Baltimore Activist Alert – November 27 to 29, 2022

Baltimore Activist Alert – November 27 to 29, 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 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] Support the Pratt Workers United

6] Get the book Surely Goodness and Mercy by Murphy Davis

7] Get the book Male Supremacy in the Catholic Church: An Insider’s View by Roy Bourgeois

8] Are you joining Witness against Torture in D.C. in January?

9] Birdwatching Tour of Patterson Park – Nov. 26

10] Get over to the food pantry – Nov. 26

11] Call to elect Raphael Warnock – Nov. 27 & 29

12] The Virtue and Value of Keeping Your Mouth Shut. – Nov.  27

13] Global Town Hall – Nov. 27

14] Progressive Town Hall -- Nov. 27

15] Internationalism Working Group Meeting -- Nov. 27

16] Election Protection phone bank – Nov. 27

17] MDC DSA General Body Meeting – Nov. 27

18] Nova DSA Electoral Meeting 2022 – Nov. 27

19] Voting Rights, a film – Nov. 27

20] Protest at the Pentagon – Nov. 28

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1] – Buttons, bumper stickers 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] – 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.”

6] – Consider getting HOSPITALITY, the newsletter of OPEN DOOR: A prophetic discipleship community honoring the Black Jesus, Dorothy Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. The September/October 2022 issue contains a wonderful review by Claire Schaeffer-Duffy of Surely Goodness and Mercy by Murphy Davis, reprinted from The Catholic Worker, March-April 2022.  Davis, a co-founder of the Open Door Community, died in 2020.   You can subscribe to the newsletter or buy a copy of the book by calling 404-290-2047 or by emailing opendoorcomm@bellsouth.net.

7] – Another book to consider purchasing is Male Supremacy in the Catholic Church: An Insider’s View by Roy Bourgeois. His new book is both memoir and position-paper, and it makes the case that the Roman Catholic Church is a corrupt system that spits out truth-tellers. The crime he was excommunicated for was attending the ordination ceremony of Janice Sevre-Duszynska in Lexington, Kentucky, in August 2008. The ordination was under the auspices of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.  The Vatican’s response has been to excommunicate any woman who has the audacity to see herself as a priest equal to a male priest. You can purchase a copy from Amazon or by Kindle.

  Here are two quotes to contemplate: “I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men. She is to keep silent.” – Timothy 1, 2:12-13.  “If the patriarchy that dominates the church is not dismantled and women are not treated as equals, the church will continue to diminish and, eventually, die.” – Roy Bourgeois.

8] – Witness against Torture [contact@witnessagainsttorture.com] is announcing that the annual Fast for Justice will be in person in D.C. from January 8 through Jan. 11.  Organizers need to know who is coming. SO IF YOU'RE COMING, SEND AN EMAIL to witnesstorture@gmail.com.  Send your name, dates you will be there (Sun. night Jan. 8, Mon Jan. 9, Tues., Jan. 10 and/or Wed. Jan. 11), and if you need housing.

9] – Get on a Birdwatching Tour of Patterson Park on Sat., Nov. 26 from 8 to 9:30 AM ET. Meet at the fountain, closest to East Lombard St. and South Patterson Park Ave. There are over 200 bird species have visited Patterson Park, an important migratory stopover in Baltimore City! Audubon experts will lead the search for avian friends! Email baltimore@audubon.org. Register at https://patterson.audubon.org/events.

10] – On Sat., Nov. 26 from noon to 2 PM EST, get over to the Food Pantry and Food Donation Center at First and Franklin Presbyterian Church, 210 W. Madison St., Baltimore. This Food Pantry is open every Saturday. Get a grocery bag – breakfast, jelly and peanut butter (a good source of protein) for lunch, the makings for a balanced dinner such as beans and rice, pasta and sauce, soup, vegetables, fruit, and a paper goods. Also added is a little fun food, such as popcorn or cookies, for everyone enjoys a treat.  Contributions of shelf stable foods can be brought to Reid Chapel every Saturday between noon and 2 PM. If shopping is difficult for you, monetary donations earmarked food pantry may be sent to the church.  How else can you help? Volunteers are needed to help collect and distribute food. Contact the church office to volunteer. You can also help by spreading the word to those you know who are facing food insecurity. See https://www.facebook.com/firstfranklinbaltimore.

11] – Public Citizen [action@citizen.org] wants you to get involved in electing Raphael Warnock.  Sign up to call Georgia voters through Election Day at https://www.mobilize.us/voterempowerment/event/543478/?utm_source=PCea&emci=facbf0dd-6c64-ed11-ade6-14cb65342cd2&emdi=6db916b8-6f64-ed11-ade6-14cb65342cd2&ceid=24639284.  Reach as many Georgia voters of color and empower them to vote in the runoff election.  Start with a shift on Sat., Nov. 26, Mon., Nov. 28 and Tues., Nov. 29 from 2 to 7 PM ET.

12] – 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., Nov. 27 hear about “The Virtue and Value of Keeping Your Mouth Shut.”  Much of American culture praises those who speak their mind, regardless of the impact of their words.  They like people to “tell it like it is.” This tendency is supported by the assumption that keeping things to yourself is unhealthy. Many believe that regular cathartic truth-telling is necessary to be happy and stay sane. Hugh Taft-Morales explores a perspective where silence can be golden. Come hear how keeping your mouth shut can be good for yourself and good for others. 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@BEMOREthical.org for more information.

13] – Metta Spencer [project@tosavetheworld.ca] wants you to know on Sun., Nov. 27 from 2 to 4 PM ET about the Global Town Hall - Project Save the World.  Join in here: https://zoom.us/j/9108970203. This 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.  The two-hour meeting will be put on YouTube, Facebook, and our website: https://tosavetheworld.ca. Visit the website: https://tosavetheworld.ca.

14] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] thinks you might be interested in joining in on Sun., Nov. 27 at 4 PM ET for the Progressive Town Hall: Winning in GA, passing progressive legislation, and more! The special guests will include leadership from the GA NAACP and some of the most active folks in the progressive movement nationwide. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

15] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] is holding an Internationalism Working Group Meeting on Sun., Nov. 27 from 5 to 6:30 PM ET.  A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/internationalism-working-group-monthly-meeting-6?link_id=53&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-oct-28-2022&email_referrer=email_1728461&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-nov-4-2022. Hear report-backs from various teams, including the Cuba campaign and Palestine BDS, and to pitch ideas for new actions and campaigns.

16] –Join an Election Protection phone bank hosted by Common Cause on Sun., Nov. 27 from 6 to 8 PM ET.  Demand bold changes to our democracy to create a government that represents all of us, not big corporations or special interests.  Register for a shift to make calls to protect our democracy.  These shifts also always will include training for first-timers before you make calls—so if this is your first time, no worries! Visit https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations.

17] – Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] is holding the chapter General Body Meeting on Sun., Nov. 27 at 7 PM ET. The theme will be the upcoming local convention. Please come with any questions you may have about the convention! The general body meetings convene all chapter members once monthly. Workgroups, caucuses, committees, and leadership provide key updates on campaigns and other activities. Members may also propose and vote on business. Members, potential members, and supporters alike are welcome to attend.  Go to https://actionnetwork.org/events/general-body-meeting-november-27/?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-nov-18-2022&email_referrer=email_1749348&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-nov-25-2022.

18] – There is a Nova DSA Electoral Meeting on Sun., Nov. 27 at 7 PM ET. The purpose of this meeting is to continue planning for electoral work in Northern Virginia in 2023. Discuss the various races to target and plan for electing socialists in NoVA in 2023. You'll get the zoom link after you RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/novadsa-electoral-monthly-mtg-sun-nov-27-7pm?link_id=54&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-oct-28-2022&email_referrer=email_1728461&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-nov-4-2022. Email novabranch [at] mdcdsa.org.

19] – Voting Rights: The Struggle To Be Counted (a film showing) can be seen on Sundays, Nov. 27 & Dec. 4 from 7 to 8 PM ET organized for the January 6 Hearings. DC photographer, film producer and social justice activist Phil Portlock is presenting his timely 25-minute documentary. With creative use of music, powerful images and narration by his wife Pat Sloan, the film traces the long and often brutal struggle by African Americans to gain and maintain the unrestricted right to be counted at the ballot box. The film is Phil’s response to the U.S Supreme Court’s June 5, 2013 5-4 decision in the Shelby County v Holder Voting Rights Case that declared Sections 4b and 5 of the historic 1965 Voting Rights Act unconstitutional. This decision has led to the enactment of hundreds of voter suppression/restrictive laws that have impacted voting rights all over the nation. REGISTER at https://www.mobilize.us/pfaw/event/540465/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations.

20] – 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. 28, 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.  

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