Baltimore Activist Alert – September 19 to 20, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – September 19 to 20, 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] Privacy in the Digital Age -- Sept. 19

8] Phone bank for the For the People Act!  -- Sept. 19 -- 21

9] BLACK LIVES MATTER rally – Sept. 19

10] Benefit for the Asylum Seekers Housing Network -- Sept. 19

11] Recovering Better for a Sustainable and Equitable World -- Sept. 19

12] Cuba, Covid and Ending the U.S. Blockade – Sept. 19

13] Medicare expansion reconciliation goals -- Sept. 19

14] Protest at the Pentagon – Sept. 20

15] Emergency Rent Relief Press Conference – Sept. 20

16] Citizenship for All – Sept. 20

-------

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., Sept. 12, the subject is “Privacy in the Digital Age.” Privacy is gravely endangered in the digital age – and we, the spied upon, collude in the effort. What does the plight of privacy mean for democracy? Political theorists have argued it is essential for liberty and autonomy. It turns out, however, that privacy is a relatively new virtue, and enjoyed by few. What’s more, privacy has not been common currency among notable political movements. The public sphere may be of greater significance and import to our freedom. Unfortunately, however, the public realm is equally endangered by digital technology. Hear Firmin DeBrabander, a professor of Philosophy at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. He is the author of three books, most recently, Life After Privacy, published by Cambridge University Press in 2020. The Zoom link and more info can be obtained at PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG.

8] –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., Sept. 19 from noon to 2 PM ET, Mon., Sept. 20 from 4 to 6 PM ET and Tues., Sept. 21 from 5:30 to 8 PM ET.

9] – The BLACK LIVES MATTER INTERFAITH COALITION (BLMIC) hosts a Sidewalk Rally, 5401 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore on Sun., Sept. 19 from 1:30 to 2:30 PM ET.  Affirm that Black Lives Matter. Contact Ryan Sattler at 717-891-6156 or <ryansattler@comcast.net>.  See http://www.geotrees.com/ftp/BLMIC-Co-Sponsors.pdf.  

10] – Get over to an Art Bazaar, Desserts, Plant Sale and Music on Sun., Sept. 19 from 2 to 5 PM ET at the North Baltimore Mennonite, 4615 Roland Avenue, Baltimore 21210. Call 410-467-8947 or email info@bmoremenno.org. This is a benefit for the Asylum Seekers Housing Network. Tickets are $20, while children 12 and under get in free. Visit https://www.bmoremenno.org/news-events/ or https//givebutter.com/ASHN_DessertsOnTheLawn.

11] – Check out Recovering Better for a Sustainable and Equitable World on Sun., Sept. 19 from 2 to 4 PM EDT. There are many speakers.  Also enjoy Dance, Music, and Poetry. Register for free at https://idpboston2021.eventbrite.com/.

12] – There is a virtual event: Cuba, Covid and Ending the U.S. Blockade: What Can We Do? It will happen on Sun., Sept. 19 at 3 PM EST.  Please note that you need to pre-register by using the following link:  tiny.cc/BaltimoreCuba.  Check out https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsfu2vrjkoHtxxeUHYllgrLoUOxgMI5Bz_.

13] – Dr. Bill Honigman for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] indicates that PDA remains steadfast in its call for #SinglePayer expanded and improved #MedicareForAll, because it knows that’s how we achieve equity and quality that meets the public need for #HealthcareJustice in this country, particularly in times of very great need such as #COVID19.  If not for all, at least it should be considered to expand the single-payer system set up decades ago for our seniors and the disabled with the establishment of traditional Medicare. Congress is debating doing exactly that in negotiations surrounding the budget and reconciliation processes taking place as sessions in both houses reconvene for the fall. Demand nothing less than adding dental, vision, and hearing benefits, the ability to negotiate for lower drug prices, a cap on out-of-pocket expenses, and lowering the Medicare eligibility age. These measures will save money, not cost more, and will save lives, lots of lives. Join the Healthcare Emergency Town Hall on Sun., Sep. 19 at 4 PM ET for a discussion of the status of these Medicare expansion reconciliation goals and the transition to advocate for Medicare for All. The featured speaker is Stephanie Nakajima, the Director of Communications for the national Single Payer advocacy group Healthcare-Now! She will review their “Road to 218 + 51” plan on Legislative Advocacy and their more recent European Healthcare Project. RSVP at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

14] – 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 Sept. 20 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.  

15] – Jews United for Justice [info@jufj.org] is participating on Mon., Sept. 13 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET in an Emergency Rent Relief Press Conference.  RSVP at  https://jufj.org/event/rent-relief-press/?sourceid=1020679&utm_campaign=training&utm_medium=standalone&utm_source=ea&emci=dd271d0e-c90c-ec11-981f-501ac57ba3ed&emdi=f1844a31-8b11-ec11-981f-501ac57ba3ed&ceid=3403859. Join JUFJ and its partners in the Montgomery County Racial Equity Network to demand a speedier distribution of rent relief to tenants in critical need! You will receive more information after you RSVP.

16] – The Interfaith Immigration Coalition [media@interfaithimmigration.org] wants you to know about a webinar on Mon., Sept. 20 at 4 PM ET: “Faith Voices Call: Citizenship for All!”  Join IIC partners for a webinar on Congress's budget reconciliation process, who could get covered by the path to citizenship included in the budget resolution, and how you can take action NOW to get citizenship across the finish line. RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0scO6orz4vH9PGPLI4QLd5jdr4RoI5UHtS.

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