Baltimore Activist Alert -- January 6, 2025

21] Janice and Max back in court – Jan. 6

22] Trans/Queer Liberation Campaign – Jan. 6

23] Abolition Working Group – Jan. 6

24] Discuss Alien Clay – Jan. 6

25] January 6 insurrection -- Jan. 6

26] Remembrance of January 6 – Jan. 6

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21] – On April 9, Janice Sevre-Duszynska and Max Obuszewski were arrested  in the Dirksen Senate Office Building cafeteria with Christians for a Free Palestine and charged with obstructing, blocking and incommoding. The group went to the Dirksen Senate Office Building cafeteria to lobby Senate staffers to implore their respective senator that Palestinians are being starved.  The situation today is even worse. However, in this never-ending case, similar to the Dicken’s story in Bleak House, they will next appear remotely at 10:30 AM on January 6 in Courtroom 310 in D.C. Superior Court because of a pending snowstorm.  Two lawyers are assisting the defendants, Mark Goldstone and Tammy Thom.  Max can be reached at 443-761-5899 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net. 

 The issue that will be decided in court on January 6 is the answer to this question: does the government need to prove that the defendants violated D.C. Code 22-1307 Crowding, obstructing, or incommoding by being arrested? The defense argues that the government’s burden is to prove that the defendants crowded or obstructed or incommoded [trespassed] on April 9, 2024 in the Dirksen cafeteria.  The evidence presented by the government was a video which included the last two warnings to disperse or be arrested and the testimony of two police officers.  Note that the police officers were not there at the time of the three warnings.

 They were actually in the Russell Senate Office Building at the time the group called out for an end to the starvation in Gaza, but were given the assignment of being our “arresting officers.” In filing their police reports, they were told to use a “collective narrative.” So all police reports for 53 arrestees filed on April 9 had the same narrative written down by officers who probably were not present when the warnings were given.  Each officer who did not see the prayerful event had more than five arrestees to handle.  We argued at trial that we did not close down the cafeteria, as the police did.  In the video you can see Senate staffers purchasing items in the cafeteria while Janice was holding a poster and I was bringing my hands together to show support for a minister from Philadelphia during her arrest.

   My officer testified that I crowded, obstructed and incommoded yet there is no such evidence in the video.  Staffers and police officers were going between the assembled 53.  There was no intent to block anyone.  Our intent was to let staffers know that people in Gaza are starving, and to convince their senators to take action.  Janice’s officer under withering cross examination by Mark Goldstone admitted he saw nothing.  I cross examined him, and he said he had no idea who I was.

 So the government contends we were a group of 53, and that was enough to find us guilty.  Note that the testimony presented was that the cafeteria was quite large with seating for maybe 500. We contend that the government failed to prove we violated the D.C. Code 22-1407.  Being there is not enough to prove our guilt.  Briefs were filed, arguments will be made on January 6 and the judge will decide guilt or innocence

22] – The Metro D.C. DSA [novabranch@mdcdsa.org] has a Trans/Queer Liberation Campaign (BAWG) which will meet virtually on Mon., Jan. 6 at 7 PM ET. RSVP to get the Zoom link at https://actionnetwork.org/events/transqueer-liberation-bi-weekly-meeting-6?clear_id=true&link_id=6&can_id=6419b24aa3d074e27f8eaab921ff3be4&source=email-nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events-191&email_referrer=email_2569123&email_subject=nova-branch-dsa-upcoming-actions-and-events

This is a bi-weekly meeting. Discuss ongoing efforts such as Project Sanctuary, our Gender & Name Change Clinics, and more!

23] – The DC Democratic Socialists [abolition@mdcdsa.org] want you to know about a virtual Abolition Working Group meeting on Mon., Jan. 6 at 7 PM ET. Join the DC Abolition Working Group to discuss strategy and planning biweekly on Mondays. This event is open to both DSA members and supporters. A link to attend will be emailed upon RSVP at https://actionnetwork.org/events/dc-abolition-working-group-biweekly-meeting-162025?link_id=48&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-december-13-2024&email_referrer=email_2565916&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-december-20-2024

24] – On Mon., Jan. 6 at 7 PM at Creative Grounds, 1822 N. Capitol St. NW, WDC, read and discuss Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky, a gripping tale of a tyrannical regime, political resistance and dissent of academics, and alien worlds. Join Bol Coop for their first book club of the New Year! Learn more at https://www.instagram.com/p/DDheOkgRQKy/?igsh=MTl5MHd5MzNzbGZjcQ%3D%3D&link_id=30&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-december-13-2024&email_referrer=email_2565916&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-december-20-2024

25] – This Monday is the 4th anniversary of the January 6 insurrection -- the day Donald Trump, far-right militias, and Christian nationalist leaders gathered a mob to shut down our democratic process and attempt a siege on our nation's capital. And many of their heinous acts that day were carried out in Jesus' hijacked name.  On Mon., Jan. 6 at 8 PM ET, join a webinar full of hope, spiritual grounding, and an important call to action to help resist Trump and the worst of his nominees. https://support.interfaithalliance.org/a/dont-obey-in-advance-faith-based-call-to-action-to-save-democracy

Faithful America [mail@faithfulamerica.org] is making a statement: "Don't Obey in Advance: Faith-Based Call to Action to Save Democracy" is cosponsored by Faithful America and friends at Faith in Democracy, Freedom Road, Interfaith Alliance, Sojourners, and the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice. This webinar aims to unite all at this critical moment as people of faith and as active citizens of democracy.

26] – On Mon., Jan. 6 at 8 PM ET, the People Power United is Building People Power in Remembrance of the Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection.  RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/747325/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_most_popular_virtual

Mark the anniversary of January 6th by standing up for democracy and justice. While Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have failed to uphold their allegiance to the Constitution, we must rise up to protect our rights, freedoms, and future. Together build a resilient, people-powered movement to resist the threats of fascism and ensure that the voices of everyday Americans—not the wealthy elite—shape our nation’s course

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