Saturday, August 8, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert Aug. 9 - 11, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert Aug. 9 - 11, 2015

"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.

1] Books, buttons and stickers
2] Web site for info on federal legislation
3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists  
4] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLa
5] Two friends are looking to buy a house in Baltimore
6] Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition – through Aug. 16
7] Bike Around the Bomb – Aug. 9
8] "Why We Work for Racial Justice" – Aug. 9
9] “Understanding Anarchism” – Aug. 9
10] “In the Artist Studio” – Aug. 9
11] Frederick Nagasaki Commemoration – Aug. 9
12] Baltimore Nagasaki Commemoration – Aug. 9
13] Poetry Slam – Aug. 9
14] Pentagon Vigil – Aug. 10
15] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Aug. 10 – Aug. 14
16] Human Services Needs – Aug. 10
17] Pledge of Resistance meeting – Aug. 10
18] Call Congress to support Iran Nuclear Deal – Aug. 11
19] Peace vigil in Chester, PA – Aug. 11                                      
20] No JHU Drone Research – Aug. 11
21] Gaza writers – Aug. 11
22] Spokescouncil meeting – Aug. 11
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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 410-366-1637.

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 mobuszewski at Verizon.net.  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 CafĂ© 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 Francine Sheppard at 5639B, Harpers Farm Rd., Columbia 21044. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up. Contact Francine at 410-992-7679 or FrancineMSW@aol.com.

5] – Janice and Max are looking to buy a house in Baltimore.  Let Max know if you have any leads—410-366-1637 or mobuszewski@verizon.net.

6] – Come to American University, Katzen Arts Center, Third Floor, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20016-8031to see the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition. Go to http://www.american.edu/calendar/?id=6383062.

See the Maruki Panel exhibit. Six of the world-famous panels will be exhibited outside Japan for the first time in many years. There will also be a display of artifacts from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as 24 of the All Souls Church Honkawa School Children's drawings.  See the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition through Aug. 16. In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the attacks, this powerful show will include 20 artifacts collected from the debris of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as well as 6 large folding screens that depict the horrors of the event. The 1995 Nobel Peace Prize nominees, Iri and Toshi Maruki, created a total of 15 screens over 32 years from 1950. This exhibition, made possible by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, is meant to deepen understanding of the damage wrought by nuclear weapons and inspire peace in the 21st century. Call 202-885-1000.  Email museum@american.edu. Admission is free, and the exhibit hours are Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 AM to 4 PM.

7] – What would a nuclear blast look like in downtown Washington, D.C.? Join Global Zero on the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan as we cycle what would be the edge of a “small” nuclear blast in downtown D.C. and call on President Obama to keep his promise to “seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.” The event will be one of many corresponding events around the world, serving as a powerful reminder that nuclear weapons were designed to wipe cities like ours off the map.

Get on your bike on Sun., Aug. 9 at 10 AM at Lafayette Park, in front of the White House.   All participants will receive a free Global Zero t-shirt. After the ride, enjoy a complimentary drink! Bike Around the Bomb (BAB) is free, open to the public, and will bring everyone from Global Zero movement leaders to brand new activists together to urge world leaders to remember and to act. #EliminateNukes - see more at http://www.globalzero.org/bike-around-the-bomb#sthash.TCDAnYYZ.dpuf.  RSVP at http://www.globalzero.org/bike-around-the-bomb.

8] – The Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring Racial Justice Task Force presents a worship service "Why We Work for Racial Justice" to recognize the one year anniversary of Michael Brown's killing in Ferguson MO. It is happening at 10309 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring on Sun., Aug. 9 at 10:30 AM.  A discussion circle will follow the service. Go to http://www.uucss.org/News_and_events/UpcomingEvents.html#discussion.

9] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 306 W. Franklin St., Suite 102, Baltimore 21201-4661, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion from 10:30 AM to noon. On Aug. 9 the platform address is “Understanding Anarchism.”  What is anarchism? Is it chaos? Is it disorder and rebellion? Is it violence and darkness? The answer to these questions is a simple “NO.” It is, in fact, quite the opposite. Anarchism is not some teenage dream of living with no rules and doing whatever you want with no consequences. Anarchism is the idea that responsibility for your own actions is the only way to have a truly free society. Anarchism is the idea that no man or woman should be able to decide what you do with your life. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.
10] – Come to BUSBOYS & POETS @ Takoma 234 Carroll St. NW, WDC, on Sun., Aug. 9 from 5 to 7 PM for a conversation that will bring up to date on programs and opportunities within art education as well as artists and educators who are addressing social commentary and issues within their work.  Washington, DC is fermenting with creative and innovative opportunities in art and art education. Anne Bouie, artist and educator, whose current exhibition, There is a Balm in Gilead, is on view at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC. She will discuss her current research and social commentary within her work.
David Markey, Art Education Coordinator, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, who will be sharing the importance of art education, innovations, opportunities and successes in Washington, DC.  “In the Artist Studio” is a Busboys and Poets original in-house series focused on bringing awareness to issues surrounding the arts and the artist themselves. Join Carol and Busboys and Poets’ own arts curator, every second Sunday in continuing conversations regarding life as an artist and the sustainably of the arts in the community. Go to http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/event/in-the-artist-studio-who-supports-the-arts-an-art-salon-with-carol-dys1100.

11] – The  Frederick Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration with Hibakusha Testimonies will occur on Sun., Aug. 9 at 4 PM at the Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, 15 West Church St. Frederick.  This is organized by Frederick Women in Black.  Contact John Steinbach at 703-822-3485 or Frederick Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration with Hibakusha Testimonies, Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, 15 West Church St. Frederick, MD.

12] – For the 31st year, the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee will remember the atomic bombings of Japan on August 6 & 9, 1945, which killed more than 250,000 people.  Other organizations involved in the commemorations are the Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee of Homewood and Stony Run Meetings, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Crabshell Alliance and Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore.

The HIROSHIMA COMMEMORATION on August 6 was a wonderful event starting with a demonstration against Johns Hopkins University’s weapons contracts, including research on killer drones, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and the nuclear energy disaster at Fukushima, Japan. Then we marched to Homewood Friends Meetinghouse to hear two Hiroshima Hibakusha [survivors], Mr. Goro Matsuyama [86] and Ms. Takako Chiba [73].  Both stories were mournful and hopeful. Then Ms. Yukie Ikebe, on piano, guided the Heartful Chorus in a soaring medley of songs, including Amazing Grace. More than thirty of us enjoyed dinner and conversation at Niwana Restaurant.  Before leaving, the Chorus led us in singing We Shall Overcome.

The NAGASAKI COMMEMORATION takes place on Sunday, August 9, 2015 at Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles Street.   It begins at 6 PM with a potluck dinner. At 7 PM some members of “By Peaceful Means” city camp, led by their teacher, Taleah Edwards, will perform. Then the organizer of this camp, Ralph Moore, will speak.  The death of Freddie Gray ignited a movement to seek positive social change. Ralph, a civil rights icon, once said “Economic justice is the one [issue] I’ve focused on most over the years. Various issues spill out from that; it’s been housing, it’s been hunger, it’s been education, it’s been jobs and it’s been anti-war.” 

After Ralph’s address, there will be a Q & A.  Then participants can share through verse, poetry or song how to cure the ill of poverty in Baltimore. The suggestions will be sent to the mayor and the City Council. Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

13] -- Hear from the 2015 Beltway Poetry Slam at BUSBOYS & POETS @ 14TH & V Sts., 2021 14th St. NW, WDC, on Sun., Aug. 9 from 6 to 8 PM.  Hear from the team as it heads off to Oakland, CA, to defend the crown as the current reigning champs of the National Poetry Slam.  Visit http://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/event/beltway-send-off-showcase.
14] -- 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 Mon., Aug. 10, 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. 

15] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Friday from 10 AM to noon 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.  

16] – On Mon., Aug. 10 from 6 to 8 PM at the Epiphany Episcopal Church, 3301 Hidden Meadow Drive, Oak Hill, VA 20171 [located at the intersection of Franklin Farm Road and Fairfax County Parkway], come to discuss human services needs.  Pizza and child care (ages 3 to 12) will be offered. Go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/healthhuman/needs-assessment/. Email Sandra.Chisholm AT fairfaxcounty. Gov.  

17] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore usually meets on Mondays at 7:30 PM, and the meetings take place at Max’s residence.  The next meeting is on August 10. The proposed agenda will include anti-drone activities, Freddie Gray, Gaza, the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration and the September 22 action in D.C. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski at verizon.net.

18] On Tues., Aug. 11 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, be at the CODEPINK house, 1241 Evarts St. NE, WDC, for an all-day "call-in" urging Congress to support the Iran nuclear deal! Call senators and Congress people urging them to support the deal. Some offices are reporting that they are getting 10 calls against the deal for every 1 in favor. So it's time to get on the phone!!!  CODEPINK will provide you with the list, the numbers, and the script--even the phone if you need it. Stop by anytime during the day to make calls, enjoy some snacks (feel free to bring some, too) and great company!  The Iran nuclear deal is incredibly important and will prevent the United States from engaging in another senseless and costly war. This is a historic diplomatic action, and our elected officials’ votes can literally make or break this step toward peace. See


19] – 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 Aug. 11.  Call 215-426-0364.

20] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. Join this ongoing vigil on Aug. 11  from 5:30 to 6:30  PM.  Call Max at 410-366-1637.

21] – Gaza youths have joined together to tell the stories behind the statistics in their own voices through a unique project called WeAreNotNumbers.org. Developing English writers in Gaza have been paired up with published authors acting as mentors to develop their stories into powerful narratives. Mentors include well-known and respected writers, such as Mazin Qumsiyeh, Susan Abulhawa, Ramzy Baroud, Jonathan Cook, Miko Peled, Alice Rothchild… and others.

At Busboys & Poets, 5th & K Sts. NW, WDC, on Tues., Aug. 11 from 6 to 8 PM, come hear Iman Abu Aitah, 21, a “rising star” from Gaza who lost both her parents and two brothers during the 2014 assault and view a specially shot video interview with Ismail Abu Aitah, 24, Iman’s brother, in their Gaza home. Also hear from several of the author-mentors who are investing time to help these young aspiring Gaza writers develop their craft and tell their stories about the Gaza that we don't hear about in the mainstream media. See https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Voice-for-Peace-DC-Metro-Chapter/407059766019676.

22] – On Tues., Aug. 11 from 6 to 9:30 PM, St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, will sponsors the second spokescouncil meeting and will build on the information discussed in the first meeting. Attendance at the first meeting is not required for this meeting, however, if this is your first meeting please reach out to the organizers to get caught up. This second meeting will focus on report backs from committee meetings, creating a preliminary schedule for the September week of action and brainstorming next steps for the spokescouncil. We will have a community calendar where people can add events and a community table where people can leave fliers and information. There will also be an open house for unaffiliated folks in a separate room at the same time.  Go to http://www.washingtonpeacecenter.net/node/15513.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/.

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs  

 

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