December 2nd WCDP Meeting
Save the date! The monthly meeting on Saturday, December 2nd, 9:45 to noon, will feature Mark Brewer, former MDP Chair, speaking about efforts to keep former president Trump off the ballot in November 2024 on the grounds that he instigated an insurrection against the constitution of the United States, on the basis of clause three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States constitution. Also speaking will be Joyce Olmstead and Chris and Ann Savage, on the subject of food and climate change.
Standing against hate
This joint statement from Washtenaw County law enforcement agencies is firm about the need to stand against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate, including this important sentiment: “What’s clear, is that despite the historical challenges abroad, we in Washtenaw County are not against one another.”
What have Dems done for you lately?
We know people’s perception of the economy is pretty dark, despite the fact that inflation continues to decrease, wages are increasing faster than the rate of inflation now, and unemployment is at a 50-year low. We’re the messengers we need to change the narrative. Check out the Biden-Harris record, locate all the ways the administration is investing in America – and help spread the word.In Michigan – Combatting hate. Last week, the Michigan legislature passed bills to combat threats of violence and acts of vandalism against places of worship and gathering for cultural and religious communities. On a bipartisan basis, both houses of the Michigan legislature passed bills HB 4476 and HB 4477 making “maliciously and intentionally” damaging or defacing properties associated with a certain religious or cultural identity a crime of “institutional desecration.” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign them into law before the end of the year. Crimes against institutional symbols are meant to instill fear in an entire community, and often reflect disconnection and ignorance. For these reasons the bills allow courts to substitute alternative sentencing like community service with the goal of improving the perpetrator’s understanding of the victim and community they harmed. Learn more.On the horizon. Is access to clean drinking water a human right? Michigan Democrats say yes. Democratic lawmakers have introduced Senate Bills 549–554 in a bid to create a statewide water affordability program and prevent shutoffs. With the cost of water adjusted for inflation nearly doubling since 1980, the need for this protective legislation is urgent. The Senate Housing and Human Services Committee – chaired by Senator Jeff Irwin – is hearing testimony about ways to ensure that clean water is available and affordable to all Michiganders, without the threat of shutoffs looming for those who can’t pay. Subscribe to Senator Irwin’s newsletter or follow him on Facebook for regular updates.
Young Dems Washtenaw…
At its meeting on Sunday, November 5, YDW established its first set of officers and committee leaders! Sarah Rose (senior, EMU), Griffin Denome (recent high school graduate, heading into union apprenticeship), and Ari Shtein (Wi-Hi junior) are Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary – we’re still looking for a Treasurer. Justin Harper and Aidan Ross are on membership & outreach; Parini Rao and Nikki Wilson are on communications & social media; Liz Kiss is on events; and Ewurama Appiagyei-Dankah, Khalil Benson, Austin Bryan, and Ryan Doyle are on advocacy & elections.
All the committees welcome new members, and YDW welcomes every Washtenaw County resident between 16 and 36 who is committed to progressive wins. Please join the team to turn out the mighty youth vote in Washtenaw County, from Manchester to Milan, Salem to Sylvan! Sign up to get involved, and come meet us soon!
- Sunday, Dec. 3, 2:00 – 4:00 pm: YDW welcome, socializing, & organizing meeting, Downtown AADL
- Sunday, Jan. 7, 2:00 – 4:00 pm: YDW welcome, socializing, & organizing meeting, Multipurpose Room, Downtown AADL
WCDP Office Closed for Thanksgiving
The WCDP’s normal office hours at 418 West Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 are:
– Tuesdays, 4-6
– Thursdays, 4-6
– Saturdays, 1-3
Note: the office will be closed November 19-27 for Thanksgiving.
Meet your representatives ☕
State Representatives Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (District 32) will have coffee and donuts with constituents at the Ypsilanti Senior Center, 1015 Congress St., Ypsilanti, MI 48197, on Saturday, December 9 from 11 am to noon.
Find Your Voting Districts
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WCDP Mission and Values
The WCDP’s mission is to grow a broad representative base of committed voters, volunteers, and leaders who work together across Washtenaw County to elect Democrats who champion policies that reflect our values. We commit to living these values in our work together and to being a resource for Democratic allies.
