General Meeting Recap: June 2025

Big Issues, Bold Voices, and Democratic Leadership

Despite the rainy weather, Miami Beach Democrats showed up in full force for our June General Member Meeting at 1741 Collins Avenue — proving once again that democracy doesn’t take a rain check. Our members and guests came ready to connect, share ideas, and hear from a powerhouse lineup of speakers who are working every day to defend our values and move our city forward.

The evening began with a lively networking half hour, where attendees met fellow activists, shared campaign updates, and fueled up with energy and enthusiasm. At 7:00 PM, we shifted into our program, filled with passionate voices and urgent messages.

💬 Standing Up to Local Government Overreach

Vice President Linda Kolko and our Democratic Commissioners delivered a strong and principled message about the importance of standing up to unethical local government overreach. They emphasized the need to protect civic engagement, free speech, and the rights of public servants to participate in their communities without fear of retaliation.

The conversation included a call for justice in the case of Club President Amanda Knapp, who was recently asked to resign from her position with the City of Miami Beach under troubling and potentially politically motivated circumstances. Our leaders made it clear: this type of intimidation has no place in public service.

➡️ Learn more in this Florida Politics article: Miami Beach just asked its Education Manager to resign — was it politically motivated?

June Meeting

🗳 Monica Matto-Salinas: Grassroots Leadership for Miami Beach

We were thrilled to welcome Monica Matto-Salinas, candidate for Miami Beach Commission, Group 1, who shared her compelling vision for the future of our city. Monica spoke passionately about the need for transparent, ethical leadership, smart and equitable development, and preserving the unique spirit of Miami Beach’s neighborhoods. She emphasized that real change doesn’t happen from the top down—it comes from grassroots momentum powered by people who care deeply about their community. Her message was a call to action: let’s build a government that truly listens, represents, and works for everyone.

⚖️ Sui Chung and the Fight for Immigrant Justice

We were honored to hear from Sui Chung, Executive Director of Americans for Immigrant Justice, who gave a powerful and sobering overview of the challenges facing immigrant communities in Florida and beyond. From unjust detentions and deportations to the urgent need for fair legal representation, Sui highlighted the human cost of broken immigration policies—and the local impact on families right here in Miami-Dade. Her presentation reminded us that immigration justice is a local issue, and that we all have a role to play in ensuring dignity, safety, and opportunity for every member of our community. She encouraged attendees to get involved, stay informed, and support organizations doing this critical work every day.

🟣 Reproductive Freedom Needs All of Us: Men for Choice

The meeting closed with an inspiring and thought-provoking presentation from Aaron Bos-Lun, Executive Director of Men for Choice. Aaron spoke about the urgent need for male allies to step up and speak out in the fight for reproductive rights. He reframed reproductive justice not as a “women’s issue,” but a human rights issue that requires everyone’s involvement. Aaron challenged men to be more than passive supporters—to be vocal, active, and consistent in their advocacy. He shared ways the movement can grow locally and offered practical actions allies can take. His message struck a chord: standing for reproductive freedom means showing up, listening, and leading by example.

What’s Next?

We ended the night fired up and ready to act. Whether it’s helping voters re-enroll in Vote-by-Mail, volunteering, or spreading the word about the local election just five months away, we each have a part to play.

📍 Save the Date: Our next General Member Meeting will take place on Monday, July 7, at La Poubelle (1207 Mai Monides St, Miami Beach). Join us at 6:30 PM for networking, with the meeting beginning at 7:00 PM. This time, we’re bringing the energy to North Beach—don’t miss it!

Thank you to everyone who showed up, stayed engaged, and continues to fight for progress in Miami Beach. Let’s keep building this movement—rain or shine.

– Miami Beach Democratic Club