Baltimore Activist Alert -- January 29 -- February 1, 2024

17] Virtual phone bank for Tom Suozzi for Congress – Jan. 29 – Feb. 1

18] PEN America's Freedom to Read Program – Jan. 29

19] Phone bank for Tom Suozzi -- Jan. 29

20] Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian Parents Circle members – Jan. 29

21] Sustainable Social Housing Town Hall – Jan. 29

22] GMOM meeting – Jan. 30

23] Arts for Social Action: Artistic Responses to Gaza! – Jan. 30

24] Maryland Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day – Jan. 30

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17] –  Join a virtual phone bank for Tom Suozzi for Congress on weekdays on Mon., Jan. 29, Tues., Jan. 30, Wed., Jan. 31, Thurs., and Feb. 1 from 6 to 8 PM ET. Talk to voters to remind them to get out and vote for Tom on February 13. You will receive the calling link or automatic dialer, a list of voters to call if dialer does not work for you, a simple script, and a quick training ahead of time - so all you need to do is come ready to make an impact. You will need a charged cell phone and computer!  The phone bank will conclude on February 1st. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/596610/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual

18] –  PEN America [loudertogether@pen.org] on Mon. Jan. 29 at 6 PM ET will host with Florida Freedom to Read Project about the state of censorship efforts in K-12 public education and how recent and proposed Florida legislation undermine our public education system. Featuring PEN America's Freedom to Read Program Director Kasey Meehan and PEN America's Florida Director Katie Blankenship. RSVP at https://pen.org/event/public-education-in-crisis/?utm_source=Communications&utm_campaign=409b246f61-EMAIL_PENNews_2024_01_24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-e98639ab83-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=409b246f61&mc_eid=f996b749cd

19] – On Mon., Jan. 29 from 6:30 to 8 PM ET, the Silver Spring Progressive Action will hold a phone bank for Tom Suozzi to Flip NY-03 BLUE. Help elect Democrat Tom Suozzi in this special election for the House seat previously held by “George Santos.” Help bring values of decency and transparency back to NY-03. Join experienced phone banking – call voters to help Dems win a crucial Congressional race or Phone banking 101 – Learn how to reach out to voters using one of the most effective tools available.  This will continue on Mondays through February 12. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/596847/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_more_events_of_type

20] -- You are invited to an event with bereaved Israeli and Palestinian Parents Circle members, Robi Damelin and Mohamed Abu Jafar on Mon., Jan. 29 at 7 PM ET at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St. NW, WDC 20001. The event will also be livestreamed online. As the war between Israel and Hamas continues and threatens spillover to other areas in the region, hear from bereaved Israelis and Palestinians who remain committed to peace, reconciliation, and a path forward based on empathy and honoring the humanity of all.  Hear from two fearless peacemakers who have paid the highest price to the conflict and find out how they are combatting hatred and fear.  RSVP at https://www.sixthandi.org/event/shared-grief-shared-hope/

21] -- CPD Action [info@populardemocracy.org] needs you to attend a Town Hall on Mon., Jan, 29 at 7:30 PM ET.  It will deal with Sustainable Social Housing with Rep. Khanna and friends. RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/B8CjvvGUYkqNCzzPM_jM7A2?ms=EM+CPDA+BNC

22] -- GMOM and For the People will do a Maryland teleconference on Mon., Jan. 29 at 7:30 PM ET.  The agenda will focus on Meeting Agenda - Preparation for our Feb. 7 meeting with Jheanelle Wilkins, Vice Chair of the House of Delegates Ways & Means Committee.

You can call in at 1 301 715 8592 with a meeting ID of 931 3066 2622 and the password is 173976.  Or you can join by Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93130662622?pwd=OE15SURJUWdXNHFicW94SDI3c2x3UT09#success

It is fourteen years since Citizens United, a 5 to 4 decision, and 48 years since Buckley v. Valeo. The Supreme Court held that corporations [both for profit and nonprofit] have a First Amendment right to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections. It was the climax of a line of billionaire-friendly cases on money in politics that started with Buckley v Valeo in January of 1976.  Move to Amend reviews these cases and explains why "overturning Citizens United" is an incomplete solution to the nations' affliction of big money in politics. Get Money Out -- Maryland has always advocated for a three-part comprehensive Constitutional amendment for strengthening our democracy that has been weakened so severely by the corrosive influence of big money. Creation of an affirmative right to vote for every U.S. adult citizen. Reservation of Constitutional rights to human beings. Constitutional rights should not apply to corporations or any other form of artificial entity. Regulation of big money in politics at the federal and state levels.

23] -- The AFSC [actioncenter@afsc.org] on Tues., Jan. 30 at 8 AM ET is holding an "Arts for Social Action: Artistic Responses to Gaza!"  Presenters will discuss responses and new AFSC-commissioned research on “Arts, Cultural Organizing, and Social Change.” Presenters will include Saja Kilani, spoken word artist; Nasir Al Bashir, producer and songwriter; Zeyne, singer and songwriter; Jude Sajdi, Sama Consulting; Cathy Khattar, Arab Fund for Arts and Culture; and Khaled Elkhouz, Regional Director, Middle East (AFSC). In Arabic, with English interpretation available. Sign up at https://afsc.org/events/arts-social-action-artistic-responses-gaza?ms=EMA24ET0116PI&emci=4b0280f8-a2b4-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&emdi=de85c6c1-bcb4-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&ceid=764241

24] -- Ellen Ginsberg [maryland@momschapterleaders.org] wants you to attend Maryland Moms Demand Action Advocacy Day on Tues., Jan. 30 at 9 AM ET. Start with a rally at Lawyers Mall (in front of the State House), 100 State Circle, Annapolis 21401. Supporters across the state will continue to fight for common sense gun laws. Advocacy Day is an amazing opportunity to meet with legislators, connect with Moms from across the state, and bring attention to the issue of gun violence in Maryland. No prior advocacy experience is needed! Meet with legislators. Further logistical information, including carpools and exact legislator meeting times will be provided soon to those who RSVP at https://act.everytown.org/event/moms-demand-action-event/57838/signup?emci=8e5e6487-b5b0-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&emdi=93012136-6fb5-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&ceid=1738958

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