Neighbor, Community Advocate, and Ally,

We have an opportunity to be heard before the Ways and Means Committee of the Baltimore City Council on Tuesday, September 10, 10 am in regards to the condemnation and selling  of city property to Amtrak. This would be a major milestone towards the beginning of tunnel boring on the newly selected B&P Tunnel Realignment Program, also referred to as the Frederick Douglass Tunnel Program. Without Amtrak owning this land, they cannot proceed. Now is the time to show up, show out and resist. We need you.

Why should I care?

1. Public Sale of Land: This Council vote will be the first time Baltimore City has sold public land to Amtrak for this project by condemning and selling subterranean portions of neighborhood streets. Without this sale the project cannot proceed.

2. Aiding the breaking of law: The sale will mean the City has rubber stamped the continued unlawful construction of the B&P Tunnel Realignment Program which is slated to disproportionately impact low income and Black communities. This project has consistently broken federal code in relations to civil rights, historic preservation, and administrative procedure law.

3. Direct impact to community: This particular vote would mark the City Council's approval of sale of public land in Reservoir Hill and Sandtown communities to Amtrak. Amtrak requires rights to this land to proceed with pre-construction work that impacts the entire alignment.

How can I help?

1. Orally testify before the Baltimore City Council either in-person or virtually (in-person is preferred)
2. Send in written testimony to the Baltimore City Council (we will provide the language).
3. Write emails to councilmembers of the Ways and Means Committee
4. Call councilmembers of the Ways and Means Committee
5. ALL OF THE ABOVE!

See more information about the resources we will provide to support your advocacy efforts.

Why your testimony is critical

Testimony is a way for us to provide evidence that can:

1. Potentially move the City Council to vote against the sale of public land
2. Is documented evidence of the communities opposition and can be used in all future action
3. Shows the community has used all means to oppose an action and is not relying on one action to make change in their community
4. Is a  public demonstration of how many people are working together to make change in their community (this is why being in person matters).

In Solidarity,

Reservoir Hill Association (RHA)

________

Resources for Testimony

1. City Council Hearing Policies and Procedures
2. Sign up to testify and submit written testimony here

1. Note the bill number below in the City Council Bill Chart
2. Written testimony:

1. Should be submitted by Monday, September 9, 10 am.
2. Can be submitted via the above portal or emailed to  testimony@baltimorecity.gov.
3. Suggested language can be found here.

3. Sign up for in-person or virtual testimony as soon as possible

1. In-Person Testimony will take place at

1. Baltimore City Hall, 100 Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202, Du Burns Chambers, 4th Floor
2. Phone: (408) 418-9388
3. Register here.

2. Virtual Testimony can be heard at:

1. Via Baltimore City WebEx
2. Access Code: 2341 641 4094
3. Password: Public
4. Direct Link: https://bmore.webex.com/bmore/j.php?MTID=me41c5f4c94571bec4ea2b545f37d1c98
5. Register here.

3. City Council Bill Chart for Tuesday, September 10, 2024 (see below)
4. Contacts for Council members (see below)

—-------

C. City Council Bill Chart:  

Bills before the City Council on Tuesday, September, 10, 2024 (see full calendar here for more details):

*Times are subject to change, please plan to be ready to testify by 9:30 am.

D. Contacts for Ways and Means Committee Members: