Hello everyone. First time, long time.
I am currently doing GOTV work for the Obama campaign here in Delaware County. I'm on a quick break before I head out again, but I wanted to convey some disturbing news.
The OFA rep I am reporting to - Nate - relayed a story of how he and other members of OFA in the offices at Media were "detained" for a period of time (up to or over two hours) and not allowed to leave. They were not charged with anything nor were they given an explicit reason as to why they were being held.
And to top it all off, one of the members had her car keys confiscated - again without recourse - and is now in the midst of trying to get around and complete her GOTV without the use of a car.
This is completely incorrigible. Delaware County has a long history of subtle - and sometimes overt - intimidation by those in the authority. This is still an area of the country where voter affiliation opens doors and equally closes them just as fast. A place where my mother once said that she could not get help for fixing her roof due to the fact that she had registered as a Democrat. That was the 1970's. This is now.
The police intimidation (for lack of a better term) didn't end there. I was told by Nate that right as they were about to exit Media, they were pulled over by another officer. Reasons were not given and no warnings, tickets, etc. ensued.
This is what got me motivated to take a day off and GOTV for the president and ALL of the down ticket races here. This kind of crap needs to stop. If you happen to be getting out the vote in a - forgive the terseness of the term - "hostile" environment, make sure you know who to call. Convey all incidents to your local OFA office or even town, township, borough, etc. officials.
The moment we let them get away with this and back down from what we want to do, the moment we let them truly win; no matter what the outcome of the actual election.
Thanks for the great info over the years Kossacks. I'm glad to finally contribute and post a diary. I hope this finds you all well.
GOTV OBAMA/BIDEN 2012!