Baltimore Activist Alert – March 7 - 8, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – March 7 - 8, 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] Catch a Kiss the Ground Screening – March 7 - 11

7] Human Health and the Environment – March 7

8] Feed the Homeless – March 7

9] Global Jewish Movement for Refugees – March 7

10] Judas and the Black Messiah – March 7

11] Healthcare Town Hall – March 7

12] Justice for George Floyd – March 7

13] Say goodbye to Sister Dianna Ortiz, OSU.  – March 7

14] Citizenship for All – March 7

15] Pentagon Peace Vigil – March 8

16] Quilts and Stories – March 8 - 12

17] Food Rescue – March 8

18] Inter-generational dialogue on gender, peace and nuclear disarmament – March 8

19] Pass Expanded Brady Background Checks – March 8

20] COINTELPRO -- March 8

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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] – Catch a Kiss the Ground Screening and Q&A from Sun., March 7 at 7 AM through Thurs., March 11 at midnight ET. Travel from the plains of North Dakota to the Loess Plateau in China and learn why soil experts think the solution to the climate crisis lies right beneath our feet. Watch the trailer then sign up to watch Kiss the Ground and participate in a Q&A with the filmmakers at https://addup.sierraclub.org/events/kiss-the-ground-screening-and-qa?promoid=7013q000001kxGVAAYutm_source=insider&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter.

7] – 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 7, hear about “Climate Change, Ecology and the Links between Human Health and the Environment.” Biologist, author, and cancer survivor, Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. writes about climate change, ecology, and the links between human health and the environment. Steingraber’s highly acclaimed book, Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment was the first to bring together data on toxic releases with data from U.S. cancer registries and was adapted for the screen in 2010. Both book and documentary won praise from international media. Steingraber is currently a Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for the ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

8] – On Sun., March 7 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.

9] – Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer [info@hias.org] wants you to Zoom into Perspectives on the Global Jewish Movement for Refugees on Sun., March 7 at 1:30 PM ET. Join an afternoon conversation with HIAS experts about how global Jewish organizations are working in collaboration with Jewish communities in Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the United States in support of and in solidarity with displaced people, and explore how the emergent global Jewish movement for refugees is evolving. Advance registration is required. Click here to RSVP at https://www.hias.org/events/zooming-perspectives-global-jewish-movement-refugees.

10] – On Sun., March 7 from 2 to 4 PM EST, check out Unpacking the movie - Judas and the Black Messiah, hosted by Artpartheid. Visit https://www.facebook.com/artpartheidbmore/. Discuss the role of the Black Panther Party in the Black community and the importance of telling your own stories. You should have watched the movie already, and then you can share your opinion! Email Artpart67@gmail.com.

11] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] reminds us that the Healthcare Emergency Town Hall is happening on Sun., March 7 at 4 PM ET.  This weekly series of town halls will address COVID 19 and help to make America a healthier place for all, as the new Expanded And Improved Medicare For All House Bill is about to be introduced! Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.  The featured guest speaker is Stephanie Kang, Rep. Jayapal’s lead Legislative Assistant on Healthcare and great friend of the movement. Discuss the new National Medicare for All Act, how we might advocate for it based on our shared trauma of COVID-19, and especially what from her perspective we can do to help gain the needed support for it in the new House of Representatives.

12] – On Sun., March 7 at 5 PM EST, get with Justice 4 George Floyd - Trial Begins for Derek Chauvin, hosted by the Peoples Power Assembly. See https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesPowerAssembly/. Derek Chauvin is the first of the four killer cops to stand trial for the murder of George Floyd. The trial is set to begin Monday, March 8 (with jury selection). The whole world witnessed the brutality that stole George Floyd’s life. People took to the streets in cities and towns in every state in this country to demand justice for him and for all those murdered by police.

   It is possible to stay in your car for this action. Otherwise, face coverings and social distancing are mandatory. Join a candlelight vigil for George Floyd as the sun sets. Please bring a candle.

13] – Say goodbye to Sister Dianna Ortiz, OSU.  The Assisi Community invites you to join for a Mass to celebrate Dianna’s life on Sun., March 7 at 5 PM ET by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89810526309?pwd=N3hxOHpLSWlBek8vaGtJZ01pMWhGUT09.  If you have questions, contact Marie Dennis, Assisi Community, at 202-257-1583 or marie.dennis@paxchristi.net.

14] – On Sun., March 7 at 7 PM ET, join a Quaker call to Citizenship for All.  Join AFSC and FCNL as they put forward a powerful vision of justice for immigrants- aligning with Quaker values and understanding- in the call for Citizenship for All, no exclusions. Register at https://www.afsc.org/action/quaker-call-to-citizenship-all?contactdata=F4RzY73GSZ2M8usefovEg%2bTfBfa9XA69Q%2f4Yu4vWrFvLgFBML5ZlUIs%2bITwvX6zIcoyTAl3BSgTKpPS87TuwkzvD%2fGSjOdT9fowZGm4UfqxfHybhjXSli2BCyv%2f0B4GKdJpx9%2byNHfVxtjw%2f7%2flAhf%2bPOyeXxOYKDr4AOA%2b3bvHOVoibvhgzzQ4jbanaGhqqtJ%2fy7hug1nvEFuhTKviEfiFFxDDEqg82%2fUxTKfDSkKE79K29qfPa3e2CIgEGvYe7JSDb6MAtudq5Lf3VI3UQfg%3d%3d&ms=EMA21AP0301&emci=1f0c835a-6778-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&emdi=4ead1a83-c47a-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&ceid=764241.

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 8, 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 8 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.

17] – On Mon., March 8  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.

18] – Alyn Ware [alyn@pnnd.org] is Inviting you to an Inter-generational dialogue on gender, peace and nuclear disarmament on International Women's Day, March 8 from 12:30 to 2:15 PM ET.  Sign up at Inter-generational dialogue on gender, peace and nuclear disarmament. This will highlight the roles of women in the peace, disarmament and security fields, and the importance of including gender approaches to these issues in order to build more effective and sustainable security for all. The event will also include the launch of the Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament Gender, Peace and Security program, which consolidates and builds upon the work PNND has been doing on gender and nuclear disarmament since its establishment in 2003.

19] – The Brady Newsletter [brady@bradyunited.org] in February 2021, estimated that 1.3 million firearms were sold based on the number of Brady Background Checks conducted. This is a stark increase from February 2020 — further demonstrating the record-breaking gun sales we've witnessed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  As you may know, Jim and Sarah Brady passed the Brady Bill in 1993, establishing the Brady Background Check System for gun sales. Nearly three decades later, loopholes have been exploited and 1 in 5 guns are sold without a Brady Background Check, including through online sales and at gun shows.

Those loopholes mean that already this year, there have been hundreds of thousands of guns sold without a background check. The NRA and its allies in Congress have blocked expanded background checks for years — even though over 90 percent of Americans, including gun owners, support the policy. But in 2021, there is a fighting chance to change that: Congress introduced legislation that would strengthen and expand Brady Background checks to cover all gun sales.  RSVP for a Virtual Rally and Phonebank to Pass Expanded Brady Background Checks on Mon., March 8 at 1 PM ET: bit.ly/checks-rally.

20] – Defending Rights & Dissent [info@rightsanddissent.org] announced that on March 8, 1971, a group of anti-war activists calling themselves the Citizens Commission to Investigate the FBI broke into the FBI’s Media, Pennsylvania office. The documents they liberated changed the course of U.S. history and exposed the FBI's notorious & illegal COINTELPRO.  On Mon., March 8, 2021 at 3 PM ET - the 50th anniversary of the break-in - join DRAD for an event featuring Bonnie Raines, one of the burglars who liberated the FBI documents in 1971; Betty Medsger, the journalist who helped expose COINTELPRO and author of The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover's Secret FBI; Johanna Hamilton, director of 1971, the film about the break-in; Paul Coates, founder and director of Black Classic Press and former member of the Baltimore Black Panthers; and Michael German, a fellow with the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty & National Security Program, author of Disrupt, Discredit, and Divide: How the New FBI Damages Democracy,  and former FBI agent. With COINTELPRO, the FBI went beyond spying on dissent, engaging in a series of illegal covert actions to stifle the domestic exercise of First Amendment rights. Decades later it remains a shocking abuse of power that has become synonymous with repression of domestic political dissent. The panelists will recount the history of the break-in, explore the legacy of COINTELPRO, and discuss what has and hasn’t changed with the current FBI. RSVP at https://www.rightsanddissent.org/live/break-in-50-years/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=8766b1b0-1fd6-4879-a5a5-84d954152ff5.

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