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Congresswoman Thurman is the Chair of the Florida Democratic Party
The weekend before the Florida Presidential Preference Primary, the Indian River County Young Democrats were proud to host Congresswoman Karen Thurman, the Chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party. Congresswoman Thurman spoke on the importance of the January 29th vote, the ever increasing need for active participation throughout 2008, and the future the Young Democrats represent for the Democratic Party.
Also speaking at the luncheon were Brian Burkeen, Democratic candidate for Indian River County Clerk of the Circuit Courts; Michael Carch, an active local Young Democrat and Democratic candidate for Indian River County Supervisor of Elections; Donald Chinquina, Democratic candidate for Public Defender of the 19th Judicial Circuit; Andrea Coy, Mayor of Sebastian; and Tony Sasso, City Councilman from Cocoa Beach and Democratic candidate for Florida State House, District 32. Unconfirmed to attend is Suzanne Kosmas, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, Florida District 24.
The Young Democrats hosted the luncheon on the beach in Vero Beach on Saturday, January 26th, at the Holiday Inn.
A full PDF press release regarding the luncheon is available here.
Highly Successful Support Rally Confronts Hypocrisy of Protester
Friday, June 15th, 2007: On Friday, June 15th, the Indian River County Young Democrats held a support rally for the local Planned Parenthood office. The support rally was held from 3 PM to 5 PM on 20th Street (State Road 60, or SR60) Street in Vero Beach, near the Indian River County Health Center of Planned Parenthood.
About 20 local Young Democrats and supporters from both Brevard and St. Lucie counties, showed publicly their support and thanks for the health and education services provided by the local Planned Parenthood office in Indian River County. Participants included members and supporters from age 16 to over 80, including registered Democrats and Republicans, throughout the rally.
Signs varied in the slogans, including "Honk for Planned Parenthood", "Thank You Planned Parenthood", "Planned Parenthood = Education", and "Health Services for All", among others. The message was clear though to passing motorists, the support of the health and education services provided by the local Planned Parenthood clinic. The Indian River County Health Center of Planned Parenthood has provided high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, including family planning, gynecological care, STI/STD testing and treatment, and pregnancy testing in Indian River County for more than a decade.
"Clarifying the support the local Planned Parenthood office has from residents of this community could not have been more clear during the support rally," stated Amber Manera, President of the Indian River County Young Democrats. "Merely showing a presence and making our voices heard garnered considerable positive reactions from those traversing the SR60 corridor during Friday afternoon, more so than any other events that have been held in this location by other groups in the past. It was clearly a refreshing change for residents of our beautiful corner of Florida to see such a positive message being publicly voiced."
The local Young Democrats expressed their support solely through sign waving for passing motorists to see, providing positive visibility for the vital health and education services provided by the local Planned Parenthood clinic. Through their peaceful and highly visible efforts, the local Young Democrats raised awareness to the need Indian River County residents have for such an organization and the services they provide. Sign waivers on both the westbound and eastbound portions of SR60 garnered praise from passing motorists.
Protesters Silenced by Peaceful Actions of Young Democrats
About 20 protesters of the local Planned Parenthood clinic also showed up during the beginning of the support rally. These protesters engaged in sign waving, yelling at passing motorists, demonstrating to citizens entering and leaving the clinic, and engaged in abusive language towards the Young Democrats and supporters. Often, protesters were visibly engaged in physical intimidation to the support rally participants by crowding individuals unnecessarily and voicing crude, offensive, and demeaning remarks.
The Young Democrats and their supporters remained quiet throughout the abusive behavior, waved their signs of support and smiling to passing motorists.
A strong and visible law enforcement presence, including local City of Vero Beach police officers, Indian River County Sheriff Deputies, and Florida Highway Patrol officers helped keep the protestors from going any further in their actions.
Despite the local Young Democrats being fully permitted by the City of Vero Beach to hold the support rally, law enforcement officials provided no support to remove protesters signs that clearly obstructed the right-of-way of traffic on SR60, protesters infringing on the pedestrian travel of citizens, or even citing protesters for abusive language and threatening actions.
After the first hour of the support rally, most of the protesters had dispersed from the scene. "It was clear the protesters were in an environment that was not supportive of their message," said Steven G. Willis, State Liaison of the local Young Democrats. "There was much talk amongst the protesters as to why there was so much honking of car horns from people driving by, something which clearly was a result of our signs of support that included 'Honk for Planned Parenthood'. It was a spontaneous action by the citizens that protesters had not seen before during their efforts."
By the second hour of the support rally, protester numbers had dwindled to only 2 individuals that relegated themselves more than a block away from the main body of the support rally. And, even the last 2 protesters had left with more than 30 minutes remaining in the support rally.
Honks of support from passing motorists remained consistently high throughout the 2 hour support rally. Many motorists returned to the support rally throughout the event and personally voiced their thanks to the local Young Democrats for their efforts.
View full press release as PDF (204K)
Youth Voice Publicly Their Thanks for Educational Services Provided
Thursday, June 14th, 2007: On Friday, June 15th, the Indian River County Young Democrats are holding a support rally for the local Planned Parenthood office. The rally will be held from 3 PM to 5 PM on 20th Street (SR60) near 31st Street in Vero Beach.
The local Young Democrats plan to express their support for the outstanding services provided by the local Planned Parenthood Health Clinic. The Indian River County Health Center of Planned Parenthood has provided high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, including family planning, gynecological care, STI/STD testing and treatment, and pregnancy testing in Indian River County for more than a decade. These services, including educational services for all citizens, is a vital part of public health care to provide to the residents of Indian River County.
"Planned Parenthood has often been misunderstood regarding the breadth of services and education that they provide," stated Amber Manera, President of the Indian River County Young Democrats. "Educating fellow residents of the county about the needs this community has for such an organization is important for all of us living in this beautiful corner of Florida."
The local Young Democrats plan to express their support solely through sign waving for passing motorists to see, providing positive visibility for the vital health services provided by the local Planned Parenthood clinic. Through peaceful, though highly visible, efforts, the local Young Democrats hope to raise awareness to the need Indian River County residents have for such an organization and the services they provide.
View full press release as PDF (128K)
President of Local Young Democrats Chapter Campaigning for Position within Florida Young Democrats
Friday, May 18th, 2007: Amber Manera, the President of the Indian River County Young Democrats, has announced she is running for the position of Vice President of Communications within the larger Florida Young Democrats. In announcing her candidacy, Ms. Manera stated, "Taking the experience and skills we have here in Indian River and helping the state Young Democrats, and other YD chapters throughout Florida, is a job I feel I am more than ready for."
The Indian River County Young Democrats has grown to almost 50 members while still early in its second year of existence. Already this year, the Indian River County Young Democrats provided assistance towards the successful campaign for city council of the new mayor of Sebastian. Last year, during its first year of existence, the local Young Democrats chapter grossed almost $30,000 in fundraising for their activities, a mark that far surpasses all other chapters throughout the state of Florida.
Ms. Manera elaborated, "The knowledge we have gained through our local successes need to be shared throughout Florida so we can build a strong, cohesive network of Young Democrats organizations throughout Florida. I hope with the support of other YDs at the convention in early June, I will be elected to have just such an opportunity."
The annual Florida Young Democrats conference is being held June 9th, at the Westin Diplomat hotel, in Hollywood, FL. At that time, the elections for new officers for the Florida Young Democrats will be held.
Ms. Manera indicated her three primary goals as Vice President of Communications if she elected at the convention are to provide regular issues, campaign, and chapter building communications throughout Florida, centralize and maintain contacts with all Young Democrats throughout the state, and implement a chapter building and referral program to allow chapters to more easily exchange ideas and experiences.
Ms. Manera stated, "I look forward to working with the other new officers elected in June if others feel strongly enough that I should hold this position by supporting me with their votes."
Kevin Sawnick, Vice President of the local Young Democrats group, also indicated his desire to work within the Florida Young Democrats organization. Mr. Sawnick stated, "Amber and I could maximize our existing working relationship if I were to be appointed to be Secretary of the Florida YDs. It seems like a perfect fit of record keeping and communications for us to jointly hold these two positions, allowing to more quickly put our experience to work for all of the YDs throughout Florida."
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Amber Manera, center, enjoying the Democratic Presidential debate with fellow Young Democrats (April 26th, 2007). |
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Kevin Sawnick and Amber Manera showcasing their stylings at Earth Day in Vero Beach (April 21st, 2007). |
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