Baltimore Activist Alert – October 29 to 30, 2023

Baltimore Activist Alert – October 29 to 30, 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] Alan Barysh has an audio book

9] Felix Adler and Inequality – Oct. 29

10] Global Town Hall – Oct. 29

11] "Health Care Shouldn't Be Spooky" picnic – Oct. 29

12] Solidarity: a Path to Liberation – Oct. 29

13] Faith and Political Polarization – Oct. 29

14] Progressive Town Hall – Oct. 29

15] Kick off the advocacy year – Oct. 29

16] Turn Virginia blue – Oct. 29

17] Protest at the Pentagon – Oct. 30

18] Sit-Out at Mfume’s office to call for a Cease Fire – Oct. 30

19] Green Grassroots Emergency Environment and Election Protection – Oct. 30 20] Speak up for Maryland offshore wind – Oct. 30

21] Cease Fire demo at Washington Monument – Oct. 30

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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] – 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.

6] – 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.

7] – Alan Barysh  [magoo1917@earthlink.net] hopes that you will purchase his audio book -- Shipyard Days and Nights and Other Baltimore Stories (Mostly true).  It's on amazon.com. Should this book hit the big time, Mr. Barysh says he will donate money to the Shipyard Retirees Association.

8] – Alan Barysh has another book, and is asking you to google The Tria According To Alan Barysh and vote for this book. The royalties will be divided between the Tyrone West campaign, Revolution Books and the get Alan a Good Printer cause. Once he gets a new printer, he will take a ten percent cut and give the rest of the royalties to the other causes. His opinion is being an author or an artist is just as valued if not more valued than being a community organizer!

9] – Usually, the Baltimore Ethical Society, 2521 St. Paul St., Baltimore 21218, meets on Sundays, and usually there is a platform address at 10:30 AM ET.  On Oct. 29, the theme is All-Societies Platform: Adler and Inequality. Felix Adler established America’s first free kindergarten for working families in the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, he led the first successful national campaign against child labor and came very close to achieving his egalitarian vision in the mid-20th century. Recently, we have moved in the completely opposite direction with the widening of the wealth gap making inequality in this country too obvious for anyone to ignore. How can we best turn things around? As Adler puts it, how can we tax away “pomp and pride and power”? Sam Pizzigati, currently an Associate Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies and former Director of Publishing at the National Education Association, will answer these questions, and will explore some of the fascinating new approaches to addressing inequality both here and abroad by demonstrating how the best way to chip away at this issue is to start locally. Visit https://bmorethical.org

10] – The Project Save the World invites you to its next monthly Global Town Hall on Sun., Oct. 29 at 2 to 4 PM ET. Join the Town Hall at 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. Visit https://tosavetheworld.ca. 

11] – Join hosted by Progressive Maryland on Sun., Oct. 29 from 2 to 4 PM ET at Roosevelt Park, 1201 W. 36th St at Falls Road, Baltimore 21211.   Join in for food, music, and games to celebrate this year of the Care over Cost campaign, connect with others in the Baltimore community fighting for healthcare justice, and to learn more about Progressive Maryland! Costumes not required, but celebrated! Seating availability will be limited at the outdoor park, but bring a lawn/camping chair and grab a spot in the park. This event will be held rain or shine and a canopy for cover will be on-site. In the event of a severe weather forecast, we will announce through email and/or text any decision to cancel. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/588778/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_closest

12] – American Friends of Combatants for Peace [lindsay@afcfp.org] is hosting Solidarity: a Path to Liberation on Sun., Oct. 29 at 2 PM ET.  The talk will be led by Palestinian activists, Rana Salman and Souli Khatib, and Israeli activists, Eszter Koranyi and Avner Wishnitzer. It will be moderated by the Director and Producer of "Disturbing the Peace," Stephen Apkon, and A'ida Shibli, Palestinian Bedouin activist and co-worker at the Tamera biotope in Portugal.  As this time of violence and unfathomable loss threatens to divide us, Combatants for Peace calls for a coming together.  RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/kb0I81wR9E2vseFfE5ef5A2?contactdata=kbBbExQuyb8iSoalXGlYgvQ4B3A1N1+U8CITOYjAR8bHxjgWsuwGNLZxUJPDkozIfGSsJndlJDgoMJi9RFamoPZm0R2OwQ9LkYKVriz1GPi3sOeR9uJFi2q9MMGm4gQy8oi1VfhWW8BqNRt2pl6dbaOAQeUwYBL3bEqNM2MGmVJlMgiIiQRTwuTBQDg05w0T52G2kcCz2RhmarJA8MUlNaUnOqdPieCDpXPlwC1KMt3qZOVFY1mIacmX1zr3JZY9PfdJJGUtm6Xpd78x6llqlQ%3d%3d&emci=1fb528e5-8873-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&emdi=00def67f-2174-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&ceid=8142762

13] – The Jewish-Islamic Dialogue Society is holding a discussion Faith and Political Polarization at Kol Ami Reconstructionist Community/UU Church of Arlington, 4444  Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204 on Sun., Oct. 29 from 3 to 5:30 PM ET. RSVP to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/faith-and-polarization-a-participatory-afternoon-tickets-731177330077

JIDS has looked before at the topic of political polarization, but this time it will be looked at the topic through a different prism, that of faith.  Just what roles does faith play as to the political and cultural schisms that mar our society?  Is it a cause of the problem?  Or is it a potential antidote?  And most importantly, what can people of faith or members of faith communities, do to confront these issues?

14] – Alan Minsky for Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to attend a Town Hall on Sun., Oct. 29 at 4 PM ET with James Zogby on Israel, U.S. Policy, and the Palestinians.  Also get an update from OnePayerStates about Statewide Universal Healthcare.  Legendary Arab-American author, advocate, and organizer James Zogby will discuss the unfolding tragedy in Gaza, Israel, and the region. Plus, OnePayerStates president Chuck Pennacchio will give an update on efforts to win single-payer healthcare on a state-by-state basis.  Rep. Ro Khanna is reintroducing legislation clearing a pathway for universal single-payer healthcare to become a reality in any individual state. Khanna's bill is called the "State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 2023" (aka SBUHCA), and PDA will be asking every member of Congress to co-sponsor SBUHCA.  RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4#/registration

15] –Jews United for Justice [info@jufj.org] are starting to prepare for the Maryland legislative session that starts in January. On Sun., Oct. 29 at 4 PM ET, kick off the advocacy year at Columbia Jewish Congregation, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia or on Zoom.  Share campaign options, ask which you are most excited to work on, and how you want to get involved in this work for a more just Maryland. RSVP at https://jufj.org/event/mdga24-kickoff/?emci=78f72952-c863-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&emdi=975566a0-cc63-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&ceid=3403859

16] –  On Sun., Oct. 29 from 6 to 8 PM ET, the Democratic National Committee is organizing VIRTUAL PHONE BANKS FOR THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES- TO TURN VA BLUE! RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/569453/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual. This event will continue on Sundays from 6 to 8 PM ET THROUGH November 5.  Call voters in Virginia to get them out to vote in the November election. NO EXPERIENCE is NECESSARY. Get TRAINING, and hear from COACHES TO HELP ALL ALONG THE WAY. Steve Phillips [info@democracyincolor.com] has written a book How We Win the Civil War. Starting Sun., Oct. 29 at 8 PM ET, Phillips will be hosting a weekly “Sundays with Steve” on Facebook Live to discuss contemporary issues through the prism of the ongoing Civil War. Sign up at https://www.facebook.com/events/1380348316229936/1380348362896598/?active_tab=about

17] – 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. 30, 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 Marriot Providence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr.

18] –   On Monday, October 30 from 2 to 5 PM, members of the Baltimore Nonviolence Center will do a Sit-Out at Rep. Kweisi Mfume’s office at 1010 Park Ave., Baltimore 20201 with signs.  The signs will indicate that Rep.  Mfume and Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger have refused to support a cease fire, despite the fact that some 3,000 Palestinian children have been killed.  War crimes are being committed, yet the Biden administration wants to use US tax dollars and weaponry to support what legal scholars are calling a genocide in the Gaza Strip.  Those of us familiar with photographs of what atomic bombs did in Hiroshima and Nagasaki are startled by the similarities to buildings in the open-air prison controlled by Egypt and Israel. Contact Max at 443-761-5899 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

19] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] want you to participate with the Green Grassroots Emergency Environment and Election Protection (GREEP) Zoom on Mon., Oct. 30 at 5 PM ET. Hear from leading activists, elected officials, and others committed to union organizing as well as cleaning up our elections and the environment, and other critically important issues. RSVP at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqfuygpjIiHtc20uIOxdeqYRiAicjSLWUc#/registration

20] –CCAN [info@chesapeakeclimate.org] wants you to register for a virtual public hearing, and speak up for Maryland offshore wind on Mon., Oct. 30 at 5 PM ET.  RSVP at https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_x3ygygooTOSlnrzhiOJYPg#/registration   ‌US regulators have finally released their environmental impact statement for US Wind’s proposed offshore wind project off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland. Add YOUR voice to tell regulators from the Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM): We need more offshore wind, now!

21] –Also note that If Not Now Baltimore is organizing a demonstration on Mon, Oct. 30 from 6 to 7 PM around Baltimore’s Washington Monument in Mount Vernon. The group is calling it a Mourner’s Kaddish/Ceasefire Now.  RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/Y9akFz8TAU2Ow7Bq7xSzug2?sourceid=1051385&emci=8f551f13-4574-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&emdi=fd503e25-4774-ee11-b004-00224832eb73&ceid=16795595

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