EVENTS!

APRIL 16
UPMC, Blue Ribbon Winner for Largest Tax Exemptions!
When: Monday, April 16, 2012 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: Wood Street Subway Station, Pittsburgh PA
What: Call out UPMC for being a for-profit masquerading as a nonprofit.
http://onepittsburgh.org/2012/03/23/upmc-blue-ribbon-winner-for-largest-tax-exemptions/

APRIL 17
National Tax Day
When: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 12:00 pm - 2;00 pm
Where: Market square
What: Tax-dodger dodge ball. The 99% vs. the 1%, who will win??? Come play!
http://onepittsburgh.org/2012/03/23/national-tax-day/

OfA Pittsburgh South Side Office Opening
When: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: South Side OFA Pennsylvania Office, 1105 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203
What: Obama for America will officially open their second field office in Pittsburgh. RSVP here.

APRIL 18
EQT Shareholder Meeting
When: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Where: 625 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, United States, 15222
What: Millions in drilling revenue, but delinquent on their taxes?
http://onepittsburgh.org/2012/03/23/eqt-shareholder-meeting/ (possibly overlaps marcellus / drilling themed protest)

Voter ID Collective Action
When: Wednesday, April 18th at NOON
Where: Downtown DMV License Center, 708 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh 15222.
What: Needed: Rally attendees with signs, people who are impacted disproportionately by the new Voter ID law, to line up outside the door of PennDOT Drivers License Center. Who else should come? All defenders of voting rights, those who need ID or want to help people get ID. Volunteers & supporters to assist, observe, and talk with people who are coming to the DMV center in order to get the free photo ID they will need in order to vote.

APRIL 19
Democracy for Pittsburgh Monthly Meeing/MoveOn Monthly Meeting
When: Thursday, April 19, evening: 6:45 DFA/DFP, 7 PM MoveOn
Where: Steelworkers, USW building, Five Gateway Center, 9th floor, 60 Blvd of the Allies, Pittsburgh PA 15222
What: Montly meetings

Meet-and-Greet with Patrick Murphy
When: Thursday, April 19, 5:30pm until 7:30pm
Where: Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
What: Councilor Bill Peduto will host a Meet-and-Greet with Patrick Murphy (running in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Pennsylvania)
RSVP: Email breen@billpeduto.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/events/288170647925126/
Murphy Website: http://www.murphyforpa.com


Post Updated: 4/17/12

Rallies and Protests and Press Conferences, Oh My!

Looks like folks are awakening to the assault on, well, everyone (who isn't super rich)! Women, children, union members, the middle class, the working class and the working poor, public transit riders -- unless you're Donald Trump -- the Republicans have some plan to screw you.

We're not "special interests" when we are the majority!

Please attend any of these that you can:

THURSDAY, 2/24/11
Impacts of Proposed U.S. Budget Cuts on Pittsburgh Jobs & Families Press Conference (This is for the media)
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: WGF Office, Landmarks Building, 100 W. Station Square Drive, Suite 315
WHAT: Via press release [edited]: "Women and Girls Foundation hosts. Southwest PA organizations, their local workers and service recipients, would be directly impacted by the drastic cuts included in H.R. 1 which slashes billions of dollars of funding resulting in the elimination of millions of jobs and services for working families in our region. Federal programs impacted range from early childhood education and college financial aid to nutritional assistance for infants, veterans housing, public broadcasting, and reproductive healthcare. It eliminates federal funding for Planned Parenthood and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and it defunds the implementation of health care reform and EPA pollution enforcement. It now moves to the Senate for vote later this month. Representatives from the following organizations will speak: Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children, Fair Housing Partnership, Just Harvest, WQED Multimedia, Women’s Center & Shelter, PennFuture, Planned Parenthood, Adagio Health, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Community Services, Action United, ACLU Pittsburgh, SEIU, Women’s Law Project, New Voices Pittsburgh, National Council of Jewish Women, National Organization for Women, Pennsylvania Health Access Network, and Health Care for America Now. (Members of the media are asked to RSVP if you plan to attend.)"

MoveOn / Democracy for Pittsburgh: Invest in America!
TIME: 11:30 AM;11:45 AM
WHERE: Gather @ Aldo Coffee Shop, 675 Washington Road, Pittsburgh (Mt. Lebanon), PA 15228; Proceed to Office of Rep. Murphy, which is at 504 Washington Road, Pittsburgh (Mt. Lebanon), Pa 15228
WHAT: "We are going to go to Rep. Murphy and let him know that cutting billions from funding health care, education, and science will do nothing to turn our economy around, but it will hurt the other 98% of us that are barely getting through the worst recession since the Great Depression. We will go to the office of Rep. Murphy with our Invest in America message, and share our personal stories of why we need support for our broken economy and communities." Please RSVP for the event by clicking on the link below: http://pol.moveon.org/event/invest2011/112639

“Fighting For the American Dream” Rally
Stand in Solidarity with the Wisconsin Workers
TIME: Noon (lunch provided)
WHERE: USW International HQ, Downtown Pittsburgh, 5 Gateway Center, 60 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh PA
WHAT: "Our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin and other states are in a fight for the very survival of their jobs and their union. This is our moment to stand and show solidarity with them and let their Governor and the extremist organizations financing these attacks know: WE STAND TOGETHER! "


FRIDAY, 2/25/11
People's Rally For Public Transportation
TIME: 8:30 - 11:30 AM
WHERE: Mellon Square Park, 6th & Smithfiled, Downtown Pittsburgh PA
WHAT: Protest the drastic cutbacks in public transit.


SATURDAY, 2/26/11
Rally to Save the American Dream, Harrisburg, PA
TIME: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
WHERE: Capitol Steps, 3rd St., Harrisburg, PA 17101
WHAT: "Americans who believe in the right to organize are standing up on Saturday. It's time to stop the dismantling of organizations opposed to the right wing agenda."
RSVP: http://www.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=112822&is_manage=1

Ugh!

I guess that this is not exactly unexpected, but still, yeesh!
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Democracy for Pgh Endorses Sestak & Hoeffel, NOW Endorses Sestak

...
A couple of Joes
The Allegheny County Democratic Committee (ACDC) is holding their primary endorsement process right now, but progressives may want to consider these recent endorsements:

NOW PAC has endorsed Rep. Joe Sestak for the U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania.

Democracy for Pittsburgh has endorsed Rep. Joe Sestak for the U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania.

Democracy for Pittsburgh has endorsed Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel for Governor of Pennsylvania

http://joehoeffel2010.com

http://joesestak.com
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Democracy for Pittsburgh Endorsements

Democracy for Pittsburgh (DfP) is holding their endorsement votes this week. You qualify to vote if you have been to two DfP meetups and/or DfP sponsored events since Feb. 2009.

The vote will be held at Tazza d’Oro on March 3rd. However, if you can't make that, you can mail in your vote (better make it fast!). Instructions and ballot are here.

Also -- of interest to non DfP members -- you can find candidate responses to DfP's questionnaire at that same link.
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BRESMA Orphanage Update (Updated 5x)

UPDATE 5: Most recent news here (1/18/10, 6:30 AM ET).

UPDATE 4: 10/17/10, 4:30 AM ET, from the sister-in-law of the McMutrie sisters:
UPDATE 3: 10/16/10, 10:27 PM ET:
UPDATE 2: They are now out of water. Contact anyone you can to help.

UPDATE: Very lastest update from the family via Facebook is here:

i'm sure you all know that the girls were on CNN (Anderson Cooper) last night. even though the show was on at night, they talked to the girls much much much earlier in the day. since then the babies have started to get very sick. the girls have started to get sick. the fact that CNN has found and interviewed them, unfortunately, doesn't mean much...call your senators. and donate. the senators and political higher ups are now involved. but, that doesn't mean that you should stop harassing them. we need them to stay involved. we need them to stay passionate about this cause. especially now that it's the weekend. so please just keep calling. call and call and call and call. email and email and email.

For how you can help, see here.For CNN video, see here.For WAPO article, see here.

Stories in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review this morning agree that former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan claims that she has obtained "a humanitarian parole"/"one of two key permits" to allow the children of the BRESMA orphanage in Haiti to come to the US. Both articles also quote Rep. Jason Altmire on his efforts (along with Gov. Ed Rendell, Sen. Bob Casey, Sen. Arlen Specter and Rep. Mike Doyle) to secure passage for the children.

However, the P-G positions Buchanan's efforts as "one part of a two-prong push to get permission for the children to enter the country early" (with Altmire & others as the other prong), while the Trib has a somewhat different slant:

...Rep. Jason Altmire said he and other government officials -- including those in the White House -- knew nothing of such plans [speaking of Buchanan's efforts] and still were trying to secure the permits.

Bram Reichbaum of The Pittsburgh Comet blog was assisting Mary Beth Buchanan last night. I asked him (via email) if the two factions were working at cross purposes or if it's just a matter of everyone attacking the problem from different angles with their own resources (which could maximize the chances of pulling off a rescue). Bram answered as follows:

It was DEFINITELY different channels and not cross-purposes. We definitely got the impression that some Dems weren't thrilled with our attempts, but I never once got the impression either effort was screwing up the other one. If anyone succeeds in getting some aid thru it'll all be worth it.

For the record though we didn't know about what Jason Altmire was doing any more than he knew about our effort. ;) Cong. Tim Murphy was our man on the inside, called us every hour or so.

For those who don't know it, Buchanan -- a Republican -- may be a challenger for Democrat Altmire's House seat.

I say: The more the merrier.

I'm trusting that everyone has the best intentions and KUDOS to all of them for trying to work a miracle. However, it's likely going to be easier -- and nothing is the least bit easy in any of this -- to get the 30 children who are already well into the adoption process with American sponsors into the country than the 120 who don't already have future US homes. Jamie and Ali McMutrie have expressed their intentions to get all 150 children out together as a group because any child left behind would face a high risk of death.

BRESMA is running out of water and food and the children and staff are not safe. Let's hope all the parties involved can work some magic and that all of you reading this who have called and emailed these public leaders keep up the pressure.

NOTE: Photo removed at the request of the tweeter/photographer.
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The Goals We Share (tailgate / potluck)

The Goals We Share (tailgate / potluck)
Sat. July 26, rain or shine, 11-3:30

Please come to "The Goals We Share," a family-friendly, alcohol-free potluck/tailgate at West Penn Ballfield at the edge of Polish Hill.

This was an unusual spring where the super-heated rhetoric of primary politics hit Pittsburgh hard. Lets eat together, relax together, and talk to each other, in a low-key way, to re-find our common ground. Bring a dish (optional), family, friends, "fun stuff" (soft frisbees, musical instruments) and goodwill.

Various groups are invited, but the focus is on us…as people.

RSVP online at http://crush3r.com/page/mygmfcbpri or for more info & another RSVP link (requires sign-up), go to http://tinyurl.com/DFP-Goals-potluck Want to RSVP for several people at once? Leave a message at (412)731-7020 (voice mail).

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EVENTS!

March 5, 2008

Phonebanking for Hillary Clinton
WHAT: Phonebanking for Hillary
WHEN: TODAY! Wednesday March 5, 2008, 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: AFSCME, 116 Blvd of Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

For more info, and additional phonebanking days, contact Stephanie Rex @ srex@hillaryclinton.com

Democracy for Pittsburgh Meeting
WHAT: Democracy for Pittsburgh Meeting
WHEN: TODAY! Wednesday March 5, 2008, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: Mario's / Blue Lou's, 1514 East Carson Street, Pittsburgh (South Side) PA 15203

Agenda: meet a candiate / possible candidate endorsement (local race). Brainstorm on mitigating the P.O. / voter registration fiasco. Show up for more details!

RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=28119


March 6, 2008

The PA League of Young Voters Membership Kick-off Event
WHAT: Brand New Membership Program + Kick-off Event Today!
WHEN: Thursday, March 6th, 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM
WHERE: The Shadow Lounge, 5972 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh PA 15206

$10/$5 with new membership pledge! The League is launching a membership program. It will be a whole new way for their supporters to help sustain the League's efforts while gaining more access to local politics and the inside League scoop. It's a 5-part showcase with the best of the best local performers -- click here to see the full lineup -- and click here to see the initial membership benefits.

If you can't attend the event Thursday, you can still sign up to be a new member. For more information about membership, please contact carly@theleague.com


March 8, 2008

Canvass for Obama
WHAT: Canvass for Obama
WHEN: Saturday, March 8, 2008, 10:30 AM
WHERE: Starbucks McKnight - Siebert, 4885 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Join the Ross/West View team as they try and register voters in a door to door canvass this Saturday. They will have walk lists directed at registering Independents to Vote for Obama on April 22nd.

Contact: Shea McKinney, 412-403-0768 or shea_mckinney@comcast.net to confirm. RSVP: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/4rdg9


March 13, 2008

Sierra Club creating its own PAC - Kick off Party!
WHAT: Sierra Club creating its own PAC - Kick off on Thursday, March 13
WHEN: Thursday, March 13, 2008, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
WHERE: WYEP Community Broadcast Center, 67 Bedford Square, Pittsburgh PA 15203 (Southside, 12th Street)

Refreshment and drink, plus music by Devilish Merrie. Suggested contribution: $25. Payable at the door. Mingle with special guests State Representatives Dave Levdansky and Matt Smith, and Pittsburgh City Councilmen Patrick Dowd, Bruce Kraus, and Bill Peduto, all of whom the Allegheny Group proudly helped elect.

"In recent years the Allegheny Group has carefully selected candidates who we can confidently endorse. Those endorsements have generally resulted in our organizing an electoral campaign to support each candidate. However, we have found that the funds available from the Pennsylvania Chapter have limited the extent of these particular campaigns. Therefore, for the first time ever, we are creating our own Political Action Fund to support candidates for local state and Council offices in SW Pennsylvania. Our goal is to create a fund of $1,000 to help pay for mailings, phone banks, room rental, house parties, etc."

Info/RSVP: Peter Wray - pjwray@verizon.net with "Fund Raiser" as the subject.
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EVENT TODAY: Summer fun and…Alberto Gonzales?

WHAT: Alberto Gonzales Impeachment Rally in Downtown Pittsburgh by Democracy for Pittsburgh
WHEN: Thursday, June 21, 2007, 12:15 PM to 12:30 PM
WHERE: Mellon Square: 6th and William Penn (corner of park), Pittsburgh PA 15219

Summertime is starting. It’s time for sun and games.

Fifty-three senators will enjoy the independence day recess feeling good about their vote to censure Alberto Gonzales. After the recess, it will be Congress’s turn to take up the job of impeaching Mr. Gonzales.

Right now, it’s our turn to move the issue from the Senate to the House.

In this happy moment as summer begins, Democracy for Pittsburgh invites everyone!

Come to a lunchtime “flash event”—15 minutes of summer fun—and help us “put impeachment on the table.” Table will be provided.

Meet by 12:15 at Mellon Square (the corner by 6th and William Penn) downtown Pittsburgh, for this 15 minute event.

No speeches, just brief fun. Gonzales masks and signs welcome. Other “candidates for impeachment” welcome.

You can RSVP here or just show up!

UPDATE: Want a Gonzales mask to wear today's event? Right click on the picture below to save it to your PC. Then you can copy it into a Word file and stretch it there to fit. Then you simply need to print it up and cut it out and add string/ribbon to the holes indicated on both sides of the mask (above the ears).



UPDATE 2: You can see pictures of the event here.
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Democracy for Pittsburgh Meeting Tonight!

WHAT: Democracy for Pittsburgh June Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, June 6th 7:00 PM
WHERE: Mario's Southside Saloon, 1514 Carson Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203

Items on the agenda include:

Proposals: Supporting The Thomas Merton Center's petition to the county and/or city council calling for a resolution to End the War vs. starting a DfP impeachment petition for presentation to the county and/or city council

National DFA is calling for the impeachment of Alberto Gonzales and is supporting an online petition to that end. http://impeachgonzales.org

Attending Michael Moore's new film on healthcare in the US, "Sicko," as a group, and handing out educational flyers. The movie opens nationwide on Friday, June 29.

And more!

You can RSVP at http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=19997 or just show up!

Maybe you'll even see me there...

Democracy for Pittsburgh Endorsements

The results of the Democracy for Pittsburgh endorsement vote are in:

Allegheny County Chief Executive:
Rick Swartz, http://www.citizensforswartz.com

Mayor:
"Do Not Endorse" *

County Council District 13:
Brenda Frazier, http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07108/778789-183.stm **

City Council District 1:
Robin Rosemary Miller, http://www.robinrosemarymiller.com

City Council District 3:
Bruce Kraus, http://www.brucekraus.net

City Council District 7:
Patrick Dowd, http://www.dowdforpittsburgh.org

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas:
Cathleen Bubash, http://judgebubash.com
Wrenna Leigh Watson, http://www.wrennawatson.com
Joe Williams, http://www.joewilliams4judge.com
Jack McVay, http://www.jackmcvay.com

* Voters had the option to "Abstain" or to "Do Not Endorse" in races.

** If Brenda Frazier has a website that I've missed, please let me know.

Candidates needed to receive at least 70% of the vote to achieve endorsement so no endorsement was reached in some of the races up for consideration. According to DfP, the non-endorsees received less than 50% at most, and almost all of the endorsees got 85% or more.

Democracy for Pittsburgh is the coalition group for the Pittsburgh area for Democracy for America.

National Website for DfP: www.dfalink.com/pittsburgh
Blog: http://www.pghdfa.org

Disclosure: I am on the Organizing Committee for Democracy for Pittsburgh.

Democracy for Pittsburgh Meeting This Evening

Event Title: Democracy for Pittsburgh Monthly Meetup
Event Type: DFA-Link Meeting
Event Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Event Time: 7:00 PM
Venue Name: Mario's South Side Saloon (upstairs)
Address: 1514 E Carson St
City: Pittsburgh
State: PA
Zip Code: 15203
Phone Number: 412-381-5610

Join Democracy for Pittsburgh for a visibility event for our endorsed statewide candidates Chuck Pennacchio and Valerie McDonald Roberts. Hold signs and pass out lit along E. Carson St. from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3. Meet in front of Mario's South Side Saloon, 1514 E. Carson St. Then stick around for the monthy DFA meeting upstairs in the party room. Our guests will be members of Western PA for Pennacchio to fill us in on what we can do to make sure Chuck wins May 16.

R.S.V.P. here!