Sunday, January 24, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert -- January 25 -- 26, 2021

19] The World Says No to War on Yemen – Jan. 25

20] Development and Democracy in ROK – Jan. 25

21] Climate Crisis and Education Act – Jan. 25

22] How we win during the Biden/Harris administration!  – Jan. 25

23] Get Money Out – Maryland – Jan. 25

24] National Organize to Win Call – Jan. 25

25] Engaging China on Nuclear Arms Control Jan. 26

26] Under the Mask – Jan. 26

27] Deleting Yourself from Searches -- Jan. 26

28] Protest JHU’s weapons research – Jan. 26

29] Maryland Humane Lobby Day – Jan. 26

30] Taking It to the Streets – Jan. 26

31] Immigration Nation: The Right Way -- Jan. 26

32] Weaponizing Disease and Vaccine Wars Jan. 26

33] Tuesday Capitol Calling Party – Jan. 26

34] Sierra Club digital rally – Jan. 26

35] Agenda for transformative change – Jan. 26

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19] – The shockingly under-reported war in Yemen has led to the death of 250,000 people and created the worst humanitarian crisis anywhere in the world according to the UN. It is estimated that more than 24 million people in the country, which was already one of the poorest on the planet prior to the war, will need humanitarian assistance in 2021. The war is led by Saudi Arabia, with the involvement of the UAE, but it is backed by some key Western powers – the US, the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Canada. In particular, the US and the UK have maintained unquestioning support for Saudi Arabia since the war began and are both participants in the war.

– Global Online Rally is happening on Mon., Jan. 25 from 2 to 5 PM.  This protest is timed to take place just days after the inauguration of Joe Biden, who has promised to end US support for the war. This is the one central aim – to hold him to his word and force fellow governments to follow suit. Over 230 organizations from 17 countries have signed up for a call to action against the war on Yemen so far, making this the biggest international anti-war co-ordination since the campaign against the Iraq war. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic many of the planned physical protests have had to be postponed but the global movement will not be silenced. Check out http://masspeaceaction.org/event/international-day-of-action-on-yemen/?emci=b2c0699c-9e59-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&emdi=75898b02-a559-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&ceid=269591.

20] – On Mon., Jan. 25 from 2 to 3:30 PM ET tune into a Virtual Event via Zoom -- Soh Jaipil Lecture Series: Dictator’s Modernity Dilemma--Development and Democracy in ROK, 1961-1987.  RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dictators-modernity-dilemma-development-and-democracy-in-rok-1961-1987-tickets-119025968877.  This lecture aims to reconcile the two seemingly contradictory views regarding Korea’s path to modernity and democracy. At first blush, South Korea illustrates the basic premise of modernization theory: economic development leads to democracy. However, under Park Chung Hee (1961-1979) and Chun Doo Hwan (1980-1988), Korea’s political system became increasingly authoritarian alongside the growth of the national economy. These South Korean autocrats sought legitimacy of their coup-born regimes by holding legislative elections and investing in economic development.

21] – The CCAN Action Fund [info@ccanactionfund.org] is hosting a  Climate Crisis and Education Act (CCEA) lobby event on Mon., Jan., 25 at 4 PM EST. Urge Maryland legislators to support the Act.  To participate, sign up at https://actionnetwork.org/events/climate-crisis-education-act-lobby-day.  It’s time to make polluters pay. This month, CCAN Action Fund and the Rebuild Maryland Coalition will be lobbying the Maryland legislature to pass HB0033/SB0076 so these fossil fuel companies can be held accountable.

22] – People Power Can Win: Join the Sierra Club [reply@emails.sierraclub.org] livestream on Mon., Jan. 25 at 7 PM ET.  What's next? How we win during the Biden/Harris administration!  RSVP for the livestream at https://www.mobilize.us/sierraclubbattleground/event/369881/?promoid=7013q000001kmaOAAQ&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sierraclub&utm_campaign=resist&db_token=b6e24884ef874d561f720648fa7f24c728d130c0ee61950ee534052d92e2b46bad2d2286ded8e97bd08adac88591a989.

23] – There is a Get Money Out - Maryland BOARD MEETING on Mon., Jan. 25 at 7:30 PM.  There is two ways to join the conference: 1) dial 1 301 715 8592 with a meeting ID: 931 3066 2622. The password is 173976 and 2} click on your device if you have downloaded the app from Zoom.  This is a GMOM Board strategy session. Observers are welcome. Visit https://www.getmoneyoutmd.org/.

24] – Our Revolution [info@ourrevolution.com] is reminding you not to miss the next National Organize to Win Call on Mon., Jan. 25 at 8:30 PM EST featuring US Rep. Ro Khanna, who will give a Capitol Hill update.  Minnesota Attorney General and Our Revolution Board Member Keith Ellison and Open Markets Institute Executive Director Barry Lynn will discuss fighting corporate monopolies; and DNC member Jodi Clemens will talk about the work to transform the Democratic Party!  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/148017/?akid=1031.8252965.HgNcs4&rd=1&t=8.

25] – The United States is increasingly concerned by China’s nuclear modernization and expansion. In an effort to cap China’s arsenal, the United States recently pushed Beijing to join U.S.-Russian arms limitation talks, but China refused, insisting that deeper cuts in the U.S. and Russian stockpiles must come first. The result is an impasse. Are there opportunities for the incoming Biden administration to resolve this standoff and prevent a new arms race? On Tues., Jan. 26 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM ET, join a conversation Engaging China on Nuclear Arms Control [Online] between James Acton, Nobumasa Akiyama, Nicola Leveringhaus, and Tong Zhao as they discuss concepts for engaging China. Fiona Cunningham will moderate. To submit a question for the event, email emclaughlin@ceip.org.  The sponsor is the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Sign up at https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/01/26/engaging-china-on-nuclear-arms-control-event-7512.

26] – Governments are exploiting the public health crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to impose dangerous, authoritarian policies—including restricting people’s right to speak out and organize against repression. Join AFSC on Tues., Jan. 26 at 11 AM ET for a special 60-minute online event: Under the Mask: How communities are resisting authoritarianism during COVID-19 and beyond.  Under the Mask is a new site that tracks and analyzes government abuses of power globally. It was launched to support the work of activists, journalists, and others working to protect our freedoms during the pandemic and beyond.  The keynote will be given by Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin, the United Nations special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. She works closely with governments around the world and United Nations entities to advance human rights protections in some of the most difficult contexts.  Sign up at https://www.afsc.org/action/register-today-under-mask?contactdata=%2bjAfQdQx8%2f0u6FqVnpQw7ii6xIO2uq6VvrD7rKG6pYhFX8EFfW489h9Paf%2bueZv7mF5dHhwSSjy0vc00YaVZdxXjWbMiRAOgFBkvntvwGOYcSkePyNaQTzy8pEvv3uH%2bUfnsbHZWy%2fDcB5FoU1ZK5GlB458WJRi7pxO%2fHr6RZZcj0a0uwLSshab62BeFDE1fGZoRwrthroR8hhgc2QFmO6vG2unV0QbfbiuOp4tP2FXhGEl5FBbZU41wMEbjifd3TxAw7Pl4Y80jPeDamJ%2fZMA%3d%3d&EMA21AA0108=&emci=fc481b7f-634f-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&emdi=7aaa9134-c251-eb11-a607-00155d43c992&ceid=764241.

27] -- Have you ever popped your name in a search engine just to find out what’s out there? There may be more than you think! A number of people-search sites like Whitepages, Piple, and Intelius scour public records and purchase commercial datasets to publish detailed personal information. That data can include past and present addresses, any criminal records or bankruptcies, and even where your relatives live. If you care about your privacy, and want to learn how to scrub your information from these databases, you are invited to a Consumer Reports workshop on Tues., 26 at 1 PM ET --Deleting Yourself from Searches -- https://action.consumerreports.org/webinar_20210126_deleatingyourself?EXTKEY=BEC11EE001&utm_campaign=20201209_webinar&utm_campaign=20210121_privacy&utm_medium=email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cr&utm_source=cr.

28] – There is a Vigil to say "No Drone Research at JHU" at 33rd and N. Charles Sts. on Tuesdays from 5 to 6 PM. Contact Max at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net or 410-323-1607.  You may consider contacting President Ron Daniels and telling him that the university should reject all military contracts, including those for killer drone and nuclear weapons research.  The president’s mailing address is Office of the President, 242 Garland Hall, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland 21218.  You can also reach his office by Phone: (410) 516-8068, Fax: (410) 516-6097 or email: president@jhu.edu.

29] – The Humane Society of the United States is holding a Maryland Humane Lobby Day on Tues., Jan. 26 at 5:30 PM.  Discuss what to expect during the 2021 legislative session: what the priority issues for animals will be and how you can engage and support this critical agenda during a week of action in February! Sign up at https://humanesociety.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pny1OrNNSGKRjkYSEFw9aw?s_src=em_ha_01212021_132840.0&utm_source=convio&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=hld2021&utm_term=132840.0_msg2&utm_content=button.

30] – On Tues., Jan. 26 from 7 to 8 PM EST, get with the A Call to Action Event Series: Taking It to the Streets, hosted by Frederick Community College and Center for Student Engagement at Frederick Community College.  Tune in at frederick-edu.zoom.us.  Join three of the five young student activists who helped organize the March for Justice, a response to the murder of George Floyd and other acts of police violence, which was said to have rallied over 5,000 participants in peaceful non-violent protest. Student Akiyyah Billups and FCC alumni Kavonté Duckett and Alijah Gee will talk about planning the march and the skills they feel are needed to be an effective voice for social justice and positive change. Faculty members Anne Hofmann, associate professor of English; Laura Cordova, associate professor of World Languages; and Shelby Carmon from the Center for Student Engagement will facilitate this moderated conversation. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-call-to-action-event-series-taking-it-to-the-streets-registration-138099586581?fbclid=IwAR3a-SEkfrsfBPcruB7gwunEdZwOL6chLZAuBVDkWGX3gH2OSSvg8TFsH_g.

31] – Get involved with the HIAS Book and Film Club on Tues., Jan. 26 at 7 PM ET.  The discussion will focus on Episode 5 of Immigration Nation: The Right Way, a Netflix documentary series. HIAS staff facilitators will be joined by The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (CAIR), who will give expert insight into the current state of asylum and immigration detention in the United States, as well as the ways that system has changed over the past few years.  Advance registration is required at https://www.hias.org/get-involved/events/hias-book-and-film-club-january.

32] – On Tues., Jan. 26 from 8 to 9:30 PM EST, check out Covid-19: How Weaponizing Disease and Vaccine Wars are Failing the US.  Authors of the new book, "Capitalism on a Ventilator: The impact of COVID-19 in China and the US" will provide an update to the book including the US hybrid war against China and what is happening with the vaccines. The speakers are Vijay Prashad, Margaret Kimberley, Lee Siu Hin and Max Blumenthal. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_92S8HKiNR_eBBZhmK1r6gA?fbclid=IwAR0so_LnUqvNOPS_jt_ttnCbN50nPD-OzFDms5eaMIhCkmaNlxgxkezD85s.

33] - Get with the Tuesday Capitol Calling Party with experts on Iran on Tues., Jan. 26 at 8 PM ET. RSVP for the Zoom link at https://www.codepink.org/01262021. With the legacy of Trump’s disastrous actions on Iran, we need the Biden administration to radically reverse course, including rejoining the nuclear deal and lifting the sanctions. Will he? CODEPINK CONGRESS will feature two fantastic Iran experts, Trita Parsi and Negar Mortazavi. Guests will join Medea Benjamin, Co-founder, CODEPINK; Marcy Winograd, Coordinator, CODEPINK CONGRESS; and Hanieh Jodat Barnes, President, Muslim Delegates and Allies.

34] – The Sierra Club [reply@emails.sierraclub.org] is holding a digital rally on Tues., Jan.  26 at 8 PM to celebrate this moment and join frontline leaders calling on President Biden to take further bold executive actions. RSVP at https://biologicaldiversity-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/1816111673076/WN_Dtfn2D_QSJuQQcyX-b-i6w.

35] – Corporate Accountability [info@corporateaccountability.org] is inviting you to a first-ever virtual party with an agenda for transformative change on Tues., Jan. 26 from 8 to 9 PM ET.  ‌RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2516099575956/WN_CvCwRHEMSCOIjKFAndm6QA?link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-our-first-ever-virtual-party-and-youre-invited&email_referrer=email_1036076&email_subject=our-first-ever-virtual-party-and-youre-invited. A global pandemic, an intensifying climate crisis, and widespread uprisings for racial justice: We are witnessing the life-or-death consequences of the deep inequities in our society -- consequences that are making it clearer than ever that the systems we live within are inhumane and unsustainable.  Moments of crisis, especially on the scale of what we've experienced in 2020 and in the first days of 2021, can be overwhelming to go through. But they can also give us new opportunities to restructure our society and turn the tide on what seems "possible" to achieve. And these opportunities can lead to a metamorphosis that brings us closer to a more humane, just, liberatory, and life-sustaining future where all beings can thrive.

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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