March for Reproductive Freedom & Vote Early!

June 24th marks two years since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade and federal constitutional protections for abortion. Let's be honest.  Dobbs was a huge loss of freedom and rights.  And across the country, people have been struggling and suffering as a result.  We MUST make sure that the right of every woman to make her own health care decisions--and every doctor to provide a full range of health care services--is top of mind for voters in November.  Most voters support reproductive freedom. We want them to know that MAGA Republicans like Brandon Williams want to ELIMINATE that freedom. 

On Sunday, June 23rd we are shining a light on MAGA extremism and the power of the movement fighting back against it to protect our personal freedoms and reproductive rights.  We're doing it in Utica, where we had hundreds march at the time of Dobbs in 2022.  Let's see another huge crowd!

Reproductive Freedom March & Rally in Utica. 
Sunday, June 23rd
2-3 pm
Meet at Oneida Square (Genesee & State Street)

We are asking everyone to sign up on the Mobilize link and share that link with all your friends--so that we can communicate with you about the march/rally in case there is any change in plan and in order to get a sense of the attendance numbers. Please sign up then share the link: https://mobilize.us/s/BRbUEP

We will march on Genesee Street from Oneida Square to Nurses Candlelight Park and have a rally. At 3:00 pm we will encourage attendees to participate in early voting before polls close at 5pm and/or take a short walking turf nearby and encourage voters to vote with reproductive freedom at the top of their minds. Please spread the word--especially to young people who are active on social media platforms and can reach a wide audience.   
 

Canvass for Sarah Klee Hood: Sunday or Monday

 The very best way to reach Democratic voters is to talk with them face to face. IMV is hosting canvass launches every Sunday and Monday.   This Sunday and Monday we will launch from New Hartford, and get as much of the town done as we possibly can.  Democratic voters may or may not know about the primary but once they find out, they are hungry for your advice on who to vote for and why.  They want to be informed voters--and we can help with that!  Please join us!

Sunday, June 16th, 1-4 pm IMV Canvass for Sarah Klee Hood for Congress, Meet at New Hartford Shopping Center on Genesee Street (near Nicky Doodles).  

Monday, June 17th, 5:30-8:00 pm, IMV Canvass for Sarah Klee Hood for Congress,  Meet at New Hartford Shopping Center on Genesee Street (near Nicky Doodles).  

We will provide bite size turfs that can be completed within the timeframe, and you can use Minivan or paper as you prefer.  New canvassers are welcome!  Anyone who wants to pair up can, and/or bring your own friend to walk with. 

If those days are not good for you and you want a turf and palm cards to go out on Saturdays or another day of the week, email jendeweerth@gmail.com.  

And thanks to everyone who has been knocking doors.  Our canvassers are reporting positive experience with voters.  Since Early Voting starts on Saturday, June 15th, your conversations can end with an immediate call to action to go to polls same day or next day!

 Last Chance to Write "Dear Friend" Letters

IMV still has 10 packets of "Dear Friend" letters that we want to go out. These are letters that you write to people you know (just add a sentence to the letter!) and mail to them urging them to vote for Sarah Klee Hood in the upcoming Democratic primary.  We need these letters to go out right away, so please act now.  Pick up letters from Carole Gehrig's tote at 8 Lyndon Rd Whitesboro.
 

Grand Opening of Democratic HQ in Utica

 The New York State Democratic Party is hosting a Grand Opening for the NYS Democratic Headquarters in Utica on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:00 PM. The headquarters is located at 238 Genesee Street, Utica.

This new office will serve as the NYS Democratic home base for volunteers and party staff as we all work to re-elect incumbent Democrats and flip key seats from red to blue. It will be a great opportunity to meet fellow Democrats, connect with supporters, and learn more about our plans for the upcoming elections.

All local Democrats and supporters of our candidates are welcome to attend. Please RSVP here: https://www.mobilize.us/nysdems/event/634082/

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jon Lipe at lipe.jonathan@gmail.com or (315) 795-1920.

LTE Workshop on Zoom

Thanks to all those who have been writing letters in support of candidates!   Sarah Reeske had letters about Sarah Klee Hood published at Syracuse.com and in the Oswego paper.   In the Daily Sentinel, Carolyn McAleese had a letter urging NY22 Dems to vote, Carole Gehrig's letter in support of Klee Hood was published yesterday in the Eagle Bulletin (Fayetteville).  Most papers have published their last batch of Primary related election letters, but we're going to need to continue writing in support of candidates as we head toward November. 

There is one more LTE workshop on the calendar.  It will help not only with writing letters but also talking to friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors about why you are voting for President Biden and the Democrats--and they should too!

Tuesday, June 18th at 12-1pm. Register here. NYS LTE Workshop.  Come learn how to write a letter-to-the-editor in support of President Biden’s accomplishments with Bart Rutherford with Building Back Together.

Live in NY22?  Vote Early!

Remind everyone you know in NY22 to vote early!   Here is a list of the towns in NY22. Those are the Dem voters who are eligible to vote in the congressional primary.  Voting starts tomorrow 9am-5pm.  Scroll down this page and you'll see the two Oneida County early voting locations and the days/times.  
 

Why We Must Show Up in 2024 Starting NOW

Note from the Editor---

Last night I was energized by the more than 200 Indivisibles from around the country who joined a Zoom with Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin and made our plans for our Dobbs Anniversary March and Rally. We even heard from Vice President Kamala Harris who urged us to take action on the anniversary of the Dobbs decision.  Please, please join us for our Utica March and Rally on Sunday, June 23 and bring everyone you know!

Did you know this scary fact?   Most Americans support reproductive freedoms, but one in three Americans believes either that Joe BIden is responsible for losing Roe vs. Wade, or are not sure whether Biden or Trump is responsible for the loss of the right to abortion.  YIKES!!!!  We know that TRUMP and the MAGAs are 100% at fault so it's up to us to help people understand who is at fault and what the stakes are in the 2024 election.  We need to make sure every voter knows the truth.  

So, please show up for the Utica March & Rally on Sunday, March 23 at 2 pm. 

And here are your talking points for every voter you talk to:

• Trump and Republicans would rather let women die or suffer than allow them to make their own decisions about their body. 

• Republicans worked relentlessly for decades to overturn Roe, and Trump proudly delivered that victory for them. 

• Trump and Republicans have already started laying out Project 2025, and they’re not hiding their plans to restrict access to birth control, undermine trans and queer rights, and undermine all the progress we’ve fought hard to build. The only way to protect our communities is to stop Trump. 

Ready to make a sign for our rally?  Here are some ideas:
Save abortion access. Stop Trump.
Trump and Republicans will kill more women
Trump would rather women die than make their own healthcare decisions
Trump is more interested in embryos than women’s autonomy
Trump + GOP = More Women Dying in 2025
Trump Will Jail Doctors for Providing Abortion Care. VOTE.
My Body. My Freedom. My Future
Abortion is Health Care
Reproductive Freedom is Religion Freedom

What creative ideas do you have for signs? See you at the Utica March on June 23rd!  And remember to vote early if you live in NY22!

--Jen DeWeerth

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