Baltimore Activist Alert – April 13 – 14, 2025

Baltimore Activist Alert – April 13 – 14, 2025

"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] Get the book A Bag of Snakes

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

6] Baltimore activist selling her home

7] Instrumental Music and Humanist Spirituality – April 13

8] Resistance Lab – April 13

9] Save the environment – April 13

10] Rapid Response for Our Freedoms – April 13

11] Vigil at the Pentagon – April 14

12] Crisis in Sudan – April 14

13] Update about Gaza – April 14

14] Sustainability in Nicaragua – April 14

15] Election Protection – April 14

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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 410-323-1607 or mobuszewski2001 at Comcast dot net.

4] – Barry Lee Burnside, a gaggle of great writers and copy editors are making available “A Bag of Snakes: Selected Writings on Prisons and the Death Penalty by Murphy Davis and Eduard Loring. Edited by Barry Lee Burnside.” Ed indicates the book will be available for sale on April 13, and is asking you to pre-order your copy. Your donation will provide a needed financial boost for the printing costs. The suggested donation is $20 for one copy; and $30 for your copy and an additional copy for a prisoner or someone in need. Any donation is appreciated. More or less you will receive the book.  Barry and the team have spent over two years putting this book together. It begins with outlines and notes found in the boxes of materials Murphy left when she ascended. The work is a work of love, and all involved are proud of the fruit borne by seeds nourished in good soil.

To order by postal mail, make your check to Open Door Community.  Send it to Open Door Community, PO Box 10980, Baltimore 21234.  For any questions, contact David Payne at 404-290-2047 or davidpayne@opendoorcommunity.org.

5] – 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.

6] – A home in Baltimore is for sale on a dead-end street in the Lauraville neighborhood, with three bedrooms, and one bath. The yard backs into a field and then a forest. There is a serene and quiet setting with an abundance of wildlife. The owner will be asking a reasonable amount for the property but it will not be overpriced. Contact her by text only at 443 500 6733. On the text, leave your name and phone number, and she will get back to anyone that reaches out. 

7] – The Baltimore Ethical Society invites you on Sundays at 10:30 AM for a platform presentation at the Impact Hub Baltimore, 10 E. North Ave., Baltimore 21202.  On April 13, there will be a hybrid talk "Instrumental Music and Humanist Spirituality" by Hugh Taft-Morales, an Ethical Humanist Leader in Baltimore and Philadelphia. Masks are optional.

Music reinvigorates, heals, comforts, and inspires. It can turn us inward by connecting our heads and our hearts. It also can turn us outward by nurturing emotional connection to others. Music, in many forms, has been central to religions throughout time. Hugh brings a humanist perspective to the science, art, and experience of listening to music. He will conclude by explaining why he considers music to be spiritual. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VtpB3QYnRBqk8xbP9XhfTA#/registration

8] – On Sun., April 13 from 1 to 3 PM ET, participate with Pramila Jayapal's Resistance Lab: Virtual Organizing Training 101. Interested in hosting an organizing training with your friends and family on April 13? Simply fill out this form: https://forms.gle/b1PTK6SKhz8dVnzs6. Once submitted, a member of the team will reach out with all the tools and resources you need to host a successful training. This session will cover the Resistance Lab 101 curriculum. If you missed the first session, this is for you!  The Resistance Lab is a series of trainings that are developed specifically for this moment. In this first lab, we look at how non-violent movements around the world have responded to leaders who seize power in authoritarian ways and the most effective tools and tactics to utilize in these moments. We offer frameworks to understand this moment at home, and incorporate interactive conversation with others to help create community and build our resistance movement. RSVP https://www.mobilize.us/pramilaforcongress/event/771833/

9] – The Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] on Sun., April 13 at 4 PM ET will hold its weekly Town Hall: Fighting Trump's Attack on the Environment, Defending the Planet. Address the Trump Administration's dire impact on the Climate Emergency and the Environment in general with Michelle Allen from Food & Water Watch. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4?emci=4634e116-9d16-f011-8b3d-0022482a9fb7&emdi=4b7c5313-e516-f011-8b3d-0022482a9fb7&ceid=2907617#/registration

 The non-stop avalanche of terrible news coming out of the White House has made it difficult to focus on many issues, including those of the utmost importance, such as the Climate Emergency and the environmental degradation and its impact on communities. Allen will summarize (as best as possible) the damage being wrought by Trump 2.0, and how environmentalists and community activists are fighting back.  In particular, look at ways that PDA can join with Food & Water Watch and the entire national and global environmental movement to counter Trump and regain momentum for the effort to protect the people and the planet. Also get a report back from the huge Los Angeles Fight Oligarchy rally on April 5 with Bernie Sanders, AOC, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Greg Casar, and legendary music acts, including Neil Young and Joan Baez.

10] – On Sundays, April 13, 20 & 27 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM ET, join for a virtual "Rapid Response for Our Freedoms," a crucial event where we stand as one to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard the rights and freedoms we all hold dear. This is our moment to rise up for an America that includes everyone when we say "liberty and justice for all," not just the wealthy and powerful.  At People Power United, we believe in progress and the strength of collective action. Together, we can push back against extremism and build a brighter future. Join us in the fight for Freedom over Fascism and help amplify the power of people to shape our democracy! RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/747339/

11] – 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 14, 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 Marriot Providence Inn on corner of S. Fern and Army Navy Dr.

12] – The crisis in Sudan has become one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history. As the world turns away, millions are suffering. We cannot stay silent. Join Emgage Action, No Business with Genocide, and the Sudan Peace Coalition for the Sudan Advocacy Week, where we will bring the voices of the Sudanese people to the halls of power. There is Mandatory Training on Mon., April 14 from 9:30 to 11AM: learn how to lead effective advocacy meetings with congressional offices. More details on the training location will be provided upon registration. Then get on the Hill for those in the DC, Maryland & Virginia areas and meet with members of Congress and advocate for peace in Sudan. Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/XmTD2kXdp0-7W1Z3G60Wuw2

13] – Doctors against Genocide [info@doctorsagainstgenocide.org] on Sun., April 13 at noon will provide updates from Gaza and Media Training for Doctors against Genocide members. Dr. Razan Nahhas who has been in Gaza on a medical mission for over 50 days will share the woes he experienced.  The Media Training will be done by Eman Rashid, a Palestinian American former CBS News & MSNBC journalist. He will train Palestine solidarity and advocacy groups to effectively engage with mainstream media and secure positive, principled coverage of their work. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5F1FUgCcSu2V-4HiIYEFQw

14] – The Maryland CPUSA [md@cpusa.org] wants you to know about a webinar on Mon., April 13 at 3 PM ET -- Building Sustainable Communities: Insights from Nicaragua. Register at bit.ly/NicaApril13

Join Sarah Junkin Woodard for this 60-minute webinar, as she shares a slideshow and insights from Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua, followed by responses to your questions and comments.  She will describe, in her words, "the amazing realities developing within Sandinista Nicaragua where both the social and political will are focused on helping the majority of the population, the poorest of the poor."  Sarah represents the work of the Jubilee House Community, a U.S. nonprofit she helped form in 1979.  Working with and on behalf of the poor in North Carolina for the first decade, she has spent the last 31 years in Nicaragua, with the project name Center for Development in Central America.  The JHC-CDCA continues to respond to local needs, helping the poor accomplish what they see as their priorities, particularly in the areas of sustainable economic development, organic agriculture, health care, and education.

15] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to participate with the Grassroots Election Protection Coalition/ALLIANCE 4 GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY Zoom on Mon., April 14 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

To be continued

Donations can be sent to Max Obuszewski, Baltimore Nonviolence Center, and 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