Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Baltimore Activist Alert -- December 23 - 24, 2020

34] End the tragedy in Syria -- Dec. 23

35] Protesting New Forms of Execution -- Dec. 23

36] Meet a former Mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun -- Dec. 23

37] Get out the vote in Georgia -- Dec. 23

38] Call Georgia voters Dec. 23

39] People for the American Way -- Dec. 23

40] MAKE CALLS TO GEORGIA VOTERS – Dec. 23

41] Georgia Absentee Voting Power Hours – Dec. 23

42] Texting Out the Vote – Dec. 23

43] Gaza: The Soul of Palestine – Dec. 23

44] Georgia Fun Bank – Dec. 23

45] How do you solve the Syria crisis? – Dec.24  

46] Free Prakash Churaman  

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34] – On Wed., Dec. 23 from 9 to 10:30 AM EST, tune in A Decade of Devastating Conflicts in Syria: How Can the International Community End this Tragedy? This Online Event is hosted by The Syrian Initiative at American University Washington College of Law, and you can join it at https://us02web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_6NEKCXU0RQGa4He3jCN3Qw. In 2011, Syrians took to the streets in peaceful protest, demanding political, economic, and social reforms. The Syrian government’s decision to crush dissenters with excessive force led to the militarization of the conflict. Regional and international powers exacerbated the situation through direct and indirect engagement in the conflict, contributing to what is considered the most tragic proxy war in modern history. This has resulted in mass atrocities, an unprecedented wave of forced displacement affecting half of the Syrian population, and widespread destruction of social and economic infrastructure. A decade later, the international community has taken only limited steps towards a political transition and justice and accountability. In light of the current political deadlock and the obstinacy of the Syrian government to share power, the International Crisis Group and the Russian International Affairs Council have entered an elaborate discussion about disagreements between Russia and western countries about Syria policy, emphasizing the need for new approaches. With a new U.S. administration taking office in January, what are the prospects for new approaches? 

35] –  On Wed., Dec. 23 at 10:30 AM EST, join a Prayer Vigil/Press Event Protesting New Forms of Execution taking effect on Christmas Eve.  This will be on Facebook Live, hosted by Death Penalty ActionJourney of Hope...From Violence to Healing.  Check it out at https://www.facebook.com/deathpenaltyaction/.  The Clergy Emergency League, Red Letter Christians, Vote Common Good, L'Chaim: Jews against the Death Penalty and Death Penalty Action are convening a prayerful vigil and press event as the new acting Attorney General takes office. More than 18,000 signatures on a petition calling for Mr. Rosen to rescind the remaining three federal execution warrants will be presented. Note a particular dismay at the federal administration’s expansion of the potential methods of execution that include gassing, electrocution, and firing squad that go into effect on Christmas Eve.

36] – Jim Zogby will be joined by former Mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun. They will discuss the current difficulties Bethlehem faces and the response, or lack thereof, from the West on Wed., Dec. 23 from 2 to 2:30 PM ET. Go to https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vd-ipqjsrHNW19ApmI7GhfpvUCGOI_I3X?emci=2e8746ce-a043-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&emdi=af0618c4-6e44-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&ceid=389907to receive the dial-in information for the Zoom call. After you register, you will automatically get the dial-in information for the call.

 Check out Zogby’s column, Conservative Christians Remain Silent about Suffering Bethlehem" at http://www.gdnonline.com/Details/910776?emci=2e8746ce-a043-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&emdi=af0618c4-6e44-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&ceid=389907.

37] – Make Calls for Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.  The presidential election may be over (Donald Trump’s refusal to concede notwithstanding), but control of the US Senate hangs in the balance, pending the results of two runoff elections in Georgia, the nation’s newest battleground state. Early voting started December 14, and Special Election Day is January 5, 2021. The Sierra Club will be making phone calls in support of Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, whose races could determine the fate of President-Elect Biden’s ambitious green agenda. Sign up to call Georgia voters at https://www.mobilize.us/sierraclubbattleground/event/272291/?utm_source=insider&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter. The available times are Wed., Dec. 23 from 3 to 6 PM and 6 to 9 PM ET.  The calls will continue through Tues., Jan. 5 from 6 to 9 PM EST.

38] – The New Georgia Project is organizing volunteers to make calls to Georgia voters EVERY DAY through Election Day. Click here to sign up for a phone banking shift (or three) to help get out the vote in Georgia: https://www.mobilize.us/dailykos_2/event/363868/?link_id=1&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-wanna-make-mitch-mcconnell-utterly-irrelevant-heres-how-2&email_referrer=email_1012290&email_subject=who-controls-the-senate-is-coming-down-to-georgia-please-be-able-to-say-you-did-all-you-could-to-help-us-win-rsvp,  Make calls on Wed., Dec. 23 from 5 to 8 PM ET.  The calls will continue.

39] – We the People have the power to restore the soul of our country – ENDING the McConnell majority – and it all boils down to electing Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to the U.S. Senate during Georgia’s runoff election.

Sign up for one of the many virtual phone bank sessions at https://www.mobilize.us/turnout2020/event/363630/. People for the American Way will hold its next phone bank on Wed., Dec. 23 from 5 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM EST.

40] – 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—continuing on Wed., Dec. 23 from 5 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM EST.  The calls will continue through Jan. 5 from 5 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM EST.

41] – Get with the Sothern Poverty Law Center on Wed., Dec. 23 from 6 to 7 PM and be with the Georgia Absentee Voting Power Hours.  Sign up at https://action.splcenter.org/a/december-23rd-splc-power-hour-virtual-phone-bank.  

42] –‌ The Georgia runoff elections are two weeks from today! That means we are running out of time to turn out a broad coalition of Black and Brown voters and white progressives to flip the Senate.  Democracy for America [info@democracyforamerica.com] is asking if you can get with Texting Out the Vote this week? Register at http://act.democracyforamerica.com/survey/TextGA4/?t=1&refcode=g-TOTV1222.d-20201222.m-25872.s-161212&akid=25872%2E4066212%2ELivj0-. These slots are open: Wed., Dec. 23 at 6 PM ET, Sat., Dec. 26 at noon ET, and Sun., Dec. 27 at 4 PM ET.  

43] –   On Wed., Dec. 23 at 6 PM EST, participate with a 6th Education Webinar | Gaza: The Soul of Palestine, hosted by American Muslims for Palestine. While Jerusalem is the heart of Palestine, Gaza is its soul. The Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from a brutal, not to mention illegal, Israeli occupation and blockade. However, they remain steadfast and committed to their liberation. Israel’s policy of “mowing the lawn,” which includes routine incursions, attacks, and military operations against the besieged Gaza Strip, has decimated the economy, healthcare system, infrastructure, and especially, the lives of the Palestinian people.

On the 27th of this month, commemorate the 12th anniversary of “Operation Cast Lead,” which Amnesty International called the “22 days of death and destruction.” Israel massacred approximately 1,400 Palestinians and made homeless more than 20,000 people. This was one of numerous massacres, yet the Palestinian people remain determined to achieve their long-overdue justice and liberation from a settler-colonial apartheid regime. Hear on a special webinar a live discussion on with Laila El-Haddad: Palestinian-American journalist, author, and analyst; Dr. Hatem Bazian: founder and national Chair of American Muslims for Palestine; and Dr. Ramzy Baroud: Palestinian journalist, media consultant, author, and internationally-syndicated columnist.  The purpose of this webinar is to remember the significance of Gaza and its people to the overall Palestinian struggle for liberation within the context of the political and factual realities that exist on the ground. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ampalestine/.

44] – Join a Georgia Fun Bank featuring Misha Collins on Wed., Dec. 23 from 5 to 8 PM ET. On Wed., Dec. 30 from 5 to 8 PM ET, the Fun banking will continue. Make calls to Georgia voters! Sponsors include People for the American Way. RSVP now and attend as much or as little as you can – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6816070333642/WN_SCDEy3pKRV6QcJP5CguZyg.

45] – On Thurs., Dec. 24 from 10 AM EST to 2 PM EST, Stuff the Van to support Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, 4101 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304. Tickets are at www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4eaead2fa6f85-stocking. Donate goodies for cats, dogs and other furry friends. You can participate in person or remain physically distant while helping to fill the AWLA van with holiday goodies that will keep homeless animals entertained all year long! Sign up to have items delivered straight to the AWLA from one of its online wish lists. Or sign up for a 10-minute window during which you and your “family group” can come by the AWLA to stuff the van with the help of an “AWLA elf” and meet an adoptable animal who will benefit from your generous holiday donations. All activities will be held outside the AWLA in the parking lot, and all participants must wear masks. Register at AlexandriaAnimals.org/StuffTheVan.

46] – Prakash Churaman was 15 when he was arrested and accused of murdering his best friend. NYPD detective Barry Brown coerced him into making a false confession over the course of hours in an interrogation room. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison by Judge Kenneth Holder, a former prosecutor. That conviction was overturned this summer and now for the first time he has a chance to come home if money can be raised for his bail. Here is the link to a video which tells his story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FStlvKjTt4&t=7s. Here is the link to Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/freeprakashchuraman and another one to a petition: https://www.change.org/p/freeprakashchuraman.

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  

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