Sunday, January 18, 2026

Baltimore Activist Alert – January 18 – 19, 2025

Baltimore Activist Alert – January 18 – 19, 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] Labor History Project

7] Friends meeting -- Jan. 18

8] Doctors against Genocide – Jan. 18

9] Catonsville against Trump – Jan. 18

10] Visibility brigade – Jan. 18

11] MLK gathering – Jan. 18

12] Internationalism Working Group Meeting – Jan. 18

13] Voices from the Holy Land – Jan. 18

14] Weekly Town Hall – Jan. 18

15] Vigil at the Pentagon – Jan. 19

16] Baltimore Sign waves – Jan. 19

17] MLK commemoration – Jan. 19

18] Election protection Jan.19

19] ICE out now – Jan. 19

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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] – William Barry [billbarry21214@gmail.com] has a request. As the country begins to celebrate our 250th anniversary, our history is complicated but one thing is certain--labor history is always deleted. So he created the MD250 Labor History Project, and hopes you will participate by sending in labor history materials, and by sharing it with your friends, as part of creating a union movement. Go to https://www.md250laborhistory.org/

 "We are either part of the solution or part of the problem." "The only reason an organization has dead wood is that management either hired dead wood or it hired live wood and killed it."   - W. Edwards Deming

 7] – 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.  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

 8] – Doctors Against Genocide [leadership@doctorsagainstgenocide.org] on Sun., Jan. 18 at noon ET will hold its weekly conversation on Youth, Medicine and Solidarity room Gaza, Sudan, Congo, and the Rohingya Camps.  Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aUUzycRDSwaem750Nc6iFg

 Hear directly from students, clinicians, and partners working on the frontlines of displacement, violence, and humanitarian collapse—yet continuing to lead, care, and organize. Get critical updates from Gaza, Sudan, and the Congo, grounding the discussion in the lived realities of clinicians and communities navigating violence, scarcity, and the erosion of health systems while continuing to care for patients and one another.

 9] – On Sun., Jan. 18 from noon to 1 PM, get with Catonsville Nine Redux for a Sign Wave over the Frederick Road Overpass, Frederick Road and I-695, Catonsville 21228. This event will continue through Dec. 27, 2026.  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/853167/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_more_events_of_type

 10] – On Sundays, Jan. 18 & 25, from 1 to 3 PM ET at 15202 Major Lansdale Blvd., Bowie 20716, join Indivisible Bowie for a Visibility Brigade sign wave on the pedestrian bridge over Route 50. If you can't make the full time, no worries, come when you can! Help bring attention to important issues and let your neighbors and commuters know they are not alone in fighting back against authoritarianism.

 Parking is behind the Hampton Inn in the old theatre lot, please look for the sign. Follow the paved path through the chain-link fence, then turn left onto the pedestrian trail to reach the bridge. Approximately a 4-minute walk. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/873914/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations

 11] – Rachel Kutler [rachel.kutler@jufj.org] indicates that Jews United for Justice on Sun., Jan. 18 at 2 PM will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring legacy for the annual program; this year on youth justice. The Sunday program, “Righting the Wrongs of the Past and Present: Re-Envisioning Youth Justice in Maryland,” will include a short video presentation followed by a panel of speakers. RSVP at https://www.hsosc-baltimore.org/event/rabbi-mlk-youth-event-greetings.html?emci=16372795-28f2-f011-8194-000d3a11f903&emdi=fab77f65-50f2-f011-8194-000d3a11f903&ceid=3403859

 12] – Join in the Metro DC DSA’s Internationalism Working Group meeting at the MLK Library, Room 401-E, 901 G St. NW, WDC 20001 on Sun., Jan. 18 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. Email internationalism@mdcdsa.org. A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/mdc-dsa-internationalism-working-group-monthly-meeting-january-2026?link_id=63&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-october-24-2025-3&email_referrer=email_3055054&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-january-16-2026&&

 13] – Voices from the Holy Land [vfhlonlinefilmsalon@144271541.mailchimpapp.com] on Sun., Jan. 18 at 3 PM ET want you to attend International Law and the Israel Exception. Israel is a signatory to numerous cornerstone international treaties—from the UN Charter and Fourth Geneva Convention to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Genocide Convention—yet UN bodies have cited it for breaches ranging from unlawful annexations to settlement expansion and civilian displacement. Over 30 Security Council resolutions, 700+ General Assembly measures, and multiple ICJ opinions have gone unenforced. During this discussion, a panel of legal scholars, diplomats, and human rights experts will examine how political alliances, veto power, and selective enforcement have created a precedent where Israel can sign the law, break it, and walk away with impunity.

 Watch the curated videos for free at your convenience. Then join the Q&A discussion with William Schabas: Professor of International Law, Middlesex University; former Chairman, UN Commission of Inquiry into the Gaza Conflict, Michael Lynk: Associate Professor of Law, Western University; former UNHCR Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian Territories and Josh Paul: Co-founder, A New Policy , who resigned from U.S. Dept. of State.

 You must register to join the discussion & receive access to the films: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/i9JgDdrKTTuoXrFzLwG97Q?ct=t%28EMAIL_CAMPAIGN+January+2026_COPY_03%29&mc_cid=9c42cc7879&mc_eid=84804f14c0#/registration  Once you register, you will get a confirmation email from Zoom with a link to the meeting and a link with to watch the film.   Watch the film at your convenience before the event.  

 14] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] on Sun., Jan. 18 at 4 PM ET is holding its weekly Town Hall: A Crucial Early Race for Progressives. The featured guest is Nida Allam, candidate for Congress in North Carolina. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4?emci=ced5d1ed-71c8-f011-8196-6045bdfe8e9c&emdi=ea000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&ceid=2907617#/registration

 Nida’s race is one of the first major elections of the year, with the North Carolina primary on March 3, 2026. A strong victory here can set the pace for progressive wins across the country for the rest of the year. Daily TarHeel: "Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam to challenge incumbent Valerie Foushee for a seat in Congress — again." The Intercept: "AIPAC Spent Millions to Keep Her Out of Congress. Now, She Sees an Opening." WRAL: "Durham leaders [like Nida Allam], immigrant advocates condemn ICE presence at courthouse."  

 15] – There was a weekly Pentagon Peace Vigil from 7 to 8 AM on Mondays, since 1987, outside the Pentagon Metro stop.  However, the Pentagon police, presumably on the orders of President Trump, have made it impossible to protest on the reservation. Now it will take place on the corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr. in Arlington, VA.  The next vigil is Jan. 19, and it is sponsored by the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker.  Email artlaffin@hotmail.com or call 202-882-9649. 

 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] – Baltimore Sign Waves on Mon. Jan. 19 from 7:30 to 8:15 AM will be at West Northern Parkway & Roland Ave., Baltimore 21210. Join in the waving of pro-democracy signs! Bring your sign or just show up. This event will continue through March 23. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/793151/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_closest

 17] – The Faith Community Advisory Group <interfaith@montgomerycountymd.gov> wants you to Celebrate MLK Day in Montgomery County. Join the Washington Hebrew Congregation for the annual Day of Service on Mon., Jan. 19 from 10 AM to noon. Work side by side with members of the greater Metro DC faith communities and cook, craft, and sort donations of food and clothing, all of which will be shared with community members in need.  The Day of Service will take place on Macomb St., WDC.  Contact the Social Action Coordinator, Lauren Lieberman, at llieberman@whctemple.org.

 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., Jan. 19 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

 19] – Every third Monday, including Mon., Jan. 19, at 5:30 PM, join Eyes on Ice in McKeldin Plaza. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/eyesonice-baltimore-5?link_id=8&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-baltimore-dsa-newsletter-december-2025&email_referrer=email_3034100&email_subject=baltimore-dsa-newsletter-january-2025&&

 Baltimore comes together to keep its Eyes on ICE!  Join together to demand accountability and justice for the extrajudicial operations of ICE in our communities.  The Trump administration is trying to normalize a secret police force of masked agents kidnapping people off the streets without warrants and without due process. This is so that Stephen Miller can bring forth the White supremacist vision for our society that he has nurtured for the past decade.  

 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

 

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