Stay in the Action with News & Updates you can use! Join the network that provides you the most current unfiltered news and events occurring within the state and local counties.  It’s a nationwide hook up! “Voting is the foundation stone for political action.” – Martin Luther King Jr. THE NEXT MEETING ON March 12th , 2022 11:00 AM  EASTERN TIME Special Topic:   Women’s History Month Program Join Zoom Meeting JOIN NAN’S ZOOM MEETING Meeting ID: 883 5940 2432 Passcode: 852186 Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) DUE TO THE PANDEMIC NAN Office is Open on Tuesdays & Thursdays From 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM You can: Volunteer your time Renew & Bring New Memberships Pick Up& DROP OFF Voter Registration Forms Please call in advance of arrival. SEND MAIL TO:  Philadelphia NAN Office: 215-769-1511 or 1513 ALWAYS CHECK YOUR NAN ALERTS & READ YOUR NEWSLETTER.  Renew & Bring New Memberships SEND MAIL TO:  Philadelphia NAN PO BOX 3553 Philadelphia, PA 19122 Office: 215-769-1513 Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. In the United States, Women’s History Month traces its beginnings back to the first International Women’s Day in 1911. In 1978, the school district of Sonoma, California participated in Women’s History Week, an event designed around the week of March 8 (International Women’s Day). In 1979 a fifteen-day conference about women’s history was held at Sarah Lawrence College from July 13 until July 29, chaired by historian Gerda Lerner. In March 2011, the Obama administration released a report, Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being,[7] showing women’s status in the U.S. in 2011 and how it had changed over time.[8] This report was the first comprehensive federal report on women since the report produced by the Commission on the Status of Women in 1963. This Month in BLACK Women HISTORY Mary McLeod Bethune Did you know that Mary McLeod Bethune was not only the first person in her family to be born free and receive a formal education, but she was also the first African American woman to head a federal agency?In fact , Mary holds a lot of “firsts” on her resume, including being the first African American woman to serve as a college president, and she was the first president of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW). Throughout her life Mary was known as a civil rights champion and a leader of women. Among her many accomplishments were also the establishment of the National Archives for Black Women’s History. You can continue to learn more about her fascinating life by taking a virtual tour of Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site today! The Fight Against the Pandemic in PA (Part II) Nearly two years after Philly first enacted pandemic safety measures, and as the omicron surge subsides, the city is updating the benchmarks used to decide what restrictions should be in place. That means big changes right away: the city’s indoor dining vaccine mandate is over, effective immediately. “As of today, we no longer need to ask our city’s dining establishments to check vaccines,” said Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole at a Wednesday briefing. She suggested that if trends continue, the rules could relax further within weeks. In general, the Health Department’s new system will track four main data points to move through four levels of restrictions: 1) average daily COVID cases recorded by the city; 2) COVID hospitalizations in the city; 3) average positivity rates; and 4) the rate of case increase. The levels are intended to provide transparency for what city residents and business owners can expect going forward, Bettigole said, and were developed based on consultations with experts and analysis of metrics over the past two years. They are: Level 4: Extreme Caution Mandated indoor masking and proof of vaccination for businesses serving food indoors. At this level, two or more of the following are true: Average new daily cases 500+ Hospitalizations 500+ Positivity 10%+ Cases have risen 50%+ in the previous 10 days Level 3: Caution Indoor masking and checks at businesses serving food are still in effect, but a negative test result no more than 24 hours old can be used instead of a vaccination card. At this point, three or more of the following are true: Average new daily cases < 500. Hospitalizations < 500 Positivity < 10% Cases have risen < 50% in the previous 10 days Level 2: Mask Precautions Only No vaccine mandate for businesses, indoor masking still required. At this level, three or more of the following must be true: Average new daily cases < 225 Hospitalizations < 100. Positivity < 5%. Cases have risen < 50% in the previous 10 days Level 1: All Clear An end to all mandates, including the indoor mask mandate. For all mandates to be lifted, three or more of the following have to true: Average new daily cases < 100 Hospitalizations < 50 Positivity < 2% Cases have risen < 50% in the previous 10 days Many restaurant and hospitality business owners were thrilled to hear about the change, as restaurateurs have faced steep setbacks in revenue and staffing issues throughout the pandemic. Here’s a rundown of how Philly’s new COVID response levels will work. What level are we in now? Right now, with an average 189 new cases a day, 2.9% positivity rate, and 300 people hospitalized, according to Commissioner Bettigole, the city is in Level 2: Masking Precautions Only. Where do these rules apply? The new system applies to any business that serves food and drink, along with indoor public places, which include: Hotels Banquet halls Convention centers Gyms Movie theaters Casinos Barber shops What about schools and colleges? Philadelphia schools and early education settings will still require masking at all times. The Health Department will continue its regular, ongoing discussions with the School District of Philadelphia about potential adjustments, Bettigole said. College and university dining halls are among the few food service establishments that may not follow these rules, as universities still set the standards for their own facilities, and they could be more restrictive than the city. How about public transit and hospitals? No matter what level of restrictions Philly officials set, federal guidelines still apply. Right now, federal rules say masking is still required on public transit like SEPTA and PATCO, as well as in health care settings like hospitals and clinics. Where do I find out what level is active? The Health Department’s website displays the current status on a banner at the top of the policy landing page. It’ll also be communicated via press releases and social media announcements. Officials will update the website weekly, usually on Monday afternoon, unless there’s some unexpected or sudden change, Bettigole said. I’m unvaccinated, what’s changed for me? As of today, you can frequent businesses that were previously off limits due to vaccine mandates. However, businesses have the right to enact a policy more stringent than the city’s COVID response plan, so they could have their own vaccine requirements. What about employer vaccine mandates? No aspects of private employer vaccine requirements have changed, whether it’s a strict mandate or a “vax or test” policy. The city’s requirement for municipal employees to get vaccinated is also still active. This Month in BLACK Women HISTORY PRESIDENT BIDEN NOMINATES FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES. Ketanji Brown Jackson Born September 14, 1970 is an American attorney and jurist serving as a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 2021. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Miami, Florida, Jackson attended Harvard University for college and law school, where she served as an editor on the Harvard Law Review. She began her legal career with three clerkships, including one with U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer. Prior to her elevation to an appellate court and from 2013 to 2021, she served as a district judge on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Jackson was also vice chair of the United States Sentencing Commission from 2010 to 2014. Since 2016, she has been a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers. On February 25, 2022, President Joe Biden announced that Jackson was his nominee for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, filling the vacancy that would be created upon Breyer’s planned retirement. We need you Member to become more engaged with your Action organization. Choose One to support a day, each month with your presence. Crisis Committee Comfort Committee Resource/Fundraising Committee Educational Advocacy Committee Health& Wellness Committee Political Advocacy Committee Youth Huddle Veterans Committee Men’s Auxiliary     Get in the Action! Congratulations to the New Education Committee Chair, Mrs. Veronica Joyner NAN FIGHTS FOR JUSTICE! JUDGE MEEHAN ANTI-JUSTICE RULINGS MUST BE REMEMBERED …WHEN WE VOTE! Philadelphia Police Inspector James Smith and his brother, Patrick Smith, a former Philadelphia Police Detective have been charged after police say the brothers chased and beat up a man with Autism. The brothers were both charged with misdemeanor assault, conspiracy, and reckless Police Detective have been charged after police say the brothers chased and beat up a man with Autism. The brothers were both charged with misdemeanor assault, conspiracy, and recklessly endangering another person. Both brothers were off duty when they started chasing the 27-year-old victim in their car. The man stopped in a shopping center parking lot at Fairdale and Knights Roads. The officers approached the victim and told him they were part of the “town watch.” The victim began to run again, this time on foot. The brothers pursued him. When they caught up to him, they threw him head-first into a pillar. The victim was then thrown to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement in the process. He suffered several injuries from the incident. During the foot chase, the victim called his mother on the phone and begged her for help. The mother told authorities that she heard someone saying “hold his legs” shortly afterward, before the call cut off. The mother used a smartphone tracking app to locate her son. When the father arrived, the brothers told the victim’s dad the same lie they told the son. They were part of the “town watch.” The victim is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a neuro-developmental disorder on the Autism spectrum, according to authorities. People with this condition have issues with social interaction and non-verbal communication.  No Justice for this victim.  On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, Municipal Court Judge William Austin Meehan Jr,  dismissed all charges against the two ex-cops, citing a lack of evidence and the response from the racist president of FOP Lodge#5, John McNesby. “We will now work to make these officers whole following all their losses”. Judge Meehan seems to be engulfed in his own private war against DA Larry Krasner with exonerating vicious cops involved in criminal behavior at the expense of the taxpayers.  Most recently, Judge Meehan, Jr. in May of last year, he dismissed all charges against former Philadelphia SWAT Officer Richard P. Nicoletti, ruling that Nicoletti did not commit a crime when he pepper-sprayed protesters on the Vine Street Expressway during 2020 demonstrations over the police killing of George Floyd.   A Common Pleas Court judge later reinstated all the charges against Nicoletti. In 2020, Judge Meehan threw out the case against a former homicide detective, Nathaniel Williams, who was charged with falsifying statements and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors said he lied to police commanders about looking up information on a law enforcement database about a woman for his cousin. In another 2020 case, Meehan dismissed the case against Charles Myers, who was charged with perjury and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors had alleged Myers lied at an evidence-suppression hearing about the circumstances of a 2017-gun arrest. Send Judge Meehan a letter to oppose his bias decision, let him know  “we won’t forget”. Hon. William Austin Meehan Jr. – Philadelphia, PA Criminal Justice Center-1317-1301 Filbert St.  19107. Philadelphia Municipal Court  – 215-683-7211 We need you in 2022! ACTION COMMITTEES ALL COMMITTEE MEETINGS WILL BE HELD VIA CONFERENCE CALL, PLEASE BE ON TIME AND DIAL: 1-515-604-9300 PASSCODE: 616970# Political Advocacy Committee Meets the 2nd Tuesday 6:00 PM Contact: Deacon Smith 267-973-5555 Contact: Paula Peebles 215-485-8322Comfort Committee Meets the 2nd Thursday 6:00 PM Contact: Mary Kennedy 215-518-8823 Contact: Emma Kelly 215-548-1062 Black Clergy Meets the 3rd Thursday 9:00 AM Contact: Reverend Jerome Fordham 215- 696-0424 Veterans Committee Meets Every 2nd Monday                         6:00 PM Andrew Brazington Contact: 610-368-0006 Youth Committee Meets every 5th Saturday 11:00 AM Contact: Deacon Smith Co-Chair-Janae’ Calhoun, youth Membership Committee Meets the 3rd Saturday 11:00 AM Contact: Rev. James Wright, Sr. 267-444-5461 Resource & Development Committee Meet the 3rd Wednesday 6:00 PM Contact: Paula Peebles 215-485-8322 Criminal Justice Committee Meet the 3rd Sundays 3:00 PM Contact: Deacon Smith 267-973-555 Education Advocacy Mrs. Laura Dijols 215-339-0188 Men’s Auxiliary Committee Meets the 4th Saturday 11:00 AM                             Contact: Drew Jones-215-960-5023 Contact: Deacon. Charles Hart 215-837-5543                                Housing Committee Meets the 4th Saturday 11:00 AM Contact: Toni Johnson 215-593-4259 It’s That Time Again –  Time to Spring Forward! MARCH COOKING Spring Chili With Greens By Chris Morocco for Bon Apetit   This bright and hearty spring chili with greens from Test Kitchen director Chris Morocco is sure to shake the winter blues. No tomatoes, just lots of chiles, beans, and aggressive use of your spice cabinet, and you can create a chili that’s perfect for the in-between season, when it’s still cold, but you refuse to wear a winter coat anymore. This dish can be made with water, but chicken broth adds extra oomph. Ingredients 4–6 servings ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 large white onion, finely chopped, plus more, sliced, for serving Kosher salt8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 poblano chiles, seeds removed, finely chopped 2 Anaheim chiles or Cubanelle peppers or 1 poblano chile, seeds removed, finely chopped 1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely chopped 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. ground oregano 1 tsp. mild red pepper flakes 1 tsp. paprika ½ head of escarole, trimmed, chopped 3 14-oz. cans cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth or water 2 Tbsp. (or more) grated Parmesan Freshly ground black pepper1 small bunch spinach, trimmed, chopped Sour cream or yogurt and crumbled corn chips (for serving) Directions Step 1 Heat oil and butter in a medium pot over medium-high until butter is melted. Add chopped onion and a large pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until softened, 6–8 minutes. Add garlic, poblano chiles, Anaheim chiles, and jalapeño and cook, stirring, until very tender, 8–10 minutes. Add cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Cook, stirring constantly, until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Step 2 Add escarole and cook, stirring often, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add beans, broth, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Stir in Parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, 10–15 minutes. Taste and season with more salt and pepper and/or add more Parmesan if needed. Stir in spinach Step 3 Ladle chili into bowls and top with dollops of sour cream, sliced onion, and corn chips. Copyright © 2022 Philadelphia Chapter, National Action Network, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a NAN Chapter Member. Only NAN members receive these alerts or emails.Our mailing address is: Philadelphia Chapter, National Action Network 57 West Haines Street Suite 3R Philadelphia, PA 19144 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.