Are We a Democracy or a Dictatorship?
No Kings! Rally in Rome Tomorrow
Speaking of "No Kings"... Please join us Saturday April 19th at 12 Noon for our "No Kings" Rally co-hosted by the Oneida County Democratic Women's Club, Rome Democratic Committee, and Indivisible Mohawk Valley!
We are gathering on the sidewalk at Fort Stanwix, 100 N. James St Rome NY 13440. This is the 250th Anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War (Lexington and Concord battles, April 19, 1775), and what better place than a fort that was pivotal in our victory over a tryannical ruler? Let's tell Trump that there are No Kings in our country. This country belongs to "We the People."
There is parking across the street from the Fort Stanwix entrance with access from Dominick St and Black River Blvd. Additional parking on N. James St. Bring your best signs (Rachel Maddow had an amazing segment about the coolest and most creative signs at April 5th rallies)
Please join your fellow patriots and raise your voices in unity. One goal of this event is to continue to build community and movement momentum in our Mohawk Valley region before the next widespread national mass mobilization. Participants are expected to commit to the principles of non-violent, peaceful demonstration. Register HERE to let us know you're coming. And share the invitation with friends.
For those who have wondered if there are other actions this weekend
Hamilton (the village) Hands Off Rally
Saturday, April 19
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Village Green
Hamilton, NY
Line up with signs on the Village Green, adjacent to route 12B
Organized by the Hamilton Organizing Committee/HAARC (Hamilton Area Anti-Racism Coalition)
AND in Johnstown
NY 21 Indivisible Group is hosting a rally on April 19th, on the 250th Anniversary of the start of our American Revolution.
Rally location: Sir William Johnson Park in downtown Johnstown at 123 West Main St.
Time: 11 am to noon
We say "Hands Off" many things that make our country great, including Freedom of Speech, the Rule of Law, our Constitution, and Democracy itself.
We will also be encouraging people to support One Church Street, a local food pantry, as part of our day of action.
Find your local event, invite your friends, and Stand Up!
Climate Crisis Working Group Actions for Climate
Let’s Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!!
Earth Day began in 1970 as a national teach-in on environmental issues, inspired by anti-Vietnam War protests, to raise public awareness and advocate for a healthier planet. This first Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970, saw 20 million Americans participate in demonstrations, rallies, and teach-ins across the country, marking the beginning of the modern environmental movement. The success of Earth Day led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of landmark environmental legislation like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.
While our individual actions may not feel like they make a difference, especially with so much destruction on the federal level, I believe, as with our recent Hands Off Rally, our collective actions make a real difference. So, together, while we are fighting for our democracy, let’s take life changing actions to help fight for the future of this planet that we call home!! If you want to become involved with the Climate Crisis Working Group of IMV and get into some “good trouble” in today’s climate movement please contact me, Maggie Reilly, at margaret_reilly@mac.com .
Here are a few ideas to help celebrate Earth Day Every Day to fight back against those who want to turn back time to before there was an EPA!!
NYSERDA: Eco or energy efficient Earth Day ideas here in beautiful New York State
How to Create a Garden for Pollinators
Say “NO” to Single Use Plastic
Local Event: Remove Litter & Debris from waterways: Canal Clean Sweep
PLANT NATIVE TREES & BUSHES & FLOWERS for the PLANET
Make Calls for the NY HEAT Act be Included in the Budget
Call Speaker Heastie: (518-455-5454 or 325-732-1055) AND
Call Governor Hochul: (518-474-8390)
"Hello, I’m [name] and I live in [municipality]. I'm calling to ask Speaker Heastie/Governor Hochul to put the NY HEAT Act, A.4870A (Simon) in the budget. My utility bills keep going up and I don't want to keep paying more for gas pipes that we don't need. Can I count on the Speaker to support NY HEAT in the budget?"
Save May 7th: Two Actions We Can Take For Climate
1. Albany Lobby Day: Plastics Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Bill RSVP here.
2. Lt. Governor Delgado & Bill McKibben: Affordability of Energy (Crisis and Solution)
Register here for this critical climate conversation from 7:00 - 7:30 pm on May 7th
Blake Gendebien Town Hall
The Democratic Congressional candidate for NY-21, Blake Gendebien, will be holding a Town Hall in Rome on Thursday April 24th at 6:00pm.
Register HERE to let us know that you'll be there!
The Town Hall will be held at Copper City Community Connection Senior Center, located at 305 E Locust St, Rome, NY 13440.
This will be a great opportunity to hear from Blake, voice your concerns, and ask questions. Don't forget to invite your friends, family and neighbors - spread the word far and wide!
IMV Meeting Sunday, April 27th at MVCC in Utica
Please remember to register for our April 27th meeting at MVCC in Utica. We have a lot to debrief about the past few weeks, and more to plan, including how to respond to what's happening in Congress, what kind of training and community building we need to do with our new activists, and how to start building our local blue wave in the 2025 election cycle. Register HERE if you haven't already.
Letters to the Editor
More Good letters!
Wrap Up and Inspiration
From Ezra Levin:
“How bad could it get? We don’t know! Nobody knows -- which means we should neither freak out prematurely nor ignore the warning signs.” Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin was talking here about the possibility of Trump using the insurrection act, but he could be talking about anything Trump does. Ezra goes on to say “Trump is a typical bully. He breaks norms and laws to see what he can get away with. If the opposition is weak, he steamrolls forward. If the opposition is strong, he slinks away and claims he was never interested in doing what he'd committed to do anyway.”
So what should we do? It’s up to us. And we’re doing it! We’re organizing and showing up. Three million people rallied at April 5th Hands Off rallies, including over 1200 in Oneida County, 150 in Herkimer and 300 in Hamilton. Let’s keep showing up; come to the 4/19 rallies in Rome or Hamilton, come to the 4/24 Town Hall with Blake Gendebien, come to the April 27th IMV meeting, and bring a friend or neighbor. Each person who comes to an event, talks to a neighbor, writes a letter to the editor gives others permission to oppose the Trump administration and its enablers. Take a breath, and we’ll keep going together.
Politics Girl video--take action? Talk to people you know so they understand what is happening. https://youtu.be/U1kPW5MGxQQ?si=vvsXDIr6NYDO2Lcb
Follow us on Bluesky: @Indivisiblemv.bsky.social, on Instagram's Threads.net/@indivisiblemohawkvalley, on X (Twitter) using @indivisiblemv and of course on our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.
