Baltimore, MD, October 30, 2014. Hundreds of leaders of BUILD (Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development) from over 30 congregations and schools will rally Monday night and help get out the vote Monday and Tuesday. The organization is hitting the streets to demand attention for Baltimore from the future governor and to prepare for extensive electoral work around the 2016 elections.
Want to join in? Call the BUILD office at 401-528-0305
Want to cover this event? Great! Scroll down for a press summary and contacts.
BUILD leaders are concerned that the gubernatorial candidates have paid the city little attention throughout their campaigns. The future governor will have a prominent role in issues important to Baltimore and BUILD, such as education funding, 21st century school construction, and statewide strategies to increase employment. BUILD’s response? “BUILD is going door to door, house to house, neighborhood to neighborhood to show that Baltimore votes. Baltimore counts,” says St. Matthew’s member and BUILD leader Carol Augustine.
“Politicians listen to people that vote – especially groups of people that vote,” says the Rev. Andrew Foster Conners, BUILD Clergy Co-Chair, and Pastor of Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church. “BUILD has seen this consistently.” The 37-year old organization has won its largest victories by engaging thousands of voters and gaining commitments from candidates. These victories include 1,200 affordable homes, the first living wage in the country, College Bound Foundation, the Child First Authority, and $1 billion for the construction of 21st century city schools.
Next week’s actions are a warm-up for a bigger effort. “Our campaign for the 2016 elections starts now,” says the Rev. Glenna Huber, BUILD Clergy Co-Chair. “We are sending a message to every candidate running for mayor, city council, and state-wide office. BUILD will be a leading force in voter engagement citywide, promoting a strong, resident-driven agenda.”
Monday November 3rd at 6pm, over 200 volunteers will gather for interfaith inspiration and training, and then disperse to surrounding Northeast Baltimore precincts. They will remind people to vote and arrange for rides the following day if necessary. Tuesday November 4th, 150 volunteers will door knock, phone bank, and drive voters to the polls.
Summary:
What: Election Eve Rally, followed by Get Out The Vote door to door canvassing Mon. Nov. 3 and Tues. Nov. 4
Who: Hundreds of BUILD leaders from 30+ congregations and school communities throughout Baltimore
When: Nov. 3: Rally 6-6:45pm, followed by GOTV.
Nov. 4: rolling GOTV efforts from 6:30am to 8pm
Where: St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church, 5401 Loch Raven Blvd, Baltimore, MD, 21239
Why: BUILD members will encourage registered voters to exercise their rights at the polls on Nov. 4, 2014 to show Baltimore counts
Contacts: Ojeda Hall, Lead Organizer, BUILD, 443-253-9338, omhall10@gmail.com
Rev. Glenna Huber, BUILD Clergy Co-Chair, 443-529-7302, urbanpastor@yahoo.com
Fr. Joe Muth, Pastor, St. Matthew’s R.C. Church, 443-850-6938, joemuth2848@gmail.com