Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Baltimore Activist Alert -- November 6 - 7, 2019


42] Climate Action Coffee – Nov. 6
43] Support Improving Low-Income Tax Credits! – Nov. 6
44] Food Drive for the animals – Nov. 6
45] Universal Family Care – Nov. 6
46] Join a MetroBus Strike Rally – Nov. 6
47] Food Rescue – Nov. 6
48] “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.”  – Nov. 6
49] DSA Happy Hour – Nov. 6
50] Current Movements Film Festival – Nov. 6 - 7
51] Police Accountability Workshop – Nov. 6
52] Combatants for Peace Speaking Tour – Nov. 6
53] Poetry Slam – Nov. 6
54] The Hermit King – Nov. 7
55] Food Rescue at the Pratt – Nov. 7
56] Food Rescue with Dovecote Café – Nov. 7
57] Poetry Slam – Nov. 6
54] The Hermit King – Nov. 7
55] Food Rescue at the Pratt – Nov. 7
56] Food Rescue with Dovecote Café – Nov. 7
57] Expose Hogan’s Dark Money – Nov. 7
58] PSR Awards Dinner – Nov. 7
59] Noise Protest at the GOP Senate Retreat – Nov. 7
60] Solidarity with Aging Prisoners – Nov. 7
61] Baltimore Welcome Dinner – Nov. 7
62] Vegetarian Afghan Cooking – Nov. 7
63] Community Choice Energy Forum – Nov. 7
64] Prep for State Legislator Meetings – Nov. 7
65] "Baltimore Civil Rights Leader Victorine Adams" – Nov. 7
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42] – On Wed., Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 from 7:30 AM to 9 AM, get over to Climate Action Coffee with Takoma Park Mobilization at Busboys and Poets Takoma, 235 Carroll St. NW, WDC 20012.  The Climate Action Coffee is an every-Wednesday gathering at Busboys and Poets Takoma, a cooperative production of Busboys and the Takoma Alliance for a Local Living Economy (TALLE), a working group of the Takoma Park Mobilization.

This weekly series is meant to provide an organizing workspace with action-oriented discussion circles focused on building the kinds of markets, society, food systems and resiliency that we want for our region; raising watershed and environmental justice consciousness; and following youth climate leaders in taking immediate action to reverse the dramatic disruption of our climate systems. Bring your vision and passion for reshaping our communities and local economies in the service of resiliency, racial equity, and carbon-neutrality. More info at http://tpmobilization.org/talle.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2536864976380836/?event_time_id=2536864993047501.

43] – The Coalition on Human Needs [mailto:info@chn.org] is sending out an  Action Alert that November 6th is a Call-in Day of Action to Tell Your Senators to Support Improving Low-Income Tax Credits!  Congress is looking to add bipartisan tax legislation to the end-of-year budget package. It is imperative that if there is any tax legislation helping businesses and the rich that we also do what we can to help low-wage workers. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) help working families and individuals better provide for basic needs. These two tax credits together lifted 8.9 million people out of poverty in 2018, and helped millions more, and with improvements they can do more to alleviate poverty and help low-income families keep up with the increasing cost of living.  On November 6th call: 1-888-678-9475.  When you are connected with your Senator’s D.C. office, ask the receptionist who answers your call to share this message with your Senator and their lead tax staff person:  “Any tax package that passes this year must include improvements to the low-income tax credits: the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.”

The overwhelming beneficiaries of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) are corporations and wealthy individuals while largely ignoring low-wage workers, whose wages have been stagnant in recent decades, and their families. Congress will likely add a bipartisan package of tax provisions to end-of-year budget legislation including ‘technical corrections’ for business provisions in the TCJA. Those corrections will add more tax breaks worth billions for business. Senators need to hear from us now that any tax package must help low-income workers.

44] – On Wed., Nov. 6, Thurs., Nov. 7, and more dates from 8:30 AM to 6:30, help with the Food Drive for SPCA Food Bank at the Annapolis Cat Hospital, 2244-48 Bay Ridge Ave., Annapolis 21403.  Consider donating to an animal in need. Details about donation drop off days, times, and items accepted can be found below. Your donations mean so much, and the entire Annapolis Cat Hospital staff thanks you! Donations accepted are unopened Canned or Bagged dog and cat food.  No boxed foods or treats. Call Annapolis Cat Hospital at 410-268-2287 or Bay Ridge Animal Hospital at 410-268-6994.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/397186717891355/?event_time_id=397186731224687.

45] – The Economic Policy Institute is hosting "The Future of Work and Care: Universal Family Care" on Wed., Nov. 6 from noon to 1:30 PM at EPI, 1225 I St. NW, Suite 600, WDC 20005.  The National Academy of Social Insurance, with support from Caring Across Generations and the Ford Foundation, recently released a groundbreaking report on Designing Universal Family Care: State-Based Social Insurance Programs for Early Child Care and Education, Paid Family and Medical Leave, and Long-Term Services and Supports. The report explores strategies that states could pursue to better support families in meeting evolving care needs over the lifespan. This analysis was developed over a year of deliberations by a Study Panel of 29 experts in care policy from a variety of perspectives.  In this symposium, Alexandra Bradley (Lead Policy Analyst on the Academy Study Panel) and Benjamin Veghte (Study Panel Director and now Research Director at Caring Across Generations) will identify gaps in our care infrastructure and policy options developed by the Study Panel to address them. Elise Gould (Senior Economist at EPI) will discuss her recently co-authored study on value-based budgeting for California's early care and education system. And Robert Espinoza (Vice President of Policy at PHI) will report on his research on the relation between quality direct care jobs and quality long-term care and propose standards for direct care jobs and workforce policy.


46] – On Wed., Nov. 6 from noon to 1 PM, join a MetroBus Strike Rally, hosted by Todd Brogan and ATU Local 689 at 600 5th St. NW, WDC 20001-2610.  Metrobus drivers at WMATA’s privatized Cinder Bed facility are entering their third week on strike, the first Metrobus strike in 41 years. Thousands of bus riders have been left stranded, because the private contractor WMATA hired to lower costs on the backs of workers, Transdev, refuses to negotiate a fair contract with these union members. Transdev escalated the situation by involving union workers from Fairfax Connector, The Bus, and other transit agencies in the region. Their tactics risk disrupting transit across the entire DMV. The WMATA Board and GM Paul Wiedefeld created this problem, and it’s their job to fix it. Learn more at facebook.com/atulocal689group.  Donate to the strike fund at bit.ly/cinderbedstrike.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/2619793094731010/.

47] On Wed., Nov. 6 and many more dates from noon to 1 PM, get with  Food Rescue Baltimore at the Baltimore Free Farm, 3510 Ash St., Baltimore 21211.  Bring a bag, bring a friend, and take delicious, nutritious, free rescued food.  Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/2335352913149645/?event_time_id=2335352969816306.

48] Progressive Maryland is hosting forums to find out more about the Kirwan proposals: the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.” How about more funding for education? The next forum is on Wed., Nov. 6 at 6 PM at Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd. E, Silver Spring, MD 20901.  Our schools are underfunded. Our students have growing needs. An out-of-date funding formula doesn't address the needs of our schools. Join us for a discussion about public education funding and find out how you can get involved to advocate for full funding for our students, our teachers, our families, and our future! Look at https://www.marylandblueprint.org/.

49] – On Wed., Nov. 6 from 6 to 9 PM, attend the New Member Happy Hour, hosted by the Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America at Walt's Inn, 3201 O’Donnell St., Baltimore 21224.  Join members, new and old, for a casual happy hour. Bring your roommates, your friends, your kids - all are welcome! Email baltimoredsa@gmail.com. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2686368138082465/.

50] –On Wed., Nov. 6, Thurs., Nov. 7 and other dates from 6:30 to 9:30 PM, check out the Current Movements Film Festival, hosted by Eaton Workshop, 1201 K St. NW, WDC 20005.  Tickets are at cmfilmfestival.bpt.me.  This is a week of documentary films, inspiring panel discussions, healing arts workshops, and a Saturday party! The Current Movements Film Festival was created to connect a wider audience to documentary films and to what is happening in social movements today.   This 6-day event will not only highlight stories of social change, but will also bring together artists, activists, filmmakers, and collectives who are building a future we want to live in.   Each day, see documentaries that will be the starting point to talk about the issues facing real people and communities. Hear the voices of global activists who are doing the work day-in and day-out to make a difference. This form of multi-layered storytelling is to engage attendants into getting involved in movements by understanding the issues, see they have a role to play, and to learn how they can meaningfully take part. In the process, the hope is that it will bring folks in movements together to build relationships and find new ways to build power.  Wednesday’s film is AMERICAN HOUSING IN BLACK AND WHITE.  See the trailer at https://www.ownedfilm.com/trailer.   A panel discussion will follow. The Thursday film is about the PALESTINIAN DIASPORA: WHERE WE COME FROM, and its title is “You Come From Far Away.” See the TRAILER at https://vimeo.com/277536600?fbclid=IwAR1_2E-5p132J2GqG6wjWrxNyM2en30xszYJBnl350_nabuzYqnU4rTAGKA. Again a panel discussion will follow. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/536795517069707/?event_time_id=536795533736372.

51] – On Wed., Nov. 6 from 6:30 to 9 PM, attend a Police Accountability Workshop at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring 20910, hosted by Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. The Together Diversity Team and Silver Spring Justice Coalition are co-sponsoring a session to get updates about police accountability in Montgomery County;  information about how state legislation impacts county law; and how you can have a voice about police accountability.  Speakers include Will Jawando, Montgomery County Council Member At-Large. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/police-accountability-workshop-tickets-73695271541.  Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/690717518109813/.

52] – The Combatants for Peace Speaking Tour will be in Baltimore on Wed., Nov. 6 from 7 to 9 PM at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St. For over a decade, Combatants for Peace has embodied and served as a model for our values of freedom, democracy, security, respect and dignity for all. Combatants for Peace is an Israeli-Palestinian bi-national community – a community that exemplifies viable cooperation and renunciation of all forms of violence.  Palestinian co-founder Sulaiman Khatib and Israeli Director Tuly Flint will share their stories of personal transformation as well as the work they are doing to bring peace, justice, and equality to their homeland. RSVP to the Beth@afcfp.org.  This event is co-sponsored by Homewood Friends Meeting (Quaker), Hinenu: The Baltimore Justice Shtiebl and Baltimore Palestine Solidarity.

53] – On Wed., Nov. 6 from 7 to 9 PM, get over to a Poetry Slam/Word Slam/Experience Sharing at Busboys and Poets Takoma, 235 Carroll St. NW, WDC 20012.  Sign in to speak at 6:30 PM. The event starts at 7 PM. Tell your story or hear "others." Whether we are immigrants ourselves or connected to immigrant through loved ones, we all know the feeling of being "othered." ( I don't belong here, I can't fit in, I am the odd one out, I don't look/talk/love/think or feel the same as a group, I feel excluded, unwelcome, less than wanted, discriminated, ostracized, ghosted, ridiculed, etc.). Let’s come together and create an environment of shared understanding between women, men and non-binary children of all origins, color and orientations.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2397524450365093/.

54] – On Thurs., Nov. 7 at 11 AM, hear about The Hermit King: The Dangerous Game of Kim Jong Un at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20036-2103.  Look at https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/11/07/hermit-king-dangerous-game-of-kim-jong-un-event-7218.  The Kim family has clung to power for three generations in North Korea by silencing dissidents, ruling with an iron fist, and holding its neighbors hostage with threats of war. Under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, North Korea has come closer than ever to creating a viable nuclear arsenal, and despite President Trump’s assertions, Kim won’t give them up. As much as Kim wants to change North Korea, he can’t because he needs to maintain a totalitarian system.  Chung Min Lee will preview his new book "The Hermit King: The Dangerous Game of Kim Jong Un.”

55] – There is a Food Rescue at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, 1303 Orleans St., Baltimore 21231 on Thursdays from noon to 1 PM.  Food Rescue Baltimore partners with Baltimore’s esteemed Enoch Pratt Free Library at the Orleans Street Branch. Come to the library, bring a bag, and take home delicious free food. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/567424937414955/?event_time_id=567425064081609.

56] – On Thursdays from 4 to 5 PM, Food Rescue Baltimore is working with Dovecote Café, 2501 Madison Ave., Baltimore 21217.  Bring a bag, bring a friend, and take delicious, nutritious, free rescued food.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/2095151417235683/?event_time_id=2095151543902337.

57] – On Thurs., Nov. 7 at 4:30 PM, Expose Hogan’s Dark Money Against School Funding.  Communities united is  joining with the Baltimore Teachers Union and other allies to expose Governor Hogan’s fundraising for dark money specifically aimed at defeating increased investment in our schools. Protest outside Change Maryland Action Fund’s “Governors Gala” at the Live! Casino at Arundel Mills where rich Marylander’s will be paying $1,000 to $2,500 a plate to OPPOSE our children and our schools. Email jessi@communitiesunite.org for the most up-to-the-minute information or to carpool from Baltimore.

58] -- As part of the 2019 PSR Visionary Leaders Awards, the organization is honoring outstanding contributions to the advancement of nuclear weapons abolition and addressing environmental hazards to health, including the climate crisis. Dr. Helen Caldicott, a past PSR president and highly influential advocate who played a pivotal role in PSR's work for many years, will be honored with PSR's distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award. She will also be delivering a keynote address at the "sold out" Symposium on nuclear weapons and climate change.  However, a few tickets are still available for the Awards Reception (following the Symposium) where Dr. Caldicott will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Go to https://www.psr.org/blog/event/2019-visionary-leaders-awards/.

  Attend the awards reception on Nov. 7 from 6 to 9 PM at the International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC 20004.  The COST is $135; $65 for students.  At the awards reception, Marylia Kelley, cofounder of Tri-Valley CAREs; Kelly Campbell and Regna Merritt, Oregon PSR chapter leaders; and the Sunrise Movement will be honored. Visit psr.org/visionaryleaders. While the Symposium is "sold out," you can still attend via livestreaming. Visit facebook.com/psrnational on Thursday, November 7 from 2 to 4 PM.

59] –  On Thurs., Nov. 7 from 6 to 9 PM,  get over to a Noise Protest at the GOP Senate Retreat, hosted by Remove Trump at Trump International Hotel, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC 20004.  Senate Republicans are holding a strategy retreat at -- where else? -- the Trump Hotel. Pay a visit and let them know, loud and clear, how we feel about them continuing to defend the indefensible and protect Donald Trump. Meet at the White House (16th & H Sts.) at 6 PM and then march to the Trump Hotel. Bring pots, pans, whistles, drums -- and earplugs! -- for a raucous noise protest.  This event is part of the nonviolent Nov 2-11 convergence to remove Trump. Learn more at remove45.org.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/611049452764732/.
60] -- On Thurs., Nov. 7 from 6 to 8 PM, come to a Letter Writing Night- In Solidarity with Aging Prisoners, hosted by The Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Rd. NW, WDC 20009. The vast majority of seniors in prison, many who have been in prison for decades, are routinely denied parole and compassionate release by the state. They are often denied release even though they pose no threat to the public. Join Aging People in Prison Human Rights Campaign. You will be provided with all the materials and a quick “how to” for writing to people in prison. Write to governors and parole boards who hold the power to intervene in individual cases, and learn how mass incarceration affects prisoners in their '60s, '70s, and '80s. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/656960934833623/.

61] On Thurs., Nov. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, be at the Baltimore Welcome Dinner, hosted by Jews United for Justice at Loyola University Maryland MTS, 4501 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21210.  On October 26th, dozens of undocumented youth, DACA recipients, TPS holders, and allies set off from New York City on the 18-day, 230-mile #HomeIsHere March to the Supreme Court, where the highest court will hear the case on DACA. They will make a stop in Baltimore for dinner. The dinner will take place at McGuire Hall, Loyola University, located in the second floor of the Student Center.  This will include words from community members and Counsel Lindsay Harrison who will give insight into the legal arguments and history of the case. The gathering will be followed by a city-wide migrants’ rights rally organized by CASA on Thurs., Nov. 8 at 1:45 PM at Baltimore City Hall! Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1016112115396308/.

62] –   On Thurs., Nov. 7 from 7 to 9 PM, enjoy Vegetarian Afghan Cooking with Shakilia, hosted by KAMA DC at YMCA Anthony Bowen, 1325 W. St. NW, WDC 20009.  Tickets are at easytoenroll.ymcadc.org. If you didn’t catch Shakila’s powerful performance at the last storytelling night, you’re not going to want to miss her vegetarian Afghan cooking class! Past immigrant experiences have shaped Shakila into an adaptable, resilient, and strong woman. She has overcome many obstacles after growing up in Afghanistan and Iran to become an educated, career-driven woman. She aspires to help others, especially from her country.

Shakila will be making Kechiri, a dish of rice with green mung beans that comes from Herat City, and Spinach with Black Eyed Beans.  Class tickets for Y members are $20 and $30 for non-members. Register at https://www.facebook.com/events/2651261218259560/.

63] -- On Thurs., Nov. 7 at 7 PM, Progressive Cheverly Community Choice Energy Forum will take place at Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary School multipurpose room, 3324 64th Ave. with Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-20) and Lily Hawkins from Food & Water Watch.  They will discuss community choice energy, a powerful tool that lets local governments bargain for cleaner, more affordable energy on behalf of residents and businesses. Maryland should join other states (including Virginia), in adopting legislation authorizing community choice energy, the speakers argue.

64] – Join Jews United For Justice Montgomery County to get ready for intimate, in-person conversations with your state legislators. Experience a mock house meeting, learn about this year’s issues, and practice your advocacy skills. Enjoy light refreshments! Prep for State Legislator Meetings on Thurs., Nov. 7 from 7 to 9 PM at Tikvat Israel Congregation, 2200 Baltimore Road, Rockville 20851. Visit https://jufj.org/event/prep-leg-moco/.

65] – On Thurs., Nov. 7 from 7 to 9 PM, hear from Ida Jones about "Baltimore Civil Rights Leader Victorine Adams" at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 1225 Cathedral St., Baltimore 21201.  Victorine Quille Adams was a Baltimore native and the first African American woman elected to the city council. Born in 1912, she lived through stringent segregation, racial violence and economic turbulence. Educated at Morgan State and Coppin State Universities, she took to the classroom and enriched the lives of her students. In 1946, she founded the Colored Women's Democratic Campaign Committee to educate African American women about the vote and the power of the ballot box.

  Author Ida E. Jones reveals the story of this civic leader and her crusade for equity for all people in Baltimore.  She is the university archivist at Morgan State University. She became intrigued with Victorine Adams during Morgan’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2016. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/2446936462260358/. Go to http://redemmas.org/.

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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