Baltimore Activist Alert – August 14 – 20, 2022

Baltimore Activist Alert – August 14 – 20, 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] Donate for medical care for US drone victim

6] Support the Pratt Workers United

7] Get a copy of HOSPITALITY, the Open Door newsletter

8] Knock on doors for Brooke – Aug. 14- 20

9] Canvass voters in Baltimore County with Allies for Democracy – Aug. 14  

10] High speed rail -- Aug. 14

11] Virtual letter writing – Aug. 14

12] Make calls with the DNC -- Aug. 14 - 16

13] Get out the Vote Phone Banking for Beto – Aug. 14, 16, 19 & 20

14] PDA Town Hall -- Aug. 14

15] Voter Protection Phone Bank – Aug. 14, 16, 19 

16] Hear from a Palestinian-American – Aug. 14

17] Protest at the Pentagon – Aug. 15

18] A report on famine caused by a nuclear bomb. -- Aug. 15 

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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] – 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.

6] – The workers at the Enoch Pratt Free Library have started a drive to organize a union calling themselves Pratt Workers United.  Go to https://www.prattworkersunited.org/. There is a letter of support for community members to sign at https://www.prattworkersunited.org/community-letter-support.

"Pratt Library workers are forming a union, Pratt Workers United. We are seeking pay equity for all, safer working conditions, benefits for part-time workers, and a voice in decisions that affect our work.”

7] – Consider getting HOSPITALITY, the newsletter of OPEN DOOR: A prophetic discipleship community honoring the Black Jesus, Dorothy Day and Martin Luther King, Jr.  You can call 404-290-2047 or emailopendoorcomm@bellsouth.net.

8] – Do some Door Knocking for Brooke in Your Neighborhood, hosted by Brooke Lierman for Comptroller.  Sign up for Sun., Aug. 14, Mon., Aug. 15, Tues, Aug. 16, Wed., Aug 17, Thurs., Aug. 18, Fri., Aug. 19, and Sat., Aug 20.  The door knocking takes place from 10 AM to 8 PM ET. 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. Once you sign up, the team will follow up with everything you will need to knock doors including materials, a t-shirt, stickers, and a quick training. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/484676/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_custom_marketing.

9] – Canvass voters in Baltimore County with Allies for Democracy on Sun., Aug. 14 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 Paul Henderson for Baltimore County Council District 3. Find out about the candidates to support at http://www.alliesfordemocracy.com. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/456088/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_closest.

10] – 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. 14, the platform is “The Present and Future of High Speed Rail in the US.” Dozens of countries around the world have constructed thousands of miles of High-Speed Rail (HSR) over the previous six decades. The US was an early adopter of the technology, but deployment stalled following the construction of the interstate highway network in the 60’s. Things are changing, however. This talk will cover the benefits of HSR, the history of HSR in the United States, and HSR systems or projects under consideration, under construction, or currently operating. . Email President@BEMOREthical.org for ZOOM login information.

11] – Join a Virtual Letter Writing program on Sun., Aug. 14 from 2 to 3 PM ET hosted by Vote Forward. Join the band of Good Trouble to write letters and postcards to reach potential voters in these important upcoming elections! RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/pfaw/event/483329/?followup_modal_context=newsletter.  Go to votefwd.org and make an account; download twenty letters; and you will be shown how to write them at the event! Letters to underrepresented voters are a fun, easy, and highly effective way to strengthening our democracy by encouraging citizens from underrepresented communities to vote.

12] – Make Calls virtually with the DNC National Call Crew to voters in battleground states to build strength for the 2022 Midterms. Please email digitalorganizing@dnc.org. Sign up for up to four shifts on Sun., Aug. 14 from 2 to 6 PM ET, eight shifts on Mon., Aug. 15 from 2 to 10 PM ET, and six shifts on Tues., Aug. 16 from 2 to 8 PM ET. For a training, sign up at https://events.democrats.org/event/440875/. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/388091/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual.

13] – Beto for Texas [info@betoorourke.com] needs your help phone banking to help elect a new governor in Texas.  Sign up for a shift on Sun., Aug. 14 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM, Tues., Aug. 16 from 7 to 9:30 PM, Fri., Aug. 19 from 6 to 7:30 PM and Sat., Aug. 20 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM ET. Help make direct, personal contact with as many Texans as we can. You can join in from anywhere. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/betofortexas/event/438569/?utm_source=ema20220727-200206.

14] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to attend on Sun., Aug. 14 at 4 PM ET a PDA Strategy Session: The Midterms and Beyond. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

Now that Democrats have passed major legislation, the stage is set for the midterm elections. Discuss how PDA will help defeat Republicans and win victories for progressives. The last two times a Democratic President was elected the Party held majorities in both Houses of Congress, just like today. Then, 1994 and 2010, Democrats suffered historic defeats in the midterms. How can we as progressives help prevent similar results? This problem will be the subject of Sunday's Progressive Town Hall.

One thing that is different in 2022 than 1994 and 2010 is the presence of a strong Progressive movement inside the Democratic Party. In fact, our wing of the Party is so sizable that Democrats will fail to maintain their majorities in Congress without a strong progressive turnout. Sadly, the Party leadership is centrist and will not be promoting a strong progressive agenda. Therefore, it'll be up to organizations like PDA and all of our activists to motivate progressives to vote. 

15] – Join the Voter Protection phone banks 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 phone bank. These shifts also always will include training for first-timers before you make calls! On Sun., Aug. 14 from 6 to 8 PM ET, Tues., Aug. 16 from 4 to 6 PM ET and Fri., Aug. 19 from 4 to 6 PM ET. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=newsletter.

16] – The next JEWISH-ISLAMIC DIALOGUE Coffeehouse is on Sun., Aug. 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM ET.  This event will feature JIDS Intern and Yale University undergraduate Yasmeen Abed.  A Palestinian-American who is double majoring in Political Science and Modern Middle Eastern Studies with an Arabic certificate. Yasmeen will be talking about her recent trip to Israel and the West Bank and what has led her to embrace peacemaking and interfaith dialogue.  This will be a face-to-face gathering that is open to a limited number of people on a first-come, first-served basis.  When you RSVP, you will be given the location.  Again, please RSVP to JIDS.Washington@gmail.com.

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 Aug. 15 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] – Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility [gdubois@jhsph.edu] announced a press conference on Mon., Aug. 15 at 1 PM ET. Hear about a report on worldwide famine that could be caused by a nuclear bomb.  The report assesses new modeling of the catastrophic famine that would follow a nuclear war, and includes projections on the number of victims globally and in each country. This report has enormous implications for nuclear weapons policy and should be a very powerful tool in our work to help people understand the enormity of the threat posed by these weapons and the urgency of eliminating them. The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War have organized a virtual press conference with the principal authors of the report Lili Xia and Alan Robock.  Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvc-yprzgtGNzusIOXyD99XysJKurddAZX.

 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