Baltimore Activist Alert - Jan. 9-13, 2014

23] Oppression: How It Works – Jan. 9 24] Book talk "A People's Art History of the United States” – Jan. 9 25] Justice in Palestine/Israel – Jan. 10 26] Stop Drone War Command Center – Jan. 10 27] Silent peace vigil – Jan. 10 28] Close Gitmo – Jan. 10-11 29] Ballroom dancing – Jan. 10 30] Olney Peace vigil – Jan. 11 31] West Chester, PA demo – Jan. 11 32] Silent vigil at Capitol – Jan. 11 33] Slavery by Another Name Community Talk – Jan. 11 34] Humane League of Maryland party – Jan. 11 35] “Transforming Jail: MLK in Birmingham” – Jan. 12 36] Peace and Pancakes – Jan. 12 37] Boycott SodaStream – Jan. 12 38] Building the Dream – Jan. 12 39] Waging Peace in The Deadly Era of Drone Warfare and Surveillance – Jan. 12 40] Pentagon Vigil – Jan. 13 41] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Jan. 13 – Jan. 17 ----- 23] – The D.C. Free School topic is Oppression: How It Works & Where It Comes From, and it will take place on Thurs., Jan. 9 from 7 to 9 PM at the Peace House, 1233 12th St. NW. There is a definition of Oppression: Unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power - Webster's Dictionary. It is the opposite of real justice. For all of us who wish to vigorously deconstruct (or smash) oppression, learning about it is essential. This class will be discussion based. We will go into the historic roots of oppression, the nature of oppression, different types of oppression, and the relationship between privilege and oppression. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/637929362934521/. 24] – Nicolas Lampert presents "A People's Art History of the United States" on Thurs., Jan. 9 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore and Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave. He is an artist and author who will illustrate how artwork can serve as a cultural statement in society. Featuring over two hundred images, Lampert showcases messages on feminism, abortion, the American Revolution, and other controversial subjects. Call 410-230-0450. Go to http://www.redemmas.org. 25] – 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/. 26] – On Fri., Jan. 10 from 4 to 5 PM, think Drone War: Not In My Name; Drone War Command Center, Horsham, PA: Not In My Backyard (nor anyone else's). Be at the SEPTA entrance at 15th & Markets Sts, (NW corner), Phila., PA. Hold banners and signs, and leaflet. This demo happens on the 2nd Friday of the month during Rush Hour in Center City Philadelphia to stop the Drone War Command Center at Horsham Air Guard Station; it alternates between SEPTA entrance at 15th & Market Sts. (NW corner) and outside the Hyatt at The Bellevue Hotel (office within of PA Governor and head of Air National Guard, Thomas Corbett) at Broad & Walnut Sts. 26] – Tis the Season of Peace on Fri., Dec. 20 at 4 PM. Stop the Drone War Command Center in Horsham. Carry Holiday Signs and leaflet at 30th Street Train Station, corner of 30th & Market Sts., Phila., PA 19104. Go to www.brandywinepeace.com or call 610-544-1818. 27] – There is a silent peace vigil on Fri., Jan. 10 from 5 to 6 PM outside the Cathedral of the Incarnation, University Parkway and St. Paul St. The vigil, sponsored by Homewood Friends and Stony Run Meetings, will remind us that War Is Not the Answer. Stop bullying. 28] – 12 YEARS IS TOO MANY! IT IS AN OUTRAGE that GUANTANAMO IS STILL OPEN. On Fri., Jan. 10, the Close Guantanamo NOW Campus/Community Speaking Tour is happening. See a screening of "Doctors of the Darkside" and listen to a panel with Andy Worthington, Debra Sweet and Todd Pierce at the Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Road NW at 5:30 PM. Andy Worthington, a journalist based in the U.K., has covered the prison intensely since 2006. In hundreds of articles, he's uncovered the lives of the men held without charge, and the stories the US created about them. Author of "The Guantanamo Files; Stories of the 774 Men Held at Guantanamo," and co- director of the film "Outside the Law: Stories from Guantanamo." Follow him @GuantanamoAndy. Debra Sweet is the director of The World Can't Wait, and a leader of years of protest of indefinite detention and torture by the United States, including a full-page ad in The New York Times in May 2013 picturing Guantanamo prisoners for the first time in those pages, and bringing together prisoners' attorneys, academics, artists, and voices of conscience to declare “Close Guantanamo NOW.” Follow Debra on twitter @DSweetWCW. Todd Pierce is a former U.S. military defense attorney for Guantanamo prisoners. The Panel's Question: If, as Obama says, "the war on terror" is winding down, why will this government not close Guantanamo? On Sat., Jan. 11 at noon, rally and join the procession to mark the 12th anniversary of Guantánamo, and to demand its closure. Start at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC. At 1 PM, the procession leaves from the White House, and concludes at 2:30 PM. Free housing is available on January 10. Email witnesstorture@gmail.com. 29] – 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 Jan. 10. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725. 30] – 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 Jan. 11. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167. 31] – 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. 32] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., Jan. 11. 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. 33] – Slavery by Another Name Community Talk is a discussion of the forced labor and criminalization of African Americans, including a screening of segments of the documentary Slavery By Another Name.” The event is on Sat., Jan. 11 from 1 to 3 PM at the 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/. 34] – On Sat., Jan. 11 at 7 PM, join the Humane League of Maryland is doing an "After" The Holidays Party for the Animals. There will be amazing speakers, live music, gourmet hors d'oevres, drinks, raffle, elegant silent auction prizes, doggies and much more! Jasmin Singer of our Our Hen House and Jon Camp of Vegan Outreach will join the party as keynote speakers. It will take place at 30 West North Avenue, Baltimore 21201. Call 410-230-0450 or email info@redemmas.org. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. If you purchase a VIP ticket for $100, enjoy a gourmet vegan dinner with the celebrity speakers and The Humane League staff at a local fine restaurant, as well as general admission to the Holiday Party. VIP tickets must be purchased in advance. 35] – 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., Jan. 12, the program address is “Transforming Jail: MLK in Birmingham,” led by Hugh Taft-Morales, leader, Baltimore Ethical Society. Martin Luther King Jr. was jailed dozens of times for his efforts to defend the dignity of every human being. While imprisonment can break the spirit of many people, somehow it strengthened King’s resolve and enhanced his personal dignity. In 1963 it produced one of the most important civil rights documents in history: King’s letter from the Birmingham jail. Like many others thrown into jail for standing up for their values – Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Sanger, Gandhi, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela – King managed to overcome forces of oppression. What can we glean from the power of some to transcend jail and bring out the best? How can we apply these lessons to our own ethical action efforts, including reforming a prison system that destroys hopes and maximizes recidivism? Can we help society transform imprisonment? Hugh Taft-Morales joined the Baltimore Ethical Society as its professional leader in 2010, the same year he was certified by the American Ethical Union as an Ethical Culture Leader. He also serves as Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia. Go to http://bmorethical.org/ or Twitter: @bmorethical or Facebook: http://fb.com/bmorethical/or email ask@bmorethical.org. 36] – 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. 37 ] – There is a SodaStream Boycott Day of Action on Sun., Jan. 12 from 2 to 3:30 PM in front of the Columbia Heights Mall, at the Columbia Heights Metro Station on 14th St. and just north of the intersection with Irving St. Ask shoppers to refuse to buy SodaStream products, and call on local store managers to tell their corporate headquarters to stop stocking the products. SodaStream manufactures its products in an illegal Israeli settlement. Email jvpdcmetro@gmail.com or call 301-80-9224. Visit http://tinyurl.com/DCSodaStreamNatlDayofAction or www.JewishVoiceForPeace.org/ DCMetro. Sign the national Boycott Soda Stream petition at http://sodastreamboycott.org. 38] – Be at the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington for "Honor Dr. Martin L. King! Building the Dream" on Sun., Jan. 12 at 3 PM at Luther Place Memorial Church, 1226 Vermont Ave. NW. Celebrate MLK's peace and reconciliations contributions. Visit https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WUuHQRlg02ZPlaX9kqkJtq2-ws2C81Ok8ce_QTMp3ec/edit?usp=sharing. 39] – On Sun., Jan. 12 at 4:30 PM, participate in the Brandywine Peace Community Monthly Potluck Supper/Program at the University Lutheran Church, 3637 Chestnut Street, Phila., PA (37th & Chestnut Streets). Bring main dish, salad, or dessert to share. At 5:30 PM, hear "An AFSC [American Friends Service Committee] Primer on Drones: Waging Peace in The Deadly Era of Drone Warfare and Surveillance.” This will be a Video Slideshow presentation on what you should know and can do"...presented by Peter Lems and Tory Smith, AFSC staff. Call 610-544-1818 or go to http://www.brandywinepeace.com/events/. 40] – 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., Jan. 13, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Email artlaffin@hotmail.com or call 202-882-9649. 41] – 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. 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