Category Archives: advisories

American Indian Indigenous Proclamation 2024 by DPCCC

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American Indian Indigenous Proclamation 2024 in Celebration of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November 1 – 30, 2024; California Native American Day, September 27, 2024; Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 14, 2024; and National Day of Recognition of Native American Heritage, November 29, 2024

WHEREAS California is comprised of 109 federally recognized Native American Tribal Nations in 34 counties* and these federally recognized tribes are hosts of the lands in California that have more federally recognized tribes than any other state in the US, with the acknowledgment that there are also many tribes that are unrecognized in California; and

WHEREAS Native American history spans thousands of years throughout our continent, pre-dating the establishment of the United States of America, and the contributions of the Indigenous tribes to our way of living are vast, from food, spiritual practices, healing practices, languages, government and political contributions, protectors of the land and other natural resources, writers, athletes, thespians, political pioneers, veterans, artists, scientists, knowledge keepers of the Native Universe past and present and developers and contributors of the National Museum of the American Indian; and

WHEREAS the diversity that exists within the tribes of California Native Americans is shown in their contributions to new and improved educational resources and curriculum that is provided by the State’s History-Social Studies frameworks for K-12 public schools, including updated and broad information on the history and culture of the original inhabitants of California; and

WHEREAS we can never undo the wrongs that were inflicted on the people who lived on these lands known as the state of California, and even the language we use to discuss these issues is fraught and can carry colonial history in our mouths, but despite these things, we can work together to build fair, respectful and balanced coalitions that speak the truth about California’s past to begin to heal the deep trauma, loss and grief; and

WHEREAS Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order apologizing for the violence, mistreatment and neglect inflicted upon California Native Americans throughout the State’s history, establishing a Truth and Healing Council to correct the historical records of California Native Americans;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes and fully supports California Native American Day on the fourth Friday of September, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the National Day of Recognition of Native American Heritage and American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, in the month of November, and participates in local efforts to right the wrongs of the past.

Original proclamation submitted by Debra Vinson, Choctaw, CADEM, Finance Committee Member, AD11, DPCCC, District III Elected Representative, ECCDC Founder and Chair in 2021

Revised by DPCCC Issues Committee, September 2023; Reviewed, September 2024

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 17, 2024

California List of Tribes, Source: Northern California Indian Development Council (NCIDC)

DPCCC Proclamation in honor of Veteran’s Day, November 11th, 2024

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PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11th, 2024

WHEREAS, Veterans Day has been set aside as a time to recognize all those who have served in the nation’s armed forces, both in time of war and in time of peace, to acknowledge their love of country and dedication to duty; and

WHEREAS, serving in the military involves many sacrifices, whether these be the wounds received in battle or the strain of serving in distant lands away from home and family. These sacrifices should always be remembered and honored as the willing service of ordinary people supporting the foundation of the freedom and liberty we all cherish, and

 WHEREAS November the 11th has been designated by act of Congress as Veteran’s Day, and dedicated to the memory and celebration of all who have served in the defense of the nation, and for the families and friends who have loved and supported them; with the official Federal holiday being celebrated on Monday, November the 11th in 2024, and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County encourages all members of our community to give thanks to the veterans in our communities and to their families for their service to the nation and pledge ourselves to uphold the values that they have exemplified and defended at home and abroad.

Originally submitted & revised in September 2024 by Peter Ericson, Associate Member, District 2

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, October 17, 2024

National Voter Registration Day Proclamation

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Proclamation Declaring September 17th National Voter Registration Day 2024 WHEREAS, the right to vote is a pillar of our American democracy and essential for creating a more perfect union, and registering to vote is step one; and

WHEREAS, the movement to expand the franchise came through great sacrifice and courage of generations of civil rights leaders and activists, and have made strides to ensure that more Americans are able to take part in the democratic process; repeatedly amending the Constitution to expand voting access across our history; and landmark legislation including the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that have helped to make those constitutional promises real and meaningful for more and more of our people; and

WHEREAS, this work remains unfinished and today, the right to vote is being suppressed and subverted in many parts of the country by shameful attempts to restrict Americans’ access to the ballot and the rolling back of decades of voting rights progress. This assault, largely targeting Americans of color, college-age and newer voters, is an attack on our democracy, on our liberty, and on who we are as Americans; and, in the words of the late Congressman John Lewis, “Democracy is not a state; it is an act.” It is our shared responsibility to act to secure the basic promise of American democracy; and

WHEREAS, each year in the United States, millions of eligible voters find themselves unable to vote because of politically motivated suppression and subversion and inadvertent issues such as missing a registration deadline, forgetting to update their registration after a name change or moving, or simply because they aren’t sure how to register; and

WHEREAS, National Voter Registration Day was created in 2012 to help address such issues by serving as a nationwide nonpartisan rallying point to promote voter registration and help eligible voters across the country get #VoteReady to participate in our shared democracy. Since 2012, more than 5 million citizens have registered to vote on National Voter Registration Day, including a record-breaking 1.5 million in 2020 alone.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County proclaims September 17, 2024, as National Voter Registration Day and calls upon all eligible Americans to observe this day by reaffirming our commitment to our hard fought voting rights by checking our voter registration status, – ensuring our registration is accurate and up-to-date by visiting Vote.gov or local elections office – and to help your neighbors, family, and friends to do the same; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that when We, the People, show up and vote, democracy wins! Submitted by Renee Zeimer, District 2 Elected Member, Joy Pinsky, District 4 Assoc. Member Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, August 29, 2004

National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation

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National Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation September 15 – October 15, 2024

WHEREAS President George H. W. Bush declared September 15 through October 15 “National Hispanic Heritage Month” on September 14, 1989; and

WHEREAS Hispanics/Latino(x)s comprise 26.4 percent of Contra Costa County residents, 40 percent of Californians, therein becoming the largest racial or ethnic group in California, and 18 percent of U.S. residents and the second largest racial or ethnic group in the nation; and

WHEREAS Hispanic/Latino(x) Americans made an enduring impression on our history, leading hard-fought progress for our country and bravely committing themselves to defending our nation and its most treasured ideals at home and overseas with heroic determination and perseverance embedded into our nation’s character; and

WHEREAS Hispanics/Latino(x)s writers, artists, chefs, and musicians enrich our humanities, arts, gastronomy, and culture; innovative entrepreneurs drive our economy; pioneering scientists and engineers make discoveries that revolutionize our lives; and advocates lead sociopolitical change; and

WHEREAS labor leaders and civil rights activists César Chavez and Dolores Huerta created more just working conditions for many Latino(x)s and organizations such as Hijas del Campo, United Latino Voices, and Concilio Latino today give visibility to the needs of our community and to the many brave Latino(x) essential and frontline workers who kept our economy, food delivery, and health services operating during COVID-19, despite being the most impacted ethnic group in Contra Costa County; and

WHEREAS the ever-present participation of Democratic Hispanic/Latino(x) Americans in politics and our justice system help create a more equitable society for all, including the first U.S. Senator, Alex Padilla; Secretary of Health and Human Service, Javier Becerra; Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona; first Supreme Court Justice, Justice Sonia Sotomayor; U.S. Representative for California’s 33rd Congressional District and Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Pete Aguilar: and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond; and

WHEREAS Contra Costa County is home to many elected Hispanic/Latino(x) Democratic elected officials; and, within the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, we have several publicly elected Latino(x) members, as well as elected public officials and California Democratic Party (CDP) E-Board Members, all paving the way for greater minority and Hispanic/Latino(x) representation across Contra Costa County and California; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby proclaims September 15 through October 15, 2024, as National Hispanic Heritage Month and commits itself to serving as a center for the collection and dissemination of information relating to and/or impacting the Latino community and to continuing the fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, good schools, a clean environment, access to health care, and equal treatment under the law for all; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County calls upon public officials, our Party leadership, and all Americans to observe this month by encouraging, elevating, and empowering Democratic Latino(x) leaders through engagement in the political process, community events, and internship/fellowship opportunities; by endorsing meaningful legislation and policies that directly impact all Latino(x)s; by amplifying the visibility and participation of Latino(x)s in state government and providing new role models through the advancement of qualified candidates across California; and by discovering exemplary Latino(x)s to fill vacant positions within the state judiciary and other elected offices.

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, August 29, 2024

Originally authored by Marisol Rubio, Carolina Villaseca, and María Alegría. Reviewed by Carolina Villaseca in 2024.

Candidate Filing Open July 15th to August 9th

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July 15 to August 9th is the filing period for positions open in Contra Costa County on the November 5th ballot. For a list of these positions as well as where you need to file if you want to run for office, go to https://www.contracostavote.gov/wp-content/uploads/24Nov5_PositionsUpForElection.pdf

June 19th is JUNETEENTH 2024

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 PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT OF JUNETEENTH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2024

WHEREAS, the first enslaved Africans were brought as captives to what is now the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1619 where they were bought and sold as slave labor for 250 years of exploitation and suffering unspeakable acts of violence; and

WHEREAS, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring “that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free”; and

WHEREAS, the Emancipation Proclamation was the vehicle used to pass the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery in this nation on January 31, 1865; and

WHEREAS, on June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing General Order Number 3 which ended both the Civil War and slavery; and

WHEREAS, June 19th has become a symbolic date, representing the freedom of African Americans and is recognized by 47 states and the District of Columbia, with Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania recognizing it as an official paid holiday for state employees, and Opal Lee, an activist from Marshall Texas, is now known as the grandmother of Juneteenth; and 

 WHEREAS, our nation is facing a new reckoning as the legacy of sharecropping, Jim Crow, redlining and police violence against Black Bodies continues to pervade and permeate our society, institutions, and systems of law; and

WHEREAS, although the 13th Amendment provided for freedom, it also laid the groundwork for mass incarceration within the African American community by stating “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction”; and

WHEREAS, If Black Lives Matter, the Democratic Party of Contra Costa Party must acknowledge the impact that this history of racism has had in shaping and continuing to shape our society, institutions, and systems of laws, fostering many of the current-day disparities in education, health care, housing, and employment. 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County hereby recognizes Wednesday, June 19, 2024, as Juneteenth to acknowledge the historical significance of the day. The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County also commits to working toward the dismantling of institutionalized racism and will support the efforts of California lawmakers who are attempting to establish reparations for Black descendants of enslaved people in our state.

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, May 16, 2024

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

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PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT OF JUNE 2024 AS LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH

WHEREAS, our nation was founded on the principle of equal rights for all people, but the fulfillment of this promise has been long in coming for many Americans. Some of the most inspiring moments in our history have arisen from civil rights movements that have brought one group after another from the margins to the mainstream of American society; and

WHEREAS,In the movement toward equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people, a historic turning point occurred on June 28, 1969, in New York City, with the onset of the Stonewall Riots when, during these riots, LGBTQIA+ citizens rose up and fought against the discriminatory criminal laws that have since been declared unconstitutional; and 

WHEREAS, Marsha P. Johnson, a black transgender woman, was an instrumental leader in the Stonewall Inn uprising and we honor her contribution to the LGBTQIA+ rights movement and we also must honor the intersectionality of LBTQIA+ persons of color who still face heightened discrimination to this day. We acknowledge that Pride Month intersects with the Black Liberation celebration known as Juneteenth. It is important to remember that Pride started as a defense of Black queer people 104 years after Juneteenth; and

WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ pride celebrations have taken place around the country every June to commemorate the beginning of the Stonewall Riots; and

WHEREAS, June is celebrated as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month nationwide; and 

WHEREAS, Contra Costa County has a diverse LGBTQIA+ community that includes people of all ethnicities, religions, classes, and professions; and

WHEREAS, right-wing legislators around the country are continuing in their hateful attempts to turn back the clock and are once again targeting LGBTQIA+ individuals with the most heinous legislation stripping rights from trans youth and their families and forcing trans youth to be outed in their school settings where they should protected; and

WHEREAS, everyone should be able to live without fear of prejudice, discrimination, violence and hatred based on race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation. 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County celebrates June 2024 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and urges Contra Costa residents to respect and honor our diverse community and celebrate and build a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance. 

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa Party, May 16, 2024

Proclamation in honor of May 1st International Workers’ Day

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A PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ DAY 2024

WHEREAS International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, is recognized around the world as a day to honor and fight for working people’s rights; and 

WHEREAS May First was selected as the date to honor working people and continue the campaign for an eight-hour workday that led to the general strike in 1886 and other actions by working people; and 

WHEREAS International Workers’ Day continues to be a celebration of the efforts of the working and middle class in the United States and around the world to organize for improved working conditions and rights; and 

WHEREAS persisting gender and racial pay gaps are a sobering reminder of how far we have to go towards achieving equal rights and fair wages for all working- and middle-class people; and

WHEREAS President Biden was the first sitting president to walk a picket line on September 26, 2023, and emphasized economic issues of importance to working- and middle-class people of all generations, as well as social issues, in his 2024 State of the Union address; and

WHEREAS 2023 was a year of renewed union activity with the successful United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) strike at Stellantis, successful strikes of the entertainment industry by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA), and efforts to organize retailers such as Starbuck’s and REI while Space-X, Starbuck’s, Amazon, and Trader Joe’s have launched a suit to render the National Labor Relations Board impotent when the ability of the Supreme Court to act as a fair and impartial referee has been severely degraded; and

WHEREAS labor unions play a vital role in ensuring a strong working and middle class by advocating for fair pay, humane and safe work conditions, improved benefits, and increased civic engagement by working people to advance and protect the rights, economic opportunities, and security of working and all people; and

WHEREAS Contra Costa County is home to more than 110,000 union members representing more than 85 unions in various trades and industries; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County joins in the worldwide celebrations of workers’ rights activism taking place on May 1, 2024, and acknowledges how working people are the vital heart of every workplace, industry, and community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County calls upon all elected officials to join efforts to ensure the rights of all working people are protected and that government at all levels, as well as civil society, actively promote and protect the rights and economic security of the working and middle class.

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, April 18, 2024

May 2024 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

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PROCLAMATION OF MAY 2024 AS

ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER (AAPI) HERITAGE MONTH

WHEREAS, the month of May was chosen as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese citizen, Nakahama Manjiro, to the United States on May 7, 1843, but also the anniversary of the May 10, 1869, completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad, built with the back-breaking labor of nearly 20,000 Chinese immigrants; and

WHEREAS, Contra Costa County’s population is more than 18 percent Asian American and Pacific Islander and includes devoted community members who serve as artists, business owners, educators, health care professionals, lawyers and judges, elected officials, clergy members, first responders, military personnel and essential front-line service workers; and 

WHEREAS, in the 1920s and 30s, Filipino immigrants arrived in the United States seeking fortune but facing discrimination as they worked in the vast agricultural fields of California.  These manongs and manangs played a significant role in building the farm workers movement, including leading the Delano Grape Strike in 1965; and


WHEREAS, we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that enrich our history, society and culture, we also must be aware that AAPI history has been whitewashed and significantly erased in American curriculum, including the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Alien Land Acts, the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans, among many other issues. We must also acknowledge a darker aspect of the AAPI experience in America – structural discrimination, prejudice and injustice that most recently manifested itself in racist attacks on Asian Americans, specifically in Half Moon Bay, CA, in January 2023; and 

WHEREAS, an analysis by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, found that overall hate crimes in America’s largest cities decreased by 7 percent in 2020; while hate crimes targeting people of Asian ancestry rose by nearly 150% during the same time period, and, from 2023 AAPI Data, 2 in 10 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (23 percent) say they have experienced being verbally harassed or abused in the last year, and 22 percent have been called a racial or ethnic slur; and

WHEREAS, individual AAPI populations fare very differently when disaggregated. For example, Pacific Islanders and Southeast Asians fare significantly worse in life outcomes in comparison to East and South Asians, and that colorism in AAPI populations also impact treatment and access; and

WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have distinguished themselves as leading researchers in science, medicine, and technology; innovative farmers and ranchers; distinguished lawyers, judges and government leaders; in the arts, literature, and sports; as war heroes who defended our country from fascism; and as essential service workers and peacetime healthcare heroes currently on the front lines of the pandemic; and 

WHEREAS, today more than 20 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders live in the United States and through their actions, make America a more vibrant, prosperous, and secure nation.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County celebrates May 2024 as AAPI Heritage Month, and encourages all in our community to learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage, and work to combat racism and xenophobia as we celebrate this month with cultural events and educational activities.

Reviewed by Susan Hildreth and Brodie Hilp, District 2 elected members, March 2024

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, April 18. 2024

May 2024 Jewish American Heritage Month

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PROCLAMATION

Declaring May 2024 as Jewish American Heritage Month

WHEREAS, from our Nation’s earliest days, Jewish Americans have been an essential part of the American story, greatly contributing to the religious, cultural, political, economic, and intellectual advancement of all people even while in the face of discrimination and adversity, working to realize the American dream; and 

WHEREAS, as we celebrate the rich heritage of the Jewish American community, in Contra Costa County, California and the nation, we recognize that American Jews have worked tirelessly to strengthen the promise of religious freedom and civil rights in the United States by joining together with all faiths to reject ignorance and intolerance, teach empathy and compassion, and root out hatred wherever it exists, and through our understanding and study of the Holocaust, we know the human devastation that can come from systemic prejudice, and are compelled to “never forget”; and 

WHEREAS, May has been recognized as Jewish American Heritage Month by Presidential Proclamation stating that The Jewish American experience is a story of faith, fortitude, and progress, and 

WHEREAS, in spite of the vibrant and diverse culture and contributions, we are reminded that the Jewish people have and continue to experience prejudice and discrimination in Contra Costa County, within the State of California, across the United States, and internationally, and continue to confront bigotry, hostility and unprovoked violence; and 

WHEREAS, antisemitism in the U.S., already on the rise before, has increased over 300% from 2022 to 2023 after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, where educational, religious, political and community institutions are being targeted,[1] and seeing a similar and unprecedented rise of antisemitic incidents in the Bay Area before the attack, also surging after October 7th, and with more than half of Bay Areas Jews surveyed between November 21 and December 6, 2023 mentioning antisemitism, discrimination or safety as the most important problem facing Jews today, compared with 37 percent from last year.[2]

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we share the obligation and responsibility to condemn and combat rising anti-Semitism and hatred wherever it exists and honor Jewish Americans — past and present — who have inextricably woven their experience and their accomplishments into the fabric of our national identity.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes May 2024 as Jewish American Heritage Month. We celebrate the hard-fought progress won through the struggle and sacrifice of Jewish Americans, and we rededicate ourselves to building a world where all diversity is respected, valued and protected. 

Renee Zeimer, Elected representative, District 2
Joy Pinsky, Alternate representative, District 4

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, April 18, 2024

[1] U.S. Antisemitic Incidents Skyrocketed 360% in Aftermath of Attack in Israel, according to Latest ADL Data, Published: 01.09.2024, Updated: 01.17.2024

[2] Most Bay Area Jews are more fearful since Oct. 7, survey finds, by Maya Mirsky, December 21, 2023, The Jewish News of Northern California