Baltimore Activist Alert - May 24-25, 2014

37] Challenge inequality in D.C. – May 23
38] Acie Byrd, Jr., presente --- May 23
39] Close Gitmo Vigil at the White House/Fast for Justice – May 23
40] Vigil for Justice in Palestine – May 23
41] "The Korean Peninsula Issues and U.S. National Security." – May 23
42] Global Day of Action in Baltimore – May 23
43] Ballroom Dancing – May 23
44] 2014 Solidarity Cyclers Ride – May 24 – 25
45] Olney Peace vigil – May 24
46] West Chester, PA demo – May 24
47] African Liberation Day 2014 -- May 24
48] Silent peace vigil – May 24
49] 2nd Annual Empty the Tanks – May 24
50] "Spirituality and Practicality"-- May 24
51] March on Monsanto -- May 24
52] Mass of Thanksgiving – May 24
53] Paul Robeson for Beginners -- May 24
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37] – Get over to the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW on Fri., May 23 from 10 AM to noon. Challenge rapidly growing inequality in D.C. But the D.C. Council can Close the Divide by investing in anti-poverty programs and affordable housing. Contact Janelle at janelle@fairbudget.org or 202.986.9580.

38] – At the Plymouth Congregational Church, 5301 N. Capitol St. NE, on Fri., May 23 at 11 AM, Rev. Graylan Hagler will do the funeral service for Acie Byrd, Jr., founding member of Stand Up! for Democracy in D.C. (Free DC) and Atomic Veterans. The long-time activist and organizer passed away on May 13 after a long illness. His support and leadership in the movements for peace and justice have inspired and led many to action! Visit http://www.standupfordemocracy.org/j/.

39] – On Fri., May 23, join a GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION TO CLOSE GUANTANAMO & END INDEFINITE DETENTION. On May 23, 2014, President Obama again promised to close the detention facility at Guantánamo. His pledge came in response to the mass hunger strike by men protesting their indefinite detention and to the renewed, global condemnation of the prison. One year later, far too little has changed: few detained men have left the prison and hunger strikes and forced feeding continue. Join in to urge President Obama and Congress to end indefinite detention and close the detention facility at Guantánamo.

Email WitnessTorture@gmail.com. The May 23rd Day of Action is being coordinated by Witness Against Torture in collaboration with Amnesty International, Blue Lantern Project, Center for Constitutional Rights et al. Visit http://www.witnesstorture.org/blog/2014/04/14/may-23-2014-global-day-of-action-to-close-guantanamo/.

Consider joining the WITNESS AGAINST TORTURE FRIDAY FAST FOR JUSTICE. Join WAT’s Friday Fast for Justice. If you join the fast, consider making three phone calls. The first would be to the White House at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 to urge President Obama to declassify the executive summary and major findings of the Senate Intelligence Committee's report on CIA torture swiftly and in their entirety, as well as to fulfill his promise to close Guantanamo. The second to Cliff Sloan at the State Department at 202-647-4000 to insist he work more quickly to shut the doors and empty the cells of the prison. Let him know that you are disappointed that since President Obama’s speech last May, only 12 men have been released. The final call would be to the U.S. Southern Command at 305-437-1213 to decry the conditions at Guantanamo.

Here are talking points on behalf of Guantánamo prisoners: I am fasting for 24 hours in solidarity with the prisoners at Guantánamo, especially for those who are on hunger strike. I am calling today out of concern for them and for the rest of the prisoners. I am asking you to resume releasing the number of prisoners on hunger strike and to stop the inhumane force-feeding of them. Lastly, the U.S. must release those cleared for release and close Guantanamo.

40] – 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/.

41] – On Fri., May 23 from 1:15 to 4:30 PM, Wallace Gregson, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, Gen. Seung Jo Jung, South Korean Army (retired), Joseph Bosco, Center for Strategic and International Studies, David Maxwell, Georgetown University, and Larry Niksch, Center for Strategic and International Studies, will explore "The Korean Peninsula Issues and U.S. National Security." The event is sponsored by the Institute for Korean-American Studies, and will take place at 345 Cannon House Office Building, WDC. RSVP at http://www.icas.welcome.bz/.

42] – There is usually a silent peace vigil on Fridays, 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, reminds us that War Is Not the Answer and the need to stop torture. However, on May 23 the focus will be on closing Guantanamo.

The Jonah House Community is joining the May 23rd Global Day of Action (http://www.witnesstorture.org/may-23rd-action-planning-toolkit/) for the closure of Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. There is the vigil in D.C. at noon on May 23 in front of the White House. And then at 5 PM, the Jonah House Community will gather at University Pkwy. and St. Paul St., joining the Friday vigil organized by Homewood Friends Meeting. This will be a simple vigil with signs and jumpsuits. Email mailto:disarmnow2@verizon.net or call 410-233-6238.

43] – 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 May 23. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

44] – On Sat., May 24 at 9 AM through Sun., May 25 at 6 PM, join CISPES on an exciting 180-mile journey through Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. The 2014 Solidarity Cyclers Ride will be a special one: a celebration of the recent election of Salvador Sánchez Cerén, historic revolutionary leader of the FMLN, as president of El Salvador. Along the way, camp in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, enjoy the beauty of the late spring, make new friends, and learn more about the Central American solidarity movement. You don’t need to be a professional cyclist to join this ride – you just have to be willing to take on the challenge and to help raise money for the Salvadoran struggle. Help raise much-needed funds to support the Salvadoran social movement and the critical solidarity work that has to happen here in the U.S. Go to https://org2.salsalabs.com/o/6099/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=11194.

45] – 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 May 24. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167.

46] – 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.

47] – On Sat., May 24 at 11 AM, participate in African Liberation Day 2014 in building dual and contending power at the Dynamic Health and Wellness Center, 402 H St. NE. This is a call by the African Socialist International (ASI) to join with the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP) and the Uhuru Movement in holding to hold events. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/628486933893435/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming.

48] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., May 24. 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.

49] – The 2nd Annual Empty the Tanks Worldwide will host educational events and protests outside of marine parks and aquariums in over 20 countries. Supporters gather in protest to raise awareness about the lives of captive marine mammals. Signs are encouraged. Demonstrate on Sat., May 24 at noon at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, 501 E. Pratt St. Go to http://www.emptythetanksworldwide.com.

50] – On this 22nd anniversary of the School of Life Educational Society, traditionally celebrated in honor of Mary Help of Christians, "Spirituality and Practicality," a new program of seminars and workshops on the wide variety of teachings from yoga and other spiritual traditions and from the studies and life experiences under tutelage of the Guru will be offered. To introduce this series, two seminars will be presented by Victor (Vyasa) and Lakshmi Landa on Sat., May 24.

At 1 PM, the ancient wisdom of VARNASHRAM DHARMA or the ASHRAM SYSTEM will be described to indicate how it helps to organize life in the four stages necessary for attaining the ideal human life according to Vedic tradition. At 3 PM, be at PROOF OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD--four different demonstrations will be shared to prove that there is indeed life outside this plane of existence populated by a world of conscious spirits. Each seminar at Shanti Yoga Center for Harmony, 4217 East-West Highway, Bethesda, 20814, will be 90 minutes with time for discussion. RSVP at 301-654-4899 if you will join one or both sessions. To extend the anniversary celebration, these programs will be free of charge.

51] – Be at Lafayette Square, H St. NW between 15th and 17th Sts. on Sat., May 24 from 2 to 5 PM as part of the movement March Against Monsanto. There is a call for the permanent boycott of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and other harmful agro-chemicals. Marches will occur on six continents, in 52 countries, with events in over 400 cities. In the US, solidarity marches are slated to occur in 47 states. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1447400808831596/.

52] – On Sat., May 24 at 5:15 PM, there will be a Mass of Thanksgiving on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Auxiliary Bishop of Washington Bishop Francisco González’s Ordination to the Priesthood. The Archdiocese of Washington cordially invites you to a bilingual Mass of Thanksgiving that will take place at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 620 Michigan Ave. NE, WDC 20017. The Mass is open to the general public and will be followed by a reception in the Memorial Hall of the Basilica.

53] – Paul von Blum presents Paul Robeson for Beginners on Sat., May 24 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201. Robeson, despite being one of the great polymaths of U.S. history, still remains an obscure figure. An exceptional scholar, lawyer, athlete, stage and screen actor, linguist, singer, and civil rights and political activist, he performed brilliantly in every professional enterprise he undertook. Few people have achieved his levels of excellence in one field, much less several. Any serious treatment of the history of social movements, as well all fields of American popular cultural history, must consider the enormous contributions of Robeson. People typically know him for only one, if any, of the major successes of his life: the concert singer best known for “Old Man River,” the star of Shakespeare’s Othello on Broadway in the early 1940s, the political activist blacklisted for his radical views and activism during the second "Red Scare" of the 1950s.

Von Blum is senior lecturer in African American Studies and Communication Studies at UCLA. He has taught at the University of California since 1968, serving 11 years at UC Berkeley before arriving at UCLA in 1980. He is the author of six books and numerous articles on art, culture, education, and politics. His most recent book is “A Life at the Margins: Keeping the Political Vision,” his 2011 memoir that chronicles almost 50 years of political activism, starting with his civil rights work in the South and elsewhere in the early 1960s. Call 410-230-0450. Go to 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