Baltimore Activist Alert January 23 - 26, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert January 23 - 26, 2016

"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 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] Progressive Education Summit – Jan. 23

7] Donna Edwards Day of Action – Jan. 23

8] Hear Bernie’s Live Message – Jan. 23

9] Peoples Power Assembly “Emergency Peoples Brigades” – Jan. 24-25

10] TASSC Open House – Jan. 24

11] BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM – Jan. 24

12] Anti-Gun Violence Gathering – Jan. 24

13] Pollinating Rios Vivos – Jan. 24

14] Pentagon Vigil – Jan. 25

15] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Jan. 25 – Jan. 29

16] Freedom to boycott lobby night – Jan. 25

17] A Beehive grassroots process – Jan. 25

18] Webinar on Clean Power Plan – Jan. 25

19] Human Trafficking Symposium – Jan. 26

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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 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 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 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 at Verizon dot net.

6] – ENGAGE IN A PROGRESSIVE EDUCATION SUMMIT.  The annual Summit, scheduled for Sat., Jan. 23, brings together educators and community members from all parts of the region for a day of professional development, aspirational thinking, and inspiration. Each year there is a keynote speaker and more than 40 workshops presented by local progressive educators. Aligned with our mission to create rich professional growth opportunities for educators, City Neighbors hosts this yearly conference with the commitment to keep the event free to all participants. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-progressive-education-summit-tickets-19780437822.

7] – The Donna Edwards Campaign for Senator is hosting a statewide Day of Action on Sat., Jan. 23 at 10 AM at the Baltimore Office, 11 East Mount Royal Ave., 1st Floor, Baltimore 21202.  RSVP at https://donnaedwardsforsenate.com/.

8] – Poll after poll shows Bernie Sanders neck-and-neck with Hillary Clinton. But revolutions don't happen on their own. It's going to take all working together to put Bernie over the top. On Sat., Jan. 23 at 5:30 PM, Bernie is giving an important live address to his supporters across the nation. Come to 906 Palladi Drive, Halethorpe (Baltimore) MD 21227. RSVP at http://map.berniesanders.com/?#distance=50&eventtype=LIVESTREAM&daterange=all-events&sort=distance&zipcode=21212.

To hear Bernie's Live Message to Volunteers, come to Leslie's apartment, 104 Symington Avenue So. Apt. 1N, Catonsville, MD 21228 on Sat., Jan. 23 at 5:30 PM. In this live streamed conversation for volunteers, Bernie will talk about what it's going to take to win this election and address the moral crisis that comes from almost all of the wealth and income in this country going to the top 1 percent.  RSVP at https://go.berniesanders.com/page/event/detail/4r8jq.

9] –Join the Peoples Power Assembly “Emergency Peoples Brigades.”  Everyone should be prepared for this weekend’s storm; and it is necessary to check on our senior sisters and brothers, those with infant children and people who have health problems.  The Harriet Tubman Solidarity Center, 2011 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218 will be open to assist. On Sun., Jan. 24 and Mon., Jan. 25, meet @ noon at the center, and stay if possible to 5 PM.  You can charge your cell phones there, for example, there is a power outage. The Center will also act as headquarters to send out “Peoples Brigades.”  The phone number for Sunday and Monday (call or text) is 410-218-4835.

What will the “People’s Brigades” do? Make phone calls and check to see that everyone is OK. Help shovel walk ways and the steps of people with health problems, seniors, and those with babies.  Many people in this city do not have the health or ability, finances or equipment to do this. Provide emergency food and supplies. Pick up emergency medicine if needed.

The Peoples Power Assembly is urging everyone to join in.  Those who are within walking distance can come out and join in. If you are able to help be part of a shovel brigade or general brigade, call.    The most important qualification if you will be shoveling snow is that your health enables you to do this kind of work.   Please dress warmly; and hand warmers will be provided.  There are lots of other things that are needed if you cannot endure the cold or shovel.

There are needs: 4 wheel drive vehicles; health care providers who can advise; extra shovels; hot coffee, tea and hot chocolate to take to workers and residents; emergency water & food supplies like energy bars and juices that do not have to be cooked as electricity may be off; gloves, scarfs, hats and additional hand warmers for homeless and those exposed; and people who can make phone calls. If you cannot come to the center, call 410-218-4835 Sunday morning to receive a list of names to call from your home. 

10] – On Sun., Jan. 24 from 2 to 4 PM, join TASSC for its annual open house at Tassc International, 4121 Harewood Road NE, WDC 20017.  The Torture Abolition and Survivor Support Coalition is a group of torture survivors who help each other work for the eradication of torture world-wide and help new torture asylum seekers in the DC area. RSVP by calling 202-529-2991.  Go to http://www.tassc.org/. 

11] – The BALTIMORE GREEN FORUM, a monthly environmental education and discussion forum, will occur on Sun., Jan. 24 from 4 to 6:30 PM at the Maryland Presbyterian Church, 1105 Providence Road, Towson 21286.  This month’s topic is Maryland Electric Power Generation: Fossil Free by 2018? The speakers are Will Candler and Phil Favero, members of Climate Stewards of Greater Annapolis (CSGA). Candler worked in the World Bank. Both Will and Phil have Ph.D.’s and have been on University agricultural faculties (Purdue and Maryland respectively). Will is also author of the self -published book “Global Warming: The Answer.”

Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) mandates that 20% of electric power supplied by utilities be accompanied Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) certifying the utility bought the power from “Clean” (not nuclear or fossil) suppliers. Environmental groups are aiming to raise the Clean percentage to 25% in 2020, and 40% in 2030. This will still leave 75% in 2020 (60% in 2030) supplied from fossil or nuclear. Will and Phil will make the case for getting off fossil power by 2018.

 The Baltimore Green Forum seeks to educate and stimulate dialogue about what humans can do to make modern civilization more sustainable, including adjusting to finite resource limits and preserving biodiversity and a healthy environment.  This is done through eight monthly meetings a year.  The topics are far ranging.  They vary from local to planetary and from philosophical to scientific to very practical.

  There is a speaker and Q&A from 4 to 5:15 PM.  Then there are brief announcements by representatives of other organizations that also seek sustainability and environmental protection.  The idea is to promote collaboration among these organizations.  Next, there is an optional roundtable discussion until 6:30 PM.  Finally, there is often a small gathering at a nearby restaurant.

BGF is open to the public and is free of charge, but donations to Maryland Presbyterian Church are collected during the meeting to thank the church for their generous gift of the space to us. Call Sam Hopkins at 410 554 0006 or email baltimoregreenforum@gmail.com.  Visit http://www.baltimoregreen forum.org. 

12] – On Sun., Jan. 24 from 5 to 7 PM, attend the DC-Area Faith-Based Anti-Gun Violence Gathering at Washington Hebrew Congregation, located at 3935 Macomb St NW, Washington, DC 20016. This will be a time of education, personal stories, and community-building dedicated to ending gun violence.

The program will feature: Daniel Webster, Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research; elected officials; and victims of gun violence.  Local and national anti-gun violence groups will be on hand with information booths to engage people of faith about their work. The event is sponsored by Temple Emanuel, Washington Hebrew Congregation, and Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ.

13] – On Sun., Jan. 24 at 7:30 PM come to Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, as the Beehive Collective and Movimiento Ríos Vivos present stories from Ríos Vivos Colombia.  The Beehive Design Collective and Movimiento Ríos Vivos presents a multimedia journey about arts, media and land defense in South America with original photographs, maps and short films accompanied by live narration. Pollinating Rios Vivos shares a glimpse into communities that are defending their territories in the face of resource extraction industries.   Come to hear stories from Ríos Vivos Colombia, a social movement made up of communities impacted by dams that are struggling in the defense of their territories and rivers, and seek an energy model by and for the people. You will also learn about the work of Polinizaciones, a Beehive grassroots process that collaborates with communities impacted by resource extraction through the use of arts, culture, and communications as strategies for land defense in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.  Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

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., Jan. 25, 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] – Freedom to boycott lobby night is Mon., Jan. 25 from 5 to 9 PM in Room #302, House of Delegates Office Building, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis 21401. This is an advocacy event to support free speech in Maryland and to make sure that peaceful, nonviolent measures are not made unlawful in Maryland.  Check the http://www.freedom2boycott.com/ web site for more details.   For the second time in three years the Maryland General Assembly may consider legislation to kill free speech rights for those who take a dissenting view on the Middle East. This time they are likely to consider a bill that would blacklist companies that participate in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (to support human rights in Palestine), prohibiting the State of Maryland from doing business with them.

The Bill of Rights Defense Committee and Defending Dissent Foundation will be joining local groups from Maryland, including the Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition and Freedom2Boycott, for a day of advocacy in Annapolis against proposed legislation aimed at punishing participating in the Boycotts, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement.  Subsequent "make up" lobbying days will be held on Wed., Jan. 27 from 11 AM to 1 PM and on Fri., Jan. 29 from 9 AM to 2 PM.  Some activists will be scheduling meetings with their Delegates and State Senators ahead of time, whereas others plan on just stopping by without an appointment. It is recommended scheduling a meeting.  If you have any questions, contact Chip Gibbons, Esq. at chip@defendingdissent.org.  Register for the (optional) training session on Sun., Jan. 24 from 2:45 to 5 PM in Baltimore: http://tinyurl.com/BaltTraining.

17] –  Come to 3166 Mt Pleasant St, NW, WDC on Mon., Jan. 25 at 6:30 PM as the Beehive Design Collective and Movimiento Ríos Vivos present a multimedia journey about arts, media and land defense in South America with original photographs, maps and short films accompanied by live narration. Pollinating Rios Vivos shares a glimpse into communities that are defending their territories in the face of resource extraction industries. Hear stories from Ríos Vivos Colombia, a social movement made up of communities impacted by dams that are struggling in the defense of their territories and rivers, and seek an energy model by and for the people. Learn about the work of Polinizaciones, a Beehive grassroots process that collaborates with communities impacted by resource extraction through the use of arts, culture, and communications as strategies for land defense in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/439416972918761/.

18] – Physicians for Social Responsibility [mailto:psrnatl@psr.org] is offering a Webinar: Health Voices for the Clean Power Plan on Mon., Jan 25 at 7:30 PM.  2016 will be the year to rally the health voice on the Clean Power Plan. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5805719734004246785.  The webinar will provide an overview of the types of state landscapes on the CPP and possible ways for health professionals to engage. Using three states as examples, it will outline the differing coalitions and degrees of action already underway. It will provide contact names to put you in touch with health and environment groups organizing within the states, and link up health activists to coordinate efforts to advance the healthiest, non-fossil fuel solutions possible.

19] – The McCain Institute's first Human Trafficking Symposium will be held in Washington, D.C. on Tues., Jan. 26. Doors open at 10:30 AM at 1777 F St. NW, 2^nd Floor, WDC 20006. You can watch the event live online at mccaininstitute.org/live. RSVP at https://www.mccaininstitute.org/programs/humanitarian-action/january-human-trafficking-awareness-month. The event will feature two panels with leading human trafficking experts and an art exhibit.

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