The Bucks County, Lower Makefield, and Morrisville Democrats held a rally on Saturday called “The Rally For Our Rights.”
Nancy Sherlock (Morrisville Dems), State Rep. Jim Prokopiak, Karen Downer (Bucks County NAACP), Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, Roxanne Anderson Montgomery County Democrat), Karen Vander Laan (Lower Makefield Dems), Lynda Mintz, Nina Sherman, Steve Seufert (Falls Township Dems), Isaac Applebaum, and Adam Hosey.
The event featured local speakers and organizations who addressed the upcoming election, the stakes involved, and the implications of Project 2025. Bucks County Commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Bob Harvey emphasized the importance of voter turnout, highlighted how close past elections have been, and discussed the significance of women’s rights.
A theme throughout the speeches was tapping into that newfound joy the party has and the need to work right up until 8:00 PM on Election Day.
Joe Khan, standing in for Eugene DePasquale, spoke about the need to elect Malcolm Kenyatta as Pennsylvania’s Auditor General. Khan also spoke about the importance monitoring school boards across the state and country, where groups like Moms for Liberty and other right-wing activists are increasingly influential. Democrats in Central Bucks School District where Khan resides were able to flip the school board and wrest control away from extremist, Moms for Liberty Republicans who pushed to ban books and tear down Pride Flags.
Ashley Ehasz informed the crowd that her opponent, Brian Fitzpatrick, voted for an abortion ban—a fact that many casual voters might not know, as he often presents himself as a moderate.
Anna Payne who is running for State Representative in the 142nd shared a personal story regarding her own health and a woman’s right to bodily autonomy.
Payne has Cystic Fibrosis and lives with Stage 4 Colon cancer.
Peggy Walsh from CeaseFire PA also took the stage to discuss trying to pass common sense gun laws that even the majority of gun owners agree with.
Speakers from the NAACP, Indivisible, Planned Parenthood, Women for Biden, and 2024 PA Victory shared personal stories related to abortion, adoption, and the difficult decisions people face. The rally was more than just talk; each group provided opportunities for attendees to take action, including tents set up for gathering signatures and volunteers.
Signs, ballots, and flags were displayed, while local musicians “Inca Hoots” starring Nina Sherman on ukulele and Lynda Mintz performed rally cries between speeches.
Spearheaded by Nancy Sherlock and Karen Vander Laan, the rally was a way to bring people together and learn more about what is at stake in yet another critical election.
