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: MLK Day of Service: A Vision for Public Safety Forum
Educate: Public Workshop on Chinatown Development
Empower: Phone Bank to Keep Control of PA House, House Party for Rep Rabb
Special Election: Phone Bank to Keep Control of PA House!
Now Until Tuesday, January 13th Election!
The PA House of Representatives, currently TIED at 101 Democrats and Republicans, has a Special Election this Tuesday, February 13 in Bucks County's HD-140. Democrat Jim Prokopiak is running for this seat. Jim has been a supervisor in Falls Township, is currently on the Pennsbury School Board and is pro-choice, pro-labor, and pro-Democracy.
Most importantly, he represents the one-person majority we need to keep the PA House out of the hands of MAGA monsters. Our friends at Promote the Vote PA need your help to boost voter turnout and protect a pro-choice, pro-democracy majority.
Here is the Task: Help remind voters with mail-in ballots to return their votes on time. This simple action will make the difference for this decisive House seat! Training and support will be provided over Zoom. Let them know you're from Philly Neighborhood Networks.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Forum to End Long-Term Parole
Saturday, January 13th, 11AM-1PM, 3600 N. Broad Street
Join our friends Coalition for Parole Justice as we talk about legislation to end long-term parole in Pennsylvania. We have friends and allies who have served their time, but still suffer the limitations and indignity of long-term parole. As we transition to a new mayoral administration, let’s meet at Zion Baptist Church to talk about way in which we can reform the present system to the benefit of all Philly residents. Food and refreshments will be served.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Invitation to FIPFU Banquet and Awards
Sunday, January 14th, 3pm-7pm, 5900 Baltimore Ave
You are cordially invited to attend the 2nd annual Formerly Incarcerated and Families’ Union (FIPFU) Banquet & Awards event, on Sunday, from 3pm-7pm, at Turner Motivational School.
The FIPFU Banquet & Awards honor the True Faces of Second Chances, formerly incarcerated people who have a consistent record of uplifting their communities as agents of change and positive role models; the family members of Incarcerated People who have become leaders in their communities; and leaders within our communities for their good works in actualizing the “Dream” of The Honorable Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
MLK Day of Service: A Vision for Public Safety Forum
Monday, January 15th, Girard Elementary Auditorium, 2101 College Ave., 12PM-2PM
Join our friends from the 57+ Blocks Coalition for a forum on public safety on MLK Day. This discussion comes at a pivotal moment for Philadelphia, as our city begins life with a new mayor and city council. It is in these moments that we have an opportunity for substantive change. So if you’re looking for something to do, then stop by and become a part of the solution.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Public Workshop on Chinatown Development
Saturday, January 20th, 8:45AM-1PM (includes coffee & lunch), 1218 Arch Street
Philadelphians recognize that the proposed 76ers arena threatens to destroy Chinatown and disrupt the heart of our downtown. In five hours of public comments in the Civic Design Review of the Master Plan for 76Place, not a single person spoke in favor of the arena.
So, let's brainstorm. You are invited to a Public Workshop on Chinatown Development, focusing on alternatives to developing the East Market Street location that developers want to put a new 76ers stadium. If you'd like to take part in envisioning alternative uses for the site, click the link below.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rep Rabb House Party!
Saturday, January 27th, 2PM, 625 Burnham Road
PNN members JoAnn Seaver and Alex Reusing will host a house party fundraiser in support of our friend, State Representative Chris Rabb’s re-election campaign on Saturday, January 27 at 2:00pm at her home in Mt. Airy at 625 Burnham Rd.
As one of our state’s leading progressive voices among elected officials, Rep. Rabb has fought tirelessly for the issues that matter to us most; both in Harrisburg as a legislator, and here in Philadelphia through his relationship with constituents.
You can RSVP here, or make a contribution towards the event here.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Germantown Radio is Looking for Youth Journalists
G'Town Radio is looking for young people 12 to 17 years old interested in journalism - fact and opinion - to help create radio talk show programs. Participants will learn how to choose topics for discussion, conduct interviews with guests, add commentary and create broadcast-ready programs on environment, culture and other topics of interest.
The team meets at Germantown Life Enrichment Center on Saturdays. There is no fee to participate, but donations are welcome. For details, please email PNN Steering Committee member Conni Billé or call at 215-285-8136.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
This Week in History
Jan 14, 1784 – U.S. Wins Independence. On this day, the Continental Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris thus officially ending the War for Independence from Great Britain.
Jan 15, 1929 – MLK's Birthday. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on this day in Atlanta, GA. This son of a Baptist minister went on to receive a degree in divinity and helped organize the first major protest of the civil rights movement, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, in 1955.
Jan 17, 1961 – Ike Warns of Military Industrial Complex. President Eisenhower warned the nation about the increasing power of the military-industrial complex during a televised farewell address to the nation. Had we only listened.
Thanks for your activism!
Tim Brown, Organizing Director