This is a recollection of that day in the former CFD [Community Free Democrats] clubhouse at 90th and Amsterdam [on Manhattan's Upper West Side]. An evil crime and tragedy of Biblical proportions was occurring 10 miles south of us, and we had to hold our little corner of the world together as best we could.
I've included the memories of CFD members who responded to my request for reflections pertaining to Primary Day. Some declined; they still find it too painful.
Just about everyone began by mentioning the color of the sky.
Democratic District Leader Joan Paylo (69th NY State Assembly District) has written a compelling narrative about September 11, 2001, which was Primary Day in New York.
I urge anyone interested in grassroots Democratic operations, local history, New York City history, Manhattan Democratic politics, excellent writing, or narratives of 9/11 to read this remarkable short work. (Click here to go to CFD's homepage linking to the PDF of Joan's narrative.)
Democrats were out on the streets of New York City in force already early in the morning of 9/11/01, organizing volunteers, handing out campaign literature at subway stops, canvassing, doing the grassroots work of local political action.
Joan Paylo writes of "Where [CFD] Members were that fateful morning."
I'm a member of CFD, a club co-founded back in 1969 by now Congressman Jerry Nadler, now Assemblymember Dick Gottfried, former Democratic Committee Member Bob Ginsberg, Dick Morris (yes, that Dick Morris), and others--to the best of my knowledge all anti-war activists--interested in reforming the Manhattan Democratic machine.