Baltimore Activist Alert - September 22 - 29, 2016

34] Strategic Conversation on U.S. Foreign and National Security Policy -- Sept. 22

35] Creating an Economy for the Common Good – Sept. 22

36] Book Signing with Medea Benjamin – Sept. 22

37] Pray for Peace – Sept. 22

38] Studs Terkel at Red Emma’s – Sept. 22

39] No War Conference – Sept. 23 - 26

40] Film COMMAND AND CONTROL – Sept. 23 - 29

41] “How Big Should our Government Be?” – Sept. 23

42] Terrorist Watch List – Sept. 23

43] LETELIER-MOFFITT MEMORIAL PROGRAM -- Sept. 23

44] Max will be at the Baltimore Book Festival – Sept. 23 – 25

45] Peace vigil at White House – Sept. 23

46] WIB peace vigils – Sept. 23

47] A History of India in Fifty Lives -- Sept. 23

48] Black Lives Matter vigil – Sept. 23

49] Ballroom Dancing – Sept. 23

50] 20th anniversary Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty – Sept. 24

51] National Iranian American Council, Leadership Conference -- Sept. 24

52] Volunteer for Joshua Harris -- Sept. 24

53] Culture of Peace – Sept. 24

54] West Chester peace vigil – Sept. 24

55] Protest at Drone Base – Sept. 24

56] Cruisin' the Potomac – Sept. 24

57] Room for rent

58] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

59] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

60] Do you need any book shelves?

61] Join the Global Zero campaign

62] Join the Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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34] –   On Thurs., Sept. 22 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM hear from Rep. Adam Smith (WA) who will tackle "Strategic Conversation on U.S. Foreign and National Security Policy" at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave,. NW, Eighth Floor, WDC. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdK1ydTmIH82PBZJg3A18iPLXOHgqiYskNLLgmHcYetKXGDhQ/viewform.

35] – Change Everything-Author Talk with Christian Felber at 1658 Columbia Rd. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Sept. 22 from 6:30 to 8 PM. The primary goal of many companies is to make profit — but should it be? A new social movement is advocating for a reevaluation of our economic model: encouraging companies to work towards the common good rather than compete for financial gain. Thousands of companies are already on board, with hundreds implementing its first steps. Can this be the shift our society needs to find sustainability in an economically unstable world? Join Christian Felber, an internationally renowned lecturer at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, as he visits D.C. to discuss this project and his book Change Everything: Creating an Economy for the Common Good. The talk is sponsored by the Democracy Collaboration and The Next System Project.

36] – Get over to a Book Signing with Medea Benjamin at the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law, 4340 Connecticut Ave. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Sept. 22 from 7 to 9 PM. Activist/Author Medea Benjamin will discuss and sign her new book "Kingdom of the Unjust, Behind the U.S. Saudi Connection." Medea has traveled extensively, met with victims of illegal military actions, and advocated for humane policies.  This topic is timelier than ever as new, troubling questions arise about the Saudi's misuse of U.S. military equipment, human rights violations, and support for violence in the region. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/643064072533624/.

37] – Pray for Peace on Thurs., Sept. 22 at 7:30 PM at Brown Memorial Church, 1407 Bolton St. in Bolton Hill.  Contact Rev. Charles Cloughen, Jr., Interfaith Peace Partners coordinator, at ccloughen@episcopalmaryland.org or 410-321-4545.

38] – Alan Wieder presents "Studs Terkel: Politics, Culture, but Mostly Conversation" on Thurs., Sept. 22 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W North Ave., Baltimore 21201.  Studs Terkel was perhaps (undoubtedly?) America's finest oral historian—over the course of his long career, he spoke with not just the famous and fabulous, but was able to connect with and tell the stories of ordinary Americans, capturing a street level portrait of the working class across thousands of conversations, elevating the everyday to its proper place as a matter of historical concern. Here, Alan Wieder presents a book length portrait of this vital storyteller, historian, and activist. 

Wieder ably narrates engrossing stories of fascinating people who populated Studs Terkel’s many books and broadcasts. Studs reveled in listening to people who worked to scrap cruel and vengeful policies and who aimed to build a better world. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.  

39] – The NoWar2016: World Beyond War Conference is at American University School of International Service, WDC, from Fri., Sept. 23 (all day) through Sun., Sept. 25 (all day).  What are the alternatives to war and militarism?  On Sunday, there will be a nonviolent direct action workshop to plan an action at the Pentagon on Mon., Sept. 26.  Be at the Metro entrance to the Pentagon at 9 AM. Organizers are also working with Campaign Nonviolence and the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance to plan the Pentagon action.

The events of the 23rd and 24th will be livestreamed at http://TheRealNews.com. Events on the 25th will likely be livestreamed by American University. Here's the agenda: http://worldbeyondwar.org/nowar2016agenda.

40] – See a screening of “Command and Control” at the Landmark Theatre E Street Cinema, 555 11th St. NW, WDC from Fri., Sept. 23 through Thurs., Sept. 29. Go to http://www.commandandcontrolfilm.com/. A chilling nightmare plays out at a Titan II missile complex in Arkansas in September, 1980. A worker accidentally drops a socket, puncturing the fuel tank of an intercontinental ballistic missile carrying the most powerful nuclear warhead in our arsenal, an incident which ignites a series of feverish efforts to avoid a deadly disaster. Directed by Robert Kenner (FOOD, INC.) and based on the critically acclaimed book by Eric Schlosser (FAST FOOD NATION), COMMAND AND CONTROL is a minute-by-minute account of this long-hidden story. Putting a camera where there was no camera that night, Kenner brings this nonfiction thriller to life with stunning original footage shot in a decommissioned Titan II missile silo. Eyewitness accounts — from the man who dropped the socket, to the man who designed the warhead, to the Secretary of Defense— chronicle nine hours of terror that prevented an explosion 600 times more powerful than Hiroshima. Go to http://www.commandandcontrolfilm.com/.

41] – Damaging myths persist about the impact of U.S. government spending on economic growth.  The conventional wisdom is that government spending and taxes hurt economic growth, but this point of view—which has adversely influenced the nation’s social spending and public investment—is not supported by the evidence. In “How Big Should our Government Be?,” Jon Bakija, Lane Kenworthy, Peter Lindert, and Jeff Madrick present evidence about the effects of government spending on economic growth. They argue the U. S. can afford and would benefit from a significantly larger government presence to make the needed public investment to improve our economic future.

The authors will present their findings at the Economic Policy Institute on Fri., Sept. 23 at 10 AM. This event is co-sponsored by the Bernard L. Schwartz Rediscovering Government Initiative at the Century Foundation. The authors will be joined by John Halpin of the Center for American Progress to discuss whether the American electorate would favor the expansion of government. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-big-should-our-government-be-registration-27576046698?mc_cid=1936024b64&mc_eid=e80ca75913.

42] – There will be a "No Fly, No Buy" & "Terrorist Watch List" Briefing in the Cannon House Office Building, Rm. 122, 27 Independence Ave. SE, WDC, on Fri., Sept. 23 at 10 AM.  The Arab American Institute will host a Hill briefing looking at the due process challenges around the “No Fly, No Buy” gun control bill and the “Terrorist Watch List.” Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI, 12), who has been an outspoken proponent of addressing due process concerns associated with the “Terrorist Watch List” will make opening remarks. A panel of policy and rights experts will look at the constitutionality of the watch lists and the challenges of linking them to gun control efforts and the regulation of rights.  RSVP to jsalan@aaiusa.org.

43] – The 40th Anniversary: LETELIER-MOFFITT MEMORIAL PROGRAM is outdoors at Sheridan Circle, 23rd & Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Sept. 23 at 10:45 AM. Join the Institute for Policy Studies and the H.E. Michelle Bachelet (President of the Republic of Chile) to remember Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffitt, who were assassinated on this site in 1976 by agents of the Pinochet dictatorship.  RSVP at EChile.EEUU@minrel.gob.cl or call 202-530-4127.

44] – The Baltimore Book Festival takes place Fri., Sept. 23, Sat., Sept. 24 and Sun., Sept.-25, 11 AM to 7 PM in the Inner Harbor.  Go to baltimorebookfestival.com. Exhibitors and booksellers gather to celebrate literature with appearances, signings, readings, and talks by local and nationally-known authors across multiple stages, plus live music, food, workshops, and more.  Max, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, will be Tent P93 in Rash Field.  He will be selling used books, vinyl, buttons, bumperstickers and other paraphernalia. 

Red Emma’s Bookstore Café will be in the RADICAL BOOKFAIR PAVILION.   Numerous authors will be speaking in the Pavilion.  A sampling includes SARAH JAFFE, "NECESSARY TROUBLE: AMERICANS IN REVOLT," on Fri., Sept. 23 at 6 PM; RUSSELL RICKFORD, "WE ARE AN AFRICAN PEOPLE: INDEPENDENT EDUCATION, BLACK POWER, AND THE RADICAL IMAGINATION," on Sat., Sept. 24 at noon; and MEDEA BENJAMIN, "KINGDOM OF THE UNJUST: BEHIND THE US-SAUDI CONNECTION," on Sun., Sept. 25 at 1 PM.

45] – On Fri., Sept. 23 from noon to 1 PM, join the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker in a vigil urging the powers that be to abolish war and torture, to disarm all weapons, to end indefinite detention, to close Guantanamo, to establish justice for all and help create the Beloved Community! This vigil will take place at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Contract Art @ artlaffin@hotmail.com or at 202-360-6416. 

46] – On Fri., Sept. 23 from noon to 1 PM, join a Women in Black peace vigil. A vigil will take place in McKeldin Square at the corner of Light and Pratt Sts., and another will take place outside Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St., across from the Rotunda.  Stay for as long as you can. Wear black. Dress for who knows what kind of weather. Bring your own poster or help with the "NO WAR IN MY NAME" banner.  When there are others to stand with, you don't need to carry the burden alone. Do this to be in solidarity with others....when everything around us says “Be afraid of the stranger.” Carpool and parking available at both locations. Just send an email that you need a ride [mailto:wibbaltimore@peacepath911.org].  Peace signs will be available. 

47] – On Fri., Sept. 23 from 12:15 to 1:45 PM at New America, 740 15th St. NW, Suite 900, WDC 20005, catch “Incarnations: A History of India in Fifty Lives” featuring Dr. Sunil Khilnani, Director, India Institute, King’s College, London.  The discussion will be moderated by Peter Bergen, director, New America's International Security Program.

Driving India’s emergence onto the world stage is a rich history, shaped by remarkable individuals. Yet, Indian history remains a curiously unpeopled place – beyond a few mythic celebrities, we know very little about the personal struggles that have gone into making India. RSVP at https://newamerica.cvent.com/events/incarnations-a-history-of-india-in-fifty-lives/registration-d059b086da074dcaa4ab43c6f51a0560.aspx?i=3e038068-59c9-4815-b12d-655be7bbc140.

48] – There is usually a silent vigil on Fridays, from 5 to 6 PM, sponsored by Homewood Friends and Stony Run Meetings, outside the Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St.  The next scheduled vigil is on Sept. 23. Black Lives Matter.

49] – There is an opportunity to participate in ballroom dancing, usually every Friday of the month, in the JHU ROTC Bldg. at  8 PM.  Turn south on San Martin Dr. from the intersection of Univ. Parkway and 39th St.  Drive on campus by taking the third left turn. The next dance will be Sept. 23. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

50] – September 24 is the 20th anniversary of the opening for signature of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. United Nations.

51] – On Saturday, Sept. 24 through Monday, Sept.-26, go to the National Iranian American Council, Leadership Conference. Hyatt Regency Hotel, 400 New Jersey Ave. NW, WDC. Visit http://leadership.niacouncil.org/.

52] – Joshua Harris for Mayor is looking for volunteers.  Speak with 10,000 voters through phone calls and door knocks over the course of the campaign. If you're able to come knock doors, please sign up to do so. If you are unable to, please sign up to make phone calls. Go to http://www.harrisforbaltimore.com/get_involved or email Volunteer@harrisforbaltimore.com.  The next session is on Sat., Sept. 24 from 9 AM to noon, followed by Sun., Sept. 25 from noon to 4 PM.

53] – On Sat., Sept. 24 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, march for a Culture of Peace. Show that we are one community opposed to violence, murder, poverty, racism, and exclusion. The March will begin at Judy Johnson Memorial Park, Third and DuPont Sts., Wilmington 19805.  It will end in a rally, followed by a Day of Peace.  This is sponsored by the Movement for a Culture of Peace.  Email march@peaceweekdelaware.org

54] – 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.

55] --- Pace e Bene's Campaign Nonviolence this year involves more than 500 groups and nonviolent actions around the country between September 18 -25, including the Brandywine Peace Community's DECLARE PEACE Demonstration on Sat., Sept. 24 from noon to 2 PM at the Drone War Command Center in Horsham, PA., located at the Horsham PA Air Guard Station, Route 611/Easton Road and County Line Road, Horsham, PA. 

End Drone Terror; Say NO to the Drone War Command Center in Horsham. This demo continues the last Saturday of the month, noon to 2 PM. Bring umbrella in the event of rain, sunblock, and cold water. Banners, props, and signs provided. Visit www.brandywinepeace.com/events or call 610-544-1818.

56] – Little Friends for Peace invites you to the 7th Annual Cruisin' the Potomac tickets on sale! On Sat., Sept. 24 from 7:30 to 10:30 PM at the Potomac Riverboat Company, Old Town Alexandria, 211 N. Union St. #250, Alexandria, VA 22314.  Buy tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/7th-annual-cruisin-the-potomac-boat-cruise-tickets-26772822232.

57] – There is a furnished room for rent with private bath in a nice, quiet Lutherville neighborhood, not far from the light rail and 83, 15 minutes from Towson Town Center and various shops on York Road.  Rent, which includes cable, Wi-Fi, kitchen privileges and the use of washer and dryer, is $650 a month and the splitting of gas & electric bill. Call Lynn at 410-960-3008.

58] -- The Washington Peace Center has a progressive calendar & activist alert! Consider signing up to receive its weekly email: info@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

59] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

60] -- Can you use any book shelves? Contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

61] -- Join an extraordinary global campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons: http://www.globalzero.org/sign-declaration. A growing group of leaders around the world is calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and a majority of the global public agrees.  This is an historic window of opportunity.  With momentum already building in favor of Zero, a major show of support from people around the world could tip the balance. When it comes to nuclear weapons, one is one too many.

62] – A Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981. Go to http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282.

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/.

“One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan