Baltimore Activist Alert – September 27 – 29, 2020
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.
1] Books, buttons and stickers
2] Web
site for info on federal legislation
3] Get
involved with NCNR
4] Progressive
Democrats of America need your
help
5] Walk for Change – Sept. 27
6] “Environmental Info Wars” – Sept. 27
7] No
Confirmation until Inauguration Rally at the Supreme Court – Sept. 27
8] Healthcare
Emergency Town Hall – Sept. 27
9] Protect
Creatures and Natural Places – Sept. 27
10] Join a
BREONNA TAYLOR ACTION – Sept. 27
11] SISTERHOOD SUNDAYS – Sept. 27
12] Promise to Protect coalition
partners are hosting a webinar – Sept. 27
13]
Fund Healthcare not Warfare – Sept. 27
14] See a screening of "Necessity" –
Sept. 27
15] Pentagon
Peace Vigil – Sept. 28
16] Land of Kush Food Rescue – Sept. 28
17] Food Truck Monday – Sept. 28
18] Environmental
Justice Task Force – Sept. 28
19] Achieving Police-Free Schools -- Sept. 28
20] ICE detention centers – Sept. 28
21] Trump Brings America’s Dirty Wars Home – Sept. 28
22] SPECIAL PRE-DEBATE CALL – Sept. 28
23] Get Money
Out of Maryland – Sept. 28
24] Bill
Barry will
be teaching course on the Second New Deal – Sept. 29 – Oct. 20
25] Environmental Justice in Baltimore City Panel Discussion -- Sept. 29
26] Human Rights Defenders in Iran – Sept. 29
27] Outside Bread for the Journey Soup Kitchen – Sept.
29
28] Baltimore County Council Work Session – Sept. 29
29] Endurance, Escape & Rockville's Underground
Railroad –
Sept. 29
30] Pre-debate
virtual happy hour – Sept. 29
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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 U.S. wars.
To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net. Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.
4] – Election Day is coming up in less than two months. Progressive Democrats of America need your help now. Sign up at mikefox@pdamerica.org to make phone calls.
5] – On Sun., Sept. 27 from 8:15 to 10:30 AM, Walk for Change in Old Town, Alexandria. Start at Misha's Coffeehouse, 102 S. Patrick St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Every Morning, Walk. Wear shirts or carrying signs with positive messages of Equality. The only prerequisite is an able body, loving heart and a dedication to ACTION for change and EQUALITY. Each member has taken action and contributed $ to a BLM cause and continues to keep the MOVEment alive through Daily Walks. Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/2508407094
78673/?event_time_id=250840719478672.
6] - Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion at 10:30 AM. On Sun., Sept. 27, the platform address is “Environmental Info Wars.” Michael Moore has a well-earned reputation for rocking the boat – for challenging the NRA, the healthcare industry, General Motors, and capitalism in general. But he, along with director Jeff Gibbs, outraged many progressives when he criticized the environmental movement in his 2019 documentary, Planet of the Humans. Given the urgency of environmental stewardship, Hugh Taft-Morales investigates this controversy. Did Moore do a public service by creating this work, or did the film set environmentalism back through its claim that environmental groups were in the pocket of financiers from corporate America?
Hugh Taft-Morales joined the Baltimore Ethical Society as its professional leader in 2010, the same year he was certified by the American Ethical Union as an Ethical Culture Leader. He also serves as Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia. Email ask@bmorethical.org. Visit https://bmorethical.org/?post_type=dd_events&p=4228.
7] – On Sun., Sept. 27 from 2 to 3 PM, join the No Confirmation until Inauguration Rally at the Supreme Court of the United States, hosted by Demand Justice. Demand that senators wait until after the inauguration to confirm a new Supreme Court justice who could kick millions off their health care. Where have they been on COVID relief, justice for Breonna Taylor, gun violence prevention, and climate? The people demand that OUR NEEDS ARE MET before the Senate entertains the idea of confirming a new justice days before the most important presidential election of our lifetime. All event participants are expected to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and follow all local safety guidelines.
8] – As we passed the 200K mark in total COVID-19 deaths -- many of which were totally preventable -- Progressive Democrats of America held vigils in the street, contacted Congress and other elected officials, and now ask you join its Healthcare Emergency Virtual Town Hall on Sun., Sept. 27 at 4 PM ET. Discuss ways to stay healthy, and the road to healthcare as a human right. RSVP and receive the secure codes: mikefox@pdamerica.org. Dr. Bill will be joined by Dr. Pam Gronemeyer -- rural Illinois physician and Medicare for All activist -- and Executive Director of People Demanding Action, Andrea Miller.
9] – Protect Creatures and Natural Places by Rediscovering Wonder in our local Nature Parks on Sun., Sept 27 at 4 PM. Local nature enthusiasts and members of Prince George’s Sierra Club gathered in a virtual outing in August to explore the local parks, preserves, and natural areas in Prince George’s County. Join the next "More Nature Finds near Home" this Sunday. Contact Janet Gingold, Chair, Prince George's Group at janet.gingold@mdsierra.org or (301) 814-1223.
10] – Join a BREONNA TAYLOR ACTION IN SOLIDARITY WITH LOUISVILLE. There is a Solidarity March on Sun., Sept. 27 at 4:30 PM starting at the Park near the MICA train station. This is organized by Baltimore Action Movement (BAM).
11] – You can help engage other women to defeat Trump starting each Sunday from 3 to 5 PM ET, until Nov. 3. Join these SISTERHOOD SUNDAYS where people will make phone calls to get out the vote. Join this Sunday to make phone calls to other Women’s March members. Sign up at https://act.womensmarch.com/signup/09102020_sisterhood-sunday-form?source=em20200918&t=2&akid=371%2E508952%2EHq5HVp.
12] – Promise to Protect coalition partners are hosting a webinar on Sun., Sept. 27 from 5 to 6 PM ET to provide a Keystone XL status update, and offer testimony tips for the upcoming tele-public hearings on proposed Clean Water Act permits for the pipeline scheduled for next week. Folks working on the ground to stop the pipeline will give an update on organizing, and ongoing legal challenges. You may join either via your computer, or dial-in to a phone number provided upon registration. REGISTER at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I9NU2wK8TqeSisdDhyyqtQ?link_id=1&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-invite-webinar-for-kxl-update-army-corps-permit-hearings&email_referrer=email_935721&email_subject=invite-webinar-for-kxl-update-army-corps-permit-hearings.
13] – Check out Healthcare Needs in the Pandemic: Fund Healthcare not Warfare on Sun., Sept. 27 from 7 to 8:30 PM. Across the nation millions of healthcare workers are under great stress and direct danger, desperately in need of increased resources, investment and income. Hundreds of articles, interviews, webinars and broadcasts call attention to the nation’s failure to properly invest in the healthcare and public health systems. But silence on the diversion of trillions of taxpayers’ dollars to the war machine continues. The Covid pandemic has highlighted existing societal issues regarding access to healthcare, income inequality, racial inequities, and a poorly-equipped public health system. It is clear, we need increased funding for public health and healthcare needs RSVP at http://masspeaceaction.org/event/healthcare-needs-in-the-pandemic-fund-healthcare-not-warfare/?emci=6db8015b-30fc-ea11-96f5-00155d03affc&emdi=35bff806-32fc-ea11-96f5-00155d03affc&ceid=269591.
14] – See a screening of "Necessity"--a documentary on climate chaos resistance-- and hear a panel discussion with filmmakers, attorneys with the Climate Defense Project, and an anti-pipeline advocate. Michele Naar-Obed from the Hildegard House Catholic Worker will be part of the panel talking about the Four Necessity Valve Turners action. Watch the film at your leisure, and Join the discussion on Sun., Sept. 27 at 8 PM EST via Zoom! In addition to your ticket purchase, donate generously at checkout to support both NECESSITY outreach and the work of the Climate Defense Project!! NECESSITY traces the fight in Minnesota against the expansion of pipelines carrying highly toxic tar sands oil through Native lands and essential waterways in North America. This feature-length documentary follows Indigenous leaders and white allies, using direct action to protect the sacred and demand justice. Legal experts discuss the record of disparate treatment in the justice system and the legal strategy of the necessity defense, which makes a moral case for acts of civil disobedience. Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/necessity-documentary-screening-climate-defense-project-fundraiser-tickets-119548311217?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch.
15] – 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 Sept. 28, 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.
16] – On Mon., Sept. 28 from 11 AM to 1 PM, there is a Food Rescue at Land of Kush, 840 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore 21201. This will continue each Monday through Oct. 26. Get some free vegan and plant-based food for the community. Bring a bag, take what you want as supplies last. Items from The Land of Kush's menu are not included in the give-away but will be available for sale. See https://www.facebook.com/events/950858858703919/?event_time_id=950858865370585.
17] – On Mon., Sept. 28 from 5 to 8 PM, get with Food Truck Monday at Mt. Zion Church, 1643 E. Churchville Road, Bel Air 21015. Mt. Zion Church is hosting Food Truck Mondays! Each week, through October 26, a few different local food trucks will be featured. Proceeds will benefit Children of Zion Village in Namibia. Food truck lineups will be posted weekly! Each event will be held rain or shine. Skip cooking and come have dinner with us to support a great cause. https://www.facebook.com/events/626485358235756/?event_time_id=626485391569086.
18] – The Environmental Justice Task Force continues its fight to shut down the BRESCO incinerator on Mon., Sept. 28 from 6 to 7:30 PM. Political pressure is growing for the Mayor to stop his secret talks with BRESCO, and it is essential to keep the momentum going. The Wheelabrator incinerator must close when its contract with the city ends next year. RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/kaoTh1Eb1kGeD-zB5zBmQw2?emci=99bf6b77-6ffe-ea11-96f5-00155d03affc&emdi=f6c76b65-72fe-ea11-96f5-00155d03affc&ceid=136680. Climate chaos and environmental issues often hurt those who are already marginalized in our society. Poor and Black and brown communities often face the harshest effects.
19] – On Mon., Sept. 28 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, check out Achieving Police-Free Schools, hosted by ACLU of the District of Columbia. RSVP at https://action.aclu.org/.../dc-achieving-police-free-schools. D.C. Public School students should learn in an environment that is safe and free from harm. But DCPS currently pay millions of dollars to staff schools with police officers who, contrary to making schools safer, cause more harm. Past data analyzed by the ACLU shows that schools with police reported 3.5 times as many arrests of children as schools without police, and have higher rates of suspensions and expulsions. These harms disproportionately impact Black and Brown students (Black girls especially), students with disabilities, and LGBTQ students.
20] – Recently, a whistleblower shocked the world with horrifying revelations about human rights abuses in ICE detention centers in Georgia, including the performing of hysterectomies without proper consent. The whistleblower, Dawn Wooten, is a nurse and is being represented in her complaint in part by Project South. Join Defending Rights & Dissent board member and Project South’s Legal and Advocacy Director Azadeh Shahshahani to learn what’s really happening in ICE detention. In addition to representing Ms. Wooten, Azadeh has long been involved in documenting human rights abuses at Georgia’s ICE detentions and organizing against. In this special 15 minute update on Mon., Sept 28 at 7 PM, Azadeh will explain what the whistleblower revealed, how it fits into the larger picture of abusive ICE detention, and what activists are doing about it. RSVP at https://rightsanddissent.org/live/ice-detention-whistleblower/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=79ea5bd7-cc45-4001-85fa-8b57d8bad1e0.
21] – Tune in to Trump Brings America’s Dirty Wars Home on Mon., Sept. 28 from 7 to 8:30 PM. To join this online event go to http://masspeaceaction.org/event/trump-brings-americas-dirty-wars-home/?emci=d99f4557-abeb-ea11-8b03-00155d0394bb&emdi=704ab18d-7eec-ea11-8b03-00155d0394bb&ceid=269591. What are the roots of American police repression and what kind of movement could change it? Join a conversation with Stuart Schrader, a young scholar who locates the roots of America's militarized police practices in our half century of counter-insurgency and empire as the U.S. sought to control dozens of countries across the world through a combination of policing, irregular armed groups, and military force. He is a Lecturer / Assistant Research Scientist in Sociology at Johns Hopkins University, teaching in Africana Studies, International Studies, Political Science, and Sociology. He is also the Associate Director of the Program in Racism, Immigration, and Citizenship. His PhD is in American Studies, from NYU, in 2015. He has also taught at Harvard and NYU.
22] – Our Revolution is holding a SPECIAL PRE-DEBATE CALL on Mon., Sept. 28 at 8:30 PM ET, ahead of Tuesday’s first Presidential debate in Ohio. Speak out about how Trump betrayed workers in Ohio, Michigan and other battleground states. These Monday virtual calls will continue through November 2. Expose Trump’s Lies to U.S. Workers, and hear from laid-off workers and union leaders from Ohio and other battleground states who’ll talk about how Trump and Pence are lying about saving 5,000 jobs at Ohio’s GM Lordstown plant and stopping plant closures in the Midwest. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/148017/?akid=492.8252965.Xd-W6M&rd=1&t=9.
23] – Join the Get Money Out of Maryland Teleconference on Mon., Sept. 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 PM. There are two ways to join the conference: Dial 1 929 205 6099, and then use meeting ID: 512 862 260. Or Click on your device if you have downloaded the app from Zoom. The focus will be on organizational sign-ups, public relations, and logistics for lobbying in Annapolis.
24] – Bill Barry will be teaching an exciting, and timely course, on the Second New Deal for JHU-Osher, every Tuesday through Oct. 20 from 10 AM to noon. The course will cover social and political movements, as well as New Deal legislation. The course will be done on Zoom and will feature some exciting guest speakers. To register, go to https://aapnoncredit.jhu.edu/wconnect/osher/CourseStatus.awp1?&course=20FB519.
25] – On Tues., Sept. 29 from 10:30 AM to noon, catch up with the Environmental Justice in Baltimore City Panel Discussion, an Online Event, hosted by JHU Sustainability. Register at http://bit.ly/bmoreejpanel2020. This event seeks to bring together practitioner and community voices from the Baltimore City to discuss the intersection of social justice and climate/environmental concerns. This event invites four Baltimore City community organizers and public servants to participate as panelists.
26] – On Tues., Sept. 29 from noon to 1:30 PM, hear about Courage & Repression: Human Rights Defenders in Iran on Facebook Live, hosted by Front Line Defenders and Iranwire English. Reporter and student Sepideh Gholian was just 23 years old when she was arrested alongside other human rights defenders for reporting on a peaceful protest by sugar mill workers in Iran over unpaid wages in late 2018. For 30 days she was brutally tortured by Iran’s intelligence services. Sepideh was later sentenced to 18 years in prison and first reported to Sepidar Women’s Prison in Ahvaz, Iran before being transferred to the notorious Evin Prison. Temporarily released during the coronavirus pandemic, Sepideh was able to share her prison diaries and drawings with the world. Although the author is now back behind bars, these have been published in Farsi and English translation. Join us for an update on Sepideh’s situation and work, a reading of excerpts from her memoir and a discussion on the situation faced by human rights defenders in Iran today. Join in for an update on Sepideh’s situation and work, reading of excerpts from her memoir and a discussion of the situation for human rights defenders in Iran today, as the COVID-19 pandemic rages through the country and as the Iranian government targets any activist who speaks out in defense of fundamental human rights.
27] – On Tues., Sept. 29 from 1:30 to 2 PM, check out Outside Bread for the Journey Soup Kitchen individual lunches given out by Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Baltimore. This Tuesday soup kitchen will until Dec. 1. The church is at 2424 McElderry St., Baltimore 21205. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/602052220539690/?event_time_id=602052307206348.
28] – Get over to a Baltimore County Council Work Session on Tues., Sept. 29 from 4 to 6 PM ET. Following the tabling of the police accountability bill #73-20, Councilperson Julian Jones will introduce a new set of bills in the Council meeting; and this work session will work on these bills. They will codify and strengthen police accountability measures, and take other Councilmembers' concerns into account. It will also allow for more public involvement, by requiring two civilians to serve on the County's Police Hearing Board. Attend this work session and testify if you are able to show your support! You will receive call-in instructions via email after you RSVP at https://jufj.org/event/baco-work-session/?emci=d512f178-26f9-ea11-99c3-00155d039e74&emdi=eb0bf9d4-acf9-ea11-99c3-00155d039e74&ceid=3403859.
29] – Forging Freedom: Endurance, Escape & Rockville's Underground Railroad is happening on Tues., Sept. 29 at 7 PM on Zoom. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forging-freedom-endurance-escape-and-rockvilles-underground-railroad-registration-121229389367.
September is Underground Railroad Month! To make the exhibit more accessible, Peerless Rockville is offering it as a presentation online on Zoom. This is the story of Rockville in the era of the Underground Railroad, when slavery cast a shadow over life in this farming town, and separatist tensions steadily propelled the nation towards war. Come learn about the brave fugitives who fled slavery in Rockville, the abolitionist network that helped, and the endurance of the enslaved community. Upon registration, you will receive the link to the Zoom broadcast.
30] – The Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund is hosting a pre-debate virtual happy hour on Tues., Sept. 29 at 7:30 PM ET! Before the Presidential debate on Tuesday, join us for drinks and music and some really cool election actions. You bring the drinks. CCAN will bring the live music, inspiration, and fun. Want to learn how to write “Dump Trump” postcards through the Sunrise Movement? You will be told how. Want to call voters in North Carolina? You will be shown what to do. Along the way, for sixty minutes on Tuesday night, you’ll laugh and tap your toe and be glad you came. RSVP at https://act.ccanactionfund.org/page/22630/data/1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=utm_ftv&utm_content=FTV-HappyHourwinner&ea.url.id=602533.
To be continued.
Donations can be sent to Max Obuszewski, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 431 Notre Dame Lane, Baltimore, MD 21212. Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.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
