Baltimore Activist Alert November 27 – January 20, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert November 27 – January 20, 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] “The Ethics of Sports: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” – Nov. 27

6] After the Election: A Path to Hope and Peace – Nov. 27

7] Pentagon Vigil – Nov. 28

8] Buy a Maryland SPCA 2017 Animal Calendar – Nov. 28

9] HEWLETT-PACKARD BDS ACTION -- Nov. 28

10] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Nov. 28 – Dec. 2

11] Rethinking America's Middle East Alliances After Obama – Nov. 29

12] State of Pakistan-China relations – Nov. 29

13] Advancing Verification Science to Monitor for Nuclear Explosions – Nov. 29

14] Peace vigil in Philadelphia – Nov. 29

15] Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" – Nov. 29

16] Vigil for a $15 Minimum Wage – Nov. 29

17] See the film “In the Image” – Nov. 29

18] Ethics of Genome Technology – Nov. 29

19] See the film “Groundswell Rising” – Nov. 29

20] Film THE GREAT INVISIBLE – Dec. 2

21] Resist Trumpism – Jan. 20

-------

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. 27, the platform address is “The Ethics of Sports: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.”  As a life-long sports fan, Hugh Taft-Morales is challenged to address the many ethical issues that arise around athletics in the United States. His experience playing football, hockey, and lacrosse, led him to believe that it all helped him effectively channel his aggression. But is this just an excuse to justify his current habit of watching sports? Are some sports less ethical than others? What are the greatest ethical issues surrounding sports: The violence? The abuse of college athletes as a tool for raising revenue? The diversion of resources away from more important priorities such as the health and education of our children? What’s wrong with being a fanatical sports fan? Taft-Morales 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. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org. 

6] – On the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 27, attend the Annual Advent Prayer Service from 5 to 6 PM with a reception with refreshments to follow at the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart Chapel on West Joppa Road at Chestnut St. in Towson.  The theme is After the Election: A Path to Hope and Peace with Mary Slicher, executive director of Project PLASE.  A free will offering is requested. Call 443-846-5207. 

7] – 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. 

8] –The Maryland SPCA 2017 Pet Calendar is hot off the press and now available for purchase. This adorably cute, full-color, wall calendar features more than 150 photos of dogs and cats submitted by their beloved humans. Each calendar is just $20 including MD tax, plus shipping and handling (when purchased online). If you are purchasing the Calendar as a gift, you'll have the option to send the recipient an eCard to let them know. With your calendar purchase, you’ll help support the pets at the MD SPCA.  On Cyber Monday, Nov. 28, make your online shopping more meaningful by purchasing items that will help the homeless animals at the Maryland SPCA. There is a variety of items that will delight you, your friends and family members who love four-legged friends. Apparel, tote bags, pillows, wall art, MD SPCA 2017 Pet Calendars and more to choose from. Visit mdspca.org/shop or http://www.mdspca.org/updates/detail/2017-pet-calendar.

9] – On Mon., Nov. 28 from 4:30 to 6 PM join a HEWLETT-PACKARD BDS ACTION at HP Government Affairs Offices, 709 G St. NW, WDC 20001 (1 block from Verizon Center).  Join in demanding that HP divest from all contracts with Israel that deny Palestinian human rights, enable Apartheid policies, and violate international law. The closest Metro stop is Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Yellow, Green Lines).  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/571200806410731/. Sign on to the HP Boycott petition at tinyurl.com/stophp.  Hewlett Packard designs technologies to support racist policies in Israel and the US.

10] – 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.

11] --Rethinking America's Middle East Alliances After Obama is the topic of discussion at the Center for American Progress, 1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor, WDC, on Tues., Nov. 29 from 12:30 to 1 PM.  The next president will have to rebalance and rebuild America's strained alliances across the Middle East after eight years of upheaval. U.S. relationships have been buffeted by wars in Syria and Yemen, ongoing flare-ups between regional powers Iran and Saudi Arabia, and growing mistrust in the wake of the Arab uprisings between Washington and regional governments, including mainstays like Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Middle East Institute and The Century Foundation are pleased to host an expert panel to consider how the U.S. can work with its allies to shape a new strategy and stabilize relations with the Arab world. Should the United States redefine its interests and priorities in the Middle East? What is the "right size" strategic commitment to the region?

12] – On Tues., Nov. 29 from 2:30 to 4 PM, join a discussion on the state of Pakistan-China relations with Hussain Nadim, senior Pakistan expert at United States Institute for Peace, and Yun Sun, Senior Associate with the East Asia program at the Stimson Center, Michael Krepon, and Sameer Lalwani, at the Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, 8th Floor, WDC 20036. The conversation will focus on the strategic objectives and core drivers of the relationship, expectations in the near to medium term, and how other players such as the United States, Russia, Japan, and India are likely to react. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqpD3R0GLHCNXYuKXmfnTtNjZ9BTBDDgHErNKsrSITz4vY2Q/viewform.

13] – On Tues., Nov. 29 from 4 to 6 PM at George Washington University, Lindner Commons, Sixth Floor, 1957 E St. NW, WDC, Lassina Zerbo, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, and four other speakers will address "Advancing Verification Science to Monitor for Nuclear Explosions: The Contribution of the CTBT." RSVP at  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cZuAHaDU8W6UOTkBTAIfNV5mNZcM7zrZI6NF9h_oq3U/viewform?edit_requested=true.

14] – 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. 29.  Call 215-426-0364.

15] – Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" each Tuesday at 33rd & North Charles Sts. join this ongoing vigil on Nov. 29  from 5:30 to 6:30  PM. Call Max at 410-323-1607.

16] – Join a Solidarity Vigil for a $15 Minimum Wage on Tues., Nov. 29 at 6:30 PM with UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO and our friends and allies outside the Montgomery County Council Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville 20850, to hear the stories of local workers fighting for a fair wage and to demand a $15 minimum wage in Montgomery County by 2020. RSVP http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5483/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=84656.

17] --  On Tues., Nov. 29 at 7 PM at the CINEMA ART THEATER, 17701 Dartmouth Dr., Unit 2, Lewes, DE 19958, see the film “In the Image,” which explores the daily lives of Palestinian women living in the occupied West Bank. Call  (302) 645-9095.

18] – On Tues., Nov. 29 at 7:30 PM at Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, come to the BALTIMORE SCIENCE CAFE: EXPLORING GENOME EDITING TECHNOLOGY.  The conversation will be about CRISPR, the hot new genome editing technology on the block. It makes inserting, deleting or modifying genes cheap, quick, and simple. This has been an incredible boon to biomedical scientists, who can create animals and cells with targeted changes for both basic and therapeutic research. Clinicians are also looking at CRISPR technology for use in treating disease. Dr. Joel Pomerantz, an immunology researcher, and Dr. Debra Mathews, a clinical ethicist, will hold a panel conversation on the future of CRIPSR to discuss the many questions about the ethics and impact of genome editing. Check out Project Bridge at http://www.projbridge.com/.  Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.  

19] –   See the film “Groundswell Rising” on Tues., Nov 29 at  7:30 PM, hosted by the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club at the Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Ave, Silver Spring 20901. Contact Zack Gerdes at zack.gerdes@sierraclub.org or (301) 717-1972. Be inspired by the story of a community that took on this fight! Meet like-minded folks, learn more about this dangerous fossil fuel drilling method, and find out how you can take action today to stop fracking in Maryland tomorrow! Sign the petition to ban fracking: https://www.addup.org/campaigns/frack-free-md/petition/no-fracking-way. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/207851439622120/.

20] –  The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee, Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee of Homewood and Stony Run Meetings and Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility are continuing the FILM & SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS DVD SERIES.  The DVDs will be shown at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218, usually on the First Friday.  After the Black Lives Matter vigil, there will be a potluck dinner. At 7:15 PM, from September through December, a DVD will be shown with a discussion to follow.  There is no charge, and refreshments will be available.  The series theme is REACTING TO WARS ON CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS, PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

On Fri., Dec. 2 see THE GREAT INVISIBLE [USA, 2014.] directed by Margaret Brown.  It is a documentary about the oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.  On April 10, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, killing 11 workers on the rig, and dumping what amounted to almost 5 million barrels of crude into the gulf. The leak continued without interruption for 87 days, devastating the Gulf coastline, its wildlife, its beaches and its entire fishing industry (the main source of income for many in the bayou). BP's lack of response to the initial spill brought ferocious criticism to the company, and there was a possibility of fines of up to $18 billion. Brown's documentary personalizes the well-publicized event, bringing us close to those affected by it, fishermen, survivors and seafood workers: the "invisible" victims of the massive catastrophe. Call 410-366-1637 or email mobuszewski [at] verizon.net for further information

21] – Join the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance in an Inaugural Action on January 20, 2017.  According to Forbes Magazine, Nov. 9, 2016, “President Trump Is Likely To Boost U.S. Military Spending By $500 Billion To $1 Trillion.” So we need a strong presence in D.C. for the inauguration to call for an end to all warfare, including drone warfare.  NCNR is organizing an action of nonviolent civil resistance on the day of the inauguration, Friday, January 20.  Some of us will be risking arrest, and we need others there in support and solidarity.  We will meet in the lower level food court at Union Station at 10 AM on the day of the inauguration for our final planning meeting.  We will have a final planning meeting knowing we have to keep things fluid because there is no certainty as to what will happen that day.

 The idea will be to process as near as possible to a checkpoint and make us visible to the crowds.  Then perhaps we can do a die-in.  We will have model drones, coffins, signs, banners, and leaflets to get our message across.  If you have ideas on messaging, please share over email.  Again, this will be a very fluid experience, and we will come together and make decisions as we go along. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-323-1607; 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