Baltimore Activist Alert - December 4 – 6, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert - December 4 – 6, 2016

"I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours.

The initiative to stop it must be ours." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Friends, this list and other email documents which I send out are done under the auspices of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center.  Go to www.baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com.  If you appreciate this information and would like to make a donation, send contributions to BNC, 325 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.  Max Obuszewski can be reached at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.

1] Books, buttons and stickers

2] Web site for info on federal legislation

3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists  

4] Two friends are looking to buy a house in Baltimore

5] “Who Gets to Decide How You Will Die?” – Dec. 4

6] Clemency for Leonard Peltier 2016 Human Rights Week – Dec 4 – 10

7] On Being Woke and White – Dec. 4

8] Pax Christi Peacemaker of the Year Awards and Dinner -- Dec. 4

9] Discuss SPLINTERLANDS – Dec. 4

10] Pentagon Vigil – Dec. 5

11] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Dec. 5 – Dec. 7

12] Strengthening U.S-Arab Cyber Security Policy Cooperation – Dec. 5

13] Food worker justice panel – Dec. 5

14] Food procurement policy – Dec. 5

15] Green Party meeting – Dec. 5

16] Book talk MISSILE PARADISE – Dec. 5

17] Common Cause Blueprint for a Great Democracy Conference– Dec. 6

18] Peace vigil in Philadelphia – Dec. 6

19] Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" – Dec. 6

20] Food Workers Organizing for Justice – Dec. 6

21] Film WARRIOR – Dec. 6

22] New York Times columnist Roger Cohen in Baltimore – Dec. 6

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1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available.  “God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions” stickers are in stock. Call Max at 410-323-1607.

2] – To obtain information how your federal legislators voted on particular bills, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/.  Congressional toll-free numbers are 888-818-6641, 888-355-3588 or 800-426-8073. The White House Comment Email is accessible at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

3] – THE ORGANIZING LIST will be the primary decision-making mechanism of the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR].  It will be augmented by conference calls and possibly in-person meetings as needed.  It will consist of 1 or 2 representatives from each local, regional, or national organization (not coalitions) that wishes to actively work to carry out the NCNR campaign of facilitating and organizing nonviolent resistance to the war in Iraq.

To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to mobuszewski at Verizon.net.  Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.  

THE NOTICES LIST will include only notices of NCNR actions and related information and is open to any interested person to subscribe.  It will be moderated to maintain focus & will include periodic notices about getting involved in NCNR national organizing.  To join the NOTICES List, send an email message to ncnrnotices-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. You will get a confirmation message once subscribed.  If you have problems, please write to the list manager at ncnrnotices-admin@lists.riseup.net.

4] – Janice and Max are looking to buy a house in Baltimore.  Let Max know if you have any leads—410-323-1607 or mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.

5] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 AM to noon.  On Sun., Dec. 4, the platform address is “Who Gets to Decide How You Will Die?”  Barbara Mancini’s 93 year old father prepared for the end of life with an advanced directive, a healthcare proxy and a hospice. Yet he was subjected to unwanted medical treatment in defiance of his wishes. His daughter endured a prolonged criminal prosecution for “aiding an attempted suicide.” Her case sparked outrage and condemnation in the media and was ultimately dismissed. She has spoken widely about her case in over 90 events in seventeen states. She has done numerous radio and television interviews, including NPR radio productions and a widely broadcast interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper. She has met with legislators to discuss end-of-life choice and has provided testimony at legislative committee hearings.

Barbara will show how dying can be fraught with unanticipated perils for the person and caregivers. Vaguely-worded criminal statutes and perverse incentives are some of the factors that may confront well-intentioned families in caring for their loved ones. Mancini has been a nurse for over 30 years. She has a master’s degree in burn, emergency, and trauma nursing, and has spent most of her career in emergency nursing. Her nursing experience includes working with Native Americans for the Indian Health Service on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in the early 1990’s. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org. 

6] – Clemency for Leonard Peltier 2016 Human Rights Week is happening from Sun., Dec. 4 through Sat. Dec. 10.  On Dec.  4, from 1 to 3 PM., meet at the National Museum of the American Indian (outdoor space), 4th St. and Independence Ave. SW, WDC 20560.  From Dec. 5 through Dec. 9 vigil at the White House from 11 AM to 2 PM for Executive Clemency for Leonard Peltier.  On Dec. 10, there will be a candlelight vigil from 5 to 8 PM. There are many other events planned.

On Dec. 10, Human Rights Day, attend “U.S. Prisons: Conditions of Confinement,” a conference at the Washington College of Law, American University - Tenley Campus, 4300 Nebraska Ave. NW, Yuma Building, Claudio Grossman Hall, WDC 20016. Doors open at 8 AM. The conference will be followed at 4 PM by a walk/march to the White House for Indigenous rights and clemency for Leonard Peltier. Visit www.whoisleonardpeltier.info.

7] – The next segment of A.C.T.O.R (A Continuing Talk on Race) - On Being Woke and White with Time Wise – is happening at BUSBOYS at 14th & V Sts., 2021 14th St. NW, WDC, on Sun., Dec. 4 from 5 to 7 PM.  Now more than ever it is imperative that anti-racist conversations be had among groups outside just people of color.  Join Busboys & Poets and Antiracist Activist and Author Tim Wise for this discussion "On Being Woke and White." Wise is among the nation's leading anti-racist educators and essayists. He is the author of six books on race and racism. He has conducted anti-racism training for teachers nationwide, as well as corporate officials, law enforcement officers, government agencies, the military, doctors, and social service providers.  Go to http://busboysandpoets.com/events/event/a.c.t.o.r-a-continuing-talk-on-race-on-being-white-and-woke-with-tim-wise.

8] – On Sun., Dec. 4 from 6 to 9 PM, come to the Annual Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore Peacemaker of the Year Awards and Dinner at St. Camillus Parish, 1600 St. Camillus Dr. , Silver Spring 20903 just off New Hampshire Ave. and just south of the Capital Beltway.  Note there will be an annual meeting at 4:15 PM followed by a Mass at 5 PM.  Registration is $25, which includes a vegetarian meal.  The keynote speaker is Frida Berrigan.  Call 443-846-5207. Register at www.paxchristimetrodc.org. Honor Sr. Marie Lucey and Fr. Jacek Orzechowski for their contributions to peace, justice and the integrity of creation.

9] – On Sun., Dec. 4 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, John Feffer will discuss SPLINTERLANDS, A NEW NOVEL. Part Field Notes from a Catastrophe, part 1984, part World War Z, Feffer's striking new dystopian novel, takes us deep into the battered, shattered world of 2050. The European Union has broken apart. Multiethnic great powers like Russia and China have shriveled. America's global military footprint has virtually disappeared and the United States remains united in name only. Nationalism has proven the century's most enduring force as ever-rising global temperatures have supercharged each-against-all competition and conflict among the now 300-plus members of an increasingly feeble United Nations.

As he navigates the world of 2050, Julian West offers a roadmap for the path we're already on, a chronicle of impending disaster, and a faint light of hope. He may be humanity's last best chance to explain how the world unraveled—if he can survive the savage beauty of the Splinterlands.  Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.  

10] – There is a weekly Pentagon Peace Vigil from 7 to 8 AM on Mondays, since 1987, outside the Pentagon Metro stop.  The next vigil is Dec., 4, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.  Email artlaffin@hotmail.com or call 202-882-9649.  The vigil will be outside the Pentagon's south Metro entrance and in the designated "protest zone" behind bicycle fences across from the entrance to the Metro.  By Metro, take Yellow Line and get out at the "Pentagon" stop. Do not go to the Pentagon City stop! Go up south escalators and turn left and walk across to protest area. By car from D.C. area, take 395 South and get off at Exit 8A-Pentagon South Parking. Take slight right onto S. Rotary Rd. at end of ramp and right on S. Fern St. Then take left onto Army Navy Dr. You can "pay to park" on Army Navy Dr.,  and there is meter parking one block on right on Eads St. Payment for both of these spots begin at 8 AM.  No cameras are allowed on Pentagon grounds. Restrooms are located inside Marriott Residence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr. 

11] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Friday fr6m 10 AM to noon on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community, or online at www.weaa.org.   The call-in number is 410-319-8888, and comments can also be sent by email to steinershow@gmail.com. All shows are also available as podcasts at www.steinershow.org.

12] – Strengthening U.S-Arab Cyber Security Policy Cooperation is the topic at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, on Mon., Dec. 5 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Cyber threats are on the rise in the Middle East, ranging from electronic vandalism or financial crimes to sabotage and virtual acts of war. Governments and businesses in the Middle East have suffered damaging attacks. State actors and hacker collectives in the region are also believed to be targeting the U.S. military, civilian government agencies, and private sector systems. What systemic problems will the United States and Arab states confront in the next few years? Are there gaps in national policy or in the collaboration between governments and the private sector that render the United States vulnerable? What is the state of the U.S.-Arab dialogue within these global issues, and how can Washington and its Arab partners coordinate better? The Middle East Institute is pleased to host industry and policy experts for a program examining Middle Eastern cyber threat trends and developments affecting national security, essential services, and the economy. Register now to hear the analysis and recommendations of these leaders in the field.  See http://www.mei.edu/events/strengthening-us-arab-cyber-security-policy-cooperation-0.

13] --There is a food worker justice panel on Mon., Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the International Brotherhood of the Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Ave. NW, WDC 20001.  The event is co-organized by the International Labor Rights Forum and Food Chain Workers Alliance (FCWA). The event marks the D.C. launch of the FCWA report, No Piece of the Pie: U.S. Food Workers in 2016, which documents how the food sector is one of the largest employers in the United States, but also has some of the worst wages and working conditions. Go to https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTE5OTE=.

14] – The D.C. Food Policy Council & The Food Chain Workers Alliance Stakeholders Meeting is taking place at the Shaw Library, 1630 7th St. NW, WDC, on Mon., Dec. 5 at 6 PM.  What does food procurement policy that is sustainable for the environment, workers, and consumers look like in D.C.? Join Jeremiah Lowery for a stakeholders meeting to discuss creating a good food purchasing program in Washington, D.C. To RSVP, email jeremiahalowery@gmail.com.

15] – This year more votes were cast in Baltimore City for Green Party candidates than in any previous year. In the month since Election Day the steering committee has heard from well over 100 people about what the next steps are in order to continue and build on the momentum. On Mon., Dec. 5 at 7 PM, engage in the third post-election meeting and get to work on some of the great proposals at 1041 W. Baltimore St. RSVP at http://www.baltimoregp.org/dec_5th_meeting_and_work_session?

16] –   Ron Tanner will discuss his book “Missile Paradise” on Mon., Dec. 5 at 7:30 PM at Bird in Hand at 11 East 33rd St., Baltimore 21218. In the Marshall Islands, an island nation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that was once a testing ground for nuclear bombs, American engineers and programmers are making and testing missiles while their "hosts," the indigenous Marshallese, sweep their streets and clean their houses. It's 2004, the Iraq war is heating up, and 9/11 is fresh in everyone's minds. Following four interconnected story lines - the meltdown of a burned-out cultural liaison who has "gone native" and bitterly resents his role in keeping the Marshallese down; a young programmer who has lost his leg in a reckless solo sailing journey; the struggles of a young widow with two children, whose husband drowned in a mysterious diving accident; and the destructive spiral of a Marshallese teenager whose American girlfriend rejects him when she returns to the States. “Missile Paradise” is an epic, heartbreaking and satirical novel about the clash of cultures between the Yanks trying to realize their American Dream in this seeming paradise, and the Marshallese who are both angered and bedazzled by that dream. Tanner teaches writing at Loyola University Maryland and directs the Marshall Islands Story Project.  Call 410-243-0757. Go to Project. http://www.theivybookshop.com/upcomingevent/2708.

17] – You invited to the annual Common Cause Blueprint for a Great Democracy Conference, where top advocates, staff and activists in the democracy reform space strategize and plan for the year ahead. The event is free for un/underemployed activists and students, and $15 for others (to cover food costs). Some small travel scholarships are available. It will take place on Tues., Dec. 6 from 8:30 AM to 5 PM at Blackburn Center, Howard University, 2397 6th St. NW, WDC 20059.  Go to http://act.commoncause.org/site/Calendar?id=104685&view=Detail.  Get tickets at https://secure2.convio.net/comcau/site/Ticketing;jsessionid=60494AEF03E5A567DD70680340ABEF9C.app260a?view=Tickets&id=104685.

18] – 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 Dec. 6.  Call 215-426-0364.

19] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. join this ongoing vigil on Dec. 6  from 5:30 to 6:30  PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.

20] – There will be a Panel & Reception at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 25 Louisiana Ave. NW, WDC, on Tues., Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Join Food Workers Organizing for Justice in the US and Globally for the D.C. release of their report No Piece of the Pie: U.S. Food Workers in 2016. There will be a panel of food workers based in the U.S. and globally discussing their campaigns for justice. There will also be light food and drinks. This great opportunity to meet food workers, food justice advocates and supporters.  Go to https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTE5OTE=.

21] – Catch a screening of “Warrior: The Life of Leonard Peltier” at the George Washington University Amphitheater, Cloyd Heck Marvin Center, 3rd Floor, 800 21st St. NW, WDC, on Tues., Dec. 6 at 6 PM.  This is the definitive feature documentary about American Indian activist, Leonard Peltier. His story is told within the context of the American Indian Movement, the US federal government, and the multinational companies interested in mining the land in South Dakota. It is produced and directed by Suzie Baer (1992) who will be present for a Q& A. To understand Peltier’s story, the film goes back to the violent confrontations at Pine Ridge and Wounded Knee in the 70s, and then to today’s Indian reservations where the government’s plans for uranium mining and waste dumping are still being heatedly resisted by Indian activists. The heart of the film, though, is a detailed painstaking account of Peltier’s harrowing odyssey through the American justice system.”

22] --  Join New York Times columnist Roger Cohen and J Street's Alan Elsner on Tues., Dec. 6 at 7 PM at Temple Oheb Shalom, 7310 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21208. What do the election results mean for those who want to achieve peace in the Middle East?  Go to http://act.jstreet.org/signup/cohenbaltimore2016/?akid=5316.10478.xRnahH&rd=1&t=1.  Email Jessica Simon at jessicas@jstreet.org.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-323-1607; 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