As we near the end of May and prepare to step into June, we are excited at the arrival of Pride month and Immigrant Heritage Month. These commemorative periods provide us with invaluable opportunities to celebrate and uplift our LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, embracing the diverse tapestry that makes Maryland vibrant and inclusive.

 

Pride month serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, equality, and acceptance. It is a time to celebrate the progress made, while recognizing the challenges that persist. Throughout June, our memo will highlight local Pride events, marches, panels, and workshops. We encourage you to join us in demonstrating our unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community and fostering a more inclusive society.

 

Similarly, immigrant heritage month allows us to reflect upon the invaluable contributions of immigrants to our state's culture, economy, and shared history. We will shine a spotlight on the strength and resilience of immigrant communities, while advocating for fair and just immigration policies. 

 

Whether you’re an ally, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, an immigrant, or simply passionate about justice and equality, there is a role for you to play in advancing these causes. Together, let's make June a month of celebration, unity, and progress.

 

In Solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• PM Updates
• PM task forces & issue campaigns: HCTF & RCTF
• Local chapter updates: Harford County
• Pride Events
• State & National news

PM UPDATES:

Applications for the Maryland People's Leadership Institute (MPLI) are now open! Sponsored by Progressive Maryland, MPLI trains community leaders for political office or campaign management. Join us to shape Maryland politics. Gain insights and skills in economic and social justice, organizing, advocacy, and more. Deadline: July 7th.  Apply now and make a difference in your community! Click here to apply.

Updates: PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns 

Healthcare Justice Campaign: What a Great Week For Healthcare Organizing!

We’re off to a great and promising start on our COC campaign! Our members have been knocking on doors, making calls and tabling for the past three weeks. We’ve had almost 150 in person conversations with folks in Montgomery County, Baltimore City and Frederick. Supporters are enthusiastically signing our petition (Sign our petition) and sharing their disgust with the high cost of health insurance, the shortcomings of Medicare Advantage, and with the ways in which private insurers are failing to deliver health care.

 

Join us in this grassroots campaign to demand Care over Cost now! Unite with fellow Marylanders and people across the country to demand an end to the greed that’s driving the harmful decisions that insurance companies are using to deny us the care we deserve. 

 

Help us build the case: answer a few questions about health insurance coverage in the survey here. Join us out for upcoming activities and actions - drop Patty a note to get the schedule and locations. And stay tuned for emails with more details. We provide training, logistical support, and the materials. Have some fun in Maryland communities this summer while making a difference!

Returning Citizens Task Force

RCTF’s regular bi-weekly meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday, May 30 at 6:30 pm. We plan to discuss holding an in-person meeting in which we reach out to all those who signed the survey we circulated at the Samuel Massie Family Day event (as well as reach out to other people we have been in contact with during the past few months. We will consider too, participating – with survey and literature –at the District Heights family day this coming June 3.

 

Also on the agenda will be plans for a June 5 meeting of FACE – Faith and Community Engagement – as we look for ways and means to facilitate engagement of faith leaders in our work in support of returning citizens. Finally, we will hear an update on legislative initiatives on housing and jobs. For more information about the meeting tonight or about any of our work, please contact Kurt.

Local chapter updates:

Progressive Harford County

Progressive Harford County made our voices heard at last week"s rally outside of Rep. Andy Harris' office in Bel Air. The chapter was joined b6 allies in Indivisible Towson, Baltimore County Progressive Democrats Club, North Baltimore County Democrat Club and other community groups. Progressive Harford's presence at the rally was also covered in The Aegis. 

PRIDE EVENTS:

☆Annapolis Pride June 3-June 4

☆Baltimore Trans Pride June 3 12-9pm

☆Prince George’s County Inaugural Pride Walk June 4 10am-3pm

☆Baltimore Pride June 16-23 

☆Frederick Pride June 24 3-10pm

 

*pride events will continue to be added in this section throughout the month of June

State and National News:

Maryland is burbling with news, even in a week when the kabuki production on budget reduction soaked up all the coverage. Choice of a new elections administrator narrowed down; can a spouse rape a spouse?; in search of sustainable concrete; shakeup at the Purple Line (again?); reproductive health facilities exit WVA for MD; court-ordered prisoner moves falling behind; and Maryland grows older as we all age. Oh yes, and a well-regarded scorecard for General Assembly members points the finger at several who failed of their promise. All that in News You Can Use for this short post-holiday week and for this fast-moving time. Don’t miss it  

 

It's enough to get you mad. It's enough to get you mad enough to organize and fight. For that, join Progressive Maryland.

Progressive Maryland BlogSpace:

We value creating space for our members to express their thoughts on any issues related to our campaigns. Have an idea for a blog post? You can submit writing, film, graphic design, etc. to be published on our website to the blog moderator Woody.

• New Today- How the compromise on debt default avoidance worked out; plus Maryland roundup: News You Can Use

• Gov. Moore pushes state agencies for climate progress; NRA sues state over new gun law
• On Maryland's mind: food insecurity, staying on Medicaid, keeping the Blueprint on track and lots more. News You Can Use. 
• Upholding Black and Brown Families

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

 

 

Don't forget to follow us on social media!

 

Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792