Baltimore Activist Alert - March 3 & 4, 2017

49] Redistricting Reform – Mar. 3

50] Peace vigil at White House – Mar. 3

51] WIB peace vigil – Mar. 3

52] Black Lives Matter vigil -- Mar. 3

53] Film SHADOWS OF LIBERTY – Mar. 3

54] Coalition of Immokalee Workers Fundraiser -- Mar. 3

55] Defending Immigrant Rights -- Mar. 3

56] Film “Generation Revolution” – Mar. 3

57] Film JIMMY’S HALL – Mar. 3

58] Ballroom Dancing – Mar. 3

59] Archdiocesan Social Ministry Convocation – Mar. 4

60] Culture of Peace Forum – Mar. 4

61] BE MORE THAN A WITNESS! -- Mar. 4

62] Fix the Gap – Mar. 4

63] Stop Exelon Rate Hikes – Mar. 4

64] Protest Trump at the Russian Embassy – Mar. 4

65] West Chester peace vigil – Mar. 4

66] Film COST PER SQUARE FOOT– Mar. 4

67] Join CODEPINK

68] Support the Wheeler family who lost their time in a fire

69] Sign up with Washington Peace Center

70] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

71] Do you need any book shelves?

72] Join the Global Zero campaign

73] Join the Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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49] – On Fri., Mar. 3 at 1 PM, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs committee and the House Rules committee will hear a suite of bills related to redistricting reform. Common Cause strongly supports the legislation introduced by Governor Hogan, the Redistricting Reform Act of 2017 (SB 252/HB 385). The legislation is based on recommendations from the Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission, and include an independent commission for drawing district lines, standards for our Congressional districts, and greater transparency in the process.

   The Governor is having a press conference in the Governor’s Reception Room in the State House at 10. Then there will be a press briefing in Lawyer’s Mall at noon. Call Common Cause at 410-268-7470.

50] – On Fri., Mar. 3 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. 

51] – On Fri., Mar. 3 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. 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. Just send an email that you need a ride [mailto:wibbaltimore@peacepath911.org].  Peace signs will be available. 

52] – There is usually a silent vigil on Fridays, from 5 to 6 PM, sponsored by Homewood Friends Meeting, outside the Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St.  The next scheduled vigil is on Mar. 3. Black Lives Matter.

53] -- The Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee 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 5 PM Black Lives Matter vigil, there will be a potluck dinner. At 7:15 PM, from January through March, a DVD will be shown with a discussion to follow.  There is no charge, and refreshments will be available.  This series is named DOCUMENTARIES TO BOLSTER OUR RESOLVE IN THE TIME OF DONALD TRUMP.

On Mar. 3 see SHADOWS OF LIBERTY [United Kingdom, 2012], directed by Jean-Philippe Tremblay, which examines the impact of corporate media and concentration of media ownership on journalism and the news. It is based on the book “The Media Monopoly” by Ben Bagdikian. The film’s title is borrowed from a Thomas Paine quote: "When men yield up the privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits the horizon." The film portrays mainstream media, as controlled by fewer and larger conglomerates that exercise extraordinary political, social and economic power. Enjoy interviews with Amy Goodman, Julian Assange, Chris Hedges, Daniel Ellsberg and others.  Call 410-323-1607 or email mobuszewski [at] verizon.net for further information.   

54] – The Coalition of Immokalee Workers Spring Action Fundraiser will happen at 3102 Mt. Pleasant St. NW, WDC on Fri., Mar. 3 from 6 to 9 PM. DC Fair Food will have a fun night of live music, dancing, raffles & guest speakers for a great cause! There will be guest speakers from Sanctuary DMV, District Luv & Many Languages One Voice, as well as raffle items from Yoga District, Dischord Records. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has announced their spring action! The Return to Human Rights Tour! In the tradition of the Taco Bell Truth Tours that successfully mobilized tens of thousands of consumers nationwide toward victory in the Campaign for Fair Food’s seminal Taco Bell Boycott – and on the heels of last year’s successful Workers’ Voice Tour – farmworkers from Immokalee will join countless allies on this year’s Return to Human Rights Tour to take the Wendy’s Boycott deep into Wendy’s territory throughout the Midwest and the Southeast over the course of two weeks. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/355610958165733/.

55] – The PSL Community Forum topic is Defending Immigrant Rights and Building the Resistance, 617 Florida Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Mar. 3 at 7 PM.  With escalating attacks on immigrants, including ICE raids and terror across the country, how is resistance built? Join the Party for Socialism and Liberation in a discussion of the Trump agenda and building the resistance. Across the country, people are asking the question, where do we go from here? Come together to look to what the future of the resistance movement will be against racism, sexism, xenophobia, anti-LGBTQ bigotry, and all that Trump and his administration represents. This event will feature a presentation and political and practical discussion about the future of the movement in the United States. Call 202-234-2828 or email dc@pslweb.org or visit PSLweb.org.

56] – Positive Force presents the D.C. premiere of “Generation Revolution” at St. Stephen's Church, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, on Fri., Mar. 3 from 7 to 9 PM. This powerful documentary following the new generation of black and brown activists--the UK’s #BlackLivesMatter story--will tour key cities in the USA with co-directors Cassie Quarless and Usayd Younis. It follows a trio of organizations as well as the young Londoners that are part of them. The film chronicles the evolution of its characters as they experience personal and political awakenings, breakthroughs, and—at times disillusionment. The film is 70 minutes and will be followed by a Q & A with co-directors Cassie Quarless and Usayd Younis with local activists. Tickets are $5 to $10 on a sliding scale.  Contact Mark at wearefamilydc@gmail.com or 202-487-8698 or Positive Force DC at dcpositiveforce@gmail.com or www.positiveforcedc.org.

57] – On Fri., Mar. 3 at 7 PM, come to the Free First-Friday Film @ the Peace Center of Delaware County, 1001 Old Sproul Rd., Springfield, PA to see JIMMY'S HALL [2015], directed by Ken Loach, and written by Paul Laverty.  Based on a true story by the director of THE HAND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY, the film tells the true story of Jimmy Gralton who is the only Irishman to have been deported from his native land after establishing a community dance hall that drew the ire of Irish Catholic Church leaders and conservative politicians. He was involved in the Irish Revolutionary Workers Group.  

In 1921 Jimmy built a dance hall in rural Ireland, where young people were invited to learn, argue, dream, and to dance. As the hall’s popularity grows along with its youthful rebellious spirit, Catholic Church leaders along with conservative politicians force Jimmy to flee and the hall to close. The screening is co-sponsored by the Brandywine Peace Community. For directions to the Peace Center of Delaware County, visit www.delcopeacecenter.org or call 484-574-1148. Doors open at 6:30 PM for light refreshments.

58] – 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 Mar. 3. Call Dave Greene at 410-599-3725.

59] – On Sat., Mar. 4 from 8:15 AM to 3:30 PM, come to the Baltimore Archdiocesan Social Ministry Convocation. This year’s theme is: “Racism and Economic Justice.” And this year’s keynote speaker is Rev. Andrew Foster Connors (Pastor, Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church and Co-Chair, Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD). The Convocation is held at Seton-Keough High School from 8:15 am until 3:30 pm. There are several workshops offered--including the regular workshop sponsored by Pax Christi Baltimore. This year that workshop will be presented by Ralph Moore and will explore the “Riverside Church” speech (Beyond Vietnam) given by Rev. Martin Luther King. Jr. (the 50th Anniversary of the speech). Registration is $10, and it includes lunch. Visit the Pax Christi Baltimore table, where you can get a free Lenten reflection booklet (while supplies last).  Go to http://www.cchdbaltimore.org/.

60] – On Sat., Mar. 4 from 9 to 11 AM, there is a Movement for a Culture of Peace Forum INSIDE: Right and Wrong in Delaware Prisons. The panel includes Kathleen  MacRae, Executive Director, ACLU Delaware; James Johnson, Chair, DE House Corrections Commission; John Flynn, New Beginnings/Next Step; Coley Harris, Activist and Returned Citizen. It is happening at Saints Andrew and Matthew, 701 N. Shipley St., Wilmington, DE.   See https://www.facebook.com/wilmingtonpeace/. 

61] – BE MORE THAN A WITNESS! This is an Orientation on Sanctuary and Immigrant Rights on Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th St. NW, WDC, on Sat., Mar. 4 from 10 AM to noon. Come to Foundry's Community Commons space, where members of the Sacred Resistance team who have been involved in local sanctuary organizing (defending immigrant rights) will give an orientation and training about how to plug in to these efforts. At the training, you’ll receive background about the attacks on immigrant communities and a menu of options about how you can help as a volunteer. This training is primarily for Foundry members but please feel free to invite others. RSVP at https://docs.google.

62] – On Sat., Mar. 4 at 10 AM, Rally for Education funds in Baltimore’s Rash Field. This advocacy campaign is to address the nearly $130M budget shortfall facing City Schools. The goal is simple: get the Governor to release funds from the supplemental budget to #FixtheGap. Call 410.268.7470.

63] – It was said Exelon’s takeover of Pepco would mean District residents would pay more for electricity. Sad to say, Pepco has asked for a massive $76.766 million rate increase. The Public Service Commission will be holding several public hearings about the matter. This is an opportunity to make your voice heard and let Commissioners know we’re already sick of Exelon’s bad deal.  

If you would like to testify at the community hearings, you need to contact the Commission Secretary by the close of business three business days prior to the date of the hearing by calling (202) 626-5150.The third hearing will be on Sat., Mar. 4 at 11 AM at D.C. Public Service Commission, Hearing Room, 1325 G St. NW, 8th Floor, WDC 20005.

64] -- Triumph over Trump is an opportunity to Protest Trump at the Russian Embassy, 2650 Wisconsin Ave. NW, WDC, on Sat., Mar. 4 from 11 AM to 2 PM.  This is a peaceful protest of Russia's illegal tampering in a US election, and related issues.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/1835965223285852/.

65] – 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.

66] – On Sat., Mar. 4 at 6 PM, see the documentary COST PER SQUARE FOOT at the Impact Hub Baltimore on North Ave. Circles of Voices (CoV) will focus on the true costs of housing discrimination. Go to https://www.facebook.com/impacthubbalt/.

67] – There is still room available from time to time at the CODEPINK activist house in DC. Perhaps you want to join the Women’s March on March 8, International Women’s Day? Or for the Scientists March on April 22 or the Climate March on April 29? Contact Paki at pakiwieland@gmail.com.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   68] – Activists Joyce and Tim Wheeler now live in Sequim, Washington, but their son, Morgan and his family have lived in the Wheeler’s Baltimore home, 816 Beaumont Avenue for some time.  Tragically, at 3 AM on February 4, the home was burned beyond recognition.  Morgan was able to get his family out, but the house and its contents are totally destroyed.  Morgan's daughter, Erin, has created a Go Fund Me page which you can access below.  Anything you are able to contribute to support Morgan and his family would be greatly appreciated. Go to

https://www.gofundme.com/a7y7m-fire-leaves-family-with-nothing?ssid=904794688&pos=2.

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

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

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

72] -- 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.

73] – 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