Baltimore Activist Alert - August 29 - September 9, 2016

23] Fracking tele-briefing – Aug. 29

24] Forum on Fracking – Aug. 30

25] Hearing on DOJ Report – Aug. 30

26] Synthetic Turf Brown Bag Lunch – Aug. 31

27] Work Session on Inclusionary Housing – Aug. 31

28] Public Stakeholder Meeting on regional climate plan – Sept. 1

29] Peace vigil at White House – Sept. 2

30] WIB peace vigils – Sept. 2

31] Black Lives Matter vigil – Sept. 2

32] Ballroom Dancing – Sept. 2

33] West Chester peace vigil – Sept. 3

34] Play MANDELA -- Sept. 3 & 4

35] Film “Embracing Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan” – Sept. 9

36] Room for rent

37] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

38] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

39] Do you need any book shelves?

40] Join the Global Zero campaign

41] Join the Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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23] – Are you planning to attend the public forum on August 30th on fracking? You are in luck! Sierra Club Maryland Chapter is hosting a tele-briefing on Maryland's legislative process on from 7:30 to 8:30 PM on Mon., Aug. 29. Call in at 7:25 PM to 301-478-4995. This briefing will include an overview of Maryland's legislative process, some insights on key legislators, and a Q&A. Go to https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSfYWbqxou5P03EUS…/viewform…  Get in touch with Don’t Frack Maryland at https://www.facebook.com/DontFrackMaryland/?notif_t=fbpage_fan_invite&notif_id=1472149424719467.

24] – On Wed., Aug. 30 at 5:30 PM, come to a Garrett College Public Forum.  MD House of Delegates Environment & Transportation committee members will hold a working session on Fracking. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1565625553746189/1567880123520732/?notif_t=admin_plan_mall_activity&notif_id=1471882537601076.

25] – On Tues., Aug. 30 from 6:30  to 8 PM at GALLERY CA, 440 E. Oliver St., Baltimore 21202, participate in a hearing about the DOJ investigation of the Baltimore Police Department.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/834270013341006/.  The recent DOJ report confirmed what the people of Baltimore have known for a long time- change is needed in the Police Department. When the release of the investigations report, the next step could be one of two things. Either the Police Department agrees to make needed changes, or the Police Department refuses and the DOJ takes the Police Department to court to have the court order the needed changes. The Baltimore Police Department has agreed to make changes without being taken to court.  The DOJ will be negotiating an agreement - called a consent decree - with the Police Department. The DOJ has asked the people of Baltimore to tell them what changes we want from BPD. On Aug. 30 come together to make a list of demands to give to the DOJ. 

26] –There is a Synthetic Turf Brown Bag Lunch in College Park on Wed., Aug. 31 at noon at 7338 Baltimore Ave., Suite 102, College Park, MD 20740.  Learn about the toxicity and environmental impacts of synthetic turf and pulverized waste tires increasingly being used for playgrounds and athletic fields as part of the Bush administration's anti-environment legacy. Discuss critical actions we can take now to protect our children and the public's health. Contact Laurel Imlay at laurel.imlay@sierraclub.org or (301) 277-7111. Go to www.safehealthyplayingfields.org.

27] – Attend a Work Session on Inclusionary Housing to be Held on Wed., Aug. 31 at 5 PM.  Councilperson Bill Henry has introduced a new and improved inclusionary housing bill. The work session open to public testimony will be held in City Council Chambers. Citizens Planning and Housing Association encourages everyone to attend and show their support for an improved law. CPHA feels the current bill is a good step forward and is working with other advocates to improve it so we can have a law that best serves Baltimore. Call 410-539-1369.

28] – Attend a Public Stakeholder Meeting on regional climate plan on Thurs., Sept 1 from 6 to 8 PM, organized by the Sierra Club, at MDE Headquarters, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore.  Contact Seth Bush at seth.bush@sierraclub.org.  Register at https://sierra.secure.force.com/events/details?id=7013100000113RTAAY&formcampaignid=70131000001SSHwAAO&data=0a73ac2a6bb856cace2158a759913301951b49fd9bf2c2d4fc1b1b4b5470a0832068189c4571adbfa20bba2a368827a4.

29] – On Fri., Sept. 2 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. 

30] – On Fri., Sept. 2 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. 

31] – 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 Sept. 2. Black Lives Matter.

32] – 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 Sept. 2. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

33] – 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.

34] – Making its Baltimore debut on Sat., Sept. 3 and Sun., Sept. 4, the timely and important MANDELA is a moving theater performance about the life and struggles of Nelson Mandela.  The play, which originally premiered at the National Black Theater in New York City in 2014, and then included a performance by former NYC Mayor David Dinkins (playing himself), is coming off a third run at the same theater in July 2016. This performance will uplift your spirit and feed your mind. This play is full of scenes that include laughter, dance and thought provoking moments, which will have the audience experience the struggles and joys of Mandela, Winnie Mandela, and the courageous men and women who stood by Nelson Mandela's side. Director/Co-Writers and Co-Producers John Ruiz, who was a personal friend of Mr. Mandela, and Yolanda Brooks were inspired by Nelson Mandela and have brought together a stellar cast, including Audelco Award Winner Lloyd Goodman who plays Mandela for this limited engagement.

See a performance at the Creative Alliance at The Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore 21224 on Saturday at 6 PM or 8:30 PM or Sunday at 4 PM.  Tickets are $25 and $22 for members who buy in advance.  Finally, there is limited $40 reserve VIP seating which includes a choice of a Mandela shirt or cap. Email info@creativealliance.org or call 410/276-1651.

35] –  The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee, Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee of Homewood and Stony Run Meetings and Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility are continuing the FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS DVD SERIES.  The DVDs will be shown at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218, usually on the First Friday.  After the Black Lives Matter vigil, there will be a potluck dinner. At 7:15 PM, from September through December, a DVD will be shown with a discussion to follow.  There is no charge, and refreshments will be available.  The series theme is REACTING TO WARS ON CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS, PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

On Fri., Sept. 9 see “Embracing Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan” [2013, Allen Nelson Peace Project].  It is in Japanese with English subtitles. Allan Nelson, an ex-marine, talks about war and peace:  “Article 9 is more powerful than any nuclear weapons.” Article 9 of Japan's Constitution reads as follows: “Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.” However, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for changing Article 9.  This has resulted in protests.  Contact max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski at Verizon.net.

36] – There is a furnished room for rent with private bath in a nice, quiet Lutherville neighborhood, not far from the light rail and 83, 15 minutes from Towson Town Center and various shops on York Road.  Rent, which includes cable, Wi-Fi, kitchen privileges and the use of washer and dryer, is $650.00 a month and the splitting of gas & electric bill. Call Lynn at 410-960-3008.

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

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

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

40] -- 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.

41] – 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