The Eastern region chapter was founded in 2004 and
continues to grow, with members living or around Strasbourg
as well as surrounding areas in Alsace, Lorraine and
Franche-Comté/Territoire de Belfort.
Helping all Democrats in our region to register and
vote in all federal elections (every two years!) is
a major focus but we also organize events to deepen
awareness of the political issues at home and abroad.
Most of our events are open to the French and other
nationalities. We also participate in cross-border
get-togethers with DA members from other Southern Rhine
Valley chapters in Germany and Switzerland. All
of our events are announced via e-mail, on this web
page or in the local press.
COMING UP
Friday, May 23 7:45 p.m.
See No End in Sight, the movie TIME
called "the inside story from the ultimate insiders
on Iraq's descent into chaos." At 7 rue Schiller,
Strasbourg (Syracuse U.).
Multinational picnic
Saturday May 24
DA members from Strasbourg and nearby Germany and Switzerland
(Upper Rhine Valley Caucus) as well as non-American
friends of DA are also invited. At the Jardin des Deux
Rives (Two Borders Park).
10:45 Meet chapter secretary Viv Beller (certified
Strasbourg visitors’ guide) at the Office du Tourisme
next to the Cathedral at 10:45 (Viv will accompany you
by city bus to Kehl for the afternoon meet-up).
2 p.m. A get-out-the-vote photo will
be taken at Passerelle Mimran. Please bring posters
and signs. Obama supporters can stay for an Obama Bridge
Project photo, “Yes We Span”. Then a
picnic in the Park (French side - near the Youth Hostel
(indoors if weather is bad). Satirical political poems,
songs and skits are welcome. DA’s own John McQueen,
author of the weekly political e-letter, Wednesday
Wire, will be joining us from Heidelberg for an
upbeat Live Wire especially for us.
Food and drink provided by DA Strasbourg chapter “Broads.”
Requested contribution to cover expenses: 10 euros;
students, 5 euros.
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DA membership is open to all American
citizens of voting age who subscribe to the ideals and
principles of the Democratic Party of the U.S. and who
reside in France. There are no membership dues. We
welcome new members and new ideas - please do not hesitate
to phone or email.
The Strasbourg held a benefit concert
this summer at which Annabel Gordon, a New York-based
cellist, played a program of Bach, Telemann and Irish
traditional music. Some of the funds collected were
used to purchase colorful cotton t-shirts to wounded
soldiers in Landstuhl Military
Hospital, sent along with personal letters and a
selection of movies on DVD and video.
Since we launched our chapter, speakers have included
actress Betsy Blair; documentary film director Joan
Sekler ("Unprecedented"); screenwriter Norma Barzman;
Democrats Abroad Executive Emeritus Tom Fina ("Letter
from Washington"); veteran Life and NYTimes picture
editor John Morris ("Get the Picture"); progressive
journalist Heather Wokusch... In 2007, NY cellist Annabel
Gordon played a benefit concert of Irish music and Bach. We
have screened MANY documentaries, including The Corporation:
Unprecedented (the 2000 election); The Big Buy - How
Tom DeLay Stole Congress; Iraq for Sale...These always
spark lively discussions.
We welcome speakers—- politicians,
journalists, artists—- on current issues and are
happy to offer hospitality, bed and board in the "Capital
of Europe." Please get in touch!
Contact Susan Vaillant
at 03 88 20 54 83 or
Rebecca Bowen at 03 88 84 86 39.
DA international website: http://www.democratsabroad.org
If you are new to Democrats Abroad France and would
like to sign up, please go to our new
member form.
