Upcoming August Meeting

By Louis Vandenberg

Join us on Sunday, August 17, at 2 pm, for one of the most anticipated and enlightening events on the PV Dems calendar: our Annual Supreme Court Term Review. This year’s program takes on historic urgency as we examine the U.S. Supreme Court’s momentous 2024–25 term—a term defined by deeply consequential decisions, ideological entrenchment, and the accelerating erosion of democratic norms.

With Donald Trump in his second term, executing the radical Project 2025 blueprint to remake America into an authoritarian kleptocracy—and with a compliant Supreme Court, led by a Chief Justice who seems to have abandoned the ideal of calling “balls and strikes”—we face a dangerous and transformative moment in American history.

Judge Tom Long, longtime PV Dem, sitting Los Angeles Superior Court judge, and former two-term Mayor and City Councilmember of Rancho Palos Verdes, returns to lead this powerful session. Judge Long will guide us through the decisions, the Justices behind them, the political undercurrents, and the real-world consequences. As part of the program, Judge Long will present video highlights from the 2025 UC Irvine School of Law’s Supreme Court Review Panel, featuring Dean Erwin Chemerinsky and other nationally respected legal scholars. What makes this event unique is the added value of Judge Long’s expert commentary, background insight, and sharp legal analysis—context you won’t get anywhere else. Why attend? Because as Democratic activists, we must understand not only what the opposition is doing—but how they’re doing it, and how we fight back. This event is insightful, dramatic, and essential. Don’t miss it—in person or on Zoom.

President’s Report

By Tim Dixon

I want to thank the board for electing me to serve as the new President of Palos Verdes Democrats. In this new role, I pledge to do my best, along with the rest of the board to advance the mission of our club, the Democratic Party, and to promote our democratic values. I would also like to thank our board for volunteering their time to serve in the new term, and to the board members, and everyone who volunteered to make our recent annual meeting and picnic a success.   

I happen to be writing my first column as the new president from Athens, Greece, the “Cradle of Democracy.” Visiting this place where democracy was first founded in the 6th Century BC is incredible. Walking in the ruins where democracy was first established and where Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundation for Western philosophy, including critical thinking, ethics, logic, empirical observation, physics, biology, and politics is awe-inspiring.   

As I experience this place, it is unfortunately hard not to be disheartened by the contrast of what is going on at home in America. Wannabe Dictator Trump is implementing his hateful, harmful, and intolerant “Project 2025” agenda with the Supreme Court and Republicans in Congress rubber-stamping his horrible agenda. Trump’s MAGA cult blindly follows their leader, regardless of how outrageous his policies and the rhetoric he spews with no logic, empirical observation, or critical thinking.   

But what keeps me hopeful is that even when the brightest minds were forming the first democracy in the 6th Century BC, they were not perfect, and neither was their society. They established the first democracy, but only men could participate and vote. Our founding fathers followed in those footsteps. But since the founding of America, we have been in search of a “more perfect union.” Some periods of American history have seen incredible progress; other periods have been very dark. The one constant that has produced progressive change has been participation and activism by our citizens.   

For over 70 years, Palos Verdes Democrats has been fighting for progressive change and standing up to intolerance. I believe each of us, in these troubling times, has an obligation to step up and fight for our democracy. If you are not a member of the PV Dems club, consider joining. If you are a member of our club, consider looking for ways to get more involved and encourage your friends and family to get involved. Just like the Greeks, the founders of our country and the previous generations of Americans and members of our club found that when we mobilize, participate, and fight, intolerance cannot win, and wannabe dictators do not survive.   

Renew Your Membership Now

It's time to renew your membership for the 2025-26 club year! Your dues are essential in supporting our initiatives to further the Democratic Party agenda. The strength of Palos Verdes Democrats is directly tied to the number of active paying members. Memberships run from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. Dues are $30 for individuals and $50 for families, with optional additional contributions greatly appreciated. To renew, please visit: https://www.pvpdemocrats.org/membership

From the Activism Chair

By Caryl Schwartz

Mobile Fortify recently came to my attention. It is a new internal ICE facial recognition app that links government databases from the State Department, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the FBI, and various state records into a single tool. It allows agents to conduct real-time facial recognition and fingerprint scanning during field operations using their cell phones. There is also the potential for ICE to add commercially available databases in the future. The Department of Homeland Security’s broader Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT) currently contains biometric records on over 270 million individuals. Disturbingly, there appears to be no current policy or oversight structures in place to regulate Mobile Fortify. Welcome to the police state. Immigrants are the test case. I wonder who is next? We must pressure elected Democrats to enforce privacy protections and pass legislation regulating the use of Mobile Fortify. 

The Trump administration, through the USDA and DOJ, is pressuring states to turn over five years of sensitive personal data on individuals receiving SNAP benefits. The requested data includes names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, and detailed information about household members, including their immigration status. Twenty-one Democratic Attorney Generals and the state of Kentucky are challenging this order. 

According to Reuters, the DOJ is exploring bringing criminal charges against Minnesota judges and defense attorneys who are requesting virtual court hearings to protect defendants from being arrested by ICE. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-considered-charging-minnesota-judges-lawyers-immigration-crackdown-sources-2025-07-16/  

The Republican Party has become the party of election deniers and vote suppressors. Governor Abbott of Texas presumably called a special legislative session to address flooding. Instead, the focus was on mid-cycle redistricting with precision gerrymandering designed to secure five additional Republican congressional seats in Texas for the 2026 midterms. If this tactic succeeds in Texas, rest assured that other red states will follow. 

Marc Elias of Democracy Docket stresses that states run by Democrats enact pro-voting measures this year and use their legislative power under the U.S. Constitution to make their voting procedures resistant to Trump’s meddling.  Fight fire with fire; states with Democratic majorities should explore reducing or eliminating Republican leaning congressional districts in their states.  

There is a coordinated effort to bury the Epstein files. Mike Johnson adjourned the House of Representatives early to avoid a vote on releasing the files. How many times and in what context is Donald Trump mentioned in the Epstein files? One thousand FBI agents are combing the files to remove his name. Deputy Attorney General, former personal attorney Todd Blanche, met with Maxwell for two days last week. Hmmm, is there a pardon in the works?  

Meanwhile, Trump is working on changing the narrative, falsely claiming that Obama committed treason in 2016. The DOJ has announced the deployment of a “strike force” to investigate. Trump is also suggesting that Biden, Harris, former FBI Director James Comey, and former Attorney General Merrick Garland planted fake evidence against him. 

Mike Whatley, former RNC Chair, election denier, and voter suppressor endorsed by Trump, is running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina. Former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper just announced his candidacy for the same seat. I strongly urge donations to Roy Cooper's war chest.  

https://roycooper.com/  

More than ever, it is important that we as Democrats financially support pro-democracy organizations.  Groups to support include Democracy Docket, Democracy Forward, Common Cause, ACLU, and Fair Fight.  

Training:  

One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/803953/  

In-Person Events:  

Every Sunday 10:30 am - Noon, Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Protests Every Sunday · Indivisible

Rage Against the Regime Rally: August 2, 2025, 11 am-2 pm
https://www.mobilize.us/citizensagainstyranny/event/816769/  

Show up at Hotels where ICE agents are staying and make some Noise  

Fundraiser: Support Virginia Democrats' Campaigns: Saturday, Sept. 20 @ 6 PM in Los Angeles
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ca-for-va-2025  

Virtual Phone Banks:  

Oppose The SAVE Act:  The SAVE Act is a confusing, costly, and dangerous proposal that would make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. It would eliminate online voter registration in most states and shut down the voter registration drives that many communities rely on. This bill would hit millions of Americans, including seniors, veterans, students, women, and rural voters. hard. https://www.mobilize.us/commoncause/event/758610/  

This campaign is using a predictive dialer that enables you to speak to up to ten voters in an hour and patch them through to voice their opinion to their representative.  

Virginia Statewide Elections: Executive branch, House of Delegates, and State Senate. We need a trifecta in the state to reverse damage from Republican Governor Youngkin and maintain or increase our one-seat majorities in the State legislature. General and Special Elections Nov. 4, 2025  

Listening to Virginia Rural Voters: the campaign uses a predictive dialer and is a favorite of mine.  
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/792680/  

Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger
 https://abigailspanberger.com/  
https://www.mobilize.us/grassrootsdemocratslahq/event/774353/ 

Virginia Democrats
https://vademocrats.org/volunteer2025/  

Hands Off Our Healthcare: Thursdays 4 PM  
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/813491/  

Immigrant assistance:  

• You can download a printable sheet that outlines what to do if ICE comes to the door here. These can also be ordered as “red cards.   

• Here’s a sheet that explains how to identify ICE vehicles and what to do if you see them.    

• Here are more ways to help immigrants.  

• South Bay for All – Raising rental aid for immigrant neighbors and helping them run their businesses safely from home. Instagram | southbayforall@gmail.com  

• Gardena Guardians – Standing in solidarity with Gardena's immigrant community, providing resources and advocacy. Instagram  

• HILL – Supporting day laborers and immigrant families. Instagram | hillresponseteam@gmail.com  

• Harbor Area Peace Patrols – A collective of concerned Harbor residents patrolling neighborhoods to defend neighbors from ICE/DHS, sharing Know Your Rights information. Instagram  

• CHIRLA – A California leader advocating for immigrant rights since 1986, building a just society, inclusive of immigrants. Website: Please donate to our CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights - Los Angeles) fundraiser. Money raised will help this highly regarded non-profit to help inform immigrants of their legal rights.We have raised just over half of our $5,000 goal.  

• CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) – Mobilizing the faith community to stand with workers and families for dignity and justice. Website  

• Immigrant Defenders Law Center – A social justice law firm defending immigrant communities from injustices in the immigration system. Website  

• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – Training advocates, shaping policy, and empowering immigrants through civic engagement and Know Your Rights tools. Website 

For additional Activism options and opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me @pvcaryl@verizon.net or 310-897-0219. 

Thank-you,
Caryl Schwartz
Activism Chair

Notes from the LACDP July Meeting

By Jon Munoz

The LACDP meeting was held on Tuesday, July 8th. The meeting was held in the Palmdale offices of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. This was the first monthly meeting to take place in various areas of LA County. LACDP Chair, Mark Ramos, spoke about the necessity, especially in the current climate of ICE raids, for Democrats to unite behind the “97% of issues that we agree on.” 

The special guest speaker was U.S. Representative George Whitesides, who represents the 27th Congressional District, which includes Palmdale. Rep. Whitesides spoke of the massive effort that helped get him elected last year. He also emphasized the importance of his 2026 reelection race in helping ensure the House turns Democrat. 

On the legislative front, all the recommendations from the legal committee were adopted by LACDP.  Among these was support for AB 627, the bill that would ban law enforcement officials from wearing any facial coverings. Support for AB 84, a bill introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi that calls for increased school accountability measures, was also affirmed. It was confirmed that the Roosevelt Awards will be held this fall, with more details to follow. There was more discussion about the Strategic Task Force for Action, Navigation and Defense Committee (STAND). The leadership of STAND was confirmed – it will be led by Nico Gardener Serna and Jane Wishon. The first STAND monthly meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 29th. The next LACDP meeting will be on Tuesday, September 9th.    

From the Treasurer

By Paul Klose

The 2025 edition of our annual picnic was a resounding success. We had a dozen excellent and interesting speakers. There were 160 attendees, and we successfully raised a significant amount of money to help the Palos Verdes Democrats support candidates and important causes. Thanks to everybody who attended, and a special thanks to those who included an additional contribution with their ticket purchase. Also, we heard that the ice cream truck was popular, so expect it again when we see you next year. 

Color Me a Democrat

By Fraser Perkins