Monday, June 1, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert - June 1 - 4, 2015


31] Interfaith Vigil for Palestinian Children  June 1
32] This is How We Fought in Gaza – June 1
33] Pledge of Resistance/FOC meeting – June 1
34] The ill-treatment of Palestinian children in detention -- June 2
35] Peace vigil – June 2
36] No JHU Drone Research – June 2  
37] Launch of the graphic novel 'La Lucha' – June 2
38] Havana Nights – June 2
39] Film UPTIGHT – June 2
40] Film DETAING DREAMS – June 2
41] Organizing agricultural workers – June 3
42] Fragility, Conflict and Humanitarianism June 3
43] "Weighing Concerns and Assurances about a Nuclear Deal with Iran" – June 3
44] Hear from Palestinian comedian Amer Zahr – June 3
45] Honor the Tobacco and Allied Workers Union of Malawi – June 3
46] Talking about anti-black racism June 3
47] Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform meeting – June 3
48] “An Activist Handbook for the Education Revolution” – June 3
49] Video Storytelling Seminar for Nonprofits – June 4
50] "The Strategic Implications of the Iran Nuclear Deal" – June 4
 
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31] – On Mon., June 1 at noon, join an Interfaith Vigil for Palestinian Children in the Upper Senate Park, 200 New Jersey Ave. NW.  RSVP at at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ODslM4rcSQXGRhEs7frfLHbK4AitD1Tawx6klwxs7aA/viewform.
 
32] – On Mon., June 1 from noon to 1:30 PM catch This is How We Fought in Gaza at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20036. “There were no rules of engagement. If you see anyone in that area, that person is a terrorist.” Breaking the Silence – an organization of Israeli veterans – recently released “This is How We Fought in Gaza,” a report based entirely on testimonies from Israeli soldiers who fought in what Israel called Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. The Washington Post calls the report “…sobering testimony… that suggests permissive rules of engagement coupled with indiscriminate artillery fire contributed to the mass destruction and high numbers of civilian casualties.” With the Gaza Strip still largely in ruins from last year’s fighting and Israel trying to dodge Palestinian efforts to bring its actions in Gaza before the International Criminal Court, the question of what actually happened on the ground remains a crucial one.
 
Avner Gvaryahu, a member of Breaking the Silence, will discuss the report and its implications for human rights, security and the rule of law in Israel. A light lunch will be served. He was born and raised in a religious-Zionist family in Rehovot, Israel. He joined the IDF as a paratrooper in 2004, and served as a sniper team sergeant in a special operations unit, mostly around Nablus and Jenin. After his military service, Avner became involved with Breaking the Silence where he has served as Jewish Relations Coordinator for the past year. He holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of Tel Aviv University, and lives with his wife in Tel Aviv. Visit the FMEP website at http://fmep.org/event/this-is-how-we-fought-in-gaza/.
 
33] – 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 is on June 1. The proposed agenda will include anti-drone activities, Freddie Gray, John Sarbanes/Ben Cardin, JHU graduation peace diplomas, annual July 4 visit to the NSA, the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration and a September action in D.C. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net.
 
34] – On Tues., June 2 at 9:30 AM, attend an important Congressional briefing to learn more about and to advocate for ending the ill-treatment of Palestinian children in detention. Entitled, “International Juvenile Justice Reform: Children in Israeli Military Detention,” the briefing will take place in the Capitol Visitors Center, Congressional Meeting Room North. RSVP for programs you can attend at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ODslM4rcSQXGRhEs7frfLHbK4AitD1Tawx6klwxs7aA/viewform.
 
35] – 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 June 2.  Call 215-426-0364.
 
36] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. Join this ongoing vigil on June 2  from 5:30 to 6:30  PM.  Call Max at 410-366-1637. 
 
37] – On Tues., June 2 at 6 PM at the  DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW, WDC, join Frontline Defenders to celebrate the launch of the graphic novel 'La Lucha,' the first in a series of nonfiction graphic novels produced by Frontline Defenders to document the stories of human rights defenders at risk around the world. Special guests will include WHRD, Lucha Castro, director of the Centre for Women's Rights, Chihuahua, Mexico, the protagonist of 'La Lucha.' This event is free and open to the public and is hosted by Front Line Defenders, Washington Office on Latin America, Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights, JASS, CEJIL, Verso Books, and Peace Brigades International. Autographed copies of the novel will be available on the night of the event with a donation of $20 to Frontline Defenders to support human rights defenders at risk. RSVP at campaigns@frontlinedefenders.org. https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/la-lucha-donate,
 
38] –   Come to Havana Nights at the Pink House, 1241 Evarts St. NE, WDC on Tues., June 2 from 6 to 8 PM. Join CODEPINK for a discussion about U.S.-Cuba policy and learn more about recent (and upcoming!) trips to Cuba. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/868015916605765/.
 
39] – At Bloombars, 3222 11th St. NW, WDC 20010, on Tues., June 2 from 6 to 7 PM, BloomScreen and DC Moving Pictures present a thought-provoking film from the Civil Rights era--UPTIGHT (1968, 104 min), by Jules Dassin - Black revolutionaries are betrayed by one of their own. Based on the 1935 classic, "The Informer." The film's soundtrack was performed by Booker T. & the MG's, and the film's opening portrays documentary footage of the funeral procession of Martin Luther King, Jr. - which is used as a backdrop for the film's fictional narrative. 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.
 
The screening will be followed by audience discussion and Q&A with filmmaker Can Tuzcu of DC Moving Pictures – a movie screening project dedicated to showcasing great movies and great filmmakers at local spaces in and around the District. See https://www.facebook.com/events/1597630637175574/.
 
40] –  BUSBOYS & POETS, 5TH & K Sts., 1025 5th St. NW, WDC, on Tues., June 2 from 7 to 9 PM will host a World Premiere of "Detaining Dreams," a new film about Palestinian child detention including live testimonies from Palestinian youth.  You will have the rare opportunity to hear and meet with an amazing lineup of speakers including Palestinian-American teen Tariq Abu Khdeir. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1622548227959923/.
 
41] – Get over to 1201 16th St. NW, WDC on Wed., June 3 from 9 AM to 2 PM for a conference which will bring together farmworker organizers from the United States and abroad to discuss the challenges faced by agricultural workers. They will explore policy options and grassroots strategies to improve working conditions in the agricultural sector and extend workers’ access to remediation. You will hear examples of solutions being tried in multiple crops and countries and then take a deep dive look at the tobacco industry. Tobacco is a toxic crop and globally traded commodity that fuels a half trillion dollars in global profits, while harvesters, not given adequate protection usually develop Green Tobacco Sickness, a type of nicotine poisoning that causes dizziness, nausea and headaches. In addition to the health risks, gross exploitation of farmers and efforts to artificially decrease prices are well-documented in every country in which tobacco is grown. This conference is free to the public. Visit http://www.laborrights.org/events/2015-conference-hasta-la-victoria-farm-worker-justice-global-supply-chains.
 
42] – On Wed., June 3 at 10 AM, learn about Fragility, Conflict and Humanitarianism with David Miliband and Nancy Lindborg at the U.S. Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, WDC 20037.  As the United Nations works to finalize the Sustainable Development Goals to focus international development work beyond 2015, the discussion will highlight critical connections among issues of state fragility, violent conflict and humanitarianism. Increasingly, the world has seen that fragile states-those that lack effective or legitimate systems of government-have become the world's main locus for violent conflict and extreme poverty. Just as these problems are inter-connected, the solutions will have to be integrated as well, combining the work of peacebuilding and development. The speakers have worked for years at this nexus-David Miliband as CEO of the International Rescue Committee and formerly as British foreign secretary; Nancy Lindborg as a former president of Mercy Corps and as an assistant administrator of USAID. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fragility-conflict-and-humanitarianism-in-uns-new-goals-tickets-16945636856.
 
43] –  On Wed., June 3 from noon to 1PM, Jessica Mathews, Carnegie Endowment, retired Gen. Games Cartwright, and Gary Samore, Harvard University, will address "Weighing Concerns and Assurances about a Nuclear Deal with Iran" at the Wilson Center, Sixth Floor, Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at http://pages.wilsoncenter.org/632015IranProject_MEPInvitation.html.
 
44] – On Wed., June 3 from 12:30 to 2 PM,  the Jerusalem Fund, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC 20037, invites you to hear from Palestinian comedian Amer Zahr who will present his views on the role and importance of comedy in sharing the Palestinian narrative with the American public. He draws on his experiences growing up as a child of Palestinian refugees to find humor in current events, culture, politics, and American and Arab societies. Amer's blog offers satire and humor on political and social affairs. He will read excerpts from his book, “Being Palestinian makes Me Smile,” and encourage all to attend his June 5th show at the Kennedy Center, which carries the same title. Visit http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/52026.  Call 202-338-1958 or email info@thejerusalemfund.org.
 
45] – Millions are spent every year to help Americans quit smoking and reduce our children's exposure to second hand smoke. Meanwhile children in tobacco fields -- in both the U.S. and Malawi -- are exposed to green tobacco sickness and a myriad of health hazards because their families are too poor to keep them out of the tobacco fields. Help raise the profile of tobacco farmers' struggle and join in honoring the...Tobacco and Allied Workers Union of Malawi, the 2015 Recipient of the Labor Rights Defenders Award for International Grassroots Organizing at the 2015 Labor Rights Defenders Awards on Wed., June 3 from 6 to 8:30 PM at the National Education Association, 1201 16th St. NW - M Street entrance - WDC 20036.  Go to https://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4058/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=13561.
 
46] – The  Washington Peace Center, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, on Wed., June 3 from 7 to 9 PM is offering a skillshare which will provide participants with the opportunity to practice talking about anti-black racism, particularly in the context of ongoing protests and the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Facilitators and participants will work together to identify strategies to make these conversations more successful, helping to equip participants to address anti-black racism with friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. This skillshare will be facilitated by Lindsay Schubiner, Aaron Goggans, and Lasitha Ranatunga. See https://www.facebook.com/events/427656074072103/.
 
47] – Pat Schenck [mailto:pat.schenck3227@gmail.com] invites you to the next meeting of the Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform (MAJR) on Wed., June 3 at Annapolis Friends Meeting, 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis.  If you wish, bring food to share for a potluck dinner at 6 PM with the meeting at 7 PM.  There will be planning for the next legislative session.
 
48] – A book event “An Activist Handbook for the Education Revolution: An Event with United Opt-Out” is happening on Wed., June 3 at 7:30PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 West North Ave., Baltimore 21201.  Are you an educator, parent, or community activist interested in reclaiming our public schools and reclaiming the public narrative around education policy? Then join in for an evening of discussion around standardized testing and the right to refuse with the editors of this fascinating new book, which infuses research about the recent history of education policy reform, and details the strategies United Opt Out uses for fighting back against these policies, in addition to proposing solutions that work to create sustainable, equitable, anti-racist, democratic and meaningful public education. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.
 
49] – Lights! Camera! Impact! This is a Video Storytelling Seminar for Nonprofits, 1957 E St. NW, WDC on Thurs., June 4 from 8:30 AM to 5 PM.  Nonprofit organizations are recognizing the value of visual stories in communicating their mission, growing their membership, and raising critical funding. Whether your nonprofit plans to produce video in-house or hire professionals, you need to know how to ensure your videos can achieve your desired goal. This all-day seminar for nonprofits will help participants. This seminar is open to all nonprofit staffers and filmmakers who produce works for nonprofits. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1610903462518453/.
 
50] – On Thurs., June 4 from 9 to 10 AM, Mark Fitzpatrick, International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), and Trita Parsi, National Iranian American Council will debate "The Strategic Implications of the Iran Nuclear Deal" at IISS, 2121 K St. NW, Suite 801, WDC. RSVP at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-strategic-implications-of-the-iran-nuclear-deal-tickets-17102947376.
 
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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