Baltimore Activist Alert -- July 26 -27, 2021

19] Election Protection Zoom conference – July 26

20] Progressive Baltimore County party over zoom – July 26

21] For the People - Maryland Teleconference – July 26

22] “Which Side Are You On? Democracy or Autocracy?” – July 26

23] Candlelight COVID Vigil – July 26

24] National organizing call to win – July 26

25] Stand with Daniel Hale – July 27

26] When is the Right Moment for an End of War Declaration? – July 27

27] Walking a Path to a World Beyond War – July 27

28] Citizenship for All – July 27

29] Save the Moses Macedonia African Cemetery – July 27

30] Protest JHU’s weapons research – July 27

31] CALL WEST VIRGINIANS. – July 27

32] Boycott Ocean City, Maryland – July 27

33] Animal Bereavement Support Group – July 27

34] Hear from Jill Stein – July 27

35] Virtual Mapping for Redistricting training – July 27

36] Meet Pramila Jayapal -- July 27

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19] –   Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] are hosting an Election Protection Zoom conference on Mon., July 26 at 5 PM ET.  Sign up at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYldumtrjIiH9L7_KfcFV1n8ynuO3anTGwp. How can we defend democracy from race-based and voter suppression, election manipulation, the corrosive influence of big money, and other clear and present dangers to our self-government? PDA and allies are organizing to defeat 100s of racist Jim Crow voter suppression laws in 43 states, and to pass The John Lewis Voting Rights Act (HR 4), for D.C. Statehood, as well as for other pro-democracy reforms—including ending the filibuster and restoring the Voting Rights Act. Email MikeFox@PDAmerica.org to get involved!

20] – Join Ian Miller and the New Era Project on Mon., July 26 from 7 to 8:30 PM ET for a Progressive Baltimore County party over zoom! RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/nYf0JrMMjEG4NZY93QO0lg2?emci=3f77ec7b-c2e8-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=1706512a-cae8-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=136680.  The time for status quo politics is over and a new generation of political activists and representatives will make that happen. However, resources and people power are needed to get the job done. The New Era Project needs your help to get more progressive leaders elected to office.  Meet the people that will help make Maryland the most progressive state in the country!

21] – Join a For the People - Maryland Teleconference on Mon., July 26 at 7:30 PM ET.  To join in, you can dial 1 301 715 8592, with the meeting ID: 931 3066 2622. The password is 173976.  Or click on your device if you have downloaded the app from Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/93130662622?pwd=OE15SURJUWdXNHFicW94SDI3c2x3UT09#success. The agenda will focus on preparation for the meeting with Sen. Cardin and work to organize outreach efforts. Contact Charlie charlie@getmoneyoutmd.org.

22] – Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis [info@poorpeoplescampaign.org] pointed out that on Mon., July 26 the Poor People’s Campaign will join partners around the nation to take the fight for democracy to the home offices of US Senators in at least 40 states, regardless of party. The press conferences and demand deliveries will occur at different times in each state. A nationwide chorus will demand to know, “Which Side Are You On? Democracy or Autocracy?” At each office, poor people, low-wage workers, faith leaders, advocates and others will gather outside the office to announce the demands for a Season of Nonviolent Moral Direct Action to Save Democracy and then a small group will enter the office and deliver the Mass Open Letter to the US Senate entitled “Which Side Are You On?” The Time is Now for Nonviolent Moral Direct Action. At 8 PM ET, go to https://www.facebook.com/anewppc for a prime time Moral Monday recap of the dozens of actions across the nation that day.

23] – RSVP to attend a candlelight COVID Vigil at the White House Ellipse on Mon., July 26 at 8 PM ET, co-hosted by Marked By COVID, R2H Action and Rami's Heart Covid-19 Memorial.  You can also attend this event in-person or online. The vigil will feature speakers, more than 75 photos of people lost to COVID submitted by grieving family members, 609 lights (one for every 1,000 lives lost), a piece of the Rose River felt rose memorial, and panels from the Covid Memorial Quilt. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekz9geSV2xU9n1hOUxXwpSVBReR-z047zgL4OlYpE4ars-Ug/viewform.

24] – Our Revolution [info@ourrevolution.com] wants you to join in on Mon., July 26 at 8:30 PM ET for the National Organize to Win Call, which will feature Sen. Ed Markey, Texas State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, and Our Revolution member Eric Hall, who is running for City Council in Birmingham, AL. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/148017/?akid=1771.8252965.LZn2h-&rd=1&t=8.

25] – Medea, CODEPINK [info@codepink.org] wants you on Tues., July 27 at 9 AM to stand in solidarity with drone whistleblower Daniel Hale at his sentencing in the US Courthouse, 401 Courthouse Square, 10th Floor, Alexandria, VA.  The drone whistleblower is facing ten years in prison for violating the Espionage Act. Daniel bravely told the truth about the US drone program, and sending him to prison is not justice. The people responsible for authorizing drone warfare walk free, despite having the blood of countless civilians on their hands. Immediately following the sentencing, meet CODEPINKers outside for a press conference. RSVP at https://www.codepink.org/halesentencing?utm_campaign=dc_local_cuba_and_hale&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink.

26] – On Tues., July 27 at 10:30 AM ET, go online to get answer to When is the Right Moment for an End of War Declaration? It is a common refrain among commentators to remind the general public that the Korean War is not yet truly over. Indeed, what was signed in Panmunjom on July 27, 1953, was an armistice agreement that ensured the “cessation of hostilities” but promised a later “final peaceful settlement.” Nearly 70 years later, that settlement has yet to happen. Amid this legal limbo, the incumbent South Korean administration has proposed declaring a formal end to the war to dramatically reduce tensions and jumpstart discussions on inter-Korean cooperation. To discuss what an end of war declaration would mean for the peninsula and the region, Korea Economic Institute is hosting Jessica Lee and Markus Garlauskas for a discussion on the theories underlying the proposal and its prospective ramifications. See https://keia.org/event/when-is-the-right-moment-for-an-end-of-war-declaration/.

27] – World BEYOND War [info@worldbeyondwar.org] is hosting a webinar on Tues., July 27 at noon ET on Walking a Path to a World Beyond War. How can walking lay a path for a world beyond war? The Abraham Path Initiative (API) has been developing walking trails in Southwest Asia (aka “the Middle East”) since 2007. This U.S.-based NGO promotes walking as a tool for economic development, intercultural experiences, and fostering friendships across the challenging divides of our times. When basic needs are met and people are seen in the fullness of their humanity, a foundation for fruitful engagement becomes possible. When people walk together toward a shared destination, their visions for what may be possible also align. Explore the work, successes, and challenges of creating walking trails in a region known for conflict. The conversation will be moderated by Salma Yusuf, Advisory Board Member of World BEYOND War, and the Q&A facilitated by David Swanson, Executive Director of World BEYOND War. REGISTER at https://actionnetwork.org/events/webinar-walking-a-path-to-a-world-beyond-war?source=WBW-Walking202107&referrer=group-world-beyond-war?clear_id=true&link_id=3&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_1236616&email_subject=july-27-public-webinar-on-walking-our-way-to-peace.

28] – On Tues., July 27 at 5 PM ET, join the Interfaith Immigration Coalition for a webinar Citizenship for All: Faithful August Recess Advocacy to learn how you and your faith communities can take action during the August recess and urge congress to take bold, humane and timely action for all 11 million undocumented immigrants. In the coming weeks, there will be many opportunities to ramp up pressure on the administration and Congress to include citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers, including farm workers, in the next recovery package/reconciliation package. Sign up at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JceAzlzqRAiQMNU8PU4qjA.

29] – On Mon., July 26 at 5 PM ET, the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition issued a call to action to save the Moses Macedonia African Cemetery, 5303 Duvall Drive.   Demand Charger Ventures withdraw its bid to buy the cemetery. Go to https://bethesdaafricancemeterycoalition.net/?link_id=5&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-md-ppc-weekly-update-16&email_referrer=email_1237354&email_subject=md-ppc-weekly-update and find out what you can do.

30] – There is a Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" at 33rd and N. Charles Sts. on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 PM. Contact Max at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net or 410-323-1607.  You may consider contacting President Ron Daniels and telling him that the university should reject all military contracts, including those for killer drone and nuclear weapons research.  The president’s mailing address is Office of the President, 242 Garland Hall, The Johns Hopkins University, and 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland 21218.  You can also reach his office by Phone: (410) 516-8068, Fax: (410) 516-6097 or email: president@jhu.edu.

31] – We Have a Do-or-Die, Time-Limited Chance to Defeat White Supremacy and Big Money. If you want equal protection so that every voter counts the same regardless of color, income, age, or neighborhood, now is the time to act. If you want freedom from the influence of big money, now is the time to act. In the next months, action by people like you can create a groundswell to pass three major bills (see details in box below). One of them (S. 1) would provide sweeping reforms to end special-interest corruption in our government. Congress must act early this summer or partisan redistricting – based on a flawed census – will have happened. The House of Representatives has the votes to pass these bills, and they can pass the Senate, too - but only if We the People let our senators know how we feel.

  If these bills do not pass, action by some state legislatures will reduce the freedom to vote for targeted populations. Get Money Out – Maryland (GMOM) founded For the People – Maryland with 20 other groups to fight for these principles in the U.S. Congress.  Therefore, the filibuster rule will need to change to allow these bills to pass with a simple majority.

While there are several Senators who haven’t formally committed, people in-the-know say if we can convince WV Senator Joe Manchin, the others will come along. Opponents are putting lots of money into WV, and we need to fight back. WV residents tell us that Manchin is often willing to do a 180 degree turn if he gets enough pressure. Volunteers asking his constituents to contact him could trigger the biggest reform since the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Make calls to WV residents on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Please sign up to call on Tues., July 27 from 5:30 to 8 PM ET and try to convince one friend to do so also!  There is good training and support throughout!  Go to https://www.mobilize.us/vopropros/event/389987/.  CALL WEST VIRGINIANS.

32] – If you're interested in hearing more about the inception of the Boycott Ocean City, MD campaign, then please attend on Tues., July 27 at 6 PM ET, when Clean Air Baltimore Coalition and Energy Justice Network will be hosting an informational session on why the campaign started. For the past decade, Ocean City, MD hasn’t been recycling. Instead, they’ve been shipping their trash and recyclables to burn at the Covanta trash incinerator in Chester, Pennsylvania and claim it is recycling.

   Energy Justice Network works with frontline communities battling incineration. With high school student activists leading the charge, Boycott Ocean City, MD was formed to highlight the issues of the environmental racism of burning trash & recyclables in Chester City. Chester Residents Concerned for Quality Living (CRCQL) is the frontline community organized around stopping the pollution of their community. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtdO-przsuG9QadIym5wB7KwrVBeCooRQG.  RSVP and invite your Facebook friends at: https://www.facebook.com/events/996649641162082.

33] – On Tues., July 27 from 7 to 8:30 PM ET, get with the Animal Bereavement Support Group at the Baltimore Humane Society, 1601 Nicodemus Road, Reisterstown 21136. This will continue each Tuesday, through August 3. See https://www.facebook.com/BMOREHUMANE/.  The loss of an animal can be a devastating blow. Our friends are often loved as a member of our family, and we believe their passing should be treated with the same respect. RSVP to vvanhof@bmorehumane.org.

34] – On Tues., July 27 from 7 to 8:30 PM ET, Dr. Jill Stein will be joining Mass Peace Action for a conversion. Jill Stein is a medical doctor who ran for president as the Green Party candidate in 2012 and 2016. She has also run for governor of Massachusetts. In opposition to militarism and corporatism, Dr. Stein continues to be a strong voice for peace and justice. Talk to Dr Jill Stein about her presidential runs, the two-party system, the persecution of Julian Assange and the assault on press freedom, imperial US foreign policy, and more! Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclde2upzoqGd3vfQd018yP5pRGxc_izrOI.

35] – All On the Line [allontheline@redistrictingaction.org] is holding several trainings about Mapping for Redistricting.  Register for an upcoming virtual Mapping for Redistricting training on Tues., July 27 from 8 to 9 PM ET or Wed., Aug. 18 at 8 to 9 PM ET or Sun., Aug, 22 from 1 to 2 PM ET. This training session will go into the building blocks of any redistricting plan: the maps themselves. Talk about the info any map drawer needs to know before drawing maps, what rules apply when doing the drawing, and how to draw your own maps and analyze others’ redistricting maps! REGISTER at https://www.mobilize.us/allontheline/event/399867/?utm_campaign=20210720_AOTL_O_RU_mapping_Actives&emci=ab48865e-cfe8-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=8e1024b4-8ce9-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=4818037.

36] – Marcy, CODEPINK [info@codepink.org] on Tues., July 27 at 8 PM wants you to hear Pramila Jayapal about Progressive Power in Congress. Join in for a lively conversation assessing opportunities and challenges facing the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Talk about immigration, Medicare for All, dirty money, war and peace, and new rules for the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Jayapal was elected to the House in 2016, and is now serving her third term representing Washington’s 7th District, which encompasses most of Seattle. Congresswoman Jayapal is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, where she serves as vice-chair of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law. She is also the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which represents approximately 40% of the entire Democratic caucus.  Sign up at https://www.codepink.org/07272021?utm_campaign=cp_congress_7_27_21&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink.

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