Because This Is America!

Weekly News, Updates, and Events

We As Democrats Believe:

"Getting out to protest, this is something real and, I would say, something patriotic. Part of the new authoritarianism is to get people to prefer fiction and inaction to reality and action."

 

Timothy D. Snider, author and historian

 

Suggest a future quote?: Click here to send to the Editor

NEWS






Protests Over George Floyd Killing Continue


 

Citizens in Wilmington and across North Carolina continued holding protests through last week in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Protests in Wilmington have been mostly peaceful, but news reports indicate the city of Wilmington has imposed curfews as a precaution.

 

The protests stemmed from an arrest captured on video, in which Floyd died after an officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd was handcuffed and out-numbered and complained that he was unable to breathe. 

 

Political leaders and police chiefs throughout the country condemned George Floyd's murder. In Wilmington, Police Chief Donny Williams, led a march from Wilmington to the 1898 Memorial to show solidarity with protestors against police brutality. Williams was joined by Sheriff Ed McMahon and many community leaders. In Raleigh, Governor Cooper recognized the need for widespread reform to stamp out systemic racism and discrimination in our criminal justice system. On Monday evening, he joined protesters in Raleigh.

 

Protests are expected to continue in Wilmington and nationwide.


 

North Carolina Democratic Reps Speak Out on Systemic Racism

 

(From NCDP) North Carolina House Democrats on Friday held a press call to address crucial first steps in combating systemic racism. Representatives spoke on how racism permeates every sector of our society.  

 

“It is unacceptable that in 2020, African American North Carolinians cannot live without fear on a daily basis,” Democratic Leader Darren Jackson (HD-39). “No legislation can solve a centuries long racist system rooted in slavery, but we can take steps in the right direction.” 

 

“Law enforcement and criminal justice must be color-blind and serve all communities,” said Deputy Democratic Leader Robert T. Reives, II (HD-54). “We know that is too often not the case. We need to increase local ability for accountability in law enforcement and commit the resources for training on community engagement for everyone who services in our criminal justice system.” 

 

“Health care disparities are not hidden, they are right before our eyes.  The infant mortality for African-American babies is twice as high as for white babies.  States with Medicaid expansion have seen significant improvements in the health of African-American babies and mothers,” said Democratic Whip Amos L. Quick, III (HD-58). “With COVID-19, Black North Carolinians make up 22% of our state’s population but have accounted for 35% of coronavirus deaths.”

 

“Black women make 61 cents on the dollar for a white man makes, and minimum wage workers who are disproportionately black have not seen a raise in over a decade,” said Representative Yvonne Lewis Holley (HD-38). “A system which pays African-Americans less is one that continues the cycle of poverty and reinforces our racist system. This must stop.” 

 

To hear the full call, click here.

 

Senate Candidate Cal Cunningham Launches Vets & Military Families For Cal

 


Cal Cunningham who is running to unseat Republican Thom Tillis from the U.S. Senate is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve who has served three active duty tours, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cunningham says looking out for North Carolina’s veterans and military families is personal to him, and military service is also part of North Carolina’s DNA. Veterans & Military Families for Cal is a group of North Carolinians who’ve served in uniform and the family members who supported them as they served, dedicated to helping elect Cunningham to the Senate so he can bring a unique voice on veterans issues to Washington. 


 

Tillis is considered one of the most vulnerable Senators running for re-election this year. A Cunningham victory could be key in wresting the U.S. Senate from Republican control. In the latest poll on FiveThirtyEight.com relative newcomer already leads Tillis, and other polls show him leading as well. For the latest FiveThirtyEight poll, click here.  For a Slate article on the race, click here. 

 

 

Leslie Cohen Campaign Delivers 495 Pounds of Donated Food To Nourish NC

 

New Hanover County Commission Candidate Leslie Cohen announced last week that she had delivered 495 pounds of food donated by the people of New Hanover County to the Nourish NC warehouse. She said that amount didn't include the numerous donations made directly through their Amazon wish list. Cohen said, "I’ve known from day one that I had the best supporters behind me. This week you stepped up to make a difference in our community. In just two weeks the food you provided will be in the hands of children in need." 

 

Nourish NC has seen an increased need since COVID began, and they are experiencing difficulties placing bulk orders on several staple items. This need will be ongoing. Cohen asked supporters to save the link to the Amazon wish list for Nourish NC and to continue to donate. Purchases made from the wish list will be delivered right to Nourish NC.

 

 

 

Volunteers Sought for Ongoing COVID-19 Virtual Phone Bank 





Are you worried about the consequences of 4 more years of awful leadership in our highest elected office? One of our most urgent priorities now is to ensure that Democratic voters are able to vote safely in November. 

We may not be able to knock doors, but we can do it virtually! We want to reach out to our fellow Democrats by phone to check-in and ask how they are doing and to help them apply early for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 3 election.  We want every possible vote to be counted, and to make that happen we need to start NOW!

We Need:


Phone knockers to call people. All you need is a computer or tablet and a phone in the safety of your own home and on your own schedule!  

Data captains to pull lists of those who need help getting their absentee ballot request form.  

Fullfilment volunteers to mail or drop request forms at voters’ doors.


 Email Susanne Werner, [email protected], or Joanne Durham, [email protected] to get connected to this critical effort. 




Important Board of Elections Meeting On Tuesday 



This November's national election may be the most critical of our lifetimes, and it is happening at a time whentthe coronavirus pandemic may make voting in person unsafe. The Board of Elections is meeting on Tuesday at 4:30 to discuss both in-person voting and voting by mail. Details below.

 

This meeting comes at a time when the Director of the State Board of Elections is predicting a tenfold increase in vote-by-mail ballots. Also this week the Postal Service issued guidance that voters and elections staff should expect an application for absentee ballot to take at least a week to reach the board of elections, and a mailed ballot will take at least a week to reach the elections board. You can read about the USPS guidance here. These are the conditions that have led to the disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of voters in primaries in Wisconsin, Ohio, the District of Columbia and elsewhere.

 

If you have not yet applied for a vote-by-mail ballot, do it today!  Click here to apply for an absentee by mail ballot.

 

 

 

 

EVENTS





 



NHCDP Virtual Happy Hour With Political Analyst Caroline Tervo -- June 8 



 

When: June 8, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

 

Caroline Tervo, a New Hanover native and Hoggard High School Graduate will discuss some insights about North Carolina politics she gained when she co-wrote Upending American Politics with her Harvard Professor, Theda Skocpol. The book contains studies of citizen grassroots organizing, state and local party building, and the local effects of federal policy changes. Her solo book chapter, "Why Republicans Went Hard Right In North Carolina" is based on her 2018 senior honors thesis, winner of two college awards. Here's the link for for the meeting:

 

[link removed]

 

Preregistration is not required for this event.

 

If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, we recommend that you begin your efforts to sign in at 6:30. Use a laptop with a web cam or an iPad if you have one. If you need help, we have two volunteers who can help you get in: Jim Fleagle at (919) 426-3355 and Stephanie Fetzer at (704) 309-3918.

 

Board of Elections Meeting -- June 9 

 



 

When: June 9th, 4:30 p.m.

Where: Board of Elections, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, Suite 34

 

At this meeting, the Board will discuss crucial planning for the Fall election, including both in-person voting and voting by mail. To participate by teleconference, dial 1-415-655-0003 at 4:30 p.m. When prompted for the access code press 284 184 094 and then the pound sign (#).

 

NHCDP Town Hall With Four Council of State Candidates -- June 15

 

When: Monday June 15, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

 


Join us for a Town Hall meeting with four Council of State Candidates: Ronnie Chatterji candidate for Treasurer, Wayne Goodwin, candidate for Commissioner of Insurance, Jenna Wadsworth, candidate for Secretary of Agriculture and Jessica Holmes, candidate for Secretary of Labor,

 

Please click this link to register in advance for this meeting.

 

You will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the meeting.

 




 

Progressive Caucus Town Hall with Cal Cunningham, Candidate for Senate -- June 20

 

When: Saturday June 20, 11:00 a.m.

Where: Zoom

 

The Cunningham campaign and the North Carolina Democratic Party will conduct a Progressive Caucus Virtual Town Hall. RSVP is required at the link provided. We will send out the Zoom link to those who RSVP. To register for the event click on this link: [link removed]

 

NHCDP Town Hall With Josh Stein and Yvonne Holley -- June 22

 

When: Monday June 22, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom


 

Virtual Town Hall For Attorney General Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor candidate Yvonne Holley.

 

Please register in advance for this meeting:

 

[link removed]

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

 




Murphy to Manteo Tour by Cal Cunningham -- June 23, 24, 25 

 

When: June 23, 24 and 25 various times

Where: Zoom


The Cal Cunningham campaign is currently planning a state-wide, Murphy-to-Manteo fund-raising tour of North Carolina, and they want all the counties in Central North Carolina to be a part of it.  Cunningham's race for Senate has gathered tremendous momentum over the last couple of months thanks to our supporters across North Carolina. Media outlets and election analysts from across the country are calling this race the "hinge state" -- Democrats' best chance for re-taking the U.S. Senate in 2020. The campaign asks that Eastern NC residents join them Thursday, June 25 at 5:00 p.m. for this virtual fundraiser. 

To RSVP to the event, use the link here.

The tour will be held over the course of three virtual events the evenings of June 23, 24, and 25. The details for each of the events are listed below and linked to their RSVP page.



Western NC: Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 PM EST



Piedmont: Wednesday, June 24 at 6:00 PM EST



Eastern NC: Thursday, June 25 at 5:00 PM EST




 

Virtual Happy Hour With Board of Elections Chair Tom Pollard -- June 29



 

When: Monday June 29, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Zoom

 


Join us for a discussion with New Hanover County Board of Elections Chair Tom Pollard about the Board of Elections' plans for a very challenging election this Fall.



 

 

 

Best,

Richard Poole, Chair

News Content by James Cummings

 

If you have any announcements, comments, questions or concerns regarding this email series, please contact the Editor here.


-------------------------------------------------------------
| Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party |
-------------------------------------------------------------





Mailing Address: 

NHCDP

PO Box 3036

Wilmington, NC 28406 

 

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

 Forward to a Friend: [link removed]

[link removed]








 



 

 




 

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 46.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'}