We extend our gratitude to everyone who showed up to last week's Earth Day Celebration at Riverside Park. Because of your commitment, the Democrats of Indian River collected 135 clean water petitions!
This month the Democratic Club will welcome a guest speaker from the Treasure Coast Food Bank. Get full details and RSVP HERE.
Also be sure to save the date for Leadership Blue happing one 20-22. This will be an unforgettable weekend of opportunities, trainings, and events in sunny Hollywood, Florida. Potential candidates should also register here for Monday's All Candidates Call hosted by the Florida Democratic Party.
Please note that our newsletter is transitioning to a biweekly schedule. Today's May 2nd edition will be our final weekly newsletter before we move to publishing every other week.
Recently, ICE’s “Operation Tidal Wave” in Florida, a massive immigration crackdown conducted in partnership with local law enforcement, resulted in nearly 800 arrests. Advocates warn that such operations tear apart families, damage communities, and reflect a troubling escalation of Trump’s immigration agenda.
As these collaborations spread nationwide, they mark a shift toward a more aggressive and militarized immigration enforcement regime, raising alarms about civil rights violations and the erosion of democratic norms.
The ICE 287(g) program has expanded significantly under Donald Trump, and has been widely criticized for fostering racial profiling, eroding public trust, and threatening public safety by discouraging immigrants from reporting crimes. Florida now leads the nation in agencies participating in 287(g), with DeSantis aggressively pushing localities to comply — even threatening officials who resist.
In response to the governor’s Feb. 19th directive, Florida Atlantic University—whose Harbor Branch campus is located in Indian River County, has requested a partnership between FAU police and ICE to allow FAU police to stop, question, and detain students they believe might be undocumented. This request is part of the voluntary 287(g) program, which delegates that authority to local police agencies.
U.S.-born American citizen Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol and held in the Leon County Jail for over 24 hours. At a hearing, a Leon County judge said she “did not have jurisdiction” to release him. He has since been released.
Our own Congressman, Mike Haridopolos has cosponsored H.R.569 to overturn birthright citizenship. Birthright citizenship has been the law of the land since the Supreme Court ruled in US v. Wong Kim Ark that the Constitution granted citizenship to American-born children without a citizen parent.
NEW All Candidates Call Monday, May 5 @ 7 PM EST hosted by the Florida Democratic Party. Register Here to join all Florida candidates running for office for special guest speakers, important updates, reminders, and announcements. Must be a registered Democrat in the state of Florida in order to attend.
Complete FDP's Run for Office Form to be added to their candidate newsletter and stay in the loop on how FDP supports our candidates!
You can also sign up for the NDTC & RFS 15-Day Challenge. NDTC is going to show you to run, and WIN. Register Here
This year’s Leadership Blue Weekend will take place from June 20th-22nd at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. While the gala is a ticketed event, the training and panels are open and free to all registered Democrats. Visit leadershipblue.com to stay up to date on the event.
Support Your Local Party with Monthly Donations
Given all that's going on though, with the new Trump administration, we find that we need full time paid help in the office to assist us in all things Democratic Party. Anything you can do to help out will be appreciated. If you would be interested in helping us out we suggest the following:
1. A one time donation mailed to the office.
2. An affordable, recurring monthly donation which can be donated every month using your bank on-line payment system (you can set this up to be recurring at the same time each month) which sends us a check, or you can go on our website and set up a recurring donation via ActBlue (3%) goes to them).
Opportunities to Get Involved
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER Volunteer with Democrats of Indian River HERE
Steering Committee Meeting
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 5:00pm Via Zoom
Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6pm Vero Beach Main Library Multi-Media Room
Board Meeting Changed: Tuesday, May, 13, 2025 6:00 p.m. ZOOM
Democratic Club Meeting Wednesday, May 22, 2025 6:00 p.m.
The Riverhouse
Inside MacWilliam Park, 305 Acacia Rd, Vero Beach, FL 32963
Join the Environmental Committee for a field trip to St. Lucie Aquarium with Scott Jones! Location is 420 Seaway Drive, Ft. Pierce, FL 34949. Tickets can be purchased at the aquarium. Visit their website for more details HERE Please RSVP to [email protected].
DWC Luncheon at Bent Pine Clubhouse Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.
SPEAKER: MEGAN MCFALL, CEO, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY HEALTHY START Last DWC Luncheon of the 2025 spring season!
Details to follow Join the clubHERE.
DWC Book Group Meeting Friday, April 25, 2025 2-4 p.m.
Brackett Library, Bjorkman room
Title: “Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service”
Author: Carol Leonning
Education Champions Monthly Meeting 2nd Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Education Champions is a grassroots organization whose mission is to be a positive, proactive force for addressing public education issues on the local, state and national levels.
Taxpayers Association May Luncheon Friday, May 2nd 12:00PM-1:15PM
Vero Beach Yacht Club, 3601 Rio Vista Blvd
Please RSVP by emailing [email protected]
No Kings – Then or Now: Fighting on All Fronts RESCHEDULED:
Volunteer Blue and its 40-plus partner organizations are (re)inviting you to join them on Friday, May 9th, for this special event.
Join an upcoming Economic Development Town Hall. The goal of this effort is to develop a clear, long-term roadmap that will guide the County’s actions in strengthening and growing its economy over time.
