Baltimore Activist Alert - September 18 -19, 2014

50] What to do about ISIS – Sept. 18
51] Hands Off Social Security & Medicare – Sept. 18
52] Save the Barry Farm – Sept. 18
53] Meet Maryland SPCA Urbanites – Sept. 18
54] Peace through mindfulness – Sept. 18
55] Night to Support Childhood Literacy in the Nation’s Capital! – Sept. 18
56] Baltimore premiere of "Resistance" – Sept. 18
57] Film “Wisconsin Rising!” – Sept. 18
58] Hunger Action Symposium – Sept. 19
59] Employment Justice Center triumphs – Sept. 19
60] Working Group for Sustainable Communities – Sept. 19
61] Vigil for peace at White House – Sept. 19
62] Vigil for Justice in Palestine – Sept. 19

50] – The international community rallies to confront ISIS (the so-called Islamic State also referred to as ISIL and recently renamed IS), in Iraq and Syria. It has already begun a discussion of how to achieve inclusive politics in Iraq, but little debate on how to achieve the same objective in Syria. Virtually all analysts agree that concerted international military engagements in Syria will fail without robust humanitarian and political intervention on behalf of all 22 million Syrians, including the 9 million displaced by the civil war. Any political solution must address political grievances and core concerns of all Syrians.

To address these issues, on Thurs., Sept. 18 from 1 to 3 PM, the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) has organized a panel of Syrian experts and activists to address the political crisis and offer policy recommendations regarding Syria at 529 14th St. NW, 13th Floor, Zenger Room,
WDC.

51] – There is a RALLY: Hands Off Social Security & Medicare -- We Earned It! It will be in Upper Senate Park, Constitution Ave. NW, WDC on Thurs., Sept. 18 at 1:30 PM. Join Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Congressperson Bruce Braley, and seniors from across the country to tell the GOP to start putting seniors before their special interests. Go to
https://www.facebook.com/events/1553550824882107/?ref=6&ref_notif_type=plan_user_invited.

52] – Join the fight to save the Barry Farm on Thurs., Sept. 18 at 6 PM at 441 4th St. NW, Suite 200-S, WDC. Empower DC and the Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association will be back in front of the zoning commission for what is called a "limited scope" hearing -- meaning that testimony can only be presented on newly introduced information. The city and developers have provided more info on the redevelopment and relocation process, but it's still severely lacking in detail and will lead to massive displacement. Bring an ID to enter. Email housing@empowerdc.org.

53] – The Maryland SPCA Urbanites are young professionals mobilizing the next generation of animal lovers to support the Maryland SPCA's mission to improve the lives of pets and people in our community. Attend a downtown happy hour celebrating the launch of the Urbanites! Help us raise awareness of the MD SPCA's mission, while enjoying drinks and food. Tickets are $10 in advance and benefit the homeless animals of the Maryland SPCA. Go to http://www.mdspca.org/updates/detail/md-spca-urbanites-launch-party. The cost is $15 at the door. Enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres on Thurs., Sept. 18 from 6 to 8 PM at Jackson's Wharf Plaza in Fells Point, Baltimore, 21231. It is the grassy area in front of the Bond Street Wharf Building, 901 South Bond St. Contact Tami Gosheff at tgosheff@mdspca.org or 410-235-8826 x138.

54] – At the Metropolitan Memorial Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Ave. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Sept. 18 from 6 to 9 PM, join with Sylvia Boorstein, Tara Brach, and Congressperson Tim Ryan, three renowned voices for achieving peace through mindfulness, in celebration of the Peace Alliance's 10th anniversary and the UN declared International Day of Peace (Sept. 21st). What is mindful activism? How do we stop the violence in our homes, our schools, our neighborhoods our nation and our world? How can we elevate the political discourse that is so dividing our nation and political leadership right now? See https://org.salsalabs.com/o/696/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=82235.

55] – On Thurs., Sept. 18 at 7 PM at Howard University Cramton Auditorium, 2455 6th St. NW, WDC 20001. there is a free Concert for a Cause—a Night to Support Childhood Literacy in the Nation’s Capital! WE TV talent and literacy advocates SWV, Tamar Braxton and Erica Campbell will be performing live--and bringing awareness to the #NAACPreads campaign. Admission is free, but RSVP at the link below to claim your seat: http://action.naacp.org/page/s/rsvp-for-the-naacp-reads-pop-up-concert.

56] – Be at the Baltimore premiere of "Resistance," a new documentary on the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on Thurs., Sept. 18 from 7 to 9 PM at the Rotunda: Horizon Cinemas, 711 W. 40th St., Baltimore 21211. This event is free. RSVP at action@marylandpirg.org. After the screening representatives from Food and Water Watch and the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future will answer your questions and highlight what you can do to fight back against the overuse of these critical medicines on animal farms. Antibiotics are a pillar of modern medicine. Unfortunately, overuse is accelerating the spread of superbugs that are resistant to these drugs.

A whopping 70 percent of antibiotics in classes used in human medicine are sold for use in food animals. They are typically added in low doses to animal feed in order to help them grow faster and withstand diseases that often occur in crowded and unsanitary conditions. This practice however, fuels the spread of resistant bacteria that make their way off farms and threaten public health. Call on the Obama Administration to stop the overuse of antibiotics on animal farms.

57] – On Thurs., Sept. 18 at 7:30 PM at the Free School Classroom, Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, see the film “Wisconsin Rising!” Also have a discussion with the filmmaker Sam Mayfield. The documentary tells the story of the largest sustained workers resistance in U.S. history. In 2011, Wisconsin was the canary in the coal mine for America as newly-elected Republican Governor Scott Walker suddenly stripped collective bargaining rights from the state's public employees, undoing eight decades of basic workers' rights.
Be catapulted to the days, weeks, and months when Wisconsinites fought back against power, authority, and injustice. Following conservative Governor Scott Walker’s announcement of his controversial ‘Budget Repair Bill,’ the people of Wisconsin rose up, occupied their state capitol and took to the streets as rarely before seen in U.S. history. Their collective actions are the largest sustained gathering of any workers resistance in U.S. history. Many say Walker’s bill is an assault on working people, unions and the poorest, most vulnerable people in the state. At a time when millions of American families feel the crush of debt and joblessness, while large corporations are seeing record profits, Badger State residents demonstrated the strength that comes from a shared sense of community and acting collectively. Walker is up for re-election this November, the film is timely. Call 443-602-7585. Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

58] – In its second major event of Hunger Action Month, the Maryland Food Bank is hosting their fourth-annual Hunger Action Symposium: Be a Voice at Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244, on Fri., Sept. 19 from 8:30 AM to 3 PM. The symposium will be an opportunity for concerned citizens and hunger advocates to explore new ways to combat food insecurity in Maryland. Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme Etharin Cousin has been named as keynote speaker, with more speakers to be announced. Attendants will have a chance to participate in panel discussions, live polling, and Q&A sessions with experts. All citizens concerned about food insecurity are invited to attend. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/be-a-voice-hunger-action-symposium-2014-registration-11930042077.

59] – Get over to the Mayflower Renaissance Washington, D.C. Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW on Fri., Sept. 19 from 8:30 to 10 AM to acknowledge that the Employment Justice Center has truly experienced a year of triumph! From successfully getting the Paid Sick Leave legislation passed, to pushing the Wage Theft Prevention Act through to its second vote before the D.C. Council, and to serving 700 workers in its clinic this spring alone, EJC and its supporters have been winning the fight against workplace injustice.

This year the keynote speaker is Ai-Jen Poo, the director of the National Domestic Worker's Alliance and co-director of the Caring Across Generations campaign. She has been organizing immigrant women workers since 1996 and has done groundbreaking work to reform laws in New York to improve the working conditions for domestic workers. Amongst many other accolades, Ai-Jen Poo's dedicated work has led to her being selected as one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in the World. Visit https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50675/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=78241%20.

60] – Join the CNHED Green Working Group for Sustainable Communities at the Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall, 900 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Sept. 19 from 9 to 2:30 PM for a two-part training. It will cover D.C. Green Building Code implementation and updates to Enterprise Green Communities criteria and solar opportunities for low- and moderate-income housing developments. Go to
https://www.cnhed.org/training/training-schedule/green-training/.

61] – On Fri., Sept. 19 from noon to 1 PM, join the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker in a vigil urging the powers that be to abolish war and torture, to disarm all weapons, to end indefinite detention, to close Guantanamo, to establish justice for all and help create the Beloved Community! The vigil takes place at the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Contact Art @ artlaffin@hotmail.com or at 202-360-6416.

62] – A vigil for Justice in Palestine/Israel takes place every Friday from noon to 1 PM at 19th & JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, across from Israeli Consulate. It is sponsored by Bubbies & Zaydes (Grandparents) for Peace in the Middle East. Email cswartz@pil.net. Go to http://phillyjewishpeace.org/. 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