DFNYC exists to help build a progressive political community in New York City and to promote and facilitate participation in the political process. On both counts, 2007 was a busy year and 2008 will be even more exciting as we look ahead to critical elections at the national, state and local levels.

The Year in Review

Monthly linkups are the core activity of the organization, giving city progressives the chance to connect with each other and share ideas and opportunities for taking action. DFNYC linkups are held at seven separate locations throughout the city. In addition to linkups, DFNYC in 2007 sponsored or co-sponsored a number of successful events around the city:

• February: A Look Back, A Look Ahead (with State Senators Eric Schneiderman and Liz Krueger)
• May: Fundraisers for DFA
• May: Fundraiser for DFNYC (with Rep. John Hall)
• September: Queens voter registration drive (with Democrats for New Politics and Queens County Young Democrats)
• October: Walk Don't Destroy Brooklyn III
• October: Meet 'n' Greet with Tony Avella (2009 mayoral candidate)
• October: Queens voter registration drive II (with Democrats for New Politics, Queens County Young Democrats and the Long Island City Alliance)
• November: An Evening With Nathan Gonzalez (author of Engaging Iran)
• November: Fundraiser for State Senate Candidate Jimmy Dahroug (with DFA's Jim Dean)
• November: Anti-War Town Hall Meeting with the Brooklyn Democratic Congressional Delegation (with CBID and others)
• December: DFNYC Mock Caucus (won by progressive Democrat John Edwards)
• December: DFNYC and Friends Holiday Party
• Numerous debate watch parties cosponsored with Drinking Liberally and other city organizations.

Through both traditional and online activism, DFNYC members worked to promote the visibility of a number of national, state and local issues in 2007. While some efforts are ongoing struggles and others were unsuccessful, all are important markers of what New York City progressives stand for and what we will be working for in the future.

• Impeachment of Bush and/or Cheney
• Stopping funding for the Iraq War and bringing the troops home
• Clean Money, Clean Elections (election funding reform at the state and local level)
• Student Debt Relief Act (H.R. 2669, S. 359, now Public Law 110-84!)
• Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act revisions / Telecom Immunity
• The Arbitration Fairness Act ( H.R. 3010 / S. 1782)
• The Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act (S. 1959)
• Prevention Through Affordable Access Act (S.2347 / H.R.4054 - protecting affordable birth control)
• Internet Radio Equality Act (H.R. 2060)
• National Health Insurance Act (H.R. 676)
• Protect the Troops and Bring Them Home Act (H.R. 455)
• The $205 million city giveaway to Bruce Ratner and Atlantic Yards
• The Saigon Grill Boycott & Protest
• Brooklyn Judgeship campaigns of Diana Johnson, Karen Yellen and Katherine Levine
• Craig Johnson's successful campaign in Long Island's 7th Senate District
• Charge or Release (treatment of protestors arrested by the NYC police)

On the online front, in September DFNYC launched a long-awaited upgrade to its website, featuring a new look and streamlined organization that will be a foundation for improved content. Last summer, DFNYC welcomed its first interns, Nina Tarnawsky and Hawa Umarova, who assisted with a number of outstanding organizational tasks. DFNYC also began exploring social networking with the launch of a Facebook page.

The Year Ahead

Looking forward to 2008, considerable attention will undoubtedly be focused on the presidential race and efforts to expand Democratic control of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, Cheney and Bush will still be in office another year and efforts to restrain some of their more extreme actions and appointments will be ongoing. There is also still a a very active movement working for investigation of the misdeeds of the executive and impeachment of Cheney and/or Bush.

At the state level, considerable attention and effort will be focused on flipping the NY State Senate to Democratic control, which would free the gridlock now stopping a considerable amount of important progressive legislative initiatives: clean-money/clean-elections, verifiable voting machines, Rockefeller drug law reform, affordable housing in NYC, etc. DFNYC members have already endorsed Jimmy Dahroug for NYS Senate district three and further endorsement votes and opportunities to help will be forthcoming.

And, finally, at the local level, 2008 will be a year of significant change in NYC government. A number of DFNYC friends and members will be announcing candidacies for the NYC city council in the near future and DFNYC will be holding endorsement votes and encouraging assistance for these progressive candidates. Also, with term limits in city government taking effect in 2009, the pot will be stirred as incumbents begin looking for new offices.

The turnover of the U.S. Congress to Democratic control in 2006 offered a great deal of promise for changes in the direction of our country. While the pace and level of change was disappointing in 2007, the potential for moving the country in a more progressive direction in 2008 is great. We thank you for your past support of DFNYC and urge you to stay tuned and do what you can to help us help the country in the new year.