Democratic presidential candidates are headed to Miami for the first debates of the 2020 election cycle, and South Floridians have planned a flurry of events to mark their visit.
The debates will be held June 26 and 27 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami. Unforunately, getting into the event itself will be impossible for most people. But there are lots of watch parties, town halls, panel discussions and protests scheduled surrounding the debates.
Here's our roundup of events, by day and county:
MONDAY
Miami-Dade County
WLRN’s Sundial and Miami Herald present town hall: immigration
What: Sundial host Luis Hernandez will host a town hall discussion on immigration. Much of the debate over immigration policy has focused on the southern border. Yet, there also have been significant changes in immigration policies regarding Cuba, and there are potential changes to the temporary protected status for Haitians and others. South Florida also is home to a large child migrant shelter.
This town hall will feature WLRN and Miami Herald reporters and experts discussing the intersection of this important issue, South Florida, and the 2020 presidential race. You will have an opportunity to participate and ask questions. The conversation will be recorded for broadcast and streamed live.
When: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Studio A, WLRN, 172 NE 15th St., Miami
Tickets: Registrations are now closed, but you can watch the event live here.
TUESDAY
Miami-Dade County
WLRN’s Sundial and Miami Herald present town hall: climate risk
What: Sundial's Luis Hernandez will host a town hall discussion focused on climate risk. The threat to Florida is well-known: rising seas, hotter temperatures, more flooding and stronger hurricanes. Local governments have begun responding to the risks with new projects, and voters in several cities have okayed borrowing money for projects to better prepare and protect neighborhoods. What more do you think should be done to address these risks?
This town hall will feature WLRN and Miami Herald reporters and experts discussing the intersection of this important issue, South Florida, and the 2020 presidential race. You will have an opportunity to participate and ask questions. The conversation will be recorded for broadcast and streamed live.
When: 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Studio A, WLRN, 172 NE 15th St., Miami
Tickets: Registrations are now closed, but you can watch the event live here.
Town hall with Elizabeth Warren
What: Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren will participate in a town hall event.
When: Doors open at 5 p.m. Event begins at 6:45 p.m.
Where: Ocean Bank Convocation Center, Golden Panther Arena, 1180 SW 113th Ave., Miami
Tickets: RSVP here, and there's more info on Facebook.
Town hall with Beto O'Rourke and teachers' union leaders
What: Former Texas Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke will join American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, Florida Education Association president Fedrick Ingram and United Teachers of Dade President Karla Hernandez-Mats for a town hall on education policy and other issues. The event is part of the AFT's endorsement decision process.
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: North Miami Middle School, Cagni Park Gymnasium, 700 NW 137 St., North Miami
Tickets: Open only to AFT members. Watch a live stream here.
Drilled podcast live
What: A podcast on climate change — per the promotional materials, "a podcast that exposes Big Oil’s decades-long deception campaign and how it continues to shape climate policy" — will record a live episode in Miami.
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Tickets: Available on Eventbrite.
WEDNESDAY
Miami-Dade County
Andrew Gillum hosts debate watch party
What: 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum and representatives from Florida-based and national progressive political groups host a debate-watch party. According to an advisory, Gillum will be “watching a live broadcast of the debate and sharing thoughts and impressions of the Democratic hopefuls.”
When: 7 to 11 p.m.
Where: Ampersand Studios, 31 NE 17th St., Miami
Tickets: Sign up here.
Women of Color panel discussion and debate watch party
What: She The People and New Florida Majority — political groups aiming to amplify the voices of historically marginalized people in politics — are hosting a panel discussion with local women of color activists, followed by a debate watch party.
“The event … will highlight what women of color want candidates to address — issues of racial, economic, gender, and social justice,” according to promotional materials. “In attendance will be families facing deportation, returning citizens, Puerto Ricans displaced by Hurricane Maria, and more. Polling technology will register people’s reactions during the debate in real-time.”
When: 6:30 p.m. to midnight
Where: 1306 Miami, 1306 N. Miami Ave., Miami
Tickets: RSVP here.
Downtown Dems and Young Dems watch party
What: Debate watch party hosted by groups representing downtown Miami Democrats and young Democrats in Miami-Dade County. According to the Facebook event, the debate will be shown on the Gramps patio, in the theater and at the main bar.
When: 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Miami
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Union activist rally and debate watch party night one
What: SEIU Florida and other labor unions are organizing a "Unions for All" rally outside the Adrienne Arsht Center before the debate, followed by a watch party at a nearby bar.
When: 5:30 p.m.
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center, 298 NE 13th St., Miami; then Mike's At Venetia, 555 NE 15th St., Miami
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Miami-Dade and Miami Gardens Democratic Women's Clubs watch party night one
What: The Miami-Dade County and Miami Gardens Democratic Women's Clubs are hosting a debate watch party with "free food, libations and entry."
When: Doors open at 8 p.m.
Where: Made, 8325 NE 2nd Ave., Miami
Tickets: Suggested $10 donation at the door.
Miami Gardens Democratic Club watch party night one
What: The Miami Gardens Democratic Club hosts a watch party with drink specials.
When: 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Stadium Hotel, 21485 NW 27th Ave., Miami Gardens
Tickets: RSVP info here.
Miami Beach watch party night one
What: The Miami Beach Democratic Club hosts a watch party.
When: 8:30 to 11 p.m.
Where: Barceloneta, 1400 20th St., Miami Beach
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Kendall Democrats debate watch party
What: Kendall Democrats hold a monthly meeting followed by a debate watch party. The meeting will feature two candidates for local races: Councilman Johnny Farias, who is running for Miami-Dade County Commission district nine, and Javier Estevez, who is running for Florida House of Representatives district 105. Also, the club's president Bryan Hernandez will facilitate a conversation entitled, "Holding Trump Accountable: Impeachment or Investigation?"
When: 7 to 11 p.m.
Where: Meeting at the Kendall Civic Center, 8625 SW 124th Ave., Miami; debate watch party at Duffy', 8575 SW 124th Ave., Miami
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Puerto Ricans Demand Action event
What: Puerto Ricans will gather to draw attention to issues affecting the U.S. territory on the first night of the debates. From the event listing: "The people of Puerto Rico, U.S. citizens and residents alike, are still recovering from devastating firsts — including the worst natural disaster and largest bankruptcy proceeding in U.S. history — a depressed economy, and imminent fiscal cliffs in public health, schooling and higher education, public pensions, and nutritional assistance. ... Only bold action spurred by presidential leadership – together with detailed policy prescriptions – can move the needle on these complex issues."
When: 6 to 7 p.m.
Where: The Torch of Friendship, 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Tickets: RSVP here.
Miami 4 Warren debate watch party
What: Supporters of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren are gathering to watch her face off with other Democratic presidential candidates during this debate watch party.
When: 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Black Market Miami, 168 SE 1st St., Miami
Tickets: RSVP here, and find more info on Facebook.
Republican women protest night one
What: Federated Republican Women of North Dade organized a "demonstration rally opposing socialism" outside the debate.
When: 4:30 to 11 p.m.
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center, 298 NE 13th St., Miami
Tickets: RSVP info here.
Broward County
Women’s March Broward debate watch party
What: A Fort Lauderdale debate watch party led by political groups including Women’s March Broward, Ruth’s List Broward, Broward Young Democrats, Broward Young Black Progressives and American Muslim Democratic Caucus of Florida.
When: 8:30 to 11 p.m.
Where: ArtServe, 1350 E Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Coral Springs and Parkland debate watch party
What: Democratic Party volunteers organized this debate watch party for people in northwest Broward.
When: 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Where: Miller's Ale House, 1915 N. University Drive, Coral Springs
Tickets: RSVP here.
Palm Beach County
Democratic Club of Boca Raton and Delray Beach watch party night one
What: Palm Beach County Democratic clubs hold this debate watch party.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Boca Lago Country Club, 8665 Juego Way, Boca Raton
Tickets: RSVP info here.
Monroe County
Florida Keys Democrats debate watch party night one
What: Florida Keys Democrats host a watch party and conduct a straw poll after the debate.
When: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Shanna Key, 1900 Flagler Ave., Key West
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Multi-county
All Aboard the Trump Train protest
What: Supporters of President Donald Trump ride the Brightline train together from West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale to Miami to protest outside the Adrienne Arsht Center during the first debate.
When: 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: West Palm and Fort Lauderdale Brightline stations; Adrienne Arsht Center
Tickets: $35 round trip. RSVP here.
THURSDAY
Miami-Dade County
Pre-debate breakfast and discussion for seniors and retirees
What: The Alliance for Retired Americans is hosting this breakfast and conversation. From the event listing: "With so much on the line we need to organize early to protect our healthcare, lower our prescription drug prices and keep our retirement and pension plans in place."
When: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Teamsters Local 769 Union Hall, 12365 W Dixie Highway, North Miami
Tickets: RSVP here.
Womxn’s debate watch party
What: Several groups that work toward advancing women’s rights and promoting women in politics are putting on this watch party on the second night of the debates. The hosts include Ruth’s List and EMILY’s List, state and national groups that fund raise for women political candidates; Planned Parenthood Federal PAC and NARAL Pro Choice America, which support preserving and expanding women’s access to abortion and other reproductive health care; and the Latino Victory Fund, which works to build Latino political power.
When: 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Where: Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Miami
Tickets: RSVP here.
Union activist rally and debate watch party night two
What: SEIU Florida and other labor unions are organizing a "Unions for All" rally outside the Adrienne Arsht Center before the debate, followed by a watch party at a nearby bar.
When: 5:30 p.m.
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center, 298 NE 13th St., Miami; then Mike's At Venetia, 555 NE 15th St., Miami
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Miami-Dade and Miami Gardens Democratic Women's Clubs watch party night two
What: The Miami-Dade County and Miami Gardens Democratic Women's Clubs are hosting a debate watch party with "free food, libations and entry."
When: Doors open at 8 p.m.
Where: Made, 8325 NE 2nd Ave., Miami
Tickets: Suggested $10 donation at the door.
Miami Gardens Democratic Club watch party night two
What: The Miami Gardens Democratic Club hosts a watch party with drink specials.
When: 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Stadium Hotel, 21485 NW 27th Ave., Miami Gardens
Tickets: RSVP info here.
Miami Beach watch party night two
What: The Miami Beach Democratic Club hosts a watch party.
When: 8:30 to 11 p.m.
Where: Barceloneta, 1400 20th St., Miami Beach
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Green New Deal march and rally
What: Progressive groups lead a rally outside the Freedom Tour and a march to the Adrienne Arsht Center, where the debates will be taking place, to advocate for a "Green New Deal" plan to combat climate change.
When: 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Miami Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Republican women protest night one
What: Federated Republican Women of North Dade organized a "demonstration rally opposing socialism" outside the debate.
When: 4:30 to 11 p.m.
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center, 298 NE 13th St., Miami
Tickets: RSVP info here.
Broward County
Dania Beach watch party
What: Democratic Party volunteers organized this debate watch party in Dania Beach.
When: 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Shenanigans Eastside Pub, 1300 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach
Tickets: RSVP here.
Palm Beach County
Democratic Club of Boca Raton and Delray Beach watch party night one
What: Palm Beach County Democratic clubs hold this debate watch party.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Boca Lago Country Club, 8665 Juego Way, Boca Raton
Tickets: RSVP info here.
Monroe County
Florida Keys Democrats debate watch party night two
What: Florida Keys Democrats host a watch party and conduct a straw poll after the debate.
When: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Where: Shanna Key, 1900 Flagler Ave., Key West
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
FRIDAY
Miami-Dade County
Post-presidential debate discussion
What: Coral Gables Democratic Club offers this post-debate discussion facilitated by Steve Simeonidis, chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party .
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Books and Books, 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables
Tickets: RSVP on Facebook.
Did we miss something? Send an email with information about your event to jbakeman@wlrnnews.org, and we will consider including it.
