Baltimore Activist Alert – May 16 - 17, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – May 16 - 17, 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] Max is looking for tips on a garage or a storage suggestion.

6] House cleaner needed

7] “Youth of Ethical Societies” – May 16

8] Ban Killer Drones Webinar – May 16

9] Blackrock meeting – May 16

10] Healthcare Town Hall – May 16

11] Celebration of Health and Human Rights Heroes – May 16

12] Pentagon Peace Vigil – May 17

13] Multilateral Cooperation in Northeast Asia in the Biden Era – May 17

14] Sam Nunn – May 17

15] Smarter Options on U.S. Nuclear Modernization – May 17

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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] – Max is in need of a garage or a storage space.  Any suggestions would be welcome.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

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 at Comcast dot net.

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., May 16, get with “Youth of Ethical Societies.” Every year, the teens of Ethical Societies around the country come together to discuss issues relevant to the world around them.  The weekend-long conference is entirely teen-led; they plan the theme, they plan and lead the breakout discussion groups, and they facilitate all activities during the conference. This is an impressive feat in any year — but to have pulled off a successful Youth of Ethical Societies (YES) Conference during a global pandemic is especially remarkable!  Zoom link and more info can be obtained at PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for INFORMATION.

8] – Get with a Ban Killer Drones Webinar on Sun., May 16 at 11 AM ET. The topics will be DRONE PROLIFERATION, BORDER SURVEILLANCE AND THE PERSECUTION OF DRONE WHISTLE BLOWER DANIEL HALE. Click on this URL to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/w/81805857742?tk=VASIDSU-uKGaQRPSRtH43klZQ65g-nWhBTWsY2saOS8.DQIAAAATDAJTzhZZMkhQMVV2SFNmbUplSUVwbWl3dFp3AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.  The meeting ID is 818 0585 7742.

9] – Moses, CODEPINK [info@codepink.org] wants you to join the group and allies for actions against BlackRock!  ‌ ‌BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager, controlling trillions in assets globally. BlackRock released a statement indicating that it would like companies to implement and disclose their human rights processes to identify, manage, and prevent adverse human rights impacts. But yet BlackRock is one of the largest shareholders of Tasers manufacturer Axon enterprise and has billions invested in Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon. Weapons made by these companies are used in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and other places worldwide where the US continues to be involved in active conflicts. As you can see, even though BlackRock said it would like companies to implement human rights processes, they continue to profit from war. BlackRock even has an iShares fund that exclusively benefits from weapons of war.

CODEPINK has an ongoing campaign urging BlackRock to divest from all weapon manufacturers, and that BlackRock should support human rights for this shareholder season. Join the Zoom meeting on Sun., May 16 at 3 PM ET.  RSVP to receive the Zoom link at https://www.codepink.org/05162021_blackrock?utm_campaign=nyc_blackrock_may_2021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink. This is a planning meeting for upcoming activities.

10] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] needs your attention as there is Healthcare Emergency Town Hall on Sun., May 16 at 4 PM ET.  The special guest this week is Healthy CA Now Single Payer Coalition Chair and PDA National Advisory Board Member Michael Lighty, who will address ways that further efforts at the state level intersect with those at the federal level for reaching our unified goal. Also get a COVID-19 update.  Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

11] – Physicians for Human Rights [web@email.phr.org] wants you to attend on Sun., May 16 at 6 PM ET a Virtual Celebration of Health and Human Rights Heroes. Honor of the health professionals, scientists, and human rights advocates who, despite countless threats that undermine their work, continue to courageously and tirelessly fight for the health, safety, and human rights of others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sign up at https://secure.phr.org/secure/2021-physicians-human-rights-annual-gala-free-registration?af=67EwgtipjTunY2x5FGl8J8QS15TInYhOIiiLxYdf8UDj9ct8U6%2Bv5O%2Bhr7zFjSo0Kfz0QuvU4SGJYO%2Fq2qRNinAr9l%2BURmbSsxc9ZrXZUhkNJ2qBc0sWStoXm%2FFp%2BZ4JbfpWuK%2Bon836g9Iq5jyfsezt60roOdHJ54vjtFlJOgaLiwVmjJEeEcu%2FVXagFqd3&CID=7015G000001V4v5QAC&ms=FY21_Gala_Email3_Activist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=activists&utm_content=Email_3&utm_term=Fundraising&utm_campaign=FY21_Gala&dm_i=4GV7,ECHT,1TO2EP,1I457,1.

12] – 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 May 17 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.  

13] – The GW Institute for Korean Studies [gwiks@gwu.edu] was your presence on Mon., May 17 from 9 to 11 AM ET via Zoom for Multilateral Cooperation in Northeast Asia in the Biden Era. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/korea-policy-forum-multilateral-cooperation-in-northeast-asia-in-the-biden-tickets-153859615251.

14] – For almost five decades, former Senator Sam Nunn has worked to strengthen U.S. national and global security, reduce nuclear risks, and advance bipartisan solutions to our world's greatest challenges. In his new book, Sam Nunn: Statesman of the Nuclear Age, Dr. Frank Jones reveals how, as a congressional leader and “shadow secretary of defense [sic],” Senator Nunn helped win the Cold War. On Mon., MAY 17 at 11 AM ET, Jones will talk about the book with Laura Holgate, Nuclear Threat Initiative. Sign up at https://www.csis.org/events/sam-nunn-statesman-nuclear-age.

15] – On Mon., May 17 at 2 PM, take in Smarter Options on U.S. Nuclear Modernization. Expert speakers will address how the Biden administration should approach the nuclear modernization effort, alternatives to building a new fleet of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) via the ground based strategic deterrent (GBSD) and the W87-1 warhead replacement programs, the challenges facing the National Nuclear Security Administration’s warhead and infrastructure modernization plans, and the relationship between nuclear modernization and arms control diplomacy. RSVP at https://www.armscontrol.org/events/2021-05/smarter-options-us-nuclear-modernization.

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