Friends,

Ok - I'm going to make this really simple. I could say a lot of things about this week and 45's action - but I think Motormouth Maybelle said it best: "better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly comin' at you from a never-ending parade of stupid"

Fight Back (your advocacy portal)
45 launched his campaign by attacking immigrants - and he hasn't stopped yet. To fight back against his hate and endless stream of "alternative facts," we are hosting an Immigration Summit on June 3rd. The event will take place at Annandale Terrance Elementary from 10a-4p.

The format will include a morning of panel discussion followed by direct actions to fight back against 45 and his anti-immigrant agenda. The cost is $10 to cover lunch; scholarships are available. There are multiple sponsor levels for those interested, contact me ([email protected]) for a sponsorship packet.

The Battleground (your campaign portal)
Despite regularly voting for terrible GOP bills, Rep. Barbara Comstock (VA-10) opposed TrumpCare. Yet, she still hasn't hosted an open town hall. The rest of the Republicans in our Congressional delegation voted for it. This bad vote on a bad bill promoted Cook Political Report to move 20 US House races closer to Democrats for 2018. I'm tired of seeing Paul Ryan with the gavel; the majority is within our reach.

Outside the Commonwealth

GA-06

Recent polls showed that Jon Ossoff has a slim lead over Republican Karen Handel. A good sign for Jon, more early voting sites recently opened in the district. Several VAYD members have traveled, are in or will travel to Georgia to help in this critical race.

MT-AL

Largely overlooked until recently, Rob Quist, singer/songwriter/banjo player, recently got some help in the form of a $400,000 ad buy from the DCCC. Quist continues to close the gap but needs help, sign up to host a call party! If your chapter hosts a call party for Quist, remember to let Robbie ([email protected]) and me know ASAP.

Innovators (your new idea portal)
Want to take to the streets and oppose 45 - but can't quite make it to DC to join the national march? Host one in your hometown - this idea comes from the Clarke-Frederick-Winchester Young Democrats.

45 thinks that America's towns and smaller cities are with him - he's wrong. The massive turnouts at marches and rallies continue to prove that. Check out some photos from the Winchester March for Science!

Often, the local community is interested in organizing, marching and fighting back but they need direction and institutional help to reserve spaces, send e-mails and organize - that's where YDs can come in. We have the skills, we know how to do it so let's help our communities stand up, speak out and fight back! If you are interested in learning more about how the CFW YDs made their event a success, let me know and I will connect you with President Haleigh Holloway.

A Few Shout-Outs/Announcements

Sending best wishes to the University Democrats at UVA for their gubernatorial forum tomorrow! Submit your questions here.

Congratulations to Charlotte Elwood, the new president of the Virginia Tech Young Democrats, and Greg Akerman, the new president of the William and Mary Young Democrats. Also, welcome to Jenny Couch, VAYD's new Women's Caucus Chair.

Great work from VAYD Teen Caucus - we joined Inspire Virginia to register 3,500 NEW high school voters during the Governor's Voter Registration Challenge.

Congratulations to Morgan Jameson and Paul Davis on their election as YDA Mid-Atlantic Region Deputy Director and Secretary, respectively. Thanks for carrying VAYD's leadership to the region level.

Congratulations to the Metro Richmond Area Young Democrats on their successful BBQ last weekend.

Congratulations to Yasmine Taeb, YD and DNC member, on winning Emily's List's "We Are All EMILY Award" for her work supporting human rights and civil liberties. We need Yasmine and her work now, more than ever.

Join the Northern Region Young Democrats to re-stock the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry. Please contact Tania ([email protected]) for additional details; participation in this event can be used to receive bonus points in next year's chartering process.

Do you know DemList? If not, you should check it out! It's the one-stop shop to find Democratic events in your area; publisher Kimberly Scott is a long-time friend of VAYD.

Have you checked out the amazing DPVA Fellowships that are now available?

Social Media Fodder

Headed home for the summer? Be sure to vote absentee in the June primary!

Rep. Tom Garrett didn't read TrumpCare - despite sponsoring it and voting for it. SHAME! http://shareblue.com/gop-lawmaker-to-constituents-who-will-die-without-health-care-they-didnt-vote-for-me/#.WQtXaYiX4a8.facebook

Timothy Egan is right; Republicans must ""demand some accountability of a man whose entire presidency is a lie." https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/opinion/gop-response-comey-firing.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1

Have questions about TrumpCare? Don't ask Secy. Price, you might get tossed in jail like this West Virginia health reporter. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/05/10/w-virginia-reporter-arrested-yelling-questions-visiting-hhs-secretary-tom-price/101503242/

A major win for our environment! The Senate kills a bill that would allow an additional 180,000 annual tons of methane into the atmosphere. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/05/10/senates-poised-to-repeal-a-final-obama-era-rule-as-soon-as-wednesday/?utm_term=.429841d32b83  

Mark Your Calendars

On June 3rd, VAYD will host the first of three issue summits; the first summit will focus on immigration. Following a morning a panels, attendees will take direct action to fight back against 45 and his anti-immigrant agenda. Hope you can join us from 10a-4p at Annandale Terrace Elementary. The cost is $10 to cover lunch, sponsorship & scholarships are available.

Join us for our 2nd annual JJ After Dark - the one, the only, official After Party to DPVA's JJ (June 17th). Why go to bed when you can dance the night away with us? Stay tuned for details, host committee is still in formation if you are interested.

Join our friends at DAAV to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with former Deputy Labor Secretary Chris Lu and Manassas Park Mayor Jeanette Rishell. The event honors this year's Joe Montano Community Engagement Award recipients. The event is May 24th at China Garden in Arlington; it starts at 6:30p with dinner at 7:30p.

Democratically yours,

James Lewis
President, Virginia Young Democrats
@JimmyCLewis