Baltimore Activist Alert November 20 – December 4, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert November 20 – December 4, 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] Two friends are looking to buy a house in Baltimore

5] “Protecting East African Elephants” – Nov. 20

6] Film "Fracking Western Maryland?" – Nov. 20

7] Hear a Trialogue – Nov. 20

8] Stand up for the Montgomery Way - Nov. 20

9] Pentagon Vigil – Nov. 21

10] Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Breakfast – Nov. 21

11] Charm City Farm folks going to Standing Rock -- Nov. 21

12] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Nov. 21 – Nov. 25

13] Next Four Years of U.S. Engagement in South Asia – Nov. 21

14] Takoma Park Community Mobilization -- Nov. 21 & Dec. 4

15] Human Trafficking talk – Nov. 21

16] Green Party meeting – Nov. 21

17] Protest Trumpism meeting – Nov. 21

18] Children's Rights Day – Nov. 22

19] Remember JFK – Nov. 22

20] Peace vigil in Philadelphia – Nov. 22

21] Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" – Nov. 22

22] Power of speculative fiction – Nov. 22

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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] – 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.

5] – 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 Sun., Nov. 20, the platform address is “Protecting East African Elephants.” The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organizations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa. It’s activities include anti-poaching, safe guarding the natural environment, enhancing community awareness, addressing animal welfare issues, providing veterinary assistance to animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, along with other species that can ultimately enjoy a quality of life in wild terms when grown.

At the heart of the DSWT’s conservation activities is the Orphans’ Project, which has achieved world-wide acclaim through its hugely successful elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation program. The Orphans’ Project exists to offer hope for the future of Kenya’s threatened elephant and rhino populations as they struggle against the threat of poaching for their ivory and horn, and the loss of habitat due to human population pressures and conflict, deforestation and drought. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org. 

6] – The Baltimore Green Forum will not host an event in November. ​Instead, it is recommended that you attend a screening of “Fracking Western Maryland? On Sun., Nov. 20 at 1 PM at Homewood Meeting (dining room), 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218.  State Sen. Jim Brochin and CCAN staffer Brooke Harper are scheduled to be there for the Q&A. ​In Maryland, the fracking moratorium will expire in October of 2017. The Maryland legislative session will begin on Jan. 11, 2017, and there will be organizing to pass a law banning fracking.  Talk about strategy, and which legislators are key.  Sadly, the chair of the committee that writes this bill (it's been tried for several years now) has always prevented it from getting out of committee. If it gets out of committee for a vote by the full Senate, chances are GOOD it will PASS. The public opinion needle has moved recently to the AGAINST FRACKING position. Email baltimoregreenforum@gmail.com.

7] – On Sun., Nov. 20 from 2 to 4 PM at 3401 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21216-3024, come to the launch of the new 2016-2017 Trialogue Series, hosted by Rabbi Jessy Gross, Imam Tariq najee-Ullah, and Pastor Jim Hamilton! This first discussion will be hosted by Imam Tariq najee-Ullah, and will include a tour of the Muslim Community Center.  Donations of canned goods are a welcome addition to the Center's food pantry. RSVP to Noah Mitchel at nmitchel@baltjc.org or 410-542-4850. This talk is hosted by the Baltimore Jewish Council.

8] – Stand up for the Montgomery Way on Sun. Nov. 20 from 2:30 to 3:30 PM in Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. County leaders including County Executive Ike Leggett, Montgomery College president DeRionne Pollard, County Council members and other public officials will lead a rally responding to an outbreak of hateful incidents across the county following Donald Trump's Electoral College victory on Nov. 8. The threatening actions include racist graffiti on a bathroom wall at Sligo Creek Elementary School, and a white supremacist message ("Trump Nation. Whites Only") scrawled on a banner advertising Spanish language religious services at Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Hillandale.

9] – 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 Nov., 21, 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. 

10] – The Central Maryland Ecumenical Council’s 14th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Breakfast is a time to reach across faith lines to give thanks together and to work to build relationships. The Agus-Shehan Conversation Fighting Religious Bigotry And Building Allies will be discussed by Rabbi Daniel Burg (Beth Am Synagogue), Zainab Chaudry (Council of American Islamic Affairs) and Pastor Barry Hargrove (Progressive Baptist Convention).  The breakfast takes place on Mon., Nov. 21 at 8 AM at the Ednor II Building, 1050 E. 33rd St.  The suggested donation is $25.00, and the breakfast will be kosher and vegetarian.  Email cmec.reservations@gmail.com to reserve a space. Go to www.cmecouncil.org or call 410-344-7984.

11] – The Charm City Farm folks are going on their bus to Standing Rock on Mon, Nov. 21.  To support the group, go to http://www.charmcityfarms.org/standing-with-the-standing-rock-protectors/.

12] – 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.

13] -- Crisis Management, Strategic Partnerships, and the Next Four Years of U.S. Engagement in South Asia: A Luncheon Conversation with Manoj Joshi will happen on Mon., Nov. 21 from 12:30 to 2 PM at the Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, 8th Floor, WDC 20036. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdcgDe1S--5tfqG8khXnyklsNPkkltZps0CsU5NM6r0-jn8uw/viewform. Join the Stimson Center for a luncheon conversation with Manoj Joshi, a Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation. The discussion will focus on crisis management, strategic partnerships, and the next four years of U.S. engagement in South Asia following the 2016 presidential election. Joshi had a three-decade career in journalism with stints at the Times of India, the Hindustan Times, India Today, Mail Today, the Financial Express, and The Hindu. He was most recently a member of the Task Force on National Security chaired by Naresh Chandra to propose reforms in the security apparatus of the country and previously served on the National Security Advisory Board.

14] – A Takoma Park Community Mobilization will happen on Mon. Nov. 21 at 6:45 PM in Historic Takoma, 7328 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park 20912. READY TO WALK YOUR TALK?  A second meeting will occur on Sun., Dec. 4 at 4 PM at PINEY BRANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 7510 Maple Ave., Takoma Park.  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1824730207771014/. The call is to support ALL neighbors, oppose racism and hate, defend social programs, protect our immigrant neighbors, defend rights, civil liberties and democracy, save our planet, and more!

15] –   On Mon., Nov. 21from 7 to 9 PM at 5700 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore 21215-3930, come to a discussion on Human Trafficking. Go to www.associated.org. Join two local experts on human trafficking - Dr. Joyce Williams of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force and Captain Wes Fischer of the Baltimore Police Department for a discussion on the issue of human trafficking from the perspective of healthcare providers and law enforcement officials. Tickets are $10.

16] --  The Baltimore Green Party is meeting on Mon., Nov. 21 from 7 to 9 PM to get input and ideas from people who became involved with the Baltimore Green Party during the recent election season and others who have been involved for a long time. The meeting will take place at 1041 West Baltimore St., Baltimore 21223.  RSVP at http://www.baltimoregp.org/november_21_general_meeting?utm_campaign=updates_11_21&utm_medium=email&utm_source=bgp. Go to http://www.baltimoregp.org/.

17] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore will meet on Mon., Nov. 21 at 7:30 PM at Max’s residence.  The agenda will be about resisting the Trump Administration.  For example, we could plan a demonstration in Baltimore ASAP.  And we will discuss the upcoming resistance action scheduled to take place during the inauguration. RSVP at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski at verizon.net to get the address of the meeting site.

18] – Children's Rights Day-The Power of Culture to End Sexualized Violence Against Children will happen at the House of Sweden, 2900 K St. NW, WDC 20007, on Tues., Nov. 22 from 10 AM to 3 PM. Sexualized violence against children occurs everywhere in the world. It is globally condemned and yet there is no sign that these crimes are decreasing. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is very clear. Target 16.2 states: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” To succeed, we have to collaborate on all levels – nationally, regionally and globally - using different strategies and methods.

Change Attitude, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Swedish Institute, Embassy of Sweden and Save the Children Sweden have the pleasure to invite you to a conference about Swedish and American perspectives on strategies to prevent sexualized violence against children. In particular, the focus will be on the power of culture to inspire people to act to end one of the world’s worst human rights violations of today. Come to the House of Sweden for an engaging conversation on how to combat sexualized violence against children together!  Registration and coffee will start at 9:30 AM.  A photo ID is required for admission. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seminar-childrens-rights-day-the-power-of-culture-to-end-sexualized-violence-against-children-tickets-28589104782.

19] – Peaceably Assemble at the Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW (north/public terrace - facing Watergate), WDC 20566, on Tues., Nov. 22 from noon to 3 PM.  Without signs, speeches or entertainment, simply wear a "JFK Button" (provided for attendees), in petition for transparency from JFK to 9/11.  Go to www.JFKvigil.com.  Honor the memory of President Kennedy!

20] – 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 Nov. 22.  Call 215-426-0364.

21] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. join this ongoing vigil on Nov. 22  from 5:30 to 6:30  PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.

22] – Enjoy an evening of readings and discussion with Jason Harris and Su Sokol on the power of speculative fiction to aid social justice movements in imagining, organizing and building a better world on Tues., Nov. 22 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201. Harris, a 2015 Kimbilio Fiction fellow, is the editor of REDLINES: Baltimore 2028, as well as the author of the soon-to-be-released novel "Fly Girl." Sokol, a former housing attorney from Brooklyn, is a social rights advocate and activist living in Montréal. Her debut novel, "Cycling to Asylum," was nominated for the Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic.  Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.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