CityLit Project Hosts 'Writers Resist Baltimore: Voices United'

From CityLit Project: On Sunday, January 15, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at EMP Collective: 307 W. Baltimore Street, 21201 CityLit Project gathers eighteen poets/writers/performers from throughout the Baltimore Metro region as a unifying force for the protection of democracy as we know it. What is there to resist? That which threatens the basic principles of freedom and justice for all.

CityLit Project in Baltimore will be one of many organizations in over 50 cities worldwide to convene literary artists with the flagship Writers Resist event, co-sponsored by PEN America, taking place on the steps of the Public Library in New York City. Additional Writers Resist events will be held in Annapolis, Boston, Los Angeles, Oakland, Austin, Portland, Omaha, Seattle, London, Zurich, Hong Kong, and many more cities.

Writers Resist is a “re-inauguration” of a shared commitment to the spirit of compassion, equality, free speech, and the fundamental ideals of democracy. On, January 15, 2017, Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, as part of a nationwide series of events, Maryland writers and performers come together to raise their voices in support of inclusivity, understanding, community, connection, and civility.

“This is only a starting point in raising our voices in defense of democracy,” the poet Erin Belieu, who founded the Writers Resist movement and co-founded VIDA: Women in Literary Arts, said in a statement. “Whether you live in a red or blue state, or another country that cares deeply about the American experiment, there is no more important battle than our right to truth.” www.writersresist.org

The spirit and mission of CityLit Project is to build and connect communities of avid readers and writers across Maryland. Since 2004, CityLit has worked diligently to create programs and design platforms that give writers—all writers, and the communities they represent—a voice. Sunday’s event continues that mission in an attempt to empower these literary artists to speak their truths with an invitation for the audience to speak theirs.

After the presentation, a group conversation will be moderated by Marc Steiner, Founder of the Center for Emerging Media. From 4:00 – 5:00pm the audience will have time to connect, purchase books and cds, enjoy the delights from Dovecote Cafe, and share words and ideas on a comment wall.

Participants include: Saida Agostini, Abdu Ali, Linda Joy Burke, Andria Nacina Cole, Navasha Daya, Dario DiBattista, Derick Ebert, Fred Foote, Rienne Jahnai, Kevin Shird, Mejdulene Shomali, Edgar Silex, Laura Shovan, Tariq Touré, Ron Kipling Williams, and Writers in Baltimore Schools Students, and represent 15 different organizations.

The event is Free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $5 - 10. Proceeds will be donated to THREAD, an organization that engages underperforming high school students confronting significant barriers outside of the classroom by providing each one with a family of committed volunteers and increased access to community resources.

For more information about the event, please contact: Carla Du Pree, CityLit Project at 410.271.8793, Carla@citylitproject.org or visit: www.citylitproject.org.

Twitter: @citylitproject #WritersResistBmore

Writers Resist is a national network of writers driven to #WriteOurDemocracy by defending the ideals of a free, just and compassionate democratic society. Twitter: @writeRdemocracy #WritersResist

Image courtesy of CityLit Project