Baltimore Activist Alert - September 10 - 11, 2015

32] "U.S.-ROK Civil Nuclear Cooperation" – Sept. 10

33] Book talk on Voting Rights – Sept. 10

34] “Underestimated: Our Not So Peaceful Nuclear Future” – Sept. 10

35] "Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG)" meeting – Sept. 10

36] See the new Jews United for Justice office– Sept. 10

37] "The Iran Nuclear Deal: The Technical Debate Clarified" – Sept. 10

38] Thank Rep. John Sarbanes for his promise to vote for the Iran Deal – Sept. 10

39] Vigil at Rep. John Delaney’s office– Sept. 10

40] Film FBI’S WAR ON BLACK AMERICA – Sept. 10

41] Thank Mikulski, Cummings & Sarbanes & urge Cardin to reconsider – Sept. 10

42] Police-community relations – Sept. 10

43] Hear from Eugene Puryear – Sept. 10

44] To Change Everything: Anarchism and the New Social Movements – Sept. 10

45] U.S. Nuclear Policy Toward China – Sept. 11

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32] – On Thurs., Sept. 10 from 10:15 to 11:30 AM, Marie DuMond, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Gary Samore, Harvard University; and Sharon Squasonni, CSIS, will discuss "U.S.-ROK Civil Nuclear Cooperation" at CSIS, 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at KoreaChair@csis.org.

33] – On the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act this August, President Obama urged Congress to restore a key provision of the VRA that had been dismantled by the Supreme Court in 2013. This 1965 bill has received renewed national attention lately, due to the Court’s decision and high-profile recent attempts across the country to restrict access to the voting booth, through voter ID laws and limited voting hours. But the backlash against a free and equal democratic process is far from a new phenomenon.

In his new book, “Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America,” journalist Ari Berman tells the moving story of the transformation of the country under the VRA, as well as the long counterrevolutionary efforts to undermine it. While the act gave the right to vote to millions of Americans and is viewed as one of the crowning achievements of the civil rights movement, we are still fighting fierce battles over race, representation, and political power, decades later.

Join New America, 1899 L St. NW, Suite 400, WDC, on Thurs., Sept. 10 from 12:15 to 1:45 PM for a discussion on the VRA.  Go to https://www.newamerica.org/.

34] – On Thurs., Sept. 10 from 12:30 to 2 PM, Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Center, will talk about “Underestimated: Our Not So Peaceful Nuclear Future” at the National Defense University, Lincoln Hall, Room 1119, Fort McNair, WDC. RSVP to Nima Gerami to Nima.Gerami@ndu.edu.

35] – The Md. Justice Reinvestment Coordinating Council (JRCC)  has scheduled the first of two "Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG)" meetings on Thurs.,  Sept. 10 from 2 to 4 PM at CCBC Catonsville, Mathematics and Science Hall (MASH). Room 034.  Parking is available in white-lined spots, lots 3 and 5 are closest to location.  There will be a summary data presentation by Pew Charitable Trusts.  Then there will be a facilitated discussion: Stakeholders in Catonsville.  The meeting will offer report progress on a comprehensive study of Maryland criminal justice policies-- and how they could be improved. It also will offer a rare opportunity for public comments.  If your organization would like to speak, RSVP to Cara Sullivan of the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention at cara.sullivan@maryland.gov or 410-821-2851.

36] – Visit 1100 H St. NW, Suite 630, WDC, on Thurs., Sept. 10, 2015 from 4:30 to 7 PM and see the new Jews United for Justice space. Enjoy drinks, hearty snacks, a sneak peek at their whiteboards covered with wonky notes, and excellent company with community and allies. RSVP at http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5483/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=79380.  

37] –  On Thurs., Sept. 10 from 4:30 to 6 PM, Frank von Hippel, Princeton University; Olli Heinonen, Harvard University; and Hossein Mousavian, Princeton University, will comment on "The Iran Nuclear Deal: The Technical Debate Clarified" at George Washington University, 1957 E St. NW, Room B17, WDC. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nuclear-policy-talk-the-iran-nuclear-debate-tickets-18364372332.

38] – Join a Vigil for Peace & Diplomacy on Sept. 10 from 6 to 7 PM near Rep. John Sarbanes’ Towson office, corner of Bosley and Allegheny Aves., Towson 21204. Congratulate Rep. Sarbanes for his word that he will vote for the Iran Deal and continue to put pressure on Sen. Ben Cardin to change his mind and vote for diplomacy, not war. 

Can you help deliver a Thank-You letter to Rep. Sarbanes’ office at 5 PM, just prior to the letter? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.

39] – Come to a vigil on Thurs., Sept. 10 from 6 to 7 PM at Rep. John Delaney's Office, 9801 Washingtonian Boulevard, Suite 330, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.  This is a vigil for peace and diplomacy--to encourage Rep. Delaney to support the Iran agreement and to oppose any "poison pill" bills designed to undermine the agreement.  Bring hand-made signs.  Call Jean Athey · 301-570-0923.

40] – "The War on Black America" Community Discussion during Black Lives Matter Week of Action will happen at the Capitol View Library, 5001 Central Ave. SE, WDC 20019, on Thurs., Sept. 10 from 6 to 8:30 PM.  Watch a documentary called "FBI's War on Black America" followed by a forum discussing various issues such as history, social movements, state violence etc. "This documentary explores the lives and deaths of people targeted by the US government's COINTELPRO program, an FBI launched program aimed against organized efforts by African Americans to gain rights guaranteed by our constitution."  Use the Benning Road Metro Station off the Blue & Silver Lines.

41] – On Thurs., Sept. 10 at 6:30 PM, come to McKeldin Square, Light and Pratt Sts, Baltimore 21202.  Publicly thank Senator Mikulski and Reps. Cummings and Sarbanes for endorsing the agreement with Iran and express disappointment with Sen. Cardin's decision to oppose the diplomatic path and risk war. Light candles to symbolize the power of peace and diplomacy as will many tens of thousands in cities and towns all across the nation. These events are sponsored by MoveOn.org. Bring your own white candle and a cup or plate to protect your hand.

42] – Go to a Town Hall at Florida Avenue Baptist Church, 623 Florida Ave. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Sept. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM to focus on the policing of Black women and girls in D.C.  The ACLU of the Nation’s Capital (ACLU-DC) is co-sponsoring several town hall forums throughout the month of September 2015 to hear District residents’ perspective on police-community relations. In partnership with local and national organizations and the faith-based community, ACLU-DC would like to reach communities disproportionately impacted by policing and incarceration. The ACLU-DC will share the findings of recent studies highlighting issues in criminal justice practices in the District but more importantly listen to community perspectives on policing and public safety.  We hope to connect with District residents across all eight wards and across all racial, class, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, nationality, immigration status and religious lines.  Get over to http://aclu-nca.org/news/aclu-to-hold-town-hall-forums-on-policing-in-district.

43] – Join the Washington Ethical Society, 7750 16th St NW, WDC 20012, on Thurs., Sept. 10 from 7 to 9 PM to learn about alternatives to our current criminal justice system and mass incarceration. Hear from Eugene Puryear, an activist and representative from Stop Police Terror Project DC, and Saleem Hylton, a representative from DC Area Restorative Practices. Then we will have a facilitated discussion with everyone present about the possibilities for the future.  This event is part of the week of actions from the Black Lives Matter Spokescouncil. Get over to

https://www.facebook.com/events/411777759024026/.

44] – On Thurs., Sept. 10 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, hear about To Change Everything: Anarchism and the New Social Movements.  This panel brings together organizers from Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and North America to discuss the significance of anarchist ideas and tactics in the 21st century. The participants will compare experiences from the wave of protests and uprisings that has swept the world since 2010—exploring the role of demand-based politics in both catalyzing and limiting movements, examining a variety of forms of repression, and critically evaluating experiments with direct democracy. They will conclude by assessing the prospects of contemporary struggles for self-determination in an era of globalized capitalism and state control.

All of the presenters are contributors to a recent outreach and dialogue project, To Change Everything, which appeared earlier this year in over twenty languages: www.tochangeeverything.com. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org. 

45] –  On Fri., Sept. 11 from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM at George Washington University (GWU), 1957 E St. NW, City View Room, Seventh Floor, WDC, eleven speakers will tackle "U.S. Nuclear Policy Toward China." RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1S4OOswBBZyL22TrkYtYl2D_-xGsNCLIypePMH3timjo/viewform.

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