Democrats Abroad Climate Panel on EARTH DAY 2021 … Watch the replay! DA Germany and China are each in the process of forming country climate caucuses. DAGR, anyone?
In this Newsletter
Chair’s Message
Upcoming Events
Recent Events ICYMI
Volunteer Opportunities
DAGR News and Views
On our RADAR - DA Priorities
I hope you are all feeling as good as I am after 100 Days of a Democratic President back in the White House! I keep telling my Greek friends “America is back!” Almost half the US adult population is vaccinated, infrastructure and economic programs are in the works and no one lives in fear of the next presidential tweet. Our allies and adversaries see serious leadership in President Biden’s administration, not minions who are at the mercy of the whims of a narcissist.
After almost 6 months of lockdown here in Greece, we are continuously hopeful that the number of new Covid 19 cases, ICU intubations and deaths will drop significantly. Now with almost 2 million vaccinated in Greece, immunity from the virus will be the gamechanger a month from now. Tourism--the country’s economic bread and butter— will be functional again as the hospitality, hotel and touring industry begin offering services.
To do well for our host country, DA Greece will be presenting a bid for next year’s Global convention -- which we hope will be in person -- inviting our members across the world to join us on the Athens Riviera, 2022 May 12 to 16 or 26 to 29. Bringing 200 folks to Greece for a 4-day weekend benefits us in two ways. It gives us a better presence within the global organization through the personal relationships we develop with leadership and other members of DA. By serving as hosts, as well, we’ll be making a healthy injection into the Greek economy with a convention in Athens. DA Greece will attend the 2021 virtual convention on May 15th and 16th to help Democrats Abroad Global elect new leadership and to present the bid to host the DA Global Convention on the Athens Riviera.
Stacey Harris-Papaioannou
Chair, DA Greece
All times below are Greece local, i.e. EET
MON, April 26, 8pm - GBC Cafe - Screening “Racially Charged”
DA Global Black Caucus GBC Cafe will show and discuss the film. RSVP for the link.
THU, April 29 - 4pm - DA Talks with Amy Klobuchar
Focus on S1 For the People's Act, the importance of voter protection legislation, and how we can help advocate for the issues that are important to Americans abroad. RSVP.
SAT, May 8 - 7pm - Dems Abroad Leader Orientation
For new leaders at country/chapter levels. Focused on the needs of newly elected leaders, while aspiring leaders, past leaders, organizers, and volunteers are also welcome. Details/RSVP
SAT-SUN, May 15-16 - DPCA (Dems Abroad Global) Annual General Meeting (AGM)
This is it! The annual meeting when all DA activity is summed up and sent on to the year ahead (2022! Sound important?) To be fair to members from all three regions, this year’s meeting, except EMEA regional, are in Europe’s ‘wee hours.’ (Think of it as ‘the Iron Man competition’.) Business includes activity and finance reports, committee and caucus reports, and importantly, election of global officers for the next 2-yr term. Agenda-Timeframe here. Register for the meeting link here. Discuss proposed amendments to DA’s Charter online.
SUN, May 16, 8pm EMEA Regional Meeting - Election of Regional Vice Chair (RVC)
As part of 2021 DPCA Global Meeting, the Europe/Middle East/Africa region will elect a new RVC. Check here for candidate statements for the office of EMEA Regional Vice Chair
TUE, May 18, 9pm Next DAGR Executive Committee (ExCom/‘board’) meeting
DAGR members are welcome to attend Board meetings. Email the Chair for the online link! 
WED, May 26, 7pm DAGR KAFENEION: Book Discussion in May
“In Our Prime: How Older Women are Reinventing the Road Ahead” All-member event. RSVP for link.
DAGR Women’s Web March, Mar 31, 2021, Facebook Livestream
National Library Week - April 4-10, 2021
Excellent coverage of the Library of Congress, filmed in 1945, one of over 230 restored films held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Economic Impact Payment (EIP) and how to get it
A Dems Abroad Taxation Tax Force event - RSVP
Earth Day 2021 official events. DA climate panel on Facebook.
Looking ahead with PRIDE
Athens PRIDE Week 2021 will run from June 4 to 11. Alas, the gathering in Syntagma of years past will not take place. This was always a great opportunity for DAGR to support and celebrate the LGBTQ community and Greece as well as take the opportunity to get Americans registered to vote.
The week will focus on events hosting small groups such as
- Discussions, panels etc
- Performances
- Exhibitions
- Party
- Theater/Music Performances
- Short Films
- Workshops
- Sports Events
The goal is for Athens Pride Week to have free events and to be as accessible as possible for disabled people. The Athens Pride Week event department will provide know-how and advice where necessary to support participants.
If you would like to suggest or organize an event through DAGR for Athens PRIDE, please contact Stacey Harris-Papaioannou.
On our DA website page
MAR 26 - AMKA Temp Number: Update
AMKA numbers are coming. Still not here. See the latest information and links to apply for a vaccination appointment here. And be aware, Greece has been added to the ‘not wise to fly there’ list by the US State Dept as of 22 April. What? Watch for more info as it breaks!
MAR 27 - DAGR Stringer Sails West
One of ours sets out across the Pacific to circumnavigate the globe in a sailing sloop. First leg here.
MAR 30 - SHEROES of Greece: Manto of Mykonos
DAGR Chair Stacey Papaioannou's succinct and inspiring piece on Manto Mavrogenous, a patriot who sacrificed everything for the Greek Revolution. It was picked up by Insider magazine and re-published this month, in honor of both Greece’s 200th anniversary and Women’s History Month. We’ve also put it on the Greek page, DA website, ICYMI.
APR 17 - Walking with the Wind
Review of the late Rep. John Lewis’s memoir. By Thessaloniki Chapter chair Randall Warner. Timely!
APR 19 - To Be or Not to Be … a Democracy
Op-ed by Mytilini DAGR and Vets/Military Families activist, Robin Rafaelidys on the problems of democracy in the age of filibuster ambivalence.
MAR 26 - American Rescue Plan For a wider look at what Biden’s American Rescue Plan does for older people and those with disabilities, see this article on the Medicare Watch website.
APR 6 - Dems Abroad Testify in Senate Tax Hearing AND make headlines in Daily Kos. Listen to the Senate Tax hearings.
And MORE …
- A milestone, this week, former officer Derek Chauvin convicted of George Floyd’s murder. Look for far-reaching efforts to assure non-biased policing across the country. The Democrats Abroad statement on the verdict.
- Racial justice is a Democratic priority. Overview on how it impacts law enforcement.
- The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act has passed the House and awaits passage in the Senate. Support, call, write on any opportunity to pass this legislation! Here’s ACLU’s broad-reaching petition on the issue
- For The People Act. HR1,S1 Stacey Abrams testified before a Senate committee on why the Georgia voting law is racist
- Atlanta/Boulder mass shootings and apparent uptick in gun violence around the country: Push for background checks, 3-day sales waiting period, reinstatement of ban on assault weapons.
- DC statehood. A DNC and DA priority! Link to Mayor Bowser’s web appearance Mar 24