Resistance in Honduras Marches on as Political Prisoner Is Released on Bail

https://truthout.org/articles/resistance-in-honduras-marches-on-as-political-prisoner-is-released-on-bail/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=84b92979-bb4e-43d9-975d-6146d244cab9

NEWS

HUMAN RIGHTS

Resistance in Honduras Marches on as Political Prisoner Is Released on Bail

Demonstrators march to demand the resignation of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on August 9, 2019.ORLANDO SIERRA / AFP / GETTY IMAGES

José Luis Granados Ceja, 

August 15, 2019

After 18 months in maximum-security jail enduring inhumane conditions, Honduran activist and political prisoner Edwin Espinal was released on bail last week. Upon his exit, Espinal opted to eschew the type of comforts many others might have sought after securing their freedom: Still wearing his jail garb, he went straight to a demonstration to greet his supporters, thank them for their tireless efforts, and pledged to continue the struggle against the regime of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández — the very same work that led to his imprisonment by the regime.

“When I left the penal center, I felt a need to show our people — all the international organizations who have shown strong support to help secure my release — that neither their jails, their bullets, nor their repression can defeat us,” Espinal told Truthout in his first international media interview since his release.

Espinal was charged and jailed as a result of his participation in protests opposing the re-election of President Hernández in the 2017 vote that was widely perceived by international election monitors and many Hondurans as fraudulent.

   A close ally of the United States, Hernández has ruled Honduras since 2014, presiding over an administration that has militarized public security and has allowed public health and education to languish.

  “This is typical of right-wing governments: they invest in prisons, in repression against the people instead of education, health, work and public safety,” said Espinal. “Since this man came to power, we’ve witnessed the total collapse of institutions.”

Edwin Espinal stands before the Honduran attorney general’s office, which has been marked with graffiti that reads, “Freedom for political prisoners,” in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on August 14, 2019.KAREN SPRING

The Hernández government has also faced credible allegations of association with drug traffickers, with the president’s brother, Antonio Hernández, having been indicted on drug-trafficking charges in late 2018.

  In documents unsealed from New York’s Southern District Court, prosecutors signaled Juan Orlando Hernández as a co-conspirator in the case. Although the documents do not name the president directly, the court filings leave little doubt that “co-conspirator 4” is the sitting president, who is said to have funneled drug money into his presidential campaign in 2013.

According to Karen Spring, a Canadian human rights activist based in Honduras and Espinal’s wife, the court documents merely confirmed what many already suspected.

“Hondurans are very clear about the fact that this government has no legitimacy, that the government is a fraudulent government and the revelations from the New York court documents just affirm what Hondurans have been saying for many years,” Spring told Truthout.

She suspects that the allegations against Hernández played a role in Espinal’s release.

“The political context of the country has shifted, and it seems the dictator has much greater worries than a couple of political prisoners that represent a lot to the social movements,” said Spring.

With the possibility that Hernández could be charged and extradited, the U.S. court allegations have sent the regime into crisis and the Honduran president traveled to the United States this week, to try to shore up support from his most important ally.

“Repression is the primary tool the dictatorship uses to stay in power.”

According to Spring, the Honduran opposition movement against Hernández, composed of both grassroots and political adversaries, suspects that the U.S. may withdraw its support for Hernández and she speculates that the Honduran president will be forced to relinquish power before the end of the year.

Without the backing of the United States, Hernández would struggle to remain in office.

“We know the government is maintained in power by the government of the United States,” said Espinal.

The allegations against Hernández have also served to further motivate the opposition movement that sees his government as illegitimate, and the Hernández regime appears to be in a vulnerable position.

However, Espinal warns that the movement cannot let its guard down.

“When dictatorships feel cornered, when they feel like their backs are against the wall, that is when the claws come out and they begin to repress with much greater force,” said Espinal.

An Edifice of Repression

Repression of dissent is a fundamental component of Hernández’s grip on power. Honduras has been ruled by a representative of the National Party since the 2009 military coup that ousted leftist President José Manuel Zelaya. The policies implemented by the National Party governments have adversely affected Hondurans from all walks of life.

Spring says that the consequences of the 2009 coup have dramatically changed the lives of Hondurans, with the costs of essential goods, transit and services all increasing while wages have stayed stagnant, making survival virtually impossible.

The opposition movement that sprang up in the aftermath of the coup has waged a consistent and determined struggle to restore democracy to Honduras, but has been met with the repressive apparatus of the state.

The removal of a figurehead is often not enough to dismantle the regime they installed.

The opposition put forward Salvador Nasralla as its candidate for the 2017 presidential election. As results came in the night of the election, it became apparent that Nasralla was on the path to victory, and the vote count was suspended by authorities. When the count resumed, Hernández had secured a lead and was eventually declared the winner.

In the face of mass protests against the perceived fraud, the Hernández regime deployed security forces into the streets.

“Over 35 people were shot by state security forces and hundreds of people were thrown in jail,” said Spring.

The charges Espinal faces are related to those protests, with authorities accusing him of engaging in violent acts. A well-known figure in the opposition, Espinal says he was targeted for his activism.

“Repression is the primary tool the dictatorship uses to stay in power,” said Espinal.

With his credibility and legitimacy undermined as a result of the fraud allegations, President Hernández has struggled to implement unpopular reforms. Earlier this year, the Platform for the Defense of Education and Health, a nonpartisan coalition comprised of trade unions and civil society organizations, staged a 48-hour national strike over efforts to privatize public services. These actions were also met with repression, with local media reporting the use of live ammunition against demonstrators.

“Every year the level of repression increases against our people, against our resistance, against our people who fight every day to preserve our fundamental and inherent rights,” said Espinal.

“The Fall of This Regime Will Only Be the Beginning”

However, with little popular support, the limits of repression as a means of staying in power are becoming evident, and Spring believes Hernández may be cast aside in order to appease the opposition and stabilize the political climate in the country.

She argues that the U.S. wants to maintain its domination in Honduras to ensure its hegemony in Central America and does not feel any particular loyalty to Hernández.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently led a congressional delegation to Honduras, but opted not to meet with Hernández, who tried to save face by claiming he was unavailable to meet with them.

However, Spring warns that ousting the current president will not be enough.

“This is an entire system, from the top to the bottom, that has been run by drug trafficking and corruption networks for a very long time,” said Spring. “Picking off even the president himself is not going to destroy the structure that has slowly caused a deterioration of Honduras and Honduran public institutions.”

Other experiences in Central America — such as that of Guatemala, where mass protests ousted former President Otto Pérez Molina — have shown that the removal of a figurehead is often not enough to dismantle the regime they installed. Conservative Alejandro Giammattei, who has shown a reluctance to address rampant corruption, won Sunday’s election in Guatemala and is expected to be a close ally of the United States.

“The fall of this regime will only be the beginning,” said Espinal. “There is a lot of struggle ahead, a lot of work to be done.”

For now, there are still battles to be fought. Espinal himself still has to face trial on charges of arson, property damage and use of explosive material, with proceedings beginning today, and there are other political prisoners in the country who are still being held by the regime.

However, the resolve of opposition supporters and human rights defenders remains strong.

“There is no way they can eliminate that feeling we have, the love we have for our homeland, the love we have for the people, the compulsion we have for us to recover our dignity, our need to raise our voice and let this regime know that they cannot defeat us,” said Espinal.

Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.

José Luis Granados Ceja is a writer and photojournalist based in Mexico City. He previously worked as a staff writer for teleSUR and currently works on a freelance basis. His stories focus on contemporary political issues, particularly those that involve grassroots efforts to affect social change. He often covers the work of social and labor movements in Latin America. Follow him on Twitter: @GranadosCeja.

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 – August 18 to 19, 2019

Baltimore Activist Alert – August 18 to 19, 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] Lawyers Against War

6] SUPPORT AMAZON WORKERS OF CONSCIENCE

7] Little Friends for Peace

8] JAPANESE-AMERICAN ART EXHIBIT – through Aug. 23

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

10] Knock on doors for the Green Party -- Aug. 18

11] Baltimore Vegan Restaurant Week – Aug. 18 – Sept. 1

12] Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teaser – Aug. 18

13] Canvas with Bill Henry – Aug. 18

14] See AMAZING GRACE – Aug. 18

15] Film Screening: “Lom Nava Love” – Aug. 18

16] Divest Philly meeting – Aug. 18

17] The ERA Call – Aug. 18

18] Maryland Vegan Restaurant Weeks – Aug. 18

19] Music of Puerto Rico – Aug. 18

20] See the film SELMA – Aug. 18

21] Protest the Pentagon – Aug. 19

22] Food Rescue – Aug. 19

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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] -- 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.

7] -- Little Friends for Peace (LFFP - http://www.lffp.org/) has been conducting summer peace camps around the Metro DC area for well over 30 years.  For approximately the last ten years, LFFP has been offering free tuition to children of TASSC (Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition - https://www.tassc.org/) members.  Recently they have also been welcoming children of refugees to their camps without regard for tuition payment. If you would like to assist with this undertaking, there are many ways you can including:

Driving - many of the TASSC and other refugee families want their children to attend camp but they do not have the ability to drive them there and back.  For the last 8 to 10 years, Helen Schietinger has been working with LFFP and TASSC to provide drivers for these children.  If you can drive some children even one way, on one day on any day during the following three weeks of peace camp this summer, it would be much appreciated.  Many drivers from past years have moved or "aged out" of feeling comfortable driving and we really need as many volunteer drivers as possible.  If you can possibly drive, please contact either Helen (202-344-5762 - h.schietinger@verizon.net ) or Bob Cooke (301-661-0449 or cookerh1251@gmail.com) regarding exactly when you can drive and from where you might be comfortable driving.  Most of the children live in PG County, D.C. or Montgomery County.

Drivers are needed on Mon., Aug. 19 for a camp in Mt. Rainier, MD.  Share this information.  Donate for Scholarships. In order to help as many scholarship asylee, refugee (and other) children attend camp, LFFP (http://www.lffp.org/donate.html) can use as much scholarship money donations as possible.  No amount of scholarship money is too little.  

8] – BALTIMORE SISTER CITIES [baltimoresistercities.org] is hosting through August 23 a JAPANESE-AMERICAN ART EXHIBIT AT CITY HALL called “Flightless Cranes/Tobenai Tsuru” in the North Gallery, 100 N. Holliday St., Baltimore 21202.  The title means “a crane cannot fly.” The curator is Kirk Butts, and the artists are Aimi Chinen Bouillen, Ahraun Chambliss, Mary Champagne, Kei Ito, Sanzi Kermes, and Ayaka Takao.  Admission is free, but you need an ID in order to enter the building.  The exhibit celebrates the 40th year anniversary of Baltimore and Kawasaki’s sister city relationship. It showcases 6 young Japanese, American, and Japanese-American artists, looking for commonalities in their immigrant identity and relocation themes that are part of their artistic heritage. The artists include several members of Baltimore Kawasaki Sister City Committee and other artists both local and national.

9] – 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.  Exemplarily, on Aug. 29, Millennium Arts Salon Executive Director Juanita Hardy will feature a Salon Panel Talk on the issue of migration. 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.

10] – On Sun., Aug. 18 from 10 AM to 1 PM, do some Door Knocking in Northeast Baltimore on behalf of the Baltimore City Green Party. Starting at Zeke's Coffee, 4719 Harford Rd., Baltimore 21214.  Help get the Green Party on the ballot! Spend two hours knocking on doors and letting people know how they can help push for more choices on the ballot.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/2286366211461090/.

11] – On Sun., Aug. 18 at 10 AM, Mon., Aug. 19 at 11 AM & Tues., Aug. 20, enjoy Baltimore Vegan Restaurant Week by Wicked Sisters and Maryland Vegan Eats at 3845 Falls Road, Baltimore 21211. The Baltimore Vegan Restaurant Week will continue until Sept. 1.  You can make reservations in advance by going to www.wickedsistershampden.com. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/2106154139677336/?event_time_id=2106154146344002.

12] – 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., Aug. 18, the platform address is Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teaser.  MBSR is a program formulated at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center to assist individuals in exploring their own inner resources for self-care to manage stress and pain in their lives. This program will be experiential; practice about ten minutes of gentle mindful movement (seated or standing) and ten minutes of seated meditation. There will also be a formal guided mindful communication dialogue at the end. Shannon M Whitaker is the founder of Cultivate, a mindfulness coaching company (www.cultivate.gg), and Guest In Perpetuum at the Baltimore Ethical Society. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org. 

13] – Canvass with Bill Henry in Brooklyn on Sun., Aug. 18 at noon or 2 PM, hosted by Friends of Bill Henry starting at 300 E. Patapsco Ave., Brooklyn MD 21225-1828.  Sign up here to knock on doors with Councilmember Bill Henry -- https://bit.ly/2KCmxCP.  Now more than ever, there is a need an independent voice in City government to promote accountability and transparency from top to bottom.  You will get all the training you need to be successful and have fun. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/345656582785538/?event_time_id=345656592785537.

14] – On Sun., Aug. 18 from 2 to 4:30 PM, see Amazing Grace: The Musical at the Museum of the Bible, 400 4th St. SW, WDC 20024.  Tickets are at www.museumofthebible.org.  AMAZING GRACE is a new original musical inspired by the awe-inspiring story behind the world’s most beloved song. A captivating tale of romance, rebellion and redemption, this radiant production follows one man whose incredible journey ignited a historic wave of change. John Newton, a willful and musically talented young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. Coming of age as Britain sits atop an international empire of slavery, he finds himself torn between following in the footsteps of his father—a slave trader—or embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart. John embarks on a perilous voyage on the high seas. When that journey finds John in his darkest hour, a transformative moment of self-reckoning inspires a blazing anthem of hope that will finally guide him home. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/755006768206805/?event_time_id=755006941540121.

15] –On Sun., Aug. 18 from 2 to 4:30 PM, get over to a Film Screening: “Lom Nava Love,” hosted by Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore 21202.  Tickets are at lewismuseum.org.  Centered on the work of community organizer Shirley Foulks and directed by Youth Resiliency Institute founder Fanon Hill, the film documents Foulks’ engagement with families in public housing and how she uses art to communicate the abilities, strengths and power to effect change that black families innately possess. A post discussion with Mr. Hill and Ms. Foulks will follow the screening. See https://www.facebook.com/events/362921974410000/.

16] – On Sun., Aug. 18 from  2 to 3 PM, attend a Divest Philly from the War Machine Meeting at Wooden Shoe Books, 704 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19147.  Last month, the Divest Philly from the War Machine coalition launched a petition campaign and organizational sign-on letter. Help make an action plan for collecting signatures in support of the campaign. Set campaign goals and divvy up volunteer tasks, including flyering, petitioning, and organizational outreach in order to build community support in preparation for bringing the demands to the Philly Board of Pensions.  Contact Maya Rommwatt at Maya@codepink.org.  Visit https://www.codepink.org/philly_aug18_join_divest_meeting?utm_campaign=august_18_philly_resend&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink.

17] – On Sun., Aug. 18 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.

18] –   Maryland Vegan Restaurant Weeks continues through Sept. 1.  For example, from Sun., Aug. 18 from 5 to 9 PM, go to Great Sage, 5809 Clarksville Square Dr., Clarksville 21029. Enjoy all 3 courses for $34 – each item available a la carte.  Go to www.mdveganeats.com to check out the most current media stories and videos. Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/1443132795829569/?event_time_id=1443132805829568.

19] –   On Sun., Aug. 18 from 5  to 7:30 PM, hear the Music of Puerto Rico with Cultura Plenera, hosted by Downtown Columbia at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia 21044.  Join the Maryland Traditions Heritage Award winning Cultura Plenera for Music of Puerto Rico, a part of the FREE Community Concerts at the Chrysalis!

Cultura Plenera is a non-profit organization dedicated to community building in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia areas through the traditional Puerto Rican musical styles of Bomba and Plena. Bomba is a Puerto Rican musical genre that dates back more than 300 years, has heavy African influences, and expresses the sentiments of Puerto Ricans and their culture through barrel drums, maraca, cúa, singer and dancers. Plena is another Puerto Rican musical genre, which dates back more than 100 years, and also narrates stories of the Puerto Rican experience through hand drums, güiro and singers. Both Bomba y Plena are central to life in Puerto Rican communities inside and outside of the island.  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/379141126292367/.

20] –   On Sun., Aug. 18 from 6 to 10 PM enjoy a Sunday Dinner & Outdoor Movie Night, hosted by PorchFest DC and East Washington Heights Baptist Church.  See www.eventbrite.com. Lauded as one of the most prolific films of our time, SELMA tells a story of resilience, courage and power.  Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and coolers for a community-wide Sunday potluck dinner and FREE outdoor movie. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1796928433743745/.

21] – 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 Aug. 19, 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.

22] – On Mon., Aug. 19 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

Baltimore Activist Alert -- August 15 - 17, 2019

45] Civilian Review Board Meeting – Aug. 15

46] Conversation For a Cause with FreeState Justice – Aug. 15

47] Communities United meeting – Aug. 15

48] JHU Sit-in Open Meeting – Aug. 15

49] Training for a Plastic Bag Survey – Aug. 15

50] Beyond Coal – Aug. 15

51] "Heretic to Housewife" – Aug. 15

52] Court Support Volunteer Training – Aug. 15

53] Support the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians – Aug. 16

54] Rally to end massive ICE raids -- Aug. 16

55] Food Rescue – Aug. 16

56] White House vigil– Aug. 16

57] WIB peace vigils – Aug. 16

58] Black Lives Matter/Peace & Justice Vigil – Aug. 16

59] Terps for Bernie: Phonebank & Textbank! – Aug. 16, 19 & 20

60] Political Platform Salon – Aug. 16

61] Ballroom Dancing – Aug. 16

62] Canvass for Bernie/Income Inequality – Aug. 17

63] Tree Maintenance – Aug. 17

64] Peace Vigil – Aug. 17

65] Baltimore Homeless Festival – Aug. 17

66] Medicare For All Town Hall – Aug. 17

67] Safety from guns rally – Aug. 17

68] MOMS DEMAND ACTION – Aug. 17

69] Plundering Africa – Aug. 17

70] Moving Forward – Aug. 17

71] Transgender Incarcerated Survivors Fundraiser – Aug. 17

72] Annie Chambers birthday – Aug. 17

73] Two Berrigan Books still in print

74] Emergency Demonstration against an attack on Venezuela or Iran  

75] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records  

76] Do you need any book shelves?

77] Join the Global Zero campaign.

78] Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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45] –  On Thurs., Aug. 15 from 6 to 9 PM, attend the Civilian Review Board Meeting, hosted by Baltimore City Office of Civil Rights and Wage Enforcement at Baltimore City Hall, 100 Holliday St., Baltimore 21202.  Bring photo ID to enter City Hall. The meeting is in Room 215, 2nd Floor. See https://www.facebook.com/events/475462739915042/.

46] –  On Thurs., Aug. 15 from 6 to 7 PM, join a Conversation For A Cause With FreeState Justice at GLCCB, 2530 N. Charles St., 3rd Floor, Baltimore 21218.  Join the Pride Center of Maryland and FreeState Justice, Maryland’s LGBTQ advocacy organization for a conversation about issues facing the LGBTQ community in the state and help set the 2020 policy agenda.  Refreshments will be served.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/469293796957217/.

47] –  On Thurs., Aug. 15 from 6 to 8:30 PM, get with a Committee Night Potluck, hosted by Communities United, 2221 Maryland Ave., 2nd floor, Baltimore 21218.  Roll up your sleeves and help build community power.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1777181322428465/.

48] – On Thurs., Aug. 15 from 6:30 to 8 PM, get over to a JHU Sit-in Open Meeting at 2640 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218-4531.  This is the first open meeting since the occupation and the sit-down with administrators. Build a collective vision and next steps! Please share some feedback, especially if you cannot attend: https://forms.gle/Wk795vc5oL97U6Br6. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2486769098245718/.

49] – On Thurs., Aug 15 from 7 to 9 PM, get with a Training for a Plastic Bag Survey, organized by the Sierra Club PG County Group at Bowie Town Center Safeway, Community Room, 4101 Northview Dr., Bowie 20716. Contact Martha Ainsworth at martha.ainsworth@mdsierra.org and (301) 262-8389.

Help conduct a survey of the types of bags used by shoppers in about 50 grocery stores in Prince George's County in eight grocery chains (Food Lion, Giant, Harris Teeter, Lidl, Safeway, Shopper's, Wegmans, and Weis Markets). The volunteers will observe and record shoppers’ bag choices for one hour at each store exit – reusable bags, plastic bags, paper bags, and un-bagged merchandise. The survey is observational and does not involve contact or interviews with the shoppers.  If you’d like to volunteer to conduct the survey at a grocery store near you, come to this training session!

The survey will take place over several weekends in August and September, with the results presented at the Prince George's Sierra Club's fall meeting on September 29 at Bladensburg Waterfront Park.  The results will be used to advocate for local and state-wide legislation to reduce use of single use plastic bags and raise use of reusable bags. Similar surveys are being conducted across Maryland counties. At the training, you will learn about the legislation, the impact of a bag fee in other jurisdictions, the objective of the survey, the questions we’ll be able to address with the results, the timing of the survey, and how to observe and record bag use.  You will also be assigned grocery stores to observe.  All volunteers who wish to participate in data collection must take the training.

50] - On Thurs., Aug. 15 from 7 to 9 PM, the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club will meet at 1710 Dulaney Valley Rd., Lutherville 21093.  Contact Matt Dernoga at matt.dernoga@mdsierra.org. Join the Sierra Club for a meeting on coal power's impacts on Baltimore County and Maryland, from public health to climate change. Learn about the Sierra Club's exciting new Coal Community Transition Campaign to move Maryland Beyond Coal and support impacted workers in the fossil fuel industry. 

51] – On Thurs., Aug. 15 from 7 to 9 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 1225 Cathedral St., Baltimore 21201, Rahne Alexander presents "Heretic to Housewife." Tickets are at withfriends.co. This is the debut book of collected essays by Baltimore-based artist Rahne Alexander. In ten essays, Alexander connects the dots between her conservative Mormon upbringing and her emergence as a vocal queer Tran’s feminist performer and creator, and does so with withering wit and hard-won wisdom. Rahne Alexander is a multimedia artist based in Baltimore, Maryland. Her video art has screened in galleries and festivals across the U.S. and around the world, and she has appeared in numerous films and videos. Visit rahne.com and https://www.facebook.com/events/472933686835809/.  See http://redemmas.org/.

52] – On Thurs., Aug. 15 from 7 to 8:30 PM, get over to Court Support Volunteer Training, hosted by Sanctuary Streets Baltimore at Govans Boundary Parish UMC, 5210 York Rd., Baltimore 21212.  Due to the success of the training last month and the continued need for volunteers, Sanctuary Streets Baltimore is excited to host another Court Support Training. Learn more about how to support Baltimore’s compañerxs via accompaniment to court dates and ICE check-ins. Spanish-speakers and folks with access to a car are especially needed, but all are welcome and can be of assistance! Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2177504772541310/.

53] – On Fri., Aug. 16 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM,  join the Baltimore Teachers Union in support of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians at 1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore 21201-5517.  The Great Baltimore Symphony Lockout Continues.  You can help support the Baltimore Symphony Musicians by making a contribution to their GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-o-in-bso.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2322882171098961/.

54] – On Fri., Aug. 16 from noon to 1 PM, be at a rally to end massive ICE raids terrorizing families & children, hosted by the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 500 12th St. SW, WDC 20024.  Last week, hundreds of hard-working immigrants in Mississippi, many with no criminal history, were arrested by ICE in the largest work-site raid in US history. Their detentions left many children without one or both of their parents and many were left terrified having to rely on neighbors or strangers for food and shelter. While immigrant families were devastated at the separation of beloved family members, their employer was allowed to remain free - the same employer who paid $3.75 million to settle an Equal Employment Opportunities Commission class-action suit charging the company with sexual harassment, national origin and race discrimination, and retaliation against Latino workers at one of its Mississippi plants. While the current administration has actively sought to hunt down, detain and deport as many immigrants of color as possible, many worker rights advocates also believe that this and similar raids are part of an effort to silence vulnerable immigrant workers who might seek to challenge unsafe or discriminatory working conditions.

This cannot be allowed to stand. Come out and demand an end to immigration raids, detentions and deportations that separate families and terrorize children, many of whom are US citizens. Tell the Deportment of Homeland Security and the Trump administration that America is a county of immigrants and we will stand with them until attacks on their families and communities ends. Email vacolao@gmail.com or call 703-720-5604.  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/342111256675994/.

55] – On Fri., Aug. 16 from noon to 1 PM, Fridays at Grace Baptist Church, 3201 The Alameda., Baltimore 21218, are by Food Rescue Baltimore.  Bring a bag, bring a friend, and take delicious, nutritious, free rescued food. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/644335165987205/?event_time_id=644335232653865.

56] – The Dorothy Day Catholic Worker will host a peace vigil at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Aug. 16 at noon.  Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker: 202-882-9649, artlaffin@hotmail.com.  

57] – Women in Black VIGILS FOR PEACE take place on Fri., Aug. 9 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.

58] – 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 Aug. 16. Black Lives Matter.

59] – Join the Terps for Bernie: Phonebank & Textbank! It is happening at 5:30 PM on Fri., Aug. 16, 5:30 PM on Mon,, Aug. 19 and 7 PM on Tues., Aug. 20 at the University of Maryland, College Park, College Park 20742.  This is happening in the McKeldin Library, Room 2100E.  Tickets are at airtable.com. Join the students of Terps for Bernie to call or text voters and ask them to join our historic campaign to defeat Trump and transform America. In addition to a cell phone, you will need a laptop or tablet to use the Bernie Dialer. If you don’t have a laptop, you can check out one at the McKeldin Library Equipment Loan desk on the 2nd floor. Sign up for this event here: https://airtable.com/shrTz0LycJt60kpFO. Find the location for this event here: ter.ps/berniersvp. Text (301) 458-0220 for location or if you get lost. There is visitor parking which includes street locations, surface lots, and campus garages, which are controlled by pay stations and credit card meters. All visitor parking is enforced seven days a week from 7 AM to midnight, unless otherwise noted on the meter. During these hours, guests must pay $3 per hour, with no daily rate. Many visitor parking zones allow for payment through the Parkmobile app.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/416009585678263/?event_time_id=416009639011591.

60] – On Fri., Aug. 16 from 7 to 9 PM, check out a Political Platform Salon, hosted by Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America at The Crown, 1910 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218.  Join other chapter members for an informal conversation to further develop Baltimore DSA's political platform and political objectives.  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/517615582327483/.

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 Aug. 16. Call Dave Greene at 301-570-3283; or email eneergdivad@gmail.com. 

62] – Want to help Bernie Sanders win Baltimore in 2020? Canvass for Bernie over the next few months.  Canvass prior to the Our Revolution Baltimore meeting on Sat., Aug. 17 from 10 AM to noon.  First gather at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Walbrook Branch, 3203 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21216.   Email ormdbaltimore@gmail.com.

Our Revolution holds monthly membership meetings on the 3rd Saturday of every month 12:30 to 2:30 PM. All meetings are potlucks, so bring your favorite lunch dish to share! On Sat., Aug. 17, the meeting will be at the Walbrook Library, The meeting will be held at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Walbrook Branch, 3203 W. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21216and the topic is Income Inequality and Modern Monetary Theory.  Income and wealth Inequality is at staggering levels, and there is a 10 to 1 racial wealth gap. While regular people are struggling with insufficient wages and lack of, or inadequate, health care, the "fiscal conservatives" claim that there's no money for progressive priorities like Medicare for All. It's time for us to stop accepting the status quo and to take back our monetary system. Please arrive promptly at 12:30 PM, as Rev. Dr. Delman Coates will be starting his presentation at 12:35 PM.  He is the Founder and Organizer of the Our Money campaign.

If we want to have a sustainable economy we need to shift our reliance from money created through private lending to money created through public spending. By reclaiming the power of money creation for purposes in the public interest we can eliminate such things as poverty, income inequality, unemployment, underfunding of public education, address climate control, end mass incarceration, provide universal health care, and create affordable housing, doing so without relying on taxation to fund spending.  Look at www.ourmoneyus.org and https://www.facebook.com/events/468119957276572/.  In addition, Michael Rosenblum, immediate past Our Revolution Baltimore Co-Chair, will give a presentation on how people can switch their electricity supplier to be 100% renewable in Baltimore City and County.

63] – On Sat. Aug. 17 from 10 AM to 1 PM, do Tree Maintenance with Gunpowder Valley Conservancy. Tickets are at gunpowdervalleyconservancy.org.  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 available.  Register online at gunpowdervalleyconservancy.org/calendar. Also visit the website for updated location and driving directions. Summer 2019 sites will be at Loch Raven Reservoir.  Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/308497446747823/?event_time_id=346178802979687.

64] – 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.  

65] – On Sat., Aug. 17 from noon to 6 PM, come to the 2nd Annual Baltimore Homeless Festival, hosted by Councilperson Leon F. Pinkett and FLO - Friendly Loving Opportunities at 1200 N. Fremont Ave., Baltimore 21217-2729.  This event will provide services for all including mobile showers, haircuts, health screenings, veteran services, employment services, criminal record expungement, dental services, legal services, etc. Admission is free for this event. There will be free food, free clothes and supplies, and free giveaways (while supplies lasts).  Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/454451338435016/.

66] –  On Sat., Aug. 17 from 2 to 4 PM, get with a Medicare For All Town Hall, hosted by Maryland Progressive Healthcare Coalition at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church, 9832 Piscataway Rd., Clinton, MD 20735. The American healthcare system is not working.  We pay more for healthcare than any other country yet millions of Americans still don’t have health insurance or are underinsured. While healthcare industry profits are higher than ever, medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy in the United States.

The Affordable Care Act, while a step in the right direction - has not controlled skyrocketing costs of healthcare. The solution is Medicare-for-all, a single-payer program that guarantees quality healthcare to all people as a right, not a privilege.  THIS IS AN OPEN INVITATION FOR Majority Leader Steny Hoyer TO DISCUSS THE HEALTHCARE OF HIS CONSTITUENTS WITHIN DISTRICT 5, AS WELL AS EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN! Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/379100719413515/.

67] –    On Sat., Aug. 17 at 3 PM, join a statewide march and rally for gun safety in Baltimore! Students Demand Action, Moms Demand Action, and the Everytown Survivor Network, along with community partners and those who care about ending the epidemic of gun violence in our country, will take to the streets to demand that the Senate take action to end gun violence. Assemble at 2:45pm at the corner of Ensor St and E. Madison St., Baltimore 21201.  March together to Baltimore's War Memorial Plaza -- please stick around immediately following the march for an August Recess Rally calling for gun safety legislation.

68] – On Sat., Aug. 17 from 3 to 4 PM, Moms Demand Action, March for Our Lives, Students Demand Action, Youth Caucus for America, and DE Coalition Against Gun Violence are hosting a rally and call for action; speakers include Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, Rev. Shanika Perry, State Senator Bryan Townsend, State Representatives Val Longhurst, Sherry Dorsey-Walker and Mimi Minor Brown, students, and survivors of gun violence; at St. Stephen's Church, 1301 N. Broom St, Wilmington, DE 19806.

69] – On Sat., Aug. 17 at 4 PM at the Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Road NW, WDC, attend a Conference: Twenty First Century Great Power Competition in Africa and Beyond.  Use the Columbia Heights Metro (Yellow/Green Lines).  At the end of 2018, the United States declared that it was involved in a "Great Power" competition in Africa, particularly against China and Russia. Such declarations and policies from the West often presage further instability and exploitation on the African continent. In addition to the US declaration, long-time French military expansion, economic exploitation and political intervention remains very much intact and has spread in certain regions. The U.S. and France are joined in the intensification of the scramble for Africa's wealth by Germany, the U.K., Turkey, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China and a coterie of other global players.  During the forum, panelists will discuss the implications of the renewed scramble for Africa and the response from social movements throughout the African continent and in Latin America and in the Caribbean.  Email dc@answercoalition.org. 

70] – On Sat., Aug. 17 at 4 PM, Moving Forward  (a peer-led support group for returning citizens, and a project of Pacem in Terris), is holding a benefit Gospel Concert, featuring singer Andre Dennis with guest appearance by Roland Williams at Wilmington Friends Meetinghouse, 401 N. West St., Wilmington, DE. Admission is $20 with free refreshments.

71] – On Sat., Aug. 17 from 4 to 6 PM, be at the Project for Transgender Incarcerated Survivors Fundraiser at the A League of Her Own, 2319 18th St. NW, WDC 20009.  The Project for Transgender Incarcerated Survivors was graciously funded for a two year period through an Equal Justice Works Fellowship. This is a year-long campaign to extend the project for another three years! There will be drinks, prizes, and so much more! RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/622129334973980/.

72] – On Sat., Aug. 17 from 5 to 9 PM, join the Annie Chambers Birthday Cookout in Douglass Homes, hosted by Ian Schlakman, Green Party Candidate for President 2020, 247 N. Dallas Ct., Baltimore 21231-1006.  This is a birthday barbecue at 247 North Dallas Court on the corner of Bond St. & Orleans St. Lots of food & drinks provided. Event is family friendly with lots of food & activities for kids & adults alike. No need for gifts but donations are welcome to help buy Rev. Chambers her medicine. Call 443-768-7682 or call or text 410-996-4848.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/2341623239424523/.

73] – 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.

74] –   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.   

75] -- 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.

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

77] -- 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.

78] – 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