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PNN Newsletter: Get Ready to Canvass, May Day Rally, Good Trouble Phone Bank, More

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: "May Day" Rally, Write an Education Letter, Town Hall

  • Educate: Testify on Budget at City Hall, Get Paid to Canvass

  • Empower: Get Ready to Canvass, Join Our Call Squad




__________________________________________ PNN Actions  ________________________________________


Get Ready to Canvass!

ASAP


We have recently made our Endorsements & Recommendations. Now we plan to canvass in support of those candidates - District Attorney, City Controller, Judges - and ballot measures.


We believe that, in the face of 24/7 media noise, neighbors can be a trusted source of information. They share the same physical location, face many of the same issues and concerns, and hold many of the same values.

We will be conducting our usual Buddy Canvasses (dates will be announced soon) in NW Philly, and we will also be offering an opportunity to canvass your neighborhood this spring.


We will cut the turf for you and provide you with door hangers, and a brief training on what you'll be saying at the doors of your neighbors.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Good Trouble" Phone Banks for Medicaid & SNAP

April 30th, May 7th, May 22nd, Locations Upon RSVP


As you are aware, the Trump Administration’s is planning to cut Medicaid and SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) to pay for tax giveaways to his billionaire pals. Congressional Republicans want to cut $1.5 trillion from these programs.


This would be devastating to many in the Keystone State, where 3 million people are enrolled in Medicaid (23% of pop.) and another 2 million in SNAP (15.4%). That's 64% of people living in nursing homes, 39% of children; 47% of adults with disabilities.


This is unconscionable.


So, we are ramping up our "Good Trouble Phone Banks where we can make the biggest difference. Our goal is to call constituents in swing districts to pressure their GOP Members of Congress to break ranks with the Trump regime. If we can accomplish this with just three MOCs, we'll be able to shut down MAGAs relentless assault on our nation.


We use an auto-dialer that lets us pass constituents directly to the MOC. It's easy to use and we give you personal instructions. If you would like to become part of our "Good Trouble" Call Squad, let us know by clicking below.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Calls You Can Make from Home


There are also a few calls you can make right now. Call Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick and leave a message telling them to vote to STOP any cuts to Medicaid or SNAP.


Calling makes a difference. It builds pressure on the Senators. And your one call represents 100 people who feel the same way you do, but didn’t call.


Be polite and personal. Identify yourself and leave your phone number. Use the sample text provided or feel free to put it in your own words:


Hi, my name is _________________________.

I live in Philadelphia and I can be reached at [Phone].

I am calling to ask Senator [Fetterman/McCormick] to stand up for regular Americans and vote to STOP cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to pay for tax giveaways to billionaires and corporations. Millions of Pennsylvania residents will be hurt by these cuts. Thank you.


Here are their numbers. Also feel free to leave them a written message:


_________________________________ Actions with Our Allies ________________________________


May Day Rally

Thursday, May 1st, 4PM, City Hall, North Apron


Musk, Trump and their fellow profiteers are trying to create a race to the bottom—on wages, on benefits, on dignity itself. They want to erase labor rights, break our unions, and silence immigrant voices.

On May Day 2025 we are fighting back. Organizing for a world where every family has housing, healthcare, fair wages, union protection, and safety—regardless of race, zip code, or immigration status.


Join PNN and our union and movement allies for a May Day Rally on the North Apron of City Hall starting at 4PM. Bring a sign if you want, and friends to join in a celebration of the Labor movement, and to stand up against the oligarchs who want to destroy it.


____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Community Town Hall

Saturday, April 26th, 2PM, 6900 Stenton Ave.


Join allies in Mt. Airy tomorrow for a Community Town Hall on the impact of Federal policies on our lives. State Senator Art Haywood and State Rep. Chris Rabb will speak with attendees at the Unitarian Universalists of Mt. Airy.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Get Paid to Canvass


PNN is working with our allies at Straight Ahead and Free the Ballot for targeted paid canvassing in various parts of the city. The pay is $30/hr and you are required to have a reliable smart phone and go through training to learn the conversation and record the results. If you are interested in this work, click here to send an email with your interest.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Budget Public Testimony

Tuesday, May 13th & Wednesday, May 14th, City Council Chambers


The Alliance for a Just Philadelphia is going on the record at the budget public testimony on May 13th and 14th! The Alliance, of which PNN is a full member, is demanding a People’s Budget that works for ALL Philadelphians.


We will reject the austerity measures being proposed in this budget and demand that instead we invest in safe healthy homes, worker protections, public spaces, mental health care, immigrant support programs, and schools.

If you would like to take part in the public testimony (scheduled for 10am-12:30pm and 1:30-4pm on May 13th and 14th in Council Chambers, Rm 400) then let us know by clicking the link below.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Write to Support Shapiro's Education Budget


Governor Shapiro's public education proposal for FY 2025-26 is a significant and positive step towards continuing the process of achieving adequate and equitable public school funding in the state, and responding to the Commonwealth Court ruling that the current funding system is unconstitutional. The governor, in January, proposed a budget that would include $526 million that the state has historically underfunded. $137 million would go to Philadelphia if that budget is approved.


It is important to ensure that our local schools have what they need to educate students in our community. That is why our allies at PA Policy Center have supplied us with a Letter-Writing tool that targets state elected officials encouraging them to support the Governor's FY 2025-26 Public Education Proposal. At the bottom of the letter, there is a place to sign your name.


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This Week in History


May 25, 1787 – Constitutional Convention. Four years after the United States won its independence, George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and others convened in Philadelphia to compose a new U.S. constitution.


May 30, 1868 – Memorial Day Observed. The first major Memorial Day observance was held to honor those who died “in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” Known to some as “Decoration Day,” mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers.


May 31, 1921 – Tulsa Race Massacre. On this day, thousands of white citizens in Tulsa, Oklahoma descended on the city’s predominantly Black Greenwood District, burning homes and businesses to the ground and killing hundreds of people.


Thanks for your activism!

Tim Brown, Organizing Director


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