The state party has determined that the platform convention on June 3rd may last longer than we will be allowed to stay in the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, so the decision has been made to relocate to the DCU Center in Worcester – same date. Lowell will host the Democratic Campaign Institute in January of 2018.
Please share widely!
…about hosting a platform hearing.
Can’t we just limit the number of platform updates?
There is a process in place requiring delegate signatures and such, but people are going to want to be heard.
Whatever is making the process. I can certainly imagine that people want to be heard, but if it means moving the venue, that’s quite something.
This is a specific case of the state Democratic party working extra hard to ensure that the rank and file get their chance to raise their voices.
State Democratic partymen and partywomen — thank you. You just added 2-3 hours of my day (extra travel time plus added time at the convention), but it’s worth it.
Put another way — imagine if the state party said “Well, we don’t want to go through the hassle of moving the site, so I guess we’ll just limit the ability of our membership to change the platform!” That would not be better, I can assure you.
n/t
From what I’ve seen & heard, there’s been a big surge in non-nominating year caucus attendance. Having the convention in a bigger venue is another side benefit of moving from Lowell.
While maybe some communities are having an easier time filling their slots (though that has yet to happen at caucuses I have personally attended), we’ve known all along how many potential delegates there are. Plus Tsongas has always had plenty of room to spare.
Are there any significant platform changes being proposed, that anyone has heard?
The link I provided has information about holding hearings, which will be publicized next week. If there is a lot of sentiment for a change that arises from these that will likely be included in the final draft.
Last time there was a major change, it wasn’t bottom-up. Hopefully this time will be different. Good luck to those holding hearings.
If you drive in from Boston take Rt 9 till you go over Lake Quinsig and at the top of the hill take Shrewsbury st toward downtown. Check out Funky Murphys, a great place to eat.
Exact times and locations still TBD, but hearings have been scheduled around the state.