Baltimore Activist Alert – May 7 to May 12, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – May 7 to May 12, 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] Stoicism – May 7

11] Socialist Soccer and Potluck in the Park – May 7

12] Rent stabilization and tenant rights canvass – May 7

13] End the blockade of Cuba – May 7

14] Progressive Town Hall – May 7

15] "Warheads to Windmills" webinar – May 7

16] Common Cause phone bank – May 7, 9, 11 & 12

17] DSA Electoral Working Group meeting – May 7

18] Social Media Best Practices – May 7

19] Protest at the Pentagon – May 8

20] Peace Alliance Advocacy Days – May 8 - 10

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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] – 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., May 7, hear about “Stoicism.” Ancient Stoicism was founded in the 3rd century BCE in Greece. The philosophical environment was competitive with the Epicureans, Skeptics, Aristotle’s Lyceum, and Plato’s Academy all flourishing in Athens (or in the case of the Epicureans, outside the city). Yet, five hundred years later it was Stoicism that ruled the Mediterranean region, thanks to the Roman Empire having embraced the philosophy. While scholars debate the exact reasons for Stoicism’s decline, they are in agreement that with the rise of Christianity Stoicism lost an audience. As a practice Stoicism declined, yet its sway continued influencing thinkers as diverse as Montaigne in the 16th century to Nietzsche in the 19th century, to Simone Weil in the 20th century. Today, Modern Stoicism has grown popular. Reasons for this are diverse. Some come to it as a secular resource for ethical standards, some are attracted to what are considered its “life hacks”, while others embrace the philosophy in its totality, including the ancient perspectives on the cosmos, logic, and ethics.

 As a philosophy, Stoicism developed as a life guide, a perspective shared by all the ancient philosophies. Its goal was to assist the Stoic practitioner in leading what was called the good life, a life of high moral standards. The ultimate goal was the eudemonic life, a life that flourishes. To the ancients there was no purpose to a philosophy that did not lead one down this path. Unlike philosophy today, as it is practiced in academia, the ancient philosophies were practical, that is, they addressed the question, How to live? Central to this theme, Stoicism teaches that the path towards answering that question is one of using reason to solve problems, while acting in a prosocial and cosmopolitan manner. Virtue is the guide to this end and the Stoics held that four virtues specifically, courage, moderation, justice, and wisdom, held the key to living life properly. The good is that which enhances one’s virtue while the bad is that which does the opposite. All else was held to be “indifferent.” This is the essence of Stoicism.

  Doug Bruns has spent his life chasing some of life’s big questions. Admittedly, he is no expert on anything, being a simple pilgrim. Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG FOR ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

11] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] is announcing Socialist Soccer and Potluck in the Park on Sun., May 7 at noon ET at Walter Pierce Park in Adams Morgan, 2630 Adams Mill Rd NW, WDC). RSVP at https://www.instagram.com/p/Cril0vjgcg_/?link_id=6&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-28-2023&email_referrer=email_1905998&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-may-5-2023. All are welcome regardless of skill level or experience — members and non-members are invited to play soccer, bring food, and grab a plate to talk to comrades. Food should be labeled to account for possible allergies and dietary restrictions!

12] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] is announcing a Rent stabilization and tenant rights canvass in downtown Silver Spring on Sun., May 7 at 1 PM ET. Last January, the Montgomery County DSA and partners in the HOME Act Coalition canvassed the Blairs apartments in downtown Silver Spring and met countless tenants who are ready for rent stabilization in Montgomery County. Since then, tenants have experienced even more rent increases and disruptive maintenance projects. Join in to invite tenants to a meeting with their County Council member about rent stabilization and gauge interest in forming a tenant association. RSVP here. https://actionnetwork.org/events/rent-stabilization-tenant-rights-canvass-at-the-blairs?link_id=5&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-28-2023&email_referrer=email_1905998&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-may-5-2023. Canvassers will be launching from Sonny's Green, just outside the Silver Spring Metro and the Silver Spring Transit Center. If driving, you can park in the Giant Food parking lot, 1280 East West Highway, Silver Spring. The park is on the opposite end of the parking lot from the Giant. Sonny's Green is at 175 High Park Lane, Silver Spring 20910. You can email montgomerycountydsa@gmail.com.

13] – There is a demonstration on Sun., May 7 from 1 to 3 PM ET at the Gorman Bridge Road over I-95, near 9751 Gorman Road, Laurel 20723. Call for an end to the US blockade of Cuba! Contact Dick at 443-846-6638. TAKE CUBA OFF WASHINGTON’S LIST OF STATE-SPONSORS OF TERRORISM! END ALL U.S. ANTI-CUBA ECONOMIC AND TRAVEL SANCTIONS!

14] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to attend on Sun., May 7 at 4 PM ET the Progressive Town Hall about progressives winning elections in many of our big cities--Chicago, Chicago & Philadelphia, too. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration.   Hear from Joy Bunton, a PDA activist in the Windy City, about her local grassroots organizing, the excitement in Chicago following the election of Brandon Johnson and a truly progressive City Council, and how PDA can help with the progressive transformation of the "Second City." Other items for discussion are the 2024 DNC convention next August, the upcoming elections in Pennsylvania, especially in Philadelphia, and on to Virginia in June.

15] – Timmon Wallis, MAPA [info@masspeaceaction.org] wants you to know about the "Warheads to Windmills" webinar on Sun., May 7 from 4 to 5:30 PM ET.   The webinar will explore preventing climate catastrophe and nuclear war.  These are two existential threats that could end human civilization as we know it. Both of these threats have been exacerbated by Putin's invasion of Ukraine, but nuclear war could happen at any moment, whether on purpose or by accident. And global carbon emissions continue to rise despite all the many efforts to reduce them.

  How do we convince the general public to take these threats more seriously? How do we get politicians to address these threats with the urgency and boldness they require? Can we be more effective working together, for instance in pushing for divestment from both fossil fuels and nuclear weapons? This webinar aims to bring together some of the leading organizations and activists working on these two crucially important issues to discuss how we can better collaborate and coordinate our efforts to save the planet from these existential threats before it is too late. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuceGqqzsrGtGLoV5dQNMz784MYw1ljiHx?emci=cf71fc83-8eea-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=1113bded-a8ea-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=269591#/registration.

16] – 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 7 from 6 to 8 PM, or Tues., May 9 from 4 to 6 PM or Thurs., May 11 from 5 to 7 PM or Fri., May 12 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.

17] – The Northern Virginia DSA Branch will hold a virtual Electoral Working Group Meeting on Sun., May 7 from 7 to 8 PM ET.  Discuss the upcoming elections and how socialists can get the working group involved in the future. Everyone is welcome - bring your ideas and enthusiasm! RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/electoral-working-group-meeting-may-7th/?link_id=61&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-28-2023&email_referrer=email_1905998&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-may-5-2023.

18] – Get with Social Media Best Practices virtually, hosted by The Democratic National Committee on Sun., May 7 from 7 to 8 PM ET.  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/.

19] – 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 8, 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.

20] – The Peace Alliance [info@peacealliance.org] wants you to know about Advocacy Days starting at 9 AM on Mon., May 8 and continuing May 9 & 10.  Gather at the Hotel Harrington, 436 11th Street NW, WDC 20004.  Promote peacebuilding.  Email nancy@peacealliance.org or go to www.dopcampaign.org.

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