Unocollegedemocrats's Blog

We had a little fun during our October 31st meeting. Instead of normal activities we played a couple of Halloween games, had lots of candy, and then finish the meeting off with a movie.

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On November 17th, 2011, we hosted a public forum and social hour to give students the opportunity to ask local officials how we can work together to get work done in 2012. The panel was a great success and we had a great discussion about what we can do to move forward!

Panelists Included:
Senator Heath Mello
Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr
Senator Brenda Council
Senator Gwen Howard
Legislative Candidate Sara Howard
Vice Chair of MCC Board of Governors Steve Brock

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November 7th, 2011 marked 365 days until the 2012 election. To kick this exciting year off, we got together with OFA to host a campus outreach table encouraging students to pledge their support for our President and to get involved. The students received free apple cider and snacks along with “I’m in” cards they can sign. Our super awesome Obama cutout also made an appearance! Our goal was to get 44 signatures and we ended up getting 119!! Lets keep up the fight to save the blue dot!

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This year has been very busy and productive for the College Democrats. Its been so busy we have yet to update this blog since January, but no worries here is a quick look back at what we have achieved!

• We began 2011 with a visit from Mayor Jim Suttle, where he spoke about the efforts of the reckless recall going on and his achievements thus far as Mayor. Thankfully he eventually beat the recall and he will continue to serve Omaha.

• We hosted a Lobby Day Training as a group for Planned Parenthood. We then went to the capitol to partake in lobbying for PP.
• Like the past years, we continued our annual Tribute to the Fallen event, and put up 6,000+ flags honoring the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both Honorable Chuck Hagel and Mayor Jim Suttle gave remarks.
• We went to Lincoln to canvass for their city elections
• At the beginning of the fall semester we took part in the club fair featuring our lovely Obama cutout!
• We held the political pups event where students got to play with puppies while raising money for the Golden Retriever Rescue Network
• In contrast to the anti-abortion rally on Dodge, we held our own pro-choice rally.
• We also held a Rally for Victims of Domestic Abuse in the student center

Every year, the UNO College Democrats place flags in the UNO Pep Bowl to honor troops in Iraq and Afghanistan – one flag for every fallen soldier. The Pep Bowl transforms into a solemn memorial and a hush falls over the campus. This nonpartisan event reminds us that while we go about our days – speaking and thinking freely – American men and women are risking and losing their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan so that we may have the freedoms we enjoy.

This year’s event begins with flag-placing on Sunday, April 25th, beginning at 1pm. Monday, April 26th and Wednesday, April 28th are the days when volunteers read the names of the fallen soldiers from 10am to 5pm. Tuesday, April 27th is a day of silence.

The closing ceremonies take place on Wednesday at 5pm. After the National Anthem and a few opening words by Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle, Larry Bradley, veteran of the US Army and Commander of the American GI Forum-Omaha Chapter, will be delivering the keynote address. We will read the names of the fallen soldiers from Nebraska and place flowers next to their flags. There will also be an honor guard, thanks to the American GI Forum-Omaha Chapter.

Servicemen and servicewomen, veterans, families, and friends are invited to participate in flag-placing or name-reading, and to attend the closing ceremonies. If you have questions regarding volunteering for anything, please send Brittany Grabow a message.

Please also feel free to use the Tribute to the Fallen Firefox persona made by Jared Brower.

Gay Rights Awareness Week
April 5th-9th

Monday, April 5th we will be holding a gay rights awareness rally at 5PM-7PM on the Memorial Bridge to show our support for LGBT friends in our community. Please meet us at the bridge with clever signs and great spirits! It’s getting warmer out, so don’t miss it! We would love to have you join us.

Following the rally we will be having a regular meeting at 8PM in the Gallery Room where a guest speaker will be to talk to us about his/her life experiences. This is sure to be a great opportunity for LGBTs and their allies. We hope you can make it!

That Wednesday we will also be in the Student Center to sell our ‘I Support Gay Rights’ t-shirts and buttons. T-shirts are $15 and buttons are, as always, $1. That Wednsday will also be our ‘Wear Purple Wednesday’, so make sure you wear purple to support gay rights!

Look for posters around campus for more information as the even draws nearer, and don’t forget to check out our Facebook Group and our Twitter!