Baltimore Activist Alert – August 25 – 26, 2024

Baltimore Activist Alert – August 25 – 26, 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] Need a cleaning lady

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] Let’s Be Creative – Aug. 25

9] Palestinian Solidarity Picnic – Aug. 25

10] Solidarity between Puerto Rico and Cuba – Aug. 25

11] Knock on doors for Democrats – Aug. 25 - 26

12] PDA Town Hall – Aug. 25

13] Kamala House Party – Aug. 25

14] Writing workshop – Aug. 25

15] Protest at the Pentagon – Aug. 26

16] Moral Mondays Season of Prayer – Aug. 26

17] Antisemitism and White Supremacy – Aug. 26

18] Election Protection Zoom – Aug. 26

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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] – 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.

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 at times there is a platform address at 10:30 AM ET.  On August 25, get with Let’s Be Creative! This is an in person arts activity with local artist and teacher Therese Spadaro. Therese has helped unleash artsy creativity in the past using all sorts of media. This time, in order to include those who cannot join in person, you can do mixed media collages – most supplies will be provided at the VLP, but Therese suggests those attending in person may want to bring a magazine, or some wrapping or construction paper for more variety.  If you’ll be joining from home, you’ll need paper or cardboard plus craft glue (like Elmer’s) to start, and any combination of old magazines, paper in various colors or patterns, crayons, colored pencils, chalks, cloth, ribbons, yarn, glitter, and anything else you can attach to your base with glue, Therese will give us one or more themes to work with and provide technical assistance and artistic advice as needed.  Email president@bmorethical.org to get the Zoom link.

9] – Get over to a Palestinian Solidarity Picnic on Sun., Aug. 25 from noon to 4 PM ET at Wheaton Forest Local Park, 1700 University Boulevard W, Wheaton 20902 Montgomery County Public Schools for Palestine will be holding its first community picnic, an opportunity to meet with members and learn about past accomplishments and next steps. The coalition has achieved several accomplishments over the last few months: Garnered over 1,000 local signatures calling on MCPS to address anti-Arab trainings and incidents; convincing MCPS to pause trainings by pro-Israel groups that have incorporated a weaponized version of anti-Semitism in their curricula; and compiled personal stories of bias and discrimination experience by those in the MCPS community. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOcTRiTScS7SK78J4yc94-J1YJxjGYZUj6rB3SlKU6g73EmQ/viewform

10] – The Diaspora Pa’lante Collective is celebrating solidarity between Puerto Rico and Cuba. Join in on Sun., Aug. 25 from 1:30 to 5 PM ET at ONE DC for a teach-in on the history of both countries and their current conditions, as well as a cultural event. There is now a virtual option too. RSVP at. https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwudOGvrDwrG9ftGhEktn_rdWkYSXLE4hlN#/registration?link_id=35&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-august-16-2024&email_referrer=email_2426870&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-august-23-2024

11] – Knock on doors in Baltimore City and join the canvass, hosted by MD Victory.  Gather at the Baltimore Office, 2330 N. Howard St., Baltimore 21211. Knock on doors to elect Angela Alsobrooks to be the next United States Senator and Kweisi Mfume to be re-elected as the Congressperson from Maryland's 7th! First time volunteering? No worries. Each canvass shift starts with a training with an organizer who will be there to help you out. You will go out with a buddy so you can knock on doors together. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/646353/

You will need a smartphone so you can download the MiniVAN Touch app, the Democratic Party’s canvassing app. Download it on an iPhone or android. Also bring a full water bottle! Canvass on Sun., Aug. 25 & Tues., Aug. 27 from 2 to 5 PM, 3 to 6 PM & 5 to 8 PM ET.   The canvass will continue until Aug. 31 from noon 6 PM ET, RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/646353/

12] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] on Sun., Aug. 25 at 4 PM ET will hold a Town Hall charting the way forward after the Progressive Central and a DNC debrief. The reviews from participants have been off the charts with good media coverage, including the Washington Post. Important organizing connections made with delegates and other party insiders, as well as powerful groups working outside of the party. Register and the machine will email you your secure codes: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration

13] – The CCAN Action Fund [info@ccanactionfund.org] wants you to know about a House Party at 4313 Harcourt Road, Baltimore 21214 for Kamala Harris on Sun., Aug. 25 at 2 PM ET.

RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ccanactionfund/event/663727/

14] – Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] is promoting on Sun., Aug. 25 from 2 to 4 PM ET the Washington Socialist x After the Storm writing workshop at Sudhouse DC. 1340 U St. NW, WDC.  Writing, fiction or nonfiction, to share visions for a collective way forward is the aim. Join comrades in writing manifestos with collaborative exercises and discussion about socialist imaginaries. This workshop is capped at 30 people to ensure everyone has space in the venue to write comfortably. There will be a facilitator, some individual writing time, and time to share in pairs or small groups. If you sign up but can no longer attend, please cancel so your spot can go to someone else. Once this event reaches capacity, a waitlist will open automatically.  RSVP at https://www.meetup.com/dmvs-leftist-writers-and-aspiring-writers-meetup-group/events/302290036/?link_id=16&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-august-2-2024&email_referrer=email_2412440&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-august-9-2024

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 Aug. 26, 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] – The DC Poor People's Campaign [washingtondc@poorpeoplescampaign.org] on Mon., Aug. 26 at 11 AM ET indicates that Rev. William Barber will gather at the U.S. Supreme Court, 1 First St. NE, WDC with a coalition of clergy from various traditions in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to hold the second prayer vigil and press conference in a series of “Moral Mondays Season of Prayer.”  Every last Monday leading up to the election, the coalition will gather in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol to pray for the presidential campaigns to be conducted in a manner rooted in truth, love, and equity.  They believe when they pray with their hearts and nonviolently pray with their feet and actions that they can shift the consciousness of the nation and the focus of our politics. If you can't make it in person, the event will be livestreamed at https://www.breachrepairers.org/livestream 

17] – The Fellowship of Reconciliation [info@fellowshipofreconciliation.ccsend.com] on Mon., Aug. 26 at 4 PM will hold a conversation to discuss the relationship between Antisemitism and White Supremacy.  “Antisemitism forms the theoretical core of White nationalism,” racial justice activist Eric Ward explains. It “is a particular and potent form of racism so central to White supremacy that Black people would not win our freedom without tearing it down.”  Ward will address the movement to end anti-Black racism, the difference between White Supremacy and White Nationalism, and the connections between antisemitism and White Nationalism. RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlcOGsqzgiHtNmLbtUGB9PLciTSL47_dgl#/registration

18] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to participate with the Green Grassroots Emergency Environment and Election Protection (GREEP) Zoom on Mon., Aug. 26 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

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