About Democracy for NYC
Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.
We work both locally and nationally to ensure that fiscally responsible and socially progressive candidates are elected at all levels of government. We develop innovative ways to advocate for the issues that matter to our members and support legislation which has a positive effect in our communities. We promote transparency and ethical practices in government. We engage people in the political process and give them the tools to organize, communicate, mobilize, and enact change on the local, state, and national level.
You can download our bylaws here.
Redistricting: Public Hearings in August for New Proposed City Council Districts
- Published Date
- Written by Jen Berkley
- Category: Take Action
- Hits: 28472
Written by DFNYC Vice President Jen Berkley:
Now that all the New York State redistricting Court fights and Albany legislative deals have ended, the New York City begins the process for drawing new Council Districts. The way the lines are drawn can change who controls the city and what laws get passed, impacting every New Yorker's quality of life.
The NYC Districting Commission, whose 15 members are appointed by the City Council and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, has planned public hearings starting next week to lay the groundwork for drafting new City Council District lines. These hearings are not getting as much attention as we think they should and it would be great for DFNYCers to get involved in this process.
The NYC Districting Commission will hold five public hearings from Aug. 13 to Aug. 23. These hearings are open to the public. The purpose of these hearings is for the Commission to hear testimony from the public concerning the initial phases of its work in drafting a new districting plan for the New York City Council. Individuals wishing to pre-register for speaking time or to submit written testimony in advance may do so by signing up online here. Individuals wishing to speak at the hearings will be provided up to three minutes of speaking time. For a wealth of information on this process, check out the Brennan Center for Justice's website here.
Brooklyn
Date: Monday, Aug. 13th
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., Brooklyn
Manhattan
Date: Thursday, Aug. 16th
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: New York Law School, 185 West Broadway, Manhattan
Staten Island
Date: Monday, Aug. 20th
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: Staten Island Borough Hall, 10 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
Queens
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 21st
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: Queens Library at Flushing, 41-17 Main St., Flushing
Bronx
Date: Thursday, Aug. 23rd
Time: 5PM-9PM
Place: Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, East Dining Room, Music Building, Bronx
Celebrate Obama's birthday-- take the bus to PA!
- Published Date
- Written by Richard Wallner
- Category: Take Action
- Hits: 27542
Saturday August 4th is President Obama's 51st birthday! Obama for America volunteers from all over New York will give the President a great birthday present by taking the bus to Pennsylvania to reach out to undecided voters and do voter registration/voter education. Pennsylvania has new voter ID requirements. It is imperative that we reach out to all Obama supporters in PA to let them know that to register to vote, and then to vote, they must have a state issued photo ID!
This week will be a special later trip, leaving at 11 a.m. and returning 11 p.m., to accomodate Saturday night Obama birthday activities! Should be fun!
From mybarackobama.com:
Our friends in PA need our help and our boots on the ground to win the state for the President. Sign up to register voters and recruit volunteers to celebrate the President's Birthday.
Every trip, knock, handshake, and smile count in this election. Mitt Romney's campaign is raising a lot of money. It's time that we introduce Big Money to People Power and say, "good luck buying spirit, energy, and commitment!" Can't make it? Persuade a friend to take your place! We need as many volunteers as possible to help the President win in Philly and PA.
The cost is $10.00 round trip, however no one will be turned away for lack of funds. See you on August 4th. Fired up?! Let us know that you're ready to go!
See you there!!
Petition to TIAA-CREF: Move Your Money Out of Private Health Insurance!
- Published Date
- Category: Take Action
- Hits: 26829
From Healthcare-NOW: Socially responsible investors were shocked to learn
TIAA-CREF, one of the largest pension funds in the world, invests their
socially responsible funds in major private health insurance companies.
Click here to learn more and sign the petition at Healthcare-NOW's website.
June Hasty DFNYC Endorsement Process - Our Apology & Your Feedback
- Published Date
- Written by Space
- Category: Take Action
- Hits: 27496
If you are a candidate or campaign staff/supporter, we want to hear from you!
The recent endorsement process that DFNYC had for candidates for federal office was held in a hasty and disorganized manner that was in some ways overly burdensome for candidates and their staff, and confusing for DFNYC members. The elections in the primaries are this Tuesday, June 26th, and we should have started the process much sooner than just one month ago. But now is not the time to assign blame; now is the time to apologize and move forward.
In the future, we intend to start the candidate endorsement process much sooner. People that are involved in NYC grassroots politics know who is running for office a year or more before election day. While things change as candidates announce, drop out, and incumbents get promoted (or indicted!) leaving open seats, we can still keep our finger on the pulse of the electoral situation and make our endorsement process clearer from the beginning.
We want to hear from you! Please tell us what you liked and didn't like about the endorsement process and how we can change it for the future. We won't promise to do exactly what campaigns want, but we will listen. Different timing? Didn't like the questionnaire? We want to hear it all.
Email our new Political Director Richard Wallner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Acting President Tracey Keij-Denton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
DFNYC Opposes Spectra Pipeline
- Published Date
- Category: Take Action
- Hits: 53659
The Board of Democracy for NYC has sent a letter, joining Sane Energy, NYH20, Three Parks Independent Democrats, and other progressive organizations, in speaking out against the proposed Spectra pipeline, also known as the New Jersey-New York Expansion Project.
The letter was sent on April 12, 2012 to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President; Madelyn Wils, President & CEO, Hudson River Park Trust; Brad Hoylman, Chair, CB2; Jason Mansfield, Chair, Environment, Public Safety & Public Health Committee of CB2; and Arthur Z. Schwartz, Chair, Waterfront Committee, CB2.
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Contact Information
| Email: | info -at- dfnyc.org |
A local coalition group of Democracy for America since 2004
Democracy for NYC (DFNYC) is committed to the ideals espoused by Democracy for America, the organization founded by Howard Dean, and the national network of local coalition groups dedicated to the same.