Baltimore Activist Alert – February 26 to March 3, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – February 26 to March 3, 2023

"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] Need help in archiving activist material    

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] Fasting For Jessica Reznicek

9] Petition for Medicare for All – Feb. 26

10] Ethical Considerations for the Black Social Scientist – Feb. 26

11] Vigil to support the people of Ukraine – Feb. 26

12] MoCo DSA meeting – Feb. 26

13] Global Town Hall – Feb. 26

14] Free Assange protest -- Feb. 26

15] Progressive Town Hall – Feb. 26

16] Election Protection phone bank – Feb. 26 & 28, March 2 & 3

17] Social Media Best Practices -- Feb. 26 & March 1  

18] Metro DC DSA meeting -- Feb. 26

19] Protest at the Pentagon – Feb. 27

20] Hearing on the ERA – Feb. 27

------

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] –  Janice Sevre-Duszynska needs some assistance in archiving her activist material.  If you are interested in this project, contact Max at 410-32301607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

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] – In 2016, Jessica Reznicek took direct action to halt the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Following in the Catholic Worker movement’s long tradition of nonviolent protest, she disabled construction materials and machinery along the pipeline route. She was indicted on nine criminal charges by a federal grand jury, and in 2021 found guilty of “Conspiracy to Damage an Energy Facility.” Federal authorities waited until after the trial to define her actions as “terrorism,” a tag that nearly tripled the sentence attached to her conviction. On June 29, 2021, Jessica was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, and began serving her sentence on August 11 at Wauseca Federal Correctional Institute. In 2022 an appeals court upheld her conviction and continued to describe her as a “domestic terrorist.”

  Her support community is calling for a fast.  During Lent, supporters will spend every Friday fasting for Jessica’s release.  This is a “Black Fast,” the oldest and most severe form of Christian fasting. That’s one simple meal a day with no meat, no milk and no eggs.  And some fasters have promised to pray every day for Jessica with the campaign prayer, a traditional devotion like the rosary, or both.  All Catholics, Christians and people of good will are encouraged to join the call for Jessica to be set free. And they are asking President Joe Biden, a self-described devout Catholic, to defend religious freedom and civil liberties by pardoning Jessica. Visit https://fastingforjessica.com/.

9] – Northern Virginia Democratic Socialists of America [novabranch@mdcdsa.org] will gather on Sun., Feb. 26 from 10 to 11:30 AM at Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market, 4109 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22305. Join in to gather petition signatures for Medicare for All.

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., Feb. 26, the platform is “Ethical Considerations for the Black Social Scientist through the Lens of Black Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Social Justice.” Hear from Dr. Natasha C. Pratt-Harris who will share more than 25 years’ worth of research where she has been situated as a Black female social scientist in a white male dominated field, with white male dominated methodologies and perspectives. She focuses her work on protecting human subjects and holding steadfast to the ideals of a committed social scientist who respects the work of the grassroots community.

  She is an Associate Professor and the immediate past Coordinator of the  Criminal Justice Program and current Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Sociology,  Anthropology, and (Criminology & Criminal Justice) in the College of Liberal Arts at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Email President@BEMOREthical.org for more information.

11] – The Baltimore Nonviolence Center strongly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The group opposes this war of aggression and the violation of the Budapest Memorandum. Unfortunately, Russian forces have engaged in war crimes, including the targeting of noncombatants. Sadly this war has continued for a year with no end in sight.

  On Sun., Feb. 26 from 1 to 2 PM, there will be a vigil at 2401 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore 21224 in Patterson Park across from St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church.  Show support for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian diaspora, as well as for the brave people of Russia who have condemned the invasion. Regardless of the situation, the Biden administration should remove US nuclear weapons from Europe, and try to engage in negotiations with Russia about nuclear weapons disarmament.  The United Nations must use its influence to convince Russian authorities to withdraw its forces from Ukraine. Contact Max Obuszewski at mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net or 443-761-5899. Visit http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/.

12] – On Sun., Feb. 26 from 2 to 3:30 PM, get over to the MoCo DSA February Branch Meeting.  RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/february-branch-meeting?link_id=60&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-february-10-2023&email_referrer=email_1820146&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-february-17-2023.  To participate in person, come to the Bethesda Library, 7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda 20814. Email montgomerycountydsa@gmail.com. For the in-person component, masks are required inside the meeting.

13] – Metta Spencer [project@tosavetheworld.ca] is inviting you on Sun., Feb. 26 from 2 to 4 PM ET to a Global Town Hall - Project Save the World. Sign up at https://zoom.us/j/9108970203.  On the last Sunday of every month, there 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. Visit https://tosavetheworld.ca.

14] – On Sun., Feb. 26 from 4 to 5 PM ET, vigil at the home of US Attorney General Merrick Garland in Bethesda on Edgemoor Lane, near the fence of Sidwell Friends Lower School calling for the release of Julian Assange.  Contact Martha Allen (marthaleslieallen@gmail.com).

15] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to join the Progressive Town Hall on Sun., Feb. 26 at 4 PM ET with Alex Lawson of Social Security Works. Alex is one of the leading progressive activists in the country and, perhaps, this generation's most eloquent protector of the Social Security System.   Also, follow up on last week's call about the privatization of Medicare (another subject that Alex Lawson knows thoroughly). Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

16] – On Sun., Feb. 26 from 6 to 8 PM ET, Tues., Feb. 28 from 4 to 6 PM, Thurs. March. 2 from 5 to 7 PM, and Fri., March 3 from 4 to 6 PM ET, there is a Common Cause-organized Election Protection phone bank.  These phone banks will continue until April 2, 2023.  Work together to demand bold changes to our democracy to create a government that represents all of us, not big corporations or special interests. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations. Register for a shift to make calls to recruit poll monitors to support nonpartisan Election Protection efforts in the GA Run-Offs.  Join in to make calls Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and/or Sundays.

17] – Get with Social Media Best Practices virtually, hosted by The Democratic National Committee on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7 to 8 PM ET.  Participate on Sun., Feb. 26 and Wed., March 1.  Maximize your impact within your social network and join the social media best practices training. Whether you're just getting started on social media or already have an online presence, this training will provide you with the tools necessary to ensure you are reaching your full potential as an online organizer. Learn the essentials for utilizing platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram for political story telling. Email williamsak@dnc.org to schedule a presentation for your staff/volunteers or with any queries about co-presenting at one or more of these events. Go to https://events.democrats.org/event/486853/.

18] – There is a Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America General Body Meeting on Sun., Feb. 26 of 7 PM ET. Chapter members come together once monthly. Workgroups, caucuses, committees, and leadership provide key updates on campaigns and other activities. Members may also propose and vote on business. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/general-body-meeting-february-26-2023?link_id=11&can_id=3fcd7916f2ff367c3b859d45270fd1d5&source=email-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events-80&email_referrer=email_1819087&email_subject=nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events.

19] – 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. 27, 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.

20] – The ERA Coalition [info@eracoalition.org] on Tues., Feb. 28 at 10 AM ET will be at the hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Equal Rights Amendment in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.  Watch the livestream of the committee hearing on the ERA Coalition Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/eracoalition?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=8755b87d-1735-49ff-a369-b88a6a43ac5a and on the YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/@eracoalition.

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