Alsobrooks and Trone Debate/ Our Reporting/ Community Meetings
Alsobrooks and Trone Debate/ Our Reporting/ Community Meetings
Maryland US Senate Candidates Angela Alsobrooks and David Trone Debated At Ebenezer AME Church
On March 9, Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks debated David Trone at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington. The debate is, The Intersection believes, only the third debate. The meeting was advertised as a debate - but it was more like a listening session. The Prince George’s County NAACP sponsored the event.
Each candidate was asked separate questions by two different moderators. They discussed funding HBCUs, education, redevelopment in the county, and the war in Gaza. Alsobrooks took the time to talk about her administration’s accomplishments. They also discussed the importance of passing the George Floyd Act, a criminal justice reform bill, and both agreed that if former Gov. Larry Hogan, a center-right conservative, and never-Trump, is elected to represent Maryland in Congress, he would be a disaster for the country and the state.
Make sure you watch the whole meeting so you can hear a fuller context.
A Note
On Thursday — The Intersection Magazine was featured in the Editors and Publisher’s news site. Diane Sylvester conducted the interview last month. Here is what she wrote about The Intersection’s work:
An excerpt:
Harrod regularly publishes civic meeting schedules and in-depth articles about community activism and its challenges. These stories are long-form, highly-reported narratives.
“I say I practice slow journalism,” Harrod says. “In my reporting, I try to center the human being,” he explained to E&P. “I got my start in the Black press, and we don’t just cover events. We report on the history — the context — to tell a full story of what people have experienced and how they came to where they are.”
You can read more of the article here.
Our Reporting
Over the last month, I have been working on a long-form article about a protest for Palestinian life held in Cheverly, Maryland. In short — Jewish, Muslim and non-religious activists held a protest, challenging Congressman Glenn Ivey (District 4 representative) to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. They marched from a park to his house, which was approximately one mile away.
I interviewed Jewish activists from North County. We talked about the meaning of their activism, and mourning the deaths of women and children in Gaza.
The article entails a small section on the history of Jewish solidarity with the oppressed (Black and Palestinian people).
Gives a small overview of Prince George’s County Democratic politicians who have called for a ceasefire. Activists critique Glenn Ivey.
Jewish intracommunity conflict.
Stay tuned.
Community Notes
Council Member Wanika Fisher Hosts DPIE and DPW&T Community Engagement Event
Prince George’s County Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) will host a community engagement event featuring two key county agencies – the Department of Permitting and Inspections (DPIE) and the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T).
This event will be held Wednesday, March 20th from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center at 6120 Sargent Rd. in Chillum.
The purpose of the event is to educate the public on processes for complaint resolution, provide updates on existing permits, and offer resources to resolve ongoing issues.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with agency heads, including Director Euniesha Davis from the Office of Community Relations, Director Abraham Dewitt from DPIE, and Director Michael Johnson from DPW&T. There will also be swag giveaways.
“One of the major issues for District 2 residents is quality of life. Partnering with Community Relations, DPIE, and DPW&T gives us a chance to address concerns and bring county government to their doorstep!” said Council Member Fisher.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Participants may register HERE
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Returning Citizens Task Force
RCTF is continuing to track legislation of benefit to returning citizens – in particular, the Fair Choice in Housing Act and the Reentry Services for Women Commission and Pilot Program. As we approach crossover in Annapolis (when bills passed in the House of Delegates “crossover to the State Senate and when bills passed by the Senate “crossover to the House) we will be monitoring the progress of these and other bills – and will send out action alerts to ensure passage as needed.
Our next task force meeting – which will be held on Tuesday, March 19 at 6:30 pm – will feature Jason Williams, Executive Director of Forged Pathways, and member of Steamfitters Local 602. He will follow up with information about the apprenticeship programs featured at the RCTF/Black Worker Center Hiring Fair on February 24 and update us on the legislation Forged Pathways has been pushing for in Annapolis. For more information, please contact Kurt.
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Momentum Conference: Men Empowering Lives, Embracing Values and Discovering Self Worth
Date: March 16, 2024
Times: 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Door time: March 16, 2024
Location: Location details and map
Martin's Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20770
Join us for the Annual Momentum Men's Conference. This year's theme, Men Empowering Lives, Embracing Values, and Discovering Self Worth will include the following breakout sessions:
• De-escalation: Response vs. Reaction
• Mindset Metamorphosis: Strategies for Transformative Thinking
• A Parent Circle
• Youth Panel – Prevention, Purpose and Preparation
for Today’s Youth Discussion
Additional Information:
• Community Service Hours Available
• Resource Tables
• Lunch and Door Prizes
• Age: Middle School and older
To register, visit
https://DFSMoMENtum2024.eventbrite.com
For more information, call 301-265-8423.
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Coffee with a Cop - Division I Hyattsville
Date: March 19, 2024
Times: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Join officers from the Hyattsville police station for their monthly Coffee with a Cop Meeting. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get to know officers and community leaders in your neighborhood.
LOCATION
The Mall at Prince George's
3500 East West Highway, Hyattsville
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The Waves Take You Home" with author María Alejandra Barrios Vélez
Date: March 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Join the Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System in conversation with author María Alejandra Barrios Vélez.
Launching March 19, 2024, "The Waves Take You Home" is a heartfelt story about how the places we run from hold the answers to our deepest challenges, the death of her grandmother brings a young woman home, where she must face the past in order to become the heir of not just the family restaurant, but her own destiny. Violeta Sanoguera had always done what she was told. She left the man she loved in Colombia in pursuit of a better life for herself and because her mother and grandmother didn’t approve of him. Chasing dreams of education and art in New York City, and with a new love, twenty-eight-year-old Violeta establishes a new life for herself, on her terms. But when her grandmother suddenly dies, everything changes. After years of being on her own in NYC, Violeta finds herself on a plane back to Colombia, accompanied at all times by the ghost of her grandmother who is sending her messages and signs, to find she is the heir of the failing family restaurant, the very one Abuela told her to run from in the first place. The journey leads her to rediscover her home, her grandmother, and even the flame of an old love.
Join us here:
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March 19, 2024, Solid Waste Advisory Commission Meeting
Date: March 19, 2024
Times: 6:00pm
Solid Waste Advisory Commission Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 6 p.m.
For more information, visit Solid Waste Advisory Commission.
SWAC Meeting Agenda 031924.pdf
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Commission for Individuals With Disabilities Meeting
Dates: March 20, 2024
Times: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The mission of the Commission for Individuals with Disabilities is to bring together businesses, citizens, and the government of Prince George's County to discuss and resolve disability issues in the County. The Commission also works with County and State agencies and other Commissions to jointly address and promote the needs and rights of individuals with disabilities. he Commission meetings are open to the public.
All meetings are held virtually until further notice. If you need accommodations to participate in commission meetings, make your request at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Please call Lydia Williams at 301-248-5397 or email llwilliams@co.pg.md.us or use Maryland Relay at 711.
Virtual access for the meeting is:
https://mypgc.zoom.us/j/89965803437
Meeting ID: 899 6580 3437
Passcode: 830644
March 25, 2024 Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting
Date: March 25, 2024
Times: 5:30pm 8:00pm
Monthly Board Meeting will be held at 9200 Basil Court 2nd Floor Conference Room, Largo, Maryland 20774. The meeting will also be available to the public via Go-To-Meeting conference. If you would like to join, please email mkcrawford@co.pg.md.us for meeting information. If you are unable to join via Go-To-Meeting, you can dial into the tele-conference: Dial In Phone#: 1-866-899-4679 Participant PIN#: 819-222-557
If you have questions, or if you have a disability and require an accommodation please contact the Housing Authority of Prince George's County on (301) 883-5531 or TTY (301) 883-5428.
Big News
Maryland Matters to cosponsor Senate candidate forum at Goucher College
Excerpt: Mark your calendars: Maryland Matters will be co-sponsoring a forum for leading U.S. Senate candidates on the evening of Tuesday, April 2 at Goucher College in Towson.
The Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund is the primary sponsor of the event, and other nonprofits are expected to sign on. The Sarah T. Hughes Center for Politics at Goucher College is serving as the host. The event will be live-streamed and is also open to all for in-person attendance.
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Gov. Moore, White House officials head to Blink in Bowie to tout EV charging
Excerpt: Bowie is positioned to be Blink Charging's largest manufacturing facility for electric vehicle charging stations as the company shifts overseas production to Maryland, Blink’s chief executive officer confirmed.
The Bowie facility located at Melford Town Center will expand by 30,000 square feet, making it the company’s largest facility and placing it at the center of Blink’s plan to meet increased demand for EV charging stations, Brendan Jones, president and CEO of Blink Charging, said in a statement.
“Blink establishing this manufacturing facility in Bowie marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards a greener future,” Jones said.
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Graphic body cam video shows officer fatally shoot man seconds after entering Suitland apartment
Excerpt: Newly released body cam video shows a Prince George’s County police officer shooting a man within seconds of entering an apartment in Suitland, Maryland.
The shooting happened Feb. 1 in the 5100 block of Suitland Road. The officer who fired his weapon was responding to a 911 call about a reported break-in just before 5:30 p.m.
The time stamp on the video shows Officer Braxton Shelton fired his weapon less than 10 seconds after entering the unit in the Windham Creek Apartments.