Thursday, September 6, 2018

Baltimore Activist Alert -- September 7 -- November 17, 2018


For sale a button calling Donald Trump Bully -- $2.
For sale BOY GENIUS, a book about Karl Rove, written by Lou Dubose, Jan Reid and Carl M. Cannon -- $2.

55] Art Laffin on trial – Sept. 7
56] Rally outside the Department of Homeland Security – Sept. 7
57] Black Lives Matter – Sept. 7
58] Rally For Our Planet: No To Pipelines! – Sept. 7
59] I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND – Sept. 7
60] Film “High Tide in Dorchester” – Sept. 7
61] DeRay Mckesson wrote a book. – Sept. 7
62] Paul Magno will speak about the Kings Bay Plowshares Action – Sept. 7
63] Ballroom Dancing – Sept. 7
64] Basic Computer Skills Class for immigrant women – Sept. 8
65] Stories of Slavery and Emancipation Sept. 8
66] Anti-nuclear/anti-drone peace vigil at the White House – Sept. 8
67] Volunteer at the Frederick Progressives table – Sept. 8
68] Chester County Peace Vigil – Sept. 8
69] Meet Me in the Middle meeting – Sept. 8
70] Join a Festival for Change – Sept. 8
71] Join HoCo Rise 4 Climate Sept. 8
72] Two Minutes to Midnight conference – Nov. 17
73] Transcribe Dorothy Day’s diaries
74] Do you want to join a peace caravan?
75] Emergency Demonstration against an attack on Iran or North Korea  
76] JONAH HOUSE NEEDS WORKERS FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
77] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records  
78] Do you need any book shelves?
79] Join the Global Zero campaign
80] Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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55] – Art Laffin <ArtLaffin@hotmail.com> was arrested on May 29, as part of the Poor People's Campaign action outside Sen. McConnell's Office, and now goes on trial on Fri., Sept. 7 at 9:30 AM in Courtroom 116 before Magistrate Judge Matini in D.C. Superior Court, 500 Indiana Ave. NW, WDC.  There were 39 arrests on May 29, but only Art, Sisters Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert, and Mike Walli opted to ask for a court date instead of doing the $50 post and forfeit. On July 16, when the four appeared in court, the charges had already been dismissed for Ardeth, Carol and Mike, but not for Art.  If you are able to come to court for some of the time that would be greatly appreciated by Art.

It is his sincere hope that the trial will be an occasion to further amplify the urgent appeal of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival--to end poverty, systemic racism, the war economy and militarism and ecological devastation. Despite the fact that some 140 million people are either poor or living on low incomes, about 32 million people remain uninsured, and while urgent vital human needs go unmet, Congress just recently passed the 2019 military budget bill of $717 billion (NDAA) that was signed by Mr. Trump. See:  https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/13/trump-signs-717-billion-defense-bill.html  This is immoral and criminal!  In the spirit of Dr. King, peace and justice-makers past and present, and in the name of all the victims of violence, we must continue to do all we can to help bring about a national moral revival and to labor for the nonviolent transformation of our political and economic structures.   

56] – Rally again on Fri., Sept, 7 outside the Department of Homeland Security from 4 to 6 PM to keep the pressure on the government to reunify families separated at the border. Hundreds of children are still separated from their parents after the July 26th deadline set by the courts for reunification.  This is a permitted, peaceful event and families are welcome.  You can bring your own sign or use one of the available signs.  Gather at 4401 Massachusetts Ave. NW. This location is about 50 yards south [in towards downtown] of Ward Circle.  There is parking on Massachusetts Avenue across the street, or you can park at the Katzen Center for the Arts for $2/hour and free after 5 PM.on the other side of Ward Circle. View https://youtu.be/GKUtkVT9qLQ. Email triduncan05 AT gmail. Com.  

57] – 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 Sept. 7. Black Lives Matter.   

58] – On Fri., Sept. 7 from 6 to 9 PM, Rally For Our Planet: No To Pipelines! Featuring Karenna Gore, hosted by The Greater Prince William Climate Action Network at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington 22204.  Hear a STOP the Virginia Pipelines discussion with Virginia Delegate Sam Rasoul, Roanoke and Karenna Gore, director of the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rally-for-our-planet-no-to-pipelines-featuring-karenna-gore-tickets-49074308578 and https://www.facebook.com/events/280629802715401/.

58] – On Fri., Sept. 7 at 7 PM, come to the Free First-Friday Film @ the Peace Center of Delaware County, 1001 Old Sproul Rd., Springfield, PA to see I SERVED THE KING OF ENGLAND (2008, Czechoslovakia, 120 minutes.} Directed and written by Jiri Menzel, the film is based on the novel “I Served the King of England” by Bohumil Hrabal

International film goers were introduced to Czech director Jiri Menzel through his whimsical 1968 Oscar-winner “Closely Watched Trains.”  This film takes place in Czechoslovakia, 1963, and Jan Díte is released from prison after serving 15 years. He goes into semi-exile in a deserted village near the German border. In flashbacks, he tells his story: He’s a small, clever, and quick-witted young man, stubbornly naïve, a vendor at a train station. Thanks to a patron, he becomes a waiter at upscale hotels and restaurants. We see him discover how the wealthy tick and how to please women. He strives to be a millionaire with his own hotel.

Menzel apparently sees the pecking order in the dining room as mirroring the Nazi party. A metaphor for the Jan Dite character runs through the film. He is a shallow man absorbed with wealth while the society that feeds his ambitions becomes a deep, dark hole.  Does this sound like a certain someone today who acts childishly, craving everything, plus approval and adoration, regardless of the harm done to others?

Following the film people are invited to participate in a discussion. Doors open at 6:30 PM for light refreshments.  A group discussion about the film follows its screening. Go to www.brandywinepeace.com. The screening is co-sponsored by the Brandywine Peace Community. For directions to the Peace Center of Delaware County, visit www.delcopeacecenter.org or call 484-574-1148.

59] – On Fri., Sept. 7 at 7 PM at the Annapolis Friends Meeting House, 351 Dubois Rd, Annapolis, catch the film “High Tide in Dorchester,” hosted by the Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis and Anne Arundel Group of the Sierra Club.  Dorchester County in Maryland is already experiencing the future of climate change. This low-lying county on the Eastern Shore is the fourth largest of Maryland's 23 counties by land area, but it is destined to drop to the 14th largest by 2100, or sooner, as waters rise and erosion worsens.  Hear from candidates who are running for office in Annapolis about their views on protecting our climate and environment.

60] – On Fri., Sept. 7 from 7 to 10 PM, check out the Birthday Fundraiser Party for Joshua Harris and Owen S. Andrews, hosted by Kim Jensen at 662 E. 35th St., Baltimore 21218-2927. Harris is a candidate for MD House of Delegates in the 40th district, and Andrews is Co-Chair of the Baltimore City Green Party. Have fun while raising funds for Joshua's campaign! See https://www.facebook.com/events/430868094105274/.

61] – On Fri., Sept. 7 from 7 to 8 PM, hear from DeRay Mckesson, author of “On the Other Side of Freedom,” at the Marvin Center Theatre, George Washington University, 800 21st St. NW, WDC 20006. For tickets, go to www.politics-prose.com.  IN PARTNERSHIP WITH POLITICS & PROSE, Mckesson, a civil rights advocate and host of the podcast Pod Save the People, will converse on culture, social justice, and politics. Drawing from his own experiences as an organizer, educator, and public official, DeRay will explore the issues of the day and discuss the subtle structures and inherent biases that impact our communities. The book ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FREEDOM: The Case for Hope is a meditation on resistance, justice, and freedom, and an intimate portrait of the Black Lives Matter movement from the front lines. Every ticket includes a copy of the book (a $25 value). See https://www.facebook.com/events/488946134869004/.

62] -- Paul Magno will speak about the Kings Bay Plowshares Action on Fri., Sept. 7 at 7:30 PM at Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, 503 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW, WDC 20010. See https://dccatholicworker.wordpress.com/2018/08/27/the-kings-bay-plowshares-action/. On April 4, 2018, the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King. Jr., seven Catholic peacemakers, seeking to enflesh the biblical prophecy to “beat swords into plowshares,” carried out a plowshares action at the Kings Bay Trident facility in St. Mary’s, Georgia. Kings Bay is home port to six nuclear armed Trident ballistic missile submarines with the combined explosive power of over 9000 Hiroshima bombs. For their action they were charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor: conspiracy, destruction of property on a naval installation, depredation of government property and trespass. If convicted they face the prospect of long prison terms. No trial date has yet been set.

  Paul is a longtime peacemaker, plowshares activist and Dorothy Day Catholic Worker alumni who now resides at the Jonah House Community in Baltimore. Since the Kings Bay Plowshares action occurred, Paul has helped coordinate supports efforts on their behalf. He will speak about the purpose of this action, the current status of the Kings Bay Plowshares–those in and out of jail, what they face in their upcoming trial and what people can do to offer solidarity and support. Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker: 202-882-9649, artlaffin@hotmail.com.
63] – 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 Sept. 7. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

64] -- The Immigration Outreach Service Center is offering a Basic Computer Skills Class for immigrant women from Sat., Sept. 8 until Sat., Nov. 10 at St. Matthew Church Rectory, 5401 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore 21239.  This is an opportunity for immigrant women to increase computer skills, complete basic job searches and apply online for jobs. Computer and ESOL teachers will be available, childcare and MTA bus passes will be provided along with English language support.   Call IOSC at 410-323-8564 or email info@ioscbaltimore.org.

65] – On Sat., Sept. 8 from 10 AM to noon, come to the Mount Vernon Place for Stories of Slavery and Emancipation, hosted by Baltimore Heritage and Maryland Historical Society, 201 W. Monument St., Baltimore 21201.  For tickets, see baltimoreheritage.org.  Around Mount Vernon Place, memorials in bronze and marble honor slave-holders – George Washington, John Eager Howard, and until recently Roger B. Taney. No statue recognizes the labor of the enslaved people who worked and lived in the neighborhood’s handsome antebellum houses. The stories of slavery and emancipation on Mount Vernon Place are far from simple, however, including the monument to the Marquis de Lafayette, a hero of the American Revolution who personally urged George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to emancipate their slaves and abolish slavery in the United States.

The tour will start with a guided walk through the Maryland Historical Society’s newly refreshed Divided Voices: Maryland in the Civil War exhibit. David Armenti, Director of Education at the Society will provide participants an in-depth look at how the complex history of slavery and freedom for African Americans impacted the country before, during and after the war. Then, Eli Pousson of Baltimore Heritage will take the group for a short stroll around Mt. Vernon uncovering the lives of enslaved people and slave-owners with stories from violent politics of the Civil War to the revolutionary changes of emancipation. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/294682847930734/.

66] – The next anti-nuclear/anti-drone peace vigil will be on Sat., Sept. 8 from 10 to 11:30 AM in front of the White House. Bring any appropriate signs/banners you might have.  Literature about the nuclear ban treaty will be passed out.  There will be several speakers including Malachy Kilbride, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Robert More with Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore and others.  Contact John Whitehead <jwwhiteh@yahoo.com>. 

67] – On Sat., Sept. 8 from 11 AM to 5 PM, come to the 2018 Frederick In the Street Festival and volunteer at the Frederick Progressives table, which will be located in the History Block between Church St. and 2nd St., 100 Market St., Frederick 21701.  Go to http://www.progressivemaryland.org/frederick_in_the_street_2018?utm_campaign=wkmemsep4to112018&utm_medium=email&utm_source=progressivemaryland.  FCP is looking for folks to staff the table in 2-hour shifts of 2-3 people.  Help get out the word about progressive activism in the Frederick community, introduce voters to endorsed candidates, and share the vision and goals for Frederick County.  If you're certified to help register voters, that's especially helpful — as voter registration will be available.

If you're interested, grab a 1/2-hour shift greeting voters: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ynX_zS9Hyh8fyPI28mX4rFIIrZqiFYQyMitJmVyZPC4/edit?usp=sharing.  This will take placve at the same site from 10 AM to 6 PM, and if interested, contact Ashley Magnifico at ashley.magnifico@gmail.com

68] – 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.

69] – On Sat., Sept. 8 from 11 AM to 1 PM, get over to the Monthly Meeting - Meet Me in the Middle, hosted by Communities United at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 120 N. Front St., Baltimore 21202.  The monthly membership meeting is where organizers give updates and members have a chance to share issues and plan actions! The meeting is open to all interested, members & non-members.  Breakfast will be served. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1994404233913366/.

70] – Join a Festival for Change: Climate, Jobs & Justice in Baltimore on Sat., Sept. 8 from noon to 4 PM, organized by the Greater Baltimore Group at 101 N Gay St., Baltimore 21202. Email Cortez Elliot at cortez.elliot@mdsierra.org. Thousands of rallies will be held in cities and towns around the world to demand our local leaders commit to building a fossil free world that works for all of us. Join the Baltimore Peoples Climate Movement for a festival with art, performances, and opportunities to take action for climate justice.  RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/rise-for-climate-jobs-justice-baltimore.

71] – Join HoCo Rise 4 Climate on Sat., Sept. 8 from 2 to 4 PM in Clarksville Commons, 12230 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville 21029.  RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/hoco-rise-4-climate-2?referrer=350-org&source=tagged.

72] – TWO MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT: WHAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT NUCLEAR WAR is a one-day conference organized by Prevent Nuclear War Maryland and co-sponsored by Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, featuring expert speakers including Daryl Kimball and Dr. Ira Helfand.  It is free to attend with lunch provided.  It takes place on Sat., Nov. 17 from 10 AN to 4 PM at Goucher College, Kelley Lecture Hall, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson 21286. Go to https://www.psr.org/blog/event/two-minutes-to-midnight-what-we-can-do-to-prevent-nuclear-war/?instance_id=796.

73] – Do you have any interest in challenging the Trump administration for reneging on the Iran Deal? If yes, would you be interested in joining a Peace Caravan to the Iranian embassy in Washington, D.C.? Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.  

74] – 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.
75] – According to Jeffry Korgen <jkorgen@korgen.associates>, the Dorothy Day Guild Seeks Volunteers to Transcribe Diaries.  Be a part of Church history! Help canonize Dorothy Day! You can assist the canonization of Dorothy Day, Servant of God, by transcribing her diaries and letters. The transcripts will be sent to the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints.  You will be sent a PDF file of a section of Dorothy Day’s handwritten diaries and letters to type, unedited. 

As you finish one packet, if it seems a good fit, you can request another. You will be part of an international team working to support the canonization of Dorothy Day. Thirty people from five countries have joined the team—we’ll need 100!  If you would like to participate as a transcriber or have further questions, email Jeff Korgen, Secretary of the Dorothy Day Historical Commission at jkorgen@korgen.associates. Jeff may also be reached at 862-485-5807.

76] – 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.

77] -- 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.

78] -- Can you use any book shelves? Contact Max at 410-323-1637 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

79] -- 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.

80] – A Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981. Go to http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282.

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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