Ann Wertheimer’s Introduction
My name is Ann Wertheimer and I am the chair of American Voices Abroad Berlin—or AVA, for short. AVA is a politically progressive group independent of all political parties both in the United States and in Germany.
Joining American Voices Abroad is a way of engaging in American civic life even from here. Democracy, we think, is something you do. You do it as an individual and you do it as part of a community.
Doing democracy starts with voting. But it doesn’t end with voting. Doing democracy continues here today, as we join more than 2500 rallies in the United States, in every state—in big cities and small towns, in front of local public libraries and in courthouse squares. Together we say NO to ALL tyrants, to ALL dictators. We say NO to the entire Trump administration.
Especially here in Berlin, we remember what happened when 20th-century democracy yielded to fascism. Will we learn from this? Will we have the courage to resist the actions that go against our shared democratic values?
Coming here today and protesting is the first step. Continuing to make decisions that resist is the task before us.
The message from Gayle Tufts:
Hello Everyone!
I’m so sorry that I can’t be there to stand with you all in solidarity and unity.
I’m onstage playing Dolly Levi in the musical Hello Dolly. Rest assured that I am raising my voice for Democracy, diversity and equality. And maybe presenting an American musical about the power of love, kindness and unwavering hope is its own form of protest.
We are so much more than this horrific moment.
Stand tall and raise your voices. Loud!
Gayle Tufts
Trump is ramping up his attacks on our rights and democracy, but we’re not backing down: American Voices Abroad Berlin is hosting an event for No Kings 2. Can you attend?
We are live on the Indivisible-Mobilize map and ready for sign-ups. Organize your friends.
Use this link to sign up: 
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/842166/
Where: in front of the U.S. Embassy at Pariser Platz
Why: to remind Trump, his cronies, and those on the sidelines looking for hope: America doesn’t want dictators.
When: on October 18 at 2:00 pm Berlin time
American Voices Abroad-Berlin AmericanVoicesAbroad-Berlin annual meeting Anti-Atom anti-nuclear anti-nuke april august AVA-Berlin berlin Brandenburger Gate brunch DA-Berlin december demo Democrats Abroad Berlin demonstration elections energy event february germany human rights january july june library march may NoKings november Occupy Occupy Wall Street october political politics project protest salon september stammtisch sustainability troy davis unions Wisconsin
