Baltimore Activist Alert – July 20 – 21, 2025

Baltimore Activist Alert – July 20 – 21, 2025

"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] Get the book A Bag of Snakes

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

6] Homewood Sunday worship – July 20

7] Fabulous 51 Club – July 20

8] Doctors against genocide – July 20

9] Fight the Travel Ban – July 20

10] Gaza Freedom Flotilla – July 20

11] DSA meeting – July 20

12] Palestinian Nonviolent Resistance – July 20

13] Progressive Victory – July 20

14] Rapid Response for Our Freedoms – July 20

15] Internationalism Working Group Meeting – July 20

16] Vigil at the Pentagon – July 21

17] Sign Wave – July 21

18] Grassroots protection for the vote – July 21

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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] – 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.

5] – 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.

6] – Homewood Friends Meeting [homewoodfriends@gmail.com] gathers for worship on Sundays at 10:30 AM at 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218 and on Zoom.  There is a heat policy when temperatures exceed 90 degrees.  Thus the meeting will be in the dining room. A simple lunch will take place after the 10:30 AM worship. Call 410-235-4438. To join by Zoom, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/255867065?pwd=UDNxVnlVSkZQOHlXWlc3NHpHeHdhZz09#success

7] – The Baltimore Ethical Society will hold a virtual meeting on Sun., July 20 at 10:30 AM, and the platform address will be the Fabulous 51 Club with Kimberly Sheridan and her project Million Guns Victims. Visit https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/artsentertainment/pigtown-artist-kimberly-sheridan-paints-victims-baltimore-gun-violence/

 For decades, the legend of The 27 Club, those notables who died at age 27, have been posted everywhere. What's so special about dying at that age? Do we, as Americans, think that blooming early, creating works quickly, and flaming out that young is the only way to live?  In response to this ageist obsession with deceased youth, the speaker introduces The Fabulous 51 Club. We shall celebrate seven initial inductees, individuals through history who took a while longer to begin carving their own path in life. Perhaps with a couple of the inductees, we might believe that 51 is still too soon to die.

 In 1990, Kimberly Sheridan took up canvas, palette, and brush and began to teach herself the art of painting. By 2013, enough confidence had grown to tackle the labor of love called the Million Gun Victim March, a major body of work dedicated to paint forgotten and ignored victims of gun violence, gifting them to surviving loved ones as a tool to transform suffering. The artist admits being a late bloomer. That means at age 65, these are the best years of the artist's life. All the more reason to celebrate later bloomers. To receive a Zoom invitation, please email president@bmorethical.org.

8] – Doctors against Genocide [info@doctorsagainstgenocide.org] on Sun., July 20 at noon ET wants you to check out updates from Gaza. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aUUzycRDSwaem750Nc6iFg

Words are not enough to end genocide in Gaza, action is needed.  Get live updates from Gaza doctors.

9] – Join the People's Movement Assembly--organizing against Travel Bans and more--on Sun., July 20 from noon to 5 PM ET.  Organize together against anti-immigrant policies that hurt all of us.  Email dmvfellows@muslimsforjustfutures.org or call 202-573-8416. This event is hosted by Muslims for Just Futures, Project Anar and the Palestinian Youth Movement DMV Chapter (PYM DMV).  RSVP at https://form.jotform.com/sana868/peoples-movement-assembly

This administration released the new travel and entry ban, impacting people from 19 different countries, including 10 Muslim majority countries and 10 African ones.  Since then, nationals from those countries have been further targeted - from the Trump admin ending Temporary Protected Status (which provides work authorization, and protection from deportation) for Haitians, Afghans, and then also separately Nepalis and Cameroonians; to the horrific ongoing starvation of the people of Gaza; and the Israeli and US bombing of Iran. Join to build out local strategies against the ban and other harmful policies.

10] – On Sun., July 20 at 1 PM ET, get over to a webinar with participants on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, on board the "Handala," sponsored by the Green Olive Collective in Jerusalem. Visit https://greenolivetours.com/online-events/on-board-the-freedom-flotilla/

11] – The DSA DC Abolition Working Group will hold a hybrid meeting on Sun., July 20 from 1:30 to 4 PM ET at the Meeting Room 1 in the Shaw Neighborhood Library, 1630 7th St. NW, WDC 20001. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/dc-abolition-summer-planning-retreat?link_id=71&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-july-11-2025&email_referrer=email_2817137&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-july-18-2025&&

Help plan the group's efforts for the 2nd half of 2025. This is a great opportunity for both experienced members and brand new members alike to have their voices heard and to contribute to the programming for the coming months. Bring your laptop/tablet to follow along with notes, and wear a mask! Participants are encouraged to attend in person.

12] – Michael Beer, NVI [info@nonviolenceinternational.net] wants you to know that on Sun., July 20 at 3 PM ET there will be a powerful online panel event, Rooted in Sumud: Palestinian Nonviolent Resistance, part of the Voices from the Holy Land Film Salon series. Explore the often-overlooked legacy of Palestinian unarmed resistance: mass mobilizations, strikes, art, poetry, civil disobedience, and the daily courage it takes simply to survive. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/WdnIU_fYRISEkw96sW49PA#/registration

Watch the films for free at your convenience - then join in for the live panel and Q&A session. Together, ask the tough questions.

13] – The Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] will hold its weekly Town Hall on Sun., July 20 at 4 PM ET will hear from Adelita Grijalva who won her race and will talk about the Road Ahead.  Also speaking will be Aftyn Behn, a progressive candidate for TN-7. Grijalva won a decisive victory in the Democratic Primary in Arizona's 7th Congressional District. It suggests that PDA's emphasis on grassroots campaigning is the best way to win elections.

Look at the situation in Tennessee where there will be another special election because Republican Mark Green announced he was stepping down, virtually the moment after he voted against Trump's big beastly bill. Running as a Democrat will be State Rep. Aftyn Behn. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4?emci=bfc2ab77-fa63-f011-8dc9-6045bdfe8e9c&emdi=3ebd89d6-0364-f011-8dc9-6045bdfe8e9c&ceid=2907617#/registration

14] –  On Sundays, including July 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM ET, join for a virtual "Rapid Response for Our Freedoms," a crucial event where we stand as one to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard the rights and freedoms we all hold dear. This is our moment to rise up for an America that includes everyone when we say "liberty and justice for all," not just the wealthy and powerful.  At People Power United, we believe in progress and the strength of collective action. Together, we can push back against extremism and build a brighter future. Join us in the fight for Freedom over Fascism and help amplify the power of people to shape our democracy! This event will continue through August 31. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/747339/

15] – Join in the Metro DC DSA’s Internationalism Working Group virtual meeting on Sun., July 20 from 7 to 8 PM ET. Email internationalism@mdcdsa.org. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/anti-imperialist-summer-school-week-6-the-shifting-global-order?link_id=18&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-june-20-2025&email_referrer=email_2792482&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-june-27-2025&&

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 July 21, 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] –  Baltimore Sign Waves on Mondays, including July 21, from 4 to 5 PM will be at West Northern Parkway & Roland Ave., Baltimore 21210. This will continue through August 25. Join in the waving of pro-democracy signs! Bring your sign or just show up. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/793151/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_closest

18] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to participate with the Grassroots Election Protection Coalition/ALLIANCE 4 GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY Zoom on Mon., July 21 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 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