Baltimore Activist Alert – September 17 to 23, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – September 17 to 23, 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] Stop the Money Pipeline will march for climate justice – Sept. 17

9] Nuclear Information & Resource Service in NYC – Sept. 17

10] Oil Change International marches to say End Fossil Fuels – Sept. 17

11] Conspiracy Theories – Sept. 17

12] Amal is still marching – Sept. 17

13] The People’s Action will march – Sept. 17

14] Defund Police meeting – Sept. 17

15] Phone bank for the teachers – Sept. 17

16] Street Fair to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month – Sept. 17

17] PDA in NYC – Sept. 17

18] Free Assange – Sept. 17

19] Turn Virginia blue – Sept. 17

20] Who is Alex Saab? – Sept. 17

21] Protest at the Pentagon – Sept. 18

22] Department of Peacebuilding Advocacy Days – Sept. 18 - 23

23] Election and Climate Protection Zoom – Sept. 18

24] High cost of prescription drugs – Sept. 18

25] Wheat paste with DSA – Sept. 18

26] Insect Conservation Webinar – Sept. 18

27] Film "Eating Our Way to Extinction" – Sept. 18

28] MoveOn’s monthly call – Sept. 18

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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] – Stop the Money Pipeline [info@stopthemoneypipeline.com] plans to March for Climate Justice on September 17 in New York City. Kickoff at 1 PM ET at 56th and Broadway. RSVP at https://www.endfossilfuels.us/?link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-for-a-fossil-free-future-march-to-end-fossil-fuels-2&email_referrer=email_2035045&email_subject=march-for-climate-justice-on-september-17th

The march demands that President Biden: 1. Stop all federal approvals for new fossil fuel projects and repeal permits for climate bombs like the Willow Project and the Mountain Valley Pipeline. 2. Phase out fossil fuel drilling on our public lands and waters. 3. Declare a climate emergency to halt fossil fuel exports and investments abroad, and turbo-change the build-out of more just, resilient distributed energy (like rooftop and community solar). 4. Provide a just transition to a renewable energy future that generates millions of jobs while supporting workers’ and community rights, job security, and employment equity.

The anti-militarism hub has four additional demands we are upholding at the march: 1. Cut the Pentagon budget by at least $100 billion and shift the savings to the Green New Deal and other environmental justice and human needs programs each year going forward. 2. Report military emissions: The US and all nations must acknowledge and report greenhouse gas emissions from military operations and weapons production. 3. Reduce US military emissions by 50% by 2030, the Biden Administration’s stated goal for all US emissions. Prevent nuclear war, prevent climate meltdown: The US must sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

9] – The Nuclear Information & Resource Service [nirs@nirs.org] on Sun., Sept. 17 will be in in New York City—calling out No More Nuclear in Climate Solutions!  NIRS and grassroots groups around the country will lead the Nuclear-Free, Carbon-Free contingent in the march – and they want you to join them!  The March to End Fossil Fuels is being organized to call out the world's largest polluters -- including, and especially, the U.S. and the Biden administration -- for refusing to phase out fossil fuels and for continuing to promote false solutions like nuclear power.  To join the Nuclear Free contingent, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAyvO4VpbpJoVpJnDwUy1rlRr5adiwyPUm8yOij4kvlw8XZw/viewform?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=c4162668-3404-4100-91e5-2e0ce3d52da9

10] – Oil Change International [info@priceofoil.org] on Sun., Sept. 17 will join the March to End Fossil Fuels in NYC. Visit https://actionnetwork.org/forms/march-end-fossil-fuels/?referrer=group-oil-change-international

11] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and usually there is a platform address at 10:30 AM ET.  On Sept. 17, the discussion will focus on “Conspiracy Theories.” Have U.S. government employees in Havana and all around the world – even behind the White House gates – been attacked and injured over the past seven years by secret energy-weapons wielded by undiscovered assailants for political reasons? Have thousands of girls in their schools across Iran been poisoned this past year by their government as retribution for the mass anti-hijab protests? Did a 4-ft tall roller-skating Monkey Man with metal claws and glowing red eyes attack people throughout New Delhi causing injuries and deaths? Believe it or not, there is a connection between these seemingly unrelated headline-grabbing events. This presentation will examine a little recognized and less understood phenomenon that is likely the actual culprit in these and a myriad of similar events that have occurred throughout the world and throughout human history: Mass Psychogenic Illness.

  Rob Palmer is a retired aerospace engineer turned skeptical activist. He is the author of over 70 articles published by Skeptical Inquirer (“The Magazine for Science and Reason”) as well as by other skeptical and humanist media. Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for Zoom login information.

12] – Through 5 November 2023, Amal is journeying 6,000 miles across the United States in one of the largest free public festivals ever created. Visit https://walkwithamal.org/. On Sun., Sept. 17 at 11:30 AM, Little Amal finds a big chair and something yummy to eat.  Begin at Big Chair, end at Farmers Market, 2600 Firth Sterling SE, WDC. At 3 PM, Little Amal will enjoy music and stories at Black Lives Matter Plaza, WDC

13] – The People's Action [info@peoplesaction.org] will march on Sun., Sept. 17 from 1 to 4 PM ET to End Fossil Fuels.  Visit www.endfossilfuels.us. Gather at 8th St. 54th St. in Manhattan at 11:45 AM ET.  The United Nations Climate Ambition Summit is next week, and on this Sunday, over 10,000 climate defenders will march in New York City to let President Biden know that we demand a safe and sustainable future, and the only way to get there is to end the era of fossil fuels.

14] – The Defund Police Northern Virginia Democratic Socialists [novabranch@mdcdsa.org] on Sun., Sept. 17 from 1 to 3 PM ET are gathering to plan a retreat at the Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington 22201.  The Defund NoVA Police working group takes action works to challenge oppressive institutions and imagine the capacities for community. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/nova-defund-planning-retreat?link_id=6&can_id=3fcd7916f2ff367c3b859d45270fd1d5&source=email-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events-117&email_referrer=email_2042256&email_subject=nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events

15] – The Northern Virginia Democratic Socialists [novabranch@mdcdsa.org] on Sun., Sept. 17 from 3 to 6 PM ET will do a phone bank for the Prince William County School Board Meeting.  RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/phonebank-novadsa-members-turnout-to-sept-20th-school-board/?link_id=5&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events-119&email_referrer=email_2045781&email_subject=nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events

Turn out people to attend the Wed., Sept 20th Prince William Co. School Board Meeting for Teachers! Join the phone bank to put pressure on the Prince William County School Board to bargain in good faith. Come rally support and stand in solidarity with the teachers fighting on the front lines against the rise of creeping fascism. A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP. Jump on the Zoom and learn how to phone bank Nova DSA members! You will be provided the script, call sheet and instructions.

16] – There is a Cultural Street Fair Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Sun., Sept. 17 from 4 to 9 PM ET at 3415 Perry St., Mount Rainier, MD 20712.  Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cultural-street-fair-celebrating-hispanic-heritage-month-tickets-701402312197?=&emci=5b1dc156-d650-ee11-a3f1-00224832e1ba&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid=

17] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to know that the group will be marching on New York City on September 17.  Thus the Town Hall at 4 PM ET will be Live from the NYC Climate March.  Join PDA's Alan Minsky and Russell Greene live from the streets of New York, from a march that promises to be the largest climate emergency mobilization since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration.

18] – Ann Wilcox [ann1.wilcox@gmail.com] wants you to know that on Sun., Sept. 17 from 4 to 5 PM DC Action for Assange bi-weekly vigils will continue at White House. The hope is to reach out to tourists and DC residents, as well as policy-makers, in the area of the White House.  The White House vigils will continue on Oct. 8 and 22.  

19] – On Sun., Sept. 17 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.

20] –   The Alliance for Global Justice [info@Afgj.org] on Sun., Sept. 17 at 7 PM ET will host a discussion about Alex Saab: from Venezuelan Diplomat to Political Prisoner with Roger Waters. Register at bit.ly/freealexnow.

21] – 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 Sept. 18, 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.

22] – Nancy Merritt [info@peacealliance.org] thinks you will be interested in a Department of Peacebuilding Advocacy Days from Sun., Sept. 18 through Sat., Sept. 23 in D.C. or by Zoom.  RSVP at https://peacealliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-Fall-Advocacy-Days-Flyer-Final.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=1a25a009-83ed-4b6d-bddc-477563a80fc7

Get to Capitol Hill to advocate for a Department of Peacebuilding (HR 1111) and other peacebuilding-related bills.  If you can’t travel to D.C. and want to join virtually, contact Karen Johnson at karen@peacealliance.org and she will let you know the dates, times and Zoom links for the confirmed meetings.

23] – Mike Hersh for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to join the Election and Climate Protection Zoom on Mon., Sept. 18 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.

24] – Attend a virtual statewide event on Mon., Sept. 18 at 6 PM ET about the state’s critical next steps to deal with the high cost of prescription drugs. You’ll learn about the Action Plan the state Prescription Drug Affordability Board is putting together to put Upper Payment Limits on some drug prices, starting with purchases that state and local governments make and then expanding to all Marylanders. This is a significant development in the effort to rein in drug prices! Sen. Van Hollen and leaders from the House of Delegates will also be there.  Join by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5NL3hcTuTXezKjBao5ioCg?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=058c2f48-7707-4c04-aa6e-cc3839bf3e03&emci=5b1dc156-d650-ee11-a3f1-00224832e1ba&emdi=4fd7762e-e550-ee11-a3f1-00224832e1ba&ceid=136680#/registration

25] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] wants your help to wheat paste on Mon., Sept. 18 at 6:30 PM ET. Wheat pasting is a great way to be part of a small group raising awareness about the chapter and its upcoming political education events through putting up posters around the DC area — no experience necessary. Meet up at the U Street Metro. Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8qAUqaQaFanWB6Chn2fPeYaE8sMbvOx65Vqto7YM4Ulcsww/viewform?link_id=10&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-august-18-2023&email_referrer=email_2026722&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-august-25-2023

26] – The Audubon Mid-Atlantic [audubonconnect@audubon.org] hopes you will attend this virtual event on Mon., Sept. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM ET -- Insect Conservation Webinar with Nate Reagle.  Reagle is a Certified Pollinator Steward. This webinar will cover the importance of insects, common threats, and the status of insect conservation in Pennsylvania and with actions the entire region can all do to promote insect conservation. Anyone within the Mid-Atlantic region is welcome! Nate is an independent insect biodiversity and conservation advocate. REGISTER at https://audubon.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0kc-GvpzwrH9KZFGuiF5q775d_vUxB8_cZ?emci=9db0aa66-fc4b-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&emdi=ee56ad72-7e4d-ee11-a3f1-00224832eb73&ceid=2504878#/registration

27] – Susan Barnett [reelandmealatnewdealcafe@gmail.com] indicates that on Mon., Sept. 18 at 7 PM ET, Reel and Meal will present in person and online via ZOOM "Eating Our Way to Extinction." Reel and Meal is asking that you arrive or log-in by 6:45 PM. Come to the New Deal Café, 113 Centerway (Roosevelt Center), Greenbelt. Masks are encouraged. 

A Plant-Based meal is encouraged to support a mission focused on environmental, social justice and animal rights issues.  The New Deal Café serves a variety of plant-based meals.  Online attendees can order a meal for takeout at the Café. Greenbelt’s Co-op Grocery also offers takeout Dodah’s Vegan Lasagna at the Deli Hot Bar. Order after 11 AM. 

The film depicts how eating meat contributes to deforestation, water pollution, soil degradation, ocean dead zones, and emits 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous acid. There is just no way you watch this beautifully edited film and want to eat fish and meat again. Registration for virtual viewing via Zoom is required. Please use this link: https://tinyurl.com/yc4exdbf 

The discussion leader will be Mary Finelli. President and chairperson of Fish Feel, Mary is a longtime animal rights activist with a primary focus on farmed animals. She has worked for various animal protection organizations including as researcher and then program director for the Humane Society of the United States from 1992 to 1999. She was the producer of Farmed Animal Watch a weekly online news digest sponsored by numerous animal protection organizations.  The presenters caution that you may become a vegetarian or vegan after watching this film.

The Reel and Meal at the New Deal is a monthly film series focused on environmental, social justice and animal rights issues, presented by Utopia Film Festival, the Prince George’s County Peace and Justice Coalition and Beaverdam Creek Watershed Watch Group.  For more information on this month’s film email frankrgervasi@gmail.com

28] – Join MoveOn's virtual Volunteer Network's Monthly Call on Mon., Sept. 18 from 8 to 9 PM ET. This Call is a monthly gathering space for MoveOn's volunteers, members and those looking to get more deeply involved in its organizing work. These calls give all an opportunity to do a deep dive into campaigns, the political landscape, and build community with one another. If you know one another, all can fight for one another.

  It's Hot Labor Summer, and there is labor organizing happening across the country & across industries! This month, do a deep dive into what has happened, what’s moving and the wins fit to celebrate. Hear from MoveOn Campaign Directors Nakia Stephens and Aliya Khan who are leading support efforts in this work. Also hear from Maeg Yousef from independent labor union, Trader Joes United, about updates from their petition delivery and their path to victory as well as Ivy Cheyenne Malone-Berigan about why, as a WGA writer, she’s picketing in Los Angeles. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/moveon/event/545679/?akid=349086.37684438.ZzzPoM&rd=1&t=2. The calls will take place on Mondays.

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