Baltimore Activist Alert – April 30 to May 5, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – April 30 to May 5, 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] Stop the eviction of Piscataway Indians from their land  

9] Support Pekara Bakery

10] Join the Our Revolution Phone Bank Force!

11] April 30, 1975; The Day the War Ended – April 30

12] Held v. State of Montana – April 30

13] HOUSING, RENT CONTROL & ON THE STREET CONFERENCE – April 30

14] Native plant swap – April 30

15] Global Town Hall – April 30

16] The door to hope fundraiser – April 30

17] Anti-Free-Speech definition of Anti-Semitism – April 30

18] Common Cause phone bank – April 30 & May 2, 4 & 5

19] Social Media Best Practices – April 30 & May 3

20] Protest at the Pentagon – May 1

21] Protest Marcos – May 1

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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 Charles County Commissioners hope to evict the Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians from their land where their cultural center/museum has been for the last 40 years.  If this upsets you, take action at this ACLU link: <https://action.aclu.org/send-message/md-cedarville-band-piscataway-indians-2023>.

9] – Support a small restaurant called Pekara Bakery, 506 W. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore 21210.  Call 443-873-7190 or email pekarabakery@usa.com or visit www.pekarabakery.us.com.

10] – Join the Our Revolution Phone Bank Force! In 2022, 82% of Our Revolution candidates won their election. In 2023, OR is gearing up to Transform the Party, Elect more Progressive Candidates, Hold Biden Accountable, and so much more. To accomplish these goals, there is a need to continue to build the Phone Bank Force. Sign up to become a part of that transformative force at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/440081/?akid=4199.8252965.WFQlSi&rd=1&t=23.

11] – The Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee [reachout.ffrd@gmail.com] wants you to know about April 30, 1975; The Day the War Ended.  It will take place on Sun., April 30 at 10 AM ET. It is a recorded VPCC webinar about the last day of the war as witnessed in Saigon by Nayan Chanda and Claudia Krich and in Hanoi by John McAuliff. Watch the video of the complete zoom by clicking https://youtu.be/0u7Ae24LLzk. Nayan Chanda, is Associate Professor of International Relations at Ashoka University. From March of 1973 to July of 1975, Claudia Krich and her husband Keith Brinton, were co-directors of the American Friends Service Committee humanitarian program in Viet Nam. John McAuliff is the executive director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development and coordinator of the Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee.   He will show slides from his trip to Hanoi for the American Friends Service Committee and the Indochina Peace Campaign.  This event can be viewed anytime. Click https://vnpeacecomm.blogspot.com/2021/03/april-30-1975-eyewitness-accounts-of.html.

12] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and there is a presentation of a platform address at 10:30 AM ET. On Sun., April 30, hear about “Held v. State of Montana.” We are thrilled to announce that the next All-Societies Platform with special guests from Our Children’s Trust is taking place, as this is a great opportunity to meet the lawyer and some of the youth plaintiffs in the upcoming lawsuit Held v. State of Montana, the first ever constitutional and children’s climate trial in U.S. history- which will begin on June 12th in Helena, Montana. On March 13, 2020, 16 young people from across the state of Montana filed their constitutional climate lawsuit against the state, asserting that by supporting a fossil fuel driven energy system, which is contributing to the climate crisis, Montana is violating their constitutional rights to a clean and healthful environment, to seek safety, health and happiness, and to individual dignity and equal protection of the law. They also argue that the state’s fossil fuel energy system is degrading and depleting Montana’s constitutionally protected public trust resources, including the atmosphere, rivers and lakes, fish and wildlife. Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG FOR ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

13] –Mike Hersh for Progressive Democrats of America [mike@pdamerica.org] wants you to join HOUSING AFFORDABILITY, RENT CONTROL, & HOMELESSNESS CONFERENCE on Sun., April 30 at 12:30 PM ET at THE ST. GREGORY BALLROOM at of THE ST. GREGORY HOTEL, 2033 M St. NW, WDC 20036. The conference will feature PDA Executive Director Alan Minsky and other exemplary panelists! Email betty.toto@ahf.org. The conference is a short walk from the DuPont Circle Metro (Red Line). RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfR_hCoqtXX74wuvpeLelNe2SeZcWx6L_IDF8tRECRvxroc_Q/viewform.

14] – Takoma Park Mobilization [info@tpmobilization.org] wants you to attend on Sun., April 30 from noon to 2 PM ET a native plant swap. The Climate Action Coffee Pollinator Group along with Friends of Native Trees in Takoma are hosting the swap at Belle-Ziegler Park in Takoma Park.   Bring a native plant or more... to share. Girl Scouts Troops 804 and 2260 will also be there with a variety of native ferns to give away.  Plants are considered native to an area if they evolved in that ecosystem and grew without introduction or propagation. They are beneficial because they have formed long histories and relationships with other native plants, wildlife and/or human populations. By planting native plants, you are supporting native wildlife such as bird and insect pollinators, and protecting biodiversity. Native plants are adapted to the moisture, soil, and climate conditions of their region, and require less supplemental watering and pesticides. They also assist in managing storm water, because their roots are deep and help water move through the soil, rather than compacting soil and limiting infiltration.

15] – Metta Spencer [project@tosavetheworld.ca] is inviting you on Sun., April 30 from 2 to 4 PM ET to the Global Town Hall. 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. Go to the website: https://tosavetheworld.ca or https://www.facebook.com/events/1262931661018168/ or https://tosavetheworld.ca.

16] – The Immigration Outreach Service Center [jean-marie@ioscbaltimore.ccsend.com] is hosting on Sun., April 30 from 4 to 7 PM ET Savor the World 2023: The Door to Hope. This fundraising event will be held at HighTopps Backstage Grille, 2306 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium 21093. REGISTER EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO PAY AT THE DOOR: https://ioscbaltimore.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/ioscbaltimore/eventRegistration.jsp?event=1&. IF YOU ARE PAYING AT THE DOOR, EMAIL MARY at MARY@IOSCBALTMORE.ORG WITH YOUR NAME, NUMBER OF TICKETS, AND FOOD PREFERENCE.

17] – On Sun., April 30 at 5 PM ET, the Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East will host a webinar to explain an Anti-Free-Speech definition of Anti-Semitism and How to Oppose it.  The webinar will indicate the IHRA definition of antisemitism and its problematic aspect, as it conflates antisemitism with opposition to Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights. This discussion is important because the IHRA definition is suddenly being adopted without discussion in many localities. While supporting the fight against real antisemitism, UUJME opposes the adoption of the IHRA definition by municipalities and legislatures. Remarkably even Kenneth Stern, the author of the IHRA definition, opposes its use in laws and on campuses because of the chilling effect it can have on free speech. The moderator of the discussion will be Unitarian Universalist minister Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley, and the subject matter experts will be Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, and Zeina Ashrawi Hutchison, a Palestinian American human rights advocate who recently faced the IHRA definition in the Virginia state legislature.  Register at https://www.uujme.org/ihra_webinar.

18] – There are virtual Common Cause phone banks on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 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 for a shift to make calls and help strengthen the phone bank team to protect our democracy. Make calls on Sun., April 30 from 6 to 8 PM, or Tues., May 2 from 4 to 6 PM or Thurs., May 4 from 5 to 7 PM or Fri., May 5 from 4 to 6 PM ET. These shifts will also always include training for first-timers before you make calls, so if this is your first time, no worries! This will continue through August 28, 2024. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations.

19] –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., April 30 and Wed., May 3.  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.

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 May 1, 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.  This vigil will honor the visit to the area of the anti-nuclear ship the Golden Rule.

 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 Marriot Providence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr.

21] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] wants you to know about protests against Filipino President Marcos’ first US visit on Mon., May 1.  In 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was elected President of the Philippines on a populist right-wing authoritarian platform reminiscent of Donald Trump and his ilk. Join BAYAN USA, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines and the Malaya Movement in protesting and shedding light on the dangerous policies Marcos Jr. represents and the harm they are doing to the Philippines. They will be holding a vigil outside of the White House from 9 AM to 7 PM, and hosting two rallies — first at noon and again at 5:30 PM ET. Masks are required, and bringing food, water, mats and chairs is suggested. Sign up for updates. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYE3Gt3ALE2w4zN8D5M2eidKXu2G4peNnTCzOmghr6eerINQ/viewform?link_id=21&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-21-2023&email_referrer=email_1897633&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-28-2023.

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