Baltimore Activist Alert – October 31 to November 2, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – October 31 to November 2, 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] Welcome an Afghan Family to Baltimore!

7] Support Drone Whistleblower Daniel Hale

8] Backyard composting workshop -- Oct. 31

9] The Johns Hopkins Police Department -- Oct. 31

10] Protect a school board in Virginia – Oct. 31

11] Canvass with the DNC -- Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

12] Phone bank with Virginia voters -- Oct. 31 - Nov. 2

13] Afghanistan: Priorities for the Peace Movement -- Oct. 31

14] Beth Taylor’s show of her watercolors at Evergreen Café – Oct. 31

15] See the film We Are Many – Oct. 31

16] Our Revolution MoCo Halloween – Oct. 31

17] Get Out the Vote in Virginia – Oct. 31 & Nov. 2

18] Project Save the World’s Town Hall – Oct. 31

19] A Civil Dialogue – Oct. 31

20] Medical Town Hall -- Oct. 31

21] CODEPINK Peacemakers Salon -- Oct. 31

22] Make calls for the Freedom to Vote Act.  – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2

23] Protest at the Pentagon – Nov. 1

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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] – St. Matthew, Blessed Sacrament, and the IOSC are partnering to welcome an Afghan Family to Baltimore! Are you interested in serving our new immigrant family? If you are interested, you will be trained in how you may serve, you will be guided and scheduled at your convenience by the Lead volunteer coordinator, you may also make donations through the IOSC to assist the family in the transition process in order to: Purchase food & Purchase clothes for winter and other necessities. Contact the IOSC at info@IOSCbaltimore.org, call the office at 410-323-8564 and leave a message for Nathalie.

7] – There is a Call to Action to support Drone Whistleblower Daniel Hale. He was transferred to horrific prison:  abuse, silencing and continued punishment for being a truth-teller. Please write letters and organize something in your community. See what JOHN KIRIAKOU has written about this travesty: Drone Whistleblower Thrown in Pen with Terrorists -- https://consortiumnews.com/2021/10/19/john-kiriakou-drone-whistleblower-thrown-in-pen-with-terrorists/. The Daniel Hale Support Team @TeamDanielHale indicated he was placed in the Communications Management Unit at Marion, IL. Please send him letters: Daniel Everette Hale, 26069-075, USP Marion, U.S. Penitentiary, P.O. Box 1000, Marion, IL  62959.

8] – This is the last FREE backyard composting workshop, offered by the Department of Public Work's GROW Center. However, it is now full.  However, if you have interest in joining and want to be on the waitlist, reach out to natallia.reid@baltimorecity.gov so she can reach out to you if there's space available for you to join on the day of Sun., Oct. 31 from 9 AM to 1 PM ET for a Pop-up and Compost Workshop at the Pimlico Public Safety Training Center, Park Heights and Manhattan Avenues, Baltimore 21215 In partnership with DPW free Shred Event. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-matters-compost-workshop-tickets-172283603897.

9] – 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., Oct. 31, the subject is “The Johns Hopkins Police Department.”  This talk offers a brief history of policing in the US, the racialized nature of ongoing policing, practices and the impacts of policing on health outcomes as a foundation for opposing the development of the Johns Hopkins Police Department (JHPD). The presentation reflects her perspectives as a public health researcher, and personal identity as a Black woman who works and lives in the proposed JHPD catchment.  Dr. Lorraine Dean is Associate Professor in Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. As a social epidemiologist, her work focuses on privilege and health, including social (racism, discrimination, social capital) and economic (consumer credit, socioeconomic position) determinants of disparities in chronic disease. The Zoom link and more info can be obtained at PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG.

10] – Fight the Far Right via People For the American Way [alerts@pfaw.org] is requesting that you phone bank to help get out the vote for Marc Broklawski and support his campaign for school board in Virginia.  Phone banking will take place each day until the election between 11 AM and 8:30 PM EDT. This race offers a perfect glimpse into what's become a national campaign by the Far Right to not only harass and intimidate existing school boards, but to take them over by electing extremist school board members to advance an agenda based on bigotry and conspiracy theories. Sign up for a virtual phone bank shift to make calls to voters and stop far-right extremism at https://www.mobilize.us/marcforschoolboard/event/418505/?utm_source=pfaw.

11] – Canvass with the DNC Staff, Partners, and Sister Committees from Sunday through Tuesday. Meet at the DNC HQ, 430 South Capitol St. SE 3, WDC 20003. Join the VA Coordinated Campaign for critical Weekends of Action canvass shifts. Talk with Virginians to Get Out the Vote and spread the word on why our Democratic candidates are the right people to move Virginia forward in 2021! For COVID safety, this event will be launched outdoors and all staff will be vaccinated. While masks are not required outdoors, attendees should feel free to wear a mask outdoors. All volunteers will be asked to sign in to cooperate with potential contact tracing protocols. Email Meg DiMartino (dimartinom@dnc.org).

Available slots are on Sun., Oct. 31 from 11 AM to 4 PM EDT and 2 to 7 PM EDT, Mon., Nov. 1 from 11 AM to 4 PM EDT and 2 to 7 PM EDT, or Tues., Nov. 2 10 AM to 3 PM EDT and Nov. 2 from 1 to 6 PM EDT. Go to https://events.democrats.org/event/423149/?utm_source=partners&link_id=3&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_1341122&email_subject=updates-actions-oily-lies-virginia-build-back-better-more.

12] – Sign up for a two hour phone banking shift with the Democratic National Committee, making calls to Virginia Democrats and urging them to cast their ballots: https://www.mobilize.us/dailykos/event/416729/?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-president-biden-i-dont-think-its-hyperbole-to-say-that-the-house-and-senate-majorities-and-my-presidency-will-be-determined-by-what-happens-in-the-next-week-2&email_referrer=email_1340185&email_subject=re-firstname-default-friend-we-need-your-help-making-phone-calls-to-democratic-voters-in-virginia-for-an-important-election-that-takes-place-on-november-2-2021.  Organize Everywhere, Together and join the VA Dems for a Zoom-based Phone bank on Sun., Oct. 31 from noon to 2 PM ET and 2:30 to 4:30 PM ET, on Mon., Nov. 1 from 2 to 4 PM ET and 6 to 8 PM ET and on Tues., Nov. 2 from 2 to 4 PM ET and 4 to 6 PM ET.

13] – Helena Cobban, Just World Ed [helena@justworldeducational.org] wants you to join in on Sun., Oct. 31 at 12:15 PM ET to discuss Afghanistan under the Taliban. This a hybrid event. “After the U.S. war in Afghanistan: Priorities for the Peace Movement” will take place at Friends Meeting of Washington, 2111 Decatur Place NW, near Dupont Circle. Masking is required by DC in all indoor spaces, and FMW also lovingly expects vaccination for visitors. If you’d like to take part by Zoom, pre-registration is required: do it at this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_koeg4ddtSYeNB90WNq3C_w.  Register at bit.ly/Afgh-FMW.  In this program, Helena will be in conversation with two people with unique experiences of Afghanistan and of the United States’ deep engagement with the country over the last 20 years– or 42 years! They are Dr. Zaher Wahab, who was born in Afghanistan and has served 40 years as Professor of Education at Lewis and Clark University in Portland, OR; and Graham Fuller, a retired intelligence officer, a specialist on political Islam, and writer. He served as CIA station chief in Kabul, Afghanistan, in the 1970s and in the early 2000s was vice-chair of the National Intelligence Council.

14] – Beth Taylor has a show of her watercolors up at Evergreen Café, 501 W. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore 21210, and You’re Invited to a come-and-go closing day Open House on Sun., Oct. 31 from 1 to 4 PM.  Beth (and Joby) will be on site to show off her lovely paintings and tell you some stories behind them…and we’ll have a few snacks out for guests.  Prints will be available for sale, so if you see something you want to adorn your walls or make a nice gift for someone, you can take it home matted and ready to go!   The Ravens aren’t playing this week, and you’ll be home in plenty of time to go trick-or-treating!  For the beyond-Baltimore friends, you can visit Beth’s Etsy shop and browse (and buy) away online: https://www.etsy.com/shop/IslandEyesArt. She’ll send it out with a bow. Email Joby Taylor [mailto:jtaylo14@umbc.edu].

15] – Check out the War on Terror Film Festival, a month-long, public virtual event featuring 20 award-winning films made over the last 20 years that document abuses, highlight crimes, and satirize absurdities of the “war on terror. The festival is entirely free and accessible to the public following registration. To register, go to wotfilmfestival.com.

  On Sun., Oct. 31 at 1 PM EDT, see We Are Many, written and directed by Amir Amirani.  It is about the biggest demonstration in human history, which took place on February 15, 2003, against the impending war on Iraq. It will also be shown on Thurs., Nov. 4 at noon EDT. A panel discussion will happen on Oct. 31 at 3 PM ET.

16] – On Sun., Oct. 31 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM EDT, join Our Revolution MoCo Halloween in the Park at Wheaton Forest Local Park, 1700 University Blvd. W, Wheaton-Glenmont, MD 20902.  This is the last chance to meet outdoors and maybe last time in person for 2021.  Go to the Picnic Shelter in Wheaton Forest Local Park. Snacks will be provided, but contributions are welcome, and costumes are really encouraged. There might be a prize for best costume. Visit https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/424484/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_more_events_from_org.

17] -- Future Coalition [info@futurecoalition.org] on Sun., Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 PM ET and Tues., Nov. 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM ET wants your help in Getting Out The Vote with Blue Future for Virginia’s Nov. 2  election where early voting is happening now!  It is the leading organization behind progressive youth activism. This completely youth-led team is providing young people with the tools, resources, and support to power their ideas and amplify their impact around the nation.  Phone banking will take place on Sundays at 2 PM ET and Tuesdays at 6:30 PM ET to make sure young voters Get out the Vote.  RSVP at  https://www.mobilize.us/bluefuture/event/416470/?link_id=4&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-no-more-excuses-voting-rights-now-2&email_referrer=email_1325627&email_subject=virginia-phone-banking-rsvp-now.

18] – Metta Spencer [metta.spencer@utoronto.ca] is inviting you to Project Save the World’s Next Monthly Global Town Hall on Sun., Oct. 31 from 2 to 4 PM ET.  Sign up at https://zoom.us/j/9108970203. On the last Sunday of every month, there is an open meeting on Zoom for activists worldwide who are addressing issues of militarism (especially nuclear weapons), global warming, famine, pandemics, radioactive contamination, and/or cyber risks. See the website: https://tosavetheworld.ca, the Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/994610017764717 and the Zoom URL: https://zoom.us/j/9108970203.

19] – A CIVIL DIALOGUE – 14th of 20 COMMON SENSE ISLAMIC VALUES will happen on Sun., Oct. 31 at 2 PM EST with Dr. Safi Kaskas and Dr. Mike Ghouse.  The Zoom Meeting ID is 894 8370 4872 with a Passcode: 268935.  Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89483704872?pwd=ZVJFa2psUFR5OUVwUnMwa2ZQcHRwQT09.  Civil Dialogue is based on respecting the otherness of others.  You are who you are, and I am who I am, neither one of us is more privileged than the other.  The purpose of a dialogue is to understand each other’s point of view to find solutions to a given conflict, without getting angry, digging in our heels, or denigrating the other. Sura “Kafirun” is the epitome of Civil Dialogue.  One of the twenty Common Sense Islamic Values that contribute to a better world, the world of civility. To understand What is Civil Dialogue? See https://worldmuslimcongress.org/islamic-value-civil-dialogue/.

20] – Dr. Bill Honigman for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants your participation on Sun., Oct. 31 at 4 PM ET with the Healthcare Town Hall. What might be left on the cutting room floor from the Biden Build Back Better bill? Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) remains steadfast in its conviction that what distinguishes the U.S. from all other advanced countries of the world is the fact that unfettered commercial health insurance and predatory pharmaceutical practices must be reined in now before any more preventable human suffering and loss of life takes place.

 Public Health experts and economists agree: #SinglePayer expanded and improved #MedicareForAll (MFA) will save money, lots of money, and save lives, lots of lives, in this country as it does already in other industrialized countries around the world. And it especially does so at times of public health crisis such as this.  Hear from two members of Canadian Doctors for Medicare (CDM), Dr. Michael Klein, M.D., University of British Columbia Professor Emeritus, a dual citizen who has practiced Family Medicine in both the U.S. and Canada, and Alice Cavanaugh, M.D. / Ph.D. health policy candidate from McMaster University, who will present the picture of both strengths and weakness in the Canadian Single Payer system, and how we might model the reform we so desperately need here in the U.S., especially in light of our experiences now with COVID-19. Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

21] – Join CODEPINK at the Peacemakers Salon on Sun., Oct. 31 at 5 PM ET.  Share achievements and plans for the future. RSVP at https://www.codepink.org/salon-october?utm_campaign=salon_october&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink. The Cut the Pentagon campaign has taken off with creative engagement.  Hear about the CODEPINKers who were arrested on Fossil Free week and get a report about CODEPINK at COP26. Email Justina at info@codepink.org.

22] – Join activists around the country at a virtual phonebank to urge voters in key states to demand their senators’ support the Freedom to Vote Act.  Work together to demand bold changes to our democracy to create a government that represents all of us, not big corporations or special interests. Call on voters in targeted states and connect them to their Senators to support the Freedom to Vote Act, and to eliminate the filibuster. These phone banks are subject to change based on variables. 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. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/pfaw/event/376178/?utm_source=PFAW to call on Sun., Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 PM ET, Mon., Nov. 1 from 4 to 6 PM and 6 to 8 PM ET and Tues., Nov. 2 from 3 to 5 PM ET and 4 to 6 PM ET.

23] – 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 Nov. 1 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.  

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