Baltimore Activist Alert – May 29 – June 3, 2022

Baltimore Activist Alert – May 29 – June 3, 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] A friend needs a house or an apartment to rent

7] Donate for medical care for US drone victim

8] Free Daniel Hale – May 29

9] Watch Colombia Election Coverage! -- May 29

10] Join the Friends of Logan Endow Canvass -- May 29 – 31

11] Remembrance Day -- May 29

12] Make Calls with the DNC National Call Crew – May 29 - 31

13] Door Knocking for Brooke – May 29 – 31

14] Progressive Town Hall: How Do We Combat Gun Violence? – May 29

15] Voter Protection phone banks – May 29 and 31 and June 3

16] Global Town Hall -- May 29

17] Protest at the Pentagon – May 30

18] Election Protection webinar – May 30

19] Greenpeace Reclaim your data – May 31 – June 2

20] Promote the rally on June 18. – May 31

21] Tell Putin stop the killing – May 31

22] Texting Tuesdays – May 31

23] Text for Brooke Lierman – May 31

24] Our Revolution phone bank – May 31 & June 1 and 2

25] Join a text bank for June 18 – May 31

26] Latin America's Progressive Wave – May 31

27] Move the Money (Now More than Ever). -- May 31

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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] – 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] – 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. Reach Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski 2001 at Comcast dot net.

7] – Here is the Go Fund Me link through which you can help Adel Al Manthari get the medical attention that he desperately needs: https://gofund.me/1a5fac07. Please contribute as soon as possible because he will not be able to get treatment until $10,000 is raised. BanKillerDrones.org is raising funds to help him. WESPAC Foundation is the fiscal agent for BanKillerDrones.org. In March 2018 Adel Al Manthari was grievously injured in a U.S. drone attack in Yemen that killed four of his cousins. The five men were driving to the village of al-Aqla to witness a land transfer. They never made it. Tens of thousands have been killed and maimed by U.S. drone attacks.  Adel survived, but now his health is in jeopardy because he can’t afford the medical care he needs.

Canvass voters in Baltimore County with Allies for Democracy on Sat., May 21 from 10 AM to 3 PM ET. Meet at the Woodbrook Church, 25 Stevenson Lane, Towson 21212. Support local progressive candidates in Baltimore County by talking to voters, which is the most effective way to mobilize people to participate in our democracy. Training, carpools, buddies, and camaraderie are always included! This canvass will be for Robbie Leonard for Baltimore County State's Attorney. Find out about the candidates to support at http://www.alliesfordemocracy.com.

8] – Defending Rights & Dissent [info@rightsanddissent.org] wants you on Memorial Day to help free drone whistleblower Daniel Hale! Contact your Senators and Representatives and urge them to free drone whistleblower Daniel Hale.  Hale acted courageously and out of conscience. He feels deep remorse for the role he played while serving as an intelligence analyst in Afghanistan.  A U.S. Air Force veteran, Daniel has recently completed the first year of a 45-month prison sentence for exposing the realities of U.S drone warfare. He should never have been prosecuted.

   Hale revealed military documents that demonstrated the high rate of civilian casualties inflicted by the US drone program. At times, 90% of drone strikes hit unintended targets or innocent bystanders. His truth-telling also exposed the guidelines for the US terror watch list. Although this information was unclassified, it was kept from the public. This disclosure enabled individuals to successfully challenge their placement on the notorious No Fly List.  Not a single day in prison would be just, but Daniel’s incarceration is a particularly pointed move by the federal government to silence him even further; he was placed in a “CMU” or communications management unit at USP Marion, where his communications with friends and family are monitored, surveilled and severely restricted.  Stand with Daniel Hale by asking your members of Congress to support efforts to pardon him and to call for his immediate release: https://rightsanddissent.salsalabs.org/danielhalememorialday/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=a81274ae-134e-4313-9981-ab0ce2e02394.

9] – AFGJ's Colombia Watch [James@Afgj.org] wants you to know that on Sun., May 29 from 9 AM to 6 PM ET you can watch Colombia Election Coverage! Colombia is preparing for elections that are truly unprecedented! Your solidarity is more important than ever! ‌ ‌ ‌Then there will be a Wrap-Up Broadcast from 8 to 10 PM ET. Click here to join election coverage: https://afgj.salsalabs.org/22colombialivestream/index.html.

  Colombia is preparing for truly unprecedented elections. It could result in the first Center-Left government in Colombian history, and a renewed commitment to the 2016 Peace Accord and the 2019 and 2021 National Strikes demands. Unfortunately, the elections could also lead to new levels of political violence and repression, deepening a humanitarian crisis that has forcibly displaced millions of people and producing a high rate of politically motivated killings at one victim per day. The direction Colombia takes will not only affect the daily lives of Colombians but will have profound implications across the hemisphere and world. 

Unfortunately, the electoral season has been marked by massive fraud in March's congressional and primary elections. Worse, electoral violence has been at its highest level since 2010. Front-running presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the Pacto Histórico (Historic Pact), Gustavo Petro and Francia Marquez, have been threatened repeatedly with assassination. In fact, at their campaign's closing rally in the Plaza Bolívar, in Bogotá, Marquez was rushed off stage when she was targeted by a laser from a building approximately 400 yards away. There have been a series of irregularities in the season so far, including that, in direct contravention of the law, the commander in chief of the Colombian Armed Forces publicly denounced Petro's candidacy. 

Despite the violence, polls show that Petro has a strong lead against his two rivals: Federico "Fico" Gutierrez, candidate for the extreme Right Equipo por Colombia party (Team for Colombia), and Sergio Fajardo, from the Center-Right Coalición Centro Esperanza (Center Hope Coalition). Many Pacto Historico supporters are confident Petro will win in the first round of elections on May 29. However, most polls indicate that his expected victory will not be enough to prevent a second round on June 19. If a second round is necessary, it could be a much more difficult path to the presidency.  

10] – Get with a Friends of Logan Endow Weekly Canvass through May 31. On Sun., May 29 from 10 AM to noon, noon to 2 PM, 2 to 4 PM, 4 to 6 PM and 6 to 8 PM ET, Mon., May 30, and Tues., May 31 from 4 to 6 PM and 6 to 8 PM, do the canvass hosted by Progressive Maryland - New Era Project. Election season is here!! Canvassers will be trained before going out. For more details, email malcolm@progressivemaryland.org. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/449919/.

11] – 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., May 29, the platform is “Remembrance Day.” In the traditional Remembrance Day celebration together, take time to think and share about those who are no longer with us but whose lives made a difference in ours. You may choose to remember someone you knew personally or someone whose words, art, or other work made a difference in your life. Also spend some time focusing on our “Ethical ancestors” – those who started the Ethical Culture movement and our Society. Email President@BEMOREthical.org for ZOOM login information.

12] – Make Calls virtually with the DNC National Call Crew through Thursday, June 30. Call voters in battleground states to build strength for the 2022 Midterms. Please email digitalorganizing@dnc.org. Sign up for calls on Sun., May 29 from 2 to 3 PM, 3 to 4 PM, 4 to 5 PM, 5 to 6 PM. On Mon., May 30 and Tues., May 31 makes calls from 2 to 3 PM, 3 to 4 PM, 4 to 5 PM, 5 to 6 PM, 6 to 7 PM and 7 to 8 PM ET.  Register at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/388091/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual.

13] – Do some Door Knocking for Brooke in Your Neighborhood on Sun., May 29, Mon., May 30 and Tues., May 31 from 2 to 4 PM ET!  This event’s address is private. Sign up for the details: https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/449990/?followup_modal_context=newsletter. Canvass in your community and share Brooke's vision to transform the Comptroller's office to work for every Marylander. YOU CAN DO THIS ON YOUR OWN TIME, SELECTING A DATE IS REQUIRED TO USE THIS FORM. YOU CAN KNOCK WHENEVER WORKS FOR YOU. Once you sign up the team will follow up with everything you need to knock on doors including materials, a t-shirt, stickers, and a quick training.

14] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to get involved on Sun., May 29 at 4 PM ET for the Progressive Town Hall. How Do We Combat Gun Violence? Elect More Progressive Champions! Nineteen Texas school children and two adults were murdered in yet another senseless mass shooting. And the same cadre of so-called "pro-life" politicians offer bloated platitudes and wring their hands at the idea that any action to curb gun violence might actually pass. Rep. Ruben Gallego was right on point in a tweet issued after Sen. Ted Cruz whined about protecting the "constitutional rights of law abiding citizens": "You care about a fetus but you will let our children get slaughtered." No more thoughts and prayers. We must have real action to curb the gun slaughter now!

   In the first hour hear from PDA-endorsed congressional candidate Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10), who is gaining recognition as a national leader in the movement for sane gun laws. And then hear from PDA activists across the country, What is to be Done? Also, joining in are two PDA-endorsed candidates from California, Ruth Luevanos (CA-27) and Mike Ortega (CA-46).  This week's Sunday Progressive Town Hall will be featuring two of the endorsed candidates. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

15] –Join the Voter Protection Phonebanks with Common Cause to 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 voters in New Hampshire to connect them with Gov. Sununu and encourage him to veto SB 418 and voters in Michigan to recruit them for events happening around their state. These phone banks are subject to change based on variables outside of our control (i.e. a Senator's mailbox is full).

   On Sundays, call voters in Michigan to recruit them for events happening around their state. On Tuesdays (in partnership with Newburyport Indivisible-RISE), call New Hampshire voters to connect them with Gov. Sununu and encourage him to veto SB 418.  On Fridays, there will be the Our Democracy phonebank. These shifts also always will include training for first-timers before you make calls! On Sun., May 29 from 6 to 8 PM ET, Tues., May 31 from 4 to 6 PM ET and Fri., June 3 from 4 to 6 PM ET. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=newsletter.

16] – Metta Spencer [project@tosavetheworld.ca] has an invitation for you on Sun., May 29 from 2 to 4 PM ET a Global Town Hall.  Join in at https://zoom.us/j/9108970203. Project Save the World Invites You to its Next Monthly Global Town Hall. On the last Sunday of every month, it holds 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. Talk for two hours with the video cameras on (not just audio, please), edit the recording, and put it on YouTube, Facebook, and the website is https://tosavetheworld.ca. The Facebook Event Page is https://www.facebook.com/events/598720901273747.

17] – 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 May 30 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.  

18] – The Emergency Election Protection Coalition is happening at 5 PM ET on Mon., May 31. Please submit any questions to: Solartopia@gmail.com. Sign up at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYldumtrjIiH9L7_KfcFV1n8ynuO3anTGwp. Progressive Democrats of America are part of the coalition.

19] – Greenpeace [info@greenpeaceusa.org] wants you to join a virtual collaboration from Tues., May 31 through Thurs., June 2.  Reclaim your data and become a data justice activist!  How can we use the power of information to combat the climate crisis? How does data impact you and marginalized communities? To answer these questions and more, GPUS is excited to invite you to our second annual Greenpeace Data Activist Co-Op. SIGN UP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfC83W1f3fLJA8Hys5pWaqCBsrIEEFQCdWzKSByK0Zw4-JBjg/viewform?emci=65d22210-fdcb-ec11-997e-281878b83d8a&emdi=fd90e250-98cc-ec11-997e-281878b83d8a&ceid=1705696.

20] – The Maryland Poor Peoples Campaign is engaged in canvassing until June 13 to promote the rally on June 18.  On Tues., May 31 from 11 AM to 3 PM, meet at Goodacre Apartments, 8619 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring. Continue to prepare for June 18 by distributing flyers while knocking on hundreds of doors in Montgomery County. Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckz4vUWVHE7jvVWg0dQi_pA3sypX2Muz8dnKuhUTrccGqfKw/viewform.

21] – Join the Baltimore Nonviolence Center on Tues., May 31 from 4:30 to 5:30 PM ET for joining the CODEPINK call for support demonstrations for the people of Ukraine.  Gather at 33rd and N. Charles Sts. The invasion of Ukraine has the potential to become a war extending throughout Europe.  Putin has destroyed Aleppo and Grozny and has threatened the use of nuclear weapons.  Russian soldiers were sent into the area around the contaminated and still radioactive Chernobyl nuclear plant.    People who believe in peace and justice should come forward and take the risks of peace. Contact Max at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net or 410-323-1607.

22] – Get involved virtually with Texting Tuesdays from 6 to 8 PM EDT through June 28.  Join Progressive Maryland and its endorsed candidates every Tuesday to text voters across the state! The election is getting closer, so it is imperative to get the word out about these candidates that want radical change in favor of working people and our families! Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/progressivemarylandneweraproject/event/437643/?followup_modal_context=newsletter.

23] – You can text for Brooke from 6 to 8 PM ET on Tuesdays, May 31 and June 7. Join in to text the community and share Brooke Lierman's vision to be the people’s advocate and ensure the Comptroller's office works for every Marylander. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/444772/?followup_modal_context=newsletter.

24] – 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 phone bank force at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/440081/?akid=2556.8252965.t1Ai8m&rd=1&t=11. Phone on May 31 and June 1 and 2.

25] -- The Maryland Poor People's Campaign [maryland@poorpeoplescampaign.org] will phone and text to Mobilize for June 18! Join a text bank on Tues., May 31 from 7 to 8 PM ET. Don't worry if you've never phone or text banked before! Sign up for an upcoming phone or text bank session at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIU79mwih4PK6vnjS07O2R_EhOB6tydFCpCU-N90Bk_vVm1Q/viewform?&link_id=9&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-md-ppc-weekly-update-get-on-the-bus-for-june-18-4&email_referrer=email_1547305&email_subject=md-ppc-weekly-update-get-on-the-bus-for-june-18. Email maryland@poorpeoplescampaign.org.

26] – Marcy, CODEPINK [info@codepink.org] wants you to join the Capitol Calling Party on Tues., May 31 from 8 PM ET -- Latin America's Progressive Wave.  Chat with peacemakers and experts.  As Chair of the Ninth Summit of the Americas, the United States refuses to allow Cuba, Venezuela or Nicaragua to participate in the June meeting in Los Angeles. In response, Mexico says it won't participate either. Sounds like the summit - a huddle of arms buyers & free market cheerleaders - could be a bust. Enter the People's Summit, a grassroots alternative, slated for June 8-10th, also in LA. The People's Summit will include discussions of the changing landscape in Latin America, where progressives in Chile and Honduras are winning elections to challenge neoliberalism, militarism and privatization. Join the CODEPINK Congress for a discussion with special guests Manolo de los Santos of The People's Forum and Francesca Emanuele of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. This call will also be hosted by Leonardo Flores, who is a Latin America campaign coordinator with CODEPINK. Go to https://www.codepink.org/05312022?utm_campaign=cp_congress_05312022&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink.

27] – Ken [kwjj1949@gmail.com] thinks you want to know what is happening on Tues., May 31 at 8 PM ET -- a War Industry Resisters Network webinar: Move the Money (Now More than Ever). Here is the link for registration: https://masspeaceaction.org/event/move-the-money-now-more-than-ever/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=f2ca1fa7-b181-4263-874c-8eff7593d956.  The war corporations make a killing off of killing while people struggle just to have housing, jobs, food, medical care, and education. The climate emergency and nuclear war threaten our very existence on this planet. And yet the money goes to more and more destruction rather than to a just transition into a healthier and saner world. It’s time to move the money! This webinar will examine our national priorities as they are now playing out and describe how we need to change those priorities. Hear from The Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival with the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. Also hear from Lindsay Koshgarian, Program Director of the National Priorities Project, and a part of the Institute for Policy Studies.

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