If you thought the departure of a Republican congressman would mean an end to progressive demonstrations backed by a brass band in midtown Kingston, you were wrong. This Thursday, as Congress returns to work (though the government is still shut down), IndivisibleNY19 and other allied groups will hold a rally at Grand St. and Broadway from noon to 1 p.m.
The purpose is to call on newly elected Congressman Antonio Delgado (D-Rhinebeck) to strongly support H.R. 1. Among several provisions, the bill would do the following:
- Create a public financing system for campaigns where tax dollars would match small-donor contributions at a rate of 6:1
- Require disclosure of super PAC donor information as well as social-media political ad buyers
- Create an automatic voter-registration system
- Require the president to disclose tax returns
Political observers say the bill has no chance of being approved by the Senate or signed by the president. Rather, it serves as a statement by Democrats about their priorities,
Thursday’s Demonstration in Kingston is part of the Indivisible movement’s “Whose House? Our House!” national day of action. Music will be provided by Tin Horn Uprising, with a lineup of local activist speakers. “We will be also urging for a clean continuing resolution re-open the federal government, with no funding for a border wall,” said event organizer Kathy Adin.