On Monday morning, the City Finance Committee will vote on whether to pass the Public Bank Bill out of committee. We need you to contact City Council over the weekend to make sure they vote YES. On Monday evening, we have a chat with legendary organizer George Lakey and filmmaker Glenn Holsten, and get a sneak preview of the trailer for a feature-length documentary about George’s incredible life of activism. On Tuesday, serenade state legislators with anti-corruption Christmas carols. And check out what happened this week in history.
Help Push Public Bank Bill Out of Committee
Virtual Action, Deadline Monday, Dec 13th, 10AM
On Monday morning, Philadelphia City Council ‘s Finance Committee will hold a digital public hearing to authorize the creation of a Public Bank. A public bank could hold City deposits, borrow and lend money, manage City investments, and issue bonds in a way that serves the needs of our citizens rather than serving the shareholders of big banks.
Thanks to your calls, emails, texts and Tweets, members of the Finance Committee are beginning to commit to allow this bill out of committee and put it up for a vote in the full Council. But a lot can happen between now and Monday, especially when private bankers feel their cash cow is threatened, so here's how you can help.
What You Can Do: Contact members of the Finance Committee this weekend and urge them to vote yes. Find out how to do this by clicking on the Toolkit link below.
WATCH THE DIGITAL FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARING MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 10 AM . On TV, tune in to Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40 or stream at this link.
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Sneak Movie Preview and Q&A with George Lakey
Monday, December 13th, 8PM, virtual
You're invited to the 8-minute "trailer premiere zoom event" to herald the documentary on the like of legendary organizer, activist and Philly resident George Lakey. He will be joined by filmmaker Glenn Holsten as together we watch the freshly-edited trailer and they'll answer your questions about the making of the film and how it will be crafted to meet this urgent moment.
The point of the film is to bring to today's activists some of the major dimensions that Lakey and the Movement for a New Society (MNS) considered vital for successful social movements. The feature-length documentary format wraps the message with stories from Lakey's life.
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Sing Anti-Corruption Carols at the State Capitol
Tuesday, December 14th, 11AM, 501 N 3rd Street, Harrisburg, cafeteria
Join Santa and our friends, March on Harrisburg to keep up the pressure on state legislators to pass a law banning the acceptance of gifts from lobbyists. Right now, legislators are showered with gifts - free meals at fancy restaurants, professional sports tickets, trips, cars, cash and more.
So, there will be a gathering at the State Capital as Santa calls a press conference to discuss the naughty behavior of our not-so-nice Legislature. After the press conference, they will serenade our legislators with Anti-corruption Carols and hand out candy coal!
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This Week in History
Dec 10, 1906 – First Sit-Down Strike. More than 3,000 IWW workers conducted the first ever sit-down strike and took control of the machinery to defend three workers who had been discriminated against.
Dec 12, 1901 – Transatlantic Radio. Radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi sent the first radio transmission across the Atlantic Ocean, from Cornwall, England, to Newfoundland, Canada, laying the groundwork for instant transatlantic communication.
Dec 14, 2012 – Sandy Hook. Twenty children and six employees were murdered by a former student with known mental health problems, prompting an unsuccessful attempt by President Obama to impose background checks.
Dec 15, 1791 – Bill of Rights Becomes Law. On this day, the first ten amendments to the Constitution were ratified. These laws were designed to protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens, guaranteeing the freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and the right to fair legal procedure.
Thanks for your activism!
Tim Brown, Organizing Director