Spring has sprung, and there any many new and exciting developments happening with Democrats Abroad Germany as we gear up for the summer season, which will be filled not only with the first Democratic National Committee primary debates (June 26-27) in Miami, but also plenty of chances to get involved locally with DA Germany.

In an effort to discuss the structure and goals of our organization as well as volunteer opportunities as we head towards 2020, newly elected DA Germany Chair Candice Kerestan (Munich) and Vice Chair Kenton Barnes (Braunschweig) will be holding an online “Meet and Greet” on May 4^th, 2019, from 1:30-3:30pm. All DA Germany members are warmly invited to attend. A computer/tablet with an internet connection and a working microphone are necessary to actively participate. To receive log-in information, please RSVP.  

Don’t want to wait until then to help out or learn more about DA Germany? Here’s a quick overview of how you can get involved now as well as some updates on what’s been happening with DA both in Germany and internationally:

Phone banking: Help Call DA Virginia Voters to Help Pass the ERA!

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first introduced in 1923. Unfortunately, although it finally passed in the U.S. House and Senate 47 years ago (March 22^nd, 1972), it has still not been ratified by the necessary 38 states. It had only 35 when it “expired” in 1982. However, based on the 27^th Amendment being ratified 203 years after it was submitted to the states, it has been deemed that the deadline was not valid. Nevada ratified the ERA in 2017 and Illinois in 2018 – meaning we only need ONE more state to ratify it for it to be written into the U.S. Constitution. 

Just a few weeks ago, Republicans stopped the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the Virginia Legislature by a single vote! We were devastated, but not defeated!

DA has just set up new global phone banking campaigns to reach out to DA voters in Virginia where the 2019 state elections will decide the majority in both the House of Delegates and the VA State Senate. Let’s take a majority in the VA legislature and ratify the ERA!

Sign up here to be on the phone banking team and join the campaign for Virginia.

Looking for more information on the ERA? Here’s a three-minute video on Why We Need an Equal Rights Amendment. One of the best articles explaining the history and current status was in last month’s Cosmopolitan article “So Here’s Something...Women Don’t Actually Have Equal Rights Under the Constitution.” You can also watch the “Legalize Equality” video, the 30-minute must-see video on ERA – just RSVP here to receive the link. Also please check out www.democratsabroad.org/era for the latest status along with ways ALL members of DA can help no matter where you vote or live. We need your help.

DA Germany Caucus Leadership

DA Germany is looking for members interested in working with a specific set of policy issues, which is facilitated through the Democrats Abroad caucus structure. Current open positions include Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Chair of the Black Caucus, and Chair of the Youth Caucus (35 and under). For a description of our caucus and chair responsibilities, please visit this page.   

Obama’s Visit to Germany

DA members from across the country – including from the Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf/Ruhr, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Munich, Münster/Osnabrück, and Wiesbaden/Mainz Chapters – came to Cologne this past Thursday and welcomed President Obama to Germany! On Sunday, he also held a town-hall session in Berlin. Watch the video of Obama’s insightful and inspiring talk in Berlin.

Sponsors/Runners needed for Mannheim 10K/half marathon

The DA Germany Heidelberg Chapter is doing a “Running for Democracy” fundraiser on Saturday, May 11^th, 2019, in Mannheim, and many members from DA Germany have already signed up to participate! If you’re interested in running yourself or sponsoring a runner, please click here. All proceeds will go towards DA’s “Get Out the Vote” (GOTV) efforts, such as phone banking, in 2020.

Tickets on Sale for the 11^th Annual DA Oktoberfest Extravaganza

RSVP today and save! Until July 1st, tickets are only 65 euros. Starting on July 1st, ticket prices will increase to 75 euros.

Sunday, October 6, 2019, from 11 am until 2:30 pm. join 100 Democrats from around the world for a fun time at the Munich Oktoberfest. What started out 11 years ago as a DA "FUN-draiser" is now one of DA’s premier events worldwide where members from around the globe gather annually to have a good time. Our reserved tables are in the "Gallerie" overlooking the main crowd of the “Schottenhamel” which is one of the most traditional beer tents.

Each ticket includes:

• A reserved seat in the “Gallerie”
• A half roasted chicken (vegetarian options are also available)
• Two liters of Spaten beer or other beverage
• A 10-euro coupon for other purchases

After you RSVP, please reserve your tickets by completing this reservation form. After you have completed this reservation form, you will receive an invoice via Quickbooks. If you have any questions or have not received the invoice within several days, please contact the DAG Oktoberfest organizers at [email protected].

Events Around Germany

From book clubs to pub nights to phone banking parties, there's plenty of activities happening throughout the country in April and early May. For a complete overview, be sure to regularly check out our event page here.

Updates from DA International: Taxation Task Force at Work in D.C.

Our Taxation Task Force had meetings about expat tax reform on Capitol Hill in March. They are working hard on behalf of all Americans abroad. Find out what happened in their meetings.

Many thanks to all who supported the Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force in the distribution of our survey instrument. Democrats Abroad has published its 2019 research on the tax filing and financial account reporting experience of Americans abroad. Click here to download the report entitled “Tax Filing From Abroad: Research on Non-Resident Americans and U.S. Taxation”. 

Let's keep the Blue Wave going in an off year. Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia have elections in 2019. Pennsylvania's 12th District and North Carolina's 3rd and 9th districts will have special elections. Please vote it is still important to gain Democratic seats in this year's elections. Even if you voted in 2018, submitting a new ballot request form in 2019 is required by most states.

Make a new ballot request for 2019 — send the form right away!

1. Go to www.votefromabroad.org to complete the *Ballot Request form (FPCA).
2. Follow the Instructions to attach your signature online—or—print out and sign the completed form.
3. Send the signed FPCA to your election official. You may EMAIL, FAX or MAIL your FPCA to your Local Election Official.

Get more information on the 2019 elections.

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) You can watch our four most recent webinars online:

• Watch Our Revolution President Nina Turner, in a Black History Month webinar and Q&A
• Watch Black History Month Webinar with historian Anna-Lisa as she discusses her research and book about early African American pioneers “The Bone and Sinew of the Land: America's Forgotten Black Pioneers and the Struggle for Equality”
• Watch Christine Pelosi, California attorney, author, activist and chair of the Women’s Caucus of California in a Women’s History Month webinar and Q&A
• Watch our Webinar with Susan Herman, President of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

Also, check out the keynote address given by Robert Reich at Democrats Abroad Mexico’s Annual General Meeting.

DAG is a self-sustaining, 100% volunteer organization. Thank you to all our Sustaining Members, your donations are vital. Without you, our mission would be a lot more difficult.

In 2020, we must defeat Donald Trump! If you are not currently a sustaining member, please consider becoming one. In 2016, we calculated that each Euro spent resulted in 3 new members/voters and in 2020 every vote will be necessary. A donation of €5 per month or more will make a big difference for us.  If you are interested in donating, either one time, monthly, or quarterly, please find our bank information below. To make it a recurring donation, you would do a “Dauerauftrag”. The suggested recurring donation amount is 5 Euros, but higher amounts are gladly accepted.

Account name: Democrats Abroad Germany
IBAN: DE04 5405 0220 0140 2702 99
BIC: MALADE51KLK

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Mark your calendar: On Tuesday, April 16 at 20:15 - 21:10, the German-French TV channel Arte will show the documentary "Never Again". The documentary focuses on the Parkland Students, their activism and gun violence in America. Watch the trailer.

Thanks for your continued support and taking the time to read this newsletter! We hope you’ll consider volunteering, attending an event, and taking some actions to help better our democracy! Should you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please let us know by contacting [email protected].

Democratically yours,

DA Germany