Baltimore Activist Alert – August 5 to 8, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – August 5 to 8, 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] Human Rights Situation in the Philippines – Aug. 5

10] Vote NO phone bank – Aug. 6 - 8

11] Restorative Justice Circles – Aug. 6

12] Hiroshima vigil in Annapolis – Aug. 6

13] Free Assange – Aug. 6

14] Organizing the Unorganized training – Aug. 6

15] REBUILD the 1982 ANTI-NUKE MOVEMENT– Aug. 6

16] Phone bank for Virginia – Aug. 6

17] Northern Virginia Electoral Working Group meeting – Aug. 6

18] Protest at the Pentagon – Aug. 7

19] Support Starbucks workers – Aug. 7

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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] – Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore <info@paxchristimdcb.org> is doing a Zoom presentation on Sat., Aug. 5 from 11 AM to noon ET on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines. Vivian Ourand is with the Malaya Movement Baltimore. Malaya (which is the Tagalog word for "free") is a US-based anti-fascist, anti-dictatorship movement that aims to advance democracy and human rights in the Philippines. Vivian will lead the discussion. Click on this link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85648173146?pwd=dWRsM3JtU1hBemtNeWxIUzNBeFlUZz09#success.  If you prefer to participate by phone, the call-in number is 301-715-8592, the meeting ID is 856 4817 3146, and the passcode is 266241.

10] – 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., Aug. 6 from 10 AM to noon, 1 to 3 PM & 5 to 7 PM, Mon., Aug. 7 from 10 AM to noon, 1 to 3 PM & 5 to 7 PM and on Tues., Aug. 8 from 9 to 11 AM, noon to 2 PM, 4 to 5 PM & 5 to 7 PM ET. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/563286/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual.

11] – 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 Aug. 6, hear about Restorative Justice Circles.  These Circles can be used for community building as well as conflict resolution. After a brief overview, participants will practice in one or more virtual groups, with a focus on one or two principles of Ethical Culture. Come and experience this new addition to a “toolbox for ethical living.” Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for Zoom login information.

12] –  The Annapolis Friends (Quaker) Meeting and Anne Arundel Peace Action will co-sponsor a vigil & meeting on Sun., August 6 at 2 PM ET at the Annapolis City dock. The 150,000+ mostly-civilians killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were too many. But, with recent nuclear treaties being abandoned and with now-threatened use of much more powerful nuclear weapons by Russia, North Korea and unsettled U.S. policy as to "first strikes," citizens need to express concerns before millions more share a similar fate. AFM will bring pop up tents, ice water, folding chairs, some signs and fliers to hand out.  RSVP to Phil Caroom <pcaroom@gmail.com>.

13] – Gather near the home of US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Sun., Aug. 6 and Aug. 20 from 4 to 5 PM ET for a peaceful vigil calling for the US to drop the extradition request and drop all charges on Julian Assange. Go to the 5,000 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda by a fence at Sidwell Friends Lower School, two blocks from the Bethesda Metro station. Contact Ann Wilcox ann1.wilcox@gmail.com.

14] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] indicates that there is an “Organizing the Unorganized” training on Sun., Aug. 6 from 5 to 7 PM ET at the Northern Virginia Labor Federation, 4536 B John Marr Drive, Annandale, VA 22003. There has been an increase in new union organizing in Northern Virginia recently, but more needs to be done. All union members and friends of labor are welcome to attend this training with Chris Townsend, retired organizing director of the Amalgamated Transit Union. Pizza will be offered! Contact Chris Townsend at 703-341-9446 and cwtownsend52@gmail.com. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/organize-the-unorganized-northern-va-union-organizing-school-novadsa/?link_id=13&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.

15] –    The Hiroshima Nagasaki Commemoration Committee will engage in its 39th annual remembrance of the 1945 atomic bombing on August 6 of Hiroshima and on August 9 of Nagasaki.  The groups involved in the Commemoration Committee are the Baltimore club of CPUSA, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, First & St Stephen's United Church of Christ, Homewood Friends Meeting, Maryland Peace Action, Our Revolution and Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2002 at Comcast dot net.

 To help build up people power, the Committee is hosting two Town Halls. On August 6, there will be a 7th Congressional District Nuclear War Awareness Town Hall at Homewood Friends Meeting, 3107 N. Charles Street, Baltimore 21218. This town hall is in Kweisi Mfume’s legislative district.  It will start at 6 PM with a commemoration vigil outside the meetinghouse. Once inside around 7 PM participants will be informed of Baltimore’s long history of antinuclear weapons endeavors.  Organizations will be encouraged to make a statement about the threat created by these weapons of mass destruction.

  On August 9, there will be a 2nd Congressional District Nuclear War Awareness Town Hall at First & St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, 6915 York Road, Baltimore 21212.  This town hall which will be in Dutch Ruppersberger’s legislative district will start at 6 PM with a commemoration vigil outside the church. Once inside, around 7 PM participants will be informed about all of the activities taking place to confront the threat of a nuclear war.

16] –  On Sun., Aug. 6 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.

17] – On Sun., Aug. 6 from 7 to 8 PM ET, there will be a Northern Virginia Electoral Working Group meeting. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/nova-electoral-working-group-meeting-2/?link_id=47&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. A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP Join the NoVA Electoral Working Group and begin research on Virginia Election for the upcoming November General Election.

18] – 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 Aug. 7, 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.

19] – Support Starbucks Workers on the National Day of Action, Mon., Aug. 7 at 9 AM ET. Starbucks workers have organized unions in over 335 Starbucks stores in less than two years--an historic wave fueled by the call for Starbucks to uphold their own stated values by respecting workers’ right to organize. The Virginia Interfaith Center on Public Policy will support Starbucks workers calling for their right to organize free from intimidation. VICPP will host two adopt-a-shop events in Richmond where the group will spend an hour or so canvassing customers. Register at https://virginiainterfaithcenter.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=288 or https://virginiainterfaithcenter.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=289.  You can also host an event of your own at https://sbworkersunited.org/adopt-a-store to sponsor a shop near you. 

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