Happy Thursday, Democrats!
FEDERAL
Senator Rubio Asks “Why Are We Still Paying People Not to Work?”
In an Opinion piece in the Tampa Bay Times, Rubio suggests that people are just following Biden’s logic and hanging out at home living off unemployment. Senator Rubio doesn’t seem to understand the real crisis – people aren’t being paid living wages. Write to Senator Rubio and tell him he is wrong! And, don’t forget to get involved in the campaigns of one of the ten Democrats running against him—most well-known of them is Congresswoman Val Demings from Orlando. You can read Rubio’s opinion piece here:
https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2021/06/04/why-are-we-still-paying-people-not-to-work-column/
Is Our Democracy at Stake?
It’s a question a lot of us have been asking lately.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/05/american-democracy-threat-republicans-donald-trump-voter-suppression?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Senator Rick Scott Introduces Freedom to Fly Act Banning TSA from Requiring Vaccine Passports
Senator Rick Scott introduced the Freedom to Fly Act, which would prohibit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from requiring Americans to show proof of vaccination or produce a vaccine passport for domestic flights.
Senator Rick Scott said, “Americans are working hard to recover from the devastation of COVID-19 and travel is critical to getting our economy fully re-opened. While I continue to encourage everyone who wants one to get the vaccine, the federal government has no business requiring travelers to turn over their personal medical information to catch a flight. My Freedom to Fly Act ensures families in Florida and across the country can travel freely and without the ridiculous government bureaucracy created by vaccine passports.”
Read more here: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/sen-rick-scott-introduces-freedom-fly-act-banning-tsa-requiring-vaccine-passports
STATE
URGENT - Email Florida State Board of Education TODAY Regarding Rule to Limit Which History Can Be Taught
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Republicans are about to pull off a whitewash for the ages. They are poised to implement a new rule on June 10th that they say is designed to keep teachers from “indoctrinating” students, especially by precluding the teaching of “Critical Race Theory” which is not taught in Florida schools. In other words, teachers are the enemy.
“You have to police them on a daily basis” to prevent this insidious conspiracy, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said with a straight face during a speech last month at a conservative college in Michigan.
This action comes on top of DeSantis indicating that he is going to politicize the 67 county school board system. DeSantis vowed to turn his “political apparatus” against Republican school board candidates who oppose his educational reforms.
“We’re not going to support any Republican candidate for school board who supports Critical Race Theory in all 67 counties or supports mandatory masking of school children,” DeSantis told Bongino.
School board races in Florida are nonpartisan.
“Local elections matter. We are going to get the Florida political apparatus involved so we can make sure there’s not a single school board member who supports Critical Race Theory,” DeSantis added.
There is an urgent need to get involved and be heard before the June 10th meeting of the Florida State Board of Education (SBOE)!
Why Take Action:
Governor DeSantis wants to control what parts of history teachers can teach. This rule implies that educators are biased in their teaching and suppress student thought, when in reality it wants to severely limit which history is taught, including preventing teachers from talking about slavery.
We need to stand up for our students and tell the SBOE to VOTE NO.
How To Take Action:
Write via the Florida Education Association campaign by clicking here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/contact-the-state-board-of-education-now?source=direct_link&&fbclid=IwAR1Aiq0NA15gEb32vm8Dv03TlDLMzYjfkrdB9GvqCsKNHhli9K3Noa7wVnc
OR
Write your own email using our sample script:
To: [email protected]
CC: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Subject: Vote NO on June 10th!
Students need complete information to create an accurate world view and limiting teachers from providing that information is unacceptable.
Educators are trusted to teach and care for Florida’s children. The Educational community understands that regardless of race, background or ZIP code, every child should get the education they deserve: an education that imparts honesty, integrity, independent critical thinking based on facts and the courage to do what is right. This proposed rule is a complete undermining of the work teachers do and is yet another attempt to divide us.
Signed,
[ Your First and Last name ]
[ Full address including zip code ]
Contact them before June 10 and tell them our children must have the tools and guidance to honestly face and understand our past and present to create a better future.
MEETING DETAILS
When:
June 10, 2021
9:00am Call to Order
Where:
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Advanced Technology Center
401 West State Street,
Room T140/141
Jacksonville, FL 32202
You can look at the agenda here: http://www.fldoe.org/policy/state-board-of-edu/meetings/2021/2021-06-10/
LOCAL
School Board Letter from Andrew Sorbo
With all the attacks on our education system lately, we have asked many of you to get involved by showing up to school board meetings, sending letters and sharing factual information. Former teacher and principal, and loyal Democrat, Andrew Sorbo wrote an excellent letter (below) that we thought we would share. Thank you, Andrew!
Dear Dr. Moore and members of the IRC School Board,
Although I am now in the mountains of North Carolina for the summer, I have kept informed through friends and video recordings of recent school board meetings, and I must say that I am appalled at the behavior of some of my fellow citizens of the county at these meetings, in particular the threats that have been made against you for simply doing your jobs conscientiously.
As a retired history teacher and principal, I know how badly our American History textbooks and curriculum need updating. A few years ago, I was allowed by central office to review textbooks and attend the full day session when the social studies teachers met and voted to adopt new textbooks. They chose, I believe, the best of those being considered, but any good history teacher knows that the textbook needs supplementing by the teacher and further research by students. Teachers know that, because textbook companies are under great pressure from various segments of our society, they tend to avoid as much as possible any controversial issues. But history is the story of one controversy after another!
In particular, the story we learned in school years ago, and which history books even today tell us, borders on mythology, a mythology many believe needs to be taught because to examine our country’s history seriously and honestly is too difficult to accept and unpatriotic. This is pure nonsense. Read the words spoken by our President just a few days ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he traveled to commemorate an event many would like us not to read or know about even after a full century has passed:
“We can’t just choose to learn what we want to know and not what we should know. We should know the good, the bad, everything. That’s what great nations do: They come to terms with their dark sides. And we’re a great nation.”
That states the case simply and succinctly. Each generation of historians has added new perspectives to our Story, and those who first brought new perspectives have almost always been denigrated for doing so. Today we have historians wanting to raise our children to understand not just our system of slavery for what it truly was (in contradiction to the mythology spread through films like “Birth of a Nation” and “Gone With the Wind”), but also to reveal how systemic racism has grown with our nation and effects us even today. Critical Race Theory should not be taken as gospel, but history teachers should be able to introduce it to students and ask those at the high school level to investigate it. Education needs to be “rigorous,” not spoon feeding.
Instead, we have a group of parents who have organized to insist we teach our students only feel-good versions of our Story. They are following a dangerous agenda that mimics groups all over the country. Last month, Kevin Stitt, the governor of Oklahoma signed into law HB 1775 which prohibits the instruction of any material that would make an individual feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish or any form of psychological distress” on account of their identity. In other words, Oklahoman educators should not teach what happened in their own state in 1921!
This is basically what a particular group of parents is trying to do in IRC. Where were these parents and their concerns for Black students’ “psychological distress” when many of us residents were trying to get the school board a few years ago to ban the wearing of Confederate flags or racist slogans and symbols on clothing by students in schools? Do they think their White children are so fragile that they cannot handle learning, as our President put it, “the good, the bad, everything”? Apparently.
However, you and I know, as educators, that students want to know the truth and can handle and learn from things that might surprise them or upset them at first. That’s how we help children grow into decent adults. That’s how we make our country better with each generation. That’s how we show our children what true patriotism means.
Please, do not be bullied into refusing to improve our schools and the education our children desperately need to help them move our country yet another step closer to realizing the ideals set down for us by our Founding Fathers.
Respectfully,
Andrew Sorbo
Sebastian
Gifford Youth Achievement Center
The GYAC is looking for school supply donations, starting June 7th through August 6th, for children in Gifford. Donations can be dropped off at the GYAC, 4875 43rd Ave., Vero Beach, 32967. Or you can drop them off at Democratic Headquarters at 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Downtown Vero Beach, 32960 on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All school supplies are needed.
Fellsmere School Supply Drive
The students in Fellsmere also need our help with school supplies. If you can donate, please drop off supplies by July 23, 2021, at Democratic Headquarters at 2345 14th Ave., Suite 7, Downtown Vero Beach, 32960 on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All school supplies are needed.
Juneteenth
Gifford School Historical Marker Unveiling
GET INVOLVED
The Democratic Executive Committee of Indian River County is looking for volunteers to fill two positions on the board. If you are interested in one of these positions below, please email Stacey at [email protected]
Chair
Chief Executive Officer of the IRC County Committee, working in cooperation with the Steering Committee (officers of the Committee). Presides at all meetings of the DEC and of the Steering Committee (3 meetings per month); advises the Secretary of any special meetings in sufficient time for proper notice; approves all expenses; serves as ex-officio member of all committees; promulgates an annual precinct organization activity plan, a campaign schedule, plan and budget for each election cycle; serves as primary official spokesperson for the DEC; attend FDP trainings and workshops; and delegate these and other duties as the need arises.
Secretary
Attend and keep minutes and record of all meetings of the DEC (3 per month); submit copies of minutes and records for the DEC files to the FDP; keep roll at all DEC meetings; accept applications of new members; take minutes at DEC Steering Committee meetings; and perform other such duties as the Chair shall direct.
Florida Young Democrats of Indian River (FYDIR)
Are you between the ages of 18 to 40? Want to get more involved in your local Democrat party? We are looking for new leadership and membership for our Young Democrats. To learn more about the Young Dems, you can check out their website at https://floridayoungdems.com/
If you are interested on getting involved, email Stacey at [email protected]
DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER
The Democratic Club of Indian River
Successful Public Re-Emergence of the Democratic Club Meetings on the second Tuesday of the Month
Thank you to all the “old” members of the Democratic Club that came out to the Irish American Society on Tuesday evening for an energizing night of community building and celebration. 42 new members joined in the festivities, as well! The whole room was filled with happy Democrats who indulged in a taco buffet and were comped one free Margarita. Thank you to club President Al Griffiths and all his volunteers for making this evening so special!
Volunteers Needed!
The Club is also looking for volunteers to man the booth for Juneteenth at Gifford Park on Saturday, June 19th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you are interested in helping at the booth, please contact Al at [email protected] to schedule a shift.
Club Membership
Club Annual Membership Dues are due in July. Dues cover July 1st through June 30th of the next year.
To pay membership dues go to:
www.democratsofindianriver.org
Click on the “Local Democrats” tab
Click on “Democrats of Indian River Club”
Click the “Join or Renew Your Membership Today”
You can choose to either renew your membership or become a new member. You will have the option to pay by credit card or PayPal. You may also send a check, payable to “Democratic Club of IRC” to DEC Headquarters, 2345 14th Ave., Vero Beach FL 32960.
For Members who have joined in 2021, their membership dues will be valid through June 30, 2022.
Annual Membership Dues are $25.00. Additional donations are greatly appreciated.
Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River
There will be no membership meeting in June.
The next book group meeting will be June 25th at 2:00 p.m. The book is Bagman: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz. If you are not a Book Group member and would like to attend, please contact Rita Milelli at [email protected].
CALENDAR
Friday, June 11, 2021
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Coffee with the Mayor (City of Vero Beach)
For more details go to https://www.mainstreetverobeach.org/mornings_on_main_street/
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
8:30 a.m. – Vero Beach City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to https://covb.org/AgendaCenter
9:00 a.m. – IRC County Commission
For agenda and meeting information go to
https://ircgov.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Thursday, June 17, 2021
6:00 p.m. - Democrats of Indian River, DEC Meeting
Meeting via Zoom. Contact Stacey at [email protected] for meeting link.
7:00 p.m. - Fellsmere City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to www.cityoffellsmere.org/citycouncil
COVID VACCINATIONS
Retail Vaccinations
CVS – https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine?icid=cvs-home-hero1-link1-coronavirus-vaccine
Walgreens--https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19?ban=covid_vaccine1_landing_schedule
Winn-Dixie –
https://www.winndixie.com/pharmacy/covid-vaccine
Publix -- https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine/florida
Walmart and Sam's Club – http://www.walmart.com/COVIDvaccine and http://www.samsclub.com/covid
Sharecare Statewide System
Individuals can pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by visiting https://myvaccine.fl.gov/.
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.
Covid Testing
Go to: https://www.ircgov.com/coronavirus.htm for a complete listing of Covid testing sites. Home testing kits are also available at local pharmacies.
TIDBITS
A hummingbird visits his friend every day for a snack. What could be better?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzVlhurGz7U
That’s all!
See you next week!
Stay Safe and Well!
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