Baltimore Activist Alert -- January 26 - 31, 2024

54] Palestinians are suing Biden over US support for genocide – Jan. 26

55] Weekly Town Hall Podcast about Media & Democracy – Jan. 26

56] Peace vigil at the White House -- Jan. 26

57] Women in Black vigil – Jan. 26

58] AFSC Action Hour for ceasefire – Jan. 26

59] Banner drop Ceasefire Now – Jan. 26

60] Election protection phone bank – Jan. 26 & 31

61] Progressive Harford County New Year Social – Jan. 26

62] Angela Alsobrooks opens Baltimore office – Jan. 27

63] Fourth Branch Action discussion – Jan. 26

64] Help Hang up the show – Jan. 27

65] Food pantry – Jan. 27

66] Poor People's Campaign meeting – Jan. 27

67] Food Pantry and Food Donation Center – Jan. 27

68] Re-entry Hiring Fair and Expungement Clinic – Jan. 27

69] Spies and US Imperialism Walking Tour – Jan. 27

70] Online forum on nuclear disarmament – Jan. 27

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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54] – Brad Parker [advocacy@dcips.org] wants you to know that Defense for Children International – Palestine is suing President Biden.  On Fri., Jan. 26 at noon ET, the Center for Constitutional Rights and its partners will do a livestream to amplify the hearing in its federal lawsuit, Defense for Children International - Palestine (DCIP) v. Biden.

  Palestinians will ask a judge to order the U.S. government to stop providing military and diplomatic support to Israel amid its ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. As the lead plaintiff in the case, DCIP will be testifying to the impact of the U.S. government's complicity in the Israeli military's unprecedented killing of Palestinian children and the forced displacement and killing of family members of our field researcher, Mohammad, who is now living in a tent with his wife and four children in southern Gaza. Palestinian-American plaintiffs will share the experiences of their family in Gaza who have been injured, killed, and displaced by Israeli forces over the last three months. The hearing will be in a federal district court in Oakland, California. Register to support the court hearing at https://ccrjustice.org/home/get-involved/events/livestream-palestinians-take-biden-court 

  January 26 is also the We Charge Genocide International Day of Action for Permanent Ceasefire, and the Center for Constitutional Rights and our partners are encouraging people all over the world to hold watch events to follow the pre-hearing livestream and then to switch to the court stream when that begins at noon ET.

55] – The Democratic National Committee is holding a Weekly Town Hall Podcast about Media & Democracy on Fri., Jan. 26 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.

56] – The Dorothy Day Catholic Worker will host a peace vigil at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., Jan. 26 at noon.  Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker: 202-882-9649 or artlaffin@hotmail.com.

57] – 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.

58] – 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

59] – Ronda Cooperstein <rondacooperstein@hotmail.com> wants you to know that BALTIMORE PEACE ACTION will gather on Fri., Jan. 26 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. 

60] – On Fri., Jan. 26 from 5 to 7 PM and Wed., Jan. 31 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.

61] – On Fri., Jan. 26 at 6 PM ET, there is a Progressive Harford County New Year Social at the Abingdon Grill, 418 Constant Friendship Blvd., Abingdon, MD 21009.  Join Progressive Harford County during their social to kick off 2024 and see this as an opportunity to network and get to know other Progressive Harford members. There will be a short presentation on how to get more involved with Progressive Harford. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to buy their own food and drinks from Abingdon Grill. This social will substitute for Progressive Harford's chapter meeting for this month. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/progressivemaryland/event/598333/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations

62] – On Fri., Jan. 26 from 6 to 8 PM ET, Angela Alsobrooks will host a Baltimore Office Opening event at 1833 Ashland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205. Bring winter gloves or mittens. RSVP at angelaalsobrooks.com/baltimore.

63] – On Fri., Jan. 26 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

64] – Donna Jenkins [dj@depaceminterris.org] indicates that Pacem in Terris needs volunteers on Sat., Jan. 27 at 10 AM ET to “Help Us Hang the Show."  The volunteers will help hang artwork for a Visionary Peace Youth Art Exhibition. Volunteer at Wilmington Library, 10 E. 10th Street, Wilmington, DE. Please email Donna at dj@depaceminterris.org for more details.

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 DC Poor People's Campaign [washingtondc@poorpeoplescampaign.org] is holding an in-person meeting on Sat., Jan. 27 at 10:30 AM ET at the First Trinity Lutheran Church, 501 4th ST. NW, WDC 20001. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/dc-poor-peoples-campaign-teach-in?source=direct_link&link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_2183123&email_subject=two-days-to-dc-ppc-in-person-meeting-on-jan-27th-join-us

Kick off a season of direct action across the country, imploring our elected leaders to support an agenda that tackles poverty and other systemic injustices. The teach-in will prepare for the demands to present to DC elected officials on March 2.  Email washingtondc@poorpeoplescampaign.org

67] – On Sat., Jan. 27 at 11 AM ET, promote a Re-entry Hiring Fair and Expungement Clinic at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, 11400 Glenn Dale Blvd., Glenn Dale, MD 20769. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/progressivemaryland/event/595488/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations

  Returning citizens, often facing unique challenges upon reintegration into society, will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogues, connect with employers, access health resources, and explore expungement options during this pivotal event. The aim is not only to facilitate job placement but to empower individuals to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. We will have light entertainment and refreshments.

68] – 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.

69] – The Northern Virginia Democratic Socialists of America [novabranch@mdcdsa.org] want you to sign up for the Spies and US Imperialism Walking Tour on Sat., Jan. 27  at 1 PM ET, starting at Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Blvd., Arlington VA 22209. The tour will visit 3 sites around the Rosslyn area in Arlington VA., and the tour will adjourn at 3 PM in downtown Rosslyn after .8 miles of walking - followed by a happy hour afterward at Continental Lounge.  Hot chocolate, snacks, hand warmers, and water will be provided on the tour. The Tour will explore sites connected to how imperialism and spy craft have shaped the landscape and architecture of the region over the past century. The Walking Tour will be led by Professors Andrew Friedman and Dan Greene -drawing from original research. The sites will cover how global reactionary networks were forged in Rosslyn and Langley by the Reagan CIA, how the layout of the region and the architecture of its hotels and office buildings are affected by the US’s imperial project, how the “Watergate Scandal” reflected larger systems of repression against the Left, the history behind why the region is a hub for the infrastructure of the internet and how the real estate market mediates private and public infrastructure functions. The Walking Tour will connect attendees to contemporary education and organizing in the DMV through Metro DC DSA to fight capitalism and build a better world.  RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecIk5_8zSB1io6ql6SDhx1j9PRBOf_avPrGbFBfkb0GNVxog/viewform?link_id=1&can_id=3fcd7916f2ff367c3b859d45270fd1d5?clear_id=true&link_id=4&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events-137&email_referrer=email_2178764&email_subject=nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events

70] -- Pax Christi USA [jcoode@paxchristiusa.org] wants you to attend an online forum on nuclear disarmament on Sat., Jan. 27 from 2 to 4 PM ET. Celebrate the third anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and the second anniversary of Living in the Light of Christ’s Peace, Archbishop John Wester’s pastoral letter calling for nuclear disarmament, Pax Christi Massachusetts, along with Pax Christi USA, Pax Christi International, and dozens of other co-sponsors, will offer an online forum focused on the grave concern regarding the increasing threat of nuclear war and what ordinary citizens can do to prevent it.

The forum will have the following panelists, Archbishop Wester, Pax Christi USA's 2022 Teacher of Peace Marie Dennis, and Dr. Ira Helfand, past president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and member of the International Steering Group of ICAN. Claire Schaeffer-Duffy will serve as moderator.  Register https://paxchristiusa.org/event/building-a-world-without-nuclear-weapons-an-urgent-imperative/

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