In this Newsletter:
| Message from the Chair | Pick an Issue! Join an SDCP Caucus |
| GWCDP News | Speaker lineup for Breakfast Meeting on Aug 7 Greenwood Democrats featured on Finding Me Podcast Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout Tix on sale now |
| Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights | SC Senate Redistricting input sought for Greenwood |
| Our Community | Boys & Girls Service Project – seeking volunteers |
| News & Noteworthy | “Bypassing a miracle doesn’t make sense” |
| Legislative Updates | Henry McMaster is sued Help is here! The American Rescue Plan for SC |
| Upcoming Events |
Message from the Chair
In a recent discussion, someone mentioned how overwhelming it is to keep up with ALL of the issues that affect our nation. Informational and emotional overload can understandably cause someone to withdraw into a shell and not get engaged.
My recommendation? Pick just ONE issue that you’re passionate about and get involved in that. Get educated. Educate others. Discuss possible solutions with likeminded people. Lobby our elected officials to act.
A great way to launch yourself in the process is to join a South Carolina Democratic Party Caucus. You will find a welcoming community of people from all over the state who are just as interested as you in any of the specific topics you see below.
Last month, I conducted an informal survey and saw that we had NO Greenwood Democrats active in any of the 16 caucuses that have been established. At our next Breakfast Meeting, we will have two SCDP Caucus chairs join us to talk about how to get involved in one and why it’s important to do so. We need to do more than just talk about these critical issues. We need to be part of the solution!
GWCDP News
Breakfast Meeting on Sat Aug 7
Last month’s meeting was nothing short of astounding and we’re looking to do even better with the amazing lineup of speakers who will be joining us on Saturday, Aug 7 from 9 am – 11 am.
Please RSVP here to help us prepare with an accurate headcount. There’s no charge to show up but if you wish to bring some breakfast items to share (muffins, donuts, etc), please coordinate with Cathie Swindell (cats.dems@gmail.com or 864-992-2182). It would be greatly appreciated!
We will also have Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout tickets available for sale (see below) so come prepared to get yours!
Greenwood Democrats featured on Finding Me Podcast
On Tuesday, GWCDP Chair Bill Kimler was interviewed on Cheryl Morton’s “Finding Me” Podcast. Lady Morton and co-host Rev Natasha Gresham conducted a discussion covering politics on a national and local scale. From voting rights to Critical Race Theory – it was an hour full of information, humor, and important topics of which we all need to be aware. You can catch a recording of the broadcast online!
Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout
Mark your calendars for Sept 11 and come on out for good food and fellowship!
Fish, hot dog, hamburger, and veggie plates will be served. Stay for the raffles, games, music, speeches, and meet & greets!
Tickets can purchased online right now! Or you can call/text (864) 715-2341 to secure yours today.
Click on the image to the right for a full-sized poster to share.
Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights
SC Senate Redistricting input sought for Greenwood
Although the US Census data has yet to be released, the SC Senate has been holding informational sessions across the state, seeking input about how South Carolina is carved up.
As former State Senator Vincent Sheheen stated recently on Bourbon in the Backroom podcast:
“In South Carolina, and in many Southern states, the districts have been drawn so that black citizens are packed into a very small number of districts and that white citizens are packed into a very large number of districts. It segregates the vote and it reinforces the stereotypes and the racialization of our politics and it is incredibly damaging.”
The Greenwood Democrats will be present at the hearing below which covers Greenwood and other counties. All are invited to attend. If you wish to speak, you need to fill out this online form by 4 pm on Monday.
Monday, August 2, 2021 6:30 p.m.
Greenville Technical College Building 102
Barton Campus
506 S. Pleasantburg Drive
Greenville, SC 29607
To receive information about the following counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, and Union
Our Community
Boys & Girls Service Project – seeking volunteers
For our August Community Care Movement activity, we will be supporting the Boys & Girls Club in Greenwood by refreshing and painting the benches in their pavilion and parking area.
These bench-tables are great for outdoor seating and socializing and we’re looking forward to doing our part to brighten them up for all to enjoy!
If you are available to assist for a couple of hours on the morning of Saturday, Aug 14, please contact our CCM Director, Wanda Moore, at wandamoore320@gmail.com or (864) 554-5702. Or, you just reply to this email. Thank you!
News & Noteworthy
“Bypassing a miracle doesn’t make sense”
This was the title of a powerful guest column recently written by Greenwood legend Barbara Jackson. In it she wrote:
“Those who vaccinate against COVID are truly heroes, acting to protect their families, their neighbors and their country.”
And how true that is! Recent numbers show that the South Carolina statewide vaccination rate is only 40.4%. This is terrible.
Even worse is that Greenwood’s vaccination rate is just 36.7%! After only the first week of the start of the new school year, 70 students are now in COVID quarantine.
We’ve had ample time and opportunity to get vaccinated to protect ourselves and others. And we still have that opportunity! Heed Mrs. Jackson’s wise words and don’t wait until it’s too late to seek out yours!
Legislative Updates
Henry McMaster is sued
Back in March, we interviewed Sue Berkowitz, Director of SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center. You can watch that video by clicking on the image to the right.
In a press release that went out recently:
Yesterday, we joined the law firm Kassel McVey and filed a lawsuit challenging Governor McMaster’s recent decision to bring an early end to federal pandemic unemployment benefits in South Carolina.
This act of cruelty against those most in need has not gone unchallenged! Furthermore, similar actions by other states are being struck down by federal judges as just recently happened in Arkansas.
Of course, recent studies have proved that cutting off this emergency lifeline to millions of American had NO impact on the labor shortage that they blamed on the “lazy poor”.
It’s your turn to defend your cruelty in court, Henry!
Help is here!
You’ve heard a lot about Biden’s American Rescue Plan – but what does it exactly do for South Carolina and for YOU?
Fortunately, a very easy to follow website, HelpIsHereSC.com lays it all out for us.
Together, we’ll get through this pandemic. Visit now to see how you can get the assistance you need!
Upcoming Events
Floyd’s Fish Fry Planning Committee
Sun, Aug 1
2 pm
Redistricting Public Hearing
Mon, Aug 2
6:30 pm
Greenville Technical College
Building 102
see above for details
GWD County Council
Tue, Aug 3
5:30 pm
Greenwood Public Library
Watch on YouTube
In-Person Breakfast Meeting
Sat, Aug 7
9 am – 11 am
Morris Chapel Family Life Center
Register
Community Care Movement
Bench painting @ Boys & Girls Club
Sat, Aug 14
8 am – 11 am
reply to this email to volunteer
2nd Annual Black Market Commerce Event
Sat, Aug 14
1 pm – 6 pm
Uptown Greenwood @ the Fountain
Greenwood City Council
Mon, Aug 16
5:30 pm
Municipal Building
520 Monument St
Watch on FB Live
GWD County Council
Tue, Aug 17
5:30 pm
Greenwood Public Library
Watch on YouTube
Precinct Leader Info Session
Thu, Aug 19
5:15 pm – 5:45 pm
Greenwood Public Library
Register
Exec Committee
Thu, Aug 19
6 pm
Greenwood Public Library
Precinct Leaders Mtg
Thu, Aug 19
7 pm
Greenwood Public Library
LABOR DAY
Mon, Sep 6
Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout
Sat, Sep 11
11 am – 3 pm
Boys & Girls Club
Tickets on sale now!
