Baltimore Activist Alert -- January 10 to 22, 2023

37] Militarism and climate change – Jan. 10

38] Witness against Torture – Jan. 10 - 12

39] Rally for the RENEW Act – Jan. 10

40] Common Cause Election Protection phone bank – Jan. 10 & 12

41] Phone bank to promote the Vote in Pennsylvania – Jan. 10 & 11

42] Join Team ENOUGH – Jan. 10

43] The war on Gaza – Jan. 10

44] Talk about the Maryland legislature – Jan. 10

45] MoCo DSA meeting – Jan. 10  

46] Progressive Issues Activism – Jan. 10

47] Our Revolution Town Hall – Jan. 10  

48] Baltimore will join the March on Gaza – Jan. 10  

49] March with Healthcare for All – Maryland – Jan. 15

50] March with Veterans for Peace – Jan. 15

51] Join protest at Northrop Grumman – Jan. 22

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37] – Team 350 [350@350.org] wants you to attend an important discussion on Wed., Jan. 10 at noon ET -- militarism and climate change. Hear from an incredible panel of special guests — including renowned climate journalist Dharna Noor. RSVP at https://350org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_scIN8ds5QS2W4kZJrwqZ6g#/registration?source=em20230109-1-30-us

  Sprawling militaries — like the United States’ massive network of bases around the globe — are enormous sources of fossil fuel emissions. In fact, the U.S. military alone emits more than Portugal and Denmark. While war rages, it reduces the international community’s cooperation to tackle the climate crisis and takes resources away from investments needed to address the impacts of climate change as countries double down on military spending.

38] -- Witness against Torture [contact@witnessagainsttorture.com] needs you through Fri., Jan 12.  The anchor is January 11, the day the notorious prison was opened 22 years ago. Below is the schedule of activities for this year's Witness against Torture from January 8 - 12, which includes many local vigils, two powerful webinars and three WAT community Zoom circles. 

  On Wed., Jan. 10 from 1 to 2:30 PM ET, tune in to From Guantánamo to Gaza: Resisting State Violence and Occupation. Speakers include Katherine Gallagher, CCR, Mansoor Adayfi, writer, activist, and Guantánamo survivor and Sahar Francis, Director, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association.  Register at https://ccrjustice.org/civicrm/event/register?id=997&reset=1&mc_cid=ae23dd80c0&mc_eid=5ae22dbd02

On Thurs., Jan. 11, join a vigil or rally. Visit https://witnessagainsttorture.com/2023/12/31/january-2024-vigils-and-rallies-to-close-guantanamo/?mc_cid=ae23dd80c0&mc_eid=5ae22dbd02

Also on Jan. 11, there is a WAT Community Zoom circle at 7 PM ET. Email Witness against Torture [contact@witnessagainsttorture.com].

On Fri., Jan. 12 from 5 to 6:30 PM ET, check out Guantanamo, Where do we go from here? Presenters include Fionnuala Ni Aolain, former UN Special Rapporteur for Counterterrorism and Human Rights, and Mansoor Adayfi, writer, activist and Guantanamo survivor. Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/BF6RgU2lJ02UjfinpU61gg2?mc_cid=ae23dd80c0&mc_eid=5ae22dbd02

39] – CCAN Action Fund [info@ccanactionfund.org] wants you to come to Annapolis on Wed., Jan. 10 at 3 PM ET to Rally for the RENEW Act!  RSVP at https://act.ccanactionfund.org/page/61021/data/1?utm_medium=email&utm_source=engagingnetworks&utm_campaign=mdce&utm_content=MD-CE-Renewrally-1223-c4+A&ea.url.id=2205299

Welcome legislators back to work on the first day of session, and rally outside the Annapolis State House. This past year has been a year of unprecedented global climate extremes. Here in Maryland, we’ve faced tornadoes, floods, and more heat and air quality emergency days than I care to count. That’s why this coming session, we will focus on passing an important bill called the Responding to Emergency Needs from Extreme Weather Act, or RENEW ACT. It will require the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters to pay billions to the state of Maryland to help prepare for and recover from extreme weather disasters caused by climate change. 

40] – On Wed., Jan. 10 from 6 to 8 PM and Fri., Jan. 12  from 4 to 6 PM ET, there is a Common Cause organized Election Protection phone bank.   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. These shifts will also always include training for first-timers before you make calls, so if this is your first time, no worries! Register at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations.

41] – On Wed., Jan. 10 and Thurs., Jan. 11 from 6 to 8 PM ET, join a virtual phone bank and promote the Vote in Pennsylvania. This phone bank will also happen on January 10 & 11.  Let voters know they can Vote by Mail. Join the latest Voter Education & Research Project! A record number of voters requested mail-in ballots for the 2023 General Election, however, many of them did not return their ballots to be counted! Others did not follow ballot instructions and their ballots were cancelled. Reach out to these voters and gather info that will allow voting to be easier & empower them for future elections! RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/592958/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_more_events_of_type

42] –  Are you a young person between 13 and 25 years old who is interested in taking action around preventing gun violence? On Wednesdays, including Jan. 10, from 6 to 7 PM ET, join a Team ENOUGH welcome session to learn more about the different ways you can engage.  Team ENOUGH is a youth-led program whose mission is to educate young voices about gun violence and mobilize them to take meaningful action against it. Supported by Brady United, it harnesses the expertise and experience of today’s youth to advance intersectional work across the country. This continues until Dec. 18. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/425528/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_closest

43] –  The Campaign for Peace, Disarmament & Common Security [josephcgerson@gmail.com] is holding a webinar on Wed., Jan. 10 at 7 PM ET – THE GAZA WAR AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST & GEOPOLITICS. While the massacres of October 7 must be absolutely condemned, in no way do they justify the Israeli devastation of Gaza. The civilian death toll there is approaching 23,000 innocent lives, with hundreds of thousands more at risk from lack of water, food and shelter. 85% of all Gazans have been displaced with estimates of a third to a half of all homes in Gaza having been destroyed. What must be done to end the war? To prevent escalation to a still more catastrophic regional war? Hear from Assaf Kfoury, Irene L. Gendzier and Richard Faulk, three extraordinarily experienced and well-informed Middle East scholars who have long been devoted to creating a just Israeli-Palestinian and Middle East peace. RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3bx1nQUoQrGAV__F9ZqEkw#/registration

44] –  Jews United for Justice [info@jufj.org] wants you to talk about the beginning of the Maryland General Assembly’s 2024 legislative session – or #MDGA24, as it’s abbreviated on social media!  Discuss campaign updates and the many important bills to support. On Wed., Jan. 10 at 7:30 PM ET, join a Zoom community meeting at https://jufj.org/event/md-community-24/?emci=c27ed29c-24af-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&emdi=3690fbb2-40af-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&ceid=3403859

45] –    On Wed., Jan. 10 at 8 PM ET, the MoCo DSA Branch will hold a Steering Interest meeting. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/moco-branch-steering-interest-meeting-3?link_id=47&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-december-8-2023-2&email_referrer=email_2160324&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-january-5-2024

Join in on Zoom to learn about serving on the MoCo DSA steering committee! You'll be able to talk to current steering members and ask any questions you may have about the responsibilities of serving on the branch steering committee. The Montgomery County branch of DSA will be holding elections the week of February 3rd. All branch members are eligible to run for the steering committee! RSVP on this page to receive the Zoom information. Email montgomerycountydsa@gmail.com

46] – On Wed., Jan. 10 from 8 to 9 PM ET, People Power United is meeting to discuss Progressive Issues Activism. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/557129/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual

Discuss what’s the issue, what's at stake, and how to propel action for Voting Rights, Gun Safety Reform, Healthcare, Human Rights, Equal Rights, End Corporate Rule, Stop Global Warming, Voter Access Protection & Election Integrity, Economic and Social Justice.  This is a group of people who believe in the possibility of change and work to make it happen. This will continue through Wed., Oct. 2.

47] –Our Revolution [info@ourrevolution.com] on Wed., Jan. 10 at 8:30 PM ET will kick off the new year with a LIVE Call to Fight the Filibuster and Save Democracy with Senator Jeff Merkley, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, and progressive activists around the country! RSVP at https://act.ourrevolution.com/signup/OR_townhall_org2win_2312/?akid=5159.8252965.eiRI_K&rd=1&source=email-20240109&t=13

48] –Valentina Dallona [vdallona@justiceisglobal.org] wants you to join in the March on Washington for Gaza on Sat., Jan. 13 at 12:15 PM ET. Baltimore-area representatives have been speaking out against our legislators for their silence on the genocide in Gaza. Unfortunately, most of Congress and the t Biden administration refuse to do the right thing and call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.  Join many thousands in D.C. on Saturday.  See https://march4gaza.org/

The march will depart at 1 PM ET from Freedom Plaza, 1325 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC 20004. Baltimore-area attendees are encouraged to gather at 12:15 PM ET in Pershing Park and then march together to the main event. Look for a big orange and green banner saying “Baltimore Demands a Ceasefire.”

49] -- As it has done for many years, Healthcare is a Human Right- Maryland will be participating in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in Baltimore on Mon., Jan. 15.  Join in and march behind a banner that contains Dr. King's famous quote, "Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."  The t-shirts will say "Medicare for All" and "Healthcare is a Human Right." Signs will be available for all.  You are encouraged to join the parade and show your support for healthcare justice.

The parade starts at noon at MLK Jr. Blvd. and Eutaw Street.  HCHR-MD will gather there by 11:30 AM.  For additional information, please contact Rich Bruning [barbruland@gmail.com] at [410] 235-3504 or [443]-509-7095.

50] – The Baltimore Phil Berrigan Memorial Veterans for Peace will march in the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. in the parade in Baltimore on Mon., Jan. 15. Gather at 11:30 AM on Eutaw Street with the march starting at noon on MLK Boulevard.  Available are multiple VFP flags and banners, and about a dozen big placards with pertinent anti-war MLK quotes and MLK images. RSVP at ellene4pj@yahoo.com

51] – According to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, the $43.7 billion spent by the U.S. on nuclear weapons in 2022 means that, every minute, $83,143 was diverted from healthcare, housing, and other needs in our country! And the leading nuclear weapons contractor in the U.S. is Northrop Grumman which in September 2020 was selected by the U.S. Air Force under a $13.3 billion contract awarded for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent [sic] (GBSD) program. Northrop Grumman is the third largest weapons contractor in the world taking in $32 billion in 2022 for military hardware.

According to the watchdog site Investigate, Northrop Grumman “supplies the Israeli military with a wide variety of weapons, including various missile systems. The company’s technologies are also integrated into Israel’s main weapon systems, including its fighter jets, missile ships, and trainer aircraft.” The company has provided Israel weapons for decades and, says Investigate, “these weapons have repeatedly been used against Palestinian civilians, resulting in numerous casualties as well as mass destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water and electric systems.” It has also supplied the Israeli Navy with Sa'ar 5 warships, which have participated in the assault on Gaza. 

Since 2017, Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland activists have celebrated the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The TPNW opened for signature at the United Nations in New York on 20 September 2017 and entered into force on 22 January 2021. As of 19 September 2023, the TPNW has 69 states parties while 28 further states have signed but not yet ratified.

 Pope Francis in the annual Christmas message condemned war and weaponry provided by the global arms industry. This year’s message also included condemnation of the ongoing slaughter in the Gaza Strip, as he mourned the children killed, which he called the "little Jesuses of today."

 Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland activists, on January 22 for the annual speak out in favor of the TPNW, will gather outside a Northrop Grumman complex to leaflet workers. The leaflet will explain that producing nuclear weapons is a theft from the poor, and that any military contractor supplying weapons to Israel will be complicit in the war crimes being committed in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.  As part of the visit to Northrop Grumman, a letter would be delivered to Kathy Warden, CEO. The time and the site will be decided at a further date.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net if you are interested in challenging Northrop Grumman. 

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