Help Make the Purple Line a Reality!

Dear Friends,

For over 20 years, environmental, civic, business, and activist groups have been fighting to add a Purple Line to the region's metrorail system. But for this to become a reality, we must act now. This light rail project would run from Bethesda to New Carrollton, with stops in Chevy Chase, College Park, Silver Spring, .Takoma/Langley, and more. But more importantly, in the midst of growing concern about our climate, unceasing traffic congestion, long commutes, and a looming recession impacted by high gas prices -- the Purple Line would encourage environmentally responsible development, take 20,000 cars off the road, shorten commutes and improve our economy.

There are three actions you can take to make this Light Rail Transit Line a reality.

1. Sign our On-Line petition TODAY: Help us reach our goal of 5,000 signatures - a small percentage of the 1.5 million daily transit riders in our region. Go to: purplelinenow.com for a direct link to the petition.  There is also a link to request one of our new "Purple Line Greener Future" lawn signs at this page.

2. Volunteer to circulate a letter in support of the Purple Line among your neighbors, condo association members or other friends and colleagues.  Contact purplecampaign@yahoo.com to help. In the meantime, comments supporting the Purple Line can be sent to Michael Madden, Project Manager - Maryland Transit Administration - 6 St. Paul Street - Baltimore, MD 21202 or via e-mail to mmadden@mtamaryland.com with Purple Line DEIS in the subject line.
 

3. Finally, Purple Line NOW! is committed to ensuring that our transportation future is not dictated by the wealthy members of the Columbia Country Club or Town of Chevy Chase.  If you can help defer the cost of printing or conducting this grassroots campaign, PLN will appreciate any donation - be it $25, $250 or $2,500.  Send a check today to Purple Line NOW!  P.O. Box 7074 Silver Spring, MD 20907-7074 or you may click-and-pledge your donation on our website: www.purplelinenow.com. 

UNCOUNTED Goes to Washington (Silver Spring)

 

UNCOUNTED Goes to Washington - Special Welcome by Congresswoman Donna Edwards
Panel Discussion Moderated by Bob Edwards, with Mimi Kennedy, Rev. DeForest Soaries, Robert Fitrakis, Matthew Segal, Rebecca Wilson and David Earnhardt - UNCOUNTED Director/Writer/Producer

·         If The Man won't come to Uncounted, then Uncounted will take it to The Man.
·         Uncounted travels to the country's hotbed of political activity - Washington, DC - for a special screening.
·         The goal is to shed much-needed light, prior to the 2008 presidential election, on the issue of election integrity.
·         The screening and post-film panel discussion will help to move the country towards the goal of electoral reform.
·         Panelists will include a cross-section of high-profile activists, politicians, and party leaders.

Date & Time: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 7:00 PM
$10.00 Admission - Advance Ticket Sales: http://www.silverdocs.com/silverdocs/now-playing/
Venue: AFI Silver Theatre 8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Get directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=AFI+Silver+Theatre,+Silver+Spring,+MD&daddr=8633+Colesville+Rd,+Silver+Spring,+MD+20910

Panelists – Confirmed
·         Bob Edwards - Panel Moderator; The Bob Edwards Show (XMPR Satellite Radio)
·         David Earnhardt - Uncounted Director/Writer/Producer
·         Mimi Kennedy – Board Chair, Progressive Democrats of America; actress
·         DeForest Soaries - former Chairman of the federal Election Assistance Commission (2004-2005)
·         Robert Fitrakis, PhD. - Author & Journalist, "What Happened in Ohio?"
·         Matthew Segal – Founder and Executive Director, S.A.V.E. (Student Association for Voter Empowerment)
·         Rebecca Wilson - Co-Director; Save Our Vote Maryland

PDA Chapter Meeting Tues. September 2 + UNCOUNTED

Attend Events and Get Involved with PDA Dear Friend, PDA is moving forward in Maryland. We're sponsoring and cosponsoring events for peace and progress across our state. PDA National Board Members Steve Shaff and Joe Libertelli, National Staffer Tom Pallow and I welcomed fellow Marylanders including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, State Senator Jamie Raskin, NOW President  Kim Gandy, former State Party Chair Terry Lierman and Montgomery County Councilwoman Nancy Floreen to PDA's Progressive Central in Denver. PDA Board Member Cindy Asner, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Maryland Senator Jamie Raskin, and PDA Chairperson Mimi Kennedy Come to our chapter meeting in Wheaton and read pdamerica.org for a full report. Don't miss upcoming exciting events. Contact me to get involved. ---------------------------------- 1. Progressive Democrats of America Monthly Meeting in Wheaton 2. UNCOUNTED: The New Math of American Elections in Silver Spring 3. UNCOUNTED: The New Math of American Elections in Baltimore 4. Stay Tuned, Get involved with PDA to make progress in Maryland ---------------------------------- 1. 7:30 pm Tuesday, September 2, 2008 Progressive Democrats of America Monthly Meeting in Wheaton Saigonese Restaurant 11232 Grandview Ave Silver Spring (Wheaton), MD 20902 Get Directions - 2 block walk from Wheaton Metro (red line) We'll discuss our plans to work for Obama/Biden in Virginia, "UNCOUNTED" showing in Silver Spring (see below), October Rights for All event, and November Elections plus recap of DNC Convention and Progressive Central in Denver. ---------------------------------- 2. 7 pm Tuesday, September 9, 2008 UNCOUNTED: The New Math of American Elections, Film and Discussion AFI Silver Theatre, 8633 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 495-6700 Get directions - 2 block walk from Silver Spring Metro (red line) $10.00 admission Advance Ticket Sales Exposes how American voters were cheated during the 2004 and 2006 elections--and why it will likely happen again in 2008. Watch the Trailer. Special Appearance by Congresswoman Donna Edwards, plus, a Post-Film Panel Discussion with Election Integrity Activists, Leaders and Journalists, Hosted by Bob Edwards of XM Public Radio's "The Bob Edwards Show" with Mimi Kennedy - PDA Advisory Board Chair, activist, actress; Rev. DeForest Soaries - former Chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission; Robert Fitrakis, Ph.D. - Author, What Happened in Ohio?; Matthew Segal - Founder & Executive Director Student Assoc. for Voter Empowerment; Rebecca Wilson - Co-Director, Save Our Votes Maryland; David Earnhardt - UNCOUNTED Director/Writer/Producer ---------------------------------- 3. 7 pm Wednesday, September 10, 2008 UNCOUNTED: The New Math of American Elections, Film and Discussion The Charles Theatre, 1711 N Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 727-3456 Get directions. Panel featuring: David Earnhart - UNCOUNTED Director/Writer/Producer; Kevin Zeese - TrueVoteMD, longtime activist, Nader for President Media Director 2004; Other activists invited / TBA ---------------------------------- 4. Stay Tuned, Get involved with PDA to make progress in Maryland We're working hard, organizing for peace and progress in Maryland and nationally. Watch for upcoming peace, health care and impeachment events in Maryland and D.C. scheduled for September. Please contact PDA chapter leaders or contact me to help start a PDA chapter in your area. Yours in the movement, Mike Hersh PDA Maryland State Coordinator P.S. Please sign the Healthcare NOT Warfare petition and ask your friends to sign as well. Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: Elect a permanent, progressive majority in 2008. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. More info: pdamerica.org | Maryland PDA Spread the Progressive Word--Shop PDAstore!