Announcements

Written by: Jennifer McGoldrick on May 8, 2007 5:45 PM EDT

Linked to groups: DFA Boston

Here are a few announcements:

1. Special Elections

Next Tues, May 15th, 2 special elections will be taking place.

One is District 2 City Council race between Susan Passoni and Bill Linehan. Susan has the support of many Boston Area Progressives. Her campaign is looking for volunteers to help between now and election day. If you can give a few hours, please give Reuben Kantor a call at (617) 262-6626.

The second is the State Rep race in the 11th Norfolk District (Dedham/Westwood Area). Democrat, Steven Bilafer is running against Republican, Doug Obey and Unenrolled Candidate, Paul McMurtry. Bilafer's Campaign has several visibilities and phonebanking events scheduled for this week. If you are interested in helping, please contact the campaign at (781) 320-8580 or email Nancy Anderson at nancy.anderson@massdems.org.

2. State Convention

This year's state convention will be taking place at 10 am on May 19th at the Mullins Center - UMass/Amherst. In an effort to open up the convention to as many grassroots activist as possible, the state party has announced that the are allowing every paid delegate to bring a guest. All guests will be able to participate in the morning plenary session and in the afternoon workshops. If you know a fellow progressive who would like to attend, please complete the online registration form http://www.massdems.org/caucus07/bfriend.cfm or contact the State Party at (617) 776-2676.

3. Contact Senator Kennedy & Kerry to Support DC Voting Rights Act

HR 1905 has moved to the Senate. We need to ensure that every Democratic Senator votes for the bill. This week, DC for Democracy, is delivering letters from local DFA Groups to the state party chairs attending this weeks Association of State Democratic Chairs Meeting in Washington. They are asking every State Chair to lobby their Democratic Senators. Last week I submitted the following letter from DFA Boston to John Walsh:

May 1, 2007 

John Walsh

56 Roland St Ste 203

Boston MA 02129

Dear Mr. Walsh,

 I am writing on behalf of DFA Boston to ask for your support on a major civil rights issue: the continued disenfranchisement of the almost 600,000 citizens of the District of Columbia in our nation's legislature.   

After more than 200 years, we have an excellent chance of righting this historic wrong.  The House of Representatives recently passed HR 1905, the DC House Voting Rights Act, which will expand the House to 437 seats, granting one of the seats permanently to the District of Columbia.  We worked with our sister organization in the District, DC for Democracy, and Democracy for America (DFA) to achieve that victory.  The entire DFA community is united in support of this legislation. 

Now, as the bill moves before the Senate, we need your help to ensure that every Democratic Senator will vote to support full House voting rights for the citizens of the District of Columbia.  And just as the Association of State Democratic Chairs set the example last November by unanimously passing a resolution on behalf of DC voting rights, we believe that the Democratic Party must continue to unambiguously support this legislation.  It is in keeping with this proud tradition of promoting civil rights and expanding democracy throughout our nation that we call on the ASDC again.    

We urge you to call and write Senator John Kerry & Senator Edward Kennedy to support the DC House Voting Rights Act in the Senate.  As Chair of the MA Democratic State Committee, your voice will be heard.  We will be most happy to work with you on behalf of this important legislation. 

Sincerely, 

Jennifer McGoldrick

DFA Boston Organizer

Lets do our part to make sure Senators Kennedy and Kerry vote for this bill. Here is the contact info: 

Senator Edward Kennedy 

317 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington DC 20510 

Phone: (202) 224-4543

Fax: (202) 224-2417 

Senator John Kerry 

304 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington DC 20510 

Phone: (202) 224-2742

Fax: (202) 224-8525

Tags:
Location: Boston, MA 02118