In perseverance of a prosperous, equal, safe, and healthy future for us all and for future generations, we ask you to join us in our efforts to make a difference during this particularly volatile moment for Democracy around the globe...

• JUNE 15 - CHAPTER MEETING: BREAKFAST AND SOME FUN POLITICAL TALK!
  

Shake Cafè Firenze, Via del Corso 28; Saturday, June 15 from 11 am to 12:30 pm

We’ll also discuss the ongoings in DA Italy and our chapter plans up to the Presidential Primaries. Come join in the planning and help move DA Florence forward.

WHERE: Ristorante Lorenzo de' Medici in Via del Giglio, 49, 50123 Firenze

WHEN: Tuesday, July 2 from 6:45pm to 9pm.

We’ll meet up for an aperitivo or pizza and watch clips from the first round of the Democratic Party Primary 2-night debates that are taking place July 26 & 27. We'll cheer on our favorite candidates, discuss & debate their differences. Don’t miss out on the fun!

Strut your Pride through the streets of Pisa at this year’s Toscana Pride. A group from DA will meet up and take the train from Florence. More info to come!

• SEPTEMBER 20 - THIRD DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY DEBATE WATCH.
  

Save the date.. place and time TBA.

Join us for another round of the Presidential Primary debates. 

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Make these a friends’ night out!! 

Invite 3 friends to each event, members or not, Democrats or not, and make plans to attend together!

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For more info, to volunteer in any capacity, and to RSVP for events please contact us at [email protected] 

Anne De mare's documentary, "Capturing the flag"

On Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at the Sala Ferri at Palazzo Strozzi - Firenze, the Florence Chapter held the first screening in Italy of Anne De Mare's documentary, Capturing the Flag , an unbiased and unexpected story about American democracy. It follows "a group of close friends who travel to North Carolina to do voter protection work at the polls in 2016. The film is an intimate glimpse into their journeys as citizens of conscience. Through their eyes and their efforts — and the hundreds of voters they work to assist — we watch stories unfold about the strength and fragility of American democracy that are rarely heard inside the current media storm. There are enormous challenges to our democracy right now, with fierce battles over election laws being waged in legislatures and courts all around the country. The film is about those challenges, but it’s also a more personal and emotional story about the power of citizen action and the fact that we don’t need to feel hopeless in the face of those challenges." - ADM

Steven Miller, one of the volunteers depicted in the film, was kind enough to be our guest speaker that evening, introducing the film and sharing his experience with us. We greatly thank him for his time and insights into this aspect of American democracy and for the special Q&A after the film.

Prior to the screening we also held a voter registration and ballot request drive.  If you haven't already requested your ballot for 2018, it's not too late. Visit www.votefromabroad.org NOW!

The Florence and Central Italy Chapter has had a busy 2018 Spring Resistance Season.

On March 24th we participated in the sister march in Florence for the MARCH FOR OUR LIVES with over 800 rallies worldwide demanding that Congress protect the youth of America and all its citizens by calling on our lawmakers to pass effective gun safety legislation to end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools and communities today.  #NeverAgain

In April we stood in solidarity with science advocates everywhere at the MARCH FOR SCIENCE rally in Florence on April 14th to raise awareness on the importance of science and its research in our every day lives including environmental issues and climate change! We were joined by the Indian astrophysicist and activist, Prajval Shastri.

We then held a seminar along with the Florence Resistance Groups, Indivisible TUScany and Women's March Florence, where Professor Angelo Baracca, a leading Italian physicist from the University of Florence, spoke about the nuclear threat and the US government’s plans to develop ‘usable’ tactical nuclear weapons and the over 100 U.S. military bases in Italy.

[Science photos by Christina Nikolakopoulos of Women's March Florence].

March 17, 2018 Chapter Meeting PLUS...

Upcoming March Events,

Anti Gun Violence Campaign,

...and it’s time to

Register to Vote for the Upcoming Primary Elections and the November Mid-Term Elections!

Democrats Abroad Florence stands in solidarity with the students, teachers, victims and their families, and all Americans who demand change in our gun laws so that the epidemic of gun violence ends now.

Our sorrow and anger must be directed towards action. We feel our efforts as a chapter of Democrats Abroad lie in activism towards changing legislation. At our March 17 meeting, we are initiating a letter writing campaign and a social media campaign to promote the #NeverAgain Movement. We encourage you to make your voice heard.

If each Congress person does not listen to our collective voices and work hard to pass legislation for stricter gun laws, including comprehensive background checks, closing loop holes, and an absolute ban on all assault weapons and high capacity magazines, they will not be re-elected this fall.

We strongly encourage our members to:

1. Get registered to vote for this year’s Primary & Midterm Elections.
2. Visit the websites listed below which list companies that support the NRA and those who have distanced themselves and no longer support the NRA.
3. Participate in the boycott! Let’s strip the NRA of its power over politics.

We will communicate to our members any activities/marches organized by our fellow Resistance groups in Florence in support of these scheduled events.

DA Florence Chapter Meeting

Saturday March 17th at 11:00 am – 12.45 pm

Caffetteria delle Oblate, Via dell’Oriuolo 26, Firenze

Join us for some Irish breakfast tea or green tea at this St. Patrick’s Day meeting! Agenda:

• Organizational meeting for our GET OUT THE VOTE efforts this spring and summer. Please join us and participate in volunteering for a future VR event.
• Draft an Anti Gun Violence letter for members to send to their representatives in Congress. Take pictures for a #NeverAgain social media campaign.

National School Walk-out

(Parkland, Florida School Shooting)

Wednesday, March 14th

The Walkout, to protest Congress’ inaction, is scheduled at 10 am across every time zone. It will last for 17 minutes, one minute for each life lost in the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. For more info and how you can show solidarity visit #ENOUGH

"March for Our Lives" Demonstration

Saturday, March 24th

“On March 24, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets of Washington DC to demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that we end gun violence and mass shootings in our schools today.”

Companies still supporting NRA :

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a18700113/companies-that-work-with-the-nra/

NRA Boycott Company List :

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets_NRA_BOYCOTT

The quick success of the NRA Boycott:

http://www.businessinsider.com/why-nra-boycott-so-successful-so-quickly-2018-3?IR=T

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER TO VOTE, AGAIN!

GET IT DONE IN TIME FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS STARTING THIS SPRING.

As the U.S. Embassy in Rome reminds us:

“This year the entire House of Representatives and a third of the U.S. Senate are up for election. Don’t miss your opportunity to vote in your state’s primary election as it will determine who is on the November 2018 general election ballot.”

REGISTER TO VOTE FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S. IN 3 EASY STEPS:

1. GO TO WWW.VOTEFROMABROAD.ORG

2. FILL OUT THE VOTER REGISTRATION / ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST FORM. YOU MUST PRINT YOUR FORM AND SIGN IT.

3. MAIL YOUR FORM TO THE COUNTY CLERK / ELECTIONS OFFICE IN YOUR

HOME STATE WHERE YOU LAST RESIDED. OR YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR

SIGNED, SEALED, READY TO MAIL ENVELOPE AT THE U.S. CONSULATE.

*You must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age at time of election in order to vote.

**Find your state’s primary election dates at Election Dates by State and select your voting state from the drop-down menu.

Let’s Get Out The Vote 2018 and make sure the #BlueWave hits every part of the country. GO DEMS!

For more info and to rsvp for the meeting please contact:

[email protected]democratsabroad.org

March 8^th is almost here and we at DEMOCRATS ABROAD FLORENCE want to know: Are you ready?

Are you ready to STRIKE? To BE HEARD? To MARCH? Are you ready to stand strong in opposition to sexual and domestic abuse, economic inequality, workplace discrimination, reproductive restraints...?

Join us this Thursday, March 8^th along with the resistance groups Indivisible TUScany and Women's March Florence for International Women's Day, where the community of Florence returns to the streets in solidarity for the equality of women everywhere.

There will be a rally organized by the women's group Non Una Di Meno Firenze for the International Women's Strike starting at 3:30pm in Piazza S.S. Annunziata with music, poster-making, and open-mic speakers. All are welcome! The march will begin at 6:00pm through the center from Piazza San Marco and ending in Piazza Santo Spirito around 9pm.

WHEN: Thursday, March 8, 2018 – Rally 3:30-6:00pm; March 6:00-9:00pm

WHERE: Piazza Santissima Annunziata – Florence, Italy

Bring signs.

Bring your voice.

And BRING YOUR PASSION!

Let us know you will be there. And let everyone else know that you will #PressforProgress

#WeToogether

#WomeninOffice

#ChangePower

DA Tweet!

(or how to win followers and influence people!)

Democrats Abroad Italy wants to know... DO YOU TWEET?

If not, you are missing one of the most vital tools to stay politically informed, connected, and to help shape conversations with those close to you and those across the globe! Even if you DO tweet, there are tools you can use to increase your influence.

Join us for the DA Tweet Workshop and we'll show you the best methods to engage, connect, and keep yourself informed.

WHEN: Saturday afternoon, October 28th from 4pm - 6pm
WHERE: Caffè del Verone (located in the Museo degli Innocenti in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, 13 Firenze).

Please bring your laptop (if you have one) and your cell phone (both already charged) – and we'll teach you how to tweet, to follow, and the best practices you can use to make your voices heard!

In addition, this is a great chance to meet the new DA Florence Team Leaders who were elected earlier this year and discuss upcoming events and meet-ups.

Please RSVP to [email protected]

 “It’s Democracy- when we get engaged, when we get out there, when we get in this fight- when we do that we will make our voices heard and we will turn this government into one that works for the people.” -Elizabeth Warren

When:  Saturday May 6, 2017 from 16.00-18.00
Where:   Caffè del Verone
Piazza della Santissima Annunziata 13 (Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/bC8Q7HQuL7N2 )
located inside the Museo degli Innocenti, no entrance ticket required
(ATAF: Piazza S. Marco or Istituto degli Innocenti, via della Colonna)

Link to the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1230483293715816/

Positions up for election for Florence Chapter:
Chairperson
Vice-Chair/ Social Media Manager
Treasurer/ Events Manager
Secretary/ Membership Manager

Greetings to all Democrats in Florence, Tuscany and Umbria!
Please join us as we bring in new leadership.

As DA moves forward, we are building momentum towards the midterm elections and we need all hands on deck! Come run for a position for our local chapter!
           
Come join us on May 6.  Voice your opinion, vote, and be part of Democrats Abroad Florence as we march forward! Interested candidates and to rsvp for the meeting, please write to Kristina: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!

FLORENCE & CENTRAL ITALY
CHAPTER 
 
would like to extend an invitation to the
Tuscan American Association's

4th of July Celebration 2016

Monday, July 4

6:00 pm to midnight

 Castello dell'Accaiolo
Via Pantin, 63, 50018 Scandicci (FI)
Tramvia stop ResistenzaAmerican style BBQ & Live Music
Come join the fun!!
For the full schedule, here's a link to the Tuscan American Association's facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Tuscan-American-Association-ONLUS-136585276355007/

 
Democrats Abroad will be conducting voter registration for this fall's presidential election. 
Volunteers needed!!


For more information and to volunteer for this event, please write to Kristina at [email protected]


We look forward to seeing you soon!!


Check out our new website: http://www.democratsabroad.org/it
Visit DA Italy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DAItaly/


 

http://www.democratsabroad.org/

Please bring proof of your US citizenship: passport, US drivers license, Italy ID, etc.

For information contact Kristina Paccione at [email protected]