Baltimore Activist Alert – May 5 - 7, 2024

Baltimore Activist Alert – May 5 - 7, 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] Dark Bird, a poetry book – May 5

9] Canvass for the Uncommitted Vote – May 5

10] Starbucks sip-in – May 5

11] Islamophobia Tropes – May 5

12] Free Assange – May 5

13] PDA Town Hall – May 5

14] DSA Electoral Working Group meeting – May 5

15] Protest at the Pentagon – May 6

16] PDA Town Hall – May 6

17] John Lewis: Good Trouble – May 6

18] Rally at the State Department – May 7

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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 making available “A Bag of Snakes: Selected 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.

 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] – 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 May 5, there will be a hybrid Dark Bird: Writing Poetry through the Everyday.  In his new book-length poem, Dark Bird, Sam Schmidt begins and ends with an ordinary tree. From that minimalist center, the book travels in a widening trance to explore love, family, politics, philosophy, and old wounds. Schmidt will discuss Dark Bird’s genesis, read selections, and answer questions. Schmidt is also the author of Suburban Myths (Beothuk Books 2012). For more than a decade he edited and published WordHouse, a newsletter for Maryland writers, and hosted the reading series WordHouse at the Minás Gallery. His wife Virginia Crawford–also a poet–published her book questions for water through Apprentice House in 2021.  To receive a Zoom invitation, please email president@bmorethical.org

9] – Knock on doors in the Silver Spring/Forest Glen area on Sun., May 5 at 10:30 AM to talk to voters about the Uncommitted Vote for Palestine in Maryland's Democratic Presidential Primary by May 14th! Meet at the Forest Glen Metro, 9730 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring 20910. Break for lunch, and then join a second shift starting nearby in Takoma Park at 3:30 PM. Rides/carpools will be arranged, so please indicate if you need a ride or can provide one. Uncommitted is a way to strengthen our democracy, and encourage those who feel disempowered by the electoral system to engage and vote in the primary to send a message for peace for Palestinians. https://actionnetwork.org/events/silver-springforest-glen-uncommitted-canvass-1030am?clear_id=true&link_id=4&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events-155&email_referrer=email_2303290&email_subject=nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events

10] –If you're looking for something to do in Arlington, VA on Sunday, you might want to grab a cup of coffee or relax with a lemonade at some point – and you can do that AND support local union organizing if you stop in at the Arlington Starbucks, 200 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 for their Solidarity Sip-In from 11 AM to 2 PM ET! Let management know the community is with the baristas and you will not stand for any of this retaliatory union-busting garbage. Email novabranch [at] mdcdsa dot org. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/solidarity-sip-in-courthouse-startbucks-in-arlington?clear_id=true&link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events-155&email_referrer=email_2303290&email_subject=nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events

11] – Get with a JEWISH-ISLAMIC DIALOGUE on ZOOM on Sun., May 5 from 3 to 5 PM ET --Islamophobic Tropes: What they are and how to respond. It will be led by Daisy Khan, an eminent author, activist, commentator and the founder of the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality. RSVP to JIDS.Washington@gmail.com.

12] –  DC Action for Assange will hold a vigil at the home of U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, 5100 block of Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda, two blocks from the Bethesda Metro, on Sun., May 5 from 4 to 5 PM. Join in to hold banners & network with other supporters. Email ann1.wilcox@gmail.com

13] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to join the weekly Sunday Town Hall at 4 PM ET on May 5.   PDA proudly endorses Susheela Jayapal for Congress in Oregon's 3rd District.  Susheela is the featured guest on Sunday’s PDA National Town Hall. Learn why she will be a truly exceptional progressive Congresswoman.  It was a sad day at PDA when we learned that Rep. Earl Blumenauer was retiring from Congress, after a distinguished 28 years representing Oregon's 3rd District that includes much of Metro Portland.  A close ally of PDA, Rep. Blumenauer worked closely with us in drafting, and introducing, one of the most important pieces of legislation in recent years, The Climate Emergency Act. We honor Rep. Blumenauer and his commitment to progressive principles and the environment.

 Susheela has a great chance at winning the primary that concludes on May 21st, but the race is close. So, we'll also be letting everyone know how they ensure a victory for Susheela, and a victory for the entire progressive movement! In case you're wondering, yes, Susheela is related to Pramila Jayapal, the Head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (and also one of PDA's closest allies in Congress). Susheela is Pramila's older sister. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration

14] – The Northern Virginia DSA Electoral Working Group meeting will be on Sun., May 5th from 7 to 8 PM. Meet to discuss the work in the upcoming year.  Email novabranch [at] mdcdsa [dot] org. A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/electoral-working-group-meeting-may-2024?clear_id=true&link_id=15&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events-155&email_referrer=email_2303290&email_subject=nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events

15] – 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 May 6 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.

16] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to participate with the Green Grassroots Emergency Environment and Election Protection (GREEP) Zoom on Mon., May 6 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

17] – Support the Gaza solidarity encampment protests by responding to what they need, such as a physical presence, amplifying their demands, or donating funds and supplies. Learn how to protect local encampments in a training on Mon., May 6 at 7 PM ET.

A community can protect student Gaza solidarity encampments by mobilization, de-escalation, & arrestee advocacy training. With ingenuity, creativity, and bravery, students at 150 universities are shaking the empire, bringing the demand to #StopArmingIsrael and end Israel’s genocide from the Congressional hearing room to the university green. The Community has a critical role to play to physically protect students, put eyes on police to raise the reputational cost of repression, and sustain these divestment campaigns until victory. For Palestinians sheltering in Rafah under ongoing bombing and threat of ground invasion, and for Palestinian young people risking their futures here in the US to end the genocide, we must increase our skills to support student Gaza solidarity encampments. In this webinar learn practical skills from the Ruckus Society direct action training institute & DMV De-escalation Collective. RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsd-2rrD4pG9aTby9S4PH42YsSHzJijNE3?emci=240b74b4-8709-ef11-96f3-7c1e521b07f9&emdi=b49952bf-8e09-ef11-96f3-7c1e521b07f9&ceid=5467956#/registration

18] – The Ad-Hoc Coalition to Stop U.S. Arms to Israel is calling for a demonstration at 3 PM on May 7 at the State Department, 2201 C Street NW, WDC 20520, the day before a report on arm sales will be released. The Coalition includes groups working on bringing an end to the genocide ongoing in the Gaza Strip. Here is a synopsis of NSM-20, issued February 8, 2024, which is the document that Biden signed that requires a report on May 8 by the secretaries of State and Defense [sic].  They have received all the documented info they need to declare that Israel is violating international law by using U.S. weapons to kill civilians and by blocking humanitarian aid. Such a finding could lead to a cutoff of certain U.S. military aid to Israel. Our demo is designed to garner press coverage and increase the pressure on the Biden Administration to sanction Israel.  CODEPINK’s Medea Benjamin and Nonviolence International’s Michael Beer will speak at the rally.  Eventually, the group will attempt to deliver a letter to someone in the State Department who will present it to Secretary Blinken.

Consider signing on to the letter which calls on Blinken to be truthful in his report that acknowledges Israeli war crimes.  Also consider joining the May 7 demo.  Email Max at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.  

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to Max Obuszewski, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, and 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