Here we are, a month after the election that has set our country on a disconcerting path. I've just arrived back from the US and it is indeed a strange time. I'm from one of the small towns (in Connecticut) that has become very divided politically and where neighbours are quietly talking about who voted for who, where book banning has become an issue for the library, and dirty political moves have affected the school board and wide ranging town issues. Many are afraid to talk politics or the election at all. While I was there for family reasons and still trying to limit my own media intake, the New York Times notifications kept popping up on my phone with every scary and offensive new cabinet pick...and they are as scary and offensive as we'd feared.
As we process the outcome of the elections, seek to understand the many factors that led to it and plan our way forward we need to hold onto or find our hope and determination again. We know which side of humanity and history we stand on, we know what we voted for and we will continue to fight for it. Are we going to hand our country over to Trump, MAGA, tech billionaires, corporate interests and Christian Nationalists? No. So we will organise and act.
Democrats Abroad has initiated a Resistance Advocacy Program which is being developed at a global level and will rely on Caucuses and Country Committees like ours to mobilise our members. Initial info follows below but we also invite you to share any ideas you have for DASA or Global actions.
A new Chair of the Democratic National Committee will be elected on 1 February. Democrats Abroad has 8 DNC members who will be voting in that election and they will likely hold a Global Town Hall in advance - we'll keep you updated.
I had planned to include a section on some positive election outcomes from across the states but to be honest am pressed for time so going to leave it out in this newsletter but we're sharing some on our social media pages and encourage you to look online for the good news too, its easy to get caught up in the bad, keep looking for good! Here are two pieces of good news this week. Monroe Nichols was sworn in Monday as the First Black Mayor of Tulsa, recognising our history - the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and destruction of Greenwood, "Black Wall Street" - as well as its legacy today, and aiming to pave a new path forward for the city. We also saw Democrats flip the final House seat with Adam Gray winning California's 13th District - again showing how important our votes are, even in Dem states!
Thanks again to all of of you for your involvement in this election cycle! Please keep looking for potential voters in SA and reaching out to each other. We need to work together as much as possible in the coming months and years and need to grow our strength as overseas voters because if all of the estimated 6.5 million of us had voted...
Love, hope, strength and solidarity,
Liz O'Leary - DASA Chair
[email protected]
You can read past newsletters HERE
DASA ADMIN & DATABASE UPDATES
There will be quite a bit of admin related work over the next few months and as always, volunteers will be needed!
One of our upcoming projects will be the annual database update. Members need to be verified every 4 yrs. Two requests:
1. If you received an email on 1 Dec asking you verify your membership, please help save us time and energy by clicking and self-verifying that you are still in South Africa. If your membership is expiring the next reminder will go out on 21 Dec.
2. If you'd like to assist with contacting members as part of the database cleanup, please let us know at [email protected]
Thank you!
2024 DEMOCRATS ABROAD VOTER SURVEY
Every general election, the Democrats Abroad Voter Protection team circulates a short voter survey designed to identify the issues and challenges voters abroad experienced during the year. The survey results have been instrumental in the past in aiding our voter assistance work and in legal challenges in the States, and we know they will again be very useful as we move forward into the new year and next election cycle.
Your participation is super appreciated!
TO LISTEN TO
Charles Belk on the Democrats Abroad Blue Vote Cafe Podcast
When Charles Belk arrived in Joburg in September he had no idea his life would be taken over by DASA and the election. It was, and we are so thankful for it! Thank you for jumping right in Charles! 💙 Get to know a little more about his life, adventures around the world, and what's motivated him to be an active citizen, even when living abroad!
TO WATCH
This is a long event, but it is incredibly eye opening and worth the watch as we need to know what we're fighting against on this aspect of the election outcome. It can also help us understand one reason why some of the electorate continued to vote Republican ("despite" or embracing everything we know!)
In this webinar, Andra Watkins talks to us about the plans to turn America into a Christian Nationalist Nation ruled by religious fanatics.
Andra Watkins is a NYT bestselling author, a survivor of Christian Nationalism, and the author of the bestselling Substack How Project 2025 Will Ruin YOUR Life. She has written for major publications including Resolute Square, Salon and Newsweek, and she has spoken to grassroots groups including Network NOVA, Harvey Wasserman's Grassroots Green Group, Secular Arizona, and various Democratic parties. Her work was used by the Project 2025 Task Force to prepare for the Democratic National Convention. She has been interviewed by luminaries including Arnie Arnesen, Rick Wilson, Stuart Stevens, and Jane Mantenaer.
How Project 2025 Will Ruin YOUR Life https://andrawatkins.substack.com
Andra Watkins Website https://andrawatkins.com/
WATCH THE DEMOCRATS ABROAD WEBINAR HERE
TAKING ACTION & BUILDING RESISTANCE
From our Global Chair Martha McDevitt-Pugh:
"As we move from the heavy lift of GOTV in a presidential year into being in the opposition, our work shifts to evaluating and strengthening our tools and processes for the next election cycle, and to advocacy support.
I have convened a Defending Democracy Legal and Policy working group, initially focused on bills that are being considered prior to January 20 to counter Donald Trump’s assault on democracy. Inge Kjemtrup is leading this initiative, and it will include state and US voting legislation review.
To be a strong force in this new moment, local country committee organizing and constituency caucuses become an even more important pillar of our work....
Resistance advocacy brings with it rapid response moments. To support these moments, we have renewed the Take Action page (formerly Tiny Actions) on the website:
https://www.democratsabroad.org/take_action"
ACT NOW: EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT (ERA)
If President Biden does not ask the Archivist to publish the ERA by January 19, 2025, women's rights may never be guaranteed in the US Constitution.
Please demand that President Biden publish the fully ratified 28th Amendment - write NOW and every day until January 19 or until he publishes it.
With only weeks remaining in President Biden’s term, the opportunity to protect abortion access and add gender equality to the Constitution has never been more urgent. This may be last chance in our life times.
We must build pressure together, so President Biden hears from ALL of us. We hope you will participate in this action.
ACT: CONTACT YOUR SENATORS to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)
You are also encouraged to contact your Senators to vote for the WEP repeal bill when it comes up for a vote!
The Windfall Elimination Provision ("WEP") unfairly reduces Social Security benefits for millions of U.S. citizens, including Americans abroad who receive foreign pensions and many veterans of federal, state, and local government service.
TAKE ACTION HERE
EVENTS
VOLUNTEER WITH UPCOMING EVENTS
If you'd like to help host a meet-up in your corner of the country or have venue suggestions, let us know at [email protected]
Coming up....
Sunday 8 December
DASA Welcomes Yvette Lewis
Please join us on Sunday 8 December, 4-6pm for sundowners at The Westcliff to welcome Yvette Lewis and her husband Ed during their visit to South Africa. Yvette is a Former Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party and Chair Emerita of the Association of State Democratic Committees.
Yvette would love to meet DASA members and share thoughts regarding the election and the road ahead.
4-6pm
The Westcliff Hotel, 67 Jan Smuts Ave, Westcliff (Joburg)
RSVP HERE - Please RSVP by Friday midday latest
Global Events
Saturday 7 December
Democrats Abroad and VoteEquality invite you to a free screening of RATIFIED (Online)
5pm SA Time
Online
More info and RSVP HERE- Tickets are limited and need to be reserved in advance through Kinema.
Planning Ahead
Monday 20 January 2025
7pm SAST
"This MLK Day is the same as the inauguration. We Must stand up. During the event, we will discuss where we are, our strategy during the Trump Administration, and how we keep it together during these trying times. Event Speakers will be posted as they are confirmed."
PLEASE CONNECT TO STAY UPDATED & SHARE!
Americans in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]
**Join our WhatsApp group**
The link to the WhatsApp group has been removed on the website posting for safety. If you'd like to join the group, please send an email and we'll be happy to add you.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadSouthAfrica
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/democratsabroadsouthafrica/
US GOVERNMENT CONTACTS & UPDATES
CONTACT OUR ELECTED LEADERS
Let’s make our voices heard! Many members are reaching out to us regarding US policy in the Middle East. Democrats Abroad (globally) doesn't engage in foreign affairs but DASA strongly encourages you to contact our elected officials in Washington to ensure your voice is heard. It will take you 15-20 minutes to write to all of them. Write often. The web addresses below are hyperlinked.
Whatever your thoughts or requests relate to - now and in the coming year - send them. It is time to become more engaged, not less!
WHITE HOUSE AMERICANS ABROAD OUTREACH
"The White House Office of Public Engagement is thrilled to more formally engage with Americans living abroad. We hope to share more about the issues that are most important to this large community and significant constituency. We look forward to being in close contact. You may receive outreach from the White House based on your responses to this survey such as announcements, newsletters, and invitations."
CLICK HERE to join their mailing list
**Post election note: I'm including this again for those that missed it in the last newsletter but best guess is that this will be one of the positive Biden initiatives that won't be continued post 20 Jan.
US MISSION TO SOUTH AFRICA & STATE DEPT
STEP PROGRAM
The US Consulates have asked us to let you know that the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) has been updated and relaunched. Please read more and enroll or re-enroll HERE
THANK YOU!
DASA is still a small Country Committee but committed to continuous growth and playing our part on a regional and global level. Through volunteering and contributing financially you can help us develop our membership, advocacy and outreach as we move FORWARD!
Thank you!
Democrats Abroad South Africa