(1)  Tonight: An Evening With ... Mark Crispin Miller hosted by DFNYC & Act NOW, July 9

On July 9th, Democracy for NYC and Act NOW NY will host a book signing party with noted progressive author and NYC professor Mark Crispin Miller - as part of our political author series.

When:  Wednesday, July 9, 6:30 to 8:30pm

Where:  The Belmont Lounge, 117 East 15th Street btwn Park Avenue South & Irving Place

RSVP:  http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2269/1/

Mark Crispin Miller's new book "Loser Take All" follows his 2004 release "Fooled Again," about Republican election shenanigans during the 2004 election cycle.


(2) Tonight:  See Comedian Dave Chappelle for DFNYC candidate Kevin Powell, July 9
 
Dave Chappelle (Comedian and two-time Emmy Award winner) is hosting an event on behalf of Kevin Powell for Congress:

When:  Wednesday, July 9th, 7-10pm

Where:  Eugene, 27 West 24th Street, between 6th Avenue & Broadway

Contribution amounts:  Ticket prices are $100 to $2300, but the Powell campaign is extending a special rate of $75 to DFNYC members.

RSVP:  http://www.kevinpowellforcongress.org/contribute/. For questions, contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 212-228-6320 ext. 7.

Kevin Powell is a Brooklyn political activist, community organizer, and writer running for Congress in the 10th Congressional District or the northern part of Brooklyn.  DFNYC recently held an endorsement vote in this race, and Kevin received 72% of the vote, earning DFNYC's endorsement.   Kevin is running on a strong platform which includes ending the war in Iraq, fairer funding for education, including after-school programs and arts education, reforming the criminal justice system, single-payer healthcare, a sensible progressive policy towards HIV/AIDS, and civil rights for all.

To learn more: http://www.kevinpowellforcongress.org/ - 718-303-9620 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


(3) Pictures & Report:  Annual July 4th Reading of the Constitution in Strawberry Fields

DFNYC members along with other participants joined noted civil rights attorney Norman Siegel, State Senator Bill Perkins, former Senate candidate Jonathan Tasini, and Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping for the annual July 4th reading of the Constitution in Strawberry Fields.  To read more and view pictures, visit:

http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2289/86/


(4) Dem. Lawyers Committee Event w/Sen. Eric Schneiderman & Dan Maffei, Thurs. July 10
          - Supporting Election Protection volunteers in the 2008 Elections

Join Congressional Candidate Dan Maffei and State Senator Eric Schneiderman for a lively summer cocktail party in support of the New York Democratic Lawyers Council's voter protection efforts for the 2008 election season.

Date: Thursday, July 10, 2008
Time: 7 pm to 9 pm
Place: Dewey & LeBoeuf, 1301 Avenue of the Americas

The New York Democratic Lawyers Committee, the NYDLC, is comprised of volunteer voting rights attorneys for the DNC and the NY State Democratic Committee, is responsible for recruiting, training, and deploying all NY election protection lawyers for upcoming presidential, congressional, and state elections.
 
Thursday's event will help the NYDLC cover the costs of the important work they do to ensure that people can vote and voted are counted.  Volunteers are already hard at work researching election day issues, including how to combat "dirty tricks" on election day; recruiting attorneys to be poll watchers, both in NY and nationally; and researching state election law in support of other states for the Obama campaign.  Interns have started full time and the NYDLC is in full Campaign Mode!

Tickets (admit one):
State Sponsor (host) $2,800
County Champion (co-host) $1,000
Assembly District Ally $500
Election District Defender $250
Polling Place Patron $125

RSVP and buy tickets available online at https://www.d4d.org/nydlc_pldg.htm, by submitting the pledge form downloadable at http://nydlc.org/live/NYDLC_invite_July_10_2008.pdf or by emailing to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it


(5) Luke Henry events: Thurs. on the Upper East Side & Fri. w/ the Dutch Labor Party
 
Jerry Tavin and Janou Pakter are hosting an event for Luke Henry, a progressive Democrat challenging Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in a primary.

When: Thursday, July 10, 7:30-9:30pm

Where: 420 East 85th Street

RSVP: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

And the New York Chapter of the Dutch Labor Party is hosting Luke at their "Dinner & Debate" this Friday night, July 11th, at 7:30 near Union Square.  The event will be in English.  For details, contact Hans at Hans at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit this link (scroll down for English)

http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2288/1/

 
(6) Obama Outreach at South Street Seaport w/DFNYC & Luke Henry's campaign, Sun. 7/13
        
New York is not a "swing state," but we can still help Senator Barack Obama win the election from right here in the city.  Tourists visit New York every day, and many of them are swing state voters!  One of the biggest tourist attractions is the South Street Seaport in downtown Manhattan. 

Join DFNYC, Luke Henry's campaign (he's running for Assembly downtown), and Upper West Siders for Obama (http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/group/UpperWestSidersforObama) to pass out Obama flyers, register New York voters (and give voter reg info to tourists), and sign people up to support Obama.  The goal is to persuade the undecided and sign up Obama supporters who may not be connected with his campaign.

When:  Sunday, July 13th, 2-5pm  (Some people are starting earlier at noon, join us anytime)

Where:  South Street Seaport, Manhattan. Meet at the benches in front of Brookstone and the Body Shop, 18 Fulton Street.  We will have someone at the benches at 12 and at 2, and we are hoping to have someone there the entire time. If we're not there, look around for the Obama signs, or call me, Tracey, at 646-251-0680.

Subway:  Take the A/C, 2/3, J/M/Z, or 4/5 train to Broadway/Nassau, then walk east on Fulton.

Contact:  RSVP with your cell phone number if you have one to Merle of DFNYC, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Kate of Luke Henry's campaign, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .


(7)  Democracy for NYC's Annual Benefit with Mark Green & Jim Dean, Wed, July 23rd

Mark Green, former NYC Public Advocate and currently president of Air America Radio, and Jim Dean, chair of Democracy for America, will be our special guest at our annual benefit this year.  

When:  Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 6:30-9pm

Where:  M1-5 Lounge, 52 Walker Street, between Broadway & Church in Manhattan, just south of Canal.

Subway:  N/Q/R/W, 4/6, A/C, or J/M to Canal Street

Details will be forthcoming in this newsletter and on this page at our website:
http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2226/1/


(8)  Ask Governor Paterson to Veto the So-called "Recycling Bill"
            - A message from DFNYC’s Dan Jacoby

On the last day of the legislative session, the state legislature passed what looks, at first, like a good plastic bag recycling bill.  But the bill (A11725/S8643) would prohibit cities from going further – meaning New York City's new recycling law would be wiped off the books.

The NYC law requires more recycling, in more places, of more items.  By voiding the NYC law, the state bill could actually result in less recycling, not more. 

The proposed state bill:  http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn¡1725&sh=t
The stronger NYC law: http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/textfiles/Int%200640-2007.htm

Call Governor Paterson's executive office at 518-474-8390 to say you want the governor to veto the plastic bag recycling bill.

- Dan Jacoby