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St Johns County Democratic Party
71 South Dixie Highway, Suite 6
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Telephone: 904-825-2336
Currently Open by Appointment Only Due to COVID Surge
stjohnsdemocraticparty@gmail.com
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Please note: This is a long newsletter. Be sure to click on the link at the end
to expand and read the entire email.
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Dear Friends,
Even as we are reeling from the horror of last week's insurrection at the capitol and the national surge in coronavirus cases, we are looking to the joy of inaugurating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and supporting their efforts to right the ship. With a trifecta of Democratic leadership at the helm--Presidency, House, and Senate--there will be many efforts to correct course, clamp down on extremist groups, and restore democracy. In Florida, we have much work to do and we will rise up to meet the challenge of reclaiming our state. Join us at our first monthly DEC meeting since the election of new leadership in December. All are welcome to hear our plans and join our good fight!
--Robin Dion, Chair, St. Johns County Democratic Party
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January 18, 2021: Martin Luther King Day |
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Beloved Community:
An Interfaith Gathering via Zoom
Monday, January 18, 2021, 6:30 PM
Dr. King’s message is particularly resonant today. You are invited to participate via Zoom as our local faith leaders explore Dr. King’s legacy from various faith perspectives.
Zoom Meeting ID: 821 2051 4879; Passcode: 928087; or by phone 312-626-6799
"But the end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the beloved community. It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends. It is this type of understanding and goodwill that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men. From “Facing the Challenge of a New Age,” 1956
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United We Serve:
A Celebration of the National MLK Day of Service, 8:00 PM
The Biden-Harris Inauguration Committee is promoting a national day of service for Martin Luther King Day. It will culminate in an hour-long celebration broadcast on YouTube featuring a diverse array of entertainers, inspiring speakers, and stories celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to service. Confirmed participants include Rev. Dr. Bernice King, Martin Luther King III, Aloe Blacc, Chesca, Rep. Sharice Davids, Rosario Dawson, Andra Day, Yo-Yo Ma, Rev. Al Sharpton, Sean Patrick Thomas, Diane Warren, Lynn Whitfield, Bebe Winans, and more. Watch here! It will also be live-streamed on BidenInaugural.org/watch and YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Twitch. |
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St. Augustine's MLK Commemorative Celebration
to be Held Virtually: 9:30 AM
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The 36th Commemorative Celebration honoring Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held virtually this year, due to CDC and Flagler College COVID-19 restrictions. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis and Rev. Kevin James will be the featured speakers via Zoom. Please join the celebration by using this link. (No in-person attendance, brunch, or silent march this year).
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Outdoor Celebration of Martin Luther King Day in St. Augustine: 4:00 PM |
To commemorate Martin Luther King Day, St. Paul A.M.E. Church will hold a parking lot celebration honoring Rev. Ron Rawls for his long service working for social justice in St. Augustine. No reservation needed, but please observe all COVID-19 safety protocols including masking and social distancing. |
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The Inauguration of President Joe Biden and
Vice-President Kamala Harris
January 20, 2021t
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The ceremony will be followed by the traditional Pass in Review, Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery, Presidential Escort to the White House, and a televised Parade Across America. See the full schedule of the day's events here.
GET ON YOUR DANCING SHOES AND LET'S CELEBRATE!
Starting at 8:30 PM EST, Tom Hanks will host a celebrity-filled live special on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and MSNBC. The program "Celebrating America," is being produced by the people who developed the excellent virtual Democratic Convention. It will include live remarks from the new President and Vice-President and celebrate "American heroes" like healthcare providers, frontline workers, and teachers. You won’t want to miss it!
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FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW 2020-2024 DEC
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST, 6:30 PM
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On January 21st, the day after the presidential inauguration, the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) of St. Johns County will meet for the first time since new leadership was elected in early December. Attendance is welcome by any registered Democrat interested in learning about our plans or joining the team. Many diverse leadership and volunteer opportunities will be described at the Zoom meeting. Please REGISTER for the meeting in advance. The Zoom link will be sent to you after registration. |
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JOIN OUR TEAM!
St. Johns County Democrats are laying the foundation for a vigorous effort to elect Democrats at state and local levels in 2022.
Please consider joining our team as a committee member, precinct leader, or club/caucus member.
DEC COMMITTEES
Volunteer Engagement and Community Outreach
Legislative Affairs (local and state)
Digital Communication and Technology
Campaign Committee
Voter Registration Team
Fundraising Committee
Diversity and Inclusion
Candidate Committee
DEC PRECINCT LEADERS
We are also seeking additional Precinct Leaders -- individuals who are interested in engaging with registered Democrats in their own precincts, providing voter information and encouraging election participation. Full details on this role will be described on Jan. 21st.
DEC CLUBS AND CAUCUSES
At the meeting, we will also describe the various clubs and caucuses that you may be interested in joining, some but not all of which are profiled in this newsletter.
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT
Please REGISTER for this event in advance here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. The DEC meets on the third Thursday of each month.
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Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida
St. Johns County Chapter in Formation
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We are excited to announce the formation of a Veteran's Caucus chapter in St. Johns County which will be led by one of the original organizers of the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida, Mildred "Milli" Smith.
Ms. Smith's advocacy for veterans led to her receive a 2004 Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust Award and a 2008 Florida State Conference NAACP Veterans Meritorious Award. She, along with former Congresswoman Karen Thurman (Florida), the daughter of a World War II veteran, saw the need and organized the Democratic Veterans Caucus of Florida. Congresswoman Thurman worked with the Clinton administration to establish numerous VA hospitals and clinics throughout the country. Milli is a charter member of Women in the Military Service Memorial, which is a living memorial of military women in Arlington, Virginia. St. Johns County is fortunate to have her as a DEC Precinct Leader for Precinct 302.
If you are a veteran and registered Democrat, please consider joining this caucus to lift up the voices of veterans, promote the election of Democratic veterans at all levels – local, state, and national; encourage non-veteran, Democratic candidates who support veteran issues; and increase the involvement of all Democratic veterans in the electoral process as candidates, policy experts and advisers, and campaign volunteers. Please contact us at stjohnsdemocraticparty@gmail.com for more information and to express interest.
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Feb. 28th: Virtual Book Discussion for SCJ Democrats |
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ANNOUNCING THE FIRST DEC VIRTUAL BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP!
February 28th, 6:30 PM
Hosted by the chair of our Volunteer Engagement and Community Outreach team, Joanne Pero, we will start with Stacey Abrams' seminal work. It is widely believed that Ms. Abrams' organizing efforts are in large part responsible for Democrats' success in the Georgia runoff elections that led to us taking control of the U.S. Senate. Living in a red state, we can undoubtedly learn some important lessons from her blueprint for taking back our country. Order your copy now and REGISTER HERE to join our discussion!
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Democratic Black Caucus
St. Johns County Chapter in Formation
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The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida aims to increase social, economic and political awareness; support elected and appointed Democratic officials; and offer advocacy and outreach to all demographics and classifications of Blacks throughout the state. |
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Racial equality, justice and representation are core values of the Democratic party. We are thrilled to announce that Jaime Perkins, a strong community activist, organizer, business owner, and former candidate for Florida House, is leading the effort to build a vibrant Black Caucus in St. Johns County. As a Precinct Leader for precinct 207, she is well-positioned to champion the black community in St. Johns County.
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Jan. 18th: St Johns County Young Democrats Club |
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St. Johns County has produced many young progressive activists. Some are leading community organizations or events, others serve as elected officials, and still more have served as campaign managers. Three of these young people will be highlighted at our January meeting: Trish Becker, Andrea Clark, and Mia Cleary. Join the Zoom meeting to hear their experiences and meet other like-minded young people! Anyone from age 14 to 40 is welcome.
We will also be accepting nominations for officer positions at this meeting!
Click here for the Zoom link and help spread the word to all of your left-leaning social networks! |
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Marcus Nelson is Interim President of the St. Johns County Young Democrats. A political science major and leadership minor on the pre-law track at the University of Florida, he previously served as Co-Chair of the Joe McAnarney Campaign. |
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Jan. 20th: Ready for Inauguration Day? Get your Swag at the DEC! |
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Lots of great Democratic items still available at DEC Headquarters -- Open Monday 1/18, 11-3!
T-Shirts and Hats, Biden Sunglasses, Masks, Bumper Stickers, Magnets, Buttons and more
Visit the office at 71 S. Dixie Highway on Monday 1/18, 11-3 or contact stjohnsdemocraticparty@gmail.com.
Office hours are currently limited due to the surge in COVID-19.
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Feb. 3rd: Environmental Progressive Caucus Meeting |
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There will be a Zoom meeting of the Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida, St. Johns County Chapter, on Thursday, February 3rd, at 6:30 pm. The topic will be the National Parks of Cuba. The people who staff the parks and biological stations are enthusiastic and dedicated to conserving their country's natural resources. Nana Royer will share her photos and experiences of her visits to Cuba with the Friendship Association (St Augustine) with observations on efforts, despite inadequate funding, to preserve the environment.
For the link to the meeting, and/or information on joining the caucus for 2021, please contact John Pilecki at johnpilecki@gmail.com
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Feb. 10th: Democratic Women's Club Meeting |
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Lincolnville from the Civil War to Civil Rights: Feb. 10th |
In honor of Black History Month, the St. Johns County Democratic Women's Club will host the program "Lincolnville From the Civil War to Civil Rights" on February 10th at 5:00 pm via Zoom. Our guest speaker will be Regina Gayle Phillips, Executive Director Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center.
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For information and to obtain the Zoom link, contact: Pamela Mirelson, President, DWC SJC at mirelsonp@gmail.com or call 904-502-3245.
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Feb. 10th: Ponte Vedra Democratic Club Meeting |
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The Executive Branch of Government |
This year, PV Dems will host a non-contiguous series in 2021 on the three branches of government. Join us by Zoom on February 10 at 6:30 PM for a fascinating look at the White House and its role as the executive branch of government. What can – and can’t – it do? Particularly important in the aftermath of the Trump administration and how all the ills can be corrected. Jacksonville University political
science professor Dr. Austin Trantham will present. Click here for Zoom link. Meeting ID: 880 4713 5915; Passcode: 303011
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This meeting will also feature a vote to affirm the slate of candidates for PV Dems Club Officers and Board presented at the January meeting.
For further info, contact Jan Kary at 202-438-6750 or jkary@verizon.net
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Feb. 8th: Northwest SJC United for Progress Democratic Club |
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On January 20th, the Northwest SJC club is holding a virtual Inauguration Party with games and political trivia! All are welcome. Use this Zoom link to join in!
And on February 8th, we will hold our monthly meeting at 7 PM (6:30 social). On the agenda will be election of new club officers and our vision for the coming year.
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Indivisible St. Johns -- Weekly Newsletter |
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Click on the link in the above heading for information about how you can get involved in resistance activities and democracy reform.
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St. Augustine Democratic Club in Formation |
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St. Augustine Democratic Club to be Re-Established
The members of the St. Augustine Democratic Club held a first meeting on Tuesday, January 12 to discuss plans for moving forward with the formation of the new club. The organizational meeting and election of officers will be held via Zoom at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, February 9. The link for the Zoom meeting will be sent out to members prior to the meeting.
Any St. Johns County Democrat interested in joining the club can download the attached membership form and return it with the $20 membership fee to Nell Toensmann to the address on the form. The membership fee can be paid by cash or check, payable to St Augustine Democratic Club.
For more information about the St. Augustine Democratic Club, contact Nell Toensmann at 904-484-4960 or nelltoensmann@gmail.com or Bob Hellermann at 386-689-0595 or bobteach@aol.com.
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New Leadership Team at FL Democratic Party |
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On January 9th, the Florida Democratic Party elected new officers and the following Democratic National Committee members:
Nadia Ahmad
Grace Carrington
Alan Clendenin
Marcus Dixon
Samantha Herring
Thomas Kennedy
Sanjay Patel
Terrie Rizzo
Vivian Rodriguez
Sean Shaw
Steve Simeonidis
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FDP Officers
Elected Jan. 9th, 2021
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CHAIR: Manny Diaz
VICE CHAIR: Judy Mount
SECRETARY: Casmore Shaw
TREASURER: Francine Garcia
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Democratic Party of St Johns County |
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Or by check payable to SJC DEC and sent to Democratic Headquarters.
Please Note: Contributions to Political Parties are not tax-deductible.
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For more information contact: |
St. Johns County Democratic Party | 904-825-2336
71 South Dixie Highway, Suite 6
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Please note: The DEC office is currently open by appointment only due to the rise in COVID rates in St. Johns County. We will re-assess the situation in mid-January.
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