As summer comes to a close, I hope that everyone’s summer was fulfilling as well as relaxing. I also hope that the end of summer finds you prepared to play a role, here in North Carolina, in changing the face of government in Washington and Raleigh. Our campaign to increase voter turnout amongst 18- 35 year olds is a three part effort. Currently, Young Democrats and College Democrats are working the phones on behalf of Heath Shuler for Congress, Ty Harrell for NC House, and our statewide judicial candidates.

Secondly, we have 4 canvassing events planned to assist our targeted candidates. Please consider signing up to volunteer for at least one of our canvasses by sending an e-mail to president@ydnc.or g

*September 16th canvass for future Congressman Heath Shuler and our judicial candidates in the 11th District

*October 7th canvass for Ty Harrell for NC House and our judicial candidates in Raleigh.

*October 14th canvass for future Congressman Heath Shuler in Asheville. (please note this is same day as Vance Aycock)

*November 4th canvass for Ty Harrell for NC House and our judicial candidates in Raleigh

Please e-mail president@ydnc.or g to confirm participation.

The Young Democrats of North Carolina have a unique opportunity to financially influence critical 2006 races. This election season every dollar that we raise and spend to increase turnout among 18-35 year olds voters will be matched dollar for dollar. Our plan is in place to do a direct mail piece and Get-Out- The-Vote “robo-calls” to this critical voting bloc. Every dollar you give us will double and serve to expand our abilities to influence the 2006 elections.

We ask that everyone reading this give at least $10 or more that will be matched by visiting www.ydn c.org/contribute.htm and making a secure on-line donation.

Contribute to the Young Democrats of North Carolina’s efforts at http://w ww.ydnc.org/contribute.htm

Sincerely,

Tony McEwen

President, Young Democrats of North Carolina

For the past three years there has been an ongoing campaign of genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region. The Sudanese government has employed and provided arms to a proxy militia (known as the Janjaweed). There are no hard facts on the number of people that have been killed, but reports say as many as 400,000. The peace agreement of May 2006 has not changed the situation on the ground. Rape and torture continue everyday as villages and refugee camps are continuously attacked.

Across North Carolina a grass roots campaign is taking hold. People of conscience are supporting the divestment of NC public funds from companies that do business with the government of Sudan. State Representative Paul Luebke of Durham is sponsoring a targeted divestment bill to be filed with the General Assembly in January 2007.(Draft Bill)

The Sudanese government (also known as Khartoum) is deeply in debt and relies on oil and imports for revenue. Over 100 multi-national corporations are active in Sudan, funding the Khartoum regime operations. America's leading public pension systems invest more than $90 billion in companies that partner with Khartoum.

The goal of targeted divestment is to put economic pressure on these companies so that they suspend all business and commercial activities with Khartoum until the genocide ends. Targeted divestment implicitly excludes companies engaged solely in the provision of goods and services intended to relieve human suffering or to promote welfare, health, religious and spiritual activities, and education. The exclusion of the agriculture sector from divestment is especially important as 80% of Sudan’s workforce is employed in farming. Companies producing general consumer goods are also, by and large, excluded.

Sudan Divestment Task Force (Document)

Our public pension systems have the leverage to force a withdrawal - by divesting the stock of these corporations.

The North Carolina Retirement System invests over 2 billion dollars in companies that do business with the Sudanese government.

If we continue to allow the North Carolina Retirement System and other NC Public funds to be invested in companies that do business with Khartoum, then we (the people of North Carolina) enable Khartoum to continue these atrocities, while silently declaring that the dollar holds greater value than human life.

North Carolina is part of a national divestment movement, similar to the movement in the 1980’s that eventually ended apartheid.

To find out more about the divestment campaign please visit our website.

We need volunteers to urge General Assembly members to support this important legislation. Together, we have the power to save Darfur.

Sincerely,

Representative Paul Luebke

Paull@ncleg.net

Forrest Gilliam of Appalachian State University is our choice for Young Democrat of the month for the month of August. Forrest was recently elected Student Body President at ASU. He is a junior Political Science major with a concentration in Pre- Professional Legal Studies. He grew up in Madison County, North Carolina, just outside Asheville, and graduated from Madison High in 2004.

In addition to his scholastic responsibilities, Forrest is also active in the 11th District Democratic Party and has represented the YDNC at the most recent national Young Dems meeting in San Francisco, CA.

In recognition, the YDNC will make a financial contribution to his college chapter in his name.

Since her primary win (the highest vote-getter), Judge Hudson has been to events in Charlotte, Atlantic Beach, High Point, Greensboro, Lillington, Asheville and Raleigh. Over the next two weeks, she will be in Franklin County, Mecklenburg County, Forsyth County, Wake County and Nash County. Can you arrange for the Judge to speak to your civic or professional group? Please contact Paula at paula@robinhud son.org with details.

The NC Police Benevolent Association (NC PBA) added their name to the list of organizations and individuals that have endorsed Judge Robin Hudson's candidacy for the NC Supreme Court. I am deeply honored to have the support of the NC PBA. Police men and women are some of our greatest civil servants, and they are a critical part of our justice system, Judge Hudson said. Check out all of Robin's endorsements at our campaign website www.RobinHudso n.org

Please visit www.RobinHudso n.org to learn about Judge Hudson's experience and qualifications to serve on the Supreme Court of NC. Sign up to receive e-mail updates. Volunteer. We need supporters to GET VOTERS TO THE POLLS. Most importantly – SPREAD THE WORD by forwarding this to your friends, family and colleagues. And many, many thanks to all of you for all of your contributions, suggestions, and continued support.

To Volunteer for the Robin Hudson Campaign, or request a yard sign, literature, or bumper stickers, please email the campaign at:

campaign@r obinhudson.org

Click here to view all of the Democrats that have Judicial races in November:

September 9: Senior Democrats of North Carolina Convention - Fayetteville, NC

September 16: Democratic Women of North Carolina Convention - Wilmington, NC

October 13: Last Day to register for November election

October 14: NCDP Vance- Aycock Celebration

October 19: Early Voting Begins

October 31 - Last Day to request an Absentee Ballot

November 7: General Election

The Young Democrats of North Carolina need your financial support to turn out the youth vote and to get more young people involved in the Democratic Party

All contributions are greatly appreciated!

Please make check out to “YDNC” and mail to:

YDNC

220 Hillsborough St

Raleigh, NC 27603

President: Tony McEwen

Vice President: Zack Hawkins

Secretary/Newsletter Editor: Jason Coley

Treasurer: Ron Unger

YNDC Committeewoman: Kate Mercer

YDNC Committeeman: Sam Hyde

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