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Happy Thursday, Fellow Democrats!



Office Hours

Our regular office hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Our address is 2345 14^th Ave., Suite 7, Downtown Vero Beach.

Newsletter Highlights


* We have a school board candidate who needs petitions signed to get on the ballot and to support her campaign. Learn how to help in the School Board Candidate section
* Literacy Services needs volunteers! See the flyer in the Local section.
* State leaders react to DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” bill signing in the State section.

School Board Candidate


A candidate for school board could use our help!

Cindy Gibbs is running for Jackie Rosario’s seat on the school board. Here are ways you can help:

1. Get her name on the ballot! Cindy is close to achieving the goal of 1,245 petitions but could use your help to get some signed in your part of the county. Please sign her petition (which you can access here: [link removed]) and drop it off at the Democratic Headquarters OR you can also stop by the office and sign a petition and grab some to share with your friends!

2. Cindy only has 170 followers on her Facebook page. Please like and share the Cindy Gibbs for School Board Facebook page - @gibbs4schoolsLet’s get 1,000 likes on that page!Plus, that way you can see all the information Cindy shares about her campaign and goals for our school district.

3. Share her campaign website on your social media or in emails to friends and colleagues in Indian River County [link removed]

4. It takes money to run a campaign, especially when you are running against a Republican. Could you host a house party for Cindy? Invite some friends over for some light snacks and drinks and let Cindy speak for a few minutes. Then ask your friends to support Cindy with a donation.

5. If a house party isn’t your thing, you can easily make a donation at [link removed]

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DEMOCRATS OF INDIAN RIVER


Democratic Women’s Club

The Scholarship Committee of the Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River County has selected five applicants from our public high schools to each receive a $1500 scholarship award. These awards will be presented at the DWC Scholarship Luncheon on April 9, 2022. State Representative Anna Eskamani will be the speaker.


Democratic Club of Indian River

The next Democratic Club meeting will be on Thursday, April 12th at 6 p.m. (location TBD) and our guest speaker will be Tony Ray with Death with Dignity.

We are planning a kayak/paddleboard crew that will meet on Sunday mornings at Round Island. If you are interested, but don't have a kayak, Wal-Mart has them starting at $160: 8 ft Sit-In Kayak (Paddle Included).



FEDERAL

Miami Herald: Rick Scott challenged on Fox News Sunday over tax hikes and sunsetting Medicare, Medicaid


In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Rick Scott received major heat for his plan to raise taxes on more than 40% of Floridians and allow Social Security and Medicare to expire.

Senator Scott’s “Rescue America” plan, which calls for tax hikes on seniors and working-class Floridians while jeopardizing funding for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, has received backlash from across the political spectrum. Despite the backlash, Scott has continued to double down on these unpopular proposals in an election year and Marco Rubio has yet to disavow the plan.

During the interview on the conservative network’s Fox News Sunday program, Scott said Roberts was repeating Democrats’ “talking points” after the news host read word by word two of the plan’s proposals: raising income taxes for low- and middle-income earners and allowing federal programs like Social Security Medicare and Medicaid to sunset or expire within five years if Congress fails to pass legislation to renew them.

“That would raise taxes on half of Americans and potentially sunset programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security,” Roberts said. “Why would you propose something like that in an election year?”

“That’s of course the Democrats’ talking points,” Scott said, leading Roberts to interrupt him mid-sentence. “No! It’s in the plan,” a chuckling Roberts said. “It’s in the plan.” As Scott tried to brush off Roberts’s rebuttal, the news host interrupted the congressman for a second time. “But Senator, it’s not a Democratic talking point. It’s in the plan,” Roberts said.

Several days later, Roberts noted that the Wall Street Journal published an opinion piece by Scott entitled: “Why I’m defying Beltway Cowardice.” “Are you calling Mitch McConnell a coward?” Roberts asked. Scott did not give Roberts a “yes” or a “no.” “What I’m saying is, I’ve been in D.C. for three years. I want to get something done,” he said. “I went to D.C. to change this country.”


Senator Collins (Maine) to back Ketanji Brown Jackson for Supreme Court

** [link removed] ([link removed])



STATE

Responses to DeSantis’ Signing of the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill


STATEMENT: FLORIDA SEN. SHEVRIN JONES, FIRST OPENLY-LGBTQ SENATOR IN STATE HISTORY, ON GOV. DESANTIS SIGNING OF DANGEROUS “DON’T SAY GAY” BILL

Miami Gardens — Yesterday, State Senator Shevrin Jones (SD-35), Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee and Florida’s first openly-gay State Senator, issued the below statement regarding Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signing of the dangerous “Don’t Say Gay” bill (CS/CS/CS HB 1557) into law:

“Discriminatory pieces of legislation like this fail to solve the critical issues impacting Floridians’ everyday lives — from the skyrocketing cost of housing and everyday necessities like groceries and gas, to the healthcare access gap and teacher shortage.

Instead, the Governor and his Republican allies in the legislature have shamefully attacked and endangered LGBTQ+ students who are just trying to get a quality education. The state has an obligation and responsibility to protect and ensure every Floridian, regardless of identity, can live and thrive with dignity and respect.

LGBTQ+ Floridians are more than twice as likely to experience depression or anxiety compared to non-LGBT Floridians, and mental health advocates have noted that this new law that stigmatizes and will further isolate our most vulnerable could result in even sharper declines in mental health and higher rates of youth suicide. We should embrace students' differences and uplift them through these most crucial stages of development. Our shared future depends on it.”

SENATOR GARY FARMER RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR DESANTIS SIGNING FLORIDA'S ABHORRENT DON'T SAY GAY LAW

Ft. Lauderdale — Following Governor Ron DeSantis signing Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill (HB 1557) into law, State Senator Gary Farmer released the following statement:

“This abhorrent law has one goal: to further the political ambitions of our heartless Governor. Ron DeSantis has repeatedly refused to act on the real problems facing the people of our state. Right now, Florida faces an affordable housing crisis, an unstable and overpriced homeowners’ insurance market, and an unacceptable lack of affordable healthcare for everyday Floridians. Ron DeSantis is too beholden to his corporate donors to act on any of these pressing issues, so he has chosen instead to use the LGBTQ+ community as a political punching bag to distract from the real problems gripping our state.

In his relentless fervor to fuel a culture war, Ron DeSantis has now signed another bill into law that will have devastating effects on an already vulnerable community in our state. We know that students who identify as LBGTQ+ or have family members in the LGBTQ+ community are far more likely to be subjected to bullying than their straight cisgender counterparts. The new “Don’t Say Gay” law rips from teachers hands the number one item in their toolbox to combat this terrible trend – discussion & counseling. When a student is bullied, the most effective way to end it is to directly address the situation at hand. The passage of this law now eliminates a teacher’s ability to directly address the abuse encountered by students due to the sexual orientation or gender identity of themselves or a loved one.

“This bill is another horrific component of Governor DeSantis’ 4H agenda: hateful, harmful, hurtful and homophobic public policy. “Don’t Say Gay” fails to adhere to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and directly violates the necessity for equity in our classrooms established by Article IX Section 1 of our State Constitution. I hope to see this cruel and politically motivated law overturned by the courts as soon as possible.”

HB 1557 “DON’T SAY GAY” STOPS THE LEARNING PROCESS AND SHAMES OUR LGBTQ+ YOUTH AND FAMILIES

Ft. Lauderdale — State Senator Rosalind Osgood released the following statement regarding the signing of HB 1557:

“As the former Chair of Broward County Public Schools, HB 1557 is an attack aimed to oppress Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer youth and families and the Governor should have vetoed the bill, not signed it into law.

Our public schools should be a safe place to celebrate our diversity and real-world learning. This newly signed law no longer makes the school environment a safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth and families who are already struggling with increased rates of stigma and isolation.

Throughout my service on the School Board of Broward County, I hosted an outreach program called “Hear Our Cry,” that promoted the inclusion of critically needed safe space for our LGBTQ+ youth and families who are often hiding in the shadows.

The classroom extends far beyond children learning about reading and math, children also learn about themselves and life. HB 1557 stops the learning process and shames our LGBTQ+ youth and families.

I am disappointed in the Governor for signing this unnecessary law.

I want LGBTQ+ youth, families, and teachers to know that I see you, I hear you, and I love you.”


LOCAL


Pelican Island Audubon Society


Pelican Island Audubon Society is throwing a shindig with a delicious charcuterie to start, followed by a decadent dinner by Wild Thyme, live music by the "Leftovers", dancing, and a silent auction set in the middle of a beautiful pond with a waxing crescent moon to remind us of where we are, beautiful Florida. It all happens on Saturday, April 2 from 6-9 pm at Schacht's Groves.

PIAS is having this event to raise funds for public awareness of the referendum that will be on our ballots this fall.

Please join us.

Use the following link to sign up for a ticket or be a sponsor for only $1000 which includes TWO tickets:
** [link removed] ([link removed])


Below is the invitation and a letter with an explanation of the referendum.




Fellsmere Days

Literacy Services Needs Volunteers!


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


The “leader” of the local Mom’s for Liberty group has weighed in on the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” in a letter to the editor this week. If you would like to respond to her letter and her accusation that a Democratic gay man, who is an elected Representative, knows less than her, you can do so here:

** [link removed] ([link removed])



The ‘cancel’ movement is opposed to our country’s founding culture

It is difficult to raise a voice opposed to sponsors of so-called cancel culture.

When you take on supporters of the cancel culture movement in our country, you are attacked daily by prominent members of the entertainment community and news/social media industry in the United States.

The culture that created the United States as a democratic republic, sustained by a Constitution with the primary purpose to restrict government from overly imposing itself on a free and independent citizenry, is in danger of being canceled. Those opposed to this culture that founded our nation are facile in using terms like “free speech” and “don’t ban books” to camouflage their real intent. Their ultimate goal is to impose dominant federal authority over all residing in the United States.

Moms for Liberty, like other grassroots efforts opposed to cancelling our country’s founding culture, are strong supporters of “free speech.” Free speech is what has allowed Moms for Liberty to be an effective voice throughout our country.

The so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill recently passed by Florida’s legislation and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis has been characterized by those opposed to it as banning free speech.

Rep. Carlos G. Smith, a Democrat who is gay, said the bill “… sends a terrible message to our youth that there is something wrong with LGBTQ people, that there is something so dangerous or inappropriate about us that we have to be prohibited and censored from the classroom.”

In fact, this enacted legislation titled "Parental Rights in Education” solely prohibits educators from providing instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Media supported this mischaracterization of the legislation by overwhelmingly writing about it as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Jennifer Pippin, Sebastian, heads the Indian River County Moms for Liberty chapter


UKRAINE



Below is a list of resources from a friend of Stacey Klim’s who is from Ukraine and living in the U.S.

If you feel compelled to do something, below is a compiled list of organizations that can use our financial help, today. I’ve tried my best to vet them. I selected organizations that work on the ground, that have been in existence for a while and have an established infrastructure. Most have been doing this work since 2014 when the conflict in eastern Ukraine first started.
If the link directs you to a Ukrainian version, there is usually an option to change to English, or use Google translation.

If you are not able to give, I thank you for your moral support. Please continue supporting the sanctions and pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia. It is the darkest hour for the Russian people as well. 💙💛

**Organizations on the ground:**

1. “Hospitallers" (Госпітальєри) is a volunteer-based medical battalion operating on the front lines in Ukraine, providing first aid to wounded soldiers and civilians and equipping paramedics. It has been operating in eastern Ukraine since 2014.
Donation instructions, including Western Union, PayPal and Venmo: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


FB: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


2. Ukrainian Women Veteran Movement (Жіночий ветеранський рух) – NGO focused on the advocacy and protection of the rights of women veterans and servicemen. Currently mobilizing rapid response headquarters to support the war efforts, deploying medical training, distributing first aid kits, making Molotov cocktails, etc.

Learn More: ** [link removed]〈=en ([link removed]〈=en)


FB: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


They have not posted an “easy” donation link but please stay tuned. They are a badass group of women that I would like to find a way to support, on so many levels.

3. Voices of Children (Голоси дітей) – This charitable foundation offers psychological and psycho-social support to children who have suffered war trauma. The group has been working in various villages and towns along the frontline in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. They are currently providing a crisis hot line and psychological support to parents and children affected by the conflict.

Donate via PayPal, credit card or Google Pay: ** [link removed] ([link removed])
...

Learn More: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


FB: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


4. East SOS (Восток SOS) – NGO started in 2014 as a volunteer civil initiative and a hotline by activists of Luhansk and Crimea. They provide assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs), assist in the evacuation of people from the conflict zone, collect and distribute humanitarian aid. Now coordinating and distributing information on evacuation resources, shelter information and crisis hotline.

Donate (wire transfer): ** [link removed] ([link removed])
...

Learn More: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


FB: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


5. Come Back Alive (Povernys Zhyvym) - Since 2014 this charity has been providing the military with auxiliary equipment, thermographic cameras, night vision devices, specialized software, drones, personal body protection, training, and other supplies.

Donate: ** [link removed] ([link removed])

(Select “help the Ukrainian Army and click TO CONTRIBUTE – this will take you to a CC payment form)

Learn more: [link removed] (sorry for the limited English translation, this group is legit).

**World/Western Organizations:**

1. UNICEF is a UN agency that provides humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. It had 4 operating offices on both sides of the conflict for the past 8 years, trucking water to conflict-affected areas; delivering health, hygiene and emergency education supplies, providing psycho-social care to children traumatized by the chronic insecurity and working with municipalities to ensure there is immediate help for children and families in need.

Donate: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


Learn more: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


FB: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


2. United Help Ukraine – a US-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is receiving and distributing donations, food and medical supplies to Ukrainian IDPs (internally displaced people) and families of wounded or killed in Ukraine. Currently it’s delivering first aid kits and other emergency supplies to the front lines, according to a Facebook post.

PayPal Donations: ** [link removed] ([link removed])
...

Facebook fundraiser: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


Learn more: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


FB: ** [link removed] ([link removed])


3. The National Bank of Ukraine launched a special account to raise money to support the Ukrainian military on Feb. 24 (wire instructions and Credit Card form):
[link removed]...
Additional resources:

** [link removed] ([link removed])


CALENDAR

Tuesday, April 5, 2022


9:00 a.m. – Vero Beach City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to [link removed]

You can watch here:
** [link removed] ([link removed])

9:00 a.m. - IRC County Commission
For agenda and meeting information go to
** [link removed] ([link removed])




Wednesday, April 6, 2022

9:00 a.m. – Orchid Town Council
For agenda and meeting information go to
** [link removed] ([link removed])



4:30 p.m. – Democratic Club of Indian River Board Meeting. Contact Wendy McDaniel via email at
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])




Thursday, April 7, 2022

7:00 p.m. - Fellsmere City Council
For agenda and meeting information go to
** www.cityoffellsmere.org/citycouncil ([link removed])






TIDBITS

What happens when a bear gets into a pig pen? Watch and find out.

** [link removed] ([link removed])




That's all Democrats!
Stay Safe out There!
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