Baltimore Activist Alert - July 23 - September 22, 2015

38] NPT review – July 23
39] Senate committee to restrict D.C. government spending – July 23
40] Gaza’s role – July 23
41] Police Accountability Rally – July 23
42] Police Accountability Hearing – July 23
43] Darshan of Sri Karunamayi – July 23
44] Dance with the “Enemy” – July 23
45] Remember Dontre Hamilton – July 23
46] Wine & Wag – July 23
47] Peace vigil at the White House– July 24
48] Black Lives Matter Vigil – July 24
49] Theatre of the Oppressed – July 24
50] Ballroom Dancing – July 24
51] West Chester peace vigil – July 25
52] Play about the occupation – July 25
53] Remember Korean War – July 25
54] Anti-racist potluck picnic – July 25
55] Commemorate Hiroshima & Nagasaki – August 6 & 9
56] Climate chaos, poverty & war actions – Sept. 22
57] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
58] Activist needs a driveway or garage
59] Join Fund Our Communities
60] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
61] Do you need any book shelves?
62] Join Global Zero campaign
63] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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38] – On Thurs., July 23 from 10 to 11:30 AM, Adam Scheinman, U.S. Ambassador to the NPT Review Conference, will discuss "Implications of the 2015 NPT Review Conference" at the National Defense University, Lincoln Hall, Room 1119, 300 Fifth Ave. SW, Fort McNair, WDC. This will be off the record. RSVP Nima.Gerami@ndu.edu.

39] – Go to Room 106, Dirksen Senate Office Building, WDC, on Thurs., July 23 at 10:30 AM and join DC Vote to challenge the Senate Appropriations Committee, which will move a Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) spending bill that will place undemocratic restrictions on how D.C. spends locally-raised tax revenues.  Remind Congress that D.C. residents are real human beings who will not sit idly by as their rights are trampled.   Email RTate@dcvote.org.

40] – Come to the Jerusalem Fund, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC on Thurs., July 23 from 12:30 to 2 PM for a panel discussion with Nathan Brown, professor of Political Science, George Washington University and Yousef Munayyer, executive director, U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.  This lecture will begin promptly at 1 PM. A light lunch is served at 12:30 PM.

While the plight of the Palestinians of Gaza is a subject in its own right, this panel seeks to connect current discourse on Gaza to the larger Palestinian-Israeli conflict. What is Gaza’s role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and how does Gaza complicate the conflict? Does it work in Israel’s favor to treat Gaza and the West Bank separately? How is the leadership in Gaza working with the Palestinian Authority to navigate the marginalization of Gaza? Go to http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/53417.

41] – There is a Police Accountability Rally on Thurs., July 23 at 2 PM in Lawyers Mall, 100 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401.  Contact Brittany Oliver at oliver@aclu-md.org. 

42] – The Speaker of the House of Delegates has appointed Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk as a member of the Public Safety and Policing Workgroup, which is tasked with looking into police accountability in Maryland. At 4 PM in the Joint Hearing Room, Legislative Services Building, 50 State Circle, there will be a Town Hall Meeting focusing on Law Enforcement Issues Across the State. Email Joseline.Pena.Melnyk@house.state.md.us.

43] – You are invited to attend the darshan of Sri Karunamayi on Fri., July 24 from 11 AM to 5 PM at The Hindu Temple of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. at 10001 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD. Reservations are not required, and there is no charge, but individual blessings/darshan are given on a first come, first served basis.  Those who arrive after 2:30 PM are not guaranteed to receive darshan. The Ashram has a 15 passenger van, and rides can be provided, leaving from the 4209 house at 9:45 AM. Call 240 483 9458. Visit http://karunamayi.org/homepage/.

44] – Get in front of the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC on Thurs., July 23 at  5:30 PM.  In support of diplomatic negotiations between the US and Iran, CODEPINK will host  Dancing with the "Enemy" in front of the White House, featuring amazing Iranian dancers teaching us Iranian dance moves! Instructors include Marjan Saghafi Shallal, Mitra M Lore and Farrah Javid! Join to learn new dances, more about the US-Iran nuclear negotiations, and to have a lot of fun!

45] – Go to the Washington Ethical Society, 7750 16th St. NW, WDC on Thurs., July 23 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM for Roadside Remembrance - Solidarity Action,  an event which happens every Thursday. This Action, which builds on the Sidewalk Solidarity Actions of this past fall, will involve participants holding signs with the names of people who were killed by police, #BlackLivesMatter signs, and other messages. 

 There will be a Person of the Week— Dontre Hamilton--that will be studied and remembered. While holding signs, participants are encouraged to share what they learned about this person. At 6:15 PM, there will be a short go-round to share a thought about the person.

 46] – Join the MD SPCA at a Wine & Wag happy hour on Thurs., July 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore, 21211. Admission is $15 per person.  Dogs are free, but only one per person, please, and no retractable leashes. There is no admission charge for kids 10 and under. Go to http://www.mdspca.org/updates/md-spca-events/wine-wags.

 47] – On Fri., July 24 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.

 48] – 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 24. Black Lives Matter. 

 49] – Come to the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre, 8641 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring 20910, on Fri., July 24 from 7 to 10 PM for a one-night workshop on Introduction to Jokering Techniques to Theatre of the Oppressed. The cost is $15. Theatre of the Oppressed is a group of theatrical techniques used to initiate social change. Check out Augusto Boal’s “Theatre of the Oppressed” and “Games for Actors and Non-Actors.” The workshop will focus on a variety of TO games as well as provide opportunities for practice facilitating. Go to http://dcctsj.weebly.com/joker-training.html.

 50] – 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 24. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

 51] –  Each Saturday, 11 AM – 1 50, 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. 

 52] – See “It’s What We Do: A Play About the Occupation.” The last performance is on Sat., July 25 at noon. 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.  Each performance will be followed by a discussion with knowledgeable and experienced Jewish-American, Palestinian, and other speakers.

53] – On Sat., July 25 from 6 to 8 PM, go to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, WDC for a Special Evening to Remember the Forgotten War--Korea.  The evening will include a Candle-light Vigil to hope for end of all wars & more peace in our world.  Carnations, candles, flags, water & light snack will be provided. Meet rain or shine. Go to http://remember727.org/.

54] – Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) - DC Affiliate, in conjunction with the White Anti-Racist Solidarity Project, are hosting a Potluck Picnic for racial justice! Meet, learn about SURJ and other work happening in the area, share any of the work you've been doing, build community, and begin to plan for future efforts. He picnic will occur in Malcolm X Park, 2400 15th St. NW, WDC, on Sat., July 25 from 1 to 3 PM. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/117694215237951/.

55] – 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. 

 
56] -- 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.

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

58] -- 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.

59] -- 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 former 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. 

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

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

62] -- 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.

63] – 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