Stay Informed About the Impeachment Inquiry
Stay informed about the impeachment inquiry so you can help others understand the issue.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) office on Monday released a fact sheet laying out what Democrats believe is their most compelling evidence to date against President Trump in their investigation of the president's efforts to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate a domestic political rival.
"President Trump has betrayed his oath of office, betrayed our national security, and betrayed the integrity of our elections for his own personal political gain," the document states in laying out how Democrats are likely to make their case in the impeachment inquiry. Let’s call our members of Congress and thank them for insisting on impeachment as it is the only way to save the office and our country.
H/T Rogan's List
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Demand an Investigation of Child Abuse at Detention Centers
Recent documents collected by the ACLU have revealed serious allegations of abuse of migrant children at detention centers.
Let’s raise this issue with our members of Congress and ask them to open an investigation. Let’s also ask them to call for an immediate end to child detention.
H/T Rogan's List
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Help Local Officials Go Green
Here’s a helpful resource to pass along to your local government officials who are interested in addressing climate change: The Guidebook for Local, Regional and State Governments.
H/T Small Deeds Done
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Support Education Funding
Recent cuts to the federal education budget have left schools across the country struggling to provide the resources that teachers need to teach. Use the National Education Association’s email template to tell your senators to pass the 2020 education appropriations bill passed by the House to restore adequate school funding. Then scroll down to tell your congressional representatives to pass the Keep Our PACT Act, which would ensure that Congress upholds its obligation to fully fund programs assisting students with disabilities.
H/T The Nation's Take Action
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Organizing Corps 2020 Rocks in Lexington
Organizing Corps 2020 (OC2020) held a fundraising event last week in Lexington, co-hosted by Susan Labandibar, Michelle Olson, Teresa Wright, and Rina Schneur, with the Minuteman Indivisible Election team and Indivisible Acton.
What a great night to support organizing to win the 2020 presidential election - we so need it!
Many thanks to Meg Ansara for making such a compelling case (and for co-founding OC2020), to the co-hosts, and especially to our host Teresa who prepared food representing the eight states needed to win 2020!
This is the best way we can support the nominee, whoever that is, now. If you still want to support this most important cause, donate here.
Submitted by Rina Schneur, Minuteman Indivisible
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Update on the ROE Act
The ROE Act is still in the Joint Judiciary Committee with no word on when it is expected to reach the House floor for a vote. This important bill would update Massachusetts’ outdated abortion law, expand access, and protect the women of Massachusetts against impending attacks on Roe v. Wade. There is a very vocal opposition spreading lies and intimidating legislators, so we need to encourage the majority of Massachusetts voters who support the right to choose to speak up!
Many Indivisible members have been postcarding to voters in targeted districts, and we will continue to postcard and advocate for this important state bill until it passes.
In addition to postcarding, an Advocacy Day is planned for Thursday, November 14 at the State House in Boston. Participants will gather at the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ (SEIU 32BJ) Meeting Hall at 11 AM to hear from advocates and participate in a brief advocacy training before heading over to the State House to meet with legislators.
Join other concerned Indivisible members from across the state to help push the ROE Act forward!
You can find out more and RSVP here.
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Urge Sen. Markey to File the We the People Amendment
An email from We the People Massachusetts.
Given Senator Ed Markey's strong record of taking on corporate abuses, he is the senator who should file the We the People Amendment in the U.S. Senate.
Our leaders from all over Massachusetts met in person with Senator Markey on October 3 and discussed with him why he should file and lead the charge for the constitutional amendment proposal that will actually lead to real change: ending big money in politics and corporate use of constitutional rights. We also gave him signatures from 2,500 residents who are asking him to take this leadership.
Senator Ed Markey is now considering this.
So please phone him today: Markey's DC office phone number is 202-224-2742
If you called him before on this, please call again! Experts tell us that phone calls make a bigger impact than emails.
You can say to his staff:
"I am a Massachusetts voter. It is important to me that Senator Markey file the We the People Amendment in the Senate. I know he is considering it and I urge him to take this leadership because action on all the issues I care about is being blocked by corporate power and big money in politics."
Then if you make this call, please report back so we can track the number of calls. Send a quick email to: Info@WtPMass.org
Submitted by Denise Falbo, Indivisible Canton
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Support Reform in the MA State House
Massachusetts has one of the least transparent governments in the country. We don't know how our reps vote.
Act on Mass is launching the Voters Deserve to Know Pledge, a public commitment for legislators to support basic transparency and accountability in the State House.
Why is it so hard to pass progressive bills when Democrats hold 80% of the seats in the Legislature? Bills killed without a vote:
- Election Day Registration - filed for more than 14 years
- Healthy Youth Act - filed for more than 8 years
- Safe Communities Act
- 100% Renewable Energy by 2050
When important legislation dies on Beacon Hill, we don’t even know who to blame. Most votes aren’t even public, and leadership likes it that way. But that’s not how democracy should work.
We’ve delivered a copy of the pledge to all 200 Massachusetts legislators. Now you’ll be able to see whether your rep is actually willing to fight for increased transparency on Beacon Hill.
Read the pledge and see a list of endorsing organizations, and see whether your rep has signed on, at www.ActOnMass.org/pledge.
Voters Deserve to Know Pledge
Ask your state legislators to commit to:
- Make all their committee votes publicly available
- Move to make public all votes and testimony of committees for which they are Chair
- Stand for a roll call vote on bills and amendments they have co-sponsored
Endorsing Organizations
- AFT Massachusetts
- Boston Democratic Socialists of America
- Boston Teachers Union
- Our Revolution Massachusetts
- Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts
- Progressive Massachusetts
- Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM)
- Sunrise Boston
- Unitarian Universalist Mass Action
Learn More
For more information, check out these videos:
Submitted by Denise Falbo, Indivisible Canton
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Demonstrate with the Impeach and Remove Coalition
“The night before the House of Representatives takes a historic vote to impeach Trump, we'll head to every congressional office and public square to declare that nobody is above the law as representatives finalize their positions and senators look on.” The coalition behind this effort is impressive. Let’s click here to learn about events, how we can create one, materials to use, and more.
H/T Rogan's List
Submitted by Kristan Smith-Park, Indivisible Acton
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Online Training for Person-to-Person Fundraising
Raising money for progressive candidates is the most effective thing you can do to flip the Senate (and hang onto the House) in 2020. Learn how to make a personal “pitch” to a friend or colleague. Learn from the pros at 31st Street Swing Left!
About the Trainers and Training
This training will be conducted by Lynn Fletcher, Mary Pence and Lisa Herrick, who head up the fundraising component of 31st Street Swing Left, a chapter based in the DC/MD/VA area.
31st Street Swing Left raised over $1,024,000 for Congressional and Senate races in 2018. As of October 1, they have raised more than $242,000 for the 2019 Virginia legislative races.
The training will take you from where you are (“I hate to ask for money”) to where you need to go (“Using a data-driven approach, I developed my own thought-out dialogue for making a personal ask” – an actual comment from a training participant.)
RSVP here for the call-in details and to preview the 31st Street Swing Left fundraising toolkit.
Learn more about 31st Street Swing Left at www.31ststreet.org.
Day Tuesday, October 29
Time 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Submitted by Lisa Plato, Swing Left Greater Boston
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Fundraiser in Canton for Jarred Rose
Jarred Rose is running in the Democratic primary against state Senator Walter F. Timilty. If you are not happy with Sen. Timilty's representation of the Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol district in the State House, join neighbors and friends at a fundraiser to support Jarred's campaign.
Suggested contribution levels: $1000, $500, $250, $100, $50
You can contribute online.
Checks made out to The Rose Committee are also gratefully received, either at the door or mailed to 36 Central Dr, Stoughton, MA 02072
Day Wednesday, October 30
Time 6:30 PM
Place Home of Trish Boyden, 26 Farm St., Canton
Submitted by Denise Falbo, Indivisible Canton
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Coalition for Social Justice to Speak to Dems, Indivisibles in Canton
Indivisible Canton joins the Canton Democratic Town Committee to hear from two speakers from the Coalition for Social Justice (CSJ) about legislation currently being considered in the State House.
- The Work and Family Mobility Act, which would permit all qualified residents regardless of immigration status to apply for and receive a standard state license
- The Fair Share Amendment, which would impose a 4 percent income tax surcharge on annual income beyond $1 million
The speakers are Maria Fortes, CSJ's New Bedford Organizer, and Anabel Santiago, CSJ's Regional Coordinator.
Day Thursday, November 7
Time 7:00 PM
Place Community Room at Canton Public Library
Submitted by Denise Falbo, Indivisible Canton
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"Suppressed: The Fight to Vote" Film in Chatham
Lower Cape Indivisible is screening the powerful documentary, "Suppressed: The Fight to Vote," at the Chatham Orpheum Theater, with all proceeds to benefit Fair Fight, a national campaign led by Stacey Abrams to build voter protections in 20 states.
"Suppressed: The Fight to Vote" weaves together personal stories from voters across the state of Georgia to paint an undeniable picture of voter suppression in the 2018 midterm election where Stacey Abrams fought to become the first Black female governor in the U.S. Polling place closures, voter purges, missing absentee ballots, extreme wait times, and a host of voter ID issues disproportionately prevented many students and people of color from casting their ballots. The film shows that the basic constitutional right to vote continues to be under siege in America, and that this will continue into 2020 unless we act.
Pre-film conversation and refreshments are available (for sale) in lobby. This screening features a post-film discussion with a special guest speaker and audience question and answer.
RSVP here, and donate to Fair Fight here.
Day Saturday, November 9
Time 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Place Chatham Orpheum Theater, 637 Main Street, Chatham
Submitted by Fran Schofield, Lower Cape Indivisible: United in Hope
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Meet Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA 07) in Lincoln, Newton, or Rockport
Meet one of the women changing the face of Congress! Force Multiplier is sponsoring fundraisers to support the re-election of Abigail and help Hold the House.
Abigail has always been committed to public service. Most of her career has been as a CIA operative under both Republican and Democratic administrations where “My most useful skill was listening.” Abigail describes her political stance as one of “passionate pragmatism” and she is one of the “Security Democrats” whose Washington Post op-ed was crucial in launching the House impeachment inquiry.
Rep. Abigail Spanberger is the first woman to represent her House district and the first Democrat to do so in 47 years. She won by only 2% in 2018. She needs our help to hold onto that Blue seat.
Come meet Rep. Spanberger at one of these events!
Lincoln
With special guest Rep. Katherine Clark.
RSVP and donate here.
Day Sunday, November 10
Time 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place Home of Larry and Sarah Cannon Holden, 60 Weston Road, Lincoln
Newton (Waban)
RSVP and donate here.
Day Sunday, November 10
Time 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Place Home of Laurel Leff and Jeremy Paul, 1548 Beacon Street, Waban
Rockport
Live stream of the Newton event, with special guest Rep. Seth Moulton.
RSVP and donate here.
Day Sunday, November 10
Time 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Place 8 Andrews Hollow, Rockport
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Climate Change Discussion in Andover
Are you worried about climate change, but don’t know how you can help to address it?
On November 19, Greater Andover Indivisible (GAI) and WECAN (Working to Educate for Climate Action Now) will co-sponsor a meeting to discuss some of the strategies for tackling climate change at the national and local levels.
Guest speakers Claire Teylouni and Nolan O’Brien from Senator Ed Markey’s office will give us a presentation on the Green New Deal, the congressional resolution that lays out an ambitious plan for tackling climate change on a national level.
Next, Carol Oldham, Executive Director of the MA Climate Action Network (MCAN), will introduce us to a state program known as Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), and explain why CCA is one of the best ways for an entire community to cut its carbon emissions overnight.
Following these presentations, Andover’s Deputy Town Manager, Michael Lindstrom, will discuss a plan in the works to bring CCA to Andover.
Finally, GAI and WECAN will provide some ways to support state and local efforts to address climate change and make us more sustainable.
Doors open at 6:30 PM for signing in and socializing, and the meeting will begin promptly at 6:45 PM. Your beverage, snack, or dessert contributions are always appreciated!
Please join us. All are welcome!
RSVP here.
Day Tuesday, November 19
Time 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Place Parish Hall, Christ Church, 25 Central Street, Andover
Submitted by David Kronman, Indivisible Andover
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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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Get this free audio version of the whistleblower complaint.
This Land: How Cowboys, Capitalism, and Corruption are Ruining the American West
By Christopher Ketcham
A hard-hitting look at the battle now raging over the fate of the public lands in the American West and a plea for the protection of these last wild places
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 the forms on this page.
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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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