Baltimore Activist Alert October 21 & 22, 2018

Baltimore Activist Alert October 21 & 22, 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] Pat Elder for Congress

5] Buy an Anti-War Veteran hat  

6] Short-term paid organizer position is available

7] Lead Prevention Day of Action – Oct. 21

8] “Domestic Violence: Seems Like it is Here to Stay” – Oct. 21

9] Join Take Action Anne Arundel County for a canvass – Oct. 21

10] 14th Soul of Medicine Brunch – Oct. 21

11] Film “Life in Occupied Palestine” – Oct. 21

12] Film “The Occupation of the American Mind” – Oct. 21

13] Pass the ERA – Oct. 21

14] Black Lives Matter demo – Oct. 21

15] Protest at the Pentagon – Oct. 22

16] Join the Environmental Justice Legislative Team – Oct. 22

17] Food Rescue Baltimore – Oct. 22

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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] – 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.

5] – Get a good-looking black hat which says Anti-War Veteran in the front and Viva House 50^th in the back.  The cost is $10. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

6] – The Kings Bay Plowshares 7 – is seeking a short-term paid organizer position.  The APPLICATION DEADLINE is Fri., Nov. 2, 2018.  Email your resume and a short paragraph about why you are applying for this job and what unique skills you bring to this job to kingsbayplowshares@gmail.com. You may also email this address with any questions you may have.   

Trident submarines and ballistic missile systems maintained by this country are a threat to all creation. The ongoing building and maintenance of Trident constitute war crimes that can and should be investigated and prosecuted by judicial authorities at all levels. As citizens, we are required by International Law to denounce and resist known crimes.

Nuclear weapons eviscerate the rule of law, enforce white supremacy, perpetuate endless war and environmental destruction and ensure impunity for all manner of crimes against humanity. Dr. King said, “The ultimate logic of racism is genocide.” We say, “The ultimate logic of Trident is omnicide.” A just and peaceful world is possible when we join prayers with action. Swords into Plowshares!”

 Seven Catholic Plowshares activists entered Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in St. Mary’s, Georgia on April 4th, 2018.  They went to make real the prophet Isaiah’s command to “beat swords into plowshares”. (See more at https://www.kingsbayplowshares7.org/).

 The Kings Bay Plowshares 7 defendants and support team seek to hire a passionate and dedicated Georgia paid organizer. We expect the KBP7 Field Organizer to be working in South Georgia and interact with a diverse range of people, build a strong volunteer base and plan and organize various solidarity events representing the KBP7 and their action goals. We are looking for someone interested in and skilled at building with and learning from frontline communities, as well as, honoring longtime activists already engaged in grassroots organizing for the KBP7 on the ground in the Brunswick, Georgia area. 

 The position extends to the KBP7 trial. The trial date is currently unknown but we are anticipating that it will happen within 6 months or less from now.

 The paid organizer will begin at 10 hours per week. This will likely increase closer to a trial date. The hourly rate is $20.

 Supervision will be provided by a 3 person committee with one primary point person. The paid organizer will also join a weekly KBP7 support team conference call meeting and present a weekly action report.

 We will not provide housing, however, we will work closely with the paid organizer to find suitable and inexpensive housing for their length of employment.

 The job skills which are sought are as follows: Effective communication skills, Computer literacy hopefully including database management, listserv management, and social media literacy. Grassroots networking experience, Comfortable with public speaking and Media savvy. Job Specifics are to Work closely with the KBP7 support team and media coordinator to further the KBP7 action goals including continued witness to the threat of Trident; Coordinate current GA volunteers, delegating outreach and logistical tasks to volunteers as much as possible, Recruit new GA volunteers, Plan and execute outreach events, such as… Vigils at KB and at hearings and trial, Potlucks for Peace with discussion regarding Trident and a pre-trial Festival of Hope.

7] –   On Sun., Oct. 21 from 9 AM to 3 PM, be part of Lead Free Baltimore Lead Prevention Day of Action, hosted by Black Millennials for Flint at Greater Baltimore Urban League, 512 Orchard St., Baltimore 21201.  Black Millennials for Flint, the first and ONLY African American and Latino civil rights and environmental justice organization advocating for the eradication of lead in partnership with The Greater Baltimore Leadership Association, Thursday Network Greater Washington Urban League Young Professionals and the Children's Environmental Health Network are hosting a Day of Action.  From Freddie Gray to Korryn Gaines, lead in housing has both disproportionately and most violently impacted black and brown communities for far too long. On this day of action, volunteers, community leaders, activists and organizers will come together to make a call to action to eliminate lead in housing in the great City of Baltimore. The day will include canvassing, educating Baltimore residents about their rights to #LeadFreeHousing followed by a seminar featuring some of Baltimore's most powerful leaders fighting the good fight for a #LeadFreeBaltimore.  Register at http://bit.ly/TNleadfree. Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/327518781339960/.

8] –  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., Oct. 21, the topic is “Domestic Violence: Seems Like it is Here to Stay.”  October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. This is an opportunity to understand and expose intimate partner violence. Join us as we seek to define domestic violence, explain the role of the “cycle of violence,” and identify the warning signs of abuse. We will discuss the difficulties of being with an abusive partner and why some individuals chose to stay in those relationships. Finally we talk about how victims can be safe if they stay in, or leave, an abusive relationship.

   Margaret (Maggie) Barris has been a therapist for over 25 years. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Over the course of her career, she worked at the Justice Center in Cleveland, Ohio advocating for victims of domestic violence in the criminal justice system and the Domestic Violence Unit at Family and Children’s Services in Baltimore County. Currently, she is in private practice here in Baltimore. Call 410-581-2322 or email ask@bmorethical.org.

9] – Join Take Action Anne Arundel County for a canvass on Sun., Oct. 21 from 11 AM to 2 PM at the Driftwood Diner, 1468 Snug Harbor Rd., Shady Side 20764 to support county candidates: James Kitchin for County Council District 7 and Laticia Hicks for Board of Education, District 7. RSVP to Randye Williams at stressrn33@gmail.com.

10] – On Sun., Oct. 21 from 11 AM to 1 PM, check out the 14th Soul of Medicine Brunch with keynote speaker Ken Ginsburg, MD, MS ED. This event is co-sponsored by PSR Philadelphia at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22nd St. Register at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E331391&id=17.

11] – Michael Beer, Director of Nonviolence International is helping to facilitate the showing of a film, “Life in Occupied Palestine” as a part of the film series "Voices from the Holy Land" at Friends Meeting of Washington, 2111 Florida Avenue. NW, WDC. The film series will begin on Sun., Oct. 21 at 12:30 PM.

Events in Palestine have deteriorated badly. This is an opportunity to update your knowledge and understanding of the conflict. Go to voicesfromtheholyland.org or
Facebook.com/voicesholyland or http://nonviolenceinternational.nationbuilder.com/.

12] – The Holy Land, i.e. Israel and Palestine, is now in the news on a weekly basis: “U.S. Moves Embassy to Jerusalem.” “Israel Passes Controversial ‘Jewish Nation-State Law.’” “Casualties in Gaza Surpass 155 Dead and Over 17,000 Wounded” ….. How do we understand these headlines? How do we understand issues of justice, human-rights, and peace in the Holy Land? How do we understand the role of U.S. policies and mainstream media on the lives of the people living in the Holy Land?

To explore these complex, difficult, and emotional questions, a coalition of nineteen interfaith and interdenominational faith organizations joined together to offer a five-week film series and discussions exploring issues of justice, human rights, and peace in Israel and Palestine. This first ever Baltimore Voices from the Holy Land 2018 Film Series ends on Sun., Oct. 21 at Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore with a 2:30 PM

Screening of “The Occupation of the American Mind.”  There will be a moderated Q&A led by a knowledgeable expert following the film screening.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/554874658278183/.  It is organized by Baltimore Palestine Solidarity with many other organizations.  Check out https://www.voicesfromtheholyland.org/.

13] – On Sun., Oct. 21 at 4 PM, join The CALL - ERA Education Program, hosted by One Rural Woman at Katrina's Dream, PO Box 32003, WDC 20007.  Get tickets at www.katrinasdream.org.  Help build the groundswell. The collaboration of grassroots organizers, lobbyists, and professionals is dedicated to promoting and educating folks across the United States of America to empowering women around the world.  PASS THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

There is a NATIONAL WEEKLY SUNDAY CALL at 4 PM with E.R.A. ADVOCATES -- CALL IN NO: 563.999.2090 CONFERENCE NO: 898879#.  Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1710130249022424/.

14] – On Sun., Oct. 21 from 4 to 5 PM, attend a Black Lives Matter monthly vigil at Governor Warfield Parkway and Windstream Drive in Howard County. The vigil will continue until Dec. 9. Join in on the second Sunday of each month for a public witness to remind the community that all lives will matter when black lives matter. Show up to tell the world that injustice will not be ignored in Howard County or anywhere else. Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/408704056256085/.

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 Oct. 22, 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., Oct. 22 from noon to 1:30 PM, get involved with the Fall Briefing Series: NGI and Community Health, hosted by Maryland Environmental Health Network, 2 E. Read St., Baltimore 21202.  Join the Environmental Justice Legislative Team as it dives into the environmental health and justice issues impacting the most vulnerable. This event will feature residents and advocates who are considering the ways energy shapes health in our state. Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8KHFKwOtTTWqGon-FPAXCg or https://www.facebook.com/events/947107132152660/.

17] – On Mon., Oct. 15, and every Monday until Feb. 4, 2019, at noon, there will be a Food Rescue at Land of Kush, 840 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore 21201. Food Rescue Baltimore is honored to partner with The Land of Kush each and every Monday to bring access to free vegan/plant-based food in the community. Bring a bag. Take what you want from noon to 1PM or while supplies last. No purchase is necessary to take advantage of the Food Rescue Baltimore give away. 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/415842178868197/.

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