Deadline for Democracy

June 18, 2021 Alan Cole

We're on a Deadline for Democracy

More than 1200 people joined the Facebook live session with Sen. Chuck Schumer on Wednesday night to build energy and show our commitment to passing S1 For The People Act before the Fourth of July. As part of Indivisible OneNYS, IMV was a co-sponsor of the event along with hundreds of other groups. We heard from NYS AG Letitia James, and our very own Sarah Reeske hosted her own #ForThePeopleAct game show with contestants Sen. Schumer, Rep. Mondaire Jones, and Rep. Jamaal Bowman.  If you missed that, you missed something pretty amazing. Basically there are two key people at the heart of passing S1: one is the lone holdout Dem in West Virginia, and the Indivisibles there are working on him. The other is our very own Sen. Schumer, who is responsible for the strategy, tactics, and execution of saving democracy by passing this critical bill.

If you were on the call, you know there is a huge amount of energy for passing S1. No matter how hard Sen. Manchin makes it (read Ezra Levin on the topic if you missed his message), Sen. Schumer knows he has to get it done.  There is no way that this democracy can survive if Republican state legislatures have free reign at overturning elections, suppressing votes, gerrymandering districts, and otherwise undermining free and fair elections and majority rule. Our job is to encourage and support Sen. Schumer while he does the work behind the scenes over the next few weeks. He has said he is bringing S1 for a vote next week, the first part of the end game.

We'll have a major Deadline for Democracy Rally in Utica on Monday, June 28, 5-6 pm at Oneida Square. We'll need some volunteers to help with safety, communications, and media before and during the event. Email IndivisibleMV@gmail.com if you can help. If you're out of town or want to encourage family and friends elsewhere in the state or across the country to show up for Deadline for Democracy events during the congressional recess, here is the link to find an event.

Juneteenth Celebration in Utica Saturday 12-8 pm

If you're at the Utica Juneteenth celebration tomorrow at Chancellor Park (12-8 pm), please stop by and visit the IMV table. We'll need help passing out flyers about our Deadline for Democracy Rally as well as IMV buttons and other goodies.

This year's event is extra celebratory because of the action by Congress (minus some Republicans) and President Biden to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Like many legislative victories, this looks "easy" when it finally happens, but it is the result of years, decades, even generations of advocacy by Black Americans fighting to have their holiday recognized not just in Texas, but across the country. Of course, while a federal holiday is a wonderful thing, it is also not nearly enough. What about reparations for slavery? What about the continued runaway economic inequality that is rooted in hundreds of years of slavery and subsequent oppression, disinvestment, and discrimination? There is still more work to be done to repair the brutal and long legacy of slavery. Still and all, June 19th is set aside for the celebration of African-American freedom and independence, finally as a federal holiday. Yay!

Letters to the Editor: 13 So Far & More Writers Needed

At our meeting on Tuesday, we had a good report from Kathy Wojciechowski and Dick Meili about the great work of our new Letter Writing group. Working together and encouraging each other, they have gotten 13 letters published so far, and they expect more in print soon. However, this is only the start. We need a lot more writers if we are going to keep up a steady stream of loud and clear progressive voices in local papers.

This is a fun and accessible group welcoming experienced letter writers and those who are new to writing and submitting LTE's Writers pair up to support and help each other, and experienced writers will also help you shape your ideas or edit your letter. The group meets next on Sunday, June 27th at 6 pm over Zoom. Stay tuned for the link!

Diaper Collection to Support Citizen Action's Child Care Survey

Thanks to all who responded to our request for diaper donations to support Citizen Action’s Childcare Survey Project. To encourage participation in this important survey of child care needs in the community, the CNY Citizen Action is giving the parents diapers. The collection continues. Small packages are preferred, but the diapers can be any size newborn on up. If you didn't have the chance to donate yet you can drop off at:

513 E. Bloomfield Street, Rome NY or
2121 Claremont Terrace, Utica NY

Cash contributions are also welcome. Checks may be made out to Citizen Action of NY - CNY and mailed to: C/O Chelsea Arcuri, 513 E. Bloomfield Street, Rome NY 13340 (Please put ‘Diapers’ in the memo.)

While you're at it, we do encourage all IMV members to become dues paying members of Citizen Action if you have not already done so. Citizen Action is the group locally that is most fully engaged in political and community organizing among Black and brown people, young people, and low income people for racial, economic, social and climate justice. Please become a member by clicking here. Our memberships help sustain this critical work in our local chapter, which focuses on Utica and Rome. Thank you!

Our 6/15 In Person Meeting Summarized

First, it was amazing to see more than 50 people at Cherrywood, many longtime members, and quite a number of first timers! We had a lot of catching up to do after 14 months on Zoom. Here's a summary of what went down, and a little about what's next.

Deborah Wilson-Allam, our Treasurer, shared the Treasurer's Report, and noted that we are down to just a few dollars in our checking account. We've done a great job raising funds for a number of ally groups and projects in the past year, but without in person meetings, did not collect as much for our usual expenses such as our website, postcards and stamps, and our Zoom account. Your contributions are welcome. We have set up a PayPal account so you can contribute directly here. You can also send a check to Indivisible Mohawk Valley c/o Deborah Wilson-Allam, 2 Laurelwood Drive, New Hartford, NY 13413. Funds that don't come through our ActBlue account can be used for a wider range of purposes. Thank you for your support, including all those who bought stickers from Dawn Laguerre at the meeting on Tuesday.
The Climate Crisis Workgroup has postponed its June meeting, and Maggie Reilly gave some updates about planning for the Heat Smart tour of her home. This group continues to be active on many fronts and looks forward to meetings in person again soon.
The Health Care Work Group is mobilizing for another year of fighting for the NY Health Act and other critical legislation. Teresa Van Etten reported that people connected at the meeting with her and they plan to resume in person meetings soon. More to come.
Jill Farnham-Us led a great brainstorming session about what we want to work on in the months ahead and what we are excited to see change as the result of our activism. We care about climate, health care, economic inequality, police and gun violence, child care and bodily autonomy for women. We are passionate about voting rights and democracy, holding Trump and his cronies accountable, immigration and DACA, transparency in government and getting big money out of politics. And so much more!
Sarah Reeske gave an overview of S1, and Schumer's strategy for getting it done (see topline above). For the People Act is the most urgent priority of Indivisibles in New York until the bill is passed. Call Sen Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand today if you have not yet done so, and make your voice heard.
We had LOCAL CANDIDATES GALORE--a whole tableful in attendance! Utica Common Councilmembers Delvin Moody and Celeste Friend were there, along with Katie Aiello who is running in Ward 1. Caroline Reale was also at the all star candidate table. She is running for Oneida County Legislator representing New Hartford. We heard from Sparkle Anthony, who is running for Utica Common Council At-Large, and had not been able to make our previous candidate forum. She is passionate about engaging those in the community who have not felt heard, and has already been a powerful advocate in Utica for a more responsive and equitable school district. Karen Stanislaus, who is running for Oneida County Family Court Judge, was also at the meeting. These are some of the candidates that we will support through our volunteer hours and progressive political activism this summer and fall.

It was a fabulous meeting topped off with a big group photo without all the tiny Zoom boxes, and a huge cake. We will meet again in July and August for monthly meetings with Tuesday evening dates to be announced soon.

How to Get Involved Today

If you are free, please be sure to join Cafe Friday this morning from 9:30-10:30 (please see the calendar). This group continues to meet weekly over Zoom to stay in touch about the many projects and goals of IMV progressive activism.

IMV and the Kirkland Democratic Committee also invite everyone to the Racial Justice Honk-n-Wave in the Clinton Village Green today 4-5 pm. Beginning in July this event will be held only on the second Friday of each month. We hope to do more Friday rallies at Oneida Square in Utica focused on racial justice, climate, and other pressing issues as they arise.

Have a Happy Juneteenth!