Baltimore Activist Alert -- January 4 - 22, 2023

25] Write letters to the editor to save democracy – Jan. 4

26] Legislative Town Hall with Eric Luedtke -- Jan. 4

27] Meet Candidate Trone – Jan. 4

28] Communist Party USA meeting – Jan. 4

29] Campaign call for upcoming elections – Jan. 4

30] Community event with democracy advocates – Jan. 4

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

32] Protest Northrop Grumman – Jan. 22

-------

25] – Public Citizen [action@citizen.org] on Thurs., Jan. 4 at 4 PM ET wants to show you how to convince your elected officials to protect our democracy. Come together for a virtual training on how to write letters to the editors of your local newspapers.  A strong letter to the editor will catch the attention of the local paper, other members of your community, and your elected officials — many of whom continue to rely on local news to understand the issues that matter the most to their constituents.  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/publiccitizeninitiative/event/559667/?utm_source=PCemail&emci=c9c2291b-6baa-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&emdi=d78b8633-94aa-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&ceid=24639284

26] – On Thurs., Jan. 4 from 6 to 7 PM ET, the Maryland Democratic Party is holding a virtual Young Dems Legislative Town Hall with Chief Legislative Officer Eric Luedtke. He is Governor Wes Moore's Chief Legislative Officer, and will be giving an overview of what we can expect from the 2024 Legislative Session. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/595275/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_closest with a meeting ID of 847 0539 9264 and a passcode of 733656

27] – Jared Schablein [admin@lowershoreprogressives.com] wants you to know  that the next meeting of the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus will take place on Thurs., Jan. 4 at 6:30 PM ET. The group will host Congressperson David Trone for a town hall at which he will discuss his campaign for the United States Senate. Join in-person at the UU Fellowship, 2812 Old Ocean City Road, Salisbury, MD 21804.  Food will be provided. Get your link at https://www.mobilize.us/progressivemaryland/event/595127/

28] – The Communist Party USA <editors@cpusa.org> is holding a virtual members meeting on Thurs., Jan. 4 at 7 PM ET to organize participation in the national demonstration on Gaza taking place in D.C. on Sat., Jan. 13.  Also discuss ongoing work to bring about an immediate ceasefire. The genocide must end!  Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItf-6tpz8oH9d95gFdupO8vc1n5zO42bNg?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=4a63397b-7e8e-4f52-84cf-1a5a634899f4#/registration

29] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] are holding a special campaign call for upcoming elections in January and February on Thurs., Jan. 4 at 9 PM ET.  Hear from Barbara Lee, Tom Keen and others.  Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrcuGgrDItHdeYV7F9QQsruFMypvcMt5Fc#/registration

  The big money interests standing up against progressive candidates are relentless. Their money never sleeps, and is being used for attack ads virtually anywhere a progressive stands to run for office, even during the holidays. So PDA is hosting a special campaign call tonight to quickly go over how folks can help make it a truly happy New Year by getting solid progressives elected in the special election in Florida early January, in California in early February (that's when vote by mail ballots go out), and elsewhere.

 Our Revolution [info@ourrevolution.com] on Thurs., Jan. 4 at 8:30 PM ET is hosting a Peace for All Town Hall with Barbara Lee and others. Our Revolution stands with the progressive movement in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the bombing that is killing thousands of innocent civilians. Progressives are leading the call for Peace, and we have their back! Innocent lives are being lost and progressives in Congress calling for an end to the bombing. But, now, the AIPAC lobby is set on spending $100 million to try to defeat some of the biggest peace champions in 2024. RSVP for the Town Hall at https://act.ourrevolution.com/signup/OR_townhall_peaceforall_2312_Jan4/?akid=5102.8252965.29Ze8W&rd=1&source=revreport&t=12

30] -- Join a community event, hosted by Not above the Law on Fri., Jan. 5 at 11 AM ET. Be with democracy advocates and D.C. residents and recognize the attack on our democracy on January 6, 2021 and the threats that have continued since that day. On January 6 in a desperate attempt to cling onto power and overturn a free and fair election, Donald Trump and his allies in Congress instigated a violent insurrection that left five people dead, over one hundred officers injured, and our country divided. Over the last three years, right-wing politicians have continued their assault on our democracy, introducing voter suppression bills in Congress and state legislatures across the country, spreading false election conspiracy theories, harassing and threatening election workers, and attempting to overturn election results they disagree with. We must hold bad actors accountable and push for sweeping federal democracy reform to protect our freedom to vote. Demand accountability for those who threatened our democracy, protections for election workers who continue to receive threats and harassment, and urge Congress and states to take action to strengthen and protect our freedom to vote. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/596205/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations

31] – 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.

32] – 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. 

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

 

Steve Lane <steve_lane@amron.com> wants to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, and is asking you to join the next vigil on Wed., Nov. 1 at noon in Lafayette Park, right across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. Gather at the statue of Andrew Jackson, which is pretty big and is near the center of Lafayette Park. Jump suits, masks and banners will be handled as before. RSVP at 571-221-4120.

 

29] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [mikefox@pdamerica.org] wants you to make calls to the White House to tell the president to declare a climate emergency. PDA has a new phone tool to help drive calls to the White House. The hope is to generate thousands and thousands of calls to the White House Comment Line -- 202-456-1111. If that comment line is busy, try the switchboard: 202-456-1414. Simply say "We need President Biden to use his Executive Powers to declare a Climate Emergency." Let PDA know you called.

 

31] -- The Cohousing Association of the US <cohousingassociationofus@gmail.com> holds a Senior Cohousing Q&A, a monthly gathering on the 20th for the Cohousing Curious at noon ET.RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rduCgpjwiE9Yrxc0f6eFGYq1BAIcgTZ2S?_x_zm_rtaid=01962vrIQi-s0XK91BwuJA.1686412774280.c9885ef3669ee0d6dee9acd0084db8a1&_x_zm_rhtaid=323#/registration

 

37] –The Committee for the Republic [events@committeefortherepublic.org] on Wed., Dec. 20 at 7 PM ET is hosting Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro who will address Criticizing Israel Isn’t Anti-Semitism. To virtually attend, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ncRK-XdSTz6-ToRVzs4nMw#/registration

 

Be startled if not unsettled. Israel uniquely asserts extraterritorial jurisdiction by extending national self-determination rights to non-citizens with no present or past connection to it. Israel is an outlier in claiming to speak for citizens of other countries, who are not expatriates and never plan on residing or even visiting Israel.  In contrast, non-Jewish Israeli citizens are subject to systematic discrimination. Israel uniquely stigmatizes disagreement with its national ideology – Zionism – as a form of racism (i.e., anti-Semitism). Zionists arrogate to Israel the right to define Judaism and Jewish identity—merging state and religion indistinguishable from Iran.

 

39] –The RootsAction Team [info@rootsaction.org] is preparing for Defuse Nuclear War, and will hold a prep session on Wed., Dec. 20 at 8 PM ET. Fill out a questionnaire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1z6z9IgfX4KjAlEO7AUf9Lugww5Ad1FbDyVK0bLSpb1I/viewform?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=c482b211-3e2f-4d91-abdd-40ebf14ee79c&edit_requested=true

 

40] – Join Common Cause on Wed., Dec. 20 at 8 PM ET for an exclusive webinar, "A Year in Review." Take a journey through the year's triumphs and challenges, where seemingly impossible battles were turned into victories for democracy. From the successful challenge of lawless lawmakers in Moore v. Harper to a steadfast defense of democracy in statehouses across the country, Common Cause has been at the forefront of defending the principles that underpin our democracy. An unwavering commitment to justice led to Donald Trump's indictment, and a major hedge fund's attempt to take over local news was thwarted, ensuring diverse voices continue to be heard.

 

2023 was a banner year for Common Cause. Visit commoncause.org to join the webinar and continue the journey toward a more just and accountable democracy!

 

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