[BwayDems] Make NYS Truly Blue - Next Wed Aug 29th

[Pat Almonrode]

Fellow Broadway Democrats -

Like us, you are probably saddened and frustrated by the horror show that
is our current national government (sorry, but there's no other way to put
it).  But at least here in NY State, there is something real, concrete and
immediate that we can do.

As you might know, for the past six years a handful of rogue Democratic
State Senators aligned themselves with the Republicans, keeping the State
Senate in Republican hands, even though Democratic members outnumber them.

This might seem like an intra-party fight that has no impact on real
lives.  That would be wrong. As a result of this action by the Independent
Democratic Coalition (IDC):

   - NYS has not passed legal protections for transgender individuals.
   - We still don't have the DREAM Act, allowing undocumented immigrants
   the chance to access in-state scholarships and financial aid.
   - NY State, this great progressive beacon, has *no state law to protect
   abortion rights if the Supreme Court overturns Roe*, which seems more
   and more possible with the recent Supreme Court vacancy.

If the IDC members had aligned with the Senate Democrats, as they were
elected to do, these bills would have been law long ago.

Perhaps the most galling part of this situation is that right here in
Manhattan, on the Upper West Side, West Harlem, Washington Heights and
Inwood, we have one of those very State Senators.  Marisol Alcantara ran 2
years ago for an open seat as a Democrat.  She won, and immediately aligned
herself with the IDC and the Republicans.

Now that it's election season again, she and her fellow IDC members are
saying they are with the Democrats, but for how long and at what cost?

We have a clear and easy choice this year - *Robert Jackson, a true blue
Democrat*.  Robert started his political career suing NYS for our fair
share of education funding for our public schools, and then
successfully ran for the City Council in 2001. We can personally attest to
his dedication, decency, hard work, energy and most of all, his deep
commitment to progressive values.

*Join us to meet State Senate candidate Robert Jackson*
*next Wednesday, August 29th, 6:30pm*

*Please RSVP at https://secure.actblue.com/ donate/maurakeaney#
<https://secure.actblue.com/donate/maurakeaney#> *

*(Address provided when you RSVP)*

If you can't join us, we hope you will still consider a contribution to
support this effort - you can donate at
*https://secure.actblue.com/ donate/maurakeaney#
<https://secure.actblue.com/donate/maurakeaney#>*


Best,
Maura & Mark
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