Defending Democracy and Expanding Justice: our guest speakers Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi and Robert Weiner
by Louis Vandenberg, PV Dems 2nd Vice President
Please Note: In order to accommodate members wishing to attend the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Awards Dinner honoring our own Activism Chair, Caryl Schwartz, our meeting will start an hour early at 1:30 pm!
The Palos Verdes Democratic Club is proud to announce its October program, with stellar guest speakers who are devoted to democracy, justice, and civic leadership.
On Sunday, October 19th at 1:30 p.m., PV Club members and guests are invited to the Palos Verdes Library 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.