Baltimore Activist Alert -- May 1 - 6, 2023

22] Refugee Advocacy Days – May 1 - 3

23] Election and Climate Protection Zoom – May 1

24] May Day canvass – May 1

25] Golden Rule events – May 1 - 2

26] Phone bank for a progressive – May 1 - 2

27] Strike fundraiser – May 1

28] Phone and text for the climate – May 1- 6

29] Assessing the Biden-Yoon Summit – May 2

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22] – The Interfaith Immigration Coalition [media@interfaithimmigration.org] wants you to know that the Refugee Council USA (RCUSA), its members, and partners are returning for the first in person Advocacy Days since 2019. Taking place in Washington, DC from Tues., May 2 through Wed., May 3, the RCUSA Advocacy Days will occur at a pivotal moment for the US Refugee Admissions Program. Help in championing pro-refugee legislation and other policies in support of refugees, asylees, stateless people, and all other forcibly displaced people who seek safety in the US. In addition to meetings with members of Congress, participants will have the opportunity to attend a number of special sessions to build relationships with other advocates and organizers, and learn new skills to help expand their advocacy.

A special training and networking day is provided for refugee and asylee leaders on May 1st in partnership with Refugee Congress and We Are All America. A limited number of scholarships to help cover travel and lodging for participants who have experienced forced displacement will be provided by RCUSA, and allocated based on need. Go to https://rcusa.org/2023-advocacy-days/.

23] – Mike Hersh for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to join the Election and Climate Protection Zoom on Mon., May 1 at 5 PM ET.  There are attacks on our democracy, and climate chaos threatens us. Since its founding in 2004, PDA has mobilized for open, clean, and fair elections and for stopping global warming. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqfuygpjIiHtc20uIOxdeqYRiAicjSLWUc.

24] – Join a May Day canvass with the Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] in support of Union Kitchen workers on Mon., May 1 at 5 PM ET.  Union Kitchen workers have been subject to despicable union-busting tactics, and DSA is standing up to Union Kitchen’s bosses to declare: enough is enough! On International Workers’ Day, Metro DC DSA will be joining Union Kitchen workers to canvass in support of their unionization efforts. The canvass launch will be held outside the Shaw location of Union Kitchen (1251 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001). The plan is to canvass until 7 PM. Following the canvass, there will hold a happy hour for chapter members to attend and socialize. Go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG1XhmGAxjn-xcY4PgpRWtW92dAV3Q0GLU7-GAjqOk6GJbHQ/viewform?link_id=5&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.

25] -- The storied Golden Rule anti-nuclear sailboat arrived in Baltimore on April 27, kicking off a series of local events to raise awareness about the growing danger of nuclear war and to build support for the abolition of nuclear weapons.  The 34-foot wooden ketch is sailing on a 15-month voyage around the “Great Loop” of the central, southern and eastern United States, making 100 ports-of-call.  The Golden Rule is a national project of Veterans for Peace, which owns the boat.  Groups can schedule an educational presentation by contacting the Golden Rule Project Manager, Helen Jaccard, at vfpgoldenruleproject@gmail.com or 206-992-6364.

   On Mon., May 1 at 5 PM. the City Council will produce a welcoming resolution, sponsored by Zeke Cohen. Members of the Golden Rule will accept the resolution. Then from 6 to 9 PM at Homewood Friends Meeting, Dr. Vincent Intondi, author of "African Americans against the Bomb" and "Saving the World from Nuclear War" will discuss his books.  This is the 65th anniversary of the arrest of the original Golden Rule crew in Hawaii, and that event will be commemorated with a video, protest history and current tour anecdotes, light refreshments and a grand cake.

On Tues., May 2 from 10 AM to 3 PM ET, visit the boat. Then from noon to 2 PM, there will be a send-off lunch at the Ambassador Dining Room, 3811 Canterbury, Baltimore 21212. Enjoy an intimate gathering and hear about the first ocean environmental protest in 1958 when the original crew was arrested for trying to stop open-air nuclear weapons tests in the forcibly depopulated Marshall Islands (Bikini and Eniwetok atolls). Hear anecdotes about the current 15-month 11,000-mile Great Loop Tour & highlights from the FCNL Lobby Day for House Resolution 77 in D.C. This resolution with 18 co-sponsors including Jamie Raskin (MD8) and Glenn Ivey (MD4) supports the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. 

  Regarding the MENU, it will be an extended buffet with reserved seating on covered patio.  Dishes will include rice, salad, naan, desserts & soft drink.  A cash bar will be available.  This is a fundraiser for Veterans for Peace, so the PRICE is $65 per person. Additional donations are welcome. Veterans for Peace is a 501(c)(3) group; all donations less fair market value of goods received are tax-deductible.  Contact Lou Curran by text/call 410-499-8899 ASAP.  Cash, check or MC/Visa card accepted at restaurant; or cash/check ("Veterans for Peace") by mail to Lou Curran at 5115 Underwood Road, Baltimore, MD 21212.

  Then from 6 to 8 PM ET, come to the Ivy Book Shop, 5928 Falls Road, Baltimore 21209. Hear from the Golden Rule crew and former Greenpeace General Counsel Carol Booker, author of “Cove Point on the Chesapeake” about the Cove Point community, including risks of the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant and Cove Point fracked gas export plant dangerously close together in Cove Point. The Golden Rule sailed past the two plants and livestreamed commentary and took photos of the boat going past.

26] – Do a virtual Phone Bank for Councilmember Jenny Hall in Snow Hill, MD on Mon., May 1 from 6 to 8 PM ET and Tues., May 2 from 10 AM to 7 PM ET.  Join the Lower Shore Progressive Community and phone bank for its endorsed candidate for Snow Hill Central District Jenny Hall. Councilmember Hall is a lifelong Snow Hill resident with 8 years of experience serving on the council.  Jenny is known for her experience, care, concern and integrity, and is committed to Snow Hill and encourages more citizen involvement in the town government.  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/561719/.

27] – Lindsay Sanders <lindsaylelandsanders@gmail.com> hopes you will attend the Greater Baltimore DSDA May Day Strike Fund Raiser! 330,000 UPS workers are preparing to go out on a historic strike August 1st if they do not reach a contract. At the same time, several Baltimore union shops are entering contract negotiations (including first contract fights at MOM's, Apple, MICA, Hopkins, Starbucks, Maryland School for the Deaf). GBDSA is beginning a strike fund (50% national, and 50% local) for these shops, and kicking it off with a May Day bake sale and movie night! On Mon., May 1 at 7 PM ET in the upstairs classrooms of the Homewood Friends meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St. watch Pride (2014), a film based on the true story from 1980s Britain when queer activists and striking miners, upon realizing they have a common enemies in Margaret Thatcher and the police, form an alliance that strengthens both of their movements. Baked goods will be available for sale, courtesy of Cooking with Comrades, and additional donations will be encouraged! RSVP at https://forms.gle/syJdaDXYCaXdHiqN6.

28] – Early voting on the El Paso Climate Charter continues until May 6.  For years, Sunrise El Paso, Ground Game Texas, and organizers on the ground have been fighting hard to get the El Paso Climate Charter — a first-of-its-kind climate justice project that would establish a Green New Deal program in the border community of El Paso, Texas — across the finish line. And all of their work is about to come to fruition on May 6.  Sign up for a phone bank volunteer session! Every voter we can talk to right now is critical. It’s crunch time to get out the vote! Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/sunrisemovement/event/549547/?utm_source=email_20230423_elpasocta_sunrise_s1&ms=email_20230423_elpasoCTA_sunrise_s1&emci=300cc706-f0e1-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=3b0cc706-f0e1-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=177631. Phone bank for the El Paso Climate Charter! Do Wed., May 3 from 7 to 9 PM ET and Sat., May 6 from 1 to 3 PM ET.

 El Paso has a huge opportunity to pass monumental climate legislation on May 6, when El Pasoans will vote yes or no on the El Paso Climate Charter. The Climate Charter would expand the city’s ability to implement climate policy at a local level and implement innovative policies right now & it’s one of the most ambitious and sweeping pieces of local climate policy anywhere in the country. Sign up to send texts at https://www.mobilize.us/sunrisemovement/event/554716/?utm_source=email_20230423_elpasocta_sunrise_s1&ms=email_20230423_elpasoCTA_sunrise_s1&emci=300cc706-f0e1-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=3b0cc706-f0e1-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=177631.  Sign up at Mon., May 1 from 8 to 10 PM, & Tues., May 2, Thurs., May 4 and Fri., May 5 from 7 to 9 PM ET.

29] – The GW Institute for Korean Studies [gwiks@gwu.edu] wants you to attend on Tues., May 2 from 9 to 10:30 AM the Korea Policy Forum: Assessing the Biden-Yoon Summit. U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol had their meeting at the White House on April 26. While commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the US-ROK alliance this year, the two leaders will explore a path to strengthen and expand the decades-old alliance based on new thinking on the strategic environment that the allies face. Three leading experts from the U.S. and South Korea will discuss their analyses of the results of the summit meeting. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/korea-policy-forum-assessing-the-biden-yoon-summit-tickets-617757608637.

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