Brandon Williams Doesn't Want Voters to Know He Voted to Keep George Santos in Congress, But We Can Tell Them

George Santos (NY-3) is a liar and fraud, and Republicans in Congress like Brandon Williams called for him to resign when the headlines were about his disgraceful fraud and lies to voters.  But instead they voted to keep Santos in office and launched an investigation that did nothing but delay his expulsion and keep a confessed thief in Congress. We know the truth: Santos is still in office because Republicans want him there. They don’t care about his lies or about his constituents, they just want him to vote for their priorities and help them protect their majority. 

How about Brandon Williams?  Did he have the courage of his convictions or act on ethical standards?  Nope.  On May 17th a resolution to expel Santos from Congress came up for a vote; Unrepresentative Williams voted to keep him in Congress instead. This should not be a hard choice. Apparently, Williams is too cowardly to do the right thing. 

Williams shares the same political priorities as George Santos, since they’ve voted in lockstep almost all the time. It’s clear that as long as Santos backs their anti-abortion, anti-democracy agenda, Williams and his MAGA colleagues will ignore almost any level of behavior, even when it brings shame on our institutions and erodes trust in our leaders. 

We encourage NY22 Indivisibles to write Letters to the Editor demanding why Williams continues to accept a lying con man as part of the New York Congressional delegation. As long as he’s willing to tolerate criminal indictments in order to protect his own party, Williams' honesty, integrity and suitability to represent us is also in question. Need some more information, facts, and tips?  There's a toolkit for that--all part of "Santos September" for NY Indivisibles.  

Williams thinks he can get away with anything and his constituents aren't paying attention.  But LTEs show that we are.  If you're on the platform formerly known as Twitter, that is another good place to call out Williams. He either lacks ethical standards or the courage of his convictions.  Either way, he is failing to protect New York voters from a total conman even he has said is a "stain on the soul of the nation" who "disgraces Congress." 

Let's let voters know what Brandon Williams is really made of, so they know how important it is to elect a representative who tells the truth and does the right thing.  

IMV Postcards: Everything You Need to Know to Help

Thanks to everyone who has been showing up for IMV postcard parties or picking up postcards to do at home. Yesterday, postcard writers completed cards to women voters in Crystal Faria's district, and started work on cards headed for Caroline Reale's legislative district.  Can't join the party? You can pick up and drop off postcards at the parties (below) or if you want to arrange to pick up postcards at another time, email Carole Gehrig (cgehrig_1@yahoo.com).  She can have a bunch ready for you in her box in Whitesboro.  

We've held two successful postcard parties so far. Three left, all at the New Hartford Library (2 Library Lane): 

Thursday, September 14th, 3:00-5:30 pm
Thursday, September 21st 4:00-5:30 pm (please note the later start)
Thursday, September 28th 3:00- 5:30 pm

Thank you to everyone who has been donating stamps and money to buy stamps.  If you can send a contribution, mail to: Indivisible Mohawk Valley c/o Deborah Wilson-Allam, 2 Laurelwood Drive, New Hartford, NY 13413.
 

Celeste Friend for Utica Updates & Events

 Last Saturday there was a vibrant pop up event in Cornhill courtesy of the Purple Posse.  Neighborhood events like this get the word out about Celeste's mayoral campaign and the importance of voting, but they also help build community connections and engagement.  Yay!   There are more pop up campaign events on the calendar in Utica:

Please join in!

Kennedy Plaza Campaign Pop-Up and Canvass
Saturday, September 9th ⋅ 11:00am – 2:00pm
Location TBD
Calling all Canvassers... come help talk to voters
Calling all OTHER volunteers... come help register voters, distribute groceries, and create another little party.

Ward 2 Pop-Up and Canvass
Saturday, September 23rd ⋅ 11:00am – 2:00pm
Location TBD

Gilmore Village Campaign Pop Up and Canvass
Saturday, October 7th ⋅ 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location 929 Hillcrest Ave., Utica, NY.

IMV Canvass for Caroline Reale for County

IMV supported Caroline Reale for County in 2021 when she ran her successful race for Oneida County Board of Legislators representing New Hartford. That was a tough race, and she has some new lines after redistricting--so it will be even tougher this time. Caroline's voice and work at the county level is critical.  She is one of a minority of Democrats on the board, and as a young woman and mom, she is in an even smaller minority. We need her representation!  Plus she is a very hardworking legislator.  How can you help?

First, IMV is committing to a Sunday afternoon canvass for her on Sept. 24th 3:00-5:30 pm. We really need as many people to show up as possible.  You can just show up, but if you plan to be there, email jgeiger777@gmail.com as soon as you can so that we can be sure to have enough turfs.  

Finally, please save the date for Caroline's fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 5th  6 pm in Utica.  More details coming soon. 

Democratic Events Coming Up

The Town of Trenton Democratic Committee invites everyone to meet Sarah Klee Hood (NY22 candidate) at their ice cream social Saturday, Sept. 9th, 1-3 pm at the Holland Patent Village Green.  

The Kirkland Town Democrats invite everyone to their annual Gathering on the Green in Clinton, Saturday, Sept. 23, 1-3 pm.  Local Democratic candidates will be featured along with live music and tasty treats.  

Plus, the Oneida County Democratic Women's Club meets once a month on Monday evenings, and this month they've invited candidates to join and talk about their campaigns: Monday, Sept. 25th, 6 pm at the New Hartford Library, 2 Library Lane, New Hartford.  
 

Will You Join the March to End Fossil Fuels? 

On Sunday, Sept. 17th, there will be a huge March to End Fossil Fuels in NYC.  The New York City march is part of a mass global escalation to end fossil fuels, with mobilizations occurring around the world, which all take place just days before the UN Climate Ambition Summit. At the summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has demanded world leaders come with a commitment to approving no new fossil fuel infrastructure and bring concrete plans to phase out existing fossil fuel production.  More than 500 groups have endorsed the march and are participating.  

A number of us from the Indivisible Mohawk Valley Climate Crisis Working Group plan to attend. If you are able to join us, feel free to contact Jennifer Geiger at jgeiger777@gmail.com if you would like to coordinate transportation arrangements, which are still being organized. Buses will be going from Albany, and possibly Syracuse, as well as some car or train options.
  

Issues and Elections Make for a Lot on the Calendar

We're working on many fronts at once.  You can see that in this weekly email. We are trying to expose and weaken Unrep Williams (NY22) and soften the ground for a Democrat to beat him in 2024.  We are trying to win seats for local candidates who share our values--at the county and city/town level in 2023. And we continue to take action with allies on issues --when the time is right to make an impact.  That includes climate, but also reproductive freedom, freedom to learn, housing and health access, and much more.  Why?  Because....
 

We are the ones we've been waiting for.  
Democracy is not a spectator sport. 
 

Thanks for showing up for your values, for justice, and for democracy.  

 
Follow us on Twitter using @indivisiblemv and of course our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.