www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 5, 2008 - 3 Democrats in Oakville are singing a happy tune ■ By Hiba Kesebi age Americans to vote in the elections. SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER An estimated seven million Americans live overseas, with about 700,000 in Canada. Oakville was all about American politics While there is a strong community in Wednesday, thanks to the filming of a Toronto, according to Jones, there isn’t a Democrat music video that took place at The chapter in Oakville, nor the Halton region. Moonshine Café. That’s where Alksnis’s work kicks in. With feet tapping, hands clapping and Although she’s been living in Canada for hips shaking, American Democrats living in 10 years, she’s still active in American poli- Canada and a handful of Canadians, came tics. out to hear and take part in the shooting of While attending and giving a speech at an Oakville artist Paul Rooney’s song Your Time Obama rally in Hamilton recently, Alksnis Has Come. met several Oakville residents interested in “The song is about JFK (John Fitzgerald forming an Oakville Democrats group. Kennedy),” said Rooney, who identifies as Although the video filming marks their being Canadian with an interest in American second event, the word is spreading quickly, politics. “But there is a link between JFK and with approximately 10 active volunteers in the Democrats with Obama today.” Oakville already. Through a coincidental encounter, “We are a grassroots movement,” Rooney was able to meet with the Canadians explained Alksnis. “Everyone is a volunteer from Democrats Abroad, the official and we don’t charge dues,” she said, before Democratic Party organization for the the sound of music filled the café. American population living outside the As Rooney started to sing, “Pete Seegar, , and talk about his song. Martin Luther … your time has come … DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The Democrats in the GTA immediately … your time has come,” the loved the idea of a song, according to Susan SONG FOR OBAMA: Paul Rooney, right, sings Your Time Has Come, with the help of mem- faces of Alksnis, Jones and the rest of the Alksnis, an active volunteer in the organiza- bers and friends of Democrats Abroad, at the Moonshine Café on Wednesday night. The song was Democratic supporters glowed with confi- tion. recorded for a video supporting U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. dence in hopes of Obama’s victory. “I was looking on Canadian websites Visit www.democratsabroad.org for more about Obama and I found there wasn’t a lot blance with one another. Kennedy’s daughter, said that of all politi- information about voting Democratic in this on him. So we plan to put this video up on “Obama is echoing what’s there all along: cians seen, it was Obama who reminded her year’s elections and www.republicans- YouTube and let the world see it because quality, charisma, that sense of commonali- of her father,” recalled Alksnis. abroad.org for information on how to vote Obama’s campaign is a people’s campaign,” ty. He’s relatable and approachable,” said the “It worked out really nicely,” she added, Republican. You can also vote Democratic she smiled. organization’s chair, when describing the looking at the crowd of more than 65 people online at www.VoteFromAbroad.org. The Adrienne Jones, chair of Democrats similarities between the former U.S. presi- who attended the event. deadline to register is Oct. 4. Abroad Canada, agrees with Rooney’s belief dent and the hopeful Obama. For Alksnis, and the rest of the Democrats To volunteer with establishing an Oakville that JFK and Obama share a strong resem- “Even Caroline Kennedy, John F. Abroad group, the main priority is to encour- chapter, email Alksnis at [email protected].

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