Baltimore Activist Alert - August 5 - 9, 2014

17] If Not Now protest – Aug. 5
18] International organizations in Palestine – Aug. 5
19] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Aug. 5
20] Hibakusha/Downwinder testimonies – Aug. 5 - 9
21] Monthly pet bereavement support group meeting – August 5
22] See the film “The Healing Passage: Voices from the Water” – Aug. 5
23] In D.C. commemorate Hiroshima & Nagasaki -- Aug. 6 & 9
24] In Philadelphia commemorate Hiroshima & Nagasaki -- Aug. 6 & 8
25] Webinar on Nuclear Weapons – Aug. 6
26] In Baltimore commemorate Hiroshima & Nagasaki -- Aug. 6 & 9
27] Gentrification, urban change, and local resistance – Aug. 6
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17] – Across the country, Jews are coming together to demand that the American Jewish community support an end to the war on Gaza, an end to the siege, an end to the occupation, and freedom and dignity for all in Israel and Palestine. A group is coming together under the banner #IfNotNow, harkening to the famous questions posed by the first century Jewish sage, Hillel. If Not Now is protesting the Jewish institutions that claim to represent all American Jews when they defend the profound injustice Israel inflicts on Palestinians. It ignores the growing number of voices in this community who are troubled by Israeli aggression and occupation.

Join them on Tues., Aug. 5 at noon, on Tisha B’Av, the traditional day of mourning, as they remember the innocents who have died and call for an end to this senseless war at the Jewish Federations of North America Washington Office, 1720 I St. NW. See https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X9opZP4DQ3XKUjfmpaVteXFbI4MsLmFk_25_taOaVp4/viewform.
On Sun., July 27 at 1 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Cafe, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, Call 443-602-7585. Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

18] – On Tues., Aug. 5 from 1 to 2 PM at The Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC 20037, hear International Organizations: A New Forum for Discussion? with Nidal Sliman, Al-Shabaka policy member & Phyllis Bennis, fellow, Institute for Policy Studies. A light lunch is served at 12:30 PM. Since the original UN resolutions regarding the Palestinian state were established, international organizations have taken a back seat in mediating the peace process between Israel and Palestine. Other actors, predominantly the United States, have filled that role. However, in the past few years gaining access to international organizations has become a part of the Palestinian political strategy.

Nidal Sliman and Phyllis Bennis will discuss the role of international organizations in Palestine in the past, as well as their future role, in light of recent Palestinian efforts to obtain membership and recognition (in particular from the UN and the ICC). They will discuss the viability of a peace settlement coming out of these organizations as well as logistical issues and administrative barriers within the organizations that may impede that progress. This is the third and final installment of the Palestine Center's Summer Intern Lecture Series, titled "Palestine Abroad: The Role of the International Community in the Palestinian Issue." Email info@palestinecenter.org. RSVP at http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/RegisterForEvent/i/46856.

19] – 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 Aug. 5. Call 215-426-0364.

20] – The Hiroshima/Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area is bringing to the metropolitan area two Hibakusha (Atomic Bomb Survivors), Mr. Toshiyuki Mimaki from Hiroshima and Ms. Fumie Kakita, second-generation Hibakusha from Nagasaki. They will be in the United States through Sun., Aug. 10, and will share the message that the nations of the world must abolish nuclear weapons so that the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is never repeated. The Hibakusha’s greatest fear is that when they are gone, the memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will disappear and nuclear weapons will be used again, this time threatening life itself. Their prophetic voices remind us of the need to speak out against oppression and injustice, and to work for nuclear disarmament. Joining them is Dennis Nelson, a Downwinder from St. George, Utah, who was exposed to fallout from atmospheric nuclear testing. Peace messages from the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the events will be read. Call John Steinbach at 703-822-3485.

On Tues., Aug. 5 at 6:45 PM, there will be a Hiroshima Peace Commemoration at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, National Mall. This will include a moment’s silence at 7:15 PM, Hibakusha testimony, a Fukushima update and a candlelight vigil.

On Thurs., Aug. 7 at 4 PM, the delegation will be at American University, founder’s room, School of International Service, across from Nebraska Ave. Hear Hibakusha/Downwinder testimonies. This event is sponsored by Peace of East Asia in Creative Engagement (P.E.A.C.E).

On Fri., Aug. 8 at 9:45 PM, participate in a Nagasaki Candlelight Vigil at the White House (Lafayette Park). There will be a moment of silence and sharing of thoughts for peace at 10:02 PM.

On Sat., Aug. 9 at 4 PM at the Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, 15 West Church St., Frederick, MD 21701, Frederick Women in Black will host the Hibakusha, and testimonies will be offered. For the past 33 years, the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area, with the support of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), has been organizing for the abolition of nuclear weapons and nuclear power, and in support of nuclear victims.

21] – Andrew Mazan leads a free monthly pet bereavement support group that meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 PM at Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Road. RSVP at 410-833-8848. Private counseling is also available. Go to http://www.baltimorehumane.org.

22] – At Bloombars, 3222 11th St. NW on Tues., Aug. 5 from 7 to 9 PM, join BloomBars and TransAfrica for a film “The Healing Passage: Voices from the Water” (2004, 90 min) by S. Pearl Sharp. It reflects on African heritage and explores the need for healing within the African Diaspora. Prominent cultural artists explore the present-day effects of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and use music, ritual, dolls, spoken word and visual art to create paths to healing. See http://tinyurl.com/healing-trailer. Madea Allen, a certified health coach and organic food chef, will present a healthy food demonstration and tasting, while facilitating a discussion of the film. She will prepare a dish reflecting African heritage and speak about healing through eating wholesome ancestral foods. The suggested donation is $10, and the proceeds support both BloomBars and the work of Madea Allen. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/922867111073492/.

23] – Join with the Jonah House Community, the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker and other friends from the Atlantic Life Community for the annual Hiroshima and Nagasaki actions which will be held on August 6 and August 9. Sixty nine years ago the U.S. government did the “unspeakable” and dropped atom bombs on Japan. On Wed., Aug. 6, there will be a nonviolent witness at the Pentagon. Meet on corner of Army-Navy Drive and Fern St. at 11:45 AM. The witness is from noon until 1 PM.

On Sat., Aug. 9, meet at 16th and H Sts. NW (north side of Lafayette Park) at 11:45 AM, and process to the White House for a witness ending at 1 PM. Contact the Jonah House at 410-233-6238 or disarmnow@verizon.net.

24] –On August 6, 1945 Hiroshima was bombed, on the following Aug. 9, Nagasaki felt the horrible effect of an atomic weapon. These atomic clouds changed the world. On Wed., Aug. 6 at noon at 230 Mall Boulevard, just off Mall & Goddard Boulevards (behind the King of Prussia Mall, at the driveway entrance to Lockheed Martin, King of Prussia, PA, there will be a Hiroshima Day Demonstration and Nonviolent Resistance at Lockheed Martin, the world's #1 war profiteer, from nuclear weapons to drone war technology, and largest supplier of missiles, bombs, and jet fighters to Israel. There will be a 'Journey of Death' narrative and readings, music and bell-tolling. Finally there will be a Memorial to the Innocents (bring a stuffed toy doll for the day's memorial).

On Fri., Aug. 8, 4 to 5 PM, the Philadelphia Nagasaki Demonstration to stop the drone war command center at the Horsham Air Guard Station takes place at the SEPTA entrance, NW corner, 15th & Market Sts. These Philadelphia Rush Hour sign bearing and leafleting sessions occur on the second Friday of the month, and alternate between the SEPTA entrance, NW corner at 15th & Market Sts., and the Bellevue Hotel (SE PA Office of Gov. Corbett, head of PA Air Guard), 200 S. Broad St., Broad & Walnut Sts. Call 610-544-1818 or go to http://www.brandywinepeace.com/events/.

25] – On Wed., Aug. 6 at 3 PM, tune in to a webinar hosted by Women's Action for New Directions (WAND). The webinar is free and open to the public, but you must pre-register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/158599902. On April 24, 2014, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) filed landmark cases in the International Court of Justice and U.S. Federal District Court against the nine nuclear-armed nations. Rick Wayman, Director of Programs at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, will give an overview of the lawsuits and their current status in the courts, as well as a report on the civil society campaign that is happening in support of the lawsuits. Neisen Laukon, originally from Rongelap Atoll (part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands), will share her story about the health effects she and her community suffered following the Castle Bravo nuclear bomb test by the U.S. military on March 1, 1954. She was not on Rongelap on the day of the test, but was returned to the heavily contaminated atoll by the United States with her family in 1957. Erica Fein, Nuclear Weapons Policy Officer at WAND, will introduce the speakers and moderate the hour-long webinar.

26] – For the 30th year, the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee will gather to remember the atomic bombings of Japan on August 6 & 9, 1945, which killed more than 200,000 people. Other organizations involved in this year’s commemorations are the Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee of Homewood and Stony Run Meetings, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Crabshell Alliance and the Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore. It is our duty to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again and that nuclear abolition becomes reality. Taking this to heart, members of the Transform Now Plowshares, Sister Megan Rice, Greg Boertje-Obed and Michael Walli, are in federal prisons serving long sentences for their May 2013 disarmament action at the Y12 Nuclear Weapons Complex in Knoxville, TN.

On Wed., Aug. 6, gather at 33rd and N. Charles Streets from 5:30 to 6:30 PM to protest Johns Hopkins University’s weapons research, including a swarming drones contract, and call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the closing of nuclear power plants. Then go to the Bufano Sculpture Garden on Johns Hopkins Homewood campus, where the Hibakusha, survivors of an atomic bomb explosion, will speak. The guests are Mr. Toshiyuki Mimaki, Hiroshima Hibakusha born March 15, 1942 and vice president of Hiroshima Prefectural Hidankyo, and Ms. Fumie Kakita, Nagasaki second-generation Hibakusha born October 12, 1953, who is the assistant secretary general of Nagasaki Council of A-bomb Sufferers. Then enjoy dinner at Niwana Restaurant, 3 East 33rd Street.

On Sat., Aug. 9, starting at 5 PM, there will be a potluck dinner at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St. At 6:30 PM, the Baltimore Labor Chorus will perform. Then Meher Hans, a high student will explain her concern for the atomic bombings of Japan, and Tim Whitehouse, executive direct of the Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, will discuss the activities of the local PSR chapter. Finally, participants will share through verse, poetry or song why s/he is moved to dissent against nuclear weapons and power and killer drone strikes.

On Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, we welcome performances by musicians and poets. Let us know if you will perform. Call Max at 410-366-1637 or email him at mobuszewski at Verizon.net.

27] – A rose that grew out of the 1992 LA Riots, the community garden in South Central Los Angeles, was a testament to community resilience. However, when the land is sold to a wealthy developer, the South Central Farmers are forced to show a different sort of resilience in their battle with city hall. On Wed., Aug. 6 at 6 PM at Emergence Community Arts Collective, 733 Euclid St. NW, join the Washington Peace Center & Housing for All Campaign for a documentary THE GARDEN on gentrification, urban change, and local resistance in American cities. Go to http://www.cnhed.org/housing-for-all-campaign/campaign-events/.

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