Baltimore Activist Alert - December 9 - 11, 2014

23] “The Battle Of and For the Black Face Boy” – Dec. 9
24] Mothers of children killed by the police speak – Dec. 9
25] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Dec. 9
26] No JHU Drone Research – Dec. 9
27] System Change Not Climate Change meeting – Dec. 9
28] GMOM Phone Bank Party – Dec. 9
29] IWW meeting – Dec. 9
30] Stop the Attack on GMO Labeling! – Dec. 9
31] Film “On the Side of the Road” – Dec. 9
32] Week of action from International Human Rights Day through Bill of Rights Day – Dec. 10 - 15
33] Temporary Protected Status – Dec. 10
34] Ferguson, and What the Church Can Do – Dec. 10
35] Premiere of “Children of the Light: Desmond Tutu’s South African Story”– Dec. 10
36] Be at the FCC for Net Neutrality – Dec. 11
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23] – Get over to Busboys and Poets, 1025 K St NW, WDC, on Tues., Dec. 9 at 4 PM for Nikky Finney's new work, “The Battle Of and For the Black Face Boy,” which delves deep into our heritage and addresses what isn't being said about race today. Split This Rock is co-sponsoring Finney, Armah, Carroll, and Hill, as they share work focusing on issues Black men face in today's far-from-post-racial society. The reading is being presented as part of At War With Ourselves, a joint project of The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore's Center Stage, and the State Theater of Maryland.

24] – Grieving mothers of Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, John Crawford and other victims of police brutality will be in D.C. from Tues., Dec. 9 through Thurs., Dec. 11, sponsored by Code Pink. On Dec. 9, there will be a strategy meeting from 4 to 6 PM. This is not a public meeting, just for organizations working on issues related to police brutality. Email Alli@codepink.org for the location if you would like to attend as a representative of your organization.

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from grieving mothers who have lost children to police brutality. What police reforms do they want people to see? What actions do they want people to take? These mothers are coming from around the country--including California, Texas, New York and Maryland--to meet with Congress, the Department of Justice and the White House. This is their only public event. Join to hear their stories of personal loss, and learn about the inspiring work they are doing to demand accountability at First Trinity Lutheran Church, 307 E St. NW, WDC, on Tues., Dec. 9 from 6 to 8 PM. RSVP at https://calendar-codepink.nationbuilder.com/forms/user_sessions/new.

On Wed., Dec. 10 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, there will be a Congressional briefing in the Rayburn House Building 2226, co-sponsored by Representative Conyers, Ellison, Johnson, Jackson, Lee and Rangel. Seating is limited and press and Congressional staffers will be given preference. Congressional meetings will take place from 1 to 4 PM. Then there will be a vigil at the Department of Justice. RSVP to Alli.

On Thurs., Dec. 11, there will be meetings and media interviews. The delegates are VALERIE BELL, mother of Sean Bell, JERALYNN BLUEFORD, mother of Alan Blueford, DARLENE CAIN, a mother of Dale Graham from Baltimore, DANETTE CHAVIS, mother of Gregory Chavis, DOROTHY COPP ELLIOTT, mother of Archie ‘Artie’ Elliott, COLLETTE FLANAGAN, mother of Clinton Allen, MARCELLA HOLLOMAN, mother of Maurice Donald Johnson of Baltimore, WANDA JOHNSON, mother of Oscar Grant, CONSTANCE MALCOLM, mother of Ramarley Graham, and TRESSA SHERROD, mother of John Crawford III.

25] – 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 Dec. 9. Call 215-426-0364.

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

27] – Be at the upstairs Conference Room 2 of the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, WDC, on Tues., Dec. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for a System Change Not Climate Change meeting to discuss some of the current campaigns fighting climate change in the D.C. Metro Area. There are several points of discussion including environmental racism, Cove Point and the Keystone Pipeline.

28] – There is a Phone Bank Party on Tues., Dec. 9 at 6:30 PM, OK to come later, at Joe’s house, 1405 Berwick Rd., Towson 21204. This is a hands-on training where you get to know how to talk about this issue, with short written scripts. Learn from each other. For complete newbies as well as old hands, this is the best way to learn about the issue. Lists of people who are interested in having a conversation with you will be provided. Invite them to upcoming local events, and briefly explain the issue. Bring phone and charger. Refreshments will be provided. Call Joe Adams at 1-410-231-3323 or email him at joeadamsmd [at] gmail.com. Go to http://www.getmoneyoutmd.org/.

29] – On Tues., Dec. 9 at 7:30 PM in the Free School Classroom, Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, there is a Monthly IWW GMB Meeting. Just sign up for the OBU (One Big Union)! The Baltimore Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World urge you to come and pay your dues, sign up for a red card, and find out what the Wobblies are working on. Call 443-602-7585. Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

30] – On WED., DEC. 10 from 9 AM to 2 PM, join the Organic Consumers Association at the Capitol to Stop the Attack on GMO Labeling! Rally to protest HR 4432, a bill to kill states’ rights to label GMOs. Rally for your right to know at the Capitol at 9 AM at the SE corner of the Capitol grounds, the House side, Independence Ave. & 1st St. SE. Bring a black and red blind-fold to wear to represent how the DARK Act seeks to keep us in the dark about GMOs. There is a hearing at 10:15 AM in Room 2123, Rayburn Office Building, 45 Independence Ave. SW, WDC 20515. Enjoy lunch at 11 AM at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, 201 4th St. SE, WDC 20003. Use the Capitol South Metro or park at 701 S. Capitol St. SW, WDC 20003. Volunteers are needed at the hearing room at 7 AM. RSVP to volunteer to show up early for the hearing by contacting alexis@organicconsumers.org. More volunteers are needed to help serve lunch at 10 AM. RSVP to volunteer to serve lunch by contacting Patrick@organicconsumers.org.

H.R. 4432—the DARK (Deny Americans the Right to Know) ACT—was introduced by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) at the bidding of Monsanto, Big Food and the Koch Brothers. The bill will get its first hearing on Dec. 10.

31] – Lia Tarachansky's first documentary feature film, is an exploration of the power of denial. The film focuses on Israeli collective denial of the events of 1948 that led to the country's Independence and the Palestinian refugee problem. It follows war veterans Tikva Honig-Parnass and Amnon Noiman as they tackle their denial of their actions in the war. The film also tells the story of the director, Lia Tarachansky, an Israeli born in the Soviet Union who grew up in a settlement in the West Bank and who as an adult began to realize the problems of the Israeli Occupation for the Palestinians. See her film at the Palestine Center: 2425 Virginia Ave, NW, WDC, on Wed., Dec. 10 from noon to 2 PM. Go to http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/48767.

32] – There is a national week of action from Wed., Dec. 10 (International Human Rights Day) until Mon., Dec. 15 (Bill of Rights Day). Check out Facebook for a list of events: https://www.facebook.com/events/1546799482229502. See this blog post which captures the intended framing, aiming to connect the dots between Ferguson, the NSA dragnet, and CIA torture: http://bordc.org/blog/december-week-action-challenges-cia-and-nsa-crimes. Join the Bill of Rights Defense Committee for a vigil at the Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Dec. 10 at 4 PM to commemorate Gary Webb on the 10th anniversary of his death. Webb was the journalist attacked and blacklisted by the U.S. government and media for exposing CIA collusion with drug-trafficking rings linked to the brutal US-funded and trained Nicaraguan Contras. The U.S. government looked the other way as cocaine and crack flooded U.S. streets in the 80s, ravaging mostly poor and black communities. After the demo at the Post, march to the Department of Justice to highlight crimes by government intelligence agencies and the media that help them get away with them.

Instead of investigating the U.S. government's actions, the Washington Post, New York Times, LA Times and others attacked Gary Webb. On this International Human Rights Day, the coalition will remind them of their role in not only destroying Gary Webb, but of their continued role in covering up and cheer-leading for the destruction of lives and rights by the U.S. at home and abroad. See https://www.facebook.com/events/770815826313794/?ref=6&ref_notif_type=plan_user_invited.

33] – On Thurs., Nov. 20, President Obama announced an Executive Order that will defer deportation for 5 million undocumented immigrants. Plans to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to individuals from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone were also announced by DHS that day. Discuss Many Languages One Voice, 3166 Mount Pleasant St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Dec. 10 at 5 PM. Local and national immigration advocates, immigration attorneys and organizers with our S.M.A.R.T. youth organizers and the UDC Risers will untangle what this new Administrative Relief and new reform means, particularly for D.C.’s immigrant English Language Learner youth and families. Call 202-621-0001 or email info@mlovdc.org.

34] – Dr. Harold Dean Trulearn, Professor at the Howard University School of Divinity, is going to Ferguson, Missouri this week as part of a delegation of national leaders on criminal justice reform and will also report on that trip as part of his presentation. He will discuss at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Ave. NW, WDC, on Wed., Dec. 10 from 6:30 to 8 PM what the church should do to respond to inequities in the criminal justice system as well as what can be done to assist the thousands of individuals who are returning each year from spending time in state and federal prisons.

35] – On Wed., Dec. 10 at 7 PM, the Palestine Israel Advocacy Group (PIAG) and the Washington Cathedral will show the Washington premiere of “Children of the Light: Desmond Tutu’s South African Story” in the Perry Auditorium (7th Floor), Washington National Cathedral. Afterwards personal observations will be made by Dr. Judith Mayotte, board member of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and Leadership Academy in Cape Town. Reservations are required. RSVP at pal-isgroup@cathedralcongregation.org.

36] – On Thurs,, Dec. 11, the Federal Communications Commission will hold a public meeting. They have taken the future of the Internet, net neutrality, off the agenda. Protests led to President Obama supporting reclassifying the Internet as a common carrier and enacting net neutrality rules. Help insist that the FCC stop dragging its feet on net neutrality! At the meeting, come with the message “Reclassify Now!” Attend a rally at 9 AM outside the FCC, 445 12th St. SW, WDC, and then attend the public hearing at 10:30 AM. Bring a small sign (8 1/2 by 11 suggested) to hold during the meeting. Messages should focus on calling for Title II reclassification now without delay.

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