Call for Action

JOIN US TO HELP DEFEND DEMOCRACY

As you know, the GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON Town Hall is scheduled for next Saturday, July 19th.

Throughout Georgia Congressman John Lewis’ life, he told us all to “make good trouble” as we fought for a more just society and against the erosion of civil rights, immigrant rights, women’s rights, voting rights and more.

Held in memory of Congressman Lewis on the 5th anniversary of his death, there will be nationwide events and demonstrations showing that GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON. Across America, millions of us will be making our voices heard against the flood of bad legislation, self-dealing, grift, lawbreaking and made-for television displays of outright evil that we are now seeing on a daily basis in our country.

The South Shore Democratic Club is sponsoring this important event. At the Town Hall we will 1) discuss Congressman’s Lewis life and accomplishments, 2) host Florida Democratic Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell as the guest speaker highlighting the legislative rollback in a wide range of human rights, and 3) discuss how we push back against the current regime’s move toward oligarchy.

WHEN: Saturday, July 19
WHERE: United Methodist Church
1971 Haverford Ave (corner of West Del Webb Blvd)
Sun City Center (golf cart accessible)
TIME: 10 AM to noon

This will be our first event in a larger venue at the United Methodist Church and we are excited to welcome all of you. The UMC has a food pantry to feed those less fortunate in our area. We invite you to bring a can of non-perishable food with you to the event that will be donated to that food pantry. Pop-top cans are very welcome, since many who rely on the food pantry are homeless and don’t have the luxury of a can opener.

As with all of our local events, feel free to bring your like-minded friends and neighbors. It will be a stimulating event.

To quote Rick Wilson from The Lincoln Project, “Your Silence isn’t Strategy. It’s Surrender.”

President's Message - July 2025

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness – from The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence defined our rights and outlined our grievances against British rule so that we may declare our independence. But we are still far from being "a more perfect Union". For 249 years the rights of American citizens have grown and evolved through great sacrifice. We fought a brutal Civil War to end slavery; fought bloody fights and overcame segregation to achieve civil rights for African-Americans; fought political fights to ensure gay rights, women's rights and the rights of immigrants. Through it all we faced many divisive challenges to try to undermine these hard fought gains. Yet – through it all – we remained and continue to remain vigilant, to fight the malevolent and un-democratic forces that are actively working to undo these fundamental hard fought rights.

Here are a couple of quotes from our own members as to what Independence Day means to them:

“Independence is to have the freedom to love, work, live and travel freely; to be able to express my opinion and have it heard without repercussion, to vote for the candidate of my choice, to have friends of all stripes, to breathe clean air, drink and swim in clean water, to have good food available for all citizens.” – Susan Wright

“To me, especially in our present situation, Independence Day is celebrating our freedom from a King’s rule. A country ruled by the people for the people, where we take care of each of us, not just some. And we welcome all who wish for a better life in freedom.” – Michael Ann DiMaio

We as a nation must realize that Democracy is under siege. It has been said that history teaches us that most democracies fail. They don’t collapse overnight; they erode gradually when citizens stop showing up, stop believing and stop serving. That should alarm us, but more importantly, it should mobilize us! This independence Day, don’t just celebrate what America has been. The fireworks will fade. Earnestly re-commit to working for and building what America should be and could be. The future of this great nation is up to us – what we choose to do at this moment to fight for our democracy -- and I ask you to do one thing right now: visit the 5Calls.org website and tell our senators to vote NO to the Big Beautiful (HORRIBLE) Bill. Click here to get to the 5Calls website. When the webpage opens, click on the first item on the column on the left to tell your senators to vote NO. You will also see on the webpage all the various important actions you can take. The folks at 5Calls make it very easy to do!

We look forward to seeing you at our meeting this Thursday where we will be joined by Glenn Pearson, one of two Democratic candidates for Congress from Congressional District 16 (Vern Buchanan incumbent) and also by Vanessa Lester, Chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party.

Happy Independence Day!
Fran

Sponsor of the Month

Fran Bodman

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Call for Action

South Shore Democratic Club Monthly Meeting
Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
In Person

Glenn Pearson, He is one of two Democratic candidates for Congressional District 16. He will be running against Jan Schneider in the Democratic primary. The primary winner will run against Republican incumbent Vern Buchanan in the General Election.

Visit his webpage for information about Glenn and his campaign (https://glennpearsonforcongress.com/) Visit Jan Schneider's campaign website for more information about her campaign (www.VoteJan.com)

Vanessa Lester, chair of the Hillsborough County Democratic Party will let the club know the Party's plans for the upcoming elections.

Visit the HC Democratic Party's website for some information about Vanesa and the rest of the party leadership. (https://hillsboroughcountydemocrats.org/hillsborough-county-democratic-leadership/)