Baltimore Activist Alert -- January 19 - 24, 2024

56] Discuss Maryland’s budget – Jan. 19

57] Weekly Town Hall Podcast about Media & Democracy – Jan. 19

58] Peace vigil at the White House -- Jan. 19

59] Women in Black vigil – Jan. 19

60] AFSC Action Hour for ceasefire – Jan. 19

61] Anti-Eviction Canvass – Jan. 19

62] Banner drop Ceasefire Now – Jan. 19

63] Election protection phone bank – Jan. 19 & 24

64] Fourth Branch Action discussion – Jan. 19

65] Food pantry – Jan. 20

66] Abolition Working Group – Jan. 20

67] Food Pantry and Food Donation Center – Jan. 20

68] Meet David Trone – Jan. 20

69] Make posters/Meet Josh Paul – Jan. 20

70] Protest Northrop Grumman – Jan. 22

71] Medical supplies are needed in Ukraine

72] Tell JHU president to renounce nuclear weapons contracts

74] Read Dave Eberhardt’s book "For All the Saints- a Protest Primer"

75] Do you need a doctor?

76] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records

77] Do you need any book shelves?

78] Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil

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56] – The Maryland LCV [info@mdlcv.org] wants you to join in on Fri., Jan. 19 at noon ET to discuss Maryland’s State Budget. Discover the Impact of Maryland's State Budget on Environment and Climate Goals. Zoom details will be provided following your registration. Register at https://www.mdlcv.org/event/1-19-friday-digest?contactdata=sEoL8kpkKK62U+HXOwolLfwEArCktDCNCtBUqKCZ69252LrwilE4ta6ud++yDlFbAsCZebjpGGNJe5P749Cc2GLMDKOogLwADMDZUXuHuCGYj2szgYhabPm7JSjUqHjBVwkTlEQ%2f7F0v1GD6iD8G3CIg6DeZckbXvQ4xDSNM3GN9T1oKEHRaCkP5h1kgmgCUcoN2Tz2vCGmDNJi5Q8m1sD3y7d0Vwy7f20g1KHXpKwitKYs2ZYu+TYy8G5cxjUhC0Sxr0A7dE4FJbFbVAfDzmQ%3d%3d&emci=5e151c8e-7ab4-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&emdi=43a5aed6-b2b4-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&ceid=578562

57] – The Democratic National Committee is holding a Weekly Town Hall Podcast about Media & Democracy on Fri., Jan. 19 from noon to 1:30 PM ET.  Tune in at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/546677/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual. The podcast will continue through Fri., Jan. 26 from noon to 1 PM ET

58] – The Dorothy Day Catholic Worker will host a peace vigil at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Jan. 19 at noon.  Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker: 202-882-9649 or artlaffin@hotmail.com.

59] – Every Friday from noon to 1 PM, Baltimore Women in Black vigil for peace with men and women who live in Roland Park. WIB invites all to join, and any peace sign is welcome, such as "Defuse Nuclear War."  The vigil takes place outside Roland Park Place at the corner of West 40th Street and Elm Street. Parking is free at RPP or at the Rotunda across the street. Contact Ann Vinup at annvinup@gmail.com.

60] – The American Friends Service Committee holds an Action Hour for a Cease-fire Now every Friday at noon ET. Join AFSC staff to hear updates from Gaza. Then, take action by contacting elected officials and call for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza. Our elected officials need to keep hearing from us. RSVP at https://afsc.org/events/action-hour-cease-fire-now?ms=EMA24EI1103&emci=17faec34-887a-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&emdi=9695a439-f87c-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&ceid=764241

61] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] on Sat., Jan. 20 at 1:30 PM is hosting a Stomp out Slumlords Anti-Eviction Canvass.  Meet at the L'Enfant Plaza Metro Stop, 650 D St. SW, WDC 20024. Join comrades in this anti-eviction canvas! Come out and inform tenants facing eviction of their rights in court, how to get a lawyer, and to see if they're interested in organizing their building. If the weather is bad, go downstairs just before the turnstiles. There will be a short training to explain why these canvasses are necessary, how to talk to tenants about their upcoming eviction suits, and how to fill in walk-sheets.

If you have a car, please drive it down to the meeting spot! Cars are helpful for getting canvassers to Metro-inaccessible areas. If you’re interested in this work but can’t canvass, reach out to tenants@mdcdsa.org to learn about other ways to get involved. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/sos-anti-eviction-canvas-10?link_id=61&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

62] – Ronda Cooperstein <rondacooperstein@hotmail.com> wants you to know that BALTIMORE PEACE ACTION will gather on Fri., Jan. 19 at 3:30 PM ET on the pedestrian bridge over West Northern Parkway for a banner drop calling for a CEASEFIRE NOW in Gaza and an end to state-supported settler violence in the West Bank. The holidays are upon us.  Many people will be returning from work for a long weekend.  Please join us if you are able.  Parking on the street by Springwell Retirement Community, 2211 West Rogers Avenue leads to the pedestrian bridge, approximately a five-minute walk. 

63] – On Fri., Jan. 19 from 4 to 6 PM and Wed., Jan. 24  from 5 to 7 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.

64] – On Fri., Jan. 19 from 7:30 to 9 PM ET, the Democratic National Committee will have a Fourth Branch Action discussion.  These Friday events will continue through December 27. Fourth Branch Action is a national grassroots group organizing for action, supporting the Biden/Harris administration, and working through civic, electoral, and legislative action to achieve progressive goals. The group accomplishes this through advocacy, oversight, holding elected officials accountable to perform their jobs on behalf of their constituents; community engagement, civic education, and other events.   Everyone is welcome to join in. Come and enjoy a friendly conversation among like-minded folks, get acquainted with others from across the country, and build a community to restore the soul of our nation.  After you register for this event, you will receive an automated email with the Zoom meeting details: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/373917/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual

65] – St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 101 Avon Beach Rd., Turner Station, MD 21222, holds a Food Pantry every Saturday from 10 AM to noon ET.  Please bring nonperishable items such as canned fruits & vegetables, pasta, cooking oil, mixes, etc. to the church or make out a check payable to St. Matthew UMC with "food pantry" in the memo line. Visit https://stmatthewts.org/

66] -- The Abolition Working Group will meet on Sat., Jan. 20 from 1 to 3:30 PM at the Shaw Library, 1630 7th St. NW, Meeting Room 1, WDC 20001. Call 303-710-0951.  Please join in to plan a retreat to discuss the roadmap for the first half of 2024. Please bring your laptop! If you need a virtual option - please reach out to keeli at keelimallory@gmail.com. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/abolition-working-group-january-24-retreat?link_id=60&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

67] – On Sat., Jan. 20 from noon to 2 PM EST, get over to the Food Pantry and Food Donation Center at First and Franklin Presbyterian Church, 210 W. Madison St., Baltimore. This Food Pantry is open every Saturday. Get a grocery bag – breakfast, jelly and peanut butter (a good source of protein) for lunch, the makings for a balanced dinner such as beans and rice, pasta and sauce, soup, vegetables, fruit, and a paper goods. Also added is a little fun food, such as popcorn or cookies, for everyone enjoys a treat.  Contributions of shelf stable foods can be brought to Reid Chapel every Saturday between noon and 2 PM. If shopping is difficult for you, monetary donations earmarked food pantry may be sent to the church.  How else can you help? Volunteers are needed to help collect and distribute food. Contact the church office to volunteer. You can also help by spreading the word to those you know who are facing food insecurity. See https://www.facebook.com/firstfranklinbaltimore.

68] -- On Sat., Jan. 20 at 2 PM, there is a volunteer Sign-Up for a senatorial meet and greet with David Trone. Rsvp at https://www.mobilize.us/davidtrone/event/600371/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations This will be one of the largest meet and greets before the primary. This event’s address is private, but more information will be shared upon RSVP.

69] – Busboys and Poets is hosting Palestine Week from January 18 through 25 for a Jubilee of Peace.  RSVP at https://www.busboysandpoets.com/events/th-evt-36628073/  On Sat., Jan. 20 at 4 PM ET, attend Social Justice Art, a free poster making workshop at Busboys, 235 Carroll St. NW, WDC 20012. Also on Sat., Jan. 20 at 6 PM ET, hear a conversation with Josh Paul, former director at the US Department of State at Busboys and Poets, 450 K ST. NW, WDC 20001.

70] -- 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 Northrop Grumman, 1580A West Nursery Road, Linthicum, Maryland, at 4 PM 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 will 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. 

71] --  If you are able to donate any kind of surplus medical supplies for field hospitals in eastern Ukraine, please email Brendan.walls@seaseton.org or call 410-721-5770 x231.  There is a colleague whose father is a medic on the front line. One container is shipped every month to the Donbass region. Donations can be picked up in Baltimore and Columbia every Thursday, and on other days in Annapolis and Crofton.

72] -- This is A PLEA TO CONVINCE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY TO OBEY INTERNATIONAL LAW. The world reached a historic milestone on January 22, 2021: The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons [TPNW] entered into force and become binding international law -- https://www.icanw.org/the_treaty.

Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland has called attention to the growing danger of nuclear war and the outrageous $1.7 trillion dollars we are spending to upgrade the nuclear arsenal. On July 18, 2017, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, a U.S. Navy - affiliated research center received a seven-year, $92 million contract to continue its systems engineering and research-and-development services for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. Help convince JHU to renounce nuclear weapons contracts. Contact the president, Ron Daniels, to urge him to reject all nuclear weapons contracts: Office of the President, 242 Garland Hall, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland 21218.  Call his office at (410) 516-8068 or email president@jhu.edu.

73] – David Eberhardt was a member of the Baltimore Four with Father Philip Berrigan, Tom Lewis and Rev. James Mengel.  The group poured blood on draft files on October 27, 1967.  They would be convicted and sentenced to prison. Dave has written a book "For All the Saints- a Protest Primer"- documenting the Baltimore Four action and many others up to and including the most recent Plowshares action – Kings Bay Plowshares 7.  

  Dave just printed 50 new copies of For All the Saints, a Protest Primer- 250+ pp w photos-therefore #'s 351-400 making it o so collectable with two Berrigan book reviews added. The books are signed, and the price remains $25. Will send free if need b- he is not in it for the money! If you want one, send him a check: or contact Dave Eberhardt, 4 Hadley Square North, Baltimore, MD 21218 by email at 1941mireille@gmail.com . 

74] – Yousef Zarbalian [yzarbali@gmail.com] started his own medical practice in December before the pandemic hit. It is called East-West Medicine and Rheumatology, and its website is EastWestMD.com.  Yousef is licensed in Maryland and Virginia. He is doing primary care as well as rheumatologic care (focusing on joint problems and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and sjogren's).  He is offering telemedicine visits, and he has very reasonable rates for uninsured individuals.  He makes use of herbs (which can be sent directly to patients from the herbal dispensary) as well as prescribing medications to their local pharmacy if needed.  

75] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs, records, tarps and table cloths, contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

76] -- Can you use any book shelves? Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

77] – A Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981. Go to http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282.

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/.

“One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan