Well, I meant to send that to the COC email list, but I was going to come here and say pretty much the same thing.
From this forwarded message below, Valerie Sarwark wrote to us: "The Convention Oversight Committee is essentially committing suppression of delegates by attempting to force an in-person convention."
Force? Suppression of delegates? Those of differing opinions are attempting to achieve their desired result, too. Is that force? We're getting a lot of email these days, and it's easy to skim and miss details, so I wanted to highlight this. The demonizing of the COC is as shameful as it is absurd. -Alicia On Sun, May 3, 2020 at 10:28 PM Alicia Mattson <alicia.mattson@lp.org> wrote:
Forwarding for those of you not on the LNC. The rhetoric being spewed about the COC is becoming more and more outrageous. There was quite a bit of it flung around during the Bylaws and Rules Committee meeting today as well...
-Alicia
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: justin.odonnell--- via Lnc-business <lnc-business@hq.lp.org> Date: Sun, May 3, 2020 at 12:01 PM Subject: [Lnc-business] Fwd: Request for LNC Consideration To: <lnc-business@hq.lp.org> Cc: <justin.odonnell@lp.org>
Attached is a letter to the LNC from a Region 8 Member and New Hampshire delegate for the LNC's consideration.
Justin O'Donnell LNC Region 8 Representative
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Valerie Sarwark Date: May 3, 2020 2:55 PM Subject: Request for LNC Consideration To: Justin.Odonnell@lp.org Cc: Pat.Ford@lp.org
Justin,
As my regional representative, please forward this letter to the LNC business list.
Pat,
Thank you for your responsible "no" vote in yesterday's meeting.
****
Dear Members of the Board,
I am a delegate to the National Convention representing the state of New Hampshire. This is the third convention to which I have the great privilege of serving as a delegate.
I would like you to strongly consider retaining the original convention dates and move to an electronic business meeting. The nomination of presidential ticket and LNC positions should be filled as soon as possible to ensure we have the strongest start to Election Day (which is only 180 days from now).
The Convention Oversight Committee is essentially committing suppression of delegates by attempting to force an in-person convention. The country is in the middle of a pandemic with many states not even open for gatherings of over 10 people. The country is in the middle of an economic collapse with millions unemployed and unable to pay rent. You are now asking these people to somehow rearrange their schedules, spend more money and potentially put their lives at risk.
In addition to the financial constraints on many of our delegates (the majority of which are dues-paying members of the party), you are not considering those affected by scheduling as far as their children. I have spent YEARS as active as possible and trying to make the party a more welcoming place for families. Although both my husband and I have been able to work through this time, it seems financially irresponsible to drag the entire family to a yet-to-be-determined site. With so many that are in the same situation (or potentially worse off), would you feel comfortable asking them to go into debt just so they can have their voices heard?
We’ve all blocked this time. We’re all ready for this meeting. We all want to participate but we are now being told that we have to reschedule everything within a couple of weeks. We are in the middle of an emergency and forcing people to shuffle their schedules, lives, and finances around is quite ridiculous. This isn’t about courage or principles. This is about doing the best thing for the delegates that represent the party. Other political meetings with greater participants have already occurred. Shouldn’t we show the world that we are serious, considerate, innovative and ready to adapt?
The best choice for some is not the best choice for all. An online convention, held Memorial Day weekend, will not exclude delegates. You need to consider the right thing to do for ALL of the delegates.
Sincerely, Valerie A. Sarwark