"Dismantling Detention" Teach-In; "Reading Is My Super Power" Book Fair; Overdose Awareness & Remembrance Vigil; Collect Signatures for the Project Beloved Community Petition

Write Postcards to Win Back the State Senate

Here is an opportunity to stretch our influence beyond the City's boundaries to positively influence races elsewhere in Pennsylvania. We are going to do this by writing postcards to win back our state senate by targeting vulnerable incumbents who have voted time and again against helping Philly - things like refusing to raise the minimum wage, tying the hands of our District Attorney, or refusing to provide sufficient funding to our public schools.

So this summer and into the fall we will be conducting a postcard campaign aimed at a few of those state senators with the goal of flipping those seats to blue. We are in the process of designing the postcards, choosing which voters to send them to, and tinkering with the message. While that's being done, we want to find out who is willing to be part of our postcard-writing team. If you would like to help, click below to sign up.

I'll Write Postcards

Collect Signatures for the Project Beloved Community Petition

If you've been following our newsletter, you know that PNN is one of the main organizers for Project Beloved Community. This project, based on the teachings of MLK, Jr., is one of restoration and hope and belief in the power of our community to work together to improve the lives of everyone. It starts with building the "political will" in our local elected officials to do the right thing, to change their priorities from monied interests to working for the betterment of the people who they are supposed to represent.

We'll build that political will by demonstrating a clear preference by we the people of Philadelphia to change our priorities by creating far-reaching, long-term solutions to seemingly intractable problems - providing sufficient good-paying jobs, building enough deeply affordable houses, by providing a true sense of community that leads to a reduction in gun violence and poverty.

If you want to help us build that political will, then let us know here that you are willing to join us this summer as we gather signatures from our neighbors that call for full implementation of Project Beloved Community. It can be as simple as talking with your neighbors or joining us on a buddy canvass. We will build our schedule around your summer plans. Sign up below.

I'll Gather PBC Petition Signatures

You haven't signed the petition yet? Do that here

"Dismantling Detention" Teach-In

Thursday, September 10th, 6PM-8:30PM, 6511 Lincoln Drive

With the threat of ICE violating our rights even further with detention facilities that you would expect to find in a war-torn rogue nation, it is important to understand what they are doing and what we can do to protect ourselves. That is why PNN has joined with our allies in NW Philly to sponsor "Dismantling Detention", a 2 1/2 hour teach-in that will discuss the harsh realities of detention, share some wins, and strategize community actions that will help to dismantle this prison-for-profit system. Be ready for panel discussions, breakouts of a variety of topics, and action steps.

________________________________________  Actions with Our Allies  ________________________________

"Reading Is My Super Power" Book Fair

Friday, August 14th (TODAY), 12PM-2PM, 2449 N. 9th Street

Got kids who like to read? Then take them to the book fair in North Philly this afternoon at PHA's Hartranft Community Center located on Germantown Avenue at 9th Street. There will be giveaways, fun activities, special readers, and an opportunity to make community connections. Lunch will be provided.

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Monday Birthday Shenanigans at McCormick's

Monday, August 17th, 4:30PM-6:30PM, 2000 Market Street

It's Senator Dave's birthday! Come celebrate with us as we tell him he's old enough now to stand up to the Tangerine Tyrant. His "present" from us is a birthday list of a dozen votes where he has failed us and ways in which he can improve his ways now that he's a big boy. If you're fed up with fascism, then join our allies every Monday at McCormick's Philly office to continue to bear witness and pressure our reluctant senator to do the right thing.

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Weekly ICE Vigil

Monday, August 17th, 11AM, 114 North 8th Street

State Senator Art Haywood continues to lead allies as we keep vigil at the local Center City ICE office to call out their bad behavior. Keeping a regular presence is a way to remind them that we are watching and to remind our fellow citizens that while it looks like life is going on as usual, we cannot allow ourselves to accommodate fascism.

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Overdose Awareness & Remembrance Vigil

Saturday, August 22nd, 6PM-9PM, 440 Parker Avenue

Join friends and relatives in remembrance of loved one lost to addiction as we celebrate their lives at Kelly Park in Roxborough. There will be guest speakers, Narcan distribution and training, and a resource table and support for those looking for a new path.

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Word Scramble

LIBL FO HIRSGT

Clue: The first ten Amendments to the US Constitution are better known as... (Three Words)

Last Week's Word: MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION

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This Week in History

Aug 14, 1935 – Social Security Act. Calling it a "patriotic" action, FDR signed this historic bill, which guaranteed an income for the unemployed and retirees. Social Security has since become one of the bedrock programs of our nation.

Aug 15, 1969 – Woodstock. On this day, 400,000 descended upon Max Yasgur's farm in NY to take part in America's most famous counterculture music festival. It featured icons like Bob Dylan, Santana, Joan Baez,  the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix and CSNY who were performing only their second gig together.

Aug. 17, 1985 – Hormel Strike. Following wage cuts and serious injuries, workers at the Hormel plant in MN began a one year strike to win safer working conditions and higher pay.

Aug 20, 1619 – African Slavery at Jamestown. The first enslaved Africans were sold for food and supplies by privateers in this Virginia colony, setting the stage for 250 years of slavery in America.

Thanks for your activism!

Tim Brown, Organizing Director

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