Baltimore Activist Alert – February 5 to 10, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – February 5 to 10, 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] Count birds – through Feb. 15

9] Make calls for Jennifer McClellan – Feb. 5

10] Social media platforms -- Feb. 5

11] Climate Change and Forced Displacement – Feb. 5

12] “Journey of a Native Son” -- Feb. 5

13] Free Julian Assange – Feb. 5

14] Reconnecting Post Pandemic – Feb. 5

15] Peace Vigil -- Feb. 5

16] Election Protection phone bank – Feb. 5, 7, 9 & 10

17] Social Media Best Practices -- Feb. 5 & 8

18] Protest at the Pentagon – Feb. 6

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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] –  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] – The National Audubon Society [audubonconnect@audubon.org] has indicated that the Winter Climate Watch continues through Sun., Feb. 15 to count birds for science! Audubon needs your help to create a brighter future for the birds we all love this winter. Climate Watch is Audubon’s biannual community science program that enlists volunteer bird lovers across North America to tally vulnerable bird species. Learn more at  https://www.audubon.org/conservation/climate-watch?ms=digital-eng-email-ea-x-engagement_20230104_eng-email_climate-watch-winter-2023&utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=engagement_20230104_eng-email&utm_content=climate-watch-winter-2023.

9] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to make calls for Jennifer McClellan to win in February!  Jennifer McClellan is a solid progressive running for US House in the Special Election for district VA-04. Currently an influential State Senator with 17 years experience in the Virginia Assembly, she has earned a reputation as a strong legislative champion for Virginians, passing landmark laws to protect voting rights, tackle climate change, rebuild crumbling schools, protect workers rights, and reform Virginia’s criminal justice system. If elected she'll be the first African American female elected to the US House from Virginia. If you can make calls, email mikefox@pdamerica.org.

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. 5, get an answer to Are Social Media Platforms Driving Us Mad?  Our society is in deep distress. Rising rates of depression, anxiety, and impulse control problems are straining our social fabric and stoking fear, anger, and divisiveness. It's taking a toll on people individually and collectively. And as problems continue to mount, it can be hard to sustain hope that solutions will be found. Some say the problems have been greatly exacerbated by the rise of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are largely responsible. These platforms, left mostly unchecked, have greatly expanded the capabilities angry and hostile users to spread hate and foment violence. at the expense of moderation and even-handedness. Is the use of social media a significant cause of the rise of these social problems? And, if so, what can be done to turn things around? In this talk, Ethical Culture Leader, Bart Worden, looks at some of the effects of social media on attitudes and behavior and considers some changes that might mitigate some of the downsides of our technically connected age.

  Worden is the clergy leader for the Westchester Community for Ethical Culture, and was the Executive Director for the American Ethical Union, the national federation of Ethical Culture and Ethical Humanist Societies, from 2012 - 2022. Email President@BEMOREthical.org for more information.

11] – HIAS [info@hias.org] wants you to know about Climate Change and Forced Displacement, a webinar on Sun., Feb. 5 at noon ET. Learn how climate change serves as an underlying cause of forced displacement, how HIAS works around the world in the context of climate change and environmental degradation, how extreme weather events in Chad have impacted our clients and our programs over the past year, and how projects like HIAS’ perma-gardening program serve as a model of sustainable response to climate change.  Register at https://act.hias.org/page/email/click/10027/1610428?email=lJR4g0kWj98yJz3mW%2BjQ3Otb1xgAaOiEJ0e%2Fu%2F3%2FXzE=&campid=RRaEYOoY4XaZkArzVWMSmA==.

12] – You are invited to a Sun., Feb. 5 at 3 PM ET Nicaragua Webinar with Camilo Mejia -- “Journey of a Native Son.”  REGISTER at bit.ly/NicaFeb5. Mejia is a Nicaraguan citizen based in Miami, Florida. He joined the US military in 1994, and in 2003 he was among the first US soldiers to publicly refuse to return to his unit in Iraq, calling the US occupation of that country oil-driven, illegal and immoral. Camilo has spoken out to counter the alleged disinformation campaign against his native Nicaragua.  He has recently returned to the US after spending 7 weeks in Nicaragua.  Camilo will start the presentation with a brief account of his early life as the son of Sandinista revolutionaries, his journey from US soldier to antiwar activist in the US, and his work in defense of the Sandinista revolution. He will then share his impressions after visiting his native country for the first time since 1994, a nearly 30-year absence for political reasons tied to his antiwar activism.   There are many organizations co-sponsoring this event.

13] – On Sun., Feb. 5 & Sun., Feb. 19 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).

14] – Tysons Interfaith <revtrish.cslmetro@gmail.com> is hosting Reconnecting Post Pandemic on Sun., Feb. 5 at 4 PM ET. This is a workshop addressing the challenges faced in rebuilding and reconnecting faith communities post-pandemic. This workshop is an opportunity for representatives of faith communities to learn with and from one another - sharing successes, strategies and solutions in support of all thriving in the post-pandemic era.  This program is part of Interfaith Harmony Month in the Greater Washington DC Metropolitan Area. Each February, in support of the United Nations resolution aimed at spreading “the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill . . . based on Love of God/of the Good and Love of Neighbor,” the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington and its partners celebrate Interfaith Harmony Month in the metropolitan area. Visit https://ifcmw.org/interfaith-harmony-month-dmv/.  Also see https://files.constantcontact.com/e4b3239e601/6c4d79bc-6654-4087-b478-cb147f5c2a28.pdf?rdr=true.

15] – The Black Lives Matter Interfaith Coalition <BLMInterfaithCoalition@gmail.com> is holding a Peace Vigil at 4408 Edmondson Ave., Baltimore at the Village Shopping Center on Sun., Feb. 5 at 4 PM ET.  BLMIC is committed to Supporting Baltimore Peace Movement (formerly Baltimore CeaseFire).  One month ago, five students from Edmondson West Side HS were shot outside Popeyes at the Edmondson Village Shopping Center.  Tragically, Deanta Dorsey (16) died and the other four students were hospitalized with their injuries.  Join a peace vigil to support Baltimore City students, their families and neighborhoods.  Bring signs of peace and hope!  Bring candles and lights!  Go to https://blmic.org/.

16] – On Sun., Feb. 5 from 6 to 8 PM ET, Tues., Feb. 7 from 4 to 6 PM, Thurs. Feb. 9 from 5 to 7 PM, and Fri., Feb. 10 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. 5 and Wed., Feb. 8.  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.

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 Feb. 6, 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