We're Still in the Fight!
Progressive Potluck Picnic Updates
It was great to see all those who were able to make the IMV picnic on Tuesday evening and we missed those who could not! We appreciated all the time that Anthony Brindisi spent with us explaining the role of NY Supreme Court Judge, the office he has announced he is seeking, and catching up with some of his best door knockers and phone-bankers. The NYS supreme court is the trial-level court, and upstate, handles civil matters almost exclusively. The seat Anthony is running for is newly created, to handle the increasingly high volume of cases and backlogs. The term is 14 years, so no more running for office every two years! However, the race will be a tough one, and Anthony, like Karen Stanislaus, who is running for Oneida County Family Court Judge, will need our support on the ground.
At our August IMV meeting we'll organize ourselves into effective teams to volunteer for candidates between mid August and the November election. Currently we are scheduled to meet on Aug. 10 but we may need to move that meeting in order to accommodate our many members who are judicial delegates, and are responsible for actually putting Anthony Brindisi on the ballot. We'll let you know soon the where and when of this critical August meeting. Anthony is still in the fight. Our other candidates are in the fight, and we'll be right there with them.
Redistricting Happening Soon
New York State Independent Redistricting Commission is holding virtual public hearings starting next week through mid August. The hearing for the Mohawk Valley is Aug. 5 and the hearing for Madison county (central NY is Aug. 9. On the calendar you can see both the hearing dates and times and several trainings about how to prepare and deliver testimony at these hearings. You can sign up to attend or to offer testimony on this page. We know that our area will probably be part of significantly redrawn lines and NY22 is likely to change or disappear based on NY's population decline. If you want to know more, these hearings are critical.
Indivisible is holding a general training on July 28th (see calendar below) about redistricting so we can all understand better how it works across the country. Here's the workshop pitch: "As states prepare to redistrict voting maps, how much do you really know about that process and the gerrymandering that often goes along with it? Take this 10-question Redistricting Quiz and see where your knowledge lands. Then, register for our Redistricting Hearing Training so that you can be informed about what resources are at your disposal on how redistricting works state by state. We'll cover the most effective ways to participate in the redistricting process, including best practices for attending public hearings, participating in official online comment periods, and developing a community of interest."
All across the country and in New York redistricting can lead to more gerrymandering, racial injustice, and unfair representation, or it can get better. Redistricting is critical to power, as Republicans have long understood. If we want to stay in the fight, we need to pay attention to the process.
Citizen Action People's Picnic Needs Support
Thank you, everyone who has contributed diapers or cash to Citizen Action's diaper drive! There is another request coming up. Citizen Action is holding a People's Picnic on August 21 at Kopernick Park in Utica as a fundraiser and community builder. Here's how you can help:
1) Buy a ticket or several tickets and spread the word to family and friends.
2) Donate or provide items like grills and chafing dishes, plasticware and tablecloths, hot dogs, hamburgers and buns, BBQ sauce, and chicken breasts, and much more. If you are able to contribute any of these items (or just provide a donation to underwrite the event) please email Chelsea at carcuri@citizenactionny.org.
Citizen Action is in the fight for social, racial, economic, and climate justice especially in low incomes communities of color. Let's support their fight for power for those who have been left out for too long.
1199 SEIU Workers Continue Their Fight!
Thank you to all those who showed up in support of 1199 SEIU health care workers at Masonic Care yesterday. It was a good turnout with about 30 people in attendance at the press conference. 1199 SEIU is escalating action and welcomes allies to show up and support its upcoming informational picket on Wednesday July 28th, 2-4:30 pm at Masonic Care. Help show support for these frontline workers and educate the public about their demands. Currently they face losing their pension in favor of a 401K to which most could not even contribute because of their low pay. They are fighting for wages and affordable health insurance rates as well. Let's stand with our labor allies--and fight!
The Talk Radio Fight for Hearts and Minds
Ever get tired of all the local Talk Radio being so conservative? Join Cassandra Lockwood on "The Hot Seat" Wednesdays from 5 to 6 pm. Teresa Van Etten is scheduling Guests to present a Progressive Voice each Wednesday. Here's your chance to call in and discuss what YOU are passionate about in your political, progressive and community concerns. You don't need to be an expert or have every fact on the top of your head. It's a conversation, and just raises the issues makes a difference. Branwen Drew was excellent this Wednesday in discussing her journey as a trans woman, and her activism with LGBTQ community, and other IMV members have talked about the climate crisis and voting rights. Contact IndivisibleMV.com to get a spot on Phoenix Radio. Listen in and join in!
Still in the Fight for Democracy: Pass S1
Keep calling Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand and demand they pass S. 1 without delay -- and get a free sticker! The Senate is back in DC, and the clock is ticking. Driving phone calls every single day is crucial to sustained pressure. We're also giving out "No Filibuster" stickers to everyone who makes a call this week! Use Indivisible's form to automatically be connected to one senator, and then fill it out again to reach the other senator’s office to make sure they know that we need to get the For The People Act done, no excuses.
Tomorrow, July 17th is the one year anniversary of the death of Rep John Lewis. Indivisible groups and voting rights groups will hold Good Trouble Vigils across the country to remember this great American hero, but he would be the first to say that there is no better way to remember him than to get the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act passed NOW. Please, please make your calls to Sen. Schumer and Sen. Gillibrand, and tell them there is no time to waste. They can't send the Texas Dem legislators back to Texas with no hope for voting rights in the future. Inaction in the Senate means disenfranchisement for Black and brown voters, student and elderly voters, disabled voters and low income single mom voters, urban and rural voters, and many others in state after state where Republicans are passing these restrictive voting laws, and permanent Trump Republican minority rule all across the U.S.
It's good to take some downtime in the summer and catch our breath. Breathe! Grow vegetables! Take a hike or a swim! We need everyone strong and healthy for the fights ahead, because there will be many. You can stay in touch with IMV friends every week at CAFE Friday, or join the #BLM stand in Clinton on the second Friday or the Climate Crisis rally in Utica on the fourth Friday of the month. The calendar below offers opportunities to learn and connect, to build power and make change.
We have a vision of the world where all have access to voting and equitable education, housing, and health care, and the planet is protected from the climate crisis, especially the most vulnerable populations; where truth prevails over the big lie and all the other lies; where immigrants are welcome, and all people--women, LGBTQ people, poor people, Black, brown, Asian, and indigenous people, young people and old people, ALL people--are treated with dignity and respect especially by the police and criminal justice system; where workers earn a living wage, and those in power stop rigging the system for the super rich to get even richer. That's a world worth fighting for. Thank you for all the actions you take in the fight. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
Follow us on Twitter using @indivisiblemv and of course our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.
