Monday, January 25, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert - January 26 through March 30, 2016

20] Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here Exhibition - through Mar. 30
21] A World on Fire: Strengthening Humanitarian Response – Jan. 26
22] Labor rights in Bangladesh – Jan. 26
23] Philadelphia Peace Vigil – Jan. 26
24] Protest JHU drone research – Jan. 26
25] Native Americans and radioactive pollution – Jan. 26 & 28
26] Community needs – Jan. 26
27] Refugee webinar – Jan. 27
28] Book talk on Jesse Holland’s "The Invisibles” – Jan. 27
29] The Black Diaspora – Jan. 27
30] Film COWSPIRACY – Jan. 27
31] Film HANDS UP – Jan. 27
32] See the play SWEAT – Jan. 27
33] Protect public and environmental health – Jan. 27
34] Student debt crisis – Jan. 28
35] Lobby for solitary confinement bills – Jan. 28
36] Land Trusts – Jan. 28
37] Film SALT OF THIS SEA – Jan. 28
38] Nuclear security – Jan. 28
39] People’s State of the Union – Jan. 28
40] Volunteer at Peace Center – Jan. 28
41] Peace group meets – Jan. 28
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20] – Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here Exhibition is a project that began as a call from Beau Beausoleil in 2007 for writers which quickly moved on to incorporate artists, artist books and now includes printmakers all who are responding to bear witness to a tragic loss of a center of literacy and humanity in Iraq. One of the purposes of this project is to let those in the Iraqi Arts Community know that we will not let them endure the destruction of Iraqi culture in silence, that we have a collective voice and we will use it. This was a street of booksellers, printers, and readers. A street where people still felt "safe" among all the words and books. How can we not see the commonality between al- Mutanabbi Street and any street in the world that holds a bookshop or cultural institution? This is the starting point: where language, thought, and reality reside; where memory, ideas, and even dreams wait patiently in their black ink.

A diverse coalition of DC-area universities and arts and literary organizations will present Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here DC 2016, a book arts and cultural festival through Sat., Mar. 5 throughout the Washington, D.C., area. Major exhibitions, programs, and events will commemorate the 2007 bombing of Baghdad’s historic bookselling street, celebrate the free exchange of ideas and knowledge, and stand in solidarity with the people of Iraq. Exhibitions of artwork created in response to the bombing will be featured at multiple venues, including the George Mason University School of Art Gallery, Atrium, Fenwick Library and the Workhouse Art Center, Gelman Library and the Corcoran School of Art and Design at The George Washington University, the Brentwood Arts Exchange, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, McLean Project for the Arts, Northern Virginia Community College, Olly Olly Gallery, and the Smithsonian American Art/Portrait Gallery Library.

 The exhibitions that are featured at the School of Art Gallery, the Fenwick Library, the Mason Atrium Gallery, and the Workhouse Art Center (plus partners) include three components: Letterpress Printed Broadsides; Artist Books; and Absence and Presence (a call to printmakers). Additionally, each gallery provides new interpretive documentary materials, hands-on workshops, and panels and conversations that will be built around the exhibitions. For a complete list of sites and dates and times go to http://www.amsshdc2016.org/contact-us.html

This is a list of some of the sites.  You can see the exhibit, for example, at the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, 1632 U St., WDC, through Wed., Mar. 30.  It is entitled “Night and the Desert Know Me,” and the curators are Shanti Norris and Spencer Dormitzer.  The exhibit at the Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, MD 20722, runs through Sat., Mar. 12 -- “Selections from Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here.” The curator of the exhibit is Phil Davis.  Also see the exhibit at the Tyler Gallery, Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, 500 17th St. NW, WDC, through Sun., Mar. 20--“Al-Mutanabbi Street in Books, Prints & Poetry.” Enjoy a reception on Fri., Mar. 4 from 1 to 2:30 PM.  Also you can see this exhibit at the ​Smithsonian American Art/Portrait Gallery, 750 9th St. NW, Room 2100, WDC 20001-4505 from Mon., Feb. 1 through Wed., Mar. 30 -- “Come Together: American Artists Respond to Al-Mutanabbi Street.” The curator is Anne Evenhaugen, and a reception on Mon., Feb. 1 from 5 to 7 PM.

21] – On Tues., Jan. 26 at 9:30 AM come to the United States Institute for Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, WDC 20037, for A World on Fire: Strengthening Humanitarian Response - The global humanitarian system is stretched to its limits. The world faces the greatest flood of refugees since World War II, and the United Nations is handling an unprecedented number of simultaneous crises. Join US Institute of Peace and Oxfam America for a discussion of how the international community can strengthen the humanitarian system and increase the ability of constructive national leaders and civil society organizations to withstand catastrophic events that can spur a cycle of crisis, conflict and violence.

  The humanitarian system has been weakened by shocks of growing intensity and frequency. The gap between humanitarian needs and the system’s capacity to respond is likely to widen as climate change triggers natural disasters that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest people. Without the tools and support to recover from such events, vulnerable populations risk getting caught in a vicious sequence of calamity, conflict and collapse. The approaching U.N.-sponsored World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in late May will give the global community – including public and private donors, assistance professionals, and national and local leaders in affected areas – a chance to address and respond to the growing number of conflict-related and other humanitarian crises. Speakers at the USIP-Oxfam forum will include Jemilah Mahmood, a doctor and founder of MERCY Malaysia who until recently led the Summit secretariat. The panelists will highlight innovations that could broaden the current toolkit during crisis and strengthen the international system for aid in the face of its expanding challenges.  RSVP at ttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-world-on-fire-strengthening-humanitarian-response-tickets-20131556026.

22] – On Tues., Jan. 26 from 1 to 2 PM in the Cannon House Office Building, Room 234, attend the launch of the International Labor Rights Forum's report on worker voice and safety in Bangladesh's apparel industry--Workers’ Voices and Safety in the Apparel Industry: Towards a New Phase of Social Safety Reforms.  Please join Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Sander M. Levin, Jan Schakowsky, and Jackie Speier for a briefing and discussion of strategies to protect workers’ right to have a say in their safety. The presentations will include expert presentations on workers’ ability to secure their safety at work. 

Two and a half years after the Rana Plaza building collapse and the launch of the first industrial reform programs to address the pervasive fire and structural hazards in Bangladeshi garment factories, workers report they will not be safe without a voice at work.  A new 100-page report Our, describes a chilling web of social relations of intimidation and violence that spans factories and apparel companies, workers’ communities, government agencies, law enforcement, and even their families. The more than 70 workers interviewed for the report spoke passionately about the ways they and their coworkers were silenced, denied access to knowledge, excluded from meaningful participation in matters of their own safety, sometimes violently and brutally, often more subtly. Workers spoke about excessive production quotas and wages so low they are effectively trapped in abusive conditions, and about sexual harassment and abuse for which the victims are blamed. RSVP appreciated, but not required, to liana@ilrf.org.

23] – 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 Jan. 26.  Call 215-426-0364.

24] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. Join this ongoing vigil on Jan. 26  from 5:30 to 6:30  PM.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

25] –Hear from people directly affected by the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle. Hear from communities that will warn you about what is happening to their communities from radioactive pollution.  The panel presentation will include members of the Sioux Nation, the Navajo Nation, and Acoma Pueblo. On Tues., Jan. 26 from 6 to 9 PM, there is a Meet and Greet in the La Casa Building with the Environment & Social Justice Organization, 3166 Mount Pleasant St. NW, WDC. The delegation of Native Americans will alert people to the impacts that radiation poisoning from multiple local sources is having on their communities. They call themselves the canaries in the coal mine and they want to warn us about the invisible killer that they are experiencing.  The delegation is as follows Harold One Feather – Standing Rock Sioux Nation, Klee Benally – Navajo Nation, JD Buckley - Oglala Sioux Nation, Petuuche Gilbert – Acoma Pueblo, Charmaine White Face – Oglala Sioux Nation, Leona Morgan – Navajo Nation and Tommy Rock – Navajo Nation.

On Thurs., Jan. 28 from 7 to 9 PM, hear them at the Nipponzan Myohoji Temple, 4900 - 16th St. NW, WDC.  Email bhdefenders@msn.com or go to http://www.cleanupthemines.org/contact/.  

26] – Come to the GW Progressive Student Union for Organizing Across Issues- A Panel on Community Needs and the Intersections of Movements in Gelman Library #702, 2140 H St. NW, WDC, on Tues., Jan. 26 from 7 to 8:30 PM.  What is community organizing? How do progressive movements intersect? Come hear from organizers in the DMV working on a range of social justice issues about community needs and the intersection of struggles. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/918511484923462/.

27] – On Wed., Jan. 27 at noon you are invited to a live-streamed conversation called “Overwhelmed: Syrian refugee crisis in context.” Raed Jarrar of AFSC says If you’re like me, not a day goes by when you’re not reminded of the tragedy and terror facing millions of Syrians. Women with babies strapped to their backs, walking across international borders. Families are crying and cold as they emerge from overcrowded rubber dinghies on the shore. People seeking safety pressing against fences lined by armed guards.  RSVP for the webinar at http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50601/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=83947.  Also speaking are Layla Razavi, director of Human Migration and Mobility, who coordinates AFSC’s immigrant rights programs across the U.S. and Giovanna Negretti, AFSC’s Middle East regional director, based in Amman, Jordan. 

28] –Go to Busboys and Poets (14th and V), 2021 14th St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Jan. 27 at 6:30 PM for a book talk on Jesse Holland’s "The Invisibles: The untold Story of African American Slaves in the White House." This is an unconventional and eye-opening tour of D.C. in Black Men Built the Capital, pointing out the many iconic buildings and monuments—including the Capital Dome’s Statue of Freedom—constructed at least in part by enslaved men. In his second book Holland, a longtime AP Washington correspondent who now serves the organization as the race, ethnicity and demographics writer, focuses on the many and far-reaching and often overlooked roles African Americans played in the history of the White House. Ten of the first twelve presidents were slave owners, and they brought slaves with them to the capital. Holland fleshes out the lives of these men and women, recounts their experiences in the new capital, and profiles the early chief executives’ attitudes on race. Contact Susan Coll, at events@politics-prose.com.

29] – Come to the UNION TEMPLE Baptist Church, 1225 W St. SE, WDC 20020, on Wed., Jan. 27 from- 6:30 to 8:30 PM to hear from the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, a United Nations body of independent experts dedicated to improving the human rights situation of the Black Diaspora. Pan-African Community Action and Empower DC will host this DMV Community Town Hall Meeting with the delegation to hear from the Black community living in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area directly impacted by issues like gentrification, police brutality, and gender oppressions.  There will be a special artistic performance by Tarica June [https://taricajune.bandcamp.com/].  Contact paca@protonmail.com or call 202-787-5229.

30] – On Wed., Jan. 27 from 7 to 9 PM in the Duggan Room [lower terrace level of the new church, which sits back from the road at 11701 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg 20878, the Eco-Action Team's Green Screen at St. Rose presents COWSPIRACY, a shocking yet sometimes humorous video, depicting the "most destructive industry facing the planet today."  Art Milholland, M.D. Board Member of Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, will guide a discussion of such questions as How can I limit the emergence of drug resistant bacteria or Why was Sister Dorothy Stang murdered while in the Amazon Basin of Brazil? Come away with recipes for delicious meatless meals. Email pmcuff@aol.com.

31] –  Go to GW Betts Theatre, 800 21st St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Jan. 27 from 7 to 9 PM to see HANDS UP by SimplyZinhle Productions which captures the spirit of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, from Ferguson to Baltimore.  Following the documentary screening, there will be a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by award-winning Washington Post investigative reporter, Cheryl Thompson. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-up-king-week-documentary-screening-tickets-20696743517?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing.

32] – On Wed., Jan. 27 at 7:30 PM be there for Union Night – Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s World Premiere of SWEAT which takes place at Arena Stage, Kreeger Theater.  Performances will run through Sun., Feb. 21.  A group of close friends shares everything: drinks, secrets and laughs. But when rumors of layoffs shake up the local factory, the fragile bonds of their community begin to fray and a horrific crime sends shock waves across two generations. This gripping world premiere by acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Ruined) explores America’s industrial decline at the turn of the millennium by examining the inhabitants of one Pennsylvania town who still struggle to reclaim what’s lost, find redemption and redefine themselves in a new century.  Call 202.488.4380 to get your tickets.

33] – Maryland’s 90-day legislative session has begun, and with more than 2,300 bills in line for drafting, this is definitely a year to pay close attention. Learn about bills that will protect public and environmental health, and to hear from and speak to Maryland law-makers.  Natalie Burke, president of CommonHealth ACTION, will speak on opportunities to address health disparities in Maryland. Health in Annapolis Night is happening on Tues., Jan. 26 from 5 to 7 PM in the MILLER SENATE OFFICE BUILDING, 11 BLADEN ST., ANNAPOLIS 21401.  RSVP at RCRehr@gmail.com.

34] – On Thurs., Jan. 28 from 9 AM to 4 PM, the Young Invincibles will host student debtors from across the country and provide them with information on student loan repayment programs, how to use their debt story as an advocacy tool, and hear from US Senator Elizabeth Warren about the future of student debt reform. This is happening at the University of the District of Columbia- Union Station, 801 North Capital St. NE, WDC.  The event was organized to inform the public of the severity of the student debt crisis. The total student debt in this country has surpassed 1.3 trillion dollars and has become the second largest source of debt in the United States. The average college graduate is currently graduating with just under $30k of debt and delinquencies on student debt payments has risen greatly in recent years. Minorities from poor socioeconomic backgrounds are carrying much of this student debt burden because of the necessity of using loans to fund their higher education. Email Jasmin.Hicks@younginvencibles.org.
35] – On Thurs., Jan. 28 from 9:30 AM through 2 PM, attend Maryland Advocacy Day in House Office Building, Room 406, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis protect public and environmental health.  Register by contacting suzanneohatnick@comcast.net.
36] – On Thurs., Jan. 28 from 11 AM to 1 PM, with a light lunch included, come to the University of Maryland School of Social Work Auditorium, 525 W. Redwood St., Baltimore 21201 and join the University of Maryland School of Law Community Development Clinic, The University of Baltimore Community Development Clinic, and the University of Maryland Social Work Community Outreach Service to unveil the innovative findings of the Baltimore Housing Roundtable’s White Paper Report!  Community + Land + Trust describes how Baltimore’s development policies have failed to create affordable housing and good paying jobs for low-income residents and offers an alternative vision that prioritizes human rights and human needs. The creation of community land trusts and a renewed vacant housing initiative will create neighborhood-based institutions to drive development, employ city residents, and create permanently affordable housing that is equitable and inclusive. Harry Smith, Director of Sustainable Economic Development & Dudley Neighbors, Inc will be speaking on a successful Land Trust initiative in Boston. Explore innovative approaches to Baltimore’s development challenges, learn from area experts, and enjoy a light reception! RSVP at http://www.unitedworkers.org/community_land_trust_tools_for_development_without_displacement.

37] –    On Thurs., Jan. 28 from 12:30 to 2:15 PM, join the Palestine Center at the Jerusalem Fund Jerusalem Fund, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC 20037,  for SALT OF THIS SEA, an award-winning classic by one of the younger auteurs of Palestinian cinema, Annemarie Jacir, who is considered the first Palestinian woman to direct a feature film.  It is also her first feature.  Attendance is free and open to the public.  "Sixty years after her grandparents' exile from Jaffa, Soraya (Suheir Hammad) leaves Brooklyn to live in her homeland. Discovering that her family's bank account was frozen after the Arab-Israeli War, she becomes determined to reclaim her birthright, through whatever means necessary.  With the help of her disillusioned lover Emad (Saleh Bakri) and his filmmaker pal Marwan (Riyad Ideis), they plan on one big heist to settle the historical debt. Driving through the countryside like an Arab (and pacifist) Bonnie and Clyde, Soraya and Emad discover their roots while rejecting their status as exiles." Go to http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/57079.

38} – On Thurs., Jan. 28 from 2 to 3:30 PM, check out "Energizing Nuclear Security: A Sensible Summit Proposal" with five speakers at the Stimson Center, Eighth Floor, 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, WDC. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UBvDdfKwn0Tk_Hu67qZ4Sh-
39] – At the DC Public Library-Mt. Pleasant, 3160 16th St. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Jan. 28 at 6:30 PM, tune in to the second annual People's State of the Union in Washington, DC. Reflect on the urgent need for change and transformation in the city and country. What are the stories that our elected leaders- from council members to president- need to hear? How can we shift power by telling and sharing our own stories? Join the People's State of the Union story circle! This is a powerful way of coming together, getting to know one another, and reflecting on the state of the community, country, and world.  A free toolkit is available at www.usdac.us/psotu.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/673486356087040/.

40] – Volunteer with the Washington Peace Center, 1525 Newton St., WDC, on Thurs., Jan. 28 from 7 to 8 PM.  As the New Year begins to pick up speed, there are lots of opportunities for volunteers to get involved with the Peace Center.  Take part in planning the Activist Awards Grassroots Gala, table at events, and support the local trainers’ network. Come to the Spring Orientation! RSVP at Darakshan@washingtonpeacecenter.org or calling 202-234-2000 - please include your general volunteering availability.

41] – 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., Jan. 28 at 7:30 PM.  The agenda will include Freddie Gray & local organizing, killer drones and Obama, an action at the State of the Union, the refugees, the MLK march and the unending wars. Call 410-323-1607 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net.

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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