Letter from the Editor

We have less than one month until Election Day! Have you requested your ballot yet, and returned it?  Depending on the state you’re in, if you haven’t done so, you still have time, so do it now at votefromabroad.org!  Do you have questions about the best way to return your ballot?  Get your questions answered at our live, one-to-one voter assistance.

If you’ve already voted, you’re probably eager and waiting for the election cycle to be over. It’s been a long time coming, and we are probably all experiencing a little election fatigue.  But we’re also fiercely hoping that the Democrats can create a #BlueWave this year, not only hopefully capturing the presidency, but also the House and Senate. Now is the time for hope.

The Global Women’s Caucus keeps going, producing a lot of great content to keep everyone informed and up-to-date.  In this issue, we provide info about upcoming events, have several articles that discuss the historic nomination of Senator Kamala Harris for Vice President, continue to provide info about Democratic women candidates, and provide several fascinating essays about our political world today.

We hope that you enjoy this edition!

Stacey Kruckel

Dear Friends,

The Frankfurt Chapter mourns the death of George Floyd and countless men, women, and children who have been killed by police officers or who have been the victims of other racist violence.

Much of the world has now come together in solidarity to call for an end to racism and police brutality, and to demand respect and equality for people of color everywhere – “No justice, no peace.” Every DAG Chapter had members that participated in one of the 17 Black Lives Matter marches that took place this past weekend in Germany, and according to German news sources, more than 115,000 people across this country participated. 

Now is the time for Democrats to seize this moment, to come together to work for racial justice, and to use the power of both the protest and the ballot box to bring about  change. 

This month is also Pride Month, and we gather to commemorate and celebrate Pride. The Global LGQT Caucus is hosting several virtual events that you can participate in.

Have you requested your ballot yet?  If not, please go to VoteFromAbroad.org to request your ballot, and please urge your family, colleagues, and friends here and in the US to register to vote and to vote blue!

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Upcoming Events and Activities  

• June 13^th: Drag Bingo Fundraiser: Hosted by the DA LGBT Caucus
• June 14^th: Dialing for Democracy Phone-a-Thon
• June 15^th: Howard Dean Speaks with Democrats Abroad
• June 16^th: Members Greta Olson and Derek Bembry discuss race
• Now till June 15^th: Fundraiser – Homemade Apple Pie
• June 18^th: Frankfurt Chapter Meeting – Next meeting July 16
• June 19^th: Juneteenth
• June 26^th: Social meetups - Culture and Community in America
• July 16^th: Frankfurt & Wiesbaden-Mainz Book Club
• Educate Yourself About Racial Justice
• Ways to Get Involved Now

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**June 13^th:  Drag Bingo Fundraiser: Hosted by the DA LGBT Caucus

Pride events around the world have been canceled, but Pride remains. Join a global virtual Drag Queen Bingo evening and help Democrats Abroad get out the vote in 2020!  Visit the DA website to learn more.

**June 14^th, 9:00am to 9:00pm CEST:  Dialing for Democracy, Flag Day Call-a-Thon

In order to provide the margin of victory in November, we need to increase voter participation from abroad. Only 7% of US citizens abroad cast ballots in 2016 — we must do everything possible to turn out more of the 3+ million US voters from around the globe in 2020!

Dialing for Democracy is a fundraising call-a-thon, in which our outstanding phonebankers make as many calls as they can from 9:00am to 9:00pm CEST on Flag Day, June 14 (we will reach thousands of overseas voters!). DA and callers will work together to secure sponsors who will push us to reach our calling goals and generously provide the critical funds to keep our voter outreach projects going strong through November!

From 7:30pm to 9:30pm, we will also be live on Facebook to track our progress and hear from our callers. It will be fun, it will be informative, and it will be an opportunity to connect with fellow DA members as we all encourage our callers in the final stretch.

Visit Dialing for Democracy to learn more. To learn how you can participate.

If you can't call, you can sponsor one of the DAG members who is.

**June 15^th, 3:00pm: Howard Dean Speaks with Democrats Abroad

Join DA for a Webinar with Howard Dean on June 15 at 3 pm German time. Howard Dean is a former Governor of Vermont, a former candidate for President, a former DNC Chairperson, and a long-time friend of Democrats Abroad. As DNC Chair, he promoted the 50-state strategy that took the fight to Republicans in every state.  He will be talking with us about the crucial 2020 elections and about how we can help put Democrats back in the White House, back in the Senate majority, retain our majority in the House - and elect Democrats up and down the ballot.

RSVP here.

**June 16^th, 7pm: Polizeigewalt, Rassimus, Trump

Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Hessen, Livestream auf unserem Youtube-Kanal und diskutieren Sie mit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwDewNcxSk8

Members Greta Olson, Professor of English and American Literary and Cultural Studies (Justus Liebig University Gießen), Derek Bembry, Chair Black Caucus DAGermany, and Chair Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland Siraad Wiedenroth discuss “Über Ursachen und Wirkungen der amerikanischen Wut.“ Moderated by Andreas Schwarzkopf, Frankfurter Rundschau. Complete information here.

**June 18^th, 7:00pm to 8:30pm:  Frankfurt Chapter Meeting

8:30pm to 9:30pm:  Post-Meeting Drinks Social

Zoom https://zoom.us/j/91775085063

Join us for our virtual monthly chapter meeting, where we will have two guest speakers.

Angela Fobbs, Global Black Caucus Chair will discuss Black Lives Matter and the protests against racist violence related to George Floyd’s death. Will change finally come? How will it happen?

Katie Solon, DNC Committee Representative and former Chair of Democrats Abroad Global, will talk to us about the Democratic National Committee. How it has changed since 2016? What is the DNC’s role is in the presidential election process? How will the DNC Reps represent Democrats Abroad during the next four years?

Katie will provide a brief presentation, and then open up the discussion to take your questions and hear your thoughts.

Members Virtual Drinks Social:  Do you want to continue the discussion over a virtual glass of wine or tea with the group?  Join us after the meeting for a Virtual Drinks Social – or have a piece of Wendy’s pie.

How can you participate?

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91775085063

You do not have to have a Zoom account to attend a Zoom meeting or interview. You will be prompted to download the software, once you have clicked on the link that you have been provided. So, if you’ve not used Zoom on your chosen device, give yourself time.

Please enter your name and your German town in parentheses.

Meeting ID: 917 7508 5063
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Meeting ID: 917 7508 5063
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abTHYEWFpQ

**June 19 - Juneteenth TBA

**What’s as American as Apple Pie? Democracy!

From now to June 15, every donation (US citizens only) of at least 35€ to Democrats Abroad-Germany will be thanked with a homemade apple pie (delivery within Frankfurt 60xxx post code. Outside Frankfurt, arrange with Wendy).

Please send your donation to Democrats Abroad-Germany, Kreissparkasse-Kaiserslautern, DE04 5405 0220 0140 2702 99, Verwendungszweck Frankfurt Apple Pie. After you’ve made your generous donation, contact our baker and fellow DA member, Wendy, to schedule delivery. Pies can be ordered as gifts for non-US citizens, too! They are delicious.

**June 26th, 8:30pm pm to 9:30pm: Culture and Community in America – FOOD:

Let's meet for an hour a month and talk about topics that are outside the Beltway. Maybe we can recharge our political batteries and discuss some of the interesting cultural ways of our homeland.

This month’s discussion: American Food, hosted by DA Frankfurt Chapter member Paul Abbot.

• Why didn't I know what quark is?
• Is all-purpose flour 405 or 550?
• Why don't we call baloney meat cheese?
• Is there really a Dunkin Donuts in the pedestrian zone in downtown Frankfurt?
• The bagel came from Germany, didn't it?

The meeting will be hosted via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87280252916?pwd=RU8zRHFrTHYrTmY4clM1QjJMZUwzUT09

Meeting-ID: 872 8025 2916
Passwort: 8mgd8Y

Please email Paul at [email protected] to RSVP.

**July 26 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm:  Frankfurt & Wiesbaden-Mainz Book Club: Stacey Abrams' new book, “Our Time is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America.”

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Frankfurt & Wiesbaden-Mainz Book Club with “…a story about how and why we fight for our democracy and win." Please, RSVP for more information and the Zoom link.

**Other DA Germany Events:

You are cordially invited to get to know the folks at the many fun and thoughtful online events hosted by other Germany chapters. Check these pages often for updates of discussions, book clubs, and social gatherings. Attend a Caucus presentation and then join a caucus to support your passion and stay informed.

Coordinators for all caucuses are open in the Frankfurt Chapter. Contact Barb Chap, Chair, if you can fill one of these important liaison positions.

You are cordially invited to get to know the folks at the many fun and thoughtful online events hosted by other Germany chapters. Check these pages often for updates of discussions, book clubs, and social gatherings. Attend a Caucus presentation and then join a caucus to support your passion and stay informed.

Coordinators for all caucuses are open in the Frankfurt Chapter. Contact Barb Chap, Chair, if you can fill one of these important liaison positions.

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Educate Yourself About Racial Justice: Six Links to Check Out

1. Podcast on Racism in the US:  Kenton Barnes, Vice Chair, DAG, participated in a discussion with Ralph Freund, Republicans Overseas and Michael Dreyer at the Institut für Politikwissenschaft, Universität Jena on June 8^th.  The topic was racism and violence in the US.  Listen to the replay of the interview, in German, from Deutschlandradio

2. Read this informative article from Scalawag magazine: Reckoning with white supremacy: Five fundamentals for white folks

3. Video on Race: Can We Talk?  Dr. John Fitzgerald Gates, a thought-leader and diversity expert, is President and CEO of Campus Diversity Agenda and Principal of Criticality Management Consulting.  He joined the CEO of Macys Department Stores for a conversation on race. “We don’t get to change the world by opting out of discomfort.”  Why Macy's? Background here.

4. Watch and listen to Al Sharpton’s Eulogy for George Floyd.

5. Watch the acclaimed movie, "Just Mercy," based on the award-winning book. “Just Mercy” is the true story of Bryan Stevenson, a civil rights attorney who worked to defend a man wrongfully convicted of murder, and stars Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. In response to current events, Warner Bros is offering free video rental throughout June through a variety of digital movie services in the US, including Apple TV, FandangoNow, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video, Redbox, PlayStation Store, Vudu, Microsoft, and YouTube.  Thanks to Angela Fobbs, who found this offer and checked it out at Amazon.

6. Read The End of Policing about police abolition is available for free as an ebook right now from Verso Books.

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GET INVOLVED

Democrats Abroad helps keep our democracy strong by mobilizing the overseas vote. Shockingly, over 90% of Americans living abroad do not vote.

Become part of the team. Check out the opportunities and details at the Frankfurt Active Members link. These include phone banking to members and coloring postcards to reach non-members in Germany. New and more possibilities to volunteer will be added.

In this time of much sadness, our mission at DA is even more important. Let’s find Americans and help them vote.

Stay healthy,

The Frankfurt Chapter Team

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We are leaving the summer behind us, but we are greeting the fall with many activities that will enable you to be involved with Democrats Abroad, discuss issues with your fellow Americans, and learn how you can be an agent for change.

Afternoon Phone Banking Party: Saturday, October 12^th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Have fun calling other DA members to get out the vote, or just come to see what it’s all about. Help flip seats in important elections in Kentucky, Virginia, New Jersey, Mississippi and Louisiana.  If you don’t know how to phone bank, you can register online and get training from Democrats Abroad here. Then join fellow phone bankers and make your first phone banking calls. Enjoy yummy snacks and cool drinks, too. RSVP to [email protected] (subject line: Phone Banking).

Frankfurt Chapter Meeting: Thursday, October 17^th at 7:00pm

The Frankfurt Chapter Discusses Voter Suppression. Join Derek Bembry, Head of the Germany Black Caucus and member of the Frankfurt Chapter, for an important talk about voter suppression and what you can do to stop it.

Other things to talk about: impeachment, the latest debate, and ideas for events. You make the difference, and all ideas are welcome.

Meeting Location:
SPD Haus (Unterberzirk Frankfurt)
Fischerfeldstraße 7-11
60311 Frankfurt am Main

Meet us at 5:30pm for dinner before the meeting and/or drinks after the meeting.  Getting there at 6:00pm still gives you time to order a delicious meal before heading to the SPD Haus.

Dinner Location:
Moloko
Kurt-Schumacher-Strasse 1
60311 Frankfurt

Corner of Schöne Aussicht and Alte Brücke (5-minute walk to SPD Haus)

Eat, Drink & Be Scary: Friday, October 25^th starting at 7:30pm: Join Democrats Abroad Germany for Halloween Costume Party and 2020 Fundraiser hosted by Wiesbaden-Mainz Chapter. Conveniently located near public transportation and inexpensive car-parking. For all the fun details, click here.

Exclusive Museum Tour in English: POSTED! Reflections of Native North America Weltkulturen Museum: Wednesday, November 6^th at 6:30pm, sharp!

Dr. Markus Lindner, curator of the exhibition PLAKATIERT!, will guide us in the life of the indigenous peoples as shown in posters and artifacts. The tour is one hour, after which we will have a light meal at a nearby restaurant.

If any of you have Native American heritage, it would be a pleasure if you shared your impressions and experiences with us.

This event is a Frankfurt Chapter fundraiser (15€) so non-American guests should be paid for by the American member, per DA rules. Please RSVP here, as places are limited. Weltkulturen Museum Labor, Schaumainkai 37, Frankfurt.

Click below to receive periodic updates from the Taxation Task Force on our tax advocacy work.  We will message you when there are important updates and developments to report.

Spring is now in bloom in Frankfurt, and the DA Frankfurt Chapter is on the move, with a series of interesting events and volunteer activities planned for the coming months. Now is the time to get involved, join us for phone banking, meet other expats and friends, and participate in DA Frankfurt activities, including a Memorial Day visit to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg, and debate watch parties in June.

REMINDER: The next DAG Frankfurt meeting will take place on Thursday, June 13^th at 7pm.    The location will be announced shortly.

Upcoming DA Frankfurt Events

Memorial Day Event, May 25th: DA Frankfurt is invited to join friends from the DA Wiesbaden/Mainz Chapter and DA Luxembourg Chapter on a trip to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg to attend their annual Memorial Day ceremony on Saturday, May 25^th at 2:00 pm. If you're interested in attending, please contact Evie Walls from the Wiesbaden/Mainz chapter at [email protected] Attendance is free and open to the public.

Debate Watch Parties, June 27^th and 28th: The 2019 Democratic Party debates begin next month, and with over 20 candidates in the race for President, the Democratic President debates are must-see viewing. The DA Frankfurt and Wiesbaden chapters plan to host debate watch parties in Frankfurt on June 27^th and 28^th, and all our invited to attend to learn more about the platforms and positions of each candidates, meet members from the Wiesbaden/Mainz chapter, connect with friends from the Frankfurt chapter, and eat and drink. Maddy agreed to help organize the events, and is looking for volunteers to help out. Please email Maddy at [email protected] if you want to help organize the events.

July 4^th Social Event: July 4^th means—BBQ, potato salad, and beer. DA Frankfurt is interested in hosting a social BBQ or picnic to celebrate July 4^th. Since July 4^th falls on a Thursday this year, the proposal is to host the event on Saturday, July 6^th. Interested in helping to organize or host the event? Please email Maddy at [email protected] to let him know.

The Christopher Street Gay Pride, July 20th: The Christopher Street Gay Pride event is an annual tradition for the Frankfurt Chapter, as the event provides an opportunity for LGBT people and their friends/allies to have fun and celebrate Pride Month, and also to meet other Americans, register voters, and talk about the issues. This year’s event will take place on July 20^th, and our friends from the DA Wiesbaden/Mainz chapter will join us. We are looking for volunteers to organize and attend the event. Please reach out to Diandra from the Wiesbaden chapter at [email protected]democratsabroad.de if you are interested.