*POWER IN TAKING ACTION & VOTING!
From Rebecca Solnit on FB - thanks to DASA member KLD for sharing.
There are numerous reasons for concern and outrage, too many to mention as things continue to escalate rapidly. The antidote is action and there are certainly many ways to act, many ways to show up.
Fighting for our right to vote, encouraging others to vote, and VOTING are critical!
As noted in a recent Democrats Abroad Take Action email, Trump "announced he will sign an executive order to ban all mail-in voting nationwide - a lawless power grab he does not have the constitutional authority to make....
Let’s be clear: elections belong to the states, not the President. Trump’s executive order is nothing short of an authoritarian attempt to seize control of our election systems, strip away one of the safest and most accessible ways to vote, and lay the groundwork for voter suppression in 2026.
This is an existential threat to democracy."
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This Labor Day you can:
1. Request your 2025 ballot and check your state election info at www.votefromabroad.org
2. Fight for our Voting Rights by contacting your Governor and Secretary of State (Sample script on our website)
3. Reach Out to 3 friends/family abroad and remind them to vote (Sample script on our website)
RAISING AWARENESS: IMMIGRATION AND FREE SPEECH
The USCIS policy guidance below is spine-chilling, as we know how far "anti-American" and listed categories can be interpreted by the current administration and the extent to which they are willing to test the law.
Thanks to the DASA member who shared this. We will also be scheduling an immigration related webinar soon.
"USCIS to Consider Anti-Americanism in Immigrant Benefit Requests - Release Date 08/19/2025
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the factors that officers consider in certain benefit requests where an exercise of discretion is required, including factors relating to aliens’ past requests for parole and any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations, as well as the use of discretion in adjudication of certain benefit requests where evidence of antisemitic activity is present.
Separately, USCIS has expanded the types of benefit requests that receive social media vetting, and reviews for anti-American activity will be added to that vetting. Anti-American activity will be an overwhelmingly negative factor in any discretionary analysis.
“America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is committed to implementing policies and procedures that root out anti-Americanism and supporting the enforcement of rigorous screening and vetting measures to the fullest extent possible,” said USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser. “Immigration benefits—including to live and work in the United States—remain a privilege, not a right."
MASS MOBILISATION
If you're in the States, join a 1 Sept Labor Day Workers Over Billionaires rally, parade or action. It looks like the events in Chicago and Boston will be among the largest - take a look online for coverage and help amplify the message online.
More info & resources HERE
We Are All D.C.
Free DC and partners will also be holding a We Are All D.C. National March on Saturday, September 6th and are are calling on communities across the country to join organizers in Washington, D.C., for a national march on the White House to demand that the federal forces leave DC immediately.
Help spread the word - more info and social media resources HERE
VOTING IN 2025!
EVERY OFFICE ACROSS THE STATES IS CRITICAL
🛡️💪 DEFEND THESE CONGRESSIONAL SEATS IN 2025! Every American abroad voting in the following Congressional Districts has important federal elections to vote in this year! Go to www.Votefromabroad.org to register and request a ballot now!
- Congressional District Arizona-7: this Democratic congressional district covers parts of Maricopa, Pima, and Yuma counties along the border has a general election September 23.
- Congressional District Texas-18: this Democratic district covers much of the Houston inner city and surrounding area. The general election will take place November 4, 2025.
- Congressional District Virginia-11: this Democratic district covers Northern Virginia suburbs – most of Fairfax County and the entirety of Fairfax City. VA held a “firehouse primary” on June 28 – Democrat James Walkinshaw will face off against Republican Stewart Whitson in the general on September 9.
🇺🇸🗳 ALL AMERICANS ABROAD ARE URGED TO REGISTER TO VOTE / REQUEST YOUR BALLOT — NOW!
DO YOU VOTE BY FAXING YOUR BALLOT?
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) will no longer offer their email to fax service!
The Vote from Abroad (VFA) FAQs have been updated.
PLEASE TAKE A LOOK HERE FOR INFO
4. How do I send In my ballot by fax?
https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT4
5. How do I send in my FPCA or Ballot by fax if I don't have access to a fax machine?
https://www.votefromabroad.org/faqs/RT5
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DNC UPDATES
Keep Updated and Help Amplify the DNC's comms.
Let's play our part in building the party and getting the messaging out!
3 Actions You Can Take This Labor Day Weekend (and in the days ahead!) - From the DNC's Ground Game Grassroots Team
The Daily Blueprint is the Democratic Party's official morning news show—airing weekdays at 10AM Eastern. Check it out on their Youtube Channel @TheDemocrats
The Daily Blueprint Substack / Mailing List
Take a look and sign up for their emails
Ground Game - Your weekly guide to how Democrats are organizing to hold Republicans accountable, and how you can join.
The summer DNC meeting has also just concluded. Here' are some highlights from DemList
Follow The Democrats and your elected Dem officials on social media, engage and share.
DEMOCRATS ARE WINNING ELECTIONS
Let the Iowa win inspire you! When citizens rise, power shifts. Let’s all show up—because history is made by those who do.
Democrat Caitlin Drey flipped a Republican seat to win a special election for Iowa State Senate. Trump carried the district by 11 points, she won by 11 points = 22 pt swing.
Her election breaks the Republican supermajority in the state senate!
As the Dems Abroad Chair in Portugal recently wrote:
"This is great news. Understanding and supporting state and local races, even if we can't vote in them, is one of the most critical keys to building the power and capacity of the organizations and people on the ground - like Caitlin. And to building the safe, inclusive America that we want to see. It all starts local."
DASA CO-FOUNDER RUNNING FOR OFFICE!
Bishop Kelley is stepping forward to run for office in Lexington, Ohio! 2025 is an election year and every election across the country matters more than ever!
SIGN UP FOR DEMOCRATS ABROAD TAKE ACTION ALERTS
USE YOUR VOICE - If we don't speak up, they don't know our concerns! Whether on foreign policy, immigration, education, civil rights, freedom of speech or any of the numerous issues we're all concerned about - this is the time to raise our voices. We can't be silent!
Keep these contacts handy and please keep up the pressure on all of our elected officials - pressuring them to do more and of course giving thanks where it is due! Remember to mention that you are an overseas voter in South Africa and a member of Democrats Abroad.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers make it all possible!
Click on the red button above for the DASA volunteer interest form or email [email protected]
EVENTS
RECORDING & RESOURCES
Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force
Social Security & Medicare for UK & Africa with the Federal Benefits Unit in London (2 hour info session with Q&A - held on 20 August 2025.
Please email us if you'd like to receive the recording and resources from the Social Security & Medicare for Americans in the UK & Africa Webinar. These were shared in the emailed newsletter.
See what other Democrats Abroad tax and financial events are coming up or watch recordings by clicking here.
COMING UP IN SEPT...
Tuesday 9 September
18:00 South African Time
The process of voting from abroad can be confusing. We want to make it easier and encourage all US citizens living abroad to VOTE.
Interested in assisting other voters in the days ahead? This should be a great start! Heidi Burch is the Global GOTV Coordinator and a wealth of knowledge.
See the list of questions that will be addressed at this session and RSVP HERE
Thursday 11 Sept
19:00 South African Time
"Understanding the Oligarchy and How to Fight Back", a compelling and insightful virtual event that brings together the sharp cultural commentary of Keena Blum and the seasoned political mind of Zachary James Miller.
More info and RSVP HERE
BRIEF PAUSE - INFO ON UPCOMING DATES & NEW TIMEFRAMES WILL BE SHARED SOON
DASA has been running weekly 30 minute action-focused sessions on Zoom where we share critical actions and provide members with a weekly timeslot to follow through on these or other actions of interest.
Saturday 20 September
"I Am MLK Jr." Film & Pizza Evening
At a Member's Home in Mulbarton, Joburg
Save the Date - RSVP & more info to follow soon HERE
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]
Governor Newsom's Trump trolling is creating a stir, thankfully some laughs, and raising funds. We're looking for creative ways to raise our voices and funds for DASA at the same time too!
Let us know if you have ideas.
Can you contribute $25, $250 or $2500 toward our voter mobilisation work in South Africa? We're a volunteer led organisation but still have expenses in getting out the vote. We'll greatly appreciate your support. Thank you!
Thank you -
Democrats Abroad South Africa