Arizona Progressives Mobilize This Weekend in Flagstaff

[Kevin Spidel]

Dear fellow progressives,

Several vital issues are coming before the State Democratic Committee when they meet on Saturday on the NAU campus in Flagstaff from 11-4. This is to let you know we need all available hands on board . If you can come, please do. You do not have to be on the State Committee to attend (only to have voice and vote on the floor) and ALL AzPC members and friends are welcome and needed. Some of us will be at the Campus Coffee Bean at 9 am and then on campus setting up. Please find us and see what you can do to help.

We also need help in advance with telephone calls and other things, please let us know what your availability is.

1) Voting Integrity - At 11:00 AM State Representative Dr. Ted Downing will hold a workshop, along with Dr. Tom Ryan and Dr. David Griscom, to address major security issues within the Arizona voting system and present a plan for assuring fair and responsible elections in Arizona. This is a “must attend” for anyone wanting to assure that every vote cast is accurately counted.

A state–wide group to train and deal with voter integrity issues is being formed and we need progressives on board this group from the outset, and helping to spread it to the grassroots. Ted is introducing legislation, and he needs our help. We need people at NAU starting at 10:00 to help get people to that meeting, distributing information, etc. - and YOU need this information to understand what is wrong and how it can be fixed. We need YOU now, and throughout the upcoming voting cycle!

2) Progressive Caucus of AZ Democratic State Committeepersons – From 12-1, in room 29 of the Dubois Center, which is the building we are meeting in. Gathering ( with snacks and coffee ) of those committeepersons interested in forming a progressive alliance within the Committee for purposes of empowerment, mutual sharing and support of ideas and plans, promoting grassroots assistance to elected progressive officials, and work together progressive policy within the party, such as the voter integrity movement and the Iraq resolutions today.

This is new, and important, for it is the (elected) State Committee that “runs” the party, sets policy, decides which candidates to support, and many other vital functions - and this is the avenue for the progressive movement to influence the party's decisions. We'll want folks to help get committeepersons there and to fill logistical functions.

Incidentally, this is a plug for every one of you who is a democrat to become a PC, and get yourself elected to join us in the party voting structure. It's really easy to do and vitally important.

3) Resolution to withdraw US Troops from Iraq - After the vote for State Chair and other offices, The Red Rock Democrats (Sedona) will offer a resolution to the floor that the Arizona Democratic Party support ending the Iraq war that we, of course, urge you to support. Let we, the Democrats, take the lead to bring us out of this quagmire.

The resolution is below. We need people with signs and cheering voices to encourage the Committee to adopt this resolution, and people to talk about this all day to the Committeepersons who ask about it. Also we want to encourage folks to sign the petition on the PDA website. http://www.pdamerica.org/petition/iraq-withdraw-petition.php

Let's have a great turnout, friends, and let the party see the power of the progressive grassroots by our presence there.




In solidarity and peace,

Rev. Gerry Straatemeier, MSW
Arizona Democratic Party, State Committeewoman
Arizona Progressive Caucus, State Steering Committee
AzPC (Az Prog. Caucus) - Pima County Regional Vice-Chair

David Kaler
AzPC (Arizona Progressive Caucus) - Pima County Regional Director
PDA (Progressive Democrats of America) - AZ Spokes Council Rep. to the Southwestern Region

Bryan Buchan
AzPC (Arizona Progressive Caucus) - Maricopa County Regional Co-Director

Sherry Bohlen
Progressive Democrats of America - National Field Director
Member, AzPC (Arizona Progressive Caucus)

Kevin Spidel
Progressive Democrats of America -National Political Director
Member, AzPC (Arizona Progressive Caucus)


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RESOLUTION TO WITHDRAW US TROOPS FROM IRAQ (From Red Rock Democrats)

Whereas the United States government, in its preemptive attack and
subsequent occupation of Iraq, a country which had neither attacked nor
threatened the U.S.:

1. Violated international law, the United Nations Charter, the UN
Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Accords and the Nuremberg
Principles;

2. Caused the deaths of an estimated 100,000 Iraqis and more than 1,700
U.S. soldiers and the wounding and disabling of tens of thousands of Iraqis
and U.S. soldiers;

3. Misused over $300 billion of U.S. taxpayers money which should have been
used for health care, affordable housing, environmental protection, etc.

4. The continuation of this war and the continued misallocation of funds
will cause grave harm to the people of the United States.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE ARIZONA DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON BEHALF OF THE
CITIZENS OF ARIZONA CALLS UPON THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS OF THE UNITED
STATES TO:

1. Withdraw all U.S. troops and military bases from Iraq;

2. Cease all attempts by the U.S. government and corporations to control
the economy, government and resources of Iraq;

3. Ensure that returning veterans receive adequate compensation, health
care and education, disability, and rehabilitation benefits; and

4. Reduce the U.S. military budget and allocate that money to programs that
provide for health care, education and environmental protection.