LAST CALL: MoCo Council Votes on Minimum Wage Today // Leggett Seeks Changes As Numerous Advocacy Groups Arm Up

LAST CALL TO CONTACT MOCO COUNCILMEMBERS: The Montgomery County Council is due to vote today on whether to increase the minimum wage in the county and establish a regional standard with Prince George's and the District of Columbia. Specifically, Councilmembers Marc Elrich, Nancy Navarro and Valerie Ervin are proposing: 1) an $11.50 an hour minimum wage in Montgomery County, 2) that would be phased in by 2016, and 3) would be "indexed" to rise with increases in the cost of living. Last Friday we published a whip count indicating where the County Councilmembers and County Executive candidates stand on this, and we noted that the effort needs one additional vote to pass without weakening amendments.

EMAIL NOW TO SUPPORT AN $11.50/HOUR MINIMUM WAGE: You can email all nine Montgomery County Councilmembers and the office of the County Executive by sending a message to montgomerycounty@lockheedwelfare.com. 

Prince George's County Councilmembers are poised to pass a parallel $11.50 an hour wage rate this week, but not until Montgomery County acts on the effort. Please bear in mind that the $11.50 figure was established by a coalition of Councilmembers from MoCo, D.C. and Prince George's, and a deviation from that arrangement will throw unpredictability into the proposed regional minimum wage and potentially derail the effort. Below Maryland Juice provides numerous updates on the current state of play, including proposed alterations being suggested by County Executive Ike Leggett and action alerts from numerous advocacy groups.

JUICE #1: MOCO EXECUTIVE IKE LEGGETT PROPOSES $10.75 TO $11.10 MINIMUM WAGE, PHASED IN BY 2018 - County Executive Ike Leggett is calling a last-minute audible and trying to lower the proposed $11.50 an hour minimum wage proposal to somewhere between $10.75 and $11.10.  Last night he released a memo outlining an alternate minimum wage plan that deviates in significant ways from the Elrich-Ervin-Navarro $11.50/hour proposal:

$10.75 OR $11.10 MINIMUM WAGE RATE: Leggett's proposal purports to establish a minimum wage of $11.50 an hour or $1 over the state minimum wage -- whichever is lower. Leggett would also establish a floor of $10.75 an hour, which is the lower rate proposed by an amendment from Councilmember Hans Riemer. Given that the state is likely to consider a $10.10 minimum wage, it seems extremely unlikely that the MoCo wage will reach $11.50. The actual likely wage rate under this slightly convoluted plan is going to be between $10.75 and $11.10.  

FIVE YEAR PHASE-IN PERIOD UNTIL 2018: The Elrich-Ervin-Navarro plan would phase-in an $11.50/hour rate by the year 2016, while the Leggett plan would phase in a maximum rate of between $10.75 and $11.10 by 2018.

EXEMPTION FOR PART-TIME EMPLOYEES 18 AND UNDER: The Leggett plan would also exclude the new minimum wage requirement for part-time employees age 18 and under. This position was also adopted by the members of the County Council's Health and Human Services Committee. Interestingly, Councilmember Riemer's Chief of Staff Adam Pagnucco posted the following comment about this exemption on Facebook:

ADAM PAGNUCCO: I am extremely upset that Nancy Navarro and the rest of the HHS Committee voted to exclude all employees age 18 and under from the minimum wage.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett's Proposed Amendment to Minimum Wage Hike

JUICE #2: CASA DE MARYLAND ACTION ALERT ON MOCO MINIMUM WAGE - CASA de Maryland released the following action alerts and press releases on today's minimum wage vote:

CASA DE MARYLAND: We need your urgent participation. Please call now the office of Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Reimer and ask to vote YES for the minimum wage increase to $11.50 an hour.  To this moment, he has said that he would only increase it to $10.75 an hour. Please tell him that it would be unacceptable to vote for anything less than $11.50. 

His contact information is: 240-777-7964 /  councilmember.riemer@montgomerycountymd.gov PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO CONTACT HIM. We need his vote to pass this bill.

Also, we will be holding a rally with CASA de Maryland and allies tomorrow at 12noon at the Montgomery County Council. We will proceed to the hearing room at 1:30pm to witness the vote. PLEASE COME SUPPORT.  Flyer attached / CASA press statement below.

PRESS RELEASE

CASA de Maryland Urges Montgomery County Council to Increase the Minimum Wage to $11.50, Eliminate 90-Day Temporary Worker Restriction
"As we approach Tuesday’s vote in the Montgomery County Council to increase the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour by 2016, we remind people about the faces of low-wage workers who make our county move forward. Take the case of worker Wilfred Mokoko, he states:

For many years, I worked in a hotel making the minimum wage. At the start, the wages were fair, but as the cost of food, rent, electricity, and water increased I saw my wages were too low. Over the past few years here in Montgomery County, I have seen the Ride On Bus Fare increase from $1.20 to $1.35 to $1.70 and today it is $1.80. To many people these changes do not make a difference, but they matter to me. There are days I put $14 on my bus pass and I am shocked when it is empty before the end of the week. Some weeks, I spend more than $20 on bus transportation. Working people are suffering and we are looking to political leaders to bring relief to our community. If the cost of living rises then so must the wages that people need to survive.

"Increasing Wildfred’s hourly rate to $11.50 makes a significant difference to support his family. CASA de Maryland, the largest Latino and immigrant organization in the state, urges members of the Montgomery County Council to support the minimum wage increase to $11.50 an hour by 2016.

"At the same time, CASA strongly urges members of the County Council to eliminate the 90-Day provision that excludes temporary workers from obtaining the minimum wage increase. Day laborers and temporary/seasonal employees perform some of the most grueling work in the County and should not be paid less because of the short-term nature of their employment. All workers deserve to live in dignity and be able to afford to protect their families. No worker should be left behind."

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JUICE #2: COALITION LETTER SUPPORTING $11.50 AN HOUR  - Several groups released the following letter to the County Council calling for an $11.50/hour wage, including SEIU Local 500, CASA, Jews United for Justice, MoCo Young Democrats, Progressive Maryland, Progressive Neighbors, and UFCW Local 400:

Montgomery County Minimum Wage Sign-On Letter

JUICE #3: PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND ACTION ALERT TARGETS RIEMER - Progressive Maryland released the following action alert on the minimum wage vote:

PROGRESSIVE MARYLAND: Riemer still waffling on $11.50 minimum wage with indexing, email now - Despite all the  calls and emails to Councilmember Hans Riemer's office in support of a $11.50 minimum wage in Montgomery County that is indexed to inflation, Councilmember Riemer has still not assured his constituents that he will vote in favor of Bill 27-13. This is shameful. At-Large Councilmember Hans Riemer needs to hear from you right now. Tell Riemer to raise the minimum wage to $11.50 per hour and to index it with the cost of living. Anything less will put workers in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Washington, DC in jeopardy of not receiving the vital pay raise they are due.
 
Take 30 seconds to email Councilmember Hans Riemer right now. Let him know that you won't settle for anything less than $11.50 per hour with indexing. Make sure he knows that you won’t forget his vote at election time.

JUICE #4: JEWS UNITED FOR JUSTICE ACTION ALERT - Jews United for Justice released the following action alert on the minimum wage vote yesterday (excerpt below):

JEWS FOR JUSTICE: Call for a Higher Minimum Wage in Montgomery County, One more push to victory! - In the past two weeks more than sixty JUFJers have called Councilmember Hans Riemer asking him to support raising the minimum wage in the county to $11.50 by 2016. The pressure is starting to build - but we need to keep it up.

The bill passed out of committee on Thursday and will be voted on in the full Council on Tuesday, November 26th. Four Councilmembers have committed their support for the bill. We need to keep the pressure on to secure the fifth vote. The county is ready and our workers deserve a raise.

JUFJ and our allies will be keeping the phones ringing off the hooks in the County Council on Monday, November 25th to make sure this message is heard loud and clear.  

Please sign up to call At-Large Councilmember Hans Riemer at (240) 777-7964.

JUICE #5: MONTGOMERY COUNTY YOUNG DEMOCRATS PRESS RELEASE ON MINIMUM WAGE VOTE - The MoCo Young Dems released the following statement regarding the minimum wage vote:

PRESS RELEASE

Montgomery County Young Democrats Support $11.50 Minimum Wage Increase, Urge Council to Remove Youth and Temporary Worker Exemptions
Silver Spring, MD – The Montgomery County Young Democrats are urging the Montgomery County Council to vote favorably to increase the minimum wage to $11.50 an hour by 2016.

For member Gabriel Acevero, “The minimum wage is not just a story about income inequality, but rather it’s about achieving the American dream, and no one can achieve the American dream on $7.25 an hour.” Gabe is one of several members actively working on the state-wide campaign to raise the minimum wage, which the Young Democrats see as equally important to move the state forward economically and progressively as the County measure.

At the same time, MCYD is standing with organizations like CASA de Maryland in calling for the Council to eliminate the 90-Day provision that excludes temporary workers from obtaining the minimum wage increase. In addition, they are asking the County to remove the exemption for workers under 19 working less than 20 hours a week.

Board member Emily Shetty, who shared what raising the wage means personally to her at last Wednesday’s rally to raise the wage, states: “Above all, we want to see Bill 27-13 pass and change the lives of millions in the region when Prince George’s and DC pass similar bills. We do hope the Council will consider removing the temporary and youth workers exemptions. All workers in Montgomery County deserve the dignity of this higher wage.”

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JUICE #6: BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE CHAMBER ACTION ALERT ON MINIMUM WAGE VOTE - BethesdaNow.com reports that the BCC Chamber sent out the following action alert calling for a MoCo minimum wage of no more than $10.10/hour:

BCC CHAMBER: For the past several weeks, the B-CC Chamber has been working with other chambers and business groups in Montgomery County to persuade Council members to delay consideration of Council member Elrich’s bill that would set the minimum wage in Montgomery County at $11.50 an hour that would be phased in over three years, beginning in July 2014 and indexed to increase with the consumer price index in future years.  Based on a survey of businesses in the county, this increase is too much too fast and the indexing could result in a county minimum wage that is far higher than the state’s, unless the state legislature also passes a minimum wage tied to indexing.  Yesterday, the County Council HHS Committee voted (2-0) in favor of Elrich’s bill, this despite the fact that the proponents’ own economists told them that $11.50 is too high.  They did amend the bill to exempt teens age 18 and under working fewer than 20 hours per week and set the minimum wage for tipped employees at 50% of the County minimum wage. This bill will go to the full Council for a vote this Tuesday.  IT WILL PASS – possibly unanimously — unless the business community is able to persuade some Council members to make some changes that would make it less burdensome for employers.

LAST CALL: EMAIL NOW TO SUPPORT AN $11.50/HOUR MINIMUM WAGE: You can email all nine Montgomery County Councilmembers and the office of the County Executive by sending a message to montgomerycounty@lockheedwelfare.com. 

Democratic Members of Congress, Clergy & CASA Leader Arrested in Protests over Mass Deportations & Immigration

DAN FURMANSKY: Democratic Members of Congress, Clergy Arrested in Civil Disobedience for Immigration Reform; CASA’s Gustavo Torres Taken Into Custody; Maryland Rabbi Leads “Prayer-In” at Eric Cantor’s Office; More than 1,000 still being deported every day.

Approximately 15,000 people converged on the national mall today and marched to the Capitol building to call attention to stalled immigration reform legislation. No surprise that the soulless Republican majority in the House of Representatives has refused to move the bill passed by the Senate, even with its broad bipartisan support. They’re too busy snatching food assistance from hungry Americans and trying to get the Supreme Court to strike down individual aggregate contribution limits so they can ensure that the wealthy have an even greater say over who gets elected in this country.

But I digress.

The inspiring news is that nearly two hundred brave leaders were arrested in acts of civil disobedience as part of Camino Americano, “a massive demonstration of solidarity and support for comprehensive immigration reform.” It was the third major act of civil disobedience by immigration reform advocates in the past few months alone. This includes 12 members of Congress, including Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Raul Grivjalva (D-AZ), Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), Al Green(D-TX), Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), Jan Schakowsky, (D-Ill.), and Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)

Rep. John Lewis once again proves why he is social justice legend.  According to his office, it is at least the 45th time he has been arrested—40 times during the civil rights movement alone and 5 times as a member of Congress.



According to ABC News, Gutierrez pledged in a speech to “lock arms with my colleagues and go to jail today for the father who was deported and cannot see his children, see them grow up, and see them prosper in the United States, the country of their birth.

To give credit where credit is due, there were apparently some Republicans in the crowd. Reports The Huffington Post (excerpt below):

HUFFINGTON POST: Several Republicans turned out for the rally as well. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), a long-time supporter of reform and the only GOP member of a bipartisan working group on immigration who didn't quit, appeared on stage, along with Reps. David Valadao (R-Calif.), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.). They did not participate in the protest later in the afternoon.

Apparently they didn’t want to get their hands too dirty.

Our own Gustavo Torres, head of Casa de Maryland, was also taken into custody.

Photo courtesy of Casa de Maryland

So were countless faith leaders, including my old boss, the Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, who was also arrested in Phoenix during our protest of SB1070. “Our laws are more than broken, they’re evil,” he said today.

Right on.

Also arrested was Rabbi Jason Kimmelman-Block, of Silver Spring, who addressed the crowd on the Mall and led others in prayer at the office of Representative Eric Cantor, the only Jewish leader in the House Republican caucus. Rabbi Kimmel-Block, a father of four, is the rabbi-in-residence for the great advocacy group Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice. As we Jews say when someone performs a mitzvah, or good deed, Yasher koach, Rabbi.



I don’t mean to be the Debbie Downer in the room, and I would love to be proved wrong, but I simply cannot imagine the dysfunction that is the House Republican Caucus coming together to pass anything resembling the immigration reform bill passed by the Senate which, let’s be honest, would be a great step forward but is no prize. And, lest you think the shutdown is preventing families being ripped apart and deportations from moving forward, think again. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are considered “essential employees” and are still be around to enforce immigration law because the operations are “necessary for safety of life and protection of property.”

But—as I’ve said before and will say again—it doesn’t mean all is lost. Reports The Washington Post (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: One of the rally’s goals was to highlight the record number of deportations by the Obama administration, which have been estimated at more than 1,000 per day. President Obama has called immigration reform his top domestic priority in his second term, but he disappointed activists last month when he said he would not use executive authority to expand a deportation deferment program for young people, who are known as “Dreamers.”

President Obama does have the power to halt deportations until the Republicans take meaningful action for immigration reform. But he won’t do it without real pressure from the Democratic Party. Activists are more than impatient with the President for failing to make a real difference. so far, only one Maryland Congressperson has had the gumption to ask the President to stop separating families - Rep. John Delaney.

As we march towards the last sad breaths of this Congressional term, if inaction continues in the House of Representatives as expected, it will be long overdue for Maryland’s Democratic leaders to step up to the plate and let our president know that we expect him to do everything in his power to make lives better for immigrants and immigrant families.

#StoptheDeportations

Montgomery College Board of Trustees Endorses Maryland Dream Act // READ RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF "VOTE FOR"

Casa de Maryland today announced that the Montgomery College Board of Trustees has passed a resolution supporting the Maryland Dream Act. Below you can read a full copy of the resolution and a letter explaining the Board's action. I've excerpted a few pertinent parts from the letter, which summarize the Dream Act provisions they endorse, as well as their rationale:

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: The Dream Act provides to undocumented students local in-state rates for tuition in Maryland community colleges (and four-year colleges with additional requirements), provided that the students can show attendance in a Maryland high school for at least three years, that their parents filed tax returns in Maryland during periods between attendance in high school and attendance at community college and that the students commit to legalizing status as soon as they are eligible. It is a confirmation and a slightly modified extension of a long observed policy of Montgomery College that granted all graduates of Montgomery County high schools local instate tuition rates....

Obama Administration to Halt Deportation of Dream Act Youths // Marylanders Respond, Plan White House Rally at 2 pm TODAY

UPDATE: At 1:15 pm today, President Obama will host a press conference to discuss this groundbreaking policy shift. You can watch it online [HERE].

Maryland politicos are abuzz with news that the Obama Administration's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced new leniency measures for young undocumented residents (Hat tip: MoCo Council Vice President Nancy Navarro). DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a memo today (see text below) indicating that Dream Act eligible students would now be allowed to apply for lawful residency and would not be priorities for deportation. The move comes days after the President's visit to Baltimore, Maryland, where dozens of residents called on the President to endorse the Maryland Dream Act. While in Baltimore, Obama stated:

BARACK OBAMA: “It’s time to stop denying citizenship to responsible young people just because they are children of” undocumented immigrants, Obama said. “This country is at its best when it harnesses the God-given talents of every individual.”

CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY: Three days after his visit to Baltimore, Obama has doubled down on his words with real action. See the DHS memo below, along with response from Maryland politicos. The halt to deportations applies to individuals who meet the following criteria:

UPCOMING EVENTS: Democratic Rallies & Parties in MoCo, HoCo, PG, Talbot // PLUS: Dream Act & COSTCO Fundraisers

UPDATE: We've added two invitations to the event round-up below. The first is the Maryland Democratic Party's Gala next Monday. The second is Montgomery County's annual peace luncheon. Details below.

Here's a random blend of invitations to upcoming events that may be of interest to Democratic or politically agnostic Maryland Juice readers. With six months to go until the November General Election, it appears that Maryland Democrats are getting ready to fire up the base:

EVENT #1: PRINCE GEORGE'S DEMOCRATIC UNITY RALLY- THU 5/10

Please join the Cardin Campaign, Maryland Democratic Party and Obama For America for a Prince George's County Unity Rally as we show our support for President Obama and Team Maryland in 2012

Featuring:

• Senator Ben Cardin
• Senator Barbara Mikulski
• Comptroller Peter Franchot
• Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer
• Representative Donna Edwards
• County Executive Rushern Baker

Thursday, May 10th - 7:00pm
IBEW Local 26, 4371 Parliament Place, Lanham, MD
RSVP:  http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpstss

EVENT #2: MONTGOMERY DEMOCRATIC UNITY RALLY - MON 5/14

Montgomery County Unity Event: Please Attend. Show Your Support for Maryland Democrats

What - Montgomery County Unity Event with Gov. O'Malley, Sen Cardin, John Delaney and our Maryland Elected Officials
When - Monday, May 14th, 6-8PM
Where - Casey Community Center, 810 S. Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg MD

RSVP: https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpb33l

EVENT #3: IMPACT SILVER SPRING BASKETBALL WITH DOUG GANSLER - SAT 5/5

Community leaders, elected officials, beverage company representatives, Silver Spring families and others will gather for an afternoon of fun and some lighthearted competition this Saturday, May 5, as IMPACT Silver Spring, Maryland soft drink bottlers and the American Beverage Association (ABA) come together to host a local celebrity basketball game!

The Maryland non-alcoholic beverage companies will also announce a partnership with IMPACT Silver Spring to expand athletic programs and promote the importance of a healthy, balanced and active lifestyle.  The Washington GreenHawks will be on hand to entertain the crowd and take to the court for some basketball action. All attendees can enter a free drawing to win an iPod Touch!

When:            Saturday, May 5, 2012,  2-4 PM (3:30 PM  Program)

Who:              Ronnie Galvin, IMPACT Silver Spring
                       Seth Goldman, Honest Tea
                       Doug Gansler, Maryland Attorney General
                       Long Branch Athletic Assocation youth participants
                       Local community leaders          
                       Representatives of Maryland soft drink companies and the ABA
                       Washington GreenHawks

Where:          Long Branch Community Center Gymnasium
                      8700 Piney Branch Road
                      Silver Spring, MD 20901

Join us earlier in the day for the Montgomery County Department of Recreation's annual Long Branch Unity Festival!

EVENT #4: MOCO DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE SPRING BALL - SAT 5/12

Attend the Annual Spring Ball And Awards Gala

The Annual Spring Ball is our most important fund-raiser. The money goes to support Democratic ideals and candidates in Montgomery County. You can help by donating unique items for the Silent Auction. Jewelry, wine, spa treatments or other glamorous items always do well!

You can also help by buying and placing an ad of congratulations, recognition or thanks in the Spring Ball Program. Most of all, you can help by attending. Remember: First Pay – First Seating basis.

Click Here to RSVP

When: Saturday May 12, 2012, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville 20852.
What: A fabulous evening of fun: A Reception, Both Live and Silent Auctions, Dinner and Dancing 

Amount: $100 per ticket.

EVENT #5: DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF TALBOT COUNTY W/ WENDY ROSEN - WED 5/16

EASTON STAR DEMOCRAT:  Wendy Rosen, the Democratic nominee for the 1st District Congressional seat, is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. May 16 at Londonderry Retirement Community on Port Street.

The Democratic Women's Club of Talbot County meeting is open to the public. Rosen is challenging incumbent Congressman Andy Harris, R-Md.-1st.

Lunch will follow a question and answer session with Rosen. Lunch reservations are recommended and are available until May 7 through Natalie Caccia at 410-822-4812....

EVENT #6: YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF MD ANNUAL FUNDRAISER W/ MIKE MILLER  - SAT 5/5

SAT 5/4 from 2-4 pm: Join us at the 4th Annual Blue State Bash fundraiser in support of the Young Democrats of Maryland as we continue our hard work across the state to engage young voters and elect Democrats. This year’s Blue State Bash will be held in Howard County at the home of Delegate Guy Guzzone.

We're pleased to share that Senate President Mike Miller will be our keynote speaker, so we know we'll be in good company. We hope to see you there!

Individual tickets are $30 and can be purchased online via http://ydmaryland.org/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=747

EVENT #7: DANCE PARTY FUNDRAISER FOR DREAM ACT DEFENSE - SAT 5/5 

CASA Dream Act Fundraiser

Friday 5/4 - 9:00pm until 2:30am

COCOCABANA BAR & GRILL

2031 University Boulevard East, Hyattsville, MD 20783

What is the DREAM Act? Maryland’s new in-state tuition law, or the “Maryland Dream Act” as it is often called, allows a specific category of students to qualify for in-state tuition at any two-year community college or four-year university in the state of Maryland regardless of their immigration status.

• http://www.casademaryland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1368
• http://www.educatingmarylandkids.org/

This fundraising event will be the Biggest Latin Social Dance in the area of MD, DC, & VA. Where everyone is welcome to be part of a great community where the main purspose is to make an impact with our future generation and to support those that are already part of the DREAM.

We will have a lot information for you about CASA's work with the community and the DREAM Act. Also, dancing lessons, special shows, and performances through the whole night!

Workshops and times:
Bachata foundation: 9:00 pm - 9:30 pm w/ Yulio & Autumn
Bachata inter/Adv: 9:30 pm - 10:00 pm w/ Yulio & Autumn

Latin Social Dance: 10:00 pm - 3:00 am

Yulio's TBR Entertainment will be keeping you on the dance floor all night long with the hottest Bachata, Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha-Cha, and more...

Shows Program:

11 pm Salsa performance w/ Omario & Margarite from the "SALSA PROJECT VA MD DC"
Slideshow photos and videos...
Presenting the DREAMERS...
12 am Bachata performance w/Yulio & Serena
Speech from one of the Maryland Dreamers

DONATION:
$10.00 minimum voluntary donation

EVENT #8: KENSINGTON COSTCO LEGAL DEFENSE DANCE PARTY FUNDRAISER  - SAT 5/5 

SUBJECT: Westfield Wheaton Costco Gas KHCA Legal Defense Dance Party

Juice, it would be great if you could give the event below a little promo. After three years of doing battle with billion-dollar bullies, we need all the help we can get. For more information, check out our YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SouGIX5uiDc
 
You are invited to a Dance Party at Kenmont Swim and Tennis Club!

Members and non-members are invited!

This Saturday May 5, 2012 - 7:30pm

The Kensington Heights Civic Association (KHCA) is sponsoring a Dance Party to raise funds to support the opposition to the Costco mega gas station proposed for Westfield Wheaton

$15 donation requested/$5 for children
in the Kenmont Clubhouse (2900 Faulkner Drive, Kensington)

Refreshments and good dance music provided; you supply the fun! This event is open to all (Kenmont membership not required), so bring your friends and family!

RSVP (so KHCA knows how many to expect) to Karen Cordry, karenc425@aol.com

EVENT #9: MARYLAND DEMOCRATIC PARTY GALA MON 5/7

VIP Reception 6:00 PM

General Reception 6:30 PM

Dinner 7:00 PM

Martins Crosswinds
7400 Greenway Center Drive
Greenbelt, MD 20770

RSVP

EVENT #10: ANNUAL MONTGOMERY COUNTY PEACE LUNCHEON  - SAT 5/19

Don’t miss Montgomery County’s annual Peace Luncheon, Sat., May 19, 11:30 a.m.  RSVP today at info@peaceactionmc.org.

Keynote speaker: the fabulous David Swanson, who will inspire you and give you hope and energy for our long struggle for peace.

Delicious Middle Eastern food, great speaker—and all to benefit two terrific organizations, one that provides services for rural Afghan women, the Afghan Women’s Fund (www.afghanwomensfund.org) and the other the national office of Peace Action (www.peace-action.org). We will present  the Maryland Peace Maker Awards, and the amazing MoCo Peace Players will make an appearance.

Suggested donation: $25 (includes lunch).

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Dr., Rockville. Directions here:  http://www.uucr.org/directions.php 

Everyone is invited, but please be sure to RSVP to info@peaceactionmc.org so that the organizers can ensure enough food for everyone!

Sponsored by Peace Action Montgomery, the UUCR Social Justice Committee, and Pax Christi.

CD6: CASA in Action and Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez Endorse Rob Garagiola for Congress

Press Release

CASA in Action and Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez 
Endorse Rob Garagiola for Congress

GERMANTOWN, MD – Today, citing his work with the Latino community and his bold leadership on Maryland’s version of the DREAM Act, Casa in Action, the political arm of Casa de Maryland, and Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez endorsed Rob Garagiola for Congress in Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District.

“Senator Garagiola has worked with the Latino community to make sure our voices are heard in the halls of the State House. Rob Garagiola’s display of leadership on Maryland’s version of the DREAM Act proves that he is the type of effective legislator and bold visionary we need in Congress,” said Gustavo Torres, President of Casa in Action. “Latinos all across Maryland’s Sixth Congressional District know that when we elect Rob Garagiola to Congress, he’ll be an effective advocate and get results for our families and communities,” concluded Torres.

“I’m excited to have the endorsements of Casa in Action and Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez.  During my time in the Maryland State Senate, I’ve been a staunch supporter of  working families who yearn for the American Dream, whether they are families with deep roots who are looking for a renewal of the American Dream or those families who are pursuing it for the first time. When I become a Congressman, I’ll work to institute a path to citizenship for the millions of children of undocumented workers that work hard in school, get good grades, and want a fair chance to make their American Dream come true. We all deserve a chance at a better life for ourselves and our families,” Senator Garagiola said.

In 2011, Senator Garagiola was a sponsor of Maryland’s version of the DREAM Act, a bill that gives every student in Maryland an opportunity to pursue higher education at a fair rate. Casa in Action is the leading advocacy organization for the Latino community in Maryland. Just last week, Rob Garagiola was endorsed by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County.

Rob Garagiola is the only candidate in the Primary Election to be endorsed by a Democratic organization or a union.

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Casa de Maryland Responds to Planned Deportation of Jorge Steven Acuna // Hundreds to Rally in Rockville: WED @ 3:30 PM

PRESS RELEASE (en español)

Hundreds of Students, Teachers & Community Members Call on ICE to 

Halt Deportation of a Maryland Dream Act Student & His Family 

Case of family of 3 from Germantown, MD sparks a grassroots revolution of support

• WHAT: Press Conference, rally and vigil
• WHERE: Rockville Town Square, Rockville, MD 20850
• WHEN: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 3:30 P.M.
• WHO: Friends and family of Jorge Steven Acuña, Members of St. Rose of Lima church, St. Martins church, Mother Seton Parish, Northwest High School Teachers, Montgomery College Professors, Soccer Coaches, Hundreds of students, Members of the community, CASA de Maryland

Rockville, MD - This Wednesday, hundreds of students, community members, faith leaders, and teachers will join together to urge justice for the Acuña family. On March 8th 2012, Blanca, Jorge Sr., and Jorge Steven Acuña were taken from their home by immigration agents and are now being held at Snow Hill Detention Center in a maximum security unit.

The Acuña family came to the United States in 2001 to escape the political violence of their home country of Colombia. Moving first to Florida then to Montgomery County, Maryland, they quickly adopted to their new community buying a home, working multiple jobs to support the family, and getting active in their church St. Rose of Lima in Gaithersburg. Jorge Steven started his education at the grade school level in the United States, graduated with a 3.8 GPA from Northwest High School in Germantown, and started his studies at Montgomery College this year where he has made the Dean's List, excelling in academics and athletics. Jorge's dream is to go to Johns Hopkins and become a surgeon.

When the Acuñas came to the United States, they applied for asylum. Despite the tens of thousands they spent on representation, their case did not receive adequate legal attention from their attorney who was later disbarred. Asylum was denied and last week ICE officials came to pick the family up, putting the star student in leg irons for transport to the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.

“This terrible news is sending shockwaves through our community not just because the Acuñas are productive members of our society, but especially because of the loss of a young, inspiring, and successful college student,” said Julio Castillo, a classmate, teammate and close friend of Jorge’s. “This must stop with Jorge”

Hours after his detention, Jorge’s friends and family organized an impressive social media campaign with viral videos and photos. Within 48 hours their online petition gathered almost 5,000 signatures while their twitter campaign #JSA is trending as one of the most talked about topics in the Washington D.C. Metro area. They have gained the attention of thousands across our county and state prompting a unanimous statement of support from the Montgomery County Council.

“It is good to see hope in jail, a place where I never see daylight,” said Jorge Steven to his supporters when they visited him in an Eastern Shore detention center over the weekend.

In late August of last year, the Obama administration announced it planned to review cases of people currently in removal proceedings and focus their resources only on the highest priorities. In other words, DREAM ACT- students, relatives of veterans, victims of domestic violence and other individuals would be able to stay in the country and get work permits. Actions tomorrow will draw attention and recruit supporters to the cause of the Acuña family while continuing to highlight the impact of the broken immigration system on local communities.

Links:

• Online petition: www.lethimstay.net
• Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/300409916692389/
• Twitter: #JSA

Marylander of the Year Nominations from CASA de Maryland, Patch.com and Delegate Eric Luedtke

UPDATE: Kim Propeack of CASA nominates the DOJ's Tom Perez below. Her shout-out to Perez notes his investigation of controversial Sheriff Joe Arpaio below. You can read more about Sheriff Joe in the latest Tea Party newsletter. He's launching an independent investigation into Obama's birth certificate! 

[ See All of the "Marylander of the Year" Nominations ]

This is the 2nd installation of our inaugural Marylander of the Year project. In the spirit of TIME Magazine's annual "Person of the Year" article, we are asking various Marylanders for their thoughts on who has been most influential or impactful in the amazing Free State/Old Line State. Contact Maryland Juice to share your own thoughts (either anonymously or publicly). Below, we print three more nominations. They come from Maryland legislator Eric Luedkte, Casa de Maryland's political director Kim Propeack and Doug Tallman, Patch.com's regional editor for Maryland & Virginia:

DREAM ACT: Update on CASA de Maryland's Lawsuit Against 2012 Rightwing Referendum

Last week, Maryland Juice (haphazardly) wrote about CASA de Maryland's lawsuit to stop a referendum against the Dream Act in 2012. The law would grand in-state tuition to Maryland children regardless of immigration status, but rightwing groups gathered signatures to put the Dream Act on the ballot in 2012. CASA challenged the referendum on multiple grounds, and we previously noted that they dropped one aspect of the legal challenge. Andrew Schotz of the Hagerstown Herald Mail updates us on the story:

The Maryland General Assembly passed an in-state tuition bill in April, and Gov. Martin O'Malley signed it into law. To qualify, illegal immigrants must meet a series of standards, such as graduating from a Maryland high school, then attending a community college....

MdPetitions.com submitted 108,923 signatures that were considered valid — roughly twice the required minimum.

About one-third of the signatures were obtained through a website that retrieved voter information from a database, lessening the chance of having an invalid petition....

The plaintiffs ... challenged the successful referendum effort on two grounds.

One was that the referendum organizers used an illegitimate online signature-gathering process and also collected other invalid signatures in person.

On that point, Joseph Sandler, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said the website system was the main concern. However, the plaintiffs realized that even if all of the signatures collected through the website process were invalidated, there still would be enough signatures for the referendum effort to succeed, he said....

The plaintiffs' second point of contention, which remains active, is that the in-state tuition law is an appropriations measure and, as such, not subject to referendum....

A motions hearing is scheduled for Jan. 27 in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis.

Some Maryland legal experts I've spoken to think that CASA's primary legal argument is a very serious claim. Essentially, because the bill affects appropriations, the argument is that the law is not subject to referendum. More on the Dream Act lawsuit soon!

CASA Ends Court Fight Against Dream Act? // Tuition Law May Head to 2012 Ballot

CASA Responds: Dream Act Lawsuit Alive! // News Report Incorrect , One Aspect of Lawsuit Dropped

UPDATE: One knowledgeable source believes the lawsuit may still be alive. A second knowledgeable source agrees and says Casa has only modified the suit. A third knowledgeable source writes the following: 

"The legal actions dropped the challenge to signatures.  The lawsuit challenging the validity of being able to bring the issue to the ballot is still in court.  Maryland does not allow appropriation-related items to be petitioned to the ballot.  The Dream Act had a fiscal note and an appropriation impact, so that still needs to be decided by the court."

Maryland Juice will poke around for more information....

Your4State.com/WHAG reports that Casa de Maryland has ended its fight to block a 2012 referendum on Maryland's Dream Act. Their article is headlined "Casa de Maryland Drops Challenge, Dream Act May Go To Referendum." Here is a clip from the article:

Voters may get a chance to repeal the Maryland Dream Act.

The law allows some students to get in-state-tuition, even if they are illegal aliens....

Casa-de-Maryland is an organization that supports immigrant groups. The organization initially challenged the validity of the signatures collected on the  MDPetitions.com site; however, according to Judicial Watch, Casa de Maryland dropped the challenge that questioned the validity of the signatures.

The latest move means voters may have the chance to support or reject the law on the ballot in November 2012.

MD Conservative Says Prince George's, Montgomery, Baltimore are "Axis of Evil" // Plus, GOP Uses O'Malley 2016 to Plug Dream Act Repeal

UPDATE: The Potomac Tea Party blog had this comment on Maryland Juice's coverage: "The “progressive” Maryland Juice gives us a look at the protesters outside in the rain.... Note that the Muslims (maybe all two of them) were supported by Quakers.... Also, remember that it was the Quakers (in the Sanctuary Movement) primarily behind the creation of CASA de Maryland (Bette Rainbow Hoover)!" Guess you can add Quakers to the Tea Party's list of enemies.

Earlier this month, Maryland Juice published a letter from a number of anti-discrimination groups condemning yesterday's Maryland Conservative Action Network conference. Several of Maryland's GOP elected officials were scheduled to attend and speak at the event, so the letter's signers called on them to pull out and planned to protest the event. Our earlier coverage noted great controversy due to the event's speaking lineup, which included a number of well-known extremist speakers. Several national progressive blogs and organizations criticized the event in the days leading up: Huffington Post, Think Progress, Southern Poverty Law Center, etc.

Quakers, Muslims and concerned residents protest the Maryland Conservative Action Network (MDCAN) Conference

The Capital Gazette covered the event and highlighted a number of statements from speakers. We reprint a few choice selections below, but first note this introductory comment:

Event organizer Tonya Tiffany of Howard County said the gathering was not meant to stir anti-Muslim sentiment.... She said the real purpose of the conference was to prod the Republican Party into becoming more conservative. "The Maryland Republican Party is too liberal," Tiffany said.

Former Del. Saqib Ali called into question this "reasonable" facade and provided the paper this quote:

"This stuff is unhinged. The things these people are saying is not unlike what the Ku Klux Klan says, and the KKK can't show its face in polite society."

Maryland Juice will let readers judge the MDCAN speakers comments for themselves. Here are the excerpts from the Gazette coverage:

Gays, Muslims, Immigrants Unite to Oppose Extremist Conference // CD6 GOP Candidate Sen. Shank a Featured Speaker

"A gay man, a muslim, and an illegal undocumented immigrant walk into a bar..."

...and write a letter telling GOP legislators "to strongly reconsider their decisions" 

to attend an upcoming extremist conference in Annapolis, Maryland.

This week, Equality Maryland, CASA de Maryland, the Islamic Society of Annapolis, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) denounced an October 29th conference hosted by the Maryland Conservative Action Network (MDCAN).

Together, the groups stated, "We unquestionably uphold the right of free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. However, we cannot remain silent when bigots and hate-mongers come to our communities to spread their lies and intolerance." They called on the following elected officials to reconsider their plans to speak: Senator Christopher Shank, Delegates Kathy Afzali, Patrick McDonough, and Neil Parrot. We reprint their full letter below, but already it has drawn the ire of our Tea Party counterparts in the blogosphere (see ie: Potomac Tea Party Reports).

TONIGHT: Homeland Security Hosts DC Area Hearings on Deportation Program - Will MD Officials Speak Out?

UPDATE: Washington Post coverage of the DHS hearings:  "Maria Bolanos told [ICE]... that she was arrested after calling police in Maryland during a fight with her partner.... Now she’s facing deportation because her fingerprints were shared with immigration authorities and she was identified as an illegal immigrant as part of the Secure Communities program....  200 people walked out of the meeting, chanting “end it, don’t amend it.” 

Earlier this week, my friends at the Bill of Rights Defense Committee alerted me to tonight's DC-area Department of Homeland Security public hearing. DHS is gathering input on their controversial "Secure Communities" deportation program (see email alert below). We discuss what the fuss is all about in greater depth below, but first a little bit of political background on the issue.

At issue is DHS's program asking local law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of people they detain. People flagged as present without documentation could be instantly whisked away by immigration officials (note: currently deportation occurs whether or not they are guilty of the crime in question -- they may even be the crime victim!)

Democratic Governors in Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts have ensured their states refused to participate in "Secure Communities." Will Maryland officials follow?

CASA in Action Announces Baltimore City Endorsements

Latino advocacy organization CASA in Action has announced the following endorsement recommendations in the upcoming Baltimore City primary election. Contrary to any mailings you may have received, Primary Election Day is Tuesday, September 13, 2011. Voting hours are from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm (voting information here).

The organization describes itself as follows:

CASA in Action facilitates greater electoral and campaign engagement by Latinos and immigrants in Maryland by focusing uncompromisingly on providing political education to Latinos and getting them to the polls.

Baltimore elects 14 councilmembers, each representing a single member district for a four-year term. The President of the Council, along with the Mayor, are elected at-large. The current Council is 100% Democratic. Note: According to the most recent census data, a little over 4% of Baltimore City residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.

Below, CASA has issued no endorsement recommendation in Districts 7, 9, 10, 11, and 13. A recommendation is pending in District 2. The remaining endorsees are incumbents, except for one. In District 12 CASA recommends community activist Odette Ramos over Carl Stokes. Stokes had decided to run for re-election after flirting with a Mayoral bid.

CASA in Action's Endorsement Recommendations: