LWV Charleston Area Newsletter | May/June 2025

Statement: Immigration Raid

Upcoming Democracy Rallies

May Meeting Recaps

Committee Updates

June Community Events

Taking a Stand:

Local Immigration Action

The ICE deportation raids that have shaken communities across the country hit home last weekend. Law enforcement agencies conducted a large-scale “targeted operation” on a bar in Ladson with a largely Hispanic clientele. Eighty people were arrested, including two suspected of cartel affiliations and an individual wanted for a homicide charge outside the US. However, at least 70 of those detained were “administrative arrests,” meaning they face no criminal charges, only a civil violation of immigration laws.

We fully support the lawful arrests of those involved in criminal activities at this location, and the shutdown of an establishment that operates illegally without appropriate licenses. However, we have concerns about some of what emerged from the 35-minute press conference on June 2 that featured federal, state, and local officials including the Charleston Sheriff, SC Governor, and SC Attorney General. Some statements made - and resulting coverage - give the impression that most of the bar’s patrons were involved in criminal activities. Homeland Security Agent Morant made a statement that the 200+ people at the bar were part of a “cartel after-party” although only two were arrested on drug-related charges.

The League of Women Voters does not support rhetoric that is used to demonize immigrants, regardless of their legal status. Words or actions that make immigrant groups into scapegoats will keep us from solving real problems in our communities and will creates new ones.

Many questions remain about this operation, including the identification and status of detainees who have been arrested, and the legal process that will be accorded to them. Read more about the situation, LWV's immigration policy position, and our concerns on the public statement posted on our website.

Please contact our incoming VP Issues and Actions, Shayna Howell, if you are interested in helping LWV Charleston follow this issue.

Upcoming: Local Pro-Democracy Rallies

"No Kings Day' protests will be staged nationwide on Flag Day, June 14, with the support of dozens of nonpartisan organizations. These rallies will provide counter-programming to the massive military show parade that will be held in DC at great taxpayer expense. Indivisible, a 'No Kings Day' rally organizer, calls this ' a nationwide day of defiance, in rejection of authoritarianism, everywhere around the country.'

Local rallies are also being organized by 50501 on Sunday, June 15. We encourage members to attend, be peaceful, respect the voices of others, and bring their own signs if they are so inclined! Past events have been friendly and upbeat. You are free to wear LWV shirts or pins even though we will not have a formal presence.

Opportunities to participate on June 14-15 weekend.

June 14:

Charleston: 9-11 am at Hampton Park, 30 Mary Murray Drive

Summerville: 9:30-11 am, 500 N Main Street, Veterans' Memorial

June 15:

Charleston: 9-11;30 am, Brittlebank Park, Lockwood Drive (sponsored by 50501 SC)

Charleston: Noon - Ravenel Bridge March - EVERY SUNDAY- meet: Grace St Parking Lot

For those who can't make it to a live event, Women's March is organizing a virtual 'Kick out the Clowns' event, using satire to expose their opposition to current federal policies. It's on June 14. from 1-2:30 pm. For Zoom link, sign up here.

July 4: Area organizations will come together from 11 am - 1 pm for "The Spirit of '76', a family-friendly rally at North Charleston City Hall parking lot, 2500 City Hall Lane.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS!

Membership Renewals: Most members are up for renewal on July 1! We urge you to renew in order to sustain and grow our Voters Services work, civic programming, and an increased focus on local Advocacy work in the coming year!

Please renew by responding to the LWVUS Renewal emails that are arriving in your inbox. Click the link to the online portal; enter your email address; and follow the directions to verify your information and make an online payment. Suggested annual membership dues are now $75 . There is no longer a household membership, but there is an option to renew or join a second person.

Not a member yet? Please click the JOIN link on our website. Your membership will run through June 30, 2026!

To show MORE local support, add a tax deductible donation to LWV Charleston that will go 100% to our local League which covers Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties. Donations may be made while renewing or by clicking here.

Thanks in advance! Questions? Please contact Membership Chair Sharon Crossley.

Recap: LWV SC Biennial Convention

Among more than 100 member attendees from across South Carolina, ten LWVCA members served as delegates at the LWVSC convention in Greenville on May 16 and 17!

The convention mixed formal League business (budget, program planning, officers, by-laws) with legislative policy updates, networking, and learning opportunities.

Highlights included a dynamic video of League of Women Voters US President Dianna Wynn on the importance of ensuring a democratic society. National League board member Dr. Kimberly Hamlin reflected on defending democracy in times of crisis, and Dr. Courtney Tollison of Furman University provided a historic perspective of women's suffrage in South Carolina. The presentations were informative and inspirational.

The LWVSC Convention will travel to Charleston in spring, 2027. (Pictured above, Judy and Paula donned beach gear to announce the next convention destination!)

Eventful Annual Meeting!

Despite rain and the inevitable traffic, more than 50 new and long-time members attended the LWVCA Annual Meeting and Dinner on May 29 at the Park Circle Community Center! This is one of four full membership meetings each year. We accomplished our business agenda by approving our 2025-2026 Budget, 2025-2026 Program Priorities, the 2025-2026 slate of Nominees for Officers and Directors, as well as some By-law changes.

We heard from former SC 'Sister' Senator Katrina Shealy and Lowcountry Activist Michelle Brandt (pictured with Paula Egelson). They emphasized the need for more women to run for office, and spoke of the trials women face in raising money, and fighting the male-dominated system that prevails in the SC Legislature.

July 1 marks the transition to new League leadership, as Paula Egelson and Judy Peper step down as Co-Presidents. We applauded them for their leadership and commitment for these last two years! Jeri Cabot, VP Citizen Engagement, and Cara Erickson, VP Communications, will step up as Co-Presidents.

Many thanks to all who attended and helped make this such a successful meeting!

Committee Reports

Voter Registration

Although school voter registration is taking a summer hiatus, we will be enlisting the high schools in our three counties for National Voter Registration Day in September! This will act as our kick-off and primary registration event for 18 year olds and 'almost' 18's this year.

Meanwhile, we maintain a year round presence at local USCIS Naturalization Ceremonies, where new citizens are inducted into this American democratic experiment.

At present the US Citizenship and Immigration Service holds two ceremonies two days each week, though the changes in our national political atmosphere are creating uncertainties in scheduling the induction of new citizens. We are operating on a week-by-week schedule that has made it difficult for our LWV volunteers.

We look forward to bringing new LWV members into what is an exhilarating and joyful experience for us -- and especially for the new citizens who have often persisted through an expensive, years-long process to become citizens of this country.

If interested in naturalization ceremonies or on-the-job training at a voter registration event, please email Judy Manning. To register students, please email Kathy Bennett.

Education: Legislative Update

It was a big term in the SC Statehouse for education, for better and worse.

H3196, Educator Assistance Act, was signed into law on May 12. This bill was designed to meet the concerns of educators. There were wins in this bill: It requires districts to give teachers two full days of uninterrupted planning before the beginning of the school year. It allows for teaching certificates to become permanent after completing the continuing certification process and has provisions for ongoing certification after retirement. It also requires that contracts include projected salary, with calculation factors available upon request.

S. 62 the Education Scholarship Trust Fund, provides vouchers for private or religious institutions. Because of our strong support for funding public education for all students, LWV does not support this program. The last time this passed it was found to be unconstitutional. Only time will tell if it will be overturned again.

Locally, H4014 dissolved Constituent Member Boards in Charleston, effective in July. CCSD Superintendent Anita Huggins laid out the District’s plan to take on these roles at the school board meeting on May 19th. Those plans can be found here in the Superintendent’s Report.

Contact our Education Chair, Sydney van Bulck, for more information.

Environmental Studies Group

Three LWVCA Environmental Study Group members attended the 2025 State Convention in Greenville: Judith Kramer, Nicki Turano, and Linda Ashley (pictured at convention with food scrap bin!) They spoke on a breakout session panel with state and city climate and resiliency officials about LWVCA's committee work.

In April, Mikki Blackman and Linda Ashley met with the Town of Summerville's engineer and grant writer about creating a food scrap collection program. Summerville officials were enthusiastic and quickly formed a committee that included Mikki and Linda as “Ambassadors”. Within days the grant writer submitted an application to fund the program. If approved, the Summerville Food Scrap Collection Program could kick off this summer! A Smart Recycling representative attended their last meeting to advise the committee on drop off locations and provide formats for signage and marketing plus other valuable information and tools on how to implement the program.

We are encouraged by this progress! Keeping food waste out of the landfill seriously reduces the amount of Carbon outgassing into the atmosphere, an important step toward getting control of Carbon emissions and slowing down global warming.

June Tributes / Community Events

On June 17, we remember the tragic murders of nine Black Charlestonians at the Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston. The city will hold a number of commemorative events throughout the month. Please see this Post and Courier article for details.

On June, 19, we celebrate Juneteeth, a federal holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States.

We celebrate June as Pride Month, which recognizes the LGTBTQ+ community.

Check out these select local events:

June 3-8: Park Circle Pride Festival, North Charleston. See parkcirclepride.com.

Tues June 10: Charleston Forum's 10th Year Commemoration of Mother Emanuel Tragedy featuring community leaders. 7-9 pm, Charleston Music Hall, 37 John Street, downtown. Free, all ages welcome. Sign up.

Thurs June 12: Women's Adventure Film Tour, a celebration of women pushing boundaries through sports and story telling. Charleston Music Hall, downtown, 7: 30 pm.

Thurs June 19: J.O.Y. | Juneteenth on the Yard at IAAM (International African American Museum) downtown. Free celebration for all ages featuring music, games, food trucks museum tours. Noon- 5pm. Preregistration is suggested. See details.

Thurs June 19: Author Carolyn Jenkins discusses her biography of civic rights activist Septima Clark, at LowCountry Senior Center, 2-3 pm, Charleston 29414. Sign up.

TUNE IN TONIGHT! - Saturday, June 7 at 7pm, Good Night and Good Luck, starring George Clooney as legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow, will be broadcast live from the Broadway stage on CNN and MAX, and free on CNN.com. This historical drama about the conflict between Murrow and Sen. McCarthy in the 1950's has resonance.