Baltimore Activist Alert – February 14 – 15, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – February 14 – 15, 2021

"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] Free Prakash Churaman  

6] “Thanks to Pandemic Responders” – Feb. 14

7] Weekly Seekers' BLM Witness – Feb. 14

8] Grannies for Peace -- Feb. 14

9] Protest Saudi ship at Port of Baltimore - Feb. 14

10] No Love for Polluters – Feb. 14

11] Black Lives Matter vigil – Feb. 14

12] Healthcare Town Hall -- Feb. 14

13] Medicare 4 ALL Workgroup – Feb. 14

14] Pentagon Peace Vigil – Feb. 15

15] Quilts and Stories – Feb. 15 and more

16] Food Rescue – Feb. 15

17] Equate the word ‘Zionist’ with ‘Jewish’? – Feb. 15

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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] – 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.

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., Feb. 14, hear about “Thanks to Pandemic Responders.” Almost a year into our pandemic crisis, millions of Americans have responded by working harder than ever and putting themselves in harm’s way. They worked on the healthcare front line and on public transportation and as cashiers with minimal protection from a deadly virus. As one who remained safe mostly in a comfortable house, Hugh Taft-Morales explores how best to reward brave pandemic responders beyond simply saying, “Thank you for your service.” He serves as Leader of the Philadelphia Ethical Society and the Baltimore Ethical Society and is a member of the Ethical Action Committee of the American Ethical Union (AEU). Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for the ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

7] – On Sun., Feb. 14 through Feb. 28 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM ET, join a BLM Witness at the Seekers Church, 276 Carroll St. NW, WDC 20012. Visit https://www.facebook.com/seekerschurchDC/. It is a wonderful opportunity to show up for racial justice and experience unity as passing drivers and pedestrians of all races and ethnicities wave and raise fists. Cars honk, bicyclists ring their little bike bells, and sometimes passers-by ask for a sign and join in. 

8] – On Valentine’s Day, Grannies for Peace, because of the virus, will gather with friends and allies from 2 to 3:30 PM on Sun., Feb. 14 on Zoom for a program focused on the existential issue of nuclear weapons – so timely with the entry into force last month of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which the US has refused to join and instead embarked on a hugely expensive build-up of new nuclear weapons. Click here to register to tune in https://actionnetwork.org/events/a-valentine-for-people-and-planet-documentarian-cynthia-lazaroffs-heartfelt-plea-for-a-nuclear-weapons-free-future?clear_id=true. See a 40 minute Code Pink video interview of Cynthia Lazaroff, a film maker working on nuclear weapons issues. Cynthia will join in for a short follow-up presentation and a Q&A.  Then there will be a close with Cynthia’s 5 minute video, Mourning Armageddon.  If you will be joining by phone, you can watch the 40 minute video interview with Cynthia at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utKqZG1Mfco. The Mourning Armageddon video can be seen at https://www.nuclearwakeupcall.earth/.

9] – Baltimore Peace Action has been informed that Light Armored Vehicles manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems in London, Ontario are to be loaded on the Bahri Jazan, a Saudi Arabian ship, by dockworkers at the Port of Baltimore.  The Saudi ship is expected to arrive at the Port on February 13. BPA will hold a protest urging dockworkers not to load these weapons on the Bahri Jazan on Valentine’s Day, February 14 from 2 to 3 PM outside the Dundalk Marine Terminal, Port of Baltimore, 2700 Broening Highway.  Contact Max at 443-761-5899 [c] or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

10] – On Sun., Feb. 14 from 2 to 3 PM ET, get with No Love for Polluters: No New Power Plants in Prince George’s hosted by Friends of the Earth U.S. Check it out at us02web.zoom.us.  RSVP at http://bit.ly/nolove4polluters. Demand that the Prince George’s County Council pass legislation banning the construction of future power plants in the County. This event will have speakers and community members impacted by the power plants to discuss the issue, and there will also be time to email and tweet at Prince George’s Council members to encourage them to push this legislation through.

11] – On Sun., Feb. 14 from 4 to 5 PM EST, there will be a Black Lives Matter Vigil at the Governor Warfield Parkway and Windstream Drive.  These Sunday vigils will continue through June 2021.  This is hosted by Black Lives Activists of Columbia and it occurs the second Sunday of each month. Please plan to wear masks, observe physical distancing, and bring your own signs. Visit https://www.facebook.com/BLAColumbia.

12] – Join Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] as the group is holding its Healthcare Emergency Town Hall on Sun., Feb. 14 at 4 PM ET. PDA advocates for Healthcare as a Human Right, and remains gravely concerned that #COVID19 continues to ravage our traditionally medically underserved communities with untold suffering, loss, and preventable deaths as a result. Vaccine, like all of COVID-care and Healthcare in general, is not yet getting to all who need it, especially to those at even greater risk in our communities of color. Studies recently made public confirm these inequities, including that as many as 40 percent of total COVID-19 fatalities in the U.S. were preventable if we had public health directed by and paid for with a #SinglePayer expanded and improved #MedicareForAll system. Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.  The featured guest speakers are healthcare researcher Dr. Carolina Ampudia, M.D. of PDA Broward Co FL, and communications expert and local community leader Dr. Betty Valencia, Ph.D. of PDA Orange Co CA.  They'll discuss the urgent need for and means to organize for MFA from their very knowledgeable perspectives.

13] – On Sun., Feb. 14 from 5 to 6 PM EST, get with a Medicare 4 ALL Workgroup Weekly Meeting, hosted by Metro D.C. Democratic Socialists of America.  These meetings will continue through April 25.   RSVP HERE FOR ZOOM: https://actionnetwork.org/events/medicare-4-all-workgroup-weekly-meeting-m4a-19/?fbclid=IwAR0DIbPLAs5TxDKatV0gX7YDICCT4PEinwjQjDVrrsVKZMAoWK3MaI-b7Kc. Democratic Socialists are fighting to make single-payer Medicare for All healthcare a reality.  Help fight to replace our fractured and broken health system with a unified Medicare for All system. Not a DSA member? Consider becoming a Member. Fees are on a sliding scale according to what you feel you can afford: http://dsausa.org/join?source=Metro%20DC. 

14] – 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 Feb. 15, 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.  

15] – On Mon., Feb. 15 through Mar., 12 from 10 AM to 4 PM EST, check out Quilts and the Stories They Tell at the Sandy Spring Museum. Capacity limitations will reflect the current Montgomery County guidelines. Reservations are encouraged. Go to https://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/quilts/. Take a close look at a quilt and you can almost hear the words of the maker, the fabric, and the purpose of this utilitarian work of art. But while every quilt has a backstory, the story quilt starts with a message. A story quilt may include words, photos, non-traditional fabrics, and embellishments along with more standard quilting techniques and materials.

16 – On Mon., Feb. 15 from noon to 1:30 PM EST, participate in Food Rescue at Land of Kush, 840 North Eutaw St., Baltimore.  This Food Rescue will continue until Mon., Apr. 26. Food Rescue Baltimore is proud to partner with The Land of Kush each and every Monday to bring free vegan and plant-based food to the community. Bring a bag, take what you want, while supplies last. #KeepItFreshDay #MeatlessMonday. See https://www.facebook.com/The-Land-of-Kush-102096254517153.

17] – Facebook is under pressure from extremist Zionist organizations, and organizations supported by the Israeli government, to equate the word ‘Zionist’ with ‘Jewish’ and make criticism of Zionism a violation of Facebook’s Community Standards and hate speech policy. On Mon., Feb. 15 at noon at noon EST, hosted by 7amleh - The Arab Center for Advancement of Social Media will lead a discussion.  Why is this proposed change a threat to freedom of expression in the Middle East and North Africa region? How could it impact freedom of expression online for human rights activists, journalists, students, and others? What should Facebook and other social media companies do to protect political expression on their platforms? Join Nadim Nashif, Executive Director at 7amleh, in conversation with Najwan Berkdar, anti-normalization & human rights activist (Palestine); Mohamad Najem, Executive Director at SMEX (Lebanon); and Raya Sharbain, Program Coordinator at Jordan Open Source Association (Jordan). Join the webinar at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nXX2sJkfTN680aF2w62n-w.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to Max Obuszewski, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 431 Notre Dame Lane, Apt. 206, 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