Teaching Young Kids About Voting
WCDP members spent time at the Perry Early Learning Center, talking with parents and holding a mock presidential election. Kids had a great time voting for Easter President, entering the raffle for a basket of books, and earning stickers. We congratulate Mr. Bunny on his win as Easter President and wish Miss Duck luck in all future endeavors.
Voting Survey
The City of Ann Arbor just launched a survey about early voting options in the 2024 elections. The 6-question survey is available through May 22, 2023. You can answer if you live in Ann Arbor, a nearby city or township, are a student in Ann Arbor, if you aren’t registered to vote in the area, or if you’re unsure if you’re a registered voter in Ann Arbor. To take the survey, click here.
Visibility Committee Call for Volunteers
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- Ann Arbor Farmers’ Market (Saturdays beginning in May)
- Chelsea Sounds and Sights (Thursday nights beginning in June)
- Ann Arbor Art Fair (July 20-22, shifts available throughout the day)
- Ypsilanti Pride (Friday, June 2, 4-10 pm)
- Ann Arbor African American Downtown Festival (Saturday, June 3)
- Milan Pride Parade (Saturday, June 10, 3:45-5:00)
- Ypsilanti Juneteenth Celebrations (Monday, June 19)
- Ann Arbor Juneteenth Celebration (Monday, June 19)
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Join fellow Democrats for a benefit performance for the Washtenaw County Democratic Party by highly acclaimed concert pianist Louis Nagel, along with the G-4 String Quartet, featuring music by Beethoven. Includes a special video introduction by Congresswoman and US Senate Candidate Elissa Slotkin.
Attend in person at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor, or virtually by Zoom. For those who attend in person, light refreshments will follow the performance. Tickets are on sale now.
April 25: School Funding Advocacy Day in Lansing
From the Michigan Education Justice Coalition:
What: Advocacy day to show lawmakers the strong support for public schools
When: April 25, 2023; 9am-4pm
Why: Get commitments from legislators for more funding
Where: Lansing, Michigan
“As we approach budget season for our school districts across the state, our elected leaders in Lansing are hashing out what priorities will be funded. Can we count on you to help? All are welcome! We will have a big group of youth, school board members and educators with us.”
Since March 29, the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) Local-3550, AFL-CIO, the grad student union at the University of Michigan, has been on strike over their working conditions and compensation. The GEO strike follows a year of stalled negotiations and the University has responded by seeking an injunction through the court system.
UM law professor Sanjukta Paul has penned an open letter to UM President Santa Ono, signed by signed by hundreds of university faculty, arguing that the strike violates longstanding legal traditions in the state of Michigan. An op-ed based on the letter can be read at the Michigan Daily.
Lance Compa of Cornell University, one of the country’s leading experts on international labor rights and standards, has released a video arguing that the Michigan law banning public sector strikes — one of the two main grounds for the injunction UM is seeking — violates international labor standards.
GEO’s statement explaining their position begins: “Like many working people across the country, grad workers at U-M are feeling the squeeze of inflation. The gap between our salaries and the cost of living has tripled in the last three years, and our members are struggling to afford necessities like rent and childcare. We think all workers should be able to afford to live where we work.” Find the rest here. The GEO is immensely grateful for the community’s support. You can contribute to their strike fund here.
– Bobby Madamanchi, Huron Valley Area Labor Federation
Drive Michigan Forward
This just in from We the People Michigan:
“The Drive Michigan Forward Coalition has been been working for years to organize our communities to ensure that all Michiganders, regardless of immigration status, have the freedom of movement. Please join us today by calling the new democratic leadership to support the Drive SAFE bills.”
Immigrants work in every sector of the economy. They are to be found in all stages of the legal process- many who are currently undocumented have a claim, and a process, to obtain a work permit and then a driver’s license, but that process, already slow and under-resourced, has been further hampered by the Covid crisis. For the person washing dishes or cooking in your favorite restaurant, or replacing your roof, or taking care of your garden, that means months and years of having to rely on friends and volunteers for many essential trips– including required check-ins with ICE in Detroit. Restoring their access to driver’s licenses is the least we can do to ensure their safety and our own. Unlicensed drivers put everyone in jeopardy.
Please let your representatives know that you support this measure.
More Volunteer Opportunities
- Do you like to do research?
Precinct Organizing is putting together a file with all of our Reps’ contacts and other info on the new districts. If you enjoy such tasks, and resource creation, contact Janet Cannon janetcdem@gmail.com
- Reaching Dem-leaning voters who don’t vote in every election
A recent analysis shows that the single largest group of non-voters in Washtenaw County in 2022 were in the 24–35-year-old age group. We are looking for volunteers to help crack this nut and help us to motivate ALL dem voters of all ages to vote in every election. Now is the time to build a strong strategy for 2024! If you have insight to offer or want to help, please contact Sandy Levitsky slevitsk@gmail.com.
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