Baltimore Activist Alert -- July 22, 2021

44] Phone bank for Nina Turner through August 2

45] Save the life of a prisoner – July 22

46] Stop Line 3 – July 22

47] Faith in Democracy Forum -- July 22

48] Elevating the Voices of Women and People of Color – July 22

49] District 19 Business Canvassing – July 22

50] Rebuilding SSI – July 22

51] Baltimore Greenway Trails Network – July 22

52] CALL WEST VIRGINIANS -- July 22

53] Second Annual Summer Social – July 22

54] Civil Rights Here and There – July 22

55] Charlie King Concert – July 22

56] How to write a letter – July 22

57] Shut Down Creech – July 22

58] Training on Mapping for Redistricting -- July 22

59] Public Citizen meeting – July 22

60] Nina Turner Team Call – July 22

----

44] – Justice Democrats [us@list.justicedemocrats.com] are asking you to phone bank for the next 13 days for Nina Turner who is running for Congress.  There are less than two weeks until the last day of voting in the Ohio 11th special election, but special interest money is pouring into the race to defeat Turner. Show the establishment that organized people can beat organized money. But in order for that to happen, and for Nina Turner to win on August 3rd, your help is needed contacting voters. Sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMmeByyoN3kfkpNZ29RgysFUBBw9sMArSU4lM_1oOVHtUiwg/viewform.

45] –Ravil Mingazov was the last Russian prisoner at Guantanamo.  After 14 years the Obama Administration “released” him to an even worse prison in the UAE.  Now, after 5 years the UAE government plans to return him to Russia, where his life will be in danger.  Join a protest to demand that the UAE release him and the 17 other former Guantanamo detainees locked in their prisons without access to their lawyers or the International Red Crescent Society. Never charged with crimes, they are Forever Prisoners. 

  Oppose UAE rendition to Russia or Yemen on Thurs., July 22 at noon at the UAE Cultural Attaché Office, 2406 Massachusetts Ave. NW, WDC. In Jan. 2017, the UAE agreed to accept Ravil and gave assurances to the U.S. that he would be treated well, detained for six months in a “réhabilitation center,” and then released with a job and modest residence.  The U.S. paid the UAE for this “diplomatic assurance.”  The UAE LIED about Ravil, and about the other 22 men they received from GTMO.  Instead, they threw Ravil and the others into the dungeons of al-Razeen prison, one of the most notorious prisons in the world.  And that is where Ravil and the others have been kept – under inhuman conditions – for four-and-a-half years. Call Helen [h.schietinger@verizon.net] at 202 344 5762.

46] – Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg [info@jewishvoiceforpeace.org] needs your help on Thurs., July 22 at 1 PM ET to join the frontlines of Indigenous solidarity to stop Line 3.  Protest the Enbridge Corporation for the construction of Line 3, a dirty tar sands pipeline that violates treaties through Anishinaabe land. Anishinaabe Water Protectors and their allies are putting their bodies on the line to defend their sacred land and water, and to fight for a livable future for all of us and our descendants. Now is the time to Stop Line 3—join in to find out how during the Frontline Report Back and Action Hour. Register for the Zoom link at https://act.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/a/stop-line-3?emci=46fac917-ade9-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=525fb21b-3dea-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=237778.

47] –  Rev. Jennifer Butler, Faith in Public Life Action [commongood@faithinpubliclife.org] wants your participation in a Faith in Democracy Forum on Thurs., July 22 at 1 PM. Our voting rights are sacred and right now they are under attack, making it hard for people to cast their ballot. If Congress does not pass The For the People Act (S1) we could face decades of continuous voter suppression and dark money being pushed into our political system. A Holy Recovery requires the rights of some of us to be protected by all of us.  Sign up at https://fpl.actionkit.com/sign/faith-in-democracy-forum-7-22/?t=7&akid=4644%2E87934%2EsNtF1q.

48] – Lynn Fahselt, ReThink Media <lynn@rethinkmedia.org> indicates it is time to Step Up: Elevating the Voices of Women and People of Color. Diversity in Voice will share Nuclear Weapons Media Coverage on Thurs., July 22 at 2 PM ET. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpdumoqTMjG9VlbGUvku0grPSaO0Iona10.  Come ready to see new data, ask probing questions, and discuss strategies to achieve a more representative media landscape.

49] – Matan Zeimer, Jews United for Justice [matan@jufj.org] needs you on Thurs., July 22 at 2 PM ET for a District 19 Business Canvassing. Come to Montgomery County to talk to local businesses at the Red Mill Shopping Centre, 7200 Muncaster Mill Road, Potomac, MD 20850. Register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/time-to-care-business-outreach-district-19?sourceid=1020679&utm_source=standalone&utm_campaign=time-to-care&utm_medium=ea&emci=7ea1022c-60e6-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=74caff78-ace8-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=3403859. 

Then on Thursday evening at 8 PM, attend the JUFJ Paid Family and Medical Leave workgroup meeting on Zoom. RSVP at https://jufj.org/event/pfml-wg3/?sourceid=1020679&utm_source=standalone&utm_campaign=time-to-care&utm_medium=ea&emci=7ea1022c-60e6-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=74caff78-ace8-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=3403859.

 50] – The Century Foundation  [events@tcf.org] wants you to know about Rebuilding SSI with Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Ayanna Pressley; and Investing in Care with Labor Sec. Marty Walsh on Thurs., July 22 at 3:30 PM ET.  This is a Facebook Town Hall about how rebuilding SSI for the incapacitated and for seniors must take place. The American Jobs and Families Plans would address the immediate challenges facing women and start the critical work of reversing decades of underinvestment in the care sector. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-work-and-care-the-pandemic-and-its-aftermath-tickets-162583312063?aff=odeimcmailchimp&mc_cid=a3db1572a8&mc_eid=0f57b5a0fa.

 51] – Jed Weeks, Bikemore [info@bikemore.net] wants you to know that  the Baltimore City Department of Transportation is hosting a meeting on Thurs., July 22 at 6 PM to discuss the Northern Segment of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. This portion of the trail would be constructed along Gwynns Falls Parkway and 33rd Street, connecting to existing trails in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, Druid Hill Park, Wyman Park, and Lake Montebello/Herring Run. This is part of the ten remaining miles to complete the 35-mile loop of the Baltimore Greenway Trails Network. Last year, a study showed that the potential economic benefits to neighbors and businesses along the corridor far outsize the $28 million needed to complete the trail. This is an investment that would impact generations to come, and our city leadership knows it: Mayor Scott has made building the network a first-term priority.

 Some loud voices oppose the development of the trail network. But we know that the majority of Baltimore residents want safe spaces to travel, play, and connect with others. This multi-use, all ages and abilities trail would bring benefits to a diversity of residents and improve the connectivity, accessibility, and economic vitality of our city.  Please attend this meeting to make your support for the Greenway Trails Network heard, and contribute your knowledge of our neighborhoods and streets to strengthen the design of the project!  RSVP at https://www.baltimorebikeways.com/baltimore-greenway/july-virtual-event/?emci=7f14763e-c1e4-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=251920ca-39e6-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=9712492.

52] – We Have a Do-or-Die, Time-Limited Chance to Defeat White Supremacy and Big Money. If you want equal protection so that every voter counts the same regardless of color, income, age, or neighborhood, now is the time to act. If you want freedom from the influence of big money, now is the time to act. In the next months, action by people like you can create a groundswell to pass three major bills (see details in box below). One of them (S. 1) would provide sweeping reforms to end special-interest corruption in our government. Congress must act early this summer or partisan redistricting – based on a flawed census – will have happened. The House of Representatives has the votes to pass these bills, and they can pass the Senate, too - but only if We the People let our senators know how we feel.

  If these bills do not pass, action by some state legislatures will reduce the freedom to vote for targeted populations. Get Money Out – Maryland (GMOM) founded For the People – Maryland with 20 other groups to fight for these principles in the U.S. Congress.  Therefore, the filibuster rule will need to change to allow these bills to pass with a simple majority.

 While there are several Senators who haven’t formally committed, people in-the-know say if we can convince WV Senator Joe Manchin, the others will come along. Opponents are putting lots of money into WV, and we need to fight back. WV residents tell us that Manchin is often willing to do a 180 degree turn if he gets enough pressure. Volunteers asking his constituents to contact him could trigger the biggest reform since the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Make calls to WV residents on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Please sign up to call on Thurs., July 22 from 6 to 8 PM ET and try to convince one friend to do so also!  There is good training and support throughout!  Go to https://www.mobilize.us/vopropros/event/389987/.  CALL WEST VIRGINIANS.

53] –Jared Schablein [lowershoreprogressivecaucus@gmail.com] wants you to know that the Lower Shore Progressive Caucus is holding an in- person event on Thurs., July 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 PMET.  It will take place at the Poplar Hill Mansion, and this is the Second Annual Summer Social with guest speakers--Wicomico County Councilmember Josh Hastings, Mayor Jacob Day of Salisbury, Salisbury Councilmember Michele Gregory, Pocomoke Councilmember Todd Nock, and others. This event will also highlight Progressive candidates, causes, and all the great work the LSPC has done this year. So join a fun night of food, politics, and most importantly, community after a long year and a half away. Go to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sumsocial.

54] – Farrah Agha [farrah@afcfp.org] is inviting you to Civil Rights Here and There on Thurs., July 22 at 7 PM ET.  Explore the intersection of the Civil Rights movement in America with the fight for Palestinian Freedom.  Eldra Jackson is an activist and advocate who spent over two decades in Folsom Maximum Security Prison (in California) before committing his life to racial justice, violence transformation and men’s empowerment work with his NGO, Inside Circle. Aziz Abu Sarah serves on the Board of Combatants for Peace. He is a committed peace & human rights activist and was the first Palestinian to run for Mayor of Jerusalem. Join Eldra and Aziz in this important conversation by signing up at https://secure.everyaction.com/gptC0j1kekujfRU8hqIlpw2?emci=e5437ae3-09ce-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=c4aef3f9-2be4-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=8142762.

55] –  Register now for a special FREE on-line concert in honor of the work of Death Penalty Action, featuring musical artists Charlie King and Elise Bryant at 7 PM EDT on Thursday, July 22 at 7 PM EDT. Register for the zoom link at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-qaxz7BiR_2DzrRb9OWVmA?link_id=3&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-rodney-reed-innocent-on-death-row-5&email_referrer=email_1233555&email_subject=case-updates-special-opportunity.

56] –Kai Mateo, Maryland LCV [info@mdlcv.org] is doing a training on Thurs., July 22 at 7 PM on How to write a letter to the editor. Right now, Congress is negotiating legislation that could become the most significant federal action to combat climate change EVER. This could mean millions of good-paying green jobs, a pathway to 100% clean energy for the whole country by 2035, and a commitment to invest billions of dollars in Black, Brown, and low-income communities that have been hardest hit by the climate crisis. But the fossil fuel industry is fighting to block this historic investment, and we must make sure our members of congress listen to us! We have to push back with our people power, our stories! Register for this online training at https://secure.everyaction.com/qHI5vAim8E-FfeOihelLVw2?ms=MD&emci=e3a92a36-5ee6-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=e28932b1-08e7-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=578562.

57] – On Thurs., July 22 at 7:30 PM ET, tune into a Webinar:  RESISTING DRONE TERROR: Behind the Scenes of SHUT DOWN CREECH.  Hop on to see the best footage from 12 years of resistance before the webinar begins.  Get the Zoom link at https://www.codepink.org/07222021.  Hear from Col. Ann Wright and others.

58] – The All on the Line Team [allontheline@redistrictingaction.org] on Thurs., July 22 from 8 to 9 PM ET is doing a training on Mapping for Redistricting.  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/allontheline/event/399867/?utm_campaign=20210717_AOTL_O_resend_RUcalendar_ActivesXopeners.  This training will also take place on Tues., July 27 from 8 to 9 PM EDT, Wed., Aug. 18 from 8 to 9 PM EDT and Sun., Aug. 22 from 1 to 2 PM EDT.

59] – Public Citizen [action@citizen.org] wants you  to attend on Thurs., July 22 at 8:30 PM ‌a meeting to celebrate recent organizing successes and discuss the next steps in our fight to protect the right to vote. Rep. John Lewis called on all of us to never give up the fight for democracy. So on the one year anniversary of his passing, people like you held 155 events in 42 states to honor his memory and grow our movement to defend the right to vote. Join the meeting by clicking on https://www.mobilize.us/democracyvigils/event/402608/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=0c5492d9-710f-4372-9053-4420ad2206dc.

60] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to join in on Thurs., July 22 at 9 PM ET for the Nina Turner Team Call.  Progressives need Nina to win her primary in OH-11. Register at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUoce6tqD8tH9dBYYdKFGq3GnXrAIBkAkrO, and you will be sent your secure code.

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