Sunday, April 23, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – April 23 to 28, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – April 23 to 28, 2023

"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 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] Need help in archiving activist material    

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] Stop the eviction of Piscataway Indians from their land  

9] Support Pekara Bakery

10] Join the Our Revolution Phone Bank Force!

11] “The Green and Red Roots of May Day” – April 23

12] Democratic Party mixer – April 23

13] Intergenerational equity – April 23

14] Tenant organizing training – April 23

15] Free Khader Adnan – April 23

16] Common Cause phone bank – April 23

17] Progressive Town Hall – April 23

18] Free Julian Assange – April 23

19] Common Cause phone bank – April 23, 25, 27 & 28

20] Metro DC DSA meeting – April 23

21] Social Media Best Practices – April 23 & 26

22] Protest at the Pentagon – April 24

23] Israeli-Palestinian peace event – April 24

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1] – Buttons, bumper stickers 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] –  Janice Sevre-Duszynska needs some assistance in archiving her activist material.  If you are interested in this project, contact Max at 410-32301607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

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.” The workers voted to unionize

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] – The Charles County Commissioners hope to evict the Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians from their land where their cultural center/museum has been for the last 40 years.  If this upsets you, take action at this ACLU link:

<https://action.aclu.org/send-message/md-cedarville-band-piscataway-indians-2023>.

9] – Support a small restaurant called Pekara Bakery, 506 W. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore 21210.  Call 443-873-7190 or email pekarabakery@usa.com or visit www.pekarabakery.us.com.

10] – Join the Our Revolution Phone Bank Force! In 2022, 82% of Our Revolution candidates won their election. In 2023, OR is gearing up to Transform the Party, Elect more Progressive Candidates, Hold Biden Accountable, and so much more. To accomplish these goals, there is a need to continue to build the Phone Bank Force. Sign up to become a part of that transformative force at https://www.mobilize.us/ourrevolution/event/440081/?akid=4199.8252965.WFQlSi&rd=1&t=23.

11] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and there is a presentation of a platform address at 10:30 AM ET. On Sun., April 23, hear about “The Green and Red Roots of May Day.”  “May Day” brings to mind both maypole dancers and Soviet-era military parades. Most who celebrate May 1 emphasize honoring nature and the advent of summer. But others link the day to socialist and international worker collaborating for economic justice. As we approach May 1, Hugh Taft-Morales explores these relatively distinct reasons for celebration. What can we draw from both the deep pagan roots and the more recent roots honoring workers to help Ethical Culture grow?  Hugh Taft-Morales 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.

12] – Progressive Harford County is teaming up with the Harford County Democratic Club and the Harford County Democratic Central Committee to host a mixer! The mixer will be on Sun., April 23 from 1 to 4 PM at TB3 Bar & Grill. Come out and meet Democrats of all stripes in Harford County. This mixer is about Democrats coming together and getting to know each other. Anyone who wants to get active with Democratic politics in Harford County is welcome to attend. The host organizations will give a short presentation at 2 PM ET on specific ways to get involved. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. RSVP at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScna4L_ehwBrV3tDmkTzWaWbtG5hOs0axVG_9WWiU3T0oyeaw/viewform.

13] – Claire Miller via ActionNetwork.org [claire@mdehr.org] wants you to participate on Sun., April 23 at 1 PM ET in a conversation about intergenerational equity. Join Dr. Jane Davidson discussing Sustainable Development as an Organizing Principle on Zoom. She describes how Wales created a Commissioner for Future Generations and an Auditor General Role to assess the extent to which governmental bodies have acted in accordance with sustainable development as a central organizing principle. Dr. Davidson was involved in the development of these roles as the Minister of Environment, Sustainability, and Housing in Wales from 2007 to 2011. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/mdehr-webinar-intergenerational-equity-with-jane-davidson-author-of-futuregen-on-sunday-april-23-at-1pm?source=direct_link&&link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_1888099&email_subject=weekly-brief-join-dr-jane-davidson-discussing-sustainable-development-as-an-organizing-principle-april-23-on-zoom.

14] – Get with the Norther Virginia Tenant Organizing Training for Effective Organizing Conversations on Sun., April 23 at 1 ET.  The Northern Virginia Tenant Organizing working group is growing as new tenants across Northern Virginia reach out about organizing their own buildings!  The training aims to help participants ask questions that get community members thinking about the issues they are experiencing, laying the blame on the landlord/politicians/power structures at the root of their issues, and connecting their experience to the fight. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/having-effective-organizing-conversations-nova-dsa-tenant-organizing/?link_id=4&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-14-2023&email_referrer=email_1889430&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-21-2023.

15] – The Samidoun Network [samidoun@samidoun.net] is organizing an online event to free Khader Adnan with his wife Randa Musa on Mon., April 24 at 1:30 PM ET. He is Palestinian prisoner on a hunger strike for 77 days. Hear directly from her about how her husband's deteriorating health condition is affecting her family, and join in to take action. RSVP here to receive reminders: https://forms.gle/So9fk87zbVdMJa6e6. Get the Zoom link at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82534903133.

16] – Join a Tortuguita Birthday Memorial on Sun., April 23 at 3 PM ET by the Joan of Arc statue in Malcolm X Park to exchange plants, seeds and cuttings. Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, known as Tortuguita, was shot and killed by Georgia police in January while protesting the construction of a police urban combat training center, dubbed Cop City, in an old-growth forest outside Atlanta. Despite police claims of shooting Tortuguita in self-defense, state and private autopsies have shown he was shot over 50 times while sitting with their hands up, and had no gunpowder residue on his hands. In honor of what would have been Tortuguita’s birthday, Shutdown DC will host the service. RSVP at https://www.instagram.com/p/CrOdwSOLWL3/?link_id=18&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-14-2023&email_referrer=email_1889430&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-21-2023.

17] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] is hosting its Progressive Town Hall on Sun., April 23 at 4 PM ET with Marianne Williamson, Democratic Presidential Candidate. In 2016, the best-selling author was a vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders for President. Then, in 2020, she ran for President alongside Bernie until, the day after Bernie's win in the Nevada Caucus, she flew to her home state of Texas to join Bernie on stage and give him a rousing endorsement. Now, she's running again—the first Democrat to announce for president. PDA provides a platform for progressive Democrats. The belief is that the best path to victory for the Democratic Party is to embrace its progressive base. To do the opposite and shun the progressive left, and candidates like Marianne Williamson (who is already gaining traction among young voters), is a recipe for disaster for the Democratic Party.  The machine will email you your secure codes when you RSVP! If you have any trouble registering or getting in on Sunday, email mikefox@pdamerica.org. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration.

18] – Gather near the home of US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Sun., April 23 from 4 to 5 PM ET for a peaceful vigil calling for the US to drop the extradition request and drop all charges on Julian Assange. Go to the 5,000 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda by a fence at Sidwell Friends Lower School, two blocks from the Bethesda Metro station. Contact Ann Wilcox ann1.wilcox@gmail.com.

19] – There are virtual Common Cause phone banks on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Work together to demand bold changes to our democracy to create a government that represents all of us, not big corporations or special interests. Register for a shift to make calls and help strengthen the phone bank team to protect our democracy. Make calls on Sun., April 23 from 6 to 8 PM, or Tues., April 25 from 4 to 6 PM or Thurs., April 27 from 5 to 7 PM or Fri., April 28 from 4 to 6 PM ET. These shifts will also always include training for first-timers before you make calls, so if this is your first time, no worries! This will continue through August 28, 2024. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/376178/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations.

20] – The Metro DC DSA [info@mdcdsa.org] is holding a general body meeting on Sun., April 23 from 7 to 9 PM ET. Metro DC DSA's general body meetings convene all chapter members once a month.  Register here https://actionnetwork.org/events/general-body-meeting-april-23-2023?source=direct_link&&link_id=2&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_1889430&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-apr-21-2023.

21] –Get with Social Media Best Practices virtually, hosted by The Democratic National Committee on Sundays and Wednesdays from 7 to 8 PM ET.  Participate on Sun., April 23 and Wed., April 26.  Maximize your impact within your social network and join the social media best practices training. Whether you're just getting started on social media or already have an online presence, this training will provide you with the tools necessary to ensure you are reaching your full potential as an online organizer. Learn the essentials for utilizing platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram for political story telling. Email williamsak@dnc.org to schedule a presentation for your staff/volunteers or with any queries about co-presenting at one or more of these events.

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 April 24, 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.  This vigil will honor the visit to the area of the anti-nuclear ship the Golden Rule.

 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] – The American Friends of Combatants for Peace [office@afcfp.org] on Mon., April 24 at 1:30 PM ET want you to join in for The Path of hope – 2023 Joint Memorial Day Ceremony.  The largest Israeli-Palestinian peace event in history will take place. Gather with thousands of people around the world, and transform despair into hope. RSVP at https://afcfp.org/memorial-register/?emci=928b303a-d2df-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&emdi=16156ca6-16e1-ed11-8e8b-00224832eb73&ceid=8142762. The Ceremony provides a unique opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians to grieve and heal together.

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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