Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert - August 5 - 8, 2015

22] Howard Ehrlich estate sale continues – at least through Aug. 8
23] Operation Protective Edge: Representation in the U.S. Media – Aug. 5
24] Film "Pictures from a Hiroshima Schoolyard” – Aug. 5
25] Commemorate Hiroshima – Aug. 5         
26] Rent Reform Campaign – Aug. 5
27] Discussion on imperialism – Aug. 5
28] Nonviolent witness at the Pentagon – Aug. 6
29] Baltimore’s Hiroshima-Nagasaki commemorations – Aug. 6 & 9
30] Unlock the vote – Aug. 6
31] Share your thoughts – Aug. 6
32] The Other – Aug. 6
33] Peace vigil at the White House– Aug. 7
34] Black Lives Matter Vigil – Aug. 7
35] Student/Farmworker Alliance party – Aug. 7
36] U.S.-Japan Friendship Concert for Peace – Aug. 7
37] Ballroom Dancing – Aug. 7

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22] –    The estate sale for the late Howard Ehrlich, who was board president of Research Associates Foundation, took place on Sat., Aug. 1 at 2743 Maryland Ave., Baltimore 21218.  Sale items included progressive books, furniture, appliances, equipment and miscellaneous household items. But note that there are many items still for sale. If you would like to look over the items, contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.   Proceeds after expenses will benefit the Nicaraguan Cultural Alliance.  There are suggested prices, but these are negotiable - so make an offer! 

23] – During the summer of 2014, U.S. news coverage was dominated by reports from the most recent, and most violent, war between Israel and Gaza. Some news sources spoke out against the violence, while others defended Israel’s actions as self-defense and claimed that Palestinian casualties were the fault of Hamas. This panel will analyze coverage of the 2014 war across different media outlets. Biases and reductionism will be examined, as well as the media’s role in spreading awareness about the realities in Gaza and in shaping public opinion.

On Wed., Aug. 5 from 1 to 2 PM catch Operation Protective Edge: Representation in the U.S. Media.  This is the last installment of the Summer Intern Lecture Series, entitled Gaza in Perspective Realities on the Ground, Representation, and Broader Implications.  The lecture will occur at the Palestine Center, The Jerusalem Fund, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC 20037.  A light lunch will be served at 12:30 PM. RSVP at http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/53462/pid/187.

24] –  Shizumi Manale’s film " Pictures from a Hiroshima Schoolyard " will be screened at the American Council for Education, 1 Dupont Circle NW, Suite 800, WDC 20036, on Wed., Aug. 5 at 1 PM.  Call (202) 939-9300.  The screening is free. Shizumi can be reached at shizumidance at starpower dot net.

25] – On Wed., Aug. 5 at 7 PM, there will be a Hiroshima Peace Commemoration at American University Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC.  The Arts Center is featuring the world famous Maruki Panels depicting the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  There will be a moment's silence at 7:15 PM to commemorate the Hiroshima catastrophe. If you wish to see the Maruki Panels and artifact exhibit, you must come prior to 7 PM, as the doors to the museum area will close at 7 PM sharp.

For the past 34 years, the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area has been organizing for the abolition of nuclear weapons and power, and in support of nuclear victims.  Two Hibakusha from Hiroshima, Mr. Goro Matduyama (86), and Ms. Yakako Chiba (73).  In addition, hear the Heartful Chorus led by Ms. Yukie Ikebe.  Matsuyama (86) was a 4th grader of Hiroshima 2nd Middle School (16 years old) at the time, and working as a mobilized student worker at a military factory at the edge of the city (two and half miles from the epicenter).  He walked through the devastated city to his dormitory and then to his home, exposing himself to the radiation.  After retiring from teaching in Hiroshima Prefecture, he has become very active in Hibakusha peace movements.  He compiled and published a collection of Hibakusha testimonies, and is presently president of the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Hibakusha Association of Neyagawa City in Osaka Prefecture.

   Chiba (73) was three years old at the time and survived the bombing at one and half miles from the Hiroshima bomb epicenter.  She grew up watching her mother working for support activities of Hibakusha.  After retiring from teaching, she started earnestly working for anti-nuclear movements.  She came to NY City for the 2010 NPT Review Conference and gave her testimony.  She is president of Ashiya City Hibakusha Association.  She is also active in the anti-nuclear power movement.

   Ikebe is the leader/instructor of the sixteen person Heartful Chorus choral group, in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture. She is a peace activist and an accomplished pianist, and has performed throughout Japan and in France and East Asian countries. 

26] – On Wed., Aug. 5 at 7 PM at the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Baltimore 21201, Baltimore's Rent Court Reform campaign is kicking into high gear. Learn more about Baltimore's affordable housing crisis and how JUFJ's campaign to repair the rent court process will ameliorate this devastating issue. Right to Housing Alliance's Jessica Lewis will be leading an in depth conversation about the unfair process of rent court. Get some insight, then take action together to continue the push for safe and fair housing for all Baltimoreans. Go to


27] – “Confronting Imperialism: A Response to the War on Terror and the War on Drugs” is the topic at the Washington Peace Center, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Aug. 5 from 7 to 9 PM.  U.S. Imperialism is fundamentally based on a system of White supremacy that dehumanizes people of the global majority. Under the guise of democracy, security, and human rights, the U.S. has launched numerous “Wars” throughout the world in order to establish and re-establish its domination and control. In this way, the War on Terror and the War on Drugs have been initiated to provide increasingly flimsy justifications for the dehumanization and destruction of certain individuals, families, and societies domestically and internationally. In order to address the role of U.S. imperialism in the devastating destruction of Latin America, South Asia and Asia Pacific region, join a roundtable discussion about the problem. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1505495496408830/.

28] – Join with the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker and other peacemakers for a nonviolent peace witness to commemorate the U.S. nuclear bombings of Japan on August 6 and August 9, 1945, and to call for the abolition of all nuclear weapons. During this time of commemoration, They will pray and act in solidarity with peacemakers worldwide calling for nuclear abolition, including those in Japan, the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance (OREPA) who will be at the Nuclear Weapons Complex at Oak Ridge, TN, Tri-Valley Cares and other groups who will be at Lawrence Livermore Labs in CA, all those attending the National Campaign for Nonviolence national conference in Santa Fe, NM and who will be at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and all who are participating in the International Fast for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons.

On Thurs., Aug. 6, feast of the Transfiguration, there is a nonviolent witness at the Pentagon. Meet on the corner of Army-Navy Drive and S. Eads St. @

6:45 AM. Witness from 7 to 8:30 AM.  The bomb was dropped on Hiroshima at 8:15 AM. Contact at the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker--202-882-9649, artlaffin@hotmail.com

29] – For the 31st year, the Hiroshima- Nagasaki Commemoration Committee will organize two events in Baltimore. The annual Hiroshima Commemoration will begin on Thurs., Aug. 6 with a 5:30 PM demonstration at 33rd & North Charles Sts. to call for the abolition of nuclear weapons and a ban on killer drone strikes and research. At 6:30 PM, the two Hiroshima survivors will speak, and then we will be entertained by the Heartful Chorus. At 8 PM we will gather for dinner at Niwana Restaurant, 3 E. 33rd St.

On Sun., Aug. 9, we will enjoy a potluck dinner at 6 PM at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St.  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. Contact Max at mobuszewski at Verizon dot net or 410-366-1637. 

30] On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act, the landmark law that dramatically expanded and protected the voting rights of African Americans at the federal, state, and local level. 50 years later, millions of citizens are still denied the right to vote. In Maryland alone, about 40,000 Marylanders – the great majority of whom are African American – continue to be barred from voting due to past criminal records. Baltimore residents are the majority of those disenfranchised.

Earlier this year, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation (SB340/HB980) to reinstate the voting rights of these 40,000 Marylanders. The measure – which restores the vote to all with past criminal convictions who are not incarcerated – passed by an overwhelming majority. But Governor Hogan vetoed it on May 22. On Thurs., Aug. 6 at 5:30 PM gather in McKeldin Square, Pratt and Light Sts. Visit http://www.communitiesunite.org/.

Communities United is holding a march to protest the Governor’s veto. The march will proceed to the corner of Pratt and Hopkins Place where there is a statue of the late Thurgood Marshall.   See http://www.communitiesunite.org/come_out_to_unlock_the_vote?utm_campaign=august6_rally&utm_medium=email&utm_source=communitiesunite.

31] – Fairfax County needs your input to help identify opportunities to strengthen individuals and families in the community—Housing, Community involvement, Financial stability, Health services, Opportunities for children and youth and Resources for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Share your thoughts on Thurs., Aug. 6 from 6 to 8 PM at the Gum Springs Community Center, 8100 Fordson Road, Alexandria 22306. Email Sandra.Chisholm AT fairfaxcounty. Gov.  Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs/cic.

32] – On Thurs., Aug. 6 at 7 PM, hear a talk Creating 'The Other', Dehumanization and Breaking the Cycle of Oppression at 900 Wayne Ave, Silver Spring Library, Conference Room 3-01, Silver Spring.  Neo-Imperialism perpetuates the dehumanization of both Oppressor and Oppressed through the process of creating the ‘Other.’ This process, its consequences, and methods of ending the cycle of dehumanization was outlined in the works of philosopher/educators Paulo Freire and Edward Said. See http://www.washingtonpeacecenter.net/node/15509.

33] – On Fri., Aug. 7 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.

34] – 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 Aug. 7. Black Lives Matter. 

 35] – Get over to the Student Labor Movement Gala at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Aug. 7 from 5:30 to 8 PM.  Enjoy a reception with appetizers and drinks.  Come celebrate 18 years of victories with United Students Against Sweatshops students, alumni, and supporters. Go to https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/announcing-2015-student-labor-movement-gala?can_id=33ea09f74850c840cacd598df97f1f61&source=email-youre-invited-to-celebrate-with-us&email_referrer=youre-invited-to-celebrate-with-us&can_id=638f91d40318e14c3a9002ed297ca35e&email_referrer=youre-invited-to-celebrate-with-us___7201.

36] –  Enjoy a U.S.-Japan Friendship Concert for Peace on Fri., Aug. 7 at 7 PM in the Sam Abbott Citizens' Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park.  Yukie Ikebe will perform with the Heartful Chorus and the D.C. Labor Chorus.  The concert is sponsored by the Nuclear-Free Takoma Park Committee and the DC Labor Chorus.

37] – 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 Aug. 7. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

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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