Thoughts from our Chair
April 23, 2025
Good afternoon,
Thanks to everyone who took time last Saturday to express your opposition to what the Trump Administration is doing by attending a rally. A special thanks goes to Molly Hoffman-Crook who initiated a "pop-up" rally here in Mathews at noon at the Liberty Square. About 50 people lined the street, held up their signs, and waved at people driving by. Stay tuned for more pop-up opportunities here as the movement develops.
The next nationwide day of protest will be Thursday, May 1..May Day Strong. There are two rallies/marches close by that I know about so far. (More will likely materialize before next week.) They are:
1. Williamsburg, 12 noon -1pm rally at the Williamsburg James City Courthouse, 5201 Monticello Ave.
Here is a link for more information. https://mobilize.us/s/M2PHtR
2. Richmond, 5-6 pm, Monroe Park for rally; 6-7 pm for march to Capitol Square.
Here is a link for more information.
https://50501va.com/event/may-day-strong-richmond/
Participation in these large-scale events is becoming one of the most powerful ways we help change the direction of our country. Just showing up and being counted really matters. If you have never done this before and wonder if you can, ask any of us who have what it's all about. It is safe and fun.
A reminder:
The Mathews County Democratic Committee will meet on Saturday, April 26, at 10 am in the community meeting room at Chesapeake Bank, 10458 Buckley Hall Road. Our Secretary, Paul Hyer, will send out the agenda for this meeting and minutes of the March meeting later this week. Keep up the fight.
I hope to see you Saturday.
Many thanks,
Sheila
April 5 in Kilmarnock
This is the same march on April 5, but in Kilmarnock. If you don't want to travel outside the peninsula, you can go to Kilmarnock.
Bud Ward with President Obama
Bud Ward worked at Anheuser Busch in Williamsburg starting in 1982. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Bud was active in the Mathews Democratic Committee for many years and became chair in 2012. He also became vice chair for the Southeast Region of the Virginia Democratic Party in 2012.
Under Bud’s leadership, our annual Crab Steam grew to be one of the most successful fundraisers of rural Democratic Committees in the state. He was well known among Democratic leaders across the state and was close friends with former Governor Ralph Northam. He completed his tenure as chair of the Mathews committee in 2020, but continued to be active in local and state Democratic affairs.
In recent years, Bud became an integral part of the effort to tell the story of the Black Exodus from Gwynn’s Island. He helped form the association of the descendants of Black people who were enslaved by Gwynn’s Island white families and who lived and worked on Gwynn’s Island after emancipation. The first reunions of the descendants were held on Bud’s property on the Piankatank River. He was so determined that the historic marker commemorating the Black Exodus from Gwynn’s Island be located on the island that he offered his property as the place for it to be installed. It is a fitting tribute to Bud that this historic marker will be erected in front of his house on Old Ferry Road.
Bud was an unapologetic champion of all principles and priorities of the Democratic Party in a place where not too many people agreed with him. He loved Mathews County nonetheless.
Bud was active in the Mathews Democratic Committee for many years and became chair in 2012. He also became vice chair for the Southeast Region of the Virginia Democratic Party in 2012.
Under Bud’s leadership, our annual Crab Steam grew to be one of the most successful fundraisers of rural Democratic Committees in the state. He was well known among Democratic leaders across the state and was close friends with former Governor Ralph Northam. He completed his tenure as chair of the Mathews committee in 2020, but continued to be active in local and state Democratic affairs.
In recent years, Bud became an integral part of the effort to tell the story of the Black Exodus from Gwynn’s Island. He helped form the association of the descendants of Black people who were enslaved by Gwynn’s Island white families and who lived and worked on Gwynn’s Island after emancipation. The first reunions of the descendants were held on Bud’s property on the Piankatank River. He was so determined that the historic marker commemorating the Black Exodus from Gwynn’s Island be located on the island that he offered his property as the place for it to be installed. It is a fitting tribute to Bud that this historic marker will be erected in front of his house on Old Ferry Road.
Bud was an unapologetic champion of all principles and priorities of the Democratic Party in a place where not too many people agreed with him. He loved Mathews County nonetheless.
DOGE TAKES OVER at the Treasury Department
Use these links to learn more about the takeover on Friday....
https://www.axios.com/2025/02/03/musk-doge-government-payments-treasury-fiscal-servicehttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/us/politics/elon-musk-doge-federal-payments-system.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-doge-usaid-treasury-government-rcna190450
https://abcnews.go.com/US/treasury-dept-elon-musks-team-access-federal-payment/story?id=118380399
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/musk-treasury-social-security-access-federal-payment-system-trump/
Here is an example of a U.S. Senator who is responding with action!
Become educated about Project 2025 and Agenda 47...
This is the playbook being used to organize the Administration's game plan.
1. https://kamalaharris.com/project 2025/
2. https://www.donaldtrump.com/platform
3. https://www.project2025.org/
4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/06/18/trump-has-unveiled-an-agenda-his-own-he-just-doesnt-mention-it-much/
5. https://democracyforward.org/the-peoples-guide-to-project-2025/
6. https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-is-project-2025-and-why-is-it-alarming/
7. https://static.project2025.org/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf