Baltimore Activist Alert October 29, 2017 to May 5, 2018

Baltimore Activist Alert October 29, 2017 to May 5, 2018

"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 mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.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] Think about Donald Trump? – Oct. 29, Nov. 12 & Dec. 6

6] One Black Transgender Woman – Oct. 29

7] Protest this murderous policy by the Burmese Government – Oct. 29

8] Lunch Patrol – Oct. 29

9] BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM -- Oct. 29

10] Protest at the Pentagon – Oct. 30

11] Protest child violence -- Oct. 30 – Nov. 5

12] Hear Erin Brockovich – Oct. 30

13] Women's Empowerment Workshop – Oct. 30

14] Foods to Help You Live Healthier – Oct. 30

15] Info on RAF grants – Oct. 30

16] Converse with a supporter of the Iran Deal – Oct. 30

17] Get Money Out of Maryland Teleconference -- Oct. 30

18] Symposium on Money Mechanics and Moral Economy -- Oct. 31

19] Peace vigil – Oct. 31

20] Protest drone research – Oct. 31

21] “Not a Crime to Be Poor” -- Oct. 31

22] Help deliver a Healthcare not Warfare petition – Nov. 6

23] Stop War on North Korea and End Nuclear Weapons – Nov. 11

24] Join SOA Watch -- Nov. 10 - 12

25] Protest ROTC -- Nov. 16

26] Conference on U.S. Foreign Military Bases -- Jan. 12 - Jan. 14, 2018

27] Catonsville Nine Commemoration – May 4 – 5, 2018

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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 2001 at comcast dot net. 

5] – On Sun., Oct. 29 at 9 AM, catch How (Much) To Think about Donald Trump? This will take place at Stony Run Friends Meeting, 5116 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21210.  Winter is approaching. The days grow shorter. It can also feel like a time of political darkness, one that can trigger dark feelings. How important it is to nurture and share the light! For both his supporters and opponents the president looms large in the news, and in our minds. It seems we cannot not think about him. But how to think about him is a daily question. Hold him in the Light, or take a stance of resistance? Follow political events closely, or detach? Discuss personal strategies for processing this presidency and leadings provided by common Quaker values. This is one of three conversations happening as well on Sun., Nov. 11, and Sun., Dec. 6. Call (443) 703-2590.

6] – 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., Oct. 29, the Sunday Platform is “The Ethics of Race and Gender as Experienced by One Black Transgender Woman.”  In this talk, Monica Yorkman will be sharing ways in which colonialism, white supremacy, misogyny, trans-misogyny, and other forms of unethical behaviors impact and inform unhealthy self-views of transgender women of color. Through sharing personal experience, she intends to draw a clearer picture of the unintended negative consequences created by liberal thought perceptions of black transwomen. Finally, she will talk about what ethics look like to a black transgender woman who grew up as an inner city child in a poor family.

Ms. Yorkman comes from a family of activists. Her mother, Doris Yorkman along with her best friend Gussie Tweedy were instrumental setting examples for her as far back as the 60’s when they started voter’s registration drives in their neighborhood. Her father marched with Dr. King and was present for the “I’ve Got a Dream” speech. She transitioned in 2002. In 2013, she co-founded The Baltimore Transgender Alliance as a means to unify Baltimore’s Trans communities, empower our Trans and gender non-conforming individuals, and increase our political effectiveness.  Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

7] – The plight of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma continues to worsen every day.  Already 500,000 have fled the country, many more than 3000 have been murdered, and countless villages have been burned and private property seized by government forces and anti-Muslim groups. The Burmese government has been blocking all known avenues of escape, causing even more deaths and injuries among Rohingya refugees.  Speak out against this Genocide on Sun., Oct. 29 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM in Lafayette Square and Park.  Protest this murderous policy by the Burmese Government, and help protect innocent people who seek only to live in peace.  Go to http://www.geotrees.com/ftp/Rohingya-MedAdv-1029-2016.pdf.

8] – On Sun., Oct. 29 at noon, join the Lunch Patrol, hosted by B & Dee's Baltimore Love at the Weinberg Housing and Resource Center, 620 Fallsway, Baltimore 21202.  This is a brown bag lunch distribution to those in need throughout Baltimore City, and it happens on the last Sunday of every month starting at noon. Each month, there will be a focus on a different part of Baltimore City. 

9] – The BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM, a monthly environmental education and discussion forum, takes place on Sun., Oct. 29.  The presentation and Q&A goes from 4 to 5:15 PM, followed by announcements & networking from 5:15 to 5:45 PM.  Finally there will be a Roundtable Discussion from 5:45 to 6:30 PM.  The forum is at 1105 Providence Road, Towson 21286. Go to http://www.mpchurch.org/location-2/.    This day’s topic is What is the Future for Green Activism?  Can We Understand the Mindset of the Anti-Green Voters?  The moderator is Sam Hopkins. 

The Baltimore Green Forum seeks to educate about and stimulate dialogue about what humans can do to make modern civilization more sustainable, including adjusting to finite resource limits and preserving biodiversity and a healthy environment. The topics are far ranging. They vary from local to planetary and from philosophical to scientific to very practical.

BGF is open to the public and is free of charge, but donations to Maryland Presbyterian Church are collected during the meeting to thank the church for their generous gift of the space. RSVP at BaltimoreGreenForum@gmail.com or call Sam Hopkins at 410 554-0006.  Go to http://www.baltimoregreenforum.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 Oct. 30, 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] – From Mon., Oct. 30 through Sun., Nov. 5, 3 to 4 PM each day, join the Greenmount West Community Boycott to protest the sale of bb guns, ski masks and pellets to community youth that has resulted in the arrest and youth violence in the community. The sale of anything that promotes violence in Greenmount West is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Protest Honey Carryout every day in conjunction with Cease Fire. On Nov. 4a BB gun trade in will be held at the Greenmount West Community Center where youth can turn in their guns and pellets for a $10 gift card exchange from 4 to 5 PM. This event is in partnership with Dallas Nichols School, Johnston Square, Baltimore Design School and the Montessori school. Please contact the GWCA at greenmountwestcc@gmail.com.

12] –  On Mon., Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, participate in the US Acute Care Solutions Women’s Dialogue Series at ACEP at The Hamilton, 600 14th St. NW, WDC 20005. Go to www.usacs.com.  Erin Brockovich will do a real-life discussion. and she knows motivation is the steam that keeps us going.

13] – Heather Mizeur presents "Discovering Your Inner Wonder Woman, Women's Empowerment Workshop" at St. Matthew Church Hall, 5401 Loch Raven Boulevard

Baltimore 21239 on Mon., Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 PM. This is a ticketed event.  Get tickets at http://mizmaryland.org/events/.

14] – Roots Cares: Foods to Help You Live Healthier, Stronger, and Longer will be hosted by Dana Simpler, MD, & Certified Health Coach Sharon McRae on Mon., Oct. 30 from 7 to 9 PM at Great Sage, 5809 Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville 21029.  Learn about the latest evidence on what foods prevent cancer and cancer recurrence, and what foods may be making you sick. Class includes cooking demonstrations and food tastings that teach you to prepare quick, healthy, delicious food options so you feel satisfied and more energetic. You’ll leave with supporting printed materials, recipes and plenty of inspiration!  Simpler is a board certified Internist, graduate of University of Maryland Medical School and has been in private practice in Baltimore for 29 years. McRae is a plant-based Certified Health Coach residing in Columbia, MD, who has been applying principles of health and nutrition in her own life for more than three decades. Go to www.eatwell-staywell.com.

15] – The deadline for Research Associates Foundation (RAF) grant submissions is Mon., Nov. 6, 2017. This is an excellent opportunity for activists, both individuals and organizations, to get up to $2500 to fund transformative social change projects in the Baltimore, MD area.  Please go to the website (www.rafbaltimore.org) to see the guidelines and download applications. 

There is an information session, scheduled for prospective grantees. Listen, ask questions and/or get help with your application on Mon., Oct. 30 at 7 PM at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218.  Email info@rafbaltimore.org.

16] – On Mon., Oct. 30 from 7 to 9 PM, catch a Conversation with Uzi Eilam, hosted by Baltimore Jewish Council at 5750 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, Maryland 21215.  Eilam, a supporter of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ("the Iran deal"), will talk about its continued effects on Israel's security under President Trump's administration, as well as other Israeli security issues. RSVP to Noah Mitchel at nmitchel@baltjc.org or 410-542-4850.

Uzi Eilam’s military career spanned decades.  He has served as Senior Research Fellow at The Jaffee Center since 2002. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Bob Freedman, visiting professor at Johns Hopkins University, scholar on international relations, and member of the Baltimore Jewish Council’s board.

17] – Join the Get Money Out of Maryland Teleconference every Monday evening. On Mon., Oct. 30 at 8:30 PM, call 605-475-6711, 1136243#.  Focus on the petitioning drive and continue to plan public outreach events.

18] – Get Money Out of Maryland’s purpose is to make our elections truly democratic. In an era when millions have lost their homes and government has bailed out the banks to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars, should our currency and banking systems also be subject to the democratic control of the people? To expand your knowledge of one of the most fundamental aspects of our society, attend this event: The New Abolitionism: Symposium on Money Mechanics and Moral Economy on Tues., Oct. 31 from 9 AM to 4:30 PM at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church, 9832 Piscataway Road, Clinton, MD 20735.  GMOM is proud to be an ally of Pastor Delman Coates. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Democracy Amendment Resolution, a serious student of the financial system, and a visionary for equality and economic democracy. He wants to protect the most vulnerable from being casualties of our economic system. We urge you to join him, if you can for this groundbreaking free conference. Panelists will include economists, financial professionals, staff of the Federal Reserve Board, and a former member of the House Financial Services Committee. An interfaith panel of religious leaders will discuss the historic and contemporary position of money and debt in major world religions. Email charlie@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 Oct. 31.  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 Oct. 31 from 5:30  to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.   

21] – Peter Edelman has written a book “Not a Crime to Be Poor,” and on Tues., Oct. 31 at 7 PM will be at Politics and Prose Bookstore, WDC.  One revelation of the Justice Department’s Ferguson Report was racially biased policing, and another is a system of laws and fees that have effectively made poverty a crime. By levying fines for trespassing, failure to appear in court, and other minor transgressions, then jailing those who can’t pay, the government targets people already caught in cycles of poverty and keeps them there. Edelman, a former advisor to Robert Kennedy and now Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law and Public Policy and the faculty director of the Center on Poverty and Inequality at Georgetown University Law Center, argues that this is a retributive system that harms both individuals and their communities.

22] – Can you join the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance on Mon., Nov. 6 at noon to help deliver a Healthcare not Warfare petition to Captain Mark A. Kobelja, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 4494 North Palmer Road, Bethesda 20889. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net. Can you sign on to the petition?  If yes, please provide name, hometown and your organization to Max.

23] – There is a National Mobilization to Stop War on North Korea and End Nuclear Weapons.  The main Maryland Action in Baltimore is at 11 AM on Sat., Nov. 11. Trump has threatened “to totally destroy North Korea.”  Secretary of War Mattis has told the U.S. Army “to be ready” for war. We are on a dangerous path towards a military confrontation that could kill millions and engulf the world in a nuclear holocaust. Come say no war with North Korea—and no nuclear weapons!

There will be a demonstration with street theatre, banners, and the People’s Peace Treaty at McKeldin Square, Pratt and Light Sts., Baltimore.  This event is organized by Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility and MD Peace Action. Contact Jean Athey at jeanathey@verizon.net.

If you do not want to go down to the Inner Harbor, Max will hold a demonstration at Centre and Charles Sts. starting at 11 AM on Sat., Nov. 11 – Armistice Day.  To join him, call 410-323-1607 or email him at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

24] – From Fri., Nov. 10 through Sun., Nov. 12, Witness for Peace staff, along with human rights activists, torture survivors, anti-war veterans, students, families, union workers, artists, and educators will converge in Eloy-Tucson-Ambos Nogales for the SOA Watch Border Encuentro. Register at https://org.salsalabs.com/o/727/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=99936. 

Join with SOA Watch for three days of vigils, workshops, rallies (including at the Mexico-US border), music, and other collaboration to deepen the resistance against US-led militarism and other harmful policies throughout the Western Hemisphere.  Join WFP at a happy hour to connect with teams from around Latin America, meet grassroots organizers from across the U.S., and learn more about work on both sides of the border.  It is on Sat., Nov. 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Quality Hotel Americana, 639 N Grand Ave., Nogales, AZ, 85621.

25] – On Thurs., Nov. 16 there will be Nationwide Nonviolent Actions Demanding Jesuit Universities Not Teach War and Killing by sponsoring ROTC on Christian campuses.  One of the protests will be at Loyola University in Baltimore.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

26] – Attend a Conference on U.S. Foreign Military Bases from Fri., Jan. 12 through Sun., Jan. 14, 2018 at the University of Baltimore, Learning Commons Town Hall, 1415 Maryland Ave., Baltimore 21201, hosted by the Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases.  Thirteen prominent peace and justice organizations in the United States are collectively organizing this conference.  Some of the groups are Black Alliance for Peace, CODEPINK, Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, Popular Resistance, Veterans For Peace, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and World Beyond War.  The conference will feature national and international experts. Several expert panels will discuss the economic, political, environmental and health costs and impact of U.S. foreign military bases in various regions of the world, including South America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The conference will be live streamed for the international audience.  For more information and to register for the conference, go to http://noforeignbases.org/conference-on-u-s-foreign-military-bases/?epl_action=process_cart_action&cart_action=add&event_id=723&_rand=59d50af323702.

27] –   Save the Dates.  The fiftieth anniversary of the Catonsville Nine draft board raid will be commemorated  There will be a CATONSVILLE NINE SYMPOSIUM on FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2018 from 4 to 10 PM at the Shriver Center, University of Maryland – Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Cir, Catonsville, MD 21250. Enjoy Films, Lectures, Discussion Panels and Dramatic Readings.  There will be more CATONSVILLE NINE COMMEMORATION ACTIVITIES on SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018 from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Baltimore County Public Library Catonsville Branch, 1100 Frederick Rd., Catonsville, MD 21228.  Enjoy more Films, Lectures, Discussion Panels and Dramatic Readings.  Go to http://www.catonsville9.org/50th-anniversary-commemoration/.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.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