Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Baltimore Activist Alert - May 30 - June 2, 2017

16] Anti-Corruption Door Knocking – May 30
17] The Syriza Wave– May 31
18] Letter writing night – May 31
19] FCNL webinar – May 31
20] Uniting African people – May 31
21] “Principles of a Pluralist Commonwealth”- June 1
22] John McCutcheon at the Creative Alliance – June 1
23] Peace vigil at White House – June 2
24] WIB peace vigil – June 2
25] Film NO GOD, NO MASTER – June 2   
-----
16] – Get over to the Anti-Corruption Door Knocking: Baltimore District 13 on Tues., May 30 from 5 to 8 PM at Canèla, corner of Lombard and S. Ann Sts. Build grass roots support for an Anti-Corruption Resolution in Baltimore, based on the American Anti-Corruption Act! Help gather support in District 13 to encourage Councilwoman Sneed to vote in favor of the resolution. Gather signatures from District 13 residents and get some new volunteers too! Bring: walking shoes and a smile, and don't wear clothing with obvious corporate images (Coke, Disney, etc.). Plain colors are best. You will get a brief training at the beginning, so even if you are a complete novice, you are welcome! Go to https://www.facebook.com/RepresentMaryland/.

17] – On Wed., May 31 from 6:30 PM at Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, WDC. Helena Sheehan, author of the important new book “The Syriza Wave: Surging and Crashing with the Greek Left” will speak. Beginning as a strong Syriza supporter, Sheehan sees Syriza transformed from a horizon of hope to a vortex of despair. But out of the dust of defeat, she draws questions radiating optimism. Just how did what was possibly the most intelligent, effective instrument of the Greek left self-destruct? And what are the consequences for the Greek people, for the international left, for all of us driven to work for a better world? The book is a page-turning blend of political reportage, personal reflection, and astute analysis.  Sheehan is Professor Emerita at Dublin City University, where she taught history of ideas and media studies.

She will be introduced by Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK and author of “Kingdom of the Unjust: Behind the US-Saudi Connection.”  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1501730306505755.

18] – Get over to the Letter Writing Night - Recent Political Prisoners at The Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Rd. NW, WDC, on Wed., May 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, hosted by DC Stampede.  While resistance takes root in new communities, activists on the front lines are also facing more repression.  This month's letter writing night will focus on newer political prisoners, like water protectors Red Fawn and Krow, Occupy activists, the Cleveland 4 and animal liberationists Nicole and Joseph.  Organizers will provide a quick how-to on writing to prisoners, materials, and good company. Visit https://www.facebook.com/dcstampede/.

19] – Join Executive Secretary Diane Randall to celebrate the dedication of Friends Committee on National Legislation’s network as it enters the final month of its capital campaign, The World We Seek: Now is the Time. Join a webinar to learn more about how this campaign has already strengthened FCNL and opportunities for you to be part of these efforts. The Webinar is on Wed., May 31 at 8 PM EST. RSVP at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5252842417305131009. Contact Andrew Silva at Andrew@fcnl.org or 202-903-2526.

20] – One Community: Uniting African People Throughout the Diaspora will take place at the Thurgood Marshall Center Trust Inc., 1816 12th St. NW, WDC, on Wed., May 31 from 7 to 9 PM, hosted by the National Black United Front. Bring the African Diaspora so we can begin to break down barriers brought about through colonialism and white supremacy amongst people of African Heritage. A panelist will present initiatives that she or he is working on and offer the opportunity for you to get involved.  Kick off a yearlong effort of collaborating time, energy and resources to gain more strides toward self-determination for African people in the DMV. Go to www.nationalblackunitedfront.org or email blackunitedfront@gmail.com or call 347-422-7823.

21] – “Principles of a Pluralist Commonwealth”- a Book Talk by Gar Alperovitz will take place at Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St. NW, WDC, on Thurs., June 1 from 7 to 9 PM, hosted by Busboys and Democracy Collaborative.  In this time of deepening political, economic, and ecological crisis, it’s more important than ever to not only resist the current political threats, but also build a new system—the world we hope to live in. Alperovitz, co-founder of the Democracy Collaborative, co-chair of the Next System Project, and former Lionel Bauman Professor of Political Economy at the University of Maryland, sees our dark times as the potential prehistory of a period of fundamental and transformative systemic change. The book is designed as a small, easy to use handbook with short entries on the key elements of a next system, and is packed with concrete and hopeful examples of what can be done locally to build a new truly democratic political economy from the ground up.

In response to the swell of organizing that has taken place in recent months, the book will be released online for free to make it available for use by the greatest number of activists, organizers, and practitioners working at the grassroots level. However, limited-edition print copies of the book will be available at the Busboys and Poets launch event and at other resistance gatherings throughout 2017. Introducing Gar will be Robert Borosage, the founder and president of the Institute for America’s Future and co-director of its sister organization, the Campaign for America’s Future.  Go to http://www.busboysandpoets.com.

22] – On Thurs., June 1 at 7:30 PM, enjoy an Evening with John McCutcheon at the Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore 21224.  Go to info@creativealliance.org or call 410/276-1651. "He has an uncanny ability to breathe new life into the familiar. His storytelling has the richness of fine literature." — Washington Post John McCutcheon has emerged as one of the most respected and beloved folksingers in America, and his songwriting has been hailed by critics and singers around the globe. As an instrumentalist, he is a master of a dozen different traditional instruments, most notably the rare and beautiful hammer dulcimer. Tickets are $25, and $22 for members.

23] – On Fri., June 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. 

24] – On Fri., June 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. 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. Just send an email that you need a ride [mailto:wibbaltimore@peacepath911.org].  Peace signs will be available. 

25] -- The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee 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 5 PM Black Lives Matter vigil, there will be a potluck dinner. At 7:15 PM, on June 2, a DVD of NO GOD, NO MASTER will be shown with a discussion to follow.  There is no charge, and refreshments will be available.  

NO GOD, NO MASTER is a 2012 USA independent crime suspense thriller directed, written, and produced by Terry Green. The film stars David Strathairn, Ray Wise, Sam Witwer, Alessandro Mario and Edoardo Ballerini. It was filmed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The story includes references to the 1914 Ludlow Massacre as well as depictions of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial and the 1920 Wall Street bombing.  When a series of package bombs show up on the doorsteps of prominent politicians and businessmen in the summer of 1919, U.S. Bureau of Investigation Agent William Flynn (Strathairn) is assigned the task of finding those responsible. He becomes immersed in an investigation that uncovers an anarchist plot. Based on true events of the 1920s, the film sets the stage for a timely drama with resoundingly similar parallels to the contemporary war on terrorism and the role government plays to defeat it. Call 410-323-1607 or email mobuszewski [at] verizon.net for further information.   

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


No comments: