This week brings us some opportunities for activism, starting with the monthly Public Bank hosted by Councilmember Derek Green. On Thursday evening join us as we decide on what we want to see in our City's budget. We also recap the Primary Election. And be sure to find out what happened this week in history.
Join Our Monthly Public Banking Q&A
Tuesday, May 25th, 4:30-5:00PM
This Tuesday, be sure to watch "Financing Philadelphia's Future", a monthly 30-minute Q&A hosted by our public banking champion, Councilmember Derek Green. This month's guest will be Maryrose Myrtetus, the Executive Director of Philadelphia Green Capital Corp. You are invited to take part by asking questions and sharing your thoughts. Click the link below to get the zoom link for this call, and please take a moment to sign up so we know you're coming.
p.s. Check out this Article where Stan Shapiro explains how a Public Bank could support small, minority-owned businesses.
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Join Our PNN Budget Summit
Thursday, May 27th, 7PM
The very word “budget” tends to make our eyes glaze over, because budgets are about numbers and that’s what numbers do to most of us. But those boring numbers actually speak to the kind of City we will have. If you’re in favor of robust City services, including 7 day a week libraries, fully staffed rec centers, well-maintained parks, high quality, lead-free schools, housing and health care for all, then you must care about the City budget. Simply put, if City, State and federal budgets don't provide for those things, we won’t have them.
Decision day on this year’s City budget is just around the corner and Philly Neighborhood Networks wants to hear your voice on what should be included in that important legislation. To help you do that, we’re having a budget briefing, and presenting a budget action plan, at a May 27th zoom event, starting at 7 PM. Please click below to join us, to be part of the conversation, and part of the solution, on May 27th.
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Progressive Movement Wins in Primary Election
By a 2 to 1 margin, Larry Krasner convincingly won the District Attorney election with a clear mandate to continue his agenda to transform prosecution in the city. The voters rejected a return to a past of discrimination in the criminal law system and chose to support Krasner’s program of fair treatment for defendants, reducing mass incarceration, exonerating wrongfully convicted prisoners, and holding police accountable for wrongdoing.
Philly Neighborhood Networks and the progressive coalition came out in force to support Krasner’s ground game to Get Out the Vote. In Northwest Philly which was critical to Krasner’s victory, PNN volunteers stepped up to make calls, knock doors, drop literature, and work at the polls. And this resulted in better turnout and an overwhelming vote for Krasner in these wards. This is a clear demonstration of the growing strength of the progressive movement in Philly.
One troubling note is that the first two ballot measures that would allow the state legislature to take emergency powers from the governor passed. The other measures - regarding racial discrimination, expanding the Board of Licenses Inspection Review and funding firefighters - also passed.
Some judicial races are still too close to call as of this email, so we will report when we have the full information to share with you. You can find the complete City election results here.
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This Week in History
May 23, 1935 – First MLB Night Game. Cincinnati's Crosby Field held the first MLB night game where the host Reds beat the Phillies 2-1.
May 24, 1844 – Morse Codes. On this day, inventor Samuel Morse demonstrated the telegraph to Congress by sending the message, "What hath God wrought?" This new invention greatly aided American expansion, and replaced the Pony Express as a reliable form of long distance communication.
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.
Thanks for your activism!
Tim Brown, Organizing Director