WEB NOTE: Pls note that there is a technical problem with an updated version of the platform used to build this website and thus some links within the Dems Abroad pages do not currently work. We are hoping this will be resolved soon. Please feel free to email [email protected] to request any links or you'll find them on the website.
Let's Take Action today and every day as we fight for our country.
This week Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) called Trump’s actions a “full blown assault on the constitutional order.”
The magnitude of the current moment cannot be overstated.
And in South Africa we are all reeling from the Musk-Trump administration's egregious rhetoric, sanctions, Marco Rubio's tweet regarding why he won't attend the upcoming G20 meeting, and the executive order giving Afrikaner farmers refugee status. This is on top of everything else happening within the States and in relation to USAID and other aspects of foreign policy.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Democrats Abroad has a longstanding policy of not engaging in or commenting on foreign policy or the domestic policies of the countries we live in. Neither do we ever speak on behalf of the US government. This is generally to protect US Citizens living in various countries and to avoid interfering with or causing any harm to diplomatic relations. The State Department represents the United States in South Africa - however we may feel about that right now.
This is why we as Democrats Abroad South Africa (DASA) cannot speak to or engage with the media on these issues and why we are taking a careful stand. As individuals we can raise our voices and must all serve as everyday Ambassadors of the United States "WE" represent. There are some opportunities below - both through DASA and as individual "US Voters in Africa" through which we can raise our voices.
Racism, white supremacy and prejudice (all also linked to Christian Nationalism) are among the core tenets behind the current attack on South Africa. While other aspects relate to foreign and domestic policy issues, we will not be silent to these attacks on our common humanity.
I felt it was important to raise awareness and clarify our role as DASA. This is an extremely difficult, thin line to manage but we'll do our best, with each other's and South Africa's best interests in mind. Ideas are welcome!
Last month marked my 30th year living in South Africa. This is incredibly agonising for me, as I know it is for you. Never did I imagine that I’d need to fight in this way to protect the future of the United States or to protect South Africa from its attacks. Let's all celebrate and share our love for this country as part of our protest against the racism, white supremacy and widespread prejudice they are peddling. Let's fight this battle with steadfast love and solidarity.
Many of our members, and of course our friends and colleagues within South Africa and beyond, are directly impacted by the attacks on USAID and PEPFAR in particular. Let's hold each other in our thoughts, offer support where we can, and act to protect these critical programmes, organisations and jobs.
While we strongly encourage activism, our main role as Democrats Abroad is to support the ability of US Citizens abroad to vote and to advocate for our related rights and interests within the Democratic party and US government. The more we work together, the more we can do!
In resistance, strength and solidarity,
Liz O'Leary - DASA Chair
[email protected]
WHAT CAN WE DO?
- Write to your elected officials in Congress, State Attorneys General, and Governors
TODAY - See the URGENT action below re stopping The SAVE Act to protect our voting rights abroad! - Follow 2-3 trusted news sources
- Follow 2-3 trusted leaders
- Keep informed
- Take breaks, take care of yourself and each other
- Share your voice on social media
- Talk with family and friends who might be able to see something differently right now.
- Follow 2-3 organisations that are leading the resistance and/or supporting affected communities
- Donate to organisations or Democratic candidates running for office
- Share your voice and speak out - see opportunities below, and to come, or use your own platforms. Share ideas or opportunities you see for us to raise our voices collectively.
RESOURCES & ACTION LISTS
-
DASA has started a Google Doc through which we can crowdsource and share resistance resources, actions, and useful information. This is just a start - please contribute to it! Find it HERE
-
Robert Reich’s List of What We Can Do – Actions
-
Angela Fobbs’ "Stop the Coup" Page of Suggested Actions Shared at the Malcolm Nance Event (Angela is the Democrats Abroad Global Director of Strategic Initiatives and Chair of the Global Black Caucus)
- Feb 28 Economic Blackout Several groups including the The People's Union are calling for an Economic Blackout on 28 February. Support this from abroad and encourage friends and family to participate in the States. Let's show our economic power. Google and find updated info on social media to share.
PROTESTS, RALLIES AND DAY OF ACTION IN THE US
MoveOn, Indivisible, the 50501 Movement and Political Revolution seem to be leading the Rallies, Protests and many Calls to Action in the States.
Follow them, encourage friends and family to join the rallies and Take Action, and help organise other US Voters within South Africa. There are rallies and activities taking place TODAY across the US!
Individual US Voters are also planning a demonstration at the US Consulate in Sandton. More info to follow.
50501 Movement
Read about the movement
- https://www.newsweek.com/50-states-anti-trump-protest-nationwide-50501-explainer-2026115
- https://www.newsweek.com/50501-movement-organizaers-not-my-presidenti-day-protests-2029529
Follow 50501 on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/50501movement/
Political Revolution (originally formed to support Bernie’s 2016 Campaign)
See Events taking place today and upcoming here: https://events.pol-rev.com
Follow Political Revolution on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/politicalrev/
REQUEST YOUR BALLOT & GET READY TO VOTE!
If you vote in Wisconsin, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Virginia - PLEASE request your ballot today and see your state info at Vote from Abroad as elections are already scheduled. WI and FL have elections just weeks away with deadlines approaching!
Why should you request a ballot (submit an FPCA) using Vote From Abroad in 2025?
- It ensures that your voter registration remains current.
- It ensures protections under federal law (UOCAVA) for your vote.
- It requires your Local Election Official to send you ballots for all elections you are eligible to vote in during the calendar year.
- There are important elections in Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin already on the calendar. More may be scheduled!
- There’s no such thing as an “off year”. Special elections can – and do – pop up unexpectedly. Be ready.
Help Reach Voters in SA!
If you know or meet US Citizens in South Africa, ask them if they know they can vote from here. Lead them to Vote From Abroad and encourage them to become a DASA member at www.democratsabroad.org/join so they can get involved and we can keep them up to date. TODAY is a great day to reach out.
DEMOCRATS ABROAD - DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
Democrats Abroad has initiated a Resistance Advocacy programme.
Key initiatives include:
-
Defending Democracy Initiative: advocating for overseas voter rights in legislation. Join the team!
-
Take Action Team: No time for legislation but want to be active? Get our rapid response materials for activist outreach - Sign Up to be notified!
- Community Engagement: support for our Country Committees, Task Forces and Global Caucuses to help them grow through our advocacy work, and to help empower their membership to advocate for the issues that matter to them.
URGENT - CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TODAY TO VOTE NO ON THE SAVE ACT!
Our ability to vote from abroad is on the line! A disenfranchisement bill threatens access to voter registration and could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters abroad. The misnamed "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility" (SAVE) Act (No. HR.22/S.128) is coming up for a floor vote in the House soon. If passed, it would require voters to register and vote in person with a passport or birth certificate that exactly matches their name, eliminating the option of online registration.
SPEAK UP
WRITE TO YOUR STATE LEADERS
Please dedicate some time in your daily schedule to contact your elected officials TODAY and every day - whether they are Democrats or Republicans.
Take a look at 5Calls to find phone numbers for your Members of Congress, issue-specific info and scripts! You do have to use your own phone/calling service. Info and scripts can also be used for sending emails!
VOLUNTEER
We are also holding elections for our Executive Committee in the coming weeks. Interesting in serving? FIND MORE INFO HERE
US VOTERS IN AFRICA: SHARE YOUR VOICE & SPEAK OUT
HELP COUNTER THE NARRATIVE
COLLECTIVE READINGS / VIDEOS
Let’s raise our voices as US Citizens - VOTERS - living across the continent, serving as Everyday Ambassadors of the country we voted for, sharing who “we” are, our values, aspirations and vision for the country and the world. One aspect of this is to create a series of short videos that connect our voices across the continent to share this message and counter the narrative. We’ll record our own videos and edit our voices together. We’re looking for poems (existing or written for this moment), excerpts from writings or speeches, lyrics or other content suggestions that convey this message.
Please email any suggestions for poems/readings or let us know if you can help with the video editing [email protected] – let’s get one going today for Presidents Day!
COUNTER THE NARRATIVE / EXPLAINER VIDEOS
We would like to create some short explainer videos that share facts and information that can help counter the misinformation, lies and harmful propaganda. If you can help create the content/scripts or are willing to share the info on camera, please email [email protected]
COLLECTIVE LETTER FROM US VOTERS IN AFRICA
Individual US Voters living in Africa have drafted a collective letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and invite you to add your name. As this relates to US foreign policy, this is NOT an initiative of Democrats Abroad but we felt it was important to share.
You can read the letter and add your name (or initials) HERE.
PLEASE FOLLOW DASA TO STAY UPDATED
SHARE OUR POSTS & IF YOU SEE A GREAT POST PLEASE SHARE IT WITH US
Americans in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]
**Join our WhatsApp group**
**This is the quickest way for us to keep in touch regularly as a group!
Please contact us by email to join the WhatsApp group
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadSouthAfrica
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/democratsabroadsouthafrica/
DONATE
It's time to build and prepare!
Please consider Donating Directly to DA South Africa
Can you contribute $25, $250 or $2000 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 - This isn't the 2025 we had hoped for but let's do all we can to continue fighting for and building the country we aspire to be!
Democrats Abroad South Africa