Baltimore Activist Alert -- February 17, 2021

34] The Black Church – Feb. 17

35] For the People Act – Feb. 17

36] Housing Justice Package – Feb. 17

37] Diplomacy with China – Feb. 17

38] Convict Donald Trump – Feb. 17

39] Protect the Great Lakes – Feb. 17

40] Embrace Immigrant Families – Feb. 17

41] Solar Homes -- Feb. 17

42] Climate Lobby Training – Feb. 17

43] Fair Elections Task Force Meeting – Feb. 17

44] New Cold War, Old Middle East Wars, and Sanctions -- Feb. 17

45] D.C. Statehood -- Feb. 17

46] Hear from Katie Porter -- Feb. 17

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34] -- Watch Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ new PBS documentary, The Black Church, in most parts of the country on Wednesday evening, February 17. Go to https://www.pbs.org/show/black-church/?emci=2609ca20-466f-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&emdi=782d3ed2-a56f-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&ceid=2588083. The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song is a moving four-hour, two-part series from executive producer, host and writer Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University and director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, traces the 400-year-old story of the Black church in America.

35] – House and Senate Democrats are preparing to bring the For the People Act (S. 1, H.R. 1) — a sweeping package of reforms that would protect voting rights, end the dominance of big money in politics, and restore ethics and accountability — up for debate and votes in the coming weeks! On Wed., Feb. 17 at 11:30 AM ET, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey and Rep. Susan Wild are hosting a virtual event to talk about the bill and why it’s necessary to repair our democracy and restore public faith in our elections. End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund President Tiffany Muller will moderate the event.

The For the People Act (H.R. 1/S. 1) is critical to getting our democracy back on track by fighting voter suppression and ensuring corporate special interests can no longer block action on issues Americans care about like fighting climate change, passing gun violence prevention legislation, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/endcitizensunited/event/375310/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ecuaction&utm_content=2+-+RSVP+to+watch+the+event+on+Wednesday+at+&utm_campaign=20210216_af_pa_event&source=20210216_af_pa_event.

36] – The Renters United Maryland's Housing Justice Package is still being debated in Annapolis.  Join the Jews United for Justice hearing watch party for the hearing in the Judiciary Committee on Wed., Feb. 17 at 1:30 PM. You can register to attend the watch party at. https://jufj.org/event/mdga21-rtc-rent-court/.

37] – Join CODEPINK in urging President Biden to abandon his adversarial position towards China and start engaging peacefully with China. Educate ourselves and our communities because the tidal wave of lies about China in the media continues unabated. To speak back to some of these lies, the Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Chris Hedges will join in conversation about propaganda that leads to war and how a campaign can address it. RSVP here to join the webinar on Wed., Feb. 17 at 2 PM ET: https://www.codepink.org/cinoe_chris_hedges?utm_campaign=bidenchina_lunarnewyear&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink.

38] – While the Senate did not vote to convict Donald Trump of inciting the insurrection of January 6th, the trial still served an important purpose.  This week, Jim Zogby wrote about how the second Senate trial of Donald Trump ensured that the damage he caused was entered into the historical record, making it impossible for his followers to claim otherwise. Here's a link to his article, "The Senate Trial of Donald J. Trump;" https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/the-senate-trial-of-donald-j-trump-1.77182383?emci=d7d99951-5f70-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&emdi=8d3a1a16-7070-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&ceid=389907.  Register to receive the dial-in information for the Zoom call on Wed., Feb. 17 from 2 to 2:30 PMET sharp. After you register, you will automatically get the dial-in information for the call: https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/the-senate-trial-of-donald-j-trump-1.77182383?emci=d7d99951-5f70-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&emdi=8d3a1a16-7070-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&ceid=389907.

39] – Help protect the irreplaceable Great Lakes (21% of Planet Earth's surface fresh water, and 84% of North America's!) against radioactive risks. On Wed., Feb. 17 from 2 to 4 PM ET, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will hold a public comment meeting re: environmental scoping for NextEra Nuclear's (formerly Florida Power & Light) proposal to operate the two-reactor Point Beach nuclear power plant, in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, not for 40 years, not for 60 years, but for a whopping, and highly risky 80 years. Point Beach Unit 2, for one thing, has the single worst embrittled reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of any Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) in the country. With decades of additional neutron radiation bombardment, the risk of a pressurized thermal shock (PTS) through-wall fracture, core meltdown, and catastrophic release of hazardous radioactivity, will only worsen.

 Log into both the Teams meeting and Bridgeline audio. Visuals will be through Microsoft Teams and audio will be through Bridgeline. Go to TEAMS link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YzA4MjM0M2UtZTRjNy00Mjc3LThjOGItNzg1OTFjZjY4Yjdm%40thread.v2/0?context={%22Tid%22%3a%22e8d01475-c3b5-436a-a065-5def4c64f52e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22423488ef-ed1f-4+f6b-bd2e-fc72ac8da562%22}.

The Bridgeline Number is 800-369-1750, and the Passcode is 4187785 then do #. PHONE ACCESS is available at Bridge Number: (800) 369-1750 with the passcode of 4187785.  One of the most important actions for February 17th is to simply join the meeting! You do not need to speak or write anything in advance if you do not wish to. By attending, you are sending a message that the public is involved and cares about what is happening at Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant. If the webinar link is not functioning correctly, try joining by phone.

40] – Join Next100 for an Immigrant-Led Discussion on How All 50 States Can Embrace Immigrant Families on Wed., Feb. 17 from 3 to 4:15 PM ET. Charting a better path that expands access to critical programs and services for immigrant families, regardless of immigration status, is possible in every U.S. state. See the release of Embracing Our Strengths, a two-part, immigrant-designed and immigrant-led project to address the needs of undocumented and mixed-status immigrant families through improved state policy. Discuss the power of immigrant voices and the need to broaden narratives, and share recommendations to improve state policy based on the perspectives of immigrant families and a fifty-state policy scan.  Tune in for the Zoom at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embracing-immigrant-families-in-every-us-state-tickets-9974743225?aff=odeimcmailchimp&mc_cid=9bfb0f33f0&mc_eid=0f57b5a0fa.

41] – The country is facing three urgent problems: climate change, economic downturn, and social injustice. Adding rooftop and community solar to 30 million homes can help solve all three. That's why SUN is launching the 30 Million Solar Homes campaign, with the Initiative for Energy Justice (IEJ), the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), and many other organizations and businesses. Join us for the launch of the 30 Million Solar Homes campaign on Wed., Feb. 17 from 5 to 6:15 PM. Registration is required at https://www.30millionsolarhomes.org/how-were-going-to-add-30-million-solar-homes/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=weblink&utm_campaign=30msh.

42] –The CCAN Action Fund [info@ccanactionfund.org] is about to lobby the Maryland legislature to pass several MAJOR climate change bills, and it's crucial that everyone is prepared to speak up. Join the group on Wed., Feb. 17 at 6 PM for a lobby training and info session webinar. CCAN's experts will review best practices, answer questions, and guide you through role playing exercises. This is a can't-miss event for anyone who wants to have a voice in the legislative process. Tune in at https://act.ccanactionfund.org/page/26456/data/1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=utm_campaign&utm_content=MD-CE-lobbytraining-0221-c4+A+13:16:11&ea.url.id=758218.

43] – Anne Arundel County and Southern Maryland Progressive Maryland Team is hosting a Fair Elections Task Force Meeting on Wed., Feb. 17 at 6:30 PM.  Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/Pm4wb75KgUeTeptmI5WHMQ2?emci=2e4c9b58-9f70-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&emdi=4f604ea3-a170-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&ceid=136680.

44] – Check out New Cold War, Old Middle East Wars, and Sanctions with Erik Sperling on Wed., Feb. 17 from 7 to 8 PM.  Erik is currently the Executive Director of Just Foreign Policy and has previously worked for Representatives Ro Khanna and John Conyers.  U.S./China relations continue to grow in significance with tensions over Taiwan, the South China Sea, trade relations and more. Many are using the “threat” of China to justify increased military expenditures and hawkish policies. The peace movement must be at the forefront of resisting a new cold war. Relations with China are of particular interest to Massachusetts residents, as Massachusetts Congressman, Jim McGovern, co-chairs the Congressional-Executive China Commission (along with Marco Rubio). Discuss broader US foreign policy issues, including US sanctions, and policies towards Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, and Yemen. Also discuss Congressional issues including the AUMF and Pentagon spending.  Tune in at http://masspeaceaction.org/event/new-cold-war-old-middle-east-wars-and-sanctions-with-erik-sperling/.

45] – There is an Our Revolution DC February Meeting on Statehood on Wed., Feb. 17 from 7 to 8 PM ET.  Continue the conversation on statehood in 2021. With the Democrats in control of Congress and the White House, the prospects may be better than they've ever been.  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/290058/?followup_modal_context=newsletter...

46] – MomsRising.org [info@momsrising.org]  notes there are so many new opportunities to create real and lasting change for our families, communities, and economy in 2021. Hear from U.S. Representative Katie Porter on Wed., Feb. 17 from 9 to 10 PM ET for this important conversation. Go to https://www.mobilize.us/momsrising/event/374116/.

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