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Happy Thursday, Democrats!

FEDERAL

Representative Bill Posey is No Patriot

In 2021, Bill Posey continues to show his true colors. They aren't red, white, and blue. On January 6, just hours after hiding from violent Trump-supporting rioters, Posey joined 146 other Republican congressman in refusing to certify Joe Biden's victory in Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Posey followed this act of sedition with a vote against the American Rescue Plan, also known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Package, a relief package that even many, many Republicans support. Bill Posey continues to wage war against our working families in Indian River County. Posey has voted against the Equality Act, Protecting the Right to Organize, Background Checks, Violence Against Women Reauthorization, Our Dreamers, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the National Defense Authorization Act, and Extending the Deadline for the Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Bill Posey voted for $0 stimulus checks. Let your friends and families know who Bill Posey really is…a man who puts his own personal power ahead of his responsibility to represent the citizens in his district.


ACTION NEEDED: Campaigns Across America

Pop quiz! When is the best time to reach out to voters?

Did you say right before an election? Because while yes, that is a crucial period to turn out the vote, research shows that by that time, voters have already made up their mind and just need that last reminder to get to the polls. So, when is it that they learn about who's running in the election and whether or not they're going to support that candidate?

Well, many months prior to the election! So today, we wanted to take a moment and let you all know about three organizations with postcarding campaigns that are active right now or are about to start.

Postcards To Voters - They've got active campaigns happening right now. You can read all about their current postcarding campaign for a state Senate seat:
[link removed].

Field Team 6 - They're active right now. Their focus is on registering Democrats. You can learn more about them and sign up for an account:
[link removed].

Postcards to Swing States - They are gearing up to get started again in early April. They'll be focusing on the statewide elections happening this year in Virginia and New Jersey. And both of those states have primaries in June so the time to get involved is right now! Sign up Here: [link removed].



STATE

ACTION NEEDED: Ron DeSantis Wants to Suppress First Amendment Rights

HB 1/SB 484 is an authoritarian wish list of laws to stifle dissent. One outrageous feature of the bill is to create an "affirmative defense" for those accused of violence against peaceful participants in political rallies. This is the bill that would protect motorists who intentionally run over demonstrators. This is the bill that immunizes people like James Alex Fields, Jr. who ran over and injured 19 people and killed Heather Heyer as she protested at a KKK rally in Charlottesville. This bill says there are very fine people on both sides.

Features of HB 1 include:
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* It would require a person arrested for the minor charge of unlawful assembly to remain in custody until their first appearance for bail.
* The legislation would create a new “mob intimidation” offense that could be applied to three or more people who act “with a common intent, to compel or induce, or attempt to compel or induce, another person by force, or threat of force, to do any act or to assume or abandon a particular viewpoint."
* The bill would allow citizens to sue local governments trying to reduce local law-enforcement budgets and give the governor and cabinet the authority to overturn spending reductions.
* The bill will encourage violence against protesters peacefully exercising their first amendment rights by allowing a counter-protester to escape civil liability for injuring or killing a protester with their car, with a gun, or by any other means.

Contact every House Representative and tell them to oppose this legislation. Here are their emails (just copy and paste):

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ACTION NEEDED: Parental Bill of Rights (BAD)

Representative Erin Grall’s 3^rd attempt at passing a “Parents Bill of Rights” is fast tracking through the Florida legislature. This bill is damaging to not only our public education system, but more importantly, it will hurt children. Parents already have rights. This bill is about preventing children from accessing safety through other means than their parents.

You can read about the bill’s roots in Indian River County:
[link removed]

Click here to read more about the bill and then scroll down for action to take:
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TAKE ACTION:

Email every Senator in the Florida Legislature and ask them to vote against this bill. Here are their emails (just copy and paste):

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ACTION NEEDED: Power Grab to Block Clean Energy

Floridians deserve a say in how we power our homes, businesses, and communities. But, in a shocking attempted power grab, Tallahassee politicians, lobbyists, and fossil fuel interests want to make it illegal for local governments to decide whether power plants, pipelines, drilling operations, and gas stations are allowed in your neighborhood. The bills below are a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of our communities.
Take action by sending a letter to your Representative and Senator here:
[link removed]



LOCAL

Donate to the Democrats of Indian River

The coronavirus pandemic has been challenging for all of us. Your local Indian River County Democratic Party, however, rose to the challenge in 2020. By reaching out to every Democrat without a vote by mail ballot, we enrolled 10,000 more Democrats into the program than voted this way in 2016. We also turned Indian River County more blue, increasing the percentage of voters who voted Democratic.

Our work is not over, however. We have begun the planning, training and hard work to oust Marco Rubio from the Senate and Governor Ron DeSantis from the governor’s mansion. It’s not going to be easy, especially in a ruby red county such as ours – but we’re ready to work!

We need you to contribute to our local Democratic Party so that we can robustly do the work necessary to effect change in our community and state. Please contribute via PayPal or credit card at:
[link removed] or mail a check today to:


IRC Democratic Executive Committee
2345 14^th Avenue, Suite 7
Vero Beach, FL 32960

Free Internet Program Through IRC United Way

The United Way is working with Comcast to provide six months of free internet access across Indian River. Through this partnership, the Internet Essentials program for low-income residents through CARES Act funding will be available to those who qualify. Comcast’s Internet Essentials program currently offers a router and high-speed access to qualifying low-income households for $9.95 per month.

Individuals and families receiving the following benefits are eligible – it is not just families with children!
* MEDICAID: card or most recent eligibility letter for any member of your household.
* Public housing assistance documentation such as your lease, housing assistance payment (HAP) contract, or eligibility documentation from HUD.
* SNAP: letter indicating you are approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
* TANF: eligibility letter for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
* SSI: eligibility letter for Supplemental Security Income.
* NSLP/Head Start: copy of a letter indicating current participation in the National School Lunch Program or Head Start, with your child's name, the school name, and the address of where you are requesting service.
* LIHEAP: letter confirming your eligibility for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
* WIC: eligibility letter for the Women, Infants, and Children program.
* FEDERAL PELL GRANT: (Colorado and Illinois only) documentation from your community college’s financial aid office.
* VA PENSION: veterans pension eligibility determination letter from the Veterans Administration.
* Tribal assistance eligibility letter, including TTANF, FDPIR, etc.


Features of Internet Essentials include:
* High-speed Internet service
* No term contract
* No credit check
* Free self-install kit
* The option to purchase an Internet ready computer for just $149.99 + tax
* Free online digital training classes and access to the Internet Essentials online Learning Center


Apply today at [link removed] using your computer or mobile device.

If you have any questions, or would like to assist the United Way in reaching out to qualifying individuals, please contact Meredith Egan by phone at 772.567.8900 or by email at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


Perpetuating the Big Lie

Last week we told you about the IRC Republican Party listing Donald Trump as the President from 2020-2024. They changed the dates to 2016-2020 but still have Trump listed as the President. TC Palm picked up the story and you can read it here:

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Lawrence Reisman then wrote an opinion piece on Sunday condemning the local GOP for “false news.” Read it here: [link removed]


Gifford Cultural and Resource Center

Many of you know Jonnie Mae Perry and her devotion to the community of Gifford. Not only has she been instrumental in transforming the Macedonia Baptist Church into a museum, she also has been working diligently to bring a Cultural and Resource Center to Gifford. Last week, that dream took its first step toward reality when the Indian River County Commissioners signed a resolution pledging their commitment to and work in earnest to bring the center to the community.

Thank you to Jonnie Mae and her diligence, passion and commitment to the Gifford community!

You can read the resolution here:



You can read more about the Center and plans here:
[link removed]



DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER


The Democratic Club of Indian River

The next Board of Directors will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, April 7^th, 4:30 p.m. The Board will discuss plans for the year, including the possibility of meeting in person sometime after the summer.

The next Club meeting is Wednesday April 14^th via Zoom at 6:00 p.m. Please contact Al Griffiths via email at [email protected] or text 203-537-1762 to receive the Zoom link.

The position of secretary on the Board remains open. Interested applicants can contact Al at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])



Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River

The next meeting of the DWC Book Group will be Friday, March 26^th at 2:00 p.m. The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates will be discussed. If you are not a Book Group member and are interested in learning more, contact Rita Milelli at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .


The 33rd Annual DWC Scholarship Program will be on Saturday, April 10^th at noon. Scholarships are funded by the generous donations of members and friends of the DWC, and recognize the achievements of selected female Democratic students attending Indian River County public high schools. If you are not a DWC member and would like to attend, please contact Pat O'Hara at [email protected].

Merchandise

Did you know we have Democrats of Indian River Merchandise? We have many variety of t-shirts, water bottles, mugs, hats, stickers and dog bandanas. But we are wondering if there is something you are interested in having with our logo on it. Masks, hand sanitizer, wine tumblers, drink insulators, roll up picnic blankets or golf towels? We are looking to expand our merchandise and would love to hear your suggestions. Please email
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) if you have suggestions.


CANDIDATE TRAINING

2021 Train the Trainer Program
March 16-April 22

The Best Practices Institute (BPI) is excited to launch its 2021 Train the Trainer (T3) Webinar program. T3 is a free six-week, twelve-part course, covering several aspects of grassroots campaigning. T3 trainings will be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 -8:00 pm ET, beginning on Tuesday, March 16, and concluding on Thursday, April 22. Participants MUST register by Sunday, March 14, 2021, and must complete all sessions in order to receive certification. All trainings will be recorded and made available following each session via a weekly wrap-up email, delivered on Fridays.
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Progressive Change Campaign Committee
Online Candidate Trainings

All this year, Progressive Change Campaign Committee is running a series of one-hour special online trainings for candidates on how to get out the vote, build your campaign team, recruit volunteers, and fight for progressive policies!

Whether you are a candidate running for office this cycle or simply thinking about running for office down the line, these are the trainings for you.

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National Democratic Training Committee
Upcoming Trainings

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GET INVOLVED


HELP NEEDED - Precinct Captain

We are still in need of Precinct Captains. Currently, only about half of our precincts have captains. This position is vital to our success and with the race for Governor and numerous local offices coming up in 2022, we need all the help we can get. Time commitment per month is approximately 5-10 hours and a great way to meet your Democratic neighbors.
If you are interested in learning more about being a precinct captain, please email Stacey at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


HELP NEEDED - Communications Committee—Social Media Director

Communicating our values and our activities to the public is critical if the Democratic Party is to be successful. Our Democratic Executive Committee is looking for a Social Media Director as part of our Communications Committee who has strong skills across a variety of platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and has been successful in placing and targeting ads on Facebook. If you feel you possess the skills we need and have the time to dedicate to this position, please email Stacey at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])



CALENDAR

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

5:00 p.m. – DEC Steering Committee Meeting
Meeting via Zoom. Contact Stacey at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) for meeting link


Thursday, April 1, 2021

7:00 p.m. - Fellsmere City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to
www.cityoffellsmere.org/citycouncil



COVID VACCINATIONS


Gifford Health Center – TCCH

The Gifford Health Center has limited vaccines available to anyone who is interested. Please call ahead of time to make sure there are still some available. Their number is 772-770-5151.

Indian River County Health Department Vaccinations

Indian River County and the State Health Department in Indian River County launched a new COVID-19 vaccine registration system through Everbridge. Florida residents who are 65 years and older or are frontline healthcare workers can now register for the waitlist. To sign up, eligible residents should
complete the online registration form ([link removed]) Here ([link removed]) . Residents who need technical assistance with online registration or do not have Internet access can also register by calling our call center (772) 226-4000, which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.


Publix Vaccinations

Appointments for Publix vaccinations can only be made online. Once you are on the website, scroll down to the county you live in and if there are appointments available it will indicate that.
Here is a video that explains how to sign up for the vaccine at Publix:
Guide to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at Publix - YouTube ([link removed])
Hint – there have been reports that the page refreshes itself when making an appointment. Don’t refresh the page yourself or you will lose your spot. Here is the link to the sign up page:
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Sharecare Statewide System

The state recently announced the launch of a statewide preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for individuals 65 and older and frontline health care workers. Individuals can pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting
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This website will allow individuals who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to be proactively contacted when vaccine appointments are available through your local health department. On the site, residents can select their county and submit their contact information. Once appointments are available, individuals will be contacted by phone call, text or email and will be assisted in scheduling an appointment.



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Other Retail Options
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Walmart and Sam's Club – [link removed] ([link removed]) and [link removed] ([link removed])

Winn-Dixie –
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Vaccine supply remains limited and appointments may not be available immediately.


TIDBITS

The Power of Hope

Watch the animated short film “The Power of Hope,” directed by 14-year-old Kalia Love Jones, tells the inspirational story of a young girl with big dreams. The film, inspired by a speech from former first lady Michelle Obama, is nominated for a NAACP Image Award.

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** That’s all!
See you next week!
Stay Safe and Well!
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Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River County
2345 14th Ave.
Suite 7
Vero Beach, FL 32960
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