Calls to Action
While the West Side – and the whole world, as a matter of fact – is gearing up for the No Kings Protest on March 28, this is a busy time of the political year in New Mexico. The State Democratic Party held its pre-primary convention over the past weekend in Mescalero. See our Monthly Newsletter (out Monday) for details.
Last Chance to Revive Ranked Choice Voting at Albuquerque City Council Meeting on Monday, March 16
Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), aka instant runoffs, was heard in the Finance & Government Operations Committee on March 9. The committee voted 4–1 against advancing the ordinance.
However, under Albuquerque City Council rules, an ordinance can still be brought back to the full Council if four councilors vote to revive it. The next opportunity to do that is the March 16 City Council meeting.
RSVP HERE
During the last few months, many of us have been raising concerns about the cost and inefficiency of runoff elections. The December 2025 runoff election cost taxpayers $1.8 million to administer. Ranked Choice Voting could avoid those expensive second elections by allowing voters to rank candidates in a single election.
Please call or email your City Councilor and ask them to vote to bring the Ranked Choice Voting ordinance back for consideration on March 16.
Don't know who your Councilor is? Don't worry, we've got you - click here to look it up.
We are also continuing to organize supporters to show up and give public comment at City Council on March 16.
Public comment speakers must register with the City in advance:
Register for Public Comment Here
If enough councilors agree to bring the ordinance back, the conversation continues. Your calls and presence can make the difference.
West Side Legislators Recaps
2026 Session
Our March TGIF Get Together is Tomorrow, March 13
Coming Events
Only 16 Days Away!
Montgomery Park (NE Heights)
11 am to 3 pm March 28, 2026
Noon to 1 pm – Speakers
1 pm to 3 pm, March
Details here: No Kings III
Making our voices heard is more important now than ever!
We are outraged over Trump’s declared war on Iran. We have been outraged over ICE’s unconstitutional immigrant roundups; about slashes in health care budgets; and about every unconstitutional and immoral policy he has instituted.
Enough is enough! Participate in the March 28 No Kings protest here in Albuquerque, or in one of many other New Mexico communities, or in the hundreds of protests all across the country.
Make a Statement with WSD at the Albuquerque No Kings Protest
“We encourage all our members to part of the largest protest in our history,” said WSD Chair Dorothy Wilkinson. “50,000 protestors are expected. There will be limited parking. Carpool. Check out bus schedules. Ride a bike. Take an Uber or Lyft. But please go.”
Tips for WSD Members:
- Carpool with other WSD members. (We’re working on making that easy for you.)
- Wear your WSD T-shirts. (If you don’t have one yet, order yours now. (Click here to log in to our WSD account at Vistaprint, then order your WSD SWAG directly from the print shop –https://westsidedems.ourproshop.com. Create your account, then shop!
- If you have questions, email customersuccess@vistarintcorporate.com.)
- We may have a WSD table at the protest. We will need volunteers to staff the table. (We’ve applied; we’re waiting to hear if we can. Stay tuned.)
Speak Up Now! Show the World that You Want to Stop the Insanity!
by Sue Wolinsky
More Americans are against the US-Israel War against Iran than support it; yet it continues.
The US-initiated War with Iran has already caused:
- The deaths of 7 US soldiers (so far)
- Injuries to 12,000 & death of 1,255 human beings in Iran, & many elsewhere as attacks spread to other countries
- Increases in oil and fertilizer prices
- Americans still stranded in the Middle East
with the potential to:
- Kill and maim more human beings in Iran & other Middle East countries, & more US soldiers
- Raise consumer prices later due to shipping disruptions
- Increase air prices as jet fuel prices almost double
- Involve more Midde East countries & perhaps others in the war.
Enough is Enough! What You Can Do….
- Participate in or encourage others to participate in the March 28 No Kings protest here in Albuquerque, or in one of 11 other New Mexico communities, or in the hundreds of protests across the country. (See locations and links throughout the WSD website.)
- Make a Statement with WSD at the Albuquerque No Kings Protest. Show up with fellow WSD members. 50,000 expected with limited parking. Be creative:
- Carpool with other WSD members. Go here to ADD or JOIN a carpool.
- Travel smart. Ride the bus; check out schedules… Ride a bike; bike valet provided… Take Uber or Lyft.
- Wear your WSD T-shirts. If you don’t have one yet, order yours now. (Click here to log in to our WSD account at Vistaprint, then order your WSD SWAG directly from the print shop—
https://westsidedems.ourproshop.com/. Create your account, then shop!
If you have questions, email customersuccess@vistarintcorporate.com. - Volunteer. We may have a WSD table at the protest. We will need volunteers to staff the table. (We’ve applied; we’re waiting to hear if we can. Stay tuned.)
- Attend one of several No Kings Zoom trainings before the big day.
IRAN WAR LIVE UPDATES
TAKE ACTION
Tell Congress: No illegal war with Iran.
Join Us this Sunday, March 15
WSD March Meeting on Immigration—
You Asked for It!
Join Us this Sunday, March 15
WSD March Meeting on Immigration—
You Asked for It!
19 NM Communities to Host Protests
(click each location for details)
Near Albuquerque:
- Santa Fe 11 am – 2 pm, State Capitol, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Rally at Roundhouse. March 11:30. Music 11-2.
- Tijeras 10 am – 11:30 am, East Mountain Public Library 487 NM -333, Tijeras, NM 87509.
Other Locations:
- NEW! Farmington NO KINGS 3 SAN JUAN COUNTY · No Kings, 2 – 4 pm, Orchard Park Plaza, Farmington, NM
- NEW! Embudo NO KINGS Embudo · No Kings, 11 – 1 pm, at Vivac Winery, Embudo, NM.
- NEW! Roswell, NO KINGS – Roswell, New Mexico · No Kings, 11 am – 4 pm, between 4th & 5th Streets Courthouse Sidewalk
- NEW! Hobbs, No Kings Hobbs · No Kings, 9 am – noon, 718 W Bender Blvd., Hobbs, NM.
- NEW! Taos, NO KINGS Taos, NM · No Kings, 11 am – 1 pm, Civic Plaza Drive & Paseo del Pueblo Norte
- NEW! Gallup, https://www.
mobilize.us/nokings/event/ 913912, 12 – 2 pm, We the People Park, 900 Joseph M Montoya Blvd., Gallup. - NEW! Grants, NO KINGS Grants New Mexico · No Kings, 12 – 2 pm, Grant City Hall Park, 600 E Santa Fe Ave., Grants.
- NEW! Carlsbad, NO KINGS Carlsbad New Mexico · No Kings, 10 am – 2 pm, private address; RSVP to learn more.
- NEW! Deming, NO KINGS Deming · No Kings, 9 am – 1 pm, Courthouse Park, Deming.
- NEW! Espanola, NO KINGS Española · No Kings, 4 – 5:30 pm, 1340 N Riverside Drive, Espanola.
- Capitan 9 am – 1 pm, Opposite US Post Office, 226 Smokey Bear Blvd, Capitan, NM 88316.
- Las Cruces 10 – noon, Albert Johnson Park, 896 N. Main, Las Cruces, NM.
- Los Alamos 3 – 4:30 pm, Ashley Pond, 2200 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos NM 87544.
- Alamogordo/Otero County 10 am –1 pm, 1004 N. White Sands Blvd, Alamogordo NM 88310.
- Portales Noon – 4, Courthouse, 200 W 2nd St. Portales 88130.
- Silver City Noon – 4 Gough Park, 1201 N Pope St. Silver City, NM 88061.
Helpful ZOOM Training You Can Take before the No Kings Protest, provided by the ACLU and Indivisible (all times MDT)
- March 16 from 5:30 – 7:30pm: Organizing for No Kings and Beyond! Create a Movement That’s Built to Last · No Kings
Latest News, Protests & Trainings from Indivisible Albuquerque –
This Week’s Actions
Here are some ongoing demonstrations:
Saturdays | RESIST TYRANNY SATURDAY
Albuquerque | Corner of Montgomery & Juan Tabo | 11am – 12pm (ɴᴇᴡ!)
Saturdays | RESIST TYRANNY SATURDAY
Rio Rancho | Corner of U.S. 550 & New Mexico 528 | 10am – 11:30am Info and RSVP here.
Saturdays | FREE MARTIAL ARTS SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
(for LGBTQ+ adults and allies)
Albuquerque | Morningside Park | 2pm – 3pm Info and RSVP here.
Sundays | SOLIDARITY SUNDAY
Tijeras | East Mountain Public Library | 10:30am – 11:30am Info and RSVP here.
Tuesdays | RESIST TYRANNY TUESDAY
Albuquerque | Corner of 4th & Lomas | 12pm – 1pm Info and RSVP here.
Tuesdays | RESIST TYRANNY TUESDAY (NE Heights)
Albuquerque | Corner of Montgomery & Juan Tabo | 11am – 12pm Info and RSVP here.
Thursdays | RESIST | REST | REPEAT
Santa Fe | Roundhouse | 12pm – 1pm Info and RSVP here.
Thursdays | OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VOICES!
Albuquerque | Corner of Paseo & Ventura | 12pm – 1pm Info and RSVP here.
Fridays | NO NUKES VIGIL
Santa Fe | Corner of Sandoval & West Alameda | 12pm – 1pm Info and RSVP here.
News from Candidates / Calls to Action
New affordable housing development, Route 66 Flats, opens at Central and Unser. https://youtu.be/1octnK32_d8
Members Charting WSD Path into 2026
by Laurie Gould, WSD Ideas Team Chair
“You spoke and we listened!” said Dorothy Wilkinson, chair of the West Side Democrats of Bernalillo County (WSD).
Members are charting the course of the West Side Democrats of Bernalillo County (WSD). The Ideas Team, formed by volunteers in the fall, has been gathering information about what issues members feel are important to our community. Many of you participated in our brainstorming session at our March members meeting – sharing the issues you are passionate about. Thank all of you who participated.
Members like you are focused on topics like immigration, working with allied organizations, keeping censorship out of our libraries, and exploring environmental issues facing our community. We are listening to you. Local experts will tackle these areas and more at the general meetings, and action teams are being planned to keep the membership informed and activated.
Since immigration seems to be our #1 issue – we are tackling it now. Come to our March 21 meeting to hear Leon Howard, the executive director of the NM ACLU. He will update us on what is happening in Bernalillo County with ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as what efforts are underway to protect immigrants in our community. We will discuss how our civil liberties are being infringed upon and what the WSD can do to defend and support ourselves and our allies. There will be time for questions and answers. Any Democrat is welcome to attend.
Our organization’s interest in immigration is not new. Last year, we formed a collaborative immigration team with the non-partisan Rio Grande Indivisible group. On September 29, we sent a petition signed by 347 signers to Gov. Lujan-Grisham resolving that she issue a proclamation declaring that ICE agents cannot detain persons at schools, places of worship, hospitals or courts; and that agents do not wear masks and that no detention can be made without a warrant. We hosted local immigration experts at two of our member meetings in 2025. Getting our March speaker is a direct result of that work.
Our chair Dorothy Wilkinson and I are crafting a detailed letter to inform all our members about our exciting path forward, based on your input. This is the cornerstone of our member-led organization.
Get in touch with what’s happening in local and national politics by becoming a member of WSD this year. Members receive our monthly newsletter, which dissects our issues, and shows what our organization and our members are doing.
WSD members will learn about issues facing our community and will continue to have opportunities to meet elected officials and hopeful candidates and how take action. Activities sponsored by WSD build community and give Democrats a chance to connect with one another in a supportive, safe and engaging environment.
Important elections are ahead and our community is being challenged at the local and national level. Here’s what you can do to meet this moment:
- Get educated about the issues shaping our community by attending WSD meetings.
- Meet the candidates at events WSD hosts and cosponsors with other like-minded organizations.
- Engage with fellow Democrats at WSD social events to build community and strengthen our commitment and support to each other.
- Share our weekly “Call to Action” newsletter with friends to stay informed about upcoming events and political action opportunities. Encourage them to join WSD.
For more information about the Ideas Team, speakers and action teams, contact Ideas@WestSideDems.org
“We are excited to enter this new chapter for WSD. Let’s work together to keep our West Side blue, to keep New Mexico blue, and to reach that all-important Democrat majority in Congress in our fall elections,” Dorothy concluded.
Meet the West Side Antifascist Action Group
By Robert Hill, Chair
We are all experiencing shock or sadness or anger (or all three emotions together) at what the federal government is doing lately. That certainly is how I felt since the current administration was elected. I have always paid attention to current events–I have really been more dialed in through the election up to now. My family and I went out to some of the first No Kings and other protests on our own, but I wanted to learn how to somehow make more of an impact. At one of those protests, I signed up to learn more about the West Side Democrats and Dorothy and I started communicating.
I was inspired to start an Antifascist Book Club as suggested by the organization, Veterans Fighting Fascism (VFF) (https://www.
As noted on the VFF site, “The Antifascist Book Club is more than just a reading group—it’s a grassroots movement to empower communities, build local leadership, and defend democracy.” This is exactly where the West Side Democrats want to go with our group. Our members, rather than calling it a book club, chose to call it the Antifascist Action Group.
Perhaps you are reading books or articles which are inspiring you to recognize and resist fascism. We would love to hear what you are learning. You can join us the first Saturday each month, 10:00 am-–12:00 pm, and the third Sunday each month, 11:30am–1:30pm, at the Weck’s on Riverside Plaza.
Next Meeting: Sunday, March 15
Swing With WSD Swag
Take WSD whereveer you go! So just what is SWAG? Of the numerous terms assigned to this overused term in business and political marketing – Souvenirs, Wearables, And Gifts is being used here.
You’ve seen our members donning WSD T-shirts at meetings, protests, and other events. Join us in showing off our colors – the colors of turning the West Side BLUE over the past recent elections. Be proud! Wear the WSD T-shirts or hats around town!
T-shirts are unisex sizes Small, Medium, Large, XX Large. Hats are available too! Prices depend on quantity ordered.
Click here to log in to our WSD account at Vistaprint, then order your WSD SWAG directly from the print shop—https://westsidedems.ourproshop.com/. Create your account, then shop! If you have questions, email customersuccess@
We want to thank Nancy Weesemann who made it possible for each of us to order our WSD SWAG from Vistaprint!
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.