Baltimore Activist Alert -- November 18, 2020

34] Get out the Vote in Georgia – Nov. 18

35] Virtual Alternative Gifts Fair – Nov. 18

36] Renewing transatlantic strategy on Iran -- Nov. 18

37] Arab American views toward Middle East-related issues – Nov. 18

38] Learn about the Nature Conservancy – Nov. 18

39] Nuclear Policy for a New ERA -- Nov. 18

40] Women’s March webinar – Nov. 18

41] A discussion with Venezuelan peace organizations – Nov. 18

42] Prince George’s Branch of Metro DC DSA -- Nov. 18

43] Fair Election Taskforce Meeting -- Nov. 18

44] I Saw a Bird – Nov. 18

45] End War on Yemen -- Nov. 18

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34] – People for the American Way [alerts@pfaw.org] indicates that texts, calls, and more is needed to get out the vote in Georgia.  Volunteer opportunities are available. Sign up at  https://act.pfaw.org/survey/volunteer-georgia-runoff/?prefill=1&first_name=Max&last_name=Obuszewski&address1=431%20Notre%20Dame%20Lane%2C%20Apt.%20206&address2=&city=Baltimore&state=MD&zip=21212&email=mobuszewski2001%40comcast.net&utm_source=aa&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=election&t=4&akid=18436%2E3302379%2EGrIsl4.

35] –- The Immigration Outreach Service Center [mailto:jean-marie@ioscbaltimore.ccsend.com] alerted us to a Collective Virtual Alternative Gifts Fair with sales taking place from Wed., Nov. 18 through Sat., Nov. 22.  In the midst of a pandemic, Do Alternative Gifts really matter? Maybe now, more than ever.  Over the years, Alternative Gifts at St. Matthew has been a connection to missions and ministries doing essential work locally and around the world. The Alternative Gifts sale promotes fair trade around the globe, enabling producers, companies, advocates, and organizations to put people and the planet first. Fair Trade promotes safe conditions, protects the environment, builds sustainable livelihoods, and helps producers to earn additional money to empower and uplift their communities. These workers who promote Fair Trade are Comboni Sisters in Sudan, hospice workers in Tanzania, and IOSC tutors in Baltimore. They are family farmers tending fields and orchards, and church ministers nurturing our faith. 

Go to St. Matthew Cross Cultural/Fair Trade Catalog at https://files.constantcontact.com/dab7619c001/0391bf9d-dbae-4899-9ca7-f52f492aa412.pdf.  Submit your list to Barbara at bjmetz51@gmail.com. Deliver it to the rectory or mail it to 5401 Lock Raven Blvd., Baltimore 21239. Pickups take place outside on Sat., Nov. 21 from 10 AM to noon at church entrance and Sun., Nov. 22 from 12:30 to 2 PM at rectory. Make checks out to St. Matthew Fair Trade. Call 410-323-8564 or email IOSCbaltimore.org.

36] – Renewing transatlantic strategy on Iran will be discussed on Wed., Nov 18 at 9:30 AM.  This discussion will be about new report by Ellie Geranmayeh, Barbara Slavin, and Sahil Shah presents a series of recommendations for the E-3 and the European Union to preserve the JCPOA, promote regional peace and development and boost people-to-people contacts with Iran in concert with a potential new US administration.  This online event is sponsored by the Atlantic Council, and the speakers are former High Representative Federica Mogherini, European Leadership Network; Ellie Geranmayeh, European Council on Foreign Relations; Sahil Shah, European Leadership Network; and Barbara Slavin, Atlantic Council.  Visit https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/renewing-transatlantic-strategy-on-iran/.

37] – This week Jim Zogby will discuss the findings of Arab American Institute's latest poll on Arab American views toward Middle East-related issues. Register here to join the conversation at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAvf-qopzkuH9GXZ1tKjFpkPhqBVjfbgxhQ?emci=9b6aef3a-3128-eb11-9fb4-00155d03affc&emdi=70ef3cf2-ed28-eb11-9fb4-00155d03affc&ceid=389907.  You will receive the dial-in information for the Zoom call on Wed., Nov. 18 from 2 to 2:30 PM ET sharp.

38] –The Nature Conservancy experts will discuss transformational conservation for nature’s future. Learn how your support is propelling groundbreaking science and innovative strategies to protect biodiversity while achieving large-scale, transformative conservation of our most important lands and waters. See https://www.nature.org/en-us/membership-and-giving/donate-to-our-mission/gift-and-estate-planning/legacy-club/nature-web-talks/?src=e.gp.eg.x.lo.loc_b&lu=7475224&autologin=true.  Understand LAND CONSERVATION featuring Jeffrey Parrish, Global Managing Director for Nature Protection on Wed., Nov. 18 at 2 PM EST.

39] – On Wed., Nov. 18 at 5 PM, get with Transforming National Security: Nuclear Policy for a New ERA, a Ploughshares Fund nuclear policy forum. Learn about the national security outlook for the Biden administration and how hundreds of billions of dollars in excessive nuclear weapons spending could be better spent on higher national priorities such as responses to coronavirus, racial injustice and climate change.  The speaker are Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-7); Sen. Ed Markey (MA); Rep. Adam Smith (WA-9); and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA). Register at https://ploughshares.org/issues-analysis/article/transforming-national-security-nuclear-policy-new-era-0.

40] –Will you join Women’s March on Wed., Nov. 18 at 5 PM EST for an hour-long webinar to celebrate the group’s collective win, reflect on how we got here, understand the moment we’re in, and what is still to come?  ‌ RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/womensmarch/event/363000/?akid=671.508952.Yc_KSw&rd=1&t=2&utm_source=em20201117.

41] –  A discussion with Venezuelan peace organizations on the upcoming legislative elections in Venezuela and how peace forces around the world can help protect the people's right to vote in the face of U.S. blockade and intervention. It happens on Wed., Nov. 18 from 6 to 8 PM EST.  There are many speakers including Margaret Flowers, Director, Popular Resistance. See the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3674450135950989/. Email USPC@USPeaceCouncil.org.  Visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eqMKIoWqS4a0ad82uc02Kg?link_id=0&can_id=8adf930454a2e45589616230720f774d&source=email-international-webinar-defending-venezuelan-elections-against-us-intervention&email_referrer=email_992796&email_subject=resending-international-webinar-defending-venezuelan-elections-against-us-intervention.

42] –  On Wed., Nov. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, the newly ratified Prince George’s Branch of Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America will introduce themselves to fellow Prince George’s and Maryland progressives in a virtual outreach event. Join in for speakers and workshops focused on ending the school to prison pipeline, on housing, health care, police accountability, progressive legislation, imagining a different community.  For Zoom link, click here https://actionnetwork.org/events/socialism-in-one-county-prince-georges-dsa-welcome. Email pgdsa [at] mdcdsa.org.

43] – Progressive Maryland Anne Arundel is having its next Fair Election Taskforce Meeting on Wed., Nov. 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Sign up to attend here https://secure.everyaction.com/rjBjZGkUD0iS55edTSSa-A2.

44] – The National Audubon Society invites to the next installment of I Saw a Bird on Wed., Nov. 18 at 7 PM ET on Zoom and Facebook Live. Birds have provided us with so much joy throughout 2020 and as winter approaches, we turn our spotlight to some of the ways you can enjoy and protect birds—all from the comfort of home. Experts will guide you through the dos and don’ts of bird feeding, share simple tips for making your home bird-friendly, and provide an overview of America's most important bird protection law—the Migratory Bird Treaty Act—and the actions you can take to protect it. Join Wildlife Photographer and Conservationist Melissa Groo, Vice President and Executive Director of Audubon Vermont David Mears, Senior Director Bird-Friendly Communities John Rowden, Program Coordinator of Bird-friendly Buildings at Audubon Pennsylvania Connie Sanchez, and other guests this week for a crash course in all.

45] – Tune into End the Massachusetts War on Yemen! On Wed., Nov. 18 from 6:30 to 8 PM. For five years, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia, and heavily supported by the US, UK and France, has been bombing the country of Yemen. The Saudis, and the UAE, have routinely targeted hospitals, infrastructure, food warehouses and treatment plants for processing clean water, inevitably leading to cholera epidemics and mass starvation. Thousands of civilians have died and others, children, elderly, infirm, are on the verge of famine and death. What we are confronting is man-made famine being used as a weapon of war.

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