PDACNM July Monthly Gathering: VIDEO MESSAGES TO REP. HAALAND!

Meetings

At our July Community Gathering more than 30 progressives from around Albuquerque recorded messages for Rep. Deb Haaland about the progressive issues we want her to champion for the DNC Platform.

Rep. Haaland in the ABQ Journal on June 24, “She said she was looking forward to ‘bringing my progressive values and crafting our party’s platform, and paying attention to urgent issues like climate change, health care and criminal justice reform that we’ve seen protested about across our country the past couple of weeks.’“

About the DNC Platform:  CD1 Rep. Deb Haaland was been appointed to the 15-person Democratic National Committee Platform Drafting Committee by DNC Chairman Tom Perez. This 15-person Platform Drafting Committee is responsible for developing and managing the process through which the Democratic Party’s National Platform is established. According to DNC rules, the members of the drafting committee are appointed by the DNC Chair.

Our online program focused on issues about Bringing Broadband to the Native Nations with special guest Dr.  Maggie George; and PDA Planning Committee Speakers who highlighted the following:

·         Ending police violence and the Movement for Black Lives – Karen Bentrup

·         Immigrant Rights  – Kathleen O’Malley

·         Medicare 4 All – Amy  Antle

·         Climate Crisis – Ted Cloak

·         Voting Right  – Paul Stokes

·         Ending Wars and Occupations and Bringing Peace – Sally Alice Thompson

With signs and issues ready to announce, Sharla Parsons (DPNM Chair of the State Platform and Resolutions Committee) kicked off the recordings followed by more than 30 participants. Herb Hoffman concluded our program leaning into Rep. Haaland’s commitment to her values that honor and care for the people. THANKS EVERYONE for telling Rep. Haaland what we progressives want in the national platform!

PDACNM Newsletter – July 6, 2020

Events, Meetings, News, Newsletter

Police Brutality and Racial Injustice in New Mexico: What Progressives Can & Must Do

We all watched in horror as the life went out of George Floyd under the impassive knee of the sadistic little man in blue on May 25th in Minneapolis. Since then, uprisings against police brutality and racial injustice have swept the country and the world. New Mexico is no exception.  Nor should it be, given in particular the squalid record of killings and other rank abuses of power by a militarized police force in Albuquerque. Read more…..

Read the complete Newsletter here….

Police Brutality and Racial Injustice in New Mexico: What Progressives Can & Must Do

Opinion

by Jerilyn Bowen

We all watched in horror as the life went out of George Floyd under the impassive knee of the sadistic little man in blue on May 25th in Minneapolis.  Since then, uprisings against police brutality and racial injustice have swept the country and the world.  New Mexico is no exception.  Nor should it be, given in particular the squalid record of killings and other rank abuses of power by a militarized police force in Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Area

Under immense public pressure, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has announced an intention to establish a new cabinet-level department of city government dedicated to dealing with many of the problems that police have up to now been handling–mental illness, homelessness, addiction, public drunkenness, abandoned cars and similar matters. The new Albuquerque Community Safety Department will dispatch unarmed, specially trained professionals to address such problems in a sensible nonviolent and caring way that recognizes the deep structural problems that produce so much of this misery–namely, poverty and social injustice.  This groundbreaking measure could well serve as a model for other cities around the country.

Mayor Keller will look at “restructuring and reallocating resources” so as to build funding of the new department into the budget he’ll submit to the City Council in August, a budget to be discussed and likely made final by the end of October.  Renewal of the APD contract with the city has meanwhile been postponed for review regarding stipulations designed to protect officers from being held accountable for abuse and misconduct.

Continue reading Police Brutality and Racial Injustice in New Mexico: What Progressives Can & Must Do →

PDA/PDACNM June Educate Congress Letter Drops

Uncategorized

Every month PDA national sends letters to Senators and Representatives in almost all states asking them to please co-sponsor certain progressive pieces of legislation. PDA chapters in each state deliver the letters to the appropriate offices. In the past we have had cordial in-person meetings with staffs of our US Senators and Representatives. However, due to the Corona Virus, we are now emailing the letters to the staffs and asking them to please forward the letters to the Senator or Representative.

These letters are well researched and focus on fighting injustice and inequality, environmental issues, voting rights, peace, and Medicare for All. After the letters are delivered, PDA member throughout the country make follow-up calls to ensure the Senator or Representative received the letters. We urge you to please read the letters and join us when we are again able to meet in the local offices.

June House Letter

June Senate Letter

June Udall Letter