Baltimore Activist Alert - November 16 - 17, 2015

15] Stop the TPP – Nov. 16 & 17

16] "The Rojava Revolution in the Context of War in Syria" – Nov. 16

17] Commemorate & Celebrate Freedom – Nov. 16, 17 & 19

18] Understanding mass incarceration – Nov. 16

19] Election in Venezuela – Nov. 16

20] Reject the Pepco-Exelon merger – Nov. 17

21] Social Innovation Fund – Nov. 17

22] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Nov. 17

23] Vigil against JHU’s drone research – Nov. 17

24] “Writing on the Wall Selected Prison Writings of Mumia Abu-Jamal” – Nov. 17

25] Peace dinner – Nov. 17

26] Energy, Health, & Climate Expo – Nov. 17

27] Street journalism – Nov. 17

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15] – On Mon., Nov. 16 at 4:30 PM, come to U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H St. NW, WDC 20062, join Margaret Flowers for Senate supporters for a version of the torch and pitchfork rally and march. There will be giant plungers and toilet paper luminaries to light the way during the march down K Street past corporate lobbyists' offices to the Reagan Trade Center. Bring your own signs or carry the ones the Flowers for Senate campaign will provide.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1668849366706045/. 

On Tues., Nov. 17 at 11 AM, gather near Dupont Circle Fountain, 1900 P St. NW, WDC 20036 for a march down Embassy Row to show solidarity with other countries organizing resistance to the TPP. The TPP will drive a global race to the bottom in wages and worker rights and protection of our health and the planet. We must work together to stop agreements like the TPP and put in place agreements that are created in a transparent and democratic way and that protect people and the planet. Join the #FallRising mobilization to Stop TPP, TTIP, & TiSA this November. Actions like this and many others are vital for building popular resistance to toxic trade deals.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/804443072987831/.

16] – You are invited to hear Sinam Mohamad's talk, "The Rojava Revolution in the Context of War in Syria," on Mon., Nov. 16 at 5:30 PM at Hackerman B17, Johns Hopkins University (Homewood campus).  Amid the violent political conflict and against the Islamic State's (ISIS) attacks, the revolution in Rojava, located in north and northeastern Syria, resulted in the establishment of three autonomous regions governed by democratic self-rule since 2013. Mohamad was the co-president of the People’s Council of Rojava, which is the main political body working for the liberation of Rojava since the beginning of the civil war in Syria. Currently, Mohamad serves as the Democratic Self-Rule Administration’s European representative. She is also a member of the Kurdish Supreme Committee in Rojava and works for the Democratic Society Movement, a political grouping known in Kurdish as Tev-Dem (Tevgera Civaka Demokratîk). She is also involved in the administration of the Star Union of Women, a Rojava organization that advocates for women’s rights.

Other discussants are Deborah Poole (JHU Anthropology), Beverly Silver (JHU Sociology), and Ryan Calder (JHU Sociology). Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1647267785537641/.

17] – Lonnie Bunch, Founding Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, invites you to Commemorate & Celebrate Freedom in an outdoor program and video screening honoring three milestones in America’s struggle for freedom, justice and equality on Mon., Nov. 16 from 5:30 to 9 PM at the National Mall Grounds, on the south side Madison Drive between 14th and 15th Sts. NW.  Wear outdoor attire, as this event will take place rain or shine. Use the Metro:  Smithsonian or Federal Triangle. 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 13th amendment ending slavery, the end of the Civil War and the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Voting Right Act. Enjoy music and remarks from Bunch, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Cong. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Following the program will be the premiere of a dynamic 3D visual presentation projected on the Corona, our Museum’s signature façade, on the south (Madison Drive) and west (15th street facing Washington Monument) sides. The video presentation will explore the legacy of the African American Experience and how it has helped America live up to it promises. The video will be projected on the south and west sides of the NMAAHC Mall Museum building. The video display will be shown again on Tues., Nov. 17 and Thurs., Nov.19 from 5:30 to 9 PM. Follow the conversation on Twitter #IllluminateNMAAHC.

18] – Come to Busboys and Poets Brookland, Pearl Bailey Room, 625 Monroe St. NE, WDC on Mon., Nov. 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM as James Kilgore will talk about his new book “Understanding Mass Incarceration: A people’s guide to the key civil rights struggle of our time.” James will be in conversation with Marc Mauer, director of the Sentencing Project.  Kilgore is a writer, educator, & social justice activist who teaches & works at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He spent six years in prison, during which time he drafted his three published novels.  Go to http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/event/james-kilgore-understanding-mass-incarceration.

19] – The election in Venezuela will be discussed at American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, on Tues., Nov. 17 at 10 AM. The upcoming National Assembly elections, happening on Dec. 6, have drawn worldwide attention and media analysis, much of it heavily biased and disconnected from the experiences of the Venezuelan people. As a result, the nation's electoral system, named the best in the world by former President Jimmy Carter, and the democratic processes that form an integral part of elections there, are widely unknown. This panel will address issues of democratic participation and human rights in the context of the upcoming Venezuelan elections. Panelists will discuss the electoral system, political rights, the electoral climate and the outbreak of violence following recent elections, as well as the role of media in Venezuela. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1520612068251185/.

20] – In August D.C. regulators unanimously rejected the Pepco-Exelon merger because the deal was an inherent conflict of interest. Thousands of D.C. residents voiced their opposition to the merger and more than half of D.C.'s ANCs passed resolutions opposing the merger. Clearly, D.C. does NOT want Exelon.  Come to the Commission Hearing Room, 1325 G St., NW, Suite 800, WDC, on Tues., Nov. 17 at 10 AM to voice disapproval to Mayor Bowser’s back room deal with Exelon.  Power DC urges the Public Service Commission to affirm their original decision that this deal is not in the public interest. To sign-up for this event, email psc-commissionsecretary@dc.gov.

21] – Go to the Capitol Visitor Center, First St. NE, WDC, on Tues., Nov. 17 from 1 to 2 PM for a briefing on the exciting work of the Social Innovation Fund (SIF) grantees who are transforming the lives of youth around the country. SIF grantees are part of a growing movement to make government more effective through investments in evidence-based solutions. They are helping communities across the country to use data, evidence and rigorous evaluation to accelerate education and employment outcomes for disconnected youth, and to address racial disparities in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. RSVP to Megan Blanco at mblanco@cns.gov.

22] – Each Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the Catholic Peace Fellowship-Philadelphia for peace in Afghanistan and Iraq gathers at the Suburban Station, 16th St. & JFK Blvd., at the entrance to Tracks 3 and 4 on the mezzanine.  The next vigil is Nov. 17.  Call 215-426-0364.

23] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. Join this ongoing vigil on Nov. 17  from 5:30 to 6:30  PM.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

24] – At Busboys and Poets Brookland, 625 Monroe St. NE, WDC, on Tues., Nov. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, as the nation is grappling with the realities of—and backlash to—police violence in communities of color, join the Institute for Policy Studies for a Politics and Prose talk and book signing of “Writing on the Wall Selected Prison Writings of Mumia Abu-Jamal.” The book couldn’t be more relevant, provocative or timely, and reads like a syllabus for understanding the daily civic and political realities of those marginalized by racism and class inequality. Go to http://www.ips-dc.org/events/book-event-writing-on-the-wall-selected-prison-writings-of-mumia-abu-jamal/.

25] – Your community is invited to the 3rd Annual Peace Dinner to be held during the USCCB Fall Assembly in Baltimore on Tues., Nov. 17 at 6:30 PM at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 120 North Front St., Baltimore. The dinner is being sponsored by the Alliance Catholic Worker, Catholic Peace Fellowship, the Community of Sant’Egidio, and Pax Christi Metro Baltimore/DC. The dinner (a very simple supper) presents an opportunity for dialogue among people in the Catholic Peace Movement and the bishops in witnessing the Peace of Christ to the world. Discuss war, peace and Christian conscience formation. RSVP to Tomas Murray - Alliance Catholic Worker – at worxofmercy@gmail.com or 330-680-4502.

26] – Meet the Maryland Climate Coalition at the Energy, Health, & Climate Expo: Renewing Maryland Together on Nov. 17 from 7 to 9 PM at the Columbia East Library/Center for Aging, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045.  RSVP at https://environmentmaryland.webaction.org/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=9476at!  Hear what your local legislators are doing to respond to climate change and shift Maryland to cleaner renewable energy.

The Baltimore Green Forum is an enthusiastic partner in this Expo. The Expo will feature dozens of organizations and green businesses that can help you save energy and money by going green at home, including: The Empowers: energy-saving superheroes! * Mom’s Clean Air Force * Groundswell clean energy purchasing groups * Ranger Rick & The National Wildlife Federation * Breathe Easy Home * ZeroDraft Energy Efficiency * Blue Water Baltimore * Baltimore Green Forum * Physicians for Social Responsibility * Gunpowder Valley Conservancy * Interfaith Power & Light * Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake * Maryland Sierra Club * Pearlstone Center’s Community Sustainability Program * Baltimore Metropolitan Council’s Air Quality and Bike Safety Program * Maryland Working Families * Institute for Policy Studies * and more!

27] –  At Sankofa Video Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave, NW, WDC, on Tues., Nov. 17 from 8 to 10 PM grassroots journalist Sam P.K. Collins will bring the latest installment of this series about Uptown in the middle of a historically black neighborhood undergoing a transformation. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1089351284422832/.

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