With the phenomenal number of candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for president, the Santa Monica Democratic Club is endeavoring to present as many of them as possible to their membership and the general public. The Club has been invited by the Malibu Democratic Club and the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club to co-host an event with Representative Tulsi Gabbard on Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Santa Monica Main Library.
They are pleased to add this event to the calendar, joining their already announced meeting on May 28 at which they will hear from Senator Amy Klobuchar, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination.
Gabbard has represented Hawaii’s 2nd congressional District since she was elected in 2012 to an open seat, having previously served a term in the state legislature from 2002-2004. She served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 as a member of a field medical unit of the Army National Guard and was deployed to Kuwait from 2008 to 2009 as a military police officer, and is currently continues to serve as a major in the Army National Guard.
She attributes her present opposition to regime change wars and continued support for counter-terrorism measures to fight what she calls ‘radical Islam’ to her experiences as veteran and also says that her time in the Middle East caused her to change her former stance opposing LGBTQ rights, same-sex marriage, and abortion rights to a current position of support.
Gabbard has generated controversy over her outreach to Syrian President Assad and other figures widely seen as human-rights violators and for her ties to Hindu supremacists, including the prime minister of India Narendra Modi. Her campaign focuses on redirecting spending from wars of choice to funding healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
The event is free and open to the general public. Light refreshments will be provided. The Library served by several Big Blue Bus and Metro bus routes, and for those not walking, biking, or taking public transit. Free parking is available on site. The venue is fully accessible.
Monday, May 13, doors open at 6 p.m. program begins at 7 p.m. Santa Monica Main Library MLK Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard.
Submitted by Genise Schnitman
