Sunday, July 20, 2014

Baltimore Activist Alert July 19 – July 21, 2014

Baltimore Activist Alert July 19 – July 21, 2014

"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] Free adoptions in July
6] Human, Soul & Machine: The Coming Singularity – through Aug. 31
7] VIOLENCE AND CONTEMPLATION-ANNUAL PEACE RETREAT – July 20 – 25
8] Addiction – July 20
9] Peace and Pancakes – July 20
10] Rally to end assault of Gaza – July 20
11] Paid sick days canvas – July 20
12] Christians and Social Justice – July 20
13] Women's narratives in the Middle East – July 20
14] Support the Palestinians – July 20 – 21
15] Pentagon Vigil – June 30 – July 21
16] Marc Steiner on WEAA – July 21 – 25
17] "Iran’s Nuclear Chess: Calculating America’s Moves" – July 21
18] Discussion on the present condition of LBGT rights – July 21
19] Support Central American Children – July 21
20] Respect the workers – July 21
21] Premiere of "America's Secret Fukushima" – July 21
22] "Southern Flows: Pragmatic Approaches to Multidimensional Security in the Americas" – July 21
23] Pledge of Resistance/Fund Our Communities meeting – July 21
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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 Francine Sheppard at 5639B, Harpers Farm Rd., Columbia 21044. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up. Contact Francine at 410-992-7679 or FrancineMSW@aol.com.

5] – The Maryland SPCA has wonderful companions waiting for you! Adopt one of them this July during the Summer Lovin' event! For the entire month, the adoption fees for all adult cats (regularly $55) and large, adult dogs (regularly $125) are waived. The $17 Pet ID Package and all regular adoption procedures still apply. Visit http://www.mdspca.org/adopt/howto/.

6] – See the exhibit Human, Soul & Machine: The Coming Singularity, which
delves into the various ways technology affects lives through the perspective of inventors, futurists and 40 plus visionary artists. The intent is to bring new thoughts on artificial intelligence, robotics, genetics, nanotechnology, 3D printing, and big data, and you can see it through August 31 at the American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. Call 410-244-1900. Go to http://avam.org. A ticket costs $20.

7] – This is a great retreat for peacemakers, in a really beautiful place, at a very reasonable price: VIOLENCE AND CONTEMPLATION-ANNUAL PEACE RETREAT takes place from Sun., July 20 through Fri., July 25 at the Pyramid Life Center, Pardox NY. The cost is $130. Using scripture, the texts of their lives and reflections on current events, the two will lead periods of study, discussion and contemplation, with the aim of inspiring deeper witness and closer community. The presenters are Elizabeth McAlister and Frida Berrigan. Go to http://www.pyramidlife.org/programs/. Contact Linda LeTendre at or 518-330-7693.
• 8] - 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., July 20 Ronit Klemens will discuss addiction. Almost all recovering addicts return to addiction within one year after successfully completing any number of recovery treatment programs. This unsolved problem is a result of our inability to agree on the nature of the problem. Recovering addicts fall between the cracks of psychology, medicine, and the law. Prisons and recovery programs take advantage of the lack of initiative of the different responsible agencies. Instead of resolving the problem, addicts are simply housed in prisons that seek addicts as customers. I will explain the problem from a psychological, medical, and legal perspective, and offer my opinion on how to start solving this problem. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.
9] - 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.

10] – Rally and March to End the Siege of Gaza on Sun., July 20 @ 3PM at the U.S. State Department, 2201 C St NW, WDC 20520. March at 4 PM to the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW. Demand an immediate halt to the Israeli bombardment of besieged Gaza, an end to the siege and an immediate halt to US military funding to Israel. Contact Don Bryant at 216.285.0223 or don@immigrantsupportnetwork.org. Al-Awda, the Palestine Right to Return Coalition, calls for an immediate halt to the Israeli bombardment and further military invasion of besieged Gaza and an immediate halt to US military funding to Israel.

11] – Join a canvas on Sun., July 20 at 3 PM at the Shaw Library, 1630 7th St. NW, to confirm that workers are getting paid sick days, as legislated by a law passed in February. Help make sure that the law is being properly implemented and all workers are getting the sick leave they deserve. Go restaurant to restaurant on U St. NW, offering information and resources about implementation and model policies. Go to http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5483/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=71530.

12] – On Sun., July 20 at 3 PM at the Peace House, 1233 12th St. NW, hear a two hour lecture about the role that Christians are called to take within social justice. Points such as LGBT acceptance, racism, sexism, classism and the relationship between Christianity and other religions/non-religion will be evaluated and discussed through Biblical arguments to deconstruct the popular religious arguments and clarify the true meaning behind the passages often cited to promote discrimination and faith-based laws. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1450056831946502/.

13] – There is a Meet and Greet with refreshments at 5 PM at 1940 Calvert St. NW. The program will start at 5:30 PM, and it will explore women's narratives in the Middle East focusing on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There will also be a feminist discourse about hot topics concerning gender issues in the Middle East. The event is organized by the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press. RSVP at ourmediademocracy@gmail.com.

14] – Join CODEPINK on Sun., July 20 and Mon., July 21 and stand in solidarity with Palestine during this time of extreme humanitarian crises in Gaza. Demonstrate in front of the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Conference on July 20 from 6 to 8 PM in front of the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW, WDC 20001 as the convention opens and July 21 from 8 to 9 AM as people enter.
Then demonstrate in front of the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Conference on July 21 from 6 to 7:30 PM. Show CUFI attendees (including Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer) who the real victims are in this terrible conflict. As the violence accelerates, the death toll has reached 230 casualties in Gaza, including over 45 children. Bring pots, pans, drums, musical instruments, and whistles to make as much noise as possible! Protest co-sponsors include CODEPINK and the Jewish Voices for Peace. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/335376749959397/?ref_notif_type=plan_mall_activity&source=1.

15] -- 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., July 21, 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.

16] – 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.

17] – On Mon., July 21 from noon until 1:15 PM, Robert Litwak, Wilson Center, Mitchell Reiss, Washington College, and David Sanger, New York Times, will take on "Iran’s Nuclear Chess: Calculating America’s Moves" at the Wilson Center, Fifth Floor, Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at http://pages.wilsoncenter.org/72114IranNuclearChessFINAL_06232014-TheIranianNuclearDeal.html.

18] – Get over to the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, 4340 Connecticut Ave. NW, Room 505, on Mon., July 21 from 6 to 7:30 PM for a discussion on the present condition of LBGT rights, the issues this community is facing, and where the struggle goes from here. The panel is hosted by Chai R. Feldblum, who has served as a Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission since 2010. Prior to her appointment to the EEOC, Commissioner Feldblum was a Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center where she has taught since 1991.

19] – Join a Vigil in Support of Central American Children Fleeing Violence at 16th and H Sts. NW at 6:30 PM to continue to pressure President Obama and Congress to follow the law and respect human rights. Bring a candle. See https://www.facebook.com/events/269275806614042/.

20] – Respect DC invites you to join the Coalition at the Florida Ave. Baptist Church, 623 Florida Ave. NW on Mon., July 21 at 6:30 PM to keep the momentum going from June's huge march on the H Street Wal-Mart. Communities can unite against corporate giants, and in D.C. with the Large Retailer Accountability Act, there is an $11.50 minimum wage for DC and regional workers PLUS paid sick days for all DC workers. Email info@dcjwj.org.

21] – Busboys and Poets, 5th & K St. NW, will show the premiere of "America's Secret Fukushima" on Mon., July 21 at 7 PM. Afterwards there will be a panel discussion about the Clean Up the Mines campaign. The short documentary was filmed in April of this year after a tour through South Dakota as the filmmakers learned about the impact of thousands of abandoned uranium mines from the Cold War Uranium Rush era. This secret Fukushima is poisoning the environment and communities throughout the Great Plains and Western U.S. Most people are not aware of it, but the radiation and toxic metals enter our waterways and food system. The abandoned uranium mines are another part of the extreme energy extraction economy that is hurting our health and the planet. Email Margaret Flowers at mdpnhp@gmail.com.

22] – Want to go solar at home? Join the Interfaith Solar Co-ops! This summer, caring homeowners from congregations in Baltimore are coming together to form a solar purchasing co-op. If you've ever wanted to go solar at home, now is your chance to do so in good company! Based on the same principle as buying in bulk, the group will go through the process of purchasing home solar systems together. Guided by the Community Power Network, which has successfully organized several such co-ops previously, the group will select a single contractor to install systems on all of the homes. Each participant will own their system and will sign their own contract with the chosen installer, but everyone will get the group discount.

By going solar as a group, participants will save up to 30% off the cost of a solar electricity system, and will have the support of the co-op throughout the process instead of having to go it alone. These buying groups are being sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light and are open to any Northern Virginia or Baltimore-area homeowner. There is an information session to learn more about the basics of solar and how the co-op works on Mon., July 21 at 7:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Towson, 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd. in Lutherville. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1503747233190554/.

23] – 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., July 21. The proposed agenda will include the appeal of the conviction of the CIA Five, anti-drone activities, including the arraignment of the NSA, the release of Mary Anne Grady, and the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net for directions.

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

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