Last Saturday, January 7, the Executive Committee of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party elected a new Executive Board to carry out the programs and activities that our general membership and the Executive Committee charge us with doing. Along with about a dozen others, I was re-elected to a second term on the board. That means we have about a dozen newcomers to the board, and together we have a terrific group of people. Our range of life experience and professional experience is great and our political activism is deep. We have very promising diversity: 50-50 male/female; about 40% people of color; an age range between 16 (!) and 76; several who are immigrants or first-generation Americans; good geographical coverage; and more. THIS is what the U.S. looks like. THIS is who the Democratic Party is. I’m both delighted to be doing this work again and humbled by the responsibility that it represents.
In our WCDP promotional materials, we stress that IT IS FUN to do this work. You can meet the most interesting and stimulating people that way. If you have ANY questions about how to get involved in your local party, let me know!
Below the fold: action updates. Remember, this is an Open Thread for all subjects Michigan.
NEW LOCATION for the DAY OF ACTION
”Our First Stand: Save Health Care”
Sunday, January 15, 12:30 PM — ?
Macomb Community College
14500 E. 12 Mile Rd., Warren, MI
Demand has been so great — over 5500 people have RSVPed so far — the venue has been changed. THIS VENUE IS OUTDOORS so be prepared!
RSVP HERE
Special guests include: Senators Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer; our own Michigan Senators Peters and Stabenow; our Michigan legislative delegation — Dan Kildee (MI-5), Sandy Levin (MI-9), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), John Conyers (MI-13), and Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) along with Cecile Richards and others.
In this big group, it’ll be challenging to find each other, but if you’ll be there speak up and we can plan a rendezvous location.
MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
TODAY is the Last Day to Join the Michigan Democratic Party (to have a vote at the MDP Spring Convention, Saturday, February 11) See the MDP website for more details about membership and about the Convention.
Saturday, January 21: Women’s March on Washington Lansing, 1 — 3 PM, Michigan Capitol See poster for event details, or the MarchonLansing website. We WILL have a Daily Kos banner to march behind — please let us know you’ll march with us!
**Please Note: This March will be followed by The Women Organize Michigan Summit at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church near the Capitol. Given the length of the day to have back-to-back events like this, we will forgo a Daily Kos meetup then.
Marches will be held in several other Michigan cities on 1/21— Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Ypsilanti, others? Let us know where you’ll be in case more Michigan Kos members can join you there.
Saturday, February 4: DNC Future Forum, 9 AM — 5 PM, Community Arts Bldg, Wayne State Yes, the DNC is coming to Detroit for a public forum, and YOU are invited to attend. The afternoon session will largely be Q & A involving the candidates for DNC offices, including the Chair. Between now and then, a lot could happen, so this could be a very interesting event.
**Please note: Lunch is NOT provided (this is a free event) and I would like to set up a Daily Kos meeting place for lunch near WSU. Let me know ASAP if you’d like to take part in a lunch with us!**
Saturday, February 11: Michigan Democratic Party Spring Convention, 9 — 5, Cobo Center, Detroit
In case you don’t know already, this is where a number of key elections will take place. If YOU want to help shape the direction of the Michigan Dems for the next two years, this is the place to be. The link again for the MDP: MichiganDems.com
PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY. Registration opens at 7:30 AM, and this event will be packed. Visit this link for the agenda.
I’ll be there with bells on, but primarily with my Democratic Party hat on. Please let me know if you’d like to try to connect all the same.
CONTACT INFORMATION for our MICHIGAN SENATORS
Call them. Email them. Send tweets. Send letters (through the website is better for security reasons). Even if they’re doing what we want them to do, they need to hear from us!
Sen. Debbie Stabenow This link goes to her email page and it also includes the list of her local offices if you prefer to call. Or, if you tweet: @SenStabenow
Sen. Gary Peters His contact link is here. His Twitter handle: @SenGaryPeters
We are on a war footing now. Every day counts. Check out Kascade Kat’s great posts for daily to-dos (here is today’s installment of Defend Our Democracy) and keep us all apprised here of how you are faring.
Please help us build this weekly Michigan thread so that it includes any information relevant to turning MI Blue again that you would like me to highlight. MI contributors are always welcome! You can reach me through kosmail at peregrine kate. Or say hi through email here: peregrinekate@gmail.com And please follow me on Twitter @peregrinekate
Please feel free to drop in on ANY State Open Thread!
Colorado: Sunday Mornings
Kansas: Monday Evenings
Michigan: Thursday Evenings
Missouri: Wednesday Evenings
North Carolina: Sundays, 1:00 PM Eastern