PNN’s mission is to engage, educate and empower our neighbors to make our City a better place to live. Here’s what’s coming up in each of these areas:
Engage: Come to Our Autumn Lawn Party September 10th!
Educate: Sign Up for the Public Safety Forum, Rally for a Fossil Fuel-Free World
Empower: NW Organizing Summit, "Hug the Block"
Time Is Running Out to RSVP for Our Autumn Lawn Party!
Sunday, September 10th, 4PM-6PM, 1905 Wynnewood Road
If you attended last year’s Summer Soiree, you’ll remember the great time we all had. More than 80 of us got together to catch up with old friends and make some new ones. We heard from Councilmember Kendra Brooks and District Attorney Larry Krasner about the current state of our politics; we had great food and we crowned our first Bean Bag Toss Champions!
This year’s fundraiser is called The Autumn Lawn Party and it will support both PNN and our friends at the Working Families Party - Councilmember Kendra Brooks and Nic O’Rourke - who are candidates in the upcoming General Election for the two Council At-:Large seats reserved non-Democrats.
The city establishment and the big guns, like billionaire Jeffrey Yass, are coming after Kendra and Nic with millions of dollars in negative campaigning. So we need money and planning to get these progressive candidates elected.
Our Autumn Lawn Party will be held on Sunday, September 10th, from 4PM to 6PM at the same place as last year – 1905 Wynnewood Rd, in Overbrook Farms near St Charles Seminary. There is plenty of free parking in the neighborhood. And we’ll conduct our 2nd Annual Bean Toss Championship! We look forward to seeing you there!
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Join Philly's "Hug the Block" Operation
Ongoing, Overnight, Throughout the City
In response to the continued gun violence in some of our most challenged neighborhoods, residents have pulled together a boots-on-the-ground program designed to put peace patrols on the streets during the nights, to show solidarity and help to curtail the violence.
The "Hug the Block" operation is a neighbor-led effort that coordinates with the Philadelphia Police Department to patrol our streets from 10PM until 4AM, the likeliest times for gun violence. Participants will partner up and be given vests and flashlights and will check in with police officers on duty for that shift.
Patrols last an hour with a five-minute break, and then resume. Participants can set their own schedule and participate as long as they desire. Training will be provided.
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Public Safety Community Conversation
Wednesday, September 13th, 6PM–8PM, 3259 N. Broad Street
Join PNN and allies on Wednesday, September 13th for a Public Safety Community Conversation. It will be held at Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church, located at 3259 N. Broad Street.
During the past few years, public safety has become a top issue for Philadelphians – community members, leaders, and stakeholders. This Community Conversation is designed to create an intentional space to hear from those directly impacted by violent crime.
We will also delve into the root causes of problematic interactions with police and the legal system, and have dialogue around community concerns, so that we can develop solutions that address our most challenging public safety problems. We plan to use the findings from conversation to put together a public safety plan that can be adopted by the new administration.
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Visibility Rally for a Fossil Fuel-Free World
Sunday, September 17th, 1PM-3PM, City Avenue & Lancaster Avenue
PNN and our allies will be joining a nation-wide action to remind President Biden that he has the power to stop the expansion of fossil fuels, ensuring that we all have clean air and water, and better health and safety for our communities.
On September 20th, the UN Climate Ambition Summit will gather world leaders to commit to phasing out fossil fuels, and take real steps to lead us to a fossil fuel-free planet. Meanwhile, advocates for a cleaner environment will be holding actions across America to send a message to Joe Biden that he can use the power of the presidency to put an end to Big Oil’s insatiable desire to expand drilling to reap more profits at the expense of everyone else.
Philly will do our part on Sunday, September 17th by conducting a visibility rally at one of the busiest intersections in the city. We will cover all four corners of the intersection at Lancaster and City Avenue, hold signs and make a righteous noise for two hours as thousands of vehicles make their way in and out of the city.
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Save the Date: NW Organizing Summit
Saturday, September 23rd, 2PM-5PM, 5722 Greene Street
Be ready to join us at Germantown Life Enrichment Center (GLEC) on Saturday, September 23rd for an all-hands NW Organizing Summit hosted by Seth Anderson-Oberman. We will talk about our plans for going beyond the usual election work to build community in our NW neighborhoods. Details are coming. Prepare to be there!
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This Week in History
Sep 1, 1998 – Airbags Required. Despite cries of "federal intrusion", the Intermodal Transportation Efficiency Act went into effect, requiring that air bags be a standard feature on all new cars. The requirement saves an estimated 10,000 live annually.
Sep 3, 1838 – Douglass Escapes Slavery. Abolitionist, journalist, author, and human rights advocate Frederick Douglass made his escape from enslavement to freedom – in Philadelphia.
Sep 5, 1882 – First Labor Day. On this day, 10,000 workers marched in NYC to celebrate the rights of workers. Two years later, Congress recognized it as a national holiday.
Sep 7, 1813 – "Uncle Sam" is Born. Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, NY, who supplied barrels of beef to the United States Army with “U.S.” for United States, but soldiers began referring to the grub as “Uncle Sam’s.” A local newspaper picked up on the story and Uncle Sam eventually gained widespread acceptance as the nickname for the U.S. government.
Thanks for your activism!
Tim Brown, Organizing Director