Baltimore Activist Alert - April 5 - 6, 2017

33] North Korea: Policy Options – Apr. 5

34] Close Wells Fargo accounts -- Apr. 5

35] Remember David Culp – Apr. 5

36] Direction of Pacem In Terris -- Apr. 5

37] SURJ DC Truth Circle – Apr. 5

38] Bystander Intervention Training – Apr. 5

39] Film "3000 Nights" – Apr. 5

40] Human Trafficking – Apr. 5

41] March on Dover for Prison Reform – Apr. 6

42] Nuclear Early Warning -- Apr. 6

43] Physicians for a National Health Program fundraiser – Apr. 6

44] Freedom Plow Award Ceremony – Apr. 6

45] Big Money in Elections – Apr. 6

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33] –  North Korea: Policy Options to Confront an Imminent Threat is an on-the-record expert panel examining recent North Korea nuclear developments and policy options the U.S., China, South Korea, and Japan can pursue to address the threat. It will occur on Wed., Apr. 5 from 1 to 2:30 PM at the Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW, 8th Floor, WDC 20036.  RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScx3ykAajgB_eLgruoAJghAiLu7XMFOjvvMtWKDMbfZBKkWhQ/viewform.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has named North Korea “an imminent threat” during his inaugural trip to East Asia. As Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping prepare for their first summit since Trump took office, how to facilitate effective cooperation between the U.S. and China to deal with the escalating danger of North Korea will be a key priority for the two leaders. Join the Stimson Center and The Asian Institute for Policy Studies for an on-the-record discussion examining the challenge posed by North Korea. The expert panel will explore recent nuclear developments as well as assess policy options the U.S., China, South Korea, and Japan can pursue to address the threat. 

34] – DCReInvest is calling for a Rally to Close Wells Fargo Accounts, hosted by 350 DC and Rising Hearts, at 801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC 20004, on Wed., Apr. 5 from 4 to 5 PM.  Join DC Re(sponsible) Investment Coalition: #DCReInvest as the group continues to support and cheer on several fellow community members in closing their Wells Fargo accounts. This action is part of the larger call for DC and its communities to end their relationships with DAPL investors, starting with Wells Fargo.  Last week the D.C. City Council At-Large Councilmember David Grosso introduced the “sense of the council” resolution, and was supported by Council members Brianne Nadeau, Elissa Silverman, Charles Allen, Vincent Gray and Anita Bonds. The resolution cited Wells Fargo’s investment in the Dakota Access Pipeline, its lending to private prisons and high-profile payouts to settle race discrimination and customer service allegations. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/265826780510704/.

35] -- On Wed., Apr. 5 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM attend the  memorial to celebrate the life of David Culp at Mott House, 122 Maryland Ave. NE, WDC, A Quaker Memorial Meeting for worship, all are welcome, followed by a reception at 6 PM.  David’s brother, sister and sister in law will fly into town for this gathering. RSVP at http://act.fcnl.org/event/celebration-life-david-culp/103/signup.

36] – On Wed., Apr. 5 at 6 PM enjoy dinner, and at 7 PM the program will start.  What is the most important issue for Pacem In Terris to work on? What will make a difference? What is Pacem in Terris doing? These questions will be explored by Medard Gabel, executive director of Pacem in Terris.  Go to http://depaceminterris.org/.

37] – There is a SURJ DC Truth Circle at All Souls Unitarian, 1500 Harvard St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Apr. 5 6:30 to 8:30 PM.  SURJ DC is a local chapter of Showing up for Racial Justice - a national network of white people organizing ourselves to stand up for racial justice and combat white supremacy.  The Truth Circle (popularized by Joanna Macy) is a community ritual developed via workshop setting in former East Germany on the anniversary of reunification. This ritual holds the space for collective grieving and bearing witness to one another’s pain. Bringing grief and emotional pain to a shared space in this manner has the capacity to build community, strengthen our ability to maintain emotional presence, and clarify intention to work towards collective liberation.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/429965914018823/.

38] -- DC Trainers Network Resistance Training Series hosts a Bystander Intervention Training at St. Stephen's Church, 1525 Newton St. NW, WDC, on Wed., Apr. 5 from 7 to 9 PM.  In 2016, there was a 62% increase in hate violence in DC. This workshop will teach creative, non-confrontational strategies for responding to incidents of harassment and de-escalate aggressive behavior. Learn about some concrete ways to respond to such incidents.  The DC Trainers’ Network monthly skillshare is a structured, interactive space where people can share skills and gain confidence in their training abilities and everybody is both a teacher and a learner. It strives to provide an inclusive practice space to experiment with different approaches for learning and teaching.  The nearest Metro stop is Green Line (Columbia Heights).  Email Darakshan Raja at Darakshan@washingtonpeacecenter.org.

39] – A "3000 Nights" film screening will take place at American University, Spring Valley Building, 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Room 100, WDC, on Wed., Apr. 5 from 7 to 9:30 PM.  Join American University Students for Justice in Palestine for a film about a young Palestinian schoolteacher forced to give birth to her son in an Israeli prison. The film has been nominated for awards in the Dubai International Film Festival and the London Film Festival. It also won an award in 2016 in the Carthage Film Festival. Tickets available through https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3000-nights-movie-screening-hosted-by-au-students-for-justice-in-palestine-tickets-32638379271.  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/803146466492719/.

40] -- The elements of human trafficking can leave a profound effect on victims. Estimates of trafficking victims nationally range from 14,000 to more than 300,000 generating approximately 31.6 billion dollars yearly – worldwide. The ability to identify victims remains a challenge since there is no common stereotype; however, commonalities exist to suggest that identification and prevention can be accomplished. Once identified victims are in need of immediate safety followed by resources for short term and long-term needs.  Attend a seminar on Thurs., Apr. 6 from 10 AM to noon, which will discuss general indicators for victims of human trafficking, risk factors that make youth vulnerable to trafficking, roles of law enforcement, social workers, and health providers and more. Presented by Joyce P Williams, DNP, FAAN, Assistant Professor, Nursing Graduate and Professional Studies, Stevenson University, the workshop will be at Maryland Hospital Association, 6820 Deerpath Road, Elkridge 21075.  Contact Audrey Bergin at mdhccadv@gmail.com. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-comprehensive-approach-to-human-trafficking-for-health-professionals-registration-31029537181.

41] -- On Thurs., Apr. 6 from 11:45 AM to 1:30 PM, March on Dover for Prison Reform, starting at Legislative Hall and ending at the Governor's Mansion.  The march is hosted by A. Philip Randolph Institute Delaware Chapter and will start from the Canaan Baptist Church of Delaware, 3011 New Castle Ave., New Castle 19720.  Contact Nakishia W. Bailey at 302.354.9570 or drkishbailey@gmail.com.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1369854656418599/.

42] – On Thurs., Apr.  6 from noon to 1:15 PM, Jaganath Sankaran, Center for International Security Studies at Maryland, will address "Nuclear Early Warning: The President's 3 AM Phone Call" at the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland, University of Maryland School of Public Policy, 1203 Van Munching Hall, College Park 20742.  Call 301-405-7601.  Visit http://cissm.umd.edu/events/cissm-global-forum-nuclear-early-warning-presidents-3-am-phone-call.

Sankaran is a Research Scholar at the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland. He works on problems that lie at the intersection of science & technology and international security. While at CISSM, Sankaran will work on two projects. He is currently researching the growing military capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region and is working on a book project on "measuring military power for strategy and policy formulation." As part of this project, Sankaran will spend two months in Japan and two more in China doing field research. He has been awarded the 2015 Abe Fellowship to support this research project. Sankaran's second project focuses on nuclear postures and strategic stability. He is studying the emerging nuclear deployments and postures of China, India and Pakistan and their interplay. He is also examining the effect of U.S. policies of Asian nuclear stability. In related work, Sankaran also has an active interest in missile defense. He is part of a joint U.S.-Russian National Academies study on missile defense cooperation. Email cissm@umd.edu.

43] – On Thurs., Apr. 6 from 6:30 to 9 PM, the Maryland chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program is holding a dinner fundraiser at The Turn House, 11130 Willow Bottom Dr., Columbia 21044. The speaker is Dr. Carol Pars, the current president of national PNHP.  RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/391824574526024/.  The cost is $52. Dr. Paris is a recently retired psychiatrist who spent over 25 years in private practice, much of it in Maryland. She has been a tireless, outspoken and humorous activist and advocate for a national single payer healthcare system. 

44] – The 2017 Freedom Plow Award Ceremony is happening at the Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I St. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Apr. 6 from 6:30 to 8 PM. This award recognizes and honors a poet or poetry collective doing innovative and transformative work at the intersection of poetry and social change. See http://www.splitthisrock.org/programs/upcoming-events/.

45] – Big Money in Politics will have a hearing at the American University Ward-Circle Building, Room 1, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC, on Thurs., Apr. 6 from 7 to 9 PM.   The US Public Interest Research Group, along with The Roosevelt Institute, AU Student Government, AU College Democrats and the Kennedy Political Union are hosting a panel discussion on campaign finance reform, specifically the Fair Elections Act of 2017 that was introduced to the D.C. Council last week, the importance of making elections publicly funded, and what that would mean here in D.C. Connect on https://www.facebook.com/events/1834706003222114/.

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