Baltimore Activist Alert January 6 – 8, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert January 6 – 8, 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] Witness Against Torture – Jan. 5 – Jan. 13
6] Stand with Shaker – Jan. 6
7] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Jan. 6
8] No JHU Drone Research – Jan. 6
9] “Waiting For Fahd: One Family’s Hope for Life Beyond Guantanamo” – Jan. 6
10] "Preventing a Nuclear-Armed Iran through Diplomacy"-- Jan. 7
11] Honor John Conyers – Jan. 7
12] Get Money Out - Maryland – Jan. 7
13] "WMD Terrorism and the American Response" – Jan. 8
14] The case for NUMSA – Jan. 8
15] "Raising Children for Peace and Justice" – Jan. 8
16] "The Next Revolution: Popular Assemblies and the Promise of Direct Democracy"-- Jan. 8
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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] -- Join Witness Against Torture’s Annual Fast, Rally, and Direct Action to Close Guantánamo and End Torture. The WAT community arrived in Washington D.C. on Mon. Jan. 5 and will be involved there until Tues., Jan. 13. You are invited to fast for a day or through Mon., 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.

6] -- There is a #WeStandWithShaker Protest at British Embassy on Jan. 6 at 1:30 PM. Contact: Daniel Wilson at 507-329-0507 or wilson.a.daniel@gmail.com. Witness Against Torture will protest against the imprisonment of Shaker Aamer, a British citizen currently detained at Guantanamo Bay. Dozens of protesters dressing in orange jumpsuits and black hoods will sing, chant and display posters saying “I Stand With Shaker Aamer” along with banners depicting Aamer’s face. In solidarity with several UK based groups and Aamer’s lawyers, Witness Against Torture will demand that the British government take a stronger stance both for the immediate release of Shaker Aamer and closure of the illegal detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. A pending legal case against the UK brought by Aamer’s lawyers has invigorated renewed interest in his release. Mr. Aamer has been held for 13 years without charge or trial. US authorities approved his release in 2007, under George W. Bush, and again in 2009, under Barack Obama. Email witnesstorture@gmail.com.

7] – 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.

8] – 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.

9] – On Tues., Jan. 6 at 7:30 PM, see “Waiting For Fahd: One Family’s Hope for Life Beyond Guantanamo.” This is the premiere showing in D.C. of this new DVD by the Center for Constitutional Rights about then 17 year old Yemeni, Fahd Ghazy, who was picked up in Afghanistan and cleared for release by the Bush and Obama administrations but still languishes at Guantanamo. The screening is at First Trinity Lutheran Church, 4th & E Sts. NW. Use the Judiciary Square Metro stop on the Red Line. This event is sponsored by Witness Against Torture.

Fahd was born on May 2, 1984 in a small village outside of the Yemen's capital. He was married in his early teens and had a daughter, Hafsa, shortly after his 17th birthday. Fahd was an ambitious student. He attended the Al-Najah primary and secondary school in the district near his home, and graduated first in his class. Those results won him a scholarship to attend university, news of which he received while already imprisoned in Guantánamo.

10] – On Wed., Jan. 7 from 3 to 4 PM, Kelsey Davenport, Arms Control Association, and Jamal Abdi, National Iranian American Council, take on "Preventing a Nuclear-Armed Iran through Diplomacy" in an online webinar, sponsored by Women's Action for New Directions. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5172012900198927362.

11] – 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.

12] -- 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.

13] – On Thurs., Jan. 8 at 4:30 PM, Brad Hammitt, National Nuclear Security Administration, will discuss "WMD Terrorism and the American Response" in an off the record talk at Institute of World Politics, 1521 16th St. NW, WDC 20036. RSVP at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/wmd-terrorism-and-the-american-response-tickets-15006682391?aff=es2. To be placed on a wait list for this sold out talk, email sdwyer@iwp.edu with your full name and affiliation.

14] – Get over to Busboys and Poets, 5th and K Sts., 1025 5th St. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Jan. 8 at 6:30 PM to hear from Irvin Jim, National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) General Secretary. He will speak about NUMSA and the exciting new developments with the Preparatory Assembly of the United Front in South Africa. Actor, activist, and filmmaker Danny Glover will join Irvin for this event, and Grammy nominated musician Carolyn Malachi will perform.

NUMSA is the biggest metalworkers trade union in South Africa with more than 339,567 members (as of January 2014). On 8 November 2014, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) expelled NUMSA, its largest affiliate. Visit http://www.numsa.org.za. NUMSA leadership has never shied away from criticizing South Africa democratic government led by African National Congress (ANC), the ruling majority party, and Irvin is no different. He believes some of the ANC’s strategic decisions were erroneous. While he does not deny the victory the democratic breakthrough represents, Irvin believes ANC government needs to take responsibility for South Africa’s growing inequality and the fact that infrastructure, education, water resources and health systems remain unfairly distributed across the societies of South Africa. Go to http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/event/irvin-jim-danny-glover-and-carolyn-malachi%20.

15] – Peace Action-Montgomery and Pax Christi are hosting a dialogue with the Frida Berrigan and MJ and Jerry Park on Thurs., Jan. 8 at 7:30 PM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Duggan Room (basement of church), 11701 Clopper Road, in Gaithersburg. Go to http://www.peaceactionmc.org/. The topic is "Raising Children for Peace and Justice." Frida has just published a book entitled “It Runs in the Family: On Being Raised by Radicals and Growing into Rebellious Motherhood.” Her parents, Phil Berrigan and Elizabeth McAlister, were a former priest and nun who became nationwide icons for their prophetic witness against war and nuclear weapons. Now a parent herself, Frida has a unique perspective on parenting that derives from hard work, deep reflection, and lots of trial and error.

She will talk about how parents can create lasting and meaningful bulwarks between their kids and the violence endemic in our culture and how to raise thoughtful, compassionate, fearless young people committed to social and political change. The Parks bring a wealth of experience to parenting and peacemaking. Parents of six children, they are peace educators with over 35 years of experience leading year-round programs for children and adults. They have set up peace programs in schools and communities around the world and published a book entitled “Live Peace, Teach Peace: Best Practices to Reverse Violence.”

16] – On Thurs., Jan. 8 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, Debbie Bookchin and Blair Taylor present "The Next Revolution: Popular Assemblies and the Promise of Direct Democracy." Murray Bookchin was one of the most influential anarchist thinkers of the second half of the 20th century; his vision of "social ecology" and "libertarian municipalism" have been incredibly pervasive reference points for anyone trying to think through the outlines of the new world in our hearts, and his Institute for Social Ecology laid the groundwork for a whole generation of social anarchists in North America. His influence continues to be felt—for instance in the autonomous Kurdish communities, where Bookchin's ideas have provided key inspiration for the construction of a free society. Hear a talk about this new collection of his writings on direct democracy and popular assemblies! Call 443-602-7585. Go to http://www.redemmas.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