Baltimore Activist Alert - April 27 - 28, 2015

40] Israeli right has targeted MK Haseen Al Zoubi – Apr. 27
41] Ignore Westboro Baptist church – Apr. 27
42] NAACP-DC Labor Committee meeting – Apr. 27
43] Film “The Farmer and His Prince” – Apr. 27
44] Pledge of Resistance/FOC meeting – Apr. 27
45] Green Working Group – Apr. 28
46] Peace vigil – Apr. 28
47] No JHU Drone Research -- Apr. 28
48] “Sobukwe: A Great Soul” – Apr. 28
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40] – On Mon., Apr. 27 from 1 to 2 PM at the Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC, MK Haneen Al Zoubi will talk about this newly empowered alliance and its potential in improving the human, civil, and political rights of the Palestinian citizens of Israel. She will discuss the recent elections and the ramifications of the Likud party winning another term. For the 1.7 million Palestinians living as citizens of Israel, deep-seated racism and discrimination are part of everyday life. Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman recently chided Palestinians who disagree with his right-wing policies, saying "Those who are against us, there's nothing to be done - we need to pick up an ax and cut off his head." Lieberman also reinforced his long-held advocacy of "transfer," that is, ethnic cleansing of Palestinians by removing them from the state of Israel. And then on the final night of the Israeli election, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu infamously said that "the Arabs are voting in droves," an alarmist warning that their votes could sway the election in a dangerous direction, thus inciting further racism.

As a Palestinian lawmaker and Member of the Israeli Knesset, Haneen Al Zoubi has also faced humiliating treatment by Israeli lawmakers, who regularly attack her personally and politically. The Israeli right has targeted MK Al Zoubi for many years, trying to revoke her citizenship and to disqualify her from reelection. The Knesset Ethics Committee suspended her for six months based on her political views and the Israeli High Court affirmed the suspension. Shortly thereafter, the Israeli Election Committee refused to qualify her as a candidate but upon review by an Israeli court, MK Al Zoubi was permitted to run for reelection. The Israeli Election Committee attempted to prevent MK Al Zoubi from running in the 2013 election as well. Despite this massive campaign to silence MK Al Zoubi, she easily won re-election this past March. Her Balad party is now part of the Joint List, a coalition of four Arab parties that garnered thirteen Knesset seats in the March 2015 election. Go to http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/51622/pid/187. Call 202-338-1958 or email info@thejerusalemfund.org.

41] – On Mon., Apr. 27, the Westboro Baptist Church will be at Georgetown University to protest LGBTQ equality and treatment at the university and in the country. Instead of having a counter protest, engaging with the Westboro Baptist Church, and giving them any power over us Hoyas, GUPride will be having a solidarity event in Red Square on the campus from 3:45 to 4:45 PM during the church protest. Having an event that celebrates Georgetown's diversity in a loving and inclusive atmosphere is the best way to counter the hate speech generated by the few WBC protestors who will be coming to the event. Join GUPride, GU Queer People of Color, and other campus sponsors in not engaging with the WBC and in promoting love and solidarity instead. Visit http://www.washingtonpeacecenter.net/node/14741.

42] – Come to the Shaw Public Library, 1630 7th St. NW, WDC on Mon., Apr. 27 from 6 to 8 PM for a meeting with the NAACP-DC Labor Committee. The group will discuss progress on their research paper on the State of Extended Hours Child Care in D.C. There will be discussion to plan the June 29th Race and Labor Event in Partnership with the AFL-CIO. Also discuss the fight for $15! Email Jeremiah Lowery (jeremiah@rocunited.org) if you would like to attend this event.

43] – See the film “The Farmer and His Prince” (Der Bauer und sein Prinz) Forging the Future at the Goethe-Institut Washington, 812 7th St. NW, WDC on Mon., Apr. 27 at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $7. Call (202) 289-1200 or email info@washington.goethe.org. See http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/was/ver/en14147942v.htm.

44] – 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., Apr. 27. The proposed agenda will include anti-drone activities, Freddie Grey, a march from the EPA to the Pentagon, May Day and the MUPJ conference. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net.

45] – At 1825 Central Place NE, WDC on Tues., Apr. 28 from 4 to 5:30 AM, the Green Working Group is going on a road trip to discuss sustainability. The first stop, solar projects, will be a tour of a Habitat for Humanity developed Passive House with GRID Alternatives Solar Installations in Ivy City, DC. Engage in conversations regarding access to solar, the importance of energy efficiency, the new community solar law, opportunities resulting from it, and how to best advocate to ensure that economic development and affordable housing are front and center. Space is limited to 15 participants, so RSVP to Scott Bruton (sbruton@cnhed.org). After the tour, head over to Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE) for food, drink, and conversation.

46] – 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 Apr. 28. Call 215-426-0364.

47] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. Join this ongoing vigil on Apr. 28 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-366-1637.

48] – At Bloombars, 3222 11th St. NW, WDC 20010, on Tues., Apr. 28 from 7 to 9 PM, join BloomBars and Africa World Now Project to commemorate Freedom Day in South Africa (April 27th), with the presentation of “Sobukwe: A Great Soul” (2011, 104 min), by Mickey Madoda Dube. It celebrates the life of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, restoring him to his rightful place as a leading figure in South African history. This full length drama-documentary charts the course of a leader who has been all but forgotten in the annals of history. The documentary explores Sobukwe's life and provides a platform for his voice to be heard decades after he made his mark, putting his name back on the world map of great liberators. See http://tinyurl.com/sobukwe-trailer. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Mwiza Munthali, host of the radio show "Africa Now," on WPFW 89.3FM. The suggested donation is $10. Proceeds support both the Africa World Now Project and BloomBars. Enjoy organic popcorn. BloomScreen Indie Film Night is a weekly series of independent and foreign films, accompanied by discussions with filmmakers, experts and other guests. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/654075701291329/.

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