A THANK YOU...

There are many ways to resist and this fight needs to be fought on all fronts. Thank you all for the many ways you're each taking action as we fight for our country, and it's role and relationship with the world too. 

April is Freedom Month in South Africa. I often think about the South Africans who fought to end apartheid from outside the country, many in exile. They too played many roles and fought on all fronts - cultural, raising awareness, protests, civil disobedience, legal action, through education, political, and of course armed resistance too. They risked and sacrificed so much to fight for a non-racial democracy, for their ideals, for a vision of what the country could and should be. South Africa's struggle toward that vision continues and those of us living here have a responsibility to contribute to that process. But here we are in 2026, fighting for our own democracy from afar, and we know that we too have a long walk ahead in securing democracy and then repairing and building the United States we know it should and can be. Some of these South Africans, and their children - some of you - are dual-citizens and members of DASA! We acknowledge the roles you and your family members have played and would love to have you share your own experiences and any suggestions or advice you have for us as we continuously look for ways to play our part in the fight for American democracy and the country's future. 

On the 28th March we came together in Joburg and Cape Town, many South Africans among us, for our No Tyrants events in solidarity with the No Kings mass mobilisation - the largest one day protest in US history. With braai/picnic style events at the Zoo Lake Bowls Club in Joburg and Greenpoint Park in Cape Town, we made new friends, exhaled for an afternoon, hugged, smiled - there was a lot of hugging and smiling - and we raised our signs to protest the regime. As I wrote that night, it felt soooo good to be together. Join us - no pressure to be in photos or to hold signs, but our activities are great opportunities to strengthen our community and therefore our collective resistance! 

Thanks to all of the volunteers who help keep DASA rolling! As we head toward the Midterms we need to expand our outreach and need more hands, ideas and a range of skills from around the country. 

This month I want to thank everyone who joined us on the 28th, including those who shared photos from other parts of SA and members who were at No Kings in the States (see photos below). Special thanks to the volunteers who helped make these events happen: (we've removed surnames from the newsletter on our website for a little extra protection in these times) our Vice Chair Thabo, Comms volunteer Bridget, our event hosts in Cape Town: Rebecca and Leah, along with Farzaneh, Dvora, and Charles P. Volunteers in Joburg: KL, Chloe, Ricardo, Marsha, Amy, Jennie, Charles B, Inathi, as well as Divian, dual-citizen owner of the Zoo Lake Bowls Club! 

If you have ideas for DASA, would like to volunteer, are keen to ensure all US Citizens have the info they need to vote this year, or would like to share your personal experience(s) please get in touch at [email protected] Let's do this together - and have fun while we're at it! 

And lastly, shout out to The Artemis II crew and the incredible, inspiring people they are. Their first words to the public after returning give valuable perspective for our time. 

Liz O'Leary, DASA Chair 

More photos below! 

The No Kings Coalition continues to build community, local organising and momentum. 

Watch their "What's Next" follow up briefing, look at their resources for local or even friends & family gatherings, ideas for taking action together and info on the upcoming May 1st May Day Strong HERE 

Please share May Day posts online to raise awareness with friends and family across the States. 

We are discussing May Day Strong ideas for those of us abroad, including here in SA, but the first step is encouraging people in the US to be part of it!

IF YOU HAVE IDEAS for those of us in South Africa for May Day, please let us know [email protected] 

"On May 1st, we are declaring: workers over billionaires. May 1 will be a day of rallies, marches, teach-ins, walkouts, and a refusal of business as usual with: no work, no school, no shopping.

We think this is especially important because this will be the first national test of what we can pull off when we call for widespread refusal to participate in business as usual. Successful movements innovate, trying new tactics to achieve their goals. And we know that in order to successfully push back on authoritarianism, we need to not just protest—we need to be willing to withdraw our participation from systems that uphold authoritarianism." (No Kings coalition)

Visit the May Day Strong website HERE

ELECTORAL WINS! LET'S KEEP IT GOING

We'll just keep this graphic here for inspiration!

🌊🗳️💪DEM WINNING STREAK ‘GOES FROM HOT TO SCORCHING’!

On April 7th, the Wisconsin Supreme Court election saw Democrat Chris Taylor sail to a nearly 20-point landslide victory in a battleground Trump carried less than two years ago. Her win added a fifth liberal voice to the bench and expanded the left’s majority from 4-3 to 5-2.

On April 8th, Georgia Democrat Shawn Harris slashed Trump’s margin of victory by two thirds with an overperformance of 25 points in the state’s reddest district, GA-14. Despite losing the election, Harris delivered the most significant shift the party has seen across all seven House special elections so far this cycle.

Democrats have now flipped 30 seats since Trump’s election, and are seeing “more Democratic candidates are running than any time in recent history” in many states – especially in red districts. These “once-in-a-generation levels of participation” build on the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's most expansive midterm strategy to date. Read more, here.

Every vote matters in this year's Special Elections, Primaries & Midterms! Some of these elections come down to very tight margins and...every vote is a message that we oppose this regime!

VOTE TO WIN IN 2026!

🌊🗳️💪SPECIAL FEDERAL ELECTIONS UNDER WAY

✅Special Election in Congressional District New Jersey 11 (Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties) to fill Mikie Sherrill’s seat now that she is Governor; Democrat Analilia Mejia faces off against Republican Joe Hathaway in the General Election April 16.

🌊🗳️💪IMPORTANT STATEWIDE ELECTION UNDER WAY

✅Special Election Virginia Statewide on Democratic redistricting April 21! VA state voters will decide whether to allow redistricting that could net up to 4 new Democratic seats in the U.S. House in November. Only VA civilian voters abroad who “intend to return”, or are “return uncertain” and provide employer info can vote on this statewide ballot initiative. Because VA voters must return a ballot by postal mail, they are also encouraged to vote and mail a Backup Ballot (FWAB). For more information, go to www.votefromabroad.org/states/va

FROM THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE (DNC)

The Democratic National Committee just held its spring meeting in New Orleans. We'll have some feedback from Democrats Abroad representatives after the meeting but if you're interested in knowing more about the DNC and what they're discussing this weekend take a look at this overview from DemList (an independent org) 

The DNC Organizing and Mobilization teams recently hosted a virtual event covering the latest Democratic efforts to safeguard elections for 2026 and beyond.

Watch the recording for a direct update on the party’s ongoing commitment to strengthen election integrity, expand voter access, and ensure every vote is counted. WATCH THE RECORDING 

DNC Updates: To keep up with developments at the DNC sign up for their Blueprint newsletter. We can't cover it all here. 

Follow the DNC’s rapid response account, @FactPostNews, on X, Threads, Facebook, BlueSky, and Instagram!

DATA SECURITY - PHISHING ATTEMPTS 

This came from the DNC Security Team and applies to all of us:

The DNC Security Team has received a number of reports that bad actors are attempting to impersonate Chair Ken Martin via email. Those targeted are asked to discuss DNC business from a Gmail address that does not belong to Chair Ken Martin. Please be on the lookout and do not engage.

Bad actors also impersonate state and county party chairs. Please be vigilant and be sure to educate your membership on these phishing attempts.

Here are some ways to identify a suspicious email:

• Sender name does not match email address.
• Contains an offer too good to be true.
• Poorly crafted writing with misspellings and bad grammar.
• Greetings that are ambiguous or very generic.
• Requests to send personal information.
• Urgency to click on an unfamiliar hyperlink or attachment.
• Strange or abrupt business request.
• Sender email address doesn’t match the organization it is coming from.
• Please be careful and delete suspicious emails.  

RESISTANCE 

Trump’s latest executive order is an unconstitutional power grab, attempting to limit Americans’ ability to vote by mail.

Last week, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic Governors Association, and the Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit challenging Donald Trump’s illegal executive order that attacks Americans’ right to vote by mail.

This Fight Needs to be Fought on All Fronts! 

We will keep sharing ACTIONS from Democrats Abroad, ACLU, 5 Calls and others but please, whatever your concerns, write to your Senators and Representatives and voice your concern! Mention that you're an overseas voter and as appropriate, mention that you're a member of Democrats Abroad in South Africa. 

Think it's not worth writing elected Republicans? It is increasingly extremely important as the stakes are high on many issues. They need to feel the pressure and know their re-election is at risk!  

☎️Contact your members of Congress. U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Contact your Representative in the House

Contact your Senators

ACLU ACTIONS - their online tools make the actions quick and easy. https://www.aclu.org/action 

Tell Congress No Unconstitutional War with Iran HERE 

Stop President Trump's Unconstitutional Attacks on Our Elections HERE 

Stop Anti-Voter Bills Now HERE 

TAKE ACTION: The Intercept Voices 

Impeach Donald Trump’s FCC Chair Brendan Carr now
More info and use their tool to write HERE

CAUCUS HIGHLIGHT: Environmental &Climate Crisis Council (ECCC)

"The DA Global ECCC mirrors the Democratic National Committee’s ECCC in its mission to ensure that the Democratic Party takes ambitious action on the climate and other environmental issues. We’re talking with Democrats across the globe who bear witness in real time to this unfolding climate crisis. US and global policies have less than eight years to curb catastrophic and irreversible havoc to our planet. The time is no longer imminent, it is here!"

Read more about the ECCC: https://www.democratsabroad.org/eccc

Join the ECCC: https://www.democratsabroad.org/eccc_signup 

Look out for their events: https://www.democratsabroad.org/eccc_events

Email: [email protected] 

EVENTS

Wednesday 15 April, 7:30pm SA Time 

What's at stake for LGBTQ+ Americans and American Democracy in the 2026 Midterm Elections?

Dems Abroad Italy is hosting this critical conversation with LGBTQ+ rights leader Evan Wolfson, architect of the Freedom to Marry campaign, moderated by George Perlov.

More Info & RSVP HERE

Earth Month 

Happy Earth Month from Democrats Abroad! "It’s time to recognize and celebrate the only home we have. The current regime continues to deny the undeniable reality of climate change. The facts are clear: the planet is warming, ecosystems are under strain, and communities worldwide are feeling the consequences.

Conflict, like the current war, only worsens the crisis, generating massive emissions, destroying infrastructure, and polluting air, water, and soil. In just weeks, such conflicts can produce more carbon pollution than entire countries emit in a year, accelerating the damage.

This Earth Month, we recommit to protecting our planet, recognizing that peace, sustainability, and climate action are deeply connected—and that caring for Earth is not optional, but essential."

Wednesday 15 April, 6pm SA Time 

Join Democrats Abroad Environment & Climate Crisis Council for a special Earth Month virtual panel discussion with the filmmakers behind the acclaimed documentary The White House Effect. 

As part of this Earth Month event, Democrats Abroad will provide free streaming access to the documentary from April 6 to April 20, giving viewers the opportunity to watch the film ahead of the discussion and revisit the site for a few days afterwards.

RSVP for the Zoom link to the event and a link to watch the film.

**If you would like to host an online screening party for DASA members or a living-room gathering please email [email protected] and we'll link you to a toolkit. 

More Info & RSVP HERE

Wednesday 22 April, 5pm SA Time - Earth Rocks: A Musical Tribute — Climate Café

A shared experience of music, reflection, and community.

More Info & RSVP HERE

More local events coming up soon...in the meantime, here are more photos from the recent No Tyrants (in solidarity with No Kings) events...

VOLUNTEER

We're building our volunteer teams! Whatever your skills, interests and experience there is an opportunity for you. Contact Liz at [email protected] 

DASA MEMBERS SENT PHOTOS FROM NO KINGS IN THE US

PLEASE CONNECT TO STAY UPDATED & SHARE!

US Citizens in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]

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HELP US FIND US VOTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA 

You can help us find and mobilize US voters across South Africa this year by reaching out to your networks, volunteering or making a financial contribution.

Let us know if you'd like to volunteer by emailing us at [email protected]. Click the button below to donate

Thank you - 

Democrats Abroad South Africa 
[email protected]