Dr. Khalilah Brown-Dean (Thomas Breen photo)
November 16, 2016 - One week after a nationwide wave of populist, conservative discontent helped Donald J. Trump win the presidency and Republicans retain majorities in both houses of the U.S. Congress, community leaders called for frustrated New Haveners to work together to protect abortion rights, protect immigrants, and prepare voters for the next election.
Dori Dumas, president of the Greater New Haven NAACP, called for more volunteers to help out with her branch’s year-round voter registration and civic education drives. Mary Elizabeth Smith, program director at Junta for Progressive Action, encouraged all New Haveners to participate in Junta’s regular Know Your Rights clinics. Susan Yolen, vice president at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, asked for more friendly faces to volunteer at their Edwards Street offices on Saturdays to help welcome patients otherwise greeted by a weekly encampment of abortion protesters.