Democracy for New Mexico

DFA-DFNM Meetups Today and Tomorrow

DFA-DFNM Meetups will be held tonight (Wednesday) in Santa Fe and Las Cruces and tomorrow evening (Thursday) in Albuquerque. Click on the meeting links on the right-hand sidebar of this page under Coming Events to find out more, to RSVP or to join one of these groups and get on the mailing list.

Most DFA Meetups across the nation will be focusing on a project to help defeat Bush's attempt to privatize Social Security and cut benefits. Hundreds of people all over America will be meeting with their members of Congress on April 12th to tell their personal stories about the benefits of Social Security and urge their Representatives and Senators to oppose Bush's plan. Click to see a video about this effort produced by DFA.

In Albuquerque, we'll be planning a meeting with Rep. Heather Wilson and forming working groups to coordinate various aspects of the project.  Our Albuquerque Meetup will also feature announcements on actions and events from a variety of progressives, a visit from mayoral candidate Eric Griego and Eli Lee of Soltari, and a celebration of the progressive community's highly successful effort to get people elected to precinct, ward and State Central Committee positions.

If you plan to attend one of our Meetups and haven't yet RSVPed, please go to the links noted above let us know you are coming so we have a good idea of how many people we'll be accommodating. Come on out and attend a Meetup!

Speak Out Against Vicious Gay Bashing: Candlelight Vigil Tonight on Santa Fe Plaza

From Equality New Mexico:
Join hundreds of New Mexicans speaking out against last Sunday's vicious gay bashing in Santa Fe: Candlelight Vigil, 6:00 PM, Saturday, March 5, Santa Fe Plaza

Contribute online at www.eqnm.org to offset victim James Maestas' medical expenses.  Or mail a check to:

Love Conquers Hate Fund
c/o Equality New Mexico Foundation
PO Box 27268
Albuquerque NM 87125

Click here for the latest news coverage of the story in the Santa Fe New Mexican. Click here for coverage in the Albuquerque Journal.

Sponsored by: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Equality New Mexico, People of Color AIDS Foundation, Human Rights Alliance, Santa Fe Mountain Center, Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families, NAACP, Somos un Pueblo Unido, Santa Fe Rape Crisis, College of Santa Fe Queer Faculty and Staff Association, Academics for a Democratic Society, Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, New Mexico Green Party, ACLU of New Mexico, New Mexico Human Rights Coalition, The Experience, Impact Personal Safety, Unity Santa Fe and Democracy for New Mexico.
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Editor's Note: I think it's telling that during this same period, discrimination against gay and lesbian citizens was greatly helped along by Democratic votes in the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Legislature. It's bad enough that Republicans apparently believe churches should regulate civil law and that some citizens should not have equal rights. But when Democrats also vote for disciminatory legislation, there has to be consequences.

In a vote of 5-5 last night, the Senate Judiciary Committee effectively tabled SB 576, Domestic Partner Benefits, killing the bill. And with a vote of 6-4, it gave a Do Pass to SB 597, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defines CIVIL marriage as between one man and one woman. The bill may be heard by the full Senate as early as Sunday, March 6.

Votes were along party lines except for Democratic Senator Lidio Rainaldi, who voted against the domestic partner legislation and for the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Democratic Senator Richard Martinez did vote yes on SB 576 (Domestic Partnership) but unfortunately also voted yes on SB 597 (DOMA).

I guess Democratic Senator Rainaldi, who lives in Gallup and represents Cibola & McKinley counties, has decided that there is no wall between church and state in America. Shame on him. And shame on any Democrat who votes to limit rights that every U.S. citizen deserves under the Consitution. Rainaldi supports the kind of legislation that leads youths to believe it's ok to discriminate, that it's ok to viciously beat gay people. This is how hate crimes happen.

Senator Richard Martinez, who represents Los Alamos, Rio Arriba & Santa Fe Counties, also apparently believes that religion should govern what kinds of contracts and licenses consenting adults can enter into in terms of CIVIL agreements. Since when should the Catholic Church or any church have any say whatsover about civil law?

Should you find it in your heart to support equal rights for all our citizens, and to explain how discriminatory legislation has a direct link to the vicious gay bashing that took place in Santa Fe last weekend, you can find contact information here:

For Senator Rainaldi;

For Senator Martinez.

I think it's time that Democrats who are against equal rights, against diversity and against a strong wall between church and state should be called on their bigoted positions. And if that includes our Democratic Governor, so be it.

Democratic Party of Santa Fe Count to Hold Trainings, Ward Elections & County Elections in March

WHAT:  Training on the Ward and County Election Process
Purpose of these trainings is to familiarize yourself with the process, rules and procedures associated with ward elections and county elections.  Trainings will feature a "mock" ward election.

WHO:  All registered Democrats in Santa Fe County
WHEN:  Saturday March 5, 2005 at these times:

8:00 AM - 9:30 AM; 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM; 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM; 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

There will be four separate trainings that can accommodate 25 people each.  Slots will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis by contacting the DPSFC (through Doug Schocke) at 982.5727 or sfdparty@qwest.net

WHERE:  Democratic Party of Santa Fe County HQ
907 W. Alameda
Santa Fe, NM  87501
********************************
WHAT:  Ward Elections
Purpose of these elections is to elect ward officers and ward level delegates who will serve as representatives to the county central committee - this is also an opportunity to introduce resolutions at the ward level.

WHO:  All registered Democrats in Santa Fe County
WHEN:  Monday March 21, 2005, 6:00 PM
WHERE:  Locations within Santa Fe County (specific locations will be finalized by March 5)
********************************
WHAT:  County Central Committee Meeting/ County Elections
Purpose of this meeting and elections is for elected ward delegates to elect County Chair and County Vice-Chair and delegates to the State Central Committee (State Central Committee will meet on April 28th in Albuquerque) - resolutions passed at the ward level will also be discussed and voted on.

WHO:  All elected ward level delegates
WHEN:  Monday, March 28, 2005, 6:00 PM
WHERE:  NEA New Mexico Building, 2011 Botulph Road, Santa Fe, NM  87505

For more information contact:
DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF SANTA FE COUNTY
907 W. Alameda
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.982.5727
sfdparty@qwest.net
Contact: Robert Adams: 231.2569

DFA Donates 200,000 LD Phone Minutes to Vets

From Democracy for America:
Last week, Arianna Huffington touched on the subject of wounded soldiers who are unable to call home during the holidays because the government will not pay for their long-distance calls.

Feel like talking to your loved ones while you recover from a wound you received fighting for your country? Not unless you can get someone to give you a handout.... Yet here was Rummy claiming: "We're focused on the power of saying 'thank you' to people. And not just 'thank you' to the troops, but also their families." As long as it's a local call.

In November, we asked the DFA community to step forward and revitalize the service aspect of Democracy for America with a call for phone cards for those men and women who are spending the holidays in veteran's hospitals. In response to that call, you have generously contributed over 100,000 calling card minutes!

Democracy for America is matching your outstanding efforts with our own contribution of 100,000 minutes. This means hundreds of veterans across the country will be able to connect to their home for free. We are sending the cards to nine veterans hospitals in seven different states this week. Every hospital we spoke to was thrilled to receive the minutes—most know this will be the only way for their patients to make a long-distance call home this holiday season.

Governor Dean was also impressed by the DFA community's effort, "There is more to Democracy for America than just politics and campaigning. Our supporters want to personally make a difference in people's lives. These phone cards are just one small way to tell our troops thank you for keeping our country safe and secure."

Congratulations on a successful inaugural DFACorps effort—we hope that this is becomes the first step of many. Together, we can make changes happen!

Editor's Note: DFA-Democracy for New Mexico groups in Albuquerque and Santa Fe donated more almost 4,500 minutes to this project. Thanks to all who participated!

Elizabeth Edwards to Kick Off Expanded Early Voting in Santa Fe on Saturday

Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards, will deliver remarks to New Mexicans in Santa Fe, Saturday, Oct. 16th, the first day of early voting at expanded satellite locations.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Rep. Tom Udall, House Speaker Ben Lujan and S.F. County Democratic Party Chair Minnie Gallegos will join Ms. Edwards at the event hosted by the Santa Fe County Democratic Party. After the event, Ms. Edwards will lead a group of Kerry-Edwards supporters to cast their ballot for change.

SATURDAY, October 16, 2004, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Santa Fe Rodeo Fairgrounds
3229 Rodeo Road
Santa Fe, N.M.

Free food * door prizes * Entertainment * special guests*
Santa Fe County Extension Building (Near the Fairgrounds early voting site)
At the Rodeo Grounds on Rodeo Road
For info please call: 505-471-1744 or 505-982-5727

Come, join the fun and vote this Saturday. To learn more about Elizabeth Edwards click here. (Photo courtesy Kerry-Edwards 2004, Inc.)

Dem Organizing Convention and Rally in Santa Fe This Sunday

When:
Registration from noon to 1 p.m.
Event: 1 p.m. Sunday, September 19

Where:
Gonzales Elementary School
851 W. Alameda
Santa Fe, NM 87501

What:
-- Talk with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who are travelling through New Mexico by bus that day

-- Discuss campaign strategy in Northern New Mexico leading up to the election

-- Organize into wards and precincts

-- Sign up for Election Day committees and assignments and other volunteer opportunities

-- Meet and greet local candidates and elected officials as they share their message for the upcoming election

-- Enjoy refreshments and hear a special message from John Kerry via videotape.

Hosted by the Democratic Party of New Mexico -- NM Victory 2004 and the Santa Fe County Democratic Party. Call 982-5727 for more information.

Edwards Visits Santa Fe - Kerry on the Way

The Santa Fe New Mexican has a good story about John Edwards' "town hall" appearance on Museum Hill yesterday. And there's a funny sidebar describing how the campaign's advance people covered up the statue of the Apache mountain spirit dancer because they thought it was "warlike." To read this one you have to click on the newspaper cover on the left and see the articles as they appeared in the newspaper.

Kerry will be holding a rally in Albuquerque on Thursday, September 16 at 6:30 PM at Chacon Park at Louisiana and Kathryn. To get tickets, go here or visit the campaign office. Gates open at 4:00 PM.

You can help make signs at Kerry HQ starting today or volunteer for other tasks related to Kerry's visit by calling 256-2570. For those volunteering for duty at the rally, there will be a training session at Kerry HQ at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, September 15, and you'll have to be available on Thursday starting at 2:30 PM at Kerry HQ, which is located at 3301 Central NE. You must call 256-2570 to be registered as a volunteer for this event.

Labor Day Extravaganza in Santa Fe

As part of a plan to increase NM’s voter participation by 10% over the 2000 general election, the state NAACP, Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, AFL-CIO and 30 other organizations will sponsor a "Labor Day Extravaganza" to mobilize New Mexicans who want to help increase turnout and those who didn't vote last time around.

Only 47 percent of New Mexico’s voting-age population voted in 2000. The program will outline a plan to increase that turnout rate by 10 percent for November’s election. Part of the coalition’s long-term strategy includes promoting state legislation in the next session that would allow voter registration on Election Day.

U.S. Rep. Tom Udall will address the rally, along with other nationally known speakers. There'll be a poetry slam, music and refreshments, and voter registration, all for FREE. Gather on the East side of State Capitol building in Santa Fe from 11:30 through the afternoon on Labor Day, Sept. 6. A reception will follow at the Marriott Courtyard on Cerrillos Road from 5 to 7 p.m. (Sponsored by: NAACP National Voter Fund).

Click here and here to get all the details.

OCTOBER 5 IS EAGER VOTER DAY

The first day for voting in New Mexico is October 5, and we have designated it Eager Voter Day. On October 5 any registered voter in New Mexico can show up at their County Clerk's office and cast their vote using a paper absentee ballot. We expect hundreds of people to show up that morning in Santa Fe to cast their vote against the Bush regime. Our goal is to see the polls nearly empty on November 2, because everyone has voted eagerly long before Election Day.

On Sunday, October 3, we will gather to make signs, talk about maximizing media exposure, and make flyers that voters on the 5th can distribute to friends to encourage them to vote early and eagerly, showing dates and places for voting. We will ask for donations of coffee and cookies for voters in line that morning. We will already have alerted the County Clerk and the local police so they can accommodate the crowd.

The morning of October 5 will dawn with college students waking up at the door of the Santa Fe County Clerk's office. We will have voters with signs at major intersections that morning, encouraging people to Vote Eagerly at the County Clerk's office. We will have buttons made that say something like "I Couldn't Wait for November 2" or "Don't Delay, Vote Today", or "I Already Voted Against W", so those who voted eagerly can encourage others to do the same. If we can get a newspaper ad donated, we will run it on October 4, announcing to all that the next day is the first day to vote against George W. Bush. We will invite the media to cover the event.

Here are a few reasons for using an absentee ballot and voting eagerly.

1. Your vote is on paper, and is capable of being recounted, even if entered into an electronic voting machine.

2. If the media project a winner as soon as polls in New York and Florida close, your vote will still be counted, and you won't be dissuaded from voting. (Voters on the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii, take note!)

3. You won't be taken in by e-mail hoaxes that tell you to vote on November 3rd. (Such an e-mail was circulated to California Democrats in 2000.)

4. You don't know what will happen that might prevent you from voting on November 2 in spite of your good intentions. Sick dog? Flat tire? Business trip? October surprise? Don't take that chance.
   

New Mexico's voter turnout in 2000 was dismal - only 47.4% of voting age citizens. We ranked 42nd out of 50 states. We can improve on that with an enthusiastic and informed electorate that votes early. Spread the word. Let's have an Eager Voter Day at every County Clerk's office in New Mexico. And for those in other states that permit early voting - a list of early voting states is here - find out what the first day of voting is, and make it a fiesta. Share your plans and ideas here on the blog at Democracy for New Mexico, and help all of us have a great event.

What a great message to spread around the country: We Want Bush GONE, and We Cannot Wait Any Longer! Contact us at Santa Fe or Albuquerque if you'd like to help, and check back here for updates and notices of planning meetings.

John McAndrew
Democracy for New Mexico/Santa Fe
democracyforsantafe@comcast.net
Santa Fe, NM

PS: We will be discussing Albuquerque's version of Eager Voter Day at tonight's Meetup at Page One. If folks in other parts of the state would like to have a similar event in their community, please contact John or me.

Barbara Wold
Democracy for New Mexico/Albuquerque
dfnm_albq@comcast.net

Kerry/Edwards Grand Opening in Santa Fe

Santa Fe's Kerry/Edwards campaign office will have its Grand Opening on Sunday, August 29 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Click on the graphic to get the details. Only 66 days until the election. You know what to do.