BALTIMORE ACTIVIST ALERT - Sept. 2 - 3, 2014

17] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Sept. 2
18] No Drone Research at JHU – Sept. 2
19] Monthly pet bereavement support group meeting – Sept. 2
20] Join Pax Christi – Sept. 2
21] Iraq in Crisis – Sept. 3
22] Show solidarity with Ferguson – Sept. 3
23] "National Service of Mourning" for Gaza – Sept. 3
24] Baltimore's Youth Dreamers at Red Emma’s – Sept. 3
25] Web Workshop: Divestment as a Solidarity Tactic – Sept. 3
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17] – 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 Sept. 2. Call 215-426-0364.

18] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. Join this ongoing vigil on Sept. 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-366-1637.

19] – 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.

20] – On Tues., Sept. 2 at 7:30 PM, attend the St. Rose of Lima Pax Christi re-organization meeting at 11701 Clopper Rd., Gaithersburg 20878, in Duggan Room 2 (library) in the parish basement. ALL ARE WELCOME! Whether or not you are a St. Rose of Lima parishioner or a Catholic, if you are interested in Christian nonviolence from a Catholic perspective you are welcome. Call 301-948-7545.

21] – On Wed., Sept. 3 from 1 to 2 PM, hear Iraq in Crisis: Understanding the Challenges Confronting the Nation with Raed Jarrar, Policy Impact Coordinator, American Friends Service Committee, Adil Shamoo, Associate Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies, & Sami Albanna, Iraq Analyst & Commentator. After an invasion and occupation in 2003, Iraq has faced many challenges stemming from regime change, sectarianism and political division. Today, Iraq reels from the emergence and advance of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria which has entered and controlled large swaths of Iraqi territory leaving death and destruction in its wake. It has further targeted many traditional Iraqi minority communities. The United States is once again conducting air strikes in Iraq after withdrawing combat troops who were there for nearly a decade on the ground and there is no clear end in sight for this renewed military involvement. Shifts in leaders have also taken place, possibly advancing prospects for a more unified Iraqi political establishment. This briefing will be held at The Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave., WDC 20037. RSVP at http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/RegisterForEvent/i/47743.

22] – Come to the Washington Ethical Society, 7750 16th St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Sept. 3 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, as there will be an action showing solidarity with Ferguson and with every community affected by systemic racist violence and injustice. This is an ongoing witness started Wed., Aug. 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in front of the Washington Ethical Society and continuing every week at the same time. Participants will be holding signs affirming that this problem is larger than Ferguson as Black lives matter and that Justice is for ALL! This action is co-sponsored by Family and Friends of Incarcerated People and the Washington Ethical Society. See https://www.facebook.com/events/838475379543281/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming.

23] – On Wed., Sept. 3 at 6 PM join an Ecumenical "National Service of Mourning" for Gaza. This community event will allow you to grieve at the senseless loss of so many innocents in the current Gaza conflict. This Mourning will be done in remembrance of those who have died in Palestine and Israel in the current conflict, and will be held at the Calvary Baptist Church, 755 8th St. N.W. (between G and H Sts.), WDC 20001. Use the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station--Red, Green and Yellow Lines.

The loss and suffering resulting from the latest conflict between the Israeli military and Palestinian groups in Gaza is staggering. More than 1,400 civilians have been killed and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced. Weeks of overwhelming destruction have devastated land, homes, and infrastructure. The siege of Gaza and the military occupation of Palestinian territory cripple normal life. As the people of the region cry, "How long, O Lord?," join in prayers in a service of worship. There are several groups co-sponsoring this event, including the American Friends Service Committee. Contact Mike Merryman-Lotze at MMerryman-Lotze@afsc.org.

24] – On Wed., Sept. 3 at 7 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, Baltimore's Youth Dreamers will present their new book “I Am Not a Test Score: Lessons Learned from Dreaming.” The evening will feature readings, opportunities for audience input, and a short presentation from United Opt Out on resisting standardized testing. The book is a collaborative effort written by Youth Dreamers themselves, young people who have grown up in Baltimore City schools and believe in alternatives to standardized testing. This 9 x 9, full color, image heavy, 371 page, hardback coffee table book shares what Youth Dreamers and allies learned from dreaming and building Baltimore’s only youth-run youth center—The Dream House. Call 443-602-7585. Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

25] – GoFossilFree.org [mailto:350@350.org] is hosting a Web Workshop: Divestment as a Solidarity Tactic on Wed., Sept. 3 at 8:30 PM EDT. Two fossil fuel divestment leaders will discuss how divestment can be used as a solidarity tactic, and how climate change is innately intertwined with social justice. Joshua Kahn Russell is the Global Trainings Manager at 350.org. He has trained thousands of activists, and will offer insights about building relationships of solidarity with integrity and power. Sachie Hopkins Hayakawa is a Youth and Student Organizer with the New Economy Coalition, and helped organize the country's first fossil fuel divestment campaign with Swarthmore Mountain Justice. Sachie will speak to the implications and possibilities for divestment campaigns standing in solidarity with communities on the frontlines of fossil fuel impacts. RSVP at http://act.350.org/signup/webinars_solidaritytactic/?t=2&akid=5008.75494.n0a9i2, and you will be sent the link to view the workshop.

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