Stay connected to IMV, your local activism group
For years IMV has been focused on very specific, large targets: resist the Trump-GOP agenda, flip NY22, win the Presidency and Senate. All along we have paid attention to local, state, and federal policy. However, with trifectas in Washington and Albany committed to passing as much legislation as quickly as possible to help people and invest in our future, there are even more issues to track. Our local grassroots group tries to focus on actions where our efforts at this time will matter or on long term projects, such as Invest in Our NY (IONY), or the Climate & Community Investment Act (CCIA), that are game changers. Still, there is a lot going on!
Join us at our meeting on Sunday, March 14th, 3-5 pm. It’s the best way to catch up on everything we are working on. Professor Luke Perry, of Utica College’s Center of Public Affairs and Election Research will talk about the 2020 election, and what’s ahead electorally for our region.
At our last meeting we heard from Jennifer Geiger and Phil Bean about the proposed F.T.Proctor Park "Peace Garden" project, which grew from an IMV member’s suggestion. It will be dedicated to victims of genocide, political violence, and injustice and to the cause of peace, a distinctive spot for contemplation and respite. we are behind in our fundraising for the project; please send donations with “Peace Garden” in the memo line to IMV, 2 Laurelwood Dr., New Hartford, NY 13413.
IMV continues to provide a time for members to connect at CAFE Fridays (see calendar below), which is still going strong after more than five months. Everyone is also invited to our book discussion group on Thursday, March 25th 7-8:30, and bring a friend. Even if you have not finished Politics is for Power by Eitan Hersh, you are welcome to talk about how to "move beyond political hobbyism, take action, and make real change.”
IMV is in its fifth year of grassroots political activism; your engagement and participation is what makes us strong.
State Level Activism: IONY and Indivisible Statewide Call
We have just three weeks left to push Invest In Our NY, and we need all hands on deck with actions to move legislators to pass this revenue package in Albany.
IONY’s focus this week is hunger. Over 2/3s of New York families have experienced food insecurity, while billionaires have grown over $87 billion richer during the pandemic. It’s time to tax the rich, fund food programs, and #InvestInOurNY! Please send three one-click emails right now, to your state legislators and the Governor using this link: https://p2a.co/EkZVEbW. When you're done sending your emails, please take five more minutes, and make calls to the three offices. using the same easy to use tool.
IONY Phonebanking opportunities have doubled in the final three weeks. Calling is Monday and Thursday nights. Volunteers are needed! There is a short training at the start of every phonebank: https://www.investinourny.org/phonebank
Sign up to participate in Citizen Action’s Invest in our CNY Car Rally and Press Conference Thursday, March 18th, 4:30-6:30 pm. The car rally starts in Rome, then heads to Utica. Join for as much or little as you can, but definitely plan to be at the socially distant press conference at the state building in Utica. This action is targeted to get the attention of Assembly Member Marianne Buttenschon and reinforce recent lobby visits to talk to her about what this revenue could mean to our local community.
Make sure you sign up for Sarah Reeske’s Indivisible NY Statewide call Thursday, March 18th. Our legislative success in Albany depends on coordination with Indivisible groups across the state.
Federal Action: Let's Start with Sen. Schumer
Senator Schumer is hosting an exclusive webinar for Indivisible activists on Tuesday, March 16th at 8-8:45pm to talk about the American Rescue Plan. There's room on the Zoom account for 500 people -- let's fill those seats! Here's how you can join:
Register here and list your Indivisible group for your organization.
Add your question to the "Question & Comment" box.
You will receive a confirmation email from Julietta Lopez. Please flag or star that email so you don't lose it. It will have the link to click on the day of the event.
"Thank you advocacy" is a very important part of relationship building with electeds. Asking them to vote the right way and them doing it deserves a thank-you. Please make a phone call to Sen. Gillibrand (518) 431-0120 and Sen. Schumer (518) 431-4070 to thank them for their votes on the American Rescue Plan.
Finally, take your activism to the next level with a letter to the editor. Here are some templates to make it very easy for you to get started and prime your creativity. Elected representatives pay attention to seeing their names in the media, especially in the newspapers, so they will see your LTEs. Your letter can also help your neighbors learn about the beneficial parts of the American Rescue Act that they may not have even heard about yet.
Indivisible Movement: New Issue Groups
Indivisible has national working groups that are issue specific. If you are part of an IMV working group on one of these issues, or are looking to start one, you may want to join one of the national working group meetings to get a sense of what the focus and strategy will be by attending.
Democracy meets the third Thursday of the month at 8pm. Register here.
Climate meets the fourth Monday of the month at 8pm. Register here.
Economic justice meets the second Thursday of the month at 8pm. Register here.
NEW Healthcare is meeting on April 5th at 8pm. Register here.
NEW Immigration is meeting on March 30th at 8pm. Register here.
Finally, please participate in Filibuster Friday today. There's a toolkit right here so you can start to tweet. We are seeing a lot of traction with this across the country, and every tweet builds energy and momentum. If we want progress n Voting rights, making DC a state, and a host of other bills, we have to push past GOP resistance in the senate, and that means getting rid of the Filibuster.
See You Sunday!
We look forward to seeing every IMVer on Sunday afternoon for our March meeting (remember last March, when we met in person at MVCC, just days before everything started to close?). We hope you can stay on Zoom for informal conversation once the meeting ends. Have a great weekend, and remember to send your IONY emails today.
