Baltimore Activist Alert - July 29 - Aug. 3

22] Call for end to water cut-offs in Detroit – July 29
23] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – July 29
24] No Drone Research at JHU – July 29
25] Rally to oppose Baltimore’s curfew laws – July 29
26] See the film “Amílcar Cabral” – July 29
27] EPA Clean Power Plan Hearing – July 30
28] Foreign state actors in the latest Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations – July 30
29] Protest the massacre of the Palestinians in Gaza – July 30
30] See the film “The Ghosts of Jeju” – July 30
31] Silent candlelight vigil to mourn children killed in Gaza – July 30
32] An Evening with Norman Finkelstein – July 30
33] UUs take action against deportation – July 31 – Aug. 2
34] D.C. In It Together Fest – July 31 – Aug. 3
35] Webinar Introduction to Transformational Resilience – July 31
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22] – Join the national call-in day on Tues., July 29 and demand that Michigan Governor Rick Snyder end the water war, restore water to all residents, and implement the Detroit Water Affordabiity Plan. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) promised to halt shut-offs, but it has rumored they are still happening. This is a local manufactured emergency, but a national issue. If this ALEC-led effort succeeds in Detroit, these tactics will be coming to your community next. That's why Progressive Democrats of America is convening a series of emergency actions. Call all of these numbers from 11 AM to 3 PM every Tuesday: (517) 373-3400 (Main Office), (517) 335-7858 (Constituent Services), and (202) 624-5840 (Washington, DC office). You can also send a FAX: (517) 335-6863.

During past call-ins, staffers claimed the Governor has no role in causing this crisis. This is blatantly untrue. Tell whoever offers this excuse that you know Detroit's emergency manager--appointed by Governor Snyder--is behind this horrendous policy called by The Guardian a "right-wing state and corporate push to cut off water," and "economic shock therapy at its most ruthless and racist." Under this policy, DWSD has been shutting off water to homes with balances as low as $40. By summer DWSD plans to have turned off water for 150,000 Detroit residents. This while Red Wing Stadium, Ford Field, golf courses, high rises and industrial buildings have outstanding balances greater than $30 million and still have water.

23] – Each Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the Catholic Peace Fellowship-Philadelphia for peace in Afghanistan and Iraq gathers at the Suburban Station, 16th St. & JFK Blvd., at the entrance to Tracks 3 and 4 on the mezzanine. The next vigil is July 29. Call 215-426-0364.

24] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. Join this ongoing vigil on July 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-366-1637.

25] – Voice your opinion on the youth curfew laws and hear Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts speak at a community meeting on Tues., July 29 at 6 PM at University of Baltimore Law Center Moot Court, 1401 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21202. Use the Mt. Royal Street entrance.

The new Baltimore curfews, which have been hotly contested, will go into effect on August 8, 2014. Under the new legislation, all children under 14 must be indoors by 9 PM throughout the year, and youth between 14 and 16 must be in by 10 PM on school nights and 11 PM on weekends. Youth will be taken to the Baltimore Youth Connection Center if they are in violation of the curfew, an effort, the Mayor says, to “identify and help Baltimore’s most vulnerable children” and to get them “out of harm’s way and into a safe environment.” The Mayor emphasizes that this is a not a criminal enforcement.

The America Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), however, calls the legislation “unworkable,” and creates opportunities for “arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement.” The law would prevent an older child from running out to the store for a parent and a young child at home, and could disproportionately target poor, minority areas, which already have a heavy police presence. After one violation, a child’s parents may be issued a civil citation or be required to attend family counseling. If there are repeat violations, the parents or guardians could receive a civil citation or misdemeanor with a fine up to $500. A grassroots effort will be launched to educate the public on what the curfew amendments mean for them. This legislation will impact day-to-day life for your community, so give feedback by attending or sending comments to curfew@baltimorecity.gov.

26] – At Bloombars, 3222 11th St. NW on Tues., July 29 from 7 to 9 PM, join BloomBars and TransAfrica for a film and discussion featuring one of the great African Leaders of the 20th century! The film, “Amílcar Cabral,” recalls the life of the leader of the Liberation Movement of Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau and the founder of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC). Using rare footage, the film shows the various aspects of the life of Cabral as a father, politician, humanist, and poet. While the film is in Portuguese, there are English subtitles. The screening will be followed by a Q&A discussion hosted by Mwiza Munthali, the Public Outreach Director of TransAfrica. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/672646369482491/. The suggested donation is $10, and the proceeds support both TransAfrica and BloomBars. Enjoy free organic popcorn.

27] – On Wed., July 30 from 9 AM to 8 PM, attend the EPA Clean Power Plan Hearing at William Jefferson Clinton East Building, Room 1153, 1201 Constitution Ave. NW, WDC. Physicians for Social Responsibility's Dr. Catherine Thomasson and Barb Gottlieb will testify at this hearing, one of four hearings in the US on the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan rule, which aims to reduce carbon emissions. Members of the public can register to testify at any of the four hearings. Go to http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/forms/public-hearings-clean-power-plan-proposed-rule#register for information about each hearing. Email jmorgan@psr.org.

28] – Following the 1967 War and the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, a conscious effort began to create a just and lasting peace settlement between Israel and Palestine. Since the initial negotiations, the peace process has always involved outside actors, from the Arab League, the European Union and the United Nations to individual states and actors. In a lecture on Wed., July 30 from 1 to 2 PM at the Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, panelists Michele Dunne and Jenab Tutunji will focus on the role of foreign state actors in the most recent peace negotiations and both positive and negative effects of outside actors on the process. Email info@palestinecenter.org.

29] – Be at the Baltimore Penn Station, 1500 N Charles St. on Wed., July 30 from 5:30 to 7 PM to protest the massacre of the Palestinians in Gaza. The Israeli bombing and invasion of Gaza has claimed over 1000 lives, while in the West Bank Israeli forces have fired on mass marches, killing and injuring Palestinians protesting the attacks. Come out again in solidarity with the Palestinian people, this time for a march from Penn Station to the corner of North Avenue and Charles St. The march will end before Norman Finkelstein's talk at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/261907827335166/.

30] – On Wed., July 30 from 6 to 8:30 PM, the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach presents… “The Ghosts of Jeju,” an 80-minute documentary about the struggle of the people of Jeju Island, South Korea, at the Theological College Conference Room, 415 Michigan Ave. NE, WDC 20017. Use the Brookland Metro, located across from the Basilica. Enter via the front door. The film tells the story of the struggle of the people of Gangjeong Village who are nonviolently protesting the construction of a naval base to accommodate the U.S. geopolitical “Asian Pivot.” Columbans are active in this struggle and will be available to answer questions and join in a discussion of the issue. RSVP to ccaoprograms@columban.org or 202-635-5812.

31] – The Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee, in conjunction with the Arab American Institute, American Federation of Ramallah Palestine, Bethlehem Association, Coalition of Palestinian American Organizations, and Network of Arab-American Professionals-DC, will hold a silent candlelight vigil in front of the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW on Wed., July 30 at 7 PM to mourn the innocent souls taken by Israel's indiscriminate violence. As of this morning, over 1000 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands more wounded or unjustly arrested by Israeli Occupation Forces. In a report, the United Nations estimates that 80% of those killed were civilians, women and children. In this time of anger, frustration, and mourning, we ask that our community comes together to honor and mourn those who lost their lives due to the U.S. government's continued support of Israel's illegal occupation, blockade, and massacre. Email adc@adc.org.

32] – On Wed., July 30 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's, there will be An Evening with Norman Finkelstein—the longtime and consistently principled critic of the Israeli occupation of Palestine—for an evening of discussion on the politics of the Middle East. Finkelstein received his doctorate in 1988 from the Department of Politics at Princeton University. He is the author of a number of books, “Knowing Too Much: Why the American Jewish Romance with Israel is Coming to an End” (OR Books, 2012); “What Gandhi Says: About Nonviolence, Resistance and Courage” (OR Books, 2012), “This Time We Went Too Far: Truth and Consequences of the Gaza Invasion” (OR Books, 2010, expanded paperback edition, 2011), Goldstone Recants: Richard Goldstone Renews Israel’s License to Kill” (OR Books, 2011), “Beyond Chutzpah: On the Misuse of Anti-Semitism and the Abuse of History” (University of California Press, 2005, expanded paperback edition, 2008), and “The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering” (Verso, 2000, expanded paperback edition, 2003).

33] – On June 29th, delegates at the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly 2014 in Providence, RI passed an Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) calling on UUs to join national faith leaders and immigrant rights advocates from across the nation from Thurs., July 31 through Sat., Aug. 2 to call on the White House to stop the deportations of immigrants and end the unjust laws tearing apart families, communities and congregations. Meet at the United Methodist Building, 100 Maryland Ave. NE.

The AIW called for UUs to consider participating in planned civil disobedience on July 31 and to support the National Day Laborer Organizing Network's #Not1More Deportation Campaign. Not One More will have a Day of Action in D.C. on Aug. 2. On Fri., Aug. 1, there will be a day of training. See http://standingonthesideoflove.org/immigration/pray-for-relief-take-acti...

34] – Gather at the St. Stephens Church, 1525 Newton St. NW from Thurs., July 31 through Sun., Aug. 3 D.C. In It Together Fest, an independent festival of arts music and activism happening at spaces throughout the District. For a schedule of events and participating groups, see https://www.facebook.com/infestdc.

35] – Join a webinar Introduction to Transformational Resilience on Thurs., July 31 from 7:30 to 9 PM. Living in a warming world is hard and trying to address the climate crisis in our congregations can sometimes be a dispiriting business. Interfaith Power & Light-DMV is proud to offer a special webinar on transformational resilience so that together, we can continue to respond and act from a compassionate, hopeful, and spiritually-rooted place. This webinar will be guided by Bob Doppelt, well-known thinker and writer on sustainability and Executive Director of the Resource Innovation Group. Register at https://trig-cli.webex.com/mw0401l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=trig-cli.

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