Baltimore Activist Alert – December 11 to 16, 2022

Baltimore Activist Alert – December 11 to 16, 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] Gift a Banned Book this Holiday Season – Dec. 11

10] US-Cuba Solidarity – Dec. 11

11] Zaporizhzhia -Facing the Dangers of Nuclear Plants -- Dec. 11

12] Frida Berrigan speaks about her dad -- Dec. 11

13] Progressive Town Hall -- Dec. 11

14] We need a Labor Party – Dec. 11

15] Election Protection phone bank – Dec. 11, 13, 15 & 16

16] Voting Rights, a film – Dec. 11

17] Ending the American War – Dec. 11

18] Protest at the Pentagon – Dec. 12

19] IPS webinar on the climate – Dec. 12

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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.” The workers voted to unionize

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] – 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., Dec. 11 hear about “Open Minds: Gift a Banned Book this Holiday Season.”  While book banning has occurred throughout human history, the recent surge is troubling. During the last full school year, over 130 school districts in 32 states announced 2,500 book bans. But thanks to both human curiosity and opposition to censorship, banning books backfires. Book stores create banned books displays in their windows to capitalize greater demand for this forbidden fruit. So why do folks ban books? How should the rest of us respond? Hugh Taft-Morales suggests we help everyone maintain open minds by purchasing, donating, sharing banned books! 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.

10] – Massachusetts Peace Action [info@masspeaceaction.org] urges you to join them on Sun., Dec. 11 at 11 AM ET for Children of Our Environments: US-Cuba Solidarity.  Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89552575898?pwd=K1ZRMkRNejlpRnZZakFRWnE0aUh3Zz09#success, or watch on https://www.youtube.com/c/thecommunitychurchofbostonofficial. Having just returned from the historic US-Cuba Youth Friendship Meeting in Havana, speaker and MAPA Board Member Calla Walsh will discuss her experiences in Cuba fighting the US blockade and building solidarity between US and Cuban youth, as well as the role of the Cuban Revolution in raising her own political consciousness to revolutionary anti-imperialism. Enjoy music by Emma’s Revolution.

11] – There is a webinar entitled Zaporizhzhia -Facing the Dangers of Nuclear Plants in War and Peace on Sun., Dec. 11 at 1 PM ET. As we learned from Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima, dangers are inherent to the generation of nuclear power.  These dangers expand exponentially in wartime. With six reactors, Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear plant in Europe. In this webinar, Russian and U.S. experts will explain the present situation at the Zaporizhzhia plant, the dangers by the plant and others across Ukraine, and what the international community do to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. It has been occupied by Russian military forces since early March but has continued to be operated by its Ukrainian staff.  Near the frontline of the war, the plant has been damaged by shelling of disputed origins, and all six reactors have been shut down. Faced with the dangers of a possible incident that could transform the plant into a massive dirty bomb and fallout impacting much of Europe and possibly Russia, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been leading efforts to establish a safety and security zone at, and around, the plant.

 Oleg V. Bodrov is an engineer-physicist, environmentalist, former member of the Council of the International Peace Bureau, chairman of the Public Council of the South Coast of the Gulf of Finland, St. Petersburg, Russia.  Linda Pentz Gunter founded Beyond Nuclear in 2007 and serves as its international specialist as well as its media and development director. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OuQzme__RF2cffs31UYbfA?_x_zm_rtaid=AkPFJ04XTbWQhrQyRMJ2dQ.1670633284508.d1c9dd88fd21d333356742f849771885&_x_zm_rhtaid=420.

12] –The annual Pax Christi Baltimore Advent Prayer Service will be held on Sun.(the Third Sunday of Advent) Dec. 11 from 3:30 to 5 PM at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, 120 N. Front St., Baltimore. There will be a brief reception with the speaker to follow.  This year's speaker is Frida Berrigan, the daughter of Philip Berrigan and Liz McAlister. And this year is the 20th anniversary of Phil’s passing. Contact Chuck Michaels at cwmichaels@igc.org.

13] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] hopes you will participate on Sun., Dec. 11 at 4 PM ET in the Progressive Town Hall: We Celebrate Our Victories and Organize for More.  PDA-endorsed candidate Raphael Warnock won the Senate runoff over Herschel Walker. The very same day we learned that Sen. Joe Manchin was unable to sneak his Dirty Deal into the National Defense [sic] Authorization Act.  Then the House passed the historic Respect for Marriage Act! And that's to say nothing of the incredible number of labor actions sweeping across the country as workers are joining together to demand what is rightfully theirs! We progressives will put our heads together and talk about next steps to grow and strengthen our movement for the coming weeks, months, years, and decades.  Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

14] –The Labor & Community for an Independent Party [organize@lcipcommittee.org] is holding a forum on Sun., Dec. 11 at 4 PM ET -- Midterm Elections: Which way forward to build an independent working‑class party.  This group believes since things remain the same for the U.S. working class as it lacks political representation in Congress.  It claims because of an ineffective two-party electoral system – the Democratic and Republican parties both champion the interests of big business and the proverbial one percent, there is a need for a Labor Party with representatives in Congress that are focused on promoting legislation and governmental practices that will ensure the interests of the majority, the working class, are first and foremost!  Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qduqorDwjGNC5eVYbUtRaiRRs1nIY33fw?_x_zm_rtaid=JedlM7UjTsm7M3g5KeJ4KQ.1670640591190.596b57545f7cf1cad29bfb8f79f65835&_x_zm_rhtaid=425. Good luck, but there is no chance for a formation of a Labor Party.

15] –Join an Election Protection phone bank hosted by Common Cause on Sun., Dec. 11 from 6 to 8 PM ET, Tues., Dec. 13 from 4 to 6 PM ET, Thurs., Dec. 15 from 5 to 7 PM and Fri., Dec. 16 from 4 to 6 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.

16] – Voting Rights: The Struggle to Be Counted (a film showing) can be seen on Sun., Dec. 11 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. This event will conclude on Jan. 1, 2023.  Register at https://www.mobilize.us/pfaw/event/540465/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations.

17] – The Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee [reachout.ffrd@gmail.com] is hosting a webinar on Sun., Dec. 11 at 7 PM ET -- "Ending the 'American War': Promises, Realities and Impact of the U.S. Peace Movement." Register at https://vnpeacecomm.blogspot.com/2022/10/webinar-ending-american-war.html.  Hear a conversation with Carolyn (Rusti) Eisenberg and Arnold (Skip) Isaacs moderated by Paul Lauter, author of "Our Sixties." Eisenberg's new book is "Fire and Rain: Nixon Kissinger and the Wars in Southeast Asia," and Isaacs has updated and republished "Without Honor: Defeat in Vietnam and Cambodia." 

18] – 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 Dec. 12, 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.  

19] – There is a Climate Webinar hosted by the Institute for Policy Studies on Mon., Dec. 12 from noon to 1 PM ET entitled “Getting from the Unsustainable Here to the Sustainable There: Mechanisms of Transition to a Post-Growth Future.” Four distinguished panelists will provide a snapshot of the ongoing rethinking of the way humanity organizes its economic activities to move in the direction of greater sustainability and equity: Vedran Horvat is the head of the Institute for Political Ecology in Zagreb, Croatia; Susan Krumdieck is professor and chair in Energy Transition at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland; Simon Michaux is an associate professor of geo-metallurgy at the Geological Survey of Finland; and Renata Nitta is a campaign strategist for Greenpeace International based in Brazil. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/tZ0sdemhrjspEtWwU5PGP78FpDpOk6dKcVe9/success?user_id=sf_doS4iQ72CofDZzSsKNg&timezone_id=America%2FNew_York.

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