Baltimore Activist Alert – Aug. 8 – 10, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – Aug. 8 – 10, 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] Get Out the Vote in Virginia – through Sept. 18

8] American Ethical Union – Aug. 8

9] Phone bank for the For the People Act!  -- Aug. 8, 9 & 10

10] Healthcare Emergency Town Hall – Aug. 8

11] Phone bank for the For the People Act!  -- Aug. 8, 9 & 10

12] Stand with Chesa – Aug. 8

13] Nagasaki Candlelight Vigil – Aug. 8

14] Nagasaki Peace Vigil – Aug. 9

15] What is happening in Cuba? – Aug. 9

16] Nagasaki Day – Aug. 9

17] Baltimore’s Nagasaki Commemoration – Aug. 9

18] Skills training – Aug. 9

19] National Organize to Win Call – Aug. 9

20] Actionar featuring three young Cuban women – Aug. 10

21] Get Involved with Police Reform Work – Aug. 10

22] Free Kidnapped Venezuelan Diplomat Alex Saab – Aug. 10

23] Democracy can't wait – Aug. 10

24] Redistricting 101 – Aug. 10

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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] – Ben Betz, People For the American Way [alerts@pfaw.org] is asking you to Help Get Out The Vote in Virginia by signing up to write letters to voters in Virginia through September 18! Since the Virginia Vote Forward campaign launched last month, 120,000 people have committed to sending letters! The goal is to reach more than 500,000 voters Sign up to write letters to Get out the Vote at https://votefwd.org/pfaw.

Virginia is a crucial bellwether state vital to America’s political landscape, and its state elections this year will have a serious impact on the 2022 national midterms. People For is gearing up to be very active in this year’s state-level campaign, and it seeks national support to make sure that the progressive gains from 2020 continue in the former seat of the Confederacy this year.  People For is thrilled to announce that we are once again partnering with Vote Forward, an exciting campaign to increase voter participation through letter-writing to key voters in battleground states and districts. Vote Forward’s letter-writing project is incredibly simple, as all you need are stamps, stationery, and a pen!

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., Aug. 8, the subject is “Sources of Hope: Values from Our Past as We Build the Future.” The 106th Assembly of the American Ethical Union has addressed “the whole truth about America” where history has been triumphant for some and traumatic for others. How do we understand and reconcile such disparity? As we truthfully acknowledge imperfection and injustice, we also confront challenges that lie ahead and commit to building a more just and humane nation for all.  Let us also recognize underlying ethical values that animate efforts, throughout our history, to create “a more perfect union,” to elicit goodness from diverse peoples, to find and demonstrate hope. Gather virtually, something that was inconceivable when our nation began or when Felix Adler founded Ethical Culture in 1876.  Envision together and commit to building a nation of equity, decency, and compassion.  Hear from future Ethical Culture Leaders who represent the future and inspire hope. Meet (virtually) at 10:30 AM, and then at 11 AM travel to the AEU Assembly: http://bit.ly/AEUAssemblySessions. The Zoom link and more info can be obtained at PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG.

9] –Join activists around the country at a virtual phonebank to urge voters in key states to demand their senators’ support of the For the People Act! The August deadline for 2022 is fast approaching! Our democracy is in crisis: with redistricting around the corner and hundreds of voter suppression laws being introduced in states across the country, we do not have time to wait. Every day we’re getting closer to a very real deadline to take action to pass the For the People Act (S.1): If the Senate does not overcome the filibuster and pass S. 1 by late August, states will not have enough time to implement the legislation’s regulations before the 2022 midterm elections! Join activists around the country at a virtual phonebank to urge voters in key states to demand their senators’ support of S. 1! RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/pfaw/event/376178/?utm_source=PFAW to call on Sun., Aug. 8 from noon to 2 PM ET and 6 to 8 PM ET or Mon., Aug. 9 from 4 to 6 PM ET and 6 to 8 PM ET or Tues, Aug. 10 from 5:30 to 8 PM ET.

10] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to attend on Sun., Aug. 8 at 4 PM ET a Healthcare Emergency Town Hall to discuss COVID19 and the profound impact a #SinglePayer expanded and improved #MedicareForAll system would have in saving lives and saving money. The featured speakers are Los Angeles County Public Health Analyst and Planner in Disaster Recovery Lisa Patrick-Mudd and former President of the American Public Health Association Dr. Walter Tsou, MD, MPH. Sign up https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

11] – Join activists around the country at a virtual phonebank to urge voters in key states to demand their senators’ support of the For the People Act! The August deadline for 2022 is fast approaching! Our democracy is in crisis: with redistricting around the corner and hundreds of voter suppression laws being introduced in states across the country, we do not have time to wait. Every day we’re getting closer to a very real deadline to take action to pass the For the People Act (S.1): If the Senate does not overcome the filibuster and pass S. 1 by late August, states will not have enough time to implement the legislation’s regulations before the 2022 midterm elections! Join activists around the country at a virtual phonebank to urge voters in key states to demand their senators’ support of S. 1! RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/pfaw/event/376178/?utm_source=PFAW to call on Sun., Aug. 8 from 6 to 8 PM ET or Mon., Aug. 9 from 4 to 6 PM ET and 6 to 8 PM ET or Tues., Aug. 10 from 5:30 to 8 PM ET.

12] – Real Justice [info@realjusticepac.org] needs your help on Sun., Aug. 8 from 8 PM to midnight, Mon., Aug. 9 from 8 to midnight ET and Tues., Aug. 10 from 8 PM to midnight ET to take on a right-wing, police-backed effort against justice.  In about three years, the dangerous recall effort targeting Chesa Boudin faces the deadline to turn in 51,325 valid signatures – which would trigger a recall election. Do not let them succeed.  The recall election would attempt to overturn a free and fair election, cost taxpayers at least a million dollars, and turn back historic progress on issues of justice and real public safety solutions.  The best way to fight back is to join a Stand with Chesa virtual phone bank to reach as many San Francisco voters as possible with the truth. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/chesaantirecall/event/399637/?source=em20210721-65792-rj&utm_source=em20210721-65792-rj.

13] – John Steinbach [johnsteinbach1@verizon.net] is inviting you to a Nagasaki Remembrance organized by the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Peace Committee, which has been organizing for the abolition of nuclear weapons and power, and in support of nuclear victims. The group believes that if the world is to avoid repeating the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we must strive to keep alive the memory of the bombings. The website of the group is at <http://hiroshimapeacecommittee.net>. On Sun., Aug. 8 at 9:45 PM ET, join a Nagasaki Candlelight Vigil in Lafayette Park at Black Lives Matter Plaza at 16th & H Sts. NW.  Share a Moment’s Silence at 10:02 AM, a sharing of thoughts for peace. Contact Mel Hardy at 202-321-6727.

14] – To commemorate the 76th anniversary of the sinful and criminal U.S. nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker will hold a vigil to which you are invited: Aug. 9 from 7 to 8 AM at the Pentagon in the designated protest area. Contact Art Laffin at <artlaffin@hotmail.com>.

15] -- On Mon., Aug. 9 from 1:30 to 3 PM ET, hear from speakers from Cuba, Bolivia and Britain discuss recent events on the island, the role of US economic warfare and the urgent need for aid, solidarity and an international campaign against US. There is an economic crisis caused by the tightening of the US blockade, 243 additional US sanctions, and the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to serious shortages in food, fuel, and medicines in Cuba. Rather than seeking to alleviate this suffering, the administrations of Donald Trump, and now Joe Biden, have sought to exploit the frustrations of the Cuban people in recent months. Register at bit.ly/CSCZoom18.

16] – On Mon., Aug. 9 at 3 PM ET, get involved with the NAGASAKI DAY PHILLY VIGIL FOR PEACE.  STOP THE VIOLENCE: HANDGUN to H-BOMB at 15th & Market St. NW, next to the SEPTA subway entrance, across from Philadelphia City Hall west side. Banners and posters (provided) will speak of the related connection of the messages: END WHITE SUPREMACY; ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Remember the victims of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, raise your voice for peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons. Toll a Bell of Peace in support the UN Nuclear Ban Treaty. Visit www.brandywinepeace.com.  Be vaccinated and wear a mask.

17] –The 37th annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee will continue on August 9, and the theme will be to challenge JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY to renounce its nuclear weapons contracts. Under the umbrella of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee, members of several organizations -- the Baltimore Club of the CPUSA, the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Homewood Friends Meeting, Maryland Peace Action and Prevent Nuclear War Maryland – remember what took place on August 9, 1945 in Nagasaki.  The atom bomb survivors, the Hibakusha, have always stated NEVER AGAIN. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

 On August 9 from 5:30 to 6:30 PM ET, there will be a vigil to commemorate the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, again outside Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St. Afterwards, the assembled will go into the meetinghouse.  Masks and social distancing will be enforced.

 Dr. Gwen DuBois, with Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility and Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland, will do a presentation on the Back from the Brink campaign, five steps towards the abolition of nuclear weapons.  Baltimore was the first large city to pass a Back from the Brink resolution on August 6, 2018. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83960097469.

 Then testimonials and statements condemning nuclear weapons will be read.  These statements will challenge Johns Hopkins University to renounce its nuclear weapons contracts. Finally, some participants will go to Busboys and Poets, 33rd and St. Paul Streets, to break bread and enjoy a community meal. This is an opportunity to come together and commit to the task of eventually abolishing nuclear weapons.

18] – People's Action [info@peoplesaction.org] is inviting you to skills training by the Deep Canvass Institute and ‘Make the World Better.’  The training will take place on Mon., Aug 9 from 6:30 to 9 PM EDT and Tues., Aug. 10 from 6:30 to 9 PM EDT. Are you interested in making the world a better place and learning how to build bridges across differences? Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/peoplesaction/event/362940/?link_id=3&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-make-the-world-better-and-become-a-deep-canvasser-nyt-2&email_referrer=email_1239291&email_subject=join-the-next-deep-canvass-institute-and-make-the-world-better.

19] – Our Revolution [info@ourrevolution.com] wants you to join the National Organize to Win Call on Mon., Aug. 9 at 8:30 PM ET. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/148017/?akid=1842.8252965.b9eZ7y&rd=1&t=8.  Hear from Nina Turner, who just lost an election to Congress from Ohio, Rep. Ro Khanna and Our Revolution Board Chair Larry Cohen.  Chart the road ahead for the progressive movement!

20] – Marcy Winograd [marcy@codepink.org] wants you to know about an  Actionar featuring three young Cuban women pushing back on the US blockade on Tues., Aug. 10 at 6 PM ET.  SIGN UP HERE: https://www.codepink.org/cuba_actionar.  What is an Actionar? It's a webinar focused on taking action online. Hear from young Cuban women and what they have to say about Cuba. After that, take one simple action that everyone takes together, followed by a debrief and a discussion about next steps. During President Biden’s campaign, he promised he would move to undo Trump’s harmful sanctions and normalize relations. So far, he has done nothing but apply more sanctions! The Cuban people are suffering, especially during the pandemic. Email michelle@codepink.org.

21] – Progressive Maryland’s Statewide Justice Task Force [justicetaskforce@progressivemaryland.org] is holding a general meeting on Tues., Aug. 10 from 7 to 8 PM ET. Get Involved with Police Reform Work. Share updates about the We’re Not Bluffing Campaign for police reform, recent activity within the Task Force and how you can get involved.  Tune in at https://secure.everyaction.com/cAnGi7HOfE6W_SIiP8D2cg2?emci=ae7ab17f-34f5-eb11-b563-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=76d05b65-36f5-eb11-b563-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=136680.

22] – Free Kidnapped Venezuelan Diplomat Alex Saab will be discussed on Tues., Aug. 10 from 7 to 8:30 PM EDT. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwscOutqD8rG9Z8W6nqSHPY_yqjyzG7rgWc. Saab is a Venezuelan diplomat who was arrested on June 12, 2020, on the orders of the US government, while his plane was on a refueling stop in Cape Verde. He was forcibly removed from the plane, imprisoned, and held under torturous conditions. A year later, Saab, remains illegally imprisoned and is fighting extradition to the US. He was on his way to Iran on an official visit in search of food, medicine, and gasoline to alleviate a crisis in Venezuela resulting from a regime of extra-territorial and illegal sanctions imposed by the US government to punish the people of Venezuela. The sanctions are causing severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, causing great suffering to everyday Venezuelans and causing the death of tens of thousands of people. His arrest exposes the lawlessness of the United States by arresting a diplomat as well as the corruption of the United States government. The US is going to reward Cape Verde for arresting Mr. Saab, by building a new $400 million embassy, adjacent to the Government Palace in Praia, the capital city of Cape Verde.

 In this webinar learn about current conditions in Venezuela, the mission, the arrest, and imprisonment of Mr. Alex Saab and hear a report about a recent delegation of community leaders from the US who went to Cape Verde to visit Mr. Alex Saab. Also hear a report about the Bicentennial Congress of the Peoples of the World, which happened in Caracas in June 2021.

23] – Common Cause [causenet@commoncause.org] wants you to get involved on Tues., Aug. 10 for Democracy can't wait.  Rallies will take place in various communities. For example, there will be a rally at 7:30 PM ET at 1800 Piccard Drive, Mattie Stepanek Park Place Garden, Rockville 20850.  Demand Senate action on the For the People Act, a once in a lifetime bill that will ensure fair districting, make voting easier. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/map/?utm_source=commoncause&link_id=1&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_1254167&email_subject=democracy-cant-wait. On August 12th, the census data will be released, allowing states to begin drawing new maps for state and federal districts. Some self-interested politicians in certain states are ready to advance highly gerrymandered maps, depriving many voters, largely from Black and Brown communities, from having their voices heard for the next 10 years. If the For the People Act can pass before states pass gerrymandered maps, we can ensure fair districting and ensure our communities can thrive for the next 10 years and beyond. When it comes to our districts, “we the people” must draw the lines. And the stakes have never been higher.

24] – The AOTL Team [allontheline@redistrictingaction.org] on Tues., Aug. 10 from 7:30 to 8:30 PM ET  is offering a training -- Redistricting 101 at https://www.mobilize.us/allontheline/event/399501/?utm_campaign=20210717_AOTL_O_resend_RUcalendar_ActivesXopeners&emci=5211a10c-5fe6-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=be8d0a56-ebe6-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=4818037.

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