The danger the COVID-19 virus brings to those trapped in Maryland’s prisons is acute.

Please join our Marylanders United community later today as we gather again to talk about our statewide COVID-19 response work. The focus this afternoon at 5:30 is on our incarcerated population and what is being done --  and what more can be done to reduce the number of folks being detained in order to stop the spread of COVID19.

This week’s Progressive Maryland/Marylanders United statewide virtual planning meeting will be on the topic of criminal justice, incarceration and decarceration in – and after – the COVID-19 emergency. It will be set for 5:30-7 PM Thursday. Register and sign up here to join us. And read about our meeting last Thursday focused on the statewide housing emergency and steps to take control of it.

Progressive Maryland/Marylanders United, two sibling groups developing mutual aid networks and advocating state and local policy actions to meet the needs of working families during the coronavirus pandemic, held their fourth statewide virtual meeting Thursday, May 7.

Topping the agenda was an increasingly acute set of housing issues. Hear from Del. Jheanelle Wilkins and housing activists on what actions we demand, and see 50 Delegates' letter to the governor.

THIS AFTERNOON: Marylanders United Virtual Organizing Meeting –

Thursday, May 7 5:30-7:00PM --

Join us in our multi-issue campaign to emerge from this health emergency better, with more justice and equity.

"I love my high school and believe that I am getting a high-quality education. I wonder if more diverse demographics in my school would lead to less hate and intolerance. I wonder if we could have more courageous conversations. ... I have come to realize the idea that zip code shouldn’t determine the quality of education you get!"

IN THIS ISSUE OF THE MEMO: Find out more about Progressive Maryland’s work during the pandemic... AND GET INVOLVED.

RESOURCE BANK: Get familiar with Marylanders United: a COVID-19 action center we created to serve our communities and help you take action during this crisis. Check it out to view a comprehensive list of useful resources and learn about what you can do to volunteer. https://marylandersunited.org

PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL ORGANIZING WITH US!

Among our allies in the effort to humanize our system and put resources where people need them is Prevent Nuclear War Maryland and its campaign to move "Back from the Brink" of nuclear exchange risks. Three activists outline the campaign and the huge costs of militarism that drain public resources from people's needs.

On our third weekly COVID response call this afternoon (5:30 to 7 PM), we will review changes to the voting system for the upcoming elections. We’ll also discuss our mutual aid efforts and how you can get involved in or start one of our local COVID response groups in your area. Progressive Maryland is working to assist those in need and to push for public policies and responses that will aid our state and local governments along with our communities. Since it’s an important election year, we are also educating and mobilizing voters in order to help advance local progressive candidates and policies. Join Marylanders United across the state TODAY.

The health emergency we are in, and the economic collapse it has brought, have left many of us in disarray. That makes this time doubly dangerous, because those well off enough to be in less disarray may be ready to take advantage. This video, in plain language, shows how to fight back.

IN THIS ISSUE OF THE MEMO: Find out more about Progressive Maryland’s work during the pandemic... AND GET INVOLVED.

RESOURCE BANK: Get familiar with Marylanders United: a COVID-19 action center we created to serve our communities and help you take action during this crisis. Check it out to view a comprehensive list of useful resources and learn about what you can do to volunteer. https://marylandersunited.org

PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL ORGANIZING WITH US!

Marylanders United Virtual Organizing Meeting - Thursday, April 30th 5:30-7:00PM

Last week, we reached out to Baltimore City residents for wellness check calls and this week, we are diving more into the impact of COVID on the Maryland elections. Learn about the updated elections timeline and vote-by-mail process, as well as how to do important outreach to support our fellow Marylanders in submitting their ballots. Join us on Thursday for our weekly COVID response meeting as we discuss voter education for our 2020 Elections Campaign and meet some of the progressive candidates we proudly endorsed! Click here to RSVP.