We're marching for reproductive freedom in Utica

Utica March & Rally for Reproductive Freedom

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. They just need to understand 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, and want to see another huge crowd.

If we think it can't get worse, or there is protection from living in New York, that's just not the case. MAGA Republicans WILL pass a national abortion ban that supersedes NYS health care protections if they get the chance.  That's why we must win back the House and keep the White House and Senate in 2024.  How far are the MAGAs willing to go?  As of this week we are finding out.  Here is what Salon reported in their piece, "The GOP's plan to hide their war on contraception: Blunt force lying.": 

"On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., held a vote on the Right to Contraception Act, which guarantees the right of an individual 'to obtain contraceptives and to voluntarily engage in contraception.' The legislation also protects the right of licensed health care providers 'to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information, referrals, and services related to contraception.' Despite loudly insisting they have no desire to take away birth control, all but two Republicans voted against the bill. This follows a 2022 vote on the bill in the House, in which all but 8 Republicans voted against the right to use contraception."

We have to be visible and loud, and let voters know what is at stake in 2024 and in every election.  
So IMV is hosting a Dobb's Anniversary
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 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 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 Sundays and Mondays
(or whenever you want!)

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 in June.   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 9, 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 10, 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. 

Block your calendar now on Sundays/Mondays to canvass. 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, please email jendeweerth@gmail.com.  

And thanks to all the Kirkland Town Democrats and IMVers who helped us complete so many Town of Kirkland turfs this past week. If you still want to knock doors in Clinton email jendeweerth@gmail.com.  There are still some turfs remaining.  
 

Phonebank with Climate Activists for Sarah Klee Hood for Congress

Climate Hawks Vote is backing Sarah Klee Hood, an environmental policy expert and town councilor in upstate New York’s 22d Congressional District, also known as the most flippable district in the country. And they're going to be phone banking for her on Tuesdays!   Democrats can’t flip the House without winning New York’s 22d, and Sarah is the candidate to win the primary for our climate future– with the help of activists who prioritize this critical issue. 

Join Climate Hawks Vote in a New York phone bank next Tuesday, June 11, and 18 at 6 PM.  

Sarah Klee Hood is an Air Force veteran and environmental policy expert who currently serves as a town councilor in DeWitt. She ran in this district in 2022, placing second in the primary.  She lists as climate/ environment priorities, among other things, bringing clean energy jobs to this district and advocating for a farm bill that addresses weather-related vulnerabilities. She’s on the executive board of a local Sierra Club chapter, and recently worked at a climate tech small business incubator. She has recently signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge.

NY22 tops every pundit’s list of Democratic targets in November. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report lists NY-22 as the only “likely Democratic” seat held by a Republican in the country.  Once Sarah wins her primary, professional Democratic campaign operatives will unite behind her to oust Williams. Here’s where you swing into action: before those campaign veterans show up. They don’t care who wins the primary – whether it’s Sarah, who’s worked to create climate-friendly jobs, or the other candidate who’s not terribly interested in or aware of climate work. You care because you know that climate matters. 

Support climate action with an hour phone banking for Sarah Klee Hood.  

Write Letters to Friends (whether you live in NY21 or NY22!)

Thanks to everyone who participated in the letter writing party for Sarah Klee Hood last week!  We still have printed letters available.  There is a version for you if you live in NY22 and another version if you live in NY21 but want to encourage your friends in NY22 (New Hartford, Utica, other counties, etc.) to vote for Sarah.  Your friends and acquaintances will appreciate your reminder and guidance about how to vote in the June 25th primary.  

These are Vote Forward style letters where there is mostly text and some room for a personal reason why you are voting for Sarah Klee Hood for Congress.  Email us at indivisiblemohawkvalley@gmail.com and we'll get you a stack of letters.  All you need to do is go through your address book, add your personal note to the letter, and put on a stamp! 
 

IMV Needs Volunteers for Summer Tabling

Once again, IMV plans to table at key events both to register voters and also to talk about the importance of voting and the political activism we do.  We have stickers, tattoos, voter engagement boards, and more.  We just need volunteers to help staffing our table.  If you can volunteer for 2-3 hours, please email IndivisibleMV@gmail.com and let us know when.  Thank you!

Saturday, June 1st Utica Pride Fest 10am-4pm  MVCC Utica  Report Out:  This was an excellent and well attended event. Jill and Kathy staffed all day and they collected lots of names and email addresses on our IMV sign up sheets.  They also ran out of SKH palm cards and signs.  We had Pride tattoos and stickers as well as "remember to vote" stickers.
Sunday, June 9th 12-6pm  Jewtica. JCC, Utica
Saturday, June 22nd, 12-5  Juneteenth (Utica)

More LTE Workshops

Are you willing to write a Letter to the Editor?  Check out the next LTE workshops:

Tuesday, June 11th, 12-1 pm
New York LTE Workshop on LGBTQ rights
Come learn how to write a letter-to-the-editor in support of LGBTQ rights with Matthew Skinner, Executive Director of The Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission, part of the NY United Courts system. Register here.

Tuesday, June 18th at 12-1pm
New York LTE Workshop on President Biden's Accomplishments
Save the date! Come learn how to write a letter-to-the-editor in support of President Biden’s accomplishments with Bart Rutherford with Building Back Together.

Congratulations to Barbara Gold, whose letter in support of SKH was published in the Syracuse paper and in the The Daily Sentinel.  Let's keep those letters coming! 
 

No More Williams Wednesdays

Citizen Action CNY is holding a protest of Brandon Williams on Wednesday, June 12th, 5:30-6:30 pm. Please sign up!  The location is listed as the Citizen Action office to ward off counter protestors, but the actual location will be shared  beforehand to everyone who signs up.

Here's the link:  https://www.mobilize.us/citizenactionny/event/631224/
Please sign up now, mark your calendar, and then look out for the location when it is sent to everyone signed up.
 

SIGN UP, SHOW UP on Sunday, June 23rd

Please do everything you can to spread the word about the March & Rally for Reproductive Freedom on Sunday, June 23rd  Make time after that rally to knock on some doors and remind voters to vote in the primary, and then to show up again in November because abortion, women's health care, IVF, and even access to contraception are all on the ballot.  

March & Rally for Reproductive Freedom
Sunday, June 23rd, 2-3 pm
Oneida Square, Utica
https://mobilize.us/s/BRbUEP

Finally, Sarah Klee Hood has been unbelievably brave in sharing her own abortion story.  If you are willing to help her win the primary in June so that she can defeat Brandon Williams in November, then join us at our canvass on Sunday or Monday.  Talking to voters face to face is the most effective way to persuade them to vote!

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Follow us on Instagram's Threads.net/@indivisiblemohawkvalley, on X (Twitter) using @indivisiblemv and of course on our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.