With sadness but a clear understanding of duty to the common good, we are cancelling the PA Map Day event scheduled for next Wednesday, March 18, in the state Capitol.
As much as we looked forward to the day, we know it would not be wise to ask more than 200 people of all ages to travel to Harrisburg and gather in one space. Public health and the urgency of limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus come first.
We thank you for the enthusiasm you have contributed to this effort to push the General Assembly to slay the gerrymander in our state. We will keep trying to devise ways to lift up the inspiring work of our mappers to lawmakers, so that they will do the right thing. We hope to work with our education partners who've been forced to scrap in-person instruction, offering them help in providing engaging, useful online lessons for their students.
At this point, however, with the course of the pandemic still so unclear, it's impossible to be specific about the nature and timing of future events or activities. We will keep you informed in a timely, transparent way.
One thing we can say is this: If mappers had a visit with a lawmaker scheduled for next Wednesday, we will work with them and that lawmaker to convert that visit into a phone call at another mutually convenient time.
If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at info@drawthelinespa.org or via our social media, @drawthelinespa.
With wishes for the health and safety of you and yours,
The Draw the Lines PA team