Baltimore Activist Alert January 2 – January 15, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert January 2 – January 15, 2015

"I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Friends, this list and other email documents which I send out are done under the auspices of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center. Go to www.baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com. If you appreciate this information and would like to make a donation, send contributions to BNC, 325 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Max Obuszewski can be reached at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.

Tune into the Maryland Progressive Blog at http://mdprogblog.org.

1] Books, buttons & stickers
2] Web site for info on federal legislation
3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists
4] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLa
5] Vigil for peace at White House – Jan. 2
6] Vigil for Justice in Palestine – Jan. 2
7] Film THE ATTACK – Jan. 2
8] Animal Liberation – Jan. 2
9] Ballroom Dancing – Jan. 2
10] Olney Peace vigil – Jan. 3
11] West Chester, PA demo – Jan. 3
12] Silent peace vigil – Jan. 3
13] Anti-War/Anti-Drone Silent Death Walk/Vigil -- Jan. 3
14] “Justice Begins with ‘Just Us’” – Jan. 4
15] Feed the Hood -- Jan. 4
16] Pentagon Vigil – Jan. 5
17] Go to Cuba – Jan. 5 to Jan. 15
18] Witness Against Torture – Jan. 5 – Jan. 13
19] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Jan. 5 – Jan. 9
20] Pledge/FOC meeting – Jan. 5
21] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Jan. 6
22] No JHU Drone Research – Jan. 6
23] Honor John Conyers – Jan. 7
24] Get Money Out - Maryland – Jan. 7
25] Delegation to Honduras – Jan. 9 - 19
26] Silent Peace Vigil – Jan. 9
27] Film RABBIT-PROOF FENCE – Jan. 9
28] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
29] Join Fund Our Communities
30] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
31] Do you need any book shelves?
32] Join Global Zero campaign
33] War Is Not the Answer signs for sale
34] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available. “God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions” stickers are in stock. Donate your books to Max. Call him at 410-366-1637.

2] – To obtain information how your federal legislators voted on particular bills, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/. Congressional toll-free numbers are 888-818-6641, 888-355-3588 or 800-426-8073. The White House Comment Email is accessible at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

3] – THE ORGANIZING LIST will be the primary decision-making mechanism of the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR]. It will be augmented by conference calls and possibly in-person meetings as needed. It will consist of 1 or 2 representatives from each local, regional, or national organization (not coalitions) that wishes to actively work to carry out the NCNR campaign of facilitating and organizing nonviolent resistance to the war in Iraq. To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to mobuszewski at Verizon dot net. Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.

THE NOTICES LIST will include only notices of NCNR actions and related information and is open to any interested person to subscribe. It will be moderated to maintain focus & will include periodic notices about getting involved in NCNR national organizing. To join the NOTICES List, send an email message to mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.

4] – You can help safeguard human rights and fragile ecosystems through your purchase of HOCOFOLA Café Quetzal. Bags of ground coffee or whole beans can be ordered by mailing in an order form. Also note organic cocoa and sugar are for sale. For more details and to download the order form, go to http://friendsoflatinamerica.typepad.com/hocofola/2010/02/hocofola-cafe-quetzal-order-form-2010.html. The coffee comes in one-pound bags.

Fill out the form and mail it with a check made out to HOCOFOLA on or before the second week of the month. Be sure you indicate ground or beans for each type of coffee ordered. Send it to Francine Sheppard at 5639B, Harpers Farm Rd., Columbia 21044. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up. Contact Francine at 410-992-7679 or FrancineMSW@aol.com.

5] – On Fri., Jan. 2 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.

6] – 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/.

7] – There is a First-Friday Free Large Screen Film Series at the Peace Center of Delaware County, 1001 Old Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064. On Fri., Jan. 2 at 7 PM see THE ATTACK (2013, Arabic/Hebrew with English subtitles, rated R for some violent images, language and brief sexuality). It stars Ali Suliman and Reymonde Amsellem, and it is based on the international best selling book, THE ATTACK, by Yasmina Khadra. The Lebanese director Ziad Doueiri introduces the viewer to Dr. Amin Jaafari (Ali Suliman), a prosperous Israeli-Palestinian surgeon fully assimilated into Tel Aviv society. He is, on the surface, removed from the Israeli-Palestinian “conflict” until he receives an Israeli police call saying his much-loved wife was killed in a terrorist suicide bombing that she carried out, killing 19 people. See a film trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkRWXhJLH0I.

Jaafari sets out on a dangerous search into his late wife’s secrets and what living under military occupation really means — all the while realizing that he, who thought himself above the divide, has actually been rejected by both sides. Doors open at 6:30 PM for light refreshments. There will be a short after-film discussion. Go to http://www.delcopeacecenter.org/ or call 610-544-1818. The film series is co-sponsored by the Brandywine Peace Community.

8] – Join a presentation and discussion about effectively resisting the use of animals and embracing the urgency of the fight for animal liberation on Fri., Jan. 2 from 7 to 9 PM at La Casa, 3166 Mt. Pleasant St., WDC. Amanda Schemkes of The Bunny Alliance and Justin Kay of Resistance Ecology will explore the recent history of animal advocacy and share our experiences of organizing within the context of the current state of the movement, and discuss ideas about how we can work together for a stronger animal liberation movement — a movement that is driven by grassroots activism, resistance against all of the systems that support animal exploitation, and solidarity with the animals and others who fight for liberation and self-determination. The plan is to work to create a summer of regional campaign development and nationwide mobilization of grassroots activists. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/305411406315071/.

9] – There is an opportunity to participate in ballroom dancing, usually every Friday of the month, in the JHU ROTC Bldg. at 8 PM. Turn south on San Martin Dr. from the intersection of Univ. Parkway and 39th St. Drive on campus by taking the third left turn. The next dance will be Jan. 2. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

10] – Friends House, 17715 Meeting House Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860, hosts a peace vigil every Saturday, 10:30 to 11:30 AM, on the corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave. [Route 97] in Olney, MD. The next vigil is Jan. 3. Call Chuck Harker at 301-570-7167.

11] – Each Saturday, 11 AM – 1 PM, Chester County Peace Movement holds a peace vigil in West Chester in front of the Chester County Courthouse, High & Market Sts. Go to www.ccpeace.org. Email ccpeacemovement@aol.com.

12] – There will be a peace vigil on the West Lawn of the Capitol at noon on Sat., Jan. 3. Look for the blue banner with the message, "Seek Peace and Pursue It.--Psalms 34:14." The vigil lasts one hour and is silent except when one responds to the occasional questions. Go to http://www.quaker.org/langleyhill/seekpeace.htm or email seekpeacevigil@yahoo.com.

13] – On Sat., Jan. 3 from noon to 1 PM, join the monthly Center City Anti-War/Anti-Drone Silent Death Walk/Vigil at 12th & Market Sts. in Philadelphia. Wear black. Signs and white masks will be provided. RSVP to Marge Van Cleef at 267-763-1644. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late, call Marge or come down 12th St. toward the Reading Terminal Market. Gather on the corner of either Filbert and 12th or Arch St. and 12th.

14] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 AM to noon. On Jan. 4, the platform address is “Justice Begins with ‘Just Us’” by Leon J. Henry, director of Outreach,
Big Brothers Big Sisters. The close bond between a mentor and mentee can be difficult to express in words. It is comprised of countless moments, large and small, all with the potential to be life changing (for the adult and the child). Each year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake works to provide at least 1,000 Maryland children with their own “moments” by matching them with a caring adult mentor. Mentoring not only helps youth reach their full potential, it also engages volunteers in the effort to create stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities. Henry, a life-long resident of Baltimore City, is responsible for finding mentors for the region’s most vulnerable youth. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

15] – The Feed the Hood Project takes place at the intersection of MLK Ave. SE and Malcolm X Ave. SE, WDC on Sun., Jan. 4 at 2 PM. The National Black United Front (NBUF) coalition of organizations and individuals, have worked to help less fortunate people meet the basic needs of food, personal hygiene products, medical supplies and clothing. To volunteer or contribute items, call at (347) 422-7823. Email nbufdc@gmail.com.

16] -- There is usually a weekly Pentagon Peace Vigil from 7 to 8 AM on Mondays, since 1987, outside the Pentagon Metro stop, hosted by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Meet on the corner of Army-Navy Drive and S. Eads St. to offer during this witness. Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker at 202-882-9649 or artlaffin@hotmail.com and the Jonah House at 410-233-6238 or disarmnow2@verizon.net.

17] – Witness for Peace has organized a Cuba: Education Delegation from Mon., Jan.5 through Thurs., Jan. 15. The Delegation Coordinator is Dixie Olmstead (651-271-6558 or dixie_olmstead@yahoo.com). Visit www.witnessforpeace.org.

18] -- Join Witness Against Torture’s Annual Fast, Rally, and Direct Action to Close Guantánamo and End Torture. The WAT community will gather together in Washington D.C. from Mon. Jan. 5 through Tues., Jan. 13. You are invited to fast for a day or fast from Jan. 5 through Jan. 12. On Jan. 11, 2015, the detention facility at Guantánamo will enter its fourteenth year of operation. Despite the recent release of some detained men, more than 100 remain imprisoned, including dozens who are cleared for transfer.

Use creative energy to encourage citizens and government officials to see the humanity of the men in Guantánamo, to call for the closure of the prison, and to seek an end to torture. The Senate summary report on CIA torture describes acts that shock the conscience. Call for the prosecution of those who authorized, designed, ordered, and carried out torture policies.

On Sat., Jan. 10 at 8 PM attend From Ferguson to Guantánamo: Institutionalized Brutality & Torture: A Panel Discussion at First Trinity Lutheran Church, 4th & E Sts. NW. The discussion will feature activists and attorneys involved in the struggles against police violence, racial profiling, and US detention policies. On Sun., Jan. 11 at 1 PM, there is an Interfaith Prayer Vigil sponsored by NRCAT and Interfaith Action for Human Rights. Then at 1:30 PM, rally to close Guantánamo at the White House followed by a march to the Department of Justice. On Mon., Jan. 12, engage in Nonviolent Direct Action at a site to be determined. WAT is looking for 64 people to join in on January 12. Email witnesstorture@gmail.com. Go to www.witnesstorture.org

19] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Friday from 10 AM to noon on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community, or online at www.weaa.org. The call-in number is 410-319-8888, and comments can also be sent by email to steinershow@gmail.com. All shows are also available as podcasts at www.steinershow.org.

20] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM, and the meetings take place at Max’s residence. The next meeting will be on Mon., Jan. 5. The proposed agenda will include anti-drone activities, including getting a resolution passed in Baltimore’s City Council, the CIA’s admission that the killer drone program is a failure, no fracking in New York, preparing for legislation in Annapolis, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine, a march from the EPA to the Pentagon and a talk about ISIS. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net for directions.

21] – 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 Jan. 6. Call 215-426-0364.

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

23] – On Wed., Jan. 7 from 6 to 9 PM, get over to the Eatonville Restaurant, 2121 14th St. NW, WDC 20009. Meet guests civil rights icon Julian Bond, actor and activist Danny Glover, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Congressional Progressive Caucus who will honor Congressperson John Conyers for his work for civil rights, peace, and human rights.

Space is limited, so please RSVP http://act.ips-dc.org/site/Calendar?id=100241&view=Detail. This event is by invitation only, and an RSVP is required for admittance. Eatonville’s fabulous food and libations menu will be available for purchase. There are many co-sponsors including the Institute for Policy Studies, The Sentencing Project, The Nation, Peace Action et al. Call 202-234-9382.

24] -- Get Money Out - Maryland (www.GetMoneyOutMD.org) is trying to pass a resolution in the Maryland General Assembly called The Democracy Amendment. There is a Baltimore City Meeting: 'How to get Money out of Politics 101,’ with refreshments on Wed., Jan. 7 from 6:30 to 8 PM at 4517 Harford Rd., Baltimore 21214. There will be a presentation by Dr. Joseph Adams on the issue, the Theory of Change (How We'll Win), and a short video, with time for questions and discussion. The meeting is in the offices of www.supportechmd.com in Lauraville, just south of Hamilton St. Email Joe Adams at joeadamsmd {at} gmail.com or call 1-410-231-3323.

Call your state delegates and senator and leave a message. Find them at http://mdelect.net and https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArFQobvKsZm5dGlDdXY4MUdiMjViSFQ0UlhIZjZsckE#gid=0. Tell them . . . I am very concerned about the influence of money in our political process in this country. (Optional: I would really like to speak with / to schedule a meeting with . . . Delegate / Senator __________ ). I would like Senator _____ to support, and co-sponsor, the resolution for a “Democracy Amendment” which was introduced last year by Senator Jamie Raskin, as Resolution SJ6. I would like Delegate _____ to support, and co-sponsor, the resolution for a “Democracy Amendment” which was introduced last year by Delegate Sheila Hixson, as Resolution HJ7. My name is _______ and my home address is _________, and I am a constituent. May I get your name? What would be a good time to call back to learn what the [Senator/Delegate’s] position is? Thank you. Then report the fact that you made a call to 410-849-0670 or Admin [at] GetMoneyOutMD.org.

25] – Witness for Peace has organized Honduras: Honduran Families and Communities Under Threat: Learning from Indigenous Groups, Campesinos, and Human Rights Defenders from Fri., Jan. 9 through Mon., Jan. 19. The Delegation Coordinator is Elise Roberts (920-421-2269, wfpumw@witnessforpeace.org). Visit www.witnessforpeace.org.

26] – There is usually a silent peace vigil on Fridays, from 5 to 6 PM, sponsored by Homewood Friends and Stony Run Meetings, outside the Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St. The Jan. 9 vigil will remind us that War Is Not the Answer and that there is the need to stop torture, and prosecute the torturers. Following the vigil, there will be a potluck dinner and a DVD screening.

27] – The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee, Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee of Homewood and Stony Run Meetings and Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility are continuing the FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS DVD SERIES. After dinner at 3107 N. Charles St., around 7:15 PM, a DVD will be shown with a discussion to follow. There is no charge, and refreshments will be available. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at Verizon.net.

The series theme is CAN WE SAVE THE PLANET??? On Fri., Jan. 9, see the RABBIT-PROOF FENCE [Australia, 2002]. Directed by Phillip Noyce, it tells the true story of three aboriginal girls, all untrained actors, who are forcibly taken from their families in 1931 to be trained as domestic servants as part of an official Australian government policy. They make a daring escape and embark on an epic 1,500 mile journey to get back home - following the rabbit-proof fence that bisects the Australian continent - with the authorities in hot pursuit. Also in the movie are Kenneth Branagh and David Gulpilil. The screenplay by Christine Olsen is based on a book by Doris Pilkington, which tells the story of the experiences of her mother, Molly, her aunt Daisy and their cousin Gracie. At the time of the adventures in the movie, Molly (Everlyn Sampi) is 14, Daisy (Tianna Sansbury) is 8 and Gracie (Laura Monaghan) is 10.

28] -- The Washington Peace Center has a progressive calendar & activist alert! Consider signing up to receive its weekly email: info@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

29] -- Fund Our Communities campaign is a grass roots movement to get support from local organizations and communities to work together with their local and state elected officials to pressure Congresspersons and senators to join with Congresspersons Barney Frank and Ron Paul, who have endorsed a 25% cut to the federal military budget. Bring home the savings to state and county governments to meet the local needs which are under tremendous budget pressures. Go to www.OurFunds.org.

30] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

31] -- Can you use any book shelves? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

32] -- Join an extraordinary global campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons: http://www.globalzero.org/sign-declaration. A growing group of leaders around the world is calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and a majority of the global public agrees. This is an historic window of opportunity. With momentum already building in favor of Zero, a major show of support from people around the world could tip the balance. When it comes to nuclear weapons, one is one too many.

33] -- WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER signs from Friends Committee on National Legislation are again for sale at $5. To purchase a sign, call Max at 410-366-1637.

34] – A Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981. Go to http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282.

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/.

"One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan