Downtown Independent Democrats Hold Record Breaking Fundraiser

Lower Manhattan, May 25, 2010 - Downtown Independent Democrats (DID), the oldest and largest progressive Democratic organization in lower Manhattan, held its most successful fundraiser to date this past Sunday. DID has thrown annual events since its founding almost 40 years ago in 1971.

 

Approximately 120 people attended the event hosted at DID Treasurer and stalwart Sean Sweeney’s loft on Greene Street – another record for the club. Jeanne Wilcke, DID’s newly elected President, was thrilled with the response. She also noted, “This is a crucial time for our neighborhoods. With severe economic hardships, school overcrowding, hospital closures, WTC redevelopment and a crisis in Albany, our community has never needed its voice heard as urgently. Today’s strong turnout and fundraising numbers will strengthen that voice and our ability to advocate for good government”.

 

Aware of Downtown Independent Democrats’ central role in community debates, Lower Manhattan’s elected officials showed up in force. Representatives Jerrold Nadler, Carolyn Maloney and Anthony Weiner were joined by State Senator Daniel Squadron and NYC Public Advocate Bill DiBlasio and City Councilmember (and DID member) Margaret Chin. NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator Eric Schneiderman, and Assemblymembers Deborah Glick and Keith Wright sent representatives. Candidates Reshma Saujani and Kevin Coenen Jr. also attended – as did Community Board One Chair Julie Menin and numerous judges and judicial hopefuls.

 

In addition to Wilcke and Sweeney, DID District Leaders Jean B. Grillo and Paul Newell, Vice-Presidents Jim Stratton and Adam Silvera and Secretary Alex M. Li welcomed the guests. Li, a 21-year-old recent NYU graduate, saw potential for a new generation of political action downtown “My generation has been energized by Barack Obama’s grassroots campaign two years ago, and that momentum is beginning to infect local, community politics.”