Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 431 Notre Dame Lane,
Apartment 206, Baltimore, MD 21212 Ph: 410-323-1607
CONTACT:
Max Obuszewski at 443-761-5899 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net
Baltimore Peace and Justice Advocates to Demand that Gov. Hogan
Bring the Maryland National Guard Home from Washington, D.C.
PRESS
RELEASE-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June
5, 2020
WHO: The Baltimore Nonviolence Center, Baltimore Peace Action, the
Communist Party USA Baltimore Club, Maryland Peace Action, the Peoples Power
Assembly and Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland object vehemently that Governor Larry
Hogan has acquiesced with President Trump’s call for federal troops and
National Guard units to be sent to Washington, D.C. to quell the
protests. In the past Gov. Hogan has distanced himself from Trump and his
abhorrent policies. But more recently, despite Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plea not
to send the Maryland Guard to D.C., Hogan disregarded her message.
WHAT: As part
of the demand to remove Maryland National Guard troops from Washington, D.C.,
there will be a protest. The lead banner will state “HOGAN: Don’t Give
Trump MD Nat’l. Guard.” It is expected that the car caravan and marchers
who planned a demonstration at Baltimore Police Headquarters will join this
demonstration. The attack on the First Amendment by the Trump administration is
expected to continue and to worsen. The Constitution must be protected,
and concerned citizens must speak out against creeping fascism.
WHEN: Saturday, June 6 starting at 3:30 PM
WHERE: by the Fifth Regiment Armory, Howard and Preston
Streets in Baltimore
WHY:
The Trump administration, including the Department of Justice [sic] and the
Department of Defense [sic] are facilitating this attack on the First
Amendment. This may be a prelude of more to come. If Trump loses
the election, will he refuse to step down? Now is the time to act as the
illegal and unconstitutional behavior of the federal government will only
worsen.
The groups involved in this protest call on Governor Larry Hogan
to rescind his deployment of Maryland National Guard troops to the District of
Columbia. The deployment authorization came from the Governor after a request
from the Pentagon. However, it was made without consultation with D.C. Mayor
Muriel Bowser.
The unprovoked tear gassing of peaceful demonstrators at the White
House shows that the Trump Administration is not only prepared but already has
used military force against activists who were peacefully gathering to urge an
end to racism and police brutality. Gov. Hogan has placed the Maryland National
Guard in an untenable position. Will members of the Guard use tear gas or
shoot rubber bullets or toss concussion grenades at people exercising their
constitutional right to protest? Will members of the Guard be asked to obey an
illegal order? It is very likely that many members of the Maryland National
Guard support the goals of the protesters.
It is shameful that Gov. Hogan did not
refuse to act on the request from the Trump Administration, as Governor Ralph
Northam of Virginia did. The demonstrators at the Armory hope to inspire onlookers
to contact the Maryland governor’s office and to ask him to bring members of
the Maryland National Guard home. Any support for the policies of the
Trump Administration is fraught with danger.
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"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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