Friday, June 7, 2013

Baltimore Activist Alert - June 7 & 8, 2013

Baltimore Activist Alert June 6 – June 13, 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] Homage to Harriet – through June 23

6] Tour de Peace – through July 3

7] BUILD's 35 Years of Organizing -- through Aug. 31

8] Created Equal exhibit – through Aug. 31

9] Wildlife Rescue exhibit – through Sept. 2

10] Support striking Wal-Mart workers – June 7

11] See film DIRTY WARS – June 7, 8 & 9

12] D.C. Demonstration for the Gitmo Hunger Strikers – June 7

13] Justice for Palestine/Israel vigil – June 7

14] "Global Nuclear Security in Times of Rapid Technology Change" – June 7

15] Silent peace vigil – June 7

16] Film TRADING PLACES – June 7

17] "Time for ’Occupied Palestine’" Lecture – June 7

18] Film HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE – June 7

19] Fundraiser for St. John’s Church Community Space – June 7

20] Ending the Sin and Crime of Torture – June 7

21] Ballroom dancing – June 7

22] One Million Bones – June 8-11

23] Gaza Solidarity 5K – June 8

24] Breakfast with the

Elephants – June 8

25] Genocide in Guatemala – June 8

26] Protest killer drones – June 8

27] Olney Peace vigil – June 8

28] Protest killer drones – June 8

29] West Chester, PA demo – June 8

30] Silent vigil at Capitol – June 8

31] Protest killer drones – June 8





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] – Homage to Harriet, works about and inspired by the life and legacy of Maryland-born abolitionist Harriet Tubman, continues through June 23 at Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt St. Call 443-263-1800. Go to http://www.africanamericanculture.org/.



6] – From Thurs., Apr. 4 through Wed., July 3 follow the Tour de Peace across the country. Visit http://cindysheehanssoapbox.blogspot.com/p/tour-de-peace-road-less-taken.html.



7] – The Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., hosts an exhibit Learning, Listening, Leading: BUILD's 35 Years of Organizing in Baltimore City, which documents the achievements of BUILD, featuring the leaders who made these changes possible, through Sat., Aug. 31. Call 410-396-5430. Go to http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/central.



8] – Created Equal, an exhibit celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, and the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, is on display through Aug. 31 at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Library, 400 Cathedral St. Call 410- 396-5430 or go to http://www.prattlibrary.org/locations/central.



9] – Wildlife Rescue is a new Maryland Science Center's travelling exhibit. It allows for experiment and exploration of the science of how we can save Earth's ecosystems. Visitors to the exhibit will be introduced to the rescue efforts used by experts, have a chance to experiment with puppets and costumes, and learn survival. The exhibit at the Science Center, 601 Light St., will continue through September 2. Call 410-685-5225 or go to http://www.mdsci.org.

10] – Show your support for striking Wal-Mart workers on Fri., June 7 at 11 AM at UFCW Local 400, 4301 Garden City Dr., Landover 20785. It’s a huge week for the Wal-Mart campaign. After an inspiring send off event last week, striking workers from this area, joined by hundreds more from around the country, descended on Bentonville, AR for a week of action demanding an end to the retaliation Wal-Mart workers have been facing for organizing for respect. RSVP at http://corporateactionnetwork.org/campaigns/june-7th-associate-appreciation-day/events/walmart-associate-appreciation-day-in-the-dmv. To suggest a store contact, email organizer@respectdc.org.

11] – The film "Dirty Wars" is in D.C. from Fri., June 7 through Sun., June 9. The new film featuring Jeremy Scahill can be seen each day at noon, 2:30, 5, 7:30 and 9:55 PM at Landmark's E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW, WDC. Call 202-783-9494. Go to http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/WashingtonDC/EStreetCinema.htm.



Following the first three showings on June 7, Amnesty International's Jiva Manske will lead a discussion of the film and of activism that can address some of what the film covers. After the 7:30 PM showing, *Code Pink* will lead a discussion. After the 2:30 PM screening on June 8, RootsAction's David Swanson and Yemeni-American activist Rooj Alwazir will lead a discussion, in particular, of an imprisoned journalist whose story is told.



Following the 5 and 7:30 PM screenings on June 8, Jeremy Scahill will take questions. Following the 2:30 and 5 PM showings on June 9, Afghan War whistleblower Matthew Hoh will lead the discussion of the film.



Jeremy Scahill, author of *Dirty Wars: The World Is a Battlefield* and star of the film, Rooj Alwazir, Yemeni-American activist and co-founder of SupportYemen media collective, and a former operative with the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, will speak from 5 to 7 PM on Sat., June 8 at Busboys and Poets, at 5th and K Sts. NW, WDC. Books will be sold and signed.



12] – 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. However, on June 7, as the hunger strike continues into 120 days, the vigil will Support Guantanamo Hunger Strikers--Close Guantanamo & End Indefinite Detention. The men detained at the U.S. prison in Guantánamo are engaged in a large-scale hunger strike, which began in early February. The vast majority of the 166 prisoners have been held for more than 11 years without any charge or fair trial, with no end to their detention in sight. Demand that President Obama use his authority to close Guantánamo! See www.witnesstorture.org. Contact Art Laffin: artlaffin@hotmail.com.



13] – 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/.



14] –On Fri., June 7 from noon to 1:30 PM, Terry Wallace, Los Alamos National Laboratory, will tackle "Global Nuclear Security in Times of Rapid Technology Change" at the Wilson Center, Fifth Floor, Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at iss@wilsoncenter.org.



15] – There is a silent peace vigil on Fri., June 7 from 5 to 6 PM outside the Cathedral of the Incarnation, University Parkway and St. Paul St. Placards say: "War Is Not the Answer." The vigil is sponsored by Homewood Friends and Stony Run Meetings, and was recently moved because of the construction on Charles St. Afterwards enjoy a First Friday potluck at Homewood Friends meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St., followed by a viewing and discussion of TRADING PLACES.



16] – 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., June 7 at 7 PM, see TRADING PLACES [USA, 1983], a satire directed by John Landis and written by Timothy Harris and Herschel Weingrod. The film tells the story of an upper class commodities broker (Dan Aykroyd) and a homeless street hustler (Eddie Murphy) whose lives cross paths when they are unknowingly made part of an elaborate test of nature vs. nurture by the wealthy Duke brothers, Randolph (Ralph Bellamy) and Mortimer (Don Ameche). The film also stars Denholm Elliott and Jamie Lee Curtis. The storyline is often called a modern take on Mark Twain's classic 19th century novel “The Prince and the Pauper.”



17] – The "Time for ’Occupied Palestine’" Lecture is on Fri., June 7 from 6:30 to 8 PM at 2425 Virginia Ave. NW. No other documentary about the Palestinian–Israeli conflict makes the point that understanding the Zionist settlement and occupation of Palestine, and the Palestinian resistance is impoverished unless it includes for consideration the relationship between the development and implementation of Zionism and the conditions of Palestinian underdevelopment within the modern capitalist epoch. A light meal will be served. Attendance is free and open to the public. RSVP at info@thejerusalemfund.org.



18] – On Fri., June 7 at 7 PM, see HOW TO SURVIVE A PLAGUE, as part of the Peace Center of Delaware County First-Friday Large Screen Free Film Series, 1001 Old Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064. The doors open at 6:30 PM for light refreshments. Call 610-544-1818 or go to www.delcopeacecenter.org.



The film, a 2013 Oscar Nominee for "Best Documentary," is the story of two coalitions — ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) — whose unique activism and innovative organizing turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition. Despite having no scientific training, these self-made activists infiltrated the pharmaceutical industry and helped identify promising new drugs, moving them from experimental trials to patients in record time. Featuring a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival footage from the 1980s and '90s, filmmaker David France puts the viewer smack in the middle of the controversial actions and street demonstrations, the heated meetings, the heartbreaking failures, and the exultant breakthroughs for justice and real change to save lives.



19] – Baltimore Circus is doing a fundraiser for St. John’s Church Community Space. The fundraiser will feature all of your favorite circus acts on Fri., June 7 from 7 to 11 PM at 2640 Space, 2640 St. Paul St. Call 443-831.8189. Go to http://www.redemmas.org/2640. There is a request for a $10 donation.



20] – On Fri., June 7 at 7:30 PM, join with the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, 503 Rock Creek Church Road NW, WDC 20010, for its monthly clarification of thought process. This month the topic is Ending the Sin and Crime of Torture, and it will be addressed by Gertrudis Oben, a brave woman who stood up for democracy in Equatorial Guinea which is ruled by a "president" dictator, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. For her nonviolent participation in the opposition, Gertrude was arrested on three occasions between 2008 - 2011, brutally beaten and finally fled the country with her daughter for a chance to live freely in the US. As a member of The Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC), she will share her experiences. She is accompanied by her three-year old daughter.



The mission of TASSC, the only organization founded by and for torture survivors, is to end the practice of torture wherever it occurs and to empower survivors, their families and communities wherever they are. Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker at 202-882-9649 or visit www.DCcatholicworker.wordpress.com.



21] – 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 June 7. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.



22] – One Million Bones seeks to raise awareness of ongoing genocide and humanitarian crises in areas such as Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Burma through the creation of one million handmade human bones. Over the past three years, these bones have been fabricated using a variety of materials, such as clay, paper, plaster, by students, educators, and activists across the country, and will be part of a large-scale installation event on the National Mall. The bones symbolize the lives lost to past and present conflicts, those still fighting to survive them and also, more hopefully, our shared humanity and responsibility towards one another. In this spirit, each bone made generates a $1 donation from the Bezos Family Foundation, up to $500,000, towards CARE’s relief work on the ground in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia. The event will be held for three days – Sat., June 8 through Tues., June 10.



In progress at this time and culminating on June 8 and 9 on the National Mall and June 10 in the halls of Congress, the global arts-based project "ONE MILLION BONES" - with its strong appeal to young people, and hence value to their educators and mentors - invites you, along with your congregations, schools, communities, and others, to look into this project and get involved. Local artists of all ages are invited to create bones up through the end of May.



"On June 8, 2013, one million handmade bones crafted by students, artists, and activists from around the world will be laid on the National Mall in Washington, DC. A striking symbol of our common humanity, these bones were made to honor those lost to genocide and mass atrocities, and those still fighting to survive them in Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burma, and Somalia. Each bone represents a call to action, a story, a voice.



"This installation will serve as a collaborative site of conscience to remember victims and survivors, and as a visible petition to raise awareness of the issue and call upon our government to take much needed and long overdue action.



"At One Million Bones we are committed to leveraging the power of art to inspire activism. As artists and activists ourselves, we feel the most powerful thing we can do to effect change is to use art as a means of introducing people to the issue and offering actions related to it. People of all ages and from all nations are invited to participate in this project.” The lead local coordinator is Kate O'Hare, who is at . Go to http://www.onemillionbones.org/.



23] – Get it on at the Gaza Solidarity 5K on Sat., June 8 at 8 AM at Rock Creek Park, 5200 Glover Road NW. This will be a morning of running, walking, food, fun and community in support of the children of Gaza! The blockade on Gaza has entered its sixth year with no end in sight, and a recent UN report predicts that, if trends continue, Gaza will be unlivable by 2020. The children of Gaza need support now more than ever. Contact Sarah Lisenbe at 202-223-3767 or sarah@friendsunrwa.org.



24] – Get over to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Drive, to Breakfast with the

Elephants at the Elephant Overlook on Sat., June 8 from 8:30 to 10:30 AM. A same day entry to the park is included with ticket price. Children under two are free, but still require a ticket. Call 410-366-7102. Go to http://www.marylandzoo.org.

25] – On Sat., June 8 at 9 AM, the Guatemalan Human Rights Commission (GHRC) will commemorate all those lost in Guatemala's genocide. Participate in a ceremony to place one million bones made from different materials on the National Mall to raise awareness about genocide committed throughout the world. Meet up with GHRC at the Archives Metro Station at 9 AM. Wear white, or a white top and neutral colored bottom.



26] – On Sat., June 8 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, PROTEST US KILLER DRONES at CIA Headquarters, 900 block of Dolley Madison Blvd., Langley, VA. As of January 2013, the United Nations has launched a special investigation into the US killer drone program. Leading the UN investigation is Ben Emmerson, the UN rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights. He said "The exponential rise in the use of drone technology in a variety of military and non-military contexts represents a real challenge to the framework of established international law." The US Military & Central Intelligence Agency drones have maimed & killed thousands in Yemen, Somalia, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, & Pakistan without charge, trial or conviction of crime. This year alone there have been over 362 + strikes in Pakistan. The Bureau of Investigative Journalism reports on estimates up to 3461 people killed and 891 injured in Pakistan, in Yemen 1112 killed and 178 injured in these two countries alone by CIA drone strikes. US killer drone strikes are illegal, immoral, and must stop now! The vigil is supported by Pax Christi Metro D.C. and others.



27] – 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 June 8. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167.



28] – “Those who understand the past control the future.” Baltimore Steel, A history of industrial struggle – past, present and future is a presentation by Bill Barry, director of Labor Studies, Community College of Baltimore County (retired), taking place on Sat., June 8 at 11 AM at the Govans Branch, Pratt Library, 5714 Bellona Ave., Baltimore 21212. Barry will present a history of steel making and union struggles in Baltimore and discuss where working class struggles go from here. This is a free program presented by the Marxist Labor Forum. Light refreshments will be served. Contact Les at 410-661-3088.



29] – 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.



30] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., June 8. 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.

31] – On Sat., June 7 from noon until 1 PM, there is a monthly anti-drone/anti-war protest (1st Saturday of the month)--Philadelphia Silent Death Walk. Gather at 12th & Market Sts., Center City Philadelphia. Wear BLACK, and signs and white masks are provided. RSVP Marge Van Cleef at 267-763-1644.

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

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