by William Hughes
On Monday, January 17, 2011, peace and social justice activists honored Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by staging a spirited demonstration in front of the national headquarters of the FBI, in Washington, D.C. to demand the FBI keep its "hands off our activists." This is in reference to recent FBI harassment and raids on the homes and offices of antiwar activists in Chicago, Minneapolis and Michigan. They also demanded the release of Bradley Manning, currently imprisoned at the U.S. Marine base at Quantico, Virginia. This video features interviews with Coleen Rowley, Dr. Margaret Flowers, Gael Murphy, Joan Stallard, Malachy Kilbride, Medea Benjamin, Kevin Zeese, Max Obuszewski and Maria Allwine.

by William Hughes
On Monday evening, Jan. 10, 2011, author David Swanson discussed and signed his latest book, War Is a Lie, for a standing-room-only audience at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Baltimore, Maryland near the campus of the Johns Hopkins University. Activist Diane Wittner coordinated the event and introduced the author. (A fuller version of Mr. Swanson’s book discussion, along with the Q&A session, comments by Debra Sweet and Andy Worthington, and the singing of some ballads by the “Charm City Labor Chorus,” will be posted on Vimeo later this week.)

by William Hughes
Featured in this video, besides scenes at the White House fence, are the following activists: Kevin Zeese, Jim Baldridge, Max Obsuzewski, Ellen Barfield, Katherine Hoffman and David Swanson. To learn more about the rally led by the Veterans for Peace, go to: http://veteransforpeace.org

by William Hughes
Around 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, a five-alarm fire broke out in Baltimore City's red-light district, known as “The Block.” Wind gusts that hit about 30 miles an hour aided in spreading the blaze. A fire department official at the scene said, “We believe the fire started on the second floor of the Gayety Show World building.” The building is located in the 400 block of East Baltimore Street, on the north side. The matter is, of course, still under investigation. This video was taken at the scene around 6 p.m. that evening.

by William Hughes
On Monday afternoon, Nov. 22, 2010, activists from Baltimore CAN staged a rally in front of City Hall demanding a “living wage” for workers. Meanwhile, the City Council was inside preparing for a final vote on the Remington Walmart project, set for 25th and Howard Streets. Final approval was expected.

by William Hughes
On Tuesday afternoon, September 28, 2010, a demonstration was staged in front of the FBI's headquarters in Washington, D.C. in response to recent FBI raids and grand jury subpoenas targeted the Antiwar Movement, according to the press release of the organizers. Speakers included Sharon Black, Medea Benjamin and Rev. Graylan Hagler. See http://vimeo.com/billyclubvideos for a more complete video of the event.

by William Hughes
On September 25, 2010 at the Baltimore Book Festival, former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura discussed his book, American Conspiracies: Lies, Lies, and More Dirty Lies that the Government Tells Us. He told the standing-room-only audience that he believes the three New York City skyscrapers that came down on 9/11 were brought down by controlled demolition and that Arianna Huffington asked him to contribute an article to the Huffington Post, but when he did contribute one on 9/11 it was pulled from the site after a couple of hours. (In its place they posted the statement, "Editor's Note: The Huffington Post's editorial policy, laid out in our blogger guidelines, prohibits the promotion and promulgation of conspiracy theories -- including those about 9/11. As such, we have removed this post." It is common practice in mainstream media to dismiss anyone who questions or presents evidence that challenges the official story of 9/11 as a "conspiracy theorist" without further examination. This happens even though the official story itself is a conspiracy theory, and the news is full of reporting on other conspiracies.) Ventura was joined on the program by Richard Sher, a former news reader for WJZ-TV in Baltimore. See http://vimeo.com/billyclubvideos for a more complete video of the event.

by William Hughes
On Thursday, August 19, 2010, a debate was held between the incumbent Baltimore City State’s Attorney, Patricia Jessamy, and her opponent, Gregg Bernstein. The event was sponsored by the Vanguard Justice Society and held at the Mt. Washington Conference Center. The excerpt on this video deals with “Project Exile” and the witness protection program. See http://vimeo.com/billyclubvideos for a more complete video of the event.

by William Hughes
A spirited rally was held in a park, on Sunday afternoon, August 8, 2010, in the town of Quantico, Virginia, to support Private Bradley Manning who is currently incarcerated in a prison at the Quantico Marine Base, which surrounds this town bordering on the Potomac River. Private Manning is charged with releasing a video showing “the killing of civilians and journalists in Iraq” by U.S. forces, according to a press release from one of the event’s sponsors. Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, served as the moderator for the rally, which was entitled “Free Bradley Manning." Background on the alleged whistleblower Bradley Manning can be found at the website of the the Bradley Manning Support Network (BradleyManning.org). Speaking at the demonstration were: Jeff Paterson, Ellen Barfeld, Mike Marceau, Matt Southworth, Phyllis Bennis, Ray McGovern, Josh Stieber, Andrew Castro and the Rev. Lennox Yearwood. According to Medea Benjamin, Iris Tharp, the mayor of Quantico, granted, at the 11th hour, a permit to hold the demonstration because she is a “supporter of free speech.”

by William Hughes
On Thursday evening, Aug. 5, 2010, Baltimore City’s Planning Commission held a public hearing in the Benton Building, near the City Hall. The matter before the panel is officially known as “The 25th Street Station” project. Walmart, however, will be the biggest tenant in the development. It is looking to open a “93,000-square-foot store,” according to Baltimore Brew reporter, Elizabeth Suman (see: http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2010/08/05/baltimore-v-wal-mart-showdown-tonight-at-planning-commission-hearing/).

One of the witnesses testifying at the hearing was Benn Ray, a resident of Remington. He is also the President of the Hampden Village Merchants Association and co-owner of Atomic Books. Mr. Ray expressed his concerns about the “size and scope” of the project and his fear that it would “not fit in,” but “dominate” the neighborhood. Some of his other considerations can be found in Ms. Suman’s very detailed report, which is cited above.