Baltimore Activist Alert - June 29 - August 10, 2014

63] Fast to abolish the death penalty - June 29 – July 2
64] “Yoga: Body and Mind” – June 29
65] Peace and Pancakes – June 29
65] Film "Al Helm (The Dream): Martin Luther King in Palestine" – June 29
66] "Potluck Poetry: Voices of African and Asian Diasporas" – June 29
67] “Koch Brothers Exposed: 2014 Edition” – June 29
68] Ring of Fire zine anthology – June 29
69] Pentagon Vigil – June 30
70] Protest at the NSA – July 4
71] Cookout – July 4
72] Save the date! - Aug. 10
73] Support a Peace Camp
74] Ronda Cooperstein on social media
75] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
76] Join Fund Our Communities
77] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
78] Do you need any book shelves or file cabinets?
79] Join Global Zero campaign
80] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale
81] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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62] – On Sun., June 29 at 12:01 AM on the Supreme Court steps, the Death Penalty Abolitionist Action Group will vigil through Wed., July 2, all day. For these four days, death penalty abolitionists from around the country will gather at the steps of the Supreme Court to call for an end to capital punishment in the United States. It is an energizing grassroots week of training, advocacy, action, community and education. Tens of thousands of tourists and locals, from all over the U.S. and throughout the world, pass by the vigil and table, so the opportunity for dialogue and discussion at a real grass-roots level is invaluable to the movement. Go to http://www.abolition.org/fastandvigil/register.html.

63] - 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., June 29, the platform address is “Yoga: Body and Mind.” After last summer’s successful seated-yoga program, Hugh Taft-Morales will offer another supplemented with more personal insights into the benefits of increased harmony between the body and mind he attains through his modest yoga practice. Wear comfortable clothes if you want to participate in some gentle poses. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

64] - 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.

65] - On Sun., June 29 from 2 to 4 PM, Jewish Voice for Peace - DC Metro Chapter invites you to a special screening and discussion of the new film by the award-winning filmmaker Connie Fields: "Al Helm (The Dream): Martin Luther King in Palestine" at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Meeting Room A-5, 901 G St. NW, WDC 20001. Use the Metro at Gallery Place or Metro Center. Light refreshments will be served.

An African-American gospel choir travels to the West Bank of the Occupied Palestinian Territories to sing in a play about Martin Luther King Jr. and the American civil rights struggle. During their visit, Juliano Mer-Khamis, the director of the Freedom Theatre in Jenin, is assassinated, sending shock-waves throughout Palestine and the world. Over the course of the choir’s journey, a deeply personal and cultural exchange takes place, and pre-conceived notions on the part of the choir’s members and the Palestinians who meet and work with them are radically transformed.

“Nothing lights a fire like a dream deferred.” -Bernice Johnson Reagon. “If you don’t have anything worth dying for, find something.” -Martin Luther King Jr. Call 240-425-7581 or email jvpdcmetro@gmail.com. Visit http://www.JewishVoiceforPeace.org/DCMetro/.

66] - Enjoy the Teahouse Commons (near the Washington Monument) at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall on Sun., June 29 from 4:15 to 5:30 PM. Come out to listen or even tell your own story at the Teahouse Commons, adjacent to the Washington Monument as Busboys and Poets presents "Potluck Poetry: Voices of African and Asian Diasporas." Take in the words and sounds served up fresh by local Asian and Africa diaspora artists, including Bomani Armah, G. Yamazawa, Farafina Kan African Drumming Ensemble, the South Asian Performing Arts Network, Pages Matam and 2 Deep the Poet. This program highlights a diverse array of cultural flavors combining D.C.'s own folk art, spoken word, with global musical traditions.

67] – On Sun., June 29 at 7 PM, there is a chance to watch “Koch Brothers Exposed: 2014 Edition” at D.C. Pink House, 1241 Evarts St. NE, WDC 20018. This acclaimed new release pulls back the curtain on Charles and David Koch, yanking them out of the shadows and exposing them for what they are: a self-interested, ultraconservative demolition crew hell-bent on crushing the Affordable Care Act, Social Security and the Environmental Protection Agency. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/249793788560671/?ref=3&ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular.

68] – ET Russian (aka Hellery Homosex) presents the Ring of Fire zine anthology on Sun., June 29 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201. This is a collection of the zine from the late 1990s by ET Russian (aka Hellery Homosex), and features new material never before published. Ring of Fire is honest, engaging, and ahead of its time. Through black and white ink drawings, comics, linoleum block print portraits, essays, interviews and erotica, this collection explores the intersections of art, bodies, healthcare, ability, gender, race, community, class, healing and the politics of work. Call 443-602-7585. Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

69] -- 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., June 30, 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.

70] – Join the Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore in its annual Fourth of July trek to protest at the National Security Agency. This is Interdependence Day, and the criminal activity of the NSA must be challenged. Car pooling will begin at 10 AM on Fri., July 4 for the demonstration from 11 AM to noon. Call for information about the car pooling—410-366-1637—or use the Canine Road entrance to meet at 11 AM in the visitor’s parking lot at Fort Meade. Email mobuszewski@verizon.net.

71] – DID YOU KNOW 34 million people will be traveling more than 50 miles this Fourth of July. You don't want to be with them. Instead, come to a cookout and get a report from the 30th National Convention of the CPUSA on Fri., July 4 from 5 to 8 PM at the home of Cindy and Sharon, 115 Springside Drive, Timonium 21093.

The three delegates from Baltimore who attended the Chicago convention will try to convey the enthusiasm of the delegates and national / international guests involved in the upsurge of people’s struggles, including young people working in the low-wage worker campaign which the Party is helping to build. Join the discussion of how the movements and the Communist Party of Maryland can be most effective in growing and helping to unite these struggles, including the challenge of this fall’s elections. Bring a dish or beverage to share. RSVP at 443-604-2298.

72] – 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/.

73] – Can you help out the Nawal G. Rajeh Peace Camp? Nonviolence and positive conflict resolution is taught to children while providing them a summer camp, fun experience. This year's camp is for four weeks at the 29th Street Community Center in the Harwood neighborhood and three weeks at the Drs. Camille and Bill Cosby Community Center at St. Frances Academy in Johnston Square, both East Baltimore neighborhoods.

There will be morning classes to help the young persons, ranging in age from 5 to 12 years old, retain their school based skills writing about "peace heroes" and reading books that encourage positive communication. The afternoons will be filled with activities such as swimming, art, music and free time in the gyms. Some 70 children will attend the camp. Can you make a contribution to support the Nawal G. Rajeh Peace Camp of 2014 and reach out to your network of friends? Funds will be used toward instruction in yoga, drumming, dance and art.

Greater Homewood Community Corporation will serve as the fiscal agent for Peace Camp. Checks should be made out to By Peaceful Means and mailed to GHCC, 3503 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218. Help keep children out of the extreme heat of the summer sun and from the dangerous bullets flying freely in our inner-city neighborhoods. Help make peacemakers, while keeping them safe.

74] -- 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.

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

76] -- 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.

77] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

78] -- Can you use any book shelves? Can you use any file cabinets? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

79] -- 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.

80] -- 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.

81] – 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