Baltimore Activist Alert -- May 6, 2021

41] Peace, Russia, and the United States – May 6

42] Montgomery Council work session – May 6

43] Protest a slumlord – May 6

44] Misuse of Public Health to Restrict Asylum – May 6

45] Food Rescue at the Dovecote Café – May 6

46] Good Jobs for All training – May 6

47] District 16 - Post-Session Legislator Town Hall – May 6

48] The Money Pit Missile – May 6

49] Justice for Muslims Collective Iftar – May 6

50] Baltimore Votercade meeting – May 6

51] Low-dollar fundraiser for Larry Krasner – May 6

52] Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program – May 6

53] Predatory Security Deposit Alternatives bill - May 6

54] Broadband and Fair Housing – May 6

55] Mapping Migraciones: Nature is for Everyone – May 6

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41] – World BEYOND War [info@worldbeyondwar.org] is hosting on Thurs., May 6 from 1 to 2:30 PM ET an Online Conversation on Peace, Russia, and the United States with Vladimir Kozin and Ray McGovern. Kozin is a Member of the Russian Academy of the Natural Sciences and a Member of the Russian Academy of Military Sciences, and a Member, Scientific Council, Russian National Research Institute for Global Security. McGovern came to Washington from his native Bronx in the early Sixties as an Army infantry/intelligence officer and then served as a CIA analyst for 27 years, from the administration of John F. Kennedy to that of George H. W. Bush. Register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/an-online-conversation-on-peace-russia-and-the-united-states-with-vladimir-kozin-and-ray-mcgovern?link_id=4&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-russian-us-online-event-for-peace&email_referrer=email_1159409&email_subject=russian-us-online-event-for-peace.

42] – Molly Amster [info@jufj.org] want you to know that on Thurs., May 6 from 1:15 to 4:30 PM ET, Jews United for Justice's Montgomery County Team plan to watch the County Council's Government Operations Committee host a FY22 budget work session on a variety of important rent, policing, and racial equity issues. Get context and background information at 1:15 PM, and the work session will start at 1:30 PM. No prior budget knowledge is required! You will receive call-in instructions via email after you RSVP at https://jufj.org/event/fy22-worksession-go/?emci=b9b9ca44-7aa4-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=27f79fbc-90a6-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=3403859.

43] – Tenants at multiple properties owned by TRU are living under horrible conditions: black mold in apartments, elevators that have been broken for almost a month leaving people with disabilities trapped, and a landlord that refuses to make basic repairs. One resident who relies on a wheelchair for mobility even had to crawl down the stairs on her hands and knees just to be able to leave the apartment. These residents have been organizing for over a year, and now they need your support. On Thurs., May 6 at 2 PM ET, tenants in northwest Baltimore, members of United Workers and the Maryland Poor People's Campaign will be leading a delegation and going to the offices of slumlord management company "TRU Management."  Join them to support their struggle at 11620 Red Run Blvd., Reisterstown, MD. The Maryland Poor People's Campaign Baltimore Region can be reached at baltimore@mdpoorpeoplescampaign.org.

44] – Physicians for Human Rights [web@email.phr.org] announced a discussion on Thurs., May 6 at 2 PM ET -- The Misuse of Public Health to Restrict Asylum. The Trump administration's misuse of a long-forgotten public health statute has turned the Title 42 policy into one of the most restrictive immigration policies ever implemented at the U.S. southern border. As we respond to the pandemic, President Biden has yet to repeal the policy, sustaining massive expulsions of asylum seekers, including families, and putting people’s lives in danger by blocking access to the asylum process. This discussion will focus on the direct impacts and human rights implications of Title 42 expulsions as well as solutions needed to protect asylum seekers and refugees during the pandemic. Join in at https://phr-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AGA4iAOgRn-eIhg7P_OvNw?utm_campaign=662497_FY21%20May%20COVID-19%20Webinar%20Invitation%2027_05012021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Physicians%20for%20Human%20Rights&dm_i=4GV7,E76P,1TO2EP,1HI0Y,1. One of the panelists will be Lee Gelernt, a civil rights lawyer at the American Civil Liberties Union, where he serves as deputy director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project and director of the project’s Access to the Court’s Program. He is an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School.

45] – Thursdays in Reservoir Hill at the Dovecote Café, 2501 Madison Ave., will continue through May 27 from 4 to 5 PM.  This event is supervised by Food Rescue Baltimore.  Bring a bag, bring a friend, and take delicious, nutritious, free rescued food. See https://www.facebook.com/foodrescueday/.

46] – Amy at Sunrise Movement Baltimore [general@sunrisemovementbaltimore.org] wants you to come to a Good Jobs for All training from 6:30 to 8 PM ET. Members of the political team will be exploring the campaign and how it impacts on strategies for the federal and local levels. At the training, gain a greater understanding of the political process at both levels of the government, and learning how to impact that process. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/sunrisemovement/event/386572/?emci=aa5d3175-d4ac-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=04edf431-d5ac-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=177631.

47] – Molly Amster [info@jufj.org] wants you to know about Jews United for Justice District 16 - Post-Session Legislator Town Hall on Thurs., May 6 from 7 to  8:30 PM ET. The District 16 State Delegation is holding a call to discuss where things are after Sine Die, the end of the Maryland General Assembly's legislative session. District 16 JUFJers can ask questions about priorities. Questions have been crafted for JUFJers to ask. Register at https://jufj.org/event/d16-postsession/?emci=b9b9ca44-7aa4-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=27f79fbc-90a6-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=3403859.

48] – Kevin Martin [info@peaceaction.org] wants to remind you about a briefing and strategy discussion on Thurs., May 6 at 7 PM ET on the work to stop efforts to replace the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), what is called the Money Pit Missile. Blake Narendra, Sen. Ed Markey’s foreign policy Legislative Assistant and Geo Saba, Rep. Ro Khanna’s Chief of Staff, and Peace Action leaders will discuss the bill– the ICBM Act (Investing in Cures Before Missiles) – and discuss how we can help push it forward. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CdtGM0AZTwqF49WpV0n9cA?_x_zm_rtaid=Z14V2GdaTQeRgecpdpDnzQ.1620253418200.46057e41b79f5520061fe1481615798a&_x_zm_rhtaid=219.

Plans for a new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) carrying nuclear warheads are underway. Dubbed the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), or more properly the Money Pit Missile, this exorbitant boondoggle is meant to replace the Minuteman III missiles housed in silos in Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Montana and North Dakota. And it comes with an estimated price tag of $264 billion that’s sure to go up even higher. Nuclear weapons are not the solution to our real security threats like catastrophic climate change and global health pandemics. In fact, new nuclear weapons make us less secure by destabilizing the world and launching a new arms race.

49] – Witness Against Torture [witnesstorture@gmail.com] wants you to push Congress to push Biden on Guantanamo! The progress includes a strong letter from 24 Senators, Van Hollen, but not Cardin, to Biden urging immediate actions to empty and close Guantanamo.  WAT suggests you call your (Democratic) Representative urging the House to send a similar letter to the White House. Visit www.witnessagainsttorture.com.

  On Thurs, May 6 at 7 PM ET, join the annual Justice for Muslims Collective Iftar virtually! It brings together Muslims and allies for a celebration of JMC's successes and goals, with the Peace Poets and incredible speakers including Mohamedou Slahi, former Guantanamo prisoner from Mauritania and best- selling author of The Mauritanian. Go to https://rightsanddissent.salsalabs.org/whenwemovetowardsliberationwemovetogether/index.html?mc_cid=dbfc2cc33f&mc_eid=5ae22dbd02.

50] – Get involved with the Baltimore Votercade on Sat., May 8 from 2 to 4 PM ET.  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/publiccitizen/event/385594/.  There is a rally at Easterwood/Sandtown “Doc Cheatham” Park and Playground, 1537 McKean Avenue, Baltimore 21217. The final planning meeting hosted by For the People Maryland is on Thurs., May 6 from 7:30 to 8:30 PM ET.  You can join the meeting by dialing 1 301 715 8592.  The meeting ID is 931 3066 2622, and the password is 173976.  Or you can join by Zoom at https://zoom.us/join.  The Meeting Agenda is to finalize details of the Baltimore metro event that will occur on May 8.

51] – Paul Davis [info@email.actionnetwork.org] wants you to get involved in a low-dollar fundraiser for Larry Krasner, the district attorney in Philadelphia on Thurs., May 6 at 8 PM ET.  Purchase tickets to this reading from his autobiography “For the People: A Story of Justice and Power.”   During the painful weeks following the election of Donald Trump, one person decided to flip the script. In the most hyper-incarcerated big city in America, civil rights attorney Larry Krasner chose to make a stand and run for Philadelphia District Attorney. He made the transformative promise to end mass incarceration in Philly when he launched his candidacy. Larry gave us hope after Trump by winning decisively in 2017, and he's been delivering the goods ever since.   This is a low-dollar fundraiser, priced so that everyone can attend to hear from Larry, ask him questions, and support a movement for restorative justice. Larry is being under constant attack by the Trump machine, and we need all hands to defend one of the most progressive elected officials in America. We can't let Trumpism gain a toehold in all-important Pennsylvania in the run-up to the 2024 midterms. Join in  https://secure.actblue.com/donate/krasner-r2haction?link_id=3&refcodeEmailReferrer=email_1152754&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-3-million-covid-19-deaths-congress-must-act&email_referrer=email_1152754&email_subject=larry-krasner-r2h-action-power-to-the-people.

Larry Krasner is one the most prominent leaders in a new movement of progressive district attorneys who are shaking up the system. In just three years, Larry has decreased the county jail population by 40%, significantly lowered the amount of time people will spend in prison by over 18,000 years, and has taken a public health approach to drug use by stopping the prosecution of nearly all simple drug possession cases and supporting a safe, supervised consumption site in Philly over the objections of the Trump Department of Justice.

52] – Samantha Meyer [action@savethechildrenactionnetwork.org] wants you to Learn how to make WIC work better for moms and kids on Thurs., May 6 at 8 PM ET. ‌Save the Children Action Network is the political voice for kids.   Because of the pandemic, moms are working harder than ever to meet their kids’ needs. They want the best for their kids, but job losses and a lack of affordable child care have resulted in many moms struggling to provide food for their kids.  That’s why Save the Children Action Network and National WIC Association are partnering for an exclusive, hour-long virtual panel discussion about the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. And you’re invited!  RSVP at https://savethechildrenactionnetwork.org/event/scan-and-national-wic-association-online-event-making-wic-work-better-for-moms/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=e26077a7-c285-4b1f-ad3d-946a85b9e25e.

53] – Join the #VetoRhino Phonebank organized by Progressive Maryland, which signed onto Baltimore Renters United’s campaign to kill the predatory Security Deposit Alternatives bill (Baltimore City Council Bill 21-0022). You can participate in this phonebank on Thurs., May 6 from 6 to 8 PM ET. During a time of crisis and mass evictions, the Security Deposit Alternatives bill poses a significant risk to renters by promoting predatory “insurance” products, which would only create more barriers to access housing and heavier financial burdens for tenants. During the phonebank ask Baltimore City residents to call their city councilperson to tell them to support a veto of this bill. Register here for the event. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrf-murTMpH9LdWdDEtt5h8CsAh7_qsYY_?emci=4df8a3c9-4eac-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=7ef119af-50ac-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=136680.

54] – ACLU People Power [info@list.peoplepower.org] wants you to know about Systemic Equality Action Session 6: Broadband and Fair Housing on Thurs., May 6 at 8 PM ET. Learn how high speed internet access and fair housing are crucial to racial justice. Hear from former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro. Broadband access and housing are basic necessities, and everyone needs access to them as we work to achieve systemic equality.  RSVP at https://go.peoplepower.org/signup/rsvp-systemic-equality-action-series/?source=ppem_94572&t=1&akid=94572%2E1415127%2EcMcEpH.

55] – The National Audubon Society [migraciones@audubon.org] urges you to get involved on Thurs., May 6 at 8:30 PM ET with Mapping Migraciones: Nature is for Everyone. Register at https://act.audubon.org/a/mm-nature-is-for-everyone?ms=digital-eng-email-ea-x-engagement_(nas)_20210430-eng-webinar-mapping-migraciones&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engagement_(nas)_20210430-eng-webinar-mapping-migraciones&emci=25fe5650-dca9-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=db279ed4-67ab-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=2504878&contactdata=2HzI6kokj4XjpPF5XQjCuDOVyPv%2fgq1yK04soYocLB8gkXlmiDCfaGqr8LRe6kAVY7qQs6og32uAd1%2fA60%2bEqUC%2bxMYLmhzctYFtrR9S8XOCpwRUX6%2fCL7hAhH4hnrgb2lCz4OfRgCaS2mGTO6LB3Hvi%2frKta1uMZAGnIZXMBmlmDxQlG4LLmO3%2fOPrndJqMmah8riG6kh5u3bh5IUN3PJWnN6fQQQtxm%2biANj105V1nG07WR6Tshh9eHdWhfCvko67O3z6ZHkCLJu6sUAeBWQ%3d%3d.

While California is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot around the world, communities of color in rural and urban regions are four times as likely to live in nature-deprived areas. Colonization and climate change have contributed to the loss of nature, threatening wildlife and negatively affecting the quality of life for many residents in the state. Join Pedro Hernández and José González for a discussion on Audubon California and Latino Outdoors' efforts to advance Assembly Bill 30, The Human Right to Nature.  This bill would make California the first state to formally recognize the human right to nature and address many of the historical shortcomings of the environmental conservation movement.

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