Rookies, Mistakes and Veteran Advocates #ResistIngTrump

There are rumors that Robert Miller aka Meek Millz was to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss prison reform. The rumor is that JayZ reached out to Meek and advised him not to meet with the President. After doing research i found this on the reliable celebrity news site, TMZ  i'm learning that:

Meek Mill bailed on a visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Friday after a late-night call fromJay-Z ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ broke the story ... Meek agreed to travel to the White House to discuss prison reform.President Trump is hosting a Prison Reform Summit. Participants include members of Congress, various activists and, clearly, people who have become victims of the system.

We're told Jay called Meek Thursday night and made it clear ... meeting with Trump would be problematic for his image and for the cause.

We're told other high-profile African-Americans also called Meek and voiced serious concern.

Meek tells us, "I was originally scheduled to be part of a panel on Prison Reform at the White House to help shed light on the issues within the system. Unfortunately, the focus turned to the President and Myself which concerned me that it might take away from creating a positive result from today’s discussions." http://www.tmz.com/2018/05/18/jay-z-convinced-meek-mill-cancel-white-house-visit-trump/

I can understand Meeks' concern for the focus but we have to take those chances and turn the focus back on the concern. #Strategy This is a perfect example of a #RookieAdvocate move. There is a difference between advocating and lobbying. When we advocate to resist Trump, we are advocating against the enforcement of racist and harmful policies. When we advocate for the change we want, we have to prepare to meet with the opposition. The oppressor aka opposition is who we need to hear our concerns and build an understanding of our position. #CommunicationIsKey We then gain their support if we want to stop the conformity of #Colonialism. We are not lobbying support for Trump's agenda we are advocating for his administration to hear our concerns and make adjustments to these laws that are traumatizing our communities.

This occurrence with Meek is the perfect example of #RookieAdvocacy because they have a website with only their information listed. No way for you to contact them, or leave your contact info for them to inform you of what they are working on. So many working on the same issue in their own space. We need to bring these platforms together, understand our differences and purpose. #CommunicationIsKeyToSuccess

#FosterOrForgotten

We have organizations who help advocates build skills to get the change they want. Problem is these groups are few and not well known. In Philadelphia the Juvenile Law Center helps our youth advocate for their needs. Unfortunately most of the other advocacy organizations that i have encountered follow a political agenda and aren't grassroots organizing. Research the platforms and see how you can add your concerns to their platform without losing your demands. Actually your demands should be the same if not similar to the demands of the group. I'm working on publishing a book about advocacy, full of resources. If you can't connect with an organization then please look up Dr. Bernard Lafayette.

"See, the whole idea of marching, it's not just wearing out leather or rubber on your shoes, it's about being able to step together," said Lafayette. "It shows a sense of unity.

31 PHOTOS

MLK Day observed across the U.S.

Lafayette is now a professor at Emory University and the chairman of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization once led by King. He has spent the last five decades doing as King instructed, teaching non-violence at home and in 35 countries around the world, including to prisoners in California and gang members in Columbia.

He contemplated if King's idea of institutionalizing non-violence has happened in this country.

"No," it hasn't happened," he said. "You see, violence is a language of the inarticulate, when people don't know how to talk and communicated with each other."

Which is why he also went to Ferguson, Mo., to help a new generation find alternatives to violence and defeat those who hate. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/king-protege-moves-leaders-vision-of-non-violence-forward/

Take a Advocacy Course with Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette on Coursera

The Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr., an ordained minister, is a longtime civil rights activist, organizer, and an authority on nonviolent social change. He co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1960, and he was a core leader of the civil rights movement in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1960 and in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. He directed the Alabama Voter Registration Project in 1962, and he was appointed by Martin Luther King, Jr. to be national program administrator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and national coordinator of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign. Dr. LaFayette earned his B.A. from the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee, and his Ed.M. and Ed.D from Harvard University. He has served on the faculties of Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta and Alabama State University in Montgomery, where he was Dean of the Graduate School; he also was principal of Tuskegee Institute High School in Tuskegee, Alabama and a teaching fellow at Harvard University. His publications include the Curriculum and Training Manual for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Nonviolent Community Leadership Training Program, his doctoral thesis, Pedagogy for Peace and Nonviolence, and Campus Ministries and Social Change in the ‘60’s (Duke Divinity Review) and The Leaders Manual: A Structured Guide and Introduction to Kingian Nonviolence with David Jehnsen. Bernard LaFayette has traveled extensively to many countries as a lecturer and consultant on peace and nonviolence. Dr. LaFayette has served as Distinguished Scholar in Residence and Director of the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island. He is chairperson for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Board of Directors and currently serves as an advisor to James Wagner, President of Emory University where he founded the Emory Center for Advancing Nonviolence (ECAN). A native of Tampa, Florida, Dr. LaFayette is married to the former Kate Bulls. https://www.coursera.org/instructor/~15786347

Primary Election May 2018 Do You Have a Plan To Vote?

So many have fought and died for our freedom as part of the civics in our society. Yes we have to address #GerryManderIng to make elections more representative of our demographics but we cannot let corrupt redistricting keep us from our most powerful civic tool, our voice aka our vote. These elections are serious business and requires us to research candidates or depend on political organizations to guide us with their research. So many are tired of politics as usual but we keep voting in politics as usual for whatever reason. 

i'm not voting politics as usual this year thanks to my disappointing meeting with Kevin Johnson campaign yesterday. i was contacted and offered a paid poll watching position for today's election. During our conversation i asked to interview Mr. Johnson before the schedule orientation. All was set in motion for 5pm only for me to arrive to a no show on the interview and orientation. I was like so you all just wasted my time in having me come out here. Like how do you offer a person a paid position then when i get there tell me there is no more paid positions. They didn't say first come first serve, they said see you at 5pm. I shared his platform with so many yesterday that i had to correct my error with this blog. I always interview or attend candidates forums before representing a candidate and pretty sure after the interview i was probably not going to take the paid position. Good to get to know the campaign and this way you will have an idea of what they represent and if we are on the same page!! 

so i'm not voting for anyone in our congressional race. Chris Rabb is my choice for state rep, he is not like the rest and his hands are pretty clean from what i'm learning. Art Haywood for pa. senate is doing a great job both of my state officials have been vocal on gerrymandering and important issues in our community. Nina Ahmad for pa. lt. gov., i had the opportunity of recording Nina during the #BreakingTheSilence conference and again during a #FairDistrict workshop in south philly. Nina has been advocating for progressive change for all. 

MAY 15, 2018 PRIMARY ELECTION

The battle of the 2018 midterms begins Tuesday, May 15, when registered Republicans and Democrats in Pennsylvania will choose their candidates for:

• Governor
• Lt. Governor
• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House of Representatives
• PA Senate (even-numbered districts)
• PA House of Representatives
   

In addition, registered Republicans and Democrats across Pennsylvania will also elect members of their state and local party committees. ALL voters, regardless of party affiliation, are eligible to vote on ballot questions.

Polls will be open from 7AM to 8PM. Any eligible voter in line by 8PM must be allowed to cast a ballot using the voting machine. Seventy encourages voters to review their Rights and Responsiblities before heading to the polls.

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DIGITAL BALLOT TOOL

Seventy's Digital Ballot Tool is back for the May 15, 2018 Primary. Powered by CivicEngine and a product of BallotReady, the tool allows voters to compile their candidate choices and ballot question answers before heading to the polls.  Give it a try and share with your network.

VOTER EXPERIENCE SURVEY

Take three minutes to share your voting experience. The survey is designed to identify issues voters encounter when voting in-person or via mail-in (absentee or alternative) ballot. Issues covered include: voting wait time, illegal electioneering inside polling places, voter registration, voter ID for first-time voters, voting machines, voter assistance, language access, poll worker performance and confidence in the election process.

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COLLECT SAMPLE BALLOTS

Philadelphia voters are encouraged to submit pictures of partisan sample ballots to PhillyWardLeaders.com, a Code for Philly project.https://seventy.org/publications/elections-voting/may-15-2018-general-primary

Podcast for state races https://soundcloud.com/committee-of-70

Sixty-Six Wards Live 2018 Primary Election Tracker

The election tracker is coming on election day, May 15! Check back then!

And make sure to record your data at http://bit.ly/sixtysixturnout when you vote!

VOTER RIGHTS

POLLS ACROSS THE CITY AND PENNSYLVANIA  ARE OPEN  7AM TO 8PM ON ELECTION DAY.  ANY VOTER IN LINE BY 8PM MUST BE ALLOWED TO VOTE.

As a voter in Philadelphia, you have the right to:

• Vote if you are a U.S. citizen, city resident, at least 18 years of age and properly registered with the County Board of Elections. Visit philadelphiavotes.com for more info. 
• Vote privately and free from coercion, intimidation or harassment. Campaigning of any kind and the distribution of buttons, flyers or other partisan literature is strictly prohibited inside the polling place.
• Access to interpreters (live and/or telephonic) at all polling places if you are a Limited-English Proficient citizen.
• Request help from anyone you choose if you are disabled or need language assistance in order to vote; however, the person assisting cannot be your employer or union representative.
• Ask election officials about voting procedures. Rules and resources are in place to ensure every eligible voter can cast a ballot privately and independently. If you have a question, ask!
• Cast a Provisional (paper) Ballot if, for any reason, you are unable to use the voting machines. Provisional Ballots are a fail-safe option to ensure no voter is disenfranchised due to a question regarding their eligibilty. All ballots are counted following verification that the voter was properly registered.

Report issues or problems encountered at the polling place to the Philadelphia County Board of Elections at 215-686-1590.

VOTER RESPONSIBILITIES

As a voter in Philadelphia, you have the responsibility to:

• Familiarize yourself with candidates and ballots questions. Visit seventy.org before you go to the polls. ONLY registered Democrats and Republicans can vote for candidates in primary elections; ALL voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote for ballot questions. In the general election; ALL voters can vote for candidates and questions.
• Report voter intimidation, or potentially illegal or fraudulent activity to a poll worker or the District Attorney's Office at 215-686-9641. 
• Review election procedures and voting machine instructions before Election Day at philadelphiavotes.com. Seek guidance from poll workers if you have questions about the voting process.
• Keep your voter registration up-to-date with your current address and party affiliation. Online registration is available at votespa.com. The registration deadline is always 30 days before Election Day.
• Treat poll workers, canvassers and other voters with courtesy and respect. Thank your local Election Board for their service!

For questions about the voting process or to report an issue at the polls: Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), a service provided by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.

As Congressman John Lewis reminds us, “the right to vote is precious.” He calls it “the most powerful nonviolent tool” in our society.  That’s because when you vote, you make your voice heard. And our entire city benefits. Election Day is Tuesday, May 15. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Do you have a plan to vote? Make sure you’re registered to vote. Find your polling place. Ask your neighbors and relatives if they need a ride to the polls. If you have any questions at the polls — like poll locations or registration status — please contact the City Commissioners’ Voter Hotline at 215-686-1590. To report any election concerns — like allegations of illegal voting, candidate write-in issues, intimidation, or illegal electioneering — please contact any of the District Attorney’s Election Fraud Task Force’s hotlines: 215-686-9641 215-686-9643 215-686-9644 After you vote, share your voting selfies on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! Make sure you are outside of your polling place before you take a picture, then post your selfie using #PhillyVotes. But whatever you do, make sure you have a plan to vote. In service, Jim Mayor Jim Kenney PS. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15. Make a plan to vote! Important Election Day Phone Numbers Seventy's offices will be open from 6:30am to 9:00pm on Election Day. Questions about any of these resources should be directed to bettergov@seventy.org or 215-557-3600. Voters who encounter issues on Election Day should contact election authorities immediately: County Boards of Election District Attorney's Office Bucks County: 215-348-6154 215-348-6344 Chester County: 610-344-6410 610-344-6801 Delaware County: 610-891-4673 610-891-4161 Montgomery County: 610-278-3275 610-278-3090 Philadelphia County: 215-686-1590 215-686-9641

And now, once you have done your civic duty on election day, carry that work into the rest of the week with our Black Lives Matter Week follow-up event:

The Demand For Black Educators -- The New Labor Issue

Thursday, May 17th // 5PM - 7PM

Community College of Philadelphia // Center for Business and Industry, 18th and Callowhill, Room C2-28

Join the Caucus of Working Educators for a panel and action event. Do you want to continue to fight for the demands from the 2018 Black Lives Matter Week of Action year-round? Do you support unions and want to know more about how we can win fair contracts and fight to have more Black Educators in our K to 12 and Higher Education Institutions?

Come and join an important conversation centered on the value of Black Educators and sign a letter supporting this demand.