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Thirty-seven percent of Floridians say gun violence is the top issue affecting our state. Florida Freedom means all of our communities are healthy, prosperous, and safe. But legislators in Florida have passed a dangerous permitless carry law that allows gun owners to carry hidden, loaded guns in public with no additional background checks, training, or permits. We need reasonable restrictions that ensure that our communities remain safe from gun violence. Join us to learn what you can do to end our gun violence crisis.

The Democratic Club of Indian River invites you to join them for a special event 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 and they encourage each attendee to purchase a refreshment bundle at a suggested donation of $10 per person.
RESERVE YOUR SEAT HERE ([link removed])

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DESANTIS GERRYMANDERING UPDATE

After a judge struck down ([link removed]) Governor DeSantis' racially gerrymandered congressional district map, both sides have asked an appeals court to fast-track the case to the Florida Supreme Court. They are seeking a final ruling before the legislative session starts in January. That would allow lawmakers to redraw the map, if needed, and provide a period for possible additional legal wrangling before an April qualifying period in next year’s congressional elections.

“This appeal requires immediate resolution by the Florida Supreme Court to provide certainty to voters, potential candidates and elections officials regarding the configuration and validity of Florida’s congressional districts sufficiently in advance of the 2024 elections,” the request filed Friday at the Tallahassee-based appeals court said.

Congressional District 5, which in the past elected Black Democrat Al Lawson, was overhauled in the redistricting process. White Republicans won all North Florida congressional districts in the November elections after the map was redrawn.
BOOK BAN UPDATE

Indian River County Democrat, Caryl Zook, was published in this week's TCPalm ([link removed]) . You can read her op-ed "Talk Of Banning Books Misses Their Education Value" on our website.
READ CARYL'S OP-ED HERE ([link removed])
Whatever our color, background, or ZIP code, we want our children to have an honest, high-quality education. While Florida Republicans waste taxpayer dollars banning books like “Beloved" and “Of Mice and Men” that we all read in school and inject partisan politics into our classrooms, Democrats are implementing solutions to fix the teacher and education professional shortage and solve the real issues impacting students, parents, and educators throughout the state.
This Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled "Book Bans: Examining How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature" to address the ongoing debate over which books should be available in schools and libraries. The hearing was marked by heated exchanges between Democrats and Republicans, with Florida's situation serving as a focal point. Democrats argued that political interests were driving book removal efforts.

Key points from the hearing include:
* Disagreement over the term "book bans" with Republicans arguing that books were not being banned but rather removed, while Democrats and their witnesses continued to use the term "book bans."
* Florida school districts removed hundreds of books following the Curriculum Transparency Act, sparking debates about parental involvement and "indoctrination."
* House Bill 1069 further complicated matters, leading to varying interpretations of which books should be removed based on allegations of pornography or sexual conduct.
* Democrats emphasized the importance of free speech and the First Amendment, with some participants calling for clearer standards for book access in schools.
* Republicans shifted the focus of the discussion to other topics such as immigration and big tech censorship.

In summary, the hearing highlighted the divisive issue of book removals in schools and libraries, with Democrats emphasizing free speech. The hearing did not result in immediate legislative action but underscored the ongoing cultural and political divisions surrounding this topic. Watch the hearing HERE ([link removed]) .

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 ([link removed]) .
NEO NAZI UPDATE
Jason Brown, 48, was arrested Tuesday at his residence in Cape Canaveral. He is accused of hanging swastikas and other neo-Nazi antisemitic banners above Interstate 4 near Orlando. Due to Florida's weak anti hate laws, he will only be charged with criminal mischief.

Brown was one of at least four individuals wanted for hanging the hateful signs over Daryl Carter Parkway Bridge on June 10. Three outstanding warrants remain for the other demonstrators.

In early 2022, Brown was accused of
stealing and destroying a Jewish student’s cellphone ([link removed]) while participating in an antisemetic demonstration in Orange County ([link removed]) and arrested on a charge of grand theft. But charges were never formally filed by the state attorney in that case.
ABORTION ACCESS UPDATE
Floridians Protecting Freedom (FPF) has reached a significant milestone in their campaign to put abortion access on the 2024 ballot in Florida. They have gathered enough verified petitions to qualify for Supreme Court review, with more than a third of the necessary petitions already validated. The Florida Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments regarding the 15-week abortion ban today. The campaign aims to limit government interference in personal medical decisions and address the threat posed by abortion bans to individual freedoms. Thank you to everyone who has helped with this effort. If you have not yet signed a ballot petition, please see more information below.
TAKE ACTION
Request your vote-by-mail ballot HERE ([link removed]) .

Sign the petition for the right to clean and healthy waters
HERE ([link removed]) .

Sign the petition to put abortion access on Florida's ballot HERE ([link removed]) . Then, ask others to sign the petition too. We have copies for you at our office.

Petitions can be dropped off or signed in person at our office located at 2345 14^th Ave. Suite 7, in Vero Beach.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like 2024 out there! Let's make sure our community is #VoteReady to hit the polls in the upcoming municipality, primary & general elections by volunteering for our National Voter Registration Day events across Indian River County on Tuesday, September 19th.
We'll have teams positioned across the county to spread the word about voter registration and help our community register to vote and request their vote-by-mail ballots.
Volunteer for Our National Voter Registration Day Event ([link removed])
Join us a the beach! Seventeen volunteers have joined the Democratic Club of Indian River International Coastal Cleanup Day team and we still have room for you too.Please complete this form ([link removed]) to 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
RSVP HERE ([link removed])
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DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
Volunteer with Democrats of Indian River HERE ([link removed])
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

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Democratic Club of Indian River Meeting
Thursday, September 21, 2023 6 p.m.
BigShots Golf, 3456 US-1, Vero Beach

Join our club or pay dues HERE ([link removed]) .
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Join our club HERE ([link removed]) .
DWC Luncheon at Bent Pine
Details TBA
6001 Clubhouse Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32967
DWC Book Group
Friday September 22, 2023 2 - 4 p.m.
Bjorkman Room at Brackett Library on IRSC Mueller Campus

We will discuss, "Virology: Essays for the Living, the Dead, and the Small Things in Between" by Joseph Osmundson

Questions? Email [email protected]
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The Taxpayers’ Association of Indian River County will hold their inaugural Community Council September 22, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Indian River County Inter-generational Recreation Center, 1590 9th St SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962. The event, which is free of charge and open to the public, will bring together several of Indian River Counties elected officials to engage in a round-table discussion on a multitude of topics. They have asked attendees to RSVP by emailing [email protected].
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GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
Monday September 24, 2023 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
School District of Indian River County
School Board Business Meeting. Details here ([link removed]) .
Tuesday September 19, 2023 9 a.m.
Indian River County
Board of County Commission Meeting. Details here ([link removed]) .
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 9:30 a.m.
City of Vero Beach
Regular City Council Meeting. Details here ([link removed]) .
Thursday, September 26, 2023
Town of Indian River Shores
Regular Town Council Meeting.
Thursday September 21, 2023 7 p.m.
City of Fellsmere
Regular City Council Meeting details here ([link removed]) .
Wednesday September 27, 2023 6 p.m.
City of Sebastian
Regular City Council Meeting at City Hall. Details here ([link removed]) .
Monday September 18, 2023 4 p.m.
Town of Orchid
Regular Town Council Meeting. Details here ([link removed]) .

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Indian River Democrats Office Location
2345 14^th Ave. Suite 7
Vero Beach 32960

Office Hours
Tues. to Thurs. 10am-3pm

(772) 226-5267

[email protected]
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