Remember how it was right after the COVID lockdown in March of 2020? The silence was deafening. No one knew what was
going on or what we were doing. We were confused, upset, and afraid. It seems that a similar pattern developed at the
end of January 2025. For a while, everyone seemed frozen in shock by what was swiftly transpiring right before our eyes.
Time Magazine reported in March: “U.S. Added to Global Human Rights Watchlist.” This was based on the current
administration’s “assault on democratic norms and global cooperation” according to CIVICUS, a global alliance and
network of civil society groups.
Our beloved democracy is in jeopardy. Consider President Abraham Lincoln’s legacy to protect and preserve the union
(the United States of America), and his ultimate sacrifice.
Just as we pulled ourselves out of the standstill of COVID, albeit, with many casualties, so are individuals, institutions,
and organizations, coming to action. The League of Women Voters is among them. We have received guidance from LWVUS and LWVNYS.
There has even been a lawsuit filed by the LWV. Our Huntington League has been incubating all the information and is in the
midst of preparing an action plan. Our mission, of which we are all aware is: Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. Our
newest mantra: Turn Up the Heat.
We hope that our membership will stand up to act as a cohesive league in this call to action. The League of Women
Voters was started by the Suffragists. We have done this before, friends, we can do this again.
Enjoy drinks and dinner and an evening with the dynamic members of the Huntington League! Mix and mingle
from 6:00pm – 6:30pm, participate in the Annual Meeting from
6:30 – 7:00pm. Helen Boxwill, co-chair of the Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force, will be our guest speaker.
Afterwards, enjoy dinner, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and interesting conversation. June 12 at Spuntino
687 Old Country Rd. Dix Hills, NY 11746. Prepay $35 with PayPal for Zelle, or pay $50 (electronic, cash
or check) at the door.
Asserting that “our country is in a constitutional crisis,” and that “we the people must fight back,” the leaders of the League of Women Voters have announced a new initiative to engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters between now and the November 2026 elections.
“It has now been 87 days since the start of the Trump administration,” said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, and Dianna Wynn,
president of the League of Women Voters on April 17. “From the flagrant disregard for congressional authority and governmental checks and balances
to defying Supreme Court orders to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back home, one thing is abundantly clear: our country is in a constitutional crisis.”
The new initiative, “Unite and Rise 8.5,” will engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters between now and November 2026 to protect and preserve our
democratic institutions, they said.
“The foundational principles that have sustained our democracy – checks and balances, the rule of law, free and fair elections – are under direct
and sustained threat,” they continued. “In this extraordinary moment, we cannot proceed with business as usual. All Americans – no matter who
you voted for in 2024 – need to come together, stand united, and fight back to save our democracy. We cannot afford to fail the generations to come.”
James “Dr Love” Banks Addresses Anti-Bias Task Force
Deb Cosher represented the Huntington League at a Summit Meeting
of the Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force. James (Dr. Love) Banks, a leading social
justice and anti-bias advocate on Long Island, addressed the group.
Deb Cosher (front row, far-right)
To view enlarged photo, CLICK HEERE
STUDENT DAY AT THE SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATURE gave Huntington and Smithtown
high school students the chance to participate in a mock legislative session,
and to question, debate and take a roll call vote on model legislation about
school safety. Their hosts were Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey,
(seated center), Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (seated right) and League of Women
Voters Suffolk County President Lisa Scott (seated left). Gathered behind them,
the students, members of the Huntington League of Women Voters and other
participants in the event. Channel 12 local news aired a segment of the event.
