Dear Friend,
As we close out the month, we want to take a moment to reflect on the power of community and the importance of standing together in the face of injustice. We’re turning our focus to protesting ICE and standing up for our Latinx communities, who continue to face systemic oppression and targeted attacks.
From the inhumane treatment of people in detention centers to the ongoing threats of deportation and violent encounters with ICE that harm us and tear families apart, the fight for justice and dignity for our Latinx neighbors is more urgent than ever. Here in Maryland, we’ve seen firsthand the strength of those who stand in solidarity with our immigrant communities and we cannot back down. Families and lives are at stake.
These challenges remind us why we organize, why we protest, and why we fight for a more just and equitable Maryland. Our new tenant union in Gaithersburg recently came together for a successful action that led to securing a verbal agreement from the management that the building will not cooperate with ICE. We are so proud of our tenant leaders! Together, we can push back and demand a future where every family—regardless of immigration status—can live with safety, opportunity, and respect.
Let’s continue to show up for one another and for the values we hold dear. Read on for updates, ways to get involved, and important state and national news.
In solidarity, The Progressive Maryland Team |
Here’s what’s in today’s memo: PMD Events
Campaign Updates - Local Chapter Updates
- Ally Events
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State & National News
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🎉 PMD’s 25th Anniversary Gala – Tickets Are Live!
We’re back and bigger than ever! Join us for Progressive Maryland’s 25th Anniversary Gala in a brand-new, spacious venue for an evening full of celebration, community, and connection. Enjoy live music, meet fellow advocates, and get inspired by a powerful keynote speaker (to be announced soon!). This is a night you won’t want to miss—grab your tickets now and be part of the party: Get Your Tickets
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Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: |
Healthcare Task Force
Take Action! Tell Congress to Restore Funding for Medicaid and Health Insurance Subsidies!
Republicans in Congress are ignoring the fact that their cuts to Medicaid & Medicare funding, along with ending the Affordable Care Act Tax Credits will throw millions of Americans off healthcare. In January, approximately 4 million Americans (including up to 190,000 Marylanders) who purchase health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces/exchanges will lose their coverage unless Congress takes action. In 2027, around 8 million people nationally and up to 175,000 Marylanders could be dropped from Medicaid. Please call Congress today or tomorrow! The Capitol Switchboard phone number is (202) 224-3121.
Suggested Message for Democratic Members of Congress
Hi, my name is ____ and I live in ___ . I’m calling to urge _____ to demand that health care funding be in any government funding bill that moves through Congress. The Medicaid cuts and loss of Affordable Care Act tax credits will kick thousands of people off healthcare at a time when insurance companies are raising rates and denying care. Don’t let the Trump regime get away with this! Protect lower healthcare costs! [Add a personal story or reasons that healthcare funding is important to you]
Suggested Message for Republican Members: call Rep. Harris (# is (202) 225-5311) and Speaker Mike Johnson.
Hi, my name is ___ and I live in ____. I’m calling to urge ______ to restore healthcare funding to any potential government funding bill being considered in Congress. The Medicaid cuts and loss of Affordable Care Act tax credits will be devastating to people across our state and the country. Don’t kick people off of healthcare, it will impact them and all of us. Do your job - meet with members across the aisle leadership to protect Americans’ healthcare. [Add a personal story or reasons that this is important to you]
For more information contact [email protected], and to join our campaigns, click here: pgmd.us/hcvolunteer. |
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Gaithersburg Tenant Union
On Saturday, the 13th, the Gaithersburg Tenant Union came together for a successful action at the Village at Gaithersburg apartments. Around 15 members were in attendance, voiced their concerns, and presented the property manager with a list of concrete solutions to the issues they face. We were able to secure commitments to resolving long-standing rodent issues, as well as repairs or replacements for broken laundry services, and a verbal agreement that the building will not cooperate with ICE. In addition, we reached a timeline for these issues to be resolved, as well as receiving bi-weekly progress updates. Through collective power, we can ensure that our communities live in safe, dignified housing.
Brooklyn Neighborhood Union
Last Friday, we held our first community protest in Brooklyn, and it was a powerful moment. Neighbors came out, community leaders shared their experiences, and members spoke directly to the press about the urgent issues facing our neighborhood, including the hazardous materials that litter our alleyways. This is just the beginning — we’ll be doing more actions soon and continuing to call out the Baltimore City Department of Health and Department of Public Works and hold them accountable for the health and safety of our community.
Progressive Harford County
Starbucks Workers United is calling on all local allies to stand with us this October 2nd from 2-3pm on our Mega Practice Picket line outside the N Charles Starbucks location in Baltimore (1209 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201). We would love to have you and all of our allies there to help us make the DMV's practice picket one of the biggest and loudest, so Brian Niccol can hear us all the way from his new $100million dollar office in California!
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Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Festival
Join the 7th annual Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Festival. With five hours of live entertainment and over 100 exhibitors at this free event, there’s something for everyone! This is a family-friendly event celebrating the history and culture of the LGBTQIA+ community. All friends and allies are welcome.
Date: Oct. 4 Time: 1-6 p.m. Location: Concord Point Park, 700 Concord St, Havre de Grace, MD 21078 |
Banned Book Week - An Evening with "Flamer" author Mike Curato UCBPride and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Harford County Branch are partnering to host a Banned Book Week event. On Tuesday, October 7, we'll host Mike Curato, author of "Flamer" at Towson University in Northeastern Maryland. We are in the early stages of planning and will share specific information (time, VIP ticket opportunities, etc.) closer to the date.
This fundraiser is to cover Mike's appearance fee and travel expenses. Date: Oct. 7 Time: TBD Location: Towson University in Northeastern Maryland
Register: https://givebutter.com/1xiZVt |
Baltimore Untied Green Spaces (BUGS) |
The workers of Cylburn Arboretum Friends support the Baltimore City community by providing nature education programs and stewarding Cylburn Arboretum, a 200-acre, free-access green space. Their work is vital to fostering a healthy, greener Baltimore.
These workers have chosen to unionize — a protected legal right — as Baltimore Untied Green Spaces (BUGS). However, Cylburn Arboretum Friends’ leadership has chosen to challenge their efforts and have not only refused to voluntarily recognize their union, but have challenged their very right to unionize at all. Send a letter to the Board of Directors letting them know you support BUGS! |
News You Can Use: Iffy MD budget; shutdown won't help
Maryland, like many other Blue states, is feeling increasingly embattled as Trump continues his EO-fueled assault on peoples' everyday liberties and rights to free speech. Most of the Mad King's Executive Orders, being of dubious legality, are in court somewhere and may even get turned down by the conservative-ridden Supreme Court if they suddenly find their mislaid copies of the US Constitution. Maryland is currently escaping occupation along the lines of D.C., but facing a worst-case scenario from any shutdown because more attrition of federal workers appears nearly guaranteed even without such a disruption. But in the meantime, many Blue cities ARE putting up with uniformed military presence, where "is THIS what you signed up for?" should be the welcome on everyone's lips. The troops look forbidding in their riot gear but they are us, and we shouldn't let the fear Trump is hoping for allow us to forget that. Note that Oregon is pushing back (see below).
Trump will be talking shutdown (or not) with Congressional bigwigs today and (more ominously) with a captive audience of high-ranking military tomorrow, as Megan E details in our Global/National/Feds section below. It's all News You Can Use. Read more
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