DPNM's Field Notes: Activism and Organizing

Hello to all of our readers! This week's installment of the DPNM field report is being posted from a remote site -- the campus at the University of New Mexico.

As the school year starts anew, the DPNM is attending an activities fair on campus this afternoon to get the word out on our online activities as well as recruiting fall interns to work to Keep New Mexico Blue.

We've had a great turn out at our booth, with many students, community members and activists stopping by to chat about why they love being a Democrat -- and we've registered several of them to vote as well!

We'll be here until 2pm today, so if you're in the neighborhood, stop by and check us out.

Later tonight, there are three other events that DPNM volunteers can choose to attend:

At 6pm, there will be a training at the DPNM HQ on effective techniques for phone banking or canvassing -- you can call 505-830-3650 for more information or to sign up for the class.

At 7pm, there will be a bus tour rally for President Obama's Organizing for Change in support of Health Care Reform that includes a public option. The rally will be held at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and will last until 8pm.

Finally, at 8pm, there will be a candle light vigil to honor and remember the late Senator Kennedy. It will be held at Civic Plaza in Downtown Albuquerque and participants are asked to bring their own candles.

We look forward to keeping you updated weekly on our field activities and hope to see you at this evening's events!

Health Care Bus Rally Coming to Albuquerque

Organizing for America, President Obama's grassroots group for change is coming to Albuquerque!

This Thursday, Organizing for America will host a rally for health care reform at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, located at 1701 4th Street SW in Albuquerque. This bus stop is part of a larger by Organizing for America's efforts to hold large-scale events in the ten days leading up to Congress reconvening for the fall.

At this event, supporters can hear from Mitch Stewart, the Executive Director of Organizing for America speak about the need for a public option for health care reform. Also, State Senator Dede Feldman will be speaking to supporters.

Needless to say, this event is crucial for New Mexicans to support and voice their opinions. As we blogged earlier this month -- see the post from 20 August -- New Mexico is #2 in the nation for percentage of uninsured citizens, at nearly 45%

During the August recess from Congress, New Mexicans have engaged their elected representatives in a constructive and respectful manner, but we cannot rest. Organizing for America's bus tour is our chance to show our leaders that we do want a public option and that we are willing to publicly support such an effort.

The bus will carry over 15,000 declarations of support from New Mexicans in favor of a public option to be included in the health care reform package which is before Congress, according to Luis Hernandez, the State Director of Organizing for America, New Mexico.

"We want our Members of Congress to head back to Washington with calls for reform ringing in their ears," he stated.

You can sign up to voice your support and attend the rally by clicking here.