Baltimore Activist Alert - February 13 - February 17, 2017

12] The 13th Amendment Tour -- Feb. 13

13] Ban Fracking Lobby Night – Feb. 13

14] Global Education Forum – Feb. 13

15] Hands Off D.C. -- Feb. 13

16] Screening of “Syrian Love Story” -- Feb. 13

17] Screening of “A Revolution in Four Seasons” – Feb. 13

18] Get Money Out of Maryland – Feb. 13

19] Peace vigil in Philadelphia – Feb. 14

20] Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" – Feb. 14

21] The Vagina Monologues -- Feb. 14

22] Protest Trump’s Muslim Ban – Feb. 15

23] Resist the Trump-Bibi Alliance – Feb. 15

24] Dialogue with Linda Rabben -- Feb. 15

25] Effective Advocacy in Today's DC – Feb. 16

26] Peace and protection in Colombia – Feb. 16

27] African-American Test-Case of U.S. Democracy -- Feb. 16

28] Study Tour to Honduras and Nicaragua – Feb. 17 - 26

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12] – The 13th Amendment Tour, hosted by The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, 1601 E North Ave., Baltimore 21213, is on Mon., Feb. 13 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Contact Thom Saunders at 410-728-3837 or Renaissance 2222@cs.com.  Join Renaissance Productions and Tours, Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum, and the Blacks in Wax Museum for a special interactive and multi-media tour to answer the question, “Has slavery ever ended in America?”, and explore the past and present day ramifications of the 13th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. The tour includes a guided tour of the National Great in Wax Museum where visitors will explore exhibits surrounding the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the ensuing backlash associated with its passage. There will be a performance of a reenactment of Frederick Douglass’ role in the passing of the 13-th Amendment. See a screening at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park and Museum of the documentary, 13th, by director Ava DuVernay, which analyzes the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1228285613875463/.

13] – Join the Ban Fracking lobby night on Mon., Feb. 13.  There will be a carpool leaving from the Food & Water Watch office at 3:15 PM.  Call 978-835-6230.  Don’t Frack Maryland Lobby Night will be from 5 to 8 PM in the Miller Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen St., Annapolis 21401.  RSVP at http://act.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=121238&autologin=true.  Contact Thomas Meyer at tmeyer@fwwatch.org.

14] –There is a Global Education Forum: Conflict, Justice, and Education at the Spring Valley Building at American University, 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, on Mon., Feb. 13 from 5 to 7 PM, The Forum is a dialogue amongst students, educators and practitioners to identify current issues in international education and consider how best to impart global concerns and cultural perspectives to students who will choose to work locally in NGOs, in the field, or in the classroom at home and abroad. This event is hosted by the International Training and Education Program at American University’s School of Education. Go to www.american.edu/itepgef. Registration is free and open to the community.

15] – Stand up and tell Congress #HandsOffDC.   The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, under the leadership of Rep. Jason Chaffetz, has decided to meddle in D.C.'s local affairs more than ever before. The Committee will be voting to overturn a law passed by the Council and signed by the Mayor on Mon., Feb. 13 at 5:30 PM. Join a rally on Mon., Feb. 13 to tell Rep. Chaffetz and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to keep their #HandsOffDC as they vote to override the will of D.C. residents!  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1463018880415366/.  Gather at 5 PM at Lower D Park [Spirit of Justice Park] near South Capitol St. and C St. SW, and then continue on to the #HandsOffDC organizing meeting at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St. NE at 6:30 PM.

16] -- There is a film screening of “Syrian Love Story” and fundraiser at the German Cultural Center, 1990 K St. NW, #3. WDC, on Mon., Feb. 13 from 7 to 10 PM. Join Syrian Relief and see an award-winning film by Director Sean McAllister that tells the story of Amer and Raghda who met as political prisoners and communicated through a hole in their adjacent cells. The film spans from how they fell in love to the challenges they have faced in seeking freedom for themselves and their beloved homeland. The event entry fee will be used solely for humanitarian aid in Syria.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1199863766777347/.

17] – Beyond the Classroom presents “A Revolution in Four Seasons” at 1102 South Campus Commons, Building 1, 4250 Lehigh Rd., College Park, on Mon., Feb. 13 from 7 to 9 PM. This award-winning documentary is about two politically-opposed young women who fight to shape their lives along with the political future of Tunisia, the sole country to emerge from the Arab Spring uprisings as a functional democracy. In December of 2010, Tunisian street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi lit himself on fire in protest of government corruption and poor living conditions. This act was a catalyst for the Arab Spring; the people united in an unprecedented peaceful revolt against Dictator Ben Ali, forcing him to flee the country. Tunisians who had never known democracy were then left with the question of what democracy in their country could mean. A REVOLUTION IN FOUR SEASONS seeks to answer that question from the perspective of two young women who persevere and blossom alongside their country. This four-year evolution is loosely characterized by four seasons: 2011 is the Summer of hope, 2012 the Autumn of work, 2013, the Winter of despair and 2014, the Spring of democracy. RSPV at https://www.facebook.com/events/1199908720105623/.

18] – Get Money Out of Maryland has a weekly teleconference, every Monday evening at 8:30 PM.  Call 605-475-6711, and use the Code 1136243#.  Go to http://www.getmoneyoutmd.org/.

19] – 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 Feb. 14.  Call 215-426-0364.

20] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. join this ongoing vigil on Feb. 14  from 5 to 6 PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.

21] – On Tues., Feb. 14 at 8 PM at the Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore 21224, the award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues, based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women, will be performed. With humor and grace, the piece celebrates women's sexuality and strength. Through this play and the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. This event benefits House of Ruth Maryland and Power Inside, as well as the global V-Day organization. The cost is $18, or $15 for members.  Note that there is an extra charge of $3 at the door. Go to http://www.creativealliance.org/. 

22] –   Protest Trump’s Muslim Ban at a Rally and Speak-Out in the CCBC Essex Quad (Middle Campus) at noon on Wed., Feb. 15. It is sponsored by Students for Economic and Social Justice. Contact Les Bayless at 443-621-9747 or leslocal7@yahoo.com.

23] – We Will Tear Down Their Walls: Resist the Trump-Bibi Alliance on Wed., Feb. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., WDC. On this day, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu will meet at the White House to solidify their unholy alliance. After they meet, join Ifnotnow DC in the streets to make it clear that the #JewishResistance stands against their alliance as much as their efforts to deny freedom and dignity to all. Join Ifnotnow DC for this event.  RSPV. At https://www.facebook.com/events/580798088782577/.

24] –   A Dialogue with Linda Rabben is happening at Bird in Hand, 11 E. 33^rd St. Baltimore, on Wed., Feb. 15 at 7:30 PM. The activist and educator present a talk on her book about the history of sanctuary and modern asylum policies across the globe. She is currently the associate research professor at the University of Maryland's Anthropology Department. Go to birdinhandcharlesvillage.com.

25] -- Effective Advocacy in Today's DC will happen at the DC Housing Finance Agency, 815 Florida Ave. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Feb. 16 from noon to 2 PM.  With local budget advocacy season fast approaching, and particularly given the new federal political landscape, the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development offers a timely and compelling February monthly meeting on Advocacy. Hear from a guest speaker, Dr. Patrick Griffin, academic director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University, as he shares ways in which District residents and organizations can successfully advocate for progressive priorities.  A light lunch will be provided for those who RSPV at https://www.cnhed.org/news-events/monthly-meetings/february-monthly-meeting-effective-advocacy-in-todays-district-of-columbia/.

26] – Amazon Watch invites you to a "Green Bag" presentation Colombia's Prospects for Peace and Protection in the Trump Era, a discussion with Lisa Haugaard, Sebastian Bernal, and Caitrin McKee, on Thurs., Feb. 16 from 12:30 to 2 PM in the Amazon Watch / CIEL Conference Room, 1350 Connecticut Ave. NW, #1100, (above Cosi, Dupont Circle South), WDC.  A peace deal between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrillas was signed late last year, and implementation is already underway. But political and logistical roadblocks have already arisen – not to mention a shocking increase in the number of assassinations of human rights defenders and community leaders. And negotiations with the ELN guerrillas have just begun. Lisa, Executive Director of the Latin America Working Group, Sebastian, WOLA Colombia, and Caitrin, U.S. Advocacy Officer at Peace Brigades International Colombia, will discuss the progress and pitfalls to peace and human rights protection, and what the Trump administration's public skepticism about the peace deal and U.S. financing for it mean for the peace deal and prospects for U.S.-based advocacy.

27] – Come to the Black History Month presentation at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, 430 E. Belvedere Ave., Baltimore 21212, on Thurs., Feb. 16 from 7 to 9 PM with "pre-event" activities at 5:30 PM.  Enjoy dinner for $10 and observe exhibits, and make a free will offering. Hear from James Early, a board member of the Institute for policy Studies; and Estevan Bassett-Nembhard, a New York State organizer for the Communist Party USA.  The theme is African-American Test-Case of U.S. Democracy. Finally, enjoy a dance performance by Latiesha Melvin.   Email md@cpusa.org.

28] – On Behalf Of Alliance for Global Justice, join a Study Tour to Honduras and Nicaragua from Fri., Feb 17 through Mon., Feb. 26. The purpose of the delegation is to highlight the need for our solidarity on behalf of the people of both countries. The $1,000 cost includes all travel except international airfare, all meals, housing (double occupancy), translation, and program. For an application, send an email to Delegations@AFGJ.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