Baltimore Activist Alert -- October 14 - 15, 2020

37] Send letters to key voters – Oct. 14

38] From Ordinary German to Mass Murderer -- Oct. 14

39] Food Pantry -- Oct. 14

40] Food Rescue – Oct. 14

41] Solar Action Week Two – Oct. 14

42] Korean War and the Making of Modern Puerto Rico – Oct. 14

43] What is Going On in Latin America – Oct. 14

44] Accords signed by Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE – Oct. 14

45] Teacher Compensation – Oct. 14

46] Text for Progressive Congressional Candidate Kara Eastman – Oct. 14

47] Weekly Election Phonebank -- Oct. 14

48] “Democracy and Imperialism” -- Oct. 14

49] Our Revolution phone bank -- Oct. 14

50] Virtual tour of Home Gardens – Oct. 14

51] Policing and Caribbean Autonomy in Nicaragua – Oct. 14

52] Climate Democracy Defenders Program – Oct. 14

53] Join a Medicare for All Resolutions 101 Training Webinar – Oct. 14

54] Digital ‘Day of Action’ – Oct. 15

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37] –  The Chesapeake Climate Action Network has a goal of sending 20,000 letters to key voters in critical states in this most important election.  It is looking for 19 people in Maryland to commit to writing 100 letters to meet this goal. If you spend fifteen minutes a day, you can get to 100 letters in 20 days.  Sign up to write letters to voters in critical states: https://votefwd.org/ccanactionfund.

38] – On Wed., Oct. 14 from 9:30 to 10 AM EDT, follow From Ordinary German to Mass Murderer, hosted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.  Johann Niemann was a true believer in Nazi racist ideology and an opportunist seeking to rise above his humble origins. He joined the Nazi Party at 18 and became a guard in the concentration camp system. He then participated in the systematic murder of people with disabilities before facilitating the slaughter of tens of thousands of Polish Jews. At age 29, he was rewarded with a promotion to deputy commandant of the Sobibor killing center. Join a live on Facebook on the anniversary of the Sobibor prisoner uprising to learn how an “ordinary German” became a professional killer and died at the hands of those he sought to obliterate. See https://www.facebook.com/holocaustmuseum/.

39] –  On Wed., Oct. 14 and Thurs., Oct. 15 from 11 AM to 1 PM, there is a Food Pantry Pick-up at Saint Wenceslaus Roman Catholic Church, 2111 Ashland Ave., Baltimore 21205. The Lucielle Fitzgerald Outreach Center is open to provide food to those in need.  Due to COVID-19 concerns, please come to the handicapped entrance on Duncan St. This will continue until Dec. 21 and 22. Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/304615223866431/?event_time_id=304615230533097.

40] – On Wednesdays, at noon, get with a Food Rescue at Umar Boxing, 1217 W. North Ave., Baltimore 21217-3535.  This will continue through Nov. 11. Bring a bag, take delicious, high quality, and nutritious free food! Check out https://www.facebook.com/events/446288255935427/?event_time_id=446288312602088. 

41] – Solar Action Week Two continues on Wed., Oct. 14 at noon ET with Solar Best Practices for Electric Co-ops. Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Niqi5yKsTWKqAigqCEtkvg. On Wed., Oct. 14 at 2 PM ET, learn about the impacts of solar PPAs in Florida. Visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jpS8in9nS3SQzmR4tCJtlw.

Then on Thurs., Oct. 15 at 3 PM ET, participate in Letter to the Editor Training.  See https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIuce2tqTsuGNRiCKK_770YuLfATm25aoox.  Then on Thurs., Oct. 15 at 7:30 PM ET, for SUN Members Only, catch a Q&A with SUN Executive Director.  Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuc-ChpjMiGNS0ENBGGCzpmFCVMGAUZyno.

42] – No conflict has been as impactful and transformative for Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans as the Korean War. In slightly over three years of fighting some 61,000 Puerto Ricans served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Puerto Rican involvement in the Korean War was as large as in World War II, a war of a global scale, and larger than in Vietnam, the longest American conflict to that point. The Korean War was also the first time Puerto Rican troops were thrown into combat in large numbers, as Puerto Rican units, and for a prolonged period of time since they started serving in the Unites States Armed Forces in 1899. Most of the Puerto Ricans who served in this war were members of the 65th United States Army Infantry Regiment. During the war, this regiment (known as “el sesenta y cinco”), and its men (the Borinqueneers), became a national icon representing the hopes of a people willing to sacrifice their youth for a better future, acceptance and respectability, equality, a path towards decolonization, and a democracy that had and has proven elusive to them.

   The Korean War, Remembrance, and the Making of Modern Puerto Rico will happen on Wed., Oct. 14 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM ET. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-korean-war-remembrance-and-the-making-of-modern-puerto-rico-tickets-122425657437.

43] –  On Wed., Oct. 14 at 1 PM EDT, check out What is Going On in Latin America, an Online Event. This hosted by New Good Neighbor Policy Campaign and CODEPINK: Women for Peace.  See https://youtu.be/W1vQr74Sky8. A conversation from Mexico City with independent journalist Alina Duarte will sort out why there will be a Trial for Corrupt Former Presidents.

44] – Jim Zogby wrote his Washington Watch column on the recent accords signed by Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE.  He does not see this as the end of the Palestinian cause despite what’s being written by some overly hopeful Israeli and overly deflated Palestinian commentators.  Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkdOuhqTsrH9x5g82X-eQ7dWSJ09P--jx-?emci=7b2a2d3e-590d-eb11-96f5-00155d03affc&emdi=3d6bcb2c-710d-eb11-96f5-00155d03affc&ceid=389907 to receive the dial-in information for the Zoom call on Wed., Oct. 14 from 2 to 2:30 PM ET sharp. After you register, you will automatically get the dial-in information for the Coffee & a Column call.

45] – Public school teachers earn about 20% less in weekly wages than non-teacher college graduates, according to a new report by Economic Policy Institute Distinguished Fellow Lawrence Mishel and UC Berkeley Economist and EPI Research Associate Sylvia Allegretto. Although teachers on average enjoy better benefits packages than similar workers, the authors find that benefits only mitigate part of the pay penalty. EPI President Thea Lee will moderate a discussion featuring the National Education Association President Becky Pringle and the report’s authors, Mishel and Allegretto. The speakers will share findings from the report, delve into the history of teacher pay, and assess the impact of the persistent pay inequity. The speakers will offer solutions that ensure teachers are fairly compensated. Shawna Mott-Wright, a teacher and president of the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association, will share her experience on the ground. Register for Teacher Compensation Penalty: Impact on teachers, education, and society: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VAVU0P3ATCGaycNaA_5beg?utm_source=Economic+Policy+Institute&utm_campaign=ed3cade3ff-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_10_02_06_32_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e7c5826c50-ed3cade3ff-59830565&mc_cid=ed3cade3ff&mc_eid=72ea77dbdd. It will take place on Wed., Oct. 14 from 4 to 5 PM ET.

46] – The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is urging people to vote ASAP and join LSPC for a text bank with Progressive Congressional Candidate Kara Eastman on Wed., Oct. 14 at 5 PM. Visit https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?e=95edce160f&u=bcb616fdd9945fc2c5e497238&id=60f6f9e024 --. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/eastmanforcongress/event/341580/.

47] – Progressive Prince George’s Weekly Election Phonebank continues every Wednesday night until Election Day.  Making calls is the most powerful thing we can do to make sure folks know who will be on the ballot, and who needs support.  Participate on Wed., Oct. 14 at 5:30 PM to be a part of the core team of callers: https://secure.everyaction.com/Qxd6rvaoO0CVTidGlSl3mA2. Talk to voters about endorsed school board candidate in District 4, Shayla-Adams Stafford, as well as some others on the Progressive Maryland slate. 

48] – The COMMITTEE FOR THE REPUBLIC is hosting “Democracy and Imperialism” with William Smith on Wed., Oct. 14 at 7 PM (EST). Join in on this Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86429045015.   Smith has written an insightful book on the realistic and restrained foreign policy tradition of the United States. Smith highlights the great Harvard scholar, Irving Babbitt, with his clear understanding of the crooked timber of man -- especially when acting collectively -- which reduces moral inhibitions against violence. Thomas Jefferson captured the essence of the constitutional remedy: “In questions of power then let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”

By pitting ambition against ambition, the Constitution arrests the human propensity for violence through separation of powers. For the first time in history, the war power was entrusted exclusively to Congress, which is inherently risk averse and gains nothing by war. James Wilson elaborated at the Pennsylvania ratification convention: “This system will not hurry us into war; it is calculated to guard against it. It will not be in the power of a single man, or a single body of men, to involve us in such distress, for the important power of declaring war is vested in the legislature at large; this declaration must be made with the concurrence of the House of Representatives; from this circumstance we may draw a certain conclusion, that nothing but our national interest can draw us into a war.” Smith details how the United States evolved into a multi-trillion-dollar perpetual warfare state. The Constitution’s separation of powers has been abandoned in favor of monarchical government crowned by nine current presidential wars.  Without separation of powers -- no matter who occupies the White House -- endless and purposeless wars will be the signature of our nation’s foreign policy. "Democracy and Imperialism: Irving Babbitt and Warlike Democracies" is available at Amazon.com & University of Michigan Press

49] – Our Revolution on Wed., Oct. 14 and Oct. 21 from 7 to 8:30 PM will phone bank for Marylin Pierre, a candidate for Circuit Court Judge in Montgomery County and a true progressive champion/. Visit https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/326373/?followup_modal_context=newsletter&timeslot=2193470.

50] – Take a virtual tour of Home Gardens on Wed., Oct. 14 from 7 to 8 PM. Register at. https://patterson.audubon.org/events/virtual-garden-tour-home-gardens?utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engagement&emci=c06d82b0-c608-eb11-96f5-00155d03affc&emdi=94a85c24-e108-eb11-96f5-00155d03affc&ceid=2504878.

51] – You are invited to a Zoom webinar on Wed., Oct. 14 at 7:30 PM Eastern Time -- Power to the People! Policing and Caribbean Autonomy in Nicaragua. Register for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n473JXxnSOy-8-jSO5e8Iw. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. 

52] – If Donald Trump threatens the integrity of our elections, we need to be ready to hold him accountable. That’s why 350 Action is launching the Climate Democracy Defenders Program to mobilize voters, protect every vote, and take immediate action to demand a peaceful transition of power. If you’re ready to stand up for democracy, sign up to join the Climate Democracy Defenders Program on Wed., Oct. 14 at 8 PM ET.  RSVP at https://350org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a4oiUYqnSXWighAo4SVKIw%20.

53] – Join a Medicare for All Resolutions 101 Training Webinar on Wed., Oct. 14 at 8 PM ET.  Discuss the nuts and bolts of how you can help build the movement for health care justice in your community. RSVP to get the details of how to join the webinar: https://www.medicare4allresolutions.org/thank-you-for-signing-up-2/.

54] –    On Thurs., Oct. 15, get with a digital ‘Day of Action’ to send a message to elected officials that it’s past time to cancel crippling student loan debt.  Join Rep. Omar and other elected leaders to help get the word out? Sign up at https://actionnetwork.org/forms/10-15-day-of-action?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-on-october-15-were-taking-action-2&email_referrer=email_948728&email_subject=on-october-15-were-taking-action-to-cancel-student-debt

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