To keep you warm during the colder months with Democratic flare, we are reissuing a NEW collection of hooded sweatshirts to wear and gift ahead of the holiday season! Hip, hip... hooray! 

These are unisex hooded sweatshirts made in Europe. 

For the CLASSIC Democrats Abroad front-pocket hoodie, there are FIVE (yes, five!) colors to choose from : Black, Navy, Heather Grey, Turquoise & Fire Red. 

For the ZIP-UP Democrats Abroad hoodie, there are THREE colors to choose from: Black, Navy & Heather Grey. 

Last but not least, there is our Vote From Abroad Collection! Available as a CLASSIC hoodie or a ZIP-UP hoodie, both available in Navy. 

Feeling hot? We're also reissuing a successful series of Democrats Abroad T-Shirts in a rainbow of SIX (yes, six!) brilliant colors. If you're not hot already, these colors could make someone blush. Available in Red, Green, Fuschia, Purple, Orange & Indigo. 

T-shirts come in the following sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large & XXLarge. 

Get them while they're hot! Pre-orders are being taken until November 17th. After November 17th, the merchandise will no longer be available at these pre-order prices! Your purchase will be a donation to one of the most important issues of our time, preserving our democracy. Please consider wearing your support! 

T-shirts: €18 

CLASSIC hoodies: €45 

ZIP-UP hoodies: €50  

Most importantly, thank you all for your continued support! Funds earned from the sales of our merchandise will help us set up more services for you such as primary polling stations and voter registration events. 

The DA Tax Team is back in Washington DC next week for meetings on Capitol Hill - our fifth and probably final Congressional Door Knock of 2019. We appreciate the members of the Taxation Task Force and thank them for the hard work to support tax reform for Americans abroad. A Special thanks to the chair of the Taskforce, Carmelan Polce, for her remarkable support in driving this important issue forward!

We also want to thank all Democrats Abroad leaders who have supported the work of the Tax Task Force this year. Their help in pushing out Tax Team reports, updates and campaign guides is greatly valued and essential to our success in engaging Congress to enact the reforms so urgently needed by Americans abroad.

June is Pride month and we can celebrate Italian-style with Pride events happening up and down the country! 

We'd like to especially highlight the 1st USA Pride float at Rome Pride this year being organized by  Rachel Mascetta.  This is going to be a smashing event! Put on your Pride pants and get there, because you are invited!

Check your local Pride event at our calendar here and share your participation with us! Send photos, tag us, or use the hashtag #DAItalyPride so we can find you!  

The DA Tax Team, in collaboration with Democrat Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia and Republican Rep. George Holding of North Carolina, is making headway reforming dual-taxation on American citizens living abroad! 

What can you do to progress RBT?

The best thing you can do to progress RBT is to reach out to your elected representatives to remind them of the importance of this reform to you and your family and to ask for their support. Personal stories are the most effective. Include as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing. Call, write or send electronic messages to your House member and Senators. All outreach to those counting on your electoral support is helpful. If you get an interesting response that you think would be useful for us to know about in progressing our work, please send it through to us. We will follow up with your member.

Click here for a sample script from our DA Tax Team. 

Click here to find your Representative's contact information. 

Click here to find your Senator's contact information. 

Stay abreast of all the latest news and updates on Residency-Based Taxation via the DA Tax Team's blog here. 

Maxwell Kennedy, son of Senator Robert Kennedy, attempted to sail from San Francisco through the Panama Canal to Washington D.C. on this schooner, The Valkyrien. The ship was intended to be the cornerstone of a memorial to The Pearl, a schooner charted in a failed attempt to free slaves in 1848 that helped ignite the abolitionist movement.

During a recent visit to Italy's breathtaking Sardinia, Kennedy spoke about his ill-fated voyage where he saw floating plastic, dying coral reefs, and depleted fish and sea creature populations. He witnessed slavery aboard unregulated fishing vessels in international waters, a problem that directly contrasts with his cause, honoring an anti-slavery vessel.

Kennedy also took a moment to praise Democrats Abroad.

“They are very well organized, and that is what we need — organization. The NRA is well organized and they get results. We should do the same. It’s all a matter of political will.”

Please read the full story, written by Claudia Flisi, here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/democrats-abroad-italy/a-kennedy-redefines-sea-changes/2771281602941947/

End Family Detention and family separation.

Join us in Rome on the sidewalk on the corner of Via Veneto and Via Leonida Bissolati, directly across from the American Embassy.

While Trump has decided that agents will no longer separate children from their families at the border, his immigration policy continues to inflict pain and suffering on thousands of people.

There is still no plan in place to reunite those families that have already been separated, and hundreds of forced unaccompanied minors are now being put in foster care in other states while their parents sit in detention in Texas. Scores of other human rights are being inflicted so that Trump can use these families as a negotiating tool to get his wall. We cannot allow these atrocities to continue.

Please join us as we protest the administration’s immigration policy and fight to help reunite these innocent children with their parents. Bring your posters, signs and your voice so that we can send a message that Americans who live abroad will not stand by while our home nation inflicts pain on our fellow humans.

Please wear white as a statement of solidarity with our cause and post photos on social media with the hashtags:
#FamiliesBelongTogether
#FamiliesTogetherAndFree
#FreedomForFamilies
#EndFamilyDetention
#ReunifyFamiliesNow

Democrats Abroad Italy – Annual General Meeting

Registration Form

Hotel Raffaello – Viale Certosa 108, Milan, Italy*

May 26-27, 2018

REGISTER NOW to attend the DA Italy AGM in Milan – Fill out the On-line Registration Form now!

Democrats Abroad Italy is holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Gala Fundraiser Dinner to bring members face-to-face to organize, outreach and strategize ways to IMPACT pertinent issues and take tangible steps to get Americans in Italy to vote and participate in the Democratic agenda.

We live in cities throughout Italy and vote in almost every U.S. state. The AGM is a fantastic opportunity to meet old and new friends, while concentrating on making a difference from abroad.

Set aside apathy, get active!
The full program, all in downtown Milan, will begin with strategy sessions and presentations including a special presentation by Tufts University Professor, Nicole Pearson on Black Women and Activism. Later we will have a Keynote address and Q&A by DNC Youth Council Chair, Akilah Ensley. This will all be followed by an evening reception and a gala fundraiser dinner with our guest of Honor, DNC Council Chair, Akilah Ensley who is attending our meeting as a DNC representative.

Sunday will consist of more strategy sessions and organizational planning and continue until lunchtime. We guarantee that you will go home with concrete ideas on how to contribute towards making a meaningful impact in the November mid-term elections on the path to Taking Back the House and beyond.

We have a Tax Seminar scheduled on Saturday, with Jim Spell, United States Tax Consultant.

You can find the preliminary agenda here.

Please register and send the recommended donation by Wednesday May 23. In the registration form, there are requested donation amounts which will help us cover the cost of the venue, coffee and refreshment breaks and equipment. You will receive an email with additional details on the event the Evening Gala Dinner and useful information for Milan.

NOTE: Any attendees who have special requirements or need wheelchair access are kindly invited to contact us before your arrival. 

From apathy to activism:

• Do everything in your power to make a positive change for the future of America
• Enable every American living in Italy to vote from abroad
• Organize locally to maximize your power as a single voter from abroad

About our Speaker, Akilah Ensley

Akilah R. Ensley, is current Co-Chair of the Democratic National Committee's Youth Coordinating Council. As a political advocate and community organizer, she is instilled with a passion for service and a commitment to voter protection and engagement. She's a dedicated political strategist, community organizer, and fundraiser. She has experience in building coalitions, program development, fundraising, and community and political engagement. Most recently, she founded and manages Invictus Strategy Group, a general consulting group managing both political and non-profit fundraising, political engagement, and field strategy. Check out Akilah's full BIO here.

About The Venue

DA Italy has arranged for a special room rate valid from May 25-28 at the conference Hotel Raffaello where the AGM will be held. There is private garage parking available for 10€ per 24-hour period. The hotel is 4-star rated and a great balance of quality and value with a very accommodating and friendly staff. It's easily reachable by Tram Lines 14 and 1 which take you directly to the city center. 

(Rates include VAT, service and Buffet Breakfast. City tax no included: 5.00€/person/night)

Book your room by sending an email to info@hotel-raffaello.it, specifying that you are with Democrats Abroad.  Alternatively, reservations can be made by phone at +39(0)2392431

We'll see you there!

www.democratsabroad.org/it