YCDP-TV
The YCDP has a (little) TV📺 and Radio📻 Station! Our media empire!
OK, not on the air🗼. Not even cable🤨. We’re on YouTube video and podcast audio.
The YouTube video is easy to find - our episodes will appear below, or you can go to our YouTube Channel by clicking the link. Click the Subscribe button and the Notification Bell 🔔 to be notified when a new show is produced.
For podcast audio🎧, go to your podcast app and search for YCDP-TV. Or you can listen and download from the episodes below. (Not available on Spotify)
Episode 40: Meanwhile, Back on Dave Lyle…
Meet some more of the activists who occupy a block of Dave Lyle Blvd in Rock Hill ever other Saturday! 2-4 PM. And/or drop by the Indivisible folks at 10 AM Mondays as they protest and drop some mail on Ralph Norman's doorstep. 516 Oakland Ave, Rock Hill, SC.
Also, the YCDP Executive Committee has it's quarterly meeting on Saturday, August 16 at 10 AM, either on Zoom or — for the first time in a few years — in person. Same place we had the YCDP Convention earlier this year. Check your email, the Facebook Group, or the Newsletter for details. All YCDP Democrats are welcome.
Podcast Audio is available in your podcast app (not available on Spotify)
And if you missed last week’s special protest, it drew coverage from two Charlotte TV stations. Our quick summary:
Episode 39: Rock Hill Rage 🤬
The YCDP TV Media Empire crew was handling family stuff on Saturday while the nationwide Rage Against the Regime coincided with York County Rising's bi-weekly Dave Lyle protest. Fortunately, reporters and crews from WCNC and WBTV both covered the event. And we stole their reports.
If you can't make it every time, come when you can. And at the end of this video is a short PSA on something else you can do: send postcards.
Podcast audio is also available in your podcast app. Look for YCDP TV
Episode 38: Library Update 📚 (the Republican’s Long Game)
York County Council Republicans have been playing a long game with the county library system. They didn’t have much choice, but a culture war battle that started in 2022 is finally about to be completed. Or maybe blocked.
In 2022, Councilman Tom Audette started making noise about a list of children’s books in the library that addressed LGBTQ topics. He didn’t invent the issue—it had been a hot potato in right-wing circles for a while in other areas of the state and nation. Back then, behind the scenes, he was reported to be floating the idea of banning some of those books—removing them from the library completely. As the question became more public in 2023, he and cohorts realized that banning the books was a bridge too far. They proposed moving the books to the adult section, a “reasonable” solution that meant children… even older teenagers… wouldn’t come across them.
Podcast Audio. Play here, or subscribe in your podcast app (not available on Spotify)
The library board said ‘no’. The books would stay where they belonged.
The County Council—a seven-member group with six Republicans and one Democrat—didn’t think it would be wise to appear to micromanage the Library Board. The strategy was to replace the Board. Step one was to get rid of the three At-Large positions. Another Board member was ejected because district lines had been redrawn, and she was now outside the District she had represented. The Council passed a policy that meant that she would be immediately removed, rather than be allowed to complete her term.
Other terms expired, and some members left early as they felt pressured to go. By this year, the Library Board reflected the County Council’s makup: six conservatives and one progressive. And it was now dominated by political appointees with an agenda, rather then people dedicted to the full range of library functions.
And the issue that started it all—the proposal to move LGBTQ books from the children’s section to the adult section—has been proposed and will be voted on at the Board’s August 14 meeting. If it passes, the SC ACLU is threatening a lawsuit. They are currently suing Greenville County over that county’s ‘move the books’ policy, which was a template for the York County proposal.
Opposition arose
We covered some of it across several episodes of YCDP TV back in 2023. A group called Support YCL was formed, and members attended Library Board and committee meetings, making public comments, recording the meetings on video, and submitting FOIA requests for emails and official documents. Conservative groups like Moms for Liberty were also attending, and Library Board meetings—which had never had a public audience—bacame a battleground. The new Board looked for ways to muzzle the opponent’s voices and hide their own policy discussions.
In this episode, three Support YCL members—Lacey, Laura and Stephanie—join host Gary Pearce to review the history, discuss where things stand today, and talk about what they’d like to see in the future.
And we take a look at a book (not in the library at this time) aimed at indoctrinating young kids into thinking “the right way”.
Episode 37: Forward Together (Candidates) / Rock Hill Protest (again!)
TIMECODE INDEX to the YouTube Video BELOW ⌚
It was another YCDP Weekend, with the Forward Together party on Friday (June 27) and another every-other-Saturday protest along Dave Lyle in Rock Hill on Saturday.
We lead off with Rock Hill, and some longer interviews with some of the activists, Savanna, Will and Anna.
PODCAST AUDIO. Listen here, or on your favorite podcast app (not available on Spotify)
Then we go backwards in time (a few hours) to the YCDP Forward Together event, where we hear from the three candidates who were present. US Senate Candidate Dr. Annie Andrews leads off, then two candidates (of four announced so far) competing for the Democratic nomination for US House from SC 5 (Ralph Norman's seat). First is Andrew Clough, who announced very recently, and then Alex Harper, who's been in the race for a while.
The evening wraps up with YCDP Chair Nikita Jackson, who ushered everyone inside before thunderstorms rolled in.
DETAILED INDEX:
ROCK HILL PROTEST
00:00 INTRO, YCDP TV Host Gary Pearce gets the episode started at the Rock Hill Protest
00:55 People and Signs along Dave Lyle Blvd montage
01:58 Extended interview with protester/activists Savanna and Will. We get a little deeper into what motivates some of the people who are out on Dave Lyle every other week.
14:44 Anna Johnson reveals herself as our Costumed Crusader. First it was the Easter Bunny 🐰. Then an American Eagle 🦅. On the big No Kings day two weeks ago, she appeared as George Washington 🦸♂️ (yeah… no… there’s no George Washington emoji. C’mon, Google…). And this week she braved potential heat stroke in an inflatable (but not air conditioned) chicken costume 🐔. Behind (or inside) all that performance is an articulate, informed activist, also willing to do a bit of the Chicken Dance on camera.
19:15 We always talk with Brian Ballard, spokesman for York County Rising, the main sponsor of the bi-weekly (every other week version) protest on Dave Lyle Blvd in Rock Hill. Brian told us that– as of now – there are NO planned protest events in Rock Hill for July 4. There probably will be some, somewhere nearby, so do some digging.
FORWARD TOGETHER
20:51 The FORWARD TOGETHER event begins. Host Hope Matthews thanks the major sponsors/doners for the event.
Three candidates for Democratic Nominations for office in the 2026 Primary spoke at the event. Note that the YCDP does NOT endorse candidates for the Primary, and appearance at a YCDP event does not imply endorcement, but we provide the opportunity for all to reach our party members. Also note that the official filing period to be on the ballot doesn't even open until April 2026, so we may well see more candidates announce their intention to run.
Find out more about candidates on our website Meet the Candidates page
22:11 First was Dr. Annie Andrews. She is running for US Senate, challenging Lindsay Graham (assuming he runs again). Three other candidates (so far) have announced their run for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat, but were not at the event. They are: Catherine Fleming Bruce, Kyle Freeman, and Lee Johnson. See our Meet the Candidates page for links to those candidates.
Next are the two current candidates for the Democratic nomination for US House from SC District 5, which includes all of York County. This is Ralph Norman's seat, though Norman has not declared his candidacy yet and is considered to be a possible contender for Governor. Stay tuned.
28:29 Andrew Clough recently announced his bid for the nomination for US House from SC5. He introduces himself to the audience. This is his first appearance before a Democratic group (that we know about).
30:41 Alex Harper is also running for the US House seat for SC5. He announced his candidacy at the YCDP Convention.
35:08 YCDP Chair Nikita Jackson wraps things up just before thunderstorms chase the party indoors.
38:32 YCDP TV 📺Producer Gary Pearce wraps up the episode.
Episode 36: No Kings 🤴 NATIONWIDE (and Rock Hill)
Rock Hill, York and Lancaster Counties turned out in force for the June 14 Nationwide No Kings Protest. Crowd estimates approached 2000, by far the largest turnout for the every-other-Saturday event along Dave Lyle Blvd, sponsored by York County Rising, along with several other progressive groups.
Of course the YCDP-TV media empire mobile production unit (a camera and wireless mic) were there to document the event, so meet some of your friends and neighbors – and a Candidate for Congress – who were more than eager to share their thoughts and reactions to what’s been going on in Washington and around the country.
Podcast audio. Listen here, or find YCDP TV in your podcast app
Note that at this event there was no trouble – it was entirely peaceful (if a little noisy… ok, a lot noisy 📯). Early on, you’ll see a few pickups with Trump flags circle the parking lot at the edge of the protest (they disappeared before the 2 pm start time), and for a while a clump of men stood at the edge of the event watching, though they didn’t have any signs, hats or identifying clothing, and they didn’t make any noise. Mostly they were ignored.
Keep in mind that this event continues, every other Saturday until… from 2-4 pm.
Episode 35: Rock Hill Protest / SCDP Convention / Tim Walz Keynote
Saturday, May 31, 2025, was a busy day for the YCDP TV Media Empire.
In the morning, our Columbia bureau (Gary) covered the South Carolina Democratic Party annual Convention. We're not showing you the whole thing*, but we are including all of the (short) speeches by candidates you'll see on your York County Primary ballot in June, 2026: Senate (4), Governor (1), Superintendent of Education (1) and US House from SC 5 (1). (The Primary is a year away, so we may well see more candidates for any of those offices.)
We also meet a couple of popular South Carolina Public Radio journalists.
Minnesota Governor and 2024 Vice Presidental candidate Tim Walz was the keynote speaker, and while he came first at the convention due to his busy schedule, we're putting his 45 minute speech at the end of this video.
In the afternoon, our Rock Hill Bureau (also Gary) dropped in on the bi-weekly protest in Rock Hill. We meet more of your York County neighbors with their signs, and talk to the world-famous EASTER BUNNY, this time disguised as an American Eagle.
Episode-wise, we're presenting the Rock Hill protest first because it's fairly short, then the SCDP Convention, and again we put Tim Walz's longer speech at the end (the way the grocery store puts the milk at the back of the store).
Podcast Audio. Listen here, or subscribe on your podcast app (not available on Spotify)
*Almost the whole convention was streamed live by Fox5 Television in Washington DC. They got started late, during Tim Walz's keynote, but he was the first speaker (and we have all of it in this episode), and then they hang in there until the end - all the 'business' of the convention and speeches from candidates who won't be on a York County Primary ballot. The YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/live/7UvEvJ5htHw?si=jmo_hf2OLl67Gc-4
00:00 INTRODUCTION
00:27 Rock Hill Protest coverage begins
01:29 Honk if you're not in a cult
01:39 MAGA bros
02:03 local ladies
02:54 8647, No Kings, Democracy Dies in Silence, Trump/Fox News
04:49 American Eagle (the former Easter Bunny)
06:01 Complicit/repeated crime
08:58 8674, crisis flag
09:36 a short editorial
09:53 Back to COLUMBIA, Nikita Jackson's welcome to SCDP Convention
10:21 Here's the video plan
13:00 Meet Gavin Jackson and Maayan Schecter from SC Public Radio
16:30 two Yorkies at the delegation
16:55 Crystal Spain call to order
17:30 Senate Candidate Dr. Annie Andrews
22:45 Senate Candidate Catherine Fleming Bruce
28:30 Senate Candidate Kyle Freeman
32:21 Senate Candidate Lee Johnson
36:48 Jamie Harrison (former DNC Chair) - just his intro and close
38:08 Jermaine Johnson announces his 'exploatory committee' for a run for Governor
45:47 The convention chair calls for Justin Bennet, who has filed as a candidate for Governor. He was not present. He does have a YouTube channel, so you can evaluate this candidate for yourself: / @justinbennettsc
46:05 Superintendent of Education Candidate Sylvia Wright
49:32 Alex Harper is running for US House from SC District 5 (Ralph Norman's seat, covering all of York County)
53:19 KEYNOTE speaker, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Lee Johnson Pre-Announcement for US Senate from SC
Lee Johnson visited the YCDP Dessert Before Dinner event on May 2, and corralled our YCDP TV camera crew to make a pre-announcement of his intent to run for the Democratic Nomination for US Senate from South Carolina.
That seat is currently held by Republican Lindsey Graham, who you can find on Fox News more easily than you can find him anywhere in the state he is supposed to represent.
This election happens in 2026. The Primary will be in June, and the Election is in November, as usual. Several other candidates from various parties have already announced their candidacy, but Lee was the one who showed up at the YCDP event.
Podcast audio. Play or download here, or on your podcast app
Episode 34: MayDay ThreeFer
Your YCDP TV Media Empire Mobile Production Unit (Gary and his video camera) showed up at three events surrounding May Day this year.
On Wednesday, April 30, the Lancaster County Democratic Party held an Empty Chair Town Hall at the Indianland High School auditorium. A couple dozen people addeessed a cardboard cutout of the otherwise absent Ralph Norman, who represents pretty much only the hard-right Republicans in the South Caroina 5th Congressional District. We're presenting just a few seconds of most of the speakers, but you'll get a good idea of the tone of the event.
Podcast Audio. Play/download here, or in your podcast app
Next, it's our Dessert Before Dinner event at YCDP Headquarters on Friday, May 2. You'll get a short tour of our modest HQ office, meet Lee Johnson, who is about to announce his canddidacy for US Sendate (we have a separate video of his announcement, here on the YCDP TV YouTube channel), and State Representative Jermaine Johnson, visiting from the 52nd State House District.
A heavy downpour failed to dampen the spirits of the YCDP supporters who showed up to enjoy the goodies. You, OTOH, won't gain an ounce, unless the shots of the yummy cakes and cookies drive you to the kitchen.
And the weekend wrapped up with the bi-weekly protest along Dave Lyle Blvd in Rock Hill. This event happens every other Saturday at 2 pm, coordinated by York County Rising in cooperation with other progressive groups. You will hear from several of your progressive friends and neighbors who also braved some rain – which ended just as things were getting started – to show the world that we're not going to take what Columbia and Washington are trying to dish out. They encourage you to join them! Enthusiastically!
Two more events to keep in mind (among many, we know): a York County Empty Chair Town Hall on Friday, May 16. And another Rock Hill No Kings protest to join other nationwide events on Saturday, June 14. This one falls on the regular bi-weekly schedule for York County Rising, but it's extra-special because it’s the President's birthday 🎂, and he plans a big, North Korea-style military parade in his own honor. So nationwide, progressive groups want local and network TV to have a split-screen opportunity. In Rock Hill, it's 2 pm as usual along Dave Lyle Blvd. {Eagle-eared viewers will note that Gary says that the June 14 event is an extra protest day in Rock Hill. His mistake. It’s on the usual bi-weekly schedule.)
Episode 33: 🍨Eat Dessert First🍰
Dessert Before Dinner
YCDP Chair Nikita Jackson joins Gary to talk about the YCDP fundraiser Dessert Before Dinner starting at 5 pm Friday afternoon, May 2, at our HQ office, 858 Cherry Rd in Rock Hill. Details and ticket purchase here.
They also talk about the protests that continue across the country and right here in York County. Protests have been sponsored by Indivisible, York County Rising, 50501, and MoveOn. They will continue, with York County Rising scheduling one every other Saturday along Dave Lyle Blvd (at White St) in Rock Hill at 2 pm. The next few are May 3, 17 and 31. So have dessert 🍰 with us on Friday, and walk it off on Saturday🚶🏽♀️
And if you missed it somehow, the YCDP TV Production Unit was out at the protests on April 5 (Hands Off) and 19 (No Kings), and you can review the events on our YouTube shows and podcasts.
But wait, there’s more. Our neighbors in Lancaster County have scheduled an Empty Seat Town Hall for SC Congressional District 5 at 7 pm on Wednesday, April 30 at Indian Land High School, 6100 Charlotte Hwy, Lancaster, SC 29720. They have invited our District 5 Rep Ralph Norman – he has not responded. Maybe he will show up?
So much to do… so many Democrats!
PODCAST AUDIO - play it here, or subscribe on your podcast player (not available on Spotify)
Episode 32: No Kings 👑 Rock Hill
Once again, York County was part of thousands of protests nationwide on April 19, this time with the theme No Kings. The Rock Hill event was coordinated by the new progressive group York County Rising, in cooperation with 50501, Move On, and many other organizations. Two weeks ago, they sponsired the activity along Dave Lyle Blfd, while local Indivisible chapters promoted the protest at Rock Hill’s Fountain Park.
And once again, YCDP TV was there to document the action. We have an extended interview with Brian Ballard from York County Rising to learn what this new group is all about. He appears for a minute at the top of the program, and much more toward the end.
They are planning bi-weekly protests along Dave Lyle Blvd in Rock Hill, so the next one is scheduled for May 3. Note that advance notice of all events can be hard to come by, especially if you rely on Facebook, because Facebook doesn’t show you everything from your groups and friends. You have to do some digging. York County Rising does have a calendar with information on their and other activities, with the goal of surging progressive turnout at these events.
Podcast audio, also available in most podcast apps
Episode 31: Hands Off Rock Hill
Saturday, April 5, 2025 saw Hands Off protests in cities and towns nationwide, including Rock Hill in York County. Not the biggest, probably not the smallest… several hundred people lined Main Street near Fountain Park, and Dave Lyle Blvd to let the world know that we don’t like what’s happeining in Washington and Columbia.
More are planned, nearly every week. You’ll probably see a notice on the YCDP Facebook Group (a private group).
Podcast audio. Play here or in your podcast app
Episode 30: YCDP Convention 2025
The York County Democratic Party met for our annual Convention on March 15, 2025 in Newport, SC. We elected officers for the next two years. See the Convention Page for details.
PODCAST AUDIO. You’ll also find the poscast in most podcast apps.
Episode 29: Execs Get Political
When we recorded Episode 28, after we finished talking about the upcoming YCDP Convention, Gary asked the assembled Board members to get political for a bit. And they did.
PODCAST AUDIO. You’ll also find the poscast in most podcast apps.
Episode 28: YCDP 2025 Convention Plans
In this episode, YCDP Executive Board members discuss the upcoming Annual Conventiuon, and a little bit about the State Convention. Details on the Convention itself are here on the website.
Here are the basics:
Date: March 15, 2025
Time: 10 AM
Location: Union Baptist Church, 1195 Hands Mill Hwy, Rock Hill, SC 29732 (Newport)
We’d like you to register if you plan to come.That and lots of other stuff on the web page.
Episode 27: School Board Candidates
When you get down to the level of School Board, many voters find themselves in the dark. School board seats are non-partisan, and the YCDP does not endorse any.
There is a fairly new organization in York County called CAPE (Community Advocates FOR Public Education) that has taken on the mission of getting the word out. CAPE is also non-partisan and education focused, but they do advocate for all students.
They recently participated in a School Board Candidate Forum hosted by - yes - the York County Conservative Club. All but two of the candidates from the four school districts were able to attend. Each candidate spoke for two minutes, and there was no Q&A. CAPE offered a video recording of the event to YCDP-TV, and we’re happy to add it to our podcasts.
And although we at YCDP don’t endorse candidates for these non-partisan seats, we know - and you know - that School Board has become highly political, thanks to some on the far right who have been campaigning to end things like letting kids know that gay and trans people even exist, or that our nation’s history has some unpleasant things in it. They have been running candidates for school board seats from which they launch their agenda on the schools.
Some of the candidates you’ll hear from make their position clear. Some couch it in dog-whistle statements. And some - most? - are really just there for the sake of education. A candidate with progressive leaning can’t say that overtly in this pretty red county and still be elected.
Episode 26: The Delegates are BACK
On this episode, Nikita Jackson (YCDP Chair) and John Holder (too many to list) were two of the official Delegates to the DNC in Chicago, and we also have two 'Honored Guests' who also attended: Hattie Ross and William 'Perk' Perkins.
They had fun, they have stories, and at least John has COVID😷.
🎬 So, that Show Open thing.... So far, I've just started the shows by sitting in front of the Studio in the Bonus Room... I'm pretty sure that's scaring people away. So I'm asking YOU to help out.
Here's how. Record a 'selfie video' 🤳🏻 at some place recognizable around where you live - city limit sign sign, iconic building, whatever. On that video, say two things:
the town NAME ("Rock Hill", "City of York" (I learned it's 'City of', not 'Town of'😏),
and also say "From the..." and your town name.
Say it a few times with different inflections, like it’s the first thing on a list, the middle of a list, and the last thing on a list - this is 'show biz' technique that makes things sound better when they're edited together..
EXPANDED VERSION: But wait, there's more! If you're up to it, also record the WHOLE INTRO (it's not that long). That way I won't have to be in it at all 😃.
Here's the script:
From York County, South Carolina (then all the 'from Rock Hill, Clover, Tega Cay... gets edited in).... this is the York County Democratic Party YouTube Show and Podcast! We call it YC.. DP.... TV.
If you want to ad lib something more, or something else, well, give it a go 🎭🎬.
If the video file is under 25 MB (probably won't be that small), email it to me at YCDPTV@gmail.com. If it's too big to email, use any online storage like Google Drive that let's me download without joining the service, and email me the link.
I'm looking forward to your creativity!
Episode 25: The Delegates
YCDP Chair Nikita Jackson, 2nd Vice-Chair Ryan Stephens and multiple office-holder John Holder are among the delegates from York County and the 5th Congressional District who will be headed to Chicago in a couple weeks to participate in the Democratic National Convention. We talk about what they're expecting, and the big changes in the party with President Joe Biden dropping out of the race and endorsing VP Kamala Harris.
Attending the convention is expensive 💰. The state party estimates it will cost each delegate around $4000, and all the expense is on the delegates. So Nikita and Ryan are taking advantage of an ACT BLUE system to accept contributions to help defray the expenses.
The QR Codes in the video will take you their individual contribution pages, or use these links:
Nikita Jackson: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/njackson
Ryan Stephens: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/natldelegatefundraiserstephens
This is the audio version - you can also find it in most Podcast apps as YCDPTV
Episode 24: Zooming for Kamala 🚀
Have you participated in any of those mass Zoom calls.... events.... in support of VP Kamala Harris' run for President? Your producer (Gary) hasn't, but Nile, Monica and Pat have. They talk about the experience and the energy that built so quickly after President Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris.
Episode 23: Evangeline Hundley Campaign Launch Party
Evangeline Hundley launched her campaign for US House from the South Carolina 5th Congressional District (including all of York County) with a party at the Mercantile in Rock Hill on June 12, the day after the Republican Primary. Matt Vilardebo, candidate for SC House from Fort Mill (District 26) introduced her.
SC 5th Congressional District
Hundley did not have a Primary opponent, so moves directly to the November 5th General Election, once again facing off against incumbent Republican Ralph Norman.
This is Hundley’s second run at the office. Norman defeated her in 2022, her first attempt at any political office. She comes at this second try with a much better idea of what it takes to run a campaign for Congress, and strong support from the YCDP.
She has a series of videos and commercials lined up on her YouTube Channel, along with a website and Facebook page.
It’s LEGAL ⚖ to Campaign Outside a Polling Place 😮 (Who Knew?)
We found Elizabeth Enns, Republican candidate for SC House (26), greeting voters right outside the polling place at Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill. Can she do that?
Enns is running against David Martin in the June 11, 2024 Republican Primary. The winner of that Primary will take on Democrat Matt Vilardebo in November. [UPDATE: Enns lost the Primary election to Martin]
Turns out she can 😮. Here’s the FAQ from SCVotes.gov Enn's button, though, failed to meet spec, because it had her picture.
Yes, but there are restrictions:
Inside the polling place: No campaigning is allowed. Candidates may be inside the polling place and talk to voters as long as they are not campaigning, intimidating voters, or interfering with the election process.
Within 500 feet of an entrance to a polling place: Candidates and campaign staff may campaign as long as they are not intimidating voters or interfering with the election process. However, no campaign literature, signs, or posters are allowed. Candidates are allowed to wear a badge no larger than 4.25” x 4.25” featuring only the candidate’s name and office sought. Candidates must remove their badge upon entering a polling place.