City and county resolutions on topics of national interest are powerful--which is why Lockheed Martin lobbied (successfully) against the one we supported last fall in the Montgomery County Council asking for a cut in Federal military spending. Now we're trying to get a similar resolution passed by the Takoma Park City Council--and we need your help! Here's what you can do:
Join us at 7:30 p.m. on April 2, April 9, and/or April 16 in the Takoma Park City Council room at 7500 Maple Ave. and hold up a small sign in support of our resolution.
Better yet, if you live in Takoma Park, volunteer to testify to the Council in support of the resolution. More info for Takoma Park residents here.
Speaking of Lockheed Martin . . .
A couple of years ago, we organized testimony to the Montgomery County Council in opposition to a law proposed by County Executive Ike Leggett that would have exempted guests staying at Lockheed Martin's luxury hotel from paying the County hotel tax. As a result of our testimony, the County tabled the proposal and the law was never passed.
Mr. Leggett recently presented his new budget, and it includes a no-strings-attached grant of $900,000 to Lockheed Martin--a pay-back of the hotel taxes that the County has collected from the company for the last two years! We find this astonishing! Read more here.
We are asking citizens to speak out at the County Council's public budget hearings in Rockville April 10 through 12--this is an opportunity for you to publicly express your opposition to this proposal. Check here for information on how to sign up to speak.
Tell the Council that it is outrageous to offer this super-rich corporation--a war profiteer, by the way--a million dollar gift when Montgomery County is cutting all kinds of services. You can send an e-mail to all Council members at this address: MontgomeryCounty@LockheedWelfare.com
We Need Your Help!
We're in full-throttle mode, and we sure could use some help! Here are a few opportunities for becoming actively involved in the struggle for peace and justice:
*Participate in our street theatre -- Ellsworth St., downtown Silver Spring -- on April 15. We need people to pass out fliers about military spending, and we'd love to have a marching band. Even if you don't want to be part of the skit, we invite you to come provide us with moral support from the sidelines. Just reply to this e-mail and ask for more information if you're interested in volunteering!
*Support the work of our partners, three of which we highlight here:
The Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition is working to repeal those provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act that allow for indefinite detention. The Coalition is also working to sunset the law that provides legal cover for the "War on Terror," the AUMF of 2001. Be sure to check out their Web site to find out what you can do locally to help in this critically important work. Occupy Montgomery County is just getting started, and among other issues, they will work to end the wars and cut the military budget. The first general meeting of Occupy MoCo is this Saturday, 2 p.m., Woodside Park, Silver Spring. Check it out! The annual conference of Maryland United for Peace and Justice will be Sat., April 21 this year, in Baltimore. See our calendar for logistics. Where will you plug in? We need you! In peace and solidarity,
Adrienne, Alex, Dave, Fran, Jean, Karen, Larry, Mel, Melinda, Mike, Nik, Pam, Pat, Shelley, Steve, Sue, Tim
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| Today's Quote | |
If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own.
Anonymous
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 Calendar | 
Fri., March 30: Beginning of the National Occupation of DC. Check out all the activities here.
Sat., March 31: Occupy MoCo first People's Assembly, 2 p.m., Woodside Park, Silver Spring.
Mon., April 2: 7:30 p.m. Attend Takoma Park City Council in support of a resolution to cut military spending. 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park.
Thurs., April 5: 7 -9 p.m., Peace Action Montgomery steering committee meeting, at the home of a member. All welcome! For directions, contact us here.
Mon., April 9: 7:30 p.m. Attend Takoma Park City Council in support of a resolution to cut military spending. 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park.
Sat., April 14: Fund raiser for the Afghan Women's Fund, at Jean's house. Crafts and carpets available for sale, plus hear an inspirational talk by Fahima Vorgetts, head of the Fund. Open house, with refreshments. Come any time between 3 and 8 p.m., 2305 Gold Mine Road, Brookeville.
Sun., April 15: 2 p.m., Street theater, Ellsworth St.,downtown Silver Spring, in support of the Global Day of Action Against Military Spending. Organized by Peace Action Montgomery; Fund Our Communities, Bring the War Dollars Home; and Occupy MoCo.
Mon., April 16: 7:30 p.m. Attend Takoma Park City Council in support of a resolution to cut military spending. 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park.
Sat., April 21: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Maryland United for Peace and Justice annual state conference. Church of the Incarnation, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, 4 E. University Parkway, Baltimore, Maryland.
Sat., May 19: Peace Action Montgomery's annual luncheon, at Rockville Unitarian Universalist Church. 11:30-1:30. Don't miss it!
Every Saturday: Join the Olney Peace Witness, corner of Rt. 108 and Georgia Ave., 10:30-11:30 a.m.
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Calling All Takoma Park Residents:
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If you live in Takoma Park, you can be a real help in our resolution campaign! Constituents are very important to these elected council members.
Here's what you can do:
Come to a Council meeting on April 2, 9 and/or 16 at 7:30. Hold a sign or speak in favor of the resolution. Please let us know if you plan to attend, and which evenings! Just reply to this e-mail. And be sure to tell us which ward you live in or who your council member is.
Send an e-mail to Mayor Bruce Williams, telling him that you support the resolution: BruceW@takomagov.org Send an email to all Council members saying that you support the resolution and want the Council to vote on it. You can find email addresses here. Click on a photo to find an individual's email address.
About the resolution: We are asking the Council to tell our Congressional delegation that we want less money spent for military purposes and more on human needs. You can refer to the resolution as "bring our war dollars home." They will know what you are talking about!
If you want to read the resolution, click here.
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| | TO DO THIS WEEK |
Help us persuade the Takoma Park City Council to pass a resolution against military spending. More info here.
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Tell the Montgomery County Council to oppose a grant to Lockheed Martin for almost a million dollars. Sign up to speak and send an email to all Council members.
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Check our calendar for other ways to be involved--and be sure to volunteer.
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Commentary
| Guess what: It really is possible to have a Federal budget that works for us instead of just the war mongerers and the super wealthy.
Read an article about the budget proposal of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and how it differs from anything under serious consideration: A Budget for Wall Street vs. a Budget for Main Street, by John Nichols.
And you can also read the analysis of the National Priorities Project, comparing the Ryan budget, CPC budget, and the Administration's budget. Read "Competing Visions" here--very interesting! |
| Those Who Died March 11-24 |
In Afghanistan: Sgt Jesse Grindey 30 Hazel Green WI
Spc Daquane Rivers 21 Marianna FL
Ltn Clovis Ray 34 San Antonio TX
Maj Sukur Bagdatli Turkey
Maj Mithat Colak Turkey
Ltn Murat Yildiz Turkey
Maj Serkan Dogan Turkey
Maj Ismail Yakinlar Turkey
Cap Adil Erdogan Turkey
Sgt Salih Helvaci Turkey
Sgt Mehmet Akbas Turkey
Sgt Onay Vurucu Turkey
Cap Ilkar Aydin Turkey
Ltn Tahsin Barutcu Turkey
Ltn Okan Malikoglu Turkey
Sgt Jamie Jarboe 27 Frankfort IN
Cap Rupert Bowers 27 England
Spc Dennis Weicher Jr 29 Providence RI
Cap Aaron Istre 37 Vinton LA
Sgt Daniel Brown 27 Jerome ID
250 + Afghans and Pakistanis
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