IMV's Fall Fiesta is Sunday 12:30-3:00 pm

So many people worked hard this year, on campaigns and elections, but also on rallies and issues, legislative lobbying and LtEs, and much more.  This is our annual celebration of the work and time to socialize, build relationships, and strengthen our connection as a grassroots political action community.  

What: IMV's Annual Fall Fiesta
When: Sunday, Nov. 7th, 12:30 pm-3:00 pm
Where: JCC, 2310 Oneida Street, Utica
Details: We have Rio Grande once again catering delicious Tex Mex food, more than enough for everyone!  Kids and families are welcome.  There will be cake!  You are welcome to bring your own plates and flatware if ecologically minded, but we will also have some disposables.  We will be spaced out; come if you are feeling well and are vaccinated.  
  

Climate Crisis: Yes, We Still Need to Keep Calling!

In addition to making the much needed calls below, the Climate Crisis Workgroup is urging members to join us on Nov. 13th for a rally in Albany in support of CLCPA implementation and CCIA passage.  Details are in the calendar below. Email jgeiger777@gmail.com with questions.  

This week we're asking that you continue to call President Biden, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congresswoman Tenney about the Build Back Better bill because until the negotiations are done we want to continue to push for the strongest climate provisions. We also need to call Governor Hochul because the state budget development is starting now, and she needs to hear from her constituents that making climate a priority means funding the transition and not watering down the CLCPA ( Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act).   We also want to thank her for denying permits (yay!) to two gas fracking plants last week, Astoria and Danskammer, and to now deny a permit for two fracked gas vaporizers in Greenpoint.

The message of the recent UN Climate report is that we have reached "Code Red for humanity." Our legislators are making decisions now that will determine spending and outcomes on climate for next year and beyond. The Climate Crisis Working Group is asking our activist membership to commit to a weekly (or daily) calling effort to demand that both our elected federal representatives and our elected state officials stand up and respond without delay to the urgency of the crisis.  Some possible messages and phone numbers are below.  

Message for President Biden: I am calling/writing to ask that you use your executive power to stop issuing any further oil and gas leases on our public lands. Further, please ensure that your Build Back Better bill is passed with all of the strong climate provisions intact. As you are aware, the recent UN Climate Change report warned, the state of the climate crisis is "Code Red for humanity". You have the power to do these things and I am counting on you to act without delay on these climate and climate justice issues.
202-456-1111 (Tues.-Thurs. 11-3); email comment form whitehouse.gov

Message for Senator Schumer: I am calling to thank you for all of your hard work and to tell you that I expect Senate Democrats to pass the Build Back Better plan with all of the plans' strong climate provisions intact; including a fully funded Civilian Climate Corps, an end to fossil fuel subsidies, a robust Clean Electricity Payment Program, a Polluters Pay Action Fund, and at least 40% of investments to frontline communities. I am counting on Democrats to act together to finally take meaningful action on the climate crisis and to do what's right for our children and our country. Call: 202-224-6542 or 315-423-5471

Message for Senator Gillibrand: Please work in every way possible to help bring Democrats together in support of rapid passage of the Build Back Better plan with all of its robust climate provisions intact. We need every climate tool at our disposal to begin to take meaningful climate action and I am looking to you to be a climate champion for all of us.
202-224-4452, 315-448-0470

Message for Governor Hochul:   Please commit to spending at least $10 billion per year to combat climate change, invest in frontline communities and create good, green jobs.  It is also important that the CLCPA commitments are not replaced with false solutions like waste-to-energy, biofuels, biomass, or so-called “renewable natural gas” and “green hydrogen.” Thank you for denying permits for the Astoria and Danskammer fracked gas plants! Please also deny the permit for the two fracked gas vaporizers in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  Thank you!  
518-474-8390

Congresswoman Tenney: I am calling to ask that you respond to the climate crisis and the wishes of your constituents by voting for both the Infrastructure bill, and more importantly for the Build Back Better social infrastructure bill which contains large, meaningful climate provisions. New Yorkers want climate action in the form of an end to fossil fuel subsidies, a fully funded Civilian Climate Corps, a Clean Energy Payment Program, and a Polluters Pay Action Fund and the Build Back Better plan will accomplish them all. Taking bold action on climate change is a non-partisan issue that I ask you to make it your top priority every day.
202-225-3665, 315-732-0713

On a positive note: New Yorkers passed a ballot resolution on Tuesday that asserted the right of every New Yorker to a clean and healthy environment.  What kind of legislative actions can now be built on that foundation?  Good job, climate activists!
 

Indivisible + Gov. Hochul Meeting 

All of our IMV members are invited to attend a statewide meeting with fellow Indivisible activists and special guest Governor Hochul on Monday, November 15th at 8-9pm (register here). We helped flip the NY Senate and give Democrats a trifecta, helped flip the House, are pushing Sen. Schumer to change the rules to protect voting rights, and more, and now we’re having our first statewide meeting with Gov. Kathy Hochul!  People with our progressive values are everywhere, so let’s show our strength with big numbers for this meeting. It’s always a great time when NY Indivisibles get together, and at this Zoom event we’ll hear about what groups have been doing this year and then do 30 minutes of Q&A and conversation with Gov. Hochul. Don’t miss this opportunity; we have plenty of seats! You can also contribute to this e-card Kudoboard for her.

This meeting is happening because our statewide organizer, Sarah Reeske, is so persistent, and was committed to getting our new Governor in front of Indivisibles.  We need EVERYONE on this call so mark your calendar and sign up right now. 
 

How to Handle Loss...and Keep Doing the Work

Even though there were some happy bright spots locally like Celeste, Delvin, and Katie on the Utica Common Council, there were many more disappointing results, often felt deeply by those of us who put our time, energy, money, and work into supporting campaigns and candidates that matter to us personally. It was not the first time either, coming after key losses in 2020 and 2019 most recently. These circumstances can be a breeding ground for finger pointing and giving up.

On last night's Indivisible Activist call, Juliana Garcia reminded us that the work we are doing is hard. Political organizing and electoral politics involve losses, often significant ones. Real political and social change takes time, a long time.

We don't do this work together because it is easy or because we expect immediate results. We do the work because saving democracy, building equity and justice, improving people's material lives, and saving the planet--these are the right things to do.

We do the work together because democracy is not only not a spectator sport, it is also and always, a TEAM sport. A team with a future pulls together and works on their strategy, tactics, and skills. Keep the faith, stick together, and build the team:

• Join us Sunday for IMV's Fall Fiesta.

• Show up for the NY Indivisible call with Gov. Hochul

• Keep calling representatives to ask them to respond now to the climate crisis.

Democracy is a team sport; let's rehydrate, huddle, and then get back on the field.

Follow us on Twitter using @indivisiblemv and of course our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.