The FDL Story

The Florida Democratic League (FDL) represents a progressive force of more than 68,000 members and supporters statewide working within the Democratic Party as proud advocates for Equality, Freedom, and Social Justice for all Floridians.

As our state’s leading minority-led Democratic voters’ civil rights, equality and social justice advocacy organization, FDL envisions a state where every Floridian and their family is ensured of their basic equal rights, and can peacefully prosper, study, work, play and pray.

Structure

Founded in 1991, the Florida Democratic League is a state chartered non-profit political organization focusing on advancing equality, human rights, civil liberties, and social welfare of all Floridians, especially ethnic and racial minorities, through lobbying federal, state and local officials for sound legislation, and mobilizing grassroots action among its members.

Local activities are carried out by local steering committees, of which there are 6 located throughout the State of Florida.

Leadership

The Florida Democratic League’s leadership includes President Manuel Rodriguez; Chairman, Dr. Eladio Jose Armesto; Vice President, Vice President, James Martinelli; Secretary, Miriam Gonzalez; Treasurer, Jordanis Padron. FDL’s work is supported by two boards: the Board of Directors, which is the governing body for the organization and the Board of Advisors, which advises the organization on its statewide outreach. Both boards are composed of volunteer members from across the state.

History

Cuban-American Democratic political activists Bernardo Arago, Fidel Iglesias, Rene Valdez, Mariela Valdez, Jose “Pepe” Vera, Martha Vera and Eladio Jose Armesto founded the Democratic League of Dade County (DLDC) in 1991 at the personal urging of then Governor Lawton Chiles, the 41st governor of Florida from 1991 until his death in 1998. The League was founded to unite and organize the county’s growing Hispanic Democrats.

In December 1991, the League endorsed and began actively campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton. In January 1993, following Clinton’s electoral victory in November 1991, the DLDC organized the Miami Bill Clinton Inaugural Gala Party uniting close to 1,000 South Florida Democrats in celebrating President Clinton’s inauguration. In March 1993, the DLDC launched a Florida Voter Registration project that resulted in over 30,000 new voter registrations statewide.

In June 2007, after much reflection and extensive consultations, the Board of Directors of the Democratic League of Dade County (DLDC) unanimously voted to adopt a new name for the organization: the Florida Democratic League (FDL) to better reflect its membership needs, growing support, and state-wide outreach. In August 2007, the FDL was officially incorporated in Florida as a non-profit political organization and, in December of the same year, subsequently held its first official gala under its new name in Miami, Florida.

Activism

FDL members and friends served among the formidable army of 2.2 million volunteers in the historic Barack Obama Presidential campaign of 2008. The Obama campaign’s capacity came from enthusiastic local citizens who took responsibility for organizing their own neighborhoods months–and even years–in advance of election day. In so doing, the Obama campaign engaged citizens in the work of practicing democracy.

As part of its commitment to true marriage equality, i.e., affording everyone the same, equal right to marry under the same, equal terms and conditions, the FDL joined with other organizations in filing an Amicus Brief in the anti-Voter Rights, anti-Democracy, anti-Constitution lawsuit of Catherine Pareto, et al., vs. Harvey Ruvin, filed in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court on January 21, 2014. The FDL argued that Florida’s Constitution already afforded everyone full Marriage Equality.

“Florida’s Constitution already prohibits discrimination and guarantees all Floridians true Marriage Equality, based on the same, equal right to marry another person under the same, equal terms and conditions. When exercising this right, no one’s alleged sexual behavioral choices are ever considered. Indeed, no one is asked their alleged sexual behavioral choices or preferences when applying for a Marriage license in the Sunshine State. The reason is clear: Florida’s Constitution and laws do not ban or prohibit anyone from marrying as husband and wife provided they are of age, unmarried, and not blood related.”

Awards

The Florida Democratic League maintains a number of awards to honor individuals distinguished for their civic service, social justice activism, and civil liberties-related work. In addition to the League’s awards, local chapters also award their own versions of the awards. These awards are typically presented at an annual dinner gala.

Support

In these times of growing extremism, angry rhetoric and lawless contempt for the Constitution and the Rule of Law, the Florida Democratic League appreciates your support more than ever.

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FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE
LIGA DEMÓCRATA DE LA FLORIDA 
POB 350751, Miami, FL 33135
DemocraticLeague@aol.com

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