Brandon Williams' MAGA Default Crisis Looms
Our Sham Town Hall Message is Getting Out
Our rallies, demonstrations, and media messaging are starting to pay off. Remember, the goal is to make sure that NY22 voters know what Brandon Williams really believes, says, does, and votes for. The more voters know about his MAGA extremism, the more they will turn away from him, even if he "looks the part" of the moderately conservative CNY farmer businessman.
IMV was mentioned twice in this WKTV report following Brandon Williams' New Hartford Town Hall. Here is another piece about Williams not living in the district after our Move In or Move Out demonstration. He can provide all the excuses that he wants; if he didn't want to live here, he didn't have to run for Congress in NY22. He breaks his promise to move into the district every day he doesn't do it.
A Daily Sentinel article (behind a pay wall) about Williams' May 1 town hall in New Harford repeated our language about his questions being prescreened; he has not had a real town hall where constituents can express concerns. At the New Hartford town hall he continued his arrogant and condescending finger-wagging tone. Once again, he declared that the event was a "dialogue" and a "conversation" even as he stated that if any other voice was heard besides his, it was an illegitimate and disruptive attempt at dominance.
The Sentinel reporter also summarized Williams' answers on many of the topics and questions on the pre-selected notecards. Of course, most of these positions are NOT popular, including his gaslighting on public education, choice, and trans people, and his refusal to address climate change.
Thanks to all who came to our rally--we had more than 40 people and Dinosaur for Democracy. Meanwhile, the MAGA crowd made enemies in the residential New Hartford neighborhood because of the incessant shouting on a megaphone, including swearing while children rode bicycles around the school. And of course, thanks to all those who attended this or previous Sham Town Halls. Our red cards were waving high in good numbers!
New Anti-Williams Ad: Watch and Share
Check out this SPOT-ON AD, just released yesterday that supports our goal of telling the truth about Brandon Williams. When voters find out what he is actually voting for, they will know that he is not the harmless member of Congress he pretends to be.
Brandon Williams lied outright in his town hall on Monday when he said that the Republican House bill to cut spending 22% had no impact on veterans services and that Democrats were lying when they said it would. The Republican bill did not have a single line in it that said veterans programs were excluded from the cuts, which means they are on the chopping block. That's why we need to get the word out. You can copy and paste the link, and share it with friends on social media and by email.
Time to Organize the MAGA Default Crisis Week of Action
We are one week away from Indivisible's second Unrepresentatives Cohort Call on May 11th and less than three weeks away from our IMV WOA event on May 24th (save the date!)
ALL of the Unrepresentatives, including Brandon Williams, voted to slash funding for veterans, people living in poverty, and seniors. It’s not too late to hold these folks accountable and turn things around – but our window of opportunity is rapidly closing. If there’s one thing this moment has taught us, it’s that big GOP donors and the MAGA House leadership will not relent. WE must be the ones that turn this ship around before a MAGA default crisis wipes out all the support so many of us rely on to survive.
If you missed the first Unreps Cohort call in March, we want to invite you to watch the call recording prior to our May 11th call so that you can get a feel for what is in store. If you attended our March call, and you need a refresher, this is also for you, but hang in there until the end of the email, because we have important information there as well.
Information from the Launch call in March:
Launch Call Recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dQGGpBqpJYz_8jXM4icidA8kkR0BmU1u/view
Slide Deck Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1lbKyaHTU6yUpT6QnUk4Kms1fYZo67iSe7Mx0q0gnICI/edit#slide=id.g1f9ece00a8a_0_16
Updated MAGA Mayhem guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zuPkzFc4h8Z7A0sSTrmyH8a2Tgn5D-V8GbOxUq9RGC0/edit?usp=sharing
During the first call, attendees heard about the plans to make the Unrepresentatives as infamous as they ought to be, both for their MAGA extremism and their willingness to sell out their most vulnerable constituents for a seat in the GOP halls of power. This is how we’re going to fight them and ultimately defeat them:
Peel them off for important victories in the short term.
Bring more people in their districts into our coalition to secure a Democratic trifecta in 2025.
Say it with us: none of this can happen without real, grassroots people power. If we sit by and let their antics go unnoticed, the road to retaking the House will be infuriatingly difficult. For those of us who live in NY22, one of the unrepresentative districts, the call on Thursday, May 11th at 8 pm is critical. We'll get inspired by ideas and tactics that will leave Brandon Williams unsettled, nervous, and ripe for defeat. Join in for the planning for our NY22 IMV MAGA Default Crisis Week of Action event, where we’re going to shake the table and make some change.
IMV's MAGA Default Crisis Week of Action Event will be May 24th. SAVE THE DATE!
Sign up now for the Unrepresentative 18 Cohort Call on 5/11: Link to register!
Volunteer Opportunities: Celeste for Utica Mayor
Celeste Friend’s campaign is planning a big, happy canvassing blitz in Cornhill on Saturday, May 20th. Why? Because engaging voters all across the City is one way she expresses her core commitment to building a better Utica for everyone. Experienced canvassers needed! Drop Celeste a line at celestefriend@gmail.com if you want to be involved!
There are many volunteer opportunities throughout the month of May at community events. Celeste's campaign is all over the city supporting neighborhood events and tabling. Email celestefriend@gmail.com to get involved!
Some Exciting Candidate News
Do you want some good news? Endorsements for some of our IMV supported candidates are starting to come in. Celeste Friend was endorsed by UP PAC, the new upstate progressive PAC. Eleanor's Legacy also endorsed Celeste Friend for mayor, Julie Gederos, who is running for the At Large Utica Common Council seat, and Crystal Faria, who is running for Oneida County Board of Leg (District 10-includes parts of Kirkland and New Hartford). Eleanor's Legacy endorses pro-choice Democratic New York women candidates. Way to go, Celeste, Julie, and Crystal!
Let's Keep the Pressure On!
We are keeping the attention of the public and media on Brandon Williams. Wherever he goes, there we are calling our his votes to hurt and harm people on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. He can't vote to slash funding for veterans, children, jobs, and climate, without a spotlight on him so people see what he is doing. Keep showing up! Whether we have 10 people at his office, or 50 in front of a town hall, it makes a difference.
Keep writing Letters to the Editor! If you need help getting started or want us to read your draft, please email IndivisibleMV@gmail.com.
And get ready for our MAGA Default Crisis Week of Action event by joining the national planning meeting on May 11 and our IMV May Meeting on May 23rd.
In the meantime, make sure you are prepared to vote in your local school board election on May 16th.
Democracy is not a spectator sport.
Follow us on Twitter using @indivisiblemv and of course our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.
