This Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month, we honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of the Indigenous communities that have shaped our nation for centuries. We acknowledge the Accohannock Indian Tribe, Assateague Peoples Tribe, Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, Piscataway Conoy Tribe, Piscataway Indian Nation, Pocomoke Indian Nation and Youghiogheny River Band of Shawnee Indians as the original stewards of Maryland's lands. We honor their history of resilience and resistance. We are grateful to the Native people who contribute to our lives everyday in essential and meaningful ways. 

When we say we are working toward a more just and equitable future for Marylanders, that includes our Indigenous communities. There is so much work to be done —  passing federal and state legislation for reparations; formally acknowledging Indigenous history and land rights; and, of course, ensuring that Native residents have affordable healthcare and housing, access to quality education, clean air and drinking water, and the many other basic human rights that everyone deserves. Progressive Maryland is committed to this work. 

Furthermore, as October unfolds, we are also reminded that it is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to stand in solidarity with survivors and work towards creating safer, more supportive communities. 

Read on for updates on our issue campaigns and remember to check out the events in the Latinx Heritage Month section which draws to a close this week. 

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

• • Election Corner

  • PM task forces & issue campaigns: HCTF, RCTF
  • Events from Allies
  • Latinx Heritage Month Events
  • State & National news

Election Corner

• Learn more about Izola Shaw for Rockville City Council and Request a Yard Sign here.
• Learn more about Iyamide House for Bowie City Council and Sign Up to Volunteer here.

• Learn more about Martin Mitchell for Laurel Mayor and Sign Up to Volunteer here.

EVENTS

Updates: PM Task Forces & Issue Campaigns 

Healthcare Justice: Taking Action This Fall!

Healthcare Issue Organizing

Do you want to help win an end to medical debt, life with lower prescription drug costs, and a universal single payer health care system where everyone gets the care they need when they need it? Then consider joining our Healthcare Task Force! We’re expanding our team and welcome more PM supporters to get involved. We have an awesome group of folks learning and working together to make a difference. You can be part of it- just contact Patty to learn how.

Actions and Updates 

Tomorrow is a National Day of Action for the Care Over Cost Campaign with events in 14 cities around the country, including a local event here in Maryland. Check our social media pages for coverage and updates throughout the day. Care Over Cost campaign. Save the dates: Sunday afternoon October 22nd: door knocking in Montgomery County to talk to folks about our campaign. Sunday afternoon October 29th in Baltimore City: come out to  a community social with other Care Over Cost and  healthcare for all supporters. Contact Patty for details and look for event links later this week.

The Anne Arundel County Council passed a resolution in support of Medicare For All last Monday night! Thanks to Council Member Lisa Rodvien for introducing the Measure and to all who voted yes. Congratulations to the Anne Arundel County team of Medicare For All activists and advocates!  Anne Arundel County joins several other jurisdictions in the state that are urging our Maryland Congressional Delegation to sponsor the Medicare For All Act of 2023. Charles County, Prince George’s County,  Montgomery County along with the cities of Annapolis and Frederick have also voted for these measures. Public Citizen’s press release here   

Returning Citizens Task Force

State Delegate Adrian Boafo from District 23 attended RCTF’s meeting on Monday, September 25 to speak about the housing bill he will be introducing in the State Assembly next session. Noting that lack of housing is the biggest cause of recidivism, He explained that the “Fair Chance in Housing Act” would have several components:

• Ban the Box on housing applications for all people with criminal records (except for those with sexual offenses, because other federal and state regulations are in force).
• Landlords who, nonetheless, run background checks on housing applicants and deny someone housing because of their criminal record, would have to disclose that fact. This will enable people to seek an expungement if they qualify, it will also enable government officials to track data about housing denials.
• Bill will prohibit rental agencies from putting forth information that discourages returning citizens from applying for housing.
• Bill would make it illegal for landlords to look at criminal records after a person has been released for three years. 

The legislation is not yet finalized, so Delegate Boafo asked for comments from meeting participants about how the bill might be improved. Suggestions included eliminating (or reducing to one year) the look back provision from the 3-years post-release in the current version. Another proposal was to include “non-convictions” in the category of what cannot be denied (frequently prosecutors add charges that are never brought to trial – these stay on a person’s record).  Del. Boafo discussed all of these and other proposals, and will try and incorporate what he can with the final legislation. But he did caution that there are limits to what one bill can do, especially as he is trying to gain bi-partisan support for the initiative.

Delegate Jamila Woods, District 26 was also in attendance at the meeting and contributed to the general discussion. In addition, members of Life After Release, PG Changemakers and Out for Justice participated in the discussion.

Future RCTF meetings will discuss how we can best support this initiative, be it via organizing testimony, contacting other state representatives, public action, canvassing or by other means as well as support for Prince George's County Delegate Krystal Oriadha's initiative on rent stabilization and healthy food in prison initiatives.

RCTF's next meeting will be on Monday, October 16 from 6:30 - 7:30. For more information, contact Kurt.

EVENTS FROM ALLIES:

 Peace and Justice event on Sunday, Oct 15 in Baltimore County.

REEL & MEAL – Come to the New Deal Cafe on Monday, October 16 OR on Zoom for short documentary films on alternative, planet-friendly energy sources such as geothermal, tidal power and hydrogen. We have a full dinner menu and the free movie program starts at 7PM. Or you can join us on Zoom at 6:50. Click here to register.

Hispanic Heritage Heat

PS: "As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, don't forget to check back here every week for new and exciting events that pay tribute to and uplift our vibrant Hispanic community!"

Employ Prince George’s Hispanic Heritage & Multicultural Job & Resource Fair, Thursday, October 12

Designed for multilingual jobseekers, you will have the opportunity to connect with companies and programs with hundreds of jobs. Sign up here.

State and National News:

House flounders Speakerless with some big crises at hand and activists continue to push the local, state and federal measures that will help working families. Plus, see how fossil fuel-powered appliances are big contributors to poor air quality. Also see how one county utilizes a P3 to build public schools. It's all in News You Can Use!

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 -- Leaderless House leaves activist scope -- News you can Use this week

• Maryland federal workers in impact zone as government shutdown looms; "Run, Jamie, Run..." News You Can Use

• The Progressive Maryland 2023 Annual Gala was a Celebration of Unity and Democracy

• A setback for Maryland schools, struggling with the Blueprint and power-company scams. News You Can Use

>>Read more on the homepage of progressivemaryland.org

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Largo, MD 20792