Sunday, December 19, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – December 19 – 21, 2021

Baltimore Activist Alert – December 19 – 21, 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] Max is looking for tips on a garage or a storage suggestion.

6] House cleaner needed

7] Welcome an Afghan Family to Baltimore!

8] A friend needs a house or an apartment to rent

9] Black Lives Matter Interfaith Coalition Rally – Dec. 19

10] Knock on doors for Brooke Lierman – Dec. 19

11] Role of Art and Music in Progressive Politics -- Dec. 19

12] Discuss January 6, Day of Remembrance – Dec. 19

13] Make calls for the Freedom to Vote Act. – Dec. 19, 20 & 21

14] Protest at the Pentagon – Dec. 20

15] "Nukewatch Talks" plans – Dec. 20

16] Emergency Election Protection Coalition -- Dec. 20

17] Makes calls for a progressive candidate – Dec. 20

18] “The Big Scary ‘S’ Word” – Dec. 20

19] Christmas Peace Vigil – Dec. 21

20] Say No to weapons research at JHU – Dec. 21

21] CODEPINK Congress – Dec. 21

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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] – Max is in need of a garage or a storage space.  Any suggestions would be welcome.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

6] – Is there a woman in the Baltimore area who does house cleaning?  This assignment would be on an irregular basis with several hours per week.  Contact Max at 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

7] – St. Matthew, Blessed Sacrament, and the IOSC are partnering to welcome an Afghan Family to Baltimore! Are you interested in serving our new immigrant family? If you are interested, you will be trained in how you may serve, you will be guided and scheduled at your convenience by the Lead volunteer coordinator, you may also make donations through the IOSC to assist the family in the transition process in order to: Purchase food & Purchase clothes for winter and other necessities. Contact the IOSC at info@IOSCbaltimore.org, call the office at 410-323-8564 and leave a message for Nathalie.

8] – A friend, Brendan Walls, has to move out of a rented home on March 1.  So he is looking for housing and wants to live south of the Baltimore beltway, east of US 95 and north of Route 214.  Do you know of a house or apartment in the Annapolis area with as much peace and quiet as I can get for no more than $1800 a month? He does not mind pet sitting, house sitting, keeping someone company or community living.  Let me know if you have a lead on a home or apartment for Brendan to rent.  Thanks for giving this your consideration.

9] – The Black Lives Matter Interfaith Coalition <BLMInterfaithCoalition AT gmail.com> is inviting you to join its next Rally on Sun., Dec. 19 from 1:30 to 2:30 PM ET. It will happen at the corner of West Cold Spring Lane and Roland Avenue, Baltimore 21210. Rabbi Andy Gordon, Bolton Street Synagogue, will offer closing prayers. Visit http://www.blmic.org.  Bring a pack of diapers.

The youth at the Bolton Street Synagogue, 212 W. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore 21210/410-235-5354, are participating in Babyshare.  They are giving diapers for babies in Baltimore.  You can donate open packs of diapers but new (closed packs) of baby wipes and diaper rash cream, please. Did you know that SNAP (food stamps) and WIC benefits can't be used to purchase diapers?  

10] – Knock on Doors for Brooke in Silver Spring, hosted by the Brooke Lierman for Comptroller.  The dates and times are as follows on Sun., Dec. 19 from 2 to 4 PM ET. Gather at Ellsworth Urban Park, 621 Ellsworth Dr., Silver Spring 20910. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/397526/.

11] -- Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to join a discussion on Sun., Dec. 19 at 4 PM ET. Celebrating the Role of Art and Music in Progressive Politics with Author and Impresario Danny Goldberg. Art and music have often played a vital role in left-progressive movements. They were a central part of the national and global resistance to Trump. What role might they play in the progressive left in the coming years? Danny Goldberg has written a new book addressing these matters, Blood Crossroads 2020: Art, Entertainment, and Resistance to Trump – and he will be joining us for the Holiday-Season Progressive Town Hall this Sunday.  Danny was a reporter for Rolling Stone in the 1970s, at the height of the magazine’s influence, and he went on to manage Nirvana at the height of their fame. These days, along with running his management company, he is a frequent contributor to The Nation Magazine, sits on the Board of Public Citizen, and is a progressive activist and organizer.

  Danny will be joined at the Town Hall by Howie Klein from Blue State America, a progressive PAC closely allied with PDA. Like Danny, Howie had a brilliant career on the cutting edge of Rock 'n' Roll. He worked with many legendary acts including the Clash, one of the most politically committed bands in the rock pantheon.  Sign up at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

12] – People For the American Way] [alerts@pfaw.org] wants you to join in on Sun., Dec. 19 at 4 PM ET for an activist call about the January 6, Day of Remembrance events. Rep. Adam Schiff will discuss defending our democracy in the New Year.  This January 6, people across the country will be holding candlelight vigils to say: In America, voters decide the outcome of elections.  You won’t want to miss the insights of Mayor Svante Myrick, Executive Director of People for the American Way’s Foundation, alongside Congressperson Schiff and other leading advocates as they discuss on a movement call this Sunday, Dec. 19 from 4 to 5 PM ET.  RSVP for the activist call to action for anniversary events on and around January 6: https://www.mobilize.us/pfaw/event/431417/?utm_source=pfawemail.

13] – Join the Freedom to Vote Act Phonebank with Common Cause on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Work together to demand bold changes to our alleged democracy to create a government that represents all of us, not big corporations or special interests. Call voters in targeted states and connect them to their Senators to support the Freedom to Vote Act and eliminate the filibuster. These phone banks are subject to change based on variables outside of our control (i.e. a Senator's mailbox is full). On Sun., Dec. 19 from 6 to 8 PM ET, connect AZ voters to Sen. Sinema to ask that they do everything possible to pass the Freedom to Vote Act including fixing the filibuster.  On Mon., Dec. 20 from 4 to 6 PM and 6 to 8 PM EST, connect AZ voters to Sen. Kelly to ask that they do everything possible to pass the Freedom to Vote Act including fixing the filibuster. On Tues., Dec. 21 from 4 to 6 PM ET, connect AZ voters to Sen. Sinema to ask that they do everything possible to pass the Freedom to Vote Act including fixing the filibuster.  Register at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=newsletter.

14] – 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. 20 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 begins 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.  

15] – Nukewatch [nukewatch1=lakeland.ws@vrmailer3.com] is inviting you to “NUKEWATCH TALKS” ZOOM MEETING on Mon., Dec. 20 at noon ET.  Want to get a handle on the nuclear news? "Nukewatch Talks" plans to give you a live update from Germany about the trials in the US Bombs out of Germany campaign and its other work. Nukewatch Quarterly editors John LaForge and Kelly Lundeen will be available to discuss and answer your questions about the nuclear news. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckf-usrj8tHtaEWgWyTaE34KjrwIginR28. 

16] – The Emergency Election Protection Coalition is hosting Keith Ellison, Minnesota Attorney General, on Defending Democracy and Voting Rights at 5 PM ET on Mon., Dec. 20. Sign up at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYldumtrjIiH9L7_KfcFV1n8ynuO3anTGwp. Please submit any questions to: Solartopia@gmail.com. Progressive Democrats of America are part of the coalition.

17] – On Mon., Dec. 20 from 6 to 8 PM and Tues., Dec. 21 from 4 to 6 PM and 6 to 8 PM ET, call voters in District 8 to support Edward Burroughs for County Councilperson in the special election this upcoming January. Prince George's County deserved a more progressive County Council and for that to happen we have to make your voice heard! Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/progressivemarylandneweraproject/event/427687/.

18] – Susan Barnett [reelandmealatnewdealcafe@gmail.com] wants you to know that Reel and Meal in partnership with the Democratic Socialists of America, Prince George's County Branch presents “The Big Scary ‘S’ Word” on Mon., Dec. 20 at 7 PM ET.  This will be a hybrid event with in person and virtual options.  To attend in person, come to the New Deal Café at 113 Centerway (Roosevelt Center) in Greenbelt. Masks are required, and proof of Covid vaccination is required. Seating is limited to 42 with social distance seating in place.  The Cafe has a UV filter to kill viruses and other pathogens.  To attend on Zoom, registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/ReelnMealDec.

 A Vegan Meal for $7.99 can be had at the COOP.  Call 301 474 0522 by 1M on December 20. Pick up is from 4 to 7 PM at the deli. The meal is Macro vegetarian creamy cashew carbonara with Tofurky sausage and a side salad.

  The Big Scary ‘S’ Word (2021), by filmmaker Yael Bridge, explores the rich history of the American socialist movement and follows people striving to build a socialist future for our country. Engaging with our present and our past, the film counters popular beliefs by showing that socialism is in fact deeply American. Historians walk us from the socialist-led early labor movements through the New Deal to show how mass mobilization brought about some of our most popular government programs, like public school and Medicare. Activists and journalists explain how such events as the Wall Street bailout and the Occupy Movement pushed a new generation to embrace the language of socialism. The film advocates not the end of capitalism, but rather government funding for infrastructure and services for the common good, provided by the government and paid for by taxpayer dollars. 

  Kurt Stand, a member of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) since 1983, will lead the discussion. He served as the North American regional secretary of the International Union of Food and Allied Workers until 1997. He is also a member of Progressive Cheverly and serves as a Portside Labor Moderator. He will be joined by Irene Koo, who is a member of DSA in the D.C. Metro area. 

 Reel and Meal, a monthly film series focused on environmental, social justice and animal rights issues, is organized by the Utopia Film Festival, the Prince George’s County Peace and Justice Coalition and Beaverdam Creek Watershed Watch Group. The December program was planned by Prince George’s County Peace and Justice Coalition.  To contact Reel and Meal, email reelandmeal@newdealcafe.com. 

19] – The Brandywine Peace Community [brandywine_staff@brandywinepeace.com] on Tues., Dec. 21, the Winter Solstice, at 4 PM ET will do its final "CHRISTMAS means PEACE" vigil in front of the Philadelphia City Hall Christmas Tree on the west side, 15th & Market Streets in front of the city's holiday laser light show.    The message of these vigils, with large banners, signs, and leafleting, will be End the Violence…from Handgun to the H-Bomb. Additionally, the vigil will conclude with a memorial to our Dearly Departed in Peace of 2021: Marge VanCleef, Peggy Hasbrouck and Vinton Deming. Visit http://www.brandywinepeace.com/event/philly-peace-vigil-1-jfk-blvd-broad-st-end-the-violence-from-handgun-to-h-bomb/ or call Bob at 215- 843-4827.

20] – Join us in challenging Johns Hopkins University -- Say No to Weapons Contracts at 33rd and N. Charles Sts. on Tues., Dec. 21 from 4 to 5 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, and 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.

 21] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to support Progressive Candidate Brianna Westbrook on Tues., Dec. 21 from 5:30 to 7 PM ET.  She is running a campaign for the Arizona State House of Representatives.

The grassroots progressive fundraiser will take at Bar Chinois, 455 I St. NW, WDC 20001Suggested contributions are $25, please follow the link here to donate https://secure.actblue.com/donate/122121dc.  

22] – Marcy, CODEPINK [info@codepink.org] is inviting you on Tues., Dec. 21 at 8 PM ET to CODEPINK CONGRESS Calling Party to mobilize for peace legislation! Chat with peacemakers and experts by registering at https://www.codepink.org/12212021?utm_campaign=cp_congress_12212021&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink. The U.S. is arming the world. Most arms sales have been conducted through the State Department until recent years - now, “small” arms sales have been moved to the Department of Commerce. The two departments have different rules for how to conduct sales, and the shift has led to less transparency in the U.S. arms trade. Our guests will focus on how the U.S. sells weapons, and how the shift to the Department of Commerce has made it easier for military contractors to profit from global weapons sales. 

  John Lindsay-Poland coordinates the Stop U.S. Arms to Mexico Project of Global Exchange, and works for police demilitarization with the California Healing Justice Program of the American Friends Service Committee in Oakland, California. Danaka Katovich is the Middle East and Peace Collective coordinator for CODEPINK. Since 2018, she has been working towards ending US participation in the war in Yemen.

 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

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