Baltimore Activist Alert – March 21 - 22, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – March 21 - 22, 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] House cleaner needed

7] See "Dry Times” – March 21 - 28

8] Historic East Towson – March 21

9] U.S. Imperialism – March 21

10] Feed the Homeless – March 21

11] Protect Black children – March 21

12] Healthcare Town Hall – March 21

13] COLD WAR TRUTH COMMISSION – March 21

14] The Overdose Crisis – March 21

15] Pentagon Peace Vigil – March 22

16] Food Rescue – March 22

17] War on Yemen – March 22

18] Finances webinar – March 22

19] Write letters to the editor – March 22

20] Support Amazon workers -- March 22

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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] – Is there a woman in the Baltimore area who does house cleaning?  This assignment would be on an irregular basis with several hours per week.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001@comcast.net.

7] –   Environment America [action@environmentamerica.org] wants you to know it is offering a free, week-long screening of the documentary "Dry Times" and interactive discussion on the film.  Learn more about the film and environmental issues it raises. "Dry Times" takes us to California in 2016, when the state was experiencing among its most persistent and intense droughts in history. The film explores the environmental and personal impacts of water scarcity on three individuals living in various parts of California. Register at https://environmentamerica.webaction.org/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=1096&supporter_KEY=5685115&uid=23d6263d322a90dd8662628e243038e8&utm_source=salsa&utm_medium=email&tag=email_blast:90346&utm_campaign=AME4-FWAT:WATERACCESS-0321&utm_content=EM9:00C:0HH-DPA. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions to view the film between March 18 and March 28 and join the discussion on Thurs., March 25 at 6 PM ET.

In a panel discussion, Environment America, Environment California, and the cast and crew of "Dry Times" will expand upon the significance of California's historic drought. Discuss the organization's efforts to curb water scarcity, promote water conservation and champion clean water for all.

8] – 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., March 21, hear about “East Towson: From Jim Crow to Black Lives Matter.” Historic East Towson, an African-American community unique to Baltimore County and the nation, is a thriving, tight-knit enclave adjacent to Towson’s urban core. Descendants of the original settlers – men, women and children formerly enslaved at the nearby Hampton Plantation – still live in the neighborhood today. This presentation focuses on the political events and history that have had a major impact on Historic East Towson for generations.

 Carol Allen, creator of, “East Towson: From Jim Crow to Black Lives Matter,” served for over two decades as Executive Director of Historic Towson, Inc. In that role she oversaw the addition of several buildings and districts to the National Register and Baltimore County Final Landmarks List.  She is a Past Chair of the Baltimore County Landmarks Preservation Commission.  With her rich experience as an historic preservationist, Carol accesses an extensive body of work to advocate for justice, equity and equality for what remains of a community with a past that offers considerable political context to much of what dominates our attention on the world stage today.

 Nancy Goldring is the newly elected President of the Northeast Towson Improvement Association and grand-daughter of longtime and highly esteemed leader of Historic East Towson, the late, Adelaide C.V. Bentley. Nancy’s great-great grandfather, James Williams, founded the Mount Olive Baptist Church at the corner of York Road and Bosley Ave some 130 years ago. Her family continues to serve and worship there today. Earlier this year Nancy learned of her family’s ties to manumitted slaves from the Hampton Plantation also still here in Towson. The National Historic Society’s Ethnographic Study confirms that Nancy’s family and others have indeed been in Towson, “Since the Beginning,” and long before the American Civil War. Nancy speaks with us from her lived experience and a commitment to protect her community’s unique thread in the fabric of American history.  Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for the ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

9] –   U.S. imperialism, the Latin American left, and liberation theology will be discussed by Ben Norton on Sun., March 21 from 11 AM to 1 PM ET.  During the Donald Trump administration, top U.S. government officials repeatedly invoked the nearly 200-year-old colonial Monroe Doctrine to justify US interventions in Latin America. Even under President Joe Biden today, these aggressive imperialist policies continue in the region, which Washington has long considered to be its "backyard." Ben Norton will speak about how the US government has for decades waged a war on the Latin American left, and how this brutal campaign continues today, targeting not only the secular left, but also progressive and revolutionary Christian movements inspired by liberation theology. Ben Norton is a journalist, writer, and filmmaker whose work focuses primarily on US foreign policy, Latin America, and media criticism. Ben is assistant editor of the investigative journalism website The Grayzone. He has reported from numerous countries, including Venezuela, Bolivia, Honduras, Colombia, and Iran. Although Ben is a US citizen, he lives in Nicaragua. Go to http://masspeaceaction.org/event/u-s-imperialism-the-latin-american-left-and-liberation-theology-ben-norton/?emci=2867ad44-9c6f-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&emdi=663246d3-9f6f-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&ceid=269591.

10] – On Sun., March 21 from 1 to 5 PM EST, Feed The Homeless - Charity Event at 16 W. Saratoga St., Baltimore 21201-4227. Hosted by Mark Grey, go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011934377773.

    Feed the Homeless is in downtown Baltimore, 550 Holliday St., at the intersection of Guilford Ave. & Centre St., 21202. Skylyne Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Baltimore. The group currently raises funds & collect donations to benefit the homeless & less fortunate men, women & children. It accepts food trays of different hot foods & soups (on location) perishable items, can goods, cases of water & juice toiletries, hygiene products, feminine products, school supplies, coats & winter accessories, footwear, pillows, blankets, and so much more. Consider making a minimum donation of $5 or $10, or any amount you can contribute. Go to https://www.facebook.com/skylynefoundation/. Email skylynefoundation@gmail.com.

11] – Takoma Park Mobilization [info@tpmobilization.org] announced that there is a rally on Sun., March 21 at 3:30 PM ET to call for the Protection of Black Children! Safety and Empathy, Not Cops and Handcuffs. Montgomery County Police in Silver Spring handcuffed and verbally assaulted a five-year old. Sign on to the community letter here: bit.ly/SignOnSSJC. On Jan. 14, 2020, a five-year-old African-American kindergarten student walked away from East Silver Spring Elementary School. School employees contacted the Montgomery County Police Department to help find the boy. What happened after that call is inexcusable. The abusive treatment continued in the presence of school staff when the officers brought the child back to school. At school, they continued to threaten him and even handcuffed him. This incident was covered up for more than a year before making the news. Gather at East Silver Spring Elementary School, and then march together to the Silver Spring Civic Center to send a strong message to County officials that they must protect Black children. Read more here: bit.ly/SilverSpringCops.  Share this event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/467930374562944/.

12] – Dr. Bill for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you on the Healthcare Emergency Town Hall on Sun., March 21 at 4 PM ET.  Discuss the Medicare for All Bill and More. RSVP at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

The new #MedicareForAll Act of 2021 was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI).  Now known as #HR1976, the bill has a record number of 113 original cosponsors compared to any previous attempt at such legislation, and some 300+ national, state, and local organizations that have endorsed it, including dozens of PDA state and local chapters that have signed on.

13] –  Witness For Peace Southwest Invites You To Join the COLD WAR TRUTH COMMISSION -- A Day of Education, Testimonials & Action as the COLD WAR is put ON TRIAL” on Sun., March 21 from 4 to 10 PM ET.  Here are some of the speakers:  Medea Benjamin, Kathy Kelly, S. Brian Willson, David Swanson, Norman Solomon, Jeff Cohen, Ramsey Clark, Ann Wright, Peter Kuznick, Roy Bourgeois, Bruce Gagnon and many more.  This online event is Co-Hosted by Rachel Bruhnke and Frank Dorrel.  Register at www.codepink.org/03212021.  Contact Rachel at sojournerrb@yahoo.com or 310-971-8280. If you are on Facebook, consider joining the group Cold War Truth Commission at www.facebook.com/groups/235245374885960.

14] – On Sun., March 21 from 4 to 5:30 PM, check out The Overdose Crisis & War on Drugs Teach In hosted by People’s Action. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/peoplesaction/event/365352/?emci=07d6556f-c885-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&emdi=9dd8b52b-d585-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&ceid=136680. This is exclusive training on the roots of the war on drugs and the racial disparities in our drug policies and how that relates to the current overdose epidemic facing our country.  Hear from movement leaders and folks who have been doing the work to fight for an end to the Overdose Crisis and drug policy grounded in harm reduction and public health NOT incarceration. In 2020, over 100K people died from preventable overdose deaths in America. 

15] – 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 March 22, 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.  

16] – On Mon., March 22  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] – March 26, 2021, will mark 6 years since the beginning of the war on Yemen. But, after the recent CNN report about the devastating Saudi-imposed blockade on Yemen, it is important to congregate with other U.S.-based organizations on Mon., March 22 at noon ET.  Tune in at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85993638796?pwd=dHR1d2JXZkJoRlhKMTBEWmpUTW9zdz09.  The Meeting ID is 859 9363 8796, and the Passcode is 040840.

18] – Consumer Reports [action@cr.consumer.org] is inviting you to COVID-19 and a finances webinar. This is an opportunity to come hear vital information from CR experts and partners about how you and your family can emerge financially resilient from this pandemic. You won’t want to miss out. RSVP now to attend on Mon., March 22 at 1 PM ET: https://action.consumerreports.org/webinar_20210322_covid1year?EXTKEY=BEC03EE003&utm_campaign=20210319_finance&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cr.

19] – Sojourners [sojoaction@sojo.net] is hosting a training on Mon., March 22 from 1 to 2:30 PM ET: Influence your members of Congress & the community by writing letters to the editor!  Letters to the editor are a great way to advocate for policy and change public opinion. They are short opinion pieces about timely topics published by local and national newspapers. Politicians pay attention to articles that mention them directly, and these letters show that community members care about an issue. A letter to the editor is a great way to communicate with more people in your community about policies that matter. This training will specifically focus on writing letters to the editor about bills that create pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrant people. The skills that you learn will be helpful in writing for other issues that you care about as well.  Sign up for the training at bit.ly/ImmigrationMondays. 

20] – Rev. Dr. William Barber, II & Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis [info@poorpeoplescampaign.org] wants to talk on Moral Monday, March 22 at 3 PM ET about being Live from Bessemer, Alabama in the historic labor battle against Amazon. The Alabama Poor People’s Campaign and Amazon workers are demanding dignity, respect and a union for all workers.   This is the first viable attempt to form a union, and nearly 6,000 warehouse workers must mail their ballots to the National Labor Relations Board by March 29 to certify the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/moral-monday-our-wage-our-vote-our-power?source=direct_link&&link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_1115425___subject_1494018&email_subject=moral-monday-live-from-bessemer-alabama.

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