Lou

As Trump presided over a show of military force more typical in Russia or North Korea on his Birthday Parade (attendance appeared to be disappointing for TACO), millions of Anti-Trump demonstrators packed our streets, parks and plazas all across our country.

Marching through downtowns and small towns, blaring anti-authoritarian chants mixed with support for protecting democracy and immigrant rights.

Rain did not dampen the mood of peaceful and boisterous protesters from all over the North Shore.
Many turned out expressing anger at policies of the second Trump administration, including an immigration crackdown in Los Angeles that has sparked days of protests and the deployment there of the National Guard.

Large protests took place all over the North Shore, including Beverly, Gloucester, Salem, Danvers, Marblehead and Middleton held by North Shore and Cape Ann Indivisible groups.

Hundreds turned out in places like Riley Plaza in downtown Salem, Stage Fort Park and Stacy Boulevard in Gloucester and along Rantoul Street in Beverly at the U.S Post Office and Odell Veterans Memorial Park. People were shown crowded on the rail trail bridge over Route 114 in Danvers.
These “day of defiance” rallies were among nearly 2,200 No Kings rallies in the United States and in 20 countries, according to news reports.

Huge, boisterous crowds marched, danced, drummed, and chanted shoulder-to-shoulder in New York, Denver, Chicago, Austin and Los Angeles, some behind “no kings” banners. Atlanta’s 5,000-capacity event quickly reached its limit, with thousands more gathered outside barriers to hear speakers in front of the state Capitol. Officials in Seattle estimated that more than 70,000 people attended the city’s largest rally downtown, the Seattle Times reported.

Thousands turn out in Boston and cities and towns all over the North Shore and all across the state.

DanversDems turned out in force to demonstrate against Trump and his authoritarian agenda on No Kings Day. While Trump was giving himself a Russian-style $45 million parade, DanversDems joined the millions of freedom-loving people across the country to voice their objection to Donald Trump.

Following the No Kings Day protests, many DanversDems gathered together for the annual DanversDems cookout to unwind, relax and connect with one another. Typically, this is a light hearted happy event celebrating presentation of a scholarship to a deserving student but this year was different. On a dreary day seemingly appropriate for the things going on in Washington, Los Angeles and Minnesota, we got together taking strength and resolve from each other. We took time to recognize our 20+ year members of the DanversDems who have been devoted to the democratic values and ideals of our town, state and country organizing events, engaging voters, working campaigns year after year. They remain active in the committee dedicated to strengthening our democracy locally and nationally.

A large crowd turned out on Saturday for the Pride Day flag raising at the Town Hall hosted by the Human Rights and Inclusion Committee.

The committee honored David Mills as Grand Marshall for the town’s annual LGBTQ+ Pride celebration. David is a lifelong Danvers resident who recently finished his final term on the Select Board. He has served as town moderator and a Town Meeting member. He made a career in criminal justice, working as an assistant district attorney, assistant attorney general and judge, and even argued three cases before the Supreme Court from 1974-1980. He is also a Gay man who has fought for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility for decades.

David was given a painting by local artist Em Cherie on behalf of his friends in the community, which depicted him against the background of a rainbow flag. Many DanversDems contributed to the painting.

State Sen. Joan Lovely presented a citation from the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representative on behalf of herself and state Rep. Sally Kerans, who was unable to attend Saturday’s flag raising, to honor Mills’ work for the LGBTQ+ community and the town.

Julie Curtis, Chair of the DanversDems Scholarship Committee presented the committee scholarship to Julia Boyd at last nights Senior Scholarship Award Night @ the High School. Thanks to Julie for leading this committee and congratulations to Julia. The following are Julie’s remarks at the presentation ceremony.

The Danvers Democratic Town Committee is honored to award this year’s scholarship to Julia Boyd.  Julia will be attending a higher education institution majoring in political science and government with a minor in journalism. She looks forward to a career as an attorney working in government.

Some of Julia’s extracurricular activities while at Danvers High School were:

Member of the Women Of The World where she ran an annual drive for women’s shelters as well as holding sexual assault assemblies for over 800 students

As editor in chief of the school newspaper she wrote, proofread, and edited the paper and was the student representative to the Danvers School Committee

In the recommendations submitted for our attention, Julia Bond is referred to as a strong advocate, talented writer and speaker who leads by example because she always acts with kindness first.

Another teacher described Julia as a talented, conscientious and insightful student whose strengths will make her an invaluable addition to her campus

The Danvers Democratic Town Committee agrees wholeheartedly and congratulates you on your achievements.

The DanversDems proudly award our scholarship to Julia Boyd.

City Councilor at-Large Hannah Bowen won Tuesday’s special election to replace State Rep. Jerry Parisella and represent the 6th Essex district on Beacon Hill.

Bowen, a 43-year-old Democrat, won with 73% of votes and carried all six of Beverly’s wards against Republican Medley Long III. “ I am so thankful to the residents of Beve rly and Wenham for entrusting me to represent them on Beacon Hill. I do not take this responsibility lightly,” Bowen said in a statement Tuesday. “I also want to thank the more than one hundred volunteers who always showed up even in the rain, snow, and extreme wind to make this possible.

“At a time when things seem heavy, this campaign reminded me of what is possible when we bring people together.”

Bowen will represent all of Beverly and Precinct 1 in Wenham in the seat Parisella vacated this winter to become a judge.

Wenham voters cast 144 ballots in favor of Bowen and 37 for Long, while Beverly carried 3,949 votes for Bowen, and 1,406 for Long.

 Every candidate on our Slate of Candidates was elected and every DanversDem running for Town Meeting Member won their race. The voters have responded to our message of fairness, inclusivity and experience in town government.

Gardner Trask and Dan Bennett were victorious in the field of seven Select Board candidates.  Gardner topped the ticket with 1,561 votes, earning the top spot in every single precinct.  He will ably succeed our own DanversDem David Mills who has served the town with dignity, competence and honor for many years.  Dan Bennett secured the second spot with 1,378 votes also ranking second in every precinct.  Kevin Berich was third with 1,092 votes and Sandy Franeschini fourth with 892 votes.

Gabe Lopes won decisively defeating Maxwell Rudin for School Committee by a wide margin; 2,074 to 740 votes.

Congratulations to DanversDem Julie Curtis, who was the top vote getter for Library Trustee with 1,956 votes.  Julie was elected alongside Noah Levitt and Kevin Lee.

Michael Swindell was re-elected unopposed for Housing Authority.

DanversDems will be well represented in the next Town Meeting with all six of our candidates elected.  We are especially excited for our four first time Town Meeting Members!

Precinct 1:  Lou George (re-elected) & Jillian Durand (first time member)
Precinct 2: Phil Bolduc (first time member)
Precinct 3: Charlotte Jordan (first time member)
Precinct 5: Liz Brennan (first time member)
Precinct 8: Lou Bernazzani – re-elected

We are deeply grateful to all the candidates who stepped up to run and for your commitment to serve our town.  A special thank you to all the DanversDems who worked so hard in this election.