From city plazas filled with chants of “No Tyrants” to kitchens preparing for Thanksgiving gatherings, this quarter reminds us what democracy looks like and what gratitude feels like. Across Spain, members stood shoulder to shoulder in October’s rallies, welcomed new volunteers, shared stories, and strengthened the ties that hold our community together. As we give thanks and stay vigilant, let us also make sure our voices are heard by confirming that our ballots have been received and counted. Every vote matters; and together, so do we.

MESSAGE FROM DA SPAIN CHAIR, ANDREW ANDERSON

I wish to speak from the heart.

We as Americans are in a very particular place in history. For the first time since the American Civil War and the Civil Rights movement, Americans are under pressure to defend their Constitutional rights.

In the last nine months, we have seen and felt an increasing assault on our rights to vote, free speech and our American way of life.

Democrats Abroad is the Democratic Party abroad. We are here to help you ensure your right to vote and to protect and exercise that right from anywhere in the world.

We need your help. If you read this, I appeal to you to get involved. Volunteer and/or contribute to our ad campaign and phone banking.

Your support/volunteerism will help to further our message among Americans in Spain.

We in Spain have an opportunity to help tip the scale back in the United States. Your vote counts. Your voice matters.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you at our local events.

No updates from the Alicante chapter this month, but visit our Facebook page for upcoming announcements.

The Barcelona Chapter has been busy! Much of our recent energy went into organizing the No Tyrants protest, held in Plaça Sant Jaume at noon on October 18. The event was a great success, drawing over 300 participants who listened to inspiring speeches, joined in chants, and enjoyed music, filling the plaza with powerful and creative signs. We were even joined by two frogs and a bull, Portland-style! A huge thank-you to each and every volunteer who stepped up to make the event a success.

We’ve also continued our popular monthly meetups — Thirsty Thursdays and Wake Up Wednesdays. For more details and to RSVP, visit our Events page.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to host our Thanksgiving Lunch & Fundraiser on Sunday, November 23 at 1:00 pm at Belushi’s Barcelona. Join us for an as-traditional-as-possible Thanksgiving meal, great company, and community spirit. For more info or to RSVP, click here.

As the recently appointed leader of the young precinct of Granada, I’m thrilled to report that this month our city has seen more DA activity than ever before. A new member and myself decided to launch an outreach plan based on personal connections and posts in a number of unrelated local chat groups (What's on Granada, Expat Connection, etc). In a series of messages, we mentioned the upcoming elections, VFA, various DA online events, the ever- worsening situation in the US, the importance of taking action and the value of community. Our hidden agenda was to get a feel for people’s interest in joining DA, maybe attending in-person events or volunteering in one way or another.

The results were very positive. People repeatedly told us they were thankful for the reminders and the nudging. We ended up with many new members of DA Spain and a long list of people interested in getting involved. Two in-person gatherings were held for old and new members (22 people attended and many more wanted to but couldn’t) and we recruited some excellent new volunteers, one of whom was willing and able to get busy the very next day, coming with me to the University of Granada to help exchange students register and request their absentee ballot. Finally, five of us who had just met a day or two earlier jumped in a car together to go to the No Tyrants protest in Málaga. To close, and since November is the month of Thanksgiving, it would be remiss of me not to say how grateful I am for the support and assistance I’ve been offered during this process.

October has been an energizing month for DA Madrid! On Saturday, October 18, we gathered an estimated 350 people in Puerta del Sol for our No Tyrants protest — a powerful show of unity with motivating speakers, good music, creative signs, and calls to action that drew positive press coverage and lots of energy. A big thank you to all of our incredible volunteers who made it happen!

On October 14, we hosted a fireside chat with Dr. Amanda Sloat on democratic backsliding in the US, which offered great insights and inspiration leading up to the protest.

Next Up: Save the date for our Thanksgiving fundraising dinner on November 20 — all event information can be found on our events page.

We’re looking for more hands to help keep the momentum going. Please explore the volunteer opportunities here and send us an e-mail at [email protected] if you're interested in getting involved!

October was dedicated to planning for the No Tyrants/Save Democracy protest rally on October 18. A week before, we made about 20 signs while hosted by one of our members at her home overlooking the bustling port area of the city.

Our chapter’s monthly meeting fell two days before the rally. We had nearly double the expected number of attendees, thanks to the rally outreach. Many attendees are new arrivals, some directly motivated by the political situation in the US. After emphasizing the importance of voting on November 4, and asking for more phone banking volunteers, we devoted time at the end of the meeting to making more signs.

Rally day was bright and sunny. Our location was superb: the centrally located Plaza de la Marina, a large space near the Alameda Principal, Calle Larios (our main tourist and shopping street), and the port. The plaza has a natural podium at one corner that was perfect for hanging our banner and hosting our speakers. We are thrilled with the turnout of about 200 people, and with the local and national press coverage. We even had cruise passengers — in port just for the day — join our rally, as well as many non-Americans who showed their vocal support for democracy. This is what democracy looks like!

The Chapter held an organizational meeting on September 23, where members decided to join the Madrid Chapter’s No Tyrants protest on October 18 in Puerta del Sol. Chapter member Dr. Lauren Tucker was a featured speaker at that rally. Dr. Tucker has also been busy with a new series on Medium entitled “Follow the Money,” which we urge everyone to follow here: https://dowhatmatters.medium.com/. Subscribing to her work is a great way to keep informed, while at the same time supporting the work of a fellow DA Spain member. Chapter members were featured in stories by CNBC, AP, Metro, Directo, and Mint. One member, Karen McCann, declared: “Who knew it would become so famous? Or that we'd make the news around the world? I think we just moved up a rung on the enemies list!”

Many of our members who were unable to make the trek to Madrid attended an independently-organized No Tyrants rally in Sevilla, which was attended by 100-120 persons. Chapter Officer JoNell Kvamme served as Master of Ceremonies for the event and even the Portland Frog made an appearance.

After chants, songs, and addresses, organizers opened the mic and invited attendees to speak of their thoughts and feelings in what JoNell described as “words that were quite moving.” Speakers included residents of Sevilla and visiting tourists from a wide range of States, including DNC member from South Carolina Kaye Koonce, and ranged in age from children to seniors.

Afterwards, rally organizer Ivan Denayem said that the open mic felt “cathartic and necessary to give a platform to our fellow Americans. Ironically, the unscripted part of our event was one of my favorites... So powerful to hear so many folks from so many different places share their stories.”

Now that No Kings/No Tyrants is over, the Chapter looks forward to continuing its work defending democracy and opposing Trump’s fascism with forward momentum and renewed enthusiasm.

Upcoming Events

November 7: First Friday at Five, location TBA, 5:00 pm.

November 16: And to the Republic, a performance by our immensely talented member Leora Glasgow, Uprooted Theater at 8:00 pm. The show will be live as well as live-streamed; tickets are 15 euros, and one can make an additional donation to support Democrats Abroad.

December 5: First Friday in the Morning, location TBA, 11:00 am

Upcoming Events

First Friday Coffee
November 7 and December 5, 10:30 am. El Corte Inglés, Calle Colón 25-27, La Plaça cafe on the 6th floor. Catch up with old friends and make new ones!

Engage with like-minded people and learn more about what you can do to make a difference!

Third Thursday Happy Hour
November 20 at Metropolis Kitchen and Drinks, Calle de Cuba 48, and December 18 (location TBD) at 7:00 pm. Check the DA Valencia Facebook and newsletter for location updates.

Thanksgiving Event
Saturday, November 29 at 3:00 pm at the Casal del Pilar. Ever wonder what goes on inside a Fallas Casal? Do you want to celebrate the Great American Holiday with other great Americans, Valencianos and other expats? Join DA Valencia at Casal del Pilar for a classic Thanksgiving dinner! The menu is based on the recipes and under consultation of a real American grandma and includes food, beer/wine during dinner, dessert, and coffee. As an added bonus, our hosts at the Casal are planning live acoustic music to accompany dinner. (10-15 American songs like John Denver, James Taylor, etc.). Tickets are 30 euros. We’ll have DA merch for sale and if the emotion of the event has you feeling grateful, why not make an additional contribution to DA! Look for registration details soon.

DA Valencia needs your help in the following roles:

Vice Chairperson: Want to help shape the vision for DA Valencia?

Get Out the Vote Coordinator: Make an impact in winning back Congress in 2026!

Fundraising House Party Hosts: Help us raise funds for GOTV in a fun way!

WOMEN'S CAUCUS

While here in Spain we have been busy with planning protests and phonebanking, the Global Women’s Caucus has been organizing some great events.

The Cauldron is a monthly space for women’s voices abroad: “Speak, Share and Stir the Pot!” This October’s topic was mental health and there were two days and times to make it easier to find a session that works for you. Keep your eye on the Women’s Caucus events page for information about the November session!

On October 30, there was the fascinating webinar with Grace Mausser, co-Chair of New York City Democratic Socialists of America, titled Why We Organize: The Remarkable Tale of Zohran Mamdani's Mayoral Campaign. She walked us through the years-long planning and organizing behind the stunning upset of New York City's powerful political machine. RSVP here.

On November 16 is the Global Women’s Caucus Book Club. It’s always a stimulating and well-led discussion. This month’s book is Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie. Click here for more information and to RSVP.

On November 19 at 7:00 pm CET, join the Women’s Caucus and Carrie Baker, Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at Smith College, for a session called Freedom Under Fire: Carrie Baker on Free Speech and Reproductive Rights. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Check out the Global Women’s Caucus event page regularly for updates.

VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES 

As we reflect on this quarter's achievements, the Veterans and Military Families Caucus extends our deepest gratitude to our dedicated members across Spain. Your commitment to supporting one another through shared experiences and mutual aid embodies the true spirit of community that strengthens our bonds. From organizing local events that foster camaraderie to advocating for essential resources, your efforts have not only uplifted individual lives but also reinforced the collective resilience of our VMF network. This gratitude fuels our ongoing mission to honor the sacrifices made by veterans and their families, ensuring that no one feels isolated in their journey abroad.

In the spirit of hope, we remain vigilant in safeguarding the rights of VMF groups abroad, addressing challenges such as access to healthcare, legal protections, and equitable benefits with proactive action. On October 18, Americans abroad from all walks of life came together in an unprecedented show of unity, as the bells of freedom and democracy rang across Spain for the first time in history, echoing our solidarity in facing today's challenges as patriots. This incredible response underscores our collective resolve to fight for the ideals our founding fathers championed. By uniting our voices in policy discussions and collaborative initiatives, we amplify our impact, turning vigilance and hope into meaningful progress that upholds the dignity and well- being of every member in our global community.

I invite all interested parties to join our VMF Caucus by sending an email to:  [email protected]

Click here to learn more about DA caucuses and how to join. When you join a global caucus, you automatically become a member of the Spain caucus.

Click here to see all the upcoming Global Caucus events.

Cooking Up Democracy:  Coming Soon!

The DA Spain Cookbook Team is hard at work on our fundraising project, Cooking Up Democracy. Thanks to your wonderful contributions, our collection has become 100 Recipes from our Diverse America, a rich blend of flavors and stories that reflect who we are and what brings us together. From family treasures to quick favorites gathered across Spain, every dish has a story to tell. You’ll be able to order your copy, and maybe a few extras for friends and family, in early December. It is a celebration of our diversity, creativity and connection through food.

Getting Out the Vote, Now and in 2026

As we gather to protest against Trumpian authoritarianism, build community, and even celebrate American holidays together, we must never forget that our mission as Democrats Abroad is to turn out the overseas vote and elect Democrats in every election. This fall, DA members who vote in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or New Jersey heard from DA phonebanking volunteers, received reminder emails, and were called by local leaders reminding them to request, fill out and return their ballots. As 2025 draws to an end and the crucial midterm election year begins, get ready to hear more from us about the sacred right to vote, how to exercise it yourself and how to help us extend our outreach to other Americans abroad who may not know whether and how they can vote.

If you voted in a fall 2025 election, be sure to follow up and ensure your ballot arrived and was counted! Go to www.votefromabroad.org, click on Your State Rules and choose your voting state to go to the information page. Click on Track Your Ballot at the bottom of the page. Questions or issues? Contact [email protected]

Mark your calendars now for International Voter Registration Day on January 15, 2026. If you’d like to become a voter registration volunteer, sign up for our trainings on November 18 (RSVP here) and December 9 (RSVP here).

DA Spain Monthly Meetings

Interested in helping shape our work in Spain? Join a DA Spain monthly meeting. We need new voices, fresh ideas, and enthusiastic participants to keep growing this movement. To join the meetings or reach out with questions, send email to [email protected].

FOLLOW US

To stay on top of all the news, follow Democrats Abroad Spain on social media. And please forward this email to your American friends in Spain who may not know us!

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