In an attempt to be more social and celebrate freedom, local
Republicans are hosting a mixer today with the theme
”
Proud to be an American.
”
In an attempt to be more social and celebrate freedom, local Republicans are hosting a mixer today with the theme “Proud to be an American.”
The mixer is free and open to the public, regardless of political affiliation. It begins at 6:30 p.m. upstairs in The Vault restaurant at San Benito and Fifth streets. The event includes complimentary appetizers and a no-host bar. A disk jockey will play dance music at 8 p.m.
“This is the first in San Benito County. We wanted to make it unique and eye-catching. We just decided to focus on patriotism (at the mixer),” said Jennifer Zapata, board member of the Greater Monterey Bay Area Young Republicans.
Several elected officials have been invited, Zapata said, including District Attorney John Sarsfield and county Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley as well as various city officials.
The mixer will feature an open-microphone segment to allow people to speak their minds about the war in Iraq. Many have family members in the Middle East and may want to talk about that, Zapata said.
Despite a rift between Americans about the war, no one who wishes to speak will be censored, she said.
“People have strong feelings both ways. It’s an opportunity to just get up and talk,” she said. “Even within the Republican party, there’s a wide variety of viewpoints.”
Although the mixer’s theme is clearly patriotic, everyone can agree that they’re proud to be an American, Zapata said.
“The focus is on patriotism and freedom, especially freedom of speech,” she said. “I’m proud to live in a country that allows us to disagree with people. Even the (anti-war) protesters (at San Benito and Fourth streets Friday afternoons) are proud to be Americans.”
The Greater Monterey Bay Area Young Republicans hosts mixers once a month. The group is the result of a merge between the Central Coast Young Republicans, which served Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, and the Monterey County Young Republicans.
Young Republicans are between the ages of 18 and 40, Zapata said.
