Sunday, June 12, 2011

Baltimore Activist Alert

Baltimore Activist Alert June 13 – June 19, 2011

 

"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 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.

 

The Baltimore IndyMedia Center publicizes peace-related events. Go to http://www.radicalendar.org/group/_baltimore.

  

1] Books, buttons and stickers

2] Web site for info on federal legislation

3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists  

4] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLA  

5] Used stamps for humanitarian causes

6] Bring the World Home continues        

7] Art Along the Trials – through Sept. 3

8] Protest the death penalty – June 13    

9] Marc Steiner on WEAA – June 13 – June 16

10] Be at City Council/Support 10-600 – June 13

11] Conference of Mayors planning meeting – June 13

12] MoveOn meeting – June 13

13] Celebrate new Solidarity Center space – June 13

14] Paths to Peace – June 13

15] Help support South Sudan students -- June 13

16] Call Eric Holder – June 14

17] Computers & Privacy conference – June 14

18] War Is Not the Answer demo – June 14

19] New Media & Your Rights – June 14   

20] Film class – June 14

21] Film STEALING TRUST – June 14

22] Rebelling against Economic Tyranny – June 14

23] Support David House – June 15

24] Elder Abuse Awareness – June 15

25] Philadelphia peace vigil – June 15

26] Cut military spending talk – June 15

27] WIB Frederick vigil – June 15

28] Chestnut Hill, PA vigil – June 15

29] Energy Efficiency Expo – June 16

30] Palestine/Israel Roundtable – June 16

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1] – Buttons, bumperstickers and books are available.  "God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions" stickers are in stock. Donate your books to Max. Call him at 410-366-1637.

 

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 the war in Iraq.

 

To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to donmuller@msn.com.  Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.  

 

THE NOTICES LIST will include only notices of NCNR actions and related information and is open to any interested person to subscribe.  It will be moderated to maintain focus & will include periodic notices about getting involved in NCNR national organizing.  To join the NOTICES List, send an email message to ncnrnotices-subscribe@lists.riseup.net. You will get a confirmation message once subscribed.  If you have problems, please write to the list manager at ncnrnotices-admin@lists.riseup.net.

 

4] – You can help safeguard human rights and fragile ecosystems through your purchase of HOCOFOLA Café Quetzal. Bags of ground coffee or whole beans can be ordered by mailing in an order form. Also note organic cocoa and sugar are for sale.  For more details and to download the order form, go to http://friendsoflatinamerica.typepad.com/hocofola/2010/02/hocofola-cafe-quetzal-order-form-2010.html. The coffee comes in one-pound bags.

 

Fill out the form and mail it with a check made out to HOCOFOLA on or before the second week of the month.  Be sure you indicate ground or beans for each type of coffee ordered.  Send it to Adela Hirsch, 5358 Eliots Oak Rd., Columbia, MD 21044.  Be sure you indicate ground (G) or bean (B) for each type of coffee ordered. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up.  Contact Adela at 410-997-5662 or via e-mail at adela4peace@verizon.net.

 

5] – Brad Hathaway spearheads an effort to sell donated used stamps to raise money for different humanitarian causes around the world. Go to www.mattapoisettquakers.org, and click the link for the stamp ministry.  Carefully clip canceled postage stamps and send to Quaker Missions, PO Box 795, Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Send no small flag stamps or Liberty Bell Forever stamps.

 

6] – Catch the "Bringing the World Home" exhibit in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps!  The exhibit is in the UMBC Library Rotunda through the end of the semester and consists of 5 display cases featuring photos and artifacts from UMBC's faculty, staff and students who have served in the Peace Corps, including many current and alumni Shriver Peaceworker Fellows.  The center case features pieces from the Peace Corps founding era (a tribute to Sarge Shriver!) and the surrounding case highlight experiences from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, and the Americas.  If you are coming from off campus, give Joby Taylor a call at (410) 455-6398, and he will give you a tour.

 

7] – Art Along the Trails continues at Carrie Murray Nature Center Leakin/Gwynne Falls Park, 1901 Ridgetop Road, Baltimore, MD 21207.  The exhibit is up through Sept. 3.

 

8] – There is usually a vigil to abolish the death penalty every Monday from 5 to 6 PM, outside the prison complex and across the street from Maryland's Super Max Prison, at the corner of Madison Ave. and Fallsway in Baltimore.  Recently death row was moved out of Baltimore, but it was decided to continue the vigil. The next one is scheduled for Mon., June 13. Call 410-366-1637.

 

9] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Thursday from 5 to 7 PM on WEAA 88.9 FM, The Voice of the Community, or online at www.weaa.org.   The call-in number is 410-319-8888, and comments can also be sent by email to steinershow@gmail.com. All shows are also available as podcasts at www.steinershow.org 

 

10] – Citizens Planning and Housing Association is urging citizens to appear in City Council to support the Inclusive Housing Vote on Mon., June 13 at 5 PM when a vote will take place.  Support 10-600 WITHOUT AMMENDMENTS to remove the expiration date of Baltimore City's existing Inclusive Housing Bill.  On June 8, Baltimore City Council's Land Use and Transportation Committee voted in favor of bill 10-600, which removes the expiration date ("sunset") of the Inclusive Housing law. This law ensures that as new developments are built in Baltimore, there will be affordable homes in healthy, promising, mixed-income communities.  This is one key piece in making sure that Baltimore does not concentrate residents by income which hurts everyone: high- as well as low-income residents. Call CPHA at 410-539-1369 or email info@cphabaltimore.org.

 

11] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM, and the meetings now take place at Max's residence. However, Pledge members are part of the Fund Our Communities Task Force for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which will meet on Mon., June 13 at 6:30 PM at St. Francis Academy, 501 E. Chase St. to continue to plan for the gathering in Baltimore June 17-21. Call Max at 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net for directions. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake & the Baltimore City Council passed a resolution to cut military spending in order to fund our communities.  Now we must get the resolution passed at the Conference, as well as an anti-nuclear weapons resolution.

 

12] – On Mon., June 13 at 7 PM, the Baltimore MoveOn Council will hold its June Organizing Meeting to discuss the American Dream House Meetings, a part of the Rebuild the Dream campaign.  Sign up to attend at http://pol.moveon.org/event/meeting/115466.  Bring a refreshment of your choice to the Cathedral of the Incarnation, 4 East Univ. Pkwy., Baltimore 21218. Email Jason Barnaby at jason.barnaby@moveon.org.

 

13] – On Mon., June 13 at 7 PM, Celebrate the opening of the new Solidarity Center, one floor up, at 2011 N. Charles St. Enjoy food and drink, and find out about current campaigns: Job Is A Right Campaign - Fight Against Racism -- Workers World Newspaper -- Forums on Libya - Petitioning to get ballot status for Ujima Peoples Progress Party - Classes on Socialism and many other activities.  There will be a special tribute to GERONIMO JI JAGA PRATT & GIL SCOTT HERON.  There is a request for a $10 donation, and no one turned away for lack of funds, to help with the cost of the new office.  Call 410-218-4835 or email apcbaltimore@pipeline.com.

 

14] – On Mon., June 13 at 7 PM, hear a discussion "Finding a Path to Peace:  Why Christian, -Muslim relations matter," the second of a series ("5 Pillars of Islam: an Introduction to the Basics of the Faith and Women and Islam") of three weekly Monday evening presentations in June led by Rev. Dr. Clark Lobenstine at St. Rose of Lima parish Woodlands Building – Duggan Room, 11701 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD.  Email Kathryn Heetderks at kheetderks@strose.com.  Register at http://www.strose-parish.org/site_swish/adults.html.

 

15] – After decades of war, millions of dead, and countless communities destroyed, South Sudan is at the threshold of Independence.  You can help them progress into a peaceful and prosperous Nation.  Please join ABUKLOI ENTERPRISES in helping build a school and vocational training center in South Sudan.

 

On Mon. June 13 at 7:30 PM at the Great Falls United Methodist Church, 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA {http://www.GreatFallsUMC.org or call 703-759-3705], learn how you can make a difference from ANITA HENDERLIGHT, executive director of Africa ELI (Education & Leadership Initiative).  In 2008, Anita worked to coordinate the launch of Africa ELI's first school of 18 students and four teachers.  Africa ELI now educates over 1000 students throughout South Sudan. This event is sponsored by ABUKLOI ENTERPRISES INC. RSVP to Mary Anger at GFAngers AT yahoo.com. Go to http://africaeli.org/.

 

16] – Call Attorney General Eric Holder on Tues., June 14 and tell him to Drop the Charges Against Carlos Montes. The National Call-In Day number is 202-514-2001 or 202-353-1555.  Montes is to appear in court on Thurs., June 16 in the aftermath of the FBI and Los Angeles Sheriff's raid on his home.  Consider this message to Holder: drop all charges against Carlos Montes; stop FBI attacks on the Chicano and immigrants' rights movements; and stop FBI repression of anti-war and international solidarity activists NOW; and immediately return all confiscated materials: computers, cell phones, papers, documents, etc. Visit www.StopFBI.net or write info@stopfbi.net or call 612-379-3585.

 

 An LA Sheriff's SWAT Team along with the FBI smashed down the door and rushed in with automatic weapons as Carlos Montes slept in his home on May 17, 2011 at 5 AM. Carlos is a longtime Chicano activist and active member of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression. The raiders ransacked his house, taking his computer, cell phones and hundreds of documents, photos, diskettes and mementos of his current political activities in the pro-immigrant rights and Chicano civil rights movement. He was arrested on one charge dealing with a firearm code and released on bail the following morning.

 

This attack on Carlos Montes is part of the campaign of FBI harassment targeting 23 peace and justice activists which has until now been centered in the Midwest. Carlos Montes' name was listed on the subpoena left in the office of the Minneapolis Anti-War Committee last September 24. An FBI agent approached Carlos while he was in a squad car and asked him questions about the Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

 

17] – Computers, Freedom, and Privacy, the 21st Annual Conference theme is "The Future is Now." It takes place Tues., June 14 through Thurs., June 16 at Georgetown University Law Center, 600 New Jersey Ave. NW, WDC. During this conference on Thurs., June 16 at 10:45 AM, Shahid Buttar, Bill of Rights Defense Committee, will participate in a panel discussion, Social Justice in the Digital Information Age.  He will be joined on the panel by Sharon Goott Nissim (Electronic Privacy Information Center), Johnny Barnes (ACLU District of Columbia), and Grisella M. Martinez (National Immigration Forum), and BORDC board member Chip Pitts will moderate the discussion. Go to www.bordc.org.  Email info@bordc.org.

 

18] – There is a vigil to say "War Is Not the Answer" each Tuesday since September 11, 2001 at 4806 York Road. Join this ongoing vigil.  The next vigil is June 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

 

19] – New Media and Your Rights: Free Speech and Privacy in the Digital Age is on for Tues., June 14 at Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church, 3215 Powder Mill Rd., Adelphi.  There is a reception at 6 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM.  Dinner is $25 with reservations; $30 at the door. Students get in for $15.  RSVP to curtis@aclu-md.org. The program starts at 7:30 PM and is free to attend.

 

Headline-grabbing ACLU clients Anthony Graber and Robert Collins speak -- "Who Watches the Watchmen?" at the Annual Prince George's and Montgomery County ACLU Chapter Dinner and Forum. In the past year, the ACLU of Maryland has been involved with a number of high profile cases that deal with freedoms in the age of new media — not only with the internet, but with media documentation as well.

 

Most recently, there was the case of Robert Collins, who was forced to provide his Facebook login information during a recertification interview with the Division of Corrections — a gross breach of privacy for both him and his friends. This closely follows the case of Anthony Graber, who was unsuccessfully charged with wiretapping laws when he videotaped a frightening encounter with a police officer in plain clothes who approached him with his gun drawn.

 

20] – At the Baltimore Free School, 1323 N. Calvert St. from 6 to 9 PM on Tues., June 14, Ben McCusker will continue with his film screening and discussion class.  Go to www.freeschool.redemmas.org. 

 

21] – STEALING TRUST: Marylanders Speak Out is a film produced by the Megaphone Project for the Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, and is about Marylanders who lost their homes, their life savings, and their capacity to trust.  Debt settlement companies, unscrupulous mortgage lenders, and debt schemes designed to confuse the consumer have been in the news a lot of late. See the documentary on Tues., June 14 at 6:30 PM at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St.  Call 410-624-8981.  Go to www.marylandconsumers.com.

 

22] – What Are You Going To Do On June 14th to Rebel Against Economic Tyranny? On this Flag Day, Tues., June 14, people are allegedly organizing acts of resistance throughout the U.S. Are you organizing an action? Go to http://ampedstatus.org/acts-of-resistance-what-are-you-going-to-do-on-june-14th-to-rebel-against-economic-tyranny/.

 

23] – There is a Pernicious and Unlawful Grand Jury Investigation into WikiLeaks which now Targets Computer Scientist and Freedom of Information Activist David House.  Speak Out for the Need for Whistleblowers! Defend the Freedom of the Press and Association!  Rally with David House at 9:30 AM on Wed., June 15 at Jamieson Avenue and Courthouse Square, Alexandria (10 min. walk from King Street Metro).  Then House will enter the federal courthouse at 401 Courthouse Plaza at 10:30 AM and be compelled to testify before a grand jury.  Call the prosecutor, Tracy McCormick. and let him know what you think about this witch hunt at 703-299-3700.  The Washington Metro Chapter of the Bradley Manning Support Network is calling for this support action.

24] – There will be a World Abuse Awareness Day Rally on Wed., June 15 from noon to 2 PM at the Towson Library, Wilson Room, 320 York Rd..  The rally will feature Robert Blancato, national coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition.  All attendees will receive a gift, and The Sweet Adelines will sing.  Call 410-887-4200.

 

25] – Each Wednesday from 4:30 - 5:30 PM, the House of Grace Catholic Worker holds a weekly vigil for peace in Iraq outside the Phila. Federal Building, 6th & Market Sts. The next vigil is June 15. Call 215-426-0364.

 

26] – The Recession is Over: Can you Tell?  It may be over on Wall Street, but millions of people are still unemployed, and nearly every state and county in the country is struggling to fund essential services. Yet House leaders are only proposing cuts to domestic spending--no cuts for the Pentagon, despite the many experts who agree that substantial military spending cuts are both possible and desirable.  And these cuts won't even help bring down the deficit – they're being traded for tax cuts for the wealthiest corporations and individuals.  Ruth Flower, associate executive secretary for legislative program, Friends Committee on National Legislation, will answer What do we need to know and what can we do?  The Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee, composed of Homewood Friends Meeting, Old Town Worship Group and Stony Run Friends Meeting, invites you to the conversation on Wed., June 15 at 7 PM at Stony Run Friends Meetinghouse, 5116 N. Charles St.  Flower lobbies on federal budget, tax, and poverty issues for FCNL and will give an overview of the federal budget and talk about getting Congress to cut military spending and to use the federal budget to help meet the community's needs. Email garygillespie80 at gmail.com. 

 

27] – WIB does a silent vigil mourning all violence the third Wednesday of the month.  The next vigil is Wed., June 15 from 6:30 PM to 7 PM at the intersection of Martin & Patrick Sts in downtown Frederick.  Wear black, but bring no additional signs. Call 301-834-7581 or wibfrederick@mizmail.com.

 

28] – Each Wednesday, the Northwest Greens hold a peace vigil from 7 to 8 PM outside the Borders Book Store, Germantown Ave. at Bethlehem Pike in Chestnut Hill, PA. The next vigil is June 15. Call 215-843-4256 or email nwgreens@yahoo.com.  

 

29] – PLAN TO ATTEND the 14th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO + Forum, which will take place in the Cannon House Office Building - Caucus Room (3rd floor), Independence Ave. and New Jersey Ave. SE, WDC, on Thurs., June 16 from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. This year's EXPO will bring together over fifty businesses, sustainable energy industry trade associations, government agencies, and energy policy research organizations to showcase the status and near-term potential of the cross-section of renewable energy (biofuels/biomass, geothermal, solar, water, wind) and energy efficiency technologies.  The late morning program will feature members of the U.S. Congress while speakers throughout the day will discuss the role sustainable energy technologies can play in meeting America's energy needs. Contact Ken Bossong, Sustainable Energy Coalition, at 301-270-6477 x.11 or kbossong614@yahoo.com.

 

30] – The WEEKLY ROUNDTABLE SEEKING A JUST PEACE IN PALESTINE/ISRAEL takes place from 12:30 - 1:30 PM on Thursdays at Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Road NW, WDC.  Join a civil discourse which explores the history, issues, myths, realities, and truth of the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Contact Alice Azzouzi at 202-232-5483.

 

To be continued.

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