Baltimore Activist Alert – January 14 to January 22, 2024

Baltimore Activist Alert – January 14 to January 22, 2024

"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] Get the book Surely Goodness and Mercy by Murphy Davis

6] Get the book Male Supremacy in the Catholic Church: An Insider’s View by Roy Bourgeois

7] Brian Barrett is in rehab.  

8] Beyond War and Silence – Jan. 14

9] PG County DSA meeting – Jan. 14

10] See a film on MLK Day – Jan. 14

11] MOCO DSA meeting – Jan. 14

12] Emergency Summit on Gaza in Chicago – Jan. 14

13] Protect voting rights – Jan. 14

14] How We Win the Civil War – Jan. 14

15] Protest at the Pentagon – Jan. 15

16] MLK Day in D.C. – Jan. 15

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

17] March with VFP – Jan. 15

18] Join protest at Northrop Grumman – Jan. 22

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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 410-323-1607 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] – 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.

6] – 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.

7] – Brian Barrett remains hospitalized with Covid and pneumonia at the Orchard Hill rehab center in Room 401 in Towson. A team of friends was mobilized with Jana Meyer as our leader.  You can speak with Brian by calling 443-632-1631, and consider visiting with him. Contact Max for further updates– 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

8] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore 21202, meets on Sundays, and usually there is a platform address at 10:30 AM ET.  On Jan. 14, the theme is “Beyond War and Silence.” On April 4, 1967, at New York City’s Riverside Church, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the speech “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence.” In it, he condemned the harm done by the war to poor people here and in Vietnam. And he called for its immediate end by nonviolent means. As the current heartbreaking violence in the Middle East leads to both angry shouting and fearful silence, Hugh Taft-Morales looks to King’s wisdom for guidance in discussing the crisis without becoming polarized. How can we avoid dehumanizing people and planting the seeds for future killing? How can we speak up constructively? Taft-Morales serves as Leader of the Philadelphia Ethical Society and the Baltimore Ethical Society and is a member of the Ethical Action Committee of the American Ethical Union (AEU).  This is an in-person and a virtual meeting.  To receive a Zoom invitation, email president@bmorethical.org. Visit https://bmorethical.org

9] -- The Prince George’s County DSA is hosting a virtual general body meeting on Sun., Jan. 14 from noon to 2 PM. There will be a discussion of branch goals for the year. This month will be dedicated to building the structure of the rent stabilization campaign, Palestinian solidarity canvassing, and learning about the structure of and running for the branch steering committee. At 1:15pm, the meeting will transition to a Q&A with Andrea Crooms regarding her MD-5 congressional race. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/dsa-pg-county-branch-general-mtg-2?source=direct_link&&link_id=15&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_2168601&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-january-12-2024

10] – Rachel Kutler [info@jufj.org] is asking Will I see you on Martin Luther King Day?  There is a rich history of Jews advocating for racial justice in Baltimore, some alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For the past seven years, Jews United for Justice has partnered with Baltimore Hebrew Congregation (BHC) and other local congregations and organizations to observe Dr. King's birthday.  This year’s event will feature the film “Birthing Justice,” an award-winning documentary that explores racial disparities in maternal health care. The documentary examines inequitable structures and systems that have resulted in this racial disparity, as well as the movement to fix this broken system. Beyond the documentary, we’ll have a chance to take action to help make sure that all Marylanders, regardless of immigration status, can receive quality healthcare.

  Join in at BHC, 7401 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore on Sun., Jan. 14 at 1 PM ET for the screening, followed by a panel discussion with speakers from MOMCares, a Postpartum Doula Program designed to support Black mothers in the NICU who self-identify as under-supported and facing financial stressors. RSVP at https://jufj.org/event/mlk-2024/?emci=4b14f80b-41aa-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&emdi=7b0ea7ed-86aa-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&ceid=3403859

11] – Join the Montgomery County DSA for its virtual branch meeting on Sun., Jan. 14 at 2 PM ET. Email montgomerycountydsa@gmail.com There will be time for reconnection with comrades new and old and discussion on the branch’s plans and goals. There will also be updates on the Steering Committee election timeline and ways to get involved with the branch’s work on housing and renter protections, fully funding restorative justice in schools as part of the Decriminalize MoCo coalition and Palestine solidarity.  RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/january-branch-meeting-3?link_id=12&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-january-5-2024-2&email_referrer=email_2168601&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-january-12-2024

12] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to attend the weekly Town Hall on Sun., Jan. 14 at 4 PM ET. The focus will be on Rev. Jackson and the Emergency Summit on Gaza in Chicago.  The Summit's goals are equally ambitious: a revitalized Peace Movement and a Just U.S. Foreign Policy.  RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration  The second hour of the Town Hall will be an open mic discussion on the eve of the Republican Caucuses in Iowa, where Donald Trump remains the overwhelming favorite.

13] – Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners [sojoaction@sojo.net] thinks you might be interested in an event on Sun., Jan. 14 at 4 PM ET.  Join Faiths United to Save Democracy’s Call to Action on MLK Day. Let's Protect Voting Rights.  Our democracy is facing a direct attack through the erosion of voting rights for marginalized communities. The moment calls for us to preserve equality and fair representation for all people. Faith leaders have a crucial role in empowering every voice and safeguarding the right to vote, using moral authority to advocate for accessible voting processes. It is essential for us to engage and lead in protecting voting rights, embodying the values of justice and equality.  Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-4mWUDNHSVGcvu1vgTDjXA#/registration

14] – Steve Phillips [info@democracyincolor.com] wrote a book How We Win the Civil War. On Sun., Jan. 14 at 8 PM ET, Phillips will host a weekly “Sundays with Steve” on Facebook Live to discuss contemporary issues through the prism of the ongoing Civil War. Sign up at https://www.facebook.com/events/1380348316229936/1380348362896598/?active_tab=about

15] – 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 Jan. 15, 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.

16] – The 2024 MLK Holiday DC Annual Peace Walk & Parade is on Mon., Jan. 15 from 11 AM to 2 PM ET at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center, 2730 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE, WDC 20020.  DC’s MLK Day parade began in 1979, six years before King’s birthday became a federal holiday. The tradition and celebration that the Rolarks and Petey Greene started continues through to today, as DC honors Dr. King and keeps his message alive. RSVP at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-mlk-holiday-dc-annual-peace-walk-parade-tickets-725717319037?link_id=45&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-january-5-2024-2&email_referrer=email_2168601&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-january-12-2024

17] – 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.

18] – 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

19] – 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 at 4 PM ET outside Northrop Grumman, 1580A West Nursery Road, Linthicum, Maryland, 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. 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