Baltimore Activist Alert – January 31 – February 3, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – January 31 – February 3, 2021

"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] Free Prakash Churaman  

6] "SOUPer Bowl" food drive – Jan. 31 to Feb. 7

7] “Replacing Magical Thinking with Rational Discourse” -- Jan. 31

8] Protest Exxon's Sponsorship of the Cruel Iditarod Race - Jan. 31

9] Weekly Seekers' BLM Witness – Jan. 31

10] Protest Anthropologie – Jan. 31

11] New Push for Medicare For All!  – Jan. 31

12] Indivisible is holding a We Won, What's Next? – Jan. 31

13] Healthcare Town Hall -- Jan. 31

14] Medicare 4 ALL Workgroup – Jan. 31

15] OUR REVOLUTION NORTHERN VIRGINIA – Jan. 31

16] Remove trash incineration from Renewable Portfolio Standard – Jan. 31

17] Pentagon Peace Vigil – Feb. 1

18] Quilts and Stories – Feb. 1 & 3

19] Why is the U.S. going after Iran? – Feb. 1

20] Food Rescue – Feb. 1

21] Women Surviving Apartheid's Prisons – Feb. 1

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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] – Prakash Churaman was 15 when he was arrested and accused of murdering his best friend. NYPD detective Barry Brown coerced him into making a false confession over the course of hours in an interrogation room. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison by Judge Kenneth Holder, a former prosecutor. That conviction was overturned this summer and now for the first time he has a chance to come home if money can be raised for his bail. Here is the link to a video which tells his story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FStlvKjTt4&t=7s. Here is the link to Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/freeprakashchuraman and another one to a petition: https://www.change.org/p/freeprakashchuraman.

6] – On Sun., Jan. 31 at midnight to 11:45 PM EST, get over to a SOUPer Bowl Food Drive, hosted by the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.  This will continue each day through Sun., Feb. 7. Visit https://aafoodbank.org/. Fight hunger and celebrate the Big Game with a virtual "SOUPer Bowl" food drive in support of Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

7] – 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., Jan. 31, hear about “Replacing Magical Thinking with Rational Discourse.” How can freethinkers help restore democracy? The platform will be shared by representatives from all twenty-five national Ethical Societies and will feature music from the Washington Ethical Society Chorus, Jaque DuPree and Barry Kornhauser, with presiders Vandra Thorburn, Elaine Durbach and Lyn Cox. As we face this historical moment, when cult thinking and fake news have fueled an attempted insurrection, yet grassroots organizing gives us hope in the future of multiracial democracy, we reflect on the intellectual traditions supporting a free society. What do our shared values lead us to do now in order to cultivate a world in which we bring out the best in each other and ideas are allowed to flourish without threat of violence? A panel of ‘freethinkers’ from within our movement will draw from philosophy, history, and Ethical Culture. They are Dr. David Sprintzen, Professor Emeritus at Long Island University; Christian Hayden, Leader-in-Training at the Ethical Society of St. Louis; and Jone Johnson Lewis, Leader at the Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture. Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for the ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

8] – On Sun., Jan. 31 from noon to 1 PM EST, protest Exxon's Sponsorship of the Cruel Iditarod Race at 8240 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda 20814-3100.  Again this is organized by Protest for Animal Rights -- https://www.facebook.com/ProtestforAnimalRights/. Join local activists at a socially distant protest of ExxonMobil’s sponsorship of the deadly Iditarod dog race.  Over 150 dogs have died in this cruel race, and in just the last decade, dogs forced to run in the Iditarod have died from heart attacks, internal bleeding, inhaling their own vomit, and being buried alive in snow. ExxonMobil is complicit in cruelty as one of the race’s last major sponsors. The dogs need all of our voices to stand up against their suffering and deaths in the Iditarod.

9] – On Sun., Jan. 31 through Feb. 28 from 12:30 to 1:30 PM ET, join a BLM Witness at the Seekers Church, 276 Carroll St. NW, WDC 20012. Visit https://www.facebook.com/seekerschurchDC/. It is a wonderful opportunity to show up for racial justice and experience unity as passing drivers and pedestrians of all races and ethnicities wave and raise fists. Cars honk, bicyclists ring their little bike bells, and sometimes passers-by ask for a sign and join in. 

10] – On Sun., Jan. 31 from 1:30 to 2:30 PM EST, Protest Anthropologie, 4801 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda 20814-5201. Protest for Animal Rights is organizing this event and can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ProtestforAnimalRights/.  Protest URBN Brands like Anthropolgie for selling animal skins! It sells clothing that contains the wool of alpacas and sheep, as well as "leather" from cows and "cashmere" from goats. PETA investigations reveal that these animals suffer horribly when having their wool taken from them, and ultimately all of these animals end up slaughtered. Tell URBN Brands like Anthropologie that there's no reason to use animals as clothing in 2020. Please wear a mask and maintain social distancing throughout the event. 

11] – Progressive Maryland [josh@progressivemaryland.org] is promoting a New Push for Medicare For All!  Sign up to phone bank on Sun., Jan. 31 at 2 PM ET: r Alhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElfuuuqDojGNSAYabN3mACMQdXWf1E4vMd?emci=901ceafe-1863-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&emdi=4c168b14-1a63-eb11-9889-00155d43c992&ceid=136680. PM is starting with a locally focused Medicare For All resolution campaign. The first stop is Montgomery County where it will bring a MFA resolution to the County Council next month. More than fifty City Councils from Los Angeles to Knoxville have passed resolutions in support of Medicare For All.

12] – Indivisible is holding a We Won, What's Next? This Indivisible’s 2021 Strategy Session is on Sun., Jan. 31 at 3 PM ET.  Discuss plans to reform our democracy as we head into a Democratic trifecta! Take deep dives into the issues to prioritize. If you thrive in community and want to learn how to make a strategic impact, these trainings are for you. Register at https://indivisible.org/we-won-whats-next-indivisibles-2021-strategy-session?akid=70207.839288.mxURzU&rd=1&t=21&utm_medium=link9_20210111&utm_source=email.

13] – The Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] are holding a Healthcare Emergency Town Hall on Sun., Jan. 31 at 4 PM ET to discuss the Vaccine Rollout and more.  On the Town Hall with Dr. Bill Honigman, hear from activists from across the country and focus on combating COVID-19 and bringing high-quality healthcare to all. Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4 and get the call-in info. The Biden administration must expand these essential services to include universal #COVID19 testing, contact tracing, and full PPE to all frontline healthcare and congregate-living caretakers, as well as to reduce everyone’s risk by expanding medical care to include full treatment of chronic medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and dental and mental disease, in a manner that allows full access to all without regard to race, class, gender, or ideology.

14] – On Sun., Jan. 31 from 5 to 6 PM EST, get with a Medicare 4 ALL Workgroup Weekly Meeting, hosted by Metro D.C. Democratic Socialists of America.  These meetings will continue through April 25.   RSVP HERE FOR ZOOM: https://actionnetwork.org/events/medicare-4-all-workgroup-weekly-meeting-m4a-19/?fbclid=IwAR0DIbPLAs5TxDKatV0gX7YDICCT4PEinwjQjDVrrsVKZMAoWK3MaI-b7Kc. Democratic Socialists are fighting to make single-payer Medicare for All healthcare a reality.  Help fight to replace our fractured and broken health system with a unified Medicare for All system. Not a DSA member? Consider becoming a Member. Fees are on a sliding scale according to what you feel you can afford: http://dsausa.org/join?source=Metro%20DC. 

15] – In Fairfax, Virginia, get over to an OUR REVOLUTION NORTHERN VIRGINIA Organize to Win Meeting on Sun., Jan. 31 from 6:30 to 9 PM ET. RSVP to get the Zoom link at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/372900/?followup_modal_context=newsletter.

16] – Our Revolution Prince George's is urging you to join Delegate Julian Ivey (D-47) for a town hall discussion on his bill HB 332 to remove trash incineration from Tier 1 of Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard. This is happening on Sun., Jan. 31 at 7 PM.  Register here link https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwuf-GgqD0iG9QPXQuWc2-2z-8Ucktn0RVC?link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-clean-means-clean-renewable-means-renewable-trash-incineration-is-neither&email_referrer=email_1058929&email_subject=townhall-clean-means-clean-renewable-means-renewable-trash-incineration-is-neither. Climate change is an existential crisis. Thus we must transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. But who defines what clean is and how does the State incentivize clean energy?  HB 332 will not close down the two trash incinerators in Maryland. What it will do is to stop subsidizing them with rate-payer dollars.

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 Feb. 1, 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] – On Mon., Feb. 1 and Wed., Feb. 3 from 10 AM to 4 PM EST, check out Quilts and the Stories They Tell at the Sandy Spring Museum. Capacity limitations will reflect the current Montgomery County guidelines. Reservations are encouraged. Go to https://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/quilts/. Take a close look at a quilt and you can almost hear the words of the maker, the fabric, and the purpose of this utilitarian work of art. But while every quilt has a backstory, the story quilt starts with a message. A story quilt may include words, photos, non-traditional fabrics, and embellishments along with more standard quilting techniques and materials.

19] – On Mon., Feb. 1 at noon ET, participate in an Anti-Imperialists in Solidarity with Iran Webinar: US-Iran Relations in the Biden Era: What's Next? This will be an incisive and in-depth look at the potential for change in US-Iran relations following the change in administrations, the long history of US imperialism directed against Iran, and the ongoing sanctions regime threatening the people of Iran. Richard Falk and others will speak. Sign up at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N1xcleSTQ6SMorvM5aZbjQ.

20] – On Mon., Feb. 1 from noon to 1:30 PM EST, participate in Food Rescue at Land of Kush, 840 North Eutaw St., Baltimore.  This Food Rescue will continue until Mon., Apr. 26. Food Rescue Baltimore is proud to partner with The Land of Kush each and every Monday to bring free vegan and plant-based food to the community. Bring a bag, take what you want, while supplies last. #KeepItFreshDay #MeatlessMonday. See https://www.facebook.com/The-Land-of-Kush-102096254517153.

21] – Join the launch at 1 PM ET on Mon., Feb. 1 of Women Surviving Apartheid's Prisons by next-gen South African author Shanthini Naidoo. This online event is a great way to kick off Black History Month! It will feature the author from her Johannesburg home; distinguished African-American journalist Donna Bryson (who wrote a lovely Foreword to the book)-- and as a special guest, South Africa's ambassador to the United States, Hon. Nomaindiya Cathleen Mfeketo! Amb. Mfeketo was herself a significant activist and organizer in the anti-apartheid movement, and more recently the Mayor of Cape Town. Tune in at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pzd-SjG3QwC9b1RLSr6IMw.  Pre-registration is required.

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