Baltimore Activist Alert January 6 – January 7, 2019

Baltimore Activist Alert January 6 – January 7, 2019

"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] Get involved with NCNR   

4] Buy an Anti-War Veteran hat  

5] Help the Less Fortunate – Jan. 6

6] Redlining – through Feb. 28

7] Growing up Under the Occupation in Gaza -- Jan. 6

8] “J20: Resistance in the Age of Trump” – Jan. 6

9] Reason to Believe meeting -- Jan. 6

10] Uyghur Muslims Speak the Unspeakable – Jan. 6

11] Fast for Justice – Jan. 6 -- 13

12] ERA conference call – Jan. 6

13] Protest at the Pentagon – Jan. 7

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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 U.S. wars.

To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.  Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.  

4] – Get a good-looking black hat which says Anti-War Veteran in the front and Viva House 50^th in the back.  The cost is $10. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

5] –On Sun., Jan. 6 at 9 AM and the following Sundays until Feb. 24, Give to Church in the Park, hosted by The River Christian Fellowship / Church in the Park, Baltimore 21212. With cold weather quickly upon us, the needs that we meet through Church in the Park: temporary housing, food, clothing, blankets, medical care, etc. are greater than any other time of the year. This ministry is supported completely through donations from people like you.  Through a one-time gift or monthly donation, you can impact the lives of those less fortunate.  Church in the Park is a volunteer, 501c3 ministry of The River Christian Fellowship to meet the needs of the inner city homeless and poor in Baltimore. Check out theriverfellowship.org or https://www.facebook.com/events/2217511265126984/.

6] – At 10 AM through February 28, check out Undesign the Redline exhibit, hosted by Choose Civility, HCLS Central Branch. Look for tickets at choosecivility.org.  This interactive exhibit explores the history of structural racism and classism, how these designs compounded each other from redlining maps until today, and how we can come together to undesign these systems with intentionality.  Tours, reading lists, events, and more details are at http://choosecivility.org/events/undesign-the-redline-exhibit. See https://www.facebook.com/events/444200232763081/.

7] – On Sun., Jan. 6 from 10 to 11 AM, catch Growing up Under the Occupation in Gaza, a presentation by Mohammed Eid, a 29 year old Palestine refugee, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St., Wilmington, DE. RSVP at delawarephr@gmail.com.

8] –  Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion at 10:30 AM.  On Sun., Jan. 6, the platform address is “J20: Resistance in the Age of Trump.”  On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump was inaugurated to a chorus of protest and opposition.  One demonstration in particular – an anti-capitalist march – grabbed headlines when hundreds of its participants were arrested en masse and later prosecuted by Trump’s Justice Department in a multi-count felony indictment, which carried the possibility of more than six decades in prison.  What followed was an 18-month legal battle of unprecedented scope in which federal prosecutors tried in vain to criminalize dissent through a novel theory of guilt by association. While they ultimately failed, the ordeal portends more such skirmishes to come. The lessons of J20 come together at the intersection of the First Amendment, anti-fascism, and the American criminal code.   

Phil Andonian joined Bredhoff & Kaiser in 2011.  His practice focuses on litigation on behalf of labor unions and their members at the local, state, and federal level, as well as white-collar criminal defense and grand-jury representation.  Prior to joining the firm, Phil spent six years at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia.  At PDS, he represented juveniles and adults charged with criminal offenses ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and also argued cases in front of the D.C. Court of Appeals.  Before that, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert E. Morin of the D.C. Superior Court and was an associate at a small criminal-defense firm in Northern California.  Phil is also an Adjunct Professor in the Trial Advocacy Program at American University’s Washington College of Law.  Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org. 

9] – On Sun., Jan. 6 from 11 AM to noon, attend the Reason to Believe PAC - Maryland Meetup at Busboys and Poets,  5331 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville 20781-1911.  Tickets are at secure.ngpvan.com. This is a regional post-election meet up to reflect on all that has been accomplished in 2018. Sign Up here: secure.ngpvan.com/308kIvYUD0W44XFNpHxRiA2.

In living rooms, coffee shops, and campaign offices across the country as people are asking, “What's next?” By taking on the great responsibility of engaging people in discussion, take on the next step towards a bold and exciting future. Parking is free, coffee is yum, and the conversation will be great. If you have any questions, please email Rikki at roreilly@reasontobelievepac.com.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/285485018978926/.

10] – On Sun., Jan. 6 from 11 AM to 1 PM, check out The Trial of Testimony: Uyghur Muslims Speak the Unspeakable, hosted by The Muslim Link, 5301 Edgewood Rd., College Park 20740-4623. This is a discussion on the history and struggles of being a Muslim in East Turkestan. See https://www.facebook.com/events/563606290730660/.

11] – The Witness Against Torture FAST FOR JUSTICE 2019 will be happening from Sun., Jan. 6 to Sun., Jan. 13.  The home base will be First Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 4th St. NW (entrance on 4th St.), WDC 20001 (4th and E Sts NW).  Use the Judiciary Square Metro. Visit http://www.witnessagainsttorture.com/FastForJustice2019Schedule. On Sun., Jan. 6, people can arrive after 3 PM.  The contact person is Don Cunning (848 200 0847).  At 7 PM, enjoy a last meal together, and at 8 PM join an Opening Community Circle.  On Mon., Jan. 7 at 6:15 AM, leave for Pentagon for the 7 to 8 AM Pentagon Vigil w/ Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.  At 9 AM, the Community Circle will do a day of planning and action. On Tues., Jan. 8 at 9 AM, join the Community Circle for a day of planning and action.  At 1 to 3 PM, there is a Community Dialogue at the Code Pink House, 1241 Evarts St. NE, WDC 20018, with local tenant’s rights activists struggling to protect their homes and local Poor Peoples Campaign activists demanding the minimum wage for all restaurant workers in D.C. On Wed., Jan. 9 at 9 AM, there is a Community Circle and day of planning and action.  Then there will be Capitol Hill Advocacy (visit Congressional representatives).  Finally, demonstrate in support of the people of Yemen (Blue Backpack Action).

On Thurs., Jan. 10 at 9 AM, there is a Community Circle. From 6 to 8:30 PM, there is a Panel Presentation – The State of Muslim Rights in the US War on Terror at the Public Welfare Foundation Inc., 1200 U St. NW, WDC 20009. On Fri., Jan. 11 at 9 attend a Community Circle. At 2:30 PM, there is a Coalition Rally at the White House to Commemorate 17 years of Guantanamo.  On Sat., Jan. 12 at 9 AM, retreat to reflect on the week and plan moving forward. On Sun., Jan. 13 at 9 AM, enjoy breakfast, closing circle and cleanup.  The Fast for justice ends at noon.

12] – On Sun., Jan. 6 at 4 PM, join The CALL - ERA Education Program, hosted by One Rural Woman at Katrina's Dream, PO Box 32003, WDC 20007.  Get tickets at www.katrinasdream.org.  Help build the groundswell. The collaboration of grassroots organizers, lobbyists, and professionals is dedicated to promoting and educating folks across the United States of America to empowering women around the world.  PASS THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

There is a NATIONAL WEEKLY SUNDAY CALL at 4 PM with E.R.A. ADVOCATES -- CALL IN NO: 563.999.2090 CONFERENCE NO: 898879#.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1710130249022424/.

13] – 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 Jan. 7, 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.

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