Baltimore Activist Alert - June 23 - 27, 2015

41] Torture Talk – June 23
42] Charleston – June 23
43] Why were the atomic bombs dropped – June 23?
44] Film UNFREEDOM – June 23
45] Torture Conference – June 24
46] Torture Survivors' Week – June 24 - 27
47] Film "Taxi to the Dark Side" – June 24
48] Justice for Tyrone West – June 24
49] Climate Chaos – June 24
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41] – Go to the Friends Meeting of Washington, 2111 Florida Ave. NW, WDC 20008-1912 on Tues., June 23 from 6 to 8 PM to participate in Torture Awareness Week. Join Amnesty International USA Mid-Atlantic Region, National Coalition To Protect Civil Freedoms (NCPCF), Center for Constitutional Rights, Witness Against Torture and CODEPINK: Women For Peace for a panel discussion on the many ways that torture is written into current law, and how it is inflicted upon people both domestically and abroad. Experts and organizers from a wide variety of backgrounds, from anti-torture to prison abolition work, will be discussing how solitary confinement, police torture, surveillance of Muslim communities and CIA torture intersect to create a culture where torture is permitted and legally justified to perpetuate state violence. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1592667184338631/.

42] – Be at Busboys and Poets, 5^th & K Sts. NW, WDC on Tues., June 23 from 6:30 to8:30 PM for a special A.C.T.O.R. to discuss the recent massacre at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Charleston, SC. Featured will be Dr. Stacey Patton, senior enterprise reporter for the Chronicle of Higher Education, adjunct professor of American history at American University, Erika Totten, community organizer and founder, Unchained, Reverend Dexter U. Nutall, pastor, New Bethel Baptist Church.  A.C.T.O.R. is a monthly discussion series that provides the opportunity for people to come together and speak openly and honestly about issues of race. The intent is that each person walks away from the discussion feeling something: challenged, educated, uncomfortable, enlightened, refreshed, reassured and hopefully inspired and moved to action! Regular discussions take place on the first Sunday of every month at 14th & V Sts. at 5 PM with a new topic and a Busboys and Poets-sponsored facilitator. Go to http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/event/special-a.c.t.o.r-a-continuing-talk-on-race.

43] – In conjunction with the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition, from 7 to 9 PM on Tues., June 23 at American University, Katzen Arts Center, Third Floor, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, a symposium will bring together a panel of prominent historians to reflect on the decision to drop the atomic bomb and its implications. Contact 202-885-1300.  Go to http://www.american.edu/calendar/?id=6383067.

44] – At Bloombars, 3222 11th St. NW, WDC 20010, on Tues., June 23 from 7 to 9 PM, BloomBars and Dark Frames present a controversial thriller on religious fundamentalism and intolerance—“Unfreedom” (2015, 102 min), by Raj Amit Kumar.  It is an urgent contemporary thriller about a society torn apart by political, religious, and sexual turmoil. Shifting between New York and New Delhi, the film juxtaposes two powerful and unflinching stories about religious fundamentalism and intolerance, one of which follows a Muslim terrorist attempting to kill a liberal Muslim scholar, while the other is about a young woman who defies her devout father and escapes an arranged marriage because she is secretly embroiled in a taboo lesbian romance. In this searing portrait of the polarized world we live in, all four characters go to their absolute limit—and beyond—in their struggle to defend their deeply-held and conflicting viewpoints on freedom, faith, family and love. (In English, this film is for a mature audience only). The suggested donation is $10. Enjoy free organic popcorn. See https://www.facebook.com/events/1458018721162654/.

45] – Attend a Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, Inc. (TASSC) Conference on Torture at Aquinas Hall, Catholic University (near the Brookland Metro).  The entrance for cars is at Michigan Ave. NW and 4th St. NE, WDC. The conference is on Wed., June 24 from 9 AM to 5 PM.  From 2 to 4 PM, there will be a meeting to plan for lobby visits. At 4 PM go to Capitol Hill.  Go to http://www.tassc.org/events-1/2015/6/24/18th-annual-june-survivors-week.

46] – From Wed., June 24 through Sat., June 27, join TASSC in celebrating its 18th Annual June Torture Survivors' Week.   The TASSC vigil will be on June 27th at Lafayette Park across from the White House. Go t0 www.tassc.org. 

47] – See a documentary film:  "Taxi to the Dark Side," an academy award winning film about torture practices by the U.S. on Wed., June 24 at 6:30 PM.  It is the part of the Charm City Film Series, which is once a month, on the 4th Wednesday, at the Baltimore Ethical Society on W. Fayette St. Contact Joe Adams at 410-812-1447 (mobile). Enjoy complimentary refreshments and snacks.  There will be pizza for sale.

   The film is an in-depth look at the torture practices of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, focusing on a taxi driver in Afghanistan who was tortured and killed in 2002. An intelligent, powerful look into the dark corners of the War on Terror. Timely in view of the recent release of the Summary of the Senate Intelligence Committee Report on CIA Torture. Directed by Alex Gibney, it won the Academy Award, Best Documentary Feature, 2008.  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1455112034789046/. Max will lead a discussion after the screening.

48] – On Wed., June 24 at 6:30 PM, demand justice for Tyrone West and for all victims of police brutality outside the CITY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, 120 E. Baltimore St. Come support this important struggle. This is the 100th week - and the 100th rally - since the brutal death of Tyrone West.  Email <brookfarm@verizon.net>.

49] – Join health professionals, parents, and concerned citizens for our “Moms and Docs" Climate Change Roundtable. If you've been paying attention to recent reports that we're kicking off the hottest year on record (again), you know that global warming isn't only a threat for the distant future: it's a present reality. You might not know that climate change isn't just about melting ice caps and polar bears: it's an urgent threat to our health in Baltimore. Asthma, sore throats, and allergies – all are getting worse with hotter, longer summers. Not to mention the spread of diseases like Lyme's.

Hear from the experts why the acting on climate is essential for our health, why Maryland needs to switch to 100% renewable energy, and upcoming opportunities to take action. RSVP at https://environmentmaryland.webaction.org/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=114.  Free snacks will be available, and a Q&A period will be held at the end.

Hear from UMD-Baltimore's Dr. Sara Via, Baltimore writer and mom, Dr. Lauren Poltier, Environment Maryland, Mom's Clean Air Force, Physicians for Social Responsibility and Sierra Club and Thurs., June 25 from. 6 to 8 PM at 2640 Space, 2640 St Paul St., Baltimore 21218.

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