Check Out Spread the Vote
Check out Spread the Vote, which is helping people get IDs so they can vote on Election Day.
Voter ID laws disproportionately affect communities of color, the elderly, and new voters. Spread the Vote helps people to navigate their state’s ID laws and assists with everything from application fees to driving you to the DMV to get your ID.
You can join a local chapter (or start one!), and donate at their website. Let’s get started now to make sure folks have the IDs they need to vote in 2020. We all need to pitch in to boost turnout!
H/T Small Deeds Done
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Join Mothers Out Front in Support of Youth Climate Activists
From Mothers Out Front: On September 20th, millions of people will participate in a week of action lead by youth climate activists. As our children go back to school, we are asking mothers and parents to show the world that we don’t just support youth, we’ll be fighting right alongside them.
Together we are building a multi-generational, multi-racial movement for bold, immediate action to address the climate crisis. This fall, our mothers from San Diego to Roanoke will host art builds for youth climate strikes, launch local campaigns for electric school buses, stop gas infrastructure expansion, and push for climate-smart schools.
Will you join them? Take the pledge to commit to action this fall in your community. Join thousands of mothers and take action at home, in your child’s school, your neighborhood, or workplace for immediate clean energy solutions.
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Comment on LGBTQ Workforce Protections
We have fewer than 30 days to comment on the proposed regulation that will allow employers to discriminate against the LGBTQ community, unmarried pregnant women, and others in hiring/firing based on the employer’s religious beliefs.
The comment deadline is September 16, 11:59 PM ET.
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Families Belong Together: Protect Immigrant Families
Families belong together in their communities. But Trump’s @DHSgov just rigged the rules against immigrants, forcing families to choose between health care, food, homes, and a safe, stable future in the U.S. Get more information on how we can help protect immigrant families.
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Call for Gun Law Reform
Use this script to call your senators now to say their thoughts and prayers are not enough. After the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, every senator should publicly tell Mitch McConnell to:
- Call an emergency session to debate and vote on gun violence prevention legislation
- Cosponsor S. 42, which would close loopholes and require background checks for all gun purchases.
Read more in Indivisible's updated resource.
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Oppose Gutting Endangered Species Rules
The Trump administration just released its final proposal to gut the Endangered Species Act. The proposed change removes protections from countless animal populations and allows the construction of dangerous pipelines. We need to act now to stop this measure: sign the Sierra Club’s petition telling Interior Secretary David Bernhardt that you oppose the change.
H/T The Nation's Take Action List
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Support the ROE Act at the MA Democratic Convention
The September 14 Massachusetts Democratic Convention is an ‘action agenda’ convention (also known as an ‘issues’ convention) where the party begins the process of identifying and developing strategies for the issues of the coming year.
Many Indivisible members from across the state are delegates to the convention this year. We will be asked to vote for resolutions that reflect our values and goals. These resolutions can be submitted by any group or individual to the Resolutions Committee before August 30 for review by a sub-committee.
Indivisible-MA would like to endorse an important resolution being presented for consideration concerning women’s reproductive rights. Several Indivisible chapters across the state have been working closely with the ROE Coalition (Planned Parenthood, NARAL, ACLU, and others) to support the ROE Act (S.1209/H.3320) that is currently in the legislature. The ROE Act is a bill that would protect and expand abortion access in MA by updating our outdated laws and would codify modern and compassionate abortion law in MA if attacks on Roe v. Wade are successful.
You can read about it here.
We are currently collaborating with the ROE Coalition on a proposed resolution that we are hoping the committee and the entire convention body would support. The proposed resolution states:
“NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Massachusetts Democratic Party hereby states its commitment to the protection of abortion rights, access to reproductive health care, and an individual’s right to make reproductive decisions about their own body. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Massachusetts Democratic Party does hereby support the immediate passage of the ROE Act, Massachusetts Senate Bill S.1209 and House Bill H.3320.”
The Indivisible-MA board and many Indivisible chapters have indicated strong support for this joint resolution proposal, and we would like to confirm that a strong majority of the Indivisible MA chapters agree with an endorsement of this resolution. All resolution proposals must be submitted by August 30 in order to be considered by the committee and to ultimately be approved (we hope overwhelmingly) on the floor of the convention!
This newsletter is one of the ways that we are seeking to confirm the support of as many MA groups as possible and we are hoping you can let us know as soon as possible as the deadline is coming soon. Please email veninger@aol.com or ppoindexterpup@gmail.com.
Submitted by Laurie Veninger, Indivisible Outer Cape
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NC-09 Thanks MA Postcard Writers
A note from Carolyn - Indivisible NC09
Hello postcard writers!
I wanted to thank you once again for your commitment to our Indivisible NC District 9 postcard campaign for Dan McCready! We have gotten responses from across the district as voters have received their beautiful postcards from you! Many hands make light work, and you made it possible for us to reach 50,000 base Democrat voters in NC09. WOW!
It was truly a moving experience to see the thousands of postcards from across the country, handwritten and sent with love and hope.
Attached is a photo of the postcard drop at a local post office on July 31st.
Submitted by Rina Schneur, Indivisible MA
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Early Voting Has Begun for Dan McCready
Early voting has started for an epic election redo in North Carolina’s Ninth Congressional District, where Democrat Dan McCready is running against Dan “Bathroom Bill” Bishop.
Both Democrats and Republicans are anxiously awaiting the outcome of this special election. A Democratic win could further dim GOP hopes of taking back the House in 2020, leading to more incumbent retirements. If the Republicans prevail, it could give the GOP momentum toward retaking dozens of House districts on Trump turf currently held by Democrats.
With early voting underway, the McCready campaign is ready to drive likely Democratic voters to early voting sites (different from polling locations!) While the early voting period runs from 8/21-9/6, weekend voting at most locations is limited to just a few hours on the first weekend. It’s likely that there will be long lines at these voting locations, making it difficult for people who cannot take off time from work to vote.
McCready’s campaign has received steady support from Massachusetts donors and volunteers since he began running for this seat in 2017.
Go here to find out how you can help kick Dan's campaign into high gear.
It's time to win this thing!
Submitted by Susan Labandibar, Swing Left Greater Boston
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Ditch Mitch BBQ Events on the Cape and Islands
On behalf of Indivisible Kentucky, a six-part Cape-and-Islands-wide fundraising effort is ongoing, sponsored by Lower Cape Indivisible, Indivisible Outer Cape, Indivisible Martha’s Vineyard, and Indivisible Nantucket.
We are raising funds to help their #DitchMitch2020 campaign to oust Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and raise funds for capacity-building and billboard campaigns to spread the word in rural Kentucky that Mitch McConnell is bad for Kentucky and bad for the country.
Only one event remains: Martha’s Vineyard, Saturday, September 21, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
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Register College Students in Maine to Defeat Susan Collins
Now is the time to register students as they head back to school in Southern Maine. Three-quarters of Maine’s voters have voted for Susan Collins for Senate at least once. Happily, new student voters have no such track record!
Five voter registration trips to choose from:
- August 26, South Portland, Southern Maine Community College.
- September 3, Portland, University of Southern Maine.
- September 4, South Portland, Southern Maine Community College.
- September 5, Portland, University of Southern Maine.
- September 6, South Portland, Southern Maine Community College.
No experience is necessary. We'll provide training. carpools, and everything else you need.
RSVP and get details here.
Submitted by Susan Labandibar, Swing Left Greater Boston
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Reception Fundraiser for Dan McCready in Lexington
You've written postcards, you’ve phoned, you’ve texted. Now Let’s pull Dan McCready over the finish line!
On August 28th, Join us for a final event to support Dan McCready prior to his long-awaited September election redo.
Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5) and Jimmy Tingle, comedian, commentator and 2018 candidate for Massachusetts Lt Governor will ensure the evening will be uplifting and informative.
The evening will also feature a live televised debate between Dan McCready and his opponent, the NC state legislator who authored the famous "bathroom bill," Dan Bishop, as well as a special message from Dan himself.
This race will be very close, with low turnout anticipated that tends to favor Republicans. There has also been almost $5 million in outside spending from Republican dark money groups. Dan needs last-minute funds for his voter contact effort, including continuing to support more than 20 field organizers, with field offices in all eight counties in the district. A massive voter registration effort has just been completed and now efforts are to turn those voters out by hearing his message in the mail, at their doors, and on the air.
Please make a contribution even if you can’t join us.
Donate and RSVP here.
Day Wednesday August 28
Time 6:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Place The home of Ira Goldman and Nina Hackel, 4 Hastings Road, Lexington
Host Committee: Ira Goldman, Nina Hackel, Lisa Kolarik, Susan Labandibar, Bob Master, Michelle Olson, and Rina Schneur
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Lobby at the State House for a Better Gun Law in MA
Join the MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence on Wednesday, August 28 at the State House in Room A-2 for the public hearing of our top legislative priority this session:
S.1388/H.2045, An Act Relative to Crime Gun Data Reporting and Analysis
We will gather in Room 222 at 11:30 AM and then make our way down to the hearing room at noon for the hearing, which will take place at 1:00. Be sure to wear your MA Coalition t-shirt. Let’s turn the hearing room orange!
RSVP here.
If passed, this law will require a detailed analysis of MA crime gun trace data to better understand the origins of gun crimes so we can stop them!
Also featured are a key background check bill, a gun violence prevention research bill, and some dangerous bills we need to oppose.
Help us spread the word about this hearing!
Share the event with your networks and post to Facebook and Twitter using #FollowTheGuns #mapoli & tag @MACoalitionPGV @CindyCreem @MarjorieDecker
Submitted by Rina Schneur, Indivisible MA
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Medicare for All Forum in Groton
Healthcare ranks as one of the highest concern among Americans.That's one of the many reasons why Medicare for All is so important. Do you still have unanswered questions about this progressive legislation to provide basic health care rights to everyone in Massachusetts?
Come hear a panel of experts speak about why the proposed legislation is so urgently needed, and why the time is now to get it passed. Sponsored by Senator Jamie Eldridge and Indivisible Nashoba.
RSVP here.
Day Wednesday, September 18
Time 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Place Groton Public Library, 99 Main Street, Groton
Submitted by Margaret Scarsdale, Indivisible Nashoba
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NEWS FROM the BERKSHIRES to BOSTON
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Links to Local News From Around MA
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The Mueller Report
Looking for some light summer reading or listening? Here are ways to read the Mueller Report so that you know exactly what is at stake.
Here are a couple of ways to get a quick overview:
- Read or listen to Mueller's Executive Summaries: the 10-page summary of Volume I, which deals with Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election and its interactions with the Trump Campaign, and the 6-page summary of Volume II which focuses on the obstruction of justice portion of the Investigation.
- Watch Mueller's televised statement (<10 minutes) or read it here.
H/T Indivisible Acton Area newsletter
Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right
by Jane Mayer
One of the New York Times best books of the year.
Who are the immensely wealthy right-wing ideologues shaping the fate of America today? From the bestselling author of The Dark Side, an electrifying work of investigative journalism that uncovers the agenda of this powerful group.
In her new preface, Jane Mayer discusses the results of the most recent election and Donald Trump's victory, and how, despite much discussion to the contrary, this was a huge victory for the billionaires who have been pouring money in the American political system.
Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right's Stealth Plan for America
by Nancy MacLean
“[A] vibrant intellectual history of the radical right . . . [MacLean] has dug deep into her material—not just Buchanan’s voluminous, unsorted papers, but other archives, too—and she has made powerful and disturbing use of it all. . . . The behind-the-scenes days and works of Buchanan show how much deliberation and persistence—in the face of formidable opposition—underlie the anti-governing politics ascendant today. What we think of as dysfunction is the result of years of strategic effort.” —The Atlantic
The People Are Going to Rise Like the Waters Upon Your Shore: A Story of American Rage
by Jared Yates Sexton
A first-hand account of the events that shaped the 2016 presidential election and the cultural forces that powered Donald Trump into the White House.
“Sexton grapples with the Trump campaign from the perspective of the crowds reveling in the candidate’s presence and message. It is a useful vantage point given the increasingly blatant bigotry in the months since the election.” —The Washington Post
Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life
by Eric Klinenberg
Eric Klinenberg is a professor of sociology and director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University. In this book, he focuses on how social infrastructure can help fight inequality, polarization, and the decline of civic life. "In Palaces for the People, Eric Klinenberg offers a new perspective on what people and places have to do with each other, by looking at the social side of our physical spaces." —New York Times
Fantasyland: How America Went Haywire: A 500-Year History
by Kurt Andersen
“The single most important explanation, and the fullest explanation, of how Donald Trump became president of the United States . . . nothing less than the most important book that I have read this year.”—Lawrence O’Donnell
How Democracies Die
by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
Both authors are Professors of Government at Harvard University. Based on years of research into the breakdown of democracies in Europe and Latin America, the authors present a deep understanding of how and why democracies die; an alarming analysis of how democracy is being subverted today in the US and beyond; and a guide for maintaining and repairing a threatened democracy, for governments, political parties and individuals.
Fascism: A Warning
by Madeleine Albright
A personal and urgent examination of fascism in the twentieth century and how its legacy shapes today’s world, written by one of America’s most admired public servants, the first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of state. #1 New York Times Bestseller.
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Running for Office? Let Us Know!
While Indivisible-MA may not do any candidate endorsements this year, we can let other Indivisibles across the state know about your race. Use this form to tell us about your candidacy. Thank you for stepping up!
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Submit Items to the Mass Action Newsletter
Submit any events you would like to place in our online calendar and this newsletter using this event promotion form.
Tell us about your group's activities and successes using this submission form. You may include links to pages with more details.
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Keep in Touch - Join Us on Slack
MA Indivisibles have a place to chat and share events and ideas on Slack. If you're not familiar with Slack, don't worry, it's easy to use. Ask your group leader to send you an invitation.
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Give a Little to Keep Indivisible Growing
Both the national organization and local groups are building tools and infrastructure so that we can coordinate to have a stronger voice here in Massachusetts as well as nationally as we carry this work forward to the 2020 elections. This all takes a bit of cash. Please donate to the national organization or to your local group to help us continue this work.
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Our Mission
The Indivisible mission is to fuel a progressive grassroots network of local groups to resist the Trump Agenda.
Indivisible Massachusetts is a consortium of leaders from more than 250 local Massachusetts Indivisible groups, working together to bring our groups together for events and to leverage our numbers to make our efforts more effective.
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