Statewide Action for a Just Democracy
On Sunday, November 17th, 729 of us from ACT, PATH, and AIM gathered at St. John the Evangelist Church in Columbia for our Statewide Action for a Just Democracy!
We came from across different counties, communities, faiths, classes, races, languages, and ages to stand up for justice and a brighter future for Maryland.
Photo credits: David Choy
Here are some takeaways from the action:
- We announced our new statewide collective, the Maryland Just Power Alliance!
- We committed to standing in solidarity with marginalized people, participating in our democracy, and building relationships with new organizations.
- We presented the 4 policies we’re advocating for this year in Annapolis– climate (ReNEW Act), housing (Housing Production Targets), renters’ rights (Good Cause Eviction) and pre-K expansion.
- We gained commitments from the Maryland Comptroller, the Maryland Department of Housing, and 12 state senators & delegates to work with us this year on these issues.
- Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman committed to working with us on her housing report and including focuses on housing equity and African American descendant communities.
- Maryland Secretary of Housing Jake Day submitted a video and committed to working with us to pass Housing Production Targets and Good Cause Eviction.
- Senator Fry Hester and Delegates Foley, Stewart, and Ziegler committed to working with us to pass Housing Production Targets and the ReNEW Act, in addition to their work on Good Cause Eviction.
- Delegates Feldmark, Henson, and Wims committed to working with us to create more high-quality pre-K seats and cut red tape.
- Delegates Charkoudian, Pam Guzzone, Hill, Peña-Melnyk, and Queen committed to working with us this legislative session.
- We made our own commitments to come to Annapolis this winter to meet with our state legislators and make our voices heard on these issues.
Check out press and other coverage of the action on our website! actaaco.org
Congratulations on a powerful action that will propel our collective work moving forward for a more just, compassionate Maryland where everyone can thrive!
Our ACT, PATH, and AIM Allies:
Over 50 people joined our community of “ACT, PATH, or AIM Allies” on Sunday by becoming monthly donors! A generous donor is matching each new monthly donation with $100! It isn’t too late to become an “ACT, PATH, or AIM Ally” and set up a monthly donation today!
Donate at: tinyurl.com/act-aaco-donate, or you can mail a check to: Anne Arundel Connecting Together, PO Box 6053, Annapolis, MD, 21401.
Next Steps:
Be part of our work for a just democracy moving forward! Join us in Annapolis to meet with our state legislators on January 30 or February 17, and prepare by coming to our statewide policy training session on December 11!
- Wed, Dec 11, 6–7 pm: Statewide Policy Training Session on Zoom
- Thurs, Jan 30, 9 am–1 pm: Statewide Advocacy Day in Annapolis
- Mon, Feb 17, 5–8:30 pm: Statewide Advocacy Day in Annapolis
Register on our website: actaaco.org.
In the words of Pastor Alex Barrientos, “We, the Maryland Just Power Alliance, have gathered to show that even though for many of us fear runs rampant, love is what compels our solidarity. And this is what democracy requires, the active pursuit of engaging and partnering with communities. Rather than succumbing to the notions of the powerful, we represent the right use of power – the power to love.”
We are so grateful to be working with you to demonstrate this power of love through solidarity and action, to create a more just Maryland where everyone can thrive.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Marshall—AIM & PATH
Katie Zinler—ACT
Tanushree Dutta Isaacman—AIM
Katie DiSalvo-Thronson—PATH
Adama Moussa Harouna—AIM
Pilar Olmedo Gordon—AIM
Elizabeth Bernal-Amick—AIM
Maurita Bowie—ACT
Katie Wenger—AIM, ACT, PATH