In this Newsletter:
| Message from the Chair | Armed with knowledge and truth |
| GWCDP News | August Breakfast Meeting in the books Seeking volunteers for Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout |
| Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights | Voter Registration Drive Testifying to the SC Senate Committee on Redistricting Candidate Spotlight – Mia McLeod |
| Our Community | Bench painting service project – Boys & Girls Club Greenwood County Community Remembrance Project Coalition |
| News & Noteworthy | Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan |
| Legislative Updates | Legislation for Fairness in Redistricting in SC submitted |
| Upcoming Events |
Message from the Chair
I was interviewed recently on Cheryl’s Morton‘s Finding Me podcast. Co-host Rev Natasha Gresham asked how members of our community can begin to get involved in the important political discussions that are happening today.
That was a huge question! Of all the things that immediately sprung to mind, one thought rang louder than all the others: ARM YOURSELF WITH KNOWLEDGE AND SEEK OUT THE TRUTH.
We can disagree on any number of topics, but as long as we come at it from an informed and honest place then we can have a constructive conversation and perhaps minds can be changed. But if we cling to Facebook memes and inflammatory headlines as our source of knowledge then there’s no point in having a conversation at all.
Recently, my House Representative made the following statement directly to me:
Let me ask you this: Do you think this statement came from a place of knowledge? Do you believe he actually read the 100-page document created by respected scholars from across our nation? It’s freely available online and I have indeed read it. And I encourage you to do so as well!
“But I have a right to my opinion!” some cry. And indeed we do. An opinion formed from knowledge is respectable. But an opinion formed without information is merely prejudice.
GWCDP News
August Breakfast Meeting in the books
We had an incredible meeting at the Morris Chapel Baptist Church Family Life Center this past Saturday. There was a lot of information and inspiration shared! If you weren’t able to make it, or just want to review & share what you witnessed, we’ve captured everything and posted it all to YouTube!
 Bishop McCray welcomes us, Party updates are shared by the Chair |  Testifying in front of the SC Senate Committee |
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 Volunteer of the month & Motivations |  |
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Congrats to Denise Waldrep for earning our Volunteer of the Month award for August! We were happy to gift here with a commemorative portrait of the White House with Champ and Major sitting on the lawn.
Seeking volunteers for Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout
Floyd’s Fish Fry & Cookout is only ONE MONTH away! Grab your tickets while you can for this huge event on Sat, Sept. 11. You can order online or call (864) 715-2341 to secure yours before they sell out. (Click the image to the right to see the full poster)
Volunteers Needed! We have opportunities for you to assist on the day of the event. From setting up, to serving food, to playing games with kids – we have a place where we could use your help!
Please see our online Floyd’s Fish Fry volunteer form to see if there are activities that are a fit for you.
Upcoming Elections & Voting Rights
Voter Registration Drive
On Saturday, Aug 14, from 1 – 6 pm we will have a Voter Registration tent at the 2nd Annual Black Market Commerce Event in Uptown Greenwood (by the fountain). Click the image to the right to see a larger poster.
Volunteers Needed! If you have an hour or two to spare, could you spend it with us at our tent? Reply to this email if you can help raise awareness about our civic duty to vote!
Testifying to the SC Senate Committee on Redistricting
Last week, GWCDP Chair Bill Kimler testified in front of the SC Senate Committee on Redistricting about the funny Senate lines drawn through Greenwood.
Watch the short clip below to see what he said!
Candidate Spotlight – Mia McLeod
Mia McLeod is the SC State Senator from District 22 (Kershaw & Richland counties) with a long history of service. She is running for Governor of South Carolina!
Recently, Mia shared her plan to deal with the COVID-19 Delta variant that’s running unchecked through our state.
Meanwhile, Henry McMaster‘s grand plan is to lie about its severity to anyone who will listen.
Visit miaforsc.com to learn more.
Mark your calendar: The Democratic Primaries will be held on June 14, 2022!
Our Community
Bench painting service project – Boys & Girls Club
When we were scouting locations for the upcoming Floyd’s Fish Fry, we noticed that the metal picnic benches at the Boys & Girls Club needed a little TLC.
This Saturday, Aug 14, at 9 am, we will give the benches a fresh blue coating and make them shine!
Volunteers Needed! If you can join us for an hour or so, please reply to this email.
Greenwood County Community Remembrance Project Coalition
The following was submitted to us as a great educational opportunity for high school youth in Greenwood:
The Greenwood County Community Remembrance Project Coalition is sponsoring a high school youth study program in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery, AL.
The program will focus on the history of racial violence in America from the end of the Reconstruction era through the 1950s. Specific focus will be given to our local history and the events of the Phoenix Riot in Greenwood County.
It will involve eight study sessions to be led by the Rev. Chris Thomas and the Rev. Doug Kauffman, with additional guest presenters. Sessions will begin on Sunday, August 8, 2021 and continue every other Sunday evening until Sunday, November 21, 2021. These sessions will begin at 6 pm and conclude between 7:30 pm and 8 pm. Sessions will be held on the campus of Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries.
Committed participants will take an all-expenses paid trip to Montgomery, AL on Wednesday, January 5, 2021 through Friday, January 7, 2021 and visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum. The trip is sponsored by the Greenwood Rotary Club. Participants will also write an essay on the legacy of racial terror in America, and submit these essays to EJI as part of their essay writing contest initiative.
Interested high school students should contact Reverend Chris Thomas, Director, the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site at (864)337-0065 (Cell) or via email cthomas@gleamnshrc.org, or Doug Kauffmann, Lander University, (864) 551-9922 dougandsally@embarqmail.com
News & Noteworthy
Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan
This week, Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Plan cleared the US Senate with almost half of the Republican Senators supporting it (much to the consternation of the Greenwood Republicans).
What’s in this plan? The Washington Post put together an amazing graphic that touches on many of the positive provisions found in this legislation. Click the image to the right to see the full graphic and learn more about it!
Legislative Updates
Legislation for Fairness in Redistricting in SC submitted
Did you know… There is NO PROVISION in the South Carolina State Constitution that lists any criteria for how district lines are to be drawn? While they must follow federal guidelines, this is the first time in many years where Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which governed problematic states including South Carolina, is no longer in effect, having been struck down by the Supreme Court in 2013.
SC State Senator Mike Fanning and SCHouse Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter drafted and submitted bills earlier this year to instill fairness and nonpartisanship into the process.
S.750 and H.4229 (both named the “SC Fairness, Accountability, and Integrity in Redistricting Act”) were submitted back in April but neither made it out of Committee prior to the session ending. The Republican-led legislature had more pressing business like open-carry laws and anti-mask, anti-vaccine ideology to work on at the time.
Read the text for yourselves and see what could have been if a Democratic majority with proper priorities had been in charge of the legislation that comes up for debate.
Upcoming Events
| See our Calendar Page for these and other upcoming events. |
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
Floyd’s Fry Planning Committee
Sun, Aug 15
2 pm
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!
SC House Redistricting Hearing
Tue, Sep 21,
6 pm – 8 pm
Piedmont Tech – Medford Center
Breakfast Meeting
Sat, Oct 2
9 am – 11 am
