(1) Tonight - Brooklyn Candidate Forum (Wed. May 28) & Vote in DFNYC Endorsements
           ~ Voting Open in Manhattan & Brooklyn Races Today thru Thurs., June 5
 
Democracy for NYC is hosting a candidate forum this Wednesday in Congressional District 10 in Brooklyn. Incumbent Congressman Edolphus Towns is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Kevin Powell.  Join us to ask questions and learn about important urban issues and how they are influenced by acts of Congress.

When:  Tonight, Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Where:  Boat Bar, 175 Smith Street (between Wycoff & Warren) Brooklyn, NY

Subway:  Take the F train to Bergen Street, and walk one block south on Smith.  Even if you're coming from Manhattan, it's a quick trip.

Invited Candidates, in alphabetical order:  Kevin Powell (invited & confirmed), Edolphus Towns (invited, not confirmed)

This is a safe Democratic seat, so the winner of this primary is virtually guaranteed to win in November and represent Brooklyn in Congress.  In our fight to take back Congress, many have expressed concerns about getting involved in primaries. We respect everyone's right to make their own decisions as to how they volunteer and contribute money.  But if we ignore primaries in safe Democratic seats, we're basically ignoring the 40 or 50 seats across the country in urban areas, representing mainly African-American and Latino voters.  The progressive community should be taking part in these races to ensure that urban issues are on the agenda of Congress.

DFNYC Endorsements in Manhattan and Brooklyn & Candidates' websites:

Democracy for NYC is holding an endorsement vote in Congressional District 10 (tonight's forum), as well as for Senate District 25 (Lower Manhattan & Brooklyn) and Assembly District 64 (Lower Manhattan).  DFNYC and Manhattan Young Democrats co-hosted a forum in the Senate and Assembly races on May 18th.

DFNYC members who have been to three events within the past year are eligible to vote. If you are not sure, you should vote, and we will determine your voting member status before counting your ballot.  You can vote at events or by downloading a ballot and mailing it in.  Visit this page of our website for a link to download a ballot:
http://dfnyc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2229
For more on endorsement rules, visit this page at our website:  http://dfnyc.org/content/view/24/107/

Candidates' Websites are in Alphabetical Order

 ~ 10th Congressional District:

Kevin Powell: http://www.kevinpowellforcongress.org

Edolphus Towns: http://www.house.gov/towns/

 ~ 25th Senate District:

Martin Connor: http://www.nyssenate25.com (This is Senator Connor's Senate office website.) 

Daniel Squadron:  http://www.danielsquadron.org/

 ~ 64th Assembly District:

Luke Henry - http://www.lukehenry.org/

Paul Newell - http://www.newellnyc.org

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver:  http://assembly.state.ny.us/ (This is Speaker Silver's Assembly office website.)


(2) June Linkup (a.k.a. "Meetup") :Discuss Issues & Vote for Endorsements, Wed. June 4th

On the first Wednesday of a every month, Democracy for America groups across the country gather for Linkups, formerly known as Meetups during the Dean campaign.  Join us for the June Linkup next Wednesday, June 4th, at 7pm at the following locations.   The last two states will have voted in the presidential primary, we'll discuss important local issues, and voting members of DFNYC will be able to cast ballots for our candidate endorsements.

Upper West Side, with host Merle McEldowney, Location TBD, 7pm

West Village, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.) with hosts Christoph V. Friedeburg and Josh Silverstein, 7pm

Astoria, Queens, at Sanford Diner, 30-13 Broadway, with hosts Costa Constantinides and Jeremiah Frei-Pearson.  Note: this Linkup will begin at 7:30.

Sunnyside, Queens, at The Grind, 39-24 Queens Blvd. in the back room, with host Dan Jacoby. Note: this Linkup will begin at 7:30.

Bayside, Queens, The First Edition, 41-08 Bell Blvd, right near the LIRR stop, with host Steve Behar of Democrats for New Politics, 7pm

Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Wycoff Bennett Homestead, 1669 East 22nd Street, 7pm with host Annette Mont

 
(3) Don Barber - Democrat for New York State Senate - NYC Event, Tues. June 24, 7:30-10pm
 
Our upstate DFA groups are very excited about Don Barber, a progressive grassroots Democratic candidate for state senate:  http://barberforsenate.com/.  Don is coming to NYC for an event in June.
 
From the invitation:
Don Barber is running for New York's 51st State Senate District (central New York State). Don is a true public servant, currently serving as the Town Supervisor of Caroline, in Tompkins County (Ithaca is the county seat.) As both a farmer and contractor, he is intimately aware of the needs of many New Yorkers, from the working class to small business owners. Don is a life-long environmentalist, has testified before US Congress to protect the Finger Lakes, and has been working on environmental initiatives in government since 1983.

When:  Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 7:30-10:00PM

Where:  Hill Country,  30 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10010

RSVP: www.actblue.com/page/barbeynyc624

Contribution Levels:  Minimum: $50 per person / Suggested: $100 per person

Hosted by:  Jake Abraham & Katie Sammis, Megan Barber, Steven Anthony Behar, Steve Buscemi, Patrick Canavan, Pearl Collings, Brian Keeler, John McBride & Nance Shatzkin, Cara Nichols, Jenna Rosenberg

With musical appearances by Dan Zweben (of Obama TV fame) and other guests

Upset by the costs of health insurance in NY? So is Don. Don's opponent, Republican Jim Seward, chairs the Senate Insurance Committee and has consistently defended insurance companies over the rights of individuals by undermining progressive efforts for reform at the committee level.

For more on Don: BarberForSenate.com

 
(4)  Save the Date:  Democracy for NYC's Annual Fundraiser, Wednesday, June 25, 2008
 
Our annual fundraiser will take place on Wednesday, June 25th.  For updates, visit this link at our website:  http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2226/1/
 
 
(5) Victory for Human Rights in NYC:  Settlement Reached at Flor De Mayo Restaurant
       ~ A message from DFNYC's Bernadette Evangelist
 
On Friday, May 2nd, the workers at Flor De Mayo restaurant reached a settlement with the owners. The boycott of Flor De Mayo is now officially ended.

As discussed in our previous newsletters, Democracy for NYC has endorsed and participated in this important struggle.  Meanwhile, boycotts continue at Ollie's Noodle Shop Chain and Saigon Grill Restaurants on the Upper West Side and University Place.  Nail salon workers are also coming forward to join this movement.  We will keep you posted on new developments and upcoming actions from the Justice Will Be Served! campaign endorsed by DFNYC. They have extended their thanks to us for our help. 
 
 
(6)  Seeking Activists Interested in Student Loan Issues - Signup at our website!

Longtime DFNYC member Jeremiah Frei-Pearson is coordinating DFNYC's work on issues regarding student loans and is working to build a network of activists in New York City that can be called upon to contact government leaders in support of progressive education legislation.

DFNYC's past work has included support of the Higher Education Access Act of 2007 and the successful effort to get the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 passed.

Current efforts are focused on the Student Borrower's Bill of Rights (S. 511) which was introduced by NY Senator Hillary Clinton but has taken a backseat during the presidential campaign. With that campaign entering a new phase, perhaps Senator Clinton and her colleagues can be persuaded to move this legislation onto the Senate floor for passage into law.

If you have an interest in these issues and wish to be part of this network, visit this link at our website:  http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2215/16/