Today Jan 9 Rally Of Unity Greets Legislators In Capitol #mepolitics

One of today's speakers, Nicole Moreau, spoke March 20, 2012 in the Hall of Flags

about the burden of student debt her generation.

******FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE******

January 9, 2014; 1pm

Hall of Flags, State House, Augusta

Contact: Meg Gilmartin

Phone: 495.3648

Email: meg.gilmartin4@gmail.com

YOUNG PEOPLE SPEAK OUT AT SECOND ANNUAL RALLY OF UNITY

Augusta -- Today over a hundred Maine citizens and representatives from over twenty organizations are joining forces at the State House's Hall of Flags for the second annual Rally of Unity. This year's theme is Young People Speak Out; featuring Maine's youth, voicing their concerns, hopes, and the need for unity. Following the rally attendees will lobby their legislators about specific bills during this emergency session.

The Rally of Unity is a collaborative demonstration of the Alliance for Common Good, an ad-hoc coalition of over 20 environmental and social justice groups assembling as a unified front to give voice to the majority of Maine people and to push back against corporate dominance in government, with hopes to organize into the future. All individuals and groups are unified under the principles of: Maine Money and Resources for People, not Corporations; A Maine Economy that Protects the Environment; and, Money Out of Politics.

The Rally of Unity features a diverse group of organizations and issues from across the political spectrum bringing Maine people's opinions to their legislators. Some issues highlighted include divestment from fossil fuels, South Portland's fight to stop tar sands transport, Nestle's water extraction in Fryeburg, amending the constitution to give people more rights than corporations, stopping the East-West Corridor, health care for all, and more.

“With partisanship rapidly destroying our political system, it is important for Maine people to unify around what we believe in and start taking action together. Big corporations and the government are complicit with each other, so solving problems is not as simple as electing an official to meet our needs. Neither entity is acting in the best interest of Maine's people,” stated Meg Gilmartin, an Alliance for Common Good spokesperson.

“Last year's Rally of Unity brought together people from all over Maine concerned about the future of our state," said Lisa Savage, co-coordinator of the Bring Our War $$ Home campaign. Corporate control of government means budget cuts that close the only homeless shelter for teens in Somerset County, meanwhile giving tax breaks to already wealthy corporations like General Dynamics. We need to speak up to let our legislators know our priorities."

“This year at the Rally of Unity, we are looking to our youth as our leaders in the fight to end the transnational corporate dominance that is eroding the values of our state and causing divisions in our communities," said Chris Buchanan, one of the events organizers and speakers, representing Stop the East-West Corridor and Defending Water for Life in Maine. "It is young people that will have to live with the choices that are being made today, and they have excellent ideas about how to address these issues."

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My note: The Alliance for the Common Good currently includes:

350 Maine, Artists Rapid Response Team, Alliance for Democracy, American Friends Service Committee, Americans Who Tell the Truth, Bring Our War $$ Home, citizens of the Penobscot Nation, CodePink, Community Water Justice, Defending Water for Life, Don’t Waste ME, Food for Maine’s Future, Forest Ecology Network, Global Network, anti-industrial wind activists, Maine EarthFirst!, Maine Greens, Maine Peace Action Committee, Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition, Occupy groups statewide, Pax Christi Maine, Peace Action Maine, Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, Peninsula Peace and Justice, Pine Tree Youth Organizing, Resources for Organizing and Social Change, Stop the East-West Corridor, We the People Maine 

Alliance For The Common Good To Greet Legislators Jan 9 #MEpolitics

Join us for the Second Annual Rally of Unity

Young People Speak Out!

 WHEN: January 9^th at 1pm

WHERE: Hall of Flags, inside the State House, Augusta, Maine

 

The Rally of Unity is a collaborative demonstration by the Alliance for Common Good, an ad-hoc coalition of over 20 environmental and social justice groups assembling as a unified front to give voice to ordinary Maine people and to push back against corporate dominance in government, with hopes to organize into the future.  

We recognize that our democracy has been abandoned, so we must work together to tell our elected officials that we want:

 

Maine Money and Resources for People, Not Corporations!

A Maine Economy that Protects the Environment

Money Out of Politics

This year’s theme: Young People Speak Out!  

In 2013 we want to highlight young people who are passionate about creating a healthy future by inviting everyone who identifies as a “young person” to give a short speech about your concerns, your hopes, and the need for unity.  You can participate off the cuff, but try to let us know in advance by contacting Chris:chris@defendingwater.net or 495-3648

 

Current details:

--At 1pm we will meet in the Hall of Flags.  You will have to go through security to get in.  No sign stakes will be allowed, so plan on hand carrying your visuals.

--Inside activities:

            -Speeches by young people about their concerns, their hopes, and the need for unity

            -Photo on the stairs of all groups present

            -Share handouts and information (There will be 2 info tables)

-Citizen lobbying with legislators about specific bills during this emergency session, or your concerns in general

           

Logistics:

--Individuals and groups should represent themselves visually, and be creative to highlight issues.  You are responsible for getting your people there.

--No groups will be featured.  We do not all agree or endorse each other, but we can rally behind the principle of “Maine Money and Resources for People, Not Corporations,” therefore:

-One press release will represent all of us.  To provide quotes, or to be on the list to review the release before it’s sent out, contact Meg by January 1:meg.gilmartin4@gmail.com or 495-3648

-We need spokespeople to talk to press at the event.  We’d prefer these to be young people or Mainers with a personal story, who will speak to the message of unity and say why they’re at the rally.  To be a spokesperson, contact Meg:meg.gilmartin4@gmail.com or 495-3648  Meg’s coordinating all press for the event.

 

Join us:  The bigger the movement, the stronger the impact!  If your group wants to join the Alliance for Common Good on January 9^th, please contact Ridgely:ridgelyfuller@gmail.com

The Alliance for the Common Good currently includes:

350 Maine, AbilityMaine, Activist Art, Alliance for Democracy, American Friends Service Committee, Americans Who Tell the Truth, Bring Our War $$ Home, Citizens of the Penobscot Nation, Citizens United, CodePink, Defending Water for Life, Don’t Waste ME, Food for Maine’s Future, Global Network, Industrial Wind activists, Maine EarthFirst!, Maine Greens, Maine Peace Action, Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition, National War Tax Resisters, Occupy groups statewide, Pax Christi Maine, Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, Peninsula Peace and Justice, Pine Tree Youth Organizing, Resources for Organizing and Social Change, Social Workers,  Searsport LPG activists, Stop the East-West Corridor …

To see a report back from the first Rally of Unity on Jan 8, 2013, click here.

 

#MainePolitics: Alliance For The Common Good Is In The House

photo credit: Dawn Eve York, Occupy Maine

photo credit: Dawn Eve York, Occupy Maine

I always get a little thrill from being in action at the Maine State House because I feel deeply connected to my state and also to my family since my grandfather served in the legislature for years. I never knew him because he died of war-related injuries before I was born. My nephew and his family have gone with me in the past to  call on U.S. senators at their offices in Augusta delivering postcards protesting their continued votes for war -- and Jake told me he thinks about our common ancestor too each time he sees the golden dome of our state capitol. We are a history minded family.
I think some history was made yesterday when the newly formed Alliance for the Common Good met the incoming 126th Legislature. Led by indigenous people from Maine's four nations who sang in  Wabanaki a song that I believe translates to My people, oh my people, this Earth is for you.

We came together as environmentalists (Earth First!, No East West Corridor, No Thanks Searsport Tank, No Pipeline, 350.org), peace workers (Veterans for Peace, CODEPINK Maine, Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, American Friends Service Committee) and social justice advocates (Occupy, especially Augusta, was out in force plus Resources for Organizing Social Change, Maine People's Alliance, and the inimitable Artists Rapid Response Team (ARRT) of the Union of Maine Visual Artists).

There were no other labor unions there. Yes, several were invited but they are too deep in the Democrats' pockets to be interested in a people's alliance for the common good. Too bad for them, and I'm sorry I pay dues to the Maine Education Association. Democrats helped pass No Child Left Behind, and I have not forgotten that they decline to stand with us any time we are lobbying for war dollars to be brought home and spent on schools.

The governor's curtailment has already hit school districts hard, and the incoming legislature -- much more progressive than the last -- will now engage in a series of battles to override our governor's veto in order to save basic services and the natural resources in our state. I'm glad I took my personal day off from school to be there to let incoming legislators know what we expect of them. Mark saw our new rep, Dr. Ann Dorney, walk by while he was waiting to go through the metal detector. He called out, "Ann, don't sell out to the corporations. We have your back!" and she smiled and said she wouldn't. I have faith in her; she is a good woman and a mom and family doctor who cares deeply about a healthy environment. She lives right along the beautiful Kennebec River, just like my family does.

ARRT had produced several stunning banners for the occasion and something my husband and I are doing right in our life has resulted in being entrusted with a cache of art to be used at future protests, demonstrations and occupations. We are blessed to know all these good hearts, and I was honored to be in action with Wabanaki people. As Sharon Mitchell of the Penobscot Nation pointed out, protecting Native land rights and stewardship is an issue for everyone who hopes to see life on Earth continue.

Ridgely Fuller of CODEPINK after delivering Alliance for the Common Good information packets to the Appropriations Committee January 8, 2013 Augusta, Maine.