April Newsletter: News and Events for Mar - May

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Latest News

Global Primary a Smashing Success

Democrats in Switzerland came out in force, voting from home and live at Geneva and Zurich events.

Out of 768 valid votes cast, Switzerland voted  447 for Bernie Sanders, 319 for Hillary Clinton, 2 were uncommitted. A big win for Bernie.

But worldwide it was even more striking:  69% for Bernie,  31% for Hillary, out of 34,570 votes cast! That means DA will send nine delegates for Sanders and four for Clinton to the Democratic National Convention in July. Voter turnout was 50% more than in the 2008, the breakout year for DA’s Global Primary.

For complete results, visit Global Presidential Primary Results on DA.org

Become a delegate!

As a member, you can be a Democrats Abroad delegate in Philadelphia! Our delegation will be 21 plus one alternate, and aims to represent the diversity of our membership in terms of gender, age, race, LGBT and disability. Consider it!

Read the “Guide to Becoming a Delegate”

Deadline to apply is April 13, and elections will happen May 13-14 at the DA Global Convention in Berlin. But look into it NOW and apply ASAP.

All details at Become a Delegate on DemocratsAbroad.org

Zürich Update

Zurich chair Renée Rousseau deeply thanks all the volunteers who pitched in to make the March 5 GPP Voting Center, the first ever in Zurich, a success. The polling place was a big factor in Switzerland’s record voter turnout for a Global Primary.

NEXT UP: We need 3 volunteers for a voter registration table at the embassy’s America Day at the American Women’s Club of Zurich, Wed 6 April at 5:30pm (see below). Arrive before 4:30 to also hear the Ambassador’s address.

To help, please write zurich@democrats.ch

Upcoming Events

Wednesday March 30, in Zürich

Area premiere of film “Horizontes” with presentation

Honoring President Obama’s historic visit to Cuba last week, a film about Cuba today. The ballet and its grande dame Alicia Alonso, 95, are still revered in Cuba. Film follows two young Cuban dancers and their mentor. See more at horizontes-film.ch.

Special showing in English and German, a Democrats Abroad Switzerland/Zurich cultural event. Followed by discussion with the director, Geneva filmmaker Eileen Hofer, and appearance by Heidi Happy (title song). Free mojitos from Havana Cultura. Take a look at the event announcement.

Cinema Houdini, Badenerstrasse 173, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland - map
7:30 – 9:30pm

Democrats Abroad has reserved a block of 20 tickets. A sellout is likely, so buy your tickets in advance and please identify yourself as Democrats Abroad. Buy at kinohoudini.ch, click on HORIZONTES – 19:30. 

For those who cannot attend the Zurich premier, the film opens on Thursday 31 March in: Bern at Kino Rex (at 20:00 in presence of film producer); Basel at Kult.Kino; and Olten at Kino Lichtspiele.

Wednesday April 6, in Zürich

The US Embassy hosts America Day

Address and Q&A by U.S. Ambassador Suzan G LeVine, consular outreach services, and voter registration by Democrats Abroad.

American Women's Club of Zurich, Schöntalstrasse 8, 8004 Zürich
4:30pm - Address by Ambassador LeVine
6:15pm - Consular services outreach and voter registration
See flyer for more details

Wed April 20, in Geneva

Film premier “Across the Sea (De L'Autre Coté de la Mer)”

Immigration: An urgent issue for Europeans as well as Americans and their Presidential candidates. This new film raises awareness of war journalists and their work, of what refugees face, why people become refugees, and of what NGOs in the field try to do to save their lives. See more at aardvarkfilm.com.

Democrats Abroad co-presents the Geneva premier 20 April, 19:45 at Cinemas Scala.
In multiple languages with sub-titles in French. With special guests: Film-maker Pierre Maillard and lead actor Carlo Brandt. Moderator: Jean Perret, Director of Department of Cinéma/cinéma du réel at HEAD.

This showing is likely to sell out. Reserve tickets at events@democrats.ch.

DA Switzerland is negotiating a block of tickets with Cinemas Scala, so watch your in-box for purchase instructions soon. “Across the Sea” will open on most other Swiss cities too in April/May, and DA hopes to co-present in at least one other city. Stay tuned!

Fri May 13

Democrats Abroad regional caucuses

Sat May 14 - Sun 15

Democrats Abroad Global Convention

All DA members are invited to attend these election-year global events! Based on our Global Primary results, on Friday the EMEA Region of DA will caucus and elect its 3 Sanders and 2 Clinton delegates. The Asia/Pacific and Americas regions will elect their delegates simultaneously. On Saturday at the Global Convention, DA will elect three at-large delegates, plus six new representatives to the Democratic National Committee for the 2016 - 2020 term. On Sunday, the convention continues as DA establishes it platform and votes on resolutions. DA leaders will be there, and welcome any members who wish to take part (without voting).

Willy-Brandt-Haus, Wilhelmstrasse 140, D-10963 Berlin
email vice-chair@democrats.ch with questions

Wednesday May 25, in Ticino

The US Embassy hosts America Day

Address and Q&A by U.S. Ambassador Suzan G LeVine, consular outreach services, and voter registration by Democrats Abroad.

TBD in Lugano area
4:30pm - Address by Ambassador LeVine
6:15pm - Consular services outreach and voter registration



DA Switzerland http://www.democratsabroad.org/ch