Baltimore Activist Alert – September 22 to 24, 2019

Baltimore Activist Alert – September 22 to 24, 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] Lawyers Against War

5] SUPPORT AMAZON WORKERS OF CONSCIENCE

6] The Warmth of Other Suns – through Sept. 22

7] “Courage, Imagination and the Challenge of Art” – Sept. 22

8] Opening of the Youth Visionary Peace Art Exhibition – Sept. 22

9] People’s Mobilization to Stop the US War Machine -- Sept. 22 - 23

10] Promote the ERA – Sept. 22

11] Pentagon Peace Vigil – Sept. 22

12] Protect Our Elections!  – Sept. 23 - 24

13] Food Rescue – Sept. 23

14] Edward Said Memorial Lecture – Sept. 23

15] Food Rescue at YO! Baltimore West – Sept. 23

16] Meatless Mondays – Sept. 23

17] Vegan Drinks – Sept. 23

18] SURJ MEETING – Sept. 23

19] Refugees Reimagined – Sept. 23

20] Social Media and the First Amendment – Sept. 23

21] Film THE UNAFRAID – Sept. 23

22] Jane Goodall lecture – Sept. 23

23] Get Money Out of Maryland – Sept. 23

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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] – 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.

5] -- 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.

6] – The Phillips Collection (TPC) in Washington, D.C. has a dedicated mission of addressing contemporary social justice issues of global significance. The museum has recently undertaken an extraordinary exhibition on the urgent topic of immigration and the global migration crisis entitled: The Warmth of Other Suns: Stories of Global Displacement. This important exhibition presents 75 historical and contemporary artists—from the United States as well as Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, Ghana, Iraq, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Syria, Turkey, UK, Vietnam, and more—whose work poses urgent questions around the experiences and perceptions of migration, internal and cross-border displacement, and the current global refugee crisis. Check out https://www.phillipscollection.org/events/2019-06-22-exhibition-the-warmth-of-other-suns.

   In conjunction with the exhibition which is on view through Sept. 22, the museum has also created a slate of dynamic programming including artist talks.  Contact Phillips Director of Communications Miriam Magdieli at MMagdieli@phillipscollection.org for complimentary passes, or to RSVP for Phillips After 5. If you have a group she can also help to arrange a tour with museum staff.  The Phillips Collection is eager to engage in partnerships with organizations working with migrant communities, whether by advocacy, direct action, or support for migrants here in DC.

7] – 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., Sept. 22 hear about “Courage, Imagination and the Challenge of Art” with Michael S. Glaser.  Evocative art (and perhaps especially poetry) often pushes us to ask uncomfortable questions about ways we have framed our understandings about ourselves and our world. Glaser will explore how the challenge of art can lead us toward more mindful and compassionate lives.  Glaser served as Poet Laureate of Maryland from 2004 – 2009, and is a Professor Emeritus at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Glaser spent over 25 years serving as a Maryland Arts Council Poet-in-the Schools. Check out www.michaelsglaser.com. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org. 

8] – On Sun., Sept. 22 at 1 PM, come to the opening of the Youth Visionary Peace Art Exhibition at The Delaware Contemporary, 200 S. Madison St., Wilmington, DE 19801. RSVP at https://www.evite.com/event/0070PU6BN3LWWMBVCEPJSEDDTZ3MTE/rsvp?utm_campaign=send_sharable_link&utm_medium=sharable_invite&utm_source=evitelink#.

9] – The US War Machine must be stopped, and only we can stop it. Get involved with the People’s Mobilization to Stop the US War Machine, which is organizing and supporting a series of actions in New York City while the United Nations General Assembly meets. Go tohttps://www.facebook.com/events/377385812960524/. On Sun., Sept. 22, come to Herald Square at 2 PM for a Rally and March.  Gather at the northwest corner of Herald Square at 34th St. and 6th Ave. It will feature Cornel West, Roger Waters, members of the Embassy Protection Collective and music by Ben Grosscup.

On Mon., Sept. 23 at 6:30 PM, come to a Forum: "A Path to International Peace: Realizing the Vision of the United Nations Charter" at the Community Church of New York, 40 East 35th St., NYC 10016. David Rovics will perform. The Peace Memorial will give an award. There will be panels featuring representatives from sanctioned countries, Ajamu Baraka of Black Alliance for Peace, Taryn Fivek of the International Action Center, Rose of CODEPINK, H. E. Leon Siu, of the Kingdom of Hawaii and Glen Ford of Black Agenda Report. You must pre-register at http://bit.ly/RSVPapathtopeace.

10] – On Sun., Sept. 1 from 4 to 5 PM, get on The CALL - ERA Education Program at Katrina's Dream, PO Box 32003, WDC 20007.  Tickets are at www.katrinasdream.org.  Please come each Sunday and 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.

The CALL IN NUMBER is 563.999.2090, the CONFERENCE NO: 898879#.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1710130249022424/?event_time_id=1710130255689090.

11] – 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 Sept. 23, 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.

12] – On Mon., Sept. 23 and Tues., Sept. 24, Protect Our Elections!  This is hosted by Stand Up Republic.  Tickets are at secure.everyaction.com.  Fight to ensure that we–and no one else–still choose our own leaders. Come to our nation’s capital, and meet with your representatives, and urge them to pass legislation that protects our elections. Hear from experts in the reform movement, network with like-minded people from across the country, and receive advocacy and organizing training. Then take to the Hill! You’ll meet with your members of Congress and their staff about legislation focused on securing our elections and improving our democracy. Please register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/R5Hroti7CEGAQmXPOlmUvQ2.  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/2079468175683509/.

13] – On Mon., Sept. 23 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/.

14] – On Mon., Sept. 23 from 12:30 to 2 PM, attend the 2019 Edward Said Memorial Lecture with Dr. Ussama Makdisi, hosted by The Jerusalem Fund & Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Ave. NW, WDC 20037.  Tickets are at www.thejerusalemfund.org.  The 2019 Edward Said Memorial Lecture – “When Americans Understood Palestine: The 1919 King-Crane Commission and the Last Colonialism of the World” with Dr. Ussama S. Makdisi, Professor of History and Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies, Rice University. In his delivery of the 2019 Edward Said Memorial Lecture, Dr. Ussama Makdisi will unpack the 1919 King-Crane Commission in light of its historical context and legacies for U.S. foreign policy regarding Palestine.

Dr. Ussama S. Makdisi is Professor of History and the first holder of the Arab-American Educational Foundation Chair of Arab Studies at Rice University. In 2012-2013, Makdisi was an invited Resident Fellow at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin (Institute for Advanced Study, Berlin). In April 2009, the Carnegie Corporation named Makdisi a 2009 Carnegie Scholar as part of its effort to promote original scholarship regarding Muslim societies and communities, both in the United States and abroad. Go to https://www.thejerusalemfund.org/events/upcoming/2019-edward-said-memorial-lecture-when-americans-understood-palestine-the-1919-king-crane-commission-and-the-last-colonialism-of-the-world. See https://www.facebook.com/events/690657474678855/.

15] –On Mon., Sept. 23 from 3 to 4 PM, there is a Food Rescue Pop-Up at Flourish, 3418 Belair Road, Baltimore 21213-1233.  Bring a bag, and take home healthy, free food! View https://www.facebook.com/events/301851223848295/?event_time_id=301851250514959. This will continue into the future. 

16] – On Mon., Sept. 23 from 6 to 8 PM, celebrate Meatless Monday and the Fall Equinox at the Terra Café, 101 East 25th St., Baltimore 21218.  This is a Vegan/ Plant Based Cookout to celebrate life, healthy eating, and community connections.  Learn ways to incorporate Plant Based dishes into your family's weekly eating. See https://www.facebook.com/events/488563245291713/.

17] – On Mon., Sept. 23 from 6 to 9 PM, enjoy Bmore Vegan Drinks at Tiny Brick Oven at Tiny Brick Oven, 1036 Light St., Baltimore 21230.  Grab some VEGAN PIZZA and VEGAN GELATO from Tiny Brick Oven in Fed Hill! Don't miss their house-made vegan crust, cheese and meatless crumbles. It's BYOB, family and dog friendly. Also a portion of all sales will be donated to the wonderful animals at Peaceful Fields Sanctuary! See https://www.facebook.com/events/954149098125968/.

18] – On Mon., Sept. 23 from 6 to 8 PM, come to a Showing Up Racial Justice Legislative Meeting at 3112 Abell Ave., Baltimore 21218-3411. Get updates from the legislative committee and the two upcoming events!  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/237191957201876/.

19] – On Mon., Sept. 23 from 7 to 9 PM, check out Refugees Reimagined, hosted by Delawareans for Palestinian Human Rights at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 W. 13th St., Wilmington, DE 19806.  United Nations Relief and Works Agency USA (UNRWA USA) and Right to Movement Palestine have partnered up to hold an evening of refugee stories and community conversations. This is part of a bigger relay run, where Palestinian refugees will run from the UN General Assembly in New York, NY to Washington D.C. over six days.  The purpose of the run is to deliver a message that UNRWA needs the USA's investment and to collect $100,000 to support UNRWA programs for Palestine refugees. Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/352250605726085/.

20] – On Mon., Sept. 23 from 7 to 9 PM, get with Social Media and the First Amendment, hosted by The Free Speech Project at Georgetown University, Gaston Hall, WDC.  The Free Speech Project at Georgetown University and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University are hosting a joint forum. Panelists will consider a range of questions, including whether social media platforms should be considered public forums; whether government officials' social media accounts are public forums — and the implications of rulings that they are; whether the First Amendment precludes Congress from regulating social media; and whether the First Amendment is adequate to the task of protecting free speech in an era when private corporations, rather than government actors, have seemingly become the gatekeepers to the public square. A reception with food and drinks will follow the event, and free registration is available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-media-and-the-first-amendment-september-23rd-tickets-71415027269.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/2292852167695944/.

21] – On Mon., Sept. 23 from 7 to 9:30 PM, see the film THE UNAFRAID, hosted by JxJ, 1529 16th St. NW, WDC 20036. Tickets are at www.jxjdc.org.  The film follows the lives of three DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students in Georgia, a state that has banned them from attending their top state universities and disqualifies them from receiving in-state tuition at any other public college. Shot over a period of four years, this film takes an intimate look at the lives of Alejandro, Silvia and Aldo as they navigate activism, fight for the rights of their families and communities, and pursue their dreams.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/672160923290730/.

22] – Hear Dr. Jane Goodall on Mon., Sept. 23 from 8 to 10 PM at The Anthem, 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20001.  Tickets are at tickets.mycityrocks.com. See https://www.facebook.com/events/749487802160066/?event_time_id=749487812160065.

23] – Join the Get Money Out of Maryland Teleconference on Mon., Sept. 23 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.

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