Baltimore Activist Alert - August 25 - 27, 2015

19] Call Congress to support Iran Nuclear Deal – Aug. 25

20] PSC to rule on Exelon-PEPCO merger – Aug. 25

21] Act now to get Congress to vote for Iran deal – Aug. 26

22] March for the ERA – Aug. 26

23] Urge Rep. Sarbanes to vote for the Iran Deal – Aug. 26

24] Dave Zirin interviews Boots Riley – Aug. 26

25] Book talk on “Base Nation: How U.S. Military Bases Abroad Harm America and the World” – Aug. 26

26] “A Normal Nuclear Pakistan” – Aug. 27

27] Take Climate Action – Aug. 27

28] Share a skill – Aug. 27   

29] Study Engels – Aug. 27         

30] Book talk with Boots Riley – Aug. 27

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19] --   On Tues., Aug. 25 from 10 AM to 5 PM, there is a Congressional Call Party at Busboys and Poets, 5th and K Sts., 1025 5th St. NW, WDC 20001.  Stop by Busboys & Poets at any time during the all-day "call-in" urging Congress to support the Iran nuclear deal! Call some of the 100 key senators and representatives urging them to support the deal. Some offices are reporting that they are getting 10 calls against the deal for every 1 in favor. So let's get on the phone!!! You will be provided with the list, the numbers, and the script--even the phone if you need it. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/511422795675241/.

20] – On Tues., Aug. 25 at 11 AM, the D.C. Public Service Commission (PSC), 1325 G St. NW, Suite 800, will issue its decision on the proposed Exelon-Pepco merger. This merger would raise our electricity rates, threaten D.C. jobs, and worsen electricity service. It is why an overwhelming number of D.C. residents have stepped forward to oppose this bad deal.

More than 2,000 D.C. residents sent comments to the PSC telling them to reject the merger. Six Councilmembers: Mary Cheh, Elissa Silverman, Charles Allen, David Grosso, Brandon Todd and Brianne Nadeau have come out in opposition to the merger as well. More than half of the District's ANCs have passed resolutions opposing the merger.

You can watch a live stream of the announcement at the PSC's website. http://www.dcpsc.org/. Join DC SUN at 5 PM for a post-decision happy hour at Don Juan Restaurant, 1660 Lamont St. NW.

    Attend one of the events organized by MoveOn for Wed., Aug. 26, a national day of action in support of the Iran deal. There are five events planned for Maryland at the locations listed below. The more people who attend these events, the more political power we show and the more likely it is that members of Congress from Maryland will support the deal.  Showing up is important! 

21] – At noon, delegations will be going to Sen. Ben Cardin’s Baltimore office (host Angad Singh: http://civic.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=144423), Rep. Elijah Cummings’ Ellicott City office and Rep. Steny Hoyer’s D.C. office.  At 3:30 PM, a delegation will visit Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s Fells Point office (host Charlie Cooper): http://civic.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=144619), and another group will be at Rep. John Delaney’s office in Hagerstown at 4 PM.  Finally, there will be a meeting Delaney on Thurs., Aug. 27 at 6 PM at Beth Sholom Congregation, 11825 Seven Locks Road, Potomac 20854. Sign up at http://civic.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=144671.

     It only takes a minute to do this:  call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for Senator Cardin, call back and ask for Senator Mikulski, and finally call back for your representative. You can even call once a day! Simply state your name, say that you are a constituent and that you support the deal with Iran.  Go to http://www.peaceactionmc.org/.

22] – Come to St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, on  Wed., Aug. 26 at 2:45 PM to prepare for a march to the United States Capitol to say to our senators and representatives, “We demand that you clear the way to the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment now!”

Feminist and human rights activists will join Helene de Boissiere Swanson in the final steps of her year-long pilgrimage on foot across the nation through the 15 states that have not yet ratified the Equal Rights Amendment. Swanson, a resident of Sausalito, California, began her pilgrimage on foot, responding to a spiritual call to bear public witness for the ERA. By August 26, often walking alone by the side of the highway, she will have traversed each of the 15 states that have failed to ratify the amendment and pressed legislators in their capitals to take action. Ratification by three more states is needed for the ERA to become a part of the U.S. Constitution.

   Swanson, co-founded Katrina’s Dream in memory of her late mother-in-law, the Rev. Katrina Swanson who was one of the “Philadelphia Eleven,” the first group of women to be ordained “irregularly” in the Episcopal Church USA. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1564990420427752/

 

23] – On Wed., Aug. 26 at 4:30 PM a delegation will go to Rep. John Sarbanes’ office, 600 Baltimore Ave., Suite 303, Towson 21204, to deliver a petition urging him to vote in favor of the Iran deal. Let Max know if you can go to Sarbanes’ office--410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net. Are you a constituent?

24] – Come to Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Aug. 26 at 6:30 PM for a timely discussion on the intersection of art and activism with Boots Riley and Dave Zirin. Provocative and prolific, Riley has written lyrics as the front man of underground favorites The Coup and Street Sweeper Social Club, and as a solo artist, for more than two decades. An activist, educator, and emcee, Riley’s singular lyrical stylings combine hip-hop poetics, radical politics, and wry humor with Bay Area swag. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/560536350750951/.

25] -- On Wed., Aug. 26 at 7 PM, the day after the release of “Base Nation: How U.S. Military Bases Abroad Harm America and the World,” David Vine will be giving his first book talk at DC's great indy bookstore Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, WDC.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1186988201328055/.

26] – Come to the Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, 8th Floor, WDC 20036, on Thurs., Aug. 27 from 12:30 to 2 PM for a special event. Stimson and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace have collaborated on a new report, “A Normal Nuclear Pakistan,” co-written by Toby Dalton and Michael Krepon. This report takes a hard look at Pakistan's nuclear weapon-related programs and its ambitions to be viewed as a normal state possessing advanced nuclear technologies.

The essay argues that a commercial pathway for Pakistan to join the mainstream in the global nuclear order is highly unlikely. Instead, the authors suggest that Pakistan's leaders consider nuclear weapon-related initiatives that could facilitate mainstreaming, while also strengthening nonproliferation norms, bolstering global disarmament hopes, and setting the bar higher for new entrants into the Nuclear Suppliers Group. This joint Carnegie-Stimson publication will be available at our luncheon meeting. RSVP at smason@stimson.org. Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cYlIUtF78dAEtC-PryFzOF9V58opRuoCOTLAH5yypWA/viewform.

27] -- People, planet, and profit. These are the three core areas on which sustainable businesses, or green businesses, focus. It’s a tall order to balance all three, meeting the needs of current generations without compromising future ones. 

Today, business leaders across sectors are taking practical steps to tackle climate change through sustainability. The range is wide, from high-tech firms that develop new clean energy technologies to businesses who integrate sustainability into their company culture.

Join Climate Reality on Thurs., Aug. 27 at 2 PM ET for a free webinar exploring this emerging movement for everyday climate action. You’ll hear from Climate Reality Leaders in the business world on how companies are redefining “business as usual” through climate action; the practical steps to sustainability; why green business is smart business; and how to become a Climate Reality Leader and take action. REGISTER at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/9f96095356fb27718c34be5db4a05ad8.

28] – The Migrant Solidarity Skill Share is happening on Thurs., Aug. 27 from 5:15 to 8 PM at the Enoch Pratt Free Library - Southeast Anchor Branch, 3601 Eastern Ave., Baltimore 21224.  If you would like to share a skill, email ASAP with the skill you would like to share:

Baltimore Palestine Solidarity <baltimorepalestinesolidarity@gmail.com>.

Migrants and activists from diverse regions and movements will gather to share invaluable skills and experience in the fight for migrant empowerment. From Latin America to the Middle East, from the Sinai to the Sonoran deserts, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Mediterranean, from East Baltimore to East Jerusalem, migrants and their allies are struggling for justice and power. While each regional struggle demands the full attention of affected communities and their allies, the need for sharing actionable skills and relevant experience is undeniable.

The Baltimore Palestine Solidarity and Jewish Voice for Peace-Baltimore Chapter will share the evening with migrants and activists from Baltimore, the D/M/V, and beyond.
After the library closes, participants will be invited for to share libations and grub at a location to be determined.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1474845669497569/.

29] – You are invited to the second session in the study of Frederick Engels' classic, “The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State” on Thurs., Aug. 27 at 7 to 9 PM  at 810 Winston Ave., Baltimore 21212.  Note the change of venue from the first class.  The discussion will be on chapters 3 to 5.  Refreshments will be served. 

Why study a book written in 1884 on the underpinnings of early human history as it developed into the class based society of today?  The answer, as stated in the introduction to Engels' book by Eleanor Leacock, is that although social sciences have examined many aspects of the human experience in the past 130 years, "the fundamentals of Engel's outline for history have remained valid." Join and seek to understand how the origin of the family, private property and the state informs the work we do today as the basis for a better (socialist) world tomorrow.  For copies of the book ($10), call Margaret at 410-433-3269.

30] – On Thurs., Aug. 27 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, Boots Riley will speak.  He has been the front man for The Coup and Street Sweeper Social Club, as well as a solo artist, for more than two decades. An activist, educator, and emcee, Riley's singular lyrical stylings combine hip-hop poetics, radical politics, and wry humor with Bay Area swag. His latest book,” Boots Riley: Tell Homeland Security—We Are the Bomb,” brings together his songs, commentary, and backstories with compelling photos and documents. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org. 

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