Baltimore Activist Alert December 17 - 31, 2017

Baltimore Activist Alert December 17 - 31, 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 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] Meet with Police Commissioner Kevin Davis – Dec. 17

6] “Thinking about How Lives Matter” -- Dec. 17

7] Explore grassroots social movements – Dec. 17

8] Thomas Sankara film showing – Dec. 17

9] Baltimore Palestine Solidarity meeting – Dec. 17

10] Protest at the Pentagon – Dec. 18

11] Donate toys for cats and dogs – through Dec. 31

12] Gift of Life to an Animal – through Dec. 31

13] 4th Report International Migration in the Americas – Dec. 18

14] Protest Betsy DeVos – Dec. 18

15] See the film TAKING ROOT -- Dec. 18

16] SURJ Baltimore Legislative Team Meeting – Dec. 18

17] Get Money Out of Maryland Teleconference -- Dec. 18

18] Peace vigil – Dec. 19

19] Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" – Dec. 19

20] Say NO to the Pipeline – Dec. 19

21] Baltimore Ceasefire Public Meeting – Dec. 19

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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 6address 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] – Join BUILD, the Immigration Outreach Service Center and the communities of Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Patrick Churches in a meeting with Police Commissioner Kevin Davis on Sun., Dec. 17 from 10 to 11:30 AM at St. Patrick Church, 319 S. Broadway, Baltimore 21231. This is a great opportunity to build relationships between the Baltimore Police Department and the immigrant community, and to work together on a plan to address safety issues facing the immigrant community. Discussion will focus on violence in Baltimore City and fear of the police and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) experienced in the immigrant community. RSVP to maryr.ioscbaltimore@gmail.com.

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., Dec. 17, the Sunday Platform is “Thinking about How Lives Matter” with Michael S. Franch.  We claim universality in our faith community. We talk about the worth and dignity of every person. It doesn’t matter whether one is black or white, gay or straight. That’s true but it’s also not true. If we ignore an identity that is important to a person, we ignore part of them. We know that “Black Lives Matter” and that “All Lives Matter,” but if we can’t say the former, we don’t mean the latter. We need to recognize both specificity and universality, that “all” contains multitudes.

  Franch is an Ethical Culture Leader and an active member of the National Leaders Council of the American Ethical Union. He served as Leader of the Baltimore Ethical Society from 1975-1984 and is currently affiliate minister at the First Unitarian Church, Baltimore. Mike is a historian by training but spent most of his career working in health policy at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

7] – On Sun., Dec. 17 from 7 to 10 PM, come to Tactical Cinema at the Baltimore Free Farm, hosted by Tactical Cinema and The Holy Underground, at 3510 Ash St., Baltimore 21211.  This popular education workshop series explores grassroots social movements, the problems they seek to address, and the sickness and confusion they experience in the neoliberal era. In each session, participants view movement-media: audio and video clips of documentaries, speeches, raw footage and interviews that illuminate the nature and consequences of these problems. We will discuss the incomprehensibility of phenomena such as neocolonialism, empire and white supremacy, and how the corporate media obscures understanding of these issues. Please note that this session will involve viewing and discussing materials some may find upsetting.  Tactical Cinema 1 at Baltimore Free Farm will explore Political Unconsciousness, Confusion and Disorientation. The workshop length is three hours. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/406668229752668/.

8] – On Sun., Dec. 17 from 4:30 to 7 PM, come to the Forum - Thomas Sankara film showing, report & discussion, hosted by Workers World Party - Baltimore at 2011 N Charles St, Floor, Baltimore 21218.  December 21, 1949, is the birthday of Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso, who is referred to as "Africa's Che." Come to Sunday's film showing of "Thomas Sankara, the Upright Man" and hear a special report by Rasheed Green, community activist and Workers World Party organizer. In addition, there will be a report on Palestine and the recent pronouncements by Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Get updates on struggles against police terror, activities sponsored by the bus riders union and the upcoming March on Dr. King Jr. weekend. Enjoy refreshments and a light dinner at 4:30 PM. The meeting will start at 5 PM promptly. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/304910926667933/.

9] – Baltimore Palestine Solidarity is meeting on Sun., Dec. 17 at 4 PM on the 12th floor of the University of Baltimore Law School,  1401 N. Charles St..  Meet in one of the group study rooms, depending on which is open.  Please walk around and look for an occupied room.  The meetings are every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 4 to 6 PM.  At meetings people are free to come and work on their campaigns/projects, learn about the group or propose new ideas.  You don't have to stay the whole time.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/baltimorepalestine/ or https://bmoreagainstapartheid.wordpress.com/.

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 Dec. 18, 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] – Throughout December, the Maryland SPCA is collecting toys for the cats and dogs in its adoption center. The goal is to collect enough toys in one month to entertain the homeless animals in the shelter throughout the coming year by filling its sleigh! You can help by bringing new cat and dog toys and treats to the Maryland SPCA's adoption center, 3300 Falls Road, Baltimore 21211 or Project Adopt in White Marsh Mall, 8200 Perry Hall Blvd, Baltimore 21236. Some of the toys which are needed are kongs, hard rubber chew toys, soft treats, toy mice (without catnip) and small cat balls w/ bells. Providing toys for the animals is more than a nice touch. Having toys and treats in the shelter environment helps socialize animals, reduces stress and improves health. See http://www.mdspca.org/updates/detail/presents-for-pets.

12] –  Continuing through Dec. 31, you can have the Gift of Life Adoption Special, hosted by BARCS Animal Shelter, 301 Stockholm St., Baltimore 21230.  On Mon., Dec. 18, for example, the shelter will be open from 2 to 6 PM.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/174440716485060/?event_time_id=174440769818388.

Give the animals the gift of "home," the Gift of Life! This holiday season, BARCS' adoption fees are $0 thanks to many generous friends who are sponsoring adoption fees right this very minute through online and mailed-in donations. This holiday season, BARCS has hundreds of homeless animals in the shelter who need families. These precious animals are spending the holiday season at the shelter through no fault of their own. Help us given them a second chance by choosing adoption. Please consider sponsoring an adoption fee of an animal in the shelter by making a donation this holiday season!

13] – On Mon.,  Dec. 18 from 10 AM to 1 PM, hear a Presentation of the 4th Report International Migration in the Americas, hosted by Organization of American States (OAS).  The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will present the Fourth Report of the Continuous Reporting System on International Migration in the Americas (SICREMI 2017) on in the Hall of the Americas at the headquarters of the hemispheric institution in Washington, D.C.  The Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, and the Head of the Division of International Migration of the OECD, Jean-Christophe Dumont, will open the event, and the report will be presented by the Migration Specialist in the OAS Department of Social Inclusion, Juan Manuel Jiménez, and the former Principal Administrator of the Division of International Migration of the OCDE, Georges Lemaître.  Among the findings of the study are the fact that between 2012-2015, of the 7.2 million people that emigrated from the countries of the Americas, 48% moved to Canada and the United States, 34% to Latin America and the Caribbean and 18% to European countries of the OECD. The study gathers data of migrations to, from and within the Americas, and includes specific information on countries of origin and destination, refugees and asylum seekers, and unemployment among migrants. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/125100961612305/.

14] -- On Mon., Dec. 18 at noon, Protest Betsy DeVos at UB at the Modell Lyric, hosted by GLSEN Maryland and Force, at 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore 21201. DEVOS IS DANGEROUS.  She is a safety hazard to our nation's most vulnerable youth. Not only is she painfully unqualified, she has taken actions to reverse and eliminate some of the most important protections for students in our country. ALL students deserve a safe, supportive place to learn. This important idea is under direct attack as long as Betsy Devos holds her post as Secretary of Education. Her support of private school voucher programs, as well as her actions to revoke guidance to protect transgender youth, shows a dangerous disregard for LGBTQ youth, youth of color, youth from low-income families, and the role of public education in our country.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/666682760205840/.

15] – On Mon., Dec. 18 at 7 PM, Reel and Meal at the New Deal presents TAKING ROOT at the New Deal Café, 113 Centerway, Roosevelt Center, Greenbelt.  An optional vegan buffet is served at 6:30 PM for $14. The New Deal Café is accessible from the Greenbelt Metro station by buses G 12 and 14.    The film tells the story of Wangari Maathai, Kenyan Nobel Peace prize laureate, whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights and defend democracy, teaching women about the connection between environmental problems and their daily problems. The sponsors are the Utopia Film Festival, Beaverdam Creek Watershed Watch Group, Green Vegan Networking and Prince George’s County Peace and Justice Coalition. Go to https://www.newdealcafe.com/events/reel-and-meal/.

16] – On Mon., Dec. 18, SURJ Baltimore Legislative Team Meeting, hosted by SURJ Baltimore, at 6:30 to 8:30 PM at 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/590015158011455/.

17] – Join the Get Money Out of Maryland Teleconference every Monday evening. On Mon., Dec. 18 at 8:30 PM, call 605-475-6711, 1136243#.  Focus on the petitioning drive and continue to plan public outreach events.

18] –  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 Dec. 19.  Call 215-426-0364.

19] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. join this ongoing vigil on Dec. 19 from 5:30  to 6:30 PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.   

20] – The Maryland Department of the Environment is holding a public hearing on the Potomac Pipeline, and it needs to hear from you!  As proposed, the Potomac Pipeline would run through Maryland, crossing under the Potomac River and the C&O Canal — and endangering the drinking water of more than six million people who live downstream and rely on the Potomac for their water. RSVP to https://go.offfossilfuels.org/event/action/502.  Come to the Public Hearing: Say NO to the Pipeline on Tues., Dec. 19 from 6 to 9:30 PM at Hancock Middle and Senior High School, 289 W. Main St., Hancock 21750.  Rally outside at 6 PM. to demonstrate opposition to the pipeline, then move inside to attend the hearing.

At the hearing, staff from the Department of the Environment will take comments from Marylanders to inform whether they approve or deny the 401 Water Quality Certificate that's required under the Clean Water Act in order for the project to move forward. Denying the 401 permit would stop the construction of this pipeline in its tracks, and it's the best way for Governor Hogan and Maryland regulators to protect our drinking water!

21] – On Tues., Dec. 19 from 7 to 9 PM, come to a Baltimore Ceasefire Public Meeting, hosted by Baltimore Ceasefire 365 at 219 N. Chester St., Baltimore 21231. Prepare for the February 2018 Ceasefire weekend, discuss plans, strategies, ideas, and hope for a better Baltimore. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/411475489269597/.

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