Thursday, July 16, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert - July 16 - September 22, 2015

16] Trinity test – July 16
17] "The P5+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal: Outcome, Implementation and Verification" – July 16
18] Civil resistance – July 16
19] International People’s Tribunal – July 16
20] Outlaw Nuclear Weapons – July 16
21] Zine talk at Red Emma’s – July 16
22] Showing Up for Racial Justice meeting – July 16
23] Peace vigil at the White House– July 17
24] Black Lives Matter Vigil – July 17
25] Ballroom Dancing – July 17
26] West Chester peace vigil – July 18
27] State Violence – July 18
28] Play about the Occupation – July 18
29] Queer kudzu – July 18
30] Progressive transformation in Latin America – July 18
31] Death of Tyrone West – July 18
32] Commemorate Hiroshima & Nagasaki – August 6 & 9
33] Climate chaos, poverty & war actions – Sept. 22
34] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
35] Activist needs a driveway or garage
36] Join Fund Our Communities
37] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
38] Do you need any book shelves?
39] Join Global Zero campaign
40] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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16] –On July 16, it is the 70th anniversary of "Trinity," the first nuclear test. The mushroom cloud appeared for the first time in Alamogordo, NM.

17] – On Thurs., July 16 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM, Richard Nephew, Columbia University, Ilan Goldenberg, Center for a New American Security, and Kelsey Davenport, Arms Control Association, will examine "The P5+1 and Iran Nuclear Deal: Outcome, Implementation and Verification." The discussion is sponsored by the Arms Control Association, and it takes place at the Carnegie Endowment, Root Room, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at https://www.armscontrol.org/civicrm/event/register?id=41&reset=1&utm_source=%5BEvent%5D+P5%2B1+and+Iran%3A+Outcome%2C+Verification%2C+and+Implementation_1&utm_campaign=P5%2B1+July+2015+Event&utm_medium=email.

18] – At the U.S. Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, WDC on Thurs., July 16 from 10 to 11 AM, USIP President Nancy Lindborg, Kerri Kennedy of the American Friends Service Committee and Manal Omar, Acting Vice President, Center for Middle East and Africa, USIP, explore this nexus of civil resistance and peacebuilding in the first of a new series by the USIP Global Campus. This event is held in collaboration with the online course, “Civil Resistance and the Dynamics of Nonviolent Movements.”  Organized nonviolent citizen movements sometimes use confrontational, even disruptive, tactics such as protests and boycotts, yet such campaigns can contribute to democratic development and long-term peace. http://www.usip.org/events/civil-resistance-and-peacebuilding-how-they-connect.

19]  At Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave. NE, WDC on Thurs., July 16 at 11:15 AM through Sat., July 18 at 11:15 AM, human rights defenders, peace and justice advocates, lawyers, jurists, academics, church people, and political activists who have come together to convene the International Peoples Tribunal on Crimes against the Filipino people by President Benigno S. Aquino and the US Government as represented by President Barack Obama. This tribunal is at the behest of victims of human rights violations and other crimes committed under the Presidency of Benigno S. Aquino III in the Philippines. The victims and their relatives — belonging to a wide spectrum of social classes and sectors in Philippine society – are represented by the Ecumenical Voice for Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (EcuVoice), KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of the People’s Rights), Hustisya! (Victims United for Justice), DESAPARECIDOS (Families of the Disappeared for Justice), SELDA (Society of Ex-Detainees Against Detention and Arrest), BAYAN (New Patriotic Alliance), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines) among others. Visit http://internationalpeoplestribunal.org/.

20] –   Takoma Park's Nuclear Free Committee is sponsoring a community forum on Thurs., July 16 on the global campaign to outlaw nuclear weapons. The date marks the 70th anniversary of the world's first nuclear weapons detonation.  The Trinity test, carried out by the U.S. at the Alamogordo proving grounds in the New Mexican desert, took place on July 16, 1945. Key note speakers at the forum are Michael Walli and Robert Alvarez. Mr. Walli was recently released from federal prison after serving more than two years for spilling blood on the highly guarded top U.S. production site for nuclear weapons at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee complex.  Mr. Alvarez is an international expert on nuclear proliferation at the Washington DC-based Institute for Policy Studies. The event also features the shocking video "A Time Lapse Map of Every Nuclear Explosion Since 1945." This free program will begin at 7 PM at the City of Takoma Park Sam Abbott Citizens Center, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD.   Contact Paul Gunter, (301) 523-0201.

21] – On Thurs., July 16 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, Matt Dineen will presents "Not for You: Stories of Music & Work from the Precarious Service Industry." Enjoy a reading and discussion around Matt’s zine, which is part of the Music & Work Project and explores the antagonistic dynamics between management, workers, and customers in relationship to the beats, rhythms, lyrics, and melodies played at his past jobs. Come share your own experiences.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/968923229795124/. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org. 

22] – The Northern Virginia chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) First Meeting is at 11620 Monument Dr., Fairfax, VA on Thurs., July 16 at 7:30 PM.  SURJ is a national network of affiliated groups working together to expand our collective capacity to organize White people for racial justice. Through community organizing, mobilizing, and education, SURJ affiliates aim to move White people in motion to take action as part of a multi-racial majority for racial justice. 

   The VA chapter's first meeting will be about an hour to an hour and a half. Feel free to grab something to eat and bring it with you. They will have a table sign so it will be easy to find. If you have any questions prior to the meeting or would like to set up time to talk more about the organization, feel free to reach out.  Contact Cayce D. Utley at cayce.utley@gmail.com.

23] – On Fri., July 17 from noon to 1 PM, join the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker in a vigil urging the powers that be to abolish war and torture, to disarm all weapons, to end indefinite detention, to close Guantanamo, to establish justice for all and help create the Beloved Community! The vigil takes place at the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. NW.  Contact Art @ artlaffin@hotmail.com or at 202-360-6416.

24] – 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 scheduled vigil is on July 17. Black Lives Matter. 

25] – There is an opportunity to participate in ballroom dancing, usually every Friday of the month, in the JHU ROTC Bldg. at  8 PM.  Turn south on San Martin Dr. from the intersection of Univ. Parkway and 39th St.  Drive on campus by taking the third left turn. The next dance will be July 17. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

26] –  Each Saturday, 11 AM – 1 PM, Chester County Peace Movement holds a peace vigil in West Chester in front of the Chester County Courthouse, High & Market Sts. Go to www.ccpeace.org. Email ccpeacemovement@aol.com. 

27] – What is state violence? How does it affect our lives? How is state violence manifested in our search for living wage, dignified work? What does resistance to state violence look like?  Freedom School will include discussion, group breakouts and exercises, video, art, music, and fellowship with other ONE DC members on Sat., July 18 from noon to 4 PM at the United Black Fund, Inc., 2500 Martin Luther King, Jr Ave. SE, WDC. Food will be served. ONE DC is encouraging everyone who plans to attend the Jobs Action on July 22nd to come to the Freedom School so everyone has a shared understanding. Visit http://www.onedconline.org/freedomschool2?utm_campaign=ppmtg_july&utm_medium=email&utm_source=onedctrac.

28] – See “It’s What We Do: A Play About the Occupation.” The performances continue on Sat., July 18 at 1:45 PM. Join Jewish Voice for Peace - DC Metro Chapter. 

The play is based on the testimonies of Israeli soldiers’ collected by the Israeli group, Breaking the Silence. These soldiers have dared to speak out against the Occupation policies they enforce and what they have to say is POWERFUL!

You can order tickets at https://www.capitalfringe.org/events/572-it-s-what-we-do-a-play-about-the-occupation.  Award-winning independent filmmaker and theater director (recipient of 3 Fulbright grants), and JVP-DC Metro Steering Committee member, Pam Nice, is the playwright, producer and director of “It’s What We Do.” The performances will be at the Atlas Theatre Lab II, 1333 H St. NE, WDC 20002. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-endgame-who-got-what-from-the-iran-talks-tickets-17533424946.

Help us distribute "It's What We Do" postcards at the many Fringe Festival performances throughout July to encourage festival audiences to attend this play -- contact Linda at lblh98@aol.com. Visit www.iwwdplay.org.

29] – On Sat., July 18 at 2 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201,  In the Free School Classroom, hear from Invasive: Queer Kudzu.  Invasive proudly reclaims kudzu, an invasive plant species prolific in the South, as a symbol for Southern queer visibility and tenacity in the face of homophobic stereotypes that obscure our rich histories. Started by artist Aaron McIntosh, Invasive is traveling across the Southern states to gather stories of LGBTQ people through community workshops and from special archives. The Invasive workshops are a place for people to gather, share stories and make connections. As a drop-in style activity, participants can write their stories on cloth kudzu leaves while socializing with other contributors. Every story is valuable: contributors can simply write their name, a coming-out story, a major life event, a romantic encounter or any queer story they wish to share. Allies are also welcome to contribute stories of support. For participants who want to add photographs, memorabilia or typed stories to their leaf, there will be a printer set-up to scan and print these on cloth. All materials and tools will be provided for making the kudzu stories, including fabrics, dye markers, quilting supplies and sewing machines. When finished, participants can have their photograph taken with their kudzu leaf, and these will be posted to the Invasive website and blog to document the individuals and communities that have contributed to the project. Eventually, these kudzu stories will form an overwhelming and undeniable mass of Southern queerness that will be exhibited at art centers and public events across the Southeast. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org. 

30] –Tune in to the Latin American Alternative: 16 Years of Progressive Transformations in Venezuela and Latin America in the Bolivarian Hall of the Embassy of Venezuela, 2443 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC on Sat., July 18 from 3 to 5 PM.  It can be argued that the Greek people's rejection of neoliberal policies in a referendum a few days ago would not have occurred, had the road not been paved by a wave of progressive governments in Latin America that refused to follow the model of the Washington Consensus and instead sought important transformations, becoming the first alternative in many years to neoliberal hegemony.

  The electoral victory of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela initiated a wave of political programs that questioned the inevitability of neoliberal policies, broke down barriers that promoted high levels of social exclusion, and redefined democracy in terms of increased political participation and a new constitutionalism. Other governments followed soon after: Lula's Worker's Party won in Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador underwent significant transformations that included the drafting of new Constitutions, and leaders in countries like Argentina, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Paraguay embarked on fulfilling progressive agendas.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/108231596188111/.

31] – Come to Kelway Rd & Kitmore Rd., Baltimore on Sat., July 18 at 5 PM and will mark the two-year anniversary of the beating death of Tyrone West by Baltimore Police and Morgan State University officers.  The West Family will gather at the intersection where he died in Northeast Baltimore, where the incident all began, when Tyrone was profiled ("Driving While Black") by two plainclothes Baltimore Police officers and viciously attacked. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/854169147998567/.

32] – The annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration will begin on Thurs., Aug. 6 with a 5:30 PM demonstration at 33rd & North Charles Streets to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a ban on killer drone strikes and research.  Visitors from Japan will speak, and then we would eat dinner at a Japanese restaurant.

On Sun., Aug. 9, we will enjoy a potluck dinner at 6 PM.  Then Ralph Moore, a long-time Baltimore activist, will address the problems facing Baltimore.  If you are in a social change organization, you would be welcome to inform the gathering about your accomplishments. We are seeking performers.  Let Max know if you have any suggestions. 

33] -- The National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance is planning an action on September 21 or 22 in the D.C. area. We will gather at 10 AM in the office of a member of the House of Representatives to challenge him/her that the wars must end, that Mother Earth must be saved and that we must eliminate income inequality. We will occupy Rep. Paul Ryan’s office.

After delivering a letter and speaking with staff members, we will next gather at 1 PM at the White House.  There we will try to deliver a letter to the White House, raise the same issues and risk arrest. Let Max know if you can join us in D.C. for this action.

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

35] -- There is a bicycle activist who is seeking a space [driveway or garage] where he could park a vehicle without plates.  Let Max know if you have a suggestion.

36] -- 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. 

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

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

39] -- 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.

40] – 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

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