President's Message - May 2024
It seems that the only news we get these days is about Trump - his rallies, his trials (and tribulations, real and imaginary), his unsavory remarks and odious actions. On the other hand, it was indeed a pleasant surprise to welcome President Biden to Tampa. The differences couldn’t have been more dramatic and I would like to share with you some of my thoughts and feelings after attending the rally.
It was a privilege to listen to a candidate – who is also our President – who radiated decency, empathy and concern for all Americans – rich or poor, black, white or hispanic. President Biden hammered Republicans on an issue that his campaign believes will be at the top of voters' minds come November: Reproductive Rights! President Biden’s visit came just a week before the six week abortion ban is set to take effect. Addressing that issue he said, “In America today – 2024 – women have fewer rights than their mothers or their grandmothers had because of Donald Trump! I don’t think we’re going to let him get away with that. Do you?” The crowd roared its agreement.
In addition to President Biden, it was uplifting to hear Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell talk about how she plans to defeat Senator Rick Scott; Congresswoman Kathy Castor’s support of a national law protecting women’s reproductive rights; State Legislature Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell’s call to support Democratic candidates for the state house so we can once and for all get rid of right wing extremist Republicans in the state house and governor’s mansion.
The energy at this women’s reproductive rights event was overwhelming. The applause was deafening. When we left the event, we were re-energized, full of realistic optimism that our President will be re-elected. But we must continue to work hard and strengthen our commitment to continue to register voters, to canvas in our precincts, to phone bank, email…in short, to do everything possible to make sure we Get Out The Vote!
Since our last meeting, the South Shore Democrats have canvassed targeted precincts in Sun City Center and Apollo Beach. We’ve set up registration and Vote By Mail (VBM) tabling events in Wimauma, the Southshore Regional Library and Hillsborough Community College. Please – join us and participate! Click here to sign-up via Mobilize! for opportunities throughout Hillsborough County that utilize a wide variety of skills designed to help us get out the vote!
We also had fundraisers for Sean Shaw and Craig Latimer at El Sol Restaurant in Wimauma raising thousands of dollars for each candidate and have also had house parties for candidates. Keep opening our emails and visit our website to learn more about upcoming “meet and greets”, phone banking campaigns and other initiatives.
Be informed! Be involved! Take Action! That is how we will win it!
Onward!
Fran
Monthly Meeting with Enterprising Latinas, - Vanessa Lester and Candidates - May 2, 2024
President Biden Visited Tampa on Tues., Apr. 23
South Shore Democratic Club Members were There to Greet Him!
In the News
Suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren seeks re-election, will take on DeSantis appointee Suzy Lopez
Featured Community Events
Fight Book Banning and Assaults on our Liberties
Across the state, extremist groups have joined forces to push our state and counties to launch assaults on basic civil liberties. They are banning books, censoring honest conversations about the history of racism and injustice, propagandizing curriculum, demonizing teachers, harassing school board members, and trying to erase the stories and lived experiences of LGBTQ, people of color, and other marginalized groups from our classrooms entirely.
We need you to join us to resist these attacks, specifically around book bans. Even if the start of your advocacy is just a few parents or community members showing up to each school board meeting, our students deserve to have the adults in their communities fighting for the schools they deserve. Florida’s public schools should be welcoming, affirming, and teaching honest content in their classrooms.
Once you sign up you will receive a link to a tool kit created for individuals and organizations alike. This toolkit is designed to share the resources, and in it you’ll find ready-to-use talking points, sample digital content for social media, sample policy recommendations, and even a model proclamation you can encourage your school board to pass.
Start where you are comfortable, and grow where you can. Register on Mobilize
Please keep checking Mobilize. There are opportunities all over Hillsborough and for a wide spectrum of skills.
Call for Action!
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The Koolest Pet Contest is back!
The entry form for this year’s contest is now available! Let’s raise some money for the HCDEC’s GOTV activities!There are two options: a $25 donation includes the entry fee, 5 votes, and the 2025 Koolest Pet Calendar; or, pay the $5 entry fee and get 5 free votes. Sign up here. Everyone will receive their custom voting link on May 1st.
SPRING FLING
HCDEC Honors the South Shore Democratic Club at the Spring Fling. We are 'Officially Number 1
South Shore Democratic Club Monthly Meeting
Thursday, May 2, 2024
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
In Person
Enterprising Latinas, Inc. is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Wimauma that creates pathways of economic opportunity for women in Tampa Bay. During our meeting they will present their "Latinas Can't Wait" campaign to expand the understanding of the current economic status of Latina women in Tampa Bay, since they are the lowest paid workers in the U.S. economy and in Tampa Bay. We will discuss multiple ways in which the community can support how we reimagine solutions to promote economic prosperity for the half-a-million Latina women living in the Tampa Bay region.
Also at the May meeting (Voter Registration)
We will discuss Voter Registration – how vital it is to Democrats’ ability to win elections ranging from President, Senate and State offices down to local County Commissioners and School Board members. Both the State Democratic Party and the Hillsborough County Democrats have made registering Democrats to vote the Number One priority for the foreseeable future. We’ll learn how we in the SSDC can participate in the most constructive manner.
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Social Hall
1239 Del Webb Blvd. West
Sun City Center, Fl 33573
Light refreshments will be served
Registration is optional, but we encourage you to register, so we will know to expect you.
Mix & Mingle: 1 - 1:30 PM | Meeting: 1:30 - 3:00 PM
Recommended Reading
Prequel by Rachel Maddow - available on Amazon and Audible
"Rachel Maddow offers a chilling history lesson — and hope for today
In her new book, ‘Prequel,’ Maddow looks at a past moment of crisis that might help us understand both the threats we face today and how we can endure them"
Review by Kathleen Belew October 17, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. EDT, Washington Post
Read 'Here is how we save American democracy'
by Robert Reich
"The next 14 months will be critical to the survival of the American system of democracy, and that individual action is essential."
View an extremely timely documentary by PBS / NPR
Listen to the Podcast Rachel Maddow Presents: Déjà News
Long before Governor Ron DeSantis declared a new war on wokeness, Florida lawmakers in the 1950s and 60s tried going after the NAACP, suspected communists and gay people in Florida schools and universities. The lawmakers upended life for countless numbers of their fellow Floridians before being upended themselves by their own zeal for the cause. Now that DeSantis is bringing this playbook to a presidential campaign, Rachel Maddow and Isaac-Davy Aronson ask what we can learn from the last time Florida went down this path. - Apple Podcasts Preview
Please take a moment to view this extremely important message from the Hillsborough County Democratic Party
