12 Jan 2022

So, back to work…
…and make no mistake, there’s a lot of work to do. This year. In 2024. In 2026. If the last couple years have shown us anything, we have to build for the long haul.
But, we do it differently.
We do it by bringing people together, not dividing them.
We do it from love for all.
We do it by building community, not by tearing communities apart.
We do it without violence.
But there is one thing we cannot, we will not tolerate.
Intolerance.
Let’s get to work.

Missed the January Meeting?
Here are your links to the program content!
Responding to Climate Change in Ann Arbor
Mayor Christopher Taylor and Sustainability and Innovations Manager Dr. Missy Stults, on promoting energy efficiency, recycling, and environmental justice with funds from a proposed new millage.
The National Democratic Party’s plans to Combat Climate Change
Michelle Deatrick, National Chair, DNC Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis, former Washtenaw County Commissioner
Taking Fear Seriously in Western Washtenaw County
How to respond when School Board and municipal elections are met with fear-based political strategies. Discussion led by Chelsea Mayor Jane Pacheco and Dexter Community Schools Board of Education Member Jennifer Kangas.
Defending the Integrity of Elections in Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County Clerk Lawrence Kestenbaum and Washtenaw Director of Elections Ed Golumbiewski.

A special Valentine’s Weekend Concert with Louis Nagel and family!
Tickets
Sponsor: $300, Donor $200, Single or Donated ticket $50
Purchase your tickets on ActBlue
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/nagel2022
Purchase tickets by check
Send your check to WCDP, PO Box 980586, Ypsilanti MI 48198
Need more information?
Check out the Featured Events listing on WCDP web site.

We Need Volunteers!
We did it before, and we can do it again.
As President Biden said on January 6, 2022, “The election of 2020 was the greatest demonstration of democracy in the history of this country. More of you voted in that election than have ever voted in all of American history. Over 150 million Americans went to the polls and voted that day. In a pandemic. Some at great risk to their lives. They should be applauded, not attacked.”
We heroically stood up for our democracy in 2020, and must do it again. In his last published remarks John R. Lewis reminded us of this essential truth: “Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part.”
The WCDP is putting together an unprecedented set of resources to support and deploy volunteers to deliver every single blue vote in Washtenaw County. Want to mobilize your neighborhood? Be a Precinct Delegate, Precinct Volunteer, or Area Captain. Want to help get the word out? Volunteer to update our new ActionHub or to join the Communications team. You’ll find job descriptions for these roles and more, and the application form, at our new volunteer hub, washtenawdems.org/volunteer.
Join us! Invite your friends and family to act. Together, we will deliver on the promise of American democracy, one crucial voter at a time. washtenawdems.org/volunteer

Events
Wednesday, January 12th 6:30pm
Reproductive Rights Under Attack: Status and Recourse
Register for Zoom meeting here
Leah Litman, JD, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Law School will discuss the status of the conservative attacks on reproductive rights and what citizens can do to robustly protect women’s rights to make private decisions about their bodies.
Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County.
Monday, January 17th
This year for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, and Yolanda Renee King, along with faith leaders, civil rights leaders, and voting rights advocates, are joining together to demand voting rights legislationnow.
There will be marches in Phoenix AZ on Saturday the 15th, and in D.C on Monday the 17th, but you don’t have to attend to participate.
Call our Senators and let them know we have their backs on this!
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Washington: (202) 224-4822
Detroit: (313) 961-4330
Senator Gary Peters
Washington: (202) 224-6221)
Detroit: (313) 226-6020
Deliver for Voting Rights Website
MLK Jr. Day Events in Washtenaw (MLive)
Saturday, January 22 11am-12pm
State Senator Jeff Irwin’s January Coffee Hour
To receive zoom details please fill out this form by 5:00 PM on 1/21/22.
https://senatedems.com/irwin/coffee-hour-sign-up/
Thursday, February 10 6pm
Democracy Endgame? Not If We Join Together
Register for Zoom webinar here
As disinformation and doom-and-gloom predictions of the demise of democracy seem to fill the air, renowned messaging expert Ian Haney López offers research-based insights on what we can do to counter the dominant narrative and fill the void, with messaging based on our true identity and values.
Organized by the Liberal Leadership League and the WCDP

Patricia Harris, our Project 83 Regional Organizer from the Michigan Democratic Party, has died. 4
Read the WCDP’s statement here.
THE FINAL WORD
U.S Representative Debbie Dingell gets the Final Word this week.
Here’s her recording made on January 6th, the one year anniversary of the Capitol Insurrection.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR MICHIGAN REPS
Find your county commissioner here. State Senator Jeff Irwin has a regular Virtual Coffee Hour — To receive the Zoom access code and the next date, please fill out this form:https://senatedems.com/irwin/coffee-hour-sign-up/ State Rep. Yousef Rabhi, 53rd House district: yousefrabhi@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-2577. https://housedems.com/yousef-rabhi/. Typically discussions are 10 am on the 4th Saturday of the month and 6 pm on the 2nd Monday of the month. Click to register: Monday coffee hours Saturday coffee hours State Rep. Ronnie Peterson, 54th House district: ronniepeterson@house.mi.gov Phone: (517) 373-1771 | Toll-Free: (855) 347-8054, https://housedems.com/ronnie-peterson/ State Rep. Donna Lasinski, 52nd House district: donnalasinski@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-0828 | Toll-Free: (855) 627-5052, https://housedems.com/donna-lasinski/ (sign up for emails here). State Rep. Felicia Brabec, 55th House district: FeliciaBrabec@house.mi.gov, Phone: (517) 373-1792, https://housedems.com/felicia-brabec/. |