![]() On July 14, the Montgomery County Council introduced a resolution urging state lawmakers to replace the state song and refrain from playing it during all official Montgomery County sponsored events for the time being. However, the bill did not proceed past the hearing stage due to COVID-19 restrictions. In January, a bill was filed in the House of Delegates to designate an advisory panel to analyze both public submissions and suggestions for a new State song. It was also a slaveholding state with many Confederate sympathizers. ![]() Maryland was part of the Union during the Civil War. It was w ritten in 1861 by Confederacy-supporter James Ryder Randall, and the song lyrics call Abraham Lincoln the “tyrant,” and calls the Union “northern scum.” Recently, lawmakers in Maryland have called for a new state song because of its ties to the Confederacy. The Post said the General Assembly will decide in January whether to keep the song or to repeal and replace it.įor 80 years, Maryland has had a dismally racist, pro-Confederate State Song which calls Lincoln a “tyrant.” Ready for a new State Song? My co-creator Steve Jones and I have written one. The song shouts-out different parts of Maryland like Rockville, Baltimore and Ocean City, and highlights important Maryland figures like the late Rep. Labor Chorus.Īccording to The Washington Post, London Mevaa, a student at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, sings the song in the video. Raskin wrote the song, called “Maryland, My Maryland (The Free State Song),” with Steve Jones of the D.C. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who represents District 8, co-wrote a new state song for Maryland. ![]() It’s been said that all politics is local…which is why the JUFJ focus on local issues makes such a huge difference.Rep. Yet working to make our state and local government(s) fairer, more just, and more inclusive is critically important. It’s about compromise and getting to yes. While we are not getting all we wanted in the legislation we are supporting, we are advancing the issues we’re focused on. For me, it reinforced my personal commitment to political engagement, because every one of us can make a difference.Īfter the Congressman spoke, we broke into two groups to receive updates on the JUFJ campaigns. The Congressman’s remarks were both inspiring and validating. He went on to say that this could change. The Democratic majority in the House could muster enough votes to impeach, but what little support exists in the GOP-controlled Senate is insufficient to convict (remove) the President. Namely, there is a lack of bipartisan support for removal of the President. Asked to comment on Speaker Pelosi’s statement that she “does not favor impeaching Trump,” the Congressman supported her position, but added some clarifications, explaining that the Speaker’s position does not preclude impeachment but recognizes the political reality. He spoke for about 30 minutes and then took questions from the audience. His remarks touched on the challenges to our nation presented by the current administration, and the opportunities for change with the new Democratic majority in the House. The gist of the story was that after he spoke at an event, a future constituent approached him and advised him to move his positions more to the “political center.” In his reply, he thanked her for the comment, but stated that he is running from the “moral center.” This is a perfect metaphor for the Congressman. He told the group about an exchange with a potential voter from the early days of his political career. He is an inspiring voice for progressive values and a long-term ally of JUFJ from his years in the Maryland Legislature. Representative Raskin, in his second term in the House, is a rising leader in the Democratic Caucus. The mitzvah of giving mishloach manot derives from the Book of Esther.) to deliver to legislator’s offices in Annapolis on the 19th and wrote postcards to the members in support of JUFJ’s campaigns. They also came together to hear updates on the current JUFJ campaigns underway during this year’s Maryland legislative session.įollowing the updates from JUFJ staff and volunteer leaders, the group formed an assembly line to put together mishloach manot (gifts of food that are sent to family, friends and others on Purim. They came to hear Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD 8) speak about current activities in Congress and answer questions. More than 75 activists from across Maryland, representing almost 20 state legislative districts, came together at Oseh Shalom Synagogue in Laurel on Sunday, March 17.
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