Progressive Maryland staffers and activists have returned pretty stoked from the People’s Summit in Chicago this past weekend, where progressives from around the country strategized for victory in the age of Trump. A comprehensive blueprint for progressive change will emerge organically from that event as folks go home and apply those lessons to local issues and conditions.

How will we shape that agenda for Maryland? Our own “blueprint” for change is going to be laid out at a Montgomery County social-political event this Saturday, and there’s still a place there for you and your fellow activists. It will be detailed and focus on the issues we care about and the political figures who are, or are not, on our side. See the event listing below.

Weekly Memo for June 12-17

Progressive Maryland staffers and activists have returned pretty stoked from the People’s Summit in Chicago this past weekend, where progressives from around the country strategized for victory in the age of Trump. A comprehensive blueprint for progressive change will emerge organically from that event as folks go home and apply those lessons to local issues and conditions.

How will we shape that agenda for Maryland? Our own “blueprint” for change is going to be laid out at a Montgomery County social-political event this Saturday, and there’s still a place there for you and your fellow activists. It will be detailed and focus on the issues we care about and the political figures who are, or are not, on our side. See the event listing below.

Otherwise it’s a typical week in summer (not!). Remember when summer used to be sleepy, even for activists? Not in the age of Trump. Our growing chapters (not only numbers of people, but numbers of chapters) are building out from their core to address the range of issues and political landscape we face – and engaging allies and allied groups in the struggle. Dig in with us as we tackle this task.

PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND EVENTS: follow links to Events Calendar for more information

●  Saturday, June 17, The Blueprint 2018 2 p.m.· $36.00 USD The Home of David Hart in Bethesda, MD Join us on June 17th for " The Blueprint 2018" where we will lay out our plan of action and raise money to win for the resistance in the 2018 elections. The ticket levels for the event are (show all) buy tickets

 STATEWIDE ORGANIZING NOTES

Training and team activities:

Media Team -- Progressive Maryland needs more state-level communication activism in these categories: Blog team; Press release/media outreach team; Social media team. Bring your skills to the progressive struggle. Contact [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].

Please sign up to host canvassing in your neighborhood, [email protected]

CHAPTER DOINGS

Progressive HoCo

Building Power: Howard County needs a steering committee -- we are looking for leaders to work on the following: Recruitment Team; Social Media; Phone Bank; HUSTLE (texting app); Field Team; Canvass Captain; and Canvassers

Howard County also is looking for issue committees for the following issues: Fair Elections; Transportation/Roads; Immigration/ Trust Act; Affordable Housing; Fight for 15. 

See yourself engaged in this way? Please contact the Howard County Chapter Leader, Dave Bazell at [email protected]

Take Action AAC Anne Arundel County

Take Action AAC, the Anne Arundel County chapter of Progressive Maryland, have set a  discussion on government corruption for our July 3 meeting, with presenters from Represent.Maryland.

 And save the date for the Annapolis Rally for Healthcare on July 15th! This is a March On Maryland event that Take Action AAC is supporting.

Frederick County Progressives

>>Sunday, June 18th   Deep Canvassing with the Frederick County Progressives from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Ballenger Creek Park -- Pavilion Closest to Dog Park, 5420 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD 21703

Come out with the Frederick County Progressives on June 18th for deep canvassing. If you really understand the weight if what is at stake and the connection we need to build with our neighbors, you'll know participation in the#knockeverydoor campaign is crucial for our future. Let's get started!

In order to maintain a cohesive message, please make every attempt to arrive on time to do pre-canvass training and divide into teams! For more information, to RSVP, or to find the links to download the MiniVAN app, please go to our event page. Our chapter will have an additional sessions TBD.

Contact: Beth Landry, BSN, RN [email protected]

Frederick County Allies’ Events:

Wednesday, June 14 Rally for FCPS (Frederick County Public Schools) Trans Students, 5-8 p.m.- FCPS Maryland 191 South East St., Frederick MD 21701. https://www.facebook.com/events/327322487685582/

BOE members will vote on Policy 443, the hard-fought policy protecting trans and gender-nonconforming students. We need to let the Board know that the Frederick community wants this policy passed! This is an example for the rest of the nation - a conscious decision made by this community to support its students, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or socioeconomic status. The goal of this event is to witness this policy being passed, unite as a community, and encourage all of Frederick County towards progress.

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Wednesday, June 14th Safe Haven Frederick 287g Steering Committee Meeting , 7pm - Winchester Hall 12 E Church St, Frederick, MD 21701 https://www.facebook.com/events/431508327213179/

Join Safe Haven at the 287(g) Steering Committee Meeting in opposition to the county's participation with ICE. Wear red in solidarity.  The meeting will be open to the public. An agenda is at (https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/297964)

Progressive Prince George’s

Training for Change:
We are having a Movement Politics Leadership Training in Prince George's County. Movement politics is the process of fighting for a democracy where people - not corporations - set the agenda, and where we all have a voice. In towns and neighborhoods across the country, we hold conversations with voters about the issues of the day and the world we’re fighting to build. We train volunteers to knock on neighbors’ doors and transform their communities into a force at the polls. And, crucially, we help leaders in our movement transition from community activist to elected office. If you are a candidate, campaign manager or treasurer please email Alexiss Kurtz, Movement Politics Director, at [email protected] with a time to set up a 1:1 phone conversation.

 Deep Canvassing
In towns and neighborhoods across the country, we hold conversations with voters about the issues of the day and the world we’re fighting to build. We train volunteers to knock on the doors of neighbors and transform their communities into a force at the polls. We ask candidates tough questions and secure policy commitments. If you are interested in being a part of this movement of transformational canvassing, please reach out to Amity Pope, Lead Organizer [email protected]

 Issue Groups
Our chapter has identified seven key issues of concern in our county: criminal justice, economic matters, education, fair elections, health care, immigration rights & protection and transportation.  To join an issue working group, please reach out to Amity Pope, Lead Organizer [email protected].

  County Council
We are looking for a point person for each County Council District. This team will mobilize when needed to advocate with their councilperson on a progressive issue, or to support new candidates for the office. If you are interested in this, please reach out to Rev. Diane Teichert, [email protected]

Allied Events in Prince George’s:
Prince George's Peace & Justice Coalition events is cosponsoring these events as part of Greenbelt's Peace Month:
June 19, "Reel & Meal at the New Deal" featuring I Learn America, about immigrants
June 23, another film, Fix It, and discussion about healthcare reform.  Read on--

Monday, June 19  film: “I Learn America” vegan meal at 6:30, free program at 7 p.m.  “Reel & Meal at the New Deal” Cafe, 113 Centerway, Greenbelt. This film follows five immigrant teenagers at an international school in Brooklyn as they face the fear of deportation and learn about their new home. Discussion will explore ways we can help ease the path of local immigrants.

Friday, June 23 film Fix It: Healthcare at the Tipping Point , 7:30 p.m., Greenbelt Community Center, room 114, 15 Crescent Road,  Greenbelt MD

Come learn how a single-payer U.S. public health insurance system would advance social justice and economic efficiency. Hear why both consumers and businesses like this thorough but simple reform idea better than the Affordable Care Act. Rep. John Conyers (D.-Mich.) has put forward this "Expanded and Improved Medicare for All," already cosponsored by a majority of his fellow Democratic representatives. Co-sponsors: Healthcare is a Human Right-Prince George’s and Prince George’s County Peace & Justice Coalition -- Contact Lucy Duff - 202-549-5574, [email protected]

Sunday, June 25: Join Progressive Cheverly as we celebrate with our annual summer picnic. All are welcome. Please bring a dish to share. We will provide burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, rolls, condiments and soft drinks. BYOB. 3- 6 p.m. in Boyd Park (intersection of 64th Ave. and State St.), Cheverly.

 Baltimore comrades, Check in on Max Obuszewski’s highly useful calendar and tip sheet at http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/

To keep up with progressive events in and around DC consult the invaluable calendar at the Washington Peace Center, http://washingtonpeacecenter.org/alerts

 It all happens for free… right? Not exactly. Organizing for change in our society and our high-maintenance politics requires both people and money. Keep change moving with a quick, secure impulse-buy contribution here.

BLOG POSTS THIS WEEK

Reading the Progressive Maryland BlogSpace: our blogs for the previous week are shown below, but if you want a handy way to keep track – and never miss a blog post – you can sign up to get this Weekly Memo by email. Remember this is your blogspace and your participation is heartily invited. See something going on that you don’t like – or that you do like and hope to see more of? Send us your thoughts; submit to the moderator at [email protected]

June 08, 2017 Progressives’ winter of discontent: still refining the strategy

For progressive activists, Rob Quist's loss in Montana's special congressional election is particularly troubling, in Hal Ginsberg's analysis. Quist followed the script that we on the left edge of the Democratic Party have been writing. He held rallies with Bernie Sanders. He supports Medicare-for-all. The Tax Reform section of his website touches all the economic populist bases. ... Democrats can only return to power, we insist, when they propose credible solutions to the privation caused by globalism and income and wealth stratification. Quist’s loss suggests that, in much of the country at least, this strategy may not bear immediate fruit.

June 07, 2017 Voters are Fired Up for Single Payer Creating Dilemma for Democrats

As Maryland health care activist Dr. Margaret Flowers points out, "Polls have consistently shown that super-majorities of Democratic Party voters want single payer, but Democratic Party candidates keep telling them that they can’t have it." Centrist-dominated regular Democrats are going to have to change their stance if they are going to get needed traction for success in the 2018 election.

June 06, 2017 Paris is next door: Cheverly activists react to Trump's rejection of UN climate pact

Progressive Cheverly issues statement in response to the U.S. pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement: "It is a strike against every American, against every person on this planet, against the future of human life as we know it."

June 05, 2017 Progressive Maryland Weekly Memo for June 5-11

Several important events happening TONIGHT (June 5) below; a meeting and action participation in Anne Arundel County and a County Council hearing and vote on Fair Elections Howard County, the public financing program voted in by the county’s voters.

Lots more progressive things to do all over the state in our growing array of county chapters from Frederick to Easton; events from our allies; and the past week's blogs.

Keeping up with the blogs is easier with the index. The blogs published in the PM BlogSpace since June 2015 are all available with descriptions and links here.