Thursday, April 19, 2018

Baltimore Activist Alert - April 20 - May 6, 2018

37] More Than a Gun: A Group Poem for Our Lives – Apr. 20
38] Symposium on the Northern Ireland Peace Process -- Apr. 20
39] Max at the JHU Spring Fair – Apr. 20 - 22
40] WIB peace vigils – Apr. 20
41] White House vigil – Apr. 20
42] Lawyers Committed to Addressing the Climate Emergency – Apr. 20
43] Adoption Meet and Greet – Apr. 20 & 22
44] Black Lives Matter – Apr. 20
45] Raining Cats and Dogs! – Apr. 20
46] Refugee Crisis – Apr. 20
47] Sanctuary Streets Baltimore Happy Hour – Apr. 20
48] Ballroom Dancing – Apr. 20
49] Food Lab – Apr. 21
50] Human Rights Festival – Apr. 21
51] Primary Candidate Fair – Apr. 21
52] Chester County Peace Vigil – Apr. 21
53] Do you need a grant? – Deadline Apr. 30
54] CODEPINK takes a stand against military spending – through May 3
55] Catonsville Nine Commemoration – May 4 – 6
56] Emergency Demonstration against an attack on Iraq or North Korea
57] JONAH HOUSE NEEDS WORKERS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
58] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
59] Do you need any book shelves?
60] Do you need a stand up freezer?
61] Join the Global Zero campaign41] Black Lives matter – Apr. 6
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37] – On Fri., April 20 from 9 to 10:30 AM, join in the Public Action at Split This Rock Poetry Festival 2018 in Lafayette Square, WDC 20006.  Participate in More Than a Gun: A Group Poem for Our Lives.  Create a Massive Group Poem Calling for an End to Gun Violence.  As young people plan a major school walk-out on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine massacre, poets will gather in D.C. for Split This Rock Poetry Festival: Poems of Provocation & Witness will join the DC-area action of the National Student Walkout in front of the White House.  Those who wish can stay for the 19 minutes of silence, which will begin precisely at 10 AM, to honor the memory of all those killed by guns in the 19 years since the Columbine school shootings. See more about National School Walkout DC here: https://goo.gl/nAnqhK.

Poetry can be a stirring denunciation of injustice, a call to action, a vision of a life without fear, a life freed from the tyranny of the NRA, the gun manufacturers, and the elected officials who do their bidding. Poets have long lent their voices to this struggle for peace in our homes and in our communities. On this historic day, during Split This Rock’s 10th anniversary festival, we gather again, weaving our voices together with the voices of America’s youth to say: Enough! Bring a line of poetry – yours or another’s – that demands an end to the violence and celebrates lives free from the threat posed by guns.  The line should not exceed 12 words. Write it on a piece of paper, to be handed to an organizer after you read it. Include the name of the poet, your name (if not using your own work), and your hometown.   Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1762913043732085/.

38] –  On Fri., April 20 from 10 AM to 7 PM, participate in an AU Symposium on the Northern Ireland Peace Process, 20 Years On, hosted by the American University School of Public Affairs in Kerwin Hall, Room 301, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20016.  Tickets are available at american.swoogo.com.  This day-long symposium marks the 20th anniversary of sustained peace in Northern Ireland following decades of violent conflict. Attendees will hear from panelists about the peace process itself, the accomplishments since, and challenges moving forward, including the implications of Brexit. Guest speakers include academics, practitioners, and diplomats who participated in the peace process. Presented by American University's School of Public Affairs and School of International Service, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Ulster, and Northern Ireland Bureau, and in partnership with the Irish Network-DC and American University's School of Communication. See https://www.facebook.com/events/171065433720219/.

39] – Max will be at the Johns Hopkins Spring Fair 2018 on the Homewood Campus, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218 on Fri., Apr. 20 from 12 to 8 PM, Sat., Apr. 21 from 10 AM to 8 PM and Sun., April 22 from 10 AM to 6 PM.  He will be in the Upper Quad behind the Eisenhower Library, Space 47, selling used books, bumperstickers, buttons, vinyl, CDs, DVDs and videos.  Call 410-323-1607 or email mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.  During the Fair hours, he can be reached at 727-543-3227. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/938921359619887/?event_time_id=938921366286553 or http://www.jhuspringfair.com/.

40] – On Fri., Apr. 13 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 LUNCH at Baba's Kitchen.  Warm-up, dry off, and enjoy a vegetarian chili lunch and lots of good conversation. Bring a side or topping for the chili.  There are still places at the table; invite a friend to come along with you.

  Another vigil is at Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St, Baltimore. 21211. However, if weather is iffy, contact Anne at awyattbr@gmail.com.  Lunch will take place at 1 PM at the RPP Café, 830 W. 40th St., Baltimore 21211.

A third vigil will be in Chestertown, Kent County at Memorial Park at Cross Street and Park Row.  This vigil is looking for more peace bodies on the Eastern Shore.  Welcome to the network, Chestertown Women in Black.

Wear black. Dress for who knows what kind of weather.  Peace signs will be available. 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 to: wibbaltimore@peacepath911.org.

41] – On Fri., Apr. 20 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. 

42] – Lawyers Committed to Addressing the Climate Emergency will convene, hosted by the Environmental Law Institute, at the George Washington University Law School, 2000 H St. NW, WDC 20052.  Tickets are available at www.eli.org. On Fri., April 20 from noon to 5:30 PM, a group of leading lawyers and academics will convene to discuss the problem of climate change and the role of lawyers in advancing solutions. This second annual national conference will feature leading experts addressing the most vital aspects of the climate crisis from a legal perspective, including: litigation, economics, risk management, and environmental justice. Additionally, the conference will feature a program on specific ideas to guide lawyers in becoming engaged advocates and make a difference on climate change. Visit bit.ly/2H3N0EP or https://www.facebook.com/events/127754704651462/.

43] – On Fri., April 20 from 4 to 7 PM, be at an Adoption Meet and Greet, hosted by Wings of Love, Kuwait at Petvalu, 871 E Fort Ave., Baltimore 21230.  It is PAW month at PetValu at the Southside Marketplace! All month PetValu will be taking donations for WLK and last year over $700 was raised. On Sun., April 22 adoptable dogs will be available for everyone to come and meet. The WLK team will be there to answer questions. Adoptions will not take place on the spot. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/408820246246880/.

44] – 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. 20. Black Lives Matter.  

45] – On Fri., April 20 from 5:30 to 8 PM, It will be Raining Cats and Dogs! This is an Adoption Event, hosted by the Baltimore County Animal Services, 1758 Merritt Blvd., Dundalk 21222-3212. Give a home to an animal! Stop by the offsite Cuddle Shuttle to take home your own furry friend.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/1905343193129635/.

46] – Consider attending a panel discussion on the current refugee crises. Thousands of Rohingya are fleeing from persecution to Bangladesh. Thousands of Syrian refugees are fleeing from persecution and are trying to resettle in the USA. With thousands in need, you can be one person to make a difference. The change can start on Sat., April 21 at "A Night of Reflection" at the Muslim Community Center, 15200 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring 20905 to learn more about these issues and how to make a change in the DC Metro Area through volunteering, donations, community service events and more. The fundraising dinner starts at 6:30PM and ticket prices are $10. Proceeds will go to Rohingya and Syrian refugees in need.  Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-of-reflection-tickets-45043672838.

47] –  Come to a Sanctuary Streets Baltimore Happy Hour on Fri, April 20 from 7 to 9 PM at Sweet27 bar, 123 W. 27th St,, Baltimore 21218.  Talk to members of Sanctuary Streets Baltimore about the work and how to get involved in a new Day Laborer Outreach project.  This is a community of volunteers that started organizing in the early Spring of 2017 to defend migrants from an inhumane deportation apparatus. This fundraiser is a kickoff for a new project to organize a monthly outreach day to provide resources and basic material support to day laborers in Baltimore. Also to be provided is accompaniment to civil and criminal court dates for individuals who fear that ICE will try to detain them on their way to court.  A portion of the bar tab will go towards supplies such as socks, coffee, and food for folks who are waiting for work. https://www.facebook.com/events/388532081620056/.

48] – 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 on Apr. 20. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

49] – On Sat., April 21 from 8 AM to 5:30 PM, come to FoodLab@LightCity, hosted by Light City and Labs at Light City at the Columbus Center, 701 E. Pratt St., Baltimore 21202.  Get tickets at www.mt.cm.  Are the attitudes toward what we eat changing the world around us? Food advocates and chefs explore how food is grown, accessed, eaten and innovated during the FoodLab@LightCity. Come out, and #BeTheChange you wish to see. This year, tickets are #paywhatyoucan, and seating is limited.  FoodLab@LightCity is presented by the Visit Baltimore, with support from Wegmans. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/195864057681990/.

50] – On Sat., April 21 from 10 AM to 9 PM, attend the Human Rights Festival on the National Mall (monuments) Washington, D.C., 1964 Independence Ave. SW, WDC 20024.  Find tickets at www.eventbrite.com.  Come to a dynamic, fun-filled and family-oriented full-day celebration of the beautiful diversity that enriches our nation! Speakers from your favorite human rights organizations promise face-to-face interactions while world-class musicians play, commemorating the beautiful diversity that enriches our nation! 

The Human Rights Festival is bringing together human rights organizations to strengthen and advance the cause of human rights and progressive causes. This event will get you face-to-face with your favorite organizations. The event is FREE - but please think of making a donation. Reserve your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/human-rights-festival-tickets-35857853806?ref=ebtn.  Check out https://www.humanrightsfest.com or https://www.facebook.com/events/1828806297435282/.

51] – Talbot Rising is holding on Sat., April 21 from 10 AM to noon a General Meeting and Primary Candidate Fair at the Evergreen Easton Point, 770 Port Street, Easton.  SPRING INTO ACTION! From 10 to 10:30 AM, there is a business meeting, after which the Primary Candidates Fair starts.  This is an opportunity to meet and hear from candidates for Talbot County council and the endorsed candidates (or their representatives), Mike Pullen for Congress and Ben Jealous for Governor.  Each candidate will have five minutes to talk about why they’re running, and then there will be break outs.  Folks will be able to interact with candidates.  Go to https://www.talbotrising.org/events-1/2018/4/15/april-21st-spring-into-action-general-meeting-and-primary-candidate-fair-10am.

52] – 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.

53] – Proposals for Research Associates Foundation grants are due April 30, 2018 at 5 PM.  These grants, up to $2500, are open to individuals and groups that are participating in social justice activism in the Baltimore area.  Guidelines and proposal forms may be found on the website rafbaltimore.org. The dates and locations of information sessions for those wishing to apply will be announced shortly and will be posted on the website.

54] – Join CODEPINK and organizations around the world to take a stand against military spending. While Washington continues to increase funding for the Pentagon, it is slashing essential services like clean water, schools, and infrastructure. The Global Days of Action against Military Spending (GDAMS) is an international movement to raise awareness about the massive amount of funds allocated to militaries. The stand runs through May 3, so join CODEPINK online and in the streets to take action!  Go to http://demilitarize.org/gdams-2018/.  Do you need materials?  Are you going to plan an action in your area?  Send an email and let CODEPINK know! Also, don’t forget to share your pictures! Email divest@codepink.org.

55] – 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.  On Sun., May 6 at noon, there will be an opportunity to engage in direct action at the National Security Agency; and in the evening participate in a prayer service.  Go to http://www.catonsville9.org/50th-anniversary-commemoration/.

56] – It is a violation of U.S. law for us to attack a country that has not attacked us, as only Congress can declare war. The Trump administration is nevertheless beating the war drums for war against Iran and North Korea. The Mueller investigation is tightening the vise, and could cause Trump to attack those countries in order to divert attention from Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Such a military strike would demand an immediate and unequivocal response from us to show that we will not tolerate his abuse of power.

Let's mobilize to show that we the people will not tolerate another military adventure, which would be bound to have profound negative consequences. If a preemptive military strike against Iran or North Korea takes place, then meet outside the War Memorial, 101 N. Gay St., Baltimore, MD 21202. If the attack is before 2 PM local time, then events will begin at 5 PM, local time. If the attack occurs after 2 PM local time, then events will begin at noon, local time, the following day. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

57] – JONAH HOUSE NEEDS WORKERS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE

   After 44 years of resisting weapons and war, Jonah House is Baltimore is in danger of shutting down. Two of the three core members have announced their intention to leave the community as of May 2018. That leaves one core member, Joe Byrne, who will remain to recruit and re-form intentional community. But if no one steps forward, Jonah House will have to close.

  Jonah House was founded by Phil Berrigan, Liz McAlister, and others, in 1973, during the Vietnam War. It was a center of resistance to that war. When the war ended, the focus of resistance became the nuclear arms race. This resistance blossomed into the Plowshares movement. Jonah House members have spent years in jail for Plowshares disarmament actions. Other members have spent years supporting them, and doing the work of the community in their absence. Resistance to weapons and war continues at Jonah House. More recently, Jonah House has also become involved in racial justice efforts in Baltimore, and the environmental justice movement.

   Jonah House is planted in the middle of a 22-acre, mostly-wooded cemetery in West Baltimore called St. Peter’s. Maintaining and slowly restoring St. Peter’s Cemetery is the work that pays the bills for the community. Jonah House also uses the property to serve the living as well as honor the dead. Our gardens and orchards feed the Jonah House community, and the surrounding neighborhood community, via a food pantry and weekly food distribution to low-income neighbors. We envision the cemetery—particularly the 11-acre forest patch—as a haven for the people of the neighborhood, international peace activists, and numberless living beings.

Jonah House is also an interfaith spiritual community. We pray or meditate together daily, and our spiritual practice informs and empowers everything we do, whether in the fields or in the streets.

To continue the vision, Jonah House is looking for a few new core members willing to commit to a two-year stint. We are also open to short- and long-term interns (3 months to a year). The work of radical peacemaking, direct service to the poor, and stewarding the land requires workers. We pray that God will send laborers to the vineyard (yes, we have that too) and that Jonah House will continue to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable for another 44 years!  For more information, call 443-804-3410, or email us at engage@jonahhouse.org.

58] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs, records, tarps and table cloths, contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

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

60] – Do you need a stand up freezer?  Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

61] -- 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.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/.


“One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan

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