Baltimore Activist Alert - April 9 - May 2, 2015

38] "Naval Nuclear Dynamics in the Indian Ocean" – Apr. 9
39] Brazil is taking care of the poor – Apr. 9
40] Iyad Burnat on tour – Apr. 9
41] David Graeber at Red Emma’s – Apr. 9
42] RAF Grant submissions training – Apr. 9
43] Real meaning of the US Constitution – Apr. 9
44] Capitol Hill Days – Apr. 10 - 14
45] THE ISRAEL LOBBY -- Apr. 10
46] Saudi Bombing of Yemen Sparks Humanitarian Crisis – Apr. 10
47] Silent Peace Vigil -- Apr. 10
48] Film MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY [USA, 2006] -- Apr. 10
49] David Swanson speaks at CPSR dinner – Apr. 18
50] MUPJ conference – May 1 & 2
51] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
52] Join Fund Our Communities
53] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
54] Do you need any book shelves?
55] Join Global Zero campaign
56] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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38] – On Thurs., Apr. 9 from 10:30 AM to noon, Linton Brooks, former Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration; and Iskander Rehman, Atlantic Council, will tackle "Naval Nuclear Dynamics in the Indian Ocean" at the Carnegie Endowment, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at http://carnegieendowment.org/events/forms/?fa=registration&event=4782&lang=en.

39] – In Greeley Hall-FHI 360, 1875 Connecticut Ave., WDC on Thurs., Apr. 9 from 6:30 to 8 PM, join Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) and the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) to hear Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, who will speak on Brazil’s current economic situation and the government’s social agenda. Since 2003 over 31 million Brazilians have been lifted out poverty, a direct result of economic growth and increased government spending on social welfare programs. Bolsa Familia, a central pillar of the Brazilian government’s social welfare strategy, gives cash transfers to the poor and allows millions of citizens to obtain better opportunities and have better lives.

Also speaking will be Gustavo Vidigal, a social scientist from University of São Paulo (USP) who holds a master’s degree in sociology in the same institution. He was Deputy Executive Secretary in the Ministry of Culture between 2008 until 2010, during Juca Ferreira’s administration. Currently he works as Chief of Staff of the Department of International and Federative Affairs in the São Paulo City Hall. In the municipality, he also coordinate the Open Government Committee (CIGA-SP), called “Open São Paulo,” the first municipal open government initiative recognized in Brazil. Contact Jarmila Zapata at http://www.ips-dc.org/events/examining-sustainable-development-and-social-progress-in-brazil/ or go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1377846512531699.

40] – Get over to George Washington University Elliot School of International Affairs, 1957 E Street NW, WDC on Thurs., Apr. 9 at 7 PM and hear from Iyad Burnat, the coordinator of the Popular Committee for Freedom and Justice in Bil’in, Palestine, a small farming village 7 miles west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. For ten years Iyad and the Popular Committee have organized the people of Bil’in to participate in weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the confiscation of their land, destruction of their olive trees, and Israel’s illegal Separation Wall and settlements.

This past summer, Iyad’s 15-year-old teenage son was shot in the leg by the Israeli military, severing a nerve and requiring ongoing medical care. As part of his month long Spring 2015 U.S. speaking tour, Iyad will talk about what life is like under Israeli occupation, his village’s ongoing struggle for justice and freedom, and what inspires him to continue nonviolent resistance. Email andrea.l.nore@gmail.com. Visit http://iyadburnat2015speakingtour.weebly.com/.

41] – On Thurs., Apr. 9 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, David Graeber presents "The Utopia of Rules: On Technology, Stupidity, and the Secret Joys of Bureaucracy." David Graeber is a rebel anthropologist, unapologetic direct action anti-capitalist, trenchant critic, author of an unlikely bestseller on the long history of debt in the world system, and vocal proponent of international anarchist solidarity. He will discuss his new book “The Utopia of Rules: On Technology, Stupidity, and the Secret Joys of Bureaucracy” in conversation with Bret McCabe. Call 443-602-7585. Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

42] – The deadline for Research Associates Foundation grant submissions is Friday April 24, 2015. This is an excellent opportunity for Baltimore-based activists, both individuals and organizations, to get up to $2500 to fund transformative social change projects. Go to www.rafbaltimore.org to see guidelines and to download applications. Two members of the board, Lester Spence and Kostis Papadantonakis, will host an information session for prospective grantees on Thurs., Apr. 9 at 7:30 PM at Village Learning Place, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore.

43] – On Thurs., Apr. 9 from 8 to 9:30 PM, New York Times Best Selling Author Dr. Thomas E. Woods will be discussing the real meaning of the US Constitution at American University, sponsored by GWU Students for Justice for Palestine. Hear the speaker in the Abramson Family Founders Room, SIS Building, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC. Email andrea.l.nore@gmail.com. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/693482300760436/.

44] – On Fri., Apr. 10 (all day) to Tues., Apr. 14 (all day), the Population Connection will hold its annual advocacy conference, Capitol Hill Days. This weekend consists of informational sessions and interactive advocacy training focused on the pressing need for U.S. investment in international family planning, leading up to lobby visits on Capitol Hill. Gather at The Fairfax at Embassy Row, 2100 Massachusetts Ave, NW, WDC. Visit http://www.populationconnection.org/site/PageServer?pagename=CapitolHillDays.

45] – On Fri., Apr. 10 from 8 AM to 5 PM attend THE ISRAEL LOBBY - Is It Good for the US? Is It Good for Israel? The event is sponsored by the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. Register for this spring’s conference to hear experts answer such questions at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

A limited quantity of discounted $75 conference and lunch tickets are available at https://irmep.givezooks.com/events/the-israel-lobby-is-it-good-for-the-us thanks to donor subsidies. Students may apply at http://israellobbyus.org/students/default.html for free entry. Visit IsraelLobbyUS.org.

46] – Go to a Press Briefing: Saudi Bombing of Yemen Sparks Humanitarian Crisis on Fri., Apr. 10 from 10 AM to noon at 441 Cannon House of Representatives Building. CODEPINK and the The Gulf Institute are hosting a press briefing in Congress about the Saudi military intervention and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Speakers will include Yemeni-Americans and representatives from human rights organizations. Come learn more about the complexities of the situation in Yemen.

47] – 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 next vigil is on until Apr. 10. On that Friday it will remind us that War Is Not the Answer and that there is the need to stop torture, and prosecute the torturers. Afterwards enjoy a potluck dinner and a film.

48] – 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. MY COUNTRY, MY COUNTRY [USA, 2006] will be shown with a discussion to follow on Fri., Apr. 10 at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218, around 7:15 PM. There is no charge, and refreshments will be available. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at Verizon.net.

In the summer of 2004, director/cinematographer Laura Poitras begins chronicling the efforts of Riyadh al-Adhadh, a Sunni physician, father of six, who runs for office in Iraq's first democratic election. As a member of a political minority, the doctor tries to convince his fellow party members not to boycott the election, but with the entire political process hanging by a thread, he faces an uphill battle. Poitras is the director of CITIZENFOUR, the documentary about Edward Snowden.

Working alone in Iraq over eight months, Poitras created a portrait of Iraqis living under U.S. occupation. Dr. Riyadh, an outspoken critic of the occupation, is equally passionate about the need to establish democracy in Iraq. Yet all around him, Dr. Riyadh sees only chaos, as his waiting room fills each day with patients suffering the physical and mental effects of ever-increasing violence. Recognizing the chaotic situation, he visits the Abu Ghraib Prison after the notorious photographs surface. The documentary presents an Iraqi who is in agony over the tragic contradiction of the U.S. occupation of Iraq and its claim to spread democracy in the Middle East. The viewer sees the madness of the U.S. military occupation, complete with private security mercenaries, U.S. journalists and U.N. officials who orchestrate the elections. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski [at] verizon.net for further information


49] – Join us for Chesapeake PSR’s Annual Chapter Dinner on Sat., Apr. 18 from 6 to 9 PM at The Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N. Charles Street, Baltimore 21210. Our featured guest speaker is author, activist and radio host David Swanson. David will speak on trends that are driving change in our society. His talk will encompass three areas of great interest and concern to Chesapeake PSR -- peace, environment and democracy. The cost for dinner is $40. Limited financial assistance available. Please RSVP to twitehouse@psr.org or 240-246-4492.

50] – Hold the Dates for the 30th Annual Peace, Justice, & Environment Conference, sponsored by Maryland United for Peace and Justice/Institute For Positive Action. Coordination and Cooperation for Action to Achieve Peace and Social Justice is happening Fri., May 1 and Sat., May 2 at Salem Lutheran Church, Catonsville, MD. Email phamm001@earthlink.net or call 443-418-5479 (c-Paulette). Go to www.mupj.org.

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

52] -- 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.

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

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

55] -- 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.

56] – 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