6th district democratic convention - electing delegates for bernie- may 21st
On May 21st, Michigan's District Conventions will be held. This is where pledged delegates will be chosen to represent Bernie at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July.
These events are very important for Bernie, because delegates will determine the nomination.
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This time in particular, we are expecting to have an Open Convention. This looks highly likely.
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It is still not impossible for Bernie to have the lead in delegates. Either way, neither will have the minimum required.
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So, it's our duty to make the case to the DNC. We are going to need strong-voiced, stubborn, patient delegates who are loyal to Bernie and his platform and who are, in fact, Bernie or Bust spirited and who know what is at stake.
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If our Wall Street opponent wins the nomination, it could well mean a Republican President in the White House!
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The 6th District Convention will be held at the Knights of Columbus in Paw Paw on May 21st. It starts at 11am, but please show up at least 30 min early!
These events are very important for Bernie, because delegates will determine the nomination.
-
This time in particular, we are expecting to have an Open Convention. This looks highly likely.
-
It is still not impossible for Bernie to have the lead in delegates. Either way, neither will have the minimum required.
-
So, it's our duty to make the case to the DNC. We are going to need strong-voiced, stubborn, patient delegates who are loyal to Bernie and his platform and who are, in fact, Bernie or Bust spirited and who know what is at stake.
-
If our Wall Street opponent wins the nomination, it could well mean a Republican President in the White House!
-
The 6th District Convention will be held at the Knights of Columbus in Paw Paw on May 21st. It starts at 11am, but please show up at least 30 min early!
IMPORTANT: In order to vote at the District Democratic Convention, you must be a member of the MDP by April 21st. Please click the button to learn how to get a free membership, or join for 10$ at www.michigandems.com/join
Please RSVP at one or both of the following button links:
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our candidates:
Charles NiswanderFounder of and volunteer with SW MI for Bernie 2016
"It is absolutely critical that we stand strong at the National Convention without wavering- and we must be ready to speak on behalf of Bernie. I've been preparing for this for a long time."
Charles was a Democratic Socialist long before it was cool. He's been studying progressive politics his entire life, the majority of which has been with his nose in books.... Charles has been advocating for the very same or similar policies as Bernie is proposing for years already.
About Charles and his work for Bernie (in his own words):
"Having founded SW MI for Bernie 2016 in May of 2015, I immediately created a web presence. Shortly after, I was invited to speak on Bernie's behalf at the Sixth District Democratic Party picnic, and held SW MI for Bernie 2016's first major public event shortly after in July, a livestream event, where we had about 50 people and Paul Clements as a guest speaker. Around this time I joined Stand Up for Sanders, a national-level grassroots volunteer group, where I gained many contacts with organizers around the country. I was elected vice-chair of Stand Up by informal vote, and as a team a successful effort was made for Labor Day, resulting in about 130 Bernie rallies simultaneously around the nation on Labor Day weekend (the list of those events can be found HERE). I've been interviewed on the radio, have been in step with the official campaign, and even had the honor of being a guest speaker on a public panel about Citizens United and money in politics, I've been fighting for Bernie and Bernie's goals energetically and effectively for the past year. But I've been fighting for far longer- I've identified as a Democratic Socialist for years; I've been supporting Bernie since he was elected to the Senate, in fact I was posting online about Bernie and even a possible Bernie presidency and how awesome that would be as far back as 3 years ago! On Michigan's Primary Day on March 8th, Michigan made history by beating all polls, pundits and expectations. Credit goes to the people of Michigan and all the hard-working, self-sacrificing volunteers. We did get volunteers out to Get Out The Vote in droves starting a couple weeks before the election! We had volunteers (especially you Pam!) driving people to the polls on primary day, and how busy the week running up to the big day was! But I can tell you how satisfied I felt at having met the goal we worked so hard towards! I almost cried, I laughed, I danced! Together, we energized the campaign and gave it new hope! I spent March 8th on the phone with people across Michigan, the Michigan Election Bureau and Bernie's legal team, standing up for the people of Michigan's right to vote and against voter suppression tactics, and successfully had illegal signs (that were meant to discourage voters by displaying false information) removed from 3 precincts, had 2 precincts reprimanded for giving incorrect information (one for lying flat out to voters), and assisted people finding their polling places after suspicious last minute polling location changes. I am on the District Democratic Party's Executive Committee, and I'll say straight out that my intention is to "Occupy" the Party in the name of the Political Revolution and progressive values; I feel that the roots of the Democratic Party are very progressive and very close to Bernie's vision, as opposed to the vision of what I call Reagan Democrats or Corporate Democrats that have taken the Party away from it's roots over the last 30 years. I want The People to get involved in democracy and to "take over" the Democratic Party in the name of the Revolution, to rejuvenate the Party and make it into what it should be, a beacon of democracy and social justice. I have been working to increase MDP membership, and have stood up for all people's right to get involved. I believe everyone should contribute to the cause be it through monetary donation or volunteer effort; I also believe "pay-to-play" memberships are against Democratic values, and I have advocated on behalf of the people of Michigan to the MDP in this area. I am a true Democrat because I put The People and progressive, Democratic values above loyalty to the Party apparatus itself. Together, we can make the Democratic Party one that FDR and JFK would be proud of. At the Democratic National Convention In Philadelphia in July, I will stand firm for Bernie. We are likely to have an open convention, which means in the case of a re-vote we will be making the case for Bernie's superior electability running against the GOP. If we go in with a lead in delegates, which I am confident of, I will ABSOLUTELY not allow the Superdelegates to distort democracy by voting against The People. I have already been coordinating with other delegates as well as grassroots organizers. We plan to take the fight all the way to the DNC and STAND OUR GROUND! We will even have support outside in the form a nice protest march with a crowd of 6 thousand people signed up to be there already, and growing! ;) I will make every effort to speak to as many delegates, and perhaps even Superdelegates, as I get the chance to; I can be very persuasive, we will wear them down! So much is at stake, I believe a Clinton nomination could possibly mean a Trump or Cruz Presidency...and I will do everything in my power to prevent that, and the only way I see is to get Bernie elected. I am also skillful at motivating people, a skill which I plan to put to good use in favor of our own delegates. Together, We the People will SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY and WIN this for Bernie!!" |
KImberly TregoningIt has already been such a thrilling experience to have been a part of this historical Presidential primary process. It has been a rollercoaster for sure and will likely continue to be until we solidify our choice for the Democratic nominee for the next President of the United States this July. I have been following Bernie for quite some time, so I know that he has maintained his current values, goals, and vision for America for not only his entire political career, but for decades prior. Bernie has never flopped to accommodate the changing times but rather has taken a leading role in initiating the changes that have brought us closer to a more free, equal, and unified society. This is a man who marched for civil rights, who stood up for the rights of the LGBT community prior to the 90’s, who has put both Alan Greenspan and Ben Bernanke in their place, who has spent numerous consecutive hours on the Senate floor to protect us from harmful legislation, and who has the best attendance record even as a man well into his 70’s!! This is the politician who will not be bribed into corruption, who will not allow others in government to be irresponsible, and who will listen to the people and not the corporations. Bernie is my only choice. As a delegate for Bernie, I aim to make that fact well known. This primary process has not been lacking in strong opinions from all directions. Due to the extremely limited original debate schedule, the outrageously biased media, and the numerous alleged and proven election irregularities, Bernie’s obvious support has not been accurately reflected in the official results of the caucus/primary contests that have already taken place. However, Bernie has held on to a position that could likely lead to a brokered or contested convention. Strong willed, loyal delegates are absolutely necessary to be elected to represent the voters from District Six that chose Bernie. We need to be able to trust that our delegates will not give up and will not tolerate any witnessed unfairness that may take place at the Democratic National Convention. This is why I want to be perfectly clear, as a delegate for Bernie I will fight for his nomination with all I have in me. I also intend to be a strong voice in encouraging the Democratic Party to evolve into a more fair and transparent organization and to pursue a more progressive approach concerning future policies and procedures. I hope you will give me that chance. A little more about Kimberly: Kimberly has been vital to SW MI for Bernie from the beginning. Kimberly spearheaded the Allegan Fair Booth and took the lead on that project, one of our more successful ones. She led the Lawrence Ox Roast canvassing team last summer as well, helped people with voter registration (driving them to the clerk herself), and even convinced a handful or Republicans to vote for Bernie! From her amazing graphics arts skills that she utilized to create professional-grade flyers and posters, as well as our distinctive SW MI for Bernie 2016 logo and the design of our shirts, SW MI for Bernie 2016 has benefitted beyond description from Kimberly's artistic contributions! She even created amazing Bernie fridge magnets! Kimberly also created the popular FB page Trekkies for Bernie! On top of that, she's an amazing canvasser, a strong believer in Progressive values who puts those values above party loyalty; and she's been rooting for Bernie for no less than three years, knows his platform like the back of her hand, and will ABSOLUTELY stand her ground at the National Convention in Philadelphia! |
adam rothOn March 8th, 2016, the sixth district contributed to one of the largest political upsets of the modern era. Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist, won the state of Michigan. Our district, along with the many others of this beautiful state, understands the consequences of a rigged political system. Thus, when Senator Sanders overcame a thirty point deficit within a week of our primary, his political revolution sparked a light in the economic shadows of yesteryear. Bernie Sanders’ political revolution created hope for the disenfranchised that have traded the American dream for the American nightmare. When Bernie Sanders won Michigan he initiated a magnitude of solidarity that was unprecedented to my fellow millennial generation. We the people of the sixth district must continue to fight for this political revolution. On May, 21st at the Knights of Columbus in Paw Paw, Michigan, I ask my fellow district six Bernie Sanders revolutionaries to cast a vote for me, as delegate to the democratic national convention. As a delegate for Bernie Sanders, I will remain resilient despite the establishment’s pressure to diminish the political revolution. I will refuse to allow the will of the elites to deny the will of the people. Finally, I will resist the oligarchy’s attempts to undermine the democratic foundation by which our government is expected to represent. It would be my greatest honor to serve my community as a delegate and I promise to continue the political revolution that will form a more perfect union, establish justice, and insure domestic tranquility. |
what has SW MI for Bernie 2016 done for Bernie?
We actually began canvassing in September, mostly flyering events, such as the Lawrence Ox Roast and other events. By this point we were connected with Bernie grassroots statewide.
We tried to get creative with our efforts, from business cards with Bernie info, flyering grocery store billboards, to Chalking the Block events. We even held a successful concert for Bernie! (Paul Clements spoke for us there too!) Charles was even interviewed on WIDR FM!
One of our successful events that took a lot of work, was the Bernie Booth we put up at the Allegan County Fair, which manned for a week (with some help from our awesome volunteers!). This year's Allegan Fair saw 302,000 people pass through!
With months of phonebanking, Debate Watch parties, and the HUGE final canvassing push we pulled off before the Primary, we had enormous turnout and our district enjoyed some of the highest margins for Bernie in the state!
We tried to get creative with our efforts, from business cards with Bernie info, flyering grocery store billboards, to Chalking the Block events. We even held a successful concert for Bernie! (Paul Clements spoke for us there too!) Charles was even interviewed on WIDR FM!
One of our successful events that took a lot of work, was the Bernie Booth we put up at the Allegan County Fair, which manned for a week (with some help from our awesome volunteers!). This year's Allegan Fair saw 302,000 people pass through!
With months of phonebanking, Debate Watch parties, and the HUGE final canvassing push we pulled off before the Primary, we had enormous turnout and our district enjoyed some of the highest margins for Bernie in the state!