Thursday, December 10, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert - December 10, 2015

26] Summit of faith leaders – Dec. 10
27] School Closings – Dec. 10
28] Atlantic LGBT Summit – Dec. 10
29] Reactions and Implications for the Nuclear Deal with Iran – Dec. 10
30] Homeless vets – Dec. 10
31] Police Reform – Dec. 10
32] Protest Trump – Dec. 10
33] Protest Uzbekistan – Dec. 10
34] Good Jobs – Dec. 10
35] Legalize sex work? – Dec. 10
36] “Human Rights, Justice, National Security and Syria:  Connecting the Dots” – Dec. 10
37] Pledge meeting – Dec. 10
38] Building Cooperative Power – Dec. 10
39] Human Right Day – Dec. 10
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26] – On Thurs., Dec. 10 from 8 AM to 1 PM, the first statewide emergency preparedness summit for Faith Leaders will be held at the Center For Social Change, 6600 Amberton Drive, Elkridge, MD 21075. There will be speakers from DOJ, DHS, and other agencies coming to speak with faith leaders on how they can protect their houses of worship. Will you help spread the word by sharing this with your network of faith leaders and encouraging them to register? Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-emergency-preparedness-summit-for-faith-leaders-tickets-18970716925. Contact 410-971-6062 or e-mail mdoutreach@cair.com.  Co-sponsored by State of Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, Maryland Community Initiatives (Governor’s Office), and CAIR.

27] – Go to 50 Independence Ave. SW, Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-339, WDC, on Thurs., Dec. 10 from 8:30 to 10:45 AM as the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE), Advancement Project, and Journey for Justice Alliance invite you to attend a breakfast forum on how school closures in low-income neighborhoods have impacted students, parents and the community at-large. This unique forum will feature the perspectives of national advocates, community members and students and will explore how Congress and federal agencies can promote alternatives to school closings that can improve student learning and support students, educators, and families in communities across the country. Breakfast will be provided starting at 8:15 AM. Visit

28] – Come to the Woolly Mammoth Theatre, 641 D St. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Dec. 10 from 9 AM to 4 PM for Unfinished Business: The Atlantic LGBT Summit, where sexuality, gender and identity and the most important LGBTQ issues of today will be explored.  Steve Clemons and Matt Thompson will lead the conversations with key voices including Barney Frank, former Massachusetts Congressperson on breaking boundaries in Congress.  Visit http://www.theatlantic.com/live/events/unfinished-business-the-atlantic-lgbt-summit/2015/.

29] – On Thurs., Dec. 10 from 9:30 to 11 AM, Mark Fitzpatrick, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Ariane Tabatabai, Georgetown University, and Greg Thielmann, Arms Control Association, will address "The PMD Report: Reactions and Implications for the Nuclear Deal with Iran." The event is sponsored by the Arms Control Association, and it will be held at the Carnegie Endowment, Choate Room, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at https://www.armscontrol.org/civicrm/event/register?id=43&reset=1.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced in October that it had completed its decade-long investigation of Iran’s past activities related to nuclear weapons development, the so-called possible military dimensions (PMDs) of Iran’s nuclear program. The Director-General's report and assessment of the PMDs was released Dec. 2.
The IAEA Board of Governors will now meet on Dec. 15 to consider the agency’s findings. While separate from the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six countries that significantly limits Tehran’s nuclear activities, the PMD report could impact implementation of the deal and affect Tehran’s relationship with the IAEA.

30] – Come to the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Dec. 10 at 10 AM for a panel discussion to explore current efforts to end veteran homelessness in D.C, and how we can build on these strategies to end chronic homelessness by 2017. This event will highlight the findings of a report by the Corporate Executive Board.  RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-does-it-take-to-end-veteran-homelessness-tickets-19500773338.

31] – Go to the University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law, Moot Courtroom. 4340 Connecticut Ave. NW, 5th Floor, WDC, on Thurs., Dec. 10 from 10 AM to 1 PM America Under Review: The State of Police Brutality & Reform, a town hall and press conference, will feature a distinguished panel including Ron Davis from DOJ, Barbara Arnwine of the Transformative Justice Coalition, Ryan Reilly of the Huffington Post, Simon Moya-Smith of Indian Country and many other national news organizations, Shelley Broderick and Jonathan Smith from the law school, and Erica Garner—the daughter of Eric Garner who was killed by chokehold at the hands of the NYPD.

The Civil Rights Coalition on Police Reform, convened by the national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, includes 40 national civil and human rights organizations that meet weekly to develop policy and legal strategies to address ongoing killings and brutality of minorities, particularly African American men, women and youth, by police officers nationwide. The coalition primarily seeks to reform outdated, biased, and inappropriate policing tactics, while ensuring necessary accountability and creating better, more sustainable relationships between the community and police. See https://www.eventbrite.com/e/america-under-review-the-state-of-police-brutality-and-reform-tickets-19627133284.

32] – On Thurs., Dec. 10 at 3 PM, protest Islamophobic & Racist Donald Trump in DC at Trump International Hotel, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has been spreading racist rhetoric, and his fear-mongering is rampant on mainstream media. It’s time for us to take a stand against this bigotry and racism. The spread of Islamophobia will not be tolerated! Join us as we stand up against Trump and those who think like him in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters! RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/998774570169135/.

33] – Go to the World Bank Headquarters, 1818 H St. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Dec. 10 at 5:30 PM and see the giant images of forced labor from Uzbekistan projected onto the building itself. Why? Because the World Bank is providing more than $500 million in financing to the government of Uzbekistan for projects in agriculture, despite the government’s use of systematic forced labor to produce cotton, the state’s largest export crop. We want the Bank to see the impact of this funding on the lives of average Uzbek citizens forced to labor in cotton fields, and this protest promises to send a message it cannot ignore!  The World Bank has pledged to suspend its projects if forced or child labor is found in project areas. Yet despite dozens of reports from independent monitors, and official confirmation in a report issued by the International Labour Organization, of both forced and child labor in World Bank Project areas, the Bank has so far refused to suspend the projects! Hold the World Bank accountable for its irresponsible funding practices! Stand with activists from Uzbekistan and around the world in calling for the World Bank to stop supporting forced labor in the Uzbek cotton industry. Email abby@ilrf.org or call (202) 347-4100, ext. 113.

34] – At the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th St. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Dec. 10 from 6 to 9 PM, join Dreaming Out Loudon for ​its fourth annual fundraising event "When Dreams Emerge." This year's theme is "Growing Economic Opportunity," in support of the fight for healthier communities and good jobs.​ Enjoy delicious treats from some of DC’s best restaurants and food producers, and a talk from honoree Natasha Bowens, author of “The Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience, and Farming,”​ ​a book the Foreword Review calls “a trailblazing look at the past and present of North American farming” through the eyes of farmers of color​.​ RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1662775757342632/.

35] – The DC Center for the LGBT Community, 2000 14th St. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Dec. 10 from 6:30 to 8 PM is asking the question Should DC legalize sex work? What are the implications? A diverse group of experts will answer these questions. The forum will take a human-centered approach to discuss the human rights of sex workers, the social and political perceptions associated with prostitution and sex work in DC, the differences between legalization and decriminalization, and particular implications for LGBT individuals.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/802058189917031/.

36] – Participate in Human Rights Day on Thurs., Dec. 10 from 7 to 9 PM at Montgomery College, Music Building, Recital Hall, 50 Mannakee Drive, Rockville 20850.  The theme is “Human Rights, Justice, National Security and Syria:  Connecting the Dots.” What does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights offer us 67 years later?

Three panelists answer by focusing on various local and global consequences of our failure to protect human rights globally.   From the Syria war’s refugee crisis, to the evolution of terrorism and other security threats documented in the report by the Commission on Global Security, Justice and Governance released in June.  Former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright and former UN Under-Secretary General for Political affairs, Ibrahim Gambari Co-chaired the Commission’s report “Confronting the crisis on Global Governance.”  See http://www.globalsecurityjusticegovernance.org/.

The introductory remarks are by Chuck Woolery, Former Chair, United Nations Association, Council of Organizations, who will moderate the discussion. The speakers are Rita Siemion, International Legal Counsel Human Rights First, Stephen Rapp, former US Ambassador for War Crimes Issues. Board of Advisers, American Bar Association Center for Human Rights, and William J. Durch, Distinguished Fellow of Stimson's Future of Peace Operations program and The Stimson Center specialist on the Commission’s report. Prior to the reception, there will be a collection of winter clothing for Syrian Refugees. The event is sponsored by several organizations, including the Physicians for Social Responsibility DC Metro chapter. Call 240-997-2209 or email chuck@igc.org.

37] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore now meets on Thursdays at 7:30 PM, and the meetings take place at Max’s residence.  There will be a meeting on Thurs., Dec. 10 at 7:30 PM.  The agenda will include Freddie Gray & local organizing, killer drones and Obama, the Drone Report, the refugees and the unending wars. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net.

38] – On Thurs., Dec. 10 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201,  catch Building Cooperative Power: Stories and Strategies from Connecticut Coops.  Building Co-operative Power is a guide and inspiration for building worker co-operatives that tells the stories of co-operatives in the Connecticut River Valley. It offers practical insights on co-op governance, management, and communication. In its second half BCP directly addresses the obstacles and opportunities for building regional co-operative economies. This includes the regional strategies Valley Alliance of Worker Co-operatives developed, which led to forming the Valley Co-operative Business Association with credit unions and food co-operatives. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

39] – Amnesty International USA’s Takoma Park/Silver Spring Community Group is marking Human Rights Day (December 10), which celebrates the day the United Nations promulgated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Torture:  The Fight Continues will be discussed on Thurs., Dec. 10 at 7:30 PM in the Azalea Room, Takoma Park City Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park 20912.  The Community Center is a 12 minute walk from the Takoma Metro or you can use Ride On Bus 18.  The event is cosponsored with the Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition. Go to http://www.tassc.org or https://www.facebook.com/Amnesty-International-USA-Group-297-Takoma-ParkSilver-Spring-Maryland-140896479291496/?ref=hl or http://www.amnesty-volunteer.org/usa/group297/. Contact Randy Marks at 240 604 1754 or rmarksftc@yahoo.com

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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