Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert - May 26 - 28, 2015

27] Swords to Plowshares Belltower – through May 27
28] Beyond Extreme Energy Call to Action – through May 29
29] "Europe and the Iran Nuclear Deal" – May 26
30] Peace process in Colombia – May 26
31] Close the Ramstein Air Base – May 26
32] Peace vigil – May 26
33] Civil resistance discussion – May 26
34] No JHU Drone Research – May 26  
35] Book talk – WANDERING SOULS – May 26
36] Short films about protesting – May 26
37] The housing crisis – May 26
38] Hip Hop Lectures – May 26
39] Operation Break the Cage – May 27
40] Turkish marriage – May 27
41] Union meeting & film BLOOD FRUIT -- May 27
42] Film "The Internet's Own Boy” May 27
43] Film "Seeds of Conflict" – May 27
44] Baltimore Debrief – May 27
45] Film CHAVEZ – May 27
46] Book talk “Out in the Union” -- May 27
47] Lower the bail May 28
48] Wine & Wag – May 28
49] Remember Tamir Rice – May 28
50] Class Lives – May 28
51] Solidarity for All at Red Emma’s – May 28
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27] – Come to the National Mall through Wed., May 27 at noon to witness the Swords to Plowshares Belltower.  Mourn ALL the Dead and Wounded. Rid the Earth of the Waste of War. Beat Swords into Plowshares. Let Peace and Freedom Ring. Contact Roger Ehrlich at progerehrlich@gmail.com

28] – Beyond Extreme Energy is a growing coalition of communities and individuals on the front lines—and taking casualties—in the extreme energy economy. The coalition demands to be heard, and gets in the way of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s rubber-stamping of fracked-gas projects all over the country. So BXE has issued a Call to Action through Fri., May 29. If you can participate, sign up at http://beyondextremeenergy.org/sign-up-for-mass-action-at-ferc-in-may/.

29] – On Tues., May 26 at 10 AM, Gérard Araud, French Ambassador, Peter Westmacott, British Ambassador, and Peter Wittig, German Ambassador, will address "Europe and the Iran Nuclear Deal" at the Atlantic Council, 12th Floor, 1030 15th St. NW, WDC. RSVP at http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/events/upcoming-event. The Atlantic Council's Iran Task Force invites you to a discussion about the role of the “E-3” in negotiating a nuclear agreement with Iran, and the implications of a comprehensive long-term deal for European relations with Iran. 

30] – Go to the United States Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave., WDC on Tues., May 26 from 2 to 3:30 PM for a discussion on Colombia.  With Colombian public support waning for the peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the peace process can be strengthened by finding ways to engage a broader set of civil society stakeholders. One important group excluded so far, the Afro-Colombian population, is working to have its needs and proposals heard at the peace table. How can Afro-Colombians and other excluded groups enhance their participation in the process, and what are the risks if they cannot? Join the U.S. Institute of Peace, Washington Office on Latin America, AFRODES International, the Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights and the Afro-Colombian Solidarity Network for this Colombia Peace Forum.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/846614822052491/.

31] – On Tues., May 26 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, join the US Foreign Policy Activist Cooperative in urging the German government to order the U.S. to close the Ramstein Air Base used for drone surveillance and drone attacks around the world. German human rights organizations have been pushing to close this base and are asking organizations in the U.S. to join the call. Gather at the German Embassy, 4645 Reservoir Rd., WDC.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/947980561927542/.

32] – 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 May 26.  Call 215-426-0364.

33] – Come to Potters’ House, 1658 Columbia Rd., NW (Adams Morgan), WDC on Tues., May 26 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM as civil resisters, opponents of war, torture and the death penalty, David Barrows and Eve Tetaz, along with former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern, will participate in a discussion with DC lawyer and peace activist, Jane Zara. How are we able to fulfill our common mission to speak truth to power while respecting one another's individuality of expression? A Q and A will follow. Email janezara@gmail.com.

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

35] – Viet Nam vet and author Wayne Karlin interviewed artists and writers from both Viet Nam and the U.S., and he will discuss his book "Wandering Souls" on Tues., May 26 at 6:30 PM at the Bel Air Library, 100 E. Pennsylvania Ave.  Karlin documents his Vietnam journey through his short stories and books, including this nonfiction book “Wandering Souls,” the story of a soldier’s return to Vietnam to return a personal diary to the family of a North Vietnamese soldier he killed. He is also the author of “Marble Mountain,” “War Movies: Journeys to Vietnam,” “The Wished-For Country,” “Prisoners,” “Rumors and Stones,” “Crossover,” “Lost Armies,” “The Extras” and “US.”

A professor of languages and literature at the College of Southern Maryland where he has taught since the mid-1980s, Karlin was one of the script writers and a technical consultant who acted in the feature film “Song of the Stork,” a Vietnamese-Singaporean co-production. The film won awards at several festivals in Europe and Asia. His short stories and essays have been widely anthologized and appeared in many literary magazines including Antietam Review, Glimmer Train, Nimrod, North American Review, Prairie Schooner, Witness and War. His articles and reviews have appeared in The Baltimore Sun, The Washington Post, The Nation and The Los Angeles Times.

Karlin is the recipient of five State of Maryland Individual Artist Awards in fiction, two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Critics’ Choice Award, and the Paterson Prize in Fiction and the Vietnam Veterans of America Excellence in the Arts Award. Registration is strongly suggested at 410-638-3151.

36] – At Bloombars, 3222 11th St. NW, WDC 20010, on Tues., May 26 at 7 PM, BloomScreen and DC Moving Pictures present a collection of experimental short films created in response to recent cases of police misconduct and the resulting protests and civil unrest...  In recent weeks, protesters have marched against police violence in cities from New York to Boston as troops stood by in Baltimore to enforce a curfew imposed after civil unrest over the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. The tragedy in Baltimore is just the latest in a proliferation of high-profile police violence cases that have occurred over the last three years. Since 2014, filmmaker Can Tuzcu and other independent filmmakers have created a number of avant-garde documentary short films that engage current political events and provide a militant call to action - to end police violence! Some videos reference police violence and are not suitable for all ages).

The screening will be followed by audience discussion and Q&A with filmmaker Can Tuzcu, and Chis Rue, of DC Moving Pictures – a movie screening project dedicated to showcasing great movies and great filmmakers at local spaces in and around the District. The suggested donation is $10, and the proceeds support BloomBars. Enjoy free organic popcorn. BloomScreen Indie Film Night is a weekly series of independent and foreign films, accompanied by discussions with filmmakers, experts and other guests.

37] – The Northeast Housing Initiative [NEHI] is hosting a discussion on Tues., May 26 at 7 PM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 4414 Frankford Ave., Baltimore 21206.  There is a need for Fair Development to the housing crisis.  Michael Brown from Burlington Associates will speak.  Call Chris Lafferty at 410-299-7089. NEHI representatives will be on The Marc Steiner Show on Wed., May 27.

38] –  T.L. Osborne presents The Hip-Hop Lectures on Tues., May 26 at 7:30 PM in the Free School Classroom@ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201. Dr. Osborne, a local college and online professor/lecturer, author, mentor, and hip hop enthusiast will be conducting a brief talk about the significance of Hip Hop as an educational curriculum and Hip Hop Culture's current day impact. The brief lecture will focus on what inspired the author to write these books, The “Hip Hop Lectures” (Volume 1 & 2), and briefly explain some of the contradictions in history that have impacted the current negativity and positivity in Hip Hop culture (as a whole); including rap artists, lyrics, elements of Hip Hop culture, and current aspects of society; especially as it relates to recent protests and riots, regarding politics and police.  Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

39] –Detention and deportation is bad for everyone, including pregnant women, children, the elder, folks with chronic illness and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. There is 11.4 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. today, and 267,000 are undocumented LGBTQ immigrants. With over 80 countries around the world criminalizing same-sex sexual acts, and many more countries who offer no institutionalized government protections for LGBTQ immigrates, many make a survival decision to flee persecution and violence from their countries of origin and come to the United States.

Yet, the Department of Homeland Security and those departments whom they oversee which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) & U.S. Customs and Border Protection have failed to adequately protect vulnerable communities. On Wed., May 27 from 9 AM to 6 PM, join Operation #BreakTheCage at the Smithsonian Station, 1200 Independence Ave. SW, WDC of the Headquarters of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and then to the White House to make demands loud and clear! It is time ICE is put on trial for their human rights violations and that President Obama knows of the legacy he is leaving behind! Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1448852678742141/.

40] – Go to Georgetown University 3700 O St. NW, Bunn Intercultural Center (ICC), Suite 260, WDC on Wed., May 27 at noon to hear Mehmet Ali Balkanlioglu, visiting researcher, ACMCU, Georgetown University, give a talk on Marriage, Identity, Religion & Marital Stability: Intermarriage of Turkish Citizens in the US. Today’s societies have become more and more multi-cultural and multi-religious than ever. As reflecting the harmonization of cultural and religious differences, today the intermarriage rate has reached its highest level throughout history, especially in the United States. More specifically, according to a Pew Research Center report, about 15% of all new marriages in the United States in 2010 were between spouses of a different race or ethnicity. Looking at all married couples in 2010, regardless of when they married, the share of intermarriages reached an all-time high of 8.4%.

Dr. Balkanlioglu’s research on the nature of intermarriage of Turkish citizens in the US is the first of its kind. According to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, 189,791 Turkish citizens live in the US. This talk will broadly discuss the circumstances of intermarriage of Turkish citizens concerning family, identity, assimilation, culture, religion, conversion, marital stability and child raising throughout their marriages. See http://www.eventbrite.com/e/marriage-identity-religion-marital-stability-intermarriage-of-turkish-citizens-in-the-us-with-tickets-17052130381.

41] – Come to a McGeo Membership Meeting at 5:30 PM on Wed., May 27 at the Silver Spring Civic Center, Colesville Room, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring 20910.      After the meeting, head over to the American Film Institute, AFI Silver Theater, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring 20910 at 7 PM  for a screening of "Blood Fruit" and a discussion with the director.  RSVP to Alicia Valentin at avalentin@mcgeo.org.  There are many other Labor Films to see during the DC Labor Fest. 

In 1948, the South African government passed a law segregating blacks and whites known as apartheid. Nearly forty years later, Mary Manning, a 21-year old checkout girl at Dunnes Stores in Henry Street in Dublin, refused to register the sale of two Outspan grapefruits under a directive from her union in support of the anti-apartheid struggle. She and ten other workers who supported her action were suspended with immediate effect and so a strike ensued. Mary and her colleagues knew little or nothing about apartheid and assumed it would be a matter of days before they could return to work but the arrival on the picket line of Nimrod Sejake changed everything. His influence on the strikers and their struggle to bring about change proved to be the central turning point in their motivation for not only continuing the strike but advancing it on to the international stage.

42] – See "The Internet's Own Boy," which follows the story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz. From Swartz's help in the development of the basic internet protocol RSS to his co-founding of Reddit, his fingerprints are all over the internet. But it was Swartz's groundbreaking work in social justice and political organizing combined with his aggressive approach to information access that ensnared him in a two-year legal nightmare. It was a battle that ended with the taking of his own life at the age of 26. Aaron's story touched a nerve with people far beyond the online communities in which he was a celebrity. This film is a personal story about what we lose when we are tone deaf about technology and its relationship to our civil liberties. It will be shown on Wed., May 27 at 6:30 PM at the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Baltimore. The documentary was written and directed by Brian Knappenger.

43] – On Wed., May 27 from 6:30 to 8 PM,  the Jerusalem Fund, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC 20037, invites you to see “1913: Seeds of Conflict” which examines the divergent social forces growing in Palestine before the outbreak of World War I that caused the simultaneous rise in Jewish and Arab nationalism. Combining the perspectives of a wide range of Arab, Israeli and American scholars, the film includes information from documents previously unavailable from the Turkish Ottoman archives and largely untouched by historians. Shot on location in Beit Jamal, dramatized scenes bring many of the key figures of the era to life, with dialogue in five languages taken directly from the historical record - personal letters, government documents and newspaper accounts. This event is co-sponsored by the Institute for Palestine Studies and the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown University. Call 202-338-1958 or email info@thejerusalemfund.org.

44] – Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) will do a BALTIMORE BRIEF AND DEBRIEF at 1800 N. Charles St. on Wed., May 27 from 7 to 9 PM.  Talk about events on the ground in Baltimore, the movement for #JusticeForFreddie, the push for police accountability, and the Jewish response.  Connect at http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5483/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=74256.

45] –   See the film CHAVEZ in the ICC Auditorium, Bunn Intercultural Center, Georgetown University, 3700 O St. NW, WDC on Wed., May 27 from 7 to 9 PM, hosted by the Fighting Inequality Conference.  Go to http://fightinginequality.org/. Chronicling the birth of a modern American movement, “Chávez” tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chávez embraced nonviolence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to people. He inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life who never worked on a farm to fight for social justice. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual’s ability to change the world. Visit http://www.dclabor.org/calendar.html.

46] – On Wed., May 27at 7:30PM, author and educator Miriam Frank will discuss her new book, “Out in the Union: A Labor History of Queer America!” Hear about the book @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201.  The book tells the continuous story of queer American workers from the mid-1960s through 2013. Frank chronicles the evolution of labor politics with queer activism and identity formation, showing how unions began affirming the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workers in the 1970s and 1980s. She documents coming out on the job and in the union as well as issues of discrimination and harassment, and the creation of alliances between unions and LGBT communities. Food & books at Red Emma's are always 10% off for union members. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

47] –   Allan Bullock is the young man whose bail was set at $500,000 after he turned himself in for using a traffic cone to break the window of a police car.  He will be in court on Thurs., May 28 at 8:30 AM in Courtroom #1, District Court, 700 E. Patapsco Ave., Baltimore 21225.   Natalie Finegar, member of Sandy Spring Friends Meeting and lawyer in the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, affirmed that community presence in the courtroom can make an impression on the presiding judge. Attendees should bring a photo ID to clear the security desk.  
48] –   Join the Maryland SPCA for a Wine & Wag happy hour on Thurs., May 28 at 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore 21211 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Bring your companion, and s/he will be able to participate in activities. Admission is $10 in advance, and $15 at the door. Go to https://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Register/Register.asp?ievent=1139652&en=atKJJXODK9ISK7NGI8LPJ3MQLkJNJ2OQLoJWK5NQIkKOJ8MPKlJ3I9PPJiJULhN2F.

49] – Go to the Washington Ethical Society, 7750 16th St. NW, WDC on Thurs., May 28 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM for an event which happens every Thursday. Participants will hold signs with the names of people who were killed by police, #BlackLivesMatter signs, and other messages.  There will be a Person of the Week-- Tamir Rice, 12, Cleveland, Ohio-Nov. 22, 2014--that will be studied and remembered. While holding signs, participants are encouraged to share what they learned about this person.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1655768397990657/.

50] – On Thurs., May 28 from 6:30 to 8 PM, the Institute for Policy Studies is excited to be part of this cutting edge book signing and participatory and challenging workshop about perceptions of our class dispositions, crossing race, gender and all lines. At Busboys and Poets, 234 Carroll St. NW, WDC, three class-diverse contributors to “Class Lives: Stories from Across Our Economic Divide” – Camisha Jones, Betsy Leondar-Wright and Michelle Tokarczyk – will read from their heartfelt pieces and invite participants to share their own class stories as well. Co-editor Maynard Seider and the authors will sign books. Look at http://www.ips-dc.org/events/author-event-class-lives/.

51] – A founding member of Solidarity for All, Christos Giovanopoulos who lives in Athens, is involved in the international solidarity movement. He holds an MA in Film and TV theory and a political economy degree and has worked as a visiting lecturer teaching Media and Critical Theory in the University of Westminster, London, 2007-2011. He is a chief editor in the radical left publishing house A/synechia and co-editor of Democracy Under Construction: from the Streets to the Squares.

Solidarity for All is an organization that identifies and supports the many social solidarity initiatives that have been established in Greece as a part of the resistance to the harsh austerity policies that have led to a humanitarian crisis. People have taken matters into their own hands through grassroots activism and local collective action. The many and varied social solidarity initiatives include social pharmacies, social medical clinics, social kitchens, social groceries, markets without middlemen, a social collective of mental health professionals, social solidarity drop-in centers, time banks (sharing skills and time), olive oil producers sharing olive oil, the "potato movement," where farmers trade directly with consumers, cutting out the supermarkets. 

 On Thurs., May 28 at 7:30 PM, meet Christos, who will be joined by Peter Bratsis and Kostis Papadantonakis, at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org or https://www.facebook.com/events/1639779432922689/.

 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  

 

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