Baltimore Activist Alert -- January 3 - 4, 2019

26] Bike Leaders Breakfast– Jan. 3

27] Fire Drill Friday – Jan. 3

28] White House vigil – Jan. 3

29] WIB peace vigils – Jan. 3

30] HONK TO STOP TRUMP'S WARS & WALLS OF HATE – Jan. 3

31] Peace and justice vigil – Jan. 3

32] Adoption Yappy Hour – Jan. 3

33] See the film "THE BEST OF ENEMIES" – Jan. 3

34] Hear from Clifford Thompson, author of “What It Is” – Jan. 3

35] Ballroom Dancing – Jan. 3

36] Tree Maintenance – Jan. 4

37] Canvass for Jill Carter for Congress – Jan. 4

38] City Council Canvass in District 12 – Jan. 4

39] Communities United meeting – Jan. 4

40] 43rd District Legislative Town Hall – Jan. 4

41] Vigil for the Elephants at the White House – Jan. 4

42] U.S. OUT OF IRAQ NOW! – Jan. 4

43] Climate Advocacy Training Workshop – Jan. 4

44] Write letters supporting the Plowshares

45] Two Berrigan Books still in print

46] Emergency Demonstration against an attack on Venezuela or Iran  

47] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records  

48] Do you need any book shelves?

49] Join the Global Zero campaign.

50] Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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26] – On Fri., Jan. 3 from 7:45 to 9:45 AM, get over to a Bike Leaders Breakfast, hosted by Bikemore, 2209 Maryland Ave., Baltimore 21218.  This is a monthly informal get together! This is coffee and snacks and a space to chat with others interested in biking in Baltimore.  Everyone is welcome! Bike Leaders Breakfast started because there were people working on a variety of bike programming and advocacy throughout the city, but it felt unconnected. This is informal, stop by anytime from 7:45 to 9:45 AM.  Check out www.bikemore.net/calendar or https://www.facebook.com/events/450414355640762/.

27] – On Fri., Jan. 3 join a Fire Drill Friday event Holding Fossil Fuel Corporations Accountable! It will take place from 11 AM to 12:30 PM at the United States Capitol, WDC 20515.  Jane Fonda continues to lead a weekly rally followed by a risk arrest action on the southeast lawn of the US Capitol to demand action to address the climate emergency.

  Sure, there are many factors that led to today’s climate crisis and many ways to look at who is responsible for this complex problem, but there is one group of industries above all else which is especially responsible and needs to be held accountable: fossil fuel corporations. It is now proven that fossil fuel corporations, like Exxon, knew about climate change a half century ago. But rather than use that precious time to lead a transition to clean, safe, renewable energy, protecting workers and communities during the transition, these corporations deceived the public through spreading fake science and climate denialism, misled their shareholders, viciously expanded their fossil fuel exploration and extraction, blocked climate solutions at the state and federal level, sought to silence dissent and protest, and robbed humanity of a generation’s worth of time to advance solutions. And these companies were – and still are – facilitated by the banks, investors and insurance companies that continue to finance and insure fossil fuel projects, long after the science was clear that our collective survival depends on winding down, not ramping up, fossil fuel production.

  Across the U.S. — and internationally — people, cities and states are starting to use financial and legal processes to hold fossil fuel corporations accountable. The Fossil Fuel Divestment campaign has inspired over $11 Trillion to be divested from fossil fuels, as a growing number of investors refuse to participate in the industry that is cooking the planet. The Fossil Fuel Free Money pledge has recruited hundreds of electoral candidates to refuse campaign donations from fossil fuel companies, there by liberating leaders from serving fossil fuel corporate donors. Organizations are campaigning to get banks, investors and insurance companies to choose the side of humanity over profits and withdraw support from fossil fuels. And now, children, cities and states are starting a range of legal proceedings related to fossil fuel corporations’ roles in the climate crisis, kick starting a new round of climate liability proceedings.

For decades, fossil fuel companies took a page from Big Tobacco and tried to hide the truth, demonstrating a callous disregard for human wellbeing. But around the world, people are banding together to say ENOUGH. It’s time we take back our government, our energy system and our future from these corporations whose decisions and deceit disproportionately contributed to today’s climate crisis. See https://www.facebook.com/events/431768980855213/.

28] – The Dorothy Day Catholic Worker will host a peace vigil at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Jan. 3 at noon.  Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker: 202-882-9649, artlaffin@hotmail.com.  

29] – Women in Black VIGILS FOR PEACE take place on Fri., Jan. 3 from noon to 1 PM.  One is at McKeldin Square, corner of Light and Pratt Sts., in the Inner Harbor, Baltimore.  Use the purple circulator line.  Enjoy an AFTER VIGIL LUNCH from the food trucks in the Inner Harbor.  Bring Your Own Sandwich or stop by one of the food trucks in the McKeldin Square.

Another is at Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St., Baltimore.  Free Parking available. Vigil from noon to 1 PM. Lunch in the Bistro at 1 PM. If there's a storm, there is no vigil, but there will be lunch. Contact Anne: awyattbr@gmail.com.  The final vigil is in Chestertown, Kent County on the Eastern Shore at Memorial Park at Cross Street and Park Row. Email wibbaltimore@peacepath911.org.

30] – HONK TO  STOP TRUMP'S WARS & WALLS OF HATE on Fri., Jan. 3 from 4 to 5 PM as part of the  Philly Anti-War 'Reach Out' at the 30th Street Train Station, 30^th and Market Sts. Call 484-574-1148 or visit www.brandywinepeace.com.

Reach-Out to people because only we can stop endless war, Lockheed Martin (#1 war profiteer from drone warfare to nuclear weapons) and the drone war command operation in Horsham.  Only we can stop Trump, the hate, the violence, the lies and militarism of these deadly times. Only we can Abolish Nuclear Weapons, bring justice and peace.  These 2nd Friday of the month Philly Anti-War ‘Reach-Outs’ alternate between the 30th Street Train Station, 30th and Market Sts., and the SEPTA entrance at 15th & Market Streets, across from Phila. City Hall west side.

31] – There is usually a silent peace and justice 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 Jan. 3. Black Lives Matter.

32] – On Fri., Jan. 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, get over to Adoption Yappy Hour, hosted by TRU Rescue at Pet Valu Hunt Valley, 114 Shawan Road, Cockeysville 21030.  Come and meet adoptable dogs and learn about TRU Rescue. Some of the dogs attending are Tripp, Milo, Rye and many more. Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/1539845669487800/.

33] – On Fri., Jan. 3 at 7 PM, see the film "THE BEST OF ENEMIES," directed by Robin Bissell at the First-Friday Free Large-Screen Film Series held at the Peace Center of Delaware County, 1001 Old Sproul Road, Springfield, PA. Doors open at 6:30 PM for light refreshments. It's easy to hate a group, it's harder to hate a person.  Based on a true story, the film centers on the unlikely relationship that developed between Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson) and C.P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell). Atwater is an outspoken African-American civil rights activist organizer. C.P. Ellis is the local Grand Cyclops head of the Ku Klux Klan, responsible for Klan violence and intimidation. Constantly battling with Atwater over the issue of school desegregation in Durham, North Carolina, Ellis reluctantly agrees to co-chair with her a community summit during the racially charged summer of 1971.

The two were, of course, diametrically opposed to the attitudes and beliefs of the other, but as they spent time working together, C.P. begins to question the white supremacist hatred at his core.  At our hate-filled current point in U.S. history, with a president enabled by the racist worst in human character, the film’s true tale of reconciliation affirms the possibility of change emerging from those we’d least expect. It is based on the book, THE BEST OF ENEMIES: Race and Redemption in the New South by Osha Gray Davidson.

The First-Friday free film series at the Peace Center of Delaware County is organized monthly by the Brandywine Peace Community.  For directions to the Peace Center or more information, visit www.delcopeacecenter.org or call 484-574-1148.

34] – On Fri., Jan. 3 from 7 to 8 PM, hear from Clifford Thompson, author of “What It Is,” hosted by Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, WDC 20008.  An award-winning journalist, essayist, and professor, Thompson grew up in D.C., where he absorbed both the lessons of racism and the ideal of equality. Jolted by Trump’s election and the surge of white elitism, Thompson questioned his sense of his nation—and his own values—as never before. In an eloquent exploration and analysis of the state of the country today, Thompson interweaves his own unsettling experiences, the wisdom of writers such as James Baldwin, Albert Murray, and Joan Didion, and, most of all, stories from a variety of people, including Trump supporters, community organizers, and the founder of the National African American Gun Association.  Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/606429346834521/.

35] – 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 Jan. 3. Call Dave Greene at 301-570-3283; or email eneergdivad@gmail.com. 

36] – On Sat., Jan. 4 from 10 AM to 1 PM, get with the Tree Maintenance, hosted by the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy at the Loch Raven Reservoir in Towson. Newly planted trees need TLC to survive. Spend several hours to help young trees grow into healthy forests!  Tree maintenance involves removing invasive plants, checking planted trees to see if the shelter needs to be removed and removing if necessary, digging out the planting tube, and making sure the plant is upright.  Community service learning hours are available. Visit this website to register for the event and get driving directions: https://gunpowdervalleyconservancy.org/event/tree-maintenance-jan-4/.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/441353106742250/.

37] – On Sat., Jan. 4 from 10 AM to 2 PM, get with a Coffee & Canvass for Jill Carter for Congress, hosted by Our Revolution Baltimore City/County at 3549 Chestnut Ave., Baltimore 21211-2520. Help send a champion to Congress who will fight for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, free public college, criminal justice reform, racial and economic justice, an end to endless wars, and more. State Sen. Jill Carter is that champion, and Our Revolution Maryland has endorsed her as the most progressive candidate in the race for the late Elijah Cummings' seat in Maryland's 7th Congressional District.  The establishment will do everything they can to make sure that a "safe" candidate wins the seat. But they don't have what we have - people power! Jill Carter is the People's Champion, but she needs us to be her champions if she's going to win this race. That's why instead of our monthly Coffee & Conversation, canvass for Jill Carter for Congress. Because talking politics over coffee is great, but sometimes you just have to strap on your walking shoes and put in the work to make the revolution happen.

If canvassing isn't your thing, phone banking is also available in the office. The office is accessible. If you plan to phonebank, please bring headphones.  Enjoy coffee and refreshments. Carter will speak. PLEASE BE PROMPT. See https://www.facebook.com/events/608689049895174/.

38] – On Sat., Jan. 4 from 11 AM to 3 PM, join a City Council Canvass in District 12, hosted by the Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America at Penn Station, 1500 N. Charles St., Baltimore.  This canvass is for endorsed District 12 City Council candidate and *chapter-member* Dave Heilker! Can you think of a better way to ring in the New Year?  There will be a brief training prior to the canvass, the use of the buddy system, and a supply super great DSA lit.  Also to be handed out will be Bernie materials!  Just come for the time you have free.  If you have a DSA t-shirt, it'd be a good idea to wear it. And don't forget water and comfy shoes!  Email electoral@baltimoredsa.org if you have any questions!  Meet at the cafe inside Penn Station!  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2797615636944794/.

39] – On Sat., Jan. 4 from 11 AM to 1 PM, attend Meet Me in the Middle, hosted by Communities United, 2221 Maryland Ave., 2nd floor, Baltimore 21218.  Communities United meets every first Saturday in the middle of Baltimore City at St. Vincent de Paul's (at the corner of Fayette and President Street, across from the Shot Tower Metro Stop) for our monthly public meeting. Coffee and light fare provided. Come join us to start the year out with a discussion about how we can get heard by our state and city representatives! See https://www.facebook.com/events/2438301556487627/.

40] – On Sat., Jan. 4 from noon to 2 PM, attend the 43rd District Legislative Town Hall, hosted by State Senator Mary L. Washington, Ph.D at Baltimore City College, 3220 The Alameda, Baltimore 21218.  The Town Hall will be in the auditorium.  This is an opportunity to meet your State level district representatives, discuss the upcoming legislative agenda, and voice concerns you may have. See https://www.facebook.com/events/533636323889893/.

41] – On Sat., Jan. 4 at noon, Vigil for the Elephants at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., WDC 20500, hosted by Elephants DC.  Join the International Candlelight Vigil for Elephants and stand in solidarity with organizations and individuals around the world to remember the Elephants who suffered and died in captivity during 2019. Concurrently we shall call for a total ivory sales ban worldwide now, the end of all wild-caught elephant trade, support for rangers & protection of ancient migratory routes. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/559652854887969/.

42] – On Sat., Jan. 4 at noon, join NO MORE U.S. TROOPS TO IRAQ OR THE MIDDLE EAST! U.S. OUT OF IRAQ NOW! In Baltimore, we will meet at President and Fayette Sts.  In D.C., the noon demo is at the White House.

Trump has ordered 750 more U.S. troops to the Middle East, and there is the potential for more. This is in addition to the 5,200 U.S. troops already stationed in Iraq. More than a million Iraqis have died during the past 28 years as a consequence of U.S. occupation, bombings and sanctions. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops have either been killed or suffered life-changing wounds. The U.S. government has spent more than $3 trillion in the on-going occupation of this oil-rich country. Instead of taking the United States out of this endless war, Trump is building up U.S. forces in the region and threatening a war with Iran. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1026538834406261/?notif_t=plan_user_invited&notif_id=1577969679683335.

43] – There is a Climate Advocacy Training Workshop, hosted by the Citizens' Climate Lobby - Baltimore & Howard County on Sat., Jan. 4 from 2 to 4:30 PM at the Howard County Library East Columbia Branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045. Come learn about values-led organization to work together for large-scale systems change. Citizens Climate Lobby is a grass roots organization, open to all who want to be part of the solution. Work together, focusing on practical steps that will lead to solutions that fit the scale of the problem, taking the most generous approach to relationships, with integrity and personal power, and being non-partisan. The workshop will be in the Lucille Clifton Meeting Room A/B.  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/1386161594918823/.

44] – The PLOWSHARES SENTENCING is PENDING, so please WRITE THE JUDGE. Now is the time to write letters to Judge Lisa Godbey Wood regarding her sentencing of the Kings Bay Plowshares 7. The group is collecting letters, especially from those who know the defendants, testifying to their character and the good work that they are doing in their communities which will not be done if they are serving long terms in prison. These letters are not the forum to criticize the law, the legal process or government policies. Rather it is the place to point out positive things about the defendants that should mitigate a harsh sentence.  Letters should be sent to defense attorney Bill Quigley at the address below. He will compile them and distribute to various defendants' attorneys for delivery to Judge Wood. The attorneys suggest it would be helpful to get these done by Thanksgiving or the week after in order to get processed and delivered. Sentencing may be in January or possibly February.   The best letters are simple, polite, and tell good things about the person you are writing to support.

The suggested format is as follows:

Date

Sender’s Name

Sender’s Address

Judge Lisa Godbey Wood

C/o Bill Quigley

Loyola University New Orleans Law Clinic

Campus Box 902

7214 St. Charles Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70118

Regarding Sentencing of: Mark Colville [or] Clare Grady [or] Martha Hennessy [or] Fr. Steve Kelly SJ [or] Elizabeth McAlister [or] Patrick O’Neill [or] Carmen Trotta (or all seven of the Kings Bay Plowshares)

Dear Judge Wood,

Suggested outline for the letter:

- Explain who you are.

- Explain who you are writing about, how you know them, and what good they do for their community.

- Explain why the Judge should not send them to jail.

- Thank the Judge for reading your letter.

Valediction,

Signature

For more ideas and details for your letters, you are welcome to see the defendants' biographies here: https://kingsbayplowshares7.org/about/bios/.

Thank you for your attentiveness to the trial, your support for the defendants and their families, and your focus on the issue of the abolition of nuclear weapons.

As Fr. Steve Kelly says, "The nuclear weapons won't go away by themselves." We do this work together.

45] – Two books by Fred Wilcox are still in print.  The first one is “Fighting the Lamb's War Skirmishes with the American Empire” by Philip Berrigan and Fred A. Wilcox with a FOREWORD by Tripp York.  It can be purchased by Wipf and Stock: https://wipfandstock.com/fighting-the-lamb-s-war.html.  It is a Memoir in paperback/ISBN: 9781532660078/240 pages/republished 8/21/2018/ Retail Price: $26.00/and Web Price: $20.80.

The second one is “Uncommon Martyrs The Berrigans, the Catholic Left, and the Plowshares Movement” by Fred Wilcox, who profiles members of this anti-war movement, whose Christianity compels them to acts of civil disobedience against the military industrial complex.  The ISBN is 0201522314/$6.50 for a hardcover, and it can be purchased at Powell's Books.  See https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/7094/uncommon-martyrs.

46] –   The Trump Administration is again beating the war drums.  Most recently, the target is Iran.  Should the Trump administration initiate an act of war against Iran, consider joining us. It is a violation of U.S. law for the Trump Administration 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. Should a war criminal, John Bolton, convince Trump to attack either of these countries, 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 military strike against Iran or Venezuela takes place, then meet at 33rd and N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218. If the attack is before 2 PM local time, then the event will begin at 5 PM, local time. If the attack occurs after 5 PM local time, then the event will begin at 5 PM, local time, the following day. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.   

47] -- 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.

48] -- Can you use any book shelves? Contact Max at 410-323-1637 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

49] -- 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.

50] – 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