Despite hearing so much craziness this the first few weeks of summer: the bombings, saber rattling, threats, deportations, funding cuts, I have experienced some hope, at least for areas closer to home. At the store the other day, I came out to my car to find a note on it. It said, “from one proud Democrat to another, we need to stick together”. I have a proud Weld Democrat bumper sticker on my car. It is not the first time I have been hailed by another Dem in Weld as identifying as a proud Weld Dem. I have had others comment about wanting to offer me assistance as a Weld Dem when I had a dead battery. I even had a car full of young people on HWY 287, drive past, all with their thumbs up as they passed me. I take all of these as a good sign for Weld County.
Another good sign for Dems in Weld is we had a table at Greeley Pride at Aims on June 28th. We were well received. Lots of people came by to chat, to get information, to sign up to volunteer, and to pick up stickers and buttons. All who visited were very enthusiastic about Democrats and appreciated our presence there. Lots of young people particularly were excited and it was great to be able to inform some young teens that were less than 18 that they could register as a Democrat at 16 and they could come to caucus and help pick candidates for the ballot. They couldn’t vote at 16 but they could still participate. It was also great that several candidates attended the event and stopped by our table.
One of the best signs we have seen for Democratic and also progressive support is the turnout for protests. Over 1200 protesters turned out for the No Kings rally hosted by Greeley-Weld Indivisible at Lincoln Park. The Court House Steps rallies, held every first Saturday at 10 a.m., have also seen consistent turnout of 80 or more.
Another interesting turn was reported to me by an office volunteer. He said that he had gotten calls to the Weld Dems office from folks, possibly Republican, maybe Independent, calling to just vent and confess that they voted for Trump, regret it deeply, and in a way wanted absolution from office volunteers. In addition, we have had a steady increase in folks signing up to volunteer on the website which is really great. We need lots of help this summer with many upcoming events. If you are interested in getting together with like-minded Dems and want some good face-to-face community and conversation, please come to the Fourth of July picnic. It will be after the parade, around 11 or so, and we are so pleased to have one of our longtime members volunteer to host us at their home. It’s a great location, right across the street from our many past picnics. We will also be walking in the Greeley Stampede Independence Day parade and we could also use help with decorating the vehicle and walking or riding in the parade. If you’re planning to attend the parade and/or pot luck, please call the office at 970-351-7047, use SignUpGenius or email us at wd.centralcomm@gmail. Let us know you’re coming and how many are in your group, so we can plan and forward you the address.
To make sure we have a variety of food, folks with a last name beginning with A-G, bring a salad or side. H-R: bring a main dish or entree, S-Z: bring dessert. These are just guidelines—if your go-to pot luck dish doesn’t fall into the category for your last name, bring your go-to dish! Tea, lemonade and sodas will be provided. It will be great to see everyone and welcome some of our elected officials and candidates who plan to run for CD8 and other races around Weld.
This is just the beginning of events this summer. There will be another rally on the Courthouse steps on July 5, and possibly more protests in July (we are hearing rumblings about a “Good Trouble Lives On” event July 17.) We will be participating in parades and events all over Weld this summer that will need volunteers to help set up and staff booths, and assist with parades. August 16 is our annual Roosevelt Dinner and major fundraiser for our Weld Dems. Please volunteer, provide auction items for fundraising, attend the event, or just donate. We are battling billionaires and dark money this next election and we will need all the support we can get to find and elect great candidates for all our HD, SD, CD races in Weld as well as mayors, county clerks, council people, commissioners, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Governor and Senator. If you or someone you know would like to run office, please contact Jeri Shepherd, Tommy Butler or me (Beverly Wallace) to let us know your interest.
The Weld County redistricting process is coming along. If you have not been able to attend a listening session to give input on some of the proposed maps, you will get an opportunity soon to see the final three proposed maps. Please pay attention to which map you think is best. We are a little disappointed in how the committee has communicated the ability to see the maps, but we hope in the near future everyone will get to see the maps before the final decisions are made later this summer.
This summer is going to be hot, and not just the outside temperatures. Dems, Progressives, Independent and Unaffiliated voters are stepping up to the challenge of protecting our rights, defending our families, friends and neighbors, and supporting those in crisis or need. Of all things that I think this is what makes this group cohesive—caring for others and a disdain for fascism. Our empathy binds us with common purpose. We seem to have a strong ability to imagine ourselves in other’s shoes and to feel for them. We can see how difficulties affect others and want to right that wrong. We have a strong sense of justice. I think it is interesting that in the Preamble to the Constitution, it says “in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice…”
Our founders put justice first. I think Democrats embrace that point and justice is always at the forefront of any dealings we have with each other. To do justly, love mercy and kindness, as the book of Micah states. We have not abandoned the Golden Rule: treat others as we would want to be treated. We need more of that in this country now, and I pray that all divisions between us can be resolved, especially if we remember that simple rule. So, on that note, I hope one and all take the time to remember what the United States of America stands for. This Fourth of July Celebration of our nation’s birth through revolution gives us pause to recall E Pluribus Unum…Out of Many, One.
Happy Fourth,
Bev Wallace Vice Chair
