Baltimore Activist Alert - May 5 - 6, 2017

36] Vigil for Oscar – May 5

37] Support the Nurses – May 5

38] Metro employees protest – May 5

39] Peace vigil at White House – May 5

40] WIB peace vigil – May 5

41] Maryland Film Festival panel discussions – May 5

42] Black Lives matter vigil – May 5

43] Mother Earth Poetry Vibe -- May 5

44] Youth reflection on social justice – May 5

45] Film “No God No Master” – May 5

46] Ballroom Dancing -- May 5

47] Women's March DC's Power in Unity Conference - May 6

48] Resourcing our Resistance – May 6

49] West Chester peace vigil – May 6

50] Grassroots Workshop on the Comprehensive Plan – May 6

51] DSA Socialist Feminism Committee Meeting – May 6

52] Stand with Immigrants – May 6

53] Values and Social Change – May 6

54] Vigil for Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers – May 6

55] Support the Wheeler family who lost their home in a fire

56] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

57] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

58] Do you need any book shelves?

59] Join the Global Zero campaign

60] Join the Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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36] -- Vigil for Oscar: Stand in Solidarity at 2675 Prosperity Ave., Fairfax, VA 20598-5216 on Fri., May 5 from 9 AM to noon, hosted by CASA.  Connect at https://www.facebook.com/events/1518771691467508/. Stand in solidarity as, Oscar, a friend, coworker, leader, and father of two goes in for his ICE check-in. Meet outside the Fairfax ICE office.

37] – On Fri., May 5 from 11 AM to 4 PM, attend a rally to support H.R. 1602, Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act, and S. 864, National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act. The proposed bills would establish federally mandated requirements for nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in acute care hospitals. This would regulate the maximum number of patients nurses would be allowed to care for during a given shift. Nursing assignments would not be allowed to exceed the proposed ratio. Legislation which inherently has patient and nurse safety at the forefront.

The event will take place in front of Capitol Hill, First St. SW, between Constitution Ave. NW and Pennsylvania Ave. SW, permit area 1, Attendees will include nurses, health care providers, representatives from professional organizations and the general public. Suggested attire for attendees includes Rally shirt and your stethoscope! Connect at https://www.facebook.com/events/1803834993239282/.

38] – Metro Employees will Protest Requirement to Call out Sick 72 Hours in Advance at the Western Bus Garage, 5230 Wisconsin Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., May 5 from 11 AM to noon. Metro’s largest union has announced that WMATA employees, doctors, riders, and advocates will gather to protest the transit agency’s excused absence policy. The regulation requires employees to call in to work 72 hours ahead of the time they anticipate being sick.  Visit http://dcist.com/2017/04/protest_sick_leave.php.

39] – On Fri., May 5 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. 

40] – On Fri., May 5 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. 

41] – The Maryland Film Festival is excited to host free panel discussions at Red Emma’s for the 2017 festival, located at 30 W. North Avenue, near the Parkway and Tent Village. Discussions will take place from Fri., May 5 through Sun., May 7 from 12 to 3PM. Panelists include MDFF filmmakers and local Baltimore activists, artists and curators. Panels are free and open to the public. To learn more about panelists and topics, visit http://mdfilmfest.com/panels.

42] – There is usually a silent vigil on Fridays, from 5 to 6 PM, sponsored by Homewood Friends Meeting, outside the Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St.  The next scheduled vigil is on Apr. 28. Black Lives Matter.  Enjoy a potluck dinner after the vigil.

43] -- On Fri., May 5 at 6:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, be a part of Mother Earth Poetry Vibe.  In the tradition of Emma Goldman’s Mother Earth magazine, come drop some progressive “fiyah” on us, or contribute just with your presence and energy!  By the way: it’s a non-erotic poetry, non-“love jones” type of venue, so we ask that you not go there. (And, almost needless to say, leave the misogyny, homophobia and other unnecessary ish outside!)  One performer is Sean Aliño, a poet and filmmaker born in the Philippines and raised in the United States. He writes about his experiences being a member of his family, a person of color, an immigrant, and queer, as well living life at those intersections. Holdin’ it down for the evening is Analysis—poet/spoken word artist, educator, minister, organizer, activist, consultant, and bookseller. Go to www.facebook.com/analysisthepoet. The MIC LIST OPENS AT 6 PM. Call 443-602-7585.  RSVP at http://www.redemmas.org.

44] – The Fairfax County NAACP invites youth and young adults to share their concerns about today's social justice issues and give their perspectives on how best to shape the future of the civil rights movement on Fri., May 5 from 6:30 to 8 PM at the Fairfax City Hall Annex, Council Chambers (Room 100), 10455 Armstrong St., Fairfax, VA 22030. See http://www.geotrees.com/ftp/FFX-NAACP-YouthYAForum-0505-2017.pdf.

45] – On Fri., May 5 at 7 PM, come to the Free First-Friday Film @ the Peace Center of Delaware County, 1001 Old Sproul Rd., Springfield, PA to see “No God No Master.” Based on true events, the film is a timely drama with resoundingly similar parallels to today's 'war on terrorism'. Hundreds of immigrants suspected of leftist ties were indeed deported in the period following World War I.

When a series of package bombs show up on the doorsteps of prominent politicians, industrialists, and bankers, in the summer of 1919, the U.S. Bureau of Investigation assigns Agent William Flynn the task of finding those responsible. Flynn (portrayed by Oscar nominated David Strathairn) becomes immersed in the investigation which ends up uncovering both an anarchist plot as well as the  infamous "Palmer Raids" on anarchists by Attorney General  A. Mitchell Palmer (“Freedom isn’t a right", he'd say, "it’s a commodity." This historical drama is written and directed by Terry Green, staring David Strathairn, Oscar nominee for “Good Night and Good Luck.”

The screening is co-sponsored by the Brandywine Peace Community. For directions to the Peace Center of Delaware County, visit www.delcopeacecenter.org or call 484-574-1148. Doors open at 6:30 PM for light refreshments.

46] – 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 May 5. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

47] -- Women's March DC's Power in Unity Conference will happen at 125 Michigan Ave. NE, WDC 20017, on Sat., May 6 from 8 AM to 5 PM.  This will take place at Trinity Washington University, 125 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20017. Registration is required: https://www.facebook.com/events/1902796809939490/. This all-day event focuses on reaching out to women in the metropolitan DC area who support the National Women's March organization and its advocacy efforts, including fair representation of DC residents in Congress and amplifying the voices of other national and local grassroots organizations as "boots on the ground" in our Nation's Capital. The agenda includes prominent keynote speakers in the morning and a choice of up to two workshops in the afternoon.  The conference fee + box lunch is $15.

48] – Go to Resourcing our Resistance, Nurturing our Connections at Crispus Attucks Park, Crispus Attucks Ct. NW, WDC, on Sat., May 6 from noon to 3:30 PM, hosted by DC TimeBank. This is the second Movement Makers Fair, a place to share and develop skills for resistance, self-determination, inspiration, and healing. Attendees will have the opportunity to propose and lead their own skillshare topics the day of the event during the Learning Marketplace. Help nurture individual and collective resistance for 2017 and beyond! Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/203649210135649/.

49] – 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.

50] – There is a Grassroots Workshop on the Comprehensive Plan on Sat., May 6 from noon until 4 PM at the Christ United Methodist Church, 900 4th St. SW, WDC.  RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/ourcityourplan. Help create amendments to the Comp Plan and submit them to the Office of Planning!  Go to https://plandc.dc.gov/.

51] – Consider going to the DC DSA Socialist Feminism Committee Meeting at the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave. NW, WDC, on Sat., May 6 from 12:30 to 2 PM.  Get updates about baby boxes and CPC campaigns, as well as Bowl-a-Thon fundraising for DCAF and their reading group? Connect at https://www.facebook.com/events/122872574938343/.

52] – DC Strong: A Citywide Meet-Up and Training to Stand with DC's Immigrant Communities is at DC JCC,  1529 16th St. NW, WDC, on Sat., May 6 from 4:30 to 7 PM. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-citywide-meet-up-training-to-stand-with-dcs-immigrant-communities-tickets-33863647080. The ACLU of the District of Columbia, People Power - Washington, DC, and Organizing for Action invite you to a community engagement event to stand in solidarity with DC's immigrant communities in resistance to the Administration's mass deportation agenda.

53] – On Sat., May 6 at 6 PM be a part of Circles of Voices-On Values and Social Change at the Impact Hub Baltimore. This session will focus on "Values" and their impact upon social change. You will take a close look at your personal values and those of our city. The upcoming CoV will give you an opportunity to more deeply chart your values. Bring a drink and/or bite to eat. #circlesofvoices

54] – Participate in an Advocacy and Vigil for Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers at Fairlington Presbyterian,  3846 King St., Alexandria, VA, on Sat., May 6 from 7 to 9 PM.  Connect on https://www.facebook.com/events/1275156999247200/?active_tab=about. From 6 to 7 PM, do sign-waving on King Street.  Close the night at approximately 8:30 PM with a candlelight vigil.  The event will be on the front lawn of Fairlington Presbyterian Church. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a candle (wax or battery) for the candlelight vigil.

55] – Activists Joyce and Tim Wheeler now live in Sequim, Washington, but their son, Morgan and his family have lived in the Wheeler’s Baltimore home, 816 Beaumont Avenue for some time.  Tragically, at 3 AM on February 4, the home was burned beyond recognition.  Morgan was able to get his family out, but the house and its contents are totally destroyed.  Morgan's daughter, Erin, has created a Go Fund Me page which you can access below.  Anything you are able to contribute to support Morgan and his family would be greatly appreciated. Go to https://www.gofundme.com/a7y7m-fire-leaves-family-with-nothing?ssid=904794688&pos=2.

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

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

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

59] -- 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.

60] – 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: 410-323-1607; 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