Monday, February 28, 2022

Join a support demonstration in Baltimore for the people of Yemen./During the 7th Year Anniversary of War on Yemen 80+ Organizations Call on Members of Congress to Stop U.S. Participation; Rallies Planned Around the Nation

 Join the Baltimore Nonviolence Center and groups around the country calling upon our government to end its support for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the 7 year war against the people of Yemen. Many of the actions will take place on March 1 and will call upon Congress to Introduce a War Powers Resolution Now!

 On Tues., March 1 from 4:30 to 5:30 PM ET, gather at 33rd and North Charles Streets, Baltimore.   The United Nations has declared Yemen to be suffering from the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.  We will demand that the Port of Baltimore stop loading weapons on Saudi Arabian shipsContact Max at 410-323-1607 or at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
March 1, 2022

For media inquiries, please contact:

Neda Saleh

neda@actioncorps.org

(925) 968-5444

 

Danaka Katovich

danaka@codepink.org

(925) 336-6221

 

During the 7th Year Anniversary of War on Yemen 80+ Organizations Call on Members of Congress to Stop U.S. Participation; Rallies Planned Around the Nation

From New York to Illinois to California, Rallies Planned at Several U.S. Congressional Offices in the First Week of March

WHAT: Demonstrators from all around the U.S. will convene at the offices of congressional representatives with the message “Yemen Can’t Wait: Introduce a War Powers Resolution Now!” Yemeni Americans and over 80 organizations nationwide are coordinating a national week of protest to end the war on Yemen. The United States began supporting the Saudi/UAE-led coalition’s war and blockade of Yemen in March 2015. The war is starving a child to death every 75 seconds. 

WHO: 80+ organizations including Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation, Yemeni Alliance Committee, Union of Arab American Women, Avaaz, CODEPINK for Peace, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), Freedom Forward, and Just Foreign Policy. 

WHEN: Tuesday, March 1st - Saturday, March 5th, 2022

WHERE

 

NEW YORK: March 1 at 12PM ET, Representative Meek’s Office (153-01 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432) 

VERMONT: March 1 at 12PM ET, Representative Welch’s Office (128 Lakeside Ave, Burlington, VT) 

MASSACHUSETTS: March 1 at 12PM ET, Consulate of the United Arab Emirates (100 Oliver Street Boston, MA 02110)

RHODE ISLAND: March 1 at 2PM ET, Raytheon Technologies (1847 W Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI 00287) 

WASHINGTON D.C.: March 2 at 7PM ET, CNN, (820 First St NE, Washington DC 20001)

ILLINOIS: March 4 at 1PM ET, Representative Quigley’s Office (3223 N Sheffield Chicago IL 60657) 

ILLINOIS: March 4 at 3PM ET, Representative Casten’s Office (800 IL-38, Glen Ellyn IL 60137) 

CALIFORNIA: March 4 at 4PM PST, Representative Barbara Lee’s Office (1301 Clay St, Oakland, CA)

CALIFORNIA: March 5 at 1PM PST, Lake Merritt Amphitheater (Lake Merritt Blvd, Oakland, CA)

WISCONSIN: March 5 at 12PM CT, Downtown Milwaukee (Brady & Farwell Streets, Milwaukee, WI)

WHY: On February 7, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Rep. Peter DeFazio, announced in The Nation their intention to introduce a Yemen War Powers Resolution by March 25  to end U.S. participation in the catastrophic war on Yemen. As the U.S. moves closer to war with Russia, activists are calling for peace and an end to unilateral, unconstitutional wars. Specifically, they are calling on representatives in the House to cosponsor a Yemen War Powers Resolution. This resolution would force a vote on the Senate floor to end U.S. participation in the conflict. 

QUOTES FROM RALLY ORGANIZERS: 

“The Saudi-UAE-led assault on Yemen would not be possible without US spare parts and US provided maintenance to the Saudi Royal Air Force. Congress has the responsibility to pass a new War Powers Resolution that cuts off the remaining support to the coalition and holds Biden accountable for his complete lack of action.” 

– Danaka Katovich, National Organizer, CODEPINK

 

“The Saudi-UAE aggression on Yemen that the U.S. is supporting has been extremely effective in ruining the lives of Yemenis around the world. In one night alone, the Saudi-UAE coalition killed over 70 civilians with U.S. weapons, blacked out the country’s internet access for 4 days, and damaged the homes of many innocents. 7 years into this airstrike campaign, 4 million Yemenis have been forced to flee their families, homes, and communities with no end in sight.”

– Neda Saleh, Coordinator, Action Corps

“Without U.S. support, Saudi Arabia would not be able to conduct its daily bombings on Yemen. Our weapons sales and on-going maintenance contracts with the Saudi Air Force directly implicate Americans in the starvation and deaths of a quarter million Yemenis. Because other legislative paths have failed, only a War Powers Resolution will end U.S. support for this devastating war.”

– Annelle Sheline, Research Fellow for the Middle East, Quincy Institute

“No amount of harsh rhetoric from Congress will stop Saudi Arabia’s unchecked violence in Yemen. Representatives and Senators who want real accountability and real change must support a new Yemen War Powers Resolution to end all US military support for Saudi war crimes. By forcing more votes to end unconstitutional US involvement, Congress can do its part to bring this devastating conflict to an end.”

– Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East Policy, FCNL

# # #

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

 

 

 

 

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Baltimore Activist Alert -- February 28, 2022

23] Talk with Jamie Raskin – Feb. 28

24] Reach Out for Peace – Feb. 28

25] Emergency Election Protection Coalition -- Feb. 28

26] Our Revolution meeting on Juvenile Justice – Feb. 28

27] Deep Canvassing to Defend the Planet – Feb. 28

28] Fight to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson – Feb. 28

29] Meet Matt Littleton, Environmental Attorney Feb. 28

30] Get Money Out - Maryland meeting – Feb. 28

31] Meet Logan Endow – Feb. 28

32] Back from the Brink – Feb. 28

33] The Ukraine Crisis -- Feb. 28

34] Countering Anti-Asian Racism – Feb. 28

35] Win Medicare for All – Feb. 28

36] Support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson – Feb. 28

37] Our Revolution National Call – Feb. 28

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23] –The Nation Events [emails@emails.thenation.com] indicates you can sign up for a talk with Rep. Jamie Raskin on Mon., Feb. 28 at 1 PM. He will join Katrina vanden Heuvel and John Nichols for a wide-ranging conversation about his new book, January 6, and The health of our democracy. RSVP at https://www.thenation.com/events/jamie-raskin-january-6-book/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_campaign=nation-events-raskin&sourceid=1071520&ms=EMM022520222A&utm_content=EMM022520222A&utm_term=master_promotions_received_did_not_open.

24] –  The Brandywine Peace Community invites you at 4 PM ET on Mon., Feb. 28, Wed., March 2 and Fri., March 4 to 'Reach-Out' for peace in this dangerous time. NO-WAR Philly is doing Reach-Outs for Peace in Ukraine.  On Monday, Gather on the west side of Philadelphia City Hall, 15th & Market Sts., at the SEPTA entrance, 15th & Market Sts. NW corner; on Wednesday, come to the 30th Street Train Station, corner of 30th & Market Sts.; and on Friday, be at the corner of City & Monument Avenues, in front of WPVI – ABC channel 6. Visit www.brandywinepeace.com or call Bob at 215-843-4827.

25] – The Emergency Election Protection Coalition is happening at 5 PM ET on Mon., Feb. 28. Please submit any questions to: Solartopia@gmail.com. Sign up at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYldumtrjIiH9L7_KfcFV1n8ynuO3anTGwp. Progressive Democrats of America are part of the coalition.

26] – Barrie Friedland & Sheila Ruth [info@email.actionnetwork.org] want you to attend on Mon., Feb. 28 at 5:30 PM the Our Revolution Baltimore City/County chapter meeting on Juvenile Justice. - Every day, children's lives are destroyed in Maryland's criminal justice system. From automatic charging children as adults, to coercive interrogation without an attorney or parent present, the criminal justice system often treats children in ways that are developmentally inappropriate and can lead to devastating consequences. Hear about some important juvenile justice bills that have been introduced this legislative session.  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/269476/?link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-climate-and-environmental-justice-our-revolution-baltimore-citycounty-2&email_referrer=email_1459183&email_subject=juvenile-justice-our-revolution-baltimore-citycounty.

27] – People's Action [info@peoplesaction.org] is offering a webinar on Mon., Feb. 28 from 6 to 9 PM ET on learning Deep Canvassing and helping Defend the Planet. Are you interested in making our world a better place and learning how to build bridges across differences?  Join the next round of skills training offered by the Deep Canvass Institute!  This training will continue on Tues., March 1 from 6 to 9 PM ET. The skills include Building Trust, Compassionate Curiosity, Storytelling, and Assertiveness.  Register at https://ppls.ac/dc.

28] – Ben Jealous, People For the American Way [alerts@pfaw.org] hopes you will join a briefing on Mon., Feb. 28 at 7 PM ET. Find out what happens next in the fight to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court! RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7716455525693/WN_FgxsgySATX-jmwPYlZtXGw.

29] – On Mon., Feb. 28 from 7 to 8 PM, Matt Littleton, Environmental Attorney and the MD Environmental Human Rights advisor will be answering your questions about constitutional environmental rights amendments, how they are used and what they will do in Maryland. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/mdehr-qa-with-matt-littleton-environmental-attorney?source=direct_link&&link_id=3&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_1443644&email_subject=environmental-human-rights-amendment-rallies-on-feb-18-and-feb-22. Email nina@mdehr.org.

30] – Join Get Money Out - Maryland on Mon., Feb. 28 at 7:30 PM for a teleconference. What are the priority provisions for a renewed effort at a Freedom to Vote bill? Keep the issues in the forefront of senators' minds and in the public eye.  There two ways to join the conference: 1) Dial 1 301 715 8592 with a meeting ID of 931 3066 2622, and the password is 173976; and 2) sign up at https://zoom.us/j/93130662622?pwd=OE15SURJUWdXNHFicW94SDI3c2x3UT09#success.

31] – Logan Endow, candidate for State Delegate in Baltimore City District 43, is holding a campaign meeting on Mon., Feb. 28 from 7 to 8 PM. Get updates, upcoming canvass opportunities, and plans for outreach around the district. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUlduuprzwvGdTfiwdvrrc7c8lSqlLyvX_J?emci=8d0e97b8-3e94-ec11-a507-281878b83d8a&emdi=84d7c017-4594-ec11-a507-281878b83d8a&ceid=136680.

32] – On Mon., Feb. 28 at 7 PM ET, tune in to This Current Moment: US Nuclear Weapon Policy and Back from the Brink. New Hampshire Peace Action is hosting a discussion about the danger this current moment presents with regard to nuclear weapons, and the ways in which Back from the Brink serves as a vehicle for effective grassroots organizing to eliminate the threat that they pose, with Michael Klare and Denise Duffield. Klare is a Five College professor emeritus of peace and world security studies, and director of the Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies (PAWSS).  Duffield is Associate Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles and directs its nuclear threats program, which advocates for health protective policies related to nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. Register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/peace-justice-conversation-series-this-current-moment-us-nuclear-weapon-policy-and-back-from-the-brink?clear_id=true.

33] – World BEYOND War [info@worldbeyondwar.org] is informing us that a webinar will take place on Mon., Feb. 28 at 8 PM ET. Learn and Take Action About the Ukraine Crisis. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4216457472537/WN_O8m-54rFRyumQd6kz8FdFg?link_id=1&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-learn-and-take-action-about-the-ukraine-crisis&email_referrer=email_1458419&email_subject=learn-and-take-action-about-the-ukraine-crisis.

 The speakers are Cynthia Lazaroff and Ira Helfand. Lazaroff is a filmmaker and activist who has been engaged in groundbreaking U.S.-Russian exchange initiatives for decades. She was a key organizer of a moving Call for Peace, signed by dozens of Russian and American women and published last week by The Nation as well as Russian newspapers. Helfand, MD, is Co-President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, recipient of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize, and Co-Founder and Past President of Physicians for Social Responsibility, IPPNW’s U.S. affiliate. He has published studies on the medical consequences of nuclear war in the New England Journal of Medicine and elsewhere.

34] – There will be a webinar Countering Anti-Asian Racism on Mon., Feb. 28 at 8 PM EST. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M0_mF4oLRvKOhnAbTfBGyQ.  The Committee for a Sane U.S.-China Policy will examine the intersections between US colonial and anti-China policies in Asia and the Pacific and the past and present of anti-Asian racism in the United States.  From the time Chinese laborers first arrived in the United States nearly two centuries ago, through the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II to today, Asians and Pacific Islanders have been colonized, attacked, excluded, marginalized, discriminated against, and been the victims of brutal racist violence.

 Current anti-China politics have domestic as well as international expression. Racism, racist violence, and discrimination against Asian Americans have risen in tandem with anti-China politics. The FBI’s infamous “China Initiative,” supposedly intended to stop Chinese theft of military and scientific secrets, instead targeted respected scientists for merely failing to report ties to Chinese scientific institutions. To better expose this history and the relationship between anti-Asian policies and anti-Asian racism at home, and to explain how we can help end these injustices, the Committee has invited four noted scholars and activists to participate in this important webinar.

35] – Alex Newell Taylor [info@medicare4all.org] thinks you might be interested in an event on Mon., Feb. 28 at 8 PM ET,  Help plan to keep growing the movement to pass Medicare for All in Congress. Join the Nurses' Campaign to Win Medicare for All National Strategy Call. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/397560/?emci=dc721680-b092-ec11-a507-281878b83d8a&emdi=acb88e23-b592-ec11-a507-281878b83d8a&ceid=14404480.

36] – People for a Supreme Court Update [mailto:alerts@pfaw.org] wants you to get involved on Mon., Feb. 28 at 8:30 PM ET. Join in for an exclusive briefing on the historic Supreme Court nomination! Participating in the briefing will be Elie Mystal, justice correspondent for The Nation, a former litigator, and author of the new book Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution. This virtual briefing will explain how to support Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s nominee to the Supreme Court! Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7716455525693/WN_FgxsgySATX-jmwPYlZtXGw.

37] – Tune into Our Revolution's National Organize to Win Call on Mon., Feb. 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 PM ET.  It’s the day before Election Day in Texas, and Jessica Cisneros will speak about her race to replace the corrupt corporate Democrat Henry Cuellar in TX-28! Discuss electoral strategy with Melanie D’Arrigo, congressional candidate for NY-3, and talk about election protection with Alexi Giannoulias, candidate for Illinois Secretary of State. Finally dig into building labor power with Local CWA President Geronimo Guerra from San Antonio, TX! Join call at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/993867009. There is a Facebook link at https://www.facebook.com/events/3008524382797608.

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

Baltimore Activist Alert – February 27 – March 1, 2022

Baltimore Activist Alert – February 27 – March 1, 2022

"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] Max is looking for tips on a garage or a storage suggestion.

5] House cleaner needed

6] Welcome an Afghan Family to Baltimore!

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

8] Creative Social Change – Feb. 27

9] Nuclear Remembrance Day – Feb. 27

10] Knock on doors in PG County – Feb. 27 

11] Knock on Doors for Brooke – Feb. 27

12] Global Town Hall – Feb. 27 

13] United against Hate meeting – Feb. 27 

14] Voter Registration Event – Feb. 27

15] PDA Town Hall – Feb. 27

16] Phone bank for Jessica Cisneros – Feb. 27 & 28 and March 1

17] Voter Protection Phonebank – Feb. 27 & 28 and March 1

18] Our Revolution phone banking -- Feb. 20 & 22

19] Pivot to Peace -- Feb. 27 & March 1

20] Protest at the Pentagon – Feb. 28

21] End medical debt – Feb. 28

22] Free all America's political prisoners – Feb. 28

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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] – 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.

5] – 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.

6] – 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.

7] – 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.

8] – 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. 27, the subject is “Creative Social Change.”  In two nonconsecutive terms as mayor of Bogata, Columbia, starting in 1995, Antanas Mockus used non-traditional cultural and creative methods to induce positive social change. From hiring mimes to improve crosswalk safety to melting down guns to make baby spoons, Mockus motivated and unified his constituents. Today, when the U.S. ship of state threatens to run aground on the shoals of social anger and political division, do we need to think outside the box like Mockus? Hugh Taft-Morales explores whether unusual public interventions might help Americans find a way forward together. 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 ZOOM login information.

9] – Basel Peace Office [info@baselpeaceoffice.org] is hosting an event on Mon., Feb. 28 at 10 AM ET in commemoration of Nuclear Remembrance Day and World Future Day.  Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-q9MrFS7QSSQUEFAzRQBEQ.

10] – Knock on doors for Brooke in Prince Georges County on Sun., Feb. 27 at 11 AM to 2 PM ET and 2 to 5 PM ET. Talk with your neighbors about electing Democrats up and down the ballot in 2022. Meet at Starbucks, 9100 Alaking Court, Capitol Heights 20743. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/442693/.

11] – There is a Literature Drop for Brooke in Montgomery County on Sundays from 2 to 4 PM EST starting at Panera Bread, 8541 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring 20910. Join a canvass and share Brooke's vision to transform the Comptroller's office to work for every Marylander. Once you sign up the team will follow up with everything you will need to knock on doors! This will continue through April. 24.  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/397526/?followup_modal_context=email_post_shift_future_timeslots_other_events.

12] – Metta Spencer [project@tosavetheworld.ca] is inviting you on Sun., Feb. 27 from 2 to 4 PM ET to attend a Global Town Hall hosted by the Project Save the World.  Go to https://zoom.us/j/9108970203. On the last Sunday of every month, there is an open meeting on Zoom for activists worldwide who are addressing issues of militarism (especially nuclear weapons), global warming, famine, pandemics, radioactive contamination, and/or cyber risks. See https://tosavetheworld.ca.  Project Save the World is sponsored by Peace Magazine.

13] – Join the February United Against Hate meeting on Sun., Feb. 27 at 2 PM ET via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9132004856Hear from a Canadian antifascist organizer about the far-right truckers' mobilizations at the border, where MAGA racists and open neo-Nazis came together on an anti-vaccine anti-Covid lockdown conspiracy platform. The so-called "freedom convoy" was opposed by the Teamsters union, and 90% of Canadian truckers are vaccinated. Also hear about the inspiring union-backed counter-protests that happened in Vancouver and Ottawa. Then Clare will talk about the far-right and the fascist forces in Ukraine. Despite Putin's lies about "de-Nazifying" Ukraine as justification for the invasion, there seems to be a fascist movement there that will be only strengthened by this war. Putin's ties to the far-right in Russia are well known. And of course, there is a fascist and a Nazi movement in the USA.  Dos this allow another country to invade Baltimore? And lastly, discuss possible participation in the US for the World against Racism International day of action on March 19th.

14] – Get involved with a Black History Month Virtual Voter Registration Event -- When We All Vote on Sun., Feb. 27 from 2 to 3 PM EST.  Black Women in Europe and The Voices for Change Chapter of When We All Vote are hosting a Virtual Voter Registration Drive for Black History Month!  Learn how you can register to vote, update your voter registration, check your voter registration status and more! Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82350706559?pwd=OGFnclQ2RmM3U0F2Q2p6c3A4d2Y3dz09. Check out https://weall.vote/bhmvote.

15] – The Progressive Democrats of America National Team [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to attend a Town Hall on Sun., Feb. 27 at 4 PM ET. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine is rightly being condemned around the world, it seems a good moment to consider the United States' relations with its neighbors. Discuss three important and timely PDA initiatives: help build a powerful anti-war peace movement; support for Starbucks workers who are organizing to win union representation at their stores, along with workers who have been locked out at Collins Aerospace; and do a final push in support of Jessica Cisneros and Greg Casar in the Texas primary on Tuesday.

  A panel on Puerto Rico begins promptly at 5 PM ET. It features one of the national co-chairs of the 2020 Bernie Sanders campaign, former Mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulin-Cruz. Joining Carmen will be Rafael Bernabe, member of the Puerto Rican Senate, and Adrian Gonzalez, the organizational secretary of the PR Independence Party. Go to https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

16] – On Sun., Feb. 27 from 4 to 6 PM, Mon., Feb. 28 from 6 to 8 PM, Tues., March 1 from 3 to 5 PM and Tues., March 1 from 5 to 8 PM EST, phone bank for Green New Deal champion Jessica Cisneros, running in Texas’ 28th Congressional district!  Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/sunrise2022/event/428089/?emci=f9a40066-778e-ec11-a507-281878b83d8a&emdi=968f5385-7b8e-ec11-a507-281878b83d8a&ceid=177631.

17] – Join in on Voter Protection phone banks with Common Cause on Sun., Feb. 27 from 2 to 4 PM and from 6 to 8 PM ET, Mon., Feb. 28 from 4 to 6 PM and 6 to 8 PM ET and Tues., March 1 from 4 to 6 PM ET, and call constituents in Republican states to connect them to their Senators to hold them accountable for blocking voting rights. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=newsletter. Get involved with Voter Protection Phone banks with Common Cause and call voters in targeted states and connect them to their senators to drive calls of accountability and appreciation around the vote on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. And begin to advocate for No Excuse Absentee Voting in Delaware and recruit poll monitors for the Texas primary.

18] – Our Revolution [info@ourrevolution.com] hopes you can volunteer to phone bank to get out the vote in Texas with early voting underway and Election Day around the corner on March 1st. Join the Phonebank Force to maximize impact at the polls! Make Calls to Elect Progressive Champions in Texas on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The next dates are Sun., Feb. 27 from 4:30 to 8:30 PM and Tues., March 1 from 10 AM to 8 PM ET.  Register at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/438475/?akid=2604.8252965.rhHHLt&rd=1&t=13.

19] РElizaveta Kupriyanova, Massachusetts Peace Action [info@masspeaceaction.org] is hosting on Sun., Feb. 27 at 9 PM ET The Shanghai Communiqu̩: Key to Peace - Pivot to Peace/CODEPINK Webinar. Join Pivot to Peace and the China Is Not Our Enemy campaign for a conversation with Xiangyu, K.J. Noh, Col. Ann Wright and Lauren from CODEPINK to better understand the Taiwan issue and how the U.S. can avoid war with China over Taiwan. Register at https://www.codepink.org/022722.

20] – 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. 28 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. The restrooms are located inside Marriott Residence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr.  

21] – End Medical Debt Maryland [info@sg.actionnetwork.org] wants you to be heard on Mon., Feb. 28 from 8 AM to 3 PM ET.  Stand up for justice for Maryland patients. The Maryland House Health and Government Operations (HGO) Committee will hear a bill that would require hospitals to reimburse low-income patients they’ve overcharged for care. House Bill 694 is a response to a state agency report that in 2017 & 2018, Maryland hospitals collected an estimated $60 million each year from low-income patients who should have received free healthcare. Help tell the committee you won’t stand for theft from working Marylanders.  Community members who support justice for hospital patients can upload written testimony supporting HB 694 directly to the Maryland General Assembly website: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/?link_id=6&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-new-bill-to-reimburse-hospital-patients-2&email_referrer=email_1458665&email_subject=this-monday-make-your-voice-heard.  Remember, the testimony has to be in PDF format — and don’t forget to hit “Save” after you upload!  Once you have your document saved as a PDF, you can upload it to the MGA website on Monday starting at 8 AM. The submission window closes promptly at 3 PM. 

22] –  Join CODEPINK and its partners on Mon., Feb. 28 at noon to demand the Department of Justice, 950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, WDC, DC 20530, free all America's political prisoners. Hear inspiring speakers, and demand justice for all nonviolent victims of the violent empire. Email Olivia at olivia@codepink.org. Register at https://www.codepink.org/20220228?utm_campaign=dc_alert_feb25&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink.

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

Saturday, February 26, 2022

This further Invasion of Ukraine will have devastating consequences.

 This further Invasion of Ukraine will have devastating consequences.    

The Baltimore Nonviolence Center [BNC] condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Janice and I have long protested US imperialism, and at times we have been jailed for our efforts. When Trump was separating children from their families at the border, we were arrested with 68 others in the Russell Senate Office building.  More recently, on February 14, we called upon President Biden to release some $9 billion to the Taliban to avert mass starvation in Afghanistan.  And we are quite aware that Joe Biden was a supporter of the disastrous and morally repugnant invasion of Iraq in 2003.

We are also quite aware of NATO’s illegal encroachment into Eastern Europe, violating a promise not to do so.  Even the right-wing Thomas Friedman in a recent New York Times column made this same point.  However, the people in Ukraine who are suffering from the Russian onslaught had nothing to do with US perfidy regarding the agreement on not expanding NATO.

Russia’s illegal military actions in Ukraine could lead to catastrophic human suffering as happened, for example, in Chechnya from late December 1999 until February 2000. Those unfamiliar with the battle of Grozny should note that the siege and assault by Russian forces left the capital devastated. In 2003, the United Nations called Grozny the most destroyed city on Earth. Anywhere between 5,000 and 8,000 civilians were killed during the siege. If you want to read about Putin’s role in the destruction of Grozny, read Naomi Klein’s The Shock Doctrine.

  BNC consistently supports international law and opposes the unlawful and violent occupations carried out by Israel, Morocco, Russia and other countries. And of course we oppose US tax dollars being provided to Israel to oppress the Palestinians.  Just as we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and Western Sahara, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.  We also extend our thanks to the people of Russia who are condemning the invasion of Ukraine. Many prominent Russian athletes have said No War. We urge all parties in the conflict to uphold obligations under international humanitarian law regarding conduct during wartime.  The international community must provide extensive humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine and safe haven to all who flee this war of aggression. Protection must be provided to those on both sides who refuse to participate in this war.  Most importantly, we call on our legislators not to use this war to justify an increase in the already-bloated US military budget.

 BNC supports non-military ways to address and reverse this act of aggression. We recognize that there are grievances on all sides that need to be addressed, but not by armed conflict.

 As members of Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland, we are very concerned that this military assault could lead to the use of nuclear weapons.  This concern was heightened when Putin threatened to respond to any interference with “consequences that you never have had before in your history.” This ominous statement means that he’s threatening to use nuclear weapons.  Such a threat is prohibited under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

We are all living in a very dangerous time, most especially the Ukrainians. We are not military experts, but we understand that wars are unpredictable.  Add in the possible use of nuclear weapons, and this could have catastrophic consequences well beyond the borders of Ukraine. We must learn from this tragic moment that international law must be observed and that more countries must ratify the UN Ban Treaty. One story that has garnered scant media attention is the fact that Belarus is holding a referendum to revoke its nuclear-weapon-free pledge in its constitution.  It is presumed that this amendment will pass during this enormously tense time.

We in the peace movement must find ways and further actions we can take in solidarity with those promoting peace. We will continue to speak out and to protest, and will ask others to condemn international law violations and to support peace initiatives. To be frank, I can assert that Janice is so worried about the safety of the Ukrainians that she is desperately looking for ways of providing assistance.  We all must promote peace, disarmament and diplomacy as solutions.

 Max has never seen the play Fiddler on the Roof, but he really enjoyed the film.  It is based on the writings of Sholem Aleichem, but the film is a sanitized version of the displacement of Jews in a village around the turn of the century in Ukraine.  The fiddler, as Tevye told the audience, represents the “fragile balance of life” in the village. The inhabitants suffered greatly when the Czar’s army evicted them. The film ends as the mass evacuation of the villagers is taking place. The community forms a circle one last time before scattering in different directions. As I remember, Tevye spots the fiddler and motions to him to come along, symbolizing that even though he must leave his village, his traditions will always be with him. I do not know if a fiddler is in Ukraine today, but I hope that whatever happens post-invasion that the hopes and dreams of the Ukrainian people will not be extinguished.

Janice Sevre-Duszynska and Max Obuszewski

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