Baltimore Activist Alert - May 1-3, 2013

53] May Day march– May 1


54] Volunteer for Poor Peoples Campaign -- May 1

55] Immigrant Rights March – May 1

56] Africa and the Global Arms Trade Treaty -- May 2

57] "Statelessness: The Core of the Palestinian Issue" – May 2

58] Protest drone research at JHU – May 2

59] Book talk with labor organizer – May 2

60] Iraq’s Labor and Other Movements – May 2

61] Propaganda & Culture – May 2

62] Peace Labyrinth – May 2

63] Plant-A-Tree In Palestine – May 2

64] Concert with ZOMES – May 2

65] Film RACHEL: AN AMERICAN CONSCIENCE – May 3

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

67] Critical Exposure has four job openings

68] David Swanson book--When the World Outlawed War

69] Support Red Emma’s in its move

70] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

71] Join Fund Our Communities

72] Submit articles to Indypendent Reader

73] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

74] Do you need any book shelves?

75] Join Global Zero campaign

76] Digital Information and the Criminal Justice System

77] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale

78] Fire & Faith

79] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil



53] – Join a May Day event on Wed., May 1 at 4:30 PM at Malcolm X Park, 16th & Euclid Sts. March with millions of workers from every continent and country in an expression of international solidarity. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/145839312250640/.

54] – There is a Volunteers/Organizers meeting on Wed. May 1 and Wed., May 8 at 7 PM at the Solidarity Center, 2011 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218. Get ready to help make history at the 2013 Poor Peoples Campaign March.

Help is needed to make phone calls to hundreds of people who signed up. If you can help, come out on Tues., May 7 from 3 to 8 PM at the Solidarity Center (one block north of North Ave. near #3 bus line and other cross town buses}. Enjoy good company and refreshments. If you would like to come into the office at another time, call 410-218-4835.

Pick up leaflets and posters and make sure your neighbors know the march. Two original participants of the first Poor Peoples Campaign in 1968, Dr. Bernard Lafayette and Dr. C.T. Vivian, will be at the final destination to greet people. Go to www.PeoplesPowerAssemblies.org or https://www.facebook.com/events/135867173240346/167203753440021/?notif_t=like.

55] – There is a March for Immigrant Rights on Wed., May 1 from 6 PM at Rachel Carson Middle School, 13618 McLearen Rd,, Herndon, VA. There is an historic opportunity to win immigration reform in the US. There are just a handful of legislators that could guarantee that a new immigration reform law would pass Congress. One of them is in Northern Virginia Representative Frank Wolf (R-10). Let Rep. Wolf know that he is being counted on to create a more secure and fair Virginia for everyone. Contact Noah Feldman at 703-851-0616 or nfeldman@virginianewmajority.org.



56] – Africa and the Global Arms Trade Treaty is a discussion on Thurs., May 2 from noon to 2 PM at the IPS Conference Room, 1112 16th St. NW, Suite 600. Can an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) help? How can world leaders and national governments both within and without Africa best help leverage the ATT to help deal with existing small arms violence and prevent violence in the future? Visit http://www.ips-dc.org/events/africa_and_the_global_arms_trade_treaty.



57] – "Statelessness: The Core of the Palestinian Issue" with Juan Cole is happening on Thurs., May 2 from 12:30 to 2 PM at The Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC 20037. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict makes the area one of the world's longest-running geopolitical hotspots. It has been characterized as a territorial dispute, a refugee problem, or even a problem of terrorism. It has been the subject of negotiations and agreements that always seem to fall apart. Dr. Cole argues that the core of the issue is the statelessness of the Palestinians and that all the other problems stem from this condition. He will explore the meaning of statelessness for human and civil rights, property rights, and standing in negotiations, as well as with regard to international regimes of law and diplomacy. RSVP at http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/38379/pid/187.



58] First Thursday anti-drone demonstration – May 3



58] – Join the Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore for the monthly First Thursday anti-drone research demonstration on May 3 from 5 to 6:30 PM at 34th & North Charles Sts. Join in to protest JHU’s drone research. Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.



59] – On the heels of May Day (International Workers' Day, May 1st) join Institute for Policy Studies, Teaching for Change book store, and Busboys and Poets for this fitting discussion and book signing with veteran organizer and author Stewart Acuff-- Playing Bigger Than You Are: A Life in Organizing. Hear Stewart Acuff's story of his 30-year life in organizing on Thurs., May 2 from 6:30 to 8 PM at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW. Be it organizing citizens for stop signs at a busy intersection in Memphis, successfully working to unionize the Atlanta Olympics, or guiding the nationwide organizing program of the AFL-CIO, come get a rare insight into the day-to-day struggles of an organizer. Visit http://www.ips-dc.org/events/author_event_playing_bigger_than_you_are_a_life_in_organizing.



60] – Iraq’s Labor and Other Movements, and the Lessons of the War will be analyzed on Thurs., May 2 from 6 to 8 PM at Busboys & Poets, 5 & K Sts. This event is part of Busboys & Poets' Bread & Roses Labor Series, and is an evening with Gene Bruskin, Andy Shallal & Phyllis Bennis to discuss the movements of labor and popular forces in Iraq and the lessons of the 9 year war. Go to http://www.ips-dc.org/events/iraqs_labor_and_other_movements_and_the_lessons_of_the_war.



61] – Propaganda & Culture II: Overcoming Systematic Disinformation is a discussion scheduled for Thurs., May 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at The Peace House, 1233 12th St. NW, WD C. Join for a participatory brainstorming session on how and why social institutions generate obvious disinformation that is often embraced as truthful, accurate, or ‘correct.’ What are the relationships between propaganda and social change? Do grand narratives actually affect day-to-day living and consciousness? The discussion is designed for people who have explored the interaction of social structure, media, and social change, and would like to share the challenge of making sense of it. The discussion leader is Chris Simpson, a professor at Amer. U and a media / social analyst whose books include “Blowback” and” National Security Directives of the Reagan and Bush Administrations.” His most recent article is “Communication Revolution” for the Oxford Encyclopedia of Social History. You can reach him at simpson@american.edu. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/120397761491610/.



62] – On Thurs., May 2, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, Mayan Spiritual Teacher Ac Tah will build his "Mirror of Orion and Skywalker Labyrinth" for Liberation & Peace at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2840 Graham Rd., Falls Church, VA. 22042. The conference is $10. Go to www.celebrationcentcr.org. Call 703-560-2030.



63] – On Thurs., May 2 at 7 PM @ Red Emma's, catch a Plant-A-Tree In Palestine Delegation Report Back. What is the Jewish National Fund? Recently back from Palestine, Jonah Aline Daniel, of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network and Stop the JNF Campaign, will be sharing photos, video and accounts from the Plant-A-Tree In Palestine Delegation. Jonah will be discussing the role of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) in the historic and ongoing colonization of Palestine and strategies for delegitimizing the JNF. Come connect to this growing international campaign and learn about resistance to the JNF on the ground. Visit www.stopthejnf.org. Contact Mark Gunnery at mark.l.gunnery@gmail.com or 443-934-1110. This event is sponsored by Baltimore Jewish Voice for Peace.



64] – On Thurs., May 2 at @ 7:30 PM @ 2640, 27th & St. Paul Sts., be at the concert: ZOMES release show with Rod Hamilton. Celebrate the release of Time Was (Thrill Jockey 2013)! These are the first recordings of Zomes as a duo - an open and natural collaboration between Asa Osborne of Baltimore and Swedish vocalist Hanna. The result is a stunningly beautiful, intricate interplay of Asa's electronic textures with Hanna's emotive improvisations. Also enjoy the hypnotic mallet percussionist Rod Hamilton. Tickets are $5 to $10 on a sliding scale.



65] – The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee, Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee of Homewood and Stony Run Meetings and Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility are continuing the FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS DVD SERIES. There is no charge, and refreshments will be available. Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.



The series theme is WHY CAN’T WE GET ALONG? On Fri., May 3, see RACHEL: AN AMERICAN CONSCIENCE [Palestine, 2005]. Yahya Barakat began work on the documentary the instant he learned that Rachel Corrie had been crushed to death by an Israeli-driven Caterpillar bulldozer. This documentary offers rare footage of Rachel talking to a camera and describing Israeli human rights violations against a Palestinian civilian population. The film opens with grim images of dinosaur-like Caterpillar bulldozers turning urban Rafah into a garbage pile of destroyed buildings. It continues with interviews of Rachel’s fellow International Solidarity Movement volunteers, and concludes with comments from her parents.



66] – 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.







67] – Critical Exposure, a social justice education organization that teaches youth to use photography as a tool for social change, is now hiring for 4 AmeriCorps VISTA members to join the team in Washington, D.C. for a year beginning August 2013. Please see full job description for details and contact hiring@criticalexposure.org with resume and cover letter.



VISTA members working with Critical Exposure will have the opportunity to take on significant responsibility and will be an integral part of helping to support and strengthen the organization's growth and operations. VISTAs will be encouraged to take initiative on projects addressing areas of need that they identify and will have the opportunity to work closely with Critical Exposure's four permanent staff members.



The position provides a stipend of $15,840, as well as an education award or a post-service stipend upon completion of service. The position is a year-long, full-time commitment with a strongly encouraged, although not guaranteed, second year extension opportunity. Email hiring@criticalexposure.org or call 202-745-3745 x20. Submit your application through the AmeriCorps*VISTA online process: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do or submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@criticalexposure.org.

68] – David Swanson’s latest book is When the World Outlawed War. Go to http://davidswanson.org/outlawry This is an account of how people in the United States and around the world worked to abolish war as a legitimate act of state policy and won in 1928, outlawing war with a treaty that is still on the books. Swanson's account of the successful work of those who came before us to insist that war be outlawed points us toward new ways of thinking about both war and political activism.

Buy the paperback at your local independent bookstore, which can order it through Ingram. (The list price is $15.) Or you can get 10 copies for $60, or 50 copies for $200, or more (all with free shipping) here. http://davidswanson.org/outlawrybulk. Donate free books to nonprofit educational groups at http://davidswanson.org/outlawrygive.

Buy the iPad/iPhone version at the iBookstore. Get any of these versions for $2 here: Kindle: http://davidswanson.org/outlawry, Epub: http://davidswanson.org/outlawry, PDF: http://davidswanson.org/outlawry, and Audio book (mp3), read by the author: http://davidswanson.org/outlawry.

69] – 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.



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



71] – 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.



72] – 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.



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



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



75] – 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.



76] – 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.

77] – 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.

78] – 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/.

79] – 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