Baltimore Activist Alert -- October 2 - 3, 2023

20] International Wrongful Convictions Day – Oct. 2

21] Rally at the Supreme Court – Oct. 2

22] Time to Care meeting – Oct. 2

23] Texting Extravaganza – Oct. 2

24] GMOM teleconference – Oct. 2

25] Russia out of Ukraine – Oct. 3

26] Migrant Justice Working Group meeting – Oct. 3

27] Vigil for an execution – Oct. 3

28] Defund MPD Working Group meeting – Oct. 3

29] Medicare for All meeting – Oct. 3

30] Phone bank to Virginia voters – Oct. 3

31] Living Theology through Icons and Images – Oct. 3

--------

20] – Monday, Oct. 2 is International Wrongful Convictions Day! See Death Penalty Action Resources here: bit.ly/DPAWrongfulConvictions and add your case if you have one that fits the criterial on that page and it is to already there.

21] – Charlie Cooper [charlie@getmoneyoutmd.org] hopes you will be at the rally at the Supreme Court on Mon., Oct. 2 at noon ET.  Get Money out of Maryland is part of the United for Democracy Network, and this coalition called for the rally to demand that Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito recuse themselves from cases where they have strong ties to the parties. Clarence Thomas was flown by private jet to a 2018 meeting of the Koch brothers' political influence network for the purpose of boosting the pledges among the billionaires gathered at a resort near Palm Springs. Now the Koch network has a case coming up in front of the Supreme Court, and Thomas so far has not announced that he will recuse.

This Koch brothers group (like the Leonard Leo web of "nonprofit social welfare organizations") was involved in bringing numerous suits and funding amicus briefs to influence the Supreme Court. In this upcoming term, the Court will hear Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, a case that is being argued by Koch network staff attorneys. A Koch win would overturn a precedent that the Court gives deference to government agencies in setting regulations and would make it more difficult for the agencies to protect the environmental, labor, and health interests of the public Vis a Vis private business interests. "Two years ago, one of the network’s groups was the plaintiff in another Supreme Court case, which was about nonprofits’ ability to keep their donors secret. In that case, Thomas sided with the 6-3 conservative majority in the Koch group’s favor."

In June, ProPublica reported that in 2008 Justice Alito received a free luxury trip from billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Singer.  And Singer's business later went before the court at least 10 times, including a 2014 case in which Alito sided with the majority in Singer's favor.

 The rally on Monday will include a demand that justices adopt a mandatory ethics and recusal policy -- similar to that put forward in the SCERT Act, which has been introduced into both House and Senate. GMOM also supports the TERM Act to limit justices to 18 years of active status and the Judiciary Act to expand the Court to 13 members.

22] –The Time to Care Coalition [info@timetocare.net] is holding a Fall Check-in meeting on Mon., Oct. 2 at 3 PM ET. Lucy Zhou from the Public Justice Center - who has been vital in drafting the coalition's responses to Department of Labor's informal regulatory process - will be at the meeting to provide insight on the implementation process DOL has undergone done so far. Review plans for the fall and into legislative session. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/time-to-care-coalition-meeting-monday-oct-2/?source=direct_link&link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_2054618&email_subject=ttc-fall-check-in-meeting

23] – On Mon., Oct. 2, Tues., Oct. 3, Wed., Oct. 4 and Thurs., Oct. 5 from 7 to 8 PM ET, get with New Jersey Democratic State Committee to do a virtual Voter Outreach at a Texting Extravaganza. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/572835/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual  GET OUT THE VOTE for the crucial election this November by texting targeted Democrats. You will get a short training about the script, and then you will be texting on the same day.  Make sure you have access to a smart phone, computer or tablet and WIFI. The texting will continue on Mon., Oct. 2 and Tues., Oct. 3 from 7 to 8 PM ET.

24] – GMOM and our allies in the For the People -- Maryland coalition will meet on Oct. 2 at 7:30 PM ET to continue planning strategy for the upcoming year. Get a report on activities in Washington D.C. on September 19-20, and hear a discussion on how We the People can overrule the horrendous Citizens United v. FEC decision through which the Supreme Court initiated a new era of corruption in elections and public policy. Finally there will be a brainstorming session to explore how to raise issues of political equality and popular democracy in the 2024 election campaigns.

You can join the GMOM and For the People -- Maryland teleconference by dialing 1 301 715 8592 with a meeting ID of 931 3066 2622. The password is 173976. Or get on Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93130662622?pwd=OE15SURJUWdXNHFicW94SDI3c2x3UT09#success

25] -- Join the Baltimore Nonviolence Center on Tues., Oct. 3 from 4:30 to 5 PM ET at 33rd and N. Charles Sts. The invasion of Ukraine has the potential to become a war extending throughout Europe.  Putin has destroyed Aleppo and Grozny and has threatened the use of nuclear weapons.  Russian soldiers were sent into the area around the contaminated and still radioactive Chernobyl nuclear plant. Now they are stationed in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe.   People who believe in peace and justice should come forward and take the risks of peace. The burial sites continue to expose ruthless war crimes by the invaders, Contact Max at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net or 410-323-1607.

26] – The Northern Virginia Democratic Socialists [novabranch@mdcdsa.org] are holding on Tues., Oct. 3 at 6 PM ET a Migrant Justice Working Group meeting. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZV0wYx8MQkiLvPuWV6QFUKVTBSbvG-QrqNUWhqCR1ZoI2zg/viewform?link_id=13&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

27] – Florida has Michael Zack scheduled for execution for the murders of Laurie Russillo and Ravonne Smith on Tues., Oct. 3 at 6 PM ET. Join Death Penalty Action and Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty for a live, informative and prayerful on-line vigil beginning one hour before the execution, at 5 PM ET. Register here to be a part of the live audience, or watch on the Death Penalty Action Facebook Page: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Hr6cGtcpR2mutT9gWqXvNw?link_id=9&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-tonight-the-forecast-3&email_referrer=email_2064607&email_subject=tonight-tomorrow-and-tuesday#/registration

28] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] on Tues., Oct. 3 at 7 PM ET will hold a Defund MPD Working Group biweekly meeting.  Register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/defund-mpd-working-group-biweekly-meeting-1032023?link_id=70&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-september-8-2023-2&email_referrer=email_2055000&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-september-22-2023  A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP.  At the meeting, discuss strategy and planning. This event is open to both DSA members and supporters.

29] – On Tues., Oct. 3 from 6 PM ET, the Northern Virginia DSA will hold a Medicare for All Working Group Meeting.  RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/m4all-alexandriaarlington-first-tuesday-update-tuesday-october-3rd-6pm/?link_id=72&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-september-8-2023-2&email_referrer=email_2055000&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-september-22-2023

  Join the M4All Alexandria Working Group and discuss plans for furthering the M4All petition in Alexandria - and now in Arlington. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of the month.

30] – On Tues., Oct. 3 from 7 to 8:30 PM ET, get with Silver Spring Progressive Action for a virtual phone bank for A Blue Virginia Legislature. With women’s rights, easy access to books, and more on the line, let’s make sure the VA House of Delegates and State Senate turn blue in November! Phone bank for a great candidate who is in tight races that will make all the difference.  You will be trained, even for those who may want a bit of a refresher.  Phone bank for Travis Nembhard (House District 22).  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/571408/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_more_events_of_type

31] – Check out All My Eyes See: Living Theology through Icons and Images on Tues., Oct. 3 at 7 PM ET. Fr. William Hart McNichols is a world renowned iconographer, who served as an AIDS Hospice minister in NYC, and now assists with sacramental ministry in New Mexico.  Bill will reflect on his relationship with Dan and Phil Berrigan, and on his images of them and other holy men and women. Register at the https://rb.gy/j6w1. The meeting ID is 829 6500 5883 with a passcode of g7QY3.

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