Baltimore
Activist Alert – October 20 - 22, 2019
"I
speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in
this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours." -Martin Luther
King Jr.
Friends,
this list and other email documents which I send out are done under the
auspices of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center. Go to www.baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com.
If you appreciate this information and would like to make a donation, send
contributions to BNC, 325 East 25th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Max
Obuszewski can be reached at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net.
1]
Books, buttons and
stickers
2]
Web site for info on
federal legislation
3]
Get involved with
NCNR
4]
Lawyers Against War
5] The Encampment for Citizenship -- Oct. 20
6]
Deep Canvass with
Showing Up for Racial Justice – Oct. 20
7]
Toast for Tusks –
Oct. 20
8] Not a Film Fest: Anticolonial
Conversations – Oct. 20
10] DSA meeting – Oct. 20
11] Medicare For All Town Hall – Oct. 20
12] “The War on Science” – Oct. 20
13] SURJ Community Meeting – Oct. 20
14] Molly
Ivins documentary – through Oct. 24
15] Pentagon Peace Vigil – Oct. 21
16] Promote the ERA – Oct. 21
17] The trial of the Kings Bay Plowshares begins – Oct. 21
18] Food Rescue – Oct. 21
19] “Paper Dragons: China and the Next Crash “– Oct. 21
21] Food Rescue Pop Up – Oct. 21
22] Beat Their Swords into Plowshares – Oct. 21
23] Re-negotiate Baltimore City’s PILOT
Agreement with Johns Hopkins – Oct. 21
24] “Reel & Meal at the New Deal” -- Oct. 21
25] “We Always Told Steel Stories” – Oct. 21
26] Get Money Out of Maryland –
Oct. 21
27] DC Statehood Phone Bank – Oct. 22
28] Food Rescue at YO! Baltimore
West – Oct. 22
29]
Peace Vigil -- Oct.
22
30] Protest killer drone research at JHU –
Oct. 22
31] “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” – Oct.
22
32] Hear about the situation in Nicaragua
from Camilo Mejía – Oct. 22
----
1]
– Buttons,
bumperstickers and books are available. “God Bless the Whole World, No
Exceptions” stickers are in stock. Call Max at 410-323-1607.
2]
–
To obtain
information how your federal legislators voted on particular bills, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/. Congressional toll-free numbers
are 888-818-6641, 888-355-3588 or 800-426-8073. The White House Comment Email
is accessible at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.
3]
– THE ORGANIZING LIST will be the
primary decision-making mechanism of the National Campaign of Nonviolent
Resistance [NCNR]. It
will be augmented by conference calls and possibly in-person meetings as
needed. It will consist of 1 or 2 representatives from each local,
regional, or national organization (not coalitions) that wishes to actively
work to carry out the NCNR campaign of facilitating and organizing nonviolent
resistance to U.S. wars.
To join
the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email
address to mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net. Different local chapters
of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.
4] – Jeff Ross, an attorney in Maryland, is interested in gathering
with other lawyers to discuss ways in which the legal profession and the law
generally can be conceptualized as a peace-building and war-resisting
institution and redirected to these ends. Areas to explore might include: 1)
ways in which this group could support with legal analysis/writing those
lawyers who are representing peace-builders/war-resisters in criminal
prosecutions; 2) ways in which, from a more theoretical perspective, the law
might be grounded in an ethic of non-violence; and 3) ways in which law
students and young lawyers might be exposed to a non-violent vision of the
law. All religious, philosophical, and critical perspectives on the law
are welcome. The group might want to call itself Lawyers against War. Jeff can
be reached at 443-690-6872 and jross50@hotmail.com.
5] -- 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., Oct. 20, hear from Anne Klaeysen about “The Encampment for Citizenship: An Experience
in Participatory Democracy.” The Encampment for Citizenship, founded in
1946 by Ethical Culture Leader Algernon D. Black and Alice (“Nanny”) Pollitzer,
a prominent civic leader, offered an opportunity for “young adults of many
religious, racial, social and national backgrounds” to learn “the principles
and techniques of citizenship… through lived experience.” Black believed that
young people could be a positive force in their communities if they developed
critical thinking skills, youth activism, leadership qualities, and the courage
to break free from stereotypes. Eleanor Roosevelt, long-time chair of The
Encampment board of sponsors, often hosted students for discussions, workshops
and barbeques at her Hyde Park estate. When the program was attacked by McCarthyite
forces in the early 1950s, she defended it vigorously. “The reason I think
these Encampments are so important,” she wrote, “is that they are attended by
citizens of different races and groups. They prepare people for thinking in
terms of all people and not in terms of a selected few. Not only we in the
U.S., but people all over the world, need young people trained to be good
citizens with an ability to think with an open mind.” Klaeysen recently
retired as Leader of the New York Society for Ethical Culture where she served
since 2008. Call 410-581-2322
or email ask@bmorethical.org.
6] – On
Sun., Oct. 20 from 11 AM to 5 PM, do a Deep Canvass with Showing Up for Racial
Justice at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville. Sign up
at https://forms.gle/8gPCAU9CUnbEXaLq8.Deep
canvassing is a long-term, research-based strategy that SURJ is using to invite
neighbors to re-think their support for systemic white supremacy. No canvassing
experience is necessary, as the script and training will guide you as you
engage white people in conversations about white supremacy - at their front
doors! Give this exciting strategy a try, and practice initiating challenging
conversations in a supportive environment. Email surjdeepcanvass@gmail.com. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/2074787809286786/?event_time_id=2074787832620117.
7] –
On Sun., Oct. 20
from 11 AM to 1:30 PM, join the Toast for Tusks, hosted by Wildlife S.O.S.
at Conrad Washington DC, 950 New York Ave. NW, WDC 20001. Tickets are $75. This
is a festive brunch to help save elephants and other at-risk wildlife in India.
Meet Wildlife SOS founders, Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani, who will
be coming in from India and sharing stories about the organization's new
elephant hospital and other updates from their elephant, bear and leopard
sanctuaries. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/374968716546164/.
8]
– Not a Film
Fest: Anticolonial Conversations in Baltimore, hosted
by Baltimore-Palestine Solidarity on Sun., Oct. 20 from 1 to 5:30
PM. It explores the theme of social justice movements of the past and
present that have largely been unrecognized or misrepresented. By crafting a
program anchored in film, lively conversation, and debate, make clear the
intimate (and sometimes problematic) connections between struggles nationally
and internationally. The program includes a series of diverse events across
Baltimore city that make clear the connections between liberation struggles,
regardless of manufactured borders, and to inspire a conversation locally that
is global and intersectional in its commitment to justice and emancipation.
This Sunday's screening is at the Baltimore American Indian Center, 113 S.
Broadway. The films are "Warrior Women" (Turtle Island) and "Between
Two Crossings." See https://www.facebook.com/events/699747870447705/?event_time_id=699747873781038.
Email notafilmfest@gmail.com.
9]
– Just
World ED is hosting Yousef Aljamal's talk on Sun., Oct. 20 at 1:30 PM entitled “Palestine in Crisis.” Miko
Peled will also speak at the event, hosted by Rev. Graylan Hagler at Plymouth
UCC Church, 5301 N. Capitol St. NE (in the undercroft.) Yousef is a
Gaza-Palestinian justice activist who's a graduate of UNRWA schools in Gaza. He
is currently completing his PhD studies in Turkey. His speaking tour focuses on
the issue of Palestinian child detainees held in Israel's military prisons in
the West Bank; on the ongoing crisis in Gaza; and on the Palestine Question
more generally. Visit https://justworldeducational.org/2019/10/u-s-tour-of-gaza-palestinian-yousef-aljamal-starts-soon/.
10] – On
Sun., Oct. 20 from 2 to 4:30 PM, attend the Baltimore Democratic Socialists of
America meeting at Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore
21218. Find out more about the organizing and where your place is in the
movement! All are welcome - feel free to bring a friend. The New Membership
Orientation is from 2 to 2:30 PM followed by the general meeting. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/471233236810840/.
11] –
On Sun., Oct.
20 from 2 to 4 PM, attend a Medicare For All Town Hall, hosted by Maryland
Progressive Healthcare Coalition at the Gaithersburg Library, 18330
Montgomery Village Ave., Gaithersburg 20879-3545. Tickets are at
actionnetwork.org. The U.S. 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.
Speakers include Gabe Acevero, Maryland Delegate District 39; Laura
Kaplan-Weisman, MD; labor activist Larry Cohen, chair of Our Revolution;
Sanjeev Sriram, MD ("Dr. America"); Richard "RJ" Eskow,
host of the Zero Hour; -- and AN OPEN INVITATION FOR Congressman David Trone to
discuss the healthcare of his constituents within District 6 ! See https://www.facebook.com/events/496947914199779/.
12]
– On Sun., Oct.
20 from 2:30 to 4 PM, hear a discussion of “The War on Science” with Tim
Whitehead at the Greenbelt Community Church, 1 Hillside Road,
Greenbelt 20770. Tim is executive director of Public Employees for
Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The talk is sponsored by Maryland United
for Peace and Justice.
You're invited to
a presentation about "The War on Science" by Tim Whitehead, Executive
Director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Tim will
be speaking at Greenbelt Community Church, which is located at 1 Hillside Road
in Greenbelt, Maryland 20770.
PEER supports public employees' work addressing climate change, toxic pollution, and protecting air, water, land and wildlife. It also helps protect public employee whistleblowers who work on environmental issues.
PEER supports public employees' work addressing climate change, toxic pollution, and protecting air, water, land and wildlife. It also helps protect public employee whistleblowers who work on environmental issues.
Tim's
presentation is sponsored by Maryland United for Peace and Justice. Email Tonylang4peace@gmail.com or call
301-390-9684.
13]
– On
Sun., Oct. 20 from 3 to 5 PM, get over to the SURJ Community Meeting:
Past/Present/Future at St. John's Episcopal Church, Baltimore 21218. Celebrate
the 10 year anniversary of Showing Up for Racial Justice! Email surjbaltimore@gmail.com. Bring a snack to
share- it can be small, just something to get us through a couple hours
together before dinner: Vegetables, dips, chips, salads, cheeses, crackers,
drinks, baked goods are all welcome! St. Johns has a parking lot in the
front, and free street parking along 31st Street. You can also use the CityLink
Red Line. Go to www.showingupforracialjustice.org
and https://www.facebook.com/events/521772745047733/.
14]
– Raise
Hell: The Life & Times Of Molly Ivins, a 2019 documentary can be seen at
the Parkway Theater, North Avenue, Baltimore at 4:30 PM at least through
Thurs., Oct. 24. Learn more about the life and work of Molly Ivins, a
political journalist from Texas, best-selling author, and Bill of Rights
warrior.
15]
– 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 Oct. 21, 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.
16]
– Urge
Congress to Hold Hearings on the ERA, which would be supported by Katrina's
Dream. Each Monday, including Oct. 14, at 8 AM, make calls to Senator
Graham at (202) 224-5972 and your senators for the ERA. Hold hearings on S.J.
Res 6, and S.J. Res. 5 which calls for the removal of a deadline for passage of
the ERA. Click on this link https://bit.ly/2T1B8wp,
and check out https://www.facebook.com/events/246467582967063/?event_time_id=246467699633718.
17]
– The trial of
the Kings Bay Plowshares begins at the federal courthouse, 801 Gloucester St.
Brunswick, GA. The trial is expected to last at least one week. Call Max at
727-256-5789.
18]
– On
Mon., Oct. 21 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/.
19]
– On Mon.,
Oct. 21 from 12:30 to 2 PM, The Institute for Policy Studies and the
Economic Policy Institute invite you for the Washington launch of Walden
Bello‘s book: “Paper Dragons: China and the Next Crash.” It will be held at the
Institute for Policy Studies, 1301 Connecticut Ave. NW, 6th
Floor, WDC 20036. In this book, Bello asks the question: will
China be at the epicenter of the world’s next financial collapse? Conventional
wisdom holds that China is on the ascent and the United States is in decline,
that China’s economy is roaring with raw energy and that Beijing’s ‘Belt and
Road’ mega-project is laying the basis for its global economic hegemony. But,
could the greatest immediate threat to China’s rise to economic supremacy be
the same phenomenon that felled the US economy in 2008? Might China be a prime
candidate to be the site of the next financial crisis with its overheating
real-estate sector, a rollercoaster stock market, and a rapidly growing shadow
banking sector?
Bello is
a noted critic of globalization, and is a recipient of the Right Livelihood
Award (also known as the Alternative Nobel Prize). He is a professor of
Sociology at the State University of New York, Binghamton and an associate of
the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam. His previous books include “Dilemmas
of Domination: The Unmaking of the American Empire” (Zed, 2005) and “Capitalism’s
Last Stand? Deglobalisation in the Age of Austerity” (Zed, 2013). Check
out https://ips-dc.org/events/book-launch-paper-dragons-china-and-the-next-crash/?utm_source=Economic+Policy+Institute&utm_campaign=e821b7fdb7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_04_26_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e7c5826c50-e821b7fdb7-59830565&mc_cid=e821b7fdb7&mc_eid=72ea77dbdd.
20] -- Just World ED is hosting
Yousef Aljamal's talk on Mon., Oct. 21 at
12:30 PM entitled “Detention of
Palestinian Children Palestine in Crisis.” Miko
Peled will also speak at the event at The Palestine center, 2425 Virginia Ave
NW, WDC. Peled, author of The
General’s Son and Injustice,
was born in Jerusalem in 1961 into a well-known Zionist family. He is
considered by many to be one of the clearest voices calling for justice in
Palestine, support of the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment and
Sanctions, (BDS) and the creation of a single democracy with equal rights on
all of historic Palestine. Visit https://justworldeducational.org/2019/10/u-s-tour-of-gaza-palestinian-yousef-aljamal-starts-soon/.
21] – On
Mon., Oct. 14 from 3 to 4 PM, there is a Food Rescue Pop-Up at Flourish, 3418
Belair Road, Baltimore 21213-1233. Bring a bag, and take home healthy,
free food! View https://www.facebook.com/events/301851223848295/?event_time_id=301851330514951.
This will continue into the future.
22]
– And They Shall
Beat Their Swords into Plowshares...Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Join the
International Support for the Kings Bay Plowshares 7. Visit www.kingsbayplowshares7.org.
On Mon., Oct. 21 at 4 PM at the Philadelphia Federal Courthouse, 601 Market
St. October 21 is the opening day of the federal trial in New Brunswick,
Georgia for the Plowshares act of nonviolent resistance at the Kings Bay
Trident nuclear submarine base on April 4, 2018, the 50th anniversary of the
assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The King Bay Plowshares 7
face lengthy imprisonment for their act of religious resistance in honor of Dr.
King, on behalf of humanity facing the continued threat of nuclear war.
Throughout the religious vigil in front of the Phila. Federal Courthouse
building there will be a tableau with two banners hanging from frames. The
banners read: "And They Shall Beat Their Swords into Plowshares..." and
"ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS" Between the two banners there will be an
actual nuclear warhead casing, removed in 1982 from behind a GE plant (now
Lockheed Martin) in King of Prussia, PA., with a large sign reading NUCLEAR
WARHEAD CASING, It carries an H-Bomb = 30 Hiroshimas. The vigil will
conclude with a short service with reading and bell-tolling. Look at www.brandywinepeace.com or
call 484-574-1148.
23] -- The Coalition for a Humane Hopkins
is presenting to the Mayor and City Council the need to re-open and
re-negotiate Baltimore City’s PILOT Agreement with Johns Hopkins and other
major non-profit institutions in the city. These institutions should be paying
their fair share to help provide the much-needed resources for the services our
city so desperately needs. Join the Coalition on Mon., Oct.
21 at 4:30 PM in front of City Hall for the presentation to the
Mayor and City Council. In June 2016, fifteen of Baltimore’s
not-for-profit hospitals, colleges and universities including Johns Hopkins
Hospital, entered into a ten-year agreement with the City of Baltimore
Board of Estimates. Under the agreement, the 15 not-for-profit institutions
annually make a combined $6 million Payment in Lieu of Taxation (PILOT) to the
City of Baltimore.
Baltimore’s
$15.9 billion in tax exempt properties account for nearly a third (30.9%) of
its total property base. Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview
jointly contribute $1,399,972 annually to the $6 million total. If they were
for-profit corporations, they would be required to pay the City of
Baltimore a combined $35.5 million annually on an estimated $1.7 billion worth
of property. JHH and JHBMC’s annual contribution of $1.4
million to the City of Baltimore is just 3.9% of what they would have
to pay every single year as for-profit corporations. Contact Harrison Weber at <HWeber@calnurses.org> and 714-343-8779.
24] – On
Mon., Oct. 21 at 6:30 PM, get over to “Reel & Meal at the New Deal” at
the New Deal Café, 113 Centerway in historic Greenbelt. Enjoy a delicious
vegan meal for $14 at 6:30 PM. The free film starts at 7 PM. See “The
Beginning of the End of Nuclear Weapons,” a documentary on 2017’s 120-nation UN
Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons. The discussion – possible action to
bring the US “Back From the Brink” – will be led by Gwen DuBois, president of
Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility and co-founder of Prevent
Nuclear War Maryland. On the 7th of July 2017, 122 countries voted in favor of
the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Countries that don’t have
nuclear weapons but live under their threat voted for a ban. Without the
knowledge of most of their citizens, the governments of the world’s nuclear
powers didn’t vote, and yet the ban went ahead. Something new is happening. Go
to https://www.newdealcafe.com/events/reel-and-meal/.
25]
– Bill Barry will be a speaker at the annual meeting of
the Dundalk-Patapsco Historical Society, 4 Center Place, Dundalk 21222, on
Mon., Oct. 21 at 7 PM. He will describe the book “We Always Told Steel
Stories,” and will play short video clips of the people interviewed in this
book. Call (410) 284-2331. Contact Bill Barry at [mailto:billbarry21214@gmail.com].
26] – Join the Get Money Out of Maryland Teleconference on Mon., Oct. 21
from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. Call 605-475-6711, code 1136243#. Work only
on brainstorming ideas for participation in the upcoming General Election.
27]
– Can you
participate in a DC Statehood Phone Bank on Tues., Oct. 22 from 10 AM to 6 PM
at the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC 20004 in room
G-9. Join the Washington, DC Statehood Office for a DC Statehood Phone Bank.
Call state legislatures across the US to raise awareness of DC residents' lack
of full and equal voting representation in Congress. Phones,
scripts, materials, and light refreshments will be provided. The Phone Bank
continues each Tuesday. See Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/673834763077915/?event_time_id=673834803077911.
28]
– On Tues., Oct. 22 from noon to 1 PM, and continuing each Tuesday,
come to a Food Rescue at YO! Baltimore West, 1510 W. Lafayette Ave., Baltimore
21217. Enjoy fresh, delicious, and free food. Bring a bag. Bring a
friend! Take what you want. See https://www.facebook.com/events/403785397093000/?event_time_id=403785490426324.
29]
– Each
Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the Catholic Peace Fellowship-Philadelphia for
peace in Afghanistan and Iraq gathers at the Suburban Station, 16th St. &
JFK Blvd., at the entrance to Tracks 3 and 4 on the mezzanine. The
next vigil is Oct. 22. Call 215-426-0364.
30]
– Vigil to
say "No Drone Research at JHU" at 33rd and N. Charles Sts.
on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 5 to 6 PM. Contact Max at mobuszewski2001 at
Comcast dot net or 410-323-1607.
31] – 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 Tues., Oct. 22 at 6 PM at IBEW Local 1805, 898 Airport Park Road, #207, Glen
Burnie. Look at https://www.marylandblueprint.org/.
32] –
Hear about the
situation in Nicaragua from Camilo Mejía who is Nicaraguan but resides in the
US. Enjoy refreshments at 6:30 PM, and then the presentation begins at 7 PM at
Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia 21045. THIS
EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
In the
early 2000s Mejia became known because – as a soldier in the U.S. Army - he
became a prisoner of conscience for refusing to return to combat in Iraq.
Camilo maintains strong ties to Nicaragua and is very knowledgeable about world
politics.
He is a
critic of mainstream media coverage of the violence in Nicaragua in 2018.
Camilo is a contributor to the e-book: “Live from Nicaragua: Uprising or
Coup” and will speak about the research and investigative reporting that went
into the book. He will also give an update about peace and reconciliation
efforts in Nicaragua. His talk is sponsored by Friends of Latin America
(FoLA) and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia (UUCC) Immigrant
Campaign. Contact Leslie Salgado at Cuba_is_hope@comcast.net
or 410-381-4899.
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
