EVENTS: Maryland Juice Goes Public Friday in Silver Spring // PLUS: Democratic Candidate Trainings & Panels with Politicos

UPDATE: I almost forgot to mention, the Greater Silver Spring Democratic Club's annual barbecue is this Saturday, September 22 from  2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Lt. Gov Anthony  Brown and Attorney General Doug Gansler will be speaking at the event: Indian Spring Terrace Recreation Center - 9717 Lawndale Drive, Silver Spring, MD, 20901.

Here is a random assembly of events that may be of interest to Maryland Juice readers -- starting with a fireside chat with Maryland Juice this Friday in Silver Spring:

Join Maryland Juice this FRI at Silver Spring's Kefa Cafe

#1: FRIDAY 9/21 // MARYLAND JUICE GOES PUBLIC - This Friday, Just Up the Pike blogger Dan Reed is hosting a discussion titled, "Unusual Suspects: Seeking Inclusive Civic Engagement in Silver Spring." Maryland Juice (aka David Moon) is speaking at this event, and I encourage you to come take part in the debate. Just Up the Pike printed the following invitation:

JUST UP THE PIKE: Back in July, I wrote a post on the challenges of engaging often underrepresented groups, like young people and immigrants, in local affairs. We can get them involved with the right issue, like last year's curfew debate, but as Takoma Park City Councilmember Seth Grimes points out, many folks just don't have the the time, the money or the wherewithal to participate in a citizens' advisory board or a public hearing.

How can we do better? I'm joining up with Amy Kincaid, the curator of Space 7:10 at Kefa Café in downtown Silver Spring, to talk it out. Next Friday from 6:30 to 8:30pm, we're hosting a community roundtable called "Unusual Suspects: Seeking Inclusive Civic Engagement in Silver Spring."

It's an intimate discussion; as those who've been to Space 7:10 know, it's the size of a large kitchen cabinet. Nonetheless, we've invited some local community leaders and activists, like Abigail Burman from Stand Up to the MoCo Curfew and David Moon from Maryland Juice to talk about their successes and how we can make a more inclusive decision-making process.

Come out and enjoy Kefa's awesome coffee and treats. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, visit Space 7:10's website or email me at justupthepike at gmail dot com.

"Unusual Suspects: Seeking Inclusive Civic Engagement in Silver Spring"
Friday, September 21
6:30 to 8:30pm
Space 7:10 at Kefa Café
963 Bonifant Street (at Georgia Avenue)
Downtown Silver Spring

Former MoCo Democratic Party Chair Karen Britto Says Party Leader Trying to "Divide & Conquer" Maryland Minorities

Maryland Juice previously reported that Karen Britto, the former Chair of Montgomery County's Democratic Central Committee, was organizing an effort to encourage more racial and ethnic minorities to seek elected office. She recently held two gatherings of minority elected officials and political activists, which each brought dozens and dozens of MoCo residents together to discuss the 2014 Democratic primaries in Maryland.

GUEST COMMENTARY FROM KAREN BRITTO: In a strange twist, we received a guest post from Ms. Britto this week. She alleges that an unnamed "elected official" is trying to "divide and conquer" groups that might get involved with her effort.

GUEST POST - Divide and Conquer People of Color?

by Karen Britto // former Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Chair

After a successful People of Color summit was held to elect Democrats in 2014 and beyond – The People of Color Coalition were well aware that efforts to draw a wedge between our group could ensue.  Well, it has happened.

Montgomery County Minorities Begin 2014 Political Organizing // Photos & Quotes: Numerous Elected Officials Seek Change

Karen Britto on Democratic candidate recruitment in 2014 and beyond: "We are stamping out the succession line."

BACKGROUND: Yesterday I had the opportunity to participate in a "People of Color" summit organized by former Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee Chair Karen Britto. This was the second such event Britto organized in recent months, and the gathering drew participation from a large chunk of MoCo's minority elected officials and political activists. As Britto stated in front of the audience of over one-hundred activists and officials, a broad outreach effort is needed for Montgomery County's minority communities. She noted that many are unaware that "the Democratic primary is the only game in Montgomery County. That is practically the whole election." Last March, we printed a press release describing the broad goals of the new electoral coalition (excerpt below):

DISRUPTION: Former Montgomery County Democratic Party Chair Announces Campaign to Elect Candidates of Color in 2014

Maryland Juice just received a forwarded copy of the following press release. It comes from Karen Britto, the former Chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE