Monday, September 21, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert - September 23 - 24, 2015


35] Right to Consent in Latin America – Sept. 23

36] U.S. Islamophobia – Sept. 23

37] Webinar on plastics – Sept. 23

38] Killing by drone – Sept. 23

39] Atonement Services – Sept. 23

40] Sustainability meeting – Sept. 23

41] Overnight Prayer Vigil – Sept. 23-24

42] Film WAR ON WHISTLEBLOWERS – Sept. 23

43] Black Lives Matter meeting – Sept. 23

44] Remember Tyrone West – Sept. 23

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35] – Amazon Watch Invites You to a "Green-Bag Lunch" Presentation: Challenges for the Implementation of the Right to Prior and Informed Consent in Latin America by Daniel Cerquiera, Due Process of Law Foundation, on Wed., Sept. 23 from 12:30 to 2 PM at Amazon Watch / CIEL Conference Room, 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, #1100, (Above Cosi, Dupont Circle South), WDC. The proliferation of megaprojects in Latin America has caused numerous social conflicts with indigenous peoples whose territory is adversely affected. These projects have too often caused the division of communities, the corruption of local authorities, the criminalization of environmental leaders and human rights defenders, and even the death of project opponents. Under this scenario, the right to free, prior and informed consent are becoming widely accepted by human rights organizations and even some companies interested in avoiding the costs derived from social unrest.

Unlike years ago, when Latin American states were taking the first steps to regulate free, prior and informed consent, nowadays there is no question that they are obliged to suit their laws, administrative and judicial practices to ensure the implementation of said right. In a report launched in August of this year, the Due Process of Law Foundation and Oxfam address the main challenges for the implementation of the prior consultation and consent in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru. Cerqueira is a Senior Program Officer at the Due Process of Law Foundation where he is in charge of the program on extractive industries and human rights. Among other activities he is working to foster the debate on the responsibility of transnational companies and their home states for human rights violations committed abroad.

36] -- ACMCU invites you to a briefing in the MSFS Executive Conference Room, ICC 7th Floor, Georgetown University, WDC, on Wed., Sept. 23 from 12:30 to 2:30 PM.  Karine Walther is an assistant professor of history at Georgetown University – School of Foreign Service in Qatar. Her book entitled “Sacred Interests: The United States and the Islamic World, 1821-1921,” excavates the deep history of American Islamophobia, showing how negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims shaped U.S. foreign relations from the Early Republic to the end of World War I. Beginning with the Greek War of Independence in 1821, Walther illuminates reactions to and involvement in the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, the efforts to protect Jews from Muslim authorities in Morocco, American colonial policies in the Philippines, and American attempts to aid Christians during the Armenian Genocide. Walther examines the American role in the peace negotiations after World War I, support for the Balfour Declaration, and the establishment of the mandate system in the Middle East. The result is a vital exploration of the crucial role the United States played in the Islamic world during the long nineteenth century--an interaction that shaped a historical legacy that remains with us today. See https://www.facebook.com/events/882722075127818/.



37] – Some 12 million barrels of oil required annually to make the bags is used once, then flushed into our oceans and landfills, according to The Wall Street Journal. You can help make a difference in the way we use and dispose of plastic bags. On Wed., Sept. 23 at 1 PM ET, New Dream will present a webinar on how to organize a campaign to eliminate plastic bags in your community. The webinar will reveal how to get started, how to build public support, and how to navigate the related legislative and legal issues—with a special look at successful initiatives in Washington, DC and Chicago, IL.  Register at http://act.newdream.org/page/s/bagthebag2015?&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newdream&utm_content=5&utm_campaign=email&source=email.



38] – Catch "The Lives of ‘Others,’ Civilian Deaths from U.S. and Coalition Bombings" with Jeff Bachman and Chris Woods at American University – SIS 300, - 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, on Wed., Sept. 23 from 3 to 5 PM.  Bachman, an AU SIS professor, and Woods, investigative journalist, will discuss targeted killings and drone strikes outside of Afghanistan, as well as civilian casualties from Coalition bombings in Syria and Iraq. 



39] – On Wed., Sept. 23, from 5 until 10 PM there is an Interfaith Service - "Hear Both the Cry of the Earth and the Poor “- including a Yom Kippur service (5 to 7 PM) and interfaith service for atonement (7 PM) and other talks on faith and the environment until approximately 10 pm at John Marshall Place Park (between Pennsylvania Ave., 6th St. NW, C S. and 3rd St. NW). 



40] – On Wed., Sept. 23 at 5:30 PM, there will be a meeting in Curtis Bay/Brooklyn at the Patapsco Library, 300 E Patapsco Ave., Baltimore 21225, to learn about and discuss concrete proposals for positive alternatives for the incinerator. See the amazing video produced by community leaders calling for community control of the land being held hostage by the incinerator plan. At the same time, Neil Seldman from the Institute for Local Self Reliance has been connecting with a range of folks in the community (including many of you on the dream team) about some of the recycling and zero waste businesses that could be part of a positive path forward. 



This meeting will serve a very important function - it will allow a diverse group of community leaders and members of the campaign to explore some of the positive alternatives in greater depth and ask critical questions. This is a crucial step in the process of identifying Fair Development alternatives. RSVP to Greg Sawtell <greggalen@gmail.com>.



41] – Go to All Souls Unitarian Church, 1500 Harvard St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Sept. 23 at 5:30 PM and walk together to the Overnight Prayer Vigil organized by the Franciscan Action Network from 7 PM to 7 AM. Walking south on 16th St. to Pennsylvania Ave. to John Marshall Place Park at Pennsylvania Ave. & 4th St. NW - adjacent to the National Mall (3.3 miles, 65 minutes of walking).

The Multi-Faith Prayer Vigil will be an outdoor night of prayer, song and meditation.



Then, shortly after sunrise on September 24th, in preparation for Pope Francis' historic address to Congress, all present will raise up the messages of Laudato Si' on the National Mall with Faith, Social Justice and Environmental leaders between 3rd & 7th St. The Moral Action for Climate Justice Rally will be held from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Thurs., Sept. 24.



42] – Come to American University - Forman Theater - 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, on Wed., Sept. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for a screening and discussion of "War on Whistleblowers" with Chuck Lewis, Executive Editor of the Investigative Reporting Workshop, Jim Risen of the New York Times, Thomas Drake, Whistleblower, and Government Accountability Project Legal Expert, Tom Devine. Refreshments will be served. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1502719476691524/.



43] – The 4th DC Movement for Black Lives Spokescouncil meeting is at the Washington Peace Ce3nter, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Sept. 23 from 6:30 to 9 PM.  There will be a debriefing of a "week" of action and planning for the next steps towards racial justice! Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1660273434210048/.



44] – The family of Tyrone West has been showing up every week in protest of police brutality for more than two years.  Stand with them on Wed., Sept. 23 at 6:30 PM in Baltimore. Go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009173350713&fref=ts.



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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