Some good news, more action items and an author reveal...
Let's all be in this together; just pick your lane.
If you haven’t heard…
This is not over until the NCBOE certifies the election and the GOP has 7 days to appeal. There has already been one amicus brief filed by a right wing group. We wait and see and we continue to be ready to fight.
Independent journalist Bryan Anderson deserves much credit for this ruling; he actually went to Guilford County, knocked on doors and found a number of those who were named “never residents” by Griffin who actually live in NC, calling into question all of their already questionable assertions. His newsletter is for paid subscribers and he is worth supporting as an independent journalist And, here is a gift link from the NYT as well.
ACTION ITEMS
More events on the Durham Resistance Hub. Find it here.
Protests at Tesla, bridges and more on Moblize
Sign up to volunteer with Justice Anita Earls’ re-election campaign. Arguably the most important race in NC in 2026. secure.numero.ai/signup… As we are seeing, judicial races are ESSENTIAL in keeping our democracy alive.
Monday, May 5th, 7-9 AM, IN PERSON - Protest Avelo Airlines at RDU airport. They have contracted with ICE to deport people from the US (the majority with no due process). Sign up here.
Wednesday, May 7th, 5:45 PM - VIRTUAL. Phone bank for Sen. Terence Everitt (SD18) & Rep. Bryan Cohn (HD32) all through May, starting with the Phone Bank Kickoff 5/7 at 5:45 on Zoom. Sign up here.
Thursday, May 8th, 6:30-8 PM. Co-hosted by Southern Coalition of Social Justice and You Can Vote, this will be both a gathering and voter registration training. Sign up here. Co-hosted with If you can’t make it, they will be having Virtual Voter Registration & Empowerment Trainings coming up in May. All YCV volunteers must attend a 2025 training before volunteering at one of our upcoming events. Click here to find a training.
Friday May 9, 9:30-11 Durham Senior Dems: Advocacy & Action sign up here
Canvassing in Durham every weekend sign up here
Wednesday, May 14th, 12 PM - 2 PM (subject to change), IN PERSON. Pack the NCGA with NC Democrats - sign up here as this may be subject to change. It’s always fund to go to the NCGA.
Thursday, May 15th, 5:30-7 PM, IN PERSON in Durham. At a gastropub! C2C+NoC Spring Happy Hour. Featuring NC Representative Bryan Cohn (HD32) and Angie Thornton (Chair, Vance County Democratic Party). Join and find out how to take action now! Sign up here.
KEEP CALLING EVERY DAY YOU CAN
The House and the Senate are now in the process of reconciliation, or trying to combine one bill from each chamber into one big mess for the American people and one big giveaway for the ultrawealthy.
WE NEED TO STOP THEM FROM GUTTING MEDICAID, SNAP AND THE ACA.
CALL Tillis and Budd every day to oppose any budget that includes Medicaid cuts. The bill is advancing and Trump wants to sign it by Memorial Day. Here’s background info if you want it.
Thom Tillis: D.C. (202) 224-6342 Raleigh (919) 856-4630 Charlotte (704) 509-9087
Ted Budd: D.C. 202-224-3154 Raleigh 984-349-5061 Wilmington 910-218-7600
Script:
This is (name) and I am a constituent from (zip). I want to ask the Senator to vote AGAINST any budget which threatens Medicaid, SNAP and the ACA to give tax cuts to billionaires. Does the Senator really want to take health insurance from kids with disabilities, who depend on Medicaid for their services, and from elders who live in assisted care facilities? Does the Senator want kids who depend on SNAP and free school lunches to go hungry, in the United States of America? Just so a billionaire can buy another yacht or rocket ship? That is shameful.
The Senator should work for the people in this state, not a bunch of wealthy selfish people who don’t care about anyone else.
Thank you.
Or, use 5calls.org
another script:
Seven rural hospitals, or 12% of all rural hospitals in NC, will be at risk of closing if MAGA cuts Medicaid to give tax cuts to billionaires. Read more below, but call our Senators say, “NO cuts to Medicaid. No closures of rural hospitals in North Carolina. Billionaires have enough money. Your constituents need health care.”
and/or
Continue to call about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, about Social Security and the VA, about Pete Hegseth. Pick one, any one, and just call. Our voices are what we have, for now.
Another group to explore: RED WINE & BLUE NC
If you aren’t aware of this group, it’s another option for activism! Check out their website. They have rapid response teams, organizing your networks training, and many more ways to get involved. If you want to work at a LOCAL or STATE level, this is a great group to join.
Are you part of our NCGA Brigade yet? You can join us at the NC assembly to fight against extremist bills that hurt our families. Sign up here!
Also, remember SiembraNC, a group defending our Latin communities from ICE, stop abusive policies that impact our gente, and resources to empower Latines in NC to show up and show out. Sign up for their newsletters and/or to volunteer.
FOR NCGA actions: From Democracy Out Loud: Mark Swallow leads a Legislative Response Team which tracks and researches these bills and shows up at committee hearings. If you would like to join that group, email Mark at DemocracyOutLoud@gmail.com.
Author reveal…
Dear Durham Dems Action readers,
I had the idea for this newsletter back in February, when I felt the need to put out a call for folks to show up, take action and join this fight. The Durham Democrats communications team and leadership allowed me to use the Durham Dems logo to create this platform. I have always used “we,” in writing these, as I do believe we are all in this together, and I’ve tried to speak for the many Durham Democrats. There are so many of us in in this county, all volunteers. We give our time, expertise and energy, and often our hard earned treasure, to ensure that our democracy remains strong. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this community.
I have also used “we” because I borrow from other newsletters: Bull City Indivisible, Democracy Out Loud, and many others send me action items to post. I get inspiration and guidance from a greater community; all of us are together in this work.
Why am I shedding anonymity now? Thirty-one newsletters and several months later, I wanted to let you all know that when I talk about “picking your lane,” this is what I mean. I am just one person, but I picked my lane. I like to write, I like to gather and disseminate information. I have fun writing these; from the feedback I have received, they have been of use to others.
As we move forward over the coming months, there will be much work to do, together. We need to re-elect Justice Anita Earls. We need to keep the pressure on in Washington and Raleigh. We will have rallies, protests, marches…and phone banks and canvassing. Pick ONE thing you can do.
If you have any feedback on this letter, or action items, know that there is a real person who writes these and reads your comments and answers your questions.
with immense gratitude for you all,
Mindy Oshrain
SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 14
A number of volunteers are beginning work to organize a very special event on June 14 in downtown Durham. We will soon be putting out a call for more folks to help, and will let you know details as soon as we figure them out! Mobilize link coming soon.
P.S.
With all the talk about self care during these times, honestly some days doesn’t it feel like this? Read only if you like really dark humor.
“LOWELL, MA—Doing her best to follow her therapist’s advice for dealing with stressful situations, area woman Holly Debling reportedly reminded herself Tuesday not to catastrophize after she spotted four skeletal horsemen on the horizon. “Okay, Holly, remember: Just because a great trumpet has sounded at the arrival of four unearthly riders, that doesn’t necessarily mean something bad is going to happen,” said Debling, who, as a great cloud of locusts poured forth from one horseman’s mouth and darkened the skies, added that keeping a cool head would be helpful whether or not the seas and rivers turning to blood became an issue for her….”
Finally, let’s lead with both love and strength. We are all in this together.
So glad you picked this lane, Mindy!
Thank you, Mindy! It’s a great newsletter!