People's Alliance PAC Endorsements

On Thursday, January 28, 2016, more than 200 members of People's Alliance PAC debated and voted on endorsements for 2016. Now, we need you to donate to our mailing and volunteer to go door-to-door to talk with people about our progressive choices.

To donate, volunteer, or to learn more about the progressive candidates who were endorsed, please visit PeoplesAlliancePAC.org.

The Bus is Filling Up!

This is the last call to join PA and progressive organizations from across the state. On Saturday, February 13th, we will march with the NAACP for the 10^th annual Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ).

Bus will depart at 8:00am from Durham Farmer's Market, (corner of Foster and Hunt Streets in Durham) and will return at approximately 1:30pm.

Roundtrip fare = $10 (to be paid before boarding the bus)
Space is limited! Click here to sign up.

Support Affordable Housing

The next meeting of the Coalition for Affordable Housing and Transit meets on Monday, February 15th from 12:00-1:00 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, 305 E Main St.

Learn about ongoing efforts to preserve publicly-owned land for affordable housing, how to decrease the tax burden from the re-assessment on low-income homeowners, strategies to reduce displacement of renters, and ways to encourage voluntary inclusion of affordable housing in market rate developments.

Fill City Hall for Affordable Homes at Transit Stations! Monday, February 15th from 7:00-9:00pm, City Hall, 101 City Hall Plaza.

City Council is hearing a rezoning request for a proposed development that would include 600 homes--0 affordable--at the Leigh Village light rail station. Please take the time to remind City Council of their commitment--to make sure that 15% of housing within ½ mile of proposed transit stations is affordable. And encourage them not to grant rezonings without negotiating a public benefit!

For more info, please contact: Lorisa Seibel or Ray Eurquhart.

Congratulations to David Harris

This past week a three-judge federal panel ruled that the 1st and 12th Congressional districts need to be redrawn because they are currently unlawful.  The judges determined that the NC Legislature relied too much on race when the districts were originally drawn.  After living with the consequences of significant gerrymandering of both Congressional and Legislative districts, this ruling offers a glimmer of hope.

We wish to extend kudos to PA’s own, David Harris, who was one of the plaintiffs in this lawsuit.  Mr. Harris is very involved in political and community activities in Durham. Among his many activities, Mr. Harris currently serves as treasurer of the Durham County Democratic Party and as a member of the state executive committee of the North Carolina Democratic Party.   Mr. Harris served as president of the Durham People’s Alliance from 2009 through 2012.

Read full article here.

Support Faculty Forward: Order Your Duke Union Yard Sign

We support Duke Faculty Forward! Visit ourduke.org

Click here to order your yard sign to show your support.

"Challenging Racism and Islamophobia"

The Durham People's Alliance February Progressive Issues Forum and speaker, Manzoor Cheema will address the surge of Islamophobia across the U.S. which has reached unprecedented new levels in recent months.

The presentation will provide an overview of Islam and Muslims, the roots of Islamophobia, the connections between Islamophobia, racism and other forms of oppression, and strategies to defeat these oppressions. The talk will also discuss the ongoing work of the "Movement to End Racism and Islamophobia" and their allies in the Triangle. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. 

Manzoor Cheema has been a Triangle resident for the last sixteen years. He is an organizer against racism, Islamophobia and other forms of oppression, and is active in the Triangle's social justice and human rights movements. He produced a grassroots TV show, Independent Voices, that depicted local and global social justice movements. He is also is a founding member of North Carolina-based Muslims for Social Justice with a mission to pursue Muslim Liberation Theology.  In 2015, Manzoor launched a coalition called Movement to End Racism and Islamophobia (MERI) in order to address rising Islamophobia. Manzoor is a recipient of the 2014 Human Rights Award given by The Human Rights Coalition of North Carolina. He lives in Raleigh with his wife Linda and sons Javed and Najam.

Durham Human Relations Commission

The Commission will hear about the recent changes to the Bull City Connector’s route, such that it no longer serves the downtown Durham bus station or the Duke Clinics off Erwin Road.  

Since these changes are causing some hardship to Durham citizens who rely on bus service in this area, the Commission asked that they share their thoughts and concerns. We will hear from both GoTriangle, who manages the Bull City Connector, and from Spirit House about the impact of these changes on riders.  We invite the public to attend and hear the information.  

Tuesday, February 2
7:00 PM
Golden Belt, 806 Main Street, 3rd Floor

Note: There is always a time for brief public comment at the beginning of every Human Relations Commission meeting.   

Save the date for HKonJ!

Saturday February 13^th join PA and progressive organizations from across the state as we march with the NAACP for the 10^th annual Historic Thousands on Jones Street (HKonJ).

Bus will depart at 8:00am from Durham Farmer's Market, corner of Foster and Hunts Streets in Durham

Roundtrip fare = $10
Space is limited. Click here to sign up.

You Can Vote 2016 Kick Off: Learn about Changes to Voting in 2016

RESCHEDULED: 2016 KICK OFF!  

• Special guest Anita Earls from the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.

We will train or re-train you on the new rules and teach you to engage effectively with voters. Ben and Jerry's ice cream will there for a free community ice cream social following training! 

You Can Vote 2016 Kick-Off
10:00 AM-11:30 AM
Saturday, February 6
First Presbyterian Church
305 E. Main Street, Durham

 RSVP HERE

Ben & Jerry’s Community Ice Cream Social
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Saturday, February 6
Durham County Library
300 N. Roxboro Street, Durham

You Can Vote Training - Orange County
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Sunday, January 31
Chapel Hill Library
100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill

RSVP HERE

Download The Big "G"!

Many of you have asked about the presentation given by Mel Norton on gentrification at a recent Progressive Issues Forum. "The Big G: Gentrification and the Dynamics of Neighborhood Change" is now available online.

Support Faculty Forward: Order Your Duke Union Yard Sign

We support Duke Faculty Forward! Visit ourduke.org

Click here to order your yard sign to show your support.