As the world celebrates International Women’s Day by reaffirming the basic human rights of women everywhere, many look to this year’s observances to be especially poignant in an increasingly hostile political environment.

The Trump administration has put the concerns of American women in the line of fire, with women’s reproductive choices, access to healthcare, paid family leave, equal pay, and protection from sexual harassment all vulnerable and especially threatening for minorities and women of color.

In the broadest sense, the new administration poses a threat to basic human rights. On a more nuanced scale, President Trump’s public comments have condoned a more permissible culture of misogyny.

As a result, many American women are answering back not just with just increased awareness of these threats, but also an outpouring of activism. The Women’s March defied expectations for turnout not just in the United States, but in countries around the world, from London to Toronto, to Mexico City to Paris that held sister marches contributing to an overall attendance in the millions. The activity kicked off a resistance movement that is galvanizing women to take up more engaged acts of political involvement.

This new travel ban is just a rehash of the first. As Tom Perez recently wrote,

"This ban, like the last one, is unconstitutional -- just ask the multiple federal courts that ruled against it the first time.

You would think that Trump might have taken a few minutes after that to read the Constitution. (I'd suggest starting with Article III for a refresher on the role of the judicial branch, and then move on to what the First Amendment says about freedom of religion.)”

As Democrats Abroad, we must fight against the Trump administration’s un-American actions and stand together with immigrants and our neighbors around the world.

Maybe Trump could learn a thing or two from this immigrant:

Tom Fina, Executive Director Emeritus

One month since taking office, the sociopath in the White House is probably more famous than any other living man in history. He has reached that level because of his symbiotic relation with the media, foreign and domestic. He lives for attention and approval. Cut that off, and he is dead. The media lives for readers and viewers. Today, Trump is the narcotic that gives the media a high when its advertising income is a downer. Neither can give up the other. Yet.

Democrats Abroad Chair Katie Solon reports from Atlanta, where Tom Perez has just been elected the new chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and Keith Ellison appointed Deputy Chair.

“Today is Unity Saturday,” says Solon. “Because of our shared values, principles and purpose, we are going to leave Atlanta unified and ready to take this fight to the places we need to fight. As Tom Perez said, contrary to what the press has been reporting, during this meeting we have not focused on our divisions, but instead have focused on our issues.”

Perez is the first Hispanic elected to the Democratic Party Chair position. He served as the Labor Secretary under President Obama as well as Deputy Attorney General. His first action as Chair was to call for Ellison to be named as Deputy Chair. Ellison has served as a Congressman from Minnesota for the last 10 years.

Democrats Abroad is confident that the deep experience that Perez and Ellison bring to the DNC will take us in the needed new direction. Perez’s background in civil and voting rights, and worker advocacy, community organizations and organization management will be critical to the party, while Keith Ellison has demonstrated time and again that he knows how to win elections and speak effectively to Democratic voters.

Watch the DNC in action in Atlanta on February 25. Click this post's title to view the video. #DAinATL

Our Democrats Abroad DNC Members prepare to vote in Atlanta. 

Watch the DNC in action in Atlanta on February 24. Click this post's title to view the streaming video. #DAinATL

(We were excited to hear our Chair, Katie Solon, speak in favor of Resolution 33, Resolution Empowering People-Powered Politics Over Corporate Interests at the DNC. She speaks at 1:19 in the video). 

The world is watching as the Democratic National Committee meets this week in Atlanta to elect new leadership and to determine how the party best moves forward under the Trump administration. Democrats Abroad has eight DNC members participating in the meeting, sending us updates from the meetings and keeping us informed through email, Facebook and Twitter reports (search for #DAinATL). 

The three-day meeting will last from Thursday, February 23 through Saturday, February 25, during which time its general sessions and elections will be livestreamed on Democrats.org. Among those officer positions to be determined are Chair, Vice Chair At-Large, National Finance Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and Vice Chair for Civic Engagement and Voter Participation.

"We have been awed by the diverse, deep and broad skill sets brought to the DNC officer positions by the candidates,” says Kathryn Solon, Democrats Abroad Chair. “No matter who wins these elections, we will have strong leadership as we work together for the sake of the Party and America."

Recognizing that US voters living overseas are playing an increasingly important role in elections at home, Democrats Abroad is prepared to do all it can to protect and expand overseas voting rights. This is especially important in light of current voter suppression efforts occurring across the U.S.

“Despite our losses in November and the imbalance in state legislatures and governor posts, I am more optimistic about the Party than I've ever been,” said Solon. “We have the ideas, values, principles, and leaders, and we are getting a sorely needed fresh wind.”  

Democrats Abroad DNC Members

Kathryn Solon, International Chair, ex officio member (Germany)
Arthur Schankler, International Vice Chair, ex officio member (Serbia)
Connie Borde, EMEA (France)
Ken Sherman, Americas (Canada)
John Eastwood, Asia Pacific (Taiwan)
Martha McDevitt-Pugh, Global (Netherlands) 
Orlando E. Vidal, Global (UAE)
Adrianne George, Global (Sweden)

Democrats Abroad in Munich, Germany came out on a cold and rainy night to send a message to Michael Pence during his visit to the Munich Security Conference this weekend.

On the evening of February 17th, DA members gathered around the Angel of Peace Monument in Munich to greet the US envoy as it made its way to restaurant  Käfer, where the annual Deutsche Amerikanisch Dinner is held for members of both Security Conference delegations.

The rally opened with the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance, and continued with chants and speeches. At least 100 strong came out in the stormy weather to stand up for what it means to be patriotic and to defend the values of the United States.

As one DAG Munich member said, “I feel less secure as an American abroad now than ever before because of our current administration. It's important that we send this message at a moment when international security policy is under discussion.” 

Your vote can make a difference! Turnout for Special Elections tend to be very low and just a few votes--such as yours--can be key. In September 2017, Democrats won a Special Election in the Oklahoma State House, flipping a long-held Republican seat by only 37 votes.

It's simple to vote! If you are a former resident from the states and voting districts below, go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org and complete the form to request an absentee ballot. Print, sign and then send the form to your election office to receive a ballot for the election. Many states accept scanned forms by email or fax.

☞ More important state races at DemocratsAbroad.org/voting_news...

Alabama — U.S. Senate

Special Election on December 12
Seat vacated by the resignation of Jeff Sessions (R) when he was confirmed as Attorney General — concerns all Alabama voters.

*Voters who ask to receive the ballot by email/online will be able to vote online using Alabama's ballot marking system.

If you requested to receive the ballot by mail and you're concerned about returning it to Alabama on time? VOTE NOW using the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (or FWAB). Then MAIL it back right away following the voted ballot return guidelines. And be sure to mail in your voter registration and ballot request form by the relevant deadline too! More about voting with the FWAB...

Iowa — State Senate District 3

Special Election on December 12
Iowa voters in State Senate District 3 (portions of Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the Sioux City area) will vote for a new State Senator. All overseas voters may vote in Iowa State Elections. If you vote in this IA State Senate District, Vote for Democrat Todd Wendt. Let’s flip this seat!

Haven't received a ballot yet? Vote NOW with the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot. More about voting the FWAB...

Florida — State House District 58

Special Election on December 19
Florida voters in State House District 58 (Hillsborough County in the Tampa area) will vote for a new State Representative. Overseas voters who indicate they “intend to return” may vote in Florida State Elections. If you vote in this FL State House District, Vote for Democrat Jose Vazquez. Let’s flip this seat!

Haven't received a ballot yet? Vote NOW with the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot. More about voting the FWAB...

Tennessee — State Senate District 17

Special Election on December 19
Tennessee voters in State Senate District 17 (Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith and Wilson counties in the Nashville area) will vote for a new State Senator. All overseas voters may vote in Tennessee State Elections. If you vote in this TN State Senate District, Vote for Democrat Mary Alice Carfi. Let’s flip this seat!

Haven't received a ballot yet? Vote NOW with the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot. More about voting the FWAB...

Pennsylvania — U.S. House, 18th Congressional District

Special Election on March 18, 2018 
Following the resignation of Tim Murphy (R). The Democratic Party will hold their nominating convention on November 19, 2017 to choose a candidate. Dates coming soon...

Register to Vote and/or Request your Overseas Absentee Ballot

• Go to VoteFromAbroad.org and complete the form to request an absentee ballot.
• Print, sign and send the form to your election office to receive a ballot for the election. Many states accept scanned forms by email or fax.

No elections in your jurisdiction? Take action by joining DA's phonebanking to support Doug Jones running for U.S. Senate in the Alabama Special Federal Election.

• New volunteers: Follow the instructions to sign up for phonebanking.
• Returning phonebankers: Review the updated list of Callhub Caller Do's and Don'ts and then go to https://callhub.io to login into your CallHub account.

Questions? Email us at gotv@democratsabroad.org. We'll get back to you right away!

"The Trump administration and the Republican Senators who voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education today have betrayed our children and our future," says Art Schankler, Democrats Abroad Vice Chair.

"DeVos is unqualified and ethically deficient. Her views on education will make education in America worse, not better."  

DeVos' appointment is on par with other nominees: an EPA administrator who doesn't believe in protecting the environment, an Energy Secretary who knows dangerously little about the Department he is about to lead, a Treasury Secretary who made a fortune from foreclosing on working Americans, the list goes on.

Katie Solon, Democrats Abroad International Chair, issued the following statement: "We'll continue to fight for free quality primary and secondary education, as well as affordable quality higher education, and will rally behind Democrats who rightfully voted against her. We will also work hard to vote the Republican senators who supported DeVos out of office. 2018 is right around the corner and we are ready to roll."

If you haven't already, join Democrats Abroad, and we will fight together.