Baltimore Activist Alert - May 16 - 24, 2018

31] Catonsville Nine Exhibition – through May 24

32] Demand the Ban – May 16

33] Compost Demonstration – May 16

34] Public accounting of counterterrorism spending -- May 16

35] Progressive Maryland happy hour – May 16

36] An Activism Workshop – May 16

37] “Race and America's Long War” – May 16

38] A Call for Solidarity in Honduras’ “Kairos Moment” - May 17

39] PG County canvass – May 17

40] City Council Taxpayer Night -- May 17

41] CATONSVILLE NINE VIGIL/TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE – May 17

42] Palestinians Speak Justice – May 17

43] Learn about immigration – May 17

44] Take Action AAC meeting – May 17

45] END OF POLICING -- May 17

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31] – See a CATONSVILLE NINE EXHIBITION, which runs through May 24 at the UMBC Library Rotunda, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Catonsville 21250. Go to http://www.catonsville9.org/events/.

32] –   On Wed., May 16 at 11 AM,  DEMAND THE BAN . Make semi-automatic assault weapons illegal nationwide.  Gather at the Old First Reformed United Church of Christ, 4th & Race Sts., Philadelphia,  to do a "re purposing" of an assault weapon into a garden tool.  Then join the procession to Senator Pat Toomey's office, 200 Chestnut St. Rally to demand Toomey's co-sponsorship of S.2095, Assault Weapons Ban of 2017.  At noon, people will risk arrest to Demand the Ban.  To participate in risking arrest, contact Terry Rumsey at 484-326-1370. The sponsoring groups include Charles Foundation, Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy; Heeding God's Call to End Gun Violence, Raw Tools, and The Simple Way. Register at https://www.demandtheban.org/.

33] –  On Wed., May 16 from 11 AM to noon, there will be a Compost Demonstration, hosted by The Friends of Quiet Waters Park, 600 Quiet Waters Park Rd., Annapolis 21403.  Master Gardeners maintain the Composting and Native Gardens site at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. They give hour-long compost demonstrations twice a month. The talks are given by those on the team that are Master Composters. Attendees receive a free compost bin, provided by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recycling and information (goodie) bag filled with printed materials explaining various ways of composting. Visit http://extension.umd.edu/anne-arundel-county/master-gardeners/composting-demonstrations-0.  Email QWPcomposting@hotmail.com.

34] – This is the first-ever public accounting of counterterrorism spending from 2002-2017. The event will feature the public release of Stimson’s study group report, “Protecting America While Promoting Efficiencies and Accountability.” Come to The Stimson Center on Wed., May 16 from noon to 1:30 PM at 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, 8th Floor, WDC 20036.  Opening remarks will be presented by Laicie Heeley, fellow, Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense, Stimson Center, and others.  And then commentary will come from Amy Belasco, former specialist, defense policy and budget, Congressional Research Service, and others.

Sixteen years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States does not have a fully accurate measure of how much it is spending on the fight against terrorism. Stimson’s nonpartisan study group has for the first time, provided an initial tally of total counterterrorism (CT) spending since 9/11, to examine gaps in the understanding of CT spending, and to offer recommendations for improving U.S. government efforts to account for these expenditures. CT spending has become a substantial component of total discretionary spending for programs across a wide range of areas, including defense, education, and medical research. Still, the United States currently lacks an accurate accounting of spending on CT. Without accurate data, policymakers will have difficulty evaluating whether the nation spends too much or too little on the CT mission, and whether current spending is doing its job effectively or efficiently. Join Stimson as it launches its study group report and provides the first-ever accounting of counterterrorism spending from 2002-2017. Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdikmZKEL_xNgagqtv8dJXb3Rz0FUQqLuLdOkwE8qAsGX8JUQ/viewform.

35] – Join Progressive Maryland at its monthly happy hour! Every month get together to socialize, network, and share a few drinks and snacks as a progressive community. It's a great chance to see old friends, make new ones, and talk about the issues. There's no agenda, just come and have some good conversations with some good people. It is happening on Wed., May 16 from 6 to 8 PM at Republic, 6939 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park 20912. Friends at Republic have generously offered to give out some free snacks and extend their happy hour specials! Contact Garrett Mannchen at gmannchen@gmail.com.

36] – On Wed., May 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, get over to Be the Change: An Activism Workshop, hosted by Volunteer EDCJCC at Sixth & I, 600 I St. NW, WDC 20001. Tickets are available at www.ticketfly.com.  In an ever-changing world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by both local and global issues. This training will break down the basics of activism, including strategies for effective storytelling, lobbying, and digital media, plus tips for planning or participating in a rally. Gain concrete skills, learn from experienced activists, and connect with others who want to make positive change in our community. A vegetarian dinner will be served.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/180383115920235/.

37] – On Wed., May 16 from 6:30 to 8 PM, get over to the book talk “Race and America's Long War,” hosted by Busboys and Poets Mount Vernon, 5th and K Sts. NW, WDC 20001.  Hear from the author Dr. Nikhil Pal Singh.   Donald Trump’s election to the U.S. presidency in 2016, which placed control of the government in the hands of the most racially homogenous, far-right political party in the Western world, produced shock and disbelief for liberals, progressives, and leftists globally. Yet most of the immediate analysis neglects longer-term accounting of how the United States arrived here. Race and America’s Long War examines the relationship between war, politics, police power, and the changing contours of race and racism in the contemporary United States. Nikhil Pal Singh argues that the United States’ pursuit of war since the September 11 terrorist attacks has reanimated a longer history of imperial statecraft that segregated and eliminated enemies both within and overseas. In a series of interlinked arguments he shows how the return of racism and war as seemingly permanent features of American political life is at the heart of our present crisis and collective disorientation.  Singh is Professor of Social and Cultural Analysis and History at New York University, and founding Faculty Director of the NYU Prison Education Program and a historian of the civil rights movement, foreign policy and national security in the 20th-century United States. Email books@busboysandpoets.com.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/990764751079174/.

38] – Hope in the Midst of Crisis – A Call for Solidarity in Honduras’
“Kairos Moment” will take place on Thurs, May 17 at noon on the US Capitol Grounds.  Remember Berta Caceres.  Then from 5 to 7 PM, there will be a reception at 1460 Columbia Road NW, Suite C-1. Go to the SHARE website.  Contact jean Stokan at jstokan@sistersofmercy.org or 202-841-6354.

39] – Help out at the Seat Pleasant/Council 7 Canvass on Thurs., May 17 from 5 to 8 PM at 406 71st Ave., Capitol Height 20743. Contact Seanniece Bamiro at seanniece@progressivemaryland.org or 240-245-0268.

40] – On Thurs., May 17 from 5 to 8 PM, City Council Taxpayer Night for Fiscal Year 2019, hosted by Councilperson Eric T. Costello and Councilperson Leon F. Pinkett at Baltimore City Hall, 100 Holliday St., Suite 101, Baltimore 21202. The Baltimore City Council's Budget and Appropriations Committee will be holding Taxpayer's Night for the FY2019 budget. This will be an opportunity for citizens to receive a brief budget overview from the Department of Finance, City Schools and the City Council, and then provide comments and feedback to the City Council. Taxpayer's Night will be streamed live on CharmTV at www.CharmTV.tv and will also be aired on Comcast Channel 25.  Budget documents may be found here: http://bbmr.baltimorecity.gov/budget-publications.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/453860745071545/.

41] – There is a CATONSVILLE NINE VIGIL on Thurs., May 17 @ 6:30 PM, near the Knights of Columbus Parking Lot, 1010 Frederick Rd., Catonsville 21228.  After the vigil, march to see a performance  of THE TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE BY THE SALEM PLAYERS – OPENING NIGHT @ 7:30 PM.  This is a Salem Players production of the play written by Daniel Berrigan.  Tickets are $12 for seniors & students, and $15 for general admission.  Go to http://Salemcatonsville.seatyourself.biz.  The Salem Lutheran Church is at 905 Frederick Rd., Catonsville 21228. Go to http://www.catonsville9.org/events/.

42] – On Thurs., May 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, Palestinians Speak Justice, hosted by Plymouth Congregational UCC Board of Social Action and Friends of Sabeel North America [FOSNA], 5301 N. Capitol St. NE, WDC 20011. Join a discussion on Palestinian Liberation Theology, Black Liberation Theology and the theological roots of peace and justice work. Featured speakers are Rev Naim Ateek, founder of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem, Tarek Abuata, the Executive Director of Friends of Sabeel North America and Rev Graylan Hagler, Senior Minister at Plymouth Congregational UCC in DC. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/201984910410672/?notif_t=plan_user_invited&notif_id=1525708223266320.

43] – On Thurs., May 17 from 7 to 9 PM, be part of the Refugee and Immigrant Awareness Forum: Who Will Tell Your Story?  This is hosted by Jews United for Justice - Baltimore at Beth Am, 2501 Eutaw Pl., Baltimore 21217.  Tickets are available. At everymantheatre.org.  Learn about local, present-day refugee and immigration experiences-from what brought them here, to who they were before, and what they left behind. Service professionals and refugees from Greater Baltimore will share their insights and stories while inviting audience members to consider how their own family's immigration stories shape their identity.  Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSggFm_pxf2LY471tpkGyNFiAfSk_phMvEaONaAm5r7gIVjA/viewform.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/600189073654294/.

44] – On Thurs., May 17 from 7 to 8:30 PM come to the Monthly Chapter Meeting: The Big Picture, hosted by Take Action AAC at Anne Arundel County Public Library, Edgewater Community Library, 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater 21037.  Take Action Anne Arundel County started the year learning about the state legislative session, conducting a survey of issues, and personally advocating for certain bills. Participate in an endorsement process for county council and state races with Progressive Maryland. Hit the pavement to talk to voters about their issues and to support progressive candidates. Help initiate a survey for school board candidates. How does all of this work relate? Join the conversation about the vision for what the county could look like next year and put your effort in the work that is going to make change happen. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/229871407591430/.

45] – On Thurs., May 17 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, catch “The End of Policing” with author Alex Vitale! Recent years have seen an explosion of protest against police brutality and repression—most dramatically in Ferguson, Missouri, where long held grievances erupted in violent demonstrations following the police killing of Michael Brown. Among activists, journalists, and politicians, the conversation about how to respond and improve policing has focused on accountability, diversity, training, and community relations. Unfortunately, these reforms will not produce results, either alone or in combination. The core of the problem must be addressed: the nature of modern policing itself. “Broken windows” practices, the militarization of law enforcement, and the dramatic expansion of the police’s role over the last forty years have created a mandate for officers that must be rolled back. This book attempts to spark public discussion by revealing the tainted origins of modern policing as a tool of social control.  Call 443-602-7585. RSVP at http://www.redemmas.org. 

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