Baltimore Activist Alert – October 16 - 19, 2022

Baltimore Activist Alert – October 16 - 19, 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] Support the Pratt Workers United

6] Get the book Surely Goodness and Mercy by Murphy Davis

7] Get the book Male Supremacy in the Catholic Church: An Insider’s View by Roy Bourgeois

8] Anniversary of the start of the Cuban missile crisis – Oct. 16

9] Amnesty International Regional Activism Conference – deadline Oct. 16

10] Phone bank for Brooke – Oct. 16 – 22

11] Knock on doors for Brooke – Oct. 16 – 22

12] Make calls for Beto – Oct. 16 to 18 

13] “Members-Only Workshop” – Oct. 16

14] Contact Next Gen voters – Oct. 16 - 18

15] Community Kickoff: Schmooze in the Sukkah – Oct. 16

16] Blue Wave by phone banking – Oct. 16 - 22

17] Baltimore City phone bank -- Oct. 16 - 22

18] Training to make calls – Oct. 16 - 22

19] Write letters for Beto --Oct. 16 & 19   

20] PDA Town Hall -- Oct. 16

21] Phone bank for Jamie McLeod-Skinner – Oct. 16

22] Protest at the Pentagon – Oct. 17

23] Understanding Markets in North Korea – Oct. 17

--------

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] – The workers at the Enoch Pratt Free Library have started a drive to organize a union calling themselves Pratt Workers United.  Go to https://www.prattworkersunited.org/. There is a letter of support for community members to sign at https://www.prattworkersunited.org/community-letter-support.

"Pratt Library workers are forming a union, Pratt Workers United. We are seeking pay equity for all, safer working conditions, benefits for part-time workers, and a voice in decisions that affect our work.”

6] – Consider getting HOSPITALITY, the newsletter of OPEN DOOR: A prophetic discipleship community honoring the Black Jesus, Dorothy Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. The September/October 2022 issue contains a wonderful review by Claire Schaeffer-Duffy of Surely Goodness and Mercy by Murphy Davis, reprinted from The Catholic Worker, March-April 2022.  Davis, a co-founder of the Open Door Community, died in 2020.   You can subscribe to the newsletter or buy a copy of the book by calling 404-290-2047 or by emailing opendoorcomm@bellsouth.net.

7] – Another book to consider purchasing is Male Supremacy in the Catholic Church: An Insider’s View by Roy Bourgeois. His new book is both memoir and position-paper, and it makes the case that the Roman Catholic Church is a corrupt system that spits out truth-tellers. The crime he was excommunicated for was attending the ordination ceremony of Janice Sevre-Duszynska in Lexington, Kentucky, in August 2008. The ordination was under the auspices of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests.  The Vatican’s response has been to excommunicate any woman who has the audacity to see herself as a priest equal to a male priest. You can purchase a copy from Amazon or by Kindle.

  Here are two quotes to contemplate: “I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men. She is to keep silent.” – Timothy 1, 2:12-13.  “If the patriarchy that dominates the church is not dismantled and women are not treated as equals, the church will continue to diminish and, eventually, die.” – Roy Bourgeois.

8] – On October 16, there will be a Defuse Nuclear War day of actions everywhere, on the anniversary of the start of the Cuban missile crisis.

9] – Amnesty International [alerts@takeaction.amnestyusa.org] is holding a hybrid Regional Activism Conference.  While in-person registration has closed, virtual registration is still open until October 16 at 11:59 PM ET.  Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aiusa-2022-virtual-regional-activism-conference-tickets-395285177607.

10] – On Sun., Oct. 16 through Sat., Oct. 22 from 10 AM to 8 PM ET, phone bank for Brooke Lierman for comptroller.  Can you spare a few hours to phone bank for Brooke? You can do it from your home and you will be sent a list and a script!  Once you sign up, an organizer will reach out directly to you and get you your phone book and a training if you need it! Register at https://www.mobilize.us/brookeliermanforcomptroller/event/489251/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations.OTH_VirtualConventionSignup_080822&t=4&akid=16578%2E508952%2EHQOuGi.

11] – Do some Door Knocking for Brooke in Your Neighborhood, hosted by Brooke Lierman for Comptroller.  Sign up for Sun., Oct. 16 through Sat., Oct. 22.  The door knocking takes place from 10 AM to 8 PM ET. Canvass in your community and share Brooke's vision to transform the Comptroller's office to work for every Marylander. YOU CAN DO THIS ON YOUR OWN TIME. Once you sign up, the team will follow up with everything you will need to knock doors including materials, a t-shirt, stickers, and a quick training. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/484676/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_custom_marketing.

12] – Beto for Texas [info@betoorourke.com] needs your help phone banking to help elect a new governor in Texas.  Sign up for a shift on Sun., Oct. 16 through Tues., Oct. 18 from 10 AM to 1 PM, 1 to 4 PM, 4 to 7 PM and 7 to 10 PM. Help make direct, personal contact with as many Texans as you can. You can join in from anywhere. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/betofortexas/event/438569/?utm_source=ema20220727-200206.

13] – 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., Oct. 16, the platform is “Members-Only Workshop.” This will be the fourth members-only workshop on the BES Path to an Inclusive Anti-Racist Organization Initiative. Our anti-racism consultant, Antoine Johnson, will lead these continued discussions. Email President@BEMOREthical.org for ZOOM login information.

14] – Get involved with NextGen Organizing by joining a virtual text bank on Sun., Oct. 16 from 1 to 3 PM and 3 to 5 PM, Mon., Oct. 17 & Tues., Oct. 18 from 1 to 3 & 4 to 6 PM ET. Young people are more motivated than ever to get out and vote. Choose the shift that works for you, and you will provide the script, texting platform, resources, and a community to connect with other NextGen volunteers! https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/501401/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual.

15] – Molly Amster [info@jufj.org] thinks you may be interested in a Community Kickoff: Schmooze in the Sukkah on Sun., Oct. 16 from 1 to 3 PM at the Columbia Jewish Congregation, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. Schmooze and take action with. Join Jews United for Justice members from across Maryland to schmooze, celebrate Sukkot, and build community, with singing and music led by Cantor Rosalie Will.  Register at https://jufj.org/event/kickoff-schmooze/?emci=994ed7fb-fc3f-ed11-b495-00224832e4ca&emdi=e2f681ce-bf40-ed11-b495-00224832e4ca&ceid=3403859.

16] – Join Maryland Democrats in Baltimore County to ensure a Blue Wave by phone banking on Sun., Oct. 16 through Sat., Oct. 22 from 1 to 4 PM, 4 to 7 PM and 6 PM to 8:30 PM ET.  The phone banking will continue through October 31. Make sure voters are engaged and excited to vote for Wes Moore, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Brooke Lierman, Anthony Brown, and the rest of the democratic slate. In addition to phone from home options, there will also be in-person phone banks at the same time at the office, located at: 301 Allegheny Ave., Towson 21204. If you would like to come into the office to make calls, please bring your cell phone and a laptop, if possible. After you sign up, one of our organizers will reach out with further details. Register at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/506547/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_closest.

17] – Join a Baltimore City phone bank in person with the MD Dems Coordinated Campaign, hosted by the Maryland Democratic Party on Sun., Oct. 16 through Sat., Oct. 22  from 1 to 4 PM, 4 to 7 PM and 6 to 8 PM ET.  Meet at 415 N Howard St., G 1, Baltimore 21201. Call to make the state blue. Trainings happen at 1 PM, 4 PM and 6 PM, from now through Election Day focused on making sure our voters are engaged and excited to vote for Wes Moore, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Brooke Lierman, Anthony Brown, and the rest of our democratic slate. Sign up for whichever shifts work best for your schedule. After you sign up, one of the organizers will reach out with further details. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/506539/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_more_events_of_type.

18] – Do a Training to Make Calls with the DNC National Call-Crew organized by The Democratic National Committee.  Learn how to make calls to voters in battleground states. The DNC National Call-Crew brings volunteer power where it's needed most for the Midterms! In this Zoom-based training you will be taught how to make calls and get your questions answered through an amazing online community. The first half of the session get set up to call and join the online community, and the second half make calls to voters in battleground states. On Sun., Oct. 16 from 3 to 4 PM, Mon., Oct. 17 from 7 to 8 PM, Tues., Oct. 18 from 9 to 10 PM, Wed., Oct. 19 from 7 to 8 PM, Thurs., Oct. 20 and Thurs., Oct. 21 from 3 to 4 PM and Sat., Oct. 22 from 4 to 5 PM ET, do the training. Sign up at https://events.democrats.org/event/440875/.

19] – Sign up to join a Beto for Texas Letter Writing Party on Sun., Oct. 16 from 3:30 to 5 PM, Mon., Oct 17 & Tues., Oct. 18 from 7 to 8 PM ET and Wed., Oct. 19 from 6 to 7 PM ET. Letter writing parties are a great opportunity to meet other Beto for Texas volunteers and get trained on the letter writing process. After a brief training, write letters together! Register at https://www.mobilize.us/betofortexas/event/427673/?utm_source=ema20220817-203416.

20] – Mike Fox for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] hopes you will join a Progressive Town Hall on Sun., Oct. 16 at 4 PM ET.  Get involved with the PDA Weekly Review and Preview. Help defeat Trumpist MAGA Republicans and their authoritarian agenda with progressive candidates. The featured speaker is young and inspirational progressive Angelica Duenas running for Congress in CA-29. Discuss her race and more. RSVP at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4.

21] – Join Indivisible’s phone bank for Jamie McLeod-Skinner on Sun., Oct. 16 at 5 PM ET. Jamie is an incredible rural advocate in Oregon who beat Kurt Schrader in the primary -- a conservative who blocked action on climate change and took over $600,000 from Big Pharma. Now she faces MAGA Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer in the general election who has dog-whistled support of election denial and supports a near-total abortion ban, dial-in to Oregon to support a true progressive. Register at https://indivisible.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpduGoqTgsHNKEiLnycJEBX_il2tE3auOK.

22] – 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 Oct. 17 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.  

23] – GW Institute for Korean Studies [gwiks@gwu.edu] hopes you will attend on Mon., Oct. 17 from 9 AM to 3 PM ET a hybrid event Understanding Markets in North Korea: Reforms, Narcotics and Human Rights. To attend in person, come to the George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs, City View Room, 7th Floor. To do it virtually, register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fourth-north-korea-economic-forum-annual-conference-tickets-425331617317.

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