This Labor Day; Honor Unions, Elect Dems
Alan Cole Alan Cole

This Labor Day; Honor Unions, Elect Dems

Labor Day weekend is a wonderful time to spend relaxing with loved ones.  While you do that, please make sure that your family and friends understand why the labor movement is behind Democrats in this election.

From Shawn Fain (UAW President) to SEIU and AFL-CIO  and from teachers unions (AFT and NEA) to IBEW electrical workers--all endorsed the Harris/Walz ticket at the DNC.

Locally, more than 20 unions have endorsed John Mannion  for Congress.  Workers in America know which party, candidates, and elected leaders have their backs...and which party can't wait to kick them in the teeth. 

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The Special Door Knock Edition
Alan Cole Alan Cole

The Special Door Knock Edition

You're invited to join IMV on Tuesday, August 27th to have pizza, knock on doors, and connect with our Democratic Congressional Candidate, John Mannion.

This is our first Canvass with Senator Mannion and will be a great way to connect with like-minded volunteers and make a difference in our community.

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All in for Democrats Rally today, 4-5 pm Clinton Village Green
Alan Cole Alan Cole

All in for Democrats Rally today, 4-5 pm Clinton Village Green

Make Calls, Knock Doors. DO SOMETHING

On Tuesday night, Michelle Obama was clear about the assignment: She reminded us of what Kamala Harris' mother told her: "Don't just sit around and complain...DO SOMETHING." Then she went on:  "So, if they lie about [Kamala Harris], and they will, we've got to DO SOMETHING.  If we see a bad poll, and we will, we've got to put down that phone and DO SOMETHING.  If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we've got to pick ourselves back up, throw water on our face, and DO SOMETHING.  We've only got 2.5 months to get this done. Only 11 weeks to make sure every single person we know is registered and has a voting plan. So we can't afford for anyone to sit on their hands." 

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NYS Prop 1: What You Need to Know
Alan Cole Alan Cole

NYS Prop 1: What You Need to Know

We had a fabulous OneNYS Indivisible call last night, thanks to Sarah Reeske, our statewide organizer.  Our first agenda item was Prop 1 (AKA NYS Equal Rights Amendment).  Research tells us that our conversations with voters --including family, friends, and coworkers, will make the difference in getting the ERA passed. If you want more information about how to have those conversations HERE is the tool you need.  The ERA is a constitutional amendment to protect the civil rights of all New Yorkers, including for reproductive freedom and abortion. Read on to learn more.

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2024 Election: We're In It to Win It
Alan Cole Alan Cole

2024 Election: We're In It to Win It

It was wonderful to see so many of you at IMV's annual potluck picnic yesterday even if we did have some rain. We had a great crowd, including several people at their first ever IMV event! Our elected guests included Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon and Utica School Board member James Paul with an update on the new Superintendent who started last week (see how our efforts to elect James in 2022 paid off!?), as well as candidates Adrienne Martini (122nd Assembly), James Meyers (State Senate-53rd), and Paula Collins who is challenging Elise Stefanik in NY21 in a district that covers more than 15,000 miles and 15 counties. Candidates meet with us because we do the work to help them win!

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Honk for Kamala Harris Rally today 4:00-5:30 pm
Alan Cole Alan Cole

Honk for Kamala Harris Rally today 4:00-5:30 pm

If you're FIRED UP about Kamala Harris for President! please join IMV at our:

Honk for Harris Rally

TODAY (Friday, Aug. 2) at 4-5:30 pm
Oneida Square, Utica

Please park on the street (Genesee, or surrounding streets)--not at Dunkin Donuts

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All In For Kamala Harris!
Alan Cole Alan Cole

All In For Kamala Harris!

Indivisible has asked for groups to hold celebratory events supporting Harris for President. IMV will host a Honk for Harris rally on Friday, August 2nd from 4-5:30pm at Oneida Square in Utica. Bring signs in support of Kamala Harris. We always provide extras, so join us. Click in to register, and share with your friends. Help get the word out to people excited for Kamala Harris to come to our rally.

Not inspired enough? Check out the first official Harris for President ad and share it by email and on social media. Then register for our Honk for Harris Aug. 2 rally!

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🧢 Grab a friend and start canvassing!
Alan Cole Alan Cole

🧢 Grab a friend and start canvassing!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our July IMV meeting! We exchanged a lot of information and ideas for direct voter contact, community building, and messaging in the coming months. And we missed you if you were unable to attend.

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See You Monday 6:30 pm in Utica!
Alan Cole Alan Cole

See You Monday 6:30 pm in Utica!

Once again, if you've been paying attention to the news, you might have had a rough week, and might even be succumbing to news-related despair syndrome.

We have an antidote for that.
And here it is:

July 2024 IMV Meeting

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Join IMV for our July Meeting Monday, July 15
Alan Cole Alan Cole

Join IMV for our July Meeting Monday, July 15

It's been a rough couple of weeks in the news Between local tragedy, the Presidential debate, and cascades of terrible SCOTUS rulings, you may be feeling worn out and even a bit hopeless. We recommend taking a break from the news if you can, for at least a couple days, this holiday weekend. Enjoy weather, connect with family and friends. get out in the garden, spend some time at the pool or lake, or attend a parade.

Then, show up to connect with your political activism community. We're gathering!

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We're United to Defeat Brandon Williams
Alan Cole Alan Cole

We're United to Defeat Brandon Williams

Thank you to every one of you who helped in any way with the Democratic primary election!

No matter how you helped support a candidate or encouraged people to vote, know that we appreciate you!

Now, with the primary behind us and Senator John Mannion the winner, it's time to move forward in unity, and commit wholeheartedly to:

1) Defeating Brandon Williams and flipping NY22

2) Spreading positive messages about President Biden and what Democrats have been doing and will do to help Central New Yorkers and all Americans if we have a Democratic Congress and White House and Democrats representing us in Albany.

3) Building a strong political activism community in coalition with other groups like Democratic committees, labor unions, and progressive parties, groups, and issue advocates that share our values.

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Utica March for Reproductive Freedom Sunday 2 pm
Alan Cole Alan Cole

Utica March for Reproductive Freedom Sunday 2 pm

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.

On Sunday, June 23rd we are shining a light on Trump and MAGA Rep. Williams and showing the power of the movement fighting back against them to protect our personal freedoms and reproductive rights. We're doing it Utica, where we had hundreds march when we learned Roe was being overturned in 2022. Let's see another huge crowd!

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Show Up Big for Reproductive Freedom! June 23rd
Alan Cole Alan Cole

Show Up Big for Reproductive Freedom! June 23rd

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.

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 Utica, where we had hundreds march at the time of Dobbs in 2022. Let's see another huge crowd!

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We're marching for reproductive freedom in Utica
Alan Cole Alan Cole

We're marching for reproductive freedom in Utica

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.

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Celebrate Pride Tomorrow
Alan Cole Alan Cole

Celebrate Pride Tomorrow

Pride month starts tomorrow. Please stop by Utica Pride tomorrow (10-4pm) and celebrate the freedom to be who you are and love who you love. LGBTQ people and allies, Democrats, and progressives have fought long and hard to make social change and win legal rights. The fight is not over, and there is immense MAGA Republican backlash that threatens the lives and wellbeing of many especially trans people. As we celebrate this month, we know that in November, the freedom to be ourselves is on the line: to access the care we need, to love who we love, and to thrive. Please be sure that every person in your life understands what is stake.

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Take action today with climate calls
Alan Cole Alan Cole

Take action today with climate calls

Memorial Day in central New York is the kickoff of summer parade and festival season. We encourage IMVers to walk in local parades with the candidates they support.

Read on for details, and more about this week’s climate actions.

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Big Canvass With Sarah Klee Hood Tomorrow!
Alan Cole Alan Cole

Big Canvass With Sarah Klee Hood Tomorrow!

Many Democratic voters don't know there is a primary and they don't know the candidates. They will appreciate the information we share!  Plus Sarah Klee Hood will be there to get us started, give us her talking points and turfs in nearby neighborhoods. Show up with a friend or we will connect you with a canvassing partner upon arrival.  First timers welcome!  If you use the Minivan app, please bring your phone.  There will also be an option to use paper walk lists. 

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Join Us: Lawn Sign Making Party
Alan Cole Alan Cole

Join Us: Lawn Sign Making Party

We are coming up on a very busy six weeks ahead of the NY22 Primary Election. Below you'll see a request to volunteer for an IMV member running for school board, and our annual request for volunteers to table at June events in Utica as part of our overall effort to register voters and encourage them to plug in and vote. And yes, we need help to assemble lawn signs too.

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We built political power on Sunday at our Forum
Alan Cole Alan Cole

We built political power on Sunday at our Forum

Thank you to everyone who attended our IMV NY22 Congressional Candidate Forum on Sunday! This event was a huge success, with more than 100 electoral volunteers assembled to hear from our two Democratic primary candidates. We hope that every person in the room is now energized to volunteer for one of these candidates in the next two months, and for the primary winner as we head into the general election campaign (June 26-Nov. 5). We appreciate these candidates--Sen. John Mannion and Councilor Sarah Klee Hood-- for spending time with us. We want them to seek our practical support and recognize our progressive people power in the months ahead.

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