PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE…CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT…QUOTES & IDEAS… MONEY ON MY MIND…YOUTH ORGANIZING…FACTS YOU CAN USE
.jpg "Adonal Speaking (2)") A MESSAGE FROM ADONAL
Thanks to all our fabulous interns and DM members for their commitment, passion and hard work. They registered new voters, impacted the historic 2020 election, and mobilized thousands of students in the fight for a real democracy.
I especially want to recognize our Graduating Seniors. I know they will continue to use their DM organizing skills to make a difference wherever they go.
- Katie Bennorth – Lakeland High School
- Lindsey Armstrong – University of Georgia
- Nick Bykov – Ramapo College of New Jersey
- Maddy Horn – Simmons College, Boston MA
- Ray Hoffman – State College of NY, Oneonta
- Megan Paluzzi – Sage College, Troy NY
- Branden Reis – University of Florida
- Rory Renzy – New College of Florida
- Morghan Strahley – Hartwick College, Oneonta NY
- Carly Uehling & Kyle Sutera – George Washington University, DC
- Jake Wierer – Lakeland High School
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT
To deal with COVID limitations this year, the DM leader at New College of Florida, Rory Renzy, invented ‘Democracy Dollars.’ Rory explains, “It’s a way for students to get credit for the political activism they are already doing in their lives.”
When students attend a DM event or submit proof of other political activism, they earn a Democracy Dollar. This “currency” becomes their entry to a raffle for great prizes at the end of the semester. DM at New College joined with other campus groups to create events for Democracy Dollar credit.
 QUOTES OF THE MONTH
“Take your guns, your knives…And throw them into the sea!”
President Nelson Mandela
“This is an epidemic, for God’s sake, and it has to stop.”
President Joe Biden.
 IDEA OF THE MONTH
John Lewis National Voter Day
May 8th is the national day of action in support of the John Lewis Voter Advancement Act. Congress will have the chance to restore the effectiveness of the 1965 Civil Rights Act that was eroded by the Supreme Court. The John Lewis Act will combat growing state voter suppression that denies thousands of Americans their rights.
Join the demonstrations and virtual teach-ins on May 8th. Contact your members of Congress through their social media, phone calls, email, and letters. Urge them to end voter suppression and stand up for democracy by voting for the John Lewis Act.
https://www.votingrightsalliance.org/upcoming-events-1/2021/5/8/national-john-lewis-voting-rights-advancement-action-day
 GUNS and MONEY
According to Anthony Fauci, gun violence in the United States is a public health crisis. But solving it will require curbing the power of wealth in our political system. Big money has blocked gun control measures that would save lives and stop the slaughter.
https://www.democracymatters.org/money-on-my-mind-2/money-on-my-mind/guns-money/
 DFAD YOUTH ORGANIZING
The “Declaration for American Democracy” has announced the formation of a YOUTH DFAD. Democracy Matters joined other national youth organizations to create a coalition of young people that will advocate for a range of democracy issues, including “For The People Act,” “The John Lewis Voter Advancement Act,” and more….
https://dfadcoalition.org/
 FACTS YOU CAN USE
Corporations & Voter Suppression
Since 2015, U.S. corporations have given $50 million to state legislators who support voter suppression bills. AT&T has donated the most – over $800,000. Other big donors are Altria/Philip Morris, Comcast, UnitedHealth Group, Walmart, State Farm, and Pfizer.
Since December 2020, over 250 state bills have been introduced to make voting in the next election more difficult, and to disproportionately disenfranchise Black Americans and voters who typically support Democratic candidates. These bills hearken back to one of the most shameful chapters in America’s history – the Jim Crow era of legalized discrimination.
https://www.citizen.org/article/corporate-sponsors-of-voter-suppression-state-lawmakers-50-million/
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