Monday, February 12, 2024

Baltimore Activist Alert -- February 13 - 21, 2024

24] Run for office – Feb. 13

25] Russia out of Ukraine – Feb. 13

26] Fair Share for Maryland Act. – Feb. 13

27] McGirt v. Oklahoma – Feb. 13

28] Film “Sevap/Mitzvah” – Feb. 13

29] Gaza: the Media Goes to War Feb. 13

30] Trump's eligibility for the Colorado ballot – Feb. 13

31] Freedom to Vote Act -- Feb. 13

32] A PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE – Feb. 14 - 21

33] Ash Wednesday Liturgy and Ecumenical Public Witness for a Ceasefire – Feb. 14

34] Family and Medical Leave Insurance Feb. 14

35] Firearm violence prevention -- Feb. 14

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24] -- The National Democratic Training Committee wants you to Maximize Your Field Strategy through Precinct Prioritization on Tues., Feb. 13 from 1 to 2 PM ET.  Join this free virtual live training, designed to help you run for office. We’re here to help, so join us to learn the following. Understand how precinct prioritization, for example, informs field strategy.  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/597229/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual

25] – Join the Baltimore Nonviolence Center on Tues., Feb. 13 from 4:30 to 5 PM ET at 33rd and N. Charles Sts. The invasion of Ukraine has the potential to become a war extending throughout Europe.  Putin has destroyed Aleppo and Grozny and has threatened the use of nuclear weapons.  Russian soldiers were sent into the area around the contaminated and still radioactive Chernobyl nuclear plant. Now they are stationed in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe.   People who believe in peace and justice should come forward and take the risks of peace. The burial sites continue to expose ruthless war crimes by the invaders, Contact Max at mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net or 410-323-1607.

26] -- The Maryland Fair Funding Coalition [lisa@marylandrise.org] is holding an information session on Tues., Feb. 13 at 6:30 PM to learn more about the Fair Share for Maryland Act. We can fund Maryland's future when everyone pays their fair share.  Support the Fair Share for Maryland Act (HB 1007/SB 766) to prevent growing budget deficits from cutting the public services our communities rely on, like public schools and transit service. Register at https://actionnetwork.org/events/fair-share-maryland-act-information-session?source=direct_link&&link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&email_referrer=email_2195987&email_subject=learn-more-about-the-fair-share-for-maryland-act

27] -- Henry George School of Social Science [info@hgsss.org] will host a discussion on Tues., Feb. 13 at 6:30 PM ET -- McGirt v. Oklahoma: Unraveling the Impact on Tribal Economics and Sovereignty. Dr. Brian Hosmer will lead the discussion. The US Supreme Court’s landmark decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma (2020) potentially reorders relationships between tribal nations and US states. While limited to criminal jurisdiction in specific areas, the overheated reaction on the part of state officials coupled with the tribes’ cautious yet firm assertions of sovereignty suggests more than what first meets the eye.  Register at https://www.hgsss.org/mcgirt-v-oklahoma-unraveling-the-impact-on-tribal-economics-and-sovereignty/

28] –    The Jewish Islamic Dialogue Society is proud to join the Rumi Forum in presenting a dialogue featuring the film “Sevap/Mitzvah” on Tues., Feb. 13 from 7 to 9 PM ET at the Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb St. NW, WDC 20016.  "Sevap/Mizvah" is a short but extremely moving dramatization of a Bosnian Muslim woman who hid a Jewish family during the Holocaust and then was rescued by Jews during the war in Bosnia 52 years later.  It is a story about the power of true friendship, which is one thing organizations like JIDS and the Rumi Forum have tried so hard to foster – true friendships between Muslims and Jews.  RSVP at https://rumiforum.org/event/film_screening_and_discussion_sevap_mitzvah/

29] Massachusetts Peace Action [info@masspeaceaction.org] on Tues., Feb. 13 at 7 PM -- Gaza: the Media Goes to War with Professor Adel Iskandar. RSVP at https://secure.everyaction.com/_h-V32M6vUu6xkaMAC4rbQ2?contactdata=mN0BN0Pymc6ujBHuO45kZT5djcFsDw8TS%2fqDzFFurHyv829ZjOCY9CKZc9EkGEvdI66uVq1G0B9+4oL7BXYOTQPF5MB13wTAEWfOhbbRt4HAGcX6FwHo8Ibf%2fiurAsLvTEjafcOxax01+x47wy8UajlMEiYbgC1Z9ZwyJX4cKAYWPPutTYaQTnL+N3uxe4c%2f+8DIehp796siFPDimI3QOfephGBkjunZHN6RbyKJv+AzL3ZXzIzZPxBtFVE0j5s17Qf6CKOQ+deXNJajsT2jQRleBaBbAm7S3dlWPzpJllo%2fiQ4AqXCpixWxZ1uAPGWhkDrrO17rZYJ+SQYwKrptZA%3d%3d&emci=536f17da-9dc6-ee11-85f9-002248223794&emdi=57071fa9-72c7-ee11-85f9-002248223794&ceid=269591

 How did the mainstream media use the framing of 9/11 to describe the Oct. 7 attacks, and how does their coverage privilege the Israeli narrative?  How do people consume the news and the battle for ideas over the depiction of the conflict in Israel and Gaza?  Professor Adel Iskandar is an Associate Professor of Global Communication at Simon Fraser University where he directs the Centre for Comparative Muslim Studies (CCMS). He is the author, co-author, and editor of several works including “Egypt in Flux: Essays on an Unfinished Revolution”; “Al-Jazeera: The Story of the Network that is Rattling Governments and Redefining Modern Journalism” and “Edward Said: A Legacy of Emancipation and Representation”. Iskandar’s work deals with media, identity and politics; and he is a co-editor of Jadaliyya.

30] -- Common Cause [causenet@commoncause.org] is hosting a webinar on Tues., Feb. 13 at 8 PM ET -- Oral arguments surrounding Trump's eligibility for the Colorado ballot. RSVP athttps://www.mobilize.us/commoncause/event/428300/?link_id=0&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-youre-invited-webinar-for-common-cause-members-4&email_referrer=email_2197781&email_subject=youre-invited-webinar-for-common-cause-members

 Experts will dissect the latest developments and shed light on the implications for our democracy. This webinar will continue on Wed., March 20 and Wed., April 24 from 8 to 9 PM ET.

31] -- On Tues., Feb. 13 at 8 PM ET, Common Cause is hosting a virtual Letter to the Editor Party: Freedom to Vote. In America, we value our freedom. The freedom to have a say in decisions that impact our lives - from curbing the pandemic to creating jobs to making health care affordable. For months, the American people have been calling for national standards to protect our freedom to vote and have an equal voice in our government. In July of 2023, the Freedom to Vote Act was reintroduced in the Senate. The Freedom to Vote Act is an extremely necessary reform. This important legislation will protect our right to vote, end partisan gerrymandering, counter undemocratic and dangerous election sabotage efforts, and help eliminate the undue influence of dark money in our elections.

 The last time the Freedom to Vote Act was introduced, all 50 Senate Democrats twice voted to advance major voting rights legislation, and all Senate Republicans twice voted against even allowing public debate on the bill, causing a filibuster.  If we don’t get the Freedom to Vote Act passed, then millions of Americans will likely find it harder to have their voices heard as states continue to pass voter.  To join in writing letters, go to https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/418654/?followup_modal_context=organization_newsletter_custom_recommendations

32] – A PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C will begin on Wed., Feb. 14 starting at 10 AM at Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. Join a coalition of faith leaders, artists, and activists on a Pilgrimage for Peace to demand a Ceasefire in Gaza.  The pilgrimage will conclude in D.C. on Feb. 21. Many groups are involved including Fellowship of Reconciliation and the National Council of Churches are marching to urge President Biden to call for a ceasefire. RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/pilgrimage-for-peace

 Urge President Biden and Congress to halt weapons funding to Israel and, instead, channel efforts towards increasing humanitarian aid to Palestine. It is our collective responsibility to advocate for a peaceful resolution and uphold the principles of justice and compassion.  We will either sow seeds of nonviolence today or reap nonexistence tomorrow. We will either sow seeds of nonviolence today or reap nonexistence tomorrow.

33] -- The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns <ogc@maryknollogc.org> wants you to join an Ash Wednesday Liturgy and Ecumenical Public Witness for a Ceasefire on Feb. 14 at 11 AM ET at Lafayette Park, outside the White House, for a liturgy which will include sharing the Eucharist and distribution of ashes, and an ecumenical public witness to follow. Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time of prayerful repentance. This year, as we start the Lenten ceasefire campaign, we pray especially for peace in the Holy Land and for all who have been killed, injured or displaced since the escalation of hostilities in October, and we call on the Catholic president to heed the words of Pope Francis and other faith leaders calling for a ceasefire. RSVP at https://www.maryknollogc.org/action/ash-wednesday-liturgy-and-ecumenical-public-witness-ceasefire?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=acc70199-f8b9-49f7-8d8c-228eef830e71

34] -- Time to Care Coalition [info@timetocare.net] wants you to attend a hearing in Annapolis on Wed., Feb. 14 and a Senate hearing on Fri., Feb. 16. These bill hearings are for the Department of Labor's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) modification legislation that will assist the Department in implementing the Time to Care Law. The bill numbers are HB 571 and SB 485, and the house hearing is at 1 PM and the Senate hearing is at 11 AM.  Email Lisa at lisa@marylandrise.org

35] -- Alison Rodner [maryland@momschapterleaders.org] wants you to join Moms Demand Action on Wed., Feb. 14  at 1 PM ET at a HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE CENTER FOR FIREARM VIOLENCE PREVENTION in the House Office Building, Room 100, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis 21401. RSVP at https://act.everytown.org/event/moms-demand-action-event/58915/signup/?emci=490c36b1-49c1-ee11-b660-002248223197&emdi=459b4864-0dc5-ee11-b660-002248223197&ceid=1738958

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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