Local activists, organizations, food vendors and musicians joined forces to host “Save Democracy,” a celebration and call to action. The event was held from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 19 at Hasbrouck Park. The gathering provided an opportunity for people to learn how to register to vote as well as discover volunteer and activism opportunities.
The autumn weather and foliage set the scene for the event as Soul Purpose, a New Paltz-based band, put on a phenomenal performance that brought the audience to their feet. The SUNY New Paltz jazz ensemble played a marvelous set that beckoned guests with blues and feel-good tunes. Beneath the tent were dozens of chairs filled with an enamored audience. In the back, behind the rows of chairs, folks danced with their beloved partners and friends, contributing to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of a unifying small-town event.
For Denise Jelley, the event was born from a simple idea. Jelley is a mindfulness-based clinical social worker in the town of New Paltz, originally from Long Island.
Jelley previously organized New Paltz’s first pride parade in June 2005 shortly after moving to the Ulster County area. “Everything was a volunteer effort — grassroots — exactly like this one,” Jelley shared.
They had committees and volunteers who came together “for the first Pride, where we had more than 2,000 people attend the march down Main Street. We also had a tent the size of this one here,” Jelley stated in an interview with The Oracle.
“It was a thought like anything else. It first started with an idea and a thought, and then I got in touch with the village, did all the paperwork and reached out to people, and had some people behind the scenes, volunteers, democracy elves that jumped on board and helped,” Jelley explained.
“We’re going to have a couple of speakers and lots of live music, so people can just keep the energy uplifted and manifest a successful democratic win in the upcoming election,” said Jelley.
Representatives from Planned Parenthood tabled at the event, providing access to emergency contraceptives and urging attendees to vote “yes” for New York Proposal 1, or The Equal Protection of Law Amendment.
According to the New York State Board of Elections, the proposed amendment states that “no person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof. No person shall, because of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, creed, religion or sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive healthcare and autonomy, be subjected to any discrimination in their civil rights by any other person or by any firm, corporation or institution, or by the state or any agency or subdivision of the state, pursuant to law.”
SUNY New Paltz’s College Democrats hosted a table at the event. The club works to support Democrats both on and off the New Paltz campus and in the surrounding areas. On Oct. 10, the club hosted Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Congressman Pat Ryan as part of their “Get Out the Vote” campaign.
The Ulster Immigrant Defense Network (UIDN) works to provide a safe and supportive network to immigrants, regardless of their current status. Their table promoted crucial information and resources, such as phone numbers for professionals and hotlines for those in need of assistance. On their website, UIDN states that they are “committed to building a world of racial justice, equity and inclusion and respect for diversity. We seek in our actions to bring such a world into being by fighting against all forms of racism and xenophobia; listening hard to the voices of the most impacted communities; and seeking dialogue and solidarity with others who work for racial, social, economic and environmental justice.”
The Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center is a nonprofit organization based in Kingston. Volunteers from the center were there to support the effort and promote local resources by handing out pride stickers, informational pamphlets and pronoun pins.
Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley is a free service composed of trained guides that assist individuals in need of access to a device through free or cost-efficient services. Informational pamphlets, QR codes and bookmarks were available at the table for patrons to read or take with them.
The Food and Water Watch organization “fights for sustainable food, clean water and a livable climate for all of us. We protect people from the corporations and other destructive economic interests that put profit ahead of everything else.” Coordinated through the Office for Community Wellness (OCW), the Town of New Paltz’s Thriving Together Initiative is working toward the same goals for their community.
When asked about her inspiration for this event, Jelley described how she felt while watching the Democratic National Convention. “I was really charged up and jazzed about it, right? And I said, ‘I would like to keep this momentum going and bring this to New Paltz and just stand in solidarity with the community.’”
The Elting Memorial Library provided information regarding the book ban crisis from the national initiative, Unite Against Book Bans. Their flier detailed ways in which the public could unite to call on representatives to take action. Additionally, they had included a learning opportunity called “Voting for Kids,” an activity book for children created by the Ulster County Board of Elections and the Ulster County Clerk’s Records Management Program.
Jelley said that “it is a well-oiled machine. I must say, we had people just jump on board who were eager to volunteer.”
To learn more or make a contribution, donations are still being accepted through their GoFundMe.