In this Newsletter
- Chair’s Message
- Upcoming Events
- ICYMI
- Volunteer Opportunities
- DAGR News and Views
- On our RADAR - DA Priorities
Dear Friends,
On a surprisingly mild summer day, 249 years ago this month, America ratified the Declaration of Independence asserting that governments derive their power “from the consent of the governed.”
It's worth reflecting that as President Donald Trump brushes off the laws of the United States, orders National Guardsmen and Marines on to the streets of America's second biggest city, and sends masked, unidentified goons into communities across the country, he does not enjoy the consent of the governed.
In one poll after the other, most Americans do not support the Trump Administration's policies on just about anything. In fact, after just 150 days in office, only four in 10 Americans approve of his job performance overall. And only a few weeks ago, in the largest protest ever, millions of Americans in more than 2,100 locations across the U.S. and around the world -- including here in Greece -- took to the streets to say so.
A day of reckoning is coming and I thank you for staying engaged. There are lots of ways to do so: join us on our DAGR Signal Members Chat (email our Secretary), at our Fourth of July dinner or our monthly Happy Hours and coffee clubs. We look forward to hearing from you.
Alkman Granitsas
Chair, Democrats Abroad Greece
Saturday, JUL 5 - 20:00 EET
Celebrate Independence Day!
Join us at the Athens Tennis Club ... outdoors, on the patio, under the stars. It’s in the center of Athens, sort of equidistant for everybody. Fair is fair, right? It WILL be fun. There WILL be a couple of games, some music, a tad of program. And plenty of time to hang out with Dems friends we haven’t seen for months, happy hours notwithstanding. See you at the Tennis Club at Zappeion!
Save your place and plate by July 2!
Details and directions on the DAGR Events page.
Tuesday, JUL 08 - 19:00-20:00 EET
Happy Hour in Athens
Athens Chapter is happily meeting again at En Aithria, the Monastiraki-Thission venue tried last month. The milieu invites lively conversation about next steps in the resistance. And visitors from abroad are welcome, too. No RSVP is needed. Details on the DAGR Events page.
NOTICE: “Gone Fishing’ in Thessaloniki AND At-Large
Thessaloniki traditionally ‘clears out’ during the summer. At-Large events will also take a holiday break. Happy Hours and Morning Coffees for both will be on hold, or dropping a line off the quay, resuming again in September.
Monday, JUL 15 - 19:30 EET
DAGR ExCom Meeting
The Dems Abroad Greece board, aka ExCom, meets every month. Members are welcome to sit in and come up to speed on the many things your board has to handle. Get a leg up on upcoming events in planning, and much more. Reply on this email for the WebEx link.
Wednesday, JUL 17 - All Day
"Make Good Trouble" Lives On!
Honoring civil rights leader John Lewis, who died on July 17, 2020, we carry on the non-violent, but unrelenting. opposition to injustice, rule by the few, and material pain inflicted on the most vulnerable in society. Watch social media and our Events Page for marches and other actions around the world. Or check Wikipedia. Make your list: poster board, magic markers, phone list of elected officials, spit n grit!
And that’s not all …
See what other country committees and global caucuses are doing, on the DA website Events page.
DAGR Kafeneion: Book discussion on Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
Journalist René Syler returned to lead this Juneteenth discussion on the concept of race as an expression of caste (class) and how it has played out in US communities. Watch Syler’s introductory presentation and a follow-up conversation with At-Large Chair Gina Billy on the DAGR YouTube channel.
Eric Holder, Former Attorney General, Speaks with DA
Holder brings us up to date with the ‘rule of law’ as it’s currently under threat from the Trump administration. The questions are pointed; the answers are illustrative. If you want actionable information, check out this May 1 webinar!
Indivisible Founders on DA Canada’s Blue Vote Cafe: Weathervaning!
Indivisible sprang up after losses to Tea Party ‘ruffians’ and went to the core of Dem organizing problems. Officially non-partisan, it’s one of the most potent allied activist groups. And it’s organizing outside the US now! Caveat: They laugh a lot. Nevermind. A serious 1-hr video on the DA YouTube Channel.
‘As we go to print’ – the Senate seems to still be working on Trump’s Big Bad Barf-Bag Budget Bill. What can we say?
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Not as bad as the original House version.
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Not as good as an untreated case of foot-rot.
It’s back in the House now/soon/today/tomorrow, for their agreement with the Senate changes.
It will likely still grab food away from poor kids, kick at least 12 million Americans off healthcare, and more … all to extend tax cuts for America’s billionaires.
It will only take 3 or 4 Congresspersons with the chutzpah to buck Trump to save us from this travesty. Might YOUR representative be one of them, if you give them a little encouragement?
Call Capital switchboard – +1 202 224 3121 – and ask for your Congressperson. If they’re GOP, tell them to Vote NO on the Budget Bill or be voted out of office next year. If they’re Dem, tell them thanks!
Call right now! Before you forget!
Our Voice in the Party
There’s more to being a Democrat than just voting party line every 2 or 4 years. As a member of Democrats Abroad, we have the right and ability to choose our leaders, ask them to carry our concerns to the regional and global leaders. We can craft policy. Here’s how.
Hometown: Stay in Touch!
Over half the states allow citizens abroad to vote ‘down-ballot’ i.e. for races other than President and Congress. If you can, but feel you’re out of touch, there are ways to get back in touch. Read on! It’s energizing!
Student Life in the Trump Era
Three University of Alabama students comment on the contrasts they experiences while visiting Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
DAGR Press: PRIDE and NoKings
Dems Abroad Greece wants to be sure every eligible American voter in Greece knows we’re here and can join up for friendly community and help with voting issues. One of the ways we do that is via press releases in local outlets. Pass it on!
DAGR Follow-up: PRIDE and NoKings
Eliana Kathis wraps up the mid-June dual celebration / protest in Athens.
HELADA’s TakeBackTheFlag Project, June 14, 2005
In the early 2000’s the right-wing were hugging the flag like they, and they alone, owned it. The then-fledgling HELADA informal progressives group decided to take it back. The result was a handicrafts party day and a web collection of the results.
DAGR’s Weekly Reader: Last Month This Week?
Once again, we’ve collected those mostly longer, outside-sourced items favored by political wonks (like us). We try to keep them off the fast-moving social platforms. Have a look! And do send us articles you think might fit here in the month ahead!
JUN w1 JUN w2 JUN w3 JUN w4
Music to Take a Stand By
We wish we could smile like Dan Rather does when he plays old songs, but a grimace comes more naturally on the cusp of Trump’s Big Beautiful Piece of Oligarchic Buffoonery, also known as his Budget Bill. Another oldie but goodie comes to mind. And we ain’t smilin’!
You? Do you have some music we should play? Let us know!
DA Global Women’s Caucus - 10th Anniversary
Meet the women who’ve made it happen since 2015. Get a sense of what the GWC has worked on and continues to advocate for. 10 min video.
Senate Official Throws Wrench in Mike Lee’s Plan to Sell Public Lands
Here's what's next as the senator tries to privatize public lands. It’s a long read, but instructive as to how Trump’s minions set about destroying that which ‘we don’t know what we’ve got till it’s gone.’
10 Precedents Republicans May Come to Regret
Behind the Curtain: Unprecedented new precedents have been set, mainly by Trump’s executive orders. They’ll still be in place for the Dems to use once this band of thieves is voted out. “Be careful what you wish for!” ~ Celtic proverb
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Summer’s upon us. Some of us are off on holiday. Others are not. Either way, the power-grab scheming and pocket-fill grifting from the White House and Mar-e-Lago are unabated.
But, we’ll carry on, doing a bit of damage now and planning for the autumn and year ahead. Because, it's healthy, recreational even ... thinking of ways to thwart the grift and restore democracy and brotherhood.
If you’re out of town, carry a link to join DAGR that you can pass to folks’ phones or laptops.
If you’re in town, lend a hand or keyboard. And come out this Saturday to celebrate Independence Day and help plan More Good Trouble!
Meanwhile, stay in touch and follow us here:
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https://www.democratsabroad.org/