Millions of Americans in 49 states have lost the right to vote in a multitude of ways. Being required to cast your vote on software-driven optical scanners or DREs, which can be programmed to undetectably steal your vote without leaving a trace of the crime, is a major form of disenfranchisement. New Yorkers have been shielded from the devastation that is secret computerized vote counting in America, but may lose their right to a protected, secure, meaningful vote by the 2009 elections.  

A new feature length documentary film narrated by Peter Coyote, and produced and directed by Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning Filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman will be premiered in New York City.

STEALING AMERICA: Vote by Vote

How you can help: 

See the film!

Sign up to table in the theatre lobby to hand out election reform information: email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Purchase tickets for groups of 10 or more at a reduced rate. For info call the theater well ahead to arrange:  (212) 255-2243, and also notify:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Wednesday July 30, 2008, 4:30 pm
Office of the Superintendent of Insurance
25 Beaver Street
(4/5 train to Bowling Green)

Helathcare Now! will be leading a coalition of healthcare rights groups in a celebration of the 43rd Birthday of Medicare, which along with Social Security is one of the most successful public programs in our nations history. Medicare is also a target for the healthcare industry seeking to expand their profit-making enterprises. We will call on the Superintendent of Insurance to reject GHI & HIPs application to become a private company and help to build public support for the National Health Insurance Act (HR 676).

Join us July 30 and and bring your friends.

DFNYC's 4th Annual Summer Cocktail Reception with Jim Dean and Mark Green got some nice press coverage from the New York Observers Em Whitney in an article, DFNYC Puts 'No-Brainer' Support For Obama on Display:

"I think people are looking at the total candidate," said City Councilman Tony Avella, also a long-shot mayoral candidate. "He [Obama] stands for change, and we need change in the city."

"It has gotten really bad," he added. "Good legislation languishes in the Council forever."

The theme of Obama for change in City Hall ran throughout the evening.

"I've been for Obama for a year and a half," said Norman Siegel, an attorney making his third bid for public advocate, as Tom Petty played in the background. "I love his intellect, his vision, his idealism. But I disagree with his policies on Pfizer, capital punishment, and the Second Amendment. I'd love to sit down with him and discuss issues like civil liberties--but it's a no-brainier, you vote for Barack Obama."

...

When it was Mark Green's turn onstage he turned to the audience and said, "Raise your hand if you organized for Hillary in the primary contest." About about 30 people--roughly two-thirds of the crowd--raised their hands.

"Raise your hand if you organized for Obama in the primary contest," he demanded, as about 20 people raised their hands, and someone hissed loudly. "Now," Green went on. "Who is not yet convinced to go all out for Barack Obama?"

The room was quiet.

Photos of the event are in the DFNYC photo gallery and on Flickr pages from DFNYC members Kate Ann Brennan and Judith Ren-Lay.

(1)  Tomorrow! (Wed) Democracy for NYC's Annual Benefit w/Mark Green & Jim Dean          
          ~ View invite & RSVP at http://www.dfnyc.org/

Please join us tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23rd for our annual DFNYC Benefit "Unity '08." 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 guests!

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

Host Committee:  Lewis Cohen (Event Chair), Don Barber, Steve Behar, Michael J. Brady,
Paul Brown, Theresa Canter, Hilda B. Classon, Costa Constantinides, Miriam Danar, Jim Dean, Tracey Denton, Bernadette Evangelist, Luke Henry, Dan Jacoby, David Kogelman, Bruce Markens, Bonnie Maslin, Hon. Trudy L. Mason, Merle McEldowney, Abhishek Mistry, Yehuda Nir, Dana Northcraft, Chris Owens, Tim Paulson, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, Bruce Rosen, Carolyn Schultz, Norman Siegel, Josh Silverstein, Josh Skaller, Sally Swisher, Heather Woodfield, Josh Zeitz

RSVP & View Invite at: http://www.dfnyc.org/


(2)  Another Bad Environmental Bill Passes the NY Legislature – Natural Gas Drilling
         ~ Ask Gov. Paterson to veto A10526:  518-474-8390

We have learned that another potentially damaging environmental bill has passed both houses of our State legislature and has been sent to Governor Paterson.  The bill is called “Environmental Conservation Law A10526” (S8169 in the Senate), but it appears that it would essentially allow for expanded natural gas drilling in upstate New York.  Environmental groups are concerned about the impact on air and water, especially reservoirs that supply drinking water to New York City and other areas of the state.   The League of Conservation Voters opposes the bill:

http://www.nylcv.org/node/3931/print

Call Gov. Paterson:  The bill has been sent to the Governor and he may sign it as early as tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23rd.  You can ask Gov. Paterson to veto A10526, natural gas drilling in NY, by calling 518-474-8390.  Let us know what happens – This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

We are still learning about this bill.  It appears that there was very little public discussion of its impact and it passed quickly.  Essentially, due to new technology and rising energy prices, energy companies are seeking to drill for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation, which is located in Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and parts of western New York.  The bill would clarify a current law about drilling by establishing spacing requirements for the “horizontal” drilling associated with natural gas.  However, critics have argued that while clarification is needed, this particular bill passed too quickly without communities and farmers understanding the effect it will have on the landscape.  Please visit our website for additional links and information at this page:

http://dfnyc.org/content/view/2301/52/

We will update the page as we receive new information.  If you are familiar with this legislation, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .


(3)  Online Video:  DFNYCers Go Out to Petition for Jimmy Dahroug

On Saturday, July 5, DFNYC volunteers joined Jimmy Dahroug's campaign for State Senate to go petitioning door-to-door in Long Island.  To find out why volunteers and voters alike are supporting Jimmy, watch this video on Youtube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=shgytM4YrHA

For more about progressive Democrat Jimmy Dahroug and his race for the State Senate, visit his website:

http://www.jimmyforsenate.com
 
 
(4)  Volunteer for Kevin Powell:  Door Knocking Weeknights, Listening Tour Weekends
 
There are many opportunities to volunteer for DFNYC-endorsed candidate Kevin Powell, running for Congress in Brooklyn.  On weekends, you can join Kevin and the media for his listening tours through his Brooklyn Congressional district.  On weeknights, you can go door-knocking with the campaign - a key outreach activity for winning a Democratic primary.
 
Kevin Powell Listening Tour
Saturday - Sunday, 10am-6pm
Join Kevin, the media and friends as our candidate walks the district!
Call Naomi: 347-307-4857
Call Jeff: 646-335-3971

Door Knocking
Monday - Friday, 5pm-8pm
Call Naomi: 347-307-4857
Call Jeff: 646-335-3971
 
For more events, visit http://www.kevinpowellforcongress.org/events/
 

(5) Volunteer Phone Banks for Steve Harrison, Democrat for Congress

Steve Harrison is a progressive Democrat running for Congress in NY's 13th Congressional District, formerly held by Republican Vito Fossella.  (Fossella resigned after a drunk driving arrest which lead to the discovery of an extra-marital affair and child with another woman.)

Democracy for NYC has endorsed Steve Harrison and DFNYCer David Hernandez is working with Harrison's campaign.  The following volunteer phone banks have beens et up in Staten Island and Brooklyn:

Staten Island Phone Bank
1738 Victory Blvd./ Manor Road
12-9pm Mon- Sat.
Contact Al Dykes or David Hernandez, 718 720 8683

Brooklyn Phone Bank
544 Bay Ridge Pkwy/ Bet. 5&6 Avenue
Contact Greg Collett to rsvp and for specific hours, 718 745 2539

To learn more about Steve, visit his campaign website:
http://www.steveharrisonforcongress.com/
 
 
(6)  Tonight!  Luke Henry Campaign Meetup - Discuss Environmental Issues, Tues. 6-8pm
        ~ DFNYC-endorsed candidate challenging Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
 
The campaign of DFNYC-endorsed candidate Luke Henry, the progressive Democrat challenging Sheldon Silver in a primary, is hosting a Meetup tonight at Veselka to discuss important issues of environmental protection and clean air in Manhattan. 

When: Tonight, Tuesday, July 22, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where: 75 First Street (NW corner of First Avenue and Houston Street).

What: Join Luke to discuss the district's environmental concerns

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


(7) Two Obama Events Thursday: Yes We Can Party & Jewish Young Professionals
 
Obama supporters in NYC are throwing (at least) 2 events this Thursday.  Here's the details:
 
Jewish Professionals for Obama, NYC Kickoff
Thursday, July 24th, 7-10pm
Ultra Lounge, 37 West 26, between 6th & Broadway
All are welcome. Suggested Donation: $36
RSVP & Prepay at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/44mhf
Organizing Committee:
Simon Brandler. Alexander Chester. Jake Honigman. Ariel Peikes. Jordan Salberg. Jeremy Taub.

Yes We Can Party!
Featuring an open bar, mingling, dancing, and a 6'2 cardboard cutout of Obama
Contribution: $100
Thursday, July 24th, 7pm
Atrium Cafe, 31 Little West 12th Street (Use hopstop.com for subway directions)
Host Committee features several DFNYCers:
Paul Curtis, Michael Freedman-Schnapp, Eliyanna Kaiser, Michael Meade, John Raskin, & Jocelyn Smith