Baltimore Activist Alert – November 29 – December 1, 2020

Baltimore Activist Alert – November 29 – December 1, 2020

"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 Max Obuszewski, BNC, 431 Notre Dame Lane, Apt. 206, Baltimore, MD 21212.  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] Get involved with NCNR   

4] Volunteer with a Catholic Worker house  

5] Convention for Palestine – Nov. 29

6] “Ethical Culture, Psychotherapy, and My Grandmother the Spy” – Nov. 29

7] Food Collection for the Maryland Food Bank – Nov. 29

8] Public Health amidst a Pandemic – Nov. 29

9] Solidarity with the Palestinian – Nov. 29

10] Get out the Vote – Nov. 29

11] Join Friends of Sabeel North America – Nov. 29

12] US aggression towards China!  – Nov.  29

13] Healthcare Emergency Town Hall – Nov. 29

14] Dorothy Day Commemoration – Nov. 29

15] Get out the Vote – Nov. 29

16] PDA Flip the Senate meeting -- Nov. 29

17] Pentagon Peace Vigil – Nov. 30

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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 U.S. wars.

To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.  Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.  

4] - Suzanne Fontanesi and Jeff Ross are in the beginning stages of renovating the basement of their house for purposes of bringing in a volunteer (targeting young adults in discernment mode), starting next fall. They are trying to grow a Catholic Worker House in Irvington (West Baltimore). In a nutshell, there is a lot that a volunteer could do in that neighborhood/Baltimore, in addition to prayer and daily community living and in addition to plugging into all the good work that people are already doing in and around Baltimore (and beyond).  If you think you might know of anyone who might be interested in starting a conversation with them about becoming such a volunteer/community member, please contact Jeff/Suzanne at 443-690-6872.

5] – On Sun., Nov. 29 at 9 PM EST, the 13th Annual Convention for Palestine in the US will close.  Hosted by the American Muslims for Palestine and American Muslims for Palestine Convention, this event is still on.  Register at bit.ly/PalConv2020 for the last day, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.  The event will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. This year’s theme is Against All Odds: Palestine Beyond 2020. The Palestinian people and cause will survive 2020. Despite the major setbacks we've faced this year due to more potential formal annexation, Arab normalization, the Trump administration’s policies, the coronavirus pandemic, Israel’s murders of Palestinians in cold blood at checkpoints, massive home demolitions in Jerusalem, and ongoing suffocating siege of Gaza, Palestine will rise against all odds.  There’s also a free raffle to win prizes ranging from kunafa to Palestine paraphernalia and more.

6] - 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., Nov. 29, the platform address is “Ethical Culture, Psychotherapy, and My Grandmother the Spy.”  The Victorian Felix Adler was not a big fan of therapeutic exploration of the psyche; he resisted what he considered a narcissistic invasion of the private world. Today, however, counseling is an important part of Ethical Culture. It nourishes our ethical relationships and our congregational life.  Two counseling orientations that resonate with Ethical Culture are those of Alfred Adler and of existential therapists such as Victor Frankel. Hugh Taft-Morales will explore the inspirational power of these orientations while weaving an amazing tale of his own family’s psychotherapeutic adventures.  Taft-Morales joined the Baltimore Ethical Society as its professional leader in 2010, the same year he was certified by the American Ethical Union as an Ethical Culture Leader. He also serves as Leader of the Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia. Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for the ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

7] - On Sun., Nov. 29 from 11 AM to noon EST, get involved with Food Collection for the Maryland Food Bank at the Locust Point Community Church, 1308 Beason St., Baltimore 21230.  The church will be collecting items for the Maryland Food Bank every Sunday through Dec. 27. Go to https://www.facebook.com/locustpointcommunityucc/.

8] – Get with Public Health amidst a Pandemic with Dr. Howard Ehrman on Sun., Nov. 29 from 11 AM to 1 PM.  Ehrman, MD, MPH is a retired Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois (UIC) in Chicago who has researched and taught courses on the relationship of climate change to the global economic and health crisis at UIC, DePaul University and Knox College for two decades. He was a co-founder of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) in Chicago, a student of Professor Barry Commoner at Washington University, and a Labor Union Organizer. He was a co-founder of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) in Chicago, a student of Professor Barry Commoner at Washington University, and a Labor Union Organizer. Hear music by Emma’s Revolution.  Join the Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89552575898?pwd=K1ZRMkRNejlpRnZZakFRWnE0aUh3Zz09The Meeting ID is 895 5257 5898, and the Passcode is 246499.

9] – In honor of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Sun., Nov. 29 at noon ET, Jewish Voice for Peace is partnering with the Palestine Solidarity Committee and the BDS National Committee for a rally. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqdumtrTkpH9cmYXkkgJtaxxJ_dgO8lxck?emci=55a2dd17-5a2b-eb11-9fb4-00155d43b2cd&emdi=eec6680d-5d2e-eb11-9fb4-00155d43b2cd&ceid=237778. The evening will include poetry, music, and inspirational speakers – including co-founder of the BDS movement Omar Barghouti, actress Maxine Peake, human rights attorney Noura Erakat, and poet Aja Monet. 

10] – As Lindsey Graham and Senate Republicans seek to sabotage the elections in Georgia, we must rise above them and mobilize Georgia’s Democratic base to cast their ballots. Making calls to infrequent voters is one of the most effective means of base-building and increasing voter turnout. Sign up to make calls with Turnout2020: https://www.mobilize.us/dailykos_2/event/363620/?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-firstname-default-friend-the-only-birthday-gift-i-want-is-for-us-to-win-in-georgia-action-needed-2&email_referrer=email_1002406&email_subject=rsvp-to-connect-with-infrequent-democratic-voters-in-georgia. MAKE CALLS TO GEORGIA VOTERS this week-- starting on Sun., Nov. 29 from 2 to 4 PM and 4 to 6 PM EST.  Continue on Mon., Nov. 30 from 5 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM EST and Tues., Dec 1 from 5 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM EST.

11] – Join Friends of Sabeel North America on Sun., Nov. 29 at 4 PM ET, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, for an online rally and Twitterstorm!  Support and amplify the incredible work of Palestinians who are on the front line of justice struggles. Hear from front line activists in Palestine and here on Turtle Island (North America). REGISTER at https://form.123formbuilder.com/5688445//.  

12] - On Sun., Nov. 29 at 4 PM ET, join Jodie Evans, Vijay Prashad, Tings Chak, Danny Haiphong, Kenneth Hammond, Alice Slater, and Mikaela Erskog for a teach in on US aggression towards China!  RSVP at https://peoplesforum.org/event/teach-in-us-aggression-on-china-laying-out-the-problem/.   

13] – Join the Progressive Democrats of America Healthcare Emergency Town Hall on Sun., Nov. 29 at 4 PM ET.  PDA is looking forward to a science-based resolution to the misery and mayhem that is #COVID19 in the U.S. The conviction remains that well-studied social science supports the structure of a #SinglePayer expanded and improved system to save money and save lives.  COVID-19 only magnifies and adds urgency to this task. Now that we are on the brink of discovery of a vaccine against this scourge, and with the fall/winter coronavirus surge of #COVID19 upon us, more and more of us are taking to heart the warnings of our brightest minds: public health measures must be followed to ensure the safety and lives of our friends and loved ones. Join in to push the needed legislation, and support for progressive legislators. Email mikefox@pdamerica.org to register.

14] – Please join America Jesuit Magazine and the Dorothy Day Guild as they commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the death of Servant of God Dorothy Day. Celebrate the Living Legacy of Dorothy Day: A Hunger for God. A Striving for Goodness. A Passion for Justice will be on Sun., Nov. 29 at 6 PM ET. Register at https://americamedia-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NcB0inhMR5KABTiMW4tf_Q.  PANELISTS INCLUDE David Brooks, Op-ed Columnist, The New York Times, Anne Snyder, Editor in Chief, Comment magazine and Paul Elie, Senior Fellow, Georgetown University.

15] – Our Revolution is asking you to volunteer to help make Get-Out-the-Vote phone calls to Georgia. These virtual phone banks will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM EST on Thursdays and Sundays!  In the months leading up to Election Day, Our Revolution’s army of grassroots volunteers powered a massive “Get out the Vote” campaign all across America. Over 650,000 people joined the rolling national and state virtual rallies, and together made more than 4 million one-on-one voter contacts. Volunteer with Our Revolution to help make Get-Out-the-Vote phone calls to Georgia! The next virtual phone bank is on Sun., Nov. 29 from 6.30 to 8:30 PM EST!  Other dates for the phone bank will be Thurs., Dec 3, Sun., Dec 6, and more dates, all from 6:30 to 8:30 PM EST.  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/362948/?akid=824.8252965.hctbnt&rd=1&t=9.

16] – Help Progressive Democrats of America Win the Georgia Runoffs.  Join the National "Flip the Senate/Demote McConnell" Team Call on Sun., Nov. 29 at 9 PM ET. No question the world is a better place with Joe Biden replacing Donald Trump. But everything we'll be trying to do to counteract four years of the slash-and-burn Trump tactics will be stymied so long as Mitch McConnell controls the agenda in the Senate. Join the organizing meeting to see how to win these senate races with your help. Email mikefox@pdamerica.org to get your secure log in.

17] – 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 Nov. 30, 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.  

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