Saturday, December 5, 2020

Baltimore Activist Alert – December 6 – 8, 2020

 Baltimore Activist Alert – December 6 – 8, 2020

 "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 Obuszewski 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] Get involved with NCNR   

4] Volunteer with a Catholic Worker house  

5] Environmental Racism – Dec. 6

6] Food Collection for the Maryland Food Bank – Dec. 6

7] Where is the hope? – Dec. 6

8] FEDERAL EXECUTION SPREE – Dec. 6 – 12

9] Make Calls for Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.  – Dec. 6, 7 & 8

10] Get out the Vote Dec. 6, 7 & 8

11] Nicaragua says human rights organization are wrong – Dec. 6

12] US aggression towards China!  – Dec.  6

13] Healthcare Emergency Town Hall – Dec. 6

14] Make Get-Out-the-Vote phone calls – Dec. 6 and 10

15] Sierra Club vs. ACLU – Dec. 6

16] Youth Power in Divestment -- Dec. 6

17] Pentagon Peace Vigil – Dec. 7

18] U.S.-ROK Cooperation – Dec. 7

19] Get Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff seats in the Senate – Dec. 7

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1] – Buttons, bumperstickers 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] – THE ORGANIZING LIST will be the primary decision-making mechanism of the National Campaign of Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR].  It will be augmented by conference calls and possibly in-person meetings as needed.  It will consist of 1 or 2 representatives from each local, regional, or national organization (not coalitions) that wishes to actively work to carry out the NCNR campaign of facilitating and organizing nonviolent resistance to U.S. wars.

To join the ORGANIZING List, please send your name, group affiliation, city and email address to mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.  Different local chapters of a national organization are encouraged to subscribe.  

4] - Suzanne Fontanesi and Jeff Ross are in the beginning stages of renovating the basement of their house for purposes of bringing in a volunteer (targeting young adults in discernment mode), starting next fall. They are trying to grow a Catholic Worker House in Irvington (West Baltimore). In a nutshell, there is a lot that a volunteer could do in that neighborhood/Baltimore, in addition to prayer and daily community living and in addition to plugging into all the good work that people are already doing in and around Baltimore (and beyond).  If you think you might know of anyone who might be interested in starting a conversation with them about becoming such a volunteer/community member, please contact Jeff/Suzanne at 443-690-6872.

5] - Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and generally there is a speaker and discussion at 10:30 AM.  On Sun., Dec. 6, the platform address is “Environmental Justice and Environmental Racism.”  What is environmental racism? Why DO the most polluting industries tend to end up in certain parts of town? Isn’t it just about class? Learn about the realities of environmental racism. This workshop discusses the principles of environmental justice and what it means to be involved in the environmental justice movement. We will explore the differences between NIMBY “not in my backyard” and NIABY “not in anyone’s backyard” politics, the difference between environmental “equity” and justice, and how corporate propaganda systems undermine environmental justice through sophisticated divide and conquer tactics. Mike Ewall is the founder and director of Energy Justice Network, a national support network for grassroots community groups fighting dirty energy and waste industry facilities such as coal power plants, ethanol plants, natural gas facilities, landfills and incinerators of every sort. He has been actively involved in student and community environmental justice organizing since high school in 1990. He’s taught hundreds of workshops at college campuses and activist conferences throughout the U.S. His grassroots support work has helped many communities achieve victories against power plants, landfills, incinerators, medical waste facilities and other polluting industries. Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for the ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

6] - On Sun., Dec. 6 from 11 AM to noon EST, get involved with Food Collection for the Maryland Food Bank at the Locust Point Community Church, 1308 Beason St., Baltimore 21230.  The church will be collecting items for the Maryland Food Bank every Sunday through Dec. 27. Go to https://www.facebook.com/locustpointcommunityucc/.

7] – Rev. June R. Cooper will answer the question Where is the Hope? This will be on Sun., Dec. 6 from 11 AM to 1 PM ET. Derrick Bell, a noted Harvard Professor, wrote a book called Faces at the Bottom of the Well, The Permanence of Racism (1992) in which he states that racism is a permanent feature of American society. Do we accept this claim or do we see hope rising for recent protests and calls for police reform? Reverend June R. Cooper is the Executive Director of City Mission Boston, a social justice organization that is addressing family homelessness and racial inequity and reconciliation. Join the Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89552575898?pwd=K1ZRMkRNejlpRnZZakFRWnE0aUh3Zz09.  The Meeting ID is 895 5257 5898 with a Passcode: 246499. Dial by your location: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) or +1 929 205 6099 US (New York).  The Meeting ID is 895 5257 5898.

8] – Register to hear the Sister Helen and Amanda Knox keynote addresses among many other amazing speakers at this event: HUMAN RIGHTS IN CRISIS: US FEDERAL EXECUTION SPREE.  This Virtual Conference is In Honor of International Human Rights Icon Bill Pelke on Sun., Dec. 6 starting at 2 PM through Sat., Dec. 12 with the last event starting at 3 PM. RSVP http://deathpenaltyaction.org/humanrightscrisis?link_id=7&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-free-registration-human-rights-in-crisis-conference-starts-sunday&email_referrer=email_1013195&email_subject=free-tickets-helen-prejean-amanda-knox-headline-virtual-human-rights-conference.

9] – Make Calls for Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.  The presidential election may be over (Donald Trump’s refusal to concede notwithstanding), but control of the US Senate hangs in the balance, pending the results of two runoff elections in Georgia, the nation’s newest battleground state. Early voting starts December 14, and Special Election Day is January 5, 2021. The Sierra Club will be making phone calls in support of Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, whose races could determine the fate of President-Elect Biden’s ambitious green agenda. Sign up to call Georgia voters at https://www.mobilize.us/sierraclubbattleground/event/272291/?utm_source=insider&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter. The available times are Sun., Dec. 6 from 3 to 6 PM and 6 to 9 PM EST, Mon., Dec. 7 from 3 to 6 PM and 6 to 9 PM EST and Tues., Dec. 8 from 6 to 9 PM ET.  The calls will continue through Tues., Jan. 5 from 6 to 9 PM EST.

10] – As Lindsey Graham and Senate Republicans seek to sabotage the elections in Georgia, we must rise above them and mobilize Georgia’s Democratic base to cast their ballots. Making calls to infrequent voters is one of the most effective means of base-building and increasing voter turnout. Sign up to make calls with Turnout2020: https://www.mobilize.us/dailykos_2/event/363620/?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-firstname-default-friend-the-only-birthday-gift-i-want-is-for-us-to-win-in-georgia-action-needed-2&email_referrer=email_1002406&email_subject=rsvp-to-connect-with-infrequent-democratic-voters-in-georgia.

MAKE CALLS TO GEORGIA VOTERS this week-- starting on Sun., Dec. 6 from 2 to 4 PM and 4 to 6 PM EST, on Mon., Dec. 7 from 5 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM EST and Tues., Dec. 8 from 5 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM EST.  The calls will continue through Jan. 5 from 5 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM EST.

11] – How US Unconventional Warfare in Nicaragua Utilizes Human Rights Organizations is a topic for discussion on Sun., Dec. 6 at 4 PM ET.  The speakers are Camilo Mejia, Nicaraguan analyst and writer residing in the US, former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, and John Perry, long-time investigator, writer and Nicaragua resident.  This webinar will examine the role played by international and local human rights organizations within US-supported destabilization efforts in Nicaragua. The speakers will present evidence and arguments that this role is significant: Millions of US government and corporate dollars are spent on three such Nicaraguan organizations, and Amnesty International and other global organizations produce totally unbalanced reports which malign Nicaragua. Sign up at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1EXHD9Z1TJam9b7pvvnpKg.

12] - Join CODEPINK and The People’s Forum for the second teach in on the US Aggression on China on Sun., Dec. 6 at 4 PM ET. RSVP at https://peoplesforum.org/event/teach-in-us-aggression-on-china-what-can-we-do/.  Hear from Tobita Chow of Justice is Global, Sheila Xiao of Pivot to Peace, Charles Xu from Qiao Collective, Erik Sperling of Just Foreign Policy, Molly Hurley of Beyond the Bomb, and Jodie Evans from CODEPINK.  End the anti-China rhetoric because it is imperative that we do everything in our power to prevent another war. CODEPINK is also working towards peace with Iran. We are calling on President-elect Joe Biden and other world leaders to condemn the illegal execution of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh by Israel.

13] – Join the Progressive Democrats of America Healthcare Emergency Town Hall on Sun., Dec. 6 at 4 PM ET.  PDA is looking forward to a science-based resolution to the misery and mayhem that is #COVID19 in the U.S. The conviction remains that well-studied social science supports the structure of a #SinglePayer expanded and improved system to save money and save lives.  COVID-19 only magnifies and adds urgency to this task. Now that we are on the brink of discovery of a vaccine against this scourge, and with the fall/winter coronavirus surge of #COVID19 upon us, more and more of us are taking to heart the warnings of our brightest minds: public health measures must be followed to ensure the safety and lives of our friends and loved ones. As COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are spiking, we must all come together to help make our communities safer. Join our virtual town hall with experts and activists from across the country all focused on combatting this menace and bringing high quality healthcare to all.  Email mikefox@pdamerica.org to register.

14] – Our Revolution is asking you to volunteer to help make Get-Out-the-Vote phone calls to Georgia. These virtual phone banks will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 PM EST on Thursdays and Sundays!  In the months leading up to Election Day, Our Revolution’s army of grassroots volunteers powered a massive “Get out the Vote” campaign all across America. Over 650,000 people joined the rolling national and state virtual rallies, and together made more than 4 million one-on-one voter contacts. Volunteer with Our Revolution to help make Get-Out-the-Vote phone calls to Georgia! The next virtual phone bank is on Sun., Dec. 6 from 6.30 to 8:30 and Thurs., Dec. 10 PM EST!  Other dates for the phone bank will be available.  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/362948/?akid=824.8252965.hctbnt&rd=1&t=9.

15] – I am baffled that the Sierra Club is hosting this conversation: African American History, from Jim Crow to Black Lives Matter in in East Towson on Sun., Dec. 6 from 7 to 9 PM.  Other groups involved are TUUC Green Sanctuary and Social Action Com., NE Towson Improvement Assn, Contact Deborah Spice Kleinmann at spicearoni@gmail.com to sign in for this event.  The original notice of this event claimed the low income housing unit would be 1,000 apartments.  Actually, there are 56 apartments.

I need some understanding of the Sierra Club opposition to affordable housing in Baltimore County.  A number of people in Baltimore County have antipathy against affordable housing and Section 8 vouchers.  HUD has filed a discrimination lawsuit against Baltimore County.  And support for Red Maple comes from the Public Justice Center, the ACLU of Maryland, the NAACP and Disability Rights Maryland.  Of course, the community opposition would never discuss race, but would complain about “parking. But the Baltimore County Sierra Club is opposed to affordable housing? Why?

16] –   Future Coalition is the leading organization behind progressive youth activism. It is completely youth-led team is providing young people with the tools, resources, and support to power their ideas and amplify their impact around the nation.  Are you concerned about the growing climate crisis affecting communities across the world? Tune in on Sun., Dec. 6 at 7 PM EST for the webinar Youth Power in Divestment with Not My Dirty Money: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0odeivpjgpGNwy0CbaEFdnzD0eddQcrS2u?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-today-learn-how-to-stop-voter-harassment-at-the-polls-2&email_referrer=email_1004124&email_subject=rsvp-now-youth-power-in-divestment-webinar.

17] – 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 Dec. 7, 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 begin at 8 AM.  No cameras are allowed on Pentagon grounds. Restrooms are located inside Marriott Residence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr.  

18] – The GW Institute for Korean Studies is hosting U.S.-ROK Cooperation between the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the New South Policy with Marc Knapper, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Japan and Korea, on Mon., Dec. 7 from 10 to 11 AM EST.  The United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) share a long history of cooperation based on mutual trust, shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, common strategic interests, and an enduring friendship.

  As allies whose relationship is grounded in these shared values, the United States and the Republic of Korea work together to create a safe, prosperous, and dynamic Indo-Pacific region through cooperation between the Republic of Korea’s New South Policy and the United States’ Indo-Pacific Strategy based on the principles of openness, inclusiveness, transparency, respect for international norms, and ASEAN centrality. Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/korea-policy-forum-with-marc-knapper-department-of-state-tickets-130268734291.

19] – Work with the Indivisible Team and get Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff across the finish line in Georgia. The group has worked with Color of Change for an All Eyes on Georgia phonebank on Mon., Dec. 7 from 6 to 8:30 PM EST. By making calls into Georgia, you'll be working to take back the Senate, move progressive priorities to the fore like protecting Black lives, strengthen our democracy, and ensure we pass real COVID-19 relief. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/colorofchangepac/event/365281/?utm_source=PSHIP-INDIVISIBLE.

To be continued.

Donations can be sent to Max Obuszewski, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 431 Notre Dame Lane, 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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