Dear Friend, February is here, and with it comes the chance to reflect, take action, and honor the movements that shape our communities.
Our Director of Communications, Christianne Marguerite, said the following in a statement released today: |
“At Progressive Maryland, we reaffirm our unwavering support for immigrant families across our state. We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with CASA and our many ally organizations in the fight to ensure Maryland remains a safe and welcoming home for all who live here, regardless of their background or status. This mission has taken on even greater urgency as we witness continued and deliberate attacks on immigrant residents across the country by the current federal administration.”
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Read the full statement here. Tomorrow, we’re showing up in Annapolis to support CASA at the I Stand With Immigrants Rally at 9 AM at Lawyers Mall. Join us and make your voice heard.
This first week of February also marks the start of Black History Month. The immigrant experience is deeply woven into Black history, from the forced migration of enslaved Africans to the ongoing journeys of Black immigrants today. This month, we celebrate the resilience, brilliance, and contributions of Black people who built this country—especially in a time when our progress is under attack. Read on for ways to stay engaged and news you can use. In solidarity, The Progressive Maryland Team |
Here’s what’s in today’s memo: -
Black History
- Legislative Updates
- PM Events
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Issue Campaign Updates
- Events from Allies
- State & National News
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PM Job Openings
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Each week this month, we’ll highlight moments of Black excellence, resilience, and impact. To kick things off, we’re celebrating the historic wins at last night’s 2025 Grammy Awards, where Black artists once again made history on music’s biggest stage. 👏🏾
🐝Beyoncé – The Queen made history as the first Black woman to win a Grammy for a country music song since 1975 and finally secured Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter, a groundbreaking country album that expanded the genre’s boundaries. Before Sunday, no Black female solo artist had ever won a Grammy for country music. This year also marked the first time a Black woman has been nominated for the top prize of album of the year for a country album.
🏆Kendrick Lamar – In a full sweep, Kendrick won every award he was nominated for, including Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year for Not Like Us, making it the most Grammy-awarded rap song in history.
🐊Doechii – Making waves for women in rap, Doechii became only the third woman ever to win Best Rap Album for her debut album Alligators Bite Never Heal. In her speech, she encouraged young Black girls to keep pushing forward in their craft. She said, “Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are.”
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2025 Legislative Session: Click here to view the suggested dates of interest provided by the General Assembly. The House and Senate will reconvene Tonight at 8pm and will post live updates on their website.
TRACKER: Click here to keep track of all active Maryland bills, their action status, top sponsors, and top committees. You can also view the bills from the previous legislative session. For more detailed updates on this year’s Legislative Session and to search specific bills click here.
Reclaim Renewable Energy Act Hearing
The hearing for our environmental justice priority bill, the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025 (HB0220/SB0010), is set for Thursday, February 13. To ensure frontline community voices are heard loud and clear by legislators, Progressive Maryland and our allies are holding a rally at Lawyers Mall from 11 AM to 12 PM before the hearing.
Join us in demanding real renewable energy solutions that put communities over corporate interests. Sign up here For more updates on our Environmental Justice work check out the EJTF section later in the memo. |
PM EVENTS: Make Your Voice Heard at Lobby Night
On Monday, February 24th, join us in Annapolis for our 2025 Lobby Night! This is your chance to meet with lawmakers, share your stories, and advocate for the bold, progressive policies Maryland families deserve. With national challenges mounting, it’s critical to show the strength of our movement right here in Maryland. Let’s stand together and push for real change—RSVP today!
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Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: |
Healthcare Task Force: Show up now for healthcare justice in Annapolis and in Washington!
We’re standing up to the assaults coming from Donald Trump and the oligarchs running his Administration. Please join.
But first we want to send our deep gratitude to all the federal workers who help make our health agencies run day in and day out:
❥ who support the recipients of Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans care and many other programs and services
❥who do the research we rely on for solutions to health problems and adversities; and that help make advances in healthcare. Take Action This Week:
To talk about our organizing work and our Task Force, reach out to Patty at [email protected]
Environmental Justice: Rally & Hearing: Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025
Last Saturday, Progressive Maryland's Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF) conducted its fourth tabling event in Pigtown, successfully gathering 25 petition signatures in support of the Reclaim Renewable Energy Act of 2025.
The following day, our EJTF collaborated with members of the Baltimore-based Sunrise Movement in Baltimore to prepare signs for a rally scheduled for next Thursday, February 13, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lawyer's Mall in Annapolis.
It's time to unite with the frontline community members of South Baltimore. and make your voice count. If you're interested in participating, please sign up for the event here. If you would like to submit written testimony in support of the RREA or support a tabling event, reach out to SirJames at 240-883-7645 or [email protected]. |
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Local Chapter Updates:
Shore Progress: We're Turning 8! 🎉
For eight years, Shore Progress has been fighting for working families, fair policies, and a stronger Eastern Shore. To celebrate, we’re hosting Pours for Progress on Thursday, February 6—grab your ticket here to support their advocacy work!
Want to help? Donate $8 today to mark eight years of progress. Every dollar stays right here on the Shore to power grassroots organizing and build momentum for the future. From winning key policies like the $15 minimum wage and offshore wind to electing 50 progressive leaders, Shore Progress has made an impact—and we’re just getting started.
Let’s keep the movement growing! |
Stand with Immigrants – Rally Tomorrow!
Join CASA tomorrow, February 4, at 9 AM at Lawyers Mall in Annapolis for the "I Stand With Immigrants Rally." Show up to demand justice and protections for immigrant communities across Maryland.
CASA continues to fight for critical legislation, including preventing ICE from entering schools and hospitals, stopping police-ICE collaboration, and protecting immigrant privacy. Their Know Your Rights resources empower communities to navigate encounters with ICE safely—if you see ICE activity, report it to CASA’s hotline at 1-888-214-6016.
Now is the time to take action. Join the rally and stand for a Maryland that welcomes all! |
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Ready for tariffs and a trade war? They will come closer to the kitchen table than you think. It's News You Can Use
Lucky Americans. USA! USA! Welcome to TariffWorld (a subsidiary of TrumpWorld), where Americans stand up for… well, Trump’s right to lie to us.
Tariffs on three high-volume trading partners, Canada, Mexico* and China, which are slated to begin tomorrow, are your new tax increases, Trump’s way of raising revenue for the Treasury quickly without looking like he’s raising your taxes. Instead, the tariffs will raise the cost of many if not all the things you buy. Merchants and corporations will raise prices for their goods to cover the new cost of imports under tariffs. (And even if the cost of those goods is NOT raised by tariffs, many other corporations and merchants will raise THEIR prices under the cover of the general increase in the cost of living. Who will notice?)
*Mexico has cut a deal that delays its tariffs one month, as of Monday a.m. Stay tuned..
For most companies, the cost of selling goods to Canada, Mexico or China will go up too, because they won’t sit still but retaliate. Canada has imposed targeted tariffs on US products from Red states and Mexico promised the same. For future car buyers, the back-and-forth of car parts and finished components for US autos will incur multiple tariffs on the same product. In all three countries affected by Trump’s tariffs, if you work for an outfit that sells goods there, look forward to reduced sales volume and, inevitably, layoffs. Trump will do one of his patented who-me? shrugs and pretend that the tax cuts he will propose later this year will cut EVERYBODY’s taxes, not just those of the super-rich in his orbit. Definitely fact-check that one. Meanwhile, he will argue that his tariffs will make American resolve (read: stupidity) feared worldwide and cause cross-border trafficking of fentanyl to decline (that has been going down for a year or more, he’ll take credit for that too).
But your taxes – figured as costs of living in the US – will already have gone up, a lot. Welcome to TariffWorld, where taxes will be hidden in your bills for groceries and goods. And watch your back. Whew! We also have news from Maryland, other states and the national scene – all in News You Can Use |
Don't forget to follow us on social media! |
Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792
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