UPDATE: Doug Gansler & Doug Duncan Join Labor Picket of MoCo Democrats // PLUS: Washington Post Slams Protesters

Below Maryland Juice provides a few more updates on the planned labor protest at this Saturday's Montgomery County Democratic spring ball:

JUICE #1: DOUG GANSLER, DOUG DUNCAN & MORE DEMOCRATS JOIN LABOR PROTEST - This morning the AFL-CIO Metro Council emailed a newsletter with an update on which politicians are participating in the labor protest of the MCDCC ball. Notable new participants are Attorney General Doug Gansler and former County Executive Doug Duncan:

AFL-CIO: Political Support Building for MCDCC Spring Ball Boycott/Picket: All four Democrats reportedly seeking the Maryland Governor's office in 2014 are now supporting the Metro Washington Council’s boycott/picket of Saturday’s MCDCC Spring Ball. Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman have joined Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and Maryland Delegate Heather Mizeur on the growing list of political leaders boycotting the Ball. The boycott and picket have been organized to protest the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s support last year for the Question B referendum, which took away the police union’s right to bargain the effects of management decisions. “Real Democrats walk picket lines,” said Metro Council President Jos Williams. “We’re very heartened by the leadership shown by those who are supporting us and their messages of solidarity.” Also on board are FOP Lodge 35, UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO, IAFF Local 1664, CWA Local 2108, the Montgomery County Young Democrats, Prince Georges County Young Democrats, Progressive Maryland, Fund Our Communities, retired Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan, who join U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland senators Brian Frosh, Rob Garagiola, Roger Manno, Karen Montgomery and Jamie Raskin, and Maryland delegates Charles Barkley, Aisha Braveboy, Bill Frick, Tom Hucker, Ben Kramer and Eric Luedtke. The picket starts at 5:30p on Saturday in Rockville.

JUICE 2: WASHINGTON POST RELEASES EDITORIAL SLAMMING LABOR PROTEST OF MOCO DEMOCRATIC BALL - The planned labor protest of the MCDCC spring ball has attracted the interest of the Washington Post editorial board. Last night they released the following editorial slamming the picket line (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: Some Democrats say they will not cross a picket line “on principle.” But exactly what is the principle they’re upholding? An absurd rule, unmatched in other police departments, that was rejected by 60 percent of Montgomery voters? In this case, the “principle” at stake looks more like political cowardice....

It is particularly troubling in the case of Mr. Brown. If he can’t stand up to bullying by arrogant special interests — even to attend a fundraiser by his own party — what kind of spine can Marylanders expect from him as chief executive?

JUICE #3: PRINCE GEORGE'S YOUNG DEMOCRATS ISSUE STATEMENT ANNOUNCING SUPPORT OF LABOR PROTEST AT MCDCC BALL - The Prince George's Young Democrats released the following feisty statement indicating support for the labor protest of the MCDCC ball:

YOUNG DEMOCRATS PICKET ANNUAL SPRING BALL
Prince George’s County and Montgomery County Young Democrats stand against Montgomery County Democrat Central Committee’s decision on 2012 Question B referendum

Prince George's County, MD (May 8, 2013)- Prince George’s County Young Democrats (PGCYD) collaborate with Montgomery County Young Democrats (MCYD) in an acclaimed support to picket and boycott the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee’s  (MCDCC) Spring Ball held on Saturday, May 11th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

Their decision to picket and boycott has come after MCDCC voted in favor of the 2012 Question B referendum, which discards police union’s right to bargain the effects of management decisions. Furthermore, this political uproar caused County residents to question MCDCC’s integrity. “MCDCC has gone against our Democratic principles and have shown they are no better than Republicans in Wisconsin when it comes to economic policy,” said Larry Stafford, President of PGCYD.

With statewide officials set to cancel their attendance and donors to seek refunds, the picket and boycott could bankrupt the Montgomery County Democratic Party.

For more information on this boycott, please contact Larry Stafford, President of PGCYD at 202-907-9597 or via e-mail at Lstaffordjr@gmail.com.

About Prince George’s County Young Democrats

The Prince George's County Young Democrats is an organization devoted to inspiring the young residents of its county to increase political engagement through voter registration, education, and commitment in engaging young residents to take a stance on the local issues and to participate in political campaigns; local or national. For more information on PGCYD visit www.PGCYD.com or contact Maurielle Stewart, Vice President of
Communications at Mhstewart17@gmail.com.

About Montgomery County Young Democrats

The Montgomery County Young Democrats is an organization committed to engaging and developing young residents into future leaders through political action to working for sustainable just communities. For more information on MCYD visit www.MCYD.org or contact Nik Sushka, Director of Communications at Nik.sushka@mcyd.org.

About Question B Referendum

In 2012, Montgomery County Democrat Central Committee voted for Question B Referendum, which includes the distribution of significant police equipment and the revision of “Use of Force” policy. Many residents found the bill to actually hinder the Police Department's mission to protect officers, county residents and property. For More information on Question B Referendum, visit Support MOCO Police Officers.

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MORE ON THE LABOR PROTEST OF THE MCDCC BALL SOON!