Florida Is Fast Becoming The State Where Democracy Is In PERIL | |
- Where voting and the right to speak freely are suppressed.
- Where academic freedom and critical thinking among students and faculty in public education and universities are thwarted.
- Where businesses and elected officials that disagree with the governor’s agenda are punished.
- Where women’s reproductive rights are controlled by the state.
- Where schoolbooks are banned on whim and not reason.
- Where religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ people are under attack and marginalized in education, health care, and fundamental rights.
- Where the rights of local governments to make local decisions based on their needs are blocked.
- Where cultural freedom is mocked and blocked.
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HELP SAVE AND PROTECT DEMOCRACY | |
"Education Under Siege!
How Should We Respond?"
Next Zoom meeting of Floridians for Democracy
Tuesday, September 19 (Corrected from previous Email)
7:00 - 8:15 PM EST
(Note: Start time has changed to 7 PM)
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84928251950?pwd=WEhuN1FsbStRdC9qREQyNnlhbVJxQT09
Principal Presenters:
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Pat Okker, PhD
Academic Consultant and former President of New College of Florida.
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Pat Okker and her Golden Retriever, Blu. | |
Kamela Patton, PhD
Academic Consultant and former Superintendent of Collier County Public Schools.
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Kamela Patton with a group of sled dogs. | |
Kamela Patton worked with the Bee Gees for 2 years. | |
Additional Topic Commenters: | |
Madelon Stewart, EdD
FFD Action:
Stand for Something
Representing: The Purple Group
For more about the Purple Group see: 'Stand For Something.'
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Bobbie D'Alessandro
FFD Action:
Stand for Something
Representing: The Purple Group
Lee County, FL, and Cambridge, MA, Public Schools Superintendent
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Maxeme (Max) Tuchman
FFD Action:
Run for Something
Miami-Dade Public School Board Candidate
More About Max
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Homework for this Impressive Panel Discussion | |
Research shows us that the Far-Right attacks on public education have been a multi-decade effort and plan. Today, the attacks are intensifying. We must not only get educated but we must educate others, speak out and make a difference to stop this well-funded, well-orchestrated, multi-decade movement. This month’s FFD Zoom session is just a beginning.
Here is your “homework” assignment to better grasp the messages of the educators speaking on September 19:
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October FFD Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, Oct. 10
7:00 - 8:00 PM EST
"Hope and Optimism for Democracy"
with Simon Rosenberg, leading political strategist who predicted "no Red wave" in 2022, commentator, and author of "Hopium Chronicles."
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We will coordinate a Florida network of social justice advocates dedicated to saving and preserving democracy by helping link individuals and organizations to achieve shared goals, create connections throughout a wide community, and speak with a louder voice. | |
Follow us on social media: | |
FFD Enhance Get-Out-The-Vote Goal Team Volunteers
Tuesday, Sept. 12
6:30 - 7:45 PM EST
FFD Board members Katelyn Tellgren and Karen Nathan will host a volunteer discussion & planning session for the coming year for FFD action steps: Get Out the Vote & Run for Something!
Speakers (All are FFD participants!):
- Phyllis Andrews, Collier Freedom, a third-party voter registration organization
- Cynthia Lippert, Statewide Indivisible Taskforce
- Nancy Tierri, “The Postcard Lady”
- Robyn Cook, Sanibel League of Women Voters
- General discussion
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National Voter Registration Day
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Be Vote Ready!
60% of eligible voters are never asked to register.
You don’t have that excuse.
Register now!
Did you know that every day all public libraries in Florida are designated to serve as a voter registration agency (VRA)? All VRAs must provide access to a voter registration form in hardcopy or online via registertovoteflorida.gov. Library staff must assist in filling out the registration application or updating voter records in the same way one would apply for a library card! Simply fill out the form and leave it with a librarian. No stamp required!
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SPOTLIGHTING PRO-DEMOCRACY ORGANIZATIONS | |
Common Cause Florida
is a nonpartisan grassroots organization working to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.
Their work includes:
- Expanding Voting Rights
- Ensuring Fair Districts & Reflective Democracy
- Protecting the Constitution, Courts & Other Democracy Reforms
Check out Common Cause Florida's guide: How Floridians Can Help Each Other Register to Vote.
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INDIVISIBLE
is a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda. Many FFD participants are also active with INDIVISIBLE. Check it out; keep making a difference!
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Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF)
is a citizen-led Florida ballot initiative, the “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion” to create a constitutional amendment that explicitly blocks the implementation of laws that prohibit, delay, or restrict abortion access. Goal: To put personal health decisions back in the hands of Florida families and their doctors.
What you can do:
- Gather and Sign Petitions - Floridians Protecting Freedom
- Volunteer with FPF Volunteers to Help Put Abortion on the Ballot
- Attend FPF petition training sessions: On-Line Volunteer Petition Training
- Add your Organization to the FPF Official Partners Campaign Partner Sign Up
- Share petition information with your networks
- Post to social media and write letters to the editor (Organizational and Personal)
- Establish more Hubs (petition collection points) and attend Hub Trainings
Articles about FPF:
Learn more about this ballot initiative or find more ways to support it.
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Defense of Democracy
is a national nonpartisan organization advocating for an inclusive public education system including chapters in Florida of pro-democracy volunteers. If interested, visit this link to register in their database; you’ll be invited to workshops, free trainings, and other events and to a local Facebook group with active discussions about action steps.
Defense of Democracy has a Pledge to Protect our Public Schools for pro-democracy candidates and other advocates of inclusivity in our public schools and libraries. Individuals signing this pledge can be seen at defenseofdemocracy.org/pledge. Here is suggested text for candidates, elected officials, and former elected officials to sign.
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Other Pro-Democracy Organizations | |
FFD NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES | |
Do you or your organization have upcoming networking events? Please send us your information and if it coincides with our policies we would be happy to include it in upcoming communications. Please send inquiries to info@floridiansfordemocracy.org.
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Letters to the Editor
Active FFD participants Michael Sales (Collier) & Randy Kammer (Duval), have volunteered to assist with “Letters to the Editor” on behalf of Floridians for Democracy. If you are interested in volunteering or seeking some assistance, please reach out to Michael at mjsales@me.com or Randy at rkammer1012@comcast.net.
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Ask Nurses and Doctors
A number of FFD participants are involved with the bipartisan Ask Nurses and Doctors, focused on healthcare access and health system reform. Recently AND published a brief impressive document demonstrating how Floridians' health has been adversely harmed by recent health related policies. For 2024, AND is helping organize local health care professionals in Florida and other states to elect competitive House and Senate candidates who have practical approaches to universal health insurance coverage.
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New PAC aims to elect young progressives running for state offices, Congress
A new organization hopes to elect young, progressive candidates they say could help fight a far-right agenda. READ THE ARTICLE
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Donor Quote
"If my contribution can help save democracy in Florida, I'm all in!"
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Friends of Democracy:
- $1,000
- $500
- $250
- $100
- Custom amount
All contributions are appreciated!
Floridians for Democracy Institute
Floridians for Democracy Institute, Inc. (FFDI) is a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt educational and charitable public charity. Your donations to that organization are tax-deductible.
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Floridians for Democracy Action Fund
Democracy in Florida is at risk. Consider also supporting Floridians for Democracy Action Fund, a non-profit 501(C)(4) dedicated to advocating for state policy changes and protections focused on preserving and saving democracy. The FFD Action Fund is a non-tax-deductible fund.
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