Tag Archives: Together We Will

Politics 101 – TWWLI Workshop

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
April 2, 2017

Last Sunday, when I entered Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch and saw the stage had a huge banner above it with the message  “to believe  – to belong  – to be compassionate,” it struck me as a fitting place for the Together We Will Long Island (TWWLI) group to hold their Politics 101 Activists Training workshop.

  • Click “i” under SLIDESHOW for info about each image:


And more to the point, this location that Suffolk County Legislator DeWayne Gregory helped secure for the event checked three crucial boxes: it safely accommodated at least 70 people (in fact, it could fit hundreds); it was reasonable for members coming from Nassau and Suffolk Counties; and it was free.

Wyandanch, New York, USA. March 26, 2017. At podium, DuWAYNE GREGORY, Presiding Officer and Suffolk County Legislator (Democrat - District 15), is speaking at Politics 101 event, the first of series of activist training workshops for members of TWW LI, the Long Island affiliate of national Together We Will. Speakers seated right of him are, L-R, LAURA CURRAN, JAY JACOBS, and LAUREN CORCORAN-DOOLIN. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, FromLongIsland.com)

Wyandanch, NY, USA. March 26, 2017. At podium, DuWAYNE GREGORY,  Suffolk County Legislator & Presiding Officer (D – D15), speaks at TWWLI’s Politics 101. Speakers seated right of him are: LAURA CURRAN, JAY JACOBS, & LAUREN CORCORAN-DOOLIN. (© 2017 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

TWW Background

TWW, which began in late 2016 and is run by volunteers, has four Core Values: to have Strategic Impact, Respect, Solidarity, and to Cultivate Action.

TWWLI, which began in January 2017, has been focusing mainly on making its concerns clear about Trump’s Cabinet appointees, Executive Orders, and ACA repeal & replace to Long Island’s federal elected officials:  Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Lee Zeldin, Rep. Pete King, Rep Tom Suozzi, and Rep. Kathleen Rice.  (Their official online contact info is at end of this post.)

The group’s approaches include organizing protests; sending messages; participating in Town Halls of reps who hold them; and visiting the Long Island offices, if access permitted.

Wyandanch, New York, USA. March 26, 2017. GENNA HANAN, in audience, asks question during Politics 101 event, the first of series of activist training workshops for members of TWW LI, the Long Island affiliate of national Together We Will. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, FromLongIsland.com)

Wyandanch, NY, USA. March 26, 2017. Audience member GENNA HANAN asks speakers a questions during TWWLI’s Politics 101 event. (© 2017 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

All Politics is Local

The March 26th Politics 101 event was the first in a series of Together We Will Long Island workshops to help members be the most informed, effective activists possible.

TWWLI administrator Beth McManus introduced the program, and admin Sue Moller, my daughter, introduced each of the speakers, who spoke in this order:

Wyandanch, New York, USA. March 26, 2017. At center, JAY JACOBS, Chairman of Nassau County Democratic Committee, holds Certificate of Appreciation and American Flag presented by, (L) BETH McMANUS, and (R) SUE MOLLER, two administrators of Together We Will Long Island. Jacobs spoke at Politics 101 event, the first of a series of activist training workshops for members of TWW LI, the L.I. affiliate of TWW. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Wyandanch, NY, USA. March 26, 2017. At center, JAY JACOBS, Chairman of Nassau County Democratic Committee, holds Certificate of Appreciation for speaking at Politics 101, a TWWLI event. (L) BETH McMANUS and (R) SUE MOLLER are two admins of the network. (© 2017 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

After the five presentations, audience members asked questions to the speakers and TWWLI admins. Based partly on the questions, it seemed some audience members had already been involved for months with TWWLI events and facebook discussions, and others were newcomers.

During Q & A, the speakers stressed the importance of focusing not only on national politics, but also having a strong presence in local politics – from school boards and library boards, to town councils, legislators on up.

What’s the Message

When one of the speakers said how important it was to make the network’s message heard, an audience member asked, “What’s our message?” 

Here are excerpts from Jay Jacobs’ answer:

Local message: It’s going to be about cleaning up our government, and putting back into place people who will run government for the purpose of delivering efficient services the best way they can, instead of taking care of the chosen few, their family and their friends….

Nation-wide basis:  [We have] always fought for average citizens, fought for those who couldn’t fight for themselves….  [introducing] social security, unemployment compensation, disability insurance… Medicaid, Medicare… Obamacare.

We have to be about making government more responsive to the needs of people, less responsive to special interests and a lot of money from corporate interests….  It’s going to be about going back to our roots….

Contact Info – L.I.’s National Reps

Contact Info for each U.S. Senator and Congress member who serves Long Island, NY, constituents (link will work while a Rep’s still in office):

  • Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D)  –  gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/email-me
  • Sen. Chuck Schumer (D)  –  schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck
  • Rep. Lee Zeldin (R)  –   [Update: didn’t seek reelection in 2022]
  • Rep. Pete King (R)  –  [Update:  didn’t seek reelection in 2020]
  • Rep. Tom Suozzi (D)  – [Update: didn’t seek reelection in 2022]
  • Rep. Kathleen Rice (D)  – [Update: didn’t seek reelection in 2022]

_______________________

TWWLI facebook page:  facebook.com/groups/TogetherWeWill.LongIsland/

‘Politics 101’ Workshop:  my PHOTO GALLERY

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‘Resist Trump Tuesdays’ TWWLI Visits Sen. Schumer’s LI Office

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
January 26, 2017

This Tuesday, the wet, windy weather didn’t stop 15 members of Together We Will Long Island – TWWLI – from driving to 145 Pine Lawn Road in Melville, where they gathered in the lobby and then took the elevator up to Senator CHUCK SCHUMER‘s office.

Center back in light blue shirt, TWWLI admin SUE MOLLER, of Merrick, and left of her in suit, GARRETT ARMWOOD, Long Island Regional Director for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York; speak when members of Together We Will Long Island stop by Schumer's Melville office to share their concerns, especially about Trump's Cabinet appointees, #SwampCabinet. This Stop Trump Tuesday, #StopTrumpTuesday, event was part of nationwide political movement. Members of organizations such as MoveOn, Indivisible, and TWW plan to visit their Senators' offices each Tuesday duringTrump's first 100 days of presidency. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Melville, NY, USA. Jan. 24, 2017. Members of Together We Will Long Island meet with (top left in suit) GARRETT ARMWOOD, Long Island Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) during first ‘Resist Trump Tuesdays.’ (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

It was the first Resist Trump Tuesdays – when activist groups such as MoveOn, Indivisible, and TWW visited the members’ federal government representatives to express concerns related to President Trump.

A group member knocked on Schumer’s door, and when a staffer answered, it was clear the office couldn’t fit the 15 members, so they met with GARRET ARMWOOD, the senator’s L.I. Regional Director, in a nearby hall surrounding a circular staircase.

SUE MOLLER, who’s one of TWWLI’s admins, and my daughter, had arranged the group’s drop-in visit and written a letter to the senator that stated the group’s concerns over Trump’s Cabinet appointees. After she read the letter to Armwood, several group members asked him questions and brought up additional concerns.

  • FYI from Long Island: #StopTrumpTuesday – #ResistTrumpTuesdays – #SwampCabinet are 3 hashtags related to this event.

Later, back in the lobby, the members agreed the meeting was a success. TWWLI plans to continue dropping by Senator Schumer’s office to express their concerns regarding Trump each Tuesday* during the President’s first 100 days in office.  (*see update below)

Melville, New York, USA. January 24, 2017. Fourteen members of Together We Will Long Island pose for photo with GARRETT ARMWOOD, Long Island Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). (© 2017 Ann Parry/ann-parry.com)

Melville, New York, USA. January 24, 2017. Fifteen members of Together We Will Long Island pose for photo with GARRETT ARMWOOD (tall man center of back row), the Long Island Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). (© 2017 Ann Parry/ann-parry.com)

Staff at some rep’s offices, such as Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand, met with activists; staff at some other rep’s offices did not.

UPDATE – Feb. 6, 2017:  On Resist Trump Tuesdays, members from more than one activist organization continue to protest outside the Melville offices of Senators Gillibrand and Schumer.

TWWLI aims to communicate as effectively as possible its ongoing concerns about Trump’s goals & actions. So, at this time, rather than have a large group of TWWLI members go to the senators’ L. I. offices, a few of them drop off items such as members’ short videos and notes at each office.


  • FEATURE PHOTO  (at top of post):  Melville, NY, USA.  January 24, 2017. Fourteen members of Together We Will Long Island gather in lobby of building U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has his Melville office in. Members included (clockwise starting left):  (in black cap) SHERRY MEDEROS, of Copiague; (in light blue TWWLI shirt) administrator SUE MOLLER of Merrick; social media director JUAN ALICEA, of Medford; member; (in blue cap) ANDREA ROSS BOYLE, of Dix Hills; (in coral sweater) TEDRA GRANT, of Dix Hills; member; (at upper right) PHILIP SOLIS, of Dix Hills; member; (holding coat) ERICA DORAN, of Syosset; LAURIE MITCHEL, of West Babylon.

TWWLI LINK :  Readers are asking for TWWLI contact info:


Resist Trump Tuesdays:  my photo GALLERY

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Westbury, NY. January 2017. NY congresswoman Kathleen Rice speaks at Our First Stand Rally

Our First Stand: Save Health Care, with Reps. Kathleen Rice & Tom Suozzi

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
January 17, 20217

Last Sunday, during the Our First Stand: Save Health Care Rally in Westbury, hundreds of protestors gathered – many with signs and banners, political buttons and shirts – to make their healthcare coverage positions and worries clear.

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. LI Activists group members bring a large banner and signs, and one wears

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. LI Activists group members bring a large banner and signs, and one wears “FEEL THE BERN” T-shirt to the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Representatives KATHLEEN RICE (D-NY4) and TOM SUOZZI (D-NY3) hosted the rally, which was held at the Yes We Can Community Center. It was one of several dozen Our First Stand rallies inspired by Senator Bernie Sanders throughout our country.

Westbury, New York, USA. January 15, 2017. Sitting in wheelchair, PEARL BERGER, 97, of Amityville, who has breast cancer and Parkinson's Disease, has an "I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD" pink shirt draped on her chest, at the "Our First Stand" Rally against Republicans repealing the Affordable Care Act, ACA, taking millions of people off health insurance, making massive cuts to Medicaid, and defunding Planned Parenthood. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. Sitting in wheelchair, PEARL BERGER, 97, of Amityville, who has breast cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, has an “I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD” pink shirt draped on her chest, at the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Speakers included officials from Nurses Association and Planned Parenthood, a young woman who underwent life & death cancer treatments, and a father whose young son needs continuing expensive medical care.

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. BRIDGIT SQUITIRE, of West Islip, holds a sign that asks:

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. BRIDGIT SQUITIRE, of West Islip, holds a sign that asks: “HEY DONALD, ARE YOU GONNA PAY FOR MY CHEMO-THERAPY?” at the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

The audience frequently clapped and shouted in support as each speaker shared how current health care benefits helped, and what the anticipated consequences were of repealing the Affordable Care Act, taking millions off health insurance, making massive cuts to Medicaid, or defunding Planned Parenthood.

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, KARLA BRADLEY, of Hempstead, and NIA ADAMS, of Hempstead, are wearing pink

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, KARLA BRADLEY, of Hempstead, and NIA ADAMS, of Hempstead, are wearing pink “I Stand with Planned Parenthood” T-shirts, and Adams holds sign “We want Care not CHAOS” at the “Our First Stand” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. ABAGAEL FAGAN, of Garden City, holds a sign

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. ABAGAEL FAGAN, of Garden City, holds a sign “Even VOLDEMORT Didn’t Defund St. Mungo’s” – referring to the main villain wizard and Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries in the Harry Potter series – at the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Westbury, New York, USA. January 15, 2017. L-R, Rabbi JUDITH COHEN-ROSENBERG, of Westbury; and KASSANDRA POLANCO of Massapequa, and CHERYL SCHRUEFER, of Hicksville, wear pink shirts and/or buttons and hold pink

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, Rabbi JUDITH COHEN-ROSENBERG, of Westbury; and KASSANDRA POLANCO of Massapequa, and CHERYL SCHRUEFER, of Hicksville, wear pink shirts and/or buttons and hold “I STAND WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD” signs at the “Our First Stand: Save Health Care” Rally. (© 2017 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Westbury, New York, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, RON MOTTA and his son ROBBY MOTTA, 11, who has major health care needs, of Huntington; Rep. KATHLEEN RICE; Rep. THOMAS SUOZZI; brunette cancer survivor; JUDI BOSWORTH, Supervisor Town of North Hempstead; and other speakers on stage wave to audience at end of

Westbury, NY, USA. Jan. 15, 2017. L-R, RON MOTTA and his son ROBBY MOTTA, 11, who has major health care needs, of Huntington; Rep. KATHLEEN RICE; Rep. THOMAS SUOZZI; brunette cancer survivor; JUDI BOSWORTH, Supervisor Town of North Hempstead; and other speakers on stage wave to audience at end of “Our First Stand Save Health Care” Rally. (© 20217 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Our First Rally: Save Health Care:  GALLERY

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