Baltimore Activist Alert - Sept. 7-9, 2013

22] Slutwalk Baltimore marches – Sept. 7 23] Promote vegan lifestyle – Sept. 7 24] Support the Little Friends for Peace – Sept. 7 25] Baltimore Ethical Society program – Sept. 8 26] Peace and Pancakes – Sept. 8 27] No War with Syria Rally –Sept. 8 28] Celebrating the Spirit of Vatican II – Sept. 8 29] 9/11 Unity Walk – Sept. 8 30] Film "Roadmap to Apartheid" – Sept. 8 31] Sobriety, Violence and Injustice – Sept. 8 32] Al Hannouneh Society for Popular Culture – Sept. 8 33] Film "Roadmap to Apartheid" – Sept. 8 34] Pentagon Vigil – Sept. 9 35] Immigration Reform! – Sept. 9 through Oct. 18 36] PEACE INSURRECTION – Sept. 9 through ?? 37] Lobby Congress to vote no on attacking Syria – Sept. 9 38] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Sept. 9 – Sept. 13 39] NO WAR ON SYRIA – HANDS OFF SYRIA – Sept. 9 40] End Gun Violence – Sept. 9 41] Film "One Day on Earth" – Sept. 9 42] Pledge of Resistance/Fund Our Communities meeting – Sept. 9 22] – There is an International Day of Action. Slutwalk Baltimore and Baltimore United Against Sexual Violence’s A Walk to End Shame 2013 is going to happen on Sat., Sept. 7 at 10 AM at Power Plant Live, Market Place and Water St. Do I really want it, Robin Thicke? From Congress' rulings to pretty much any rap song ever, it's clear that slut shaming and victim blaming is still very present in American culture. That's why Slutwalk Baltimore and Baltimore United Against Sexual Violence have decided to take a stand, uniting with international organizations from Munich, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Belleville (Ontario, Canada), as well as Tucson and Chicago for a rally to bring attention to these issues, as well as the way we think about sexuality. The Slutwalk will take place from Power Plant Live to City Hall, followed by the rally at the War Memorial. Call 410-727-5483. See http://www.powerplantlive.com/. 23] – On Sat., Sept. 7 from noon to 1 PM, do outreach at the Waterfront Festival, Middle Branch Park, 3301 Waterview Ave., Baltimore 21230. Sadly, “fishing and crabbing” are being billed as family-friendly activities at this event, and the festival slogan endorses a “fishable 2020.” If you would like to join in with engaging folks in conversations about vegan lifestyles, call 443- 478-3074 or email info@openthecages.org. See http://www.eventbrite.com/event/8053745971?ref=ebtn. 24] – Support the Little Friends for Peace [Little_Friends_for_Peace@mail.vresp.com] on Sat., Sept. 7 from 8 to 11 PM on a cruise leaving from Old Town, Alexandria. RSVP at https://lffpcruisinthepotomac.eventbrite.com. Go to www.lffp.org. 25] – 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 noon. On Sun., Sept. 8 the platform address is “The Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence” with Angeles Evans, community educator, TurnAround, Inc. The first platform address of the fall season will cover the various forms of abuse involved in intimate partner violence. She will offer quizzes that create conversations about intimate partner violence and highlight some stereotypes, challenges, or barriers to helping victims of violence. Her presentation will end with some brainstorming as to how to mobilize as a community to respond to and/or better serve families and victims of intimate partner violence. Angeles Evans holds a Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) from Morgan State University. She currently works as Community Educator at TurnAround, Inc, an agency that serves sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking victims with its broader mission being to free Baltimore City and County from all forms of abuse. Go to http://bmorethical.org/ or Twitter: @bmorethical or Facebook: http://fb.com/bmorethical/or email ask@bmorethical.org. 26] – 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. 27] – Gather at the No War with Syria Rally on Sun., Sept. 8 at 11 AM at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. This is a part of a national day of action to resist military strikes in Syria the day before Congress returns from recess on Monday. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/563464440373777/. 28] – On Sun., Sept. 8 from 12:30 to 6 PM, be at the Open Windows Festival: Celebrating the Spirit of Vatican II. Spend an afternoon at the Retreat and Conference Center at Bon Secours, 1525 Marriotsville Road, Marriotsville 21104, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. The event will host two speakers celebrating the spirit of Vatican II fifty years later. Video interviews of those who were present or directly affected by the Vatican II will be shown as well as a chance for book signing. The day will conclude with a Eucharistic Liturgy led by Fr. Ray East of the Archdiocese of Washington. The option of lunch is available at an additional cost of $10. Reservations must be made in advance. Be guided Sr. Simone Campbell and Dr. Massimo Faggioli. The cost is $25, and $35 for the lunch option. You must register for lunch in advance at 410-442-1320. Go to www.openwindowsfestival.com. 29] – On Sun., Sept. 8 from 1 to 5 PM, be a part of the 9/11 Unity Walk – Honoring Nelsen Mandela. Began with talks at the Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb St. NW, WDC 20016. Then visit houses of worship, before ending at the Sikh Gurdwara. There enjoy a traditional meal. There will be a stop at the Gandhi Memorial. Also hear music and poetry. Charitable activities include a shoe drive, the bagging of fresh produce, and assembling trail mix to send to the homeless. Make cards for Nelson Mandela. FOR THE SHOE DRIVE PLEASE BRING NEW OR GENTLY USED SHOES FOR ALL AGES. RSVP at http://911unitywalk2013.eventbrite.com/. 30] – On Sun., Sept. 8 at 2 PM, the Committee for Palestinian Rights (CPR) is again sponsoring a showing of the documentary film "Roadmap to Apartheid" at the East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045. The film, narrated by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, "puts archival footage and interviews with South Africans alongside similar material that shows what life is like for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and inside Israel." The co-directors are South African-born Ana Nogueira and Israeli-born Eron Davidson. Following the film showing, Laila El-Haddad (author, talented blogger, political analyst, and social activist) will lead the discussion. ‘Roadmap to Apartheid” – The Committee for Palestinian Rights, Howard County, is again sponsoring a showing of the award-winning documentary film “Roadmap to Apartheid” on Sunday, September 8, 2:00 p.m., at the East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045. The film, narrated by Pulitzer prize-winning author Alice Walker, explores parallels between apartheid in South Africa and the current situation for Palestinians in Israel. A discussion is to follow. The showing is free and open to the public. For more information, email CPR_Maryland@yahoo.com. 31] – Sobriety, Violence and Injustice: The tension of abstinence-focused drug policy in Quaker values will be explored on Sun., Sept. 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at William Penn House, 515 East Capitol St. SE. The presentation will explore how US drug laws create and sustain violence, are enforced in racially unjust ways and how the primary objective both historically and contemporarily is to maintain white privilege. In addition, the discussion will examine how the Quaker community has supported, either directly or through silence, the anti-narcotics laws and policies of the U.S. government and the United Nations. There will then be a discussion on how the Quaker community can develop a better understanding and response to drug policy, addiction, and racial injustice. Email info@williampennhouse.org. 32] – On Sun., Sept. 8 from 6:30 to 8 PM, the Jerusalem Center presents Al Hannouneh Society for Popular Culture - a performance of music, dance, and storytelling by one of the most highly acclaimed Palestinian folkloric societies in the Arab world. Specializing in dramatic choreography, music and dabke dance, Al Hannouneh seeks to preserve Palestinian culture and identity through artistic expression. 33] – On Sun., Sept. 8 join Healthcare-Now Maryland in a showing of the documentary "The Healthcare Movie." The filmmakers will be at the showing which will take place at 2640 St. Paul at 6:30 PM. This hour-long documentary, narrated by Kiefer Sutherland, provides the real story of how the health care systems in Canada and the United States evolved to be so completely different, when at one point they were essentially the same. Most Americans are not aware of the intensity of the political struggle that led to the universal healthcare system in Canada. Nor are they aware of the public relations campaigns begun in the early 1900’s and still active today to scare the American public away from supporting national health care. After the movie, both the filmmakers and members of Healthcare Now! Maryland will discuss the ongoing work to achieve a truly universal healthcare system in Maryland with everybody in, nobody out. 802,000 Marylanders have no health insurance (census bureau). When the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented over 400,000 Marylanders will still be uninsured. Tens of thousands more will be under-insured. Despite the Massachusetts' health reform, the rate of medical bankruptcy, the leading type of bankruptcy, will not diminish. Healthcare is a Human Right – Maryland is building a grassroots movement across the state. Go to www.mdsinglepayer.org or email HealthcareisaHumanRightMD@gmail.com. 34] – There is a weekly Pentagon Peace Vigil from 7 to 8 AM on Mondays, since 1987, outside the Pentagon Metro stop. The next vigil is Mon., Sept. 9, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Email artlaffin@hotmail.com or call 202-882-9649. 35] – From Mon., Sept. 9 through Oct. 18, take part in the 40 days of prayer, fasting and advocacy for Immigration Reform! The Interfaith Immigration Coalition and Conference of Major Superiors of Men invite you to participate. Sign up at http://www.fastaction.us. 36] – Code Pink is hosting a PEACE INSURRECTION. This will be an encampment on the Hill to say NO to War on Syria till the vote goes through sometime next week. This is a 24/7 encampment to draft a People's Resolution as an alternative to war, to visit elected representatives every single day, to paint and chalk and to create visuals, to build a dialogue booth for folks to talk about long-lasting solutions to this impending invasion, and to do anything YOU want to do. Bring your chairs, sleeping bags, pots and pans, art supplies, spirit and positive energy! Camp Peace Insurrection takes place at the corner of Independence and New Jersey Aves., across from the Cannon Building. 37] – On Mon., Sept. 9 from 8 AM to 3 PM, Pax Christi, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Franciscan Action Network, and many other mainly faith based organizations will be conducting literature drops at Congressional offices and meeting with Congresspersons and their staff to try to convince them that “War Is Still Not the Answer.” Come to the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, 200 New York Ave. NW, WDC 20001 on Monday any time. Email cooker@pppnpf.com or call 202-832-1780. 38] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 AM on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community, or online at www.weaa.org. The call-in number is 410-319-8888, and comments can also be sent by email to steinershow@gmail.com. All shows are also available as podcasts at www.steinershow.org. 39] – Join a protest – NO WAR ON SYRIA – HANDS OFF SYRIA – on Mon., Sept. 9 at 10 AM. Then at noon march to Upper Senate Park, near the U.S. Capitol. Join with the Syrian American Forum and many other anti-war groups in front of the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. If you need transportation from Baltimore, call 443-221-3775. 40] – On Mon., Sept. 9 from 5 to 6 PM, join a protest to End Gun Violence! Join the Washington Chapter of Heeding God’s Call at their second and fourth Monday of the month vigil at REALCO Guns, 6108 Marlboro Pike, District Heights, MD 20747. This is an effort to convince the gun shop owner to sign the 10-Point Code for responsible gun dealers based on the one signed with Wal-Mart by Mayors against Illegal Guns. According to the Post, Realco Guns in District Heights sold 86 guns linked to homicides within the last twenty years with 300 guns sold there being linked to non-fatal shootings, as of 2010. In that article Major Andy Ellis of the Prince George’s (MD) Police Department is quoted as saying, “I can only imagine how much lower our violent-crime rate would be if Realco sold shoes instead of guns.” Go to http://www.heedinggodscall.org/. 41] – Beyond the Classroom presents "One Day on Earth" on Mon., Sept. 9 from 7 to 9 PM at 1102 South Campus Commons, Building 1, College Park. This award-winning documentary is subtitled “The World’s Time Capsule.” It is the first film made in every country of the world on the same day – October 10, 2010! There were 19,000 volunteer filmmakers assembled by a participatory social media experiment. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/361783123954359/. 42] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM, and the meetings take place at Max’s residence. There will be a meeting on Mon., Sept. 9. The proposed agenda will include preventing an attack on Syria, anti-drone activities, the next visit to the NSA, the trial of the CIA Six and other agenda items. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net for directions. 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