Peace Action Montgomery requests that Takoma Park constituents consider writing to their elected officials on the following issues. They are based on encounters with these elected officials in January 2025.
1. Congressman Jamie Raskin
Doctors against Genocide and Peace Action Montgomery met with an aide in Rep. Raskin’s office about Dr. Abu Safia who was taken prisoner by Israel and reports are that he is being tortured. Rep. Raskin is on the Executive Committee of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and frequently issues press releases about political prisoners (release 1, release 2 and release 3. The meeting attendees asked him to issue a similar release about Dr. Abu Safia.
Click here to amplify our request to Rep. Raskin
2. County Executive Marc Elrich
Montgomery County gives an annual grant to the Maryland Israel Development Center (MIDC) which brings in weapons manufacturers engaged in war crimes. Two of these companies are part of the Israeli government itself. See here for a 3-minute video.
At a town hall in October where constituents raised concerns, CE Elrich promised to meet with us. In mid-January, there were two separate encounters with CE Elrich and he openly said he would not meet because he is “not going to budge on this issue.” His reason is that it is a slippery slope and he would have to hold other grantees to ethical standards it would mean he has to do it for everyone else.
It is important to note that between October and January, Marc had a sit down dinner with the chief local lobbyist for Israel and gave a presentation at the JCRC legislative breakfast. The JCRC has made maintaining MIDC funding as one of its 4 legislative priorities.
Click here to tell CE Elrich that he should meet with all constituents not just the ones he agrees with.
3. Delegate David Moon
Over 2 dozen activists met with State lawmakers about the grant that the State gives to the MIDC. At least 3 offices in the Montgomery County Delegation told us they were familiar with the concern because there have been internal conversations among the county delegation about the issue. (The reason is that numerous constituents gave testimony during the November pre-session town forum. We KNOW Del. Moon is familar with the issue.
But during the KoJo show last week, he was asked a question about his position on the issue and he told the radio emcce he was “unfamiliar with it.”
Click here to ask Del. Moon to express his position on the MIDC.
peaceactionmontgomery.org 