Baltimore Activist Alert – August 17 – 18, 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] Donate school supplies – through Aug. 29
7] Homewood Sunday worship – Aug. 17
8] American Dream – Aug. 17
9] Doctors against genocide – Aug. 17
10] Sign making in Patterson Park – Aug. 17
11] Trump’s minerals deal in Congo –
Aug. 17
12] Palestinian prisoners –
guilt irrelevant – Aug. 17
13] It is local & state – Aug. 17
14] Redistricting session -- Aug. 17
15] DSA Electoral working group
meeting – Aug. 17
16] Vigil at the Pentagon – Aug. 18
17] Art confronts injustice – Aug. 18
18] Sign Wave – Aug. 18
19] Grassroots protection
for the vote – Aug. 18
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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.
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] – The Interfaith Coalition for Black Lives [interfaithcoalition4blacklives@gmail.com] is collecting school supplies for two Baltimore City Youth Centers and a School! Donate new school supplies for the Kirk P. Gaddy Youth and Community Center, Inc., on the east side, Unified Efforts, Inc., a free summer and afterschool program on the west side, and Federal Hill Preparatory School, a Title I public school in south Baltimore. Through August 29, you can drop off donations at Stony Run Friends Meeting, 5116 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21210. The Meetinghouse is just south of Northern Parkway on the grounds of Friends School. The Meetinghouse has a long porch in the front (with a horseshoe shaped driveway in front). There is a large plastic, marked box next to the door where you can donate your new supplies. If you have a check or cash, ring the doorbell during business hours Monday through Friday. On Friday until 3 PM. Needed items are three-ring binders, backpacks, boxes of tissues and disinfectant wipes, white board markers, filler paper for binders, folders (especially plastic), pencil boxes, stickies, in addition to the "usual" items such as pencils, pens, crayons, markers, colored pencils, spiral and marble bound notebooks.
7] – Homewood Friends Meeting [homewoodfriends@gmail.com] gathers for worship on Sundays at 10:30 AM at 3107 N. Charles St., Baltimore 21218 and on Zoom. There is a heat policy when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Thus the meeting will be in the dining room. A simple lunch will take place after the 10:30 AM worship. Call 410-235-4438. To join by Zoom, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/255867065?pwd=UDNxVnlVSkZQOHlXWlc3NHpHeHdhZz09#success
8] – The Baltimore Ethical Society invites you on Sundays at 10:30 AM for a platform presentation on Zoom or at the Impact Hub Baltimore, 10 E. North Ave., Baltimore 21202. On Sun., Aug. 17 it will be a virtual platform with David Lavine, a photography teacher, about "Picturing the American Dream." In 1931, writing in the midst of the Great Depression, the historian James Truslow Adams, coined the phrase “American Dream,” referring to the main themes of American history, how Americans differed from Europeans in their social aspirations. Discuss photographs in the areas of American social documentary and advertising. Look at two sides of the Dream – including the quest for prosperity alongside the dream of equality. Consider reading Jim Cullen, The American Dream, a short History of an idea that shaped a nation and F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby. To receive the Zoom link, email president@bmorethical.org. Visit https://www.meetup.com/bmorethical/events/310179725/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events
9] – Doctors against Genocide [info@doctorsagainstgenocide.org] on Sun., Aug. 17 at noon ET wants you to check out the upcoming webinar “Global Structures Driving Genocide and Starvation,” which will address urgent health crises in regions facing famine, displacement, and systemic violence. This session will include critical medical guidance on starvation, refeeding syndrome in famine conditions, and sexual violence in Congo and Sudan. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aUUzycRDSwaem750Nc6iFg
10] – Get with the Baltimore Rapid Response Network (BRRN) Sign Making, every Sunday from noon to 3 PM at Patterson Park. Make powerful protest signs with the community. All ages and skills levels welcome, and supplies & snacks provided. Gather at Patterson Park, between the pool and tennis courts. Email info@baltimorerapidresponsenetwork.org
11] – Friends of the Congo <info@friendsofthecongo.org> on Sun., Aug. 17 at 5 PM ET are inviting you to Donald Trump's Mineral Deal in Congo at Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th & V Sts., WDC 20009. Enjoy a film screening, discussion and action around the minerals deal. Friends of the Congo and the Congolese Diaspora reveal the true beneficiaries behind Donald Trump's "peace" and minerals deal in the Congo. RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peace-or-profit-donald-trumps-minerals-deal-in-the-congo-tickets-1539091838119?aff=oddtdtcreator
12] – Since 1967, Israel has imprisoned as many as one million Palestinians—men, women and children. Many are “administrative detainees,” taken without charge or a fixed release date, and receiving little or no due process and no trial by jury. Original detention orders can be renewed repeatedly. Many remain imprisoned for years, subjected to mental and physical abuse and torture. Might these detainees, arrested for so-called “public security,” more appropriately be called captives, hostages, or abductees? This panel will discuss Israeli arrest practices, prison conditions, prisoner abuse, the impact on families and communities, and efforts to end the occupation and its unjust system of abduction and incarceration. Register and join in on Sun., Aug. 17 at 3 PM ET and hear from Arab Barghouthi, Palestinian political activist and COO, Axsos Academy; Hind Shraydeh, Jerusalemite, writer and journalist; Sahar Francis, human rights activist, and a moderator, Steve Tamari, author, Palestinian American and professor emeritus of Middle East and Islamic History at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Register for "Guilt Not Required: Palestinian Prisoners, Hostages & Detainees" at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pKfSDvlSSdaWYidIFIDOvw?ct=t%28EMAIL_CAMPAIGN+July+2025_COPY_05%29&mc_cid=aef1049189&mc_eid=d94264e14b#/registration
13] – Alan Minsky, Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] on Sun., Aug. 17 at 4 PM ET is inviting you to a weekly Town Hall with Betty Yee, Progressive Candidate for California Governor, and Erika Andiola, Immigrant Rights Advocate Betty will lay out her vision for a California that works for all of its people. Erika will provide an update on the Trump Administration's inhumane campaign of mass deportations of working-class people of color, including DACA recipients. RSVP https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tceuhrzsvHdymeeZRwb-i7X50FJa-HMR4?%2fregistration=&emci=444d41ce-eb79-f011-b481-6045bdfe8e9c&emdi=466ea7cc-227a-f011-b481-6045bdfe8e9c&ceid=2907617#/registration
During the remaining three and a half years of the Trump Administration - when it's next to impossible to imagine any progressive policies being adopted at the Federal level - we progressives should focus on passing socially transformative progressive legislation at the state and local level. Just as no city can have as much influence in this regard as New York City, where Zohran Mamdani's candidacy is inspiring the city, state, country, and the world with its visionary platform, there can be no question that California is the largest, wealthiest, and most influential state in the country. Betty’s platform is all about re-centering the interests of the working and middle classes, truly building a California for All. Erika will also share some harrowing stories of DACA recipients, who have been swept up without due process by Trump's and Steven Miller's paramilitary force.
14] – Plan to attend a Baltimore County Redistricting Information Session on Sun., Aug. 17 at 5 PM ET. Register at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y0-6kj01T3OT1PVOel5q0w?fbclid=IwY2xjawMHONtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFvRlgzNnU0THRuUTN1dTFRAR6sLRWXCIsMtwdPudKLlHP9JpYoghxUZVBtM0Xst5Ih4cn6sGL7hZOItPqxvA_aem_L7hw6PyG80eVCkiYHxozxg#/registration
Thank you to Senator Charles E. Sydnor III and Sharonda Huffman, President of the Blue and Gold Democratic Club, for organizing this public information seminar with the Greater Baltimore Urban League. Baltimore County is one of those places where strong Voting Rights Act enforcement is needed most, given the County’s disgraceful history of locking Black and Brown people out of representative government. This is true now more than ever, given the perilous moment our democracy faces today. No matter what supporters of the Council’s map want us to believe, the Bill 55-25 map underrepresents 48% of the population, relegating people of color to 22% of the 9 districts. After ignoring the work and recommendations of their own Redistricting Commission, the Council has drawn a map that gives the shrinking 52% white population unbeatable majorities in 88% of the districts. And 26% - the majority - of minority residents, whose communities are found on both sides of the County, are ignored. This 2-0-7 map (2 majority-Black, zero majority-BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, which refers to all non-white racial and ethnic groups as reported in U.S. Census data], and 7 majority-white districts) violates the Voting Rights Act and fair representation. Additional hearings will take place on Tues., Aug. 26 at 4 PM, Tues., Sept. 9 at 4 PM and Mon., Sept. 15 at 6 PM ET.
15] – The Northern Virginia DSA Electoral working group meeting is on Sun., Aug. 17 from 7 to 8 PM! A link to attend this virtual event will be emailed upon RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/nova-2025-general-electoral-research-kickoff-and-working-meeting?link_id=78&can_id=4b9d4061aec5469758759317ac0f5285&source=email-metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-august-8-2025&email_referrer=email_2849242&email_subject=metro-dc-dsa-weekly-newsletter-for-august-15-2025&&
Join to begin work on the 2025 general election research together in this meeting. Join in #nova-electoral on Slack, and fill out the interest form. Also, feel free to reach out to @Alex Yarkosky on Slack with any questions about electoral work.
16] – 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 Aug. 18, 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.
18] – Baltimore Sign Waves on Mondays, including Aug. 18, from 4 to 5 PM will be at West Northern Parkway & Roland Ave., Baltimore 21210. This will continue through August 25. Join in the waving of pro-democracy signs! Bring your sign or just show up. RSVP at https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/793151/?followup_modal_context=nonexclusive_newsletter_closest
19] – Progressive Democrats of America [info@pdamerica.org] wants you to participate with the Grassroots Election Protection Coalition/ALLIANCE 4 GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY Zoom on Mon., Aug. 18 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
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