Baltimore Activist Alert April 9 - 11, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert April 9 - 11, 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] Democracy Spring/Democracy Awakening – through Apr. 18

7] Teach In at American University – Apr. 9

8] West Chester peace vigil – Apr. 9

9] Workshop: Attracting Members and Volunteers – Apr. 9

10] Canvass for Donna Edwards – Apr. 9

11] Celebrate The Potter's House – Apr. 9

12] Future of public housing – Apr. 9

13] Resist police violence – Apr. 9

14] PROSTITUTE LANDRY – Apr. 9

15] Wonder – Apr. 10

16] Teach-In: Surveillance Self-Defense 101 – Apr. 10

17] Role of Religion in Addressing Climate Change – Apr. 10

18] Two films about being under occupation – Apr. 10

19] Labor Seder – Apr. 10

20] Art for Healing – Apr. 10

21] Pentagon Vigil – Apr. 11

22] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Apr. 11 – Apr. 15

23] Kick off Democracy Spring – Apr. 11

24] Human Rights Networking – Apr. 11

25] David Swanson at Busboys & Poets – Apr. 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 410-323-1607.

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—410-323-1607 or mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.

6] – Join Get Money Out of Maryland in Washington, D.C., this Spring -- April 2-18, Democracy Spring (April 2-16) and Democracy Awakening (April 16-18). Starting with a march from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia to Washington, DC, these will combine to be the biggest gathering ever of citizens in our nation's capital for voting rights and an end to the corruption of big money in our elections.  Go to http://www.getmoneyoutmd.org/.

From Apr. 11 to 18, there will be mass nonviolent sit-ins and legal protests at the Capitol. The landmark three-day mobilization, called “Democracy Awakening” and scheduled for April 16-18, brings together two advocacy communities in one movement. Together, they will press for reform proposals focused both on restoring and expanding voting rights protections, and curbing the influence of wealthy interests and corporations on elections.

Democracy Awakening will feature a rally and march on Sun., Apr. 17, as well as targeted actions at the “Congress of Conscience” on Mon., Apr.18, that will call for voting rights protections, measures to curb the influence of money in politics and more. Democracy Awakening will include teach-ins and cultural events throughout the weekend.

7] – The Next System Teach In at American University, MGC 200, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, is happening on Sat., Apr. 9 from 11 AM to 5 PM.  Participate in workshops, discussions, film screenings and more! RSVP at boules@american.edu.

8] – 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.

9] – Get over to a Workshop: Attracting Members and Volunteers to Your Organization at Adelphi Friends Meeting, 2303 Metzerott Road, Adelphi, MD on Sat., Apr. 9 from 2 to 5 PM. Join Maryland United for Peace and Justice for this free workshop,  presented by Mark C. Titi.  The motto of the workshop is "multiplying good for small nonprofits."  Contact Tony Langbehn at tonylang4peace@gmail.com.

10] – On Sat., Apr. 9 at 3 PM, meet at 810 Winston Ave., Baltimore 21212, to get instructions.  Then go door to door with a targeted list to canvass for Donna Edwards until 5 PM.  Voter registration forms for the Winston-Govans community will be available. 

One of the main purposes in talking about Donna Edwards is to find people who will commit to poll watching during early voting from April 14-21 and on Election Day, April 26.  If you are able to donate a few hours towards this effort, please call 410-433-3269.  It's an important campaign as you know--to help put into the US Senate the only African American woman senator, a woman who has the backs of U.S. working class families.

11] – Enjoy a Conversation and Celebration at the Potter's House, 1658 Columbia Rd. NW, WDC 20009, on Sat., Apr. 9 from 4 to 6 PM. In a world often defined by injustice and fear, where do we see a desire for spiritual and social transformation? Amongst urban neighborhoods undergoing rapid displacement, what forms of life and expressions of community might enable us to respond faithfully? Attendees will explore these big questions, drawing on wisdom found in the book “The New Community.” Written by Elizabeth O'Connor, it chronicles pivotal years in the life of The Potter's House, including the birth of Jubilee Housing and the scattering of The Church of the Saviour into smaller faith communities. The book was recently republished in celebration of the renovation and renewal of The Potter's House. Copies will be available for purchase, with reading groups to follow this spring.  Refreshments will be provided.

Elizabeth O’Connor was an early member of The Church of the Saviour and wrote several books about the church’s life, including “Call to Commitment.” See https://www.facebook.com/events/1706019232989170/.

12] – Be at Dinner & Discussion: The Future of Public Housing at Union Temple Baptist Church, 1225 W St. SE (Anacostia Station, onsite parking), WDC, on Sat., Apr. 9 from 4 to 6 PM. Will public housing as we know it go extinct? As HUD and the DC Housing Authority cut public housing budgets and privatize services, how will our city keep permanently affordable housing? Join with Empower DC to explore the future of public housing in DC and beyond, examine existing models, learn about Community Land Trusts and co-ops and discuss the future of Barry Farms. Child care will be available. Dinner will be served. RSVP to Parisa at (202) 234-9119 x 100 or parisa@empowerdc.org. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1581573052170194/.

13] – On Sat., Apr. 9 at 5:30 PM, join activists and organizers from Brazil, DC and Maryland to discuss intersections between police violence and forms of resistance from Brazil to the United States at 1500 Harvard St. NW, WDC.  As we are constantly challenged to think about human rights violations as either local or global, this conversation will illuminate the importance of building solidarity internationally. The Brazil delegation will also speak to the importance of centering human rights in the upcoming Olympics.  The event is organized by Amnesty International USA.  RSVP https://www.facebook.com/events/1711951262382523/.

14] -- On Sat., Apr. 9 at 7:30 PM come to Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, as Charlotte Shane presents “Prostitute Laundry.” In the winter of 2014, writer and sex worker Shane sent out her first confessional letter to a small but devoted mailing list. In the months that followed, readership grew to over 5,000 subscribers who followed her candid, unstinting, sometimes heartbreaking meditations. Word spread quickly, garnering the project recognition from outlets such as The Washington Post and NPR.  The resulting 57 letters constitutes a thoughtful serial memoir about love, sex, money, and identity—how those forces can break us, and how they can make us whole again. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

15] – 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 Apr. 10, hear about “Wonder.” We often take the world for granted, checking off the mundane tasks of our “to do list” without looking up towards broader horizons and open skies. Exclusively focusing on the practical, one can lose touch with the awe, mystery and wonder that we felt as a child. In the words of John Stuart Mill, “It is not understanding that destroys wonder, it is familiarity.” How can we keep the unfamiliar in our lives? What is “wonder” and how can it help inspire us to live more fully? Hugh Taft-Morales, who joined the Baltimore Ethical Society as its professional leader in 2010, the same year he was certified by the American Ethical Union as an Ethical Culture Leader, will reflect on the subject. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

16] –  Catch the Teach-In: Surveillance Self-Defense 101 at Georgetown University Law Center's Eric E. Hotung International Law Building, Room 2000, 600 New Jersey Ave. NW, WDC, on Sun., Apr. 10 at 11 AM.  The Black Movement-Law Project will co-host a free workshop on digital security and surveillance self-defense along with the Electronic Frontiers Foundations (EFF) and the Georgetown Law NLG. The workshop will be open to the public, though particularly structured for activists and lawyers supporting social movements.  Participants need not wield technical expertise to attend this session, geared towards regular smartphone and laptop users wanting to become better informed on how to protect themselves and others.  Visit http://www.washingtonpeacecenter.org/node/%20https://eff.org/04-10-16-DC.

17] –  The Role of Religion in Addressing Climate Change: History and Prospects will take place at 7750 16th St. NW, WDC 20012 , on Sun., Apr. 10 at 1 PM. Hosted by the Washington Ethical Society, this will be a presentation about the intersection of religion and the environment and about how religious traditions work to develop responses to ecological problems. A time for comments, questions, and discussion will follow. The facilitator is Dr. Evan Berry.  Call 202-882-6650. See http://www.ethicalsociety.org/calendar.php?action=event_details&id=1604&date=2016-04-10.

18] – Sabeel DC Metro is proud to team up with Grace Presbyterian Church and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington in presenting this important, revealing and inspiring five-part Sunday afternoon film series focusing on the beautiful but beleaguered Palestinian and Israeli people of today's Holy Land. This Sunday afternoon series--absolutely free--takes place at 2:30 pm April 3 through May 1 at the attractive, spacious Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, located at 4444 Arlington Blvd. (US 50)--midway between the Beltway and the Memorial Bridge--at the intersection for George Mason Drive SOUTH.  Parking is ample in the church's parking lot.  Church administrators and pastors.

On Sun., Apr. 10, two films will be shown: 1) "Conflict in Israel-Palestine" and 2) "Life Under Occupation.” The moderator for these film will be former Ambassador Robert Dillon, who presided over the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon in the early 80’s and later served as Assistant Secretary General at the United Nations. Ambassador Dillon was also the Deputy Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The two selected films and the Q&A discussions following the screening will explore the complex, difficult and emotional issues preventing peace in Israel/Palestine for the last three generations.  Please attend and participate in the conversation on the issues of justice, human rights, and peace in the Holy Land.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/voicesholyland.   Call Paul at 301-518-5551.

19] – A 2016 DC Labor Seder by Jews United For Justice, 2850 Quebec St. NW, WDC, on Sun., Apr. 10 from 5:30 to 8 PM.  Each spring, the Labor Seder brings together the Jewish, activist, labor, and nonprofit communities to celebrate the liberation story of the Exodus and connect it to present-day struggles in our region. This year’s Seder will focus on good jobs, and the policies we need to ensure that every hardworking person has access to one. These include a living wage, fair scheduling practices, and paid leave for all. Refreshments (vegetarian and kosher-certified) will be served. The cost is $18 for individuals, $36 for families and. $10 for children, students, and limited income.  Email seder@jufj.org. Go to http://www.jufj.org/laborseder2016.

20] -- On Thurs., Apr. 7 at 7:30 PM come to Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201,Charlotte Hill O'Neal talk about “From Kansas to Africa to Baltimore: Art for Healing, Community Building, & Transformative Change.” "The spontaneous release of love that comes from poetry and music and art in general … that thing that binds us all together and builds solidarity and understanding among all people, no matter where they are from or what language they speak, is like magic!”—Charlotte Hill O'Neal

  O'Neal, affectionately known as "Mama C" by people all over the world, was only 19 when her husband Pete O'Neal, chapter leader of the Kansas City Black Panthers had to flee the country to escape persecution. They relocated to Africa, first Algeria then settling in Tanzania. By 1991 they opened the United African American Cultural Alliance Community Center and for the last 25 years it has been serving that community with art and technology education, water, a children's home and hosts various student and advocacy groups from around the world. For the past few years, Mama C has been traveling for the Heal the Community Tour to raise money and awareness for the community center and help connect various communities. As a singer, poet, visual artist and musician, Mama C uses her talents to spread peace, love, unity & education everywhere she touches. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

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 Mon., Apr. 11, 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] – The Marc Steiner Show airs Monday through Friday fr6m 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.

23] – JOIN CodePink on Mon., Apr. 11 at COLUMBUS CIRCLE in front of Union Station @11:30 AM TO KICK-OFF THE DEMOCRACY SPRING SIT-INS!!! Join the CODEPINK and peace contingent at the Democracy Spring / Awakening actions to get money out of politics! The week will consist of a series of direct actions to demand Congress to end the corruption of politics by big money and ensure free and fair elections in which every American has an equal voice. The passage of the historic Iran nuclear deal was a major blow to the Israel lobby AIPAC and the military industrial complex’s chokehold on our political system. It was also an inspiring reminder of what tenacious organizing and powerful, peaceful, direct action can accomplish. Imagine: If corporations fueling the military industrial complex could no longer buy off our elected officials, we could end war. Email Rebecca@codepink.org.  The sit-ins will extend through April 16.

24] –There is a Human Rights networking event at the American University Washington College of Law, Claudio Grossman Hall, 4300 Nebraska Ave. NW, WDC, on Mon., Apr. 11 from 5 to 7 PM. Join the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law  for a networking event featuring human rights professionals from leading NGOs and agencies across DC.  This event is beneficial for those seeking a career in human rights and would like to speak to employers and professionals in the field. To register, email humlaw@wcl.american.edu with "Networking Event" in the subject line.

25] – David Swanson will speak about his book “War Is A Lie: Second Edition.,” and about the latest developments in the telling and the debunking of lies about wars. He'll answer questions and sign copies of his book on Mon., Apr. 11 from 6:30 to 8 PM at Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Sts.

Swanson is an author and activist who has dedicated himself to challenging the repetitive falsehoods generated by those in power to justify armed conflict. His work is a handbook of sorts, an engaging, always informative manual that can be used to debunk future lies before new wars have any chance to begin.

For this edition of the book, the original 2010 version has been updated and expanded with material on lessons from the United States' most recent wars, more pointers on what can be done to end warmaking, and an epilogue that analyzes new trends in war lying and in resistance to it. No one to whom you give this book can claim they haven't been warned! Go to http://WarIsALie.org.

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