Progressive Caucus Newsletter #3

IN THIS ISSUE....

	PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS MOURNS NATIONAL TRAGEDY - HURRICANE KATRINA - FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP NEXT PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS MEETING PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS HOSTS DAHR JAMAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS MEMBERS VISIT CINDY SHEEHAN IN CRAWFORD, TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE UPDATE SEPTEMBER 24th PEACE MARCH IN WASHINGTON, DC PROGRESSIVE EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA - "NO ON 73" KICK- OFF EVENT IN LA!

California Democratic Party

Executive Board

Meeting, Oct. 1 & 2

Manhattan Beach Marriott

1400 Parkview Ave.

Manhattan Beach, 90266

310.546.7511

THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS WILL MEET AT 6:30PM

Saturday, October 1, 2005

Reservation cut-off date is September 16th!

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR RESERVATION DETAILS www.progressivecaucuscdp.org

DAHR JAMAIL AND GOLD STAR FAMILIES FOR PEACE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

On August 3rd, the Progressive Caucus hosted its first event in coordination with the Valley West Democratic Club, Valley Grassroots for Democracy, US Tour of Duty, and the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley. We were extremely fortunate to have Dahr Jamail, an unembedded journalist from Iraq, speak at the Shomrie Temple in West Hills. The event also featured a screening of footage taken in Fallujah by Mark Manning, days after the invasion. Jane Bright and Nadia McCaffrey, both Gold Star Families for Peace mothers, spoke about their sons, who were killed in Iraq. Although it was an incredibly sobering event, we were very grateful to finally hear some truth about what is really taking place in Iraq.

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS OFFICERS VISIT CRAWFORD, TEXAS!

Cindy took this photo with us on the promise that we would push our Democratic leaders to support an end to the war.

On August 26, Progressive Caucus Officers Joye Swan and Jo Olson made the trek to Crawford, Texas to join Cindy Sheehan and thousands of others who support the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and an end to the illegal occupation. The trip was very moving, and we met some amazing people.

CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE UPDATE

Books Not Bars by Chuck Krugman

Books Not Bars is an organization active in reform activities within the youth correctional system in California is asking for support in an attempt to close CHAD which is reported the most dangerous youth prison facility within the state of California. Recently Bernard Warner was hired as the new director for youth corrections in the state of California. Upon his hiring he learned about conditions inside the CHAD facility and ordered that no new inmates be accepted in the facility while conditions are being studied. On September 26, 2005 Mr. Warner will be making a decision whether the CHAD facility should be closed. Please submit your input in to this decision as well as the future of the youth correctional system in California by doing the following:

1. Sign Our Letter:
Chief Warner needs to know that people across the state support his decision to take action and want to see the facility closed. Now is the time to show your support for the young people in Chad and to urge for it to be closed down. Click here to read the letter, add your name, and forward it to your friends! http://www.booksnotbars.org

2. Call the Governor:
Governor Schwarzenegger needs to hear from you. Call the Governor today to tell him to close Chad. Tell him closing Chad is the only way to ensure that no more young people will be exposed to outrageous levels of violence, abuse, and neglect. Call 916-445-2841, then press 5 to express your opinion (you will be on hold for a while - please be patient).

3. Honor:
On September 22nd, please join Books Not Bars and Van Jones for, "Spirit of Freedom: Honoring the Families of Incarcerated Children." This event will be from 7 to 9 PM at the First Congregational Church in Oakland. We will honor the struggle and success of the families of young people locked up in California's abusive and costly youth prisons. This is a rare opportunity to hear from families and honor their strength to fight for a new juvenile justice system.
Bring your family and friends. We hope to see you there!

4. Donate to http://www.booksnotbars.org.
With the current budgetary conditions as well as the need for meaningful rehabilitation of youthful offenders in California, this action as very important. Your assistance is appreciated.

Thanks Civil Rights Committee!

NATIONWIDE PROGRESSIVE EVENTS

PEACE MARCH ON WASHINGTON!
September 24-26 · Washington, DC

www.unitedforpeace.org for complete program information!

Saturday, September 24
Massive March, Rally, Peace and Justice Festival
Operation Ceasefire Concert

Sunday, September 25
Interfaith Service, Grassroots Training

Monday, September 26
Grassroots Congressional Lobby Day &
Mass Nonviolent Civil Disobedience at the White House
There will be several officers of the Progressive Caucus in DC, including Joye Swan (officer-at-large), who will be meeting with Dianne Feinstein's Chief of Staff as well as Representatives Henry Waxman and Howard Berman. Please join us for this historic occasion!

Independence Air just put a sale up for cheap tickets to Washington DC - as low as $188 RT from California. Check them out at: http://www.flyi.com

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PROGRESSIVE EVENTS!

"PRACTICAL POLITICS"- The Nuts and Bolts of Grassroots Activism

Learn effective techniques for grassroots activism, lobbying elected

officials and generating a “buzz” for your cause. Topics include:

• Developing a grassroots strategy

• Frame that issue! (or what we all can learn from Karl Rove)

• Inspiring dedicated volunteers

• Getting the Press you deserve

• Creating effective campaign materials

• Building coalitions for your cause

• Know your opposition: research, research, research

• Dialing for dollars

• NEW SECTION: Running for Office: How to decide if the time

and the office are right for you!

A materials packet and bibliography will be provided.

Cost of $37 includes materials.

Please bring a bag lunch.Room 171 Harlan Center,

College of Marin, Kentfield, September 17, 10am -4 PM

Dotty E. LeMieux, with more than 20 years of grassroots activism under

her belt, runs progressive political campaigns and trains grassroots activists

throughout Northern California. She served as California Political Director

for Dennis Kucinich’s 2004 Presidential Campaign.

To register go to http://marincommunityed.org/regist/resources/index.htm

or call 415-485-9305.

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS NEW OFFICER ELECTIONS

Our first official meeting of the Progressive Caucus since certification by the CDP will be October 1, 2005 in Manhattan Beach. At that time, we will be electing the following officers:

Southern California Chair, Northern California Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Parliamentarian, Treasurer, and three at-large officers. These are positions that will be chosen at an open election. Anyone may run as long as they are a registered Democrat, and have been a member of the Progressive Caucus for at least 30 days. In order to run for one of the chair positions, you must be a delegate to the DSCC. Please check our by-laws on our website at www.progressivecaucuscdp.org. If you are interested in running for an officer position please contact us at the above address. We will be posting nominee bios on the website, and sending them out to our members without email addresses. Open nominations will also occur at the meeting.

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS MOURNS LOUISIANA TRAGEDY - HURRICANE KATRINA

Pretty much sums it up, eh?

The Yolo County Young Democrats will be sponsoring dual relief efforts in our area. We have adopted a Democratic group in Houston as well as a Young Democrats group in Louisiana and will be sendig supplies to both groups. We are waiting for contact information for groups in Mississippi and Alabama. We have also adopted 4 families in Woodland, California who have recently become homeless due to fires.

Please send supplies such as: soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, food (canned and bagged), socks, underwear, clothes, baby supplies, and religious books of different denominations.

Please be aware that UC Davis has opened slots at its law school and undergraduate programs for the UC eligible students who were attending universities in the affected portions of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

We will provide more information later this evening, for now, feel free to contact me via email, my home or cell phones. When going through your closet this weekend, please think of things you no longer need and send them to the victims of Katrina.

Kandice Kapri Richardson
President
Yolo County Young Democrats
530-297-5139 home
530-848-8277 cell

GREAT PROGRESSIVE LINKS

www.dahrjamailiraq.com

www.ustourofduty.com

www.progressivecaucuscdp.org

www.californiafordemocracy.com

www.unitedforpeace.org

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE by

Jennifer Dawes

State Legislative Update

Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 11 , authored by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), calls on Congress and the President to end the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy by enacting House Resolution (HR) 1059, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, authored by Representative Marty Meehan (D-Massachusetts) passed the state Senate with a 23-14 vote.

Assembly Bill 866 by Assembly Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), is awaiting signature by the Governor. Prohibits the use of any negative appeal based on prejudice against LGBT people by candidates or campaign committees who sign the voluntary pledge provided for in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

Assembly Bill 1400 by Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) is awaiting signature by the Governor. Amends the Unruh Civil Rights Act (Unruh Act) to clarify that people are protected from discrimination regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status.

Other State Issues Update

Two Constitutional amendments were released for signature gathering in July. Both initiatives would repeal domestic partnership rights and permanently ban access to civil marriage protections. Proponents need to gather 600,000 valid signatures by January to qualify for the June election. That makes a total of three anti-gay marriage ballot initiatives circulating for signatures. For further information please visit: www.equalityforallca.org

Proposition 73 qualified for the November 8^th special election. This initiative will compromise the safety of California teenage girls by amending the state constitution to require a parent or guardian to be notified before she can receive an abortion. The State Supreme Court has previously ruled that parent notification laws are unconstitutional – because it puts the health and safety of young women at risk To get involved in defeating Prop 73, please visit:

www.noonproposition73.org - see announcement below!

Federal Legislative Update

Patriot Act July 29 U.S. District Court Ruling

U.S. District Judge Audrey Collins said language making it illegal to give “expert advice” or “training” to foreign terrorist organizations is impermissibly imprecise. However, the government was victorious when Judge Collins upheld a broader provision of the law prohibiting individual’s form giving “material support” to terrorist organizations. Judge Collins made clear her order applies only to those who brought the lawsuit, U.S supporters of the Kurdistan Workers Party in Turkey and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, of which the State Department has designated as terrorist groups.

Secure Flight

This pending legislation allows the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to collect and keep personal information on passengers, and then provide that information to a private company and the airlines for monitoring purposes. Sound familiar?

Supreme Court Update

On Saturday, September 3 at approximately 9:30pm (CA time), Chief Justice Rehnquist lost his fight with cancer. The Bush Administration will be nominating a new Chief Justice, and filling one (possibly two) Justice position. Justice O’Connor has stated she will continue to serve until her replacement is approved.

**NO on PROP. 73 LOS ANGELES KICK-OFF EVENT**

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Rev. Jim Lawson, Senator Gloria Romero, and Assemblymember Judy Chu invite you to join us Saturday, September 17^that 10:00 am for our No on 73 Campaign for Teen Safety Kick-Off event.

WHEN: Saturday October 1, 2005 at 11AM

WHERE: Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd.. Los Angeles, CA 90010 (corner of Wilshire & Berendo)

WHO: Community organizations, health care providers, civil and reproductive rights groups, faith-based organizations, and parents mobilizing to defeat Prop. 73

WHY: Learn about how this measure jeopardizes the safety and health of our community's teens. Learn how you and your organization can get more involved in this critical.

To RSVP and find out more, call (213) 977-5241.

No on 73: the Campaign for Teen Safety is a broad-based coalition of doctors, nurses, health care providers, educators, civil rights and women’s groups, including: the California Medical Association, California Nurses Association, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, ACLU of Southern California, Feminist Majority, Center for Prophetic Renewal, Khmer Girls in Action, California Black Women’s Health Project, California Partnership, Reproductive Rights Coalition of Los Angeles, the Anti-Defamation League, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, the Anti-Defamation League, Democracy for America Los Angeles, the Progressive Jewish Alliance, the California Democratic Party, California NOW, the League of Women Voters, and millions of parents joining together to protect the safety of our daughters.

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS LISTSERV

We sincerely apologize for the frustration you endured this past week with the new listserv. This has been a learning experience for a new caucus, recently off the ground. We are working our hardest to figure out the most effective way to communicate with, and between, our membership.

To unsubscribe from the Progressive-Caucus listserv send email to: maymehubert@att.net

Our listserv management has been like Bush and Rumsfeld in Iraq – long on optimism and short on plan. There were no flowers. The listserv is shut down while we consider some options.

Several of you have already offered good ideas about what would serve your needs; some are:

Separate announcement list and discussion list
Post announcements on the web site
Have an on-line discussion site

In spite of last week's pain, some of you actually have expressed to us that you want an email discussion list! And, obviously, it would be “opt in.”

The list is closed for the time being. Please send suggestions and recommendations to: maymehubert@att.net

Yours,

Officers of the Progressive Caucus