June is Pride Month!
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!
Residency-Based Taxation is gaining traction!
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.
Sea Changes
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/
Join us at our Annual General Meeting!
2019 DA Italy Annual General Meeting:
Saturday, March 30 Afternoon session for the general public: 14:30-17:30
To help us plan for the right number of attendees, please RSVP here
Suggested contribution to organizing costs: €10
The period for nominations to run for the Executive Committee is now closed.* Thank you to those who accepted or submitted their nominations.
Next step is to vote!
The following people have been nominated for:
Chair: Nancy Fina (Milan). Read about Nancy here.
Vice Chair: Bob Vallier (Florence). Read about Bob here.
Secretary: Emily Salm (Lazio). Read about Emily here.
Counsel: Michael Stiefel (Rome). Read about Michael here.
Treasurer: Lynn Chasson (Milan). Read about Lynn here.
Let us know if you have the slightest question!
DA Rome - Post-Elections Potluck
You're invited to the Rome & Southern Italy Chapter Post-Elections Potluck!
Friday, November 9, 7:30-10:00 pm
Associazione Rigatteria, via di Monte Testaccio 53/54, Rome
Let's get together after Election Day to celebrate (or commiserate) and reflect on what happens next.
Attendees are encouraged to bring food to share for the potluck buffet. Please keep in mind that there will be no equipment for reheating dishes.
We hope to see you there!
Ballot Drop-off and Provisional Ballot Assistance Supported by the U.S. Embassy to Italy
Tuesday, October 9, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
St. Stephen's Cultural Center, Via Aventina 1, Rome (near the Circo Massimo metro stop)
At this bipartisan voting assistance event you will be able to:
• Drop off your completed absentee ballot with the U.S. Embassy;
• Learn how to fill out and send a provisional ballot, called the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot, if you haven't requested or received your official ballot in time;
• Share your questions and concerns about the voting process with trained Voting Assistance Officers;
• Learn about Democrats Abroad and Republicans Overseas and how you can get involved;
• Enjoy drinks, snacks and conversation with fellow Americans living in Italy.
The event is jointly hosted by Republicans Overseas, Democrats Abroad and St. Stephen's School, with the support of the U.S. Embassy to Italy.
Do not miss this unique opportunity to vote simply and easily from abroad!
End Family Detention/Familias Unidas
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
June 25, 2018
From APATHY to ACTIVISM: DA Italy Annual General Meeting
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)
| Single Room | 57.00€ |
| Double Single Use | 64.00€ |
| Double Room | 67.00€ |
| Triple Room | 87.00€ |
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!
Americans in Naples begin mobilizing for the 2018 midterm elections
By Tony Quattrone (DA Volunteer in the Naples Area)
Fellow Democrats Abroad in Naples are very determined in making their contribution to win back the Congress in November. Naples is the home of thousands of Americans who work for educational institutions, international organizations, US military bases, and for private enterprises or who have simply chosen to retire there.
A group of Democrats met at the International School of Naples on 19 April 2018 to discuss the way forward to ensure that fellow Americans can exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. During the course of the evening, participants had a chance to see how the Vote from Abroad online system works for registering to vote and for obtaining an absentee ballot. An interesting discussion took place on what volunteers can do to get people to vote. The group decided to hold a “register to vote” session on 10 May at the International School of Naples with the purpose of helping fellow Americans to complete and send registration forms to the voter registration offices in their respective states. The group also discussed other events to be organized in the upcoming weeks and months, to include social events in a venue in downtown Naples.
All American citizens interested in registering to vote for the 2018 elections are very welcome to participate in the get-out-the-vote event on 10 May. For more information about this event or getting involved in the Southern Italy region more generally, please email Info-IT-Rome@democratsabroad.org.
ACTION ALERT Protect the Special Counsel and the Rule of Law
Call your Representative and Senators today and tell them to protect the Special Counsel and the rule of law.
Despite the ravings of our unhinged President, almost 70% of the American people support Special Counsel Mueller's investigation of possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russian government to influence the 2016 election. More than two-thirds of American voters support Mueller investigating Trump's business activities, and almost 6 in 10 support Mueller investigating allegations that Trump's associates paid hush money to women who say they had affairs with him. (ABC-Washington Post poll, 4/13/2018)
The deeper the Special Counsel digs, the more hyperbolic the President becomes, threatening to fire the Special Counsel, Deputy Attorney General, the Attorney General, or all three. Congress MUST ACT NOW to protect the Special Counsel and the rule of law.
Legislation has recently (finally) been introduced in the Senate that would provide some protections. Congress needs to hear from voters like you: It is critical the President know that interfering with the investigations will not be permitted and any firings would have dire consequences for the President and his Administration.
Call your Representative and Senators today and tell them to protect the Special Counsel and the rule of law.
U.S. Capitol Switchboard +1 202-224-3121
Suggested script:
Caller: Hi! I’m a constituent and voter from [part of state/District]. I am calling to urge [Representative/Senator] to use every tool available to prevent President Trump from firing Special Counsel Mueller or otherwise impeding the investigation, such as by firing Rod Rosenstein. I’m concerned he may do that, launching a constitutional crisis. I urge [Representative/Senator] to speak out and tell the President that firing Mueller would be a red line he must not cross, and to co-sponsor [H.R. 3654/S.2644] to show [his/her] support for protecting Mueller and the investigation.
April 15, 2018