Baltimore Activist Alert - April 13 - Aug. 10, 2014

59] Capitalism – the good -- Apr. 13
60] Peace and Pancakes – Apr. 13
61] Canvass for Tom Hucker – Apr. 13
62] SodaStream Boycott Day of Action – Apr. 13
63] Film “DEATH &TAXES” -- Apr. 13
64] Book talk "Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture" – Apr. 13
65] Five-day, 53 mile Stations of the Cross -- Apr. 13
66] Support Chelsea Manning -- Apr. 13
67] Pentagon Vigil -- Apr. 14
68] Job with United Workers -- Apr. 23
69] Save the date! - Aug. 10
70] Max is seeking a place to live
71] Ronda Cooperstein on social media
72] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
73] Join Fund Our Communities
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
59] -- 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 AM to noon. On Sun., Apr. 13, the platform address is “Good Things About Capitalism” by Leader Hugh Taft-Morales. Socialists and anarchists might think the admission that “capitalism is not perfect” is the understatement of century. What aspects of capitalism are easiest for an Ethical Humanist to embrace: competition, incentives, merit pay, and the freedom that still exists in the free market? Can some moderate restraints and regulations bring out the best from a system that centuries ago overthrew feudal dictatorships, built the middle class, and set the stage for the ideals of democracy to flourish? What truth is there in free-market advocate Paul L. Poirot’s claim that “He gains most who serves best?” 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. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

60] -- 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.

61] -- Tom Hucker's grand opening of the campaign office, 8757 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring 20910 on Sun., Apr. 13 at 1 PM. Over the last few weeks, labor, environmental, and teacher organizations have continued to get behind the campaign to bring proven progressive leadership to Rockville. RSVP to campaign@tomhucker.com. Call Dave Asche at 518-225-3378.

The event will include some special guest speakers including At-Large Montgomery County Councilperson Marc Elrich, District 14 Del. Craig Zucker and small business owners Julie Varatti and Emily Bruno of Denizen’s Brewing Company. Supporters will then have the opportunity to help spread our message door to door to the voters immediately after.

62 ] – There is a SodaStream Boycott Day of Action on Sun., Apr. 13 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 www.JewishVoiceForPeace.org/ DCMetro. Sign the national Boycott Soda Stream petition at http://sodastreamboycott.org. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/685995404793404/#!/407059766019676/photos/gm.685995844793360/690881940970789/?type=1&theater.

63] – On Sun., Apr. 13 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, see a showing of “Death and Taxes” by the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee. See http://www.nwtrcc.org/. Enjoy an inter-generational discussion with Ari Rosenberg and Robin Harper. Rosenberg is a youth activist/war tax resister since 2010 and is a Community Farmer/Educator at Center for Environmental Transformation in Camden, NJ. Harper is a long-long time war tax resister since 1958 who has had many opportunities to present his deeply held convictions to IRS agents, federal court judges, tax court judges, friends, co-resisters and family members. He was a Korean War conscientious objector. Call 610-544-1818 or go to http://www.brandywinepeace.com/events/

64] – Gaiutra Bahadur discusses and signs "Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture" on Sun., Apr. 13 at 5 PM at Busboys and Poets, 5th and K Sts. NW. In 1903, a young woman sailed from India to Guiana as a "coolie"-the British name for indentured laborers who replaced the newly emancipated slaves on sugar plantations all around the world. Pregnant and traveling alone, this woman, like so many coolies, disappeared into history. Now, in Coolie Woman, her great-granddaughter Gaiutra Bahadur embarks on a journey into the past to find her. Traversing three continents and trawling through countless colonial archives, Bahadur excavates not only her great-grandmother's story but also the repressed history of some quarter of a million other coolie women, shining a light on their complex lives. Go to http://busboysandpoets.com/events/event/author-event-gaiutra-bahadur-discusses-and-signs-coolie-woman-the-odyssey-o.

65] – On Sun., Apr. 13 through Good Friday, Apr. 18, join the Norfolk Catholic Worker, Hampton Roads Pax Christi, Huntington Mennonite Church (Newport News) and the Episcopal Peace Fellowship this Holy Week for a five-day, 53 mile Stations of the Cross that will stop at 14 area military bases in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area, the most militarized place on the planet. There will be an hour vigil at each base to remember the crucifixion of Jesus and the crucifixion of humanity in war. Stops will include Norfolk Naval Base (the largest Navy base in the world), Norfolk Naval Shipyard (where Trident ballistic missile submarines are overhauled), Camp Peary (the CIA’s training camp), Dam Neck (home of Navy SEAL Team 6), an Army recruiting center, and Newport News Shipbuilding (the only builder of aircraft carriers in the country and one of only two submarine builders). The pilgrimage will end on Good Friday at Langley Air Force Base, home of F-22 squadrons and part of the drone warfare network. Contact: Steve Baggarly at williamsbaggarly@gmail.com.

66] – Get over to Defending Democracy: fighting government secrecy in the digital age with panelists Nancy Hollander and Vincent Ward, legal counsel for WikiLeaks whistle-blower Chelsea Manning, Thomas Drake, NSA whistle-blower, & Mike German, former ACLU senior policy counsel, a FBI whistle-blower and now a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice, on Sun., Apr. 13 at 7 PM at Georgetown University Law Center, 600 New Jersey Ave. NW, WDC 20001. Food and beverages will be available for a donation. All funds will help support Manning's appeals. Contact Emma Cape at emma@privatemanning.org. Hollander, a well-known civil rights attorney, has recently been selected to represent Amy whistle-blower Chelsea Manning in the US Army Court of Appeals, federal court, and possibly even the Supreme Court. Manning's appeals are expected to touch on issues of illegal pretrial punishment, government secrecy, executive overreach, and more. Ward, co-counsel on Manning's appeals, possesses specialties in the area of military law and government disputes. Email emma@privatemanning.org.

Manning, a 22-year-old Army Specialist stationed in Baghdad at the time of her arrest in May 2010, released hundreds of thousands of classified military and diplomatic documents to the transparency website WikiLeaks. Manning explained to the court in a February 28, 2013, statement that she did so in order to spark debate and reforms regarding U.S. foreign policy, specifically the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She was acquitted of “Aiding the Enemy,” but found guilty of several counts of Espionage, Computer Fraud, and Federal Theft, for which she was sentenced to 35 years in prison. On August 22, 2013, Manning came out publicly as transgender. She is now seeking to change her name legally from “Bradley Edward Manning” to “Chelsea Elizabeth Manning” and to receive Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). See https://www.facebook.com/events/1457447874490167.

67] -- 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., Apr. 14, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Email artlaffin@hotmail.com or call 202-882-9649.

The vigil will be outside the Pentagon's south Metro entrance and in the designated "protest zone" behind bicycle fences across from the entrance to the Metro. By Metro, take Yellow Line and get out at the "Pentagon" stop. Do not go to the Pentagon City stop! Go up south escalators and turn left and walk across to protest area.

By car from D.C. area, take 395 South and get off at Exit 8A-Pentagon South Parking. Take slight right onto S. Rotary Rd. at end of ramp and right on S. Fern St. Then take left onto Army Navy Dr. You can "pay to park" on Army Navy Dr., and there is meter parking one block on right on Eads St. Payment for both of these spots begin at 8 AM. No cameras are allowed on Pentagon grounds. Restrooms are located inside Marriott Residence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr.

68] – The United Workers is looking to hire a Leadership Organizer, who will specialize on communications and organizing. The salary is $40,000, and the application deadline is Wed., Apr. 23. To apply, download the application at http://unitedworkers.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/UWJobApplication_2014.pdf. Complete the application, and send it, together with a cover letter and resume to info@unitedworkers.org or to United Workers, PO Box 41547, Baltimore, MD 21203. If you are sending this via email, you should include your last name and “Leadership Organizer Position 2014” in the subject line. In your cover letter, tell a story about yourself, and how you found out about this opportunity and why you are called to be a Leadership Organizer.

UW seeks the unique person whose skills and experiences are in both storytelling and organizing. As a storyteller, s/he is someone who can write the story as well as push it in the press, asserting the narrative frame, and helping to shape public discourse and policy debate. As an organizer, s/he is someone who has experience in community organizing, base-building, and leadership development. Leadership Organizers must be highly self-managing and committed to the vision and values of the organization.

69] – SAVE THE DATE!!!!! Get over to "Family Fun" night to raise funds for Dr. Mutulu Skakur and the development of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to free our Political Prisoners/Prisoners of War. It will take place at Skateland North Point, 1113 Old North Point Rd.,
Baltimore 21222, on Sun., Aug. 10 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM. Admission is $10 which includes skate rental. Contact Abdul-Jabbar at 610.621.0699 (Maryland State Jericho). Go to http://mutulushakur.com/site/.

70] -- 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.

71] -- Ronda Cooperstein has taken to social media, and is recording her opinion pieces on You Tube. Check out her latest essay - THE WASHINGTON POST WITH TOAST: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffj-Scno-5Q

72] -- The Washington Peace Center has a progressive calendar & activist alert! Consider signing up to receive its weekly email: info@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

73] -- 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.

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] – A 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