Rock The Vote!

Despite the cold, almost a hundred Western New Yorkers came out yesterday to Rock The Vote with us at the Albright Knox. It was a really fun event, and I think our message about voting and getting involved really came across well. Five different local bands performed: Type Relevant, Davey O, The Found, Redwater, and The Thermidors. There was a little something for everyone, ranging from jazzy hip hop to folk to rock to some classic sounding rock and roll. The music pulled in quite a few people from the park who hadn't heard about the event, even well after the dark and cold set in, which was great in helping to pass along the message.

It was a busy last weekend before the election, but a number of political figures took the time to stop by to talk to the attendees. Congressional candidate Dan Humiston stopped by early on in the event to chat with people. Chairman Len Lenihan of the Democratic Party really got the crowd geared up taking about how important this election is, and how critical it is for everyone to get out there and vote. Alice Kryzan's son Sam stopped by on her behalf (she was out campaigning in another county) to talk about how beneficial grassroots campaigning and the involvement of ordinary community members has been this year. Comptroller Mark Poloncarz and NYS Assembly candidate Jerry Schad also mingled with attendees at the event.

Check out some photos of the day's festivities below. You can see many more over at our Flickr photostream.





/>



You can also watch video of some of the bands' performances below!







For those of you who were there, what did you think of Rock The Vote? Post your comments here!

Four Days Left!

With just four days left until the election, things are really hopping in the 26th Congressional District. Despite an attempt on the part of Chris Lee's campaign to block it, Alice Kryzan will now appear on the Working Families Party (no affiliation to us!) line next week. This gives Chris Lee the Republican, Independence, and Conservative lines, and Alice Kryzan the Democratic and Working Families lines. For those of you who haven't voted since 2004, please remember that the Democratic line is now ROW A, and the Republican line is now ROW B after the last gubernatorial election.

Since my last post, the Cook Report has also changed the rating of the 26th district to a toss up. This race has gotten so big that there's a story circulating about it on the AP wire! Thank you for all of your support so far, and keep doing all you can to educate voters and get them involved over this last weekend. We have plenty of volunteer opportunities, so please contact me if you'd like to help out.

Also, don't forget about tomorrow's Rock The Vote concert and rally! It's supposed to be sunny and crisp, a great fall day here in WNY for getting out and getting involved. Details are below.

Date:  Saturday, November 1, 2008
Time:  3:00 - 10:00pm
Place:  Delaware Park, on the steps of the Albright Knox Art Gallery
Details: Featuring local musicians Davey O, The Found, Redwater, The Thermidors, and Type Relevant. Speakers will include NYS Senator Antoine Thompson, NYS Assemblymember Crystal D. Peoples, Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant, Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello, Erie County Legislator Bob Reynolds, Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera, Congressional candidate Dan Humiston, Congressional candidate Alice Kryzan, NYS Assembly candidate Jerry Schad, Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan, and a representative from the ACLU. (Check the links in the right sidebar for last minute updates!) This event is free and open to the public and is an all ages show.

Update

Working Families Win has had a busy couple of weeks here in WNY! Last week, we went to a flu clinic hosted by the lovely women of the St. John's Nurse Ministry group. Yesterday, we were invited to attend a panel discussion of the Adult Immunization Coalition, where we discussed the burden placed on our health care system by wholly preventable, vaccinable diseases. WFW was asked to be a part of the committee/task force to handle some of these issues, so feel free to drop us a line if you have ideas or suggestions!

We've been working hard at our regular phone banks - check out the news section of our website for photos, stats, and other updates. And now that our literature has finally arrived from the printer, we'll begin our canvass efforts this weekend. Also, keep your eyes peeled for updates about a Rock The Vote® concert we'll be hosting on Saturday, November 1, just a few days before the election! We're still in the planning stages in terms of speakers and bands, but it will be held all afternoon at Delaware Park, just outside the Albright Knox.

In these last eighteen days leading up to the election, we need your help more than ever. If you'd like to participate in our phone bank, canvass, other GOTV efforts, or help out with our Rock The Vote® planning, please drop either Christy or me an e-mail, or give us a call at 716-908-0469 and 716-471-7892.