Baltimore Activist Alert Nov. 24 – Nov. 30, 2013

Baltimore Activist Alert Nov. 24 – Nov. 30, 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] Vietnam Photograph Exhibit – through Feb. 23 6] “Stone Salad Fall Festival” – Nov. 24 7] Peace and Pancakes – Nov. 24 8] "Sacred Journey" – Nov. 24 9] Get Money Out - Maryland party – Nov. 24 10] BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM -- Nov. 24 11] SOUL KITCHEN is open – Nov. 24 12] Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck – Nov. 24 13] Film “The State of Arizona” – Nov. 24 14] Pentagon Vigil – Nov. 25 15] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Nov. 25 – Nov. 29 16] Sane Gun Reform demo at White House – Nov. 25 17] Alternative Histories Film Series concludes – Nov. 25 18] Documentary "The Revisionaries" – Nov. 25 19] Pledge of Resistance/Fund Our Communities meeting – Nov. 25 20] Support Wal-Mart workers – Nov. 26 21] "Rethinking U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy" -- Nov. 26 22] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Nov. 26 23] Protest JHU’s drone research – Nov. 26 24] Remember Stephen Coats – Nov. 26 25] Book talk “Thank You Anarchy and We Are Many” – Nov. 26 ----- 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 mobuszewski at Verizon dot net. 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 mobuszewski at Verizon dot 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] – An-My Lê's photographs come to the Baltimore Museum of Art's Front Room. 21 Black-and-white and color photographs explore the roles of the military and war, showing tensions between nature and human influence and machinery. The exhibit runs through Feb. 23 at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. Call 443- 573-1700. Go to http://artbma.org. 6] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore 21201-4517, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 to noon. The platform address on Sun., Nov. 24 is “Stone Salad Fall Festival,” which is an annual celebration of harvest and thanksgiving with stories, music and poems! Karen Elliott and Hugh Taft-Morales will the celebration, as BES members express gratitude for the harvest and the rich bounty that fills their lives. Come ready to share what you are thankful for in your life! Those attending are encouraged to bring something ready to add to our tradition-based rendition of Stone Salad (lettuce, tomato, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, etc.), as well as non-perishable food items to add to the collection for TurnAround, a local center that helps women, children, and families who are victims of abuse. Call 410-581-2322 or contact Kathryn Sloboda at katamui@gmail.com. Go to http://bmorethical.org/; Twitter: @bmorethical; or Facebook: http://fb.com/bmorethical/. 7] – 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. 8] – On Sun., Nov. 24 at noon, join the Montgomery County Interfaith Council (MCIC) on a "Sacred Journey" to the ~ KRISHNA TEMPLE, POTOMAC, MD. Start with an orientation to learn about Hindu beliefs, Bhakti Yoga (“the Yoga of Devotional Love”), and some of the history of this religious tradition. Then move to the Community Worship which includes “Kirtan” (group spiritual chanting), before concluding with a wonderful vegetarian feast and period of fellowship. There is no charge for the feast. Register at mcicmd@gmail.com. The Temple is located at 10310 Oaklyn Dr., Potomac, MD 20854. 9] – Get Money Out - Maryland is gathering on Sun., Nov. 24 from 3 to 5 PM. This is a party for volunteers at Noel Levy’s house, 11 Windsong Court, Pikesville 21208. Bring a drink, finger food or just yourself. Go to http://www.getmoneyoutmd.org/. 10] – The BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM, a monthly environmental education and discussion gathering, is happening on Sun., Nov. 24 from 4 to 5:30 PM at Maryland Presbyterian Church, 1105 Providence Road, Towson 21286. From 5:30 to 6:30 PM, it is optional for affinity groups to converse. The subject is “The Path Ahead...” with Dan Smith, founding steering committee member of Baltimore Green Forum. We are beleaguered by unprecedented crises, yet, is there any reason to suppose that these are something other than the birth pangs of the new world that has been anticipated since the dawn of civilization? The Purpose of the Baltimore Green Forum is to seek to improve the quality of all life in the greater Baltimore area. BGF is open to the public and is free of charge, but donations to Maryland Presbyterian Church are greatly appreciated. Write to baltimoregreenforum@gmail.com, call 410-554-0006, or visit www.baltimoregreenforum.org. 11] – The SOUL KITCHEN is open. Gimmie Shelter Productions in conjunction with the Govans Presbyterian Church, 5828 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 is hosting a meal for the needy and homeless on Sun., Nov. 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. To help with the serving or cooking of the food, arrive at the church at 5 PM. If you are able to provide musical entertainment, call Alan Barysh at 443-239-5325. This happens on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month. To arrange to make a tax-deductible or an in-kind donation, call Rev. Tom Harris, pastor, at 410-435-9188. Go to govanspres.org/govanspres/welcome. 12] – The 32nd annual Pre-Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck, hosted by The Vegetarian Resource Group, will celebrate by not eating turkeys on Sun., Nov. 24 at 5 PM at the North Baltimore Mennonite Church, 4615 Roland Ave. Guests are asked to bring non-animal derived food, including dairy or honey. Servings should be able to feed up to four people. Call 410-366-8343. 13] – See a film “The State of Arizona” on Sun., Nov. 24 from 5 to 7 PM at Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, WDC. This veríte documentary captures the explosive emotions and complex realities behind Arizona’s headline-grabbing struggle with immigration. Tracking the year after Arizona passes SB1070, its controversial “papers please” law, the film tells the stories of Arizonans on all sides of this divisive issue and depicts a state and its people testing the edges of our democratic values. Visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/itvs-community-cinema-dc-the-state-of-arizona-busboys-and-poets-tickets-8795819533. 14] – 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., Nov. 25, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Email artlaffin@hotmail.com or call 202-882-9649. 15] – 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. 16] – There is a WHITE HOUSE DEMONSTRATION FOR SANE GUN REFORM on Mon., Nov. 25 from 11 AM to 1 PM. Join a concerned group of citizens for a demonstration to promote improved and enforced regulation of guns and ammunition. Email helen.ramsey1@gmail.com. 17] – The film series Alternative Histories will now conclude. Imagine a world in which computers run our lives, food comes only in processed packets, and authoritarian governments pit people against each other in bloody battles. Wait, that sounds too familiar. Towson University professors present films dealing in worlds that are almost real to us, that start from a real point in history and go off on an alternate track. The last film in the series will be shown on Mon., Nov. 25 at 7:30 PM at Towson University, 8000 York Road. See http://www.towson.edu. 18] – See the documentary "The Revisionaries" on Mon., Nov. 25 from 7 to 9 PM at 1102 South Campus Commons, Building 1, University of Maryland. In Austin, Texas, fifteen people influence what is taught to the next generation of children. Once every decade, the highly politicized Texas State Board of Education rewrites the teaching and textbook standards for its nearly 5 million schoolchildren. And when it comes to textbooks, what happens in Texas affects the nation as a whole. Don McLeroy, a dentist, Sunday school teacher, and avowed young-earth creationist, leads the Religious Right charge. THE REVISIONARIES follows the rise and fall of some of the most controversial figures in American education through their most tumultuous intellectual battles. Go to http://www.beyondtheclassroom.umd.edu/. 19] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM, and the meetings take place at Max’s residence. The next meeting will be on Mon., Nov. 25. The proposed agenda will include a report on anti-drone activities, an update of the trial of the CIA Six, a Nov. 25 visit to Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s Bond St. office, the SOA Watch gathering at Fort Benning and the visit to Rep. Sarbanes’ office. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net for directions. 20] – Come support area Wal-Mart associates as they join associates nationwide in standing up to Wal-Mart and call for an end to retaliation against those who bravely speak out. A bus will be leaving the Fort Totten Metro Station, 550 Galloway St NE, at 8 AM on Tues., Nov. 26 to join courageous Wal-Mart associates as they go on strike. Visit www.blackfridayprotests.org. 21] – On Tues., Nov. 25 at noon, Benjamin Friedman and Christopher Preble, Cato Institute, will discuss "Rethinking U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy" in B-369 Rayburn House Office Building, WDC. RSVP at https://ssl.cato.org:8443/catopublic/#MtgDetail/00000559. 22] – Each Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the Catholic Peace Fellowship-Philadelphia for peace in Afghanistan and Iraq gathers at the Suburban Station, 16th Street & JFK Blvd., at the entrance to Tracks 3 and 4 on the mezzanine. The next vigil is Nov. 26. Call 215-426-0364. 23] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 34th & North Charles Sts. Join this ongoing vigil. The next vigil is Nov. 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-366-1637. 24] – On Tues., Nov. 26 from 5:30 to 7 PM, there is a memorial reception to honor the commitment, vision, and legacy of Stephen Coats in the Penthouse, Teamsters Office, 25 Louisiana Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at tbeaty@teamster.org. As the long-time director of the US Labor Education in the Americas Project, Stephen mentored and inspired many who continue to fight for workers’ rights in Latin America. Steve worked tirelessly to amplify the voice of workers and protect the rights of organizers. His commitment to trade union rights in the Americas never wavered and as a result he had the ear of union leaders, policy makers and corporate executives. Steve’s widow, Kim Bobo, and their two sons will attend. Share memories and exchange stories. 25] – On Tues., Nov. 26 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore and Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Nathan Schneider presents “Thank You Anarchy and We Are Many,” an up-close, inside account of Occupy Wall Street’s first year in New York City, written by one of the first reporters to cover the phenomenon. Schneider chronicles the origins and explosive development of the Occupy movement through the eyes of the organizers who tried to give shape to an uprising always just beyond their control. Capturing the voices, encounters, and beliefs that powered the movement, Schneider brings to life the General Assembly meetings, the chaotic marches, the split-second decisions, and the moments of doubt as Occupy swelled from a hash tag online into a global phenomenon. Call 410-230-0450 or visit http://www.redemmas.org. 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