Sunday, February 28, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – February 28 – March 7, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – February 28 – March 7, 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] “Time Warps: The Pandemic’s Effect on Our Sense of Duration” Feb. 28

7] Coalition against U.S. Foreign Military Bases -- Feb. 28

8] Feed the Homeless -- Feb. 28

9] Weekly Seekers' BLM Witness – Feb. 28

10] Protesting U.S. Policy toward Cuba Feb. 28

11] Building Food Sovereignty in Nicaragua – Feb. 28

12] Healthcare Town Hall -- Feb. 28

13] Master Naturalist Outing – Feb. 28

14] Medicare 4 ALL Workgroup – Feb. 28

15] Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons – Feb. 28

16] Protect Domestic Workers – Feb. 28

17] Services for Sister Dianna Ortiz -- Feb. 28, March 1 & 7

18] Apply to the Candidate Training Program – Feb. 28

19] Pentagon Peace Vigil – March 1

20] Quilts and Stories – March 1 - 12

21] Protest Haiti's U.S.-Backed Dictator – March 1

22] Food Rescue – March 1

------

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] – 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., Feb. 28, hear about “Time Warps: The Pandemic’s Effect on Our Sense of Duration.” The pandemic has done a lot to affect our perception of time, but not all people experience the warping the same way – for some time has moved slowly, for others quickly, and for many they feel both ways! What makes the minute hand move like molasses? What makes the days fly by? Hugh Taft-Morales explores various explanations for warped perceptions of time and offers some hints as to how to manage time in a way that supports full living. He serves as Leader of the Philadelphia Ethical Society and the Baltimore Ethical Society and is a member of the Ethical Action Committee of the American Ethical Union (AEU).  Email PRESIDENT@BMORETHICAL.ORG for the ZOOM LOGIN INFORMATION.

7] – The Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases [info@NoForeignBases.org] is hosting an International Webinar on US/NATO Military Bases on the International Day of Action on Sun., Feb. 28 from 11 AM to 1 PM ET.  It will be bilingual in English and Spanish.  It is organized by the World Peace Council. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0To6JEdvR5ikofei3IUsUA?link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-international-webinar-on-usnato-military-bases-3&email_referrer=email_1090248&email_subject=international-webinar-on-usnato-military-bases.

8] – On Sun., Feb. 28 from noon to 3 PM EST, Feed the Homeless in downtown Baltimore, 550 Holliday St., at the intersection of Guilford Ave. & Centre St., 21202, hosted by Mark Grey. Skylyne Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Baltimore. The group currently raises funds & collect donations to benefit the homeless & less fortunate men, women & children. It accepts food trays of different hot foods & soups (on location) perishable items, can goods, cases of water & juice toiletries, hygiene products, feminine products, school supplies, coats & winter accessories, footwear, pillows, blankets, and so much more. Consider making a minimum donation of $5 or $10, or any amount you can contribute. Go to https://www.facebook.com/skylynefoundation/. Email skylynefoundation@gmail.com.

9] – On Sun., 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] – Join the Car Caravan Protesting U.S. Policy toward Cuba on Sun., Feb. 28 at 1 PM. The DC Metro Coalition in Solidarity with the Cuban Revolution invites you, your co-workers, and family members to participate in this car caravan, designed to protest U.S. policy and actions toward Cuba, and specifically calls for a list of demands, including halting U.S. economic war against Cuba and getting the U.S. out of Guantanamo. Caravan vehicles will assemble on the street in front of the African American Civil War Museum, 1925 Vermont Ave. NW. The museum is located near the intersection of Vermont Ave. and U Street and close to the entrance to the U Street/African American Civil War Museum Metro station. Arrive by 12:45 PM to receive instructions on the route.

11] – Alliance for Global Justice [info@AFGJ.org] is announcing a webinar Building Food Sovereignty in Nicaragua on Sun., Feb. 28 at 3 PM ET. Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__ApvF2Q2TcmyO7HZyGU9VQ?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=fd5e6c8e-fbf5-40bb-adc3-9bc381fafda1. Nicaraguans are hard at work on a multi-faceted approach to ensure people's freedom from hunger and adequate nutrition.  The speakers in this webinar will discuss Nicaragua's efforts toward food sovereignty, including farmer associations like the ATC, agroecology projects, and government programs such as Zero Hunger and school meals.

12] – Join Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] at its Healthcare Emergency Town Hall on Sun., Feb. 28 at 4 PM ET.  This weekly series of town halls address COVID 19 and seek to help make America a healthier place for all, in general. Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.  The featured guest speakers are the PDA National Congressional Liaison team, along with PDA activists from across the country sharing their stories of activism and success. 

13] – There is a Master Naturalist Outing on Sun., Feb. 28 at 4 PM ET. Swap tips for where to go for winter walks. What's your favorite place? What have you discovered there recently? A Maryland Master Naturalist will take you on a virtual excursion to a beautiful Maryland destination.  To join the virtual walk, contact Janet Gingold, Chair, Prince George's Sierra Club Group, at janet.gingold@mdsierra.org or (301) 814-1223. Each participant should register individually. Registrants will be sent the meeting link the day before the event.

14] – On Sun., Feb. 28 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] – On Sun., Feb 28 from 5 to 6:30 PM, join the new Florida Peace & Justice Alliance for this special event with presentations by Dr. Lynn Ringenberg of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Florida and David Combs of the Union of Concerned Scientists! Talk about what the entry into force of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons means from a healthcare perspective.  They will also discuss the Back from the Brink campaign. Register for this webinar: "The journey to a world free of nuclear weapons – where we are and how you can get involved by emailing Al Mytty at amytty@hcamllc.com.

16] – The National Domestic Workers Alliance [info@email.domesticworkers.org] on Mon., March 1 at 7:30 PM ET is holding a webinar about how the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed all the cracks and breaks within our society: a fragile economy and an inadequate healthcare system. Millions of essential workers — most of whom are women of color — left without basic protections. In the face of this loss and confusion, there is an unprecedented opportunity to rebuild our economy and society with care for people, communities, and the planet at the center. Sign up at https://secure.everyaction.com/7mfe8uC1ikeo8Yx2_HWqMg2?emci=48b928df-4478-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&emdi=cb8fafd3-6478-eb11-85aa-00155d43c992&ceid=204641.

17] – Funeral Arrangements for Sister Dianna Ortiz, OSU were planned at the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph’s Motherhouse, Maple Mount, KY.  Here is the link for Live-Stream participation during the Vigil Service on Sun., Feb.  28 at 7:30 to 8:30 PM ET: https://www.facebook.com/ursulinesmsj/live/.  Here is the link for the funeral on Mon., March 1 at 11:30 AM ET: https://www.facebook.com/ursulinesmsj/live/. In addition, Assisi Community invites you to join for a Mass to celebrate Dianna’s life on Sun., March 7 at 5 PM ET by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89810526309?pwd=N3hxOHpLSWlBek8vaGtJZ01pMWhGUT09.  If you have questions, contact Marie Dennis, Assisi Community, at 202-257-1583 or marie.dennis@paxchristi.net.

18] – The Progressive Maryland Team [info@progressivemaryland.org] is reminding you to Apply to the Candidate Training Program! Applications due by midnight on Sun., Feb. 28. Are you thinking about running for office this year or in 2022? Do you want to be part of a progressive wave of candidates sweeping into office across Maryland in the next few years? Maybe you want to get more involved in working on and running grassroots electoral campaigns? If the answer is yes to any of the above, hear is a terrific opportunity for you! The Maryland People’s Leadership Institute (MPLI) is an esteemed candidate campaign training school designed for progressive activists working to make Maryland a better state. The 2021 program runs (in a virtual setting) from mid-April to mid-June. Use the link below to learn more: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0NGohDS3xeSPnG4W3EaMKoSAXsUknGn3TSJ2mYyAyZt4FqQ/viewform.

19] – 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 March 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.  

20] – On Mon., March 1 through Mar., 12 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.

21] – On Mon., March 1 at 10 AM ET, join a Black Alliance for Peace Rally to Oppose Haiti's U.S.-Backed Dictator at the Haitian Embassy, 2311 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC 20008-2802.  Protest Jovenel Moïse’s refusal to leave office after his term as president ended on February 7, 2021. Moïse has unleashed violent gangs, the police and the military against protesters, who are demanding he respect the Constitution and step down. RSVP at https://fb.me/e/2holDKXB3.

22] – On Mon., March 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.

To be continued.

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/.

"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

No comments: