Shout out to all of you out there fighting for our Democracy!

You can make a difference!
Because of Jimmy Kimmel’s mild critique of the MAGA response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, ABC, a division of Disney, canceled his show indefinitely, but due to the massive backlash from consumers canceling subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu (almost $4 billion in lost revenue, by some accounts), Kimmel was reinstated this past Tuesday. However, Nexstar and Sinclair station groups, which control many ABC affiliates across the US, are still refusing to air Kimmel’s show, mainly because both companies’ executives are extremely right-wing. So, what can you do?
1. (This action already was a success! Kimmel is back.) Cancel your Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions. When you are asked for the reason for cancellation, select “Other.” You can then type in the box your reason, such as “you bent the knee to fascism and attempted to silence free speech.”

NOW
2. Support PBS instead, as they need our help more than ever. For just $5 a month, you can have streaming access to their entire library of programming. Go to PBS SoCal Click HERE
3. Let advertisers know you won’t support them if they continue to advertise on Nexstar or Sinclair-owned stations. The only station in our area like that is KTLA, which is an affiliate of The CW (not ABC), but is Nexstar owned.
a. Watch the news on KTLA and write down the names of local advertisers. Why
the news? Because that is the most expensive programming in which to advertise.
b. Google the phone numbers and/or addresses of these advertisers.
c. Call, or even better, write a letter to the advertisers and let them know you will
not do business with them as long as they continue to advertise on KTLA. Be
polite but firm. A sample script and/or letter is below, but feel free to elaborate
or use your own words.

Dear [advertiser]—
I am a concerned American that cares about democracy and free speech. I see that you
advertise on KTLA, a station owned by Nexstar, one of the station groups that is still actively
silencing the speech of Jimmy Kimmel nationwide. They are doing so in a corrupt attempt to
placate the Trump administration in order to secure a hoped-for merger with Tegna, and they
are willing to sell out fundamental American values just to get rich. There are many other
stations in the L.A. market on which you can advertise, so as long as you continue to air your
commercials on KTLA, I will no longer do business with you, and will encourage all my friends and neighbors to boycott you as well. However, if you publicly denounce what Nexstar is doing, and stop advertising on KTLA, I will be happy to do business with you again.
Thank you for your consideration, and I strongly encourage you to do the right thing.
Sincerely,
[Your name and phone number]

By Chris H

Be loud and proud. Wear your club shirts, flaunt your club buttons and fly your flags!  Be proud of your patriotism and passion for democracy. Below is Alan Heller modeling his new hat he just had made with MBDC on it!  The trend setter!

A broad coalition of liberal groups and individuals met on Labor Day Monday in the middle of the day to rally against what is termed “The Oligarchy” – government largely run by billionaires and corporations who it is believed do not have the middle and lower classes in mind when they make decisions that affect the entire country.

Over 35 people congregated at the corner of Lake and Lake Gregory Drives to chant and display signs in support of a more equitable government, wishing people a “Happy Labor Day” and reminding them that we celebrate Labor Day as a result of Union activism. Pleas for a living wage for workers were among the wishes expressed.

“Show me what Democracy looks like!” - “This is what Democracy looks like!” ran one call-and-response. Many of those driving by honked and waved in support.

The group was ad hoc and organized loosely via social media. Among others, members of the Mountain Bears Democratic Club and People United for Mountain Autonomy (PUMA) were in attendance. 

Megan M