Baltimore Activist Alert -- May 3 - 7, 2023

35] World Press Freedom Day – May 3

36] Paid family leave bill to be signed – May 3

37] Challenge JPMorgan Chase – May 3

38] Legal Forum on the Supreme Court – May 3

39] Release Gitmo prisoners – May 3

40] Protest an execution – May 3

41] Social Media Best Practices – May 3 & 7

42] Annapolis debrief – May 3

43] Election debrief – May 3

44] Close down Cop City – May 3

45] Superwomen Wednesday – May 3

46] Close down Diablo Canyon – May 3

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35] – Since 1993, World Press Freedom Day, May 3, has served as a moment to honor the work of journalists and news organizations who use their platforms to hold the powerful accountable, provide fact-based news stories, and assert freedom of expression as a communal good. Dynamic newsworthy stories are being produced in disparate locales but they share a common, vital mission: they inform the public on important political, social, and cultural issues, empowering individuals to make knowledgeable decisions concerning their communities.

36] – The Time to Care Coalition [info@timetocare.net] wants you to know that on Wed., May 3 at noon that the Time to Care bills will be signed. Celebrate paid family leave. SB 828 & HB 988 will be signed into law by Governor Moore, and bill signings are open to the public.  Get over to Annapolis to be a part of this momentous day. Plan to be at the State House by 11:30 AM.  This bill is the 8th bill being signed. 

37] – The Union of Concerned Scientists [action@ucsusa.org] on Wed., May 3 at noon ET wants to hold JPMorgan Chase accountable on climate. Join UCS for a webinar on 2023 shareholder resolutions at JPMorgan Chase and learn how investors can advance corporate accountability. REGISTER at https://secure.ucsusa.org/a/2023-5-3-jpmorgan-chase-shareholder-action?contactdata=FaJlVs0PPGv4L4uXbZBC8qtgvTYcZ1SQNoxL6w%2bVhRjhUF4qED1WKKNWpFuSV2%2bn18bfEaMVLQduy%2fZjU%2fQMNMO0dzUnZ7EjsAMi3facU%2fRMttBzC6Ktzyt9HBbWXetyHoOf0AyYBH2Rc4SoSel9Q7wVIvYUnfp6pMYA9EwUSMENuRK%2bvOQFeZP3BIZZYcrPA8Mt7vTH8k7pXcyqUAMZH2wzAkn6e22BxAeFH9RTlQNBQ2OJxVi8He1Cb22fVYZ7hQoBiL%2btZ5PWfAoYFe7YtA%3d%3d&utm_campaign=email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email&emci=d7a56fa8-a9d8-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=402ff61d-59d9-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=1507036.

38] – Hal Ginsberg [hal@ourrevolutionmd.com] wants you to know about a Legal Forum on the Supreme Court on Wed., May 3 from 1 to 3:30 PM ET. The Despised U.S. Supreme Court Has created a Crisis of Legitimacy, but note there is a Path to Reform. The forum is at Westminster Hall, 519 W. Fayette St., Baltimore 21201. The registration fee is $5, but students get in free.  Register at https://www.lwvmd.org/supreme_court_crisis_legitimacy_path_to_reform?link_id=1&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-the-despised-us-supreme-court&email_referrer=email_1899118&email_subject=the-despised-us-supreme-court.

39] – Join a Vigil to Close the Guantánamo Bay Prison which is part of a Coordinated International Effort. On Wed., May 3, and the first Wednesday of every month thereafter, campaigners in D.C. will join others in the UK, Mexico, and other parts of the U.S. for coordinated vigils calling for the release of the 16 men at the prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, who have been approved for release but are still held there, and for the closure of that prison.

The Washington, D.C. vigil will be held from noon to 1 PM ET at the U.S. Capitol. Vigilers will meet on the corner of Independence Avenue and New Jersey Avenue, SE. Co-sponsors are many including Amnesty International and Dorothy Day Catholic Worker. The campaigners are raising public awareness of the plight of these innocent men, who were never charged with a crime and have been approved for release by a Periodic Review Board. Contact Steve Lane, Close Guantánamo’s Washington, D.C. coordinator, at 571 221 4120.

40] – Join Executive Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP) Maria DeLiberato and allies from across the state. At 5 PM ET on Wed., May 3 there will be a peaceful protest ahead of the scheduled execution of Darryl Barwick at the Florida State Prison. Contact Maria DeLiberato at info@fadp.org. You can join in virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m8a6JmGhTQem6c8idNl4Aw#/registration.

41] -- 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 Wed., May 3 and Sun., May 7.  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/.

42] – Molly Amster [info@jufj.org] wants you to know about a debrief on the Maryland legislative session on Wed., May 3 at 7:30 PM ET. Jews United for Justice will ask what went well, how can we improve for next year, and what is still on your mind weeks later? Sign up at https://jufj.org/event/mdga23-debrief/?emci=6ab1317a-40e5-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=04f250d3-44e5-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=3403859

43] – Common Cause [causenet@commoncause.org] is doing an Election Debrief on Wed., May 3 at 8 PM ET which will continue through June 28.  Join the Debrief with Common Cause's voting and elections experts. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/commoncause/event/428300/?link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-thursday-election-debrief&email_referrer=email_1732655&email_subject=thursday-election-debrief. The Common Cause team will share the latest updates from our largest-ever midterm mobilization, discuss the results and what they mean, and chart out a path for its campaign work in 2023, 2024, and beyond.

44] – Ken Jones [info@email.actionnetwork.org] indicates that on Wed., May 3 at 8 PM ET there is a War Industries Resistance Network webinar on Stop Cop City. You can register here: https://masspeaceaction.org/event/stop-cop-city-a-war-industry-resisters-network-webinar/. The increasing militarization of police forces at home mirrors the use of US armed forces around the world to exploit land and people in order to enrich and protect the elite wealthy ruling class. When we speak of the military-industrial complex, we need to include the police-judicial-prison complex as well. Hear from Rev. Keyanna Jones, a political and social justice activist and community organizer in Atlanta, and Micah Herskind, an organizer and policy advocate in Atlanta, GA.

45] – On Wed., May 3 from 7 to 8 PM ET, get with Superwomen Wednesday hosted by Supermajority.  RSVP to get Zoom info at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/547542/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual. Learn about the harms of the American cash bail system and how they specifically harm women and femmes. This event will continue from 7 to 8 PM ET on May 17, June 7 & Jun 21.

46] – The Nuclear Information & Resource Service [nirs@nirs.org] wants you to speak out on Wed., May 3 at 9 PM ET against Continued Operation of Diablo Canyon.   Your voice is needed at a public meeting to discuss safety performance and license renewal at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant.  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will discuss the license renewal process and 2022 safety performance of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant during a public meeting May 3. The plant, operated by Pacific Gas & Electric Co., is located near San Luis Obispo, California.  Tell the NRC: Diablo Canyon endangers surrounding communities and damages the environment of Central Coastal California each day. NRC must not extend the operating licenses for Diablo Canyon.   Participate in the meeting by telephone by calling 301-576-2978 and using passcode 653145306#. NRC staff involved in the license renewal process and responsible for plant inspections will answer questions and receive comments. All participants will be given instructions regarding how to ask the NRC staff questions or make comments following NRC staff presentations.

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