HAPPY NEW YEAR!
“Taking back Congress” is at the top of my own “to-do” list for 2018...how about yours?
We could see a “Blue Wave” in the 2018 midterm elections, but we will need a massive turnout in order to make it happen. What better way to start the new year than by requesting your absentee ballot for the midterms? Just go to VoteFromAbroad.org. Easy! And don’t you just love crossing things off your list?
2018 is in no way an “off-year.” And this is no time to sit on the sidelines. The November 6th mid-term elections could really be “make-or-break” for democracy in our country, and you personally, can make a difference, right here in Germany! Many races have come down to just a hand-full of votes, and the overseas ballots can tip the balance! YOU MATTER!
Our own Democrats Abroad Stuttgart chapter is gearing up right now to do everything in our power to reach out to fellow Americans in our area, and help them claim their right to vote at home. We need your help!
Here is a rundown on some of our upcoming events and projects. Take a look, and please jump in where you can:
1. Stuttgart is marching to the ballot box in Heidelberg!
Come march with our DA neighbor chapter in Heidelberg to commemorate the anniversary of the Women's March on Washington and to fire up all our people, men and women, for the crucial mid-term elections.
This year we are combining the march with a voter registration drive which will take place at the end of the march.
Just as we did last year, we will meet at the Stuttgart Main Train Station and travel as a group to Heidelberg.
The march in Heidelberg begins at 14:00.
This time, our meeting point will be the ticket machines at the south-tower end of the train station, near the seating area. Look for signs, banners and pussy hats-you can’t miss us! We will try to organize ourselves in groups of 4-5 to purchase discount BW tickets together.
We plan to take the RE19504 which leaves from track 11 at 10:19.
We will arrive in Heidelberg early enough to find a spot for coffee or a quick bite to eat with Heidelberg chapter members.
Watch our Facebook event page for last-minute updates on exactly where and when.
Some may wish to take a different train or drive, but do try to find us in Heidelberg either at the coffee shop, or at the Friedrich-Ebert Platz starting point. We will want to take a group photo or two, pass out our DA signs and flyers, and march as a group with our DA Heidelberg partners to show our numbers are strong-size matters!
For those of you who can’t make it to our “Pussy Hat and Sign-Making Workshop”: we will be making extras which will be available on the train and at our pre-march gathering!
You can RSVP for the march on our website or on Facebook
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2. Women's March Pussy Hat and Sign-making Workshop
Join us for a fun and relaxed afternoon of hat-crafting, sign-making, and voter registration at a member's home, in preparation for our trip to Heidelberg for the big women's march on the following weekend.
Don't worry if you are not a skilled sewer! We will be guided by one of our members who is a real pro! How lucky are we?
All materials for hat and sign-making will be provided for a small donation.
Space is limited so do RSVP right away to reserve your spot and to receive our member's exact address and more details.
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3. Pub & Politics in Freiburg
Wednesday, January 10 at 8 pm-10 pm
The Holy Taco Shack
Barbarastrasse 18, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
Join us for a fun and casual evening at The Holy Taco Shack in Freiburg to talk about everything from Trump's first year, to the upcoming midterm elections, to the anniversary of the women's march!
This is your chance to meet other Americans in the Freiburg area, grab a drink together and talk about all things politics! We also want to share news about upcoming DA events and get your ideas of what other events Freiburg-Americans would like to participate in.
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4. Political Pub Night in January
Thursday, January 18th, 2017 at 7:00 PM
Sophie`s Brauhaus Stuttgart
Marienstraße 28 , 70178 Stuttgart
Join us for the first "Third Thursday" in the new year for a fun evening of drinks and snacks and the chance to share your thoughts on strategy for this crucial election year!
Our Pub Nights are an especially good opportunity for curious prospective members to check us out, and for all of our non-American family and friends to share their unique views on the craziness in Washington that affects all of us.
Please do RSVP here to let us know you are coming!
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5. Chapter Meeting and lecture/discussion on "Progressive Economics"
Friday, February 2nd at 7 p.m.
Forum 3 Café
Gymnasiumstr. 21, 70173 Stuttgart
"Thinking like an economist: Freedom, regulations and the democracy"
We are honored to welcome as our guest Matthew Bonick, Freiburg University PhD student and lecturer, and DA Konstanz precinct Captain, for this very special event! Matthew will share with us the newest ideas on progressive economics and lead us in a discussion on what this all means for us. Do join us for this special event!
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6. EMEA REGIONAL MEETING
February 09, 2018 - February 11, 2018
Hotel Santo Domingo
San Bernardino 1, Madrid 28013 Spain
The EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) Region and Democrats Abroad Spain will host a meeting of leaders, volunteers, and members from all over DA’s largest region. We expect about 100 participants from countries all around the region and we will focus on strategies and projects to elect Democrats in 2018.
All Members of Democrats Abroad from every region are welcome to join us!
The three-day program in the heart of Madrid will begin with a session from the Women’s Caucus on Friday afternoon, followed by an evening reception highlighting the best of Madrid’s culture and food. Saturday presentations, training sessions, and workshops will be followed by a Global Black Caucus Cocktail Reception and a “gala” dinner with a special guest speaker. Sunday training sessions and presentations will end around 1 pm.
Click here for more information and to RSVP
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7. DA Germany Annual General Meeting: 23-25 February
February 23, 2018 at 1:30 pm - February 25, 2018
Stiftung Kultur Palast Hamburg
Öjendorfer Weg 30a, Hamburg 22119, Germany
Join members of Democrats Abroad Germany in Hamburg to discuss our plans for 2018!
Every year Democrats Abroad Germany gathers in person to discuss issues back home and plan our activities for the coming year. With midterm elections quickly approaching, join us in Hamburg to learn more about how you can be an active part of getting out the vote, meet other democrats living in Germany and give your input on the DAG political process.
Many from our Stuttgart Chapter are already planning to attend. If you would perhaps like to share accommodations, and/or travel with others from our region, contact Ann at [email protected]
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8. Looking Ahead:
We are making an effort to schedule our chapter meetings for "first-Fridays" and our Pub nights for "third-Thursdays" whenever possible.
We will also be scheduling additional events each month which don't always make in into our newsletter. So do check in on our Stuttgart Chapter website and Facebook page for the latest updates on events!
Mark your calendars now for these future events:
- Pub Night, Thursday, February 22 at 7 pm. Location TBD
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Chapter Meeting and Round Table Discussion with
Stuttgart Fulbright Alumni Friday, March 2nd,
Forum 3 Café, Gymnasiumstr. 21, 70173 Stuttgart, 7 pm
I look forward to seeing you at one of our events.
Happy BLUE Year,
Ann Hesse
Chair, Stuttgart Chapter