Our June IMV meeting is Sunday, 4:30 pm
We're Meeting Sunday for Food & Canvassing
Friends, the Celeste Friend for Mayor campaign relies more than any other campaign that we can remember on getting voters who are not usually aware or included to know who she is and why they should go out in an off-election year to vote for her. The ground game of talking to voters at their doors is everything to Celeste's campaign in this challenging primary. And it has been going very well, thanks to her many volunteers.
Then the campaign had to suspend door knocking for several days this week because of the poor air quality. Now our planned canvass for her Sunday is all the more important. We need as many people as possible to show up and help make up the ground that was lost. Sunday is less than a week from the start of early voting on June 17th. So here's the plan:
Please join us for our June 2023 IMV Meeting on Sunday at 4:30 pm at Schuyler Commons (1776 Independence Square, Utica). We have a short agenda but some key topics related to planning summer activities. Then at 5:30 pm, everyone who is able will head out in pairs to canvass Ward 6 (North Utica) for Celeste. Please bring food to share if you can--those who are headed out to canvass will need some sustenance before they go. As always bring your own beverage & utensils, but we'll have extras.
Even if you can't canvass we hope you'll come at 4:30 for the meeting and help with the food and also consider making some phone calls for Celeste on your cell phones.
Celeste's campaign embodies the values that we have embraced since we started IMV. She is one of us. let's help her win on June 27th--and again in November!
IMV June 2023 Meeting
Sunday, June 11th
4:30-5:30 pm followed by neighborhood canvassing 5:30-7:00 pm
1776 Independence Square, Utica (Schuyler Commons Community Room)
More Celeste Friend Updates
Did you hear Celeste in her hour long live debate on air with her primary opponent on 100.7 radio yesterday morning? As always, she was smart, on message, and addressed her leadership and experience while also educating about the issues and solutions that make Utica a great place to live and work. Excellent job, Celeste! The biggest debate is tomorrow, Saturday, June 10th at 2;00 pm at the Oneida County History Center (1608 Genesee St, Utica) sponsored by the NAACP and co-sponsored by many other groups. If you attend, don't wear the purple shirt that you wear to Celeste's campaign actions.
The Cornhill canvassing blitz that the Celeste Friend for Mayor campaign held last Sunday was another powerful and positive community building event. Dozens of people went out in the neighborhood to knock doors in pairs, with palm cards translated into many languages. There were burgers and hot dogs on the grill, ice cream, and chalk and fun toys for kids. So many great conversations happened at the doors, and as people stopped by to enjoy the festive gathering. Check out the calendar below for the Ward 4 pop-up canvassing event the campaign is holding on Tuesday, June 13th.
It's Tish James! Get Your Tickets Now
You are invited to join the Oneida County Democratic Committee for a Summer Fundraiser with Special Guest Attorney General Letitia James! Tickets are $60 (with additional sponsor levels available). The event is Thursday, June 29th 5-8 pm at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro. Everyone who has heard AG James speak says she is an excellent and inspiring speaker. This is a no miss event on a great night to relax after we have made it through the primary election (June 27).
Purchase tickets here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ocdcsummerfundraiser/
And In Other Political News...
The NY State Legislative session was extended but is expected to end today. In the weeks to come we will hear more about what got done and what didn't but for now, THANK YOU to all the calls you made and the emails you sent on behalf of NYS climate legislation and legislation on a host of other issues including the state budget over the past six months!
Finally, news of Trump's indictment on federal charges of mishandling documents broke last night. One thing we in IMV know for sure is that what happens with the former guy in court is out of our control.
What's in our control is messaging that we share locally in letters to the editor about our values and which elected official are representing them--and us--and which aren't. It's up to us to call and email our elected representatives and to stand out in public and make known the issues and legislative solutions that might not be getting enough attention in the local press--issues like worker rights and pay, climate bills, gun control bills, and reproductive freedom. And finally, the elections where we can make the most impact are local ones...races for county legislator like Caroline Reale's and Crystal Faria's and races for common Council, like Julie Gederos' and Katie Aiello's in Utica and Shelly Gardner's in Rome.
Most importantly in the next two and a half weeks, we need to take action for Celeste Friend, who must make it through a critical primary in order to stand in the general election for Utica Mayor in November.
Let's focus on the actions we can take, the work that we can do.
