Baltimore Activist Alert -- May 15 - 16, 2020

60] Endangered Species Day – May 15

61] Free Masks – May 15

62] Food rescue – May 15

63] Free Grilled Food – May 15

64] White House vigil – May 15

65] Nakba Commemoration Week – May 15 - 16

66] Flower Fridays – May 15

67] Nakba Day -- May 15

68] Homelessness and COVID-19 – May 15

69] Future of Mideast Diplomacy – May 15

70] Friday Free Food Distribution – May 15

71] Bird-a-thon – May 15

72] Peace and justice vigil – May 15

73] Climate Emergency – May 15

74] “Racing Extinction!” – May 15

75] National Action to End the Korean War – May 15

76] Pantry on the Go Food Distribution – May 16

77] Family Food Giveaway – May 16

78] Feed the Homeless – May 16

79] Plowshares webinar – May 16

80] Phone bank for Our Revolution Endorsed Candidates – May 16

81] Sunrise Movement DC Hub Book Club – May 16

82] Brandon for Baltimore – May 16

83] Do you need a doctor?

84] Two Berrigan Books still in print

85] Emergency Demonstration against an attack on Venezuela or Iran  

86] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

87] Do you need any book shelves?

88] Join the Global Zero campaign.

89] Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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60] - On Fri., May 15 from 7 AM to 8 PM, get involved in Endangered Species Day: Community Action, hosted by Southern Maryland’s Vegan Restaurant Week. Help spread awareness and protect Southern Maryland’s vital resources plus wildlife and marine habitats. Go for a walk where litter abounds and collect it for about two hours. After your litter clean-up is complete, post a photo of your “collection” in the event page.  Visit https://www.endangered.org and https://www.facebook.com/events/542765710002519/.

61] – On Fri., May 15 from 8:30 AM to noon, there are Free Masks for Gaithersburg Area Residents, hosted by Airpark Auto Pros / Certified Auto Services, 8025 Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg 20879. Face coverings and masks will become more important, and more will be needed, as people begin to leave their homes more frequently. If you need a mask for you or your family, please stop by and pick one up for free. No need to even get out of your car, just drive up to the front of the shop.  Go to airparkautopros.com/masks and https://www.facebook.com/events/263790431342689/.

62] – On Fri., May 15 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, come to the Grace Baptist Church, 3201 The Alameda., Baltimore 21218, for a Food Rescue. Bring a bag, bring a friend, and take delicious, nutritious, free rescued food. This will continue every Friday through Sept. 4.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/479389629278759/?event_time_id=479389689278753.

63] – On Fri., May 15 from noon to 1 PM, join a Free Grilled Food at a curbside cookout, hosted by No one left unhelped, Inc., 1911 N. Payson St., Baltimore 21217-1248. Get food from your car. Grab & Go non-grilled food will continue to be available from noon to 5 PM Monday to Friday.  Practice social distancing and abide by CDC guidelines for a safe work place. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/255154545635330/.

64] – The Dorothy Day Catholic Worker will host a peace vigil at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., May 15 at noon.  Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker: 202-882-9649 or artlaffin@hotmail.com.

65] –  On Fri.,  May 15 from noon to 1 PM and Sat., May 16  at 11 AM, get involved with Nakba Commemoration Week, hosted by the Museum of the Palestinian People.  Hear a LIVE conversation with a Nakba survivor and take a LIVE tour of the virtual Nakba exhibit.  Hasan Hammami, an 87-year-old Nakba survivor from Jaffa, Palestine, will describe the catastrophe. He came from an upper middle class family. His father was in the citrus business, but he and his family lost everything after the 1948 Nakba, and they had to start all over again. Hasan became a stateless refugee at the age of 15. Between 1948 and 1993, he made 23 country moves in search of education and livelihood. Discover more of Hasan's story with us this Friday.

The tour on Saturday will focus on the Nakba and the Diaspora exhibit with docent Mohammad Al-Khatib - Palestina refugee from Lebanon.  The virtual museum explores the stories of Palestinians who were forced to flee their homes and became refugees. See the birth and marriage certificates of a Palestinian family, hear the stories of those who fled to refugee camps but never returned home.  All donations will go towards our Emergency Fund to support the museum during these uncertain times. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/232310024859175/?event_time_id=232310031525841.

66] – Flower Fridays with Herring Run Nursery are happening on Fridays, May 15, 22 and 29 from 2 to 2:30 PM. This is Live on Herring Run Nursery's Facebook Page.  Join Blue Water Baltimore's Herring Run Nursery for fun livestreams and virtual Q&As. From rain barrels and pollinators, to gardening tips and tricks, the Nursery staff will talk about a new and exciting topic each week. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/561222818136660/?event_time_id=561222824803326.

67] –  Jewish Voice for Peace will be co-hosting a Zoom rally for Nakba Day at 2 PM ET on Fri., May 15 along with Palestine Solidarity Campaign - UK, BDS Movement, and a new South African BDS Coalition. Reserve a space in the Zoom room – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudOGrpj4sHtLsr0NL6xWEmkOKdRiP99P-?emci=b07e257f-c693-ea11-86e9-00155d03b5dd&emdi=02bcd284-5094-ea11-86e9-00155d03b5dd&ceid=237778. The catastrophes of the Nakba continue through ongoing land theft and expulsion. We are just weeks away from the likely threat of annexation, which would mean even more deeply entrenched apartheid, more home and village demolitions, and the further loss of Palestinian land, livelihoods, and connections.

68] - Physicians for Human Rights is doing a Briefing Call on Fri., May 15 at 2 PM ET on  Homelessness and COVID-19.  It will be moderated by PHR's medical director, Dr. Michele Heisler. People experiencing homelessness and unstable housing situations are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. This is the ninth webinar in an ongoing series examining key challenges in the COVID-19 pandemic through a health and human rights lens. This week, medical and public health experts will discuss the particular challenges facing those who are homeless, and the programs and policies that are necessary to address these challenges now and going forward. The featured panelists will be Kelly Doran, MD, MHS, an emergency physician and assistant professor in the departments of emergency medicine and population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Pascale Leone is the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), where she brings more than 15 years of experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating public health initiatives aimed at reducing and preventing racial, ethnic, and gender-based health disparities to fostering and promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment and ensuring CSH’s accountability and commitment to equitable outcomes. Margot Kushel, MD is a professor of medicine at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations and the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. Pre-registration for this call is required. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tAoe1DGEQt-jPhv8KpNHOQ?utm_campaign=494586_FY20%20May%20COVID-19%20Webinar%209%2C%20Email%201_FullFile&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Physicians%20for%20Human%20Rights&dm_i=4GV7,ALMI,1TO2EP,13TX7,1.

69] – On Fri., May 15 at 4 PM, hear about The Future of Mideast Diplomacy: A Conversation with House Armed Services Committee Chair Adam Smith. Early 2020 saw an intense period of escalation with Iran that put US service-people in harm's way and brought us almost to the brink of a new war of choice in the Middle East. Thanks in part to determined pushback and oversight from Congress, disaster was averted -- but the threat of armed conflict still looms. How has Congress acted to restrain the Trump administration, and what role could they play in shaping foreign policy under a new administration?  See https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zWyZ7RzNROyYSrHtHt89Xg.

70] –On Fri., May 15 from 4 to 6 PM, get with Friday Free Food Distribution by A.I.R.S., 3701 Cottage Ave., Baltimore 21215-7727.  This will continue each Friday through May 29.  This is a partnership with the Italian Cultural Center of Maryland and their Be a Chef for a Day program to distribute free boxes of food every Friday. Come to Restoration Gardens 1. One box will be given to a household. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/225129895461807/?event_time_id=225129908795139

71] – The Audubon Maryland-DC 24-hour Backyard Bird-a-thon starts this Fri., May 15 at 4 PM and continues until 4 PM on Sat., May 16 ! The pledges that you make help Audubon protect birds and the places they need in Maryland and DC.  Visit the website at md.audubon.org.  Join in at https://md.audubon.org/conservation/audubons-backyard-birdathon-team-needs-you?fbclid=IwAR0HSjBHYK_1vV_7kE0DKXztnxpAT8Gmk0rSHO_ZMnGspabYuJpdKnsjE8I&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=advocacy&emci=f7a398d9-6494-ea11-86e9-00155d03b5dd&emdi=b9e9a7a3-2e95-ea11-86e9-00155d03b5dd&ceid=2504878. Email Patty Smith at Patricia.Smith@audubon.org.

72] – There is usually a silent peace and justice vigil on Fridays, from 5 to 6 PM, sponsored by Homewood Friends Meeting, outside the Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St.  The next scheduled vigil is on May 15. Black Lives Matter.

73] – People who live around dirty air and water are more likely to get sick, this administration is incompetent and unwilling to prioritize public health, and there is enough money in the U.S. budget to combat climate change if we make it a priority. Public Citizen is partnered with Arm in Arm, an organization dedicated to ending climate change. It will be holding a national call on Fri., May 15 at 6:30 PM ET to plan how we can disrupt the climate emergency and start healing our environment. With storms, floods and large fires becoming more common, we already are losing too much. Millions have been affected by climate change. Visit https://act.arminarm4climate.org/events/national-call-on-may-15?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=e22c7e95-8f35-4e18-870c-6db95e82e3b4.

74] – The Endangered Species Coalition is doing an online film screening of “Racing Extinction!” At 8:30 PM ET on Fri., May 15, which is the 15th annual Endangered Species Day, watch a screening of a fast-paced, informative documentary about the role that humans play in the loss of Earth's biodiversity. It shines a spotlight on the serious threat of wildlife trafficking around the world, and what we need to do to stop it. Tune in at https://actionnetwork.org/events/racing-extinction-screening-and-qa-with-filmmakers?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-the-15th-anniversary-of-endangered-species-day-is-coming-up-2&email_referrer=email_792231&email_subject=save-your-virtual-seat-at-our-endangered-species-day-film-screening.  After the film, be at a live Q&A session with the “Racing Extinction” filmmaking team: director Louie Psihoyos, photographer Shawn Heinrichs, and race car driver Leilani Munter.

75] - National Action to End the Korean War will take place from June 1 to 5, 2020 which will happen during National Advocacy Week.  In the 70th anniversary year of the un-ended Korean War, join hundreds of people across the country in nationally coordinated virtual advocacy meetings to urge your Member of Congress to support a peace agreement to end the Korean War and the lifting of sanctions for life-saving humanitarian assistance. To get involved in this advocacy work, you must Register here by May 15 at https://airtable.com/shrpd9mszm0u4jcKu?link_id=3&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-take-action-to-end-the-korean-war-and-divest-from-the-war-machine&email_referrer=email_800008&email_subject=take-action-to-end-the-korean-war-and-divest-from-the-war-machine.  This is organized by thee Korea Peace Network, Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network, Peace Treaty Now, and Women Cross DMZ.

76] –On Sat., May 16 from 9 AM to noon, check out the Pantry on the Go Food Distribution, hosted by Transforming Lives Community Development Corporation at the New Psalmist Baptist Church,

6020 Marian Drive, Baltimore 21215.  If you need food, meet at the church. See https://www.facebook.com/events/238381800746404/.

77] – On Sat., May 16 from 10 AM to noon, there is a Family Food Giveaway, hosted by the Empowerment Temple, 4217-4221 Primrose Ave., Baltimore 21215. Over 5000 meals will be given to over 300 families on a first come first serve basis. Each family will receive enough food to feed four people for two weeks. The Cecelia Bryant Missionary Society will be giving away gift cards to the first 50 cars!!!! Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/879809499162397/.

78] – On Sat., May 16 from noon to 3 PM, there is a Feed The Homeless Charity Event hosted by Skylyne Foundation, Under The 83 Bridge, 407 E. Saratoga St.,

Baltimore. Volunteers & Donations are needed.  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/1776294539180096/.

79] – DISARM & DIVEST DURING COVID-19 - Part 2 will take place on Sat., May 16 from noon to 1 PM ET.  The Kings Bay Plowshares defendants will hold their final webinar before sentencing, Jeremy Scahill, co-founder of the Intercept, will host the webinar. Lead attorney Bill Quigley will also join the webinar followed by Q & A. You are invited to the next Zoom webinar.  Check kingsbayplowshares7.org for YouTube and Facebook viewing options. Click the link below to join the webinar on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81679745485.  Or iPhone one-tap: US: +16465588656,,81679745485# or +13126266799,,81679745485# or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799. Webinar ID: 816 7974 5485.

The panel will continue and expand their discussion of the need for civil resistance disarmament actions such as the Kings Bay Plowshares 7, the continued build-up of militarism, and the destitute condition of our world before and during the pandemic. They will also speak on divesting military funding to serve human needs during COVID-19 and beyond. Defendants: Carmen Trotta of NYC St. Joseph House Catholic Worker; Mark Colville of New Haven, CT Amistad C.W.; Clare Grady of Ithaca C.W.; Fr. Steve Kelly, S.J. (held for the last two years in GA county jails); Martha Hennessy of NYC Maryhouse C.W. and a granddaughter of Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement; Elizabeth (Liz) McAlister of Baltimore’s Jonah House and widow of Phil Berrigan, and Patrick O’Neill of Fr. Charlie Mulholland C.W. in Garner, N.C. The sentencing recommendations call for 18 months for Liz McAlister (already served 17 months), up to 47 months for Steve Kelly (served 2-yrs), and up to 27 months for the others. It remains unclear if the sentencing will take place in person on May 28 and 29 in the Brunswick, GA courtroom or remotely by video conferencing.

80] – Phone bank for Our Revolution Endorsed Candidates from the Baltimore-area on Sat., May 16 from 12:30 to 2 PM. Sign up to help us make calls at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/255566/?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-phonebanking-for-local-or-candidates-covid-19&email_referrer=email_797673___subject_1075444&email_subject=covid-19-equity-and-building-a-more-just-world.

81] - On Sat., May 16 from 2 to 3 PM, get with the Sunrise Movement DC Hub Book Club.  The book club will take place each Saturday through May 23. The book club is reading “This is an Uprising” by Mark and Paul Engler.  Discuss Chapter 4. Check out the Book Club page on the website to get the book and join #book-club channel in Slack! Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/2651331605123217.

82] –On Sat., May 16, 23 and 30 from 2:30 to 6:30 PM, get with Brandon for Baltimore and do Voter Outreach. Use Google Meet: meet.google.com/fzg-entq-qoa.  Help write a new chapter in Baltimore history! The weekly workshop & phone-bank is a great way to get involved, make connections with forward-thinking Baltimoreans, and let your voice be heard! See https://www.facebook.com/events/2793442537445245/?event_time_id=2793442544111911.

83] – Yousef Zarbalian [mailto:yzarbali@gmail.com] started his own medical practice in December before the pandemic hit.

It is called East-West Medicine and Rheumatology, and its website is  EastWestMD.com.  Yousef is licensed in Maryland and Virginia. He is doing primary care as well as rheumatologic care (focusing on joint problems and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and sjogren's).  He is offering telemedicine visits, and he has very reasonable rates for uninsured individuals.  He makes use of herbs (which can be sent directly to patients from the herbal dispensary) as well as prescribing medications to their local pharmacy if needed.  

84] –Two books by Fred Wilcox are still in print.  The first one is “Fighting the Lamb's War Skirmishes with the American Empire” by Philip Berrigan and Fred A. Wilcox with a FOREWORD by Tripp York.  It can be purchased by Wipf and Stock: https://wipfandstock.com/fighting-the-lamb-s-war.html.  It is a Memoir in paperback/ISBN: 9781532660078/240 pages/republished 8/21/2018/ Retail Price: $26.00/and Web Price: $20.80.

  The second one is “Uncommon Martyrs The Berrigans, the Catholic Left, and the Plowshares Movement” by Fred Wilcox, who profiles members of this anti-war movement, whose Christianity compels them to acts of civil disobedience against the military industrial complex.  The ISBN is 0201522314/$6.50 for a hardcover, and it can be purchased at Powell's Books.  See https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/7094/uncommon-martyrs.

85] – The Trump Administration is again beating the war drums.  Most recently, the target is Iran.  Should the Trump administration initiate an act of war against Iran, consider joining us. It is a violation of U.S. law for the Trump Administration to attack a country that has not attacked us, as only Congress can declare war. The Trump administration is nevertheless beating the war drums for war against Iran and Venezuela. Should a war criminal, John Bolton, convince Trump to attack either of these countries, such a military strike would demand an immediate and unequivocal response from us to show that we will not tolerate his abuse of power.

Let's mobilize to show that we the people will not tolerate another military adventure, which would be bound to have profound negative consequences. If a military strike against Iran or Venezuela takes place, then meet at 33rd and N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218. If the attack is before 2 PM local time, then the event will begin at 5 PM, local time. If the attack occurs after 5 PM local time, then the event will begin at 5 PM, local time, the following day. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.   

86] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs, records, tarps and table cloths, contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

87] -- Can you use any book shelves? Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

88] -- Join an extraordinary global campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons: http://www.globalzero.org/sign-declaration. A growing group of leaders around the world is calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and a majority of the global public agrees.  This is an historic window of opportunity.  With momentum already building in favor of Zero, a major show of support from people around the world could tip the balance. When it comes to nuclear weapons, one is one too many.

89] – A Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981. Go to http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282.

Donations can be sent to Max Obuszewski, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 431 Notre Dame Lane, Apt. 206, Baltimore, MD 21212.  Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/.

“One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan