Baltimore Activist Alert April 9 - 11, 2017

Baltimore Activist Alert April 9 - 11, 2017

"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] “The Diversity of Islam” – Apr. 9

6] Build for climate march – Apr. 9

7] SURJ DC Queer Working Group Kickoff - Apr. 9

8] DSA meeting – Apr. 9

9] Paul Baker Hernandez concert – Apr. 9

10] Teach-in on Islamophobia – Apr. 9

11] Pentagon Vigil – Apr. 10

12] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Apr. 10 – Apr. 14

13] Islamophobia and Allyship -- Apr. 10

14] Film “When Two Worlds Collide” – Apr. 10

15] Silenced No More -- Apr. 10

16] Showcase Refugees’ Impact Through Music – Apr. 10

17] Get Money Out of Maryland conference call – Apr. 10

18] Demand Peace Talks at the Yemeni Embassy -- Apr. 11

19] Pre-Tax-Day Rally – Apr. 11

20] Philly peace vigil - Apr. 11

21] Stop JHU’s drone research -- Apr. 11

22] Markets and Food Technology Will Save the World -- Apr. 11

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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., Apr. 9, the Sunday Platform Address is “The Diversity of Islam” by Hugh Taft-Morales. As intolerant political ideologues whip up anti-Islam hysteria, one lesson we can all teach the world is that Islam is incredibly diverse. Targeting nearly a quarter of the human race – 1.6 billion people – for harassment violates ethical standards and makes the world less safe. Let’s stand up to ignorance and fear. Hugh Taft-Morales, who admits that he has a lot to learn, urges all of us to join him in exploring the rich world of Islam at this time of rising bigotry. He joined the Baltimore Ethical Society as its professional leader in 2010, the same year he was certified by the American Ethical Union as an Ethical Culture Leader. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org. 

6] – For the People's Climate March, Get the Word Out at the 350.org DC office, 1 St. Matthew's Ct. NW, WDC, on Sun., Apr. 9 from 11 AM to 2 PM.  The second People's Climate March is taking place on April 29, which will bring hundreds of thousands of people from across the U.S. to Washington to demand action on the climate crisis and its injustices. Join 350 DC and local climate and environmental activists to cover the city in signs, flyers, and posters to bring visibility to the march. Meet at the 350.orgDC office to get supplies and split into teams to get the word out. The Peoples Climate Movement is a project of over 500 partner organizations working together to solve the climate crisis and address the growing pollution of our air and water, while also assuring the creation of good jobs in our communities. Visit https://peoplesclimate.org/. Connect at https://www.facebook.com/events/1661593464142743/.

7] – SURJ DC Queer Working Group Kickoff will take place at the Washington Ethical Society, 7750 16th St. NW, WDC, on Sun., Apr.  9 from 3 to 6 PM.  Do you identify as LGBTQIA+? Are you a White person interested in resisting racism and other forms of oppression? Come to the kickoff meeting of SURJ-DC’s new Queer Working Group! RSVP here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelJ7lR8OnRLROcIb0JQs_Sq3sh1aIHO1YxV9mnthLmxw0DKA/viewform.

SURJ-DC is a chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1840970702781495/.

8] -- The DC Democratic Socialists of America General Membership Meeting will be at the Friends Meeting House of Washington, 2111 Florida Ave. NW, WDC, on Sun., Apr. 9 from 3:30 to 5 PM.  The nearest Metro is at Dupont Circle.  When you get off at Dupont Circle, take the Q Street exit.  Connecticut Ave. is within sight. Walk north (uphill) on Connecticut Ave. approximately two and a half blocks to Florida Avenue; turn left on Florida and walk approximately half a block to the Meetinghouse on the right. Go to http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a4faeaa2eabfa7-dcdsaapril.

DSA will be holding a Goods Drive to benefit the homeless in the community. DSA is asking members to contribute to this drive by bringing one or more of the following items to the meeting: hygiene products (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, combs, feminine hygiene products, etc.)  Also wanted are bedding (Twin-size bed spreads, blankets, pillow cases, laundry detergent), clothing – Khakis, dress shoes, socks, dress shirts, dresses, new undershirts, new underwear, socks. These items will be gathered, organized and delivered to local shelters.

9] – Paul Baker Hernandez, “hermit turned troubadour” from Nicaragua, is again touring the US and will visit Baltimore on Sun. Apr. 9 at 7 PM at ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, 2640 ST. PAUL ST., SUNDAY ROOM (enter on 27th Street), BALTIMORE 21218.  With his lovely voice and guitar accompaniment, Paul will perform his own compositions as well as other freedom songs from the Americas in Spanish and English.  He’ll also briefly discuss his projects in Nicaragua – (1) Nags, Nippers, and Mother Earth and (2) Windy Day.  Local talent is welcome to come and share a song or two, or a poem or other offering related to peace and justice.  If you’d like to share something, contact Barbara Larcom in advance by email, Barbara.Larcom@gmail.com, or by phone, 410-444-1023.  The event is FREE, but a hat will be passed for FREEWILL DONATIONS to support Paul’s travel and his projects in Nicaragua.  LIGHT REFRESHMENTS will be SERVED. Go to http://paulbaker2004.wixsite.com/singoutstrong.

10] – Get over to a Teach-in on Islamophobia: What is it and what can we do about it? It is happening on Sun., Apr. 9 from 3 to 5 PM at the Piney Branch Elementary School, 7510 Maple Ave., Takoma Park 20912.  The speakers are Dr. Maha Hilal, Organizer, Witness Against Torture; Ms. Ramah Kudaimi, board member, Washington Peace Center; and Ms. Sue Udry, Executive Director, Defending Rights & Dissent, Co-founder, Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition. A free ticket is required for entrance. Get your free ticket at http://goo.gl/rgBY2Z Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1039728129466436/.

11] – 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 Apr. 10, 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. 

Speak Truth to Power: Stand with Yemen at the Pentagon Metro stop, Alexandria, VA, on Mon., Apr. 10 at 7 AM.  Peacemakers are fasting for a week at the Isaiah Wall at the United Nations in New York to raise a cry against the bombing and starving of the children of Yemen.  Code Pink and others in DC are supporting the fast by rallying at the Pentagon as employees arrive to work, to demand a return to negotiated peace talks and a stop to air strikes and blockades of food and humanitarian aid in Yemen. Contact Paki Wieland at (413) 695-1877 or pakiwieland@gmail.com.

12] – 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.

13] – Islamophobia and Allyship is a training for non-Muslims by DC-JMC at St. Stephen's Church, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, on Mon., Apr. 10 from 7 to 9 PM.  From the Muslim Ban and the War on Terror to airports and Hollywood films, Islamophobia is deeply embedded in U.S. policies, institutions, and rhetoric. What can non-Muslims do about it?  In this interactive training, participants will discuss solidarity, allyship, and how to show up for Muslim communities by condemning all forms of Islamophobic violence. The training is hosted by the DC Justice for Muslims Coalition (DCJMC), which works to combat institutional and structural Islamophobia in the D.C. metro area through education, grassroots organizing, advocacy, and policy change. See https://www.facebook.com/events/208472236306251/.

14] – University of Maryland’s Beyond the Classroom, 1102 South Campus Commons, Building 1, 4250 Lehigh Road, College Park, on Mon., Apr. 10 from 7 to 9 PM, as part of the Spring 2017 Series on "People Power: Activism for Social Change," presents a documentary “When Two Worlds Collide” (Peru, 2016).  In this tense and immersive tour de force, audiences are taken directly into the line of fire between powerful, opposing Peruvian leaders who will stop at nothing to keep their respective goals intact. On the one side is President Alan Garcia, who, eager to enter the world stage, begins aggressively extracting oil, minerals, and gas from untouched indigenous Amazonian land. He is quickly met with fierce opposition from indigenous leader Alberto Pizango, whose impassioned speeches against Garcia’s destructive actions prove a powerful rallying cry to throngs of his supporters. When Garcia continues to ignore their pleas, a tense war of words erupts into deadly violence.

Filmmakers Heidi Brandenburg and Mathew Orzel capture all angles of a volatile political and environmental crisis with breathtaking access and bold, unflinching camera work. From the raucous halls of justice to deep in the heart of the Amazon jungle, When Two Worlds Collide exposes a titanic clash between a president hungry for economic legitimacy and an outspoken environmentalist desperate to protect an ancient land from ruin.  RSPV at https://www.facebook.com/events/229979594128502/.

15] – Silenced No More: Michael Bennett will speak on Activism and Pro Sports at Busboys and Poets, 14th and V Sts., 2021 14th St. NW, WDC, on Mon., Apr. 10 from 7 to 9 PM, hosted by the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies-Georgetown University, Arab Studies Institute, Students for Justice in Palestine-George Washington University, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Samar and William Langhorne, and Andy Shallal.  Bennet, Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman, has been a leading and critical voice on social justice in the NFL. He collaborates closely with the Black Lives Matter in Seattle, works in children’s schools in Honolulu, recently announced he will donate all of his endorsement proceeds to build inner-city gardens and help rebuild minority communities through S.T.E.M programs. In late February 2017, he made headlines globally when he pulled out of a NFL junket to Israel stating that he did not want to be used but wanted to witness the conditions on the ground for himself. He will be joined by Noura Erakat and Dave Zirin.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1829091874081649/.

16] – Refugee Orchestra Project & Gourmet Symphony Showcase Refugees’ Impact Through Music at the Fillmore Silver Spring, 8656 Colesville Road, Silver Spring 20910, on Mon., Apr. 10 at 7:30 PM. Yankovskaya and instrumentalists whose friends and families have fled to the U.S. to escape violence and persecution will perform a special concert. The performance will feature a full symphony orchestra and soloists - including award-winning soprano Zhanna Alkhazova - performing works by refugee composers such as Iranian composer Gity Razaz, Bela Bartok, and Irving Berlin, as well as music that involves refugee themes written by Verdi and Puccini, among others. The concert will showcase, through music, the positive impact those who have come to this country seeking safety and a better life have had on U.S. culture and society. Contact Rachel Adler-Golden at 857-636-8324 or refugeeorchestraproject@gmail.com. Visit http://www.gourmetsymphony.org/events/.

17] – 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/.

18] – Demand Peace Talks at the Yemeni Embassy, 2319 Wyoming Ave. NW, WDC, on Tues., Apr. 11 at noon.  Peacemakers are fasting for a week at the Isaiah Wall at the United Nations in New York to raise a cry against the bombing and starving of the children of Yemen.  See http://vcnv.org/2017/03/14/yemenis-endure-worlds-largest-rapidly-worsening.  Code Pink and others in D.C. are supporting the fast by rallying at the Yemeni Embassy to demand a return to peace talks and a stop to bombings and blockades of food and humanitarian aid.  Contact Paki Wieland at (413) 695-1877 or pakiwieland@gmail.com.

19] –On Tues., Apr. 11 from noon to 1 PM, come to a Pre-Tax-Day Rally hosted by Baltimore Resist Trump Tuesdays at 100 S. Charles St., Baltimore 21201-2701. Gather outside Senator Cardin's office on the 82nd day of Trump's presidency to gear up for the national Tax March on the 15th! Expect local speakers, vibrant chanting, art and energy -also a community open mic. The election may be over, but the question remains: What is Donald Trump hiding in his tax returns? Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1292320620804845/?active_tab=about.

20] –  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 Apr. 11.  Call 215-426-0364.

21] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. join this ongoing vigil on Apr. 11  from 5:30  to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.

22] –  The RIDINGTON LECTURE: "Seeds of Disruption: How Markets and Food Technology Will Save the World" will be done by Bruce Friedrich, executive director of The Good Food Institute, on Tues., Apr. 11 at 7 PM in the  McDaniel Lounge, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157.  He will discuss the future of food and agriculture, and promote animal protein alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs.  These alternatives are gaining popularity and how these products, which are cleaner, safer and more sustainable, will change how the world eats. Call 410-857-2290.

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