Saturday, February 6, 2016

Baltimore Activist Alert February 6 – 8, 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] Buy coffee through HoCoFoLa
5] Two friends are looking to buy a house in Baltimore
6] West Chester peace vigil – Feb. 6
7] Take a D.C. Art Walk – Feb. 6
8] State of the Union – Feb. 6
9] Public housing – Feb. 6
10] Racism thrives – Feb. 6
11] "I Shall Not Hate" – Feb. 6
12] Film HANDS UP – Feb. 6
13] Mother Earth Poetry Vibe – Feb. 6
14] ‘Chili Bowl Sunday’ – Feb. 7
15] Equal Justice? – Feb. 7
16] A playdate – Feb. 7
17] Judaism and Human Rights – Feb. 7
18] Biography of Lola Ridge – Feb. 7
19] Pentagon Vigil – Feb. 8
20] Marc Steiner on WEAA – Feb. 8 – Feb. 12
21] Citizen activists appear in court in D.C. – Feb. 8
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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] – You can help safeguard human rights and fragile ecosystems through your purchase of HOCOFOLA Café Quetzal. Bags of ground coffee or whole beans can be ordered by mailing in an order form. Also note organic cocoa and sugar are for sale.  For more details and to download the order form, go to http://friendsoflatinamerica.typepad.com/hocofola/2010/02/hocofola-cafe-quetzal-order-form-2010.html. The coffee comes in one-pound bags.

Fill out the form and mail it with a check made out to HOCOFOLA on or before the second week of the month.  Be sure you indicate ground or beans for each type of coffee ordered.  Send it to Francine Sheppard at 5639B, Harpers Farm Rd., Columbia 21044. The coffee will arrive some time the following week and you will be notified where to pick it up. Contact Francine at 410-992-7679 or FrancineMSW@aol.com.

5] – Janice and Max are looking to buy a house in Baltimore.  Let Max know if you have any leads—410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at Verizon dot net.

6] – 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

7] – Come to the Hirschhorn Museum Sculpture Garden (SE corner), 700 Independence Ave. SW, WDC, on Sat., Feb. 6 from 1 to 2:30 PM for an exhibit curated and coordinated by Carissa Carman, Natalie Campbell and Mat Rappaport.  Media Lounge Saturday Programming extends beyond the conference walls and invites participants to work and walk, learn and feel. These collaborative explorations prompt new relations, open the door for kinship and expand professional camaraderie. DC Live is the first in a planned series of artist walks at CAA conference cities. This year, walks engage with the complex context of Washington, DC as a site for interacting with political history and policy.

   Walk and learn from voices engaged in the struggle for statehood about an issue significant for anyone interested in the project of democracy. Whose experience of an issue is most authentic, holds authority? Who is outside and who is in – who speaks for whom?  Walk guides representing national, civic, and local perspectives on the struggle for DC statehood will explore this issue in a 3-part walk. Project partners leading the walk include DC Shadow Senator Michael D. Brown and Anise Jenkins, Executive Director, Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC). Starting at Yoko Ono’s participatory work Wish Tree for Washington DC at the Hirschhorn Museum, strike out across the National Mall, in view of the U.S. Capitol, site of power exercised over DC’s governance for 2+ centuries. Hearing from voices engaged with DC statehood for and against, our walk will include spots on what would be the federal District boundary should New Columbia become a state; the John A. Wilson Building, locus of the DC municipal struggle for autonomy; and Freedom Plaza, where DC citizenry has gathered many times in resistance and protest for causes of justice.

8] – Enjoy a discussion on “The State of the Union” following a performance of “Sweat” at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St. SW, WDC, on Sat., Feb. 6 at 2 PM.  AFL-CIO Deputy Chief of Staff Thea Lee and Washington Teachers Union Local 6 president Elizabeth Davis will lead a conversation about the current issues facing America’s unions. The discussion – which starts at 4:30 PM -- is free and open to the public; union members can save 20% on tickets to "Sweat" by calling Carmen Samuel at 202-488-4380. Visit http://tickets.arenastage.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=20668.

9] – Go the Ambassador Baptist Church, 1412 Minnesota Ave. SE, WDC, on Sat., Feb. 6 from 2 to 4 PM and join Empower DC for an update on the growing movement to save DC public housing. The meeting will be focusing on how to win money for repairing public housing in the DC budget for 2017, as well as sharing updates on Barry Farm. This is a great follow up to the Annual Meeting and a chance for people to plug into the work ahead.  RSVP to Parisa at parisa@empowerdc.org.

10] – Racism thrives on silence. How can we have productive, honest conversations with our children and students about race so that the next generation is prepared to recognize and challenge racism? Join Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Northern Virginia for a panel discussion on how to talk to children about race at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, 2709 Hunter Mill Rd., Oakton, VA on Sat., Feb. 6 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. Parents, teachers, and anyone else who wants to be able to engage kids in these conversations is welcome to attend.  Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talking-to-kids-about-race-tickets-20437065814.

11] – "I Shall Not Hate" Benefit and Panel Discussion for New Story Leadership is happening at the Atlas Theater,1333 H St. NE, WDC on Sat., Feb. 6 from 6:45 to 10:15 PM.  The Benefit Performance includes a reception before the performance where you will have the chance to meet the NSL community and special guests. Following the performance will be a special panel discussion featuring the creative minds behind the performance, New Story Leadership alumni, and members of the Mosaic Theatre! Go to https://newstoryleadership.givezooks.com/events/i-shall-not-hate.  Email Info@NewStoryLeadership.org.

12] –   Come to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Silver Spring, 10309 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring on Sat., Feb. 6 from 7 to 9 PM as the UUCSS Racial Justice Task Force is excited to present the original documentary “Hands Up” which captures the spirit of the #BlackLivesMatter movement as it transcends state boundaries and touches the hearts of millions of Americans.  The film documents the stories of clergy and activists who are igniting a passion for justice and peace. Local filmmaker Zinhle Essamuah will participate in a discussion of the film afterwards.  Go to https://uucss.givezooks.com/events/hands-up-documentary-screening.

13] –   On Sat., Feb. 6 at 7:30 PM come to Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, for the Mother Earth Poetry Vibe.  A convergence of factors, ranging from the observance of Black History Month to the challenging history being made all around us—and that we are a part of—call us once again to poetry/spoken word!  Come together in an open mic of justice, conscious thought, spirituality, real life—whatever advances the village!  In the tradition of Emma Goldman’s Mother Earth magazine, come drop some progressive “fiyah” or contribute just with your presence and energy!  By the way: it’s a non-erotic poetry, non-“love jones” type of venue.  Leave the misogyny, homophobia and other unnecessary ish outside!) Go to www.facebook.com/analysisthepoet. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

14] – Gather at the corner of East Centre St. and Fallsway, Baltimore on Sun., Feb. 7 from 10 AM to 1 PM for Muslimat Al-Nisaa’s annual ‘Chili Bowl Sunday’ to serve hot bowls of chili to those homeless on the streets and also pass out cold weather clothing and toiletries to those in need. Being mindful THAT OUR HOMELESS HAVE NO SPECIFIC ADDRESS, we meet at a site easily accessible to those whom are homeless near the Fallsway Ave. bridge underpass. Sign up to bring a pot of chili or to volunteer to serve.  Contact Ammar Hanif, Associate Director of Community Outreach, at (443) 612-5224. Go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chili-bowl-sunday-a-day-to-feed-clothe-our-homeless-neighbors-tickets-21067112300?utm-medium=discovery&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-source=cp&utm-term=listing.

15] – 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 Feb. 7, the topic is “Equal Justice Discussion: Fixing a Broken System.” Todd Oppenheim, public defender, will lead a discussion on the many problems with the justice system along with possible solutions. He will cover the bail system, rulings on issues of stops and seizures of citizens by the police, and the proliferation of the war on drugs within our courts. The focus of the talk will be on an insider’s perspective of everyday occurrences in the courts that often get lost with general public. 

Todd Oppenheim became a criminal defense attorney in 2013 at the Office of the Public Defender (OPD). Ever since, he has been a diligent, outspoken, and effective advocate for the indigent people of Baltimore. As a public defender, he has fought hard to defend his clients in a system that is stacked against them. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

16] – Go to the Petworth Library, 4200 Kansas Ave, NW, WDC, on Sun., Feb. 7 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM and join families in the community, MomsRising.org, and Jews United for Justice for a FREE, fun and powerful playdate with arts & crafts, face painting, snacks, games, and a chance to raise voices of all ages for paid family leave in DC! It's heartbreaking and ridiculous: Far too many people who work and live in DC can't earn a single day of paid family or medical leave. This means workers can't take the time to give the care ones loved ones need after the birth, fostering, or adoption of a new baby or child, or when a family member is aging or has a serious illness. And even if your family is just you right now, so many wouldn't be able to recover from serious illnesses without putting your finances in danger. See https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gkjQ11pHk7x-oMteLaVrE_DcNtwSrxejadB7iMi7piM/viewform?edit_requested=true.

17] – Rabbi Charles M. Feinberg, executive director, Interfaith Action for Human Rights, will address Judaism and Human Rights on Sun., Feb. 7 at 3 PM at the Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia.  Rabbi Feinberg will share a few Jewish texts as a basis for defending the dignity of every human being.  He will speak about Prison Reform Issues, especially the abuse of solitary confinement in Maryland Prisons. He will bring a returning citizen who can give first hand testimony about the deleterious effects of solitary.  Rabbi Feinberg will also share IAHR's work on combating hate directed toward the American Muslim community.  Confirm your attendance with Robin at 410-730-6044 or robin@columbiajewish.org.

18] – On Sun., Feb. 7 at 7:30 PM come to Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21201, as Terese Svoboda presents "Anything That Burns You," the first full-length biography of Lola Ridge, a trailblazer for women, poetry, and human rights far ahead of her time. The author takes the reader on a fascinating journey from Ridge's childhood as an Irish immigrant in the mining towns of New Zealand to her years as a budding poet and artist in Sydney, Australia, and then to San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. By the 1920s, she was at the center of Modernism, and good friends with William Carlos Williams and Marianne Moore, while promoting the careers of Hart Crane and Jean Toomer and editing Others and Broom, in addition to writing brilliant socially incisive poems. Considered one of the most popular poets of her day, Ridge later fell out of critical favor due to her impassioned verse that looked at the major social woes of society, infused with a radical belief in freedom gleaned from her mentors Emma Goldman and Margaret Sanger. Certain to revive the legacy of a singular artistic figure–– as unforgettable as Virginia Woolf or Frida Kahlo–– this lively portrait gives a who's who of all the key players in the arts, literature, and radical politics of the time, in which Lola Ridge stood front and center. Call 443-602-7585.  Go to http://www.redemmas.org.

19] -- 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 Mon., Feb. 8, 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. 

20] – 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.

21] –  On Mon., Feb. 8 at 10 AM in Room 220 of the D.C. Superior Court, 500 Indiana Ave. NW, lawyer Mark Goldstone, and members of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance Eve Tetaz, Malachy Kilbride and Max Obuszewski will appear before Judge Wendell Gardner, Jr.  We along with ten others were arrested on January 12 at the U. S. Capitol urging President Obama to give a Real State of the union.  We three and six other defendants are facing two charges – trespass and failure to obey.  The government inexplicably dropped the charges against four of the citizen activists.

This hearing will be held to discuss several legal issues, including the stay-away orders from the Capitol imposed by the arraignment judge.  Presumably a date for a motions hearing will be determined and possibly a trial date.  Most important, however, will be the judge’s decision on how to arraign the other six defendants. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski@verizon.net.

To be continued.

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/.

"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 


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