Aug 04

Picnic w/Ted Lieu & SM Democrats – Sunday August 6

Date: Sunday, August 6, 2017
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Place: Tongva Park outdoor amphitheater
1615 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Please join the Santa Monica Democratic Club this Sunday afternoon for a picnic with US Representative Ted Lieu, along with your fellow Democrats and club members!

Rep. Lieu has been on the front lines of the fight with President Trump and the Republicans in Congress, and he is excited to report back on the latest with healthcare repeal, the Russia investigation, and other pressing issues. Most importantly, he will address how Democrats can take back the House in 2018… and what Santa Monica Democratic Club in particular can do to help!

Join us for a potluck-style picnic. Bring some food to share if you’re so inclined. We will have watermelon, drinks, and more snacks available!

Just an 8-minute walk from the Downtown Santa Monica Expo Station, and plenty of nearby parking. We recommend the Civic Center parking lot, entrance on 4th Street.

Our picnic will be at the outdoor amphitheater at Tongva Park as pictured here:

The amphitheater is located in the field where “Tongva Park” is written on this map, near the park entrance at Colorado & Ocean Ave.

• www.santamonicademocrats.com • 215.962.4357
• smdemocrats@gmail.com
• https://www.facebook.com/santamonicademocrats

Jul 05

Meet Senator Kevin de Leon on Thursday, July 20th

We are excited to announce that Senator Kevin De León, the President Pro Tempore of the California Senate, will be our featured guest on July 20, 2017 for a discussion on the important topic of immigration.

Senator De León is the author of SB 54, which ensures that no state or local resources are diverted to assist the federal government to carry out mass deportations and that our schools, our hospitals, and our courthouses remain as safe spaces for everyone in our community.

“California will not become a cog in the Trump deportation machine,” De León said. “This is not a monarchy, and I know he fancies himself as a king, but this is a republic.”  “[Trump’s executive actions] are counterproductive. They are divisive and unnecessary. They won’t make us safer. They wont bring back jobs. They won’t solve our economic challenges.”

Date: Thursday, July 20, 2017
Time: Doors open @ 6:30pm, Program starts @ 7:00pm
Place: Santa Monica Main Library MLK Auditorium
601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica

Jun 08

June Meeting: Santa Monica Downtown Community Plan: A Democratic Forum

Date:  Thursday, June 29, 2017
Time:  Doors @ 6:30pm, Program Starts @ 7:00pm
Place: Santa Monica Main Library MLK Auditorium
            601 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica

After several meetings about national and statewide issues, it’s time for our club to get local!

Last month, the Santa Monica Planning Commission voted 6-1 to approve the final draft of the city’s Downtown Community Plan, a 300-page blueprint of the future of Downtown Santa Monica. This document is the culmination of a six-year process, and it will head to the City Council for a final vote in July. 

Since its release, the plan has received lots of community feedback, both positive and negative. In an effort to facilitate an informed discussion about the plan and increase engagement in advance of the council vote, the Santa Monica Democratic Club will host a forum to discuss the pros and cons of this plan from a variety of political viewpoints.

– David Martin, Director of Planning & Community Development for the City of Santa Monica, will give a presentation on the Plan.

Then we will hear from a panel consisting of:
– Mary Marlowe, Chair of Santa Monica Transparency Group
– Scott Schonfeld, Principal at Linwood Ventures
– Michael Soloff, Chair of Santa Monica Housing Commission

PLUS! We will discuss our new club committees and hear from Scott Svonkin, who is running for Board of Equalization in 2018.

For first time and new members, the Executive Board of the club will be available from 6:30-7:00 for an informal meet and greet. The main program will start at 7:00pm. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Parking available. Handicap accessible.

Apr 10

Climate Change: Where Do We Stand Now?

Santa Monica Democratic Club General Meeting

Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm (informal meet & greet at 6:30pm)
Location: Santa Monica Public Library 2nd floor Community Room
601 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401 We already knew before last fall’s election that our planet was under dire threat due to the use of fossil fuels causing dramatic changes to our climate. Now, thanks to President Trump and EPA Director Scott Pruitt, we are heading back in the wrong direction, with climate change denialism becoming the official policy of the federal government and regulations being loosened in order to maximize corporate profits.

Thus, on the week of the 48th annual celebration of Earth Day, the Santa Monica Democratic Club has convened a panel of environmental experts for a frank discussion on where we stand on the issues of environmentalism and climate change. Is there any hope for the future of our planet? What can we activists do to make meaningful change And what exactly is the status of California’s drought? Find out on April 26 at the Santa Monica Library’s MLK Auditorium.

Our panel includes:

  • David Pettit, Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Jenny Binstock, Policy and Campaigns Specialist, TreePeople
  • RL Miller, Chair of California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus and Founder of Climate Hawks Vote
  • Hon. Scott Houston, Vice President of the Board of Directors, West Basin Municipal Water District

There will be a Q and A opportunity.

For first time and new members, the Executive Board of the club will be available from 6:30-7:00 for an informal meet and greet. The main program will start at 7:00pm. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Parking available. Handicap accessible.

Apr 07

Rally for Transgender Resistance

On April 1, 2017, SMDC co-hosted a Rally for Transgender Resistance along with our friends at Stonewall Democratic Club. At the rally, several transgender activists along with cisgender elected and allies stood in solidarity to protest the rescindment of protections for transgender students and to support visibility for the entire transgender community. (Video courtesy of Santa Monica Mirror)