Photo by Ameer Basheer
DAYS 3 & 4:
Day 3 of the Global DPCA meeting was a combination of discussing the DPCA By-laws and inspirational visits (live and virtual) from a number of presidential candidates.
Guest speaker, Marianne Williamson, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Presidential election impressed the group with her live speech. Other candidates who visited virtually with strong messages for Democrats Abroad were Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders. Invitations were extended to the entire field of Democratic candidates to join us in Washington, DC. Overall, our take-away is that the candidates understand the importance of the votes of overseas American and the vital role that Democrats Abroad plays in getting out the vote.
To cap off the day, Democrats Abroad Canada was selected to host our global convention next May, in the great city of Toronto -- when we vote to adopt our party platform and decide who will represent us at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Day 4 featured the traditional door-knock visits on “The Hill.” Over sixty Democrats Abroad members met with Congress members to advocate for the 9 million Americans abroad of issues of voter protection, taxation, healthcare and immigration.
A total of 32 discussions were scheduled, including visits with staffers for Representatives David Price (NC-4), Rosa Delauro (CT-3), Donna Shalala (FL-27), Joseph Kennedy (MA-04), Lucy McBath (GA-6) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); as well as Senators Tammy Duckworth (IL), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Ben Cardin (MA-03), Bob Casey (PA), Jacky Rosen (NV). Some DA-ers couldn’t resist taking a peak at the offices of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Ilhan Omar.
And, THAT is a wrap for the 2019 DPCA Global Meeting.
Next year we’ll see you in Toronto when Democrats Abroad Canada hosts the 2020 Global DPCA Meeting!