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End of year break...
Dec 31, 2011
Red Emma's will close a little early, at 6PM, on January 31st, and reopen 10AM on January 4th.
more >>Eddie Conway's January 2012 letter
Dec 28, 2011
Marshall "Eddie" Conway is a political prisoner, framed and incarcerated—for over four decades—for his work with the Baltimore branch of the Black Panther Party. We're posting this letter, his quarterly update to his friends and supporters, both to highlight the amazing work he continues to do while imprisoned, and also to spread the word about his parole process: Eddie needs our support! If you're interested in learning more about Eddie, the Panthers in Baltimore, the counterintelligence programs which put him in prison, or his long and inspiring struggles to continue his work of building community power even while locked away, there's no better place to start than Eddie's autobiography, Marshall Law: The Life and Times of a Baltimore Black Panther, published by our friends at AK Press.
Revolutionary Greetings, to all my family, friends, and supporters. The last few months have been a very busy time for me. I am very happy to report that some progress has been made in several areas. The best news to date is the progress with my parole situation. Since my last update letter, my lawyer filed a request for a parole hearing for me. I had the hearing on November 30, 2011. I met with two commissioners and they decided to advance my case to the next level of the parole process for persons with life sentences. That level requires a psychological evaluation, which means that sometime in the near future I will be transferred to another institution for a three month evaluation. This whole process is called a Risk Assessment, and once this level is completed the case goes before the full body of the parole commission. There are ten commissioners and a majority vote is required before the case can be sent to the governor who has the final right to approve or deny.
more >>
Important Message about "Fair" Trade Coffee
Dec 20, 2011
As third party certifications like Fair Trade and Organic are being co-opted by the multi-national roasters, small-scale operations are looking to alternatives to deepen the commitment to their growers. This past fall Trans Fair USA (AKA Fair Trade USA), one of the biggest Fair Trade labeling organizations, announced that it was to abandon it’s original commitment to the international Fair Trade system. They are now certifying large plantations and multi-national corporations to open up larger markets and increase profits. This goes in contrast to one of the original missions of Fair Trade labeling, which is to support democratic small farmer organizations, to ensure, equitable, fair and just outcomes for the small producers who often are exploited and marginalized by the industry.
Roasters committed to supplying 100% Fair Trade coffee are unable to compete when these large coffee roasters carrying no more than 5, 10, 15% fair trade coffee are able to call their coffee Fair Trade certified. The certification no longer holds roasters accountable for the other aspects of trade beyond the set minimum price the way it once did.
Roasters like Just Coffee believe that Fair Trade means more than just paying the minimum price per pound, but establishing lasting relationships with growers. This translates to transparent trade, toward a model of direct trade (although Just Coffee is not explicitly direct trade), where a meaningful and lasting relationship is developed and maintained between the growers/ producers and sellers/ consumers.
Just Coffee is a part of Cooperative Coffees, a green coffee importing cooperative. Co-op Coffees works with community-based roasters that are committed to furthering fair and sustainable trade relationships for the benefit of the growers and their communities. Co-op Coffees works to promote transparent trade and provide sustainable development alternatives both to the growers abroad and the roasters here in the US.
Red Emma's is proud to carry and support coffee from roasters such as Just Coffee for their deep commitment to just, sustainable, and true fair trade.
Don't Miss the Red Emma's End of Year Celebration!
Dec 14, 2011
This Saturday, December 17: It's the first-ever Red Emma's Speakeasy, hosted by our favorite Wobbly sailor, Liam Flynn!
We're saving our traditional end-of-year Red & Black Ball for Spring this year, but we couldn't let the season pass without celebrating another successful year with all of our friends and supporters. And this year we have something extra to celebrate: the long-awaited opening of Liam Flynn's Ale House, the project of Red Emma's founding collective members Liam Flynn & Jessica Beil, and our new favorite pub (22 W. North Avenue).
So join us on Saturday, December 17 for an evening of revelry and rejoicing as we co-host a 20s-themed evening at Liam's. We'll provide the food, and you can expect great specials on 20s-era cocktails and more. Been longing to wear some fringe? Wear your flapper-style finest! Or head in a moodier Dorothy Parker inspired direction with a fur collar (fake, of course!) and a cloche. All are welcome! 8PM - Midnight; don't miss it!
more >>Red Emma's Mugs
Dec 6, 2011
Come on down to the shop to drink and think with Red Emmas' mugs.
more >>Participate in the 2011 Leonard Peltier Holiday Gift Drive!!
Nov 20, 2011
WHEN: Every year around Holiday time, Leonard Peltier asks his supporters to send gifts to the children of the Pine Ridge reservation and other reservations is North/South Dakota.
WHEN: Now until Dec. 15th.
WHEN: Drop off gifts at Red Emma's at 800 St. Paul St. Baltimore,MD during normal store hours.
WHEN: It's an easy way to support a political prisoner. And why the hell not?
The Gift Drive is for NEW gifts (both toys and warm clothing) for children of all ages.
For more info:www.whoisleonardpeltier.info
At the end of the Gift Drive there will be film screening of:
Incident at Oglala: The Leonard Peltier Story
LOCATION: Red Emma's 800 St. Paul St
DATE: December 14th
#OccupyBaltimore
Oct 3, 2011
First things first: obviously we're thrilled that what started on Wall Street (or was it Cairo? or Athens? or London?) has taken hold of the collective imagination and brought thousands of people into the streets to give voice to and take space for the 99%—the excluded, exploited, jobless, precarious who are refusing to continue being silent. And we're thrilled that Baltimore isn't on the sidelines any longer.
We don't know what's going to happen, things are moving quickly, and a general assembly has now been convened—this is a self-organized and self-organizing movement, figuring things out as it goes along. Red Emma's is a collective that exists to provide infrastructure—space, information, and caffeine, for instance—to movements challenging the status quo, and this one—despite being bigger and faster and more exciting and more networked and more global—is no different. As a collective, that's our stake in this; this is—thankfully—far bigger than the 15 people who run a coffeeshop and bookstore together. No doubt you'll see many of us in the streets, but where this goes is up to everyone to decide.
Links:
Coverage:
Indyreader/Umar Farooq, "Activists Gather to Plan Occupy Baltimore Movement"
more >>October 2011 Occupation of Freedom Plaza in DC!
Sep 16, 2011
This October, a broad coalition of activists from all over the nation join together to occupy Freedom Plaza in DC, issuing a public demand to end concentrated corporate power and the injustice, militarism and environmental destruction it perpetrates. From the October Coalition's website, october2011.org:
"Stop the Machine! • Create a New World!" is a call for all who are deeply concerned with injustice, militarism and environmental destruction to join in ending concentrated corporate power and taking direct control of a real participatory democracy. We call on people of conscience and courage—all who seek peace, economic justice, human rights and a healthy environment—to join together in Washington, D.C., beginning on Oct. 6, 2011, in nonviolent resistance similar to the Arab Spring and the Midwest awakening. We will encourage a culture of resistance—using music, art, theater and direct nonviolent action—to take control of our country and our lives. It is about courageously resisting and stopping the corporate state from destroying not only our inherent rights and freedoms, but also our children’s chance to live, breathe clean air, drink pure water, grow edible natural food and live in peace. As Mother Jones said, "Someday the workers will take possession of your city hall, and when we do, no child will be sacrificed on the altar of profit!"
A concert, rally and protest will kick off a powerful and sustained nonviolent resistance to the corporate criminals that dominate our government. Join us in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 6, 2011, to Stop the Machine."
Visit october2011.org for more information about the occupation and how you can help!
more >>
Audio: The Lesbian Avengers w/ Dulcey Lewis
Sep 11, 2011
Local queer activist, Dulcey Lewis, presented her lecture: The Lesbian Avengers w/ Dulcey Lewis - to a packed house, Friday, September 9th, 2011.
The Lesbian Avengers were a direct-action activist group dedicated to lesbian survival and visibility. The Avengers originated in New York City in the 1990s - later inspiring chapters all over the country and the world (shout-out to the Baltimore chapter!). These tough dykes used a mix of solid organizing skills, creative actions and media, and guts, to spread their message of fierce lesbian love, lust, protest and power.
And on September 9th, a large portion of Baltimore and beyond turned out to hear The Avengers tale. If you missed the inspiring and galvanizing event, or even if you just want to hear it again!, we've captured the talk, in audio form, here. Enjoy. Remember these incredible dykes who fought for their lusts, loves, and lives. Be inspired to action. Rabble-rouse. Revolutionize.
more >>Audio: Gender EDGE- gender variant/ transgender activism through art
Aug 21, 2011
On Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 - we were extremely excited to welcome back Leah B., from the Gender EDGE collective and force behind the zine ---And Her Brain. It was an evening full of fiery and powerful trans-punk spoken-word performance and zine readings. In her "Write to Live" campaign, Leah emotively attests that it is time for trans/genderqueer folks to be proud. To be exhuberant. To be honest. That, "Transgender people ask questions of themselves, that many never entertain, concerning their roles within humanity. THIS IS EVOLUTION NOT DISEASE."
Leah B.'s art reminds us how powerful poltical activism via all-out creativity can be as a force.
Her zines are a forever mainstay at Red Emma's. And we're pleased to offer audio from her event here:
more >>
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