The Marblehead Democrats Newsletter
Vote in the Marblehead Town Election June 16!
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Notes From Renee
Everything is moving so fast. Across our country, and increasingly around the world, we're finding ourselves embroiled in a “perfect storm.” Tens of thousands of people have been standing up, walking in anger and grief, outraged by the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Even aware of the Covid-19 health risks, we came. Even when peaceful protesters in DC were buzzed by helicopters, shot at with rubber bullets and pepper sprayed, the numbers grew, a mix of races, religions and ages.

For two weeks, a sea of humanity, across the world, has refused to stand down, so that no person of color is ever again stripped of their humanity, their very life, because of race.

What is the hope that, after hundreds of years of America’s original sin of slavery, this might finally be the time we change hearts and minds and commit to Rev. Martin Luther King’s Dream? I don’t know, but our hearts can for sure be a little lifted this week because of our dangerous, soulless President and those whom he empowers with his racist rhetoric. For now, they have met their match with a new generation. They have met their match with people like DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, who had painted 50’ yellow letters on the street leading to the White House, “BLACK LIVES MATTER.”

As both Barak and Michelle Obama urged in their graduation addresses to the Class of 2020, protest is important but “aspirations have to be translated into specific laws and institutional practices—and that only happens when we elect good people, at every level. ” (Barak Obama) 

One way to honor the endless litany of black lives that have been lost to violence since 1619 is to join with both our voices and actions for historic change in the 140 + days until Nov. 3. President Barak Obama speaks not just to graduates but to us all, “You can create a new normal, one that is fairer, and gives everyone opportunity, and treats everyone equally, and builds bridges between people instead of dividing them.”  

YES WE CAN!! WILL WE?

Renee Ramirez Keaney, MDTC Chair
What We're Up To -- But We Need Your Help!
Yes, we've been busy . But what we can do is limited without you! Please consider this list, and join, write, learn, train, call, vote, and do any of the other things listed below (click on links). Whatever your skills, WE NEED THEM. Our democracy and future depend on YOU!

  1. Support Marblehead High School Dems by viewing their June 10th live-streamed virtual forum on the importance of civic engagement.
  2. Sign up to get the MobilizeMA Report, weekly guidance on actions we all can take to get out the vote in Massachusetts, Maine and swing states.
  3. Organize with the MA Biden Campaign Team.
  4. Help the ME Dems beat Donald Trump, defeat Susan Collins, and elect Dems!
  5. Vote in the June 16 Marblehead Town Elections.
  6. Check out and support Color of Change campaigns, including the Winning Justice campaign to combat racist prosecutors in local communities.
  7. Check out important organizations working to combat racism and secure equal rights for all: Movement for Black Lives  Reclaim the Block
  8. Answer the call from Gus Bickford, MassDems Chair, to donate to racial justice groups.
  9. Organize right from home: https://swingleft.org/p/virtual-organizing-training https://swingleft.org/p/about-swing-left-letter-writing https://swingleft.org/p/virtual-organizing#home sisterdistrict.com
  10. IF we all work to make it happen, Joe Biden will replace Donald Trump
  11. Send a Vote Forward letter. It's one of the easiest things you can do to increase election turnout. It only takes a couple of minutes and a stamp! 
  12. Plan to attend our virtual Congressional Forum in August featuring candidates for CD 6.
 
Wow. Just WOW!
This speech from four years ago is resoundingly relevant today.

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Click here to view the video below— Joe Biden's new ad highlighting that
peace, justice, and national unity hang in the balance in the election.



Are you all set to vote in the Marblehead Town Election
June 16?

  • Watch video interviews with all the candidates- for Board of Selectmen, Light Commission and School Committee.
  • If you haven't already returned a ballot you received by mail, get it to the Town Clerk at Abbot Hall NOW.
  • IMPORTANT If you choose to go to the polls, polling locations have changed due to Covid-19. Check where to vote now—and vote safe. Please wear a mask and social distance!
Marblehead Democratic Town Committee
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