Message from DA Spain Chair

My husband and I recently enjoyed a Bruce Springsteen concert in Cardiff, Wales, where he performed non-stop and, of course, sang his iconic song, “Born in the USA.”

Many people mistakenly interpret the song as a blindly supportive anthem for the United States, equating that sentiment with patriotism. However, in reality, “Born in the USA” narrates the experiences of a troubled Vietnam veteran, shedding light on the challenges of being American.

To me, true patriotism lies in acknowledging and addressing the complexities of our country. As members of Democrats Abroad, we deeply understand this sentiment. We demonstrate our love for our nation by investing our time and resources in electing leaders who champion democracy and individual liberties. We recognize both the successes and shortcomings of our country, and we actively advocate for positive change when necessary.

If you share our vision of patriotism —one that celebrates the nation's strengths while striving to rectify its flaws —we invite you to join us in supporting Democratic candidates this November. While our candidates may not be flawless, they are committed to upholding democracy and fostering a fairer society, unlike their counterparts.

Like Bruce Springsteen, I was born in the USA, and I am dedicated to fighting for its betterment.

Kathy Tullos, DA Spain Chair

Announcements and Calls to Action

Shaping the Future: Spain Ranks 6th Globally in Democratic Participation
By Helen Morgan, Seville

A huge thanks to everyone who participated in any way to making Spain’s participation in the Global Presidential Primary such a concrete example of patriotism. It took months of planning, not only by Spain’s five chapters and the precinct of Málaga, to host voting centers or voting assistance events, but also considerable effort on the part of our dynamic IT duo, Andy and Karl, to ensure that everyone who wanted to could vote in a myriad of ways. And, of course, every voter did their part.

Globally, a total of 8,715 votes were cast. Members of Democrats Abroad Spain cast 5.4% of those, with 471 votes. This means Spain ranked 6th globally in terms of the percentage of votes cast.

The majority of votes cast in Spain were by electronic voting, at 316, with a further 137 people casting in-person votes at voting centers.

Globally, Joe Biden won 80.14% of the vote, uncommitted won 13.18%, and Marianne Williamson won 6.68%, resulting in Biden winning all of the 13 pledged delegates from Democrats Abroad who will attend the Democratic National Convention in August.

Dialing for Democracy: Spain's Voter Outreach Triumph
By Doris Stanger, Barcelona

The Spain calling campaign has been overwhelmingly successful. We reached out to every 'contactable' member on our lists, reminding, helping, and convincing fellow US citizens living in Spain to participate in the Global Presidential Primary and to make sure they were registered to vote in the 2024 election.

Here are the statistics: We made a total of 5,010 calls to a target audience of 4,840 members. Of that number, we communicated with 4,423 of them, either in person or by leaving a voicemail. The total pickups was 3,136, which represents an exceptionally high rate of nearly 62%. Callers also sent 3,687 text messages to the people we called.

There are no words to express my thanks to all those who made calls, especially our dedicated 'heavy hitters.’ None of this could have been possible without our tech team, who ensured that Call Hub ran smoothly and addressed more than one 'bug'.

Other countries that have not experienced the same success with their country calling campaigns are seeking our help! If you are trained and have CallHub access, you can find these campaigns by logging into Call Hub. If you would like to be trained and start making calls. Click for more details here.

Worldwide calls will be starting soon to ensure we Get Out The Vote! Any number of calls you can make, from 5 to 500, can make a difference!

La Lucha Continua: Where Advocacy and Action Meet Virtually
By Annie Graul, Barcelona

Have you joined La Lucha yet? This occasional webinar series was born as a Barcelona chapter initiative during the Covid-era. During the strictest lockdown days, as we all adapted to Zoom and working from home, our chapter established a weekly online happy hour called “Quarantini”. We Vgathered to vent together, discussed the challenging landscape of US politics, and occasionally hosted speakers. Then-chapter chair Chris Reilly managed to secure some fascinating speakers, from Samantha Power (currently Administrator of USAID) to Michigan ER doctor Rob Davidson, who gained fame when he confronted then-VP Mike Pence over potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

When Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were elected and the Covid pandemic began to recede, we realized the value of these meetings and decided they should continue, albeit under a new name. Current Barcelona vice-chair Lisa Berger suggested “La Lucha Continúa”, reflecting the ongoing fight for progressive values. And thus, La Lucha was born – and continues.

Over the years, we've hosted an impressive range of speakers, some well-known, others less so, but all experts on topics we care about (or should care about). Here’s a sample of just a few, but you can find a full list of recordings on the DA Spain YouTube page.

• Leigh McGowan (aka, Politics Girl) Rachel Bitecofer
• Rachel Vindman
• Senator Doug Jones

This month, we'll be speaking with Robert Bahar, co-director of the new documentary "You Are Not Alone: Fighting the Wolf Pack" (in Spanish: "No Estás Sola: La Lucha Contra La Manada"), currently streaming on Netflix. Join us on May 21 for an exclusive conversation with Robert about this film, which tells the story of the birth of Spain’s #MeToo movement. Members are encouraged to watch the film before attending La Lucha, as we will not be streaming it during the meeting. RSVP here.

On the air: DA Spain is Making Our Voices Heard
By Daniel Garcia, Alicante

Former Democrats Abroad Barcelona chair Chris Reilly recently sat down with Ken Weber, the founder of Dems of Social Media and co-author of Branding Democrats: A Top-to-Bottom Reimaging of Campaign Strategies, and local member Gabriella Martin, for an interview on their January 30 podcast, Branding Democrats. Chris explains very  clearly, intelligently, and passionately why what we do matters. It's a great primer on the importance of our votes and why donating to Democrats Abroad is a good investment. 

Barcelona Metropolitan is a go-to resource for expats looking to expand their network of contacts in Barcelona. Their "From Red To Blue" personal opinion show is about two people's journeys from Red Republicans to Blue Democrats while offering analysis and opinions of critical issues in US politics. Hosted by "The Expat Whisperer" Victor Vax and Bobby From The Bronx from Barcelona. These hosts possess the fire of a thousand suns with a goal to stop the MAGA agenda from taking over America. Watch them on the Barcelona Metropolitan YouTube channel, “From Red to Blue: Why Republicans Should Vote for Biden in 2024.”

Spread Love, Spread Pride: LGBTQ+ Caucus Invites You to Madrid's Pride
By John Murphy, Madrid

June is Pride Month worldwide, which means it's a busy time for the LGBTQ+ caucus community and our allies. In Madrid, the official Pride activities take place from June 28 to July 7, but our caucus will be celebrating Pride throughout the entire month of June.

The highlight of our celebrations will be the Gay Pride Parade/March in Madrid on Saturday, July 6. Pride celebrations vary from city to city, and historically, DA chapters have participated in various Pride Parades around the country. Last year, there was a huge DA contingent in Madrid for the march, and in 2024, we aim to have an even stronger turnout of members and friends during this pivotal election year.

Stay tuned to the DA Events page for more information on activities and updates. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering or would like more information, we encourage you to contact us at [email protected].

Spain National and Local Events  
Be sure to check out what's going around our country and in your area. New events are added all the time. Click here to see a list of all Spain events. Bookmark this page and check back often.

Chapter, Precinct, and Local News

Alicante  By Brett Specter

After hosting a successful and enjoyable Global Presidential Primary (GPP) in March, which attracted a number of first-time DA members who voted in the primary on the day, the DA Alicante chapter is expanding its reach through both in-person and online efforts. A wine-tasting event held the following week sold out in a matter of days. In April, we organized our first get-together in Albir for chapter members residing in the northern part of our territory, with attendees from Denia and Jalon.

Our next in-person event, to be announced soon, will be a potluck get-together hosted in the home of one of our Alicante members. We are also planning to film some short videos that day (with a hat tip to the Valencia chapter for their lead), which can be used on YouTube and other social media platforms. These videos will feature our members explaining why they vote from abroad.

We continue to explore new ways to reach more Americans in our area, aiming to get them registered as absentee voters in time for the November election. Stay tuned for more details via email and on our Facebook page.

Barcelona  By Catherine Dexter

The Barcelona chapter will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, May 23, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. The location is the ESERP Business School at Calle Girona, 24, Aula 106, where past AGMs and GPPs have taken place. It will also be possible to attend virtually. We'll review the excellent work done by chapter volunteers over the past year and plan for the intense six months ahead.

DA members in our region are reminded that the DA EMEA Annual Convention is on Sunday, May 26, at 10 a.m. CET. Any DA member can observe the election of delegates from EMEA to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. U.S. citizens and especially members of Democrats Abroad are welcome to observe the proceedings of the 2024 EMEA Regional Convention. The registration form for non-electors is available on the event website.

This month, the Barcelona chapter’s documentary series joins forces with La Lucha Continúa for a Watch Party on Sunday, May 12, at 5:00 pm, to stream the documentary "No Estás Sola / You Are Not Alone: Fighting the Wolf Pack". This will be followed by an online discussion at La Lucha Continúa on May 21 at 7:30 pm (previously announced as May 23). The documentary is also available on Netflix. April’s documentary, "The Great Hack", served as a reminder of the threat posed by social media platforms maliciously deployed to swing elections. Today, just eight years later, we’re facing a campaign season with TikTok and ChatGPT in the mix.

The book group is currently reading "Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual for Every American" by David Pepper, a lawyer, writer, political activist, and former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party. After a successful meeting in April to discuss "Caste", the group will meet again at Backstory English Bookstore on Saturday, June 8, from 3:30 to 5:30 pm.

Barcelona member and Arizona voter, Beth de Avila, arranged a Zoom webinar with Kris Mayes, her state’s attorney general on May 6. It was a great opportunity to hear about how votes from abroad made the difference in her election, which was won by a mere 280 votes. The work she is doing to overturn the draconian anti-choice law passed recently in Arizona and help women get reproductive care in California in the meantime, made the importance of electing Democrats up and down the ballot very clear. Attorneys general can accomplish quite a bit in improving life for state residents, and she cited other work in the areas of protecting the state’s groundwater and Native American voting rights as examples. A recording of the webinar is available here.

Grenada Precinct  By Albion Land

Granada Precinct, which was only born at the end of January, is still very much in its infancy, with around a dozen active members and with our focus very much on recruiting more folks to join in. Even so, we participated last month in the nationwide effort to put up GOTV flyers in places frequented by Americans, spearheaded by Costa Tropical point person Janet Martin.

A couple of us were also active in the recent GOTV telephone campaign reaching out to DA members in Spain and are now helping out with a similar campaign in Germany.

Meanwhile, the folks in Granada itself held their first coffee morning, which was attended not only by me but also Kathy Tullos and Mark Morris, who made a special trip to see us and whom I met in person for the first time. Our point person in Granada is Pam Faber, who is a professor emeritus of translation at the University of Granada, and she will be spearheading our GOTV outreach this summer and autumn to Americans studying in Granada.

For those of you who haven’t yet got on board with us, kindly reach out via email at [email protected], join our Facebook group Democrat Voters in Granada, and visit our Granada page on the Democrats Abroad Spain website.

Madrid  By Lucia J. Perez

In the wake of mounting uncertainties surrounding the future of democracy in the United States, Democrats Abroad Madrid has come together with a compelling commitment to action. Whether through fundraising activities like our Wine Tasting Parties, house parties, direct conversations with members of the DNC to address commonalities, phone banking, active participation in GOTV, or exchanging ideas during our coffee hours and Facebook page, Madrid is demonstrating a full commitment to turning the vote blue in traditional swing states and battleground states. This ensures we contribute to electing Democrats into office who will shape the political landscape of our divided nation.

As citizens raise vital questions about the trajectory of democracy, DA Madrid has actively engaged in the democratic process. Madrid is committed to guiding Americans through the voting registration process by holding voter registration activities regularly. Our actions continue consistently by facilitating dialogue in our coffee hour meetings and our monthly gatherings, organizing grassroots efforts, and advocating for inclusive policies. Democrats Abroad Madrid is facing the challenges head-on, showcasing the transformative power of collective action. We aim to defend the principles of freedom, equality, and inclusiveness by addressing issues that affect all Americans, both at home and abroad, demonstrating that the power to shape the future lies in the hands of those who dare to act. This is a true and sincere demonstration of love for our country.

When we embrace and connect with the many members across Spain, our force multiplies, demonstrating that patriotism is upholding the values by which our nation is great. Thank you, Madrid, for supporting the Blue Vote in Spain! We have an awesome group.

Malaga Precinct  By Carey Ramos

Our young Democrats Abroad Málaga precinct has been increasingly involved in our local community! We recently participated in a beach cleanup in Mijas in honor of Earth Day, and we’re gearing up to march in the annual Pride parade in Torremolinos on June 1. If you have ideas for how we can support other causes or organizations in Málaga province, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Our main focus is getting out the vote! In early July, several of our volunteers will travel to the US Naval Base at Rota to conduct voter registration. Additionally, we're reaching out to US citizens throughout Málaga by posting "Vote from Abroad" flyers at local venues, and we'll be participating in the Spain-wide writing campaign. (didn’t I read somewhere that this has been cancelled?)

For regular updates on our meetings and activities, please join our Facebook group, Democratic Voters in Malaga!

Sevilla  By Kevin Dodson

The Democrats Abroad Sevilla Chapter is growing and gaining new members. Our First Friday events, which alternate between morning and evening times, continue to be well attended. April’s morning coffee attracted approximately 20 persons, a record for that time. All of this has contributed to building a strong sense of community within our group.

The chapter held two major events during March and April. In March, Sevilla’s ax-throwing venue, El Hachodromo, hosted our polling station for the Global Presidential Primary. In addition to voting for the candidate of their choice and sampling a tasty array of refreshments, members had the chance to throw axes at right-wing extremism. In April, Chapter Chair Helen Morgan hosted a screening of Ava Duvernay’s film “Origins” about Isabel Wilkerson’s experiences working on her book “Caste.” The screening was followed by a potluck dinner and robust discussion.

As part of our ongoing effort to prepare for the upcoming election, members have participated in phone banking to encourage Americans living in Spain to request their ballots for the November election. Individual members have also expressed their solidarity with the broader community of Sevilla by taking part in demonstrations against racism and in support of the public health system.

As the chapter grows, we plan to continue offering both educational opportunities and GOTV activities in the months ahead. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for details.

Valencia  By Georgie Grossman

Please join us for the DA Valencia 2024 Annual General Meeting at noon on Wednesday, May 15, near Plaza Canovas. The specific address will be sent when you RSVP, as we are meeting at a member’s home. We want to hear from you, so please come.

Ever wonder when that event is that you read about but forgot the specifics for? Follow the DA Valencia Facebook page for up-to-date and easy-to-find information.

Ever wonder why you should bother voting from abroad? Here’s a video of what one of our members has to say in their own words.

Third Thursday Happy Hour in May is at Bar 5 at 7:30 pm. Come check out the vibe! First Friday Coffee continues to meet at Salad Planet on the first Friday of every month. We have a friendly group that would like to meet you. The next meeting is on June 7.

We can always use your help to spread the word to other Americans that they can vote from abroad. We are looking for people to help distribute posters, make a few calls to other Democrats, and assist people in returning their ballots. Drop us a line to learn more.

Looking Ahead! DA Valencia will be providing Voter Support in September to help Americans return their UOCAVA ballots. Stay tuned for specific dates, places, and times. Save the date for an inspiring event uniting creativity and civic engagement!

Caucus News

Women's Caucus  By Doris Stanger, Barcelona

The DA Spain Women's Caucus, along with the 'La Lucha' from the Barcelona Chapter, is thrilled to announce an upcoming webinar featuring Robert Bahar, a US citizen and co-director of the Netflix documentary “You Are Not Alone.” This film centers on a pivotal case in Spain that led to changes in how rape is defined by law. If you haven't watched it yet, it offers an uplifting story with a hopeful message. The online event is scheduled for May 21. We strongly recommend that attendees watch the documentary beforehand. We hope you'll join us! Click for details.

The Women’s Caucus is always seeking members to contribute to actions, both big and small. One of our goals, in collaboration with the Global Women’s Caucus, is to finally (!) get the ERA passed. If you would like more information about how you can contribute, please click here for details.

Help us build the Spain Women’s Caucus and make a difference! I'd love to hear from you. Reach out to me at [email protected]. 

LGBTQ+ Caucus  By John Murphy, Madrid

The caucus continued its successful monthly Trivia Event with the "Wig Out With Trivia Night" on May 1. Attendees adorned themselves with festive wigs to compete in a wig-themed trivia contest, resulting in a fun-filled evening with many hilarious wigs worn by our trivia aficionados. Additionally, we hosted our first public Rainbow Registration event and manned a sign-up area in Chueca Square on April 20, encouraging Americans to register to vote. Volunteers came armed with an easy-to-use QR code and friendly educational advice for passersby about voting from abroad. 

Looking ahead, the caucus will organize another gala event for June Pride Trivia in early June, and is in the process of planning two special screenings for June Gay Pride Month. The first event is an in-person screening of The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson on June 6th at 7PM, with our friends at the American Institute here in Madrid. Click here for details and to RSVP

The second event will be an online screening available to worldwide members and friends. Dates and times will be announced soon. Additionally, the caucus is coordinating the creation of Pride T-shirts, which will be available for sale with Gay Pride and beyond in mind. We are also working with the Pride organizers in Madrid to secure our place in the annual Madrid Pride Parade on Saturday, July 6. 

For more information, you can contact us at [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 to see all the upcoming Global Caucus events.

Views on the News

Why Joe Biden Deserves a Second Term and is Well Qualified for Re-election.
By Bobby from the Bronx, Barcelona

After President Biden’s amazing State of the Union (SOTU) and White House Correspondents' Dinner speeches, I stumbled upon a fairly recent story about a poll of US historians. These historians ranked President Biden at #14 on the list of all 46 US Presidents and ranked Donald Trump in last place, where he obviously belongs. These fantastic speeches and new information put things into perspective for me regarding misconceptions about the upcoming US election in November. I now have some new information for many people who may not know that the most qualified man to ever become President of the United States has officially done a great job at being President.

Utilizing his skills, compassion, and decades of experience with US government logistics and foreign policy, President Biden has achieved a historic amount of wins. These include leading America from the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic to a best-in-the-world recovery, lowering prescription drug costs, making major progress on fighting climate change, signing a $1 trillion American infrastructure law, and reclaiming America's respect on the global stage — all of this after already having saved America/the world from a MAGA White House once.

Most people don’t assume 80-year-old men can fit the definition of “super cool,” but I guarantee you that this super long list of President Biden's wins is super cool! Take my word as an American expat living in Barcelona, a former jaded millennial and independent Republican Party-leaning voter now turned emphatic Biden advocate and Democrat Party voter.

The story continues online, click to read the 7 sensational arguments! 

In Closing

Wishing you a fantastic Spring! Seize the opportunity to enhance your involvement with DA Spain and make a difference in the 2024 election!

Democrats Abroad Spain

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This newsletter comes to you by:  

• Daniel Garcia, Content Director
• Andrea Host-Barth, Technical Producer 
• Albion Land, Copy Editor

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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