What’s In This Month’s Newsletter

• Upcoming October Meeting: Defending Democracy and Expanding Justice: our guest speakers Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and Robert Weiner… read more

• President’s Report: Do American voters care about corruption? That is a question that has been posed in the media over the past several weeks… read more

• From the Activism Chair: Republicans are intensifying their efforts to gain more congressional seats by carving up Democratic districts….read more

• Conversation with Caryl Schwartz  - Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Award Winner: Caryl Schwartz has been named the recipient of the 2025 Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Female Democrat of the Year for Assembly District 66… read more

• 2025 September Meeting Report: Topic: Resistance in the Face of Threat: Lessons from Other Democracies for Navigating the Trump Regime… read more

• Meet the Candidates Running for 24th District Senate Race: At the September meeting, seven candidates for the 24th District Senate race met with members - sharing their backgrounds and policy priorities… read more

• Call to Action: No Kings—Saturday, October 18 10:00 am-noon Torrance City Hall, Yes, on Prop 50: Election Rigging Response Act… read more

• Palos Verdes Democrats in Action: Whether you marched, rallied, protested, or waved a sign with flair, we’d love to see it! Send us your photo… read more

• LACDP September Meeting Recap: The LACDP meeting was held on Tuesday, September 9. This was the first meeting since the Election Rigging Response Act was passed by the California Legislature and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom… read more

• Color Me a Democrat: …read more

• Meet the Board: …read more

Upcoming October Meeting

Our Meeting Starts at 1:30 pm This Month!

By Louis Vandenberg

Defending Democracy and Expanding Justice: our guest speakers Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and Robert Weiner 

The Palos Verdes Democrats is proud to announce its October program, with stellar guest speakers who are devoted to democracy, justice, and civic leadership. 

Please note: In order to accommodate members wishing to attend the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Award Dinner, our meeting will start one hour early on Sunday, October 19th at 1:30 p.m.

Palos Verdes Democrats members and guests are invited to the Peninsula Center Library Community Room for an outstanding meeting featuring two exceptional speakers: Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, a dedicated advocate for Californians in the State Legislature, and  Robert Weiner, one of the nation’s foremost legal experts on voting rights. These distinguished speakers will offer their unique perspectives on the serious challenges and unique opportunities facing democracy at both the national and state levels in these perilous times.

Our program begins with Robert Weiner, whose distinguished career reflects decades of service at the highest levels of American law and government. Currently, the Director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Mr. Weiner, leads legal efforts to protect every citizen’s fundamental right to vote.

During the Biden administration, Mr. Weiner served as Senior Counsel in the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, working on litigation and policy aimed at safeguarding equal access to the ballot box. Earlier in his career, he held pivotal roles in the Clinton White House Counsel’s Office and later as Associate Deputy Attorney General from 2010–2012, where he oversaw the legal defense of the Affordable Care Act and managed sensitive constitutional issues for the Department of Justice.

A summa cum laude graduate of Princeton University and a Yale Law School J.D., Mr. Weiner clerked for Judge Henry J. Friendly and then for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. His private practice career has included landmark constitutional litigation, representation of sovereign nations, and authoring briefs for the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also served as President of the D.C. Bar Association, further underscoring his reputation as a leader among lawyers.

Mr. Weiner will discuss the current state of voting rights in America, examining both the threats that imperil democratic access and the strategies available to ensure an inclusive and fair electoral system.Following Mr. Weiner’s presentation, the Club will welcome California State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, who represents the South Bay communities of Los Angeles County.

Assemblymember Muratsuchi has long been recognized as a leader on issues ranging from education and civil rights to environmental protection and economic justice. As Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, he has championed resources for California’s public schools, working to ensure equitable opportunities for all students. His legislative record reflects a deep commitment to sustainability, clean energy, and social equity, making him one of California’s most respected progressive voices.

A former deputy attorney general and school board member, Muratsuchi understands the intersection of law, policy, and community needs. His remarks will highlight California’s role as a national model for progressive governance, illustrating how state leadership can advance civil rights, expand opportunity, and strengthen democracy. 

Why attend?  At a time when democracy faces unprecedented challenges, the Palos Verdes Democratic Club is honored to present these two outstanding speakers who courageously embody both the legal defense of constitutional rights and the practical work of state governance. 

President’s Report

By Tim Dixon

Do American voters care about corruption? That is a question that has been posed in the media over the past several weeks. This question is certainly relevant considering that Trump won his first term even after the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape that would have ended any other politician’s career.  

Trump won a second term even after leading an insurrection, being convicted of 34 felonies, business corruption, and sexual assault. And since taking office eight months ago,  Trump has so far gotten away with maintaining unprecedented conflicts of interest, accepting gifts from foreign governments, pardoning the 1,600  felons that attacked our Capitol on January 6, 2020, bypassing Congress to unilaterally  implement significant cuts in government programs and establish tariffs on imports, order states to gerrymander their congressional districts in the middle of the decade to get him additional seats in Congress, using the Department of Justice to seek revenge against political opponents, and monetizing the presidency to increase his personal wealth by billions.  

After all of this, it would be reasonable to conclude that American voters do not care about corruption.  Yet several public opinion polls consistently indicate that most Americans think that corruption is a serious problem in our government. So, if the polls are accurate, why hasn’t the unprecedented level of corruption brought down the Trump Administration?  

A lot has been reported about how Trump has attacked our institutions and broken down the guardrails that protect our democracy. But I think Trump’s most effective weapon has been that he refuses to be publicly shamed. Trump constantly lies about his actions, falsely accuses others of doing the things he is doing illegally, and has no remorse for his misdeeds. Further, Republicans in Congress have refused to perform their role to impose accountability, and the Trump majority on the Supreme Court has supported his actions.  

Larry Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, recently wrote about how brazen Trump’s corruption is when he stated that “it is a dangerous notion that, just because a president chooses to be corrupt in public openly, it’s OK. People say, well, if it were corrupt, it would be hidden. It is a false assumption, but many people have it.” 

Finally, the Trump base believes his lies without question, thinks he is not corrupt, or that allegations against him are part of a politically motivated "witch hunt".  

The threat to our democracy, freedom, and the institutions that protect America has never been greater. The Trump base will believe his lies and stick with him even if he “shoots someone on Fifth Avenue”,  Republicans in Congress and the Supreme Court  refuse to provide the necessary constitutional checks and balances, and actually support Trump’s conduct, and the Democrats in Congress are virtually powerless  since they are in the minority in  both the House and the Senate.  

So, is our Democratic Republic finished, or can we fight back? I would argue that we can fight back and resist this wannabe authoritarian. First, although we cannot convince the Trump base, when you poll all Americans, Trump is the most unpopular president in modern history, and as I mentioned earlier, many Americans do think that corruption in government is a serious problem. In special elections across the country, Democrats are winning open seats even in districts that previously voted by large margins for Trump. Further, in the last presidential election, the largest group of potential voters did not vote for Trump or Harris; they either did not register or stayed home. So, our challenge is not to change the minds of the Trump base, but instead to convince our fellow democrats, our friends, family, and our neighbors to register, participate, and vote. But to turn this around, we cannot rely on others. No one is going to ride in on a white horse to save us.  It is up to us!  

Our board and members at Palos Verdes Democrats are committed to resist and fight back and do whatever is necessary to save our democracy. Each month, our members are mobilizing and attending protests and rallies and fighting back. Last weekend, our club was a co-sponsor, and a significant number of our members participated in the “Hands Across the Coast” protest, with protesters lining Pacific Coast Highway from Dana Point to Santa Monica. Every month, there are opportunities for our members to fight back, to attend protests and rallies, to phone bank, write postcards to voters, and more.  

Political Scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan, in their book “Why Civil Resistance Works,” concluded that when 3.5 % of the citizens are engaged in non-violent resistance and protest, an authoritarian regime cannot survive.  

The challenge we face is not to succumb to desperation and frustration, but to get involved! Be part of that 3.5%. Help us combat Trump’s election rigging by supporting Proposition 50. Get involved in our activism campaign to win the elections this November and the mid-term elections next year.  If you can contribute financially to our campaigns, please consider contributing. If you can contribute a little of your time, do it. Our next big protest will be Second No Kings Day at Torrance City Hall on October 18 from 10 am to noon. We also have opportunities to phone bank on Proposition 50 - every day.  

Americans have faced challenges throughout our history that at times seemed insurmountable. Yet, the biggest factor that has brought about social and political change, even in our darkest days, has been when citizens take to the streets and protest, fight back, and resist. With your help, we can win this battle and return sanity and decency to America! 

From the Activism Chair

By Caryl Schwartz

Republicans are intensifying their efforts to gain more congressional seats by carving up Democratic districts. Trump called on Governor Abbott to secure five more GOP seats, and the Texas legislature delivered in a special session. Missouri delivered one seat, and the White House is pressuring Ohio (three potential seats), Florida, Indiana, and New Hampshire to do the same. This is why it is so critical that Proposition 50 passes in California. 

Trump is also intensifying his efforts to use the levers of the U.S. government for retribution. Nothing illustrates this more clearly than the recent indictment of former FBI Director Comey, just five days before the statute of limitations would have expired. Erik Siebert, appointed by Trump in January, was ousted for resisting pressure to bring charges against Comey and others. The indictment came days after Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue his political opponents and perceived enemies more aggressively. Trump has also accused former FBI Director Christopher Wray of “inappropriate” behavior, which the DOJ is now investigating. 

Another example of targeting political rivals is the New Jersey gubernatorial race, where Democrat Mikie Sherrill’s private military records and other personal information were improperly released to Trump-endorsed GOP rival Jack Ciattarelli. Now, anyone running for office or any prominent adversary who lands in Trump’s crosshairs risks having their personal data exposed. 

It was unprecedented for the Secretary Hegseth to summon all the top military brass worlwide to Virginia for an in-person meeting. Trump told the U.S. military convened in Quantico the "inner cities" should be used as "training Grounds" for the military.  The evidence of this redefinition of "battlefield" and "enemy" is Chicago.  In the middle of the night the government staged a multi-agency raid on an apartment building utilizing flash-bang grenades, military vehicles and a Black Hawk helicopter.  Imagine the trauma of this night time attack.  There were undressed innocent children, parents and residents of the building who were zip-tied for hours as militarized forces searched for "illegal" immigrants and drug cartels.

In good news, Democrat Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva won a special congressional election in Arizona, and Democrats are winning special elections throughout the country. Unfortunately, she cannot be sworn in until the House is in session. 

Not having the House in session stalls possible shutdown negotiations and a vote on the Epstein files. Grijalva’s signature should trigger a floor vote on the Epstein files. Johnson is working hard to prevent that vote and is pressuring GOP members to withdraw their names from the petition they signed. Hmmm—what is Trump hiding? 

After Republican refusals to negotiate on stopgap continuing resolution (CR) we are  now experiencing a government shutdown.   The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), run by Russell Vought, chief architect of Project 2025, has seized more executive authority over spending, a role typically handled by Congress. 

Examples of OMB’s actions include canceling foreign aid and withholding billions in domestic spending previously appropriated. In an act of political extortion, OMB issued a memo instructing government agencies to prepare for permanent layoffs in the event of a shutdown - an effort to dismantle government functions. 

The GOP seems to prefer shutdowns to bipartisan negotiations, likely believing it will be advantageous to blame Democrats on Truth Social and Fox News. In reality, health care in America will become more expensive and less accessible without an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies and restoration of nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts in OBBBA. 

Senate Democrats also seek to restore funding to public broadcasting, limit the Trump regime’s ability to rescind congressionally approved funds, reverse the funding freezes enacted by the regime, and allocate resources for increased security for judges and lawmakers. 

Come January, OBBBA allocates over $300 billion to ICE for detention, enforcement, deportation, and border security. Support Democrats in the Senate who are working to reallocate some of that money to public health in this country. 

Our democracy is more than a constitution. It is a covenant - a promise we make to one another to share this country, even when we have different ideologies and disagreements. In the past, Congress worked in a bipartisan manner. The current Republican Party has abandoned that covenant, embraced corruption, and chosen authoritarianism. We must resist by doing all we can to fight this corruption and authoritarian regime. 

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

Conversation with Caryl Schwartz  - Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Award Winner  

By Jeannie Hahn

Caryl Schwartz: Female Democrat of the Year for District 66 

Caryl Schwartz has been named the recipient of the 2025 Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Female Democrat of the Year for Assembly District 66. This honor, given by the California Democratic Party, recognizes individuals whose activism and courage have been vital in defending democracy. 

Caryl has always been a whirlwind of energy - leading phone banks, organizing rallies and protests, canvassing, and showing up as a familiar, comforting presence at nearly every major event, from Hands Off to No Kings to the recent California Strong protests. Now, once again, Caryl is at the forefront, leading the fight for Yes on Prop 50. She has been integral part of the Palos Verdes Democrats as the Activism Chair. Between saving democracy, being a proud grandmother, and hitting the gym, Caryl still found time to sit down and answer a few questions. 

Can you share your history of activism and the Democrat Party?   

In 1972, I was a summer college intern for Common Cause in Washington, D.C. I worked on two issues: gun control legislation and D.C. home rule. 

I became politically active again with Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016. At that time, large house parties were common—we used paper and pencils to call voters. Today, phone banking is much more effective with predictive dialers and computers. 

After the election, I got involved with the Gun Sense Action Network, the voter outreach program for Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety. I became a volunteer trainer (pre-Zoom days!) and have been consistently involved in voter outreach, lobbying on issues, and supporting election campaigns ever since. 

Which activism event or activity are you most proud of or feel had the biggest impact? 

For the 2022 Congressional races, I organized successful canvassing events every weekend that our Club members participated in. PV Dems worked on two campaigns, David Min and Derek Tran. Both campaigns were victorious. It felt great to flip MAGA Michelle Steel's seat from Red to Blue. I was involved with ballot curing, the process that allows voters to fix issues with their vote-by-mail ballot, most often a missing or mismatched signature. Derek Tran won by 653 votes, a direct result of the curing. 

Why is activism so important today?   

It is critical to be involved in pro-democracy activism. We cannot normalize authoritarianism. We cannot become desensitized to Trump’s antics and the horror of this Regime. ICE is a cancer on our society that must be defunded. 

What is your hope for the future for the Democrats party and the nation?   

Democrats must continue to overperform in special elections and in 2026 gain a majority in the House of Representatives to fight back against this authoritarian regime. For Democrats, messaging is to be clear and speak truth in our upside-down world. To see our nation united rather than polarized.  

Final Thoughts?  

We are in a battle for our country's future. By building bridges together, we can bring change. 

The Palos Verdes Democrats and our nation are incredibly fortunate to have Caryl’s unstoppable passion and dedication. Time and again, she has shown how one person’s energy and courage can spark real change. Caryl’s achievements inspire us all, and we are beyond proud and deeply grateful to celebrate her as the winner for 2025 Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Female Democrat of the Year for Assembly District 66 and part of our PV Dems family. 

Award Dinner:  Sunday, October 19th, 2025 
Sheraton Universal Hotel 
333 Universal Hollywood Drive 
Universal City, CA 91608 

 5:00 to 7:00PM | Honoree Reception 

6:00 to 7:00PM | VIP & Sponsor Reception 

7:00PM | Main Event 

 Tickets - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/rooseveltawards2025 

2025 September Meeting Report

By Jeannie Hahn

Meet the Candidates Running for 24th District Senate Race 

By Jeannie Hahn 

At the September meeting, seven candidates for the 24th District Senate race met with members - sharing their backgrounds and policy priorities. This marks the first time in twelve years that our senate district has had an open seat. To learn more about each candidate, please visit their website.    

To watch the video, please click here.

Eric Alegria - https://ericalegria.org 

Amaris Dordar - https://amarisdordaresqforsenate.la 

John Erickson - https://www.johnerickson4senate.com 

Ellen Evans - https://www.ellen4senate.com 

Brittany McKinley - https://brittanyforsenate.com 

Mike Newhouse - https://www.newhouse4ca.com 

Sion Roy -  https://drsionroyforsenate.com 

Call to Action

Take Action to Protect Democracy

By Caryl Schwartz

IN PERSON EVENTS: 

No Kings 

Saturday, October 18 10:00 am-noon Torrance City Hall 

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/839863/?utm_source=50501  

Yes, on Prop 50: Election Rigging Response Act 

https://stopelectionrigging.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22972371338 

If Californians don’t act now, Donald Trump will seize total power for two more years. Red states are activelycarving up Democratic districts for GOP Congressional seats.  Fight Back and level the playing field. 

Actions:  Canvass: Election Rigging Response Act 

Studies have shown that turnout increases by up to 9 percentage points through door-to-door canvassing! 

Virtual Training for Canvassing: 

https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/817292/ 

Canvass Events for Prop 50 

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/838937/ 

https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/838175/ 

Phonebanks for Prop 50: phonebanks are running daily at various times. 

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/836537/ 

https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/833391/ 

https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/833990/ 

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 State legislature.  Primary June 17th, General and Special Elections Nov. 4. 2025 

Listening to Virginia Rural Voters: 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

Palos Verdes Democrats in Action 

Whether you marched, rallied, protested, or waved a sign with flair, we’d love to see it! Send us your photo and a short description, and you could be featured in our next newsletter. Email to PCFA2637@gmail.com 

LACDP September Meeting Recap

By Jon Munoz

The LACDP meeting was held on Tuesday, September 9. This was the first meeting since the Election Rigging Response Act was passed by the California Legislature and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The act allows the state legislature to draw new congressional district maps to counter partisan gerrymandering in Republican-led states like Texas. It also calls for a special election on November 4, with the ballot measure titled Proposition 50. 

After speeches regarding the ballot measure, a vote was taken, and the LACDP voted unanimously to endorse it. Emphasis was placed on the urgency of the special election and the importance of canvassing, phone banking, and community engagement. 

Steven T. Auclair, Chairperson of the Ventura Democratic Club, gave a detailed presentation on a recent ICE raid in Ventura County—the second largest in the U.S. He described how the Democratic Club has established a rapid-response team and stressed that Ventura County has been largely overlooked in media coverage of ICE raids. 

It was later announced that on September 20 at MacArthur Park, the “Liberty Vans” initiative would launch. These rapid-response vehicles will monitor and document ICE activity, led by the Save America Movement (SAM). 

In addition to the November 4 special election, other key dates were noted: September 16 for National Voter Registration Day (at USC) and October 18 for another No King’s Rally. Lastly, members were reminded of the 65th Annual Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Awards, to be held on Sunday, October 19 at the Sheraton Universal. Palos Verdes Democrats Board Member and Activism Chair Caryl Schwartz will be among the honorees. 

The next LACDP meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14. 

Color Me a Democrat

By Fraser Perkins