Baltimore Activist Alert -- October 31 -- November 1, 2018

33] Ukraine and Russia – Oct. 31

34] Hand out Sierra Club endorsements at the polls – Oct. 31 & Nov. 1

35] Early Voting for Robbie Leonard for Senate – Oct. 31 & Nov. 1

36] Early Voting for Ben Jealous -- Oct. 31 & Nov. 1

37] Redlining – through Dec. 31

38] American Hate – Oct. 31

39] Democratization and Gender in Postcolonial South Korea – Oct. 31

40] Fundraiser to Stop Displacement – Oct. 31

41] Canvass Baltimore City – Oct. 31

42] Canvass for Question H – Oct. 31

43] Schmoozin' with Susan – Oct. 31

44] North Korea’s Overseas Workers – Nov. 1

45] Brokering Peace in Nuclear Environments -– Nov. 1

46] Putting it All Together -– Nov. 1

47] Marriott Tax Subsidies – Nov. 1

48] Doing Research and Activism in the Streets of Wilmington.  – Nov. 1

49] Food Rescue – Nov. 1

50] Conversation with Washington Post Editor Marty Baron -- Nov. 1

51] Phone bank in Anne Arundel County – Nov. 1

52] Struggle for Voting Rights – Nov. 1

53] Phone bank for Gun Sense Candidates – Nov. 1

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33] – On Wed., Oct. 31 from 9 AM to 5 PM, hear about the Ukraine-Russia Conflict: The Religious Dimension,  hosted by the United States Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave. NW, WDC 20037. Tickets are at www.usip.org. The Russian government is increasingly seeking to use the Russian Orthodox Church to expand its influence in Ukraine, but the Kremlin is now meeting heightened resistance from many Ukrainian religious communities and particularly from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate. The crisis now threatens to split the Ukrainian Church from its historic ties with Moscow, potentially adding a dangerous religious dimension to the simmering war between Russia and Ukraine.

In an all-day conference, Ukrainian religious leaders, scholars and others will examine the religious aspect of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on religious freedom in the country. Speakers will also delve into the ecclesiastical history of the relationship between the Russian and Ukrainian churches.  Register at https://www.usip.org/events/ukraine-russia-conflict-religious-dimension.  The event is co-hosted by The Religious Freedom Institute and The George Washington University. See https://www.facebook.com/events/1906395266107673/.

34] – Offering the Sierra Club Green Ballot is a very rewarding experience, and you can be sure you're helping Sierra Club Endorsed Candidates get into office!  People are genuinely interested in seeing this information. You can also make phone calls from home! Early Voting continues through November 1st, and Election Day is on November 6th. Sign up and join your local Sierra Club Greater Baltimore Group members at the polls by going to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelQEXnk4JlhRlxQvf4G5om_dB0IEgnI9g7ScrNEfGvL7-JVQ/viewformand. Email BaltimoreGroup@MDSierra.org.  

35] – Early Voting for Robbie Leonard for Senate continues on Wed., Oct. 31 and Thurs., Nov. 1 from 10 AM to 8 PM at Towson University, 8000 York Rd., Towson 21252.  Why wait until November 6th to cast your vote for Robbie Leonard as our next state senator? Avoid the lines and uncertainty of Election Day by voting early.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/162762121337885/.

36] – Early Voting for Ben Jealous continues on Wed., Oct. 31 and Thurs., Nov. 1 from 10 AM to 8 PM at Randallstown Community Center, 3505 Resource Drive, Randallstown 21133. Ben has plans to fully fund our schools, stop healthcare premiums and prescription drug costs from bankrupting our families and grow Maryland’s economy by investing in working families, raising wages, and reducing the sales tax. Republicans only win when we don’t show up so join Ben to cast your ballot during early vote! Get to https://www.facebook.com/events/281837462538585/.

37] – At 10 AM through December 31, check out Undesign the Redline exhibit, hosted by Choose Civility, HCLS Central Branch. Look for tickets at choosecivility.org.  This interactive exhibit explores the history of structural racism and classism, how these designs compounded each other from redlining maps until today, and how we can come together to undesign these systems with intentionality.  Tours, reading lists, events, and more details are at http://choosecivility.org/events/undesign-the-redline-exhibit. See https://www.facebook.com/events/444200232763081/.

38] – On Wed., Oct. 31 from noon to 1:30 PM, catch American Hate: Survivors Speak Out [Book talk with Arjun Sethi], hosted by Georgetown University Mosaic at Georgetown University, Arrupe Hall, 3700 O St. NW, WDC 20057.  The Bridge Initiative is excited to host civil rights lawyer, community activist, and GU Law Professor Arjun Sethi for a book talk on “American Hate: Survivors Speak Out.  Lunch will be served. In the book Sethi chronicles the stories of individuals affected by hate. In a series of powerful, unfiltered testimonials, survivors tell their stories in their own words and describe how the bigoted rhetoric and policies of the Trump administration have intensified bullying, discrimination, and even violence toward them and their communities. We hear from the family of Khalid Jabara, who was murdered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in August 2016 by a man who had previously harassed and threatened them because they were Arab American. Sethi brings us the story of Jeanette Vizguerra, an undocumented mother of four who took sanctuary in a Denver church in February 2017 because she feared deportation under Trump’s cruel immigration enforcement regime. Arjun Singh Sethi is a community activist, civil rights lawyer, writer, and law professor based in Washington, DC. See https://www.facebook.com/events/490600104775699/.

39] –  The George Washington Institute for Korean Studies, as part of its lecture series, is hosting a talk Democratization and Gender in Postcolonial South Korea from 1 to 2:30 PM on Wed., Oct. 31 at the Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University, 1957 E St. NW, Room 505, WDC 20052. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjLKuw5Hva3wsS7jwKHSXZfsG8c-Y1DGm86i_cOYQER9a2Hw/viewform. Visit gwiks@gwu.edu.

South Korea has achieved rapid economic development and democratization. On the one hand, Korean democracy seems to have taken root and stabilized. On the other hand, hate speech and violence against women and sexual minorities are continuously increasing.  Dr. Kim questions what democratization means for women in contemporary South Korea.  She explores its historical trajectory focusing on the new civil code that has gender discriminatory characteristics in postcolonial South Korea.

40] – On Wed., Oct. 31 from 4 to 7:30 PM, attend a Halloween Party Happy Hour Fundraiser to Stop Displacement, hosted by Baltimore Housing Roundtable at Joe Squared, 33 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201.  This is part of the Charm City Land Trusts Crowdfunding Campaign! Fifteen percent of the bar will be donated to the fundraiser. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes and more!  Many parts of Baltimore are seeing prices rising and the threat of residents being pushed out. The Charm City Land Trusts in East Baltimore is fundraising to redevelop a vacant lot to be transformed into permanently affordable housing. The neighborhood has seen displacement of Black residents because of the Johns Hopkins decade-long development agenda, and now residents are seeing home prices jump by as much as 500%. Community Land Trusts are a model for community ownership and participation in development decisions as well as for keeping home ownership and rental housing affordable. The crowdfunding campaign has already raised over $5,000 with a goal of raising $20,000!  See https://www.facebook.com/events/1793809024070473/.

41] -- Come help Canvass for the general election with Progressive Maryland Baltimore. Mobilizing the vote in Baltimore City and Baltimore County is one of the most crucial steps to getting Ben Jealous elected in November. Support other local progressive candidates on Wed., Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. The location is to be announced. CONTACT Michael Feldman at michael@progressivemaryland.org. 

42] – On Wed., Oct. 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, Canvass for Question H with Progressive Maryland & BmoreFairElex, hosted by Baltimore Fair Elections and Progressive Maryland Baltimore.  Meet at 36th and Roland Ave in Hampden, hosted by Baltimore Fair Elections and Join members of Progressive Maryland to canvass for Question H at the Hampden Halloweenfest! Clipboards and materials will be provided. Please do not wear any candidate or party apparel.  Email michael@progressivemaryland.org. Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/327782931363650/.

43] – On Wed., Oct. 31 from 7 to 9 PM, get with Schmoozin' with Susan, hosted by Jews United for Justice Campaign Fund in Pikesville. Tickets are at jufjcampaignfund.org. Jews around Maryland are hosting "Schmoozin' with Susan" programs to get to know Susie Turnbull, the endorsed candidate for Lieutenant Governor - and the running mate of Ben Jealous.  This event is being hosted at a private home in Pikesville - please register to get the address and learn about the plans that she and Jealous have to lead the state forward by investing in our teachers and fully funding our schools, investing in workers and small businesses to create an inclusive economy, defending the environment and fighting climate change, and moving money from mass incarceration towards affordable higher education and universal pre-K.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2203639119711085/.

44] – On Thurs., Nov. 1 from 9 to 11 AM, hear from Greg Scarlatoiu, Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, and Jason Arterburn, C4ADS, who will talk about "North Korea’s Overseas Workers: Human Rights and Proliferation Concerns" at the National Press Club, Fourth Estate Room, 529 14th St. NW, WDC 20045 14th St. NW, WDC. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-koreas-overseas-workers-human-rights-and-proliferation-concerns-tickets-51078762955.

45] –  On Thurs., Nov. 1 from noon to 1:15 PM, Moeed Yusuf, U.S. Institute of Peace, will tackle "Brokering Peace in Nuclear Environments: U.S. Crisis Management in South Asia," at the University of Maryland, Room 1107, Van Munching Hall, 7699 Mowatt Lane, College Park, MD. See http://cissm.umd.edu/events/cissm-global-forum-brokering-peace-nuclear-environments-us-crisis-management-south-asia.

46] -- On Thurs., Nov. 1 from 1 to 3:30 PM, attend the Workshop: Putting it All Together: Changing the System by Addressing Complex Problems through Collaboration at the Univ. of DE, Center for Community Research & Service, at Woodlawn Library, 2020 W. 9th St.,
Wilmington, DE. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/university-of-delaware-center-for-community-research-amp-service-8824898878.

47] -- On Thurs., Nov. 1 from 2 to 4 PM, get over to the Marriott Tax Subsidies - Baltimore City Council Hearing, hosted by Unite Here Local 7 at Baltimore City Hall, 100 Holliday St., Baltimore 21202.  Baltimore City subsidized the development of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront by providing a loan of $5 million at 2 percent simple interest over 25 years and a $5 million grant, funded by general obligations bonds. In addition to loans, Baltimore City has subsidized the development of the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront by signing a PILOT Agreement, under which the hotel is exempt from municipal real property taxes and instead pays the City $1 a year. Under this PILOT particular agreement, Baltimore City has foregone an estimated $47.6 million in tax revenue. City council is inviting the community to this informational hearing to discuss the subsidies that Baltimore has provided to the hospitality and tourism industry and best methods to ensure that any future subsidies to the industry are conditioned upon the recipients’ commitment to create quality jobs. The hearing is sponsored by City Council members Mary Pat Clarke, Bill Henry, President Young, Sharon Green Middleton, Brandon M. Scott, Kristerfer Burnett, Zeke Cohen, John T. Bullock, Shannon Sneed, Edward Reisinger, Ryan Dorsey, Leon F. Pinkett, III.  Workers at the Marriott Baltimore Waterfront are organizing for a fair process to decide on union representation. Marriott is the largest and richest hotel company on the planet, earning $22.9 Billion in revenue in 2017.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/1922071447840116/.

48] – On Thurs., Nov. 1 at 4 PM the Center for the Study of Diversity Colloquium is hosting Dr. Yasser Payne, Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice, who will discuss Street Participatory Action Research: Doing Research and Activism in the Streets of Wilmington. Dr. Payne's work deals with violence in Northside and Westside neighborhoods, including Black men and women's experiences with violence, well-being, police, employment, work or employment and reentry in Wilmington. His presentation will also underscore the use of the arts for action or activism in the Ewing Room, Perkins Center, U. of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716.

49] – On Thurs., Nov. 1 from 4 to 5 PM, hosted by Food Rescue Baltimore, every Thursday until Feb. 7, 2019 at the Dovecote Café, 2501 Madison Ave., Baltimore 21217.  Bring a bag, bring a friend, and take delicious, nutritious, free rescued food. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/178973439543642/.

50] –  On Thurs., Nov. 1 from 4:45 to 9 PM, hear A Conversation with Washington Post Editor Marty Baron, hosted by Philip Merrill College of Journalism - University of Maryland and The Diamondback in the Hoff Theater, 0110 Stamp Student Union, College Park 20742,.  Get tickets at UMDTickets.universitytickets.com.  First, enjoy a free movie screening of the critically acclaimed "Spotlight," which details The Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation — led by Marty Baron that exposed abuse by Catholic clergy and decades of cover-up by religious and government officials. At 7:15 PM, Baron will join a student-led Q&A. The conversation will cover a wide range of topics including the film, investigative journalism in an era of "fake news" and a president who refers to the media as the "enemy of the people." Tickets are free.  Focus on https://www.facebook.com/events/340637983339814/.

51] – On Thurs., Nov. 1 phonebank from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for Progressive Maryland endorsed candidates in Anne Arundel County. Join Take Action AAC for an evening of phone banking at a private residence in Annapolis. Bring a charged cell phone, a tablet or laptop, and a smile! When you RSVP, you will be emailed the location. CONTACT Lynne Davis at lmd1411@gmail.com.

52] – On Thurs., Nov. 1 from 7 to 8:30 PM, catch up with The Struggle for Voting Rights: From the Founding to the Present, hosted by the School of International Service, AU and College of Arts and Sciences at American University in the Abramson Family Founders Room, School of International Service, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20016.  As citizens head to the polls for midterm elections on Nov. 6, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The right to vote is regarded as one of the most sacrosanct of U.S. liberties. But is there a right to vote? Join Distinguished Professor of History Allan J. Lichtman and Ibram X. Kendi, professor of history and international relations and director of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center, for a conversation about America’s vote in the context of discrimination from the time of the country’s founding, the role of racism historically and today, and the modern-day suppression of voting by otherwise eligible American citizens. Lichtman is the author of many acclaimed books on U.S. political history. His most recent book is “The Embattled Vote in America” (Harvard University Press, 2018). Kendi is a New York Times best-selling author and columnist for The Atlantic. His second book, “Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America” (Nation, 2016), won the 2016 National Book Award for Nonfiction.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/506036273231277/.

53] – On Thurs., Nov. 1 from 7 to 9 PM, Phone Bank for Courtney Watson & Katie Hester, hosted by Moms Demand Action - MD at 7050 Oakland Mills Rd., Suite 120, Columbia. Tickets are at act.gunsensevoter.org.  Join a phone bank for Gun Sense Candidates in District 9. Phone banking is great way to increase voter support and it's more fun when you do it as a group.  A light dinner will be provided. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/1809880709124546/.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.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