Baltimore Activist Alert - Oct. 12, 2013

53] Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign – Oct. 12 54] See films on worker-owned cooperatives – Oct. 12 55] Demand the World Bank stop funding dirty energy projects – Oct. 12 56] Olney Peace vigil – Oct. 12 57] West Chester, PA demo – Oct. 12 58] Silent vigil at Capitol – Oct. 12 59] Keep Space for Peace Week protest – Oct. 12 60] Indigenous Resistance Solidarity Bike Ride – Oct. 12 61] Plowshare Peace Center Celebration – Oct. 12 62] Fundraiser for the homeless – Oct. 12 63] IPS memorial for Saul Landau – Oct. 12 64] Welcome founder of Bikes for Peace -- Oct. 12 65] Open the Cages needs a home 66] Apply for a radio station license 67] Support Pvt. Manning 68] Max is seeking a place to live 69] Support the Transform Now Plowshares 70] Support Red Emma’s in its move 71] Sign up with Washington Peace Center 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 or file cabinets? 76] Join Global Zero campaign 77] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale 78] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil ------ 53] – On Sat., Oct. 12, the Maryland Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign continues to grow. The first statewide action will take place on Sat., Oct. 12 at 10 AM at the Creative Alliance Theater, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore 21224. Rehearse a bit of street theater and celebrate; after which march to the Canton offices of CareFirst in the 1st Mariner Tower on Clinton Street and perform the skit. Email info@mdsinglepayer.org. 54] – “Worker-Owned Cooperatives Create Jobs” is up on Sat., Oct. 12 from 10:30 AM to noon at Old Greenbelt P&G Theater, 129 Centerway, Greenbelt. In this event two videos will be shown: “Democracy in the Workplace” and “How the Worker-owners of Union Cab Govern Themselves.” Then discuss the issue. Email jim.johnson@dawn.coop. There is no charge. 55] – Join International Rivers to demand the World Bank stop funding dirty energy projects and invest in clean local energy for all. Activists from around the world will gather in Edward R. Murrow Park, H & 12th Sts. NW to protest on Sat., Oct. 12 at 11:30 AM during the Bank’s 2013 annual meeting. After several hundred billion dollars have been spent on development aid for energy projects, 1.3 billion people remain without access to electricity. They live in a state of permanent power outage that affects their health, education and livelihoods. The World Bank and other financiers are continuing to channel precious energy dollars towards large fossil fuel and hydropower plants. Such projects have displaced millions of people, destroyed ecosystems, and fueled climate change. Energy conservation, efficiency improvements and decentralized renewable energy reduce energy poverty, protect the environment, and strengthen climate resilience. The Power for People campaign calls on the World Bank and other funders to invest in clean local energy for all. Go to http://www.internationalrivers.org/resources/power-4-people-call-for-action-8094. 56] – 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 Sept. 28. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167. 57] – 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. 58] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., Oct. 12. 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. 59] – On Sat., Oct. 12 at noon, Keep Space for Peace Week demonstration at Lockheed Martin, 230 Mall Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA (Mall & Goddard Boulevards, behind the King of Prussia Mall in Montgomery County). WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN...that Lockheed Martin is Making A Killing as world's #1 war profiteer, nuclear weapons contractor, space weapons and drone war technology producer. Chilly rain is still in the forecast, so bring an umbrella and dress accordingly! Speak out, Stand up...Peace in Space, Peace on Earth. 60] – A Day of Indigenous Resistance Solidarity Bike Ride takes place on Sat., Oct. 12 from noon on Mon., Oct. 14 at noon. Join CISPES in fundraising and awareness raising on Columbus Day/Day of Indigenous Resistance in their 180 mile bike tour. Email lisa@cispes.org or call 202.521.2510 Ext. 204. 61] – Get over to the Plowshare Peace Center Celebration on Sat., Oct. 12 from 1 to 5 PM at the Peace Center Office, 1719 Grandin Rd., 214 Summit Way Roanoke, VA 24014. It's the Peace Center's annual open house/party. Enjoy a potluck (just light refreshments, please), music, and the Plowshare Peacemaker of the Year Award. It's also a chance to meet the director, steering committee and other Plowshare supporters. Contact Gary Sandman at 540-989-0393 or plowshare@plowshareva.org. 62] – The Holiday House is hosting a fundraiser that will benefit men experiencing homelessness, many of them U.S. Veterans, who live at The Baltimore Station, a residential community that offers help to those with addictions. People who attend the event can enjoy a variety of music performances, like acoustic rock, big band swing, rock and roll, heavy metal, acoustic roots and blues from local bands, Bernie Farace, In a Bad Way, Blue Collar Band, Torque, and Dawg Dayze. Besides listening to some great music, guests can also enjoy food and drinks, a classic car and hot rod show, and a raffle. The fundraiser is happening on Sat., Oct. 12 at 3 PM at Holiday House, 6427 Harford Road. Call 410-426-6794. Go to http://www.baltimorestation.org. A donation is requested at the door. 63] – Catch the IPS memorial for filmmaker and author Saul Landau on Sat., Oct, 12 at 6 PM at the Liaison Hotel, 415 New Jersey Ave. Thoughts, comments, and memories of Saul are welcome on the IPS tribute page. Saul was an IPS Fellow from 1972 until his death from cancer at age 77 on Sept. 9. This event will be part of an Ideas into Action Festival and other events to mark the Institute’s 50th anniversary. The Institute for Policy Studies invites you to IPS's 50th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion highlighting bold and progressive social movements over the last 5 decades. From Oct. 11 to Oct. 13, 2013, envision a plan for the future. The celebration will culminate with an interactive gala at the historic Union Station in the East Hall, 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE on Sunday evening with over 600 people, including notable progressives from major social movements in the past 50 years and rising young public scholars and activists of today. Email Rachel Queirolo, IPS Development Associate, at rachel@ips-dc.org or call 202-787-5237. 64] – Please Join the Hiroshima Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area for a potluck supper to welcome Tore Naerland, founder of Bikes for Peace. Tore is in town to prepare for a "Bike for Peace Around the World in 90 Days," scheduled for next Spring. A warm Washington, D.C. welcome will take place Sat., Oct. 12 at 6:30 PM at [CONTACT JOHN DIRECTLY FOR LOCATION DETAILS], Washington, DC 20019. Bring a simple dish to pass. Bike for Peace has been [working] for peace, disarmament and democracy on the planet for over 30 years. Since 1978 Bike for Peace has organized peace and friendship rides in more than 104 countries. Tore and Bikes for Peace have inspired many in the struggle for nuclear disarmament, justice and peace. Contact John Steinbach at 703-822-3485 or johnsteinbach at verizon. net. 65] – Open the Cages is seeking a new home for the Vegan Living Program in Baltimore, an affordable venue in downtown/midtown Baltimore for the Spring 2014 program and related events. The venue would be suitable to seat up to 100 people and for cooking and serving food. If you have any tips, email info@openthecages.org. Visit www.meetup.com/supportingvegans. 66] – This October, you’ll have a chance to apply for a license to launch your very own community radio station! The Federal Communications Commission will accept applications from Oct. 15–29, 2013. Free Press and the Prometheus Radio Project have created a handy how-to guide that walks you through the process of applying for a license and starting a station. So don’t delay ... download a guide today! It takes years to build a community radio station, but you can get your application together in a matter of weeks. And time is on your side: If the FCC grants you a license, you’ll have years to put your awesome radio station together. Go to www.freepress.net. 67] – As part of Pvt. Manning's application to Convening Authority Major General Buchanan for leniency, we are collecting letters from professors, law experts, human rights advocates, politicians, artists, veterans, and concerned citizens. Please help us collect well-written letters to include. The letters should be one-page long and submitted by November 1. You can find the full list of guidelines on our website: http://www.bradleymanning.org/featured/write-a-letter-supporting-pvt-mannings-request-for-clemency. 68] – 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. 69] – You can support the Transform Now Plowshares resisters by writing the judge and the prisoners. Greg Boertje-Obed, Michael Walli and Megan Rice are currently in the Irwin County Detention Facility in Ocilla, GA, awaiting their sentencing on January 28, 2014. The three were found guilty by a jury in Tennessee in May on two counts. Judge Amul Thapar revoked their pre-trial release saying they were technically guilty of a crime of violence and must be held. Here are the addresses: Gregory Boertje-Obed 22090 Irwin County Detention Center 132 Cotton Drive, Ocilla, GA 31774 ***Michael Walli 4444, Irwin County Detention Center, 132 Cotton Drive, Ocilla, GA 31774. Megan Rice 22100, Irwin County Detention Center, 132 Cotton Drive, Ocilla, GA 31774. You must make sure to include your entire return address on the outside of the envelope. No staples or paperclips can be included in your mail; no oversized envelopes. Magazines and books must be sent directly from the publisher or bookstore/Amazon. Photocopies of brief articles are likely to be permitted (based on our past experience). If you include inappropriate material or fail to comply with these rules, your mail will not get through—it will be returned to you. The second thing you can do is send a letter to Judge Thapar. We have suggested guidelines for your letter, and we are asking people to send their letter to Bill Quigley, lawyer for Mike Walli (address below), so they can be collected and delivered to the judge. If you want to send a copy of your letter to us, that would be great—our address is also below. Invite Judge Thapar to think about sentencing in light of the fact that this was an act of nonviolent civil disobedience intended to awaken the conscience of the nation, and no evidence was presented that it was an act of terrorism meant to harm anyone. You could write that you share the court's concern that Congress would write a law that wouldn’t allow a judge to distinguish between peace activists and terrorists, and are disturbed that the government defines the crime they stand convicted of as a violent "crime of terrorism.” As testimony of the defendants showed during trial, they carried out their action in a spirit of nonviolence and hope. Without making it the focus of the letter, you could mention that the action was carried out with the clear understanding of the illegality and immorality of nuclear weapons, and intent to uphold higher laws. Encourage him to consider downward departures from the high guidelines for the charges, and to use his discretion at sentencing to bring more justice into the situation by recognizing that the defendants are NOT violent terrorists as the government has implied through its interpretation of the crime; and remind him of the intentions of the three nonviolent activists: to follow the words of the prophet Isaiah to beat swords into plowshares, and build a safer and more secure world for all. Our purpose with these letters is not to reargue the case, nor is it to condemn nuclear weapons production—the judge is not engaging those issues at this time. Our purpose is to address the legal system’s distortion of the nonviolent action of the TNP resisters and to provide support to the judge for a sentencing decision that takes into account the nature of their action and their nonviolent behavior throughout their action. Letters should be sent to US District Judge Amul R Thapar, c/o Professor Bill Quigley, Loyola Law Clinic and Center for Social Justice, 7214 St. Charles Ave., Campus Box 902, New Orleans, LA 70118. If you care to send a copy to OREPA that would also be appreciated--orep@earthlink.net or OREPA, PO Box 5743, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. 70] – Red Emma's has closed the location at 800 St. Paul St., and is 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, provide skilled help, and share these needs. Email john@redemmas.org or go to http://indiegogo.com/redemmas2. 71] – The Washington Peace Center has a progressive calendar & activist alert! Consider signing up to receive its weekly email: info@washingtonpeacecenter.org. 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. 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? Can you use any file cabinets? 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] – 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] – 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