In This Newsletter:

Gun Violence: Our Conversation

Last week, the Fresno County Democratic Party hosted another in our series of information sessions. Moderating a discussion on gun violence in our society was Reza Nekumanesh, director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, who introduced two panelists: Yasmin Mendoza, founder of March for Our Lives Fresno, and Aaron Foster of Faith in the Valley.

Nekumanesh gave a detailed and moving description of the true scope of our national gun crisis, Mendoza described the call to action that led to her entry into political activism and Foster recounted the heartwrenching personal tragedies that drove him to make stopping gang-related gun violence a personal mission. 

Gun violence is not just crime and mass shootings. It also includes suicide, accidents and our plague of police shootings. There is one crucial commonality: Access to firearms greatly increases the ease by which people can inflict death. There are currently 120 guns for every 100 people in the United States, and we can see the results on the news. The second highest ownership rate of any country in the world is Yemen, in the middle of an active war, and yet there are only 53 guns per 100 people there.

The entire presentations by each of the three speakers can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Hlseyoq4I0A.

Fresno County Voter Engagement Launch

On Nov. 21, Fresno County Voter Engagement will officially launch. This voter mobilization program is built around community building. Numerous national studies have shown that this kind of face-to-face political engagement is the absolute best way to increase voter turnout. Democrats outnumber Republicans in Fresno County. Through effective mobilization and education, we can activate the potential represented by that advantage to serve the Valley.

For more information, contact Louie Campos at 559-495-0606 or [email protected].

Fresno Rising Together

Fresno needs a leader who will unite our city and move us forward. “Rising Together, No on Dyer” is a PAC that wants Fresno voters to understand why Republican Jerry Dyer is not that leader and should not be elected mayor of Fresno.

As Fresno’s police chief, Dyer had a history that includes allegations of personal misconduct and demonstrated failure to hold those under his command accountable for their crimes and bad behavior. He has cost our city millions in settlements and legal fees involving his leadership style, claims of a hostile work environment and lawsuits involving the excessive use of force.

Dyer supported Measure G, the City’s plan to privatize residential trash service and worked to defeat Measure P, the citizen-led effort to improve and maintain our local parks.

Dyer was forced to retire as police chief after 10 years in the City’s deferred retirement program. Running for mayor is the only way for Dyer to remain in the spotlight and continue to control the Fresno Police Department. We do not need more cronyism, nepotism and favoritism.

Support efforts to reach and educate voters on why Jerry Dyer will not provide the leadership that will unite our city and move us forward.

Make sure Dyer is not the next mayor of Fresno:

• Find 10 people to follow Fresno Rising Together – No Dyer 2020 on Facebook.  

• Identify 10 people to donate to show broad support for No on Dyer.

• Find 10 occasional voters who commit to vote No on Dyer and vote Democrat in March, and follow up with them through the March 3, 2020, election.

Get Elected to the Democratic Central Committee

Want to be a part of the Democratic Party’s local decision-making body? Members of the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee are elected by Democrats on the Primary Election ballot in Presidential election years. You may pull papers now at the Fresno County Registrar’s Office (2221 Kern St.). Contact 559-495-0606 or [email protected] for more details.

Presidential Debate Watch Party

On Nov. 20, the Fresno County Democratic Party is hosting a debate watch party as the Democratic candidates take the stage in Atlanta. These watch parties are a great chance to view these exciting and challenging political pageants with other like-minded and knowledgeable individuals. The celebration will be a potluck, and everyone is invited to bring a snack or other tasty treat! 

The watch party will be at the Democratic Party HQ (1033 U St. in downtown Fresno). The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the debate begins at 6 p.m. We hope to see you there.

Donations of Office Supplies Welcome

The Fresno County Democratic Party does lots of work organizing and supporting important political ventures throughout the county and those activities generate paperwork. The Democratic Party HQ could use donations of reams of paper (color and white) and other fundamental office supplies. It’s not glamorous but printer paper, Post-It notes, pens and notepads are needed to support our efforts.

    We earnestly solicit donations for any of these materials. Giving such things is an easy way to make a small impact on the political landscape of our county.

Volunteer Orientation

The Fresno County Democratic Party is always looking for volunteers, and we have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering, the party provides orientation sessions at the HQ. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

Nov. 19: Noon and 6 p.m.
Dec. 5:   Noon and 6 p.m.

Democratic Party HQ, 1033 U St. (downtown Fresno)

For more information, contact 559-495-0606 or [email protected]

Bernie Sanders Office Opens in Fresno

The Bernie 2020 campaign is opening a Fresno HQ downtown at 1250 Fulton Street. Join the team for two events this week.

On Nov. 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Bernie HQ will participate in ArtHop with live art and crowd canvassing at the office. Get to know the community and the new Fresno HQ.

On Nov. 9, the campaign is hosting a community canvass to talk to Fresno neighbors about supporting Bernie for President in 2020. Meet at Bernie HQ at 10 a.m. and get trained to get out and knock on doors for Bernie.

For more information, contact Alex Ramos-O’Casey at 559-313-0843.

Save the Date!

Feb. 8, 2020:    Fresno County Democratic Women’s Club Fund-Raiser

March 3, 2020: California Presidential Primary Election

April 17, 2020:  Fresno County Democratic Party Annual Spring Fund-Raiser

Our newsletter is prepared by Frank Horan.

Democratic Party Headquarters: 1033 U Street, Fresno, CA 93721

Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday
559-495-0606

Add us to your address book