Baltimore Activist Alert – July 30 to 31, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – July 30 to 31, 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] Can you sponsor a Ukrainian family?

9] Vote NO phone bank – July 30

10] Encampment for Citizenship – July 30

11] DSA party – July 30

12] Project Save the World Town Hall – July 30

13] Keith Ellison has a new book -- July 30

14] Phone bank for Virginia – July 30

15] Tribute to Dan Ellsberg – July 30

16] Charlie King concert – July 30

17] Protest at the Pentagon – July 31

18] Blowing the Whistle – July 31

19] Election and Climate Protection Zoom – July 31

20] Erasing Palestine – July 31

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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] – Jerry Windley-Daoust is looking for an individual or community that might be in a position to sponsor a Ukrainian refugee family under the Uniting for Ukraine program. The head of this family, Dymtro, needs a sponsor. He is 33 and a male fashion model living in Kyiv. He speaks and writes English very well. His 54-year-old mother and his 19-year-old brother, Artem, live in a nearby city. His brother has autism, is nonverbal, and had been receiving care from a local institution until the onset of the war; in recent months, he has not received adequate care due to medical facilities prioritizing war-related physical and mental health issues. Dmytro’s mother is a professional baker who has been out of work and suffers from depression, likely due to the stress of the war and care for her 19-year-old son.

 Dmytro is the sole breadwinner and supporter of his mother and brother. He is keen to leave Ukraine to avoid military conscription, since that would leave his mother and brother in a more vulnerable position. He is legally able to leave the country due to his circumstances. The family would probably best be placed in a major urban center with an existing Ukrainian population, but at this point, they just want to get out of the country and will accept placement anywhere.

The main responsibilities of the sponsor would be to provide the family with temporary shelter and assistance getting Artem connected to the health care system. You can learn more about U4U sponsorship at the USCIS web page. If you or your community are interested in possibly sponsoring this family, please reach out to me at wind@gracewatch.org or jerry@catholicworker.org.

9] – There is a Vote NO Campaign virtual phone bank and training, hosted by Ohio Democratic Party. Join other pro-democracy callers on phone banks run by the Ohio Democratic Party to help ensure that the 60% threshold to pass a citizen-led constitutional amendment never, ever becomes Ohio law. Call as many voters throughout Ohio as humanly possible to turn them out to vote. At the outset of a phone bank, you will be trained on how to make phone calls using a dialer! After you attend a training and the phone bank afterwards, you'll be equipped to make calls anytime that works for your schedule in the future.  The phone bank times are as follows on Sun., July 30 from 10 AM to noon ET and from 1 to 3 PM ET. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/563286/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual.

10] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and usually there is a virtual platform address at 10:30 AM ET.  On July 30, hear about the Encampment for Citizenship (EFC).  This All Society Program is about EFC which was co-founded by the Ethical Culture Movement. Share stories of youth activism and intergenerational social justice. If you are an EFC alum and would like to participate, please email Anne Klaeysen: aklaeysen@gmail.com.  Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for Zoom login information.

11] –The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] indicates that the Northern Virginia branch is hosting a party at Quincy Park, 1021 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201 on Sun., July 30 from 11 AM to 6 PM.   RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/sunday-funday-fundraiser-food-drive-open-to-all?link_id=11&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-july-21-2023&email_referrer=email_2002368&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-july-28-2023.

12] – The Project Save the World invites you to its next monthly Global Town Hall on Sun., July 30 at 2 to 4 PM ET. Join the Town Hall 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.  Visit https://tosavetheworld.ca.

13] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] needs you to attend on Sun., July 30 at 4 PM ET a Town Hall  with Keith Ellison.  He will discuss his new book, Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence, and the participants will celebrate Medicare's Birthday! RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration. Ellison, a longtime PDA ally, is the former co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.  His book is a trial diary from when Ellison successfully brought charges against Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd.

14] –  On Sun., July 30 from 6 to 8 PM ET, the Democratic National Committee is organizing VIRTUAL PHONE BANKS FOR THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES- TO TURN VA BLUE! RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/569453/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual. This event will continue on Sundays from 6 to 8 PM ET THROUGH November 5.  Call voters in Virginia to get them out to vote in the November election. NO EXPERIENCE is NECESSARY. Get TRAINING and hear from COACHES TO HELP ALL ALONG THE WAY.

15] –  The Committee for the Republic [events@committeefortherepublic.org] is organizing a tribute to Daniel Ellsberg on National Whistleblowers Day at the National Press Club, 529 14th St. NW (13th Floor), WDC on Sun., July 30 from 6 to 8 PM ET.  Register for tickets at https://www.whistleblowersummit.com/tickets.  Tickets for the Pillar Awards and a screening of "The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and The Pentagon Papers" are available to purchase separately. This is the capstone event of the 11th Annual Whistleblower Summit.  See https://www.whistleblowersummit.com/.

16] – Join Charlie King and Lindsey Wilson for a virtual concert on the theme "There is More Hope Somewhere." They will cover some familiar songs for you to sing, some new-to-you songs for you to hope with them and some original songs by Lindsey and Charlie that best show what keeps us hopeful. The show will be at on Sun., July 30 at 7 PM ET. The Zoom link will be sent to ticket buyers 24 hours before the show. Go to https://www.facebook.com/charliekingmusicalstoryteller.

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 July 31, 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] – CovertAction Magazine is hosting Blowing the Whistle on Covert Warfare & Economic Sanctions on Mon., July 31 at 3 PM ET at Busboys and Poets, 450 K St. NW, WDC. The speakers include Lou Wolf, John Kiriakou and Chris Agee. The webinar will also be accessible via You Tube and Zoom.  To get the link, call 203-803-9066. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blowing-the-whistle-on-covert-warfare-coercive-economic-sanctions-tickets-674363568587.

19] – Mike Hersh for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to join the Election and Climate Protection Zoom on Mon., July 24 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.

20] – Check out ERASING PALESTINE with Rebecca Ruth Gould at Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Sts. NW, WDC 20009 on Mon., July 31 at 6 PM ET.  More info at https://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/th-evt-33082227/. Author Ramsey Hanhan will interview Gould about her new book related to free speech and Palestine issues.  

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