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Before we get going, just a quick note that this edition is a bit longer than usual because there is just so much to share. Thanks for taking the time to stay informed.
Minnesotans have a reputation for emotional restraint, understatement, and polite friendliness to the point of avoiding conflict – collectively described as “Minnesota Nice.” But this month our deep thanks goes to the people of the Twin Cities for standing up — largely peacefully — to ICE and its lawless assault on their community. The costs were real: at least two deaths at the hands of federal agents, untold physical injuries, and a level of community trauma that will not fade quickly.
Minnesotans have given us more than headlines. Their demonstrations offered a new model for how local action can oppose federal overreach: a decentralized, community-driven network that protects vulnerable neighbors while exposing abuses in real time. Beneath the visible protests was a network of locally organized resources — rapid-response teams, legal observers, mutual aid groups, and neighborhood lookouts — all working together to shield immigrants during ICE’s incursion.
Cell phones became essential tools of resistance. Residents documented ICE activity, verified rumors, and shared information across trusted channels faster than traditional media could keep up. That realtime visibility emboldened people to show up peacefully and filled the gaps left by a hollowed-out press. The resulting national attention has both educated and fortified other communities, many of which are now warning ICE to stay out — not necessarily out of ideology, but out of a desire to avoid Twin Cities-style eruptions on their own streets.
Thanks for being so “nice,” Minnesota — and for showing the rest of us what organized, principled local resistance can achieve.
Inspired by the collective power of ordinary people,
Your Faithful Editor
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In This Issue
- No Kings Day: Show Up and Stand Up on March 28
- Election Security Crisis is Now
- Join a Saturday Protest in Your Community
- Other Upcoming Events
- A Candid Conversation with Rep. Jahana Hayes
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Saving Democracy Postcard Campaign Returns for 2026
- Work Remotely for the Wisconsin Democrats
- In Case You Missed It
- Remembering Walter DeMelle
- Get These Other Sources For Action
- Support Our Work
- Did You Miss A Newsletter?
- Share Your News
- Tell Us What You Think
- Spread The Word
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NO KINGS DAY: SHOW UP AND STAND UP ON MARCH 28
Millions of people came out twice last year for the No Kings protests across the country to tell those in power that we the people can and will hold them accountable. On Saturday, March 28th, we are doing it again. According to Indivisible.org, one of the groups organizing this day of protest, there are already almost six hundred sites scheduled to hold a day of peaceful protest, solidarity, and resolve.
A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. All participants should seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with us and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.
Here is a list of No Kings events in our area, courtesy of our friend and civic leader Jill Drew in Sharon. Jill’s free newsletter, Today’s Action, is a great source of timely ways to get involved.
- 9:30am - Warren
- 10am - Hartford, at the state capitol - More information here
- 10am - Litchfield, at the Town Green - More information here
- 11am - Salisbury, at the Town Green - More information here
- 11am - Stockbridge, 50 Main Street - More information here
- 11:30pm - New Milford, at the Town Green - More information here
- 12 noon - Cornwall, at the Triangle at Routes 4 & 7 in Cornwall Bridge - More information here
- 12 noon - Great Barrington
- 12:30pm - Poughkeepsie, at Waryas Park - More information here
- 2pm - Kent, at 50 North Main Street
- 2:30pm - New Haven, at the New Haven Green - More information here
If you won’t be in the area, but would still like to participate, you can go to the No Kings website to find a protest location close to you.
No one is coming to save us — we have to do it ourselves. So let’s make our voices heard!
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ELECTION SECURITY CRISIS IS NOW
It’s open season on fair and free elections. Republicans, in a panic over their recent string of losses to Democrats in race after race, including in places where Trump and other Republican candidates previously won by double digits, are following Trump’s predictable playbook: Tilt the table in their favor by spreading baseless claims of election fraud and calling for federal action to clamp down on supposed abuses — such as alleged rampant voting by non-citizens and fraudulent use of mail-in ballots.
The SAVE Act, which recently passed in the US House, and has now moved to the Senate. That bill would disenfranchise millions of legitimate voters by requiring them to present a birth certificate or passport to prove citizenship before being allowed to register. Only about half of US citizens have a passport and most of us couldn’t find our birth certificate easily if we needed it; these proposed requirements pose additional obstacles for the nearly 80% of married women who assumed their husband’s last names.
Trump is also using the power of the federal government to intimidate local elections officials, as exemplified by the recent FBI raid on warehouses in Fulton County, GA, and the seizure of 2020 voting records. At the same time, the Justice Department has sought to compel states to hand over sensitive voter records in what it claims is an effort to identify fraudulent voters. Most states have refused to comply, and so far, the DOJ has lost all three lawsuits it has filed against non-compliant states.
Alarmingly, the DOJ has shifted sharply from its traditional role protecting voting rights to serving the administration’s goal of restricting access to the ballot. There is also the persistent specter of ICE or other paramilitary forces appearing near polling places to intimidate voters.
What Should We Do?
1. Educate ourselves about what is happening so we can explain it and raise an alarm with friends and neighbors.
2. Engage with organizations that protect voting rights locally and nationally.
3. Donate to groups such as the Brennan Center that are addressing this crisis through public education, legislative advocacy, support for state attorneys general, and litigation.
4. Call your representatives and senators in Washington to urge them to oppose current and future anti-democratic voting bills.The SAVE Act is under consideration in the Senate, so please take a few minutes to call your senators and tell them to oppose it. Find your senator's phone number here.
5. Contact your state legislators and state election officials — including your secretary of state — and urge them to resist federal pressure to roll back voting rights.
6. Reach out to your local elections officials and thank them for doing their jobs in the current difficult climate.
A core strategy behind GOP efforts is to push through sweeping anti-voting measures on several fronts at once while the public is not paying attention. It is our responsibility to stay alert, informed, and active — and to keep a bright spotlight on any abuse of power.
| | JOIN A SATURDAY PROTEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY | |
Join your friends and neighbors every Saturday to stand up for democracy and against Trump's authoritarian policies and corruption. Bring a sign or a flag if you can, but the most important thing is to show up. Bring your family and show them how local activism works. Across the country, peaceful demonstrations like these are surging and showing Trump and his enablers and allies that we are watching and will hold them to account.
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Salisbury - 11am-noon at the Salisbury Town Green at the White Hart Inn, 15 Under Mountain Road, Salisbury. Note that due to safety concerns, in the event of large snow banks, the protest will move just down the street to the sidewalk in front of Salisbury Town Hall.
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Torrington - 11am-noon at Coe Park, 101 Litchfield Street, Torrington.
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Cornwall - 12 noon (now only 30 minutes) at the triangle intersection of Routes 4 and 7 South in Cornwall Bridge.
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New Milford -12 noon (now only 30 minutes) - Protest and Food/Diaper Drive at the Old East Street School near CVS, 50 East Street, New Milford.
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Kent - 2-3pm - At 50 North Main Street, north of the Welcome Center.
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NEW - Friday Protests in Sheffield (MA) - 3pm at Main Street (Rt. 7), across from Roberto’s Pizza.
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OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, March 3 from 2-4pm: Postcarding with Saving Democracy (see article below). Gather in the Garden Room at the White Hart Inn.
Tuesday, March 3 at 7pm: Donuts + Democracy will hold a virtual house party with Senator Chris Murphy. Senator Murphy and Donuts + Democracy's student organizers will discuss why the path to a 2026 blue wave runs through college campuses and how they are mobilizing young voters, a powerful but underinvested voting bloc. Donuts + Democracy was founded in 2024 by a mother-daughter duo and partners with a nationwide network of youth organizers to break down barriers to voting and turn young people into life-long voters -- one donut, one conversation at a time. You can support their work by donating here or signing up for their newsletter here. Click to RSVP.
Thursdays March 5, 12, 19 & 26 at 3pm: What’s the Plan? Weekly Call with Indivisible’s Founders. The chaos coming out of the White House is a deliberate strategy to sow confusion and make us believe we are powerless to fight back. The antidote? Coming together as a community to cut through the noise and unite around strategies for resistance. Join Indivisible co-founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin each week for an hour to discuss what’s happening—and, more importantly, what's the plan. These calls can be very uplifting! Click for details and registration.
Monday March 9 from 5:30-7:30pm: Fundraiser for Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. Various NW Corner leaders are hosting a fundraiser at the Bad Dog Brewing Company in Torrington. The brewery is located in the old Firehouse at 117 Water Street in Torrington. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Tuesday March 17 at 4:30-6pm. Meet and Greet with State Rep. Maria Horn at Ridgeway Farm Store, 142 Town Street in West Cornwall. Light refreshments and important conversation. Click here to RSVP.
CHANGE OF DATE Tuesday March 17 at 7pm: Salisbury Democratic Town Committee. This meeting will be for the purpose of electing officers for two-year terms. The meeting will be held at Town Hall and via Zoom. Please email chair Al Ginouves to receive a copy of the agenda and the link to the meeting. All are welcome.
Tuesday March 24 at 7pm: Salisbury Democratic Committee Meeting to Elect Convention Delegates. The SDTC will elect delegates to attend various conventions in May. Any registered Democrat in Salisbury can be a delegate. The conventions and dates are:
- May 11: US 5th Congressional Convention to nominate the Democratic candidate for US House of Representatives (Location TBA)
- May 16: State Convention in Hartford to nominate candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of the State, Comptroller, Treasurer, and to vote on party rules.
- May 18: Multi-town CT Assembly (House) Conventions to nominate Maria Horn for the 64th House District
- May 20: CT Senate Convention (30th Senate District) to nominate a candidate to challenge State Senator Stephen Harding
- May 21: Multi-Town Judge of Probate Convention
The meeting will be held in person at Salisbury Town Hall and by Zoom. Please email Chair Al Ginouves for information and the link to the meeting. All are welcome.
Wednesday March 25 at 8pm: Greater Litchfield County Young Democrats - Monthly Meeting. Join fellow Democrats for this meeting on Zoom. For more information, please contact Daniela Larsson at nwctyd@gmail.com.
Thursday March 26 at 6:30pm: Organizing to Win: The Art & Science of Running for Office with Jimmy Tickey — based on his recently published book of the same title. The conversation will be moderated by Daniela Larssen at MUGS, 3 West Street, 2nd Floor, Litchfield. First elected to local office at the age of 24 in the City of Shelton, Tickey remains deeply involved in the Naugatuck Valley community, across the state of Connecticut, where he serves as Vice Chair of the Connecticut Democratic Party, and through his service on the Democratic National Committee. Please RSVP here.
Saturday March 28 - No Kings Day - NATIONAL PROTEST - See above for details.
| | A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH REP. JAHANA HAYES | |
US Rep. Jahana Hayes made a surprise visit to the SDTC’s monthly meeting on February 17 and spoke candidly and forcefully about the current political moment — both nationally and within the Democratic party. It's worth listening to the recording of this far-ranging conversation to understand our congressperson's philosophy and actions.
Hayes began by grounding her remarks in political reality: she represents a competitive district and faces a tough race every two years. That reality, she emphasized, keeps her closely connected to constituents, showing up consistently, and focusing on deliverables rather than rhetoric. She cannot afford to ignore local concerns or take voters for granted. Electoral math is unforgiving, she noted, and control of Congress often hinges on narrow margins.
She acknowledged internal frustration with Democratic leadership and the slow pace of generational turnover but predicted significant changes as longtime members retire. Hayes intends to seek the chair role on the House Agriculture Committee and made clear that new leadership energy and a more ambitious legislative agenda will be essential once Democrats win back control of the House, which she believes will happen in November.
Despite these challenges, Hayes highlighted areas of progress. Democrats have successfully used discharge petitions five times to force votes on bills that Speaker Mike Johnson refused to bring forward — more than have been used in decades. She also cited Democrats’ success in restoring billions in threatened nutrition funding. Furthermore, civic energy is rising, she observed, even in places where political activism once seemed unlikely. “People are not OK with what is going on,” she said, and they are staying connected and expanding their capacity to respond.
Hayes balanced her national concerns with a local example of progress: Salisbury’s affordable housing initiative. She highlighted federal funding she helped secure and praised the town for turning those resources into completed projects. Many communities, she noted, talk about affordable housing but fail to move from discussion to execution — something Salisbury has done successfully.
When asked what we can do to help, Hayes urged Democrats not to underestimate the power of sustained civic engagement. She encouraged people to stay informed, speak up, and remain visibly involved — not just during election season, but consistently, to hold leaders accountable, protect democratic institutions, and strengthen the networks that can respond quickly when constitutional norms are tested. In this moment, she emphasized, silence and disengagement only empower those seeking to erode the system.
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SAVING DEMOCRACY POSTCARD CAMPAIGN RETURNS FOR 2026
As we head into the 2026 midterm election cycle, Saving Democracy is resuming its postcard-writing campaign. The focus will be on reaching infrequent and newly registered voters to help turn out the vote in critical US House and Senate races. Candidates will be selected from the roster provided by Activate America, an impactful organization that supports grassroots postcard-writing efforts nationwide.
Everyone is welcome to join this important work. Sarah Zarbock and John Hoffman will continue their tireless work of coordinating the events, the first of which will take place on Tuesday, March 3 from 2-4pm in the Garden Room at the White Hart Inn.
At this kickoff session, they’ll be writing in support of Judge Chris Taylor in the upcoming April 7 Wisconsin State Supreme Court election. A victory for Judge Taylor would help safeguard reproductive freedom and voting rights in Wisconsin and across the country. Saving Democracy will be writing to Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters in Wisconsin to increase Taylor’s name recognition and encourage voters to sign up for to vote by mail.
Later in the spring, postcarders will begin meeting twice weekly. Details will be shared in upcoming Saving Democracy emails. To be added to the mailing list, please contact Kathy Voldstad at kathyvoldstad@gmail.com.
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WORK REMOTELY FOR THE WISCONSIN DEMOCRATS
Last month, we introduced the idea of adopting a swing state and channeling your energy into a longterm volunteer commitment. Wisconsin’s spring elections take place on April 7, and the Wisconsin Democrats (WisDems) are looking for help with a variety of activities that are perfect for remote volunteers. These opportunities are fun, engaging, and come with excellent training from the WisDem team. More importantly, even a small amount of volunteer time can help move the needle toward Democratic victories in state and congressional elections. Please consider signing up for one or both of the following:
Poll Observer Recruitment Phone Banks. Protecting voting rights in Wisconsin starts with ensuring that poll observers are present in as many voting locations as possible. These calls are easy and rewarding—they reach people who have volunteered before or expressed strong interest in doing so. Click to sign up and learn more.
Voter Hotline. If you’re interested in directly assisting Wisconsin voters, consider becoming a voter protection hotline volunteer. Hotline volunteers answer questions, help voters register, request or track absentee ballots, find their polling place, contact their clerk, and more. To learn more, please sign up for a training session.
If you have questions, feel free to contact Lee Greenhouse, a longtime remote volunteer for the WisDems, at (917) 701-5739 or Lrgreenhouse@gmail.com.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
ICE Tried to Justify a Minneapolis Shooting. Its Story Unraveled. When an ICE agent shot a Minneapolis man in January, the Trump administration rushed out a dramatic story of an ambush and a life or death struggle. But within days, that account began to crumble — first in the charging documents, then in the courtroom, and finally inside ICE itself. Uncovered evidence, conflicting officer statements, and video footage have forced federal prosecutors to drop the case and place two agents on leave. What happened on that Minneapolis street — and why the official story fell apart — reveals far more about the moment we’re living in than the administration intended. Read the full story in The New York Times.
Trump Says He Wants to Cancel Elections, but Here Is the Real Threat. In a guest essay, Sean Morales-Doyle, director of the Brennan Center’s voting rights and elections program, sounds an alarm about how elections get undermined by authoritarians. Donald Trump has been floating the idea of “canceling” the November elections — a line that’s grabbed headlines but distracts from the far more serious threat unfolding in plain sight. As voting rights experts warn, modern authoritarianism doesn’t shut elections down; it hollows them out while keeping the façade intact. From attempts to impose “show your papers” voting rules to federal efforts to seize voter data and dismantle election security infrastructure, the administration is already testing the limits of what it can get away with. This article breaks down how election subversion actually works — and is happening right now, long before anyone casts a ballot. Read the full essay in The New York Times.
Want to Understand Election Security? Start Here. If you want to learn more about Trump’s efforts to gain control of elections, BigTentUSA’s recent Spotlight conversation is essential viewing. Lauren Groh Wargo of Fair Fight Action and Wendy Weiser of the Brennan Center lay out the escalating threats to the 2026 election — from the FBI’s seizure of Fulton County voting records to new pushes for proof of citizenship laws and expanding federal overreach. Their warning is blunt: the Constitution and the courts can slow unlawful power grabs, but they can’t stop them alone. Protecting democracy now requires visible, sustained civic engagement — voting, working the polls, supporting election officials, organizing locally, and refusing to be silent. Autocracy advances when people look away; this moment demands that we show up and defend the system before it’s too late. Click to listen to the conversation.
North Carolina Students Walk Over a Mile to Vote After GOP Shuts Down Campus Polling Places. In North Carolina, college students walked more than a mile along busy roads to cast their ballots in recent state primaries after the GOP-controlled state elections board shut down campus polling places — including at some of the nation’s largest historically black colleges and universities. But instead of being deterred, students turned the long walk into a show of collective power. From Greensboro to Cullowhee, they marched together to the polls, transforming an obstacle into a protest and a reminder of how determined voters can be. Read the story and see a video in Common Dreams.
What MAGA Can Teach Democrats About Organizing—and Infighting. In a sweeping new piece for The New Yorker, Charles Duhigg digs into a question Democrats can’t afford to ignore: how has the MAGA movement built a deeper, more durable organizing machine? While Democrats excel at big marches and rapid response mobilization, he argues, conservatives have quietly spent years building local, year round networks rooted in churches, gun clubs, and community groups. The result is a movement that grows leaders from the ground up and keeps people engaged long after Election Day. Duhigg’s reporting shows how this organizing power helped fuel Trump’s rise — and why Democrats will need to rethink their approach if they want to compete. Read the full piece in The New Yorker.
Why Renewable Power Generation Surged in the US Last Year. Even as the Trump administration has moved aggressively to cut clean-energy incentives, weaken environmental protections, and bolster fossil fuel production, renewable power in the United States is reaching historic levels. According to newly released federal data, US utilities generated a record 1,162 terawatt-hours of electricity from renewable sources in 2025 — a 10% increase over the prior year and enough to power roughly 108 million homes. Renewables now account for 26% of all US electricity, and in months like March, nearly one in three electrons came from green energy. In this article from Bloomberg, Kyle Stock examines how wind, solar, and battery power continue to surge despite political headwinds, the economic forces behind the growth, and what it could mean for the future of America’s energy mix. Read the full article.
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REMEMBERING WALTER DEMELLE
From the Chair:
I am sad to report that Walter DeMelle, a longtime member of the Salisbury Democratic Town Committee, passed away on February 1 after a brief illness. Our hearts go out to his wife, Susan, and their family.
Walter was one of the last true gentlemen and ranks high on my list of the most remarkable people I have been privileged to know here in the Northwest Corner. I encourage you to read about his impressive life and accomplishments here.
My favorite memories of Walter have little to do with politics. Before COVID, my wife, Amy, and I were part of a monthly movie-and-potluck dinner group that included Walter and Susan. The hosts always kept their chosen film a secret. We especially looked forward to Walter’s thoughtful selections. He would invite us to guess the movie through a series of clever clues, and the discussions he led afterward were always the highlight of the evening. I learned so much from those conversations. My favorite film was introduced by Walter with the following clues: the last black-and-white film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture…. It starred Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray…. The year was 1960.*
Thank you, Walter. With love and gratitude,
Al
*Answer: The Apartment — controversial in its day and far more than just another romantic comedy.
| | GET THESE OTHER SOURCES FOR ACTION | |
Because we publish only once a month, there are many events 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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Robert Hubbell's Today's Edition provides daily analysis and commentary on the latest political happenings and practical suggestions for what citizens can do. He started the newsletter in 2017 to provide hope and perspective to his family after the unexpected results of the 2016 election. Over time, his family email was shared among friends and became of community of like-minded citizens devoted to preserving American democracy. Click to read his latest posts and subscribe.
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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 twice-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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SUPPORT OUR WORK - PLEASE DONATE
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.
You can donate by credit card at salisburydemocrats.com/donate or use this QR code.
Please give generously — the stakes couldn’t be higher. The SDTC 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.
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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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