Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Baltimore Activist Alert - May 6 -7, 2015

52] Greening the World's Highest Mountain Valleys – May 6
53] Home buying process – May 6
54] A play BEFORE/AFTER – May 6
55] Welcome home John Kiriakou – May 6
56] The People’s Platform – May 6
57] DC Vote's 3 Star Ball – May 6
58] Islamic State in Iraq: Where Are Things Headed? – May 6
59] Addressing issues in meetings – May 6
60] "Dark~Sky Society" – May. 6
61] Sponsor a Spring Program.   – May 7
62] "From Moment to Movement" – May 7
63] Need a nonviolence communications leader
64] Sign up with Washington Peace Center
65] Join Fund Our Communities
66] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
67] Do you need any book shelves?
68] Join Global Zero campaign
69] Join Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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52] – Hear about Greening the World's Highest Mountain Valleys: A Dialogue with His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang on Wed., May 6 from 2 to 4 PM at  The Stimson Center, 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, 8th Floor, Washington DC 20036. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gKQP1ASgqkqpRzbE9B8BE9yXj9YPDbfJw8K0Yh_tdSw/viewform. In the Himalayas—one of the great mountain water towers of the world—the impacts of environmental challenges are complex and severe. Climate change is driving glacial retreat, precipitation shifts, and increased natural hazards that degrade habitat, threaten species, and squander water resources. These problems have extended far beyond the mountain villages to the billions of people downstream who rely on the mountains’ rivers for their sustenance and livelihoods.

Join The Stimson Center, in partnership with The Mountain Institute, and hear from Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang for a discussion of innovative sustainable development projects now underway in the remote Himalayan communities of India (Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh), Bhutan, and Nepal. His Holiness is a compelling speaker whose pragmatic and thoughtful approach to environmental issues is sure to be of interest to the development, conservation, environmental security, Asian policy, and climate change communities in Washington. Contact Ricky Passarelli at rpassarelli@stimson.org.

53] – Come to 11002 Viers Mill Rd, Suite 700, Wheaton on Wed., May 6 from 4 to 5:30 PM for an orientation which will provide an introduction to the home buying process and to MD first time home buyer assistance programs. The My Home program provides down payment and closing costs assistance based on your income and the price of your home. Find out what you qualify for and learn about next steps in the home buying process. Take this first step on the road to homeownership - free of charge. Seek out http://ledc.nationbuilder.com/orientation_to_fthb-5-6-15.  Contact Yesenia Rivera at yrivera@ledcmetro.org or 202-540-7431.

54] – "Before/After," a new play by John Feffer, a multimedia portrait of the transformation of East-Central Europe told by the people who made it happen, is happening at NYU Washington DC, 1307 L Street NW, Abramson Family Auditorium, WDC 20005.  On Wed., May 6 from 4 to 9 PM hear a panel discussion, go to a reception and enjoy the performance about post-World War II tensions instigated by the Cold War rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted for much of the second half of the 20th century. These tensions resulted in mutual suspicions, heightened tensions and a series of international incidents that brought the world’s superpowers, and the world, to the brink of disaster.

Through words, pictures, video, and music, it tells the story of the people who chipped away at the Iron Curtain, tore down the Berlin Wall in 1989, and tried to realize their hopes and dreams in the decades that followed. Drawn from interviews with people from the region, the reading will be performed by 12 actors. It is directed by Natalia Gleason. The evening will begin with a panel of experts, several of whom grew up in Eastern Europe during this time, as they discuss the impact and social issues relating to the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Go to http://www.ips-dc.org/events/arts-event-beforeafter/.

55] -- Welcome home CIA Whistleblower John Kiriakou on Wed., May 6 from 6 to 8 PM at Busboys and Poets, 5th and K Sts. NW, WDC.  As of May 1, Kiriakou will be free from house arrest after spending a year and a half in prison for blowing the whistle on CIA torture. Hear about John's new and exciting job at the Institute for Policy Studies and the two books he has under way, including one with his first-hand account of USA's horrendous prison system. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/405226392991141/

56] – The People’s Platform reflects the legislative and political priorities of long-time, low-income D.C. residents. It is a multi-year, multi-generation, and multi-organizational effort to fight for a city that actually meets the needs of all residents, not just the select residents. The movement seeks community control over land use, equitable development without displacement, permanent housing affordability and community and family wealth creation.  Come to New Community Church, 614 S St. NW, WDC on Wed., May 6 from 6 to 8 PM for a meeting. Go to http://www.onedconline.org/pp_may6.

57] – Be a party of history on Wed., May 6 from 6:30 to 9 PM on the Rooftop, National Association of Realtors, 500 New Jersey Ave. NW, WDC.  DC Vote's 3 Star Ball brings young professionals together to support DC Equality. Enjoy live music, delicious bites from celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn and an open bar while honoring DC United with the Raising the Bar award for their work raising awareness about DC's second-class status! Contact Krysten Barrett at kbarrett@dcvote.org or 202.462.6000 x119.  Visit http://dcvote.nonprofitsoapbox.com/2015-3-star-ball.

58] – Islamic State in Iraq: Where Are Things Headed? Answers will be provided on Wed., May 6 at 6:30 PM at the Central Library, Poe Room, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore 21201.  The stunning advances of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria have put all ethnic and religious groups in the area, including moderate Sunni Arabs, at risk. For some groups, the threat approaches genocidal proportions. Yet from President Obama on down, everyone agrees there is no military solution. But past and present U.S. policies leave the U.S. unable to do the heavy political and diplomatic lifting needed to quell the violence. While there is lip service to the idea that there is no military solution, the discourse in the U.S. is almost solely about military means. Jim and Deb Fine, who worked for the Mennonite Central Committee in Iraq, will talk about what needs to change to bring about the end of the Islamic State. The event is sponsored by the Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee. Call 410-396-5430.

59] – At 1525 Newton St., WDC on Wed., May 6 at 7 PM, Rebecca Mintz and Rachel Clement will facilitate a skillshare, hosted by the Washington Peace Center, aimed at helping us all learn effective techniques for staying on track and addressing issues in meetings and events.  When is it appropriate to address difficult behaviors in the group? When do we, as facilitators, defer to participants? When do we pull people aside to identify the behavior?

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. This skillshare seeks to strengthen the DC activist community’s ability to meet the needs of progressive social movements. See https://www.facebook.com/events/469109716573311/.

60] – On Wed., May 6 at 7:30 PM @ Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, Ailish Hopper presents her book "Dark~Sky Society."  Racism and white supremacy affect all dimensions of American public life, from institutional practices and spaces, to everyday, code-switching language. So, it’s not surprising that it also lives on in U.S. poetry.  But how can a poet write honestly about power and difference---without reinforcing those differences? How can a poet use vulnerability, and honesty about the body, to find new race-realities? The poems in her book explore the ways language can be complicit with, or resistant to, racism and white supremacy, asking if it’s possible to be both raced and free, where the disguises of power are blown, and another future is contemplated. Hopper is also the author of a recent Boston Review article (“Can a Poem Listen?”) about racism in the white literary world. Join her for a poetry reading, and Q&A. Call 410-433-3269 or go to http://www.redemmas.org.   

61] – Sponsor a Spring Program.   There is an Interfaith Meditation Session on Thurs., May 7 hosted by the Meditation Museum and co-led by Sr. Jenna Ani Rinchen Khandro and Rev. Ellen Jennings.  See https://InterfaithMeditationInitiative.org/Contribute.

62] – Last year, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released a report that revealed shocking data about school discipline policies around the country. Nationally, black students are suspended and expelled at a rate three times greater than white students, often starting at an early age. For instance, black children only represent 18% of preschool enrollment, but they represent 48% of preschool children receiving more than one out-of-school. The uneven use of suspension and expulsion is mirrored across K-12.

What are the long-term effects of the overuse and misuse of disciplinary action? How much of a role does it play in the school-to-prison pipeline? Are there policy solutions at the local and federal level should be considered? Join New America in collaboration with Howard University at 1899 L St. NW, Suite 400, WDC on Thurs., May 7 from 4:30 to 6 PM for the third event in "From Moment to Movement," a conversation and essay series on race and policy in America. See http://www.cvent.com/Pub/WebEmails/WebEmail.aspx?em=6c4aea19-273a-487f-a940-674fd8c7d0f8&lang=en.

63] – The Peace Study Center is looking for a nonviolent communications leader to help with a series of workshops for educators, caregivers and religious teachers In three areas: teaching peacebuilding skills to young children; dealing with bullies with debbie ramsey; AND using nonviolent communications techniques.  THe Center IS at 5828 York Road, across FROM STAPLES. thiS WOULD PROBABLY BE oN thursday evenings and a weekend afternoon for four weeks, with follow up training as interest is expressed. Could you help with some ideas? cONTACT Cindy Woodruff AT 410-433-8880 ext. 220.

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

65] -- Fund Our Communities campaign is a grass roots movement to get support from local organizations and communities to work together with their local and state elected officials to pressure Congresspersons and senators to join with Congresspersons Barney Frank and Ron Paul, who have endorsed a 25% cut to the federal military budget.  Bring home the savings to state and county governments to meet the local needs which are under tremendous budget pressures.  Go to www.OurFunds.org

66] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs or records, contact Max at 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net.

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

68] -- 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.

69] – 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

 

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