Baltimore Activist Alert - October 2 -4, 2015

41] Peace vigil at the White House – Oct. 2

42] Get on the Bus DC – Oct. 2

43] Black Lives Matter Vigil – Oct. 2

44] See the film CRUDE – Oct. 2

45] American Near East Refugee Aid Society – Oct. 2

46] Social Movements Through Political Buttons: 1960's, 1970's and 1980's – Oct. 2

47] What about Haiti – Oct. 2

48] Ballroom Dancing – Oct. 2

49] Anthropology Conference – Oct. 3 - 4

50] What about Native Americans – Oct. 3

51] The Papal Encyclopedia – Oct. 3

52] West Chester peace vigil – Oct. 3

53] Concert to benefit Baltimore youth center – Oct. 3

54] Book talk “Brecht, Music, and Culture with Hanns Eisler in Conversation with Hans Bunge” – Oct. 3

55] Hear about Palestine – Oct. 4

56] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

57] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

58] Do you need any book shelves?

59] Join Global Zero campaign

60] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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41] – On Fri., Oct. 2 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.

42] – Come to the Friends Meeting of Washington, 2111 Florida Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Oct. 2 from 1 to 5 PM for the Get on the Bus DC, an annual day of human rights education and activism organized by Amnesty International USA DC local group. Get On The Bus is about fighting for human rights, making your voice heard, and connecting with others passionate about defending human rights throughout the world. Registration and lunch will begin at 1 PM, and the program will begin at 1:45 PM.  The rally times are approximate: Embassy of Sri Lanka, 2:40 – 3 PM -- End impunity and investigate the “Trinco Five” murders; Embassy of the Dominican Republic, 3:10 - 3:30 PM -- Rights for all Dominicans, including those of Haitian descent; Embassy of Mexico 3:50 - 4:10 PM -- Stop arbitrary detention and torture; and White House (#OpenToSyria), 4:20 - 4:40 PM -- Help to increase the number of Syrian refugees to be resettled in the U.S.!  Go to http://getonthebusdc.org/.

43] – 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 Oct. 2. Black Lives Matter.  Since this is First Friday, there will be a potluck dinner after the vigil, followed by a DVD screening of a film.

44] –  The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee, Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee of Homewood and Stony Run Meetings and Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility are continuing the FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS DVD SERIES.  The DVDs will be shown at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218, usually on the First Friday.  After the peace vigil, there will be a potluck dinner. At 7:15 PM, from September through December, a DVD will be shown with a discussion to follow.  There is no charge, and refreshments will be available. The series theme is CAN WE HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE?

On Fri., Oct. 2 see CRUDE (USA, 2009, 100 min.), directed by Joe Berlinger. It is a documentary which follows a two-year portion of an ongoing class action lawsuit against the Chevron Corporation in Ecuador. The film follows the progress during 2006 and 2007 of a $27 billion legal case brought against the Chevron Corporation following the drilling of the Lago Agrio oil field, a case described by activists as an “Amazon Chernobyl.” The plaintiffs of the class action lawsuit are 30,000 Ecuadorians living in the Amazonian rainforest who claim their ancestral homeland has been polluted by the oil industry. Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.

45] – The American Near East Refugee Aid Society responds to economic, health and educational needs with sustainable solutions and also delivers humanitarian aid during emergencies.  ANERA will be raising funds for programs that promote health and well-being in the over-stretched refugee camps and impoverished communities of Palestine and Lebanon.  So come to the Washington Marriott Wardman Park, WDC, on Fri., Oct. 2 at 6 PM.  The reception begins at 6 PM, and dinner is at 7:30 PM.  Go to http://www.anera.org/dinner/.

46] – On Fri., Oct. 2 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201,  catch Social Movements Through Political Buttons: 1960's, 1970's and 1980's.  Radical activists have used political buttons for decades to describe political beliefs and to support or criticize a wide range of people, policies and causes. Often distributed or sold at meetings, demonstrations and literature tables, buttons express the wearer’s thoughts in a few words, a short slogan and/or through graphics. Sometimes using wit and humor, buttons were the tweets of the pre-internet generations! Red Emma's is thrilled to host an exhibition of political buttons collected by Baltimore peace and justice activists throughout the month of October - with a special kickoff event on October 2!

Fred Pincus, Natalie Sokoloff, and Dean Pappas, the Baltimore activists who organized the exhibit, will discuss the connection between buttons and social movements. They will also provide a history of some of their favorite buttons. People born before 1970 will probably recognize many buttons and remember specific marches and demonstrations where they wore them. Those born after 1970 can see how previous generations of activists fought for causes both similar to and different than those in the news today. Don't miss this unique opportunity!  RSVP on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/events/487520124755150/. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org. 

47] – On Fri., Oct. 2 at 7:30 PM at the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, 503 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW, WDC 20010, reflect on 100 Years Since the U.S. Invasion of Haiti--How Is Haiti Now?  The speaker is Eugenia Charles, longtime Haitian activist.  Haitians heading to the polls for a Presidential Election on Oct. 25 are in the midst of a humanitarian and electoral crisis. During his 4 year term, the Clinton "selected" President Martelly has squandered the treasury on 6 major carnivals and countless trips abroad while basic social services are non-existent. Demands of the people to know where the earthquake money, the promised investments and jobs are go unanswered. Can Haiti withstand another U.S. "selection process?" Contact Dorothy Day Catholic Worker at 202-882-9649.

48] – 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 Oct. 2. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

49] – On Sat. Oct. 3 & Sun., Oct. 4, from 9 AM to 6 PM, join American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, for the 12th Annual Public Anthropology Conference. Students, activists, academics, and community members are all invited to submit brief descriptions of panels, papers, dialogues, workshops, films, and non-traditional presentations that contribute to this year’s theme of Shifting Climates: Dialogues of the Urgent and Emergent. As the Public Anthropology Conference enters its 12th year, they strive to critically examine topics central to the work of both scholar and public activists broadly associated with anthropology. AU seeks to provide a space to share and engage with innovative ideas on how to respond the shifting climates of today and discover how to produce and support positive social, environmental, economic, and political change. Visit http://www.american.edu/cas/anthropology/public/.

50] – White/Indian relations are often characterized by guilt and anger. The book “Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask” cuts through the emotion and builds a foundation for true understanding and positive action. What have you always wanted to know about Indians? Do you think you should already know the answers—or suspect that your questions may be offensive? In matter of fact responses to over 120 questions, both thoughtful and outrageous, modern and historical, Ojibwe scholar and cultural preservationist Anton Treuer gives a frank, funny, and sometimes personal tour of what’s up with Indians, anyway? Hear Treuer at 1640 Columbia Rd. NW, WDC, on Sat., Oct. 3 from 10 AM to noon.

51] – On Sat., Oct. 3 from 10 AM to noon, the second of a three-part discussion of Laudato Si, the papal encyclical on the environment is happening at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 6701 Muncaster Mill Rd., Derwood, MD.  Lonnie Ellis, Associate Director of Catholic Climate Covenant, will speak with Joelle Novey of Interfaith Power and Light (DC/MD/NoVA) responding.  All sessions will include Q&A and refreshments. 

52] –  Each Saturday, 11 AM – 1 PM, 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. 

53] –  Come to the first ever Artists Showcase Concert, co-sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia's Social Action Council and Music Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, on Sat., Oct. 3 at 7:30 PM. The concert supports Penn North's new youth center in Baltimore City, a safe place for youth to play, study, and hang out. Suggested donation is $20/person.  Proceeds will be split between the musicians and the youth center. Enjoy British-style snacks and tea. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1479893098988661/.

54] –  On Sat., Oct. 3 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201,  hear about “Brecht, Music, and Culture with Hanns Eisler in Conversation with Hans Bunge.” This book, about the friendship and collaboration between the playwright Bertolt Brecht and the composer Hanns Eisler, has been a sensation in Germany since the 1970s. At long last it has now been translated into English.

The book, the translators have created a dramatic reading and multimedia performance to make the audience experience first-hand what Eisler has to say about his friend Brecht. The committedly left-wing Eisler reflects on their exile from Nazi Germany in Los Angeles and recalls their bruising encounters with the House Committee on un-American Activities. Humorously and lively he talks about philosophical themes concerning the future of the arts, artists and the lives of ordinary people. What would a show about a composer be without his music? The performance includes recordings of Eisler’s music in different genres as well as recordings of Eisler himself singing and playing the piano. Rarely seen photographic images of Eisler and others illustrate the show. RSVP on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/events/487520124755150/. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org. 

55] – On Sun., Oct. 4 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at the East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045, hear Daoud Nassar, director of the Tent of Nations, who will speak on the topic “Planting Seeds of Peace in Palestine.”  The Tent of Nations, located outside of Bethlehem, is on the Nassar family’s farm, which is surrounded on three sides by Israeli settlers.  It is an internationally known peace center which attracts visitors, including Israelis, who join together to plant trees, harvest olives, teach at the Women’s Education Center, and work in the summer Children’s Camps.  Daoud is a Christian who works with people of all faiths.  Their motto is “We refuse to be enemies.”  The talk is sponsored by the Committee for Palestinian Rights. Email CPR_Maryland @yahoo.com.

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

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

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

59] -- 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.

60] – 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