Baltimore Activist Alert – January 3 – 5, 2025

Baltimore Activist Alert – January 3 – 5, 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] Sign wave at Harford Mall – Jan. 3

8] Sign waving in Annapolis – Jan. 3

9] Tesla Takedown in Rockville – Jan. 3

10] Tesla Takedown in Silver Spring – Jan. 3

11] Friends meeting -- Jan. 4

12] Visit the Conservancy – Jan. 4

13] Catonsville against Trump – Jan. 4

14] Get involved with fiber Arts -- Jan. 4

15] Visibility brigade – Jan. 4

16] Remember Betty Robinson – Jan. 4

17] Join Baltimore DSA – Jan. 4

18] Golden Dome – Jan. 5

19] DSA Electoral working group meeting – Jan. 4

20] Death Penalty Action – Jan. 4

21] Vigil at the Pentagon – Jan. 5

22] Baltimore Sign waves – Jan. 5

23] Palestinian Youth Movement – Jan. 5

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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] – Join sign waving on Saturdays, Jan. 3, 10 17 & 24 from 10 AM to noon at Harford Mall Macy’s parking lot, 696 Belair Road, Bel Air 21014. Park in the front of Macy’s. Create visibility with sign waving at the intersection of Belair Road and Rt. 24 in Bel Air. Bring your signs, costumes, noise makers and especially your voices to draw attention to this fascist regime. https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/840421/

8] – Chesapeake Indivisible is doing a Sign Waving protest on Sat., Dec. 20 from 11 AM to 1 PM near the Annapolis Mall sidewalks at the corner of Bestgate Road and 2082 Generals Highway, Annapolis 21401. This event will continue through March 28. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/chesapeakeindivisible/event/834849/

9] – Get over to the Tesla Takedown on Saturdays, Jan. 3 & 10, from 11 AM to noon at the Rockville Tesla, 1300 Rockville Pike, Rockville 20852. Email maryland@thirdact.org. Musk is responsible for mass suffering and death. And he will cause more if we give him the chance to recover his reputation. Tesla Takedown is a peaceful protest movement. No violence, vandalism and destruction of property. This protest is a lawful exercise of your First Amendment right to peaceful assembly. #TeslaTakedown #BoycottTesla RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/812078/

10] – Get over to the Tesla Takedown on Saturdays, Jan. 3 & 10, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Tesla Silver Spring, 2320 Broadbirch Dr., Silver Spring 20852. Email maryland@thirdact.org. Musk is responsible for mass suffering and death. And he will cause more if we give him the chance to recover his reputation. Tesla Takedown is a peaceful protest movement. No violence, vandalism and destruction of property. This protest is a lawful exercise of your First Amendment right to peaceful assembly. #TeslaTakedown #BoycottTesla RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/771738/

11] – 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

12] – The Baltimore Ethical Society Meetup on Sun., Jan. 4 at 10:30 AM will take place at the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens, 3100 Swann Dr., Baltimore 21217. Come to Druid Hill Park near the intersection of McCulloh St. and Gwynns Falls Parkway for a relaxing start to the new calendar year. This is the last day to see their annual poinsettia and holiday gardens.  There is no charge but donations are gladly accepted and there is a gift shop. Poinsettias are also being sold at this time. RSVP at https://www.meetup.com/bmorethical/events/312468530/?eventOrigin=group_events_list

Afterwards, the group will gather for lunch. Call the Conservatory at 410-396-0008 or go online https://rawlingsconservatory.org/

13] – On Sun., Jan. 4 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

14] – The Northern Virginia Mutual Aid DSA Working Group (NoVA MAWG) fiber arts committee will meet on Sat., Jan. 3 from 12 to 2 PM at the Chantilly Regional Library, (Chantilly Conference Room), 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly, VA 20151. People are encouraged to bring their own projects to work on, or to knit hats, gloves, or scarves to be donated. The distribution contingent is planning their January distribution at the Crystal City Metro Station on January 11 from 11am – 2pm. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/january-2026-nova-fiber-arts-group?clear_id=true&link_id=72&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-december-12-2025&email_referrer=email_3027700&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-december-19-2025&&

15] – On Sundays, Jan. 4, 11, 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

 16] – Katie Lautar [katelautar@gmail.com] is inviting you on Sun., Jan. 4 at 4:30 PM for the Betty Robinson Birthday Memorial Sing Along at 2640, 27th & St. Paul Sts. It will take place in the Sunday room in the back of building. Use the side entrance on 27th St. It will be followed by a potluck dinner. Bring a dish for the potluck, a photo, memento, or written story to add to a memorial table & display and literature/sign-ups for events or organizations for social justice. If time allows there will be an open mic time for people to briefly announce upcoming events.

 Gather to remember the late great Betty Garman Robinson and sing the social justice movement songs she loved. Betty was a powerful life-long organizer for racial and economic justice, spanning from her involvement with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 60s up until the end of her life in 2020. She was a beloved mentor and friend to many. Read more about Betty’s incredible legacy here: https://ubarchives.omeka.net/.../bettygarman.../introduction

17] – Join the Greater Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America for an introduction to socialism and the DSA! Discuss the theory of change, why it centers on working people like you and me, and get to know one another and the chapter a bit better. There is an upcoming In-Person New Member Orientations on Sat., Jan. 15 from 4 to 5:30 PM at Red Emma's Free School.  There is also an upcoming Virtual New Member Orientations on Mon., Jan. 5 from 6 to 7 PM. Join the Zoom at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5fBhT5O69eNMJyfGOgbnp4KmdlKvb4I8XUz-3WJ42_EJ5XA/viewform

18] – The MAPA Ed. Fund [info@masspeaceaction.org] on Mon., Jan. 5 from 7 to 8:30 PM ET will host a webinar -- What is Trump's "Golden Dome"?  Are We Paying for Ineffective Missile Defense and a Spiraling Nuclear Arms Race? Register at MassPeace.us/golden-dome

Hear from three experts, Ted Postol, Daryl Kimball, and Subrata Ghoshroy, discuss the technical and policy aspects of Golden Dome. The panel will be moderated by Linda Pentz Gunter.

19] – The Northern Virginia DSA Electoral working group meeting is on Sun., Jan. 4 from 7 to 8 PM!  A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/nova-electoral-monthly-working-group-meeting-0104?clear_id=true&link_id=3&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-12112025-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events&email_referrer=email_3025974&email_subject=12182025-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events&&

 Join in #nova-electoral on Slack, and fill out the interest form. Also, feel free to reach out to @Alex Yarkosky on Slack with any questions about electoral work. 

 20] – Join Death Penalty Action for a review of the issues and action opportunities surrounding the next several executions scheduled in the United States. Join in on Sun., Jan. 4 at 9 PM ET.  These sessions will continue on Feb. 1 & March 1, 2026 at 9 PM ET. This project of Death Penalty Action recurs (normally) on the first Sunday of each month. Take action at DeathPenaltyAction.org at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GQi-Z-U0QyyvyVOoYaL3nA#/registration or https://www.youtube.com/@deathpenaltyaction8966/streams

 21] – 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 Jan. 5, 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.

 22] –  Baltimore Sign Waves on Mon. Jan. 5 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

 23] – Join CODEPINK, Watermelon Pictures, and the Palestinian Youth Movement to talk about cultural production and how it pertains to the Palestine solidarity movement! This webinar will highlight the importance of Palestinian cultural production in the fight against imperialist and Zionist propaganda. In hearing about CODEPINK's activism and Watermelon Pictures' cultural work, you will learn how you can incorporate the fight for Palestinian liberation into cultural spaces. Filmmaker Cherien Dabis will give a short introduction and discuss her new film, All That’s Left of You on Mon., Jan.5 from 5 to 6 ET. Email Jenin · jenin@codepink.org. RSVP at https://www.codepink.org/wp105?utm_campaign=january_member_newsletter_2026&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink

 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