Register Now for IMV's July 27 Candidate Forum 

IMV is organizing a huge NY22 Democratic Candidate Forum in advance of the August primary.  The event will be held Wednesday, July 27th, 6-8 pm at Mohawk Valley Community College (Utica campus).  You must pre-register for this event.  After you do so, please invite all your registered Democratic party voter friends and family to pre-register as well.  Here's the Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/380084722637

We have a fabulous evening planned so that you can meet the Democratic candidates for the NY 22 congressional election, hear their positions on the issues and their plans to win, and get excited and prepared not just for the primary, but also for the general election.  We must and we will flip NY22 blue once again. 

This event is co-sponsored by the Oneida County Democratic Committee, the Cornhill Democratic Club, the Oneida County Democratic Women's Club, and Citizen Action CNY.  See you July 27!

So Many Local Protests for Abortion Rights: What's Next

In the past two months, many new activists have stepped up to host local marches, protests, and rallies in opposition to the Supreme Court's decision to overrule Roe v Wade.  These events have been positive, peaceful, and unifying, as those who stood up, chanted, and held signs represent the vast majority of our neighbors, New Yorkers, and Americans. IMV organized events in May and on June 24 (the day the Dobbs decision came down), received extensive press coverage as reporters responded quickly to our media advisories and press releases.  Thank you to all the abortion rights rally organizers and attendees!  Our voices are being heard and our bodies are being seen in support of the health care needs of women and girls who are pregnant and in support of bodily autonomy, privacy, and basic human rights.  

Our Democratic state legislators have taken steps to protect the abortion rights of New Yorkers and our Democratic members of Congress are trying to figure out what they can do from their seats in DC.  Here's the question, though: What can we do next?  The answer is that after you've contributed to abortion rights groups and abortion funds to help women and girls out of state, we absolutely must work to change the political balance of power in this country.  For us locally, that means one thing: doing everything we can to make sure our congressional districts flip to blue. For Herkimer country and north country residents that means supporting Matt Castelli.  For the rest of us, everyone in Oneida and Madison counties, it means making sure a Democrat wins in NY 22.  

Please think now about how many hours you will volunteer for candidates before the August 23 primary, and especially, how many hours per week you will volunteer after that-- in September and October.  What nights will you phone or text bank?  To which newspapers will you submit letters to the editor?   How many hours on the weekends will you knock doors?  How many postcards*** will you write and send to voters?   Have you blocked off your calendar/asked off from work for GOTV (Get Out the Vote) on Nov 5-8?  

Whether we see abortion rights nationwide again this country depends on the size of our Democratic majority in Congress. That means we need to keep our majority (or, likely, get it back after these midterms), and then push our elected representatives to pass legislation that protects individual choices, provides real and affordable access to abortion health care, and finally, expands the SCOTUS to restore abortion rights to every pregnant person in America.  What are you personally willing to do so that we can have our rights again and how can Indivisible Mohawk Valley help you take those purposeful, impactful actions? 

***Please note:  The price of stamps is going up on July 10.  That means that if you plan to purchase postcard stamps, you may wish to do so today or tomorrow so you can pay $.40 cents rather than the July 10 price of $.44 each.  
 

ONE Easy Action Item for today from the Climate Crisis Working Group

1. Continue to call Governor Hochul- 518-474-8390 and tell her to sign the cryptomining moratorium bill and thank her for denying the Greenidge air permit!

“Governor Hochul and the DEC stood with science and the people, and sent a message to outside speculators: New York's former fossil fuel-burning plants are not yours to re-open as gas-guzzling Bitcoin mining cancers on our communities," said Yvonne Taylor, vice president of Seneca Lake Guardian. "Now, it's up to Governor Hochul to finish the job by signing the crypto mining moratorium bill. Especially in light of this morning's EPA v. WV decision, she has a real opportunity to protect New York's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act -- and lead the nation – by acting now."

Suggested script:

"I want to thank Governor Hochul for showing her commitment to protecting the environment and upholding the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act by denying the re-permitting of Greenidge power plant for crypto mining. I am asking her to show her continued commitment by immediately signing the crypto mining moratorium bill. This bill does not ban crypto mining, nor does it prevent anyone from buying, selling, trading or holding crypto currencies. Across the state, wealthy out-of-state speculators are invading our communities to destroy our natural resources, kneecap local businesses, and set us back in our fight against climate change, just to make a few rich people even richer. Governor Hochul: put New Yorkers first, not big money, crypto billionaires."
 

Join Indivisibles Across from the Country July 12-14

The 2022 midterms are almost here. We know you’ve been in this fight for a long time, and we know that our movement and the work we do is more important than ever. We’ve watched as Republicans have been busy passing laws and advocating for policies that sow division and radicalize moderate voters. Their radicalism is dangerous, and we have to fight back. That’s why many of us in IMV are joining the Indivisible Convention which kicks off the evening of July 12th! 

Join with hundreds of activists from across the country to hear from special guest speakers, including our very own Ezra Levin. We have Kelley Robinson, Maurice Mitchell, Nayan Navin, and Heather Booth confirmed to speak with a few more surprise guests (hint: We've heard that Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Pramila Jayapal are both confirmed--have YOU ever been on a call with those powerhouses???!) This will be an opportunity to learn about how you can take back control and leave with tools and tactics to organize, mobilize, and sustain momentum for the 2022 midterm elections. 

Plus, our very own IMV Steering Committee leader and NY State organizer, Sarah Reeske, is opening the whole convention on Tuesday evening by telling her own activism story--which is also IMV's activism story!

Here’s some of what you can expect:

Day 1: We’ll dive deep into how we can use strategic messaging to make sure your peers, the press, and persuadable voters understand how extreme the mainstream Republican Party is today. Confirmed Speakers: Navin Nayak from Center for American Progress

Day 2: We’ll hear directly from local group leaders who are organizing diverse and creative voter outreach initiatives in their communities. Confirmed Speakers: Maurice Mitchell from Working Families Party and Alejandra Gomez from LUCHA 

Day 3: Recognizing the pandemic and political fatigue have made it harder for local groups to recruit and retain members, we’ll share best practices for recruiting strong members and getting them involved. Confirmed Speakers: Kelley Robinson from Planned Parenthood and Heather Booth longtime movement leader and strategist 

Please note that you do NOT need to attend the full event every evening. It's 7-10 pm for three nights in a row.  Attend as much as you can.  The convention is open to all Indivisible activists, not just group leaders or steering committee members.  Sign up now.  

We know we can win if we come together and put our all into it, so join us from July 12-14th, 7:00-10:00pm ET on Zoom. Register here today!

Democracy is not a spectator sport.
Breathe, THEN PUSH!
 
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