Sunday, April 7, 2019

Baltimore Activist Alert April 7 – 9, 2019


Baltimore Activist Alert April 7 – 9, 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] Protest Trump’s veto of the War Powers Act
9] Celebrate Buddha's Birthday – April 7
10] Adoption Event – April 7
11] Divest Philly from the War Machine meeting – April 7
12] Moms Demand Action – April 7
13] BUILD Benefit Concert – April 7
14] Homeless Period Campaign – April 7 to 11
15] Shahid for Change – April 7
16] Pentagon Protest – April 8
17] Food Rescue – April 8
18] American and Russian Public Opinion – April 8
19] CAIR Maryland – April 8
20] Green Summit – April 8
21] Get the Money Out conference call – April 8
22] Alternative Approaches to Incarceration Abroad Apr. 9
23] Get the Money Out Retreat – April 9
24] Take Action on School Diversity – April 9
25] Refugee & Immigrant Foodways – April 9
26] Role of Sanctions Relief in Negotiations with North Korea – April 9
27] North Korean Human Rights April 9
28] Conversation with Central African Republic President Touadéra – April 9
29] Peace Vigil – April 9
30] No Drone Research DEMO – April 9
31] Taxpayers’ Night – April 9
32] Activism Through Art – April 9
33] No Way to Treat a Child – April 9
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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 50th 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] – In a great victory for the peace movement, the House and the Senator passed a resolution invoking the War Powers Act to end U.S. military involvement in attacking the people of Yemen. However, Trump has threatened to veto the resolution.  If Trump veto the resolution, gather outside the War Memorial, 101 N. Gay St., Baltimore, MD 21202. If the attack is before 2 PM local time, then the event will begin at 5 PM, local time. If the veto happens after 2 PM local time, then the demonstration will occur at noon, local time, the following day. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

9] – On Sun., April 7 from 11 AM to 2 PM, celebrate Hana Matsuri (Buddha's Birthday), hosted by Peace Pagoda D.C. at Nipponzan Myohoji DC temple, 4900 16th St. NW, WDC. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2332599577021165/.

10] -- On Sun., April 7 from noon to 3 PM, be at an Adoption Event, hosted by Saving Grace Animal Rescue of Maryland at Petco Parkville, 7615 Harford Road. Parkville Shopping Center, Parkville 21234. Saving Grace is a nonprofit organization saving the Lives of Animals, Enhancing the Lives of People. Visit http://www.savinggraceanimalrescuemd.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/events/2255977561162463/.

11] – Get over to a Divest Philly from the War Machine meeting on Sun., April 7 from 2 to 4 PM at the Customs Coffee House, 211 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106.  Research targets, reach out to university students, and hold meetings with elected officials. It’s outrageous for public institutions to make a killing on killing when their purpose is to provide financial security for folks in our community. Email maya@codepink.org.

12] -- On Sun., April 7 from 4 to 6 PM, meet the Moms for Coffee, hosted by Moms Demand Action at Starbucks,  7351 Assateague Drive, Suite 90, Jessup 20794.  Tickets can be had at act.everytown.org. Join Howard County’s Moms Demand Action leadership members for coffee and conversations about the organization. Get involved in the movement to end gun violence. RSVP at https://act.everytown.org/event/moms-demand-action-event/20813, and take a look at https://www.facebook.com/events/2000847950211686/.

13] – On Sun., April 7 from 4 to 7 PM, be at Brothers, Sing On! A BUILD Benefit Concert at Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church 1320 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217.  Tickets are at www.buildiaf.org.  A musical celebration from the Baltimore Regional Community Male Chorus (Hugh Carey, Director) and Brown Memorial's Soulful Revue featuring sacred works with a twist! With works by Sam Cooke, Edvard Grieg, and the Israeli artist Matisyahu, there will be something for everyone at this special joint concert.  The suggested donation at the door is $20 General / $10 Seniors / $5 Students. All proceeds will benefit BUILD.  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/278036386459861/.

14] – On Sun., April 7 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.

15] –  On Sun., April 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, get over to Shahid for Change 2020 east coast launch at Busboys and Poets, 450 K St. NW, WDC 20001.  This campaign is to challenge Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the CA-12 seat in the House!  Can centrists “evolve" on crucial and urgent issues like the Green New Deal and Medicare for All? Self-described Democrats who march in lockstep with Trump on foreign policy from Venezuela to Palestine are asking to be replaced.  Hear from speakers from various social movements, and Shahid will also share a few words. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/310360093000980/.

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. 8, 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., Apr. 8 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/.

18] –  On Mon., April 8 from 2 to 3:30 PM, catch up with American and Russian Public Opinion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2nd Floor 212B, WDC .  Go to https://www.csis.org/events/american-and-russian-public-opinion American and Russian Public Opinion. Where We Are and How We Got Here. At a time of unprecedented tension in U.S.-Russia relations, understanding why the two countries pursue conflicting foreign policies requires not just a close reading of their political institutions and security environments, but of how the two publics perceive each other and the world. Is Russia more or less respected than it was five years ago? Should the U.S. cooperate with or contain Russia? Are sanctions against Russia working? Do Americans want arms control? Is Russia a threat to U.S. national security? Is America the biggest threat posed to Russia?

19] – On Mon., April 8 from 6 to 8 PM, get over to Episode 54 with CAIR Maryland Outreach Director Zainab Chaudry, hosted by Elevate Maryland at The Common Kitchen, 12250 Clarksville Pike, Suite A, Clarksville 21029.  Join Candace and Tom as they sit down with CAIR Maryland Outreach Director and civil rights activist Zainab Chaudry! Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/1016590031880786/.

20] – On Mon., April 8 from 7 to 9 PM, attend the Green Summit Lecture and Q/A, hosted by Maryland Episcopal Environmental Partners and Memorial Episcopal Church, 1407 Bolton St., Baltimore 21217.  Hear historian/author and scholar Jill Jonnes’s lecture on Urban Forests. She, the Founder and Co-Chair of Flowering Tree Trails and co-founder of the Baltimore Tree Trust, will also discuss “green infrastructure” in other cities and Baltimore, and why it is essential to human health and well-being.  Dr. Jonnes will be joined in the Q&A afterwards by: Jenn Aiosa, Blue Water Baltimore Executive Director; Lisa Schroeder, Parks & People Foundation CEO; Jodi Rose, Interfaith Partners of the Chesapeake CEO; Lisa McNeilly, Baltimore Office of Sustainability Director; Mark Conway, Baltimore Tree Trust Executive Director; Gwen Kokes of Civic Works, and Katie Lautar, Baltimore Green Space Program Director. Subject-matter experts will also be in attendance. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/270604963824041/.

21] – Join the Get Money Out of Maryland Teleconference on Monday, April 8 from 8:30 to 9:30 PM.  Call 605-475-6711, code 1136243#.  Work only on brainstorming ideas for participation in the upcoming General Election.

22] – On Tues., April 9 from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, get caught up with Alternative Approaches to Incarceration Abroad, hosted by United States Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, WDC 20037.  Tickets are at www.usip.org. The world’s prisons now reportedly hold more than 10.74 million men, women, and children. Imprisonment for even minor crimes is often a default punishment in many jurisdictions, leading human rights organizations to express growing concerns about overcrowding, poor sanitation, inadequate health care, and violence in overburdened facilitates. Join the University of South Carolina’s Rule of Law Collaborative and the United States Institute of Peace for a day-long symposium that explores the promises and challenges associated with instituting effective alternatives to incarceration programming. Take part in the conversation on Twitter with #IncarcerationAlternatives. RSVP at https://www.usip.org/events/alternative-approaches-incarceration-abroad.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/1073054326199461/.

23] – On Tues., April 9 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM  get over to the Get Money Out of Maryland Strategic Planning Retreat in Annapolis. The retreat will be held at a private home. To get the exact location, email Charlie@GetMoneyOutMD.org.

24] – On Tues., April 9, from 10:30 AM to noon, The Century Foundation invites to a discussion about How Congress, States, and School Districts Can Take Action on School Diversity.  It will take place at the U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center, First Street NE, SVC Room 201-00, WDC 20515. Join TCF and the National Coalition on School Diversity for a Congressional briefing about how policymakers at all levels of government can support the growing national movement for school integration.  This congressional briefing is being held in collaboration with Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-3), Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Representative Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH-11). Speakers include Randi Weingarten, Sufyan Hameed, Angélica Infante-Green, Richard Kahlenberg, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, and Kimberly Quick.  Visit https://tcf.org/?agreed=1.

25] -- On Tues., April 9 from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, get over to Building Community through Bmore's Refugee & Immigrant Foodways, hosted by Dresher Center for the Humanities at the Albin O. Kuhn Gallery, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250.  Eat Shawarma and Samosa. The Mera Kitchen Collective is a community-driven, food-based cooperative focused on empowerment of refugee and immigrant women. Members of the Baltimore-based collective will talk about their work with refugee and immigrant chefs. Aishah Alfadhalah will discuss the organization’s foundations and explore the importance of storytelling and foodways for new refugee and immigrant communities. Following the talk, Chef Iman Alshehab will feature Syrian appetizers and a cooking demonstration. Email dreshercenter@umbc.edu. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/417660629043529/.

26] – Check out Converting Maximum Pressure to Maximum Leverage: The Role of Sanctions Relief in Negotiations with North Korea on Tues., April 9 from noon to 1:30 at KEI Conference Facility, 1800 K St. NW, Suite 300, WDC 20006.  The Korea Economic Institute of America's Academic Paper Series presents this event.  The lack of an agreement between the U.S. and North Korea in Hanoi highlights that sanctions relief will be one of the most challenging issues in negotiations moving forward. The Trump administration has insisted that North Korea fully dismantle its nuclear and ballistic missile programs before sanctions are relaxed, though this is a non-starter for Kim Jong-un, who has advocated for a step-by-step approach. Extensive international sanctions are impacting the North Korean economy, but pressure alone is unlikely to achieve Washington’s goals.   See http://www.keia.org/event/converting-maximum-pressure-maximum-leverage-role-sanctions-relief-negotiations-north-korea.

27] – On Tues., April 9 from noon to 2 PM, get caught up with North Korean Human Rights, hosted by The Sejong Society of Washington, D.C. and Georgetown University Truth and Human Rights in North Korea (Think).  It is happening in the Social Room, Healey Family Student Center, WDC 20057.  Lunch will be provided!  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/834511896895688/.

28] – On Tues., April 9 from 2 to 3:30 PM, hear a Conversation with Central African Republic President Touadéra, hosted by United States Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, WDC 20037. Tickets are at www.usip.org.  The Central African Republic (CAR) has recently taken a significant step toward peace after years of violence and instability. In February, negotiations convened under the auspices of the African Union led to a peace agreement between the CAR government and leaders of armed groups. Now President Faustin-Archange Touadéra must lead the implementation of the agreement to resolve the many complex issues that have driven violence in the country. RSVP at https://www.usip.org/events/conversation-central-african-republic-president-touadera.  Also speaking will be Nancy Lindborg, president, U.S. Institute of Peace and Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn, Central African Republic.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/441326073342429/.

29] –  Each Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the Catholic Peace Fellowship-Philadelphia for peace in Afghanistan and Iraq gathers at the Suburban Station, 16th St. & JFK Blvd., at the entrance to Tracks 3 and 4 on the mezzanine.  The next vigil is April 2.  Call 215-426-0364.

30] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. The next vigil will be on April 2 from 5 to 6 PM. Contact Max at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net or 410-323-1607. 

31] – On Tues., April 9 from 6 to 8 PM, come to Taxpayers' Night, normally hosted by the mayor at the Baltimore War Memorial, 101 North Gay St., First Floor, Baltimore 21202.  Make your voice heard on Baltimore's budget! Ex Officio Mayor Jack Young, Comptroller Joan Pratt, City Solicitor Andre Davis, and Director of Public Works Rudy Chow will listen to public comments on the Preliminary Fiscal 2020 Budget, which will be available on BBMR's website (http://bit.ly/BmoreBudget).  The goal of the Board of Estimates Taxpayers’ Night is to equip city residents with the budget information they need to engage in the budget process and understand how the Fiscal 2020 budget invests tax dollars to move Baltimore forward. Additionally, the Board of Estimates holds a one-hour hearing for public comment on the budget.   Food and beverages will be provided! Visit bbmr.baltimorecity.gov or email budget@baltimorecity.gov. See https://www.facebook.com/events/352100358734762/.

32] – On Tues., April 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, meet Aaron Maybin: Activism Through Art, hosted by the Baltimore County Public Library, Woodlawn Branch Library, 1811 Woodlawn Drive, Woodlawn 21207. This former professional football player discusses his personal experience growing up as a young Black man and how he uses his platform and creative gifts to advocate for racial and economic equality, arts education and programing in underprivileged communities. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/444355512772201/.

33] – On Tues., April 9 from 7 to 8:30 PM, as part of Children of Palestine: Heartbreak and Hope get with  No Way to Treat a Child, presented by Jennifer Bing, AFSC, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 13th St., Wilmington, DE. Visit http://depaceminterris.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Palestenian-Children-1-page-flyer_Final-.pdf. This campaign is committed to securing a just and viable future for Palestinian children living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and envisions a world where all children attain rights in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international standards. Jennifer Bing has worked with AFSC’s Palestine-Israel Program since 1989. Based in Chicago, she coordinates AFSC’s education and advocacy work on this project and works closely with faith organizations and human rights groups throughout the U.S.

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


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