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Your YDA October  Newsletter

Special Message from Young Democrats of America President Quentin Wathum-Ocama

Young Dems—this is it.

One week out from one of the most important elections of our lives, and it's time to go all in. This isn't just about politics; it's about defending our democracy and building a future that reflects all of us. Every single thing we do in these next seven days matters, whether it's casting our ballots, helping friends make their voting plans, or knocking on every door we can find.

This is our moment to fight for the America we believe in — one where everyone has a fair shot, where rights are protected, and where our government serves the people. So let's bring the energy, the grit, and the belief that, together, we can make it happen.

 One week left, Young Dems. Let's get it done.

In Solidarity, 

Quentin Wathum-Ocama
President, Young Democrats of America

P.S. This newsletter may be lengthy, so please click 'View Entire Message' or 'Load More' to read it all.
 

Is there a YDA local, chartered unit or caucus event that should be listed in our next newsletter? Email us at [email protected] to let us know.
 

Do you have photos of events you or your chapter have hosted? Here at YDA, we love to highlight and celebrate our chapters. Please DM us photos of the exciting things your chapter has been up to. Photos can be submitted by messaging @theyoungdemocrats on Instagram


You can also DM us on twitter (@YoungDems) with posts or content you want us to share or boost. Always feel free to email us at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. 
 
 

We are thrilled to invite you to an exclusive call on October 30th at 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT, featuring Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar,  Congressman Maxwell Frost and acclaimed actor and activist Mark Ruffalo. Join us for this unique opportunity to discuss key issues impacting young people and the future of our country
 

On Saturday, November 2nd, Students for Harris-Walz, Young Voters for Harris-Walz, and our partners are organizing bus trips that will take college students to swing states to knock on doors and talk to voters. Each trip will pick up volunteers in central areas before traveling to a swing state for a day of canvassing on priority campuses and nearby Kamala Action Stations before finally returning to the initial pick up point at the end of the day. 

 

Additionally,  Grassroots Democrats HQ is working with the Harris for President Youth team to uplift a overnight bus trip from Los Angeles to Arizona college campuses to Get Out the Youth Vote for the Harris-Walz ticket on the final weekend before Election Day.
 
 

In October, Young Democrats from across the nation came together to amplify support for Democratic candidates in crucial battleground states. On October 12, the Virginia Young Democrats teamed up with the Young Democrats of North Carolina in Wilson, NC, canvassing for Democratic candidates across the ballot. A week later, on October 19, the New York State Young Democrats traveled to Philadelphia, PA, where they joined forces with the Pennsylvania Young Democrats to boost voter turnout. Then, on October 27, the Minnesota Young DFL crossed the state line to join the Wisconsin Young Democrats in Eau Claire, WI, for a day of door-knocking. With the final stretch of the campaign season in full swing, Young Democrats across America are unwavering in their commitment to support each other, demonstrating the strength of solidarity and shared purpose.
 

Join the New York State Young Democrats on the grand finale of their Do Something Bus Tour! After traveling across New York State and even making stops in Philadelphia, the tour culminates this Saturday in the Hudson Valley. Don’t miss this chance to join other young Democrats as they hit the ground to engage voters and make a difference. Be part of this powerful last push — you can sign up by clicking this link. 

You have been invited to RSVP to attend a Harris for President campaign event with a Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff on Wednesday October 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. The approximate doors open time for the event is expected to be in the afternoon!  Please fill out this form form security procedures. It's essential that everything is filled out accurately and completely. 
 

The Young Democrats of America will gather for an exciting Winter Meeting from December 6-8 in Boston, Massachusetts. This in-person event will bring together young leaders from across the nation to participate in impactful committees, dynamic constituency caucuses, hands-on trainings, and more.

As we convene in the historic and vibrant heart of New England, YDA members will have the chance to connect, collaborate, and continue shaping the future of the Democratic Party. Against the backdrop of Boston’s rich legacy and forward-thinking spirit, we will look back on the 2024 election, reflecting on our successes, challenges, and the road ahead, making this a truly energizing weekend for all in attendance.  Check out our website to register and reserve your hotel room. 
 
 

Last month, the Young Democrats of America National Committee held a voted to determine our 2025  National Convention location and we're excited to announce that YDA will be heading to  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania next summer.  YDA is excited to partner with our friends at the Pennsylvania  Young Democrats to create a one of a kind convention right as Philadelphia begins to kickoff the yearlong celebration for America's Semiquincentennial. There will be more information to come about the Convention in early 2025.
 

October 28, 2024 — Yesterday,  Donald Trump allowed his dangerous and delusional crusade against “the enemy within” to take center stage at his New York City rally. Rally speaker Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico “an island of trash in the ocean” before railing against “the fucking illegals” and making crass comments about Latino Americans’ sex lives and families.

It was no accident that the Trump campaign platformed a racist, anti-immigrant and anti-American rant in New York City—a city of immigrants home to almost 600,000 Puerto Ricans. They want their hate to be heard and felt where it will hurt the most.

Donald Trump’s campaign scapegoats and villainizes Puerto Rico because their over 3 million disenfranchised American citizens aren’t able to vote against him. He has nothing to offer voters other than fear of their fellow Americans; that is not democracy—it’s demagoguery.

In this election, voters from the 50 United States will have to vote against hate and elect Kamala Harris. After this election, we must continue to work towards a more just America, so that the citizens of Puerto Rico and the Douglas Commonwealth can vote along with us.
 

Young Democrats of America via X - YDA Western Vice President Kati Durkin joined News Nation to talk about the critical role of young people in the 2024 election.
 

NC Newsline - Second Gentleman’s visit is part of what’s become a steady stream of visits to NC by candidates and their surrogates in the campaign’s final days

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff encouraged college students to vote at a Tuesday campaign event just off the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus.

He told about 150 attendees — primarily UNC students, but a few dozen community members and residents of the Research Triangle area — at the music venue, Cat’s Cradle, that he’s spoken proudly of the Tar Heel State when he’s on the campaign trail in the other swing states of Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
 

Teen Vogue -  This article was co-published with The 19th as part of The 19th News Network’s Abortion on the Ballot series.

Polls show that at least half of men and women, and an overwhelming majority of nonbinary people, support abortion rights. Some lawmakers are speaking publicly about their own abortions, alongside the countless young people who have and will continue to talk about abortion, the need for reproductive health care access. Tim Walz, Harris’s running mate, has also been open about him and his wife using fertility treatments when trying to start their family. This openness can have great impact, as Duvall’s has.

“I remember everything about that morning [the Beshear ad first ran] because it was an ad that completely changed the election,” says Allison Wiseman, president of the Kentucky Young Democrats. Wiseman, who considers Duvall a friend, had goosebumps talking about it, she says, adding that, locally, Democratic candidates are talking more about reproductive health care than they did in 2022. “For me, it changed the landscape of that election in Kentucky. It just changed everything.”
 

PBS - Many people understand the pain of trying to make a household budget work, even as the prices of everyday goods and services have skyrocketed. For one first-time voter in Virginia, concerns not only about her own financial future but also about how the most vulnerable people among us can afford just to live, are informing her choices.
 
 

State Press - An AZ Democrat canvassing event in Mesa gets students advocating for state representatives and local districts

Making a difference is why Lucas Mooney stays motivated when knocking door-to-door. 

Mooney, a sophomore studying political science and a member of Young Democrats at ASU, spent Sept. 21, 2024, canvassing alongside other members of the organization for local representatives.

The Arizona Democrats held a canvassing launch this September, themed "Hispanic Heritage Month and Education," for Legislative District 9, which includes neighborhoods in West Mesa and part of Tempe. The event had 30 volunteers who knocked on about 1,000 doors throughout the day.
 

The Nevada Independent - In a 50-50 presidential election, the vote from those younger than 35 could be more meaningful than ever. But campaigns have to get them to turn out.

On the ground in Nevada, the Democratic Party is working to mobilize voters on college campuses and in young professional spaces. In conversations, they’re emphasizing abortion rights — a popular issue among Nevadans broadly — and down-payment assistance. And they’re trying to improve voter education on Biden initiatives that appeal to younger voters, including climate investments and efforts to cancel student loans. 

 

Those events can be happy hours, parties or putting together abortion aftercare kits, in the case of one Young Democrat event last December. 

“People think of Young Dems, and, at least in my experience, really thought that it was people sitting together and kind of just listening to panels,” said Maria Nieto Orta, the president of Young Democrats of Nevada. “Being part of the leadership group, to do these nontraditional, exciting events was really huge for me.” 
 

Do you know a YDA chartered unit that should be highlighted in our next newsletter? Email us at [email protected] to let us know which unit and why! 
 

These items are perfect for any Young Democrat looking for some canvassing gear this Fall. Visit store.yda.org today and grab yours now!
 

 

 

The Young Democrats of America (YDA) is the official youth wing of the Democratic Party of the United States and the oldest partisan youth organization in the country. To help us mobilize the next generation of Democrats, donate anything you can afford right now to YDA.

 

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