Mayor Tim Keller will be the main speaker at our next general meeting April 26 at West Mesa Community Center. He will speak about the threat of the Trump administration to withhold funds from Albuquerque because we are an immigrant-friendly city.
We use federal funds for many activities that help our citizens. So we must find ways to replace that money or change our policies so immigrants are not safe in Albuquerque.
Mayor Keller will speak about ways to challenge the Trump administration. He will also speak about how to replace the funding that may be withheld. Come to our meeting and hear Mayor Keller speak about this issue.
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How I See It
By Dorothy Wilkinson
There are so many things about the Trump administration that scare me. The potential loss of my Social Security, along with my purchasing power because of tariffs and increased inflation, bothers me.
But the loss of our First Amendment rights scares me most. The threats to independent journalism are very frightening. Trump has said MSNBC should lose its license. And his administration refusing to fund PBS scares me. The banning of books scares me. If Trump has his way, we will only have information the administration provides. We may be just a step away from outlawing public protests.
We must be willing to protest despite any order not to. We must write to our senators and representatives and to lawmakers in other states demanding that PBS and public radio be financed adequately, and that no books are banned. We must vote for school board members, city council members, county board members, and a mayor who support our values.
The Trump administration is hoping that everything they want to do is accepted and that we give up. We cannot give up. We must continue dissenting.
Time to Resist
Image credit: Mayor’s office
By Dorothy Wilkinson
West Siders, along with about 10,000 other citizens from Albuquerque and around New Mexico showed our resistance at the Hands-Off Rally April 5 at Albuquerque Civic Plaza. Mayor Tim Keller and former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who is running for New Mexico governor, spoke.
Rejuvenation and hope and just the pleasure of being around people of shared values were some of the emotions expressed at the rally. We talked to people who share our values of democracy for all and a belief that democracy can be only accomplished when all citizens are allowed to vote and run for office.
Rallies were held across the state and the nation. Currently, a rally is being planned for May Day. We will share more information as we get it.
Honoring boycotts is another way to resist. There is also a 40-day “fast” boycott of Target, led by faith leaders and civil rights activists protesting the company’s removal of DEI programs. This started March 5 and will continue through Lent, ending April 17.
WSD Election in May
West Side Dems are having an election at our May meeting on May 31 from 12:30 to 2:30 at the West Mesa Community Center. If there is a change in location you will be notified.
All four officers are up for election. That includes Chair, Vice- Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Dorothy Wilkinson has announced that she plans to run for a second term as Chair. Eric Valdez has announced that he intends to run as vice chair, Sue Wolinsky will ask for your vote as Secretary and Ken Scott has announced his intention to run for Treasurer.
However other members may also run. To run you must have been a member in good standing for 6 months. And you must have attended 2 of the last 4 membership meetings. You may self-nominate or be nominated by a member in good standing. We will hold nominations on Saturday, April 26 and on Saturday, May 31. Candidates will be allowed to speak on both days or on either day. Voting will be in person on Saturday, May 31. That means if you want to vote on officers you must be present on May 31.
Please come and vote for your candidate for office of WSD.
The election will be held in person in May. Candidates may introduce themselves at the April meeting. Nominations will be accepted from the floor in May. Members in good standing may nominate candidates and vote.
West Side Dems Immigration Info Hub
“If the rights of one person are denied, the rights of all of us are denied. This concept of mass deportation is very frightening. So West Side Dems will develop a hub of information about immigration and mass deportation.”
— Dorothy Wilkinson
Read Dorothy’s editorial on why immigration is so important.
Click here to see our new IMMIGRATION PAGE, with ways to get involved.
Your Party Needs You
In March and April, we will elect precinct and ward chairs. These are important positions because these chairs communicate with voters and work to get out the vote. If you have never thought of running for precinct or ward chair consider that as your contribution to our continued Blue West Side, Blue Bernalillo County and Blue New Mexico. It is very important right now that we all do what we can to make sure our party is strong and can withstand attacks from the Republicans.
Precinct and ward chairs communicate with their neighbors and provide communication between the voters and the state and local party. They recruit volunteers to knock on doors, make phone calls, text and write postcards.
Precinct and ward elections will be held in March and April before the state convention is held April 26 in person and online. State officers and committee members will be elected at that time.
Stay tuned for the call for your precinct and ward elections. Seriously think about becoming a precinct or ward chair. Now is the time we must all be involved.
You are Invited to Attend Executive Committee Meetings
When: the first Sunday of each month
Time:
- Lunch 12:00
- Business meeting: 1:00 to 2:30
Where: Cottonwood Ranch Apartments, 10001 Coors Bypass NW
We will gather at the patio between the office and swimming pool when the weather is nice. If the weather is uncomfortable, we will meet in apartment 1518.
We chosen Sundays, so that people who are working can attend.
All members are welcome. If you are not an elected officer, you will have a voice but no vote.
If you plan on coming to the lunch or the meeting, please RSVP to chair@westsidedems.org.
Our Mission
To Serve the 88,000 Democrats
Living on the West Side
Democrats Care!
We encourage and support candidates who will work for the good of everyone in our community. We believe in a government that is truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people”…not just for corporations, Wall Street, or the rich.
United By A Common Goal…
Social justice and human rights are more important than corporate profits. We seek to improve the quality of life for all of our residents through grass-roots support of candidates who listen and work to implement liberal programs and legislation.
Get Involved…
Your candidates can’t win without your help. Canvassing, phone banking, word-of-mouth, volunteering, and donating are all ways to work together to achieve our common goals.