Submit Your Events & Graphics
All Democrats are invited to submit event info and high resolution graphics to us by 8:00 PM Sunday each week. Please email your materials directly to info@westsidedems.org.
July and August
NO JULY WSD MEETING
Volunteer for your candidate(s) for at least 1-1/2 hours — maybe more. We will not have a formal meeting in July to give you time to start getting out the vote for the November Election.
AUGUST ANNUAL PICNIC
Save the date for the annual WSD Annual Picnic on the afternoon of August 15 at Mariposa Park. We are looking for energetic members to help plan, set up, serve as hosts, and tear down. Contact Sue Wolinsky at info@westsidedems.org if you want to learn more, sign up, or volunteer in another way.
June 20 COMMUNITY CONNECT Event – WSD Dinner
You are invited to WSD’s June gathering — a no-host dinner at…
Albuquerque City Limits Restaurant
3211 Coors Boulevard SW 87121
Restaurant Website: http://abqcitylimits.com/
RSVP by June 15 to info@westsidedems.org.
Reservations have been made for 40. Amy Hilliard is coordinator.
This is the first of our COMMUNITY CONNECT 2026 events to help each and every one of us volunteer our time and support to Democratic candidates so they win in the General Election on November 2. WSD announced the COMMUNITY CONNECT concept in May — we each volunteer time and support to candidates we believe in.
The WSD has challenged every member to volunteer for 1-1/2 hours in July, in lieu of holding a monthly WSD meeting. Use the time to support your candidates!
By attending the dinner, you will have all the information you need to make your volunteering decision and to sign up. West Side Democratic candidates will be attending.
Watch for our West Side Democrats of Bernalillo County June Newsletter coming out the third week of June.
Our exclusive monthly WSD Newsletter only goes to paid members.
If you haven’t paid your 2026 dues, go here to join or renew your membership online.
Community Events
The WSD has supported The Rio Grande Food Project in the past year. Attend the Garden Party Benefit (call to see if reservations are still available) and/or donate to the effective West Side program. See www.rgfp.org.
Gay Pride this Saturday, June 13!
Get ready to fill Central with LOVE, JOY, PRIDE & UNITY because the 2026 Albuquerque Pride Parade is coming in HOT on Saturday, June 13!
- Pride Parade: Starts at 10:00 AM. The route runs down Central Avenue, starting at Wellesley Drive and ending at San Mateo Boulevard.
- Festival at Civic Plaza: Runs from 1:30 PM to 8:30 PM, featuring food vendors, local entertainment, and special guests.
- Tickets: General admission tickets for the Civic Plaza festivities can be purchased via Universe.
Or, you can march with Team Gabe: ABQ Pride Parade with #TeamGabe · Mobilize .
Indivisible ABQ is recruiting 10 to 15 volunteers to host home watch parties for a national day of action on Sunday, June 14, featuring the livestream 90 minute concert Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment at 5:30 PM local time.
The event—organized with the Committee for the First Amendment—celebrates our freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and protest, with performances by Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, Bette Midler, Rufus Wainwright, Sasha Allen, Joy Reid, Wilson Cruz, Broadway Inspirational Voices, and more.
Hosts will receive a national toolkit, $50 for non alcoholic refreshments or art supplies, and No Kings posters for guests. Invite neighbors and friends, take photos, and help bring new folks into the movement. If you’d like to host, sign up below and we’ll send everything you need, plus optional Zoom support sessions.
SIGN UP TO HOST A WATCH PARTY HERE
Local Actions You Can Take Now
Legacy Waste at Los Alamos
WIPP Agency-Initiated Modification Draft Permit. Submit your thoughts about two WIPP Permit Modification actions taking place around the same time. This item is for the NM Environment Department Agency Initiated Modification (AIM) which seeks changes to the WIPP Permit that clarifies the priority to emplace legacy waste and reduce the risk of Los Alamos National Laboratory legacy waste.
Comment window: April 23, 2026 – June 22, 2026
Submit Public CommentSidewalk Sleeping Bill
Action Requesting Mayor Keller to veto O-25-14, commonly referred to as the “Sidewalk Sleeping Bill” failed. Mayor Keller did not sign or veto the proposed ordinance. The ordinance took effect June 5.
Read Council Bill No. O-26-14SoS Maggie Toulouse Oliver Discusses NM Elections on PBS
Watch this PBS News Hour feature focusing on NM Elections Protections. NM Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver describes how our state's elections are legally protected from interference from ICE, barring armed federal agents at the polls.
Watch on YouTubeAlbuquerque First Socialist Political Salon
Go to learn about Social Democrat Socialism and join their movement if you agree with their beliefs. The link provides structural details and registration. Similar Political Salons are currently being organized in counties all across the state.
Learn More & RegisterNational Actions You Can Take Now
Stop Mass Warrantless Surveillance: Reform Section 702
Tell Congress to vote no on Reforming Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. We must protect constitutional privacy rights from mass warrantless surveillance overreach.
Take Action via ACLUSign Common Cause Petition
Stop Trump from using US Treasury money to pay out to January 6 protestors. Add your name to demand strict accountability and protect public funds from being weaponized.
Sign the PetitionBlock Trump from building a giant arch in our nation's capital!
Congress must authorize funding for memorials built on federal lands. Join the community demand to keep Trump from building his vanity arch on public monuments.
Stop the Memorial FundingBecome a Democracy Defender
Defend Democracy with ACLU People Power! Step up to protect critical voting rights across the nation and join an organized grassroots network dedicated to monitoring and shielding our elections.
Join People Power
WSD Speakers Bureau is Off to a Good Start |
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WSD is creating a Speakers Bureau by training WSD members to be comfortable engaging with voters, both friendly and not. Twelve members have already signed up for the training, but you can still sign up (see below). “The Speakers Bureau is one of the initiatives that came from our strategic planning earlier this year; strategic planning ideas that came directly from members. This is one of the ways WSD can offer programs to help you become more involved while learning new skills. I think we all could benefit from learning how to effectively communicate our Democratic beliefs with voters who may not agree with us. We will learn how to respect those who disagree with us while sharing facts they may not know,” said Dorothy Wilkinson, WSD Chair. “I hope that this will be a group of Joyful Warriors and that we will serve to take back this country and have fun doing it,” said training coordinator Lynn Sarkany, who is a relatively new WSD member. You must be a WSD member to participate. If you are not a member, sign up and pay your dues now. “Our goal is to educate the public on Democratic viewpoints in the greater Albuquerque area and beyond. Through this education, we hope to help the public realize that electing Democratic officials is in their best interest,” Sarkany said. “Each meeting will have training exercises that will help you to develop your speaking skills, whether you are a novice public speaker, or you have had years of experience in front of a microphone and podium. We will also be discussing pertinent speaking topics and how to make the most of your subject matter expertise in your speaking topics,” she explained in the email that went to those who have already signed up. Here are the dates of the first three training sessions. These sessions will be held at the Taylor Ranch Library. All will be held from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Future sessions will try to accommodate Speakers Bureau trainees’ schedules. Thursday, June 11 Monday, June 29 Want to join the Speakers Bureau training? It’s not too late! Send your name and contact information to info@westsidedems.org. |
New Sound System Arrives
At last—we have our new sound system.
We’ve been hearing about it for about a year – the limitations of the undersized current system, Executive Committee approval of an initial $1,000 to pay for a new one, the early attempts of small-change fundraising, updated needs analysis and cost, more serious fundraising, and some major donations.
“I’m thrilled we have the new sound system,” said Paul Evans, WSD volunteer A/V coordinator who did the needs analysis for the new system. “It will help WSD to continue our fight for our values on the West Side of town – at venues large and small. For small events, we can use the small speaker we already had. For big events, we can use the new, larger speakers.” He also recommended that WSD buy a cart to haul the system and bags to protect the speakers.
It all adds up to $2392.45 with two large speakers and two beefy microphones that will incorporate some components of our old system. Here’s how we paid for it:
- We budgeted $1,000 from our budget.
- We collected $1,100 from the DPBC and some area legislators, and we have $300 promised from area legislators. We will collect the remainder now that the 2026 Legislative Session has ended.
Audio/Visual Volunteers Needed Now
Paul Evans with the new sound system.
“Now that we have a larger sound system, we need help to run it... We also need someone to help me with the visual side by editing video footage,” Evans explained.
Contact Paul Evans at info@westsidedem.org to apply. Your “pay” is our gratitude and helping elect candidates who reflect our values!
Audio Technician
- Set up, operate, and troubleshoot sound equipment.
- Handle and transport heavy equipment.
- Team player supporting WSD’s mission.
Video Technician
- Edit short-form video for social media.
- Collaborate on footage needs and deadlines.
- Support WSD's digital messaging goals.
Paul Evans — Our A/V Mastermind
How did WSD lure an A/V expert with 40 years of experience?
The answer is simple: Recruit an expert who aligns with your values.
“I feel our democracy is at stake. Each of us needs to step up. We hold the keys. If we don’t do it, nobody will.”
5 Things About Paul Evans
- Roots: Raised in St. Paul, MN. He is deeply concerned about civil rights and believes we must protect our community locally.
- NM Journey: Came to NM in 1984. Amassed ~40 years in professional TV news and government videography.
- History Maker: Covered state government under four governors and visits from the Dalai Lama and various Presidents.
- Producer: Produced "Wild New Mexico" and the popular "Dance! Dance! Dance!" teen program.
- At the Meeting: See him behind the camera at WSD meetings and be sure to thank him for all he does!
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.