Repairing the Damage: Work to Assure Voting Rights

Some notable stories on actions to defend voter rights were reported by the Associated Press, September 5, 2023.

Alabama: A three-judge panel has blocked Alabama’s congressional districts, ordering new lines drawn

Federal judges said Tuesday that they will draft new congressional lines for Alabama after state lawmakers refused to create a second district where Black voters at least came close to comprising a majority, as suggested by the court.

https://apnews.com/article/alabama-redistricting-ruling-black-population-affd7b662f65b0b28da42fb88f72207e?user_email=c216990909d52d067fea6da5355e9d4fdb2cbd687d40ba5e5bf206e4b9d355b4&utm_medium=APNews_Alerts&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_campaign=NewsAlerts_09052023_Alabama&utm_term=AP%20News%20Alerts

Florida: DeSantis’ redistricting map in Florida is unconstitutional and must be redrawn, judge says

 A Florida state judges ruled that the redistricting plan pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis violates the state constitution and is prohibited from being used for any future U.S. congressional elections since it diminishes the ability of Black voters in north Florida to pick a representative of their choice.

https://apnews.com/article/florida-redistricting-politics-gerrymandering-desantis-d04d4d69a5c52e2997e94fa842f8757e

 

Georgia: A Georgia trial arguing redistricting harmed Black voters could decide control of a US House seat

 In Georgia, U.S. District Judge Steve Jones is hearing what is expected to be a two-week case without a jury. If he rules against the state, he is likely to order Georgia’s Republican-controlled General Assembly to redraw districts to comply with the law.

The trial beginning Tuesday is part of a wave of litigation progressing after the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year stood behind its interpretation of the Voting Rights Act, rejecting Alabama’s challenge to the law.

https://apnews.com/article/georgia-redistricting-congress-house-senate-voting-trial-ed521719c88abb198cbe9148cffdaf16 

2023 Kayaking Fundraiser for St. Elizabeth Oakland

In May 2022, I paddled around Alameda as a benefit for St. Elizabeth Elementary School*. Thanks to all who donated! I am preparing for this Fall's kayaking Fund Raiser for SE. I did my first training day of this month: a two and a half mile kayak in Baltimore Harbor.

Launching at Canton Waterfront Park
Baltimore City

Heading to Tide Point, home of
 Under Armour Headquarters and
Domino Sugar Plant 

More details on the planned route and target dates for this year's paddle to come. Stay tuned!

*See From the Desk of Frank Matarrese blog and Facebook post at:

 https://fromthedeskoffrankmatarrese.blogspot.com/2022/05/

Honor Labor - Labor Day September 4, 2023

 

UNITED WE STAND 

Simple but Meaningful - Recycling Household Plastic Bags, Film and Packing Materials

Simple but meaning acts make a difference. Plastic bags, notorious as forever trash seen on our strets and in our waterways, may be recycled in many locations. Safeway's  collection bins for certain plastic bags seem to be getting more and more use.

Only Tuesday, and nearly full!

If you have a Goodwill Store/Donation Center near you, they may have  recycling stations for clean plastic produce and storage bags, dry cleaner bags, plastic mailers, bubble wrap, product plastic wrap, packing pillows, etc.

Goodwill Store Baltimore

Though  it is best way to avoid using plastics as much a possible, collecting and dropping  recyclable plastics at collection locations is one more way to protect where we live and reduce land fill waste.. 

Extraordinary History of Nancy Pelosi as House Leader - "A Must Watch" Documentary

 I highly recommend  HBO's Pelosi in the House, HBO's documentary as told through her daughter, Alexandra Pelosi. Pelosi in the House offers a very personal look at the  strength and character of the remarkable Nancy Pelosi as  Speaker of the House, Democratic House leader and member of Congress during these trying times.

"In her 14th documentary film for HBO, acclaimed documentarian Alexandra Pelosi offers a candid, behind-the-scenes chronicle of the life of her mother and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, through her career milestones leading up to the inauguration of President Joseph Biden in January 2021. Filmed in a cinéma vérité style over the course of three decades, Pelosi in the House provides a unique, longitudinal window into the life of a longstanding Democratic politician and history in the making.

The film goes behind the headlines as it tracks Pelosi’s life in public office from her election to Congress in 1987 and becoming the first female Speaker of the House in 2007 through the 2020 election and President Biden’s inauguration. Following Pelosi at both work and home in real time during consequential political moments in the country’s recent history, the film offers a unique look at American politics through her efforts on the Affordable Care Act, the COVID-19 relief package, two impeachments as well as a record of the events of January 6, 2021, following Pelosi and other lawmakers at a secure location as the crisis unfolded.

HBO Documentary Films presents Pelosi in the House. Filmed, produced, and directed by Alexandra Pelosi. Edited by Geof Bartz. For HBO: executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller."

Quote from from: https://www.hbo.com/movies/pelosi-in-the-house

Yesterday's MLK Holiday

 Yesterday was a relaxing day. The three-day weekend gives us time to rest and even get away from it all. For some reason I remembered my City Council days in Alameda for the Martin Luther King Holiday: small observances in City Hall, "Day of Service" events organized by local groups, and various national events.

"Lend Your Hands"
Baltimore Street Art

Here are a few pictures of my small MLK day of service: Canton Waterfront Park boat ramp clean up, East Harbor, Baltimore. Very cold weather kept the trash down, but a little time was able to make the ramps noticeably cleaner and gather some recyclables.

~1 cu.ft. recyclable glass and plastic

Less than 1 cu.ft. trash

 

Ramps cleared of bottles, cans and trash, with drift wood piled at the sides

Mustang Tradition Alive and Well on 34th Avenue - CRDLS Adds to Mustang Athletics History

The Mustangs of Oakland's Cristo Rey De La Salle High School are continuing the athletic tradition on 34th Avenue in the heart of  Fruitvale. The Red and White, well established through years of  St. Elizabeth High School's Mustangs, gave so much opportunity for students. Mustang coaches and teamplay  taught valuable life lesson. I still look back gratefully on my own experience on the 1972 Mustang varsity football team. 

As did I, many Mustangs attended St. Elizabeth Elementary School and were "Knights"! 

Along with us Knights, still more Mustangs, played on the Oakland Diocese's many CYO teams.

Here's an update on Fall 2022 Mustangs sports 

Fall  saw a young Mustang Women's Volleyball team do well on the home court while having some challenges as visitors.

  

Men's Basketball started strong this fall. Under Coach Winters, the team plays with enthusiasm, discipline and focus. Men's Basketball continues after the Christmas Holiday.

More Mustang Sports news to follow in future posts. Merry Christmas to all past and present Mustangs!