Chair’s Report February 2025
Fate of Democracy is in Our Hands
The passion in our community is undeniable. This past week, 185 people gathered at the Nevada County Media Center for our ‘Resist Fascism Resist the Coup’ event. At the Nevada County Democratic Women’s meeting, when CADEM organizer Sue Hilderbrand asked, “Are you concerned about the fate of democracy and the possibility of no more elections?”—75 hands shot up.
The message is clear: People are awake, engaged, and ready to take action. We see you, appreciate you, and are incredibly grateful for your dedication to this fight.
Yet, even as I celebrate this momentum, I write with a heavy heart. Last week, we witnessed an appalling display of disrespect toward a true war hero—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the Oval Office, he was subjected to a humiliating public scolding by a convicted felon draft dodger and his Vice President, JD Vance.
Beyond the immediate disgust, this moment forced me to reflect on the sacrifices made by the greatest generation—those who fought Mussolini, Tojo, and Hitler. They risked everything to create a world where democracy could flourish. Are we now willing to abandon the postwar order they built? Did they make these sacrifices only for a new wave of tyrants to dismantle American democracy from within?
Winston Churchill changed political parties twice to meet the needs of his time. Yet today’s Republican leaders refuse even a fraction of that flexibility, clinging to their positions instead of standing up for democracy. When I heard the U.S. President accuse Zelenskyy of being ‘ungrateful,’ I thought: No—the real ingratitude lies with Republican leaders who refuse to acknowledge the sacrifices that made our freedoms possible. Perhaps you know Republicans questioning their party—this is the time to reach out and encourage them to take a stand.
We must fight the rapid slide into autocracy. The greatest generation faced their moment with courage and resolve. Now, it’s our turn. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for caring. Let’s keep building this momentum together.
