Thursday, July 23, 2020

Baltimore Activist Alert -- July 24 -- August 9, 2020


59] Climate Strikes vs. Chase Bank – July 24
60] Afghanistan’s Peaceful Future: Support from Central Asia – July 24
61] Cancel the Rent Rally – July 24
62] Our Revolution Maryland's Statewide July Zoom Meeting – July 24
63] Food rescue – July 24
64] Remembering Srebrenica – July 24
65] White House vigil – July 24
66] Women in Black VIGILS FOR PEACE – July 24
67] Peace and justice vigil – July 24
68] Westminster Black Lives Matter Protest – July 24
69] Tom Colicchio at Busboys and Poets for a Zoom Dinner Party – July 24
70] Demonstration at the drone war command at Horsham – July 25
71] Environmental Racism & Injustice Virtual Town Hall -- July 25
72] The Decision to A-Bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki – July 25
73] Rally for Eviction & Foreclosure Protection – July 25
74] March against Trump's Police State -- July 25
75] Join a Hagia Sophia Protest -- July 25
76] Campaign to Cancel Animal Ag July 25
77] Cancel Rent Rally – July 25 
78] Hiroshima commemoration – Aug. 6
79] Nagasaki commemoration – Aug. 9
80] Zoom conference with Dr. Vince Intondi – Aug. 9
81] Do you need a doctor?
82] Two Berrigan Books still in print
83] Emergency Demonstration against an attack on Venezuela or Iran  
84] Donate books, videos, DVDs and records
85] Do you need any book shelves?
86] Join the Global Zero campaign.
87] Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil
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59] – On Fri., July 24 from 9 AM to 9 PM, get with the Climate Strikes vs. Chase Bank Every Friday! Flatten the climate pollution curve together! Help run an online climate strike at Chase Bank--the #1 investor in fossil fuels of any bank in the world--every Friday until further notice. You can post your own virtual climate strike on social media in 4 easy steps: https://www.climatefirst.us/calendar. Contact Ted at tconwell@climatefirst.us/ (301) 589-7598 (mobile). Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/3398894953477457/.

60] - On Fri., July 24 from 10 to 11:30 AM, hear about Afghanistan’s Peaceful Future: Support from Central Asia, hosted by United States Institute of Peace. See https://www.usip.org/events/afghanistans-peaceful-future-support-central-asia. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the other Central Asian republics have deep historical and cultural ties and increasingly important economic relations with Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has put forward a vision of Afghanistan as a roundabout for Asia, linking the markets and peoples of Central and South Asia in mutual prosperity. With ongoing efforts to establish enduring peace in Afghanistan, there will need to be extensive regional support and consensus from Afghanistan’s northern neighbors. And given the increased challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, regional cooperation is more critical than ever to ensure peace and stability throughout the region. Several Central Asian countries have already become involved in the peace process. Uzbekistan has already played a constructive role in the recent efforts for peace by hosting the Tashkent Conference of major international parties, which reaffirmed strong support for intra-Afghan talks with the Taliban without preconditions. And in recent years, Kazakhstan has provided both trade and aid to support key economic and social initiatives in Afghanistan for higher education, essential goods, and infrastructure.  Look at https://www.facebook.com/events/793639877839009/.

61] –On Fri., July 24 at 11 AM, there is a Cancel the Rent Rally at 251 Rowe Blvd. in Annapolis.  As evictions are set to resume across the state on Saturday, and as hundreds of thousands of Marylanders are in danger of eviction, tenants and advocates from across Maryland are convening in Annapolis to tell Governor Hogan that time's up for him to act to protect Maryland renters from eviction. Tell Governor Hogan to do his job and protect the people of Maryland from the devastating impact of this pandemic — stop evictions. Masks and social distancing are required to participate in this action. RSVP at https://jufj.org/event/casa-no-evictions-rally/?emci=6c964978-69cc-ea11-9b05-00155d03bda0&emdi=b109e111-6fcc-ea11-9b05-00155d03bda0&ceid=3403859.

62] – Our Revolution Maryland's Statewide July Zoom Meeting is Sat., July 25 from 11 AM to 12:15 PM.  Hear from Rep. Jamie Raskin and Maryland Sen. Jill Carter about the federal and state responses to the extraordinary challenges faced by everyday Marylanders during the pandemic.  Delegate Gabe Acevero will discuss the ongoing protests for justice throughout the nation and legislation proposed to improve our police. Ask your questions throughout the call. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/268540/?link_id=1&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-join-our-statewide-zoom-call-this-saturday-july-25th-2&email_referrer=email_869668&email_subject=were-talking-with-jamie-raskin-jill-carter-gabe-acevero-in-two-days.

63] –  On Fri., July 24 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, come to the Grace Baptist Church, 3201 The Alameda., Baltimore 21218, for a Food Rescue. Bring a bag, bring a friend, and take delicious, nutritious, free rescued food. This will continue every Friday through Sept. 4.  See https://www.facebook.com/events/479389629278759/?event_time_id=479389689278753.

64] – On Fri., July 24  from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, check out Remembering Srebrenica, hosted by the Pomegranate Initiative and Hamza Khan.  This July is the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims, and the abduction, rape and abuse of 25-30,000 Bosnian Muslim women and children by the Bosnian Serb guerilla force under Ratko Mladić. This event will consist of a panel including Rabbi Alana Suskin and Hamza Khan (co-founders of the Pomegranate Initiative) to share the history of the Bosnian Genocide and the Massacre at Serebrenica, and several voices to share how patriotic Americans of all faiths can come together to advocate for the lives lost in Bosnia never to be forgotten. RSVP at the link: https://forms.gle/wtP9yTc9bdfAq1AR7?fbclid=IwAR2F-h1EUjO3rlxjONS3_BzPB44OifTxjWp5wj-pDCdMwAmG8smpexNrDdc.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/650229752250786/.

65] – The Dorothy Day Catholic Worker will host a peace vigil at the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC, on Fri., July 24 at noon.  Contact the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker: 202-882-9649 or artlaffin@hotmail.com.

66] – There will be two Women in Black VIGILS FOR PEACE on Fri., July 24 from noon to 1 PM.  One is at Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St., Baltimore.  Free Parking is available. There will be NO LUNCH.   If it doesn't rain, vigil. If it rains, the vigil will be cancelled.  If you arrive for the vigil and don't see someone else, please don't leave. Other folks are on the way.  Email awyattbr@gmail.com.

The other is in Chestertown, Kent County on the Eastern Shore in Memorial Park at Cross Street & Park Row.  This will be a safe-distanced stand for Peace with Justice & No to War. Email wibbaltimore@peacepath911.org.

67] -- There is usually a Quaker Vigil for Racial Justice on Fridays, from 5 to 6:30 PM, hosted by the Baltimore Quaker Peace and Justice Committee (BQPJC) outside the Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 N. Charles St.  The next scheduled vigil is on July 24. From 6 to 6:30 PM strategize. Black Lives Matter. Stop the Killing. Physical distancing applies. Wear your face mask. Email homewoodfriends@gmail.com or call 410-235-4438. Quaker values call us to speak truth and to seek equality for all people. We aim to follow Bayard Rustin’s wisdom that “we need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers” and John Lewis’s call to “make good trouble.” See https://www.facebook.com/events/311508100243529/?event_time_id=311508113576861.

68] – Join the WESTMINSTER  Black Lives Matter Protest by the Coalition Against Prejudice – CAP on Fri., July 24 from 6 to 8 PM at the Westminster Branch Library, 50 E. Main St., Westminster 21157. Be the voice for those who can't breathe.  Although activism, mutual aid, and the BLM struggle have no set schedule, these direct action protests take place 6 days a week in front of the Westminster branch of the Carroll Country Public Library. From Monday to Friday from 6 to 8 PM, and Saturdays 3 to 8 PM. These protests will continue until major and comprehensive change of the United States' judicial, economic, and political system has occurred, to end these systemic injustices. Wear masks and practice social distancing. Donations of bottled water, Gatorade, and snacks in sealed packaging are always appreciated! Connect at https://www.facebook.com/events/922780318190574/?event_time_id=922780444857228.

69] – On Fri., July 24 from 6 to 7 PM, connect with Tom Colicchio at Busboys and Poets for a Zoom Dinner Party. This Virtual Dinner Party is held every Friday night at 6 PM, hosted by CEO and Founder, Andy Shallal with a special dinner guest each week.  Order your favorite meal and beverage from Busboys and Poets, set your table, download one of the optional virtual backgrounds, and tune in for a special dinner with some of the most influential leaders of our time.  This week's very special dinner guest is Celebrity Chef, Tom Colicchio!  He is the chef and owner of Crafted Hospitality, which currently includes New York's Craft, Riverpark, Temple Court and newest edition Small Batch; and Los Angeles' Craft Los Angeles. In an effort to broaden his long-standing social and political activism, Tom co-founded Food Policy Action in 2012 in collaboration with national food policy leaders, in order to hold legislators accountable on votes that have an effect on food and farming. He has also been an outspoken voice on issues like GMO labeling and the use of antibiotics in food sources, and he continues to lobby for better anti-hunger policies in America. RSVP to receive the Zoom link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2793612990858971/.

70] – On Sat., July 25 from noon to 2 PM, the Brandywine Peace Community plans to hold the first demonstration in six months at the drone war command operation at the Horsham Air Guard Station, Route 611/Easton & County Line Roads. U.S. drone warfare around the world continues daily, despite the worldwide Pandemic which has prevented outdoor protests since last February. Tell PA Governor Tom Wolf: BAN PA DRONE WAR OPERATIONS!  The heart of drone war operations in Pennsylvania lies at the Horsham Air National Guard Station. The plans, of course, are contingent on the awful will of the coronavirus pandemic and abiding by health precautions and guidelines. Please check with Brandywine website the day before the demonstration in Horsham to make sure that plans are proceeding. Call 215-843-4827 or visit www.brandywinepeace.com.

71] – On Sat., July 25 from noon to 1 PM, there is an Environmental Racism & Injustice Virtual Town Hall, hosted by Sunrise McLean, Sunrise Movement Virginia and Sunrise Movement - DC Hub. Look at https://www.mobilize.us/sunrisemovement/event/290239. Due to the recent discussion surrounding racism of all levels in our society, discuss how racism is present in environmental issues.  From health crises due to pollutants to disaster relief, environmental injustice widely affects people of color and people in poverty around the world. Tune into https://www.facebook.com/events/2679979492323098/.

72] – On Sat., July 25 at 1 PM, enjoy a Webinar What Every Global Citizen Needs to Know About the Decision to A-Bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Four historians, Gar Alperovitz, Martin Sherwin, Kai Bird, and Peter Kuznick, each of whom has written extensively on the topic, will discuss the documentary evidence and assess the current state of knowledge about the bombings. Internationally acclaimed poet Carolyn Forché will moderate. A question and answer period will follow the presentations. Sign up at https://american.zoom.us/j/94643113866?pwd=c2VnWmdUR0NuakRDNXY0QjVVZmtXZz09.  Contact Peter Kuznick at pkuznick@aol.com.

73] – On Sat., July 25 from 1 to 2:30 PM, join a Rally for Eviction & Foreclosure Protection, hosted by Shaneka Henson at the Maryland House of Delegates, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis 21401. Call on Gov. Hogan to extend eviction and foreclosure protections. Face masks & physical distancing is required. RSVP to shanekahenson@shanekahenson.com.  Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/3218789551511136/.

74] – March Against Trump's Police State and Defend the Right to Protest on Sat., July 24 at 1 PM at the U.S. Customs & Border Protection HQ (Reagan building).  Meet on 14th St. NW side, between Constitution Ave. and D St. NW.  Then march to the White House. RSVP on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/s/march-against-trumps-police-st/286458016131237.  The Trump administration is declaring war on the largest social justice movement of our lifetimes. In Portland over the past few days, unmarked vans with unidentified federal agents have kidnapped protesters for interrogation. These are outrageous, illegal and unconstitutional assaults on protesters and the protest movement--and these are the same tactics that ICE uses on immigrants day in and day out and that the U.S. military uses regularly against civilians in other countries. The lead organization is ANSWER Coalition D.C.

75] – On Sat., July 25 from 3 to 6 PM, join a Hagia Sophia Protest, hosted by Hagia Sophia Preservation, 1606 23rd St. NW, WDC 20008-2808.  This is a protest of the illegal conversion of Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to a mosque and the persecution of all Christians in Turkey. Gather at Sheridan Circle NW.  The closest Metro is at Dupont Circle Station.  Bring water, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, umbrella, signs, posters, pens, markers, and lots of water.  The event will focus on the defense of Hagia Sophia and all Christians in Turkey. The rain date is on Sun., July 26 from 3 to 6 PM.  MASKS ARE REQUIRED BY DC LAW! Attendees must adhere to CDC social distancing guidelines. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/3250388385007897/.

76] – On Sat., July 25 from 5 to 6 PM, get with DxE Baltimore, hosted by Direct Action Everywhere.  Campaign to #CancelAnimalAg with developments from a Smithfield investigation. This is a mask-wearing, socially-distanced, outdoor action. If participating, please find all details in this group--facebook.com/groups/BmoreDxE. Go to https://www.facebook.com/events/321985738936304/.

77] – On Sat., July 25 from 5 to 7 PM, get with Cancel Rent Rally, hosted by Nonprofit Professional Employees Union and Washington Teachers' Union in Columbia Heights Plaza. Come to the DCTU rally to FULLY protect tenants in Washington through the COVID emergency. Tenants will march from striking buildings to arrive at Columbia Heights Civic Plaza. Bring your mask. Stand 6 feet apart. Tell the city it’s time to cancel rent and stop evictions. See https://www.facebook.com/events/277805663324104/.

78] – For the 36th year, Baltimore's anti-nuclear weapons community, including the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee, will gather August 6 and 9 to commemorate the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The co-sponsors are the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, Baltimore Peace Action, Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Homewood Friends Meeting, Maryland Peace Action and Prevent Nuclear War Maryland. Participants will indicate support for the Black Lives Matter protests. Signs will state Demilitarize the Police and Denuclearize the Military. To get involved or to seek more information, contact Max Obuszewski at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net.

On August 6 from 5 to 6:30 PM with signs, banners, ribbons and artwork, we will commemorate the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Our location will be at the four corners at 33rd and North Charles Streets in Baltimore.  This area was selected because of its proximity to Johns Hopkins University, a major nuclear weapons contractor. In fiscal year 2019, JHU received more than one billion dollars in weapons contracts. JHU’s Applied Physics Laboratory is the research center which engages in most of the university’s work on weapons contracts. The APL renewed a seven-year contract in 2017 worth $93 million to continue a strategic partnership with the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. The protesters will show support for the Back from the Brink resolution, five steps towards the abolition of nuclear weapons, and will call for ratification of the UN Ban Treaty.  People will wear masks and stay six feet from others. 

79] – On August 9 from 1 to 2:30 PM, participants will commemorate the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.  Some of the vigilers will start at Homewood Friends Meetinghouse, 3107 North Charles Street and spread out on corners up Charles Street as far as possible towards the Stony Run Meetinghouse, 5116 N. Charles St.  People will wear masks and stay six feet from others. Other participants will gather at 12:30 PM on 29th Street on the south end of Wyman Park.  At 1 PM, the caravan would head north on Howard Street and turn right on Art Museum Drive and left by Homewood Meetinghouse. The caravan would then head north on Charles Street all the way to Stony Run Meetinghouse.  There the cars would turn around and head south on Charles Street back to 29th Street on the south end of Wyman Park.  The vehicles in the car caravan will be decorated with anti-nuclear messages and will have their blinkers on.  The drivers will honk their horns when appropriate. Please let Max know if you intend to be in the car caravan. Then there will be an anti-nuclear weapons strategy session outside Homewood. 

We will also recognize the bravery of the Kings Bay Plowshares, seven Roman Catholic activists, including Baltimore’s Elizabeth McAlister, who were arrested at a Trident Submarine Base in Georgia on April 4, 2018. All were convicted in October 2019 of conspiracy, depredation of government and naval property, and trespassing. McAlister has been sentenced to time served. The others await sentencing, and remain concerned about going to prison during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Rev. Steve Kelly, SJ has remained in a county jail in Georgia since April 4, 1918.   

80] – On August 9 from 7 to 9 PM, we will host a Zoom conference with Dr. Vince Intondi entitled "A Discussion on the Connections between Black Lives Matter and the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki."  He is the author of “African Americans against the Bomb: Nuclear Weapons, Colonialism, and the Black Freedom Movement,” which is available through Stanford University Press. Intondi is a Professor of History and Director of the Institute for Race, Justice, and Civic Engagement at Montgomery College in Takoma Park, Maryland. From 2009-2017, Intondi was Director of Research for American University’s Nuclear Studies Institute in Washington, DC. Prior to teaching at Montgomery College, Intondi was an Associate Professor of History at Seminole State College in Sanford, Florida, and regularly works with organizations exploring ways to include more diverse voices in the nuclear disarmament movement. His research focuses on the intersection of race and nuclear weapons.

 Besides discussing the book and examining the Black Lives Matter protests, we will look back to June 12, 1982 to remember the largest peace demonstration in US history when possibly one million of us were in New York City at the No Nukes march and rally.  This day is well-covered in the documentary IN OUR HANDS by Robert Richter, and those in attendance included Coretta Scott King, Helen Caldicott, Peter Seeger, Meryl Streep, Rita Marley, and Randy Forsberg. During the Zoom conference, we will discuss why that movement dissipated. And we will ponder if we can organize a massive anti-nuclear movement once again.   For more information, call Max at 410-323-1607 or email him at mobuszewski2001@comcast.net.

Sign up for the Zoom conference at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvcOusrTwuH9NuHTVm9PUr_odmD_Lb4w_O. Please submit any questions to jlathey@comcast.net.

81] Yousef Zarbalian [mailto:yzarbali@gmail.com] started his own medical practice in December before the pandemic hit. It is called East-West Medicine and Rheumatology, and its website is EastWestMD.com.  Yousef is licensed in Maryland and Virginia. He is doing primary care as well as rheumatologic care (focusing on joint problems and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and sjogren's).  He is offering telemedicine visits, and he has very reasonable rates for uninsured individuals.  He makes use of herbs (which can be sent directly to patients from the herbal dispensary) as well as prescribing medications to their local pharmacy if needed.  

82] –Two books by Fred Wilcox are still in print.  The first one is “Fighting the Lamb's War Skirmishes with the American Empire” by Philip Berrigan and Fred A. Wilcox with a FOREWORD by Tripp York.  It can be purchased by Wipf and Stock: https://wipfandstock.com/fighting-the-lamb-s-war.html.  It is a Memoir in paperback/ISBN: 9781532660078/240 pages/republished 8/21/2018/ Retail Price: $26.00/and Web Price: $20.80.

  The second one is “Uncommon Martyrs The Berrigans, the Catholic Left, and the Plowshares Movement” by Fred Wilcox, who profiles members of this anti-war movement, whose Christianity compels them to acts of civil disobedience against the military industrial complex.  The ISBN is 0201522314/$6.50 for a hardcover, and it can be purchased at Powell's Books.  See https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/7094/uncommon-martyrs.

83] – The Trump Administration is again beating the war drums.  Most recently, the target is Iran.  Should the Trump administration initiate an act of war against Iran, consider joining us. It is a violation of U.S. law for the Trump Administration to attack a country that has not attacked us, as only Congress can declare war. The Trump administration is nevertheless beating the war drums for war against Iran and Venezuela. Should a war criminal, John Bolton, convince Trump to attack either of these countries, such a military strike would demand an immediate and unequivocal response from us to show that we will not tolerate his abuse of power.

   Let's mobilize to show that we the people will not tolerate another military adventure, which would be bound to have profound negative consequences. If a military strike against Iran or Venezuela takes place, then meet at 33rd and N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218. If the attack is before 2 PM local time, then the event will begin at 5 PM, local time. If the attack occurs after 5 PM local time, then the event will begin at 5 PM, local time, the following day. Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.   

84] -- If you would like to get rid of books, videos, DVDs, records, tarps and table cloths, contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

85] -- Can you use any book shelves? Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at comcast.net.

86] -- Join an extraordinary global campaign for the elimination of nuclear weapons: http://www.globalzero.org/sign-declaration. A growing group of leaders around the world is calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons and a majority of the global public agrees.  This is an historic window of opportunity.  With momentum already building in favor of Zero, a major show of support from people around the world could tip the balance. When it comes to nuclear weapons, one is one too many.

87] – A Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil takes place every day in Lafayette Park, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 24 hours a day, since June 3, 1981. Go to http://prop1.org; call 202-682-4282.

Donations can be sent to Max Obuszewski, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 431 Notre Dame Lane, Apt. 206, Baltimore, MD 21212.  Ph: 410-323-1607; Email: mobuszewski2001 [at] comcast.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/.

“One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible. It may or may not be possible to turn the US around through nonviolent revolution. But one thing favors such an attempt: the total inability of violence to change anything for the better" - Daniel Berrigan

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