Baltimore Activist Alert – May 28 to June 2, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – May 28 to June 2, 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] Support Pekara Bakery

9] Join the Our Revolution Phone Bank Force!

10] See the film “8:15 Hiroshima | From Father to Daughter” – through May 29

11] Remembrance Sunday – May 28

12] Support Jimmy Bierman – May 28

13] Global Town Hall – May 28

14] National Town Hall – May 28

15] Common Cause phone bank – May 28 & 30 and June 1 & 2

16] International Day of UN Peacekeepers – May 29

17] Protest at the Pentagon – May 29

18] Mobile Bike Shop – May 29

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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] – 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.

9] – 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.

10] – This powerful film “8:15 Hiroshima | From Father to Daughter” is currently streaming. You can watch it for free until the evening of Monday, May 29 at bit.ly/815hiroshimaG7. The documentary features the remarkable true story of Shinji Mikamo, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, with audio and video recordings with Mr. Mikamo, archival images of the aftermath of the first use of atomic weapons against humanity and re-enactments spoken in Hiroshima dialect to create a rare first person account of the bombing of Hiroshima.  The film is by J.R. Heffelfinger, and based on a book "8:15 A True Story of Survival & Forgiveness from Hiroshima," by Dr. Akiko Mikamo. Visit icanw.org.

11] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and this is Remembrance Sunday at 10:30 AM ET.  Memorial Day Sunday offers BES members and guests a chance to speak about those who have died and celebrate the gifts they gave us. Take solace in the work, ideals, friendship, and love they offered to the world. From them, draw inspiration, guidance, and strength to make the world a better place. What would you like to share about those no longer with us? Join Hugh Taft-Morales and Karen Elliott for this annual BES tradition. Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG FOR ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

12] – On Sun., May 28  from noon to 2 PM ET, help out Jimmy Bierman who is running for Supervisor in Falls Church/McLean, Virginia.  Sign up for door knocking at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/558524/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_custom_marketing.  This event’s address is private, but if you sign up details will follow.  Team Bierman is excited to kick off a door knocking program and to spread Jimmy's positive message for the Dranesville district! Training and materials will be provided, and the Minivan app is preferred. Reach out to info@biermanforsupervisor.com with any questions.

13] –  Metta Spencer [project@tosavetheworld.ca] is inviting you on Sun., May 28 from 2 to 4 PM ET to a Global Town Hall hosted by 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. Also check out the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1304564053827970. Project Save the World is sponsored by Peace Magazine.

14] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] is inviting you to a  National Town Hall on Sun., May 28 at 4 PM ET. Hear from PDA-Endorsed Heidi Drauschak, get updates from the CA Democratic Convention taking place this weekend, and discuss the Debt Ceiling. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration. There are huge elections in Virginia this year, with every seat in both chambers of the Statehouse up for grabs. PDA-VA has endorsed a number of excellent progressive candidates for the Senate, including Heidi Drauschak. The Virginia primary is on June 20th and early voting has already begun.

15] – 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., May 28 from 6 to 8 PM, or Tues., May 30 from 4 to 6 PM or Thurs., June 1 from 5 to 7 PM or Fri., June 2 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.

16] – On Monday, May 29 celebrate the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.  The Peace Begins with Me campaign recognizes the service and sacrifice of United Nations peacekeepers, past and present, and the resilience of the communities they serve.  Around the world, millions of people are suffering immense harm from conflict. Their lives are torn apart by death, destruction, and displacement.  For 75 years, more than two million peacekeepers have worked to save and change lives in the world’s most fragile political and security situations. They are ordinary people working in difficult and dangerous conditions to help secure sustainable peace and progress - inspiring us all to take action for peace.   Go to https://peacekeeping.un.org/en?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=68080d93-343d-456e-9620-fd62f02a7fe4.

17] – 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 29, 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.

18] –Jed Weeks, Bikemore [info@bikemore.net] wants you to know that May is National Bike Month. On Tues., May 30 from 4 to 7 PM ET, get over to a Mobile Bike Shop at Lake Montgomery.  RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/Sh_vgSuFIUKzNMVAvbzk4g2.

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