PDA Tucson gives 'tip of the hat' and 'wag of the finger' to City Council members

Leading up to the November 8 local election, Tucson's Mayor and Council had been using passive aggressive tactics to avoid dealing directly with the Occupy Tucson movement.

After having won re-election to her Ward 1 council seat, Councilwoman Regina Romero sent a strongly worded statement in support of Occupy Tucson's ideals and actions and introduced a supportive resolution to the City Council at their November 15 meeting.

If it had passed, the proposal would have lifted the permit and curfew regulations at Veinte de Agosto Park and created a free speech zone. The vote was 3-3, with Council members Karin Uhlich, Richard Fimbres, and Romero voting for it, and Blue Dog Democrats Paul Cunningham and Shirley Scott joining Republican Steve Kozachik voting "no". Mayor Bob Walkup, who is supposed to be a tie-breaking vote in these situations, was MIA.

Locally and nationally, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) has supported the Occupy movement since the beginning. For this reason, PDA Tucson sent 'tip of the hat' letters to Uhlich, Fimbres, and Romero for supporting the Occupiers and 'wag of the finger' letters to Cunningham and Scott.

Tip of the hat to Uhlich, Fimbres, and Romero...

Thanks so much for supporting the motion.

Offering it made you appear responsive to concerned citizens. The passage of the motion would have saved City resources, not angered so many people, and created a positive precedent for the future. Occupy Tucson is already a month old and it has shown itself to be the principled, respectful movement it claims to be. The result of inaction paints the city as a bully toward its citizens.

As PDA, we support Occupy Tucson. As fellow Democrats, we count on you not to impede a movement that reflects our best traditions free speech guarantees and citizen participation. Your action reflects positively among the party faithful who expect such support from those who run for office with a D after their name.

I have communicated with Scott and Cunningham showing our disappointment with their nonsupport of your motion.

Thanks again.

Phil Lopes, Coordinator
Coordinator, Tucson Chapter
Progressive Democrats of America

Wag of the finger to Cunningham and Scott...

We are extremely disappointed in your failure to support the motion offered by Councilwoman Regina Romero regarding the Occupy Tucson movement.

Your lack of support of the motion made you appear unresponsive to concerned citizens. Passage of the motion would have saved City resources, not angered so many people, and created a positive precedent for the future. Occupy Tucson is already a month old and it has shown itself to be the principled, respectful movement it claims to be. The result of inaction paints the city as a bully toward its citizens.

As PDA, we support Occupy Tucson. As fellow Democrats, we count on you not to impede a movement that reflects our best traditions free speech guarantees and citizen participation. Your nonsupport reflects badly among party faithful who have expected more from those who run for office with a D after their name.

Sincerely,

Phil Lopes
Coordinator, Tucson Chapter,
Progressive Democrats of America