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: Workshop on Chinatown Development, Anti-Bribery Rally
Educate: Time to End the Mideast War, Not Just Pause It
Empower: House Party for Rep Rabb, Save CHW Train Line
Time to End the War in the Mideast, Not Just Pause It
Philly Neighborhood Networks is founded on the principle that all people are entitled to a world of justice and freedom. Although we primarily focus on implementing that ideal in the U.S., we cannot turn our eyes away from the tragedy now unfolding in the Middle East. There the very lives of thousands of innocents have been lost, and thousands more will undoubtedly be lost if the conflict between Israel and Hamas isn’t brought to a just and sustainable conclusion.
People and organizations of good will must speak out. First, the ongoing, catastrophic war must stop now with a cease fire. Second, and just as important, there must be a process leading to a permanent peace. It must build trust between the frontline players: Israelis and Palestinians, starting with language that recognizes the rights of both peoples.
We support an immediate cease-fire, return of hostages and the beginning of a negotiated settlement, one which must also put an end to the subjugation and shocking mistreatment of Palestinians on the West Bank. Fundamental to any peace process, rhetoric that implies the need to eliminate either side must stop.
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Meeting & Petition to Save the Chestnut Hill West Train Line
Tuesday, January 23rd, 7PM, Virtual Meeting
SEPTA is facing a huge budget crisis and may have to slash services and hike fares soon. This would affect all of us who rely on public transportation, especially those who ride the Chestnut Hill West Line connecting our Northwest neighborhoods to Center City.
This line is in danger of being eliminated unless SEPTA gets the critical funding it needs from the state. That’s why we need your help to make our voices heard and demand action from Governor Shapiro and our legislators in Harrisburg.
Here are two actions you can take:
1. Join us for a zoom meeting to discuss a path forward to Save the the CHWest Line
2. Sign the Petition to Governor Shapiro to Support SEPTA Funding
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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.
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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.
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Make Bribery Illegal Rally on PA State Capitol Steps
Tuesday, February 6th, 11AM, 501 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg
Join our friends March on Harrisburg to stand up to corruption of our legislators by well-heeled corporate lobbyists. Right now, there is no limit to the amount or kind of "gifts" that PA legislators can accept - paid-for family trips and political junkets, free home repairs, lavish meals, and cash - as long as the legislators fill out a form declaring it.
We think this is open bribery, and MOH and allies were able to get Gift Ban legislation through the PA House. But that expired last term and now we have to start again by calling for the passage of HB 484, the Gift Ban Bill.
As the legislature continues to stall the Gift Ban, we must pressure them to pass the Gift Ban and Make Bribery Illegal in Pennsylvania. Click the link below to join us.
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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.
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This Week in History
Jan 20, 2009 – Obama Becomes President. On this day in 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the first black President of the United States.
Jan 21, 1946 – Steel Workers Strike. Facing economic hardships after returning from the war, 750,000 steel workers went on strike for better pay and working hours and to protest mass firings by steel mill owners.
Jan 22, 1973 – Roe v. Wade. On this day, the Supreme Court ruled in a 7-2 decision, that a woman’s right to choose an abortion was protected by the privacy rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. On June 24th, 2022 a reactionary Supreme Court overturned it in 6-3 decision.
Jan 26, 1907 – Tillman Act. In an attempt to curtail what they viewed as political campaign funding abuses, Congress passed the Tillman Act, banning corporations from expending money from their treasuries to influence a federal election. Campaign contributions are now recognized as a form of speech partly protected by the First Amendment.
Thanks for your activism!
Tim Brown, Organizing Director