Hundreds turn out for the first Orange County Democratic Party meeting three days after Trump’s Inauguration
Party plans to organize actions around the county to fight for justice and equality, and against damaging laws passed by the Republican administration
Orlando, FL- Over 218 local Orange County citizens attended a standing room only Orange County Democratic Executive Committee (OCDEC) meeting this past Monday, just two days after the Women’s March on Washington and three days after President Trump’s inauguration. This figure is almost triple the usual number of attendees at the monthly OCDEC meetings, usually held on the third Monday of the month at 7pm at the IBEW union hall on Virginia Ave.
The Orange County Democratic Executive Committee is made of local precinct committeemen and women charged with helping turn out the vote in their local neighborhoods among democrats and also to help organize and champion democratic issues in their local networks. Currently about 33% of the seats are filled and newly elected chair Wes Hodge is working with members to recruit new precinct captains to join the OCDEC.
“There is an incredible energy right now among our citizens – people want to get involved and take action together in this new era of Trump. We must stand together and fight against the damaging cuts to the Affordable Care Act, the dissolution of the Climate Action Plan and ending regulations for clean water and air, and fight for equality for all people.” said Wes Hodge, Chair of the Orange County Democratic Party.
“With a full capacity DEC, we can make a huge difference not only to Orange County’s turnout among democrats, but potentially the entire state, especially with the upcoming Florida State Governor and US Senate races.” he continued.
“We will work to empower and train our precinct committee members. As President Obama once said, change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” he said. “If this continues, and I hope it will, I think we are going to need a bigger room.”
Three resolutions were also passed at this meeting, urging local democrats to oppose cuts to the Affordable Healthcare Act in a state where there has been one of the highest enrollments for healthcare insurance, oppose cuts to Planned Parenthood, and to support the Equal Rights Amendment in the Florida State legislature.
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The mission of the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee is to promote the values and principles of the Democratic Party and elect Democratic candidates by encouraging civic participation and providing tools for effective political action, and officially represent Orange County Democrats.
For these purposes, we associate ourselves to carry on the continuing organization of the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee (Orange County DEC). We urge all of those who want to stand up to for Orange County to join us at our monthly meetings to plan, organize, and to stay involved in the political process. www.orangefldemocrats.com
