Baltimore Activist Alert Dec. 6, 2007 – Dec. 18, 2007
"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. 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 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski [at] verizon.net.
The Baltimore IndyMedia Center publicizes peace-related events. Go to http://www.radicalendar.org/group/_baltimore.
1] Books, buttons and stickers
2] Web site for info on federal legislation
3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists
4] Eyes Wide Open exhibit available
5] Hunger Strike to prevent attack of Iran – ongoing
6] Black Panther Rank & File/Eddie Conway benefit – through Dec. 16
7] Call Cardin & Mikulski: no immunity for telephone companies
8] Ask The Today Show for equal time for Mumia
9] Antiwar demonstration – Dec. 6
10] Immigrant rights conference – Dec. 6-8
11] Palestinian couple tries to hold on to ancestral lands – Dec. 6
12] Phyllis Bennis challenges empire – Dec. 6
13] Alain Resnais film at BMA – Dec. 6
14] Global Write-a-Thon – Dec. 7-10
15] WIB Inner Harbor peace vigil – Dec. 7
16] WIB Roland Park vigil – Dec. 7
17] White House vigil – Dec. 7
18] WIB Frederick peace vigil – Dec. 7
19] Silent vigil at Homewood Friends – Dec. 7
20] Vigil at Walter Reed – Dec. 7
21] Film CONVICTION – Dec. 7
22] Ballroom dancing – Dec. 7
23] Lutheran World Relief benefit – Dec. 7
24] Antiwar activists on The Mall in D.C. – Dec. 8
25] Donations needed at Free Store -- Dec. 8
26] Polar Bear Plunge – Dec. 8
27] Souk – Dec. 8
28] Peace vigil at Capitol – Dec. 8
29] March to FBI headquarters -- Dec. 8
30] Westminster WIB vigil – Dec. 8
31] Executive Power/Human Rights: Torture, Secrecy & Rule of Law – Dec. 8
32] Olney vigil to end the war – Dec. 8
33] No Easy Victories -- Dec. 8
34] PRICE OF SUGAR -- Dec. 8
35] Iraqi Refugee Crisis -- Dec. 8
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1] – Go to Baltimore Nonviolence Center web site www.baltnvctr.org to get buttons, bumperstickers and books. "God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions" stickers in stock. Call Max at 410-366-1637.
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.
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 donmuller@msn.com. 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] – The Baltimore American Friends Service Committee office has assembled an exhibit Maryland Eyes Wide Open which details the Human Cost of the Iraq War and reflects the costs of war to the state of Maryland. The exhibit consists of at least 40 pairs of combat boots, representing the US military deaths from Maryland; civilian shoes, tagged with names and ages of a very small fraction of the tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis who have died; a representative pair of combat boots and 7 red poppies, representing the estimated number of wounded US military personnel (approximately 7 times the number of dead); and signs and literature detailing the human and financial costs of the war on the cities and counties of Maryland.
AFSC will help with logistics and contribute to your planning for auxiliary events or activities presented in conjunction with the exhibit. For information on obtaining and displaying the exhibit, call 410-323-7200, extensions 20 or 21 or e-mail at tsteele@afsc.org or ggillespie@afsc.org. Go to www.afsc.org/midatlantic/baltimore-programs.htm.
5] – Start Loving, previously known as Jay McGinley, fasted in front of the Sudan Embassy for over 100 days in an attempt to end the Darfur Genocide. He is now fasting in front of the Cannon House Office Building to prevent the U.S. from attacking Iran, and to hasten a U.S. exit from Iraq. Read more at his blog http://startlovingusforcersiraniraq.blogspot.com/.
6] – The exhibit Black Panther Rank and File continues at the Maryland Institute College of Art, showcasing a collection of archival materials and original works., until Sun., Dec. 16 in the Fox Building's Decker and Meyerhoff galleries at 1303 Mount Royal Ave. Call 410-225-2280 or go to www.mica.edu.
7] – Sen. Ben. Cardin (D-MD) has pledged to support a filibuster of any bill that caves in to Bush's demand that Congress let phone companies off the hook for their willing cooperation with the administration's illegal domestic spying program. Call his office at 202-224-4524 to thank him. Then call Sen. Barbara Mikulski at 202-224-4654 and urge her to join Cardin's pledge. nity plan.
8] – The International Action Center is calling for fairness for Mumia Abu-Jamal on NBC's The Today Show! On Thurs., Dec. 6, NBC¹s The Today Show was to interview Michael Smerconish and Maureen Faulkner about their new book MURDERED BY MUMIA. In response, there is a call to send emails to The Today Show at today@msnbc.com asking them to fairly present both sides of the Mumia Abu-Jamal/Daniel Faulkner case by also featuring as guests, Linn Washington, Jr. (Philadelphia Tribune columnist and Associate Professor of Journalism at Temple University) and Dr. Suzanne Ross (Clinical Psychologist and Co-Chair of the Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Coalition, NYC). Go to http://www.iacenter.org/mumiatodaycampaign.shtml to sign a petition.
9] – The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore hosts an End the War! End the Occupation! rally on Thurs., Dec. 6 starting at 5 PM in Mount Vernon at Centre & Charles Sts. The Pledge gathers in Mount Vernon on the first Thursday of the month to protest the war. Call Max at 410-366-1637.
10] – The 6th National Low-Income Immigrant Rights Conference will be held from Thurs., Dec. 6 through Sat., Dec. 8 in Arlington, VA. The conference will provide people with the opportunity to meet, network and strategize to advance immigrant rights. The conference is being convened by a number of groups, including Catholic Charities USA. Contact Lucreda Cobbs at lcobbs@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
11] – Join a Palestinian Christian family on Thurs., Dec. 6 at 7 PM at the Mission Helper Center, corner of Chestnut Ave. and W. Joppa Road. The Nassar family is one of the last Christian Palestinian families living and working in the fertile hill country south of Bethlehem. Daoud Nassar and Jihan will talk about their life, their educational work and their determination to preserve the family's 100-acre farm. The Israelis want the land. Call 410-823-8585 ext. 241.
12] – Challenging Empire: The U.S. in the Middle East, a talk by Phyllis Bennis, takes place in Remsen Hall, Room 101, on JHU's Homewood Campus on Thurs., Dec. 6 at 7:30 PM. Locate the Eisenhower Library, Charles & 34th Sts. Go around the library to face the quad. Remsen Hall is the first building on your right. Bennis is a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, WDC and the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam and the author of UNDERSTANDING THE PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI CONFLICT: A PRIMER (2007) and CHALLENGING EMPRIE: PEOPLE, GOVERNMENTS AND THE UN DEFY U.S. POWER (2005). Bennis is being brought to Baltimore by several groups, including the Baltimore Tikkun Community. Call 410-466-7344.
13] – The BMA will host a free screening of Alain Resnais' bizarre sci-fi entry JE T'AIME JE T'AIME (1968, 91 min.) on Thurs., Dec. 6 at 8 PM.
14] – December 10 is Human Rights Day. Thousands of people will gather across the U.S. and around the world to participate in amnesty International's Global Write-A-Thon. The idea is to write letters between Fri., Dec. 7 and Mon., Dec. 10 on behalf of people whose human rights are being violated. Register at http://www.kintera.org/site/lookup.asp?link=30680.
14] – Women In Black sponsor a peace stand/vigil on Fri., Dec. 7 from noon-1 PM at the Inner Harbor, corner Pratt and Light. Everyone welcome, wear black if you can. See http://www.peacepath911.com/ or write wibbaltimore@hotmail.com or call 410-467-9114.
15] – There is also a noon vigil on Fri., Dec. 7 at Roland Park Place at 830 W. 40th St. Call 410-467-9114.
16] – A peace vigil takes place every Friday from noon to 1 PM on Pennsylvania Ave., by the press gate to the White House. It is organized by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. Call 202-882-9649.
17] – WIB Frederick holds a silent vigil mourning all violence, the first Friday of the month, from 12 to 12:30 PM, War Memorial Park, W 2nd St. & N. Bentz in Frederick. The next vigil is Dec. 7. Please dress in black; no additional signs. Men are welcome. Contact: 301 834-7581 or info@wibfrederick.org; www.wibfrederick.org.
18] – Stand in a silent vigil on Fri., Dec. 7 from 5 to 6 PM outside of Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles St., in opposition to war with Iraq. Placards say: "War Is Not the Answer." The silent vigil is sponsored by AFSC, Homewood Friends Meeting and Stony Run.
19] – On Fri., Dec. 7 from 5 to 6 PM, there will be a demonstration at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Headquarters, 425 I St., NW, WDC. This is sponsored by Pax Christi Metro DC to condemn the middle of the night raids that result in documented and undocumented workers being separated from their families.
20] – SHED LIGHT ON US WAR CASUALTIES: FROM THE FRONT LINE TO THE BACK DOOR of Walter Reed Army Medical Center (North Gate), every Friday night, from 7 to 9 PM, 7200 Georgia Ave., at Elder St., NW. Call 202-441-3265. Go to http://www.codepinkalert.org/Local_CODEPINKs_Washington_DC.shtml.
21] – There will be a showing of CONVICTION, a documentary about a Colorado Plowshares action, at 7:30 PM on Fri., Dec. 7 at the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, 503 Rock Creek Church Rd. NW. Srs. Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert, courageous Dominican Sisters, will show the documentary film which tells the story of their Plowshares action at a missile silo. Call Colleen at 202-360-2131 or go to www.jonahhouse.org.
22] – There is an opportunity to participate in ballroom dancing, usually on the first and third 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 Dec. 7. Call Anne and Dave Greene at 410-435-0967
23] – Gimmie Shelter Productions hosts a benefit for Lutheran World Relief on Fri., Dec. 7 at 8 PM at the Load of Fun Gallery at 120 W. North Ave. Ten artists will perform, and the proceeds will go towards the building of fresh water wells in East Africa. A donation of $7 is requested to watch and listen to the Celtic Raga Delta Blues Band, Jasaga. Jeff Swiss, Suzanne X, Alina Lightchaser, Alan Barysh, Julie Fisher, Gregg Mosson, Medina Krause and Marcus Colasurdo. So far Gimmie Shelter has raised almost half of the funds needed to build one well. Contact Marcus Colasurdo at 410- 435-7162 or e-mail him at raintheatre@verizon.net.
24] – Antiwar activists are on The Mall in D.C. every Saturday, starting at 9 AM. Meet at the Smithsonian Metro and bring with you a clearly-lettered antiwar sign, which would look good in a photo. Contact eca@usa.net.
25] – The Baltimore Free Store is seeking donations, especially toys during the holiday season. Do not donate clothes. On Sat., Dec. 8 from 10 AM to 3 PM, the store at 31 N. Haven St., Baltimore 21224 will be accepting donations. Please do not dump goods if no one is present at the warehouse. Go to www.baltimorefreestore.org. Call 410-340-9004 or email bnordvedt@baltimorefreestore.org for information about the toy drive.
26] – Take a bath at 11 AM on Sat., Dec. 8 during the Third Annual Polar Bear Plunge hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Join the largest global warming action and event in Maryland history! Roughly 500 people will take a quick dip in the Chesapeake Bay to "Keep Winter Cold – Fight Global Warming!" Plungers must collect pledges. Sign up at http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/423/t/3322/event/index.jsp?event_KEY=30592
or contact Plunge coordinator Gordon Clark at gordon@chesapeakeclimate.org, or 240-396-1983.
27] – The Jerusalem Fund hosts its annual SOUK AND OLIVE HARVEST CELEBRATION takes place Sat., Dec. 8 from 11 AM to 4 PM at The Palestine Center, 2425 Virginia Avenue, NW Experience the ambience of a Middle Eastern souk (market). Call 202- 338-1290 or email info@thejerusalemfund.org.
28] – A silent peace vigil, started by Friends from the Langley Hill Meeting over four years ago, continues every Saturday from noon to 1 PM on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Visit www.seekpeace.info. Info at 301-681-5126 or john.howley@verizon.net.
29] – Potomac Earth First! is leading a march starting in Farragut Square to FBI Headquarters on Sat., Dec. 8 at 1 PM. On Dec. 7, 2005, the FBI began a round up of environmental and animal rights activists. The march will call for all of the imprisoned activists to be freed and all charges dropped. Email potomacearthfirst@gmail.com.
30] – Westminster WIB hosts a vigil the 2nd Saturday of the month from 2 – 3 PM in front of the War Memorial on Main St. The next vigil will be Dec. 8. Email wibwestminster@mizmail.com.
31] – "Executive Power and Human Rights: Torture, Secrecy and the Rule of Law" is a panel discussion to be held on Sat., Dec. 8 from 2-4 PM in Kelley Lecture Hall, Goucher College, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. Participants include the following: Scott Shane, National Security reporter for NY Times (Keynote); Susan Burke, (lead counsel in a class action on behalf of the torture victims of Abu Ghraib and other prisons in Iraq and lead counsel "to recover for Blackwater's actions on Sept. 16, 2007, in Nisoor Square in Iraq;" Curtis Cooper, working internationally and nationally on U.S. treaty issues; and Dr. Matthew Crenson, JHU Professor of Political Science, and co-author, "Presidential Power: Unchecked and Unbalanced." Go to www.unamd.org.
32] – Friends House, 17715 Meeting House Rd., Sandy Spring, MD 20860, hosts a peace vigil every Saturday, 3:15 to 4:15 PM, on the corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave. in Olney, MD. The next vigil is Dec. 8. Call 301-774-9792.
33] – AFSC, TransAfrica et al. are sponsoring a book discussion NO EASY VICTORIES: African Liberation and American Activists AT 5:30 pm ON Sat., Dec. 8 at Busboys and Poets, 1390 V St. NW, WDC. This event is free and open to the public. Hundreds of thousands of Americans mobilized to oppose apartheid in the 1980s.They built on decades of behind-thescenes links between African liberation movements and American activists, both black and white. No Easy Victories draws on the voices of activists of several generations to explore this largely untold history. Go to www.noeasyvictories.org.
34] – On Sat., Dec. 8 at 7:30 PM, St. Francis of Assisi parish, Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, MD will offer a screening of the film THE PRICE OF SUGAR, which tells the story of a Catholic missionary priest, Father Christopher Hartley, and how he advocates for Haitian laborers who work the sugar cane fields of the Dominican Republic. This film, narrated by Paul Newman, documents modern-day slavery and the work of the church and medical missions as the Haitians struggle for basic social and economic rights. Doors open at 7:10. There is no charge for the film, and popcorn and beverages will be free. A suggested donation is $10 for an adult and $5 for a child. Check out a review at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502236.html?sub=AR.
35] – FOCUS IN! cinema for a conscious community takes place at Busboys and Poets, 1390 V. St., NW. The weekly film screenings focus on justice, peace and community value. On Sat., Dec. 8, watch four 5 minutes clips documenting the Iraqi refugee experience. Then enjoy a panel discussion with with Yochi Dreazon, Wall Street Journal correspondent in Iraq, and Mark Ketfield, senior vice president for Policy and Programs. Doors open at 10:30 PM, with the screening at 11 PM. Admission is $3. Go to http://www.hias.org//.
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
"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
Universal Health Care in Maryland in 2008