LYNN — The Lynn Democratic City Committee hosted its fourth annual Ice Cream Social Sunday afternoon at the Lynn Museum and Arts Center. Attendees were treated to a Treadwell’s ice cream bar and some other baked goods as they listened to local democrats speak on current issues.
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson was first up to the mic. He spoke on how Lynn is still making progress toward its goals despite “essentially being under attack in the current federal regime.” He touched on education, public safety, housing and park improvements before discussing how “our residents, too often, are being unjustly targeted, held and removed from our community.”
“The fear that that has generated continues to reverberate in our neighborhoods. We’re pushing back as best we can. We’re speaking out. We’re calling out when the federal law enforcement is crossing the line, and we’ll continue to do that… And we’ll also continue to make this community the amazing place it is because one of the best ways we can stand up and push back is to show how we celebrate diversity – and not just celebrate diversity, but thrive on our diversity,” Nicholson said.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll spoke next, and the crowd cheered emphatically when she recognized Massachusetts’ 250-year history of fighting for democracy. Driscoll said, “The least we can do is fight like hell to preserve our democracy at a time (when) others are coming after it.”
Sen. Ed Markey called the jovial crowd “walking, talking antidepressants,” which garnered a heartfelt laugh.
“You’re ready to get up. You’re ready to fight. You’re ready to stand for what makes Massachusetts so special,” he said. “You know, Martin Luther King, Jr. used to say ‘It had to get darkest so you could see the stars.’ That’s what we have here today: the stars of democracy who are up and shining in this darkest of times. But it has been that way here from the beginning of the republic 250 years ago beginning on Patriot’s Day.”
Markey continued, “When the Civil War began, it was the abolitionists from Essex County who were up. They were fighting. Were they knocked down? Yes. Were they knocked out? No. Did they win? Yes.” He spoke in this same format about the suffragette movement, the Civil Rights Movement, the same-sex marriage movement and more.
Sen. Seth Moulton began by thanking local government leaders for their work on city councils, school committees and more.
“Thank you for showing us how good governance really works in America. You represent the front line in our resistance against this un-American administration,” he said.
He then began speaking on the importance of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. Moulton was instrumental in creating 988 as he co-authored the bill which established the hotline.
“… A mother came up to me. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt you, sir,’ she said. ‘But I have to let you know that your law saved my daughter’s life.’ Her 13-year-old daughter stood next to her, still with us because of the lifesaving care that 988 provides,” Moulton said. “That is why this work matters, and that is why we continue to do it. Between now and November 2026, democrats need to focus on one word: win. Democrats need to win.”
Bill Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, began by honoring Agnes Ricko’s memory. Ricko dedicated 52 years of her life to the Lynn Democratic City Committee.
“I know it’s a Sunday in July because I’m in Lynn,” he began. “I’ve been in Lynn every Sunday in July that Agnes Ricko ever called me. She’s still calling, and I’m still listening.”
Galvin continued by saying, “We could spend all afternoon speaking about the plunder of politics by (the Trump) administration… but the answer for us, as democrats, is not simply to feel bad or talk about how bad things are. It’s to fix it and do something about it.”
He then discussed three topics: protecting the right to vote, ensuring all populations are protected and counted and “what are we going to do to make sure this nightmare ends in 2028?”
Considering his third talking point, Galvin said, “There’s where we, as a party, need to smarten up.” He emphasized the need to allow non-democrats to vote in democratic primaries.
“I happen to be the senior democratic Secretary of State in the country, and I’m going to fight like hell to make sure that our party opens itself up,” Galvin said. “Our strength has always been the people. It still is, and we need to make sure that process continues into 2028.”
