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DNC Chairman Tom Perez and Deputy Chair Keith Ellison’s visit to Asbury Park was made possible by the Monmouth County Democratic Organization.

Their words were that of unity, resistance, and rallying for the common good in support of the everyday man and woman.

“When we are united, our unity is our greatest strength and it’s Donald Trump’s worst nightmare,” Perez, the former US Labor Secretary under the Obama Administration said as he addressed the crowd.

Held at the Asbury Park Harold Daley VFW Post 1333 because it quickly sold out at its previously schedule location at Porta on Kingsley Street, the Democratic rally brought close to 500 out on a raw rainy Friday afternoon.

But political concerns quickly rose against the nonpartisan nonprofit that works in support of all veterans’ rights. Members at the event said they were getting a bit of backlash.

“We are nonpartisan,” VFW member Robert Jameson said. “We are just supplying the venue.”

In a written statement, Commander Frank Brogna said: “Today’s event was open to the public. The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, in particular the Harold Daley Post 1333, is a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse any particular candidate or political party. We serve as a Community Center that is open to the public.”

With that said, the political rally, which included a volunteer phone bank to spread the party’s platform, drew residents from across the state.

They included David Greason [at right], 83, of Freehold, a 22-year Army Sgt. First Class veteran who had a one-on-one conversation with Ellison after the political rally.

“I wanted to know what they are doing to help the special elections,” Greason said. “Like that guy in Georgia who is running in that red district. Because in the mid terms we’ll fight that, we’ll get there but in the meantime if we can pick off special election like the one in May in Maryland, we have got to get out and fund these guys.”

In her one-on-one with Perez, Marianne Clemente [at right] of Barnegat said she discussed the importance of keeping the grassroots efforts alive.

“We need help not only getting the [party platform] word out but that we are a party for the people, it is not an elite party. It’s not about high ticket events but things like this that welcomes everyone.”

The 2 p.m. rally got a late start as the guests of honor made their way down the coast from a Newark rally. They were met with many cheers and applause, as well as a few standing ovations.

“This is a historical event for the City of Asbury Park,” Mayor John Moor said. “It helps bring national attention to the issues our community and others across the state are facing. I did see a lot of young people there, which I think is a really good thing.”

Local Assembly incumbents Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey who are seeking a second term, were first public official to address the crowd.

“What we are seeing here is really incredible,” Houghtaling said. “Our state Democratic Chairman coming here really puts the eyes on what is going on in Monmouth County. A lot of great things have happened since Joann and I won in 2015. There is hope out there…we have made some great strides in Monmouth County.”

Downey said the area is very fortunate to ‘be the center of attention right now.’ She said they will continue the hard work of knocking on doors and listening to their 11th District constituents.

State Senate candidate Vin Gopal said, “the issues we face, whether its pay equity, women’s healthcare funding, background checks, define the values that make each and every one of us Democrats.”

State Democratic Chair John Currie and Vice Chair Lizette Delgado were also on stage.

“We have the real resistance group up here that are working their butts off,” Currie said in introducing the national party leaders. “Folks we are so, so lucky here in this country that we have elected two of the most outstanding gentlemen that could lead our party. Listen, when it comes to working people, when it comes to Democrats and Democratic values we really have the best of the best.”

Ellison elicited resounding applause when he took the stage and said ‘the road back to real prosperity starts here.’

“It’s starts on the ground, grassroots in our church basements, VFW halls, it starts in these places where the real folks live,” he said. “Talking about core stuff like wages, equality and inclusion…We don’t want just the LGBTQ friends fighting for equality, we all have to stand with them don’t we. We don’t want just people of color fighting for race equality, we need whites and blacks and browns, and everyone fighting together. We don’t want people who immigrated here just to fight for immigration reform, we need those of us who were born here to stand with them, right.”

Perez said the party’s shared values is what led the two men to go on the tour that took them from Michigan to New Jersey before heading on to Texas and Virginia.

“It so inspires me that on a crappy day in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, you all are playing hooky or something,” Perez said. “I want to say thank you to you.

He went on to say that although Jan 20 was an undeniably important day, but Jan. 21 was a far more important day. I want to thank all the women across this country who organized rallies.”

In a closing interview with members of the press, Perez said it is very humbling to travel through the state.

“It’s very inspiring, the energy is palpable,” he said. “The key for us to make sure we translate this moment into a movement and the movement into people who go to the ballot.”

When asked by the Asbury Park Sun reporter about what the national party can do for the residents of Asbury Park, many who have lived here for generations and particularly those living on the fringe of poverty and the working poor middle class being pushed out by higher taxes and cost of living, Perez said:

“The party can continue to fight for core values of opportunity and inclusion. By that I mean, look at the proposed budget from President Trump. The Community Development Block Grant is a critical component in communities like Asbury Park for revitalization and the proposal to zero it out is catastrophic or would be catastrophic. Budgets are moral documents. I believe that housing is right not a privilege. I believe we need to continue to fight for those values; same thing with healthcare.

“So when you look at what’s going on in Washington, Donald Trump said to African Americans what do you have to lose. Look at his budget. African Americans and so many others have so much to lose from a budget that bankrupts investments for critical programs and services in communities across this country, including but not limited to communities of color.”

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