Dems to Focus on Immigration Problems, Solutions

CATHEDRAL CITY — Democrats of the Desert, the Coachella Valley’s largest Democratic club, will focus on immigration issues at its next meeting.

The meeting is at 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 28, at Date Palm Country Club, 36200 Date Palm Drive, Cathedral City.  The public is welcome to attend the free meeting.

Democrats of the Desert’s September 28 speakers on immigration will be:

• Luis Nolasco, ACLU SoCal policy advocate, will discuss how the ACLU is fighting against the Trump administration’s immigration policies at the Southern border, especially the treatment of those under 18. Nolasco also will share his story as a “Dreamer.”

•  Luz Gallegos, community programs director for Training Occupational Development Educating Communities (TODEC) will explain how the non-profit is helping immigrants and refugees. TODEC is based in Perris, with an office in Coachella.

“There is a humanitarian crisis at our Southern border,” said DOD President Dori Smith. “Even after a district judge ordered President Trump to stop separating babies, toddlers and young children from their parents, it continues.  Making it worse, our government is holding them in detention more than the legal 20 days without enough beds, blankets, soap or healthy food.

“Many people claim America is the richest, best country in the world,” Smith said.  “My response then is:  ‘Why is this travesty being allowed to continue?’”

The Democratic club also has invited all of the Palm Springs City Council candidates to make brief comments. The election is Nov. 5, 2019, with ballots being sent to residents in October.

Candidates are:

District 1

• Michael Shogren
• Les Young
• Scott Myer
• Grace Garner

District 2

• Dennis Woods
• Peter J. Maietta
• Adrian Alcantar

District 3

• Alan Phillip Pettit
• Michael J. Dilger
• Geoffrey Kors

Democrats of the  Desert is a community-based political organization, which studies local and national issues and makes recommendations to members and/or other individuals in the community.  On the basis of knowledge, verifiable information, and consensus, the club seeks to influence decision-making and the electoral process by educating the electorate, and supporting qualified Democrats who wish to run for office.

For more information, send an email to president@desertdemocrats.org.