Saturday, July 14, 2018

Baltimore Activist Alert July 15 to 16, 2018


Baltimore Activist Alert July 15 to 16, 2018

"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.  Go to www.baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com.  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 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net.

1] Books, buttons and stickers
2] Web site for info on federal legislation
3] Join Nonviolent Resistance lists  
4] Write Reality Winner
5] Pat Elder for Congress
6] Support the Duncan & Porter Hospitality House  
7] Participate in Megan Shook's fundraiser for USA for UNHCR
8] Adopt a cat through July 31
9] We the People July 15
10] Help create art that lifts up the message of climate justice July 15
11] Community Meeting on Urban Renewal Plan for Reservoir Hill July 15
12] Stomp Out Slumlords -- July 15
13] SURJ MoCo Mass Meeting -- July 15
14] Screening of the production, “It’s What We Do” -- July 15
15] Green Team 45 Volunteer Training – July 15
16] Protest at McDonald’s -- July 15
17] Protest at the Pentagon July 16
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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 the war in Iraq.

To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email 6address to mobuszewski at Verizon.net.  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] –  On June 3, 2017 Reality Leigh Winner was arrested and jailed and later charged under the Espionage Act for allegedly releasing a top-secret document to a media outlet, The Intercept.  The document analyzed information about Russian online intrusions prior to the 2016 presidential election. Reality had been employed by a contract agency and worked at the NSA in Augusta, Georgia following her hono8rable discharge from the U.S. Air Force in December of 2016.  Reality has pleaded not guilty to this one charge, and her defense team is working furiously to defend against the Espionage charge, but the Court in Georgia continues to rule against Reality at every turn.  Reality has been denied pretrial bail and awaits trial in a small county jail in Lincolnton, Georgia.

The impact this has had on Reality and our entire family is devastating.  Because of the undue pressure, Reality decided to cop a plea, and now faces five years of imprisonment. Please write to Reality at Reality L. Winner, Inmate # 3342, Lincoln County Jail, PO Box 970, Lincolnton, GA 30817.

5] – Green Candidate Pat Elder is Running against Democratic House Whip Steny Hoyer -- www.elderforcongress.org/elderforcongress@gmail.com/301-997-3963. Elder is a life-long peace and justice activist, who will be on the ballot in November. He is a great progressive.  Elder calls for shutting down the Chalk Point and Morgantown coal-fired stations in the 5th district. Pat is opposed to Dominion Energy’s terminal at Cove Point and other projects in the 5th. He also demands a cessation of weapons testing in the Potomac and an immediate cleanup of Superfund sites at the Indian Head Naval Warfare Center and Patuxent River Naval Air Station. He calls for subjecting the military’s ongoing environmental degradation to state oversight. 

Pat supports Medicare for all, public financing of elections, free community college. Elder supports a living wage; strong measures to correct racial injustice; eliminating the Social Security taxable maximum of $128,400; He advocates for meaningful cuts in military spending and increasing the top tax for folks making more than $2 million to 50%. That’ll pay for everything. Pat supports non-violent, multilateral solutions to the problems facing our country.

Pat plans to capture 5% of the vote and expects to open the political debate. Pat expects to run the most successful Green Party congressional campaign ever. It shouldn’t be too tough. Hoyer is awful. Spread the message on social media. Send in a dollar or two if you can.

6] – Support the Duncan & Porter Hospitality House. What's a house of hospitality without a working kitchen? Donate at https://www.gofundme.com/v2s3h8.

More than 25 years ago Vincent Eirene, of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, opened up his doors to those in need. Vince, now 65, will always put others first and has given back to the community continuously. Avoiding the regulations of official shelters, he maintains an open door policy, working with a few men at a time that usually come from the local food pantry. He helps them with everything from medical care to social services. Vince has been running his open door home on his own disability check and the miracle of generosity. I personally have been helping him secure funding for purchasing the home and keeping it livable, from small touches to large ones. It is currently in need of a new stove. Please help us raise this modest amount before harvest, so the cooking can continue at the Duncan and Porter House of Hospitality.

7] – Participate in Megan Shook's fundraiser for USA for UNHCR.  She asks, “Want to join me in supporting a good cause? I'm raising money for USA for UNHCR and your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support. I've included information about USA for UNHCR, which helps and protects refugees and people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution. Supporting UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency – and its partners, we provide lifesaving essentials including shelter, water, food, safety and protection. Around the world, we help refugees survive, recover and build a better future.  Together we give refugees the hope they deserve, restore their dignity and help them rebuild their lives.”  Established by concerned citizens, USA for UNHCR is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Donate at https://www.facebook.com/donate/430046250797823/.

8] – Now is the purr-fect time to adopt and give an unwanted cat or kitten a loving, new family! During the entire month of July, the Maryland SPCA, along with 19 other shelters across Maryland, are waiving adoption fees for felines with the collective goal of finding homes for at least 2,000 unwanted cats and kittens across the state. Regular adoption procedures still apply. The Maryland 2,000 sponsor Cat Hospital At Towson (CHAT) will be offering free wellness exams for all cats adopted during the month of July from the Maryland SPCA and BAWA Partners (BARCS, Baltimore Humane Society and Baltimore County Animal Services). Click here http://www.mdspca.org/updates/detail/maryland-20001. 

Help save more lives with Baltimore Animal Welfare Alliance partners–BARCS, Baltimore Humane Society, Baltimore County Animal Services and special guest Humane Society of Harford County. The standard adoption fee for cats and kittens will be waived as part of our Maryland 2,000 adoption promotion. To help you and your new feline get off on the right paw, adopters will receive a free certificate for a cat wellness exam at CHAT. Standard adoption procedures will apply for each participating shelter.

9] – 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., July 15, the topic is “We The People.” BES member Stuart Hirsch will explain what he perceives the role and limits of government power as envisioned by the constitution and federalist papers. He believes that the constitution needs to be a dynamic document that promotes real social justice, personal and political freedom and equality, such as the 13th, 14th 15th, and 19th amendments do. He believes the intent of the constitution was to severely restrict the federal government’s power to tax and redistribute wealth. He will argue that programs such as social security, Medicare, Medicaid, student loans, and most welfare programs were not envisioned by the framers of the constitution, but the antithesis of the society they wished to create, and that we must transition to a more capitalistic economy if we are to have true freedom, social justice, and prosperity, and fulfill their vision.  Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

10] – Baltimore PCM has developed a series of art builds and screen printing workshops to create materials and momentum for the "Zero Hour March" happening in Washington, DC on Sat., July 21.  Join to help create art that lifts up the message of climate justice, jobs and environmental racism. Come to an art build that will take place at the Black Cherry Puppet Theater, 1115 Hollins St., Baltimore 21223 on Sun., July 15 from  noon to 4 PM. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1688949711212893/.

11] –   On Sun., July 15 from 1 to 2:30 PM attend a Community Meeting on Urban Renewal Plan for Reservoir Hill, hosted by the Reservoir Hill Improvement Council at Beth Am, 2501 Eutaw Place, Baltimore 21217. The City has had an Urban Renewal Plan for Reservoir Hill since 1972, but it has to be revised to bring it in line with new zoning ordinances. A committee from RHIC and FoRH has worked on revisions to make sure Reservoir Hill is open to positive development but protected from what the community does not want. Come to give your input on the draft before it's submitted to City Hall. A brief presentation will cover the high points in the plan followed by a Q and A. Review the draft URP here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GaelN8-1ArpwJEtiwWRICufh-QFiNHqb/view.  Comments may be sent to Katie Davis of the FoRH-RHIC Housing & Development Committee at katieelizd@gmail.com.

12] – On Sun., July 15 at 1: 30 PM, join in the Stomp Out Slumlords: Anti-Eviction Canvass, hosted by Metro D.C. Democratic Socialists of America at the "Capital Gallery," 600 Maryland Ave. SW, WDC 20024. Come help connect tenants facing eviction with legal resources! Every volunteer can make a big impact.  Meet at the L’Enfant Metro exit. Come for walk sheets and a partner. See https://www.facebook.com/events/195670497949242/.

13] – On Sun., July 15 from 2 to 5 PM, be at the SURJ MoCo Mass Meeting at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Lane, Bethesda 20814. There's a lot going on for this meeting.  Do workshops on Alternatives to Calling the Police, and get updates on the campaign for justice for Robbie White.  Talk about actions you can take in Montgomery County to help end family detention from the MoCo Trust Act to showing up against deportations. RSVP via this link: https://goo.gl/forms/y6QJbQzqi2nHSaRZ2. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2091261827810228/.

14] – You are invited you to a screening of the award-winning production, “It’s What We Do:” a play about the Occupation on Sun., July 15 from 3 to 5 PM in the  Arlington Central Library Bluemont Room (upstairs),  1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201.  Winner of Best Drama Audience Award in both 2015 and 2017 at the Washington DC Capital Fringe Festival, this docudrama goes beyond the headlines to show what occupation looks like on a daily basis – both how it affects the Israeli soldiers as enforcers and how it continues to affect Palestinians living under it. It is based on verbatim testimonies from Israeli soldiers, collected by Breaking the Silence, an Israeli NGO.  This screening is brought to you by Code Pink, Voices From the Holy Land Film Series, Jewish Voice for Peace-DC, Metro DC-Democratic Socialists of America, Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, and Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace. Catch the Discussion Following the Performance with Moderator, Pamela Nice, the Director and Playwright and Emily Siegel of Eyewitness Palestine and Jamal Najjab, Palestinian-American journalist, activist and cast member of IWWD production. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1789404507792787/?active_tab=about.  See www.Jewishvoiceforpeace.org.

15] – On Sun., July 15 at 4 PM, join in the Green Team 45 Volunteer Training, hosted by Andy Ellis For State Delegate-MD 45 and Glenn L. Ross For State Delegate-MD 45 at 509 N. Milton Ave., Baltimore. Get ready for general election canvassing. Attendees will learn about the campaign and canvassing, get an opportunity to practice and role play, and have the opportunity to sign up for shifts. Knocking on doors and meeting people where they are is a great way to spread the message about our grassroots campaign. If you are unable to attend this training there will be another one on Wed., July 18. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/659718961029812/.

16] – On Sun., July 15 from 5 to 6 PM, there is a McDonald's ImNotLovinIt Demo!  It is hosted by The Humane League – DC at 1800 N. Lynn St., Arlington, VA 22209-2007. The Humane League is continuing this HISTORIC campaign against McDonald's! THL-DC is appreciative of your invaluable support for animals in joining together in a peaceful protest against McDonald’s in Rosslyn! After the demo, head over to Sweet Green Restaurant (vegan friendly) for an early dinner, in case you want to join in on fun times with new friends! At 4:45 PM gather inside the Starbucks in front of the McDonald’s to get everyone situated with a protest sign. The protest style is professional and silent.  Contact the DC Grassroots Coordinator, Thomas Goodman, with any questions at (703) 839-0987 or tgoodman@thehumaneleague.org.

Ask McDonald’s to publicly commit to a meaningful welfare policy for the chickens in their supply chain, who currently have no protections in any way. Starbucks, Chipotle, TGI Fridays, Red Robin, Subway, and other major restaurant chains have all made a welfare policy. The time is NOW for McDonald’s to do the same! You can learn the details about the campaign at https://imnotlovinit.com/.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2060947430896943/

17] – 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 July 16, 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.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218.  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

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