Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Baltimore Activist Alert - June 6 - 7, 2018

21] Candidates Forum – June 6
22] Voices on Palestine: Summer Film Series 2018 – June 6 & 7
23] Climate Change Update – June 6
24] Accountability Action for Public Safety – June 6
25] Police Accountability Prince George's event – June 6
26] York Road Partnership General Meeting – June 6
27] Protest Sinclair /broadcasting -- June 7
28] "The Nonproliferation Treaty at Fifty" – June 7
29] The Long Search for Peace in Afghanistan – June 7
30] Fair Elections – June 7
31] Protest Solitary Confinement!  – June 7
32] Poor People’s Campaign – June 7
33] Black Resistance – June 7
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21] – On Wed., June 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, get over to the Wicomico Executive & Council Candidates Forum, hosted by Coastal Association of REALTORS at Schumaker Pond Park Pavilion, 1019 S Schumaker Dr., Salisbury 21804.  Meet the candidates for the Wicomico County Executive and Council election. Hear their platforms, submit audience questions, and enjoy light refreshments. The forum is sponsored by the Coastal Association of REALTORS® and will be moderated by the Salisbury Independent. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/983183261846325/.

22] – Voices on Palestine: Summer Film Series 2018 is co-sponsored by the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University, All films will be shown at the Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave., NW, WDC 20037.   Doors open at 5:30 PM. RSVP is requested.  On Wed., June 6 see “Coffee for All Nations” by Wafa Jamil.  In 1948, Abed and his family were forced by the Israeli army to abandon their home in the village of Al-Walaja near Bethlehem and move to Dheisheh Refugee Camp. Later in life, Abed discovers a 5000 year old Kanani cave on his father's land and decides to live in it, dreaming of turning it into a coffee shop that will not only generate income but share his passion with the outside world. He welcomes visitors from all over the world, offering them coffee and an amazing view. However, after the release of Abed’s brother from an Israeli prison, his plans are disrupted by the Israeli demolition of his cave. RSVP at http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/events/upcoming/summer-film-series-2018-coffee-for-all-nations.

On Thurs., June 7 watch “Rasheed” by Samia Badih.  Rasheed documents the life of the filmmaker’s late uncle, Rasheed Broum, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Through the filmmaker’s own personal journey, the film captures one of the many war stories from the southern city of Sidon, Lebanon. RSVP at http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/events/upcoming/summer-film-series-2018-rasheed.

23] – On Wed., June 6 from 6:30 to 9 PM, come to the GCAN Potluck and "Climate Change Update," hosted by Chesapeake Education, Arts, and Research Society (CHEARS) at the Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt 20770.  Come 30 minutes early for the annual potluck. Vegan dishes preferred. Please bring your own plate, utensils, cup, and napkin, to make this a “zero waste” event.  Chris Barnet, Climate Scientist, will present the annual “Climate Change Update.”  He will provide an entertaining summary of the recent science of climate change. The presentation will be an overview of 100’s of the most recent scientific papers. Topics will include recent climate change modeling predictions, recent measurements of climate change as well as Chris’ personal impressions of recent climate change talks he has given in local high schools. Chris hopes to engage the audience with a broad brush of topics and then lead an impromptu conversation of any or all of these topics.

Chris Barnet has lived in Greenbelt for over 25 years. In his early career, he modeled planetary atmospheres and used Voyager Spacecraft and Hubble Space Telescope sensors to understand the climate of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. For the last two decades, he has developed algorithms for monitoring the Earth’s weather and climate from advanced Earth-orbiting sensors. He is presently a Senior Research Scientist at Science and Technology Corp. (STC), Columbia Maryland and is the NASA Sounder Discipline Lead for the Suomi-NPP satellite as well as the NOAA/JPSS Senior Advisor for Atmospheric Sounding.  The last portion of the evening is for announcements and updates on local and national issues.  Contact Lore Rosenthal, Greenbelt Climate Action Network, at lore@simplicity-matters.org or 301-345-2234.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/207885966490225/.

24] – On Wed., June 6 from 6:30 to 8 PM, BUILD is holding an Accountability Action for Public Safety, Education and Jobs at Kingdom Life Church, 125 N. Hilton St., Baltimore 21229. Please see the attach flyer BUILD Action June 6, 2018 for more details. RSVP at buildiaf@verizon.net.

25] – On Wed., June 6 from 7 to 9 PM, attend a Police Accountability Prince George's event at the Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church (DMUUC), 7400 Temple Hill Rd., Camp Springs 20748.  This is the Monthly Meeting of the Prince George's People's Coalition and the newly formed Coalition for Community Empowerment and Police Accountability (CEPA).Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/227461367987016/.

26] –  On Wed., June 6 from 7:15 to 8:30 PM, get over to the York Road Partnership General Meeting at St. Mary of the Assumption-Govans, 5502 York Road, Baltimore 21212.  On the agenda is an opportunity to meet the candidates! This election includes: Primary Election for Governor; Comptroller; Attorney General; U.S. Senator; Representatives to Congress; State Senator; House of Delegates; Judge of the Circuit Court; States Attorney; Clerk of the Circuit Court; Register of Wills; Judge for the Orphan's Court; Sheriff; State Central Committee. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1754939914541463/.

27] – On Thurs., June 7 at 9:30 AM, rally at Sinclair shareholders meeting, 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville 21030.  Join activists and stop Sinclair network's takeover of local news; and demand that the FCC block Sinclair's proposed merger with Tribune and envision a more democratic media system.  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/180384206006099/.  Ajit Pai's sweetheart deals for the far-right Sinclair network have already landed him under internal investigation. So the last thing that the FCC chairman wants is public scrutiny when the FCC decides on Sinclair's proposed merger with Tribune Media. Pai has delayed a decision for months, waiting out scandals and probably hoping that people will forget all about the "Trump TV" network.  But we can't afford to ignore Sinclair's growing threat to our democracy. Sinclair is the country's largest broadcast network, and its increased influence will mean more hateful rhetoric and Trump propaganda disguised as news.

By showing up at Sinclair's annual shareholders meeting next week, we can shine a spotlight on the far-right network. Over the coming months, we can build pressure on the FCC to reject the merger and bring national attention to the problems in our media system. But we have to start here – in Sinclair's back yard.

28] –  On Thurs., June 7 from 12:30 to 2 PM., hear from Scott Sagan, Stanford University; Susan Burk, Independent Consultant; Matthew Kroenig, Georgetown University; and Joan Rohlfing, Nuclear Threat Initiative, about "The Nonproliferation Treaty at Fifty" at the Stimson Center, 8th Floor, 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, WDC 20036. RSVP https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScajnCMfivHKPCI9witx3jhura3pcIQhjtr8i__TYtllNsHIA/viewform.

29] – On Thurs., June 7 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM, be a part of The Long Search for Peace in Afghanistan, hosted by the United States Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, WDC 20037.  Get tickets at www.usip.org. Discuss practical steps for the search for peace in Afghanistan. This effort has moved to center stage in recent months following President Ashraf Ghani’s late February peace offer to the Taliban, a series of major international conferences that consolidated support for a peace deal, and a wave of pro-peace demonstrations across Afghanistan. Crucial questions nonetheless remain: What it will take to get the Taliban to join peace talks in earnest? What will a prospective peace agreement look like? How does the peace process affect the Afghan and international military campaign?

The event will examine the issue from two crucial perspectives: the top-down effort to reach a political settlement involving the Taliban, and the bottom-up effort to forge peace in local communities. We will feature a distinguished and diverse range of American, Afghan, and other experts who have directly worked on this issue in government, the United Nations, academia, and civil society. They will provide a comprehensive look at an effort that is vital to Afghanistan’s future, but often poorly understood outside a small community of experts. Join the conversation on Twitter with #AfghanPeace.  The closing remarks will be by Afghan Ambassador Hamdullah Mohib. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/127269451408701/.

30] -- Show the Prince George's County Council PSFM committee you support CB-4 for the Fair Election Fund on Thurs., June 7 at 1:30 PM at 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro 20772. At every level of government from congress to municipalities, we deserve a government that is accountable to all of us, not just to wealthy donors. Passing CB-4 for the Fair Election Fund, a small-donor matching program, in Prince George's County will make county government accountable to all, will amplify the voice of the average contributor through a tiered match system, will Increase participation in county elections by empowering small donors and break down the barriers to running for office by allowing county residents with strong ideas and a call to public service to run for office, regardless of their personal connections to wealthy donors or corporate contributors.  Contact Joanne at jantoine@commoncause.org or Jennifer at jennifer@progressivemaryland.org.  Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNfa5uCg_zTlAjpDBix7GEhb6KeeD7eIg9ZUDKpy42FifB2Q/viewform.

31] – On Thurs., June 7 from 7 to 9 PM, discuss Solitary Confinement in Maryland, hosted by Jews United for Justice - Baltimore and Bolton Street Synagogue at Beth Am, 2501 Eutaw Pl., Baltimore 21217.  Visit www.interfaithactionhr.org.  Hear from a panel on the inhumane practice of solitary confinement for incarcerated people, its use in Maryland, and what is being done to stop it.  RSVP at https://www.interfaithactionhr.org/iahr_forum_on_solitary_confinement_in_maryland.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/2093704277544687/.

32] – As part of the Poor People’s Campaign, on Thurs., June 7 at 7:30 PM come to the Justice Arts Movement: Theomusicology and Poetry Night at BloomBars, 3222 11th St. NW, WDC 20001.  Visit https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/demands/.

33] – On Thurs., June 7 at 7:30 PM, hear about AS BLACK AS RESISTANCE at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201.  In the United States, both struggles against oppression and the gains made by various movements for equality have often been led by Black people. Still, though progress has regularly been fueled by radical Black efforts, liberal politics are based on ideas and practices that impede the continued progress of Black America. Building on their original essay “The Anarchism of Blackness,” (link: https://roarmag.org/magazine/black-liberation-anti-fascism/ ) Zoé Samudzi and William C. Anderson make the case for a new program of self-defense and transformative politics for Black Americans, one rooted in an anarchistic framework that the authors liken to the Black experience itself. This book argues against compromise and negotiation with intolerance. It is a manifesto for everyone who is ready to continue progressing towards liberation.

"As Black as Resistance is a searing indictment of the U.S. settler colonial project and a call to action to save ourselves from the forces of oppression and tyranny. The philosophy of the book might well be summarized as 'we’re all we’ve got.' This book appears in a chaotic time when the gap between rich and poor continues to grow, when climate change is causing mass devastation, when fascism appears resurgent and when the ever-expanding carceral state is criminalizing and prematurely killing millions. In this context, William C. Anderson and Zoé Samudzi insist that our current political moment demands that we reject liberalism and embrace a more radical program to transform our conditions. They argue persuasively that grounding ourselves in the Black radical tradition offers the best path forward toward freedom and liberation." —Mariame Kaba, from the Foreword.  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 Deb

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