Dear fellow Brooklynites,
I hope this email finds you cool during the hottest climate-change summer on record. My name is Carlos J. Calzadilla, and I am the Southern Regional Vice President for the Brooklyn Young Democrats.
My journey with BYD began several years ago, when I was a student organizer and immigration activist fighting to stop deportations during the Trump administration. Since then, I've worked in the city and state legislature, run several successful campaigns, and now proudly serve as a BYD board member and the District Director for State Senator Andrew Gounardes. Being a part of BYD has put me at the forefront of important fights alongside other young Democrats.
My parents fled dictatorship in Cuba, and instilled democratic values in me from a young age. I’m proud to carry on the legacy of family members who fought for democracy and social justice throughout 20th-century Cuba; for me, that history is a profound reminder of what's really at stake in our political fights.
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It’s for that reason that I invite you to join us at our upcoming fundraiser this Saturday at 4pm at Kent Ale House. Together, we’ll prepare to take on critical fights across Brooklyn, from this November’s City Council races to the presidential election next year. As young Democrats, we are the vanguard of our democracy, and the future of this country rests on our shoulders.
During last year’s midterm elections, BYD played a pivotal role in pushing back against the Republican assault in Southern Brooklyn. Our efforts, along with those of allied clubs and campaigns, helped elect the first Asian-American woman to the New York State Senate, Senator Iwen Chu. BYD was also critical in electing Senator Andrew Gounardes, an effective, progressive champion.
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But the battle is not over; the right is making gains across New York. From anti-immigrant policies and book bans to assaults on LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights—and the existential threat of climate change—these are not distant challenges. You don’t have to fly to a swing state to fight back against these hateful forces; you can simply take the southbound N train.
In the struggle against rising fascism and white supremacy from the Republican Party, we cannot become disillusioned. The Republican frontrunner was just indicted for attempting to overthrow the government on January 6th, nearly destroying our democracy. We can’t wait for 2024: we must unite now to combat this dire threat and create a space for determined young people standing for an inclusive and just future. BYD can be your political home, and offer a platform for real change, from Brooklyn to the White House.
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Your contribution will directly support our get-out-the-vote efforts, help elect candidates who stand for our values, and enable us to recruit, educate, and mobilize more young Democrats. We can build a Democratic Party in Brooklyn that leads the nation as an engine for social progress and fights back against the fascist Republican agenda.
Please join us this Saturday at our grassroots fundraiser and be a part of our movement for democracy and reform. Together, we can create a better and more inclusive future for generations to come.
Sincerely,
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Carlos J. Calzadilla
Southern Regional VP for BYD
District Director for Senator Andrew Gounardes
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