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: Buddy Canvass with Us, Rally for Safe Communities
Educate: Phone Banking, Paid Canvass Opportunity
Empower: Hug the Block, Germantown HS Meeting
It's Time to Get In the Game
Let's be clear about what's going on. The establishment put us on the ropes in the Primary. We lost a powerful voice on City Council in Helen Gym. And they pulled every trick in the book to eke out a win in the Eighth District over Seth.
Now they want to finish us off by making sure that Kendra and Nic do not replace Republicans on City Council. Bob Brady made it clear that any Committee Person who openly supports the WFP candidates will be removed.
Brady's justification is that voting for Kendra and Nic could somehow threaten the election of the five Democratic At-Large candidates. This is complete nonsense, and as a veteran of city politics for 50+ years, he knows this.
Here is the truth: With a 7-1 voter registration advantage over other parties, EVERY SINGLE ONE of the Democratic At-Large candidates will win by THREE TIMES the votes of the top minority party candidate.
Take a look at the results of the last City Council election:
It makes you wonder what Party Leader Brady's real motivation is here, doesn't it? I think it's not hard to suss out. Remember his post-primary "the dinosaur roared" remark? I think he's acting out against the entire people-centered movement in this city who dared to run candidates for office without his blessing. Kendra and Nic are a direct threat to his power. That means he wants them gone.
So, let's do some roaring of our own. We have canvasses set up to target low-information voters in key turnout areas, including the Big Canvass that will take place on Saturday, November 4th, before our Rally for Safer Communities. There is no time to waste. If you haven't done so already, please take this moment to click below and get yourself in the game.
Buddy Canvass With Us!
Sunday, October 22nd, 11AM, 6945 Germantown Ave
Starting October 22nd, we'll be launching canvasses from Lovett Library at 11AM. Come out to support Kendra and Nic for Council At-Large and Judge Daniel McCaffery for PA Supreme Court as they face off against MAGA Republicans in what promise to be very close races.
We are targeting neighborhoods where we need to explain to folks that voting for Kendra and Nic do not hurt the chances of any of the Democrats, who will win with three times as many votes as any of the minority party candidates. Click the link below to sign up for one of these scheduled canvasses:
Sunday, Oct 22nd, 11AM at Lovett Lovett Library, 6945 Germantown Ave
Sunday, Oct 29th, 11AM at Lovett Lovett Library, 6945 Germantown Ave
Saturday, Nov 4th, 11AM Big Buddy Canvass at Vernon Park
Sunday, Nov 5th, 11AM at Lovett Lovett Library, 6945 Germantown Ave
Please join us for at least one of these canvasses, thanks!
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Nov 4 Big Canvass & Rally for Safe Communities!
Saturday, November 4th, 11AM & 2PM, Vernon Park, 5800 Germantown Ave.
We will start off our day with a show of strength by conducting a huge Buddy Canvass with our neighbors in Germantown. We'll meet in Vernon Park at 11AM (you'll see our signs!)
We'll prepare you for your conversation at the door, so that you can effectively explain to voters that a vote for Kendra and Nic means replacing Republicans and does not threaten any of the Democrats running for at-Large positions. Plus, we'll provide info about Judge Daniel McCaffery, expressing how important it is for us to keep control over the PA Supreme Court, especially on the eve of the presidential election.
Then we'll "buddy you up" with a fellow activist to knock doors together and share the conversation. It's always fun to canvass with a buddy!
Rally for Safe Communities: After our canvass, we'll meet back at Vernon Park for our Rally for Safe Communities, starting at 2PM. All our candidates will be there, as well as community leaders and fellow activists.
Big Canvass: If you do only one canvass, this is the one! Please sign up (and bring a friend)
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Make (Auto-Dial) Calls!
Wednesday, October 25th, 7PM, Virtual
Help Kendra, Nic and Judge Dan by making phone calls to neighbors to tell them about the upcoming election. We'll start you with a short workshop to get you prepared to have those conversations and provide you with a script you can follow.
The auto-dialer process is easy and fun to learn! Join the team and help us make calls on Wednesday evenings starting at 7PM.
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Our Endorsements & Recommendations
Some of our fellow members have asked us to put together a complete list of endorsements and recommendations for this election, including the judges and the ballot question. You can find that information here.
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Financing Philly's Future with Guest Rue Landau
Tuesday, October 24th, 4:30PM, Virtual
Join us this coming Tuesday as the Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition hosts Democratic City Council At-Large candidate Rue Landau for a discussion of one of her favorite topics - housing - along with a broad range of issues where a public bank could be utilized.
When the program is ready to start on Tuesday at 4:30PM, please copy and paste this zoom link to join our live presentation - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85835928783
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Meeting on the Future of Germantown High School
Wednesday, October 25th, 6:30pm, 6001 Germantown Ave
Join our allies at POWER Interfaith on October 25th at 6:30pm at First United Methodist Church of Germantown (FUMCOG) for a community meeting with neighbors, community organizations, local congregations, and other stakeholders on the future of Germantown High School.
The goal of the meeting is to develop a strategy to push for transparency and accountability from the developers on their current plans for the High School. At the meeting, we will prepare to get the most out of Councilwoman Cindy Bass’ November 16th town hall meeting with the developers.
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Join Philly's "Hug the Block" Operation
Ongoing, Overnight, Throughout the City, Until Election Day
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. Shifts start at 10PM and continue on the hour until 4AM, the likeliest times for gun violence.
We go out as a group with given vests and flashlights and a bullhorn, and have a police presence for each shift. Participants can set their own schedule and go as long as they desire. It is energizing, and we've been greeted by grateful neighbors.
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Know Anyone Willing to Canvass for Money?
PNN will be hiring a limited number of paid canvassers for this election cycle. This work will last until Election Day, and the schedule is flexible. Must know or be willing to learn the Voter Activation Network (VAN) application.
Participants will be required to knock doors in a provided turf, have conversations with neighbors and record their choice of candidates on their phones. If you know someone who might be interested, email Tim@phillynn.org Put "Paid Canvass" in the Header
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This Week in History
Oct 22, 1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis. On this day, John Kennedy announced the presence of Soviet warheads in Cuba. This led to thirteen days of high-stakes brinksmanship that ended in withdrawal of Soviet missiles in Cuba and US missiles in Turkey.
Oct 23, 1850 – Women's Rights Convention. The first National Women's Rights Convention was held in Worchester, MA with the objective: "to secure for [women] political, legal, and social equality with man until her proper sphere is determined by what alone should determine it..."
Oct 24, 1940 – 40-Hour Work Week. The determined work of labor organizers met success on this day when the 40-hour work week was enacted as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Thanks for your activism!
Tim Brown, Organizing Director