Baltimore Activist Alert - Nov. 21-22, 2013

18] Muslim- Christian Relations in the 21st Century – Nov. 21 19] "Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century" -- Nov. 21 20] Palestinians in Latin America – Nov. 21 21] Support Giant and Safeway workers – Nov. 21 22] "National Insecurity: The Cost of American Militarism" – Nov. 21 23] Discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – Nov. 21 24] Guide dog health – Nov. 21 25] Film Money & Life – Nov. 21 26] Bill Ayers presents “Public Enemy” – Nov. 21 27] Social Movements in an Age of Debt – Nov. 21 28] Protest Erik Prince – Nov. 22 29] SOA Watch Vigil – Nov. 22 - 24 30] Vigil To Save Guantanamo Hunger Strikers – Nov. 22 31] Justice in Palestine/Israel – Nov. 22 32] Protest pro-drone representative – Nov. 22 33] Silent peace vigil – Nov. 22 34] Lisa Sharon Harper will speak on “Shalom and the Fall” – Nov. 22 35] Film "A Place at the Table" – Nov. 22 36] Pray for Peace – Nov. 22 37] Ballroom dancing – Nov. 22 38] St. Augustine's "Confessions" – Nov. 22 ----- 18] – Muslim- Christian Relations in the 21st Century- Challenges and Opportunities is a conference taking place on Thurs., Nov. 21 from 9:30 AM to 5 PM at the Copley Formal Lounge, Copley Hall- Georgetown University. Join in an exploration and critical discussion of the contemporary challenges facing religious pluralism and Muslim-Christian relations. This conference commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (ACMCU). Founded in 1993, the Center has spent the last two decades building stronger bridges of understanding between the Muslim world and the West, as well as between Islam and Christianity. This program is free and open to the public. RSVP at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/acmcu-20th-anniversary-conference-muslim-christian-relations-in-the-21st-century-challenges-registration-8854631441. 19 ] – On Thurs., Nov. 21 from noon to 1 PM, hear Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (NE), Guy Roberts, NATO, Thomas Scheber, National Institute for Public Policy and Rebeccah Heinrichs, Heritage Foundation, discuss "Nuclear Weapons in the 21st Century" at the Heritage Foundation, Lehrman Auditorium, 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE, WDC. RSVP at http://www.heritage.org/events/2013/11/nuclear-weapons. 20] – Palestinians in Latin America: Between Assimilation and Long-distance Nationalism is the topic on Thurs., Nov. 21 from 12:30 to 2 PM at the Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW. Latin America hosts the largest Palestinian presence outside the Arab world. Emigration began at the end of the 19th century and reached its peak between 1900 and 1930. Latin Americans of Palestinian descent claim today to be more than half a million but little to nothing has been written about them and their relation with Palestine. Cecilia Baeza will shed light on the unexplored story of this other "Palestinian diaspora." See http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/43112/pid/187. 21] – Join UFCW Local 400 on Thurs., Nov. 21 in supporting supermarket workers who are in the forefront of those who are paid less to work more from one generation to the next. The Giant and Safeway workers have voted to strike, if necessary, in behalf of a strong contract. Be at the grand opening at 5:30 PM of the O Street Market Giant at 8th and O Sts. NW, WDC. Go to http://www.ufcw400.org/. 22] – Mel Goodman will detail the full drag the Pentagon has on the Nation in a talk "National Insecurity: The Cost of American Militarism" on Thurs., Nov. 21 at 7 PM at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center (The Meeting House), 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, 21045. Call Ray Donaldson at 301-776-0208. Goodman, director of the National Security Project at the Center for International Policy in Washington, D.C. and a Soviet analyst at the CIA and the Department of State for 24 years, brings peerless authority to his argument that U.S. military spending is indeed making Americans poorer and less secure, while undermining our political standing in the world. The co-sponsors are “Fund Our Communities, Not the Pentagon”, Howard County Peace Action, Howard County Friends of Latin America, Maryland United for Peace and Justice and Columbia United Christian Church Peace Committee. 23] – The Johns Hopkins student J-Street is having an event on Thurs., Nov. 21 at 7 PM at the Smokler Center for Jewish Life. See https://www.facebook.com/events/1438753129678945/?notif_t=plan_user_invited. Participate in a thought-provoking discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 24] – Lovers of dogs are invited to attend a speaker series on guide dog health topics, including Healing Touch and aromatherapy. The event is presented by the Alumni Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind Outreach Committee with speakers Gary Norman, Kristina Deutsch and Chelsie Bowden. This event will take place on Thurs., Nov. 21 at 7 PM, as a phone conference and discussion via a toll-free number at 1-877-668-4490; attendee access code is 202 900 74. Call 188-226-4490. 25] – On Thurs., Nov. 21 at 7:30 PM at the Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore 21224, see “Money & Life,” a passionate and inspirational documentary that asks viewers to see the economic crisis not as a disaster but as a tremendous opportunity for positive change. This cinematic odyssey takes us on a journey from the origins of money to the current global financial crisis. The film helps us to see that we owe it to ourselves to understand the fundamentals of this technology called money in order to be effective participants in the economic transformation that is happening around us - a shift more rapid but just as profound as the Industrial Revolution. After the film, there will be a panel discussion. Tickets are $12, while nonmembers get in for $7. Call 410 276 1651 or email info@creativealliance.org. 26] – Bill Ayers presents “Public Enemy” on Thurs., Nov. 21 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore and Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave. Labeled a "domestic terrorist" by the McCain campaign in 2008 and used by the radical right in an attempt to castigate Obama for "pallin' around with terrorists," Ayers is in fact a dedicated teacher, father, and social justice advocate with a sharp memory and even sharper wit. The book tells his story from the moment he and his wife, Bernardine Dohrn, emerged from years on the run and rebuilt their lives as public figures, often celebrated for their community work and much hated by the radical right. In the face of defamation by conservative media, including a multimillion-dollar campaign aimed solely at demonizing Ayers, and in spite of frequent death threats, Bill and Bernardine stay true to their core beliefs in the power of protest, demonstration, and deep commitment. Ayers reveals how he has navigated the challenges and triumphs of this public life with steadfastness and a dash of good humor. Call 410-230-0450. See http://www.redemmas.org. 27] – Social Movements in an Age of Debt is happening on Thurs., Nov. 21 from 8 to 10 PM at the International Ballroom West, Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave. NW. This is a conversation with a panel of scholar-activists from the American Studies Association as they discuss forms of debt and indebtedness that shape the political challenges and possibilities of our current moment. Topics will include building a united front against mass incarceration, Palestinian solidarity movements, resistance to disaster capitalism in Detroit, and organizing for immigrant justice and ethnic studies in Arizona. Contact asa2013src@gmail.com. 28] – Blackwater Founder, Erik Prince, to be met by protests on Fri., Nov. 22 at 7:30 AM at a Free Library breakfast event. This war criminal will be at the Philadelphia Free Library, 1901 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. Go to http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2013/11/18/blackwater-founder-to-meet-protes ts-at-friday-free-library-event/. A sign at the library front entrance to read: "Criminal Complaint... War Criminal, Erik Prince, at Phila. Free Library. Quick! Call the police." Prince will be promoting his new book, "Civilian Warriors: The Inside Story of Blackwater and the Unsung Heroes of the War on Terror," as part of the Library's “Leading Voices” series – a speaker series which claims to feature “the brightest minds in business.” Sign the petition to cancel this event (attn.: Free Library President, Siobhan A. Reardon) http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/free-library-of-philadelphia-rescind-the/. 29] – SOA Watch Vigil at Fort Benning begins on Fri., Nov. 22 from 9 AM through Sun., Nov. 24 from 9 PM in Georgia. Converge at the gates of the School of the Americas with thousands of students, nuns, migrants, unionists, people of faith, torture survivors, families, veterans and artists. Reaffirm life and our creativity in the face of Empire. The November Vigil is not just a protest, but also a place to come together as a community to mourn, resist, strategize, debate, learn, celebrate, and heal. The vigil weekend includes concerts, theater performances, nonviolent direct action, film screenings, workshops and caucuses. Go to http://soaw.org/november/en/. 30] – On Fri., Nov. 22 at noon, participate in the White House Vigil To Save Guantanamo Hunger Strikers--NO MORE TORTURE! NO MORE WAR! The vigil is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker and Witness Against Torture. See www.witnesstorture.org and www.closegitmo.net. 31] – 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/. 32 ] – On Fri., Nov. 22 from 3 to 5 PM, demonstrate at the district office of the Drone War Command Center's chief congressional backer, Rep. Patrick Meehan (R, CD #7), 940 West Sproul Rd (State and Sproul Roads), Springfield, PA 19064. De-Fund the Drone War Command Center in Horsham. The people instead need jobs, healthcare, housing — not wars, drone strikes or the drone command center in Horsham! Call 610-544-1818. Go to http://www.brandywinepeace.com/events/. 33] – There is a silent peace vigil on Fri., Nov. 22 from 5 to 6 PM outside the Cathedral of the Incarnation, University Parkway and St. Paul St. The vigil is sponsored by Homewood Friends and Stony Run Meetings, and was recently moved because of the construction on Charles St. War Is Not the Answer. Stop bullying. 34] – Lisa Sharon Harper, Sojourners’ director of mobilizing, will speak in Baltimore on “Shalom and the Fall” on Fri., Nov. 22 from 7 to 8:30 PM. Lisa will serve as the keynote lecturer for the Word Made Fresh lecture, which precedes the American Academy of Religion (AAR) Conference at the Baltimore Convention Center – Room 303, 1 West Pratt St., Baltimore 21201. The Word Made Fresh lecture series seeks to stimulate creative dialogue among diverse Christian scholars about pressing issues in contemporary theology. She will examine the gospel through the lens of shalom. Grounded in the first chapters of the book of Genesis, Harper considers the way our world was supposed to be, the effects of the Fall, and God’s redemption plan. David Neff of Christianity Today will respond. Contact Thomas Oord at tjoord@nnu.edu. 35] – On Fri., Nov. 22 at 7:30 PM, Meaningful Movies Olney presents "A Place at the Table," a Sundance Film Festival nominee released in 2013, which tells the powerful stories of three of the 50 million Americans, who maintain their dignity even as they struggle just to eat. In a riveting journey that will change forever how you think about the hungry, "A Place at the Table" shows how the issue of food inadequacy could be solved forever, once the American public decides—as they have in the past—that ending hunger is in the best interests of us all. It will be shown at the Buffington Building Community Room, 3300 Olney Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, MD 20832. Contact Jean Athey at 301-570-0923 or jeanathey@verizon.net. 36] – Pray for Peace on Fri., Nov. 22 at 7:30 PM at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Peace Chapel, 4 East University Parkway. Email ccloughen@episcopalmaryland.org or call at 410-321-0199. 37] – 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 Nov. 22. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725. 38] – There is a lecture and discussion on St. Augustine's "Confessions" by Dr. Michael Brogan, faculty member of St. John's College on Fri., Nov. 22 at 8 PM in the Francis Scott Key Auditorium at St. John's College. Call 410-626-2539. Visit http://www.sjca.edu. 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