending Dissent Forum on Thurs., Apr. 18 at 7 PM at the Wheaton Regional Library, 11701 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. What effect has the “The War on Terror” had on free expression and grassroots political organizing in Maryland and across the United States since 9/11? Come to a public forum sponsored by Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition and hear from citizen organizers working to advance their causes and protect their rights.



The right to profess our own beliefs — religious, political, or otherwise — and to dissent is critically important. The Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition will use the forum to start a “Rapid Response Network” to defend that right: a coalition of civil liberties, peace, and other groups ready to work together for people targeted for their beliefs by local, state or federal agents.



The speakers and topics include Kit Bonson (MCCRC) – Overview of civil liberties issues on a national scale and introduction of other speakers; Saqib Ali (CAIR-MD) – Police profiling and pre-emptive prosecution/entrapment of Arab/Muslim communities as well as other targeted communities/groups; Megan Jenny (Chesapeake Climate Action Network) – Harassment/prosecutions of environmental activists; Max Obuszewski (Baltimore Nonviolence Center) – Maryland State Police infiltration of MD activists and similar events since then; Sue Udry (Defending Dissent) – Drawing the connections between movement experiences; future directions and coalition goals, especially regarding MCCRC’s “Rapid Response Network” in case local activists or others are targeted by local, state or federal agents. Email mococivilrights at gmail.com. Go to www.mococivilrights.wordpress.com.



76] – As of June 30, Max is seeking a place to live. Let him know of any possibilities. He can be reached at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.dot net.



77] – There is a job opening for a Climate & Health Organizer with Physicians for Social Responsibility, 1111 14th St. NW, suite 700, WDC 20005. Call 202.587.5234. Go to http://www.psr.org/about/employment-opportunities.html#ches.



78] – 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.



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



80] – 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 the March 23 Peace Bus from Baltimore to D.C. Go to www.OurFunds.org.



81] – 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.



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



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



84] – 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.



85] – 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.



86] – 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.



87] – 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/.

88] – 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

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