Friday, July 15, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert - July 15 - August 8, 2016

42] Volunteer with Margaret Flowers for Senate – July 15 - 17
43] Register for the Pax Christi National Gathering -- July 15
44] WAT conference in Cleveland – July 15 -18
45] Peace vigil at White House – July 15
46] WIB peace vigils – July 15
47] After Fallujah – July 15
48] Restrictions on Mobility in Palestine – July 15
49] Release Aging People in Prison Monthly Coalition Meeting – July 15
50] Black Lives Matter vigil – July 15
51] Who do Clinton and the Democratic Party represent?  – July 15
52] Ballroom Dancing – July 15
53] Ban fracking meeting – July 16
54] West Chester peace vigil – July 16
55] Can Racism Be Defeated Under Capitalism? – July 16
56] Affordable Housing Trust Fund on ballot – deadline Aug. 8
57] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
58] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
59] Do you need any book shelves?
60] Join the Global Zero campaign
61] Join the Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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42] – Margaret Flowers for Senate [mailto:info@flowersforsenate.org] is seeking volunteers for Artscape. Call or text 443-545-9149 to volunteer. Artscape is the nation's largest outdoor arts festival! Can you help distribute Flowers for Senate literature in the Mount Royal neighborhood of Baltimore on Fri., July 15, Sat., July 16 or Sun., July 17? Arrangements will be made for you to go out with other Flowers for Senate or Baltimore Green Party volunteers.   Go to http://www.flowersforsenate.org/.

43] – This is the very first time that the Pax Christi USA National Gathering/ National Assembly will be in Baltimore.  You can save some money by registering before July 15.  The cost is $260.  After that date, the cost is $275. Go to https://paxchristiusa.org/programs/nationalgathering2016/.

The cost of the HOTEL per night is $115, which includes a Friday dinner and reception, a Saturday breakfast and lunch (box lunch), and Sunday breakfast.  To register for the National Gathering: you must fill out the registration form-- available on the Pax Christi USA website-- and mail it in to the Pax Christi USA national office. BUT this registration does not reserve your hotel room at the Double Tree Hotel.

To reserve the hotel room you must contact the hotel directly—by phone 1-888-370-0998 or go online and type “BWIBADT-PAX-20160807” into your browser ---to reserve at the Pax Christi USA block rate. Again, your credit card will be accepted to reserve your hotel room. These two things will complete your registration and reserve your hotel room. And these two things must be completed by July 18. There will be no on-site registrations taken at the National Gathering.  The national gathering goes from Aug. 12 – 14, 2016.

44] – Witness Against Torture is heading to Cleveland for the People's Justice & Peace Convention and the RNC. Join the WAT community from Fri., July 15 through Mon., July 18.  Speak against the pro-torture stances of Donald Trump and protest the racist and Islamophobic rhetoric that has permeated his campaign. As torture and closing Guantanamo have been treated with horrifying humor, this is an important opportunity to remind the public that torture is always wrong and Guantanamo should be closed today. RSVP to witnesstorture@gmail.com.

45] – On Fri., July 15 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! This vigil will take place at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Contract Art @ artlaffin@hotmail.com or at 202-360-6416. 

46] – On Fri., July 15 from noon to 1 PM, join a Women in Black peace vigil. A vigil will take place in McKeldin Square at the corner of Light and Pratt Sts., and another will take place outside Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St., across from the Rotunda.  Stay for as long as you can. Wear black. Dress for who knows what kind of weather. Bring your own poster or help with the "NO WAR IN MY NAME" banner.  When there are others to stand with, you don't need to carry the burden alone. Do this to be in solidarity with others....when everything around us says “Be afraid of the stranger.” Carpool and parking available at both locations. Just send an email that you need a ride [mailto:wibbaltimore@peacepath911.org].  Peace signs will be available. 

47] – After Fallujah: Security, Governance, and the Next Battle Against ISIS will be discussed at Johns Hopkins SAIS- Kenney Auditorium, 1740 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20036, on Fri., July 15 from noon to 1:30 PM. Iraqi forces have expelled the Islamic State (ISIS) from Fallujah, but difficult work lies ahead to retake the territory still under ISIS control, provide security, and rebuild. Restoring government and the rule of law, returning the displaced, and rebuilding homes and infrastructure will be crucial for sustaining the victory. Who will have the power and legitimacy to manage local resources and services? What will it take for civilians to return? Can the Popular Mobilization Forces that played an important role in the liberation of Fallujah be demobilized or absorbed into the army, or will they remain independent power centers?  The Middle East Institute (MEI) and the Conflict Management Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) are pleased to host Robert S. Ford (MEI), Charles Lister (MEI), Jessica Lewis McFate (Institute for the Study of War), and Douglas Ollivant (New America) for a discussion of these and other questions regarding the aftermath of Fallujah, how ISIS may react in defeat, and the challenges ahead facing the liberation of Mosul.  RSVP at http://bit.ly/29z4Dgi.

48] – Restrictions on Mobility: Structural Mechanisms & Physical Barriers is the topic of discussion at The Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., July 15 from 12:30 to 2 PM.  The first panel of the 2016 Summer Intern Lecture Series focuses on the structural and physical mechanisms that contribute to Palestinian immobility. Restrictions on Palestinian mobility take on many different forms: internally through checkpoints and the separation wall; inter-regionally through prohibition of Palestinian movement between Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and internationally through prevention of any right to return from the diaspora. This panel will examine the policies behind the restrictions and how these mechanisms limit Palestinian freedom of movement and allow Israel to maintain a matrix of control over the Palestinian population. RSVP at http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/events/upcoming/2016-summer-intern-lecture-series-restrictions-mobility-legal-mechanisms-physical-barriers.

49] –   The  DCRAPP (Release Aging People in Prison) Monthly Coalition Meeting is taking place at the BF Senior Wellness Center, 3531 Georgia Ave. NW, WDC 20010, on Fri., July 15 from 3 to 4:15 PM.  The group is working together with other campaigns, groups, and organizations to take on the crucial issue of people aging and dying in prison without justification. There are elderly DC prisoners who are trapped in the federal prison system due to denials of parole, compassionate release, and clemency.  Email dcrappcampaign@gmail.com or visit http://rappcampaign.com/.

50] – There is usually a silent 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 July 15. Black Lives Matter.

51] –   Who do Clinton and the Democratic Party represent?  This is a discussion for progressive voters about the November election at 617 Florida Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., July 15 at 7 PM.  As Hillary Clinton gears up for the general election as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, millions across the United States are faced with a dilemma: Despite her history as a warmonger, a Walmart executive and a racist, the Democratic Party has presented her as the “only option” to stop Trump and his vicious bigotry. Join the Party for Socialism and Liberation for a screening of The Empire Files episode “Business-Backed Clinton Favors 'Death, Destruction.’” This episode chronicles the Clinton's rise to power in the 90s on a right-wing agenda, the Clinton Foundation's revolving door with Gulf state monarchies, corporations and the world's biggest financial institutions, and the establishment of the hyper-aggressive "Hillary Doctrine" while Secretary of State. Learn the essential facts about the great danger she poses, and why she is the US Empire's choice for its next CEO.  The 30-minute documentary will be followed by a presentation and discussion of Clinton’s history, and what working and progressive people should do in the November election. Call 202-234-2828, email dc@pslweb.org or visit PSLweb.org.

52] – 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 July 15. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

53] – Come to the Western MD FRACKING BAN Kickoff on Sat, July 16 from 9 AM  to  6 PM organized by the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter at Garrett Hwy, Oakland, MD 21550. Contact Josh Tulkin at josh.tulkin@sierraclub.org or (301) 277-7111.  Help keep fracking out of Western Maryland. Go to https://sierra.secure.force.com/events/details?formcampaignid=70131000001iHIPAA2.

54] – 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.

55] – Can Racism Be Defeated Under Capitalism? The discussion will be at 4103 Gallatin St., Hyattsville, on Sat., July 16 at 6:30 PM.  Join in on the connections between capitalism and racism, and the need to abolish capitalism to create equality. This is sponsored by the Progressive Labor Party. There is a potluck dinner at 6:30 PM with the discussion at 7:30 PM.  Bring a dish to share if you like. Use the West Hyattsville Metro.  Email kpomeran@gwu.edu uf you need a ride from there. 

56] – Betsy Krieger wrote to say that there is an affordable housing crisis in Baltimore City- with vacant properties and unaffordable rents.  The good news is there is a solution that has been used successfully in other cities—an Affordable Housing Trust Fund. An Affordable Housing Trust Fund can make Baltimore more livable for everyone. 

How can we make this happen? By passing an amendment to the City Charter.  Consider giving a few hours of your time at farmers markets and public events to collect signatures to put this on the ballot. Go to http://housingforallbaltimore.org/#volunteer.  10,000 signatures are needed by August 8 to get this on the ballot!  People are happy to sign; they just need to be asked. Visit www.housingforallbaltimore.org or contact Rebecca at info@housingforallbaltimore.org.

On any given night, 3000 people, including children and their families, are homeless.  25,000 Baltimore City households, more than half with children, are on the waiting list for desperately needed federal housing assistance, where they will wait as much as ten years.

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

58] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

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

60] -- 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.

61] – 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 



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