In this Issue –

Events:

• Black Caucus Book Club 
• Salzburg Meet-Up
• Experienced Dems Meet-Up
• Debate Watch Party
• Solidarity Sundays
• Women’s Caucus Film Night
• Thanksgiving Dinner

Issues & Actions:

• EMEA Meeting Recap
• Gearing up for 2020 

Reviews:

• Solidarity Sundays 
• Black Caucus Book Club

Members Corner:

• Trump and the Trade Unions 
• Art Opening

Our Executive Committee meetings are normally held at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. The next meetings will be held on:

• Wednesday, November 13
• Wednesday, December 11

Members are welcome to join us at the meetings! Please contact Jennifer at [email protected] for the location.

Follow us on:

Events 

Global Black Caucus Book Club

Join us at Cafe Weimar on Thursday, November 7 at 7 p.m. when we will meet to discuss April Ryan’s book Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House.

When: November 7, 2019, 7:00 p.m. 

Where: Cafe Weimar, 1090 Vienna

RSVP: Facebook or Democrats Abroad

Salzburg Meet-Up 

We’re happy to announce that Salzburg members have recently become active! We hope you’ll join us at our November meet-up. The next meet-up will not be until January 17 - so make plans to attend!

When: November 15, 2019, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Salzburg 5020

RSVP: Mary Beth Kollert · [email protected] or Salzburg November Meet-Up

Experienced Dems

We hope you’ll join us at the monthly meeting of Experienced Democrats. Remember, experience comes in all ages!

When: November 19, 2019, 6:00 p.m. 

Where: Cafe Museum, 1010 Vienna

RSVP: Facebook or Experienced Dems

Primary Debate Watch Party

Join us to watch the fifth Democratic presidential debate which will take place on Nov. 20 near Atlanta – that means we’ll be watching it on November 21 in Vienna at Beaver Brewing Company. 

This time the debates will be moderated by four women – Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, Ashley Parker, and Kirsten Welker. Forbes magazine wrote, “With men reporting twice as much as women on evening news broadcasts of major networks, it is about time more female journalists are in the spotlight.”

What effect, if any, do you think an all women panel will have? Let us hear from you on Facebook.

When: November 21, 2019, 7:00 p.m. 

Where: Beaver Brewing Company

RSVP: Please RSVP on Facebook or at Democrats Abroad Events. The restaurant has asked that we let them know how many people to expect. Thanks for your cooperation! 

Sol Sun – Welcome to Kitchen Table Talk

We’ll be tackling issues from Kitchen Table Talks to discuss policy issues that matter to Americans abroad. Our talk's feedback will help shape the 2020 Democrats Abroad Platform.

Can’t make it but you’re interested in moderating a talk? Click here to read our Kitchen Table Talk Tool Kit (or download the pdf) and find out more.

When: November 24, 2019, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.  

Where: Amerlinghaus, 1070 Vienna

RSVP: Facebook or Democrats Abroad Events

Women’s Caucus Film Night – Toni Morrison

Meet the Women’s Caucus as we get together to watch the new Toni Morrison documentary “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am” featuring Toni Morrison, Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Oprah Winfrey, Walter Mosley, Russell Banks, and Robert Gottlieb. This film portrait received rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival – you won’t want to miss it!

We’ve reserved twenty tickets so DA members can sit together as a group. Please purchase your ticket online ahead of time here and send me an email to let me know.

Or you can buy your ticket at the door by November 18 – tell them you’re with DA, as they’ll be keeping a list. The screening will most likely sell out, so we can’t guarantee tickets on the day of. 

We’ll meet up at 7 p.m. at Amerlinghaus for drinks beforehand. Let me know by the 18th if you’ll be coming so I can reserve a table.

– Hilary Monihan, Women’s Caucus Chair

When: November 25, 2019, 8:15 movie

Where: Filmhaus, Spittelberggasse 3, 1070 Vienna

RSVP: [email protected]

Thanksgiving – A Feast With All The Fixings

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m., we invite our Democratic friends and families to our annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

We have made reservations for 80 at Melker Stiftskeller in the 1st district. We’ll have a large private room all to ourselves under the arches of an almost 600 year old cellar built and owned by the monks from Melk. There will be a buffet with a 3-course feast including pumpkin soup, turkey with all the fixings – mashed potatoes, roasted red beets and sweet potatoes, green beans, red cabbage, stuffing, knoedel, homemade cranberry sauce – and dessert. 

If you can, please bring a pumpkin or pecan pie to share. They are always very appreciated!

–––

Tickets are 25 Euros for adults and 12 Euros for children under 12. This event sold out last year and we have already sold more than half of the tickets, so be sure to reserve yours asap!

– Jennifer Rakow-Stepper, Chair

When: November 28, 2019, 7:00 p.m. 

Where: Melker Stiftskeller, 1010 Vienna

RSVP: Thanksgiving Dinner

Issues & Actions:

Dems Abroad Back in DC – Time to Call Congress!

Democrats Abroad is back on Capitol Hill again this week to talk to Congress about Residency Based Taxation, FATCA reform, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) fixes and other recommendations aimed at reducing the burden U.S. taxation places uniquely on Americans living abroad. 

Please help us demonstrate the enormous support that exists across the Americans abroad community for these critical reforms by reaching out to your elected representatives some time between the 4th and 8th of November.   This campaign guide has all you need to call or write your members of Congress.

– Carmelan Polce, Taxation Task Force Chair

EMEA Meeting Recap

Jennifer and Juan (and Katie – former DAA Chair and DA Global Chair)  joined approximately 100 other Democrats Abroad leaders, activists, and members from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa region in Athens, Greece in mid-October for the semi-annual regional meeting. Over the weekend we focussed on approaches to getting out the vote in 2020 with lots of team building and opportunities to get to know and exchange ideas with other DA leaders. This was my second regional meeting and Juan’s first. It was a fabulous weekend and the Athens team did a great job organizing! 

Gearing up for 2020

Over the next months, this column will provide a space for the thoughts, opinions and announcements from both the DA Executive Committee and our members. While we may not endorse or support any particular candidate before the primaries, we are interested in sharing ideas about what Democrats can and will do to win up and down the ballot in 2020.

– Jennifer Rakow-Stepper, Chair 

l. Social Media Superheroes!

Democrats Abroad Austria is really excited to announce the formation of our new Communications Committee! These young people with a wealth of talent and experience will be transforming our social media platforms and helping us reach even more Americans living in Austria than ever before. Be sure to say hello to (l to r) Sophie Spiegelberger, Jessica Mijnssen, Amanda Grossman, (Brett Carnito, IT support), and Hunter Christopher the next time you see them at an event!

ll. Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary in Brief

Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party arm for the millions of Americans living outside the United States, and the Democratic National Committee recognizes Democrats Abroad as a state – just like New Jersey or Wyoming. And just like all the other states, DA may hold a primary to select our presidential nominee. Unlike the other states, we only choose a presidential nominee. DA Delegates will go to the Democratic Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from July 13-16, 2020. Here's how you can be involved in the three steps that will happen between now and then:

• Sign candidate Petitions!Each campaign needs at least 300 valid Democrats Abroad members to sign their petition by January 6, 2020 to be included on the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary ballot
• Vote in the DA GPP! The Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary will run from March 3 to March 10, 2020 at hundreds of voting centers around the world – including Vienna and other locations in Austria.
• Be a Delegate! Democrats Abroad will send 21 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee Wisconsin in July 2020. 8 of these delegates will be our members on the Democratic National Committee. The remaining 13 will be selected during our regional and global conventions in Toronto, Canada, May 15-17, 2020. Democrats Abroad will also send alternates, committee members and a convention page.

lll. Election Countdown

On November 3rd the countdown begins... one year to take action.

• 92 days until the Iowa Caucuses (February 3rd)
• 121 days until Super Tuesday and the Democrats Abroad primary (March 3rd)
• 253 days until the start of the 2020 Democratic National Convention (July 13th)
• 331 days until the first Presidential Debate (September 29th)
• 366 days until the Presidential Election (November 3rd)  

*All calculations start from November 3, 2019.

**366 days is correct; 2020 is a leap year!

– Amanda Grossman, DAA Comms Committee

We Can’t Win Without You! 

DA Austria is looking for people to fill the following positions so together we can dump Trump and elect Democrats up and down the ballot in 2020!

It will take a village to do all the things we need to do. Here are some opportunities to help:

1. Take our Volunteer Survey. Have an hour to spare? We are looking for volunteers in all areas and with any time availability.
2. DA Austria is looking for members interested in heading our Get Out the Vote, Media Relations and other vital positions. Find out more information about how to join our team. 
3. Do you have an idea? We're looking for suggestions on how we can connect with more Americans in Austria, find places to advertise, events to have, and any suggestions you have to get more people to vote.  Bookmark this link and submit your ideas at any time.

Reviews:

Solidarity Sundays #27:  

Impeachment 4.0 (Or How To Get Rid of A President On the 4thTry)

What can we expect from this impeachment process? What might America look like when the smoke clears? Can our Constitution save us?

Tanya Lolonis led a civics review on October 28th on disciplining a President who abuses his constitutional power. Congress has impeached — accused of misconduct — three Presidents; it has never removed one.

What kind of offense did the Founding Fathers believe merited ejecting a President?  High Crimes and Misdemeanors do not refer to felonies or legal crimes. “High” crimes are committed by public officials, while “Misdemeanors” refer to “ill behavior; evil conduct; fault; or mismanagement.” In essence, an impeachable crime is a judgment call.

–Tanya Lolonis, Member at Large, Solidarity Sundays Coordinator

READ MORE

GBC Book Club 8: Becoming by Michelle Obama 

The members of the GBC book club met once again to discuss another great book, this time Becoming, an autobiography written by the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama is the epitome of intellect, compassion, strength, and beauty. Her book goes behind the scenes of the presidency from her perspective as a wife, mother, and First Lady and all of the baggage, stress and craziness that comes with it. Every newsworthy moment during Obama's presidency was given a unique framing and background from Michelle herself, making those stories even more memorable. We all know how accomplished Michelle Obama is with degrees from Ivy League institutions, but she remains humble. She stays grounded by remembering all of the people who helped shape her: her family, who worked tirelessly to provide her and her brother a better life; her community, who gave her toughness, strength and identity; and her teachers who saw her potential and helped her grow. We ended with a quote about continued personal growth: “For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.” 

Join us at Cafe Weimar on Thursday, November 7 at 7 p.m. when we will meet to discuss April Ryan’s book Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House. 

– Faith Hall Herbold, Member at Large, Black Caucus Coordinator

Member’s Corner

Vernissage – American Artist Marcus Jansen

When: November 7, 2019, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Galarie Amart, Halbgasse 17, 1070 Vienna

RSVP: Info

Trump and the Trade Unions – public discussion with leading US trade unionist Stuart Appelbaum

No one is indifferent to US President Donald Trump’s political policies: be it foreign policy, global economic, or migration policy. With one year to go before the US presidential election, what are the consequences of Trump’s policies for Americans? How has the social and labor market situation changed under Trump? How is the working population doing? What role do trade unions play in the US? What are the chances for the Democrats?

A public discussion with Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), Vice President of the American Federation of Trade Unions (AFL-CIO).

Welcome introduction: Wolfgang Katzian, ÖGB President

Moderation: Sophia Reisecker, GPA-djp international secretary

Questions from the audience are welcome! Simultaneous interpretation will be provided into German and English.

Afterwards you will be invited to a small snack.

When: Monday, November 11, 2019, 5:30 p.m. (admission 5:00 p.m.)

Where: ÖGB Catamaran, Wilhelmine Moik conference room Johann-Böhm-Platz 1, 1020 Wien(U2 Donaumarina)

RSVP: Info & registration

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.

We value your membership, and we hope to see you at an event soon!

What can we expect from this impeachment process? What might America look like when the smoke clears? Can our Constitution save us?

Tanya Lolonis led a civics review on October 28th on disciplining a President who abuses his constitutional power. Congress has impeached — accused of misconduct — three Presidents; it has never removed one.

What kind of offense did the Founding Fathers believe merited ejecting a President?  High Crimes and Misdemeanors do not refer to felonies or legal crimes. “High” crimes are committed by public officials, while “Misdemeanors” refer to “ill behavior; evil conduct; fault; or mismanagement.” In essence, an impeachable crime is a judgment call.

The first president to be impeached by Congress, Andrew Johnson, was impeached for being a jerk.  Racist, defiant, and demagogic, he was despised for sabotaging Reconstruction. Nonetheless, senators acquitted him to preserve the balance of powers — the principle of Executive independence from the Legislature. Significantly, Nancy Pelosi has not focused the inquiry on his policies, but on his abuse of Executive power — attempting to profit politically from his office. 

Richard Nixon denied involvement in Watergate for 16 months. Hard evidence — a tape confirming his role in the coverup— turned the public, and his party, against him. Pelosi and Schiff learned the lesson of Nixon’s impeachment:  proof matters.

Bill Clinton’s impeachment concerned neither balance of power (Johnson) nor abuse of presidential power for political advantage (Nixon), but misdeeds outside his constitutional role. His popularity determined his fate:  he was never in danger of conviction by the Senate. Similarly, President Trump stokes his popularity with his base to keep GOP Senators behind him.

The politics of impeachment are fluid and dynamic, changing daily — even hourly. If the House votes to impeach the President, will the Democratic majority be punished in 2020? Rewarded? Will the President survive impeachment to run for re-election with the largest war-chest in presidential campaign history? Or will Senators, sensing fatal political fallout, abandon the President, make him the first to be removed from office?

What makes this impeachment process different from the first three is this:  the Framers expected a Donald Trump. They did not expect a Mitch McConnell, a Matthew Gaetz, a Kevin McCarthy. They did not account for political parties cooperating across branches of government to protect a President.It is a fundamental change in our constitutional order:  we no longer have the ambition of one branch checking the ambition of another; we have personal ambition protecting personal ambition. This process is moving fast:  we’ll know soon if our system will hold.

–Tanya Lolonis, Member at Large, Solidarity Sundays Coordinator

Gearing up for 2020 – 

Despite how seamless and effortless we all would like the voting process to be, the fact is that it isn’t. People forget to change their party affiliation in time to vote in closed primaries, to register every calendar year, and to actually mail in their registration form and/or ballot. Many Americans don’t even know they actually can vote when living abroad!

Democrats Abroad and Vote from Abroad are of course here to help all Americans through the process and advocate for voters when there are snags in the system.

There is a lot of preparation work to do as we gear up for 2020 and we’re already getting started. We’re signing up volunteers for the vital work of registering and reminding people here and at home to register and vote; we’re developing our communications, press and social media teams to provide critical services; and we’re signing up call hub volunteers so we can hit the phones in January. All, of course, while we’re still providing the fun and interesting monthly events that our members have come to expect from DA Austria.

If this sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. As Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe (podcast: Campaign HQ) said on Pod Save America (Whistle While You Spy, 9.19.19), “We better prepare for an epic battle.” DA needs to stand united to work together to register Americans at home and living abroad, and to get out the vote.

Our members are the margin for victory in many elections and we’ve got a democracy to take back. We hope you’ll be a part! DAAVolunteer

– DA Austria Executive Committee

photo: Seymann - Die Weinhandwerkerei im Pulkautal

In This Issue –

Events:

• Global Black Caucus Book Club VIII
• Experienced Dems
• Debate Watch Party IV
• Solidarity Sundays
• Thanksgiving

Issues & Actions:

• DAA Executive Committee Changes
• Tax Advocacy Meetings in DC
• Gearing up for 2020
  • Voter Registration Drive
  • Now is the Time
  • It’s All About Turnout!

Reviews:

• GOTV/Membership Drive @ David Sedaris
• September’s Watch Party
• Solidarity Sundays on Gerrymandering

Members Corner:

• Disinformation, Cybersecurity, and Online Influence: Lessons from Eastern Europe

Events

GBC Book Club VIII

Becoming

Come join us at the next book club where we will finally discuss the New York Timesbest seller Becoming by Harvard educated lawyer, university administrator and former First Lady Michelle Obama. We will also be discussing the next three books we will read! We hope to see you Friday, October 4th at 7pm. Location will be given with your RSVP.

– Faith Hall-Herbold, DAA Global Black Caucus Coordinator

When: October 4, 2019, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Location will be given with your RSVP, 1080 Vienna

RSVP: Black Caucus Book Club

Experienced Dems

Join us at the monthly meeting of Experienced Democrats. All are welcome!

When: October 15, 2019, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Cafe Museum, 1010 Vienna

RSVP: Experienced Dems

Debate Watch Party

Winnowing is the word. The next Debate Watch Party will again be at Beaver Brewing Company at 7pm on October 16th. We look forward to seeing you there for another round of democratic drinks, debate and discussion!

When: October 16, 2019, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Beaver Brewing Company, 1090 Vienna

RSVP: Debate Watch Party

Sol Sun 27: High Crimes and Misdemeanors

Google searches for "impeachment" are skyrocketing as scandals pile up around the White House. Join Solidarity Sundays for a look at the ins and outs of the process to charge, try and remove public officials for misconduct.

And if it's not a topic anymore, we'll be celebrating.

When: October 27, 2019, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Where: Amerlinghaus, 1070 Vienna

RSVP: Sol Sun #26

A Feast With All The Fixings

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28th at 7PM, we invite our Democratic friends and families to our annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

We have made reservations for 60 at Melker Stiftskeller in the 1st district. We’ll have a large private room all to ourselves under the arches of an almost 600 year old cellar built and owned by the monks from Melk. There will be a buffet with a 3-course feast including pumpkin soup, turkey with all the fixings – mashed potatoes, roasted red beets and sweet potatoes, green beans, red cabbage, stuffing, cranberry sauce – and dessert.

If you can, please bring a pumpkin or pecan pie. They are always very appreciated!

–––

Tickets are 25 Euros for adults and 12 Euros for children under 12. RSVP at https://www.democratsabroad.org/at_eventsThis event sold out last year, so be sure to reserve your tickets early!

– Jennifer Rakow-Stepper, Chair

When: November 28, 2019, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Melker Stiftskeller, 1010 Vienna

RSVP: Thanksgiving Dinner

Issues & Actions:

DAA Executive Committee Changes

The Executive Committee would like to give a huge thank you to Keith Jacomine who has over the years been a fantastic ExComm leader. Keith was Chair of DA Austria from 2013 to 2017 and has been serving as Vice Chair since. Under his leadership DAA held a very successful 2016 Global Presidential Primary, doubled our membership, and developed a good dose of fun in Fun-raisers and other DAA events. Both Keith and Kate have played a vital role in increasing active membership engagement as well as being so generous as they opened up their home for DAA events many times over the years and have contributed in every way possible both within Austria and in representing DA Austria Abroad. Family obligations have required the two to be in the US for the time being, but we look forward to having him back in Vienna soon!

“I am very honored to have been appointed as the new Vice-Chair of Democrats Abroad Austria by the ExComm Board. I will be replacing Keith, who has done a tremendous job as past Chair and Vice-Chair, and I want to say a big thank you for all his great work.” Many of you know Juan Cerda as the Co-coordinator of Sunday Solidarity Sundays and as leader of our LGBT Caucus. Juan will bring his considerable experience in political campaigning, phone banking, and event organizing skills to the ExComm Board. Juan said, “We have a great Board and super volunteers with incredibly talented people, and I know we will accomplish a lot during a very critical election year in 2020.”

Tax Advocacy Meetings in DC

The Taxation Task Force published a report this weekabout our expat tax advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill the week commencing Monday, September 16th.

READ MORE

Gearing up for 2020

Over the next months, this column will provide a space for the thoughts, opinions and announcements from both the DA Executive Committee and our members. While we may not endorse or support any particular candidate before the primaries, we are interested in sharing ideas about what Democrats can and will do to win up and down the ballot in 2020.

– Jennifer Rakow-Stepper, Chair

l. Voter Registration Drive

The last week of September, DA Austria had a total of four voter registration events for study abroad students at IES (Institute for the International Education of Students) and Webster University registering students and faculty to vote. It went really well – the students and staff are appreciative that registering is made so easy by the fact that we come to them. People often have questions and being there makes it very simple for them and provides clarity.

During the week we registered more than 30 people and we expect to do as well or better in the next few months! I will be holding more events in different venues in November and again in January 2020. Anyone who would like to join should please contact me at [email protected]. Let me know if you have ideas of where you think we should have a GOTV event.

– Raina Saul-Ganev, Voter Registration Coordinator

ll. Now is the Time –

Vote in 2019 and Prepare for 2020!

1. Do you, your friends or family vote in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey or Virginia? These states all have important state elections in 2019. Now is the time to request your ballot!
2. Did you have trouble voting in 2018? Now is the time to work with us and your local election officials to fix those issues.
3. Are you switching party affiliation or registering to vote for the first time? Voters in states with closed primaries need to switch party affiliation or register for the first time NOW! Deadlines – KY: Oct 7, 2019; LA: Oct 16, 2019; NY: Oct 11, 2019; VA: Oct 15, 2019. https://www.headcount.org/deadlines-dates/

lll. It's All About Voter Turnout!

by Mary Ann Balko-Koch

I feel very passionate about voter turnout! The problem we as Dems need to concentrate/focus on IS TURNOUT! #1 issue as far as I’m concerned. We need to make sure that people actually go out and vote!

In 2010 I was lucky enough to be on one of the Huffington Post buses to go to the John Stewart rally in Washington DC. This event was shortly before the midterm elections that year. As I asked the young people on the bus line around me if they were all voting on the following Tuesday, I received many excuses as to why they weren’t - they were studying in NY from another state, they had to work that day, they had just moved to NY, etc.. I knew right then and there that we were going to lose the midterm elections. When Obama came out and said that we got shellacked in the midterm elections, I took his word for it. BUT (years later it was clear) we didn’t! According to a pew research poll, only 37% of the voting age population came out and voted.

I think Obama handled this poorly at the time. Imagine if he had come...

READ MORE

Reviews:

GOTV/Membership Drive @ David Sedaris

DA Austria is thinking outside the box. After having a very successful GOTV event (and hearing some fantastic music) at the David Byrne concert last year, we’re taking our voter registration efforts to other unusual venues where Americans might be. In September, the team registered voters at the David Sedaris show at Gartenbaukino and DA Austria even got a shout out from him!

Send us your idea of a spot we should visit next. IdeasFor2020

September’s Watch Party

Democrats in Austria enjoyed watching the Democratic primary candidates at Beaver Brewing Company on September 13th. We hope you’ll join us at October’s watch party!

Solidarity Sundays 26:

The Amazing Disappearing Voter

We spend lots of time debating candidates, their health plans, climate plans, can they beat Donald Trump? None of this will matter if we don’t focus more on maybe the greatest vulnerability Democrats face in 2020: the Republican war on voting.

Republicans know the majority does not agree with them. They’re using their advantage in state legislatures to erase minority and young voters – to make the electorate as white, old, and Republican as possible. Because states determine voting rules, we’re waging a national battleover voting rights, but fighting it state by state, in courts, and over arcane rules that increase barriers to the ballot.

September 29, Solidarity Sundays took a deep dive into voter suppression. Before the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965, literacy tests and poll taxes kept minorities from voting. Today, it is administrative burden, absentee ballots lost in the mail, and closed polling places. Modern suppression makes it look like you made a mistake, not that the system is mistaken.

The most sinister GOP tactic is voter purging– removing registered citizens from voting rolls. Since the Supreme Court struck down the Preclearance Section of the VRA in 2013, the pace of purging has grown exponentially.

What steps can you take to protect yourright to vote? Register to vote every January. Then double check: sometimes names get removed by mistake. Or by people who hate – what’s the word? – democracy.

Solidarity Sundays attendees wrote postcards to voters from Virginia. Both the house and senate are up for election. Winning both chambers would put Democrats in charge of re-drawing gerrymandered districts, and make Virginia the 38th – and final -- state needed to ratify the ERA.

Members Corner:

Disinformation, Cybersecurity, and Online Influence: Lessons from Eastern Europe

U.S. Embassy Austria

Nina Jankowicz, Wilson Center

Alexander Schatten, SBA Research

Moderated by Christoph Zotter, Profil

RSVP: [email protected]

When: October 10, 2019, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Amerika Haus, Friedrich-Schmidt-Platz 2, 1010 Vienna

ID required

The Taxation Task Force published a report this week about our expat tax advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill the week commencing Monday, September 16th. 

READ MORE

by Mary Ann Balko-Koch, DAA member and former Database Manager

I feel very passionate about voter turnout! The problem we as Dems need to concentrate/focus on IS TURNOUT! #1 issue as far as I’m concerned. We need to make sure that people actually go out and vote! 

In 2010 I was lucky enough to be on one of the Huffington Post buses to go to the John Stewart rally in Washington DC. This event was shortly before the midterm elections that year.  As I asked the young people on the bus line around me if they were all voting on the following Tuesday, I received many excuses as to why they weren’t - they were studying in NY from another state, they had to work that day, they had just moved to NY, etc..  I knew right then and there that we were going to lose the midterm elections. When Obama came out and said that we got shellacked in the midterm elections, I took his word for it. BUT (years later it was clear) we didn’t! According to a pew research poll, only 37% of the voting age population came out and voted. 

I think Obama handled this poorly at the time. Imagine if he had come out and said the following, “The Republicans are going to tell you that we got shellacked in these midterm elections. Don’t you believe them. Only 37% of you showed up to vote! Where were the rest of you? I thought you had my back! Folks, democracy can’t survive on 63% of you not showing up and participating in this process!” Then, maybe voters would have been aware of how few people vote and how important voting is, especially in the midterm elections. Maybe voter apathy could have been avoided in 2016. (You can’t fight what you’re not aware of.)

We can contact every Democrat on the planet in a GOTV campaign but if they don’t show up to vote, our efforts are useless.

Here are more statistics where it’s all about voter TURNOUT - 

AOC vs Crowley in 2018 primary - after all votes in, 11.8% turnout decided this primary.

https://nypost.com/2018/06/28/most-voters-stayed-home-for-stunning-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-win/

Doug Jones vs Roy Moore - 

This, for me, says it all as far as turnout goes - 25% turnout was expected, 40% showed up https://www.al.com/news/2017/12/turnout_exceeds_expectations_i.html

Most recently - NC9 2018 votes for McCready vs 2019 votes for McCready.

Almost 100,000 vote difference in the number of voters who turned out to vote in the special election.  If McCready had only received the same number of votes as in 2018, he would have won.

We can contact every Democrat on the planet in a GOTV campaign but if they don’t show up to vote, our efforts are useless. We need to do a better job of educating voters in the following ways:

1. Don’t pay attention to polls!
2. Register/request an absentee ballot on January 2, 2020. Get ahead of state deadlines. 
3. Once a candidate is nominated then all money and effort goes into GOTV as well as education: 
   1. register those not yet registered
   2. educate people on where their polling places are, how are they getting there (carpooling?), voting buddies, voting rights, especially if someone tries to turn them away from the polls (what can they do?) 
   3. absentee ballots, special elections
   4. stress TURNOUT, TURNOUT, TURNOUT!! Our focus has to be on turnout - aim for 100% and maybe we will get 65%.
4. IGNORE the polls!! IGNORE the pundits!! Don’t take anything for granted and Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!

In 2016 the turnout for both R & D primaries/caucuses was 28%.  

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/10/turnout-was-high-in-the-2016-primary-season-but-just-short-of-2008-record/

When almost 3/4 of eligible voters do not participate in the democratic process, it's no wonder that people are dissatisfied with the choice of their candidates come the general election. Somehow they don’t realize that it’s their own fault when they don’t participate in the process.

Maybe we need to offer courses - Civics 101!

Events 

• Presidential Primary Debate Watch Party
• Salzburg Meet-Up
• Experienced Dems 
• Solidarity Sundays 
• Black Caucus Book Club
• DA EMEA Regional Meeting

Issues & Actions

• Upcoming Elections 
• Volunteer Opportunities

Reviews

• Black Caucus Book Club
• Presidential Primary Debate Watch Parties Round Two 

Around Town

• American Diplomacy in a Disordered World
• Vienna Humanities Festival 

ExComm Dates for September and October

DA Austria’s Executive Committee meetings are normally at 7pm on the second Wednesday of the month. However, due to travels the September meeting will be moved. Our next meetings will be held on: 

• September ExComm: Thursday, September 5
• October ExComm: Wednesday, October 9

Please contact Jennifer at [email protected] for the location, if you’d like to come. 

Events:

Are We There Yet? Presidential Primary Debate Watch Party

What top issues do you want to see addressed in the next #DemDebate? Here's your chance to let the Democratic Party know. All questions you submit will be shared by debate media partners here.

The 10 candidates who have already qualified are: former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.; Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey; Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind.; the former housing secretary Julián Castro; Senator Kamala Harris of California; Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota; former Representative Beto O’Rourke of Texas; Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont; Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts; and the entrepreneur Andrew Yang.

When:  Friday, September 13, from 7pm

Where:  Beaver Brewing Company, Liechtensteinstraße 69, 1090 Vienna

Contact:  Faith Hall-Herbold, [email protected]

RSVP: Debate Watch Party

Salzburg Meet-Up

DA Members and others are warmly invited to join us for a meet-up in Salzburg on the day after the third presidential primary debate. There will certainly be a lot to discuss!

The location is not yet fixed, but it will be in the vicinity of the Salzburg main train station. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested and then I can give you the location. It does not have to be a firm RSVP, but that is how you'll know where to join us!

When:  Friday, September 13, from 5:30pm

Where:  TBD, Near the main train station, 5020 Salzburg

Contact:  Mary Beth Kollert, [email protected] for location

RSVP: Salzburg Meet-Up

Experienced Dems Meet-Up

First meeting of the 2019-2020 year!

The Experienced Dems look forward to seeing democrats and interested folks at our monthly meet-up to discuss the latest in politics and current affairs. We start at six, but you're welcome to join at any time.

Remember, you don't have to be grey to be experienced! 

When:  Tuesday, September 17, from 6pm

Where:  Cafe Museum, Operngasse 7, 1010 Vienna

Contact:  John Cahill, [email protected]

RSVP: Experienced Dems

Solidarity Sundays 26:  The Amazing Disappearing Voter

Voter Suppression undermines democracy and the legitimacy of elected officials. It also changes legislative outcomes:  gun restrictions, child-care subsidies, prescription drug price reduction, and green energy bills are widely popular with voters. Each time one of these bills passes in the House, the Republican majority in the Senate blocks it. Let’s be clear:  there wouldn’t be a Republican majority in the Senate if the electorate looked more like America. And the electorate keeps shrinking, becoming whiter and more Republican, due to voter suppression.

Solidarity Sundays believes democracy isn’t a fight, it’s a practice. For our September meet-up we’ll discuss voter suppression, and the organizations pushing back. Bring ideas to share on how Americans living abroad might contribute to the battle for Voting Rights back home.

What:  Coffee, Cookies, and Civics

When:  Sunday, September 29, from 4-6pm

Where:  Amerlinghaus, Stiftgasse 8, 1070 Vienna

Contact:  Tanya Lolonis, [email protected]

RSVP: Solidarity Sundays

Black Caucus Book Club

At October's book club we will discuss the New York Times bestseller Becoming by Harvard educated lawyer, university administrator and former First Lady, Michelle Obama.

Come join us!

When:  Friday, October 4, from 7pm

Where:  TBD Vienna

Contact:  Faith Hall-Herbold, [email protected]

RSVP: Black Caucus Book Club

DA EMEA Regional Meeting

Do you want to dump Crazy Trump and ditch Moscow Mitch? Do you want to be one of the thousands of DA members around the globe to get out the vote and make that happen? 

If so, you’ll want to join Democrats Abroad as we get together for a series of workshops, training sessions, and presentations to prepare for the 2020 election. There will also be a welcome reception by DA Greece, caucus events, a cocktail reception, and a gala dinner. 

This is a fantastic way to experience the breadth and depth of DA’s leadership talent, exchange ideas, and keep up with 2020 get out the vote plans. I’ll be there with some other Excomm members – we hope you’ll join us! 

Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions you may have. For more detailed information about the DA EMEA Regional Meeting and to RSVP, click on the link. 

– Jennifer Rakow-Stepper, Chair DA Austria

What:  Democrats Abroad Regional Meeting for Europe, Middle East, and Africa

When:  October 12-14, 2019

Where:  Athens, Greece

RSVP: EMEA Regional Meeting 

Issues & Actions:

How to Make A Difference at Home

Sleepy special and state elections may seem minor, but we should all be aware by now just how important state governors and legislatures can be as a push-back to Trump and his devastating policies. That’s why if you vote in any of the following six states please make sure to spread the word to your family, friends, and social media contacts to vote in the 2019 elections! 

This autumn will see special elections in North Carolina Districts 3 and 9. NC-9 is having a special election because of ballot tampering. Read More 

There are also five states — Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia — that will hold General Elections in November 2019 for state executive offices, state legislative offices or both. 

Don’t forget overseas voters need to submit the Federal Postcard Application (FPCA)to request a ballot each calendar year to be guaranteed to receive ballots for elections in that year. Absentee ballots will be sent out on September 21.

First-time voters may simultaneously register to vote and request a ballot using the FPCA if the form is submitted according to the voter registration deadline. All other voters must submit the FPCA by the ballot request deadline. 

For more information about what’s on the ballots in the State elections and how to register to vote, go to What is on the Ballot in 2019? 

We Can’t Win Without You!

DA Austria is looking for people to fill the following positions so together we can dump Trump and elect Democrats up and down the ballot in 2020!

It will take a village to do all the things we need to do. Here are some opportunities to help:

1. Take our Volunteer Survey. We are looking for volunteers in all areas.
2. DA Austria is looking for members interested in heading our Youth Caucus and Hispanic Caucus and other vital positions. Find out more information about how to join our team. 
3. Do you have an idea? We're looking for suggestions on how we can connect with more Americans in Austria, find places to advertise, events to have, and any suggestions you have to get more people to vote.  Bookmark this link and submit your ideas at any time.

Reviews:

GBC Book Club 

The group met up at a private location to discuss We were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Each chapter represented a year in the presidency of Barack Obama. The presidency of Barack Obama was monumental and was nearly scandal free, a far cry from the current administration. Coates, as well as the rest of the nation, are still analyzing the factors that lead to individuals voting first for Obama and then for Trump, including what racially motivated factors that were at play beyond the standard “economic anxiety” that was put forward as a main cause. Coates uses the historical precedence of the Reconstruction era that saw the successful integration of African Americans into the political and socioeconomic systems of the US only to be driven back during the backlash of Jim Crow era that followed. The chapters were so packed with beautifully written commentary, personal storytelling, and information that the group did not have enough time to discuss them all.

Even so, we will move on with the next book club where we will discuss the New York Times best seller Becoming by Harvard educated lawyer, university administrator and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Come join us on Friday, October 4th at 7pm. Location TBD.

– Faith Hall-Herbold, Black Caucus Coordinator and Member at Large

How to Meet Your Next US President

June and July had great turnouts at our double-header Presidential Primary Debate Watch Parties. We had the chance to meet and discuss with lots of members, new members and concerned non-Americans who hope we’ll dump Trump – it was wonderful to meet all of you!

As we go into the fall, the field of candidates will narrow down and the debates themselves will certainly heat up. It may feel like a long time until November 3, 2020, but the first primary caucus is in Iowa on February 3 – just six months away. And DA’s Global Presidential Primary, where you can vote for DA’s delegates to the convention, will take place March 3, on Super Tuesday. 

We hope to see you at an upcoming debate night watch party where you’ll be able to “meet” the future President – all the candidates have been joining in!

– Jennifer Rakow-Stepper, Chair DA Austria

Around Town:

American Diplomacy in a Disordered World

On Thursday, September 19, IWM Permanent Fellow Ivan Krastev will talk with Ambassador William J. Burns, president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, about America's changing role in the world and the purpose of American diplomacy. Registration is required. Find the registration form and more information at IWM Geopolitical Talks.

Vienna Humanities Festival

The fourth Vienna Humanities Festival will take place from September 26-29 with the theme Hope and Despair. As always, the IWM and Wien Museum have lined up interesting speakers to discuss “the burning issues of our time.” Most of the events are free. Find the program and more information at: Vienna Humanities Festival.

DA Austria is looking for people to fill the following positions. Be part of our team and help advocate for Americans in Austria! (updated Jan, 2023)

Caucus Coordinators

General description for Caucus Chair positions:

• Disseminate information to members
• Coordinate caucus-related events in Austria
• Periodically report to the global caucus steering committee
• Find ways to add diversity to non-caucus events

Our caucuses need your support and energy!

• Black Caucus
• LGBTQ+
• Progressive Caucus
• Women’s Caucus
• Youth Caucus

DA has many special interest caucuses and they are happy to share information and events with you when you join. 

Communications Coordinator 

• Work with Chair & ExComm to set communication goals 
• Build up and oversee a Communications Team (Comms Team)
• Work with Chair & ExComm to draft internal membership communications: Monthly newsletters, regular national emails, occasional voting notification emails, occasional invitations to events, etc.
• Ensure that information on DAAT is updated regularly (Excom and chapter contacts, events, activities, etc) on the DAAT website
• Communicate and coordinate with the international Communications Director on a regular basis

Get Out The Vote Coordinator

• Form an “Elections Team” of various officers, at large members and others to coordinate all aspects of GOTV work in the runup to the 2020 elections
• Plan and coordinate phone banking
• Coordinate and organize info-stands and voter registration tables
• Organize mass mailings to DAAT’s membership encouraging registration, voting, and donations (working in some cases with the Communication Coordinator)
• Distribute information, templates, and know-how from DA International to the DAAT Excomm

Media Contact

• Demonstrate verifiable experience and/or training in the fields of Media, Press and/or PR
• Work with Chair & ExComm to set media goals 
• Act as liaison between DAAT and international press officer
• Write and organize translations (by one of our volunteer translators) of relevant press releases  (those not provided by international press officer)
• Maintain national contact database for journalists / press contacts (googledoc)
• Record and archive all press activities, articles, interviews (googledoc)
• Create press kits for Global Primary and 2020 election

Social Media Coordinator (Part of Comms Team) 

• Work with Chair & Comms Coordinator to set social media goals 
• Develop a schedule of posts and web content
• Create timely posts to DAAT social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Monitor all posts and comments on DAAT social media sites
• Communicate and coordinate with the international Communications Director on a regular basis

All positions will be appointed by the DAAT Chair with the consultation of the Executive Committee for a term of two years. Coordinators and Caucus Chairs may be removed by the DAAT Executive Committee at any time for conduct contrary to the interests of DAAT.

Don't forget – overseas voters MUST register to vote in every calendar year. Even if you registered for the 2018 midterms you will need to register and request your ballot for special elections in 2019.

If you, your friends or your family vote in North Carolina, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi , New Jersey or Virginia? Remind them to vote in the upcoming special elections because Dems win when Dems vote and special elections matter!

Violent and frequent hurricanes. Record heat waves. Thousand-year floods. Devastating wildfires. Rising sea levels. Species decimation. Climate disruption is here, and scientists tell us we have 10 years to radically decarbonise to keep global temperatures from rising above 1.5 degrees. With the GOP in the pocket of the fossil fuel industry, Democrats are the only party discussing how to address our near-apocalyptic crisis. What are they proposing?

Faith Hall-Herbold took Solidarity Sundays attendees through the key points of the Green New Deal. As the name indicates, the GND is inspired by FDR’s New Deal which addressed the Great Depression. The document is short and radical – short on specific policies and radical in its policy aims. It calls on the US to: (1) enact a climate change action plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030; (2) re-structure the economy with cooperation between unions, communities, business, and government; and (3) ensure justice so that coal workers, rural communities, and people of color aren’t left behind during the transition.

It’s a tall order. It’s made more difficult by the fact that the fossil fuel industry is more organized than the renewable energy lobby. But Hall-Herbold identifies two reasons for hope that we can act in time: first is the sorry state of America’s infrastructure. This offers the chance for bi-partisan cooperation to repair and upgrade electricity generation, road and rail transport, and buildings. The GND emphasis on massive federal investment in clean energy is politically appealing – especially now that Democratic candidates have stopped mentioning the politically radioactive “carbon tax”.

The second opportunity resides in the youth movements demanding government action on climate change. Natural systems appear to have “tipping points” in which positive feedbacks accelerate the rush toward disasters. Loss of sun-reflecting snow and ice, for example, accelerates the pace of global warming. Our socio-economic system may be developing “good” tipping points. Alternative energy sources are becoming cheaper than fossil fuels, and may initiate a rapid shift to the former. Political campaigns, too, can have outsized results. Sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg inspires people to protest around the world through the amplifying effect of the internet and social media. Public support for the policies that will be necessary to transition to a low-carbon economy is critical: more young people voting, and spreading awareness of the costs of climate change hold promise of a good tipping point in the near future.

A global climate strike, expanding beyond school children, has been called for 20 September 2019. It will be followed by a global week of action: http://globalclimatestrike.net. Details on how to participate as part of Democrats Abroad Austria will be in the September DA Newsletter.

–Tanya Lolonis, Member-at-Large, Solidarity Sundays Co-Coordinator

WATCH PARTY: FIRST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES

In This Issue:

Events

• DAATalks
• Experienced Dems
• Pride Parade
• Debate Night
• Sol Sun June

Issues & Actions

• DA Global Meeting

Reviews

• SolSun
• GBC
• Progressive Pizza

Events

DAATalks with Eric Frey–

A View of America and Journalism in the Age of Trump

Democrats Abroad Austria is excited to welcome Dr. Eric Frey, Senior Editor of der Standard, for our next DAATalks lecture series.

US or Austria? Trump or FPÖ? Politics or journalism? With everything going on in the States and the recent upheavals in Austrian politics there will be a lot to discuss!

WHEN: June 04, 2019 at 7pm - 9pm

WHERE: Republikanischer Club, Rockhgasse 1, 1010 Vienna

Entrance at Hebenstreit Restaurant (5 min. from U2 Schottentor).

Experienced Democrats Meet-Up

The June Meeting of Experienced Democrats of Democrats Abroad Austria

WHEN: June 06, 2019 at 6pm - 8pm

WHERE: Café Museum, Operngasse 7, 1010 Vienna

CONTACT: John Cahill · [email protected]

Pride Parade

2019 marks 50 years since the historic Stonewall Riots, arguably the most important event leading to the gay liberation movement, which catapulted queer activism and rights ahead. Today we see more equality and visibility than ever. However, the paradigm of progress has shifted. LGBTQIA+ rights are once again under threat in the Trump Administration and the Supreme Court. Democrats Abroad Austria stands together and proud with the 2019 EuroPride events in Vienna this June. Don’t be a bystander! We hope you will stand with us as we march for all of our right for rights!

This is the most outlandish party on the DA Austria calendar and this year Vienna is home to EuroPride, so expect a wild and wonderful day! We'll update our event page and fb page as soon as we know our start number. The parade start (#1) is at Rathausplatz/Burgtheater and goes back towards Schottentor. See the Pride Parade map for more info.

WHEN: June 15, 2019 at 11am - 4pm

WHERE: Near the University/Schottentor (exact location to be announced), 1010 Vienna

CONTACT: Joey Eckhart · [email protected]

Primary Debate Watch Parties

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has announced that they will hold twelve debates in the run-up to the presidential primary. The debates will be held monthly over two consecutive nights with ten candidates on stage each evening. There are a number of requirements a candidate must fulfil to get a spot in the debate and the top tier candidates will be equally divided on each night. DA Austria will be streaming the debates at two watch parties on June 27 and 29. Note, this is the day AFTER the debate because of the time difference.

We'll be meeting on Thursday, June 27 at Beaver Brewery and Friday, June 28 at Kung Wu. Come early to get a bite to eat and a beer and then settle in as we listen to the wealth of talent that makes up the slate of 2020 democratic presidential candidates. 

We hope you'll join us!

WHEN: June 27 & 28, 2019 at 7pm. Come early and eat!

WHERE: June 27- Beaver Brewery, Liechtensteinstraße 69, 1090. June 28- Kung Wu Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020.

CONTACT: Jennifer Rakow-Stepper · chair@democratsabroad.at

Solidarity Sundays 25:  The Green New Deal & You

The recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts we have a decade to get carbon emissions under control before catastrophic climate change impacts become unavoidable. The Republican party ignores the problem. The Democratic Party claims to accept and understand it -- but does not have a plan to address climate breakdown.

Young activists have a plan:  The Green New Deal. GND refers to a massive program of investments in clean-energy jobs and infrastructure, meant to transform the energy sector and entire economy. There is immense political energy around the GND, but converting that to real results on the ground will involve a lot of political and policy engineering.

Join Solidarity Sundays and explore how the GND became a priority, what's next, and how you can help shape political priorities.

WHEN:  June 30th from 4-6 pm

WHERE:  Amerlinghaus, Stiftgasse 8, 1070 Vienna.

CONTACT:  Tanya Lolonis · [email protected]

Issues & Actions

DA’s Annual General Meeting in Washington D.C.--17 to 19 May 2019

Meeting with 125 dedicated Democrats Abroad from all over the world just a stone’s throw from the Capitol, and with 75 or more equally energized leading members, including our DA Austria Chair, Jennifer Rakow-Stepper, online is an experience I will not soon forget. Our highly principled discussion and attention to rules of order inspired me, even more so because it helped us to elect an excellent Global Team, adopt well-vetted bylaw changes, and pass progressive resolutions, including our endorsement of Medicare for All. Several Presidential candidates, including Kirstin Gillibrand, Bernie Sanders, Marianne Williamson, Joe Biden, and Cory Booker offered in-person or video messages. Even more Democratic Party leaders conveyed messages of confidence and encouragement as we gear up to maintain control of the House, win back the Senate, and put a Democrat in the White House in 2020! Immediately after the AGM, dozens of us spent two days visiting our representatives in targeted efforts to communicate our key messages in Congress. Now it is our turn to give it our all as the Democratic presidential debate season draws closer, campaigns at all levels of government take shape, and we continue our advocacy work for our big plate of issues!

– Bruce Murray, Counsel and Voting Representative

A Step Forward On the Road to Residency-Based Taxation

Following a series of meetings on Capitol Hill this week and last week we are pleased to confirm that Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA08) is partnering with Rep George Holding (R-NC02) on the development of legislation to enact Residency-Based Taxation (RBT). There's still much work to be done, but securing bi-partisan support for RBT from important members of the tax writing subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee is a critical step forward on the road to Residency-Based Taxation legislation.

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 a boilerplate response that scarcely relates to the message you sent, write again demanding more. 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.

For more information visit Taxation Task Force. Send questions or comments to [email protected].

Reviews

Global Black Caucus Book Club 

The members of the GBC book club met once again at Café Phil, this time to discuss The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin. James Baldwin succinctly and powerfully articulates many of the issues that are still being discussed today in a book that is only two chapters and about 100 pages long. The group spent most of the evening discussing the first chapter, which is a letter entitled "My Dungeon Shook: Letter to My Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Emancipation". Baldwin explains to his nephew the clear and nuanced historical events that have led to the current state of black oppression in the US. He also shares how he learned to cope with the many daily aggressions and stresses of being a black man in America, with the hope that his nephew would use this primer to succeed in spite of his environment. It was both logical, uplifting, but for the group, a hard pill to swallow because the events and mentalities that Baldwin discussed are still a reality. The question that hung in the air was "What can we do as Americans living abroad to change the way people of color are treated back at home"? Our answers: (1) we can acknowledge that racism still exists in America and it is present here in Austria, (2) we must take a more active role in confronting friends or family members who make racist comments, (4) we have to continue having open conversations about race and its intersection with class and gender, (5) we can continue to donate to causes that are fighting to end systemic racial discrimination because equality for the most marginalized member of our society means equality for everyone.

Due to Pride Week and all of the events in June, the GBC book club will resume in July where we will be discussing We were Eight Years in Power,  a collection of writing and essays by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Time and date TBD, but we hope to see you there!

– Faith Hall Herbold, Coordinator DAA Black Caucus, Member-at-Large

Solidarity Sundays 24: Death By A Thousand Cuts

Creeping normality, or death by a thousand cuts, is the way major change can be accepted as normal when it happens slowly, through incremental change. We are watching it live.

On Sunday, April 26th, LGTB Caucus leader Juan Cerda reviewed the legal status of lesbian, gay, transgender and bi-sexual citizens before and after the 1969 Stonewall Riots. In the 1960's homosexuality was essentially illegal in the US. Lesbian and gay citizens were deemed “diseased”, banned from serving in the military, viewed as security risks, and police crackdowns against gay-friendly bars were violent events. Resistance to the police raid of the Stonewall Inn led to several nights of rioting, and is cited as the first major protest against the criminalization of homosexuality.

After Stonewall, advocates challenged discrimination against LGBTQ people. A year later, the first Gay Pride march declared the desire for equality. Throughout the 1970s, activists in many states successfully overturned laws banning homosexuality. In 2003 the Supreme Court decided states could not criminalize homosexuality, and in 2015 legalized same-sex marriage. Human rights activists continued fighting discrimination in employment, education, public housing, and healthcare, as well as to reduce hate crimes against LGBTQ citizens.

With the Trump-Pence Administration, attacks against marginalized Americans are increasing, and increasingly promoted by government policy. The administration has attacked LGBTQ Americans in policy and rhetoric over 100 times since January 2017. Juan explained how the removal of Obama-era civil rights safeguards for transgender citizens exposes the cruelty of the Trump administration.

Last week, the House passed the Equality Act of 2019. The bill expands the Civil Rights Act to explicitly include protections for LGBTQ people. The Senate majority refuses to consider it. Solidarity Sundays attendees wrote postcards to their senators demanding they support S.788, The Equality Act. To urge your Senators to act against the death of LGBTQ civil rights by a thousand cuts, find their address at www.senate.gov/senators/index.htm and send them your instructions. Be brief, be polite, be an ally.

– Tanya Lolonis, Co-Coordinator Solidarity Sundays, Member-at-Large

Progressive Pizza

Thanks to the more than 20 hungry progressives who joined our Progressive Pizza event at L’Osteria on May 30! Our group included people who vote in states from New York to California, including Midwestern swing states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan, as well as Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, and others!  We affirmed our commitment to protect the democratic achievements of our revolutionary founders and transform our society in accordance with the goals they set and we have not yet achieved. Following our high-cholesterol dinner, and with Scott Witmer in charge of our sign-up list, Raina Saul-Ganev provided information about the current Medicare for All legislative proposals in the House and Senate. We learned that HR. 1384, led by Representative Jayapal, has 110 co-sponsors and that S. 1129, led by Senator Sanders, has 14 co-sponsors including four presidential candidates: Senators Booker, Gillibrand, Harris, and Warren. Raina and others also commented on the foreseen transition to Medicare for All, its coverage and financial provisions. Our discussion was in a word--progressive! More information is available from sites like these:

• National Nurses United: https://medicare4all.org/
• #Medicare4All: http://www.fight4medicare.com/
• Public Citizen: https://publiccitizen.salsalabs.org/m4apetition/index.html
• Social Security Works: https://socialsecurityworks.org/2018/05/24/medicare-for-all-legislation/    

The evening ended with June event information from DA Chair Jennifer Rakow-Stepper and thoughts about our next meeting. One option will be to consider collaborating with DA Black Caucus Chair Faith Herbold, who will lead the next Solidarity Sunday discussion on the Green New Deal (30 June). Look for more information in the DA Event Calendar. Also look for our ProDA Facebook page, which will go online very soon!

– Bruce Murray, ProDA Liaison

June 15 is tax day for Americans living overseas and DA has been on Capitol Hill this week talking with our Representatives about issues important to Americans living abroad – including Residency Based Taxation. 

Read more about it here.

In this Issue:

Events

• Global Black Caucus Book Club
• Salzburg Meet-Up
• Experienced Dems
• Solidarity Sundays
• DAATalks
• Pride Parade

Issues and Actions

• In The News – DA 2020 Presidential Primary
• Running for Democracy!

Reviews

• Solidarity Sundays: The Candidates (So Far)

Members‘ Corner

• Timothy Snyder at Wiener Festwochen

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Events

Salzburg Meet-Up

Join us at our next Democrats Abroad Meet-Up for members and guests living in the Salzburg area! This is a chance to connect with fellow expats and discuss current events. Please BYOB and no RSVP required. We're looking forward to meeting you!

WHEN:  May 10, 2019 at 6pm - 8pm 

WHERE:  The English Center, Haunspergstraße 37A, Salzburg 5020

CONTACT: Mary Beth Kollert · [email protected]

Global Black Caucus

Come join us at Cafe Phil on Friday, May 10th at 7pm, where we will discuss The Fire Next Timeby James Baldwin. Please make sure to read the book so that we can all have a great discussion!

WHEN: May 10, 2019 at 7pm - 10pm

WHERE: Cafe Phil, Gumpendorfer Str 10-12, Vienna 1060, Austria

Google map and directions

CONTACT: Faith Hall Herbold · [email protected]

Experienced Dems

Join us at the May Meet-up of Experienced Democrats. All ranges of experience are welcome!

WHEN: May 21, 2019 at 6pm - 8pm

WHERE: Café Museum, Operngasse 7, 1010 Vienna

Google map and directions

CONTACT: John Cahill · [email protected] 

Solidarity Sundays 24:  Death By A Thousand Cuts

The Stonewall Riots 50 years ago catalyzed modern LGBT political activism. Widespread political awareness and pressure led to the repeal of oppressive laws, lifted bans on civil service and military employment, and won civil rights protections for LGBT individuals.

Solidarity Sundays kicks off Pride Month with a look at the LGBTQ civil rights movement and its achievements, and how these hard-won rights and protections are being erased and eliminated by the Trump Administration.

WHEN:  Sunday, May 26 at 4pm - 6pm  

WHERE:  Amerlinghaus, Stiftgasse 8, 1070 Vienna

DAA Facebook Group

CONTACT:  Tanya Lolonis · [email protected]

DAATalks – A View of America and Journalism in the Age of Trump

Democrats Abroad Austria is honoured to welcome Dr Eric Frey (der Standard), MEP Eugen Freund (EU Parliamentarian), and Dr Raimund Löw (FalterPodcast) for our next DAATalkslecture series on Thursday, June 13.

WHEN: June 13, 2019 at 7pm - 9pm (doors will open at 6:30pm)

WHERE: Republikanischer Club, Rockhgasse 1, 1010 Vienna

Entrance at Hebenstreit Restaurant (5 min. from U2 Schottentor).

Google map and directions

CONTACT: Jennifer Rakow-Stepper · [email protected]

Stand Together and Proud at the 2019 Pride Parade

Despite the fact that a 2020 candidate is a married gay man, fifty years after Stonewall LGBTQ rights are still under threat in the Trump administration and the Supreme Court. DA Austria stands together and proud with the 2019 EuroPride events in Vienna. Don't be a bystander. We hope you will stand with us as we march for all of our rights.

This is the most outlandish party on the DA Austria calendar and this year Vienna is home to EuroPride, so expect a wild and wonderful day!

WHEN: June 15, 2019 at 11am - 4pm

WHERE: Exact location to be announced. Vienna 1010

Google map and directions

CONTACT: Joey Eckhart · [email protected]

Issues & Actions

Democrats Abroad Calls on Overseas Americans to Participate in 2020 Presidential Primary

DA makes push to reach historically underrepresented minority groups

WASHINGTON, May 03, 2019 – Democrats Abroad, the largest organization for Americans living overseas and the official arm of the Democratic Party for the millions of Americans living outside the United States, today announced the adoption of its 2020 Delegate Selection Plan.

The Delegate Selection Plan outlines how Democrats living abroad can participate in the presidential primary process and takes its place alongside plans from all other state Democratic parties. Key elements include rules and processes for the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary (March 3-10, 2020), and how delegates will be selected to represent Americans abroad at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

READ MORE

Running for Democracy!

Democrats Abroad made a tremendous effort in 2018 to Get Out The Vote (GOTV), especially through its use of phonebanking – DA Austria had the highest success rate of any country committee, with 53% of our membership using VFA! – Our wonderful volunteer phonebankers don't get paid, but the system we use for phonebanking as well as the platform we use generally to run this organization cost money. In order to prepare for our GOTV efforts for the 2020 election, please consider sponsoring a runner to benefit DA Global’s fundraising effortin this year's "Running for Democracy" half-marathon and 10K run in Mannheim on May 11th. Here's the linkfor more information and to pledge.

Reviews

Solidarity Sundays:  The Candidates (So Far)

FEC donor statistics indicate an engaged Democratic base isn’t worried by a drawn-out primary. Several DAA members who are keeping an early and close eye on the 2020 race participated in a lively Solidarity Sundays event on April 28th. Led by Progressive Caucus members Bruce Murray and Scott Witmer, the group brainstormed qualities, experience, and aspects of character they are looking for in the candidate to run against Donald Trump. It turns out that people had been thinking a great deal about this and had a lot to say:  it was challenging to keep the meeting under 2 hours.

Bruce and Scott surveyed sources people can use to evaluate candidates – from campaign websites to Wikipedia, media outlets to issue-based organizations that rank candidates on policy. People exchanged media and polling sites they trust. Bruce and Scott encouraged a systematic approach to prepare for June’s Presidential debates.

While the race to replace Trump stokes enthusiasm, the GOP is waging a comprehensive effort to dilute democratic votes in 2020. They are attempting to re-draw congressional districts with census changes and gerrymandering, and are introducing bills criminalizing voter registration workers. Registering Democratic voters is more important than ever.

Tanya Lolonis explained how phonebanking played a key role in the historic turnout of Democrats Abroad voters in 2018. DA’s Phonebanker Extraordinaire, Andreas Beckman, shared his phonebanking experience and the pleasure of connecting with members. With so many hurdles being thrown up for voters, DA is committed to registering as many members as possible so they can participate in the 2020 elections. Solidarity Sundays and DA Caucuses will be organizing phonebanking parties to make it fun and easy to call Democrats around the globe. Help mobilize the Resistance -- watch this spot for details.

Around Town

Timothy Snyder at Wiener Festwochen

WHEN: Thursday, 09. May, 7pm

WHERE: Judenplatz, 1010 Vienna

Free Entry

No seating available

»The work of memory is in the present. In our century, a place such as the Judenplatz is not simply a square within a city, but a site that might be viewed from a distance, anywhere in the world, through technology. Jews were once taken from Vienna to be murdered, and that crime cannot be undone. Yet we can bring those who wish to learn from that history to Vienna, to this place.

READ MORE

DA Austria’s 2019 Survey

Are you satisfied with DAA? What do you think we should be doing? Please take a few minutes to help DA Austria’s Executive Committee better fulfil your wishes and expectations in the next two years. The questionnaire will take just about five minutes of your time and will be invaluable for us. Please fill it out here! Thank you for your participation!

– DAA Executive Committee

In This Issue:

Events

• Experienced Dems
• Salzburg Meet-Up
• SolSun #23
• Global Black Caucus

Issues & Actions

• Announcing 2019-2021 DAA Executive Committee
• Progressive Caucus
• 2020 Delegate Selection Plan Open for Public Comment
• Running for Democracy!
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office Closures

Reviews

• Global Black Caucus
• Annual General Meeting
• Solidarity Sundays
• Graz – Women's Day

Members Corner

• Peace Puzzle
• Timothy Snyder at Wiener Festwochen

Events:

Experienced Democrats Meet-up

Monthly meeting of Experienced Democrats. Join us!

When: Tuesday, April 9, 6:00 pm

Where: Café Museum, Operngasse 7, 1010 Vienna

Contact: John Cahill • [email protected] • +43 676 695 2766

Salzburg Meet-Up

Join us at our next Democrats Abroad Meet-Up for members and guests living in the Salzburg area! This is a chance to connect with fellow expats and discuss current events. Please BYOB and no RSVP required. We're looking forward to meeting you!

When: Friday, April 12, 7:30 pm

Where: Haunspergstraße 37a, 5020 Salzburg

Contact: Mary Beth Kollert • [email protected]

Solidarity Sundays 23: The Candidates (So Far)

They have Exploratory Committees and Campaign Committees, they‘re raising money and wooing activists, they’re visiting diners and schools and churches and union halls, and their number is ... hard to keep track of. They are the growing list of Democratic candidates vying to put Donald Trump to bed in 2020.

Ahead of the first primary debates June 26 & 27, Solidarity Sundays goes past the Vanity Fair profiles and soft-focus videos to break down what you need to know: where do they stand on key issues? What do they offer in terms of youth vs experience? Who appeals to middle state voters vs coastal voters? We‘re not advocating for any one candidate: we aim to equip you to find yours and be able to articulate why. Join the discussion April 28th and practice democracy with coffee, cookies, and civics. Go to our Facebook Page for full details and to RSVP: https://m.facebook.com/events/2287321898041907?ref=page_internal&_rdr

The 3 C’s — Coffee, Cookies, and Civics —

When: Sunday, April 28, 4-6 pm

Where: Amerlinghaus, Stiftgasse 8, 1070 Vienna

Contact: Tanya Lolonis • [email protected]

Global Black Caucus Book Club Vl

Come join us at Cafe Phil on Friday, May 10th at 7pm, where we will discuss The Fire Next Timeby James Baldwin. Please make sure to read the book so that we can all have a great discussion!

When: Friday, May 10, 7:00 pm

Where: Cafe Phil, Gumpendorferstraße 10-12, 1060 Vienna

Contact: Faith Herbold • [email protected]• 0660 2776485

Visit us on Facebook!

Issues & Actions:

Your 2019-2021 Executive Committee Team

Democrats Abroad Austria is thrilled to announce our 2019-2021 Executive Committee! It’s a great group of committed and energetic leaders. We hope you’ll join us at one of our monthly Executive Committee meetings (2nd Wednesday of the month) or by helping out at an event. It’s going to take more than a village to win the White House in 2020 and we’re starting now!

READ MORE

The Progressive Caucus is up and running!

ProDA is the “youngest” Democrats Abroad caucus. Its doors are wide open for Democrats of all ages!

Who We Are

The Progressive Caucus of Democrats Abroad works proactively to transform the United States into a society rooted in economic fairness, as well as social, racial, and environmental justice, particularly for the most vulnerable among us. We seek increased inclusion, fairness, accountability, and transparency in our domestic political processes. We support international cooperation, mutual respect, and peaceful methods of conflict resolution.

– Bruce Murray, ProDA Founding Member

READ MORE

2020 Delegate Selection Plan Open for Public Comment

Democrats Abroad's 2020 Delegate Selection Plan is now online for a public commenting period from March 8 to April 8, 2019.

https://www.democratsabroad.org/2020dspcomments

Running for Democracy!

Democrats Abroad made a tremendous effort in 2018 to Get Out The Vote (GOTV), especially through its use of phonebanking – DA Austria had the highest success rate of any country committee, with 53% of our membership using VFA! – Our wonderful volunteer phonebankers don't get paid, but the system we use for phonebanking as well as the platform we use generally to run this organization cost money. In order to prepare for our GOTV efforts for the 2020 election, please consider sponsoring a runner to benefit DA globals fundraising effort in this year's "Running for Democracy" Half-Marathon and 10K runs in Mannheim on 11th May. Here's the link for more information and to pledge.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Office Closures

Last month the Trump administration announced its intention to close the more that 20 USCIS offices outside the U.S.

Officials in these offices process applications for visas, adoptions, green card abandonment and more. The proposal is for these services to be instead provided by embassies and consulates. The affect will be the lengthening of already intolerably long processing wait times, causing multi-National families to become separated.

DA wishes to profile the harm this policy could cause Americans abroad and recommend changed. A small team (including an immigration lawyer) is in place but requires the support of others with immigration law expertise to articulate DA’s position, prepare a letter to elected officials and others, draft a one-pager for the May Door Knock and a Resolution to be considered at the May global meeting in Washington DC.

Please contact me urgently if you can contribute to this work.

– Carmelan Polce, New York and Australia • [email protected]

Reviews:

Graz International Women’s Day Workshop

On Sunday, March 10th, we gathered at the cozy Seddwell Center over cupcakes and tea for a fascinating afternoon learning about the Equal Rights Amendment and discussing strategies for improving the situation for women - with guests from Austria and our host from New Zealand! We viewed the film Legislating Equality, discussed the best ways that we in Austria can promote women’s rights, and wrote postcards to legislators in Arizona who have been attempting to hold ERA legislation hostage. At the end we took a picture using the International Women’s Day hashtags #BalanceforBetter. We look forward to more actions in Graz this year!

–Caitlin Ahern, Member-at-Large, Graz Coordinator

Global Black Caucus Book Club V

Democrats Abroad members enjoyed a light dinner at Cafe Phil before digging into the New York Times bestselling book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemptionby Bryan Stevenson. Excitement about the democratic candidates overshadowed the discussion of the book, but nevertheless, the group persisted. The group discussed the stories of the individuals that Stevenson and his dedicated legal team had helped by freeing them from lengthy prison sentences and even saving them from death by state sanctioned execution.

– Faith Hall Herbold, Member-at-Large, DAA Black Caucus Coordinator

READ MORE

DAA’s AGM – Business and Fun!

Despite being a beautiful spring day, more than forty dedicated DA Austria members and numerous guests gathered on Saturday, March 30 in Vienna for DAA’s Annual General Meeting and the election of our 2019-2021 Executive Committee. We were honored to welcome International Chair Julia Bryan as our guest speaker and also that Katie Solon, former International Chair, former DAA Chair and current DA Germany Voting Representative, as well as Merrill Oates, Current DA Hungary Chair, were able to join us!

The various Chair, Treasurer and Auditors’ reports showed that DA Austria is an active and growing organization. We were able to cover costs incurred by our many events and demonstrations in 2018 through the generosity of our sustaining donors, a fundraiser, and swag sales. The number of US citizens in Austria who used the Vote From Abroad website to request their ballots was 116% of DA Austria's membership, and 53% of DA Austria's members used the service the highest of any country committee. In terms of VFA use, DA Austria ranked 5th among all country committees globally - as Julia said, "These are outstanding results!"

During the meeting members passed amendments to our Bylaws that bring them into compliance with new DA rules and our Austrian Vereinsstatuten, and voted for DAA’s new executive committee (see article Your 2020 Team!). The electronic voting, which took place for the first time, was a huge success – doubling the number of members who voted in our election.

After the business was done, the meeting was adjourned and the fun began. Member Laurin Seymann guided us through a tasting of wines from Seymann's Winecrafting, his family’s vineyard, and Walt and Jane Schwarz shared their Peace Puzzle project with us. We all got busy trying to find those positive words that are so hard to locate in today’s political discourse while enjoying a glass of delicious wine.

Thank you to everyone who attended and especially those who traveled from Graz, Salzburg, Linz, Prague, Budapest, and Germany to join us, as well as to the volunteers who helped at the event to make it run smoothly!

– Jennifer Rakow-Stepper, Chair

Solidarity Sundays #22: What’s Immigration Reform Look Like?

On a sunny March 31st afternoon, Juan Cerda led attendees through a comprehensive look into the history of immigration policy, beginning with Article 1 of the Constitution bestowing power on Congress to regulate naturalization and immigration. Over time, presidential power has carved out a growing role: before the current President tried closing borders at airports and down south, President Obama wielded presidential power to establish DACA. So powerful are executive orders that courts ruled in 2018 that President Trump‘s executive order to end Obama‘s DACA executive order is unlawful; only an act of congress can supersede it.

READ MORE

Members Corner

The Puzzle Project

Annual General Meeting attendees had the opportunity to field test Jane and Walt Schwarz’s challenging Peace-Puzzle at the meeting. They’ve improved the colors thanks to our feedback. The puzzle (the help sheet, password=sos and the solution password=easy) are in the links for those of you who would like to take on the challenge. Be forewarned – finding peace isn’t easy!

Timothy Snyder at Wiener Festwochen

»The work of memory is in the present. In our century, a place such as the Judenplatz is not simply a square within a city, but a site that might be viewed from a distance, anywhere in the world, through technology. Jews were once taken from Vienna to be murdered, and that crime cannot be undone. Yet we can bring those who wish to learn from that history to Vienna, to this place.

When: Thursday, May 9, 7pm

Where: Judenplatz,1010 Vienna

Free Entry, No Seating

READ MORE

Democrats Abroad members enjoyed a light dinner at Cafe Phil before digging into the New York Times bestselling book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemptionby Bryan Stevenson. Excitement about the democratic candidates overshadowed the discussion of the book, but nevertheless, the group persisted. The group discussed the stories of the individuals that Stevenson and his dedicated legal team had helped by freeing them from lengthy prison sentences and even saving them from death by state sanctioned execution. The overarching story of Walter McMillian, who was falsely accused and sent to death row, was interwoven throughout the book. The sense of injustice increased as the group discussed the major factors Stevenson identified that have contributed to the large number of incarcerated Americans, including a lack of mental health services, the for-profit prison system, racial discrimination and poverty. Walter was eventually freed, but he would never be the same after losing six years of his life for a crime he had not committed. Even though the book concluded with Walter’s untimely death, the group was reminded that for every injustice, there are people like Bryan Stevenson and his staff at the Equal Justice Initiative who are working to bend the arc towards justice.

Come join us at Cafe Phil on Friday, May 10th at 7pm, where we will discuss The Fire Next Timeby James Baldwin. Please make sure to read the book so that we can all have a great discussion!

– Faith Hall Herbold, Member-at-Large, DAA Black Caucus Coordinator

On a sunny March 31st afternoon, Juan Cerda led attendees through a comprehensive look into the history of immigration policy, beginning with Article 1 of the Constitution bestowing power on Congress to regulate naturalization and immigration. Over time, presidential power has carved out a growing role: before the current President tried closing borders at airports and down south, President Obama wielded presidential power to establish DACA. So powerful are executive orders that courts ruled in 2018 that President Trump‘s executive order to end Obama‘s DACA executive order is unlawful; only an act of congress can supersede it.
Juan explained how immigration policy has been shaped by Pull-Push forces. Economic need — the Gold Rush, seasonal agricultural work, labor shortfalls during world wars — has pulled waves of undocumented immigrants to America since the mid-19th century. When economic fortunes waned, McCarthyite anti-communist paranoia grew, or servicemen returned from wars, the government pushed back against immigrant flows with quotas or deportation action. In 1954, Operation Wetback rounded up and deported over one million people. What’s happening today has happened before.

The last immigration reform, under President Reagan in 1986, granted amnesty to nearly 3 million undocumented immigrants. Since Congress has stalled on updating US immigration policies, presidents have asserted their prerogative to address aspects of the problem. Obama used executive power to award work permits to immigrants brought to the US as children; Trump used executive power to reverse it, and to declare the current National Emergency.

Until Democrats take back both the Senate and White House, Juan foresees a continuation of stop-gap executive orders in place of comprehensive immigration reform. It is estimated there are currently 10 to 12 million undocumented immigrants in America today.

Tanya Lolonis reviewed best practices for identifying and contacting your legislators on this — and other — issues. Attendees shared experiences and strategies communicating with representatives, and a reference sheet with useful links was shared. Anyone who would like a copy can contact Tanya at [email protected]

– Tanya Lolonis, Member-at-Large, Solidarity Sunday Co-coordinator

ProDA is the “youngest” Democrats Abroad caucus. Its doors are wide open for Democrats of all ages!

Who We Are

The Progressive Caucus of Democrats Abroad works proactively to transform the United States into a society rooted in economic fairness, as well as social, racial, and environmental justice, particularly for the most vulnerable among us. We seek increased inclusion, fairness, accountability, and transparency in our domestic political processes. We support international cooperation, mutual respect, and peaceful methods of conflict resolution.

We Believe in

• Medicare for all, debt-free college, and a livable minimum wage;

• a Green New Deal to create new jobs while fighting climate change;

• ending mass incarceration and police brutality;

• common-sense gun safety legislation;

• humane immigration practices and honoring the right to asylum;

• fundamental campaign finance reform to ensure all politicians are beholden to their constituents, not lobbyists, corporations, and the wealthiest 1%;

• increased inclusion, fairness, accountability and transparency in the Democratic Party;

• international cooperation, mutual respect, and peaceful methods of conflict resolution;

• continued introspection and transformation as progressive ideals evolve.

Our Principles and Methods

Politics of inclusion: We stand on the bedrock of compassion and empathy, unequivocally committed to the belief that whatever affects any one of us, affects all of us. This commitment moves us to honor our human commonality in the pursuit of justice to end suffering and oppression. Wherever we confront it, we must supplant the power dynamics of exploitation, injustice, manipulation, and oppression with systems of shared power distribution, enabling and empowering the disenfranchised. We strive for community healing and community-driven decision making. To achieve these goals, we nurture cooperation, demand mutual and shared accountability, and condemn the cycle of abuse, perpetuated by toxic power structures.

Progressive realism: Our work takes place at the intersection of ambitious ideals and the circumstances of reality. We reject the notion that progressive change is unrealistic. It is entirely plausible when we demand attention to the complete range of possibilities that transcend the status quo. At times compromise is necessary, however we will not be compromised in the process.

Dedication to Democrats Abroad: We are dedicated to the work of Democrats Abroad and, where feasible, eager to lead it. Like our other caucuses, we unite behind critical issues which define--and marginalize--specific identity groups. These issues often are not captured by traditional identity politics. We seek to ally our progressive goals with those of all democrats, reaching out to the wider community in support of the issues we promote. In this way we strive to recruit for Democrats Abroad among independents and others who share our perspective.

Our uniting principle: It is our uniting principle and challenge to strive unerringly for progressive change and greater unity globally, respecting the value of our differences in our shared struggle.

Like and follow us on Facebook: @prodacaucus

Join ProDA: https://www.democratsabroad.org/pc

Look for a ProDA Austria launch event in our DA social media very soon!

• Progressive Pizza
  
• Turning “Vice” into Virtue
  
• Surveying Presidential Candidate Platforms
  

Submitted by Bruce Murray (ProDA founding member)