Our organization has elected new leaders, found its voice again, and begun resisti Trump 2.0 at all DAG levels. There are raging fires to extinguish everywhere, but we are facing them with resolve and determination.
Everyone in our organization is now being asked to contribute whatever they can to the cause – be it through organizing protests, supporting the revived caucuses in Germany, taking on leadership positions, making financial contributions, or urging members to call their representatives at home.
There is so much to be done, and we can only tackle it together.
Annual General Meeting Update
Around 100 Democrats Abroad Germany members made the trip to Windeck in late March for our Annual General Meeting. Highlights of the weekend included welcoming DA International Chair Martha McDevitt-Pugh, both a Q&A Session and keynote address with our special guest, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, PA State Representative and DNC Vice Chair, and congratulating our new Democrats Abroad Germany Chair, Sarah Mulloy, and Vice Chair, Johannes Makepeace, along with the rest of our newly elected leaders.
For many of us, the most moving moments came when a DAG member and former USAID contractor shared his experience being “DOGE”d and losing his job. At the same time, we expressed our gratitude to our outgoing Country Chair and Vice Chair, Kenton Barnes and Emily Lines for their leadership and grace under pressure over the past two years.
Our members brainstormed new and better ways to get our message across to young voters, get out the vote in Germany, and help lead the resistance against the Trump administration. We posed tough questions to our leaders, spent time getting to know one another better, and began planning our first protests just one week later.
Thank you to the many Cologne-Bonn Chapter volunteers for facilitating a smooth and successful weekend charting our path forward as an organization.
Rep. Kenyatta with his typical German gift
Volunteer Award Recipients
For the second time, DA Germany recognized some of its most impactful members by distinguishing them as its volunteers of the year. Outgoing Country Vice Chair Emily Lines (far left) and Outgoing Country Chair Kenton Barnes (far right) announced during the AGM’s gala dinner that (from left to right) Rebecca Gross (Düsseldorf-Ruhr), Justin’e Lorenz (Northern and Central Bavaria), and Jodi Szarko (Hamburg and Northern Germany) had won this year’s prizes.
Rebecca was a first-time voter in 2024 who initiated a successful fundraising campaign for the organization by making and selling friendship bracelets, while Justin’e tabled at an impressive five different Pride events throughout Bavaria and even all the way up in Lübeck in 2024. Meanwhile, Jodi served as the Bremen precinct captain and helped ensure that our chapter elections ran smoothly as the Chapter Nominations and Elections Committee (CNEC) co-chair.
Meet Our New Country Chair, Sarah Mulloy
New DA Germany Chair Sarah Mulloy grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, moved to Germany from Ferndale, Michigan and now lives in Regensburg. She became an active DA member while helping to plan and operate a 2020 Global Presidential Primary site in Regensburg under the supervision of her DA mentors, Katie Solon and Candice Kerestan. Following the success of that endeavor, she was part of the team that started the North & Central Bavaria Chapter of DAG, becoming the chapter’s first Vice Chair and second Chair.
She developed a passion for voter education and assistance while serving as DAG’s Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Coordinator in 2022 and DA’s Europe, Middle East & Africa GOTV Coordinator in 2024. The recent travesty of the US House passing the voter-suppressing SAVE Act only hardens her resolve to get more U.S. voters registered via Vote from Abroad. She feels that U.S. voters abroad have a very unique role in the American electorate. Our experiences and perspective can help shape policy in ways that would drastically improve day-to-day life for the average citizen. She’s looking forward to standing in solidarity with DAG members, helping defend our right to vote and pushing for progress for U.S. citizens everywhere.
SAVE ACT Update
The official news from Democrats Abroad is that the SAVE Act has been tabled due to the unity Democrats have shown against it and their threats of filibustering it in the Senate.
The SAVE Act would require all Americans to prove their citizenship with documentation unavailable to millions and upend the way every American citizen registers to vote, with particular repercussions for US citizens living abroad.
Democrats Abroad has been encouraging its members to call their representatives and demand they vote NO on this voter-surpression act, and you took up this cause and pushed back against this attempt to disenfranchise millions of legal voters. Our members urged their Democratic senators to support a filibuster and stand strong against Republican pressure, and your activism worked.
This was just one fight among so many we are facing with the current administration, but we should still celebrate our success and recognize our power in thwarting this latest attempt at voter suppression. Thank you to everyone who made calls, sent emails, educated others about the issue, and made a real difference in defending our right to vote.
Find more ways to take action on the Dems Abroad website and check out 5 Calls to learn how to make your voice heard.
Democrats Abroad Germany Takes to the Streets to Resist
The DA Chapters in Frankfurt and Berlin organized protests on April 5, getting loud and making good trouble, and there will be demonstrations in Cologne and Hamburg this Saturday, May 10. (Please click on the links for more information)
Bring your flags, your signs, and your anger at the Trump administration. There are sure to be more resistance demonstrations to come, be sure to check our website and social media for details.
Democrats Abroad in the Press
Our protests were featured in the local press, as well as Newsweek:
Major Anti-Trump 'Hands Off' Protests Erupt Across Europe - Newsweek
In an effort to reach young voters, our Comms Team is focusing on expanding its reach on Instagram. Please follow us there for the most up-to-date information, including event reminders, calls to action, and photos from our recent protests.
Caucus Updates
Women’s Caucus
The Women’s Caucus is BACK and planning an in-person weekend workshop. We are looking forward to advocating feminism together and would appreciate your feedback for organizational purposes if you would consider attending.
Please use this Google form to submit your responses.
Youth Caucus
If you are 35 or younger and a US citizen living in Germany who is interested in shaping the future of American politics, please join our Signal group chat and attend our virtual meeting on May 17. There are also plans to meet up in person at the Würzburg CSD Event on the weekend of June 28.
Save the Dates!
Dinner & Keynote with Adrian Fontes in Munich – June 14
We’re thrilled to announce that Adrian Fontes, Arizona’s Secretary of State, will join Democrats Abroad for a special dinner in Munich on June 14. Fontes is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former prosecutor, and voting rights advocate. As the Secretary of State of Arizona, he played a key role in defending election integrity, defeating election denier Mark Finchem in 2022. Before that, he served as Maricopa County Recorder, expanding early voting and leading the vote-counting process in one of the most closely watched counties in the U.S. during the 2020 election.
Details are still being finalized, so stay tuned. More information will be shared soon!
Tickets are not yet available for our annual Oktoberfest fundraiser, but you should mark your calendars now.
You won’t want to miss this legendary event. Watch our website, Instagram account, and upcoming newsletters for more information!
Monthly Champions: The Backbone of Our Movement
Stability = Strength
By making a recurring monthly contribution to Democrats Abroad Germany, you provide theorganization with predictable income and help us plan ahead for the months leading up to keyelections - no last-minute scrambling, just solid strategy. You will help us register voters in the critical elections taking place now, and keep the momentum going all year long. You are the heart of ourcommunity. Click here to make a monthly or annual contribution!
Donate Now to Support Our Efforts
On behalf of Democrats Abroad Germany, THANK YOU for helping us find our direction, recognize our strength, and stand up for what's right.