Join a protest against Trump's foreign policy at the State Department on April 1./ Algerian Protesters Reject Military's Gambit to Maintain Power

Friends,

  Consider joining the Baltimore Nonviolence Center and Baltimore Peace Action at a rally at the State Department on Monday, April 1 at noon to condemn the Trump administration’s foreign policy.  During the rally, a group of advocates will attempt to deliver a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo seeking a meeting to end the State Department’s complicity in war crimes and other indignities around the world. This group will meet at 10 AM at a restaurant near the State Department to prepare for the letter delivery. If you are interested in joining this group, I will let you know the address of the restaurant.

 If you are coming to the rally, consider making a sign demanding a change in State Department policy on Trump’s support for Saudi Arabia and its war on the people of Yemen or Trump’s mistreatment of the Palestinians or his refusal to close Guantanamo or his embrace of many dictatorial regimes, including Egypt, the Philippines, and Brazil, or the administration’s attempt to overthrow the government of Venezuela or the threat of war with Iran or the abrogation of the Iran Agreement as well as the INF Treaty or the likes of Mike Pompeo, John Bolton and Elliott Abrams making foreign policy.  Take photographs and live stream if you are able, and share this on social media so that there is a record of this act of resistance to the State Department’s malfeasance.  We recognize the need to resist the US government’s illegal, immoral and unconscionable foreign policy.  

Kagiso, Max

April 1, 2019

Michael R. Pompeo

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20520

Published on Portside (https://portside.org/)

Algerian Protesters Reject Military's Gambit to Maintain Power

Simon Speakman Cordall

March 27, 2019

Al-Monitor

   After weeks of mounting protests in Algeria, with hundreds of thousands gathering to call upon ailing 82-year-old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to relinquish office, there are further signs of the president’s inner circle deserting him.

  The army’s chief of staff, Gen. Ahmed Gaed Salah — backed by a key part of the country’s ruling coalition, the National Rally for Democracy, and the General Union of Algerian Workers — has echoed protesters’ demands for the president to step aside, proposing a managed process that would see power ceded to a senior member of the country’s political establishment.

   But protesters buoyed by the apparent groundswell of support for their cause have dismissed the compromise measure from the country’s ruling elite as little more than a tactical olive branch intended to maintain power within the close political circle that has formed around the infirm president.

    Speaking on television, Salah told viewers, “We must find a way out of this crisis immediately, within the constitutional framework." For the army, at least, that constitutional framework appears to be invoking Article 102 of the Algerian Constitution, declaring Bouteflika unfit for office and for power to be transferred to a caretaker power.

   However, protest leaders have been scornful of the move. Opposition leader Sofiane Djilali, president of the Jil Jadid party, dismissed the offer and was quoted as saying, "Neither the opposition nor the people will accept this operation. The whole system has to go."

  Djilali’s comments found ready echoes upon the street, as protesters tired of almost 30 years of economic and political stagnation voiced their rejection of the offer. “Of course I will still protest until our demands come true,” a spokesperson for one of the leading protest groups — No to the Fifth Term, No to the Perpetuation of Corruption — told Al-Monitor, adding that any decision on Bouteflika’s fitness for office should have been taken at the time of his devastating stroke in 2013 and not now. For the protest group, the latest call from Salah was not so much a reflection of the popular will as a cynical gambit to retain the army’s influence in government. The army must hand power to the people, they said.

   Others seized upon the general’s comments as a de facto admission of the army’s longstanding control on government. His comments were revealing, protester Khalil Che told Al-Monitor, as “now he will be facing his responsibility because now many people will know that Gaid Salah is the real government."

  “Since 1962 [the date of Algeria’s independence], the military [has been] the real power that makes the decisions,” Khalil said.

   The mood among many of the millions who have flooded Algeria’s streets over the previous five weekends similarly appeared as defiant as ever. “The system must go. There is no point for it [to resist],” Belkacem Abidi, 25, told Reuters as he gathered with around 6,000 others — mostly students — in central Algiers following Salah’s intervention.

   If the army maintains its plans to invoke Article 102, it risks setting itself on a collision course with the protesters, whose determination to wrest the system from political insiders who have coalesced around the president appear only matched by their numbers and level of support.

    According to the constitution, Article 102 allows for Algeria’s constitutional council to declare the presidency vacant if the incumbent is too sick to exercise the functions of office. The council must then appeal to parliament to also declare him unfit. The leader of the upper house, Abdelkader Bensalah, would then take over in a caretaker capacity for 45 days. However, what power Bensalah would have or what his ability would be to enact genuine reform remains unclear.

   “Protests will continue. … Algerians’ demands include a change of the political system,” lawyer and activist Mustapha Bouchachi told Reuters.

   “The implementation of Article 102 means that the symbols of the system will oversee the transition period and organize presidential elections,” Bouchachi added.

   Recent weeks have seen the defection of many of Algeria’s leading parties and politicians from the side of the government to that of the protesters. On Sunday, the president’s own National Liberation Front backtracked on its support for the incumbent’s suggestion for a "national dialogue conference" intended to oversee major constitutional reform, with spokesman Hocine Khaldoun telling the private Dzair TV network the conference would "not solve the problem."

   "Honestly, we are going to revise our position on the conference," Khaldoun added, saying that the "conference will not solve the issue because participants will not be elected."

   Algeria’s popular protests have grown in numbers since initial demonstrations against Bouteflika’s proposed fifth run for office broke out in Bordj Bou Arreridj, about 125 miles from the capital, on Feb. 13. Fueled by a series of apparent government climbdowns — including rescinding the president’s fifth bid for power — their numbers have since swollen as Algerians from all strata of society have flooded the country’s cities to demand the departure of the country’s paraplegic leader.

Algeria’s protests have been greeted with some apprehension by neighboring countries that typically look to the North African state as either a partner in counterterrorism or a significant source of hydrocarbons, though thus far exports have remained unaffected.

   Within Algeria itself, the pressure from the street appears unrelenting. The No to the Fifth Term protest group said the end was within sight. Victory “is not that far," the group's spokesperson told Al-Monitor, adding, “We must continue our pressure on unconstitutional individuals and the military establishment.”

Simon Speakman Cordall is a Tunis-based journalist.

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Source URL: https://portside.org/2019-03-30/algerian-protesters-reject-militarys-gambit-maintain-power

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

Baltimore Activist Alert March 31 – April 1, 2019

Baltimore Activist Alert March 31 – April 1, 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] “Explore & Live Palestine” from July 11 through July 25, 2019

6] Lawyers Against War

7] SUPPORT AMAZON WORKERS OF CONSCIENCE

8] Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five – Mar. 31

9] Ending Hunger and Homelessness – Mar. 31

10] Concert for Peace – Mar. 31

11] Amos Oz memorial – Mar. 31

12] Syrian Supper – Mar. 31

13] Twitter for Social Activism -- Mar. 31

14] Social Justice Seder – Mar. 31

15] Homeless Period Campaign -- Mar. 31 – Apr. 11

16] Pentagon Protest – April 1

17] Lobby for 100% Public Funding – April 1

18] Help deliver a letter to Mike Pompeo – April 1

19] Food Rescue – April 1

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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] – Jeff Ross, an attorney in Maryland, is interested in gathering with other lawyers to discuss ways in which the legal profession and the law generally can be conceptualized as a peace-building and war-resisting institution and redirected to these ends. Areas to explore might include: 1) ways in which this group could support with legal analysis/writing those lawyers who are representing peace-builders/war-resisters in criminal prosecutions; 2) ways in which, from a more theoretical perspective, the law might be grounded in an ethic of non-violence; and 3) ways in which law students and young lawyers might be exposed to a non-violent vision of the law. All religious, philosophical, and critical perspectives on the law are welcome. The group might want to call itself Lawyers Against War. Jeff can be reached at 443-690-6872 and jross50@hotmail.com.

6] – If you are 18 to 35, don't miss this unique opportunity to visit Palestine! Registration is Now Open at https://kthps.org/join. For more information, please visit: https://kthps.org/.  Know Thy Heritage, Inc. is offering a Leadership Initiative “Explore & Live Palestine” from July 11 through July 25, 2019.  This is a program of The Arab American Institute.  Visit http://www.aaiusa.org/.

7] -- SUPPORT AMAZON WORKERS OF CONSCIENCE.  We are in a deep struggle to support conscience within the high tech community, which may be the only way to prevent a major leap into artificial intelligence warfare that we see the beginnings of in the expanding global U.S. drone war system.  This may be of particular interest to Johns Hopkins' Navy-funded researchers, some of whom have been working on swarming drone technology.

These are not major asks and can be a powerful reinforcement of conscience at an extremely critical moment.  Please consider circulating this link to your lists encouraging people to sign the linked RootsAction petition - https://www.knowdrones.com/blog/2019/3/6/support-amazon-workers-who-dont-want-to-work-for-war and leafletting Whole Foods in your areas. This is a link to the leaflet -- https://gallery.mailchimp.com/dd110b000ca250d868d4f419b/files/107fc695-8af9-4f7e-a523-ecd1d1dfd28f/Wholefoods_Leaflet.pdf. Should you have interest in circulating the links and possibly leafletting, contact Nick Mottern at  nickmottern at 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., Mar. 31, the platform address is “Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five. “ Fifty years ago to the day, Kurt Vonnegut’s best-known, most critically acclaimed novel was published. Slaughterhouse-Five raises several topics we will explore: “just” wars, aerial bombing, censorship, free will, religion, and humankind’s place in the universe.

Wayne Laufert has been a fan of Kurt Vonnegut ever since one of his teachers in high school suggested he read Slaughterhouse-Five. Wayne now runs Vonnegut Baltimore, a book club in its ninth season, and is writing a book about Vonnegut for the American Humanist Association. His article about Slaughterhouse-Five in the current issue of the AHA’s magazine, The Humanist, is the basis for today’s talk. Wayne has been a Baltimore Ethical Society member since 2013, and he co-chairs the Membership Committee with Janey Solwold. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org. 

9] – On Sun., March 31 from noon to 2 PM, the topic is Ending Hunger and Homelessness in Montgomery County, hosted by Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 818 University Blvd. W, Silver Spring 20901. This will happen after the 10:30 AM service with homemade soup, bread, and dessert, and a discussion with local leaders who will share insights into poverty and homelessness, what their organizations are doing to effect change, and how faith communities like ours can help. Check out https://www.gsecmd.org/fighting-homelessness-in-montgomery-county.

10] – On Sun., March 31 from 1 to 10 PM, there will be a Concert for Peace in Franklin Square Park, WDC.  Event will include a CODEPINK photo booth, bands, speakers, poets, DJs, HIP-HOP, tabling and refreshments.

11] -- On Sun., March 31 from 3 to 5 PM, attend the Amos Oz Memorial, hosted by J Street DC Metro at Temple Sinai DC,  3100 Military Rd. NW, WDC 20015. Tickets can be found at act.jstreet.org.  J Street is pleased to partner with Temple Sinai, and a dozen other local and national organizations as it celebrates the life of the legendary writer and activist Amos Oz (z"l). Register at jstreet.org/ozmemorial. Pay tribute to this amazing man who lifted up the stories of so many and played a crucial role in giving voice to all those fighting for freedom. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2323310574657888/.

12] -- On Sun., March 31 from 4 to 7 PM, come to a Syrian Supper and Cultural Exchange, hosted by St. John's Grace UCC , 1000 S. Rolling Road, Catonsville 21228.  St. John’s Grace invites you to enjoy an evening of fellowship and an authentic Syrian meal prepared by Madiha, a Syrian refugee whose love of cooking was passed down from her mother and sisters. Proceeds from the event will go to support Madiha's family. Adults are asked for a $25 donation, and children 12 and under, a $5 donation.  Contact Laura Prinn at prinn329@msn.com or 410-897-2534 for tickets; and Leah Hayes for all other questions at lakhayes@yahoo.com.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/348980305705485/.

13] –  On Sun., March 31 from 4 to 6 PM, get caught up with Twitter for Social Activism, hosted by Woman's Democratic Club of Montgomery County at 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville 20850. See https://www.facebook.com/events/397417570815127/.

14] – On Sun., March 31 from 4 to 6 PM, attend the 6th Annual JUFJ Baltimore Social Justice Seder at Chevrei Tzedek, 3101 Fallstaff Rd., Baltimore 21209. Tickets are at jufj.org.  Be there for a night of discussion, music, speakers, food and friends, and take action for water justice in Baltimore. Go to https://jufj.org/event/social-justice-seder-2019/ or https://www.facebook.com/events/1830628847049157/.

15] – On Sun., Mar. 31 through Thurs., Apr. 11 from 4 to 7 PM, be a part of a Homeless Period Campaign, hosted by Project PLASE, Inc., 1814 Maryland Ave., Baltimore 21201.  Tickets are at www.firstgiving.com. Join @Project PLASE in raising awareness and funds to help homeless individuals and their #homelessperiod.  Make a donation at https://bit.ly/2GRF8rM.  Challenge a friend, organization or group to show their support for the #homelessperiod and to keep the challenge going.  Post into your social media posts to keep the challenge going.

In addition to dealing with the everyday hardships that come with homelessness, people who menstruate have an additional level of hardship each month. With the lack of resources to buy menstrual products, they must choose between spending money on these products, or eating. The #HomelessPeriod Campaign is a fundraiser organized by Project PLASE in accordance with the Why Women Cry Conference. It intends to raise funds to create menstrual hygiene kits that can be given to PLASE clients and homeless people. The kits will be distributed by Project PLASE staff and volunteers. Homelessness brings trauma and health issues into one’s life. We believe menstruation care should not be a secondary choice for people, and that all people deserve equal access to period product. Please join Project PLASE in the #homelessperiod Campaign to provide everyone with equitable menstrual care. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/244516872997983/?event_time_id=244516896331314.

16] – 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 Apr. 1, 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. 

17] – On Mon., April 1 at 10 AM to Fri., Apr. 5 at 5 PM, join the National Lobby for 100% Public Funding Only for ALL Elections, hosted by the Green Party National Women's Caucus.  Tickets are at greensvsgreed.org.  Greens from all over the USA will join together during this week to lobby congress to ask them to take the public funding only pledge and also to sponsor or co-sponsor a bill in Congress to free our elections from any sort of bribery cash: special interest PAC, corporate or dark money donations. Instead - qualified candidates from every party would get an equal chance in TV, radio and printed ads, debates and appearances. This would allow other voices to be heard and the American voters to be aware of all of their choices.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1824136497702165/.

18] – If you are upset with Trump’s support for Saudi Arabia and its war on the people of Yemen or Trump’s mistreatment of the Palestinians or his refusal to close Guantanamo or his embrace of many dictatorial regimes, including Egypt, the Philippines, and Brazil, or the administration’s attempt to overthrow the government of Venezuela or the threat of war with Iran or the abrogation of the Iran Agreement as well as the INF Treaty or the likes of Mike Pompeo, John Bolton and Elliott Abrams making foreign policy, you might consider joining the Baltimore Nonviolence Center and Baltimore Peace Action at a rally at the State Department, 2201 C St. NW, WDC 20520 at noon on Mon., April 1. 

After the rally, some of us will try to deliver a letter to Secretary of State Pompeo. A copy of the letter can be made available. RSVP if you are interested in getting involved in the letter delivery. Those of us who hope to deliver the letter will meet at 10 AM at a place near the State Department to work out final details.  If you RSVP, we will inform you of the location.  Join us on April 1st in our feeble effort to say no more killing.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast.net. 

19] – On Mon., Apr. 1 at noon, there will be a Food Rescue at Land of Kush, 840 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore 21201. Food Rescue Baltimore is honored to partner with The Land of Kush each and every Monday to bring access to free vegan/plant-based food in the community. Bring a bag. Take what you want from noon to 1PM or while supplies last. No purchase is necessary to take advantage of the Food Rescue Baltimore give away. Items from The Land of Kush's menu are not included in the give-away but will be available for sale. See https://www.facebook.com/events/415842178868197/.

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

A report on the lobby visits with an aide to Senator Van Hollen and an aide to Senator Cardin

A report on the lobby visits with an aide to Senator Van Hollen and an aide to Senator Cardin

 On March 7, four members of Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland traveled from Baltimore to meet with Paul Warnke, a Nuclear Security Working Group Fellow for Senator Chris Van Hollen, at the D.C. office.  While Warnke said he would meet with us for 30 minutes, the meeting was closer to 25 minutes long.  Van Hollen is to be congratulated for his constituent services, as my emails supporting or arguing against legislation almost always get a response from his staff.  It was a real pleasure to meet with Paul as he was very knowledgeable about the issues we raised.

  

   Paul Warnke garnered a master’s degree in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies at the Middlebury Institute. The Middlebury Institute is affiliated with Middlebury College in Vermont, but located in Monterey, CA. After graduation, he is one of nine members of the 2019 congressional nuclear security fellow program.  The nine are placed in both the Senate and the House serving with Democrats and Republicans.  The Nuclear Security Working Group Fellowship Program is made by possible by funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.   I believe he is the grandson of Paul Warnke, who came out against the Vietnam War and was a nuclear weapons negotiator involved in nuclear arms reduction treaties.  

     Sen. Van Hollen was thanked for voting in favor of S.J. Res. 7, the War Powers Act which calls for the U.S. military to end its involvement in the Saudi-U.A.E. terror war on the people of Yemen. We then asked for an answer to the difference between the Senate and House resolutions and when will the differences be resolved.

  We asked Van Hollen to co-sponsor S.272 - A bill to establish the policy of the United States regarding the no-first-use of nuclear weapons; and thanked him for co-sponsoring S. 200- Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2019; S.312 - Prevention of Arms Race Act of 2019; and S.401 - A bill to prohibit the research and development, production, and deployment of the Trident D5 low-yield nuclear warhead, and for other purposes.  He was asked to sign the ICAN Parliamentarian Pledge to support the Ban Treaty.  Two members of Congress, Rep. Barbara Lee and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) have signed the Parliamentary Pledge. 

 We also informed the staffer about Back from the Brink, and how Baltimore was the first major city to pass a supporting resolution.  Since then other cities, including the District of Columbia, and the State of California have also joined in with resolutions.  It is hoped that Van Hollen would co-sponsor a Back From the Brink resolution

 We pointed out that some 60% of the federal discretionary budget goes to war making, and thus funding for housing, education, environmental protections, drug treatment and infrastructure is short-changed.  Wasting so much money on wars and the enhancement of the nuclear weapons arsenal has caused the USA to be ranked well below so many nations on different indices, according to Lawrence Wittner in the December 29, 2018 in Z Magazine—“The United States is First in War, But Trailing in Crucial Aspects of Modern Civilization.“ This is but one example in the article: “Despite the fact that the United States is the world’s richest nation, it also has an unusually high level of poverty.  According to a 2017 UNICEF report, over 29 percent of American children live in impoverished circumstances, placing the United States 35th in childhood poverty among the 41 richest nations.  Indeed, the United States has a higher percentage of its people living in poverty (15.1 percent) than 41 other countries, including Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, and Sri Lanka.”

As the meeting was breaking up, we mentioned our concern about the Trump administration’s plan to change the government in Venezuela.  Paul mentioned that Mike Pompeo said all options are on the table.  The staffer concluded from this comment that even the use of nuclear weapons would be considered.  This is madness, but who can guess  how far Trump will go to take out Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela.

 I indicated I would be contacting Paul in in about a week to obtain answers to our asks and our questions. He suggested in two weeks. Let me know if you have any comments or questions.

________________________

 On March 19, five members of Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland traveled from Baltimore to meet with Katherine Kitty Close, a Legislative Correspondent for Senator Ben Cardin, at the D.C. office.  Once we sat down, Kitty told us we had 15 minutes, which was an insult.  This seems to be typical of Cardin’s lack of constituent services.  I actually get responses from Senator Van Hollen’s staff when I send in an email supporting or arguing against legislation.  My Inbox does not get any responses from Cardin’s office when I send an email about legislation.  And Cardin has sponsored anti-First Amendment legislation in an attempt to deter us from supporting Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel because of its illegal occupation of the Palestinians.

  

   We tried our best to get our asks presented to Ms. Close as quickly as possible.  It became obvious that someone in Cardin’s office decided to have a very inexperienced staff member with limited knowledge of the issues to meet with us.  It could be assumed that our issues were of little interest to Sen. Cardin.  We wanted Cardin to co-sponsor S. 200- Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2019; S.272 - A bill to establish the policy of the United States regarding the no-first-use of nuclear weapons; S.312 - Prevention of Arms Race Act of 2019; and S.401 - A bill to prohibit the research and development, production, and deployment of the Trident D5 low-yield nuclear warhead, and for other purposes. He has failed to engage in any anti-nuclear weapons issues. 

  Of course, he will not sign the ICAN Parliamentarian Pledge to support the Ban Treaty.  But he was asked to do it.  Now five members of Congress--Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) have signed the Parliamentary Pledge. 

 Sen. Cardin was thanked for voting in favor of S.J. Res. 7, the War Powers Act which would call for the U.S. military to end its involvement in the Saudi-U.A.E. terror war on the people of Yemen. We then asked for an answer to the difference between the Senate and House resolutions and when will the differences be resolved.

 We also informed the staffer about Back from the Brink, and how Baltimore was the first major city to pass a supporting resolution.  Since then other cities, including the District of Columbia, and the State of California have also joined in with resolutions. 

  It was pointed out that Cardin has stated “I believe in a strong national defense.”  This statement is such a disappointment as some 60% of the federal discretionary budget goes to war making, and thus funding for housing, education, environmental protections, drug treatment and infrastructure is short-changed.  Wasting so much money on wars and the enhancement of the nuclear weapons arsenal has caused the USA to be ranked well below so many nations on different indices, according to Lawrence Wittner in the December 29, 2018 in Z Magazine—“The United States is First in War, But Trailing in Crucial Aspects of Modern Civilization.“ This is but one example in the article: “Not surprisingly, American health is relatively poor.  The infant mortality rate in the United States is higher than in 54 other lands, including Belarus, Cuba, Greece, and French Polynesia.  According to the World Cancer Research Fund, the United States has the 5th highest cancer rate of the 50 countries it studied.  For the past few years, as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported, U.S. life expectancy has been declining and, today, the United States reportedly ranks 53rd among 100 nations in life expectancy.”

We then brought up that it was our understanding that Cardin will not co-sponsor legislation unless Republicans have signed on.  Kitty claimed this was not true, but did not provide any examples where Cardin pushed legislation backed only by Democrats.  There are several examples of Cardin working across the aisle.  Here is one: on March 14, 2019, Cardin, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Jobs Act to Help Workers Access Training for In-Demand Career Fields.  These examples, however, do not include any significant legislation.

Finally, we brought up the Trump administration’s plan to change the government in Venezuela, and asked what is Ben’s position.  She got a bit feisty hinting that Cardin would not be upset if Maduro was replaced. This was in THE WASHINGTON POST on February 23, 2019: “Democratic leadership has voiced support for Guaido as interim president: Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) put out a statement earlier this month, and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said Saturday, “I think at this point the Trump administration handled this properly,” though he did go on to caution against the use of military force.”  It is awful that a senator from Maryland would support the Trump policy of regime change.

  I indicated I would be contacting Ms. Close in about a week to obtain answers to our asks and our questions. Let me know if you have any comments or questions. Also note we are exploring options of meeting with a higher-level member of Cardin’s staff.

Kagiso, Max

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

Baltimore ACtivist Alert -- March 28 -- April 4, 2019

49] Constraining Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Capabilities – Mar. 28

50] The Surveillance of Activists in the Digital Age – Mar. 28

51] PG County Solar Co-op Information Session -- Mar. 28

52] Walk Out on Trump Administration’s Energy Lies -- Mar. 28

53] Disaster Strikes Again – Mar. 28

54] WIB peace vigils – Mar. 29

55] White House vigil -- Mar. 29

56] Black Lives Matter – March 29

57] Malcolm X Talk – Mar. 29

58] Rescue Piggy – March 29

59] Social Justice Shabbat – March 29

60] World War 3 Illustrated – March 29

61] Ballroom Dancing – Mar. 29

62] Benefit for Baltimore Free Farm – March 29

63] York Road Community Days – Mar. 30

64] Transportation to National Mobilization – March 30

65] Peace Vigil – March 30

66] Computer Literacy classes for immigrant women – Mar. 30

67] Say No to NATO – Mar. 30

68] Bystander Intervention Training -- Mar. 30

69] The Underground Railroad – Mar. 30

70] House Concert – Mar. 30

71] Benefit Concert/Dinner – Mar. 30

72] The Revolution Is In Your Head – Mar. 30

73] Women’s Delegation to Cuba – deadline March 31

74] Can you house people coming to the Peace Festival? – Apr. 3 - 4

75] Kings Bay Plowshares are hiring

76] Emergency Demonstration against an attack on Venezuela or Iran  

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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49] – On Thurs., March 28 at 2 PM, check out Constraining Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Capabilities at the Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW,WDC 20036. Speaking will be former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for ISN Vann H. Van Diepen; Richard Nephew, Brookings; and Suzanne Maloney, Brookings.  Two new Brookings monographs—“Constraining Iran’s Future Nuclear Capabilities” by Robert Einhorn and Richard Nephew, and “Constraining Iran’s Missile Program” by Robert Einhorn and Vann Van Diepen—provide recommendations for addressing the challenges to regional and international security posed by Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. The authors—Einhorn, Nephew, and Van Diepen—will summarize the reports’ principal findings and recommendations, and Brookings Senior Fellow Suzanne Maloney will provide commentary. See https://www.brookings.edu/events/constraining-irans-nuclear-and-missile-capabilities./.

50] – There is a webinar on Thurs., March 28 at 7 PM EST/4pm PST "Spying Dissent: The Surveillance of Activists in the Digital Age." Activists have long been surveilled by the government, most famously through the FBI's CounterIntelligence Program (COINTELPRO) in the 1960s which targeted peace activists, the AFSC, civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Stokely Carmichael and Ella Baker and other dissidents. That legacy continues today as the rise of movements from #BlackLivesMatter to #NoDAPL has been met with increased surveillance by law enforcement. And in the digital age, technology is helping police spy at an unprecedented scale.  The speakers include April Goggans (Black Lives Matter DC Chapter), Michelle Vendiola (Indigenous Climate Change activist), Nusrat Choudhury (ACLU's Racial Justice Program) and Rachel Levinson-Waldman (Brennan Center for Justice).

This event is co-hosted by the Center for Media Justice, Defending Rights & Dissent, National Lawyers Guild, Protect the Protest, and the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center at Howard University School of Law.  Attend this webinar in person at Howard University Law Library, Room 101, 2929 Van Ness St. NW, WDC 20008. Email hello@rightsanddissent.org.

51] – The Prince George's County Solar Co-op Information Session is taking place on Thurs., March 28 at 7 PM at Greenbelt Public Library, Small Meeting Room, 11 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt 20770.  This information session is open to residents in Prince George's County. Neighbors across Prince George's County can join our Prince George's Solar Co-op. Co-op participants work with the help of Solar United Neighbors to make it easier to save money on the purchase of solar panels, while building a community of local solar supporters. Join us for a free information session to learn about solar energy, as well as how the co-op simplifies the process of going solar while providing a discount through its bulk purchasing power. Email lauren@solarunitedneighbors.org.

52] – On Fri., March 29 from 7:30 to 9:30 AM, Walk Out on Trump Administration’s Energy Lies, hosted by 350 DC and Sunrise Movement - DC Hub at the Japanese American Memorial, 27 Louisiana Ave. NW, # 49, WDC 20001.  This Friday, the Department of Energy and coal execs are holding a panel to perpetuate the myth that renewable energy can’t power America. The event is free to the public, so show up in numbers to demand answers and walk out on their lies! THE MOST IMPORTANT FIRST STEP: Register right now so you can attend the event: bit.ly/2CGfJOO.  Arrive at the Japanese American Memorial (a park at D & New Jersey Ave. NW) to go over the action and prep before heading over to the Charlie Palmer Steakhouse where the panel is being held.

The U.S. electric sector is changing for the better: towards a flexible grid powered by renewable, carbon free energy. In hosting this panel, Real Clear Politics shows a complete lack of understanding around the most basic elements of the electricity sector, from wrongfully uplifting large coal and nuclear plants, to questioning the affordability of wind and solar, the nation’s cheapest power sources. It is unnerving to know that those leading the nation’s energy future are utterly clueless when it comes to grid modernization and flexibility, falling renewable energy prices, and the market mechanisms that are rapidly making coal and nuclear power expensive and obsolete.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2098603036904519/.

53] – On Fri., March 29 from noon to 2 PM, Disaster Strikes Again, hosted by SAIS Energy, Resources & Environment in the Kenney Auditorium, SAIS, 1740 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20036.  Agriculture continues to be the primary source of income for many communities around the world. However, the increase in climate-related severe weather events is having a significant impact on local farmers in affected areas who are experiencing economic losses due to decreased agricultural yields. These losses further strain public budgets, as governments depend on agriculture related revenue. Yet there is the potential to transfer this risk to the private market through insurance and reinsurance mechanisms. The Swiss Re Practicum team will present this research on the economic impacts of climate shocks in agriculture dependent communities, which will be followed by a panel discussion on how farmers, local, and federal governments are responding to these devastating impacts. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED.  RSVP at https://swissre2019.eventbrite.com. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2326810077553579/.

54] – On Fri., Mar. 29 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.

55] – On Fri.,  Mar. 29 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.

56] – 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 Mar. 29. Black Lives Matter.  

57] – On Fri., March 29 from 6 to 8 PM, hear a Malcolm X Talk: Navigating Politics as Millennial Women, hosted by Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle at the Haskins Center, 25 West Fayette St., 6th Floor, Baltimore 21201.  March is Women's History Month.  Therefore, this month's Malcolm X Talk will be the Ella Baker Edition focusing on the particular challenges faced by young Black women when navigating political spaces in Baltimore. Beyond the panel discussion of the nature of those challenges, explore how we can come together as a community to support young Black women who face this difficult reality.  Come with questions and solutions to these issues. Donations for panelists and moderator are encouraged. See https://www.facebook.com/events/295392464486972/.

58] - On Fri., March 29 from 6 to 8 PM, Rescue Piggie and see a film, hosted CARE at JHU in Hodson’s first floor lobby, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218.  THERE WILL BE A RESCUED PIGGIE CALLED CHARLOTTE PRESENT.  THERE WILL ALSO BE A MINI MARKET SET UP BY BLACK BOTTOM FARM.  Come join CARE for a screening of "The Last Pig", an award-winning documentary about a pig farmer who had a change of heart. Charlotte the rescue pig will be available for cuddles throughout the movie and her caretaker from the Life With Pigs Animal Sanctuary will be around for any questions!  Rose from Black Bottom Farm Initiative will tell her story about how she turned her old pig farm into a sanctuary! They will be setting up a mini market of foods! See a preview here: https://blackbottomfarmcollective.grazecart.com/our-store. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1832951716804421/.

59] – On Fri., March 29 from 7 to 9 PM, come to a Social Justice Shabbat, hosted by Moishe House Baltimore and Jews United for Justice. Tickets are at bit.ly.  Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) will present a few issues and guide dinner table discussions to add to the Shabbat experience. Come ready to celebrate Shabbat, meet new people, and think about Jewish values of tikkun olam and tzedakah and how those values should influence actions to improve Baltimore.   Some issues which JUFJ has pushed forward are higher minimum wages, paid family leave, police accountability, affordable housing, and many other policies. Learn more about them on their website here: https://jufj.org/.

Moishe House is an international non-profit organization that focuses on creating vibrant communities for all Jewish young adults in their 20s. Located in Canton, Baltimore, the Baltimore Moishe House hosts tons of awesome events! Email moishehousebaltimore@gmail.com.  Call for the address and parking information: 443-438-3454.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/411514262917722/.

60] – On Fri., March 29 from 7 to 9 PM, get over to World War 3 Illustrated: Now is The Time Of Monsters at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 1225 Cathedral St., Baltimore 21201. Call (443) 602 7611 or go to https://www.redemmas.org/. See https://www.facebook.com/events/360086784804088/.

Join Seth Tobocman, Jeff Wilson, Rebecca Migdal, and Lou Allen for a celebration of Issue 49 of the legendary compendium of radical graphic art. Now is the Time of Monsters, the latest issue of World War 3 illustrated, explores and exposes the predatory logic that underpins our economy, politics, justice system and human relations. As agents of Capitalism seek to extract and exploit at every opportunity, artists and allies come together to push back in words and images.

This issue poses the question: is the monster in the oval office a symptom of a society wide mindset that encourages predatory behaviors in business practices like predatory lending and pharmaceutical pricing, law enforcement practices like civil forfeiture and ICE raids, and personal relations like work place sexual harassment and transactional relationships? And how can we combat this mindset?  In the time of monsters our greatest weapon of resistance just might be unity, basic humanity and love. See https://www.facebook.com/events/392566011296261/.

61] – 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 Mar. 29. Call Dave Greene at 301-570-3283; or email eneergdivad@gmail.com.

62] – On Fri., March 29 at 8 PM, come to a Benefit for Baltimore Free Farm and Food Not Bombs to support a good cause, to check out some of the best bands around town, and to win cool prizes!!  A Free Raffle Ticket is included with a minimum $5 donation at the door.  Door sales will be donated to Baltimore Free Farm.  Raffle Tickets will be 2 for $5 all night! Raffle Tickets sales will benefit Baltimore Food Not Bombs!! You must be present during drawing to win prizes!! You could win something awesome from Twisted Image Glass or some killer artwork from Lorraine Imwold, Grimcat, and more! See https://www.facebook.com/events/1228017530656698/.

63] – Loyola University is organizing York Road Community Days, which are two hour volunteer days on Saturday mornings.  This spring, Community Days are scheduled for March 30, April 13 and April 27. Loyola students have the opportunity to paint, garden, clean, and more in local neighborhoods and along the York Road Corridor through the leadership of local residents.  At the direction of York Road Partnership's Public Spaces & Greening Committee, the focus this spring is maintenance over 75 tree pits on York Road.  If you're interested in signing up as a group leader to work on tree pits, email memcsweeney@loyola.edu.  If you have a project in your own neighborhood to lead, please fill out the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKgXqwAw1VmMkYtpFlTQghEM9_QxSKVj7i6hr-RT-Y-Xyw-w/viewform.

64] – On Sat., March 30 from 10 AM to 6 PM, join the Baltimore Organizing Center Transportation National Mobilization hosted by Peoples Power Assembly at 2011 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218.  NO U.S. WAR ON VENEZUELA!  MOBILIZE TO OPPOSE NATO, WAR & RACISM.  For transportation, call or text 410-218-4835.  A car caravan is leaving at 10:30 AM from the Harriet Tubman Solidarity Center, 2011 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218.  You must call 410-218-4835 to reserve seats.  On March 30, another national protest in Washington DC called by the United National Antiwar Coalition will continue the demand: No War on Venezuela and protest the NATO pro-war summit scheduled to dishonor the anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on April 4. Go to No2NATO2019.org and visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2641362642546508/.

65] – 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. 

66] –  Beginning on Sat., Mar. 30 from 1 to 4 PM, the Immigration Outreach Service Center will hold its second cohort of Computer Literacy classes for immigrant women. This is a great opportunity for women with some English skills to learn how to use a computer and how to search for jobs online.  Classes will be held at the St. Matthew Rectory, 5401 Loch Raven Blvd., Baltimore 21239 for three hours every Saturday through May 11th, with the exception of Easter weekend, April 20th. Email info@ioscbaltimore.org or call 410-323-8564.

67] – Say No to NATO on Sat., March 30 at 1 PM with a Rally at Lafayette Park.  See https://www.unacpeace.org/.  Medea Benjamin will be speaking at the rally!

68] – On Sat., March 30 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM, get involved with Bystander Intervention Training, hosted by Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition and District 17 Democratic Club at Rachel Carson Elementary School, All Purpose Room 100, Tschiffely Square Road, Gaithersburg.  Most of us have heard of situations where a person gets harassed for the way they look, often for skin color or religious dress. Have you wondered what you would do if you were present when this happened? This FREE Bystander Intervention Training will teach us how to react in an effective way without escalating tension and with respect to the wishes of the person who is being targeted. See https://www.facebook.com/events/404767840092113/.

69] – On Sat., March 30 from 3 to 5 PM, check out Slavery, The Underground Railroad & Emancipation in Baltimore, hosted by Baltimore History & Culture at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, 1417 Thames St., Baltimore 21231. Baltimore has a unique and contradicting history, being one of the largest slave ports in the U.S. in the decades prior to the Civil War, and also as one of the most active stops on the Underground Railroad. Join a FREE two-hour guided walking tour through the streets of Baltimore. The focus of the tour will be Underground Railroad activities in Baltimore and the Greater Maryland Area. Group discussion and participation welcomed and encouraged!

This program will be led by Robert Kelleman, the founder of Baltimore History & Culture, a non-profit community organization that “brings people together to experience the history and culture of Baltimore.” The event is FREE and all are welcome including children.  The tour will take place in light rain (sprinkles) or shine. The tour length is 2 hours and approximately 1.5 miles. Walk at a moderate pace with some brief options for sitting along the way.  The ending point is The Inner Harbor, near the USS Constellation. Go to https://www.facebook.com/BaltimoreHistoryAndCulture/.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/1955868684720600/.

70] -- On Sat., March 30 after the March and Rally, come to a house concert with Luci Murphy and Ben Grosscup at the CODEPINK House, 1241 Evarts NE, WDC starting at 5:30 PM.  Contact Paki at 413-695-1877.

71] – On Sat., March 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, attend the 2019 Benefit Concert/Dinner, hosted by Asylum Seekers Housing Network and North Baltimore Mennonite Church, 4615 Roland Ave., Baltimore 21210.  Tickets are at www.ashnetwork.org.  Help to Provide Housing for the Most Vulnerable! The dinner will be provided by Flavors of Asia.  The concert will run from folk to pop to African traditional music.  Tickets are $35. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2161405673943017/.

72] – On Sat., March 30 from 8 to 10 PM, there is The Revolution Is In Your Head Documentary Screening, hosted by City of Takoma Park, MD - Municipal Government, Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park 20912.  Fifty years ago, thousands of protesters descended on Washington, D.C., during President Richard Nixon's inauguration in 1969, echoing many of the same concerns raised about President Donald Trump today. Rallies, marches, and clashes with police were part of the boisterous scene captured on 16mm film by filmmakers Gene Rosenthal and Joel Jacobson. Their documentary titled "Revolution Is In Your Head" reveals a captivating and ominous slice of history about the divisions caused by politics, power, and war and the uprising of people committed to resistance.

The filmmakers will lead a Q&A with the audience after the film. The screening is free with a $10 suggested donation. No tickets are required with seating on a first-come first-served basis. You can view the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=5afhAL7ZMb0 See https://www.facebook.com/events/255477978680914/.

73] – There is a 2019 Women’s Delegation to Cuba: Advancing Women’s Health and Human Rights - May 3-12, 2019 ~ traveling to Santiago de Cuba & Havana!! There are a few spaces available from unexpected cancellations with discounts available for groups of 2 or more women travelling together. You must sign up by Sun., March 31.  Trip Co-Leaders Jan Strout and Lauren Gette-King – are both intrepid travelers to Cuba and Latin America, long-time WILPF and NOW members, and instructors at Montana State University who love co-leading intergenerational, multicultural Women’s Delegations to Cuba and the Americas. FINAL DEADLINE is due March 31 with completed application and full payment.  Email for an application package with details and pricing: 2019womensdelegation@gmail.com.

74] – Organizers are seeking hosts to lodge folks coming from out of town for the April 3 & 4 Peace Fest in Washington, DC!  Email greta@worldbeyondwar.org if you can be a host, and please indicate how many sleeping spaces you have available, what nights you can host (between March 30 and April 4, and if you have any problems. Greta Zarro is organizing director of World BEYOND War.

75] – The Kings Bay Plowshares 7 are looking for a SHORT-TERM PAID ORGANIZER.  Go to https://www.kingsbayplowshares7.org/help-wanted/ or contact Sarah Cool at 404.449.7893.

76] – 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 Venezuela. 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.

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