Baltimore Activist Alert – March 31 through April 5, 2024

Baltimore Activist Alert – March 31 through April 5, 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 A Bag of Stones

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

7] Baltimore activist selling her home

8] House cleaner needed  

9] See the films CABRINI and A LIFE

10] YVote -- March 31

11] Phone bank to support the uncommitted vote – March 31 & April 1

12] Trans Day of Visibility – March 31

13] PDA Town Hall – March 31

14] Easter Service for Gaza – March 31

15] Election Protection phone bank – March 31, April 2, 4 & 5

16] Protest at the Pentagon – April 1

17] Election Protection – April 1

18] Labor Working Group meeting – April 1

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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] – Barry Lee Burnside, a gaggle of great writers and copy editors are finishing up “A Bag of Snakes: 5Selected Writings on Prisons and the Death Penalty by Murphy Davis and Eduard Loring. Edited by Barry Lee Burnside.” Ed indicates the book will be available for sale on April 13, and is asking you to pre-order your copy. Your donation will provide a needed financial boost for the printing costs. The suggested donation is $20 for one copy; and $30 for your copy and an additional copy for a prisoner or someone in need. Any donation is appreciated. More or less you will receive the book.  Barry and the team have spent over two years putting this book together. It begins with outlines and notes found in the boxes of materials Murphy left when she ascended. The work is a work of love, and all involved are proud of the fruit borne by seeds nourished in good soil.

  A Bag of Snakes will be available at a gathering at First Iconium Baptist Church. Celebrate the life of Murphy Davis and The Open Door Community along with presenting the book. Also enjoy an Open Door Supper—vegetarian chili, Willie Dee Wimberly cornbread, salad and chocolate chip cookies.

  To order by postal mail, make your check to Open Door Community.  Send it to Open Door Community, PO Box 10980, Baltimore 21234.  For any questions, contact David Payne at 404-290-2047 or davidpayne@opendoorcommunity.org.

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] – A home in Baltimore is for sale on a dead-end street in the Lauraville neighborhood, with three bedrooms, and one bath. The yard backs into a field and then a forest. There is a serene and quiet setting with an abundance of wildlife. The owner will be asking a reasonable amount for the property but it will not be overpriced. Contact her by text only at 443 500 6733. On the text, leave your name and phone number, and she will get back to anyone that reaches out. 

8] – Is there a woman in the Baltimore area who does house cleaning?  This assignment would be on an irregular basis with several hours per week.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

9] – I encourage all to see two films: Cabrini and A Life. Both are about a person who had a fierce notion that all children had a right to live and to develop into productive members of society.  In both New York City around the turn of the century and in 1938 in Prague, children were treated with hate, disgust and revulsion.

  In 1899, after convincing the pope, Mother Cabrini and several nuns landed in New York City, and there they were appalled by the immense poverty of Italian children who faced serious discrimination.  Mother Cabrini had to deal with fools and bigots and misogynists.  Nevertheless, she was a force who developed orphanages and hospitals while under duress.  I wondered if Madre ever met Dorothy Day.

  Nicky Winton left his stockbroker job in London to work with refugees fleeing the Nazis in Prague.  Remarkably he and others were able to rescue 669 children by bringing them to live with host families in England.

  While watching both characters love and embrace children, I saw the plight of the Palestinian children.  Possibly 14,000 have been slaughtered in the Gaza Strip.  Who will rescue the other Palestinian children?

10] – 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 March 31, it will be a virtual meeting, and the theme is YVote – All Societies Platform Sanda Baladan, co-founder of YVote, and Audrey Kindred of NYSEC will share how they collaborate to bring voter and civic engagement activities to hundreds of youth in ongoing democracy-reinforcing programs. They will also demonstrate how other Ethical Societies can do similar civics and voter actions. This program will include youth who will share their concerns and how YVote has prepared them for action and leadership. To receive a Zoom invitation, please email president@bmorethical.org. Visit https://bmorethical.org

11] – The DSA National Electoral Commission [nec@dsacommittees.org] wants you to join a phone bank to tell Wisconsin Voters, Vote Uninstructed for a Ceasefire. The focus is now on Wisconsin. With the primary election approaching on April 2nd, your participation is more critical than ever. Let’s use our voices to stand against genocide and advocate for peace and justice.  ‍You will then receive an email from Listen to Wisconsin via ActionNetwork.org, which will include a Zoom link for your selected phone bank date and time. Don't worry if you're new to phone banking; each session begins with a training to ensure you're comfortable and confident using the dialer, following the script, and fully supported throughout your phone banking experience. These phone banks will continue through April 2.  Sign up for a phone bank on Sun., March 31 from noon to 2:30 PM or from 6:30 to 9 PM ET and on Mon., April 1 from noon to 2:30 PM and 6:30 to 8 PM ET at https://www.listentowisconsin.com/volunteer?link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-urgent-was-primary-is-tomorrow-phonebank-voters-tonight-to-vote-uncommitted-2&email_referrer=email_2256779&email_subject=urgent-join-a-phonebank-to-tell-wisconsin-voters-vote-uninstructed-for-a-ceasefire

12] –The Trans Day of Visibility is happening on Sun., March 31 from 3 to 6 PM ET at As You Are, 500 8th St. SE, WDC 20003. Trans Pride Washington, DC is hosting the event at a safe and inclusive space for all people of all identities. The event will feature an open mic for sharing experiences and stories as well as a variety of trans, non-binary, and gender expansive artists and performers and is open to all ages. Metro DC DSA members will be participating in this event. Register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/trans-day-of-visibility-at-as-you-are?link_id=14&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-march-15-2024-2&email_referrer=email_2261403&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-march-29-2024

13] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to attend on Sun., March 31 at 4 PM ET a special Easter Town Hall. The horrors of Gaza, and the long drawn-out conflict in Ukraine, show why we need to demand peace on earth—and we can see that now is the time to act. Similarly with the goal of building a more healthy and vibrant democracy, as Trump threatens the very fabric of our constitutional republic, we progressives, who have been the consistent champions of democracy, should take center stage to let our message be heard.

 Heather Booth was the founding Director and is now President of the Midwest Academy, training social change leaders and organizers. She has been a consultant on many other issues and with many other organizations, and is now a member of the consulting firm Democracy Partners. Hear a pre-recorded interview with Heather, and discuss how we can all work to bring about the love-based change that Heather has been succeeding at it for decades. RSVP Now! https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration

14] – Sandra Tamari [info@adalahjusticeproject.org] on Sun., March 31 at 6 PM ET wants you to join Rep. Cori Bush for an Easter Service for Gaza.  Some faith leaders from across the country including Rev. Traci Blackmon and Rev. Liz Theoharis will participate. REGISTER at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlcO6grTovH9CRt-SEVB63sFrhSuco_pZu#/registration

15] –On Sun., March 31 from 6 to 8 PM ET, Tues., April 2 from 4 to 6 PM ET, Thurs., April 4 from 5 to 7 PM ET and Fri., April 5 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

16] – 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 April 1 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. 

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.

17] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] want you to participate with the Green Grassroots Emergency Environment and Election Protection (GREEP) Zoom on Mon., April 1 at 5 PM ET. Hear from leading activists, elected officials, and others committed to union organizing as well as cleaning up our elections and the environment, and other critically important issues. RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqfuygpjIiHtc20uIOxdeqYRiAicjSLWUc#/registration

18] – There is a Labor Working Group meeting on Mon., April 1 at 6:15 PM ET at the Shaw Library, 1630 7th St. NW, WDC 20001. The working group will be hearing updates from ongoing labor struggles, as well as hosting two breakout discussions on workplace organizing and exerting power in local unions. The working group is also collaborating with MDC DSA Political Education in planning a Labor History Walking Tour to take place on Saturday, May 11. RSVP for the meeting at https://actionnetwork.org/events/labor-working-group-meeting-68?link_id=15&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-march-15-2024-2&email_referrer=email_2261403&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-march-29-2024

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