Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert - May 24 - June 1, 2016

24] Send a child to Peace Camp
25] Breaking Through Power – through May 26
26] Volunteer at the Belltower – through June 1
27] Webinar on fracking – May 24
28] Protest at Walmart– May 25
29] Release the 28 pages – May 25
30] Rev. Billy in D.C.  – May 25
31] Mailing Party – May 25
32] Working with Dignity – May 25
33] Release Gitmo detainees – May 25
34] Ramadan support for Muslim prisoners – May 25
35] New Voices Festival – May 26
36] KEYWORDS FOR RADICALS – May 26
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24] –Little Friends for Peace works tirelessly to make camp a reality for children who otherwise wouldn’t enjoy this opportunity. Working with its amazing partners and supporters, the group raises funds to provide scholarships for Peace Camp [see http://www.lffp.org/peace-camp.html] and also run the free, summer-long camp at the Perry School Community Center in D.C.  Help make Peace Camp available to everyone. Even a small donation can go a long way! Consider giving at one of these levels:  $10 --   An LFFP T-Shirt for a camper, $30 -- Lunch for a camper for 1 week, $50 --  Camper Peace journals for 1 week, $100 --   Transportation for scholarship campers, $225 --  One full scholarship for 1 week, or $300  --   Art supplies for a full week of camp. Donate here https://www.gofundme.com/LFFPcampers.

25] – Breaking Through Power is taking place at DAR CONSTITUTION HALL 1776 D St. NW, WDC, on Mon., May 23 (all day) through Thurs., May 26 (all day).  Fifty years ago the publication of “Unsafe at Any Speed” sparked a serious awakening in our society that launched initiatives and organizations that have dramatically improved our personal health and safety, in the home, workplace, marketplace and the environment.  To celebrate this milestone, and to reflect and renew our civic spirit and resolve Breaking through Power is convening an unprecedented gathering of public interest organizers, advocates, experts, and concerned citizens for four days. There will be over 80 speakers on all issues from different backgrounds during the four days.  Register at https://www.breakingthroughpower.org/.

26] –At the Lincoln Memorial / Vietnam Memorial Installation on Thurs., May 19  (all day) to Wed., June 1 (all day) see Swords to Plowshares Memorial Belltower-/STP Volunteer Call.  The 24 foot tall touring tower is covered with over a thousand silver wind-blown 'bricks' made from recycled beer and soda cans. It was created by volunteers and dedicated by Veterans For Peace to ALL victims and veterans of war, regardless of race, faith or nationality. Wherever the tower has appeared, visitors have added personal inscriptions to the cans, rung the bell, and shared stories about how they have suffered from war. It was inspired by a WWI-Era Belltower in Raleigh, NC with the inscription, “And They Shall Beat Their Swords into Plowshares.”

    The permit requires the organizers to maintain a 24 hour vigil at the Belltower. This is a huge opportunity with thousands of visitors to the area around Memorial Day, but it is also a huge challenge. Please consider doing a shift.  The installation is being planned in conjunction with the arrival of Sam's Ride for Peace, Veterans For Peace lobby days and Vietnam Full Disclosure's Memorial Day 'Letters to the Wall” Effort. Visit https://www.facebook.com/STPBelltower.

27] – Physicians for Social Responsibility [mailto:psrnatl@psr.org] is hosting a Webinar: Outdoor Air Toxics: How to counsel patients on reducing day-to-day exposures on Tues., May 24 at 7PM to learn more about outdoor air toxics and how best to counsel patients and the public to reduce exposure risks.  The latest science on air toxins links fine particle pollution to a wide number of cancers, including breast. From our air to our water, the environment is permeated with harmful substances. Yet very few health professionals have been trained to help patients understand how to protect themselves from environmental toxins.  

PSR seeks to train new doctors and nurses to give preventative environmental health guidance so they can protect children and other susceptible populations. Ours is a two-step process: train-the-trainer, then train the new practitioner. On the webinar, the newest research will be reviewed on outdoor air toxics such as ozone and particulate matter and their connection to poor health outcomes. Larysa Dyrszka, MD of New York PSR, will highlight fracking as a case study and depict why health professionals should be concerned about natural gas drilling in their communities. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5672410548835952900.  

28] – Stand with Arleja--An Action Against Walmart-- on 99 H St. NW, WDC, on Wed., May 25 at 10 AM.  Two years after Walmart issued a policy that was supposed to be more accommodating of pregnant workers, Arleja Stevens, mother of three, was terminated by the H St. Walmart after she had to miss work for issues relating to her pregnancy. Join Making Change at Walmart and DC Jobs with Justice for a press conference to tell Walmart that women shouldn't have to choose between their unborn children and being a provider for their household. Contact Tiffany Beroid at tberoid@ufcw.org.
29] – Protesters Escalate Campaign to Release the 28 Suppressed Pages of 9/11 Report on Wed., May 25 at 5 PM outside the Russell and Hart Senate Office Buildings, corner of Constitution Ave. and First St. NE.  “Now that the Senate has unanimously passed the Justice Against Support of Terrorism Act (JASTA) last week, we urge them to provide the relevant evidence in the 28 pages” stated Richard Ochs, a 28 Pages Coalition spokesperson. The protestors will produce a banner “Open the 28 Pages” outside the Senate office buildings. 
In 2003, around 50 senators signed a letter to G.W. Bush, including Hillary Clinton and John Kerry (both Obama's secretaries of state) urging him “to declassify the 28-page section that deals with foreign sources of support for the 9-11 hijackers." Recently, 40 members of Congress co-sponsored bills to declassify these redacted pages: HR 14 and S 1471.   Urging long-overdue transparency, signs will say “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied,” “28 Pages Show ‘Aggressive Deception’–Sen .B. Graham,” “28 Pages Show ‘a Coverup’-Sen. B. Graham,” “Royal Threats Show Saudi Guilt,” “Tail Wags Dog?,” and “9/11 Families say ‘Open 28 Pages’.” The protest is endorsed by CODE PINK and POPULAR RESISTANCE. Contact Richard Ochs at richardochs10@gmail.com.  Go to www.hr14.org.

30] – Attend a Book Event with Rev. Billy Talen at Busboys and Poets, 14th & V  Sts., Langston Room, WDC, on Wed., May 25 from 6 to 8 PM.  Performance artist and eco/anti-consumerism activist The Reverend Billy presents “The Earth Wants YOU,” a motivational handbook, meant to inspire its readers to challenge the consumerism, racism and militarism that are killing our planet. With a heady mix of humor, insightful critique, passionate commitment, and emotional catharsis, Reverend Billy provides example after example of creative, joyful, Earth-inspired direct action. Earth-a-lujah!  The Reverend Billy and his choir of singing-activists are on the front lines of creative direct action. Based in New York City, they take their activism around the globe, from Times Square and your local Walmart, to the recent climate talks in Paris. Reverend Billy was the subject of Morgan Spurlock’s documentary “What Would Jesus Buy?” Visit http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/event/book-event-reverend-billy-talen.

31] – There is a Mailing Party at the Washington Peace Center, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, on Wed., May 25 from 6 to 9 PM. Be there for friends, fun and pizza while stuffing envelopes for the spring mailing. Email darakshan@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

32] – Join Working Matters and its partners at United Workers for a community discussion in Baltimore County on the importance of “Work with Dignity.”  The event will include a debrief of the recent near-win on earned sick leave legislation in Maryland, and how we can work together to ensure the Healthy Working Families Act passes in 2017. Work With Dignity — Where We Go From Here in Maryland, a legislative update and community discussion, takes place on Wed., May 25 from 6 to 8 PM at Milford Mill United Methodist Church, 915 Milford Mill Rd., Pikesville 21208. RSVP at crystal@unitedworkers.org or (860) 942-6644. Please note that the location is not handicap accessible but accommodations for people who are differently-abled can be made.

33] – GUANTANAMO DETAINEE'S BROTHER TO DISCUSS CASE, PETITION FOR RELEASE at the Impact Hub DC, 419 7th St. NW, WDC, on Wed., May 25 at 6:30 PM. Join the ACLU and partners for a conversation on why we must close Guantánamo Bay, an institution that has prompted global outrage for its inhumane treatment of detainees. The event will feature Yahdih Slahi, brother of Mohamedou Slahi, Guantánamo detainee and author of "Guantánamo Diary," Hina Shamsi, attorney of Mohamedou Slahi and director of the ACLU's National Security Project, Larry Siems, editor of "Guantánamo Diary," and Cora Currier, national security reporter for The Intercept. The event is co-sponsored by Change.org, the ACLU and PEN America. RSVP https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guantanamo-detainees-family-supporters-on-upcoming-hearing-for-release-tickets-25416368041.

34] – There is Ramadan Support for Muslim Prisoners at Impact Hub DC, 419 7th St. NW, Ste 300, WDC 20004, on Wed., May 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.  DC Stampede is joining the National Coalition To Protect Civil Freedoms (NCPCF) to send money orders and letters to Muslim prisoners for Ramadan.  You will be filling out and send money orders to about 200 prisoners who have been caught up in Islamophobic post-9/11 FBI-orchestrated plots. The money will go to their canteen accounts so they'll be able to break their fasts properly. With the Republican presidential nominee calling for a ban on allowing all Muslims into the country, Obama's failure to close Guantanamo, and many Muslim prisoners held in extremely isolated Communications Management Units, it's especially important to stand with the Muslim community. This is an easy, fun way to tangibly show solidarity by filling out money orders, writing letters, and signing cards. Plus, Maryland Food Collective will be providing snacks!  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/505327599655805/.

35] – There is a Brave New Voices Festival Collaboration Meeting at 1301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 600, WDC, on Thurs., May 26 at 1 PM.   If you haven’t already heard, the international youth spoken word competition and festival, Brave New Voices (BNV), is coming to DC this summer from July 12 to July 17. Hundreds of talented young poets ages 13-19 will participate in the 19th year of this award winning and HBO-featured festival. Along with Youth Speaks, the Bay Area organization that founded Brave New Voice, this year’s festival is being sponsored locally by the Kennedy Center, Split This Rock, and Words Beats & Life. In addition to hosting a series of poetry slams culminating in crowning one youth poetry team champion, the festival includes poetry writing and performance workshops, town hall discussions, open mics, and service learning.  Split This Rock is reaching out to community partners for support. Representatives of community orgs are invited to join a BNV brainstorming meeting led by the festival director, Tish Jones.  Go to http://youthspeaks.org/bravenewvoices/.

36] – Heather Hax, Claire O’Connor and AK Thompson will speak on Thurs., May 26 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201.  Why, even among radicals, do we find ourselves using the same words—words like "accountability," and "agency"—but meaning different things? How does this dynamic arise and how might it be addressed?  “Keywords for Radicals: The Contested Vocabulary of Late-Capitalist Struggle” (AK Press 2016) addresses precisely these questions. Join these Keywords For Radicals contributors to explore the many antagonisms—but also the possibilities—suggested by the worlds within our words. Visit https://www.akpress.org/keywords-for-radicals.html or http://keywordsforradicals.netCall 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

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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