Our hearts remain heavy after Saturday's senseless, hate-filled attack on Jacksonville's Black community. William C. Evans, Chair of the Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River, released this statement in response to the Jacksonville, Florida mass shooting incident where a gunman wearing a tactical vest used a swastika emblazoned AR-15 and a handgun to kill one Black woman and two Black men in a hate motivated-attack on Saturday, August 26th, 2023.
Jacksonville's State Representative, Angie Nixon, responded to Governor DeSantis directing $1.1 Million to Edward Waters University for campus security and to support shooting victims’ families with the following scathing statement.
DESANTIS GERRYMANDERING
A new district map, signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, carved up the congressional territory that had last been represented by a Black Democrat. But Black voters in Florida could regain a congressional district if voting rights groups prevail in an ongoing legal battle. The outcome could play a role in which major party takes the U.S. House after the 2024 elections.
Several voting rights groups and voters are suing in state court to have a reliably African American-performing district reinstated in North Florida, arguing that the current map violates the state constitution, which protects minority-access districts in the state.
The former 5th District stretched from Gadsden County — the state's only county with a majority Black population — to eastern Duval County, picking up African American voters in Tallahassee and Jacksonville.
DeSantis took the unprecedented step of inserting himself into the map-drawing process last year when he used his veto power to pressure Republicans in the legislature to pass a "race-neutral" map drafted by his office.
But DeSantis' map carved up the former North Florida district — the 5th District — of Democratic Congressman Al Lawson into four Republican-leaning districts, contributing to Lawson's election loss in last year's midterms.
Florida Republicans ultimately picked up four seats under the governor’s map for a total of 20 out of 28, a move that helped the GOP capture the U.S. House last year.
WELCOME KIM ARTLIP
The Democrats of Indian River are pleased to welcome our new Website Manager, Kim Artlip. Be sure to visit https://democratsofindianriver.org/for our latest press releases, events and updates.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING UPDATE
What are Democrats saying about last week's school board meeting?
"Moms for Liberty were out in full force at the school board meeting last night. Despicable political theater by the rabid book banners took up time that should have been used to discuss the republican's new racist African American History Standards. Consistently disrespectful."
"I was horribly disappointed in the school board meeting. The sheer weight of schools rewriting black history was lost in the stupidity of grandparents whining about books with sex in them. Slavery was wrong treating it flippantly is wrong. The meeting really was undermined by horribly read sex scenes. I never thought sex could be so boring and truly stupid."
We need your voice to counter the extreme coordinated takeover of education. Make a plan to attend the next Indian River County School Board meeting Monday, September 25, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Details here.
Who Is Behind Extremist School Board Policies?
Join Red, Wine and Blue & the legal team at Democracy Forward to learn about the groups that plan and execute these efforts and what you need to know to stop them.
Join us a the beach! Thirteen volunteers have joined the Democratic Club of Indian River International Coastal Cleanup Day team and we still have room for you too.Please completethis formto let the Democratic Club of Indian River know how you would like to participate.
This FREE event will take place Saturday, September 16th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Seagrape Trail Beach Access (unguarded beach) located at 8462 Highway A1A, Vero Beach 32963 .
Proudly wear your Democrats of Indian River t-shirts and hats. You can purchase them at our Democratic Headquarters located at 1234 14th Street in Vero Beach every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
Join the Democratic Club of Indian River on Wednesday, September 27th at 6:30 to watch the heroic story of how Gabby Giffords fought to end gun violence after a 2011 assassination attempt and learn how you can engage in the fight!
The film screening is FREE. We encourage each attendee to purchase a refreshment bundle at a suggested donation of $10 per person.
GABBY GIFFORDS WON’T BACK DOWN tells the extraordinary story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, her relentless fight to recover following an assassination attempt in 2011, and her new life as one of the most effective activists in the battle for gun violence prevention and in promoting understanding of the language condition aphasia. Featuring extensive verité filming of Gabby and her husband, astronaut-turned-Senator Mark Kelly; interviews with Barack Obama and other friends and colleagues; and exclusive access to stunning videos taken in the weeks following her near-death experience, this film is the story of a rising star transformed by an act of violence, and a close-up portrait of the marriage that sustains her.
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER Volunteer with Democrats of Indian River HERE
Democratic Executive Committee
Steering Meeting
Wednesday September 20, 2023 5 p.m. zoom meeting
DEC Meeting Thursday September 28, 2023 6 p.m. Heritage Center
Democratic Club of Indian River Meeting Thursday, September 21, 2023 6 p.m. Location TBD
Saturday September 9, 2023 11:30 a.m.
6001 Clubhouse Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32967
Heather Stapleton, Community Engagement Coordinator for One Lagoon National Estuary Program will be our speaker.
Non member guest are invited to attend. $30 payable by cash or check at the door. Please RSVP by September 6th & include our meal choice: BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs, Ritz Cracker Crusted Cod or Vegetarian plate.
