Baltimore Activist Alert – February 13 – 17, 2022

Baltimore Activist Alert – February 13 – 17, 2022

"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] Max is looking for tips on a garage or a storage suggestion.

5] House cleaner needed

6] Welcome an Afghan Family to Baltimore!

7] A friend needs a house or an apartment to rent

8] “Reconstruction and Saving Democracy” – Feb. 13

9] Knock on Doors for Brooke – Feb. 13

10] Voter Protection Phonebank – Feb. 13 – 15

11] Poor Peoples Campaign PG County meeting – Feb. 13 

12] Susan B. Anthony celebration – Feb. 13 

13] PDA Town Hall – Feb. 13

14] Phone bank for Jessica Cisneros – Feb. 13, 14, 16 & 17

15] Protest at the Pentagon – Feb. 14

16] League of Women Voters 102nd birthday – Feb. 14 

17] North Korea and the Middle East – Feb. 14

18] Health Justice Lobby Day – Feb. 14

19] To Afghanistan with Love on Valentine’s Day -- Feb. 14

20] International Relations and Militarism Today – Feb. 14

21] U.S. SANCTIONS STARVE AFGHANS – Feb. 14

22] Disqualify Dan Cox – Feb. 15

23] Watch Party for Paid Family and Medical Leave – Feb. 15

24] From Rhetoric to Reality – Feb. 15

25] Make calls with the DNC – Feb. 15

26] Phone bank for Brooke Lierman – Feb. 15 & 17

27] Our Revolution phone banking -- Feb. 15 - 17

28] Meet and Greet with Brooke – Feb. 15

29] Brooke Lierman for comptroller – Feb. 15

30] Resisting Attacks on Activists for Palestine -- Feb. 15

31] Sunrise Movement Welcome Call – Feb. 15

-----

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] – 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.

5] – 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.

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] – A friend, Brendan Walls, has to move out of a rented home on March 1.  So he is looking for housing and wants to live south of the Baltimore beltway, east of US 95 and north of Route 214.  Do you know of a house or apartment in the Annapolis area with as much peace and quiet as I can get for no more than $1800 a month? He does not mind pet sitting, house sitting, keeping someone company or community living.  Let me know if you have a lead on a home or apartment for Brendan to rent.  Thanks for giving this your consideration.

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., Feb. 13, the subject is “Reconstruction and Saving Democracy.” After the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln hoped to bind the nation’s wounds. “Let ‘em up easy,” he told the Union Army, trying to discourage retribution. But following the President’s assassination, the federal government, in alliance with formerly enslaved people, radically reconstructed the South, enfranchising and electing Black Americans. Then Congress lost interest in reconstruction, and democracy fell prey to unapologetic Southerners who created apartheid in America and a myth to justify it. Hugh will examine parallels between the counter-reconstruction of the late 19th century and the racist backlash over the Presidency of Barack Obama, as well as how false narratives about the 2020 election outraged extremists who rioted at the Capitol. Hugh Taft-Morales serves as Leader of the Philadelphia Ethical Society and the Baltimore Ethical Society and is a member of the Ethical Action Committee of the American Ethical Union (AEU).  Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for ZOOM login information.

9] – There is a Literature Drop for Brooke in Montgomery County on Sundays from 2 to 4 PM EST starting at Panera Bread, 8541 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring 20910. Join a canvass and share Brooke's vision to transform the Comptroller's office to work for every Marylander. Once you sign up the team will follow up with everything you will need to knock on doors! This will continue through Feb. 27.  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/397526/?followup_modal_context=email_post_shift_future_timeslots_other_events.

10] – Join in on Voter Protection phone banks with Common Cause on Sun., Feb. 13 from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM ET, Mon., Feb. 14 from 4 to 6 PM and 6 to 8 PM ET and Tues., Feb. 15 from 4 to 6 PM ET to call constituents in Republican states to connect them to their Senators to hold them accountable for blocking voting rights. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=newsletter.

11] – On Sun., Feb. 13 at 3 PM, there will be a MD Poor Peoples Campaign PG County Regional Monthly Meeting.  Discuss which bills to support and when to lobby our Representatives. - Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qdumtrz8rG9XUx6Vfgr0TRRcIsTtyTjXu?link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-md-ppc-weekly-update-58&email_referrer=email_1430697&email_subject=md-ppc-weekly-update.  The Maryland Poor People's Campaign can be reached at [maryland@poorpeoplescampaign.org].

12] – The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum [edofsbabm@gmail.com] sent out a reminder that on Sun., Feb. 13 from 3 to 4:15 PM there is a Birthday Spotlight.  A zoom link will be sent to your email once you sign up on Eventbrite. Email info@susanbanthonybirthplace.org if you have any questions or difficulties.  Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/susan-b-anthonys-birthday-spotlight-featuring-womens-rights-scholar-tickets-257026722847.  The Keynote Speaker is Women's Rights Scholar, Erika Bachiochi, and the event will include a Special Feature: A Glimpse into the Life of the Anthony Family Mill Girls.

13] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] reminds you about the weekly Town Hall on Sun., Feb. 13 at 4 PM ET.  The focus for this Sunday is Free Speech and Journalism in Crisis: The Case of Julian Assange. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.  Join PDA Advisory Board Member and former President of the National Lawyers Guild Marjorie Cohn, USC Law Professor Jody Armour, and PDA Executive Director Alan Minsky for this Town Hall. 

14] – Help out to phone bank for Green New Deal champion Jessica Cisneros in Texas’ 28th Congressional district! Available days and times are on Sun., Feb. 13 from 4 to 6 PM, Mon., Feb. 14 from 6 to 8 PM, Wed., Feb. 16 from 6 to 8 PM and Thurs., Feb. 17 from 6 to 8 PM ET. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/sunrise2022/event/428089/?emci=6d0ae0cc-ff76-ec11-94f6-c896650d4442&emdi=3402a187-0977-ec11-94f6-c896650d4442&ceid=177631.

15] – 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 Feb. 14 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 begins at 8 AM.  No cameras are allowed on Pentagon grounds. The restrooms are located inside Marriott Residence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr.  

16] –The League of Women Voters is celebrating its 102nd birthday! Celebrate with a day of voter empowerment across the US, starting with a virtual pep rally on Mon., Feb. 14 at 11 AM ET. With midterm elections less than a month away, there's no better time to take pro-voter action. Register at https://www.lwv.org/celebrating-our-birthday-action?utm_source=NationalChapter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=BirthdayInvite.

17] – On Mon., Feb. 14 from 1 to 2 PM ET, tune in to North Korea and the Middle East: Lessons Learned for U.S.-North Korea Relations.  This webinar is sponsored by the National Committee on North Korea on East-West Center. The speakers are Satu P. Limaye, East- West Center; Suzanne DiMaggio, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Yaakov Katz, The Jerusalem Post; and Siegfried Hecker, Stanford Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies. Sign up at https://www.ncnk.org/event-calendar/north-korea-and-middle-east-lessons-learned-u.s.-north-korea-relations.

18] – The Maryland Poor People's Campaign [maryland@poorpeoplescampaign.org] is hoping you will attend on Mon., Feb. 14 at 4 PM ET a Health Justice Lobby Day. Support SEIU, CASA, and others coming together to learn about the important health care bills up for passage in the Maryland General Assembly. Then join a lobbying room to meet with Legislators about Health Care for All. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqde6oqDItE9XK9d_KqyDCzC4Ok7XfNDbt?link_id=1&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-md-ppc-weekly-update-58&email_referrer=email_1430697&email_subject=md-ppc-weekly-update.

19] – To Afghanistan with Love on Valentine’s Day, a Public Witness to Prevent Famine, will happen in Baltimore on Mon., Feb. 14 from 4:30 to 5:30 PM EST at 33rd and North Charles Streets.  Send your love and solidarity to the people of Afghanistan by demanding that the Biden Administration unfreeze their country’s assets. These $9.4 billion are needed so the people of Afghanistan can have access to their own money to re-start their economy and feed themselves. When the United States military pulled out of Afghanistan, the Biden administration strangled the country’s economy by freezing the reserves of the Afghan Central Bank held in the U.S, and imposing sanctions on those doing business with Afghanistan. Jobs and income disappeared, people could not afford to buy food and mass starvation is now occurring. Contact Max at 410-323-1607/mobuszewski2002 at Comcast dot net.

 A December 20 letter to President Biden signed by 48 members of Congress states: “…we stand with American allies and humanitarian experts in urging the United States to avoid harsh economic measures that will directly harm Afghan families and children….The U.S. confiscation of $9.4 billion in Afghanistan’s currency reserves held in the United States is contributing to soaring inflation and the shuttering of commercial banks and vital private businesses, plunging the country…deeper into economic and humanitarian crisis.” Since then President Biden has increased humanitarian aid through private groups and relaxed some of the sanctions he imposed on the country. But what is really needed is to jump start its banking system to avert economic and social collapse. Strangling Afghanistan is not the way to pressure the new government to govern in a more humane way. To deny Afghanistan its own money in this time of desperate need is criminal.

20] – Elizaveta Kupriyanova, Massachusetts Peace Action [elizaveta.kupriyanova@gmail.com] wants you to get involved on Mon. , Feb. 14 at 7 PM ET for International Relations and Militarism Today. Sign up at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtfuqoqDsjHt1V-4v1SQQGqBNt20c746Ba.  By any measure the pain and suffering caused by 21st century imperialism is staggering. Millions of people, mostly in the Middle East and South Asia, have died or been displaced by the war on terrorism initiated in 2001. These figures include the untold thousands who have died directly from war and violence in Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, and elsewhere in the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa and indirectly through “hybrid “wars against such countries as Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba.  Concomitant to war and violence, the 2022 US military budget endorsed by some members of both political parties will exceed $778 billion.

  Harry Targ, Purdue Professor of Political Science, Emeritus, will initiate discussion of these critical and complicated issues. Targ, a longtime activist, is current a Co-Chair of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism CCDS, a member of the Wisconsin Peace Action steering committee, and blogs at www.heartlandradical.blogspot.com.

21] – Participate in a Valentine’s Day webinar presented by Grannies for Peace on Mon., Feb. 14 at 7 PM ET. Contact Greta at greta@worldbeyondwar.org.  Sign up at https://actionnetwork.org/events/valentines-day-webinar-presented-by-grannies-for-peace?clear_id=true. The speakers for U.S. SANCTIONS STARVE AFGHANS: END THIS CONTINUING WAR are Kathy Kelly and Phyllis Bennis.  Kelly is co-coordinator of the Ban Killer Drones campaign and is also an advisory board member of World BEYOND War. Bennis directs the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies focusing on the Middle East, U.S wars, and UN issues.  Join Zoom Meeting via this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7029671334?pwd=Nm9HakZMenJMalZ3ZVNkLzRrcXdqQT09.  The Meeting ID is 702 967 1334 with a Passcode: 4D.Ev^.  Or dial by phone at 646-876-9923 with a Meeting ID of 702 967 1334 with a passcode of 701111.

22] – Our Revolution Maryland [info@ourrevolution.com] is holding a rally on Tues., Feb. 15 from noon to 1 PM ET at 151 West. St., #200, Annapolis, 21401. Disqualify Dan Cox in Maryland, and keep insurrectionists off the ballot. The Constitution disqualifies elected officials who engage in insurrection or provide aid and comfort to America's enemies from holding office in the future, and those who participated in the January 6th insurrection should be held accountable. Dan Cox’s actions require a full investigation to determine whether he too is an insurrectionist who is ineligible to run for re-election.

   Gather at the Office of Board of Elections Administrator Linda H. Lamone and urge her to and investigate Dan Cox. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/439930/?akid=2565.8252965.JWaoq1&rd=1&t=11.

23] – Jews United for Justice is holding a Watch Party for Paid Family and Medical Leave & Rental Assistance Hearings on Tues., Feb. 15 from 1 to 3 PM ET by Zoom. Tune in to the House Economic Matters committee hearing of paid family and medical leave legislation, and the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee hearing of rental assistance! The hearing are both scheduled to begin at 1 PM, but the exact time the bills will be heard is unclear. As of now, the bills are scheduled to be heard first in their respective committees. Visit https://jufj.org/event/ttc-ecm/?sourceid=1020679&utm_campaign=md-a&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=standalone&emci=36a95188-e682-ec11-94f6-c896650d4442&emdi=60adf965-ac83-ec11-94f6-281878b85110&ceid=3403859.

24] – Attend a webinar, From Rhetoric to Reality, on Tues., Feb. 15 at 4 PM ET.  Join the Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach for a discussion on what’s really happening on the US-Mexico border and how people of faith can stand in solidarity with migrants and border communities.  Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XcC9Q-yVS8CzEwP_fcbu7A.

25] – Make Calls virtually any time with the DNC National Call Crew – on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Call to voters in battleground states to build strength for the 2022 Midterms. Please email digitalorganizing@dnc.org. Sign up for calls on Tues., Feb. 15 from 2 to 3 PM, 3 –4 PM, 4 to 5 PM, 5 to 6 PM, 6 to 7 PM EST, and 7 to 8 PM EST. Go to https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/388091/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual.

26] – Madison [madison@brookelierman.com] is alerting you to an opportunity on Tues., Feb. 15 from 6 to 7 PM ET and Thurs., Feb. 17 from 6 to 7 PM ET for a Phone Banking Power Hour! Gather on zoom and help make over 2,000 calls for Brooke Lierman, the candidate for comptroller. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/397560/.

27] – Our Revolution [info@ourrevolution.com] would like you to phone bank on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 PM ET. There are more than 8 million voters across the country who identify as progressive. These numbers suggest progressives can win at every level of government, but the voters must go to the polls! Sign up to join the Our Revolution phonebank force at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/440081/?akid=2556.8252965.t1Ai8m&rd=1&t=11.  Sign up for Tues., Feb. 15, Wed., Feb. 16 and Thurs., Feb. 17.

28] – On Tues., Feb. 15 from 6 to 7 PM ET, note that Faith Leaders are hosting a Meet and Greet with Brooke. For the first time since 1998, there will be an election for an open Comptroller of Maryland seat. This is one of the most important yet least understood offices. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/438422/?followup_modal_context=email_shift_followup_other_events.

29] – On Tues., Feb. 15 from 7 to 8 PM ET, the Park School Community will host a Virtual Meet and Greet with Brooke! RSVP at brookelierman.com/event/park.  Brooke Lierman, a current State Delegate, is a candidate for Maryland Comptroller! See https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/437008/?followup_modal_context=email_shift_followup_other_events.

30] – Marcy, CODEPINK [info@codepink.org] is alerting us to an event on Tues., Feb. 15 at 8 PM ET:  Resisting Attacks on Activists for Palestine. ‌ ‌Remember to join the upcoming CODEPINK CONGRESS Calling Party to mobilize for peace legislation! This call is the second event of a special series on foreign policy, which will be co-hosted with Massachusetts Peace Action.  Meet Palestinian human rights activists who refuse to be silenced, despite an intense crackdown on advocates for Palestinian human rights. In the U.S., the Israel lobby has vilified educators, targeting Palestinian human rights advocates with enemy lists and demanding they be fired. Abroad, Israel has outlawed six prominent NGOs for advocating for Palestinian rights, labeling them terrorist organizations. Learn about the work of Palestine Legal, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Against Canary Mission and the U.S. Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel -- and take action in solidarity with those resisting the crackdown.

Join the Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85449481333 with a Meeting ID of 854 4948 1333. Or call in at +1 301 715 8592 US with a Meeting ID of 854 4948 1333.

31] – From 8:30 to 9:30 PM ET on Tuesdays (through March 1), join a Sunrise Movement Welcome Call.  If you are brand new to Sunrise Movement, this is for you! Pick the Tuesday night that works for you and meet Sunrisers from across the country and learn more about Sunrise Movement, a transformative youth-led justice movement to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs.  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/sunrisemovement/event/354486/?emci=c4b0d840-d287-ec11-94f6-281878b85110&emdi=4b3989d0-2a88-ec11-94f6-281878b85110&ceid=177631.

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