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TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO SHOW UP
I came home from junior high one day in November 1969 to find our Oldsmobile station wagon packed. My mother announced she was taking me and my two sisters to an anti-war protest in Washington, DC. We drove five hours from suburban New York, stopping to pick up two hitchhikers near the George Washington Bridge—despite her usual warning never to do that.
My mother had always been a volunteer for “good” causes, such as a local group foster home, the League of Women Voters, and the scholarship fund of her college. But a protest was something new—and it left a lasting impression on me. I felt the power of people showing up peacefully, and I gained a lifelong sense of purpose that comes from direct action.
We didn't know it then, but the protest on November 15, 1969, turned out to be a turning point in US political history. With over half a million participants, it signaled that opposition to the Vietnam War had gone mainstream—drawing in not just students, but veterans, middle-class families, and even government workers. While President Nixon claimed he wasn’t going to be swayed by “a mob,” internal memos later revealed how worried his administration actually was.
My mother died young, just five years later, but she gave us a gift: a deep understanding that change happens when people show up and make themselves heard. People learn more from the actions of those they trust than from their words. Through her example, she taught us how to be engaged citizens.
Today, many young Americans are cynical about politics and disconnected from civic life. Social media engagement is common, but it doesn’t always translate into meaningful action like advocacy, voting, or organizing. That poses a serious threat to the future of democracy.
When you have the opportunity to teach your children (or relatives and friends), please show up—and bring them along. Your actions will teach them more than your words ever could.
If you're looking for easy ways to protest, just come to the ongoing Saturday morning protests in Salisbury, New Milford, or Cornwall. See details below in Upcoming Events. You and your family don't have to travel far to make your voices heard.
With gratitude for the power of ordinary people,
Your Faithful Editor
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In This Issue
- Teach Your Children to Show Up
- A Great Slate
- Our Annual Appeal — More Urgent Than Ever
- Join Saturday Protests in Salisbury and Other Towns
- Reclaim the Flag
- Art Rejects Tyranny (ART) Launches With First Submissions
- Upcoming Events
- Things You Can Do Now
- In Case You Missed It
- Did You Miss A Newsletter?
- Share Your News
- Tell Us What You Think
- Spread The Word
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One of the important functions of your Democratic Town Committee (DTC) is to nominate candidates for our municipal offices. This role is especially vital in a town like ours, where so much work is done by volunteers who serve our community.
This year, our Nominating Committee screened and recommended an outstanding slate of candidates, who were approved at the recent caucus on July 15. Please join us in thanking these volunteers for stepping up to serve—and be sure to mark your calendar to vote for them in the municipal elections on November 4.
First Selectman: Curtis Rand
Selectman: Barrett Prinz
Board of Education: Lauren Brown and Elizabeth Dittmer
Regional Board of Education: Flora Lazar
Board of Finance: Emily Vail
Planning & Zoning Commission: Allen Cockerline, Danella Schiffer, and Cathy Shyer
Planning & Zoning Commission (Alternate): Jennifer Ventimilia and Beth Wells
Board of Assessment Appeals: William Tedder
Zoning Board of Appeals: Roxanne Belter and M.E. Freeman
Zoning Board of Appeals (Alternate): Cori Daggett
A special thank-you to Chris Williams, who is stepping down after many years of service as Second Selectman. We are grateful for your tireless dedication, Chris!
Mark your calendar for the candidate meet-and-greet barbecue at the Town Grove on Sunday, September 28 from 4-7pm.
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OUR ANNUAL APPEAL — MORE URGENT THAN EVER
When democracy is under attack, local action becomes essential. That’s why the Salisbury Democratic Town Committee is stepping up and fighting back — and why your financial support is so critical right now. We’re mobilizing our community to protect democracy in impactful ways:
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Organizing direct actions, such as No Kings Day and the ongoing Saturday protests on the town green — actions that tell Trump and his collaborators that we, the people, will not accept his tyranny.
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Engaging citizens in daily phone calls to elected representatives and public officials — to show that we will hold them accountable when they cave to Trump’s bullying, and that we will have their backs when they stand up for democratic principles.
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Amplifying our voices alongside alarmed citizens across the country — building a grassroots wave powerful enough to take back our country.
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Nominating outstanding candidates for local and regional public office — and making sure they win. Putting competent, honest people with democratic values into local office today is the first step toward electing strong leaders at the state and national levels tomorrow.
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You can donate by credit card at salisburydemocrats.com/donate or use this QR code.
Please give generously — the stakes couldn’t be higher this year. The STDC has no paid staff, so every dollar you contribute goes directly to supporting our critical work.
If you have already given, thank you for your generosity.
| | JOIN US FOR SATURDAY PROTESTS IN SALISBURY AND OTHER TOWNS | | Join the national movement to show Trump and his collaborators that we, the people, won't stand by while they destroy our democracy. Come to the protests every Saturday morning from 11-noon on the Town Green at the White Hart Inn in Salisbury. Bring your own sign, if you can, or borrow one of ours. These events are also a great way to teach your children that democracy works best when citizens participate. Come every Saturday rain or shine. Please see Upcoming Events below for dates and times of protests in Salisbury, Cornwall, and New Milford. | |
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The American flag has long symbolized liberty, democracy, and shared identity. But in recent years, it has been increasingly appropriated by the political right as a partisan symbol—reshaping its meaning and alienating many Americans. After 9/11, patriotic displays surged, and the flag became linked with militarism and nationalism. Over time, especially with the rise of the Tea Party and Trump-era populism, the flag was increasingly used to signal loyalty to conservative ideologies. The January 6 Capitol attack, where rioters carried American flags, underscored how far this symbolism has strayed from democratic values.
It's time to reassert that the flag represents all Americans. Here are some ways that you can do it:
- Fly It Proudly—on Your Terms: Display the flag to express civic pride, justice, and inclusion—not nationalism. Fly it at your home, office, or at community events, paired with messages of equality and democracy.
- Reimagine the Flag Through Art and Culture: Artists and creatives can reinterpret the flag to reflect inclusive values. Use it in murals, clothing, or protest art that champions civil rights, labor, LGBTQ+ justice, and immigrant stories—but keep it respectful.
- Use the Flag in Protests for Progressive Causes: March with the flag when demanding climate justice, reproductive rights, or voting access. Demonstrate that patriotism includes protest and the fight to expand freedom.
- Connect the Flag to Everyday Civic Action: Tie the flag to acts that strengthen democracy—volunteering, organizing, mutual aid, voting. Let it represent active citizenship, not performative allegiance.
- Reclaim Patriotic Language: Don’t let terms like “freedom” and “liberty” be monopolized. Redefine them: Freedom means healthcare. Liberty means LGBTQ+ rights. Protecting America means protecting democracy.
The American flag belongs to everyone. It’s time to reclaim it—and redefine it—as a symbol of the inclusive, pluralistic democracy we believe in.
| | ART REJECTS TYRANNY (ART) LAUNCHES WITH FIRST SUBMISSIONS | | |
In just a month since its official launch, ART (Art Rejects Tyranny) — a local collaborative creative project—has received and posted a dozen works responding to the call: “In a time of destruction, create something.”
Launched here in the Northwest Corner, the project aims to inspire people to create meaningful work in response to the destruction being wrought in Washington. Unlike protests, boycotts, or other forms of resistance, ART invites both artists and non-artists to respond emotionally and creatively—to grieve, to dream, and to push back against tyranny—by making something original. New submissions are flowing in every week.
You are invited to submit a creative work in almost any medium—painting, photography, sculpture, video, poetry, or otherwise—that speaks to this moment. All submissions will be displayed in an online gallery on the ART website.
To learn more, view the online gallery, submit your work, or find out how to volunteer, please visit the ART website at www.artrejectstyranny.org.
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Saturday, August 2 at 11am-noon - Protest in Salisbury. Join your friends and neighbors in standing up for democracy and against Trump's destructive policies and corruption. The event is at the Salisbury Town Green, 15 Undermountain Road, Salisbury. Bring your American flag, your sign (if you have one), and your family.
Saturday, August 2 at 12pm - Protest in Cornwall. This event will be at the Triangle at the intersection of Routes 4 & 7 in Cornwall Bridge. Bring your American flag and join in every Saturday to stand tall in defense of our democracy! If you can, bring a sign as well as your family and friends.
Saturday, August 2 at 12pm - Protest in New Milford. Good trouble lives on! Join your community in its weekly protest. Always welcome: flags, chants, outside voices, freedom songs, and signs representing the America that our veterans fought and died for. This is a local Indivisible event. Click here to sign up and check the address. (Usually it's at 50 East Street, next to CVS, New Milford.)
Thursday, August 7 at 2pm - Write Postcards to Pennsylvania Voters on Medicaid Cuts. Join Kathy Voldstad and Saving Democracy in this next round of postcarding. The group will be writing to constituents of US Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), alerting them to his vote approving Trump’s ugly budget bill, which makes big cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. We need to call out those members of Congress who voted with Trump and against the interests of their constituents. The event will be The White Hart Inn, 15 Undermountain Road, Salisbury.
Saturday, August 9 at 11am-noon - Protest in Salisbury. Join your friends and neighbors in standing up for democracy and against Trump's destructive policies and corruption. The event is at the Salisbury Town Green, 15 Undermountain Road, Salisbury. Bring your American flag, your sign (if you have one), and your family.
Saturday, August 9 at 12pm - Protest in Cornwall. This event will be at the Triangle at the intersection of Routes 4 & 7 in Cornwall Bridge. Bring your American flag and join in every Saturday to stand tall in defense of our democracy! If you can, bring a sign as well as your family and friends.
Saturday, August 9 at 12pm - Protest in New Milford. Good trouble lives on! Join your community in its weekly protest. Always welcome: flags, chants, outside voices, freedom songs, and signs representing the America that our veterans fought and died for. This is a local Indivisible event. Click here to sign up and check the address. (Usually it's at 50 East Street, next to CVS, New Milford.)
Saturday, August 16 at 11am-noon - Protest in Salisbury. Join your friends and neighbors in standing up for democracy and against Trump's destructive policies and corruption. The event is at the Salisbury Town Green, 15 Undermountain Road, Salisbury. Bring your American flag, your sign (if you have one), and your family.
Saturday, August 16 at 12pm - Protest in Cornwall. This event will be at the Triangle at the intersection of Routes 4 & 7 in Cornwall Bridge. Bring your American flag and join in every Saturday to stand tall in defense of our democracy! If you can, bring a sign as well as your family and friends.
Saturday, August 16 at 12pm - Protest in New Milford. Good trouble lives on! Join your community in its weekly protest. Always welcome: flags, chants, outside voices, freedom songs, and signs representing the America that our veterans fought and died for. This is a local Indivisible event. Click here to sign up and check the address. (Usually it's at 50 East Street, next to CVS, New Milford.)
Tuesday, August 19 at 7pm: Salisbury Democratic Town Committee. The regular monthly SDTC meeting will be held at Town Hall and via Zoom. The SDTC is committed to promoting good government and democratic principles at every level of our civic life. The SDTC recruits candidates for local elective and appointed offices and supports the most qualified Democrats to run in municipal, state, and national elections. Meetings are usually on the third Tuesday of every month. Please email Al Ginouves to receive a copy of the agenda and the link to the meeting. All are welcome.
Saturday, August 23 at 11am-noon - Protest in Salisbury. Join your friends and neighbors in standing up for democracy and against Trump's destructive policies and corruption. The event is at the Salisbury Town Green, 15 Undermountain Road, Salisbury. Bring your American flag, your sign (if you have one), and your family.
Saturday, August 23 at 12pm - Protest in Cornwall. This event will be at the Triangle at the intersection of Routes 4 & 7 in Cornwall Bridge. Bring your American flag and join in every Saturday to stand tall in defense of our democracy! If you can, bring a sign as well as your family and friends.
Saturday, August 23 at 12pm - Protest in New Milford. Good trouble lives on! Join your community in its weekly protest. Always welcome: flags, chants, outside voices, freedom songs, and signs representing the America that our veterans fought and died for. This is a local Indivisible event. Click here to sign up and check the address. (Usually it's at 50 East Street, next to CVS, New Milford.)
Tuesday, September 16 at 7pm: Salisbury Democratic Town Committee. The regular monthly SDTC meeting will be held at Town Hall and via Zoom. The SDTC is committed to promoting good government and democratic principles at every level of our civic life. The SDTC recruits candidates for local elective and appointed offices and supports the most qualified Democrats to run in municipal, state, and national elections. Meetings are usually on the third Tuesday of every month. Please email Al Ginouves to receive a copy of the agenda and the link to the meeting. All are welcome.
Sunday, September 28 from 4-7pm: Salisbury Democratic Candidate Meet and Greet. Join the Salisbury Democratic Town Committee for a free Sunday afternoon barbecue at the Town Grove. This is a great opportunity to talk to our candidates for municipal offices. Please bring the whole family!
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At the risk of repeating a message from previous issues of this newsletter, we are re-posting some of the ways you can contribute to the growing groundswell of citizens making our collective voice heard. With the increasing recklessness of the Trump administration, it's more important than ever to take a stand. Channel your anxiety, depression, frustration, and anger into meaningful action.
Make Calls to Recruit Poll Workers in Wisconsin — It’s Super Easy!
The Wisconsin Democratic Party needs our help recruiting poll workers for the 2026 midterm elections. The goal is to build a strong, reliable pool of Democrats working inside polling places across the state. These calls are very easy — they’re made to people who have already expressed interest in serving as poll workers. Many have done it before and are glad to be contacted again.
This is important work that must be completed in the coming months, so please consider volunteering — even if you’ve never made calls before or think it’s not your thing. Once you try it, you may find it’s both simple and rewarding.
Training is quick and easy: Zoom sessions are held every Monday evening at 6pm ET, and after completing one, you can make calls on your own schedule. Click to sign up for a training session. For more information, please contact Lee Greenhouse at (917) 701-5739 or Lrgreenhouse@gmail.com.
Get Timely Updates on Important Actions From These Sources
Because we publish only once a month, there are many events during the month that never make it into our pages. To keep informed about those events, we strongly suggest that you subscribe to some of the excellent, more frequent sources that are listed below.
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5 Calls - Elected officials really do care what their constituents think. That's why calls to officials' offices are impactful. Every day staffers compile and report on all the calls that their offices receive. Making a call takes just a minute using the short scripts on key issues and telephone numbers they provide. 5 Calls researches key issues, drafts scripts, and provides contact info for elected officials. Go to the 5 Calls website and choose an issue you care about. Enter your zip code and the system will provide you with the telephone numbers of your senators and representatives along with the relevant scripts. Subscribe to 5 Call’s weekly newsletter for emails with the latest updates.
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Jill Drew’s Today's Action Daily Blast – This six-days-a-week email suggests a single, focused calling action to our public officials each day, most often providing carefully-researched sample scripts along with the contact information for calling US senators and representatives serving Northwestern Connecticut and the adjoining area of New York’s Hudson Valley. To sign up email jill@jilldrew.com.
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Saving Democracy email - Indefatigable activist Kathy Voldstad provides announcements of actions for people in and around Salisbury and elsewhere. Kathy's emails also provide inspiration that we all need in times like these. To sign up, email kathyvoldstad@gmail.com.
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Jessica Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water – This is one of our perennial favorites. Activist Jessica Craven provides daily suggestions on easy actions that each of us can take. Read it here and subscribe free for her daily dose of actions.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
CT Democrats Step Up to Protect Healthcare. While Trump and national Republicans continue efforts to roll back essential rights and services, Connecticut is doing the opposite—expanding access to healthcare and strengthening protections, thanks to our Democratic-led state government.
Governor Ned Lamont recently signed Public Act No. 25-9, a landmark law that puts patients first and holds health insurance companies accountable. The law caps excessive premium increases, requires insurers to treat mental health care the same as physical health care, and eliminates harmful “step therapy” delays. These delays had forced patients with serious conditions—such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression—to try cheaper medications before getting the treatments their doctors prescribed. That changes now.
In another major step forward, Governor Lamont and the Department of Social Services reached a three-year, $80 million agreement with Connecticut’s 17 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). These centers serve roughly 440,000 residents—many of whom are low-income or uninsured. The agreement increases Medicaid reimbursement rates for the first time since 2002, beginning October 1, 2025. For more than two decades, frozen Medicaid rates had forced health centers to cut services, freeze hiring, and drain reserves just to stay open.
The GOP's New Voter Suppression Architect. As the 2026 election cycle approaches, Republicans are once again laying the groundwork to suppress votes—this time with even dirtier tricks than in 2014. Leading the charge is Mike Whatley, the RNC chair and newly announced Senate candidate in North Carolina, who has become one of the GOP’s most aggressive architects of voter suppression. Backed by Trump and aided by a nationwide legal assault on voting rights, Whatley’s candidacy signals a new phase in the Republican effort to rig elections through litigation, gerrymandering, and outright disenfranchisement—long before a single vote is cast. Read more in Democracy Docket.
John Della Volpe - Understanding Gen Z on The Daily Show. Politicians are often accused of failing to understand the post-millennial generation. In a 22-minute conversation, Jon Stewart sat down with Harvard polling director John Della Volpe, author of Fight: How Gen Z Is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America, to unpack the findings of the Harvard Youth Poll. Della Volpe describes Generation Z as uniquely burdened by rapid and layered trauma—from rising economic insecurity and mental health crises to housing instability and the pressures of social media algorithms that feed anxiety and fear. Spoiler alert: The interview is not all bad news.
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Happy 60th Birthday, Medicare and Medicaid! On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed these landmark programs into law. After decades of steady growth, Medicaid began shrinking in 2024—and unless Congress intervenes, both Medicaid and Medicare will continue to contract due to cuts passed in Trump’s July 4 spending bill. Right now, 26 million people in the US are uninsured. By 2035, that number could drop to 38 million. Way to go, MAGA.
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DID YOU MISS A NEWSLETTER?
The entire archive of past newsletters is available at the Salisbury Democratic Town Committee website.
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SHARE YOUR NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please send us any news or announcements that you would like us to share with our community. We publish on the first of each month, so please send us any submissions at least one week in advance. Please submit to the editor at salsdemsnews@gmail.com.
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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK
We love hearing from you, our readers. Every edition of our newsletter is created with you in mind — to inform, engage, and inspire. But your feedback helps us do our job better. Drop us a note — even a few lines can make a big difference. Reach us anytime at salsdemsnews@gmail.com.
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