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Danielle Blocker • Aug 25, 2020
Civic Action
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD
Request a mail-in ballot
now until Tuesday, October 20th, 2020
Know Who Represents You
Know Your Voter Information
The following information was compiled by the ACLU of Maryland, Montgomery County Chapter:
The following information can also be found on the Maryland State Board of Elections website here: https://www.elections.maryland.gov/.
Voter lookup
Ensure you are registered, find out your voting districts, and look up your local board of elections by visiting this page: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearch.
Find your polling place
If you are not planning on requesting a mail-in ballot and would like to find your polling place, visit this page: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/PollingPlaceSearch.
Register to vote
- If you are not already registered to vote, learn more here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1. The ACLU Montgomery County chapter also has a couple of Official Voter Registration Volunteers who can help you or someone you know register. Email them at aclu.moco@gmail.com.
- Eligibility information is here: https://elections.maryland.gov/voter_registration/index.html?eligibility.
Request a mail-in (absentee) ballot
- Request a mail-in ballot now up until Tuesday, October 20th, 2020. These ballots can be mailed or emailed to you. Learn more about how to request a ballot and complete the online request here: https://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/InstructionsStep1.
- As we approach the November 3rd election, ACLU Montgomery County chapter members will support those who cannot deliver their ballots or are concerned that mailing will not get their ballot in on time. The Board of Elections has informed them that they can hand-deliver mail-in ballots up until 8pm on November 3rd. Please let them or YPP know if you need assistance at aclu.moco@gmail.com. They will aim to have different collection timings.
Effective Law Enforcement for All (ELEFA) conducted an audit on the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). Silver Spring Justice Coalition (SSJC) recently submitted a letter in response to the audit. Young People for Progress fully endorses the improvements proposed by SSJC. In our own letter , we highlight two important issues regarding young people and police. Traffic stops do not need to be a police function. Traffic stops are the most common way civilians interact with police, especially for Black drivers. Traffic enforcement could be handled by a civilian agency, such as the Department of Transportation. Police should not be in schools. There is no security rationale for police in schools and they are detrimental to a student’s well-being, especially for Black and Latino students. Funding for the CEO program should be reallocated to the other reforms mentioned in the report. You can read the full letter below. October 3, 2022 David L. Douglass Ashley Brown Burns Effective Law Enforcement for All Re: ELEFA’s audit of Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) Dear Mr. Douglass and Dr. Burns, On behalf of the youth and young adult members throughout Montgomery County who make up Young People for Progress, I write to share our observations on ELEFA’s draft final report evaluating MCPD. Young People for Progress fully endorses the improvements proposed by the Silver Spring Justice Coalition in its recent letter and we trust you will consider them carefully; adopting these recommendations will strengthen the report so that it can be a more useful tool for advancing public safety in the county. In the present letter, I wish to highlight two issues that are of particular importance to young people in the county: removing police from schools and from traffic enforcement. After considering the points below, we hope you will revise the draft to recommend that police not be involved in either of t hese matters. Police should not be in schools If the county aspires to be a place where everyone feels safe, then armed police officers cannot be a fixture in our schools. Police officers’ effect on many students is to make them feel less safe, not more so, and this is true whether they are called School Resource Officers, Community Engagement Officers, or any other title. These students’ anxiety is grounded in the reality of racially disparate treatment by police, and this reality is not negated by the friendly demeanor of an individual CEO. Schools should be protective environments where all students feel at ease and can focus on learning; hosting police works against that goal. Not only is the CEO program detrimental to many students' emotional well-being, but there is also no security rationale for it. CEOs serve no beneficial law enforcement function that cannot be performed equally well (or better) by having police respond when needed. The current memorandum of understanding between MCPS and MCPD recognizes that officers should take the lead only in a narrow, enumerated set of critical incidents; fortunately, these situations are very rare in MCPS, so there is no need for police to maintain offices in schools. in practice, regardless of any policy, officers’ regular presence in schools leads to police being involved in issues best h andled by educators, thus unnecessarily criminalizing Black and brown kids (and high schoolers are indeed kids) with lifelong repercussions. While it is encouraging, as noted in SSJC’s letter, that Mr. Douglass recognizes the current CEO 2.0 program as a disappointment, that assessment should be stated in ELEFA’s report. Furthermore, given the harms that this program causes, we hope you will advise MCPD to discontinue the CEO program and reallocate those resources towards implementation of the other reforms recommended in your report. Traffic stops do not need to be a police function Reducing people’s involuntary interactions with police is a reliable way to reduce the risk of problematic incidents by police. Since traffic stops are the most common type of encounter b etween the public and police, removing that task from police would go a long way towards making drivers of color feel safer in Montgomery County. Given the draft’s laudatory review of how traffic stops are conducted, we are concerned that the authors do not appreciate the extent to which the very act of being stopped is a fearsome experience, particularly for Black drivers and especially younger Black drivers. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Traffic enforcement could be handled by a civilian agency, such as the Department of Transportation. Civilian employees enforce plenty of laws and regulations every day and there is no reason that traffic laws could not be among them. We encourage ELEFA to recommend that the functions of MCPD’s Traffic Operations Division be moved outside the police department. Young People for Progress appreciates the opportunity to provide input on this report and we look forward to your expanded consultation with the community as this process moves ahead. Sincerely, Alexander Blocker Vice President, Young People for Progress Copy: County Executive Marc Elrich Members of the County Council
Omodamola spent most his life in Prince George's county and was born Washington DC. Currently he resides in Montgomery county. Omodamola is very passionate about community development and social equality. He have dreams of pursing a career as a public servant to make a direct impact on society and to motivate others to be their best selves.
Shelemiah Griffiths-Johnson is a Talented and Gifted scholar who is currently in the 9th grade. He currently serves as the Chairman for the Inaugural Bowie Youth Council, Parliamentarian for the Prince George's Regional Association of Student Governments, and The Youth Member of the Interfaith Coalition of Bowie. He was the 2021 NJHS Parliamentarian in middle school, District 5 Student Leadership Council Member. He is a Varsity Division Debater with the Washington Urban Debate League. He hosts his own television show, “The Shelemiah Show” on Comcast 77 and Verizon 11 daily at 7 P.M. Shelemiah has won many awards such as 1st place in the County National History Day, 1st- place 2020, and 3rd Place 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Video contest. He has been recognized by Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford for his participation in the BIZ Kids Entrepreneurial program. He is an inspirational speaker and teen activist who is a voice for his generation in the community. He speaks against injustices and advocates against bullying. He has shared the stage with city officials and elected leaders to speak against police brutality. Shelemiah takes time out to support marches to evoke change in education and against racial injustices. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games. He also loves competitive swimming, art, cooking healthy meals, and traveling. Shelemiah aspires to be a Chemical Engineer, but says that may change as his love for Tech is growing. At heart, Shelemiah loves serving his community. His philanthropic works include feeding the homeless, working with his Destination Imagination team to fill the local food pantry, kind acts for children with cancer at Children's hospital, and sharing his love for STEM by teaching students in the community. His most memorable act of service was to fly to Puerto Rico to help the homeless and volunteer at an all-boys shelter. He is dedicated to using his voice as a catalyst of change, via speaking at marches and sitting on panels that address issues for students who are marginalized and face numerous challenges, especially those of color. Shelemiah enjoys doing things that bring all communities together.
Am Stanly Emadione Mejame,33 years old of Cameroonian origin ,an asylum seeker and a new YPP fellow.I believe in the power of diversity and unity.I run by mostly two core values justice and equality for all irrespective of their race,colour,religion, political affiliation or social group.Yes!!!! together we can do all things by the special grace of God.
Hi, my name is Sophia Renee Gupman. I am a junior at Northwood High School. I enjoy doing theatre both inside and outside of school. When not doing theatre, I enjoy doing arts of all sorts, especially fiber arts. I am also a member of Montgomery County Rabbit 4H club. I raise mini lops and love working with animals.
Jennifer Okosun is a dedicated and passionate advocate on social issues primarily affecting African-American communities. Born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland and an alumni of the first graduating class of Northwood High School since it’s reopening. She began advocating in 2012 around issues such as affordable housing, two-generational programming at the library, and police brutality. Jennifer is also the 2018 Community Action Agency Advocacy Institute graduate in Montgomery County, Maryland. Now, Jennifer is working as a Police Free Schools Fellow at Young People for Progress and excited to continue her advocacy work in Montgomery County, Maryland. She enjoys being creative through the arts and entertainment by painting, acting, writing, and singing. She also enjoys baking vegan cupcakes with her ten year old daughter.
Young People for Progress member David Atkinson, led a virtual rally in support of the Annapolis, MD Rally hosted by the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability (MCJPA). Hear from fellow organizers and YPP members on repealing the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights (LEOBR) and the need for police reform, transparency, and accountability.
Maryland advocates are keeping up the momentum towards repealing the state’s controversial Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBR) . Enacted in 1974, Maryland was the first state to adopt a law that provided extensive protection and due process requirements for law enforcement officers being investigated for police misconduct. Since the May 25th murder of George Floyd more than 36 states have introduced bills to address the issues of police accountability. Despite declining trust towards police officers, critics who oppose the repeal believe that the Law Enforcement Bill of Rights is both fair and impartial.
Monday, September 28th, 2020 Dear Councilmember Jawando, Since protests erupted across the U.S. calling for an end to rampant police violence, it has become clear that the last place police should be is in our schools. Students, parents, and teachers deserve schools that are safe, accepting, and compassionate spaces for children. Children should be free from the inordinate and excessive punishment and policing that occurs when police are in schools. No study has ever found that police presence decreases violence in schools, and the data show that in Montgomery County, Black students, students of color, and disabled students are excessively over-policed and arrested at higher rates than their white and able-bodied classmates. It is time to end the practice of policing in our schools and remove school resource officers (SROs) permanently. Since May 25th of this year, unceasing protests across the country have been calling for lasting change to end violent, racialized brutality at the hands of police. This may be the strongest call to end racial injustice in our lifetime. The issues being addressed in this historical moment are urgent and demand decisive, lasting change. They require the permanence of law, not a temporary budget savings measure that can be easily reversed. We must not let this moment pass without making lasting changes to our systems of policing. That is why we are calling on you to propose a bill to the County Council to remove SROs permanently from Montgomery County Public Schools. The call to remove police from schools is being heard across the country. Already in Minneapolis, Denver, Milwaukee, and Portland, Oregon, school systems have ended their contracts with police and voted to phase police out of schools. It is time for Montgomery County to step up and take action. We have seen you join the protests and sympathize with our calls for action. We know that you understand the disproportionate and adverse effects school resource officers have on Black students, disabled students, and students of color. This moment we find ourselves in is a historic window for change. Do not let this moment pass without making this decisive change to give our children safer, more equitable schools. ACLU MD, Montgomery County Chapter ACLU of Maryland Asian American Progressive Student Union Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition Bonimot Tzedek (Justice Builders) CASA DC Teens Action Hear Our Voices MoCo Jews United for Justice Maryland Coalition to Reform School Discipline Maryland Poor People’s Campaign MoCo Against Brutality Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change Montgomery County Democratic Socialists of America Montgomery County Racial Equity (MORE) Network Montgomery County Students for Change Muslim Public Affairs Council Muslim Voices Coalition Progressive Maryland Public Justice Center Racial Justice NOW! DMV Chapter Showing Up for Racial Justice - Montgomery County, MD Silver Spring Justice Coalition Sisterhood of Salam Shalom Students Toward Equitable Public Schools Takoma Park Mobilization-Equal Justice Committee Young People for Progress Youth Creating Change Youth For Equity
Over the past few months, police killings have sparked widespread outrage and renewed attention to police brutality and oppression both nationally and locally in Montgomery County, Maryland. Our leaders have attended public demonstrations and issued countless statements and social media posts expressing solidarity. Now we are asking those leaders to implement real and significant reforms. We demand our leaders: 1. Remove traffic enforcement from police responsibilities. 2. Take police out of schools. 3. Engage in harm reduction, including diversion, decriminalization, and responding to nonviolent and non-emergency issues with non-police personnel. 4. Repeal the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBR). 5. Decrease the Montgomery County Police budget. 6. Invest in measures that strengthen communities and prevent crime, such as homelessness services and affordable housing, workforce development and youth programs, free, accessible, and safe public spaces. Organizations can sign-on to these demands here . 1. Remove traffic enforcement from police responsibilities. Traffic enforcement by police is not a good strategy to make our streets safer. It is not proven that police traffic enforcement improves traffic or pedestrian safety. However, there is overwhelming evidence that police disproportionately conduct traffic stops on people of color and many of the civilian deaths at the hands of police, in addition unwanted searches and profiling, occur during traffic stops. This is a racial justice issue, and much of this danger, including fear of violence, arrest, or issues around citizenship status can be avoided if traffic safety is not overseen by the police. 2. Take police out of schools. There is no data that shows police in schools make them safer. There is clear and overwhelming evidence that police in schools disproportionately arrest black students, students of color, and students with disabilities. This policing propels students into the school-to-prison pipeline. Schools should be a place where students are nurtured and encouraged---not criminalized. If we truly believe in racial justice we need to remove police from schools replace them with measures that better improve school safety and student well-being while doing less harm. 3. Engage in harm reduction, including diversion, decriminalization, and responding to nonviolent and non-emergency issues with non-police personnel. Police intervention and arrest is the first, and sometimes only, response to many social problems. However this response is disproportionately done to young people, poor and working class people, and people of color. It also causes great harm, including physical and emotional trauma and huge negative financial, employment, familial and other consequences. Better and more just alternatives to criminalization exist. Alternatives to arrest for low-level offenses, such as trespassing and loitering, that have non-police professionals respond and connect people to resources and support are already highly popular and successful in Seattle, Albany, and a growing number of other cities. If we are committed to racial justice, we need responses that reduce the harm done to our community, especially black and brown people, working people, and young people. 4. Repeal the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBR). Since 1974, LEOBR has prohibited civilian review of police and their internal discipline process, prevented any discipline of a police officers that is not recommended by a board of other police officers, and stripped taxpayers’ agency to decide if and how they pay for police leave and legal fees when officers are being investigated (and even found guilty) for misconduct. LEOBR needs to be immediately repealed. 5. Decrease the Montgomery County Police budget. In the midst of a pandemic and increasing economic stress on our county, the Montgomery County operating budget for FY21 has recommended over $228 million to police programs. The capital budget allocates another $78 million, bringing the total to over $306 million. This includes new projects, such as an Outdoor Firearms Training Center, which is projected to cost over $5 million. It also allocates valuable resources to reforms (such as purchasing 200 new dashboard cameras and upgrading body cameras) that have been proven not to stop the police brutality that is rampant in our county and country. Police in this county have not kept residents safe. Those mourning Finan Berhe, Robert White, Emmanuel Okutuga, and Peter Njang can tell you that. We do not need or want $306 million worth of policing. We want our communities to be safe. 6. Invest in measures that strengthen communities and prevent crime, such as homelessness services and affordable housing, workforce development and youth programs, free, accessible, and safe public spaces. We know arresting people does not prevent or reduce crime, but instead causes barriers to future employment as well as a host of financial, health, and other issues for the incarcerated, their families, and the community at large. We need programs that invest in communities and get a the root of problems so people can thrive. Organizations can sign-on to these demands here . Signed, ACLU MD, Montgomery County Chapter ACLU of Maryland Asian American Progressive Student Union Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition Bonimot Tzedek (Justice Builders) CASA DC Teens Action DMV Peaceful Protest Hear Our Voices MoCo Jews United for Justice Maryland Poor People’s Campaign MoCo Against Brutality Moms of Black Boys United for Social Change Montgomery County Democratic Socialists of America Montgomery County Education Forum Montgomery County Racial Equity (MORE) Network Montgomery County Students for Change Muslim Public Affairs Council Progressive Maryland Showing Up for Racial Justice - Montgomery County, MD Silver Spring Justice Coalition Sisterhood of Salam Shalom Students Toward Equitable Public Schools Sunrise Silver Spring Takoma Park Mobilization-Equal Justice Committee Young People for Progress Youth For Equity