Will We See You Tuesday Night?

Dear Friend for Peace,

The question is this: working together, can the people of Maryland effectively push back against the exploitation that defines our times and has fatally corrupted our political system? Can we create a new politics, one that values all people and rejects militarism?

We will soon find out.

Our new state-wide coalition, Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home, provides a structure for us to reclaim our democracy and our economy, while ending the wars and occupations abroad. But we need you!

The Town Hall, Taking Back the Budget Debate, planned for Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m., Silver Spring Civic Center, will bring us together, inspire and energize us--and then provide a space to plan our next action steps together.

Won't you come? We will discuss a range of options for working together in what is arguably the most important fight of our generation.

Please be there--and bring your friends, family and colleagues. See details below.

Tell Chris Van Hollen to Stand Up for Us!

Don't forget to let Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Maryland's representative on the super committee, know that you want him to stand up for all of us. Here's what you can do: sign our on-line petition right now. It doesn't matter if you are in his district or not.

Then, meet us at Rep. Van Hollen's Rockville office at noon on Sept. 27 to deliver the signed petitions. We'll gather on the street, 51 Monroe St., before going inside. Meet us there--we'll invite the media and we'd like to have a strong showing! And be sure to sign the petition now!

More Town Halls Planned in Maryland

Other counties in Maryland will also have town halls on the budget and military spending this fall. Coalition partners in Baltimore have organized one for Mon., Sept. 26, 7 p.m., at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Please encourage all your friends in Baltimore to attend.

Prince Georges County coalition partners are planning a town hall for the end of October, to be held at the Largo campus of Prince George's Community College. If you'd like to help with the planning, send an e-mail to Lucy here.

In peace and solidarity,

Adrienne, Alex, Dave, Fran, Jean, Karen, Larry, Mel, Melinda, Mike, Nik, Pam, Pat, Shelley, Steve, Sue, Tim

www.PeaceActionMC.org

Today's Quote

If there is no struggle, there is no progress. . . Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

Frederick Douglas

Calendar

Tues., Sept. 20: Montgomery County Town Hall, "Taking Back the Budget Debate." 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Center, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring. Sponsored by Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home. More info here.*

Sat., Sept. 24: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. "Is 'Creeping Shariah' a Real Threat or a Trumped Up Scare Tactic?" The Chevy Chase Republican Women's Club will have an event on September 24th to discuss the "dangers" of Shariah law in the U.S., headlined by right wing Congressman Fred Grandy. Concerned residents of Montgomery County seek to engage Grandy and/or the Republicans in a public debate. Wisconsin Place Community Center, 5311 Friendship Blvd. Chevy Chase, MD 20815.

Sun., Sept. 25: 10:25 a.m. Jean will share pictures and discuss her trip to Afghanistan--all welcome! Fireside Room, River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Road, Bethesda. Directions here.*

Mon., Sept. 26: 7-10 p.m., Town Hall to Take Back the Budget Debate, Cathedral of the Incarnation, at 4 E. University Parkway, Baltimore. Sponsored by Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home. All welcome!*

Tues., Sept. 27: Noon, office of Rep. Chris Van Hollen, to deliver petitions to him asking him to stand up for us and cut military spending. Join us at 51 Monroe St., Rockville.*

Thurs., Sept. 29: Peace Action Montgomery meeting, at the home of a member. All welcome! E-mail us here for address.*

Thurs., Oct. 6: "Stop the Machine, Create a New World," a People's Protest that will last. October 2011 nonviolent resistance actions in DC. More here.*

Sat., Oct. 8: Participate in Montgomery County Day at Freedom Plaza, DC, at the Peoples' Protest. Join us at 10 a.m.--look for the Fund Our Communities banner! More here.*

Sun., Oct. 16: "One Common Unity" at Busboys and Poets, 5th & K, DC., 8-10 p.m. Local organizing discussed, with Peace Action Montgomery efforts highlighted.*

Fri., Oct. 21 - Sun., Oct. 23: The American Friends Service Committee hosts a conference on Peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Cosponsored by Peace Action. To register and for additional information, click here.

Every Saturday: Join the Olney Peace Witness, corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave., 10:30-11:30 a.m.*

Fridays, until Sept. 30: Vigil at Walter Reed, in the open plaza between Dahlia and Elder streets, 7 to 9 p.m., come for any amount of time during that period. This vigil has continued every Friday, rain, sleet or heat wave, since March 2005--six years. The vigil ends now because all patients are being transferred to new facilities at Bethesda Naval Hospital--not because the wars are over or because there are no more wounded. Following the final vigil, there will be a gathering at Ras Hall, to which all are invited.*

*Events that Peace Action Montgomery has discussed and formally endorsed.

www.PeaceActionMC.org

Don't Miss Our Town Hall: Sept. 20