“There are many things that are open to debate in America. But the right of all eligible citizens to vote is not one of them. The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, the right from which all other rights ultimately flow.”
 – Attorney General Merrick Garland

Indivisible-RISE Actions and Events
 

Action Hour: In Person and Outside! 

We’ve made a plan that we hope will be a win-win: getting back together for Action Hour, but meeting outside in a Newburyport backyard to limit Covid risk. We’ll plan to meet this way as long as the weather holds out (and we hope that is quite a while for intrepid New Englanders)! We’ll gather at 4:00-5:00 pm on Fridays beginning September 10.

There will be tables and chairs, shade, coverage if it rains, and even snacks. We’ll have opportunities to write postcards to Virginia voters and learn, observe, and participate in phone banking, texting, and countering disinformation. You choose!

This event will be followed by September’s Persistence Happy Hour at 5:15-6:15 at the same place. Email indivisible.rise.newburyport@gmail.com for the Action Hour address and directions.   

September Meeting: Getting Big Money out of Politics

Our speaker lineup for the monthly meeting on Tuesday September 21 at 7-8:15 pm (a new time!) keeps getting better! Now we have a third (and final) speaker. We’ll hear from State Representative Tammy Gouveia in addition to speakers from Free Speech for People and  American Promise.

To keep everyone safe and allay concerns, we have decided that this meeting will be by Zoom only. We are sad not to be able to finally gather in person again, but feel that this is the most prudent approach. Register here to receive the Zoom link for the meeting. (Please note this new registration process).   

Counter Social Media Disinformation

Disinformation spreads like wildfire on social media, causing divisiveness and misleading voters. Even if you are not a regular user of social media, you can help reduce the impact of these lies. Join us with Acton and Andover Indivisible groups at Action Hours to help spread the truth and uncover and report the lies. We’ll train participants on posting with the Truth Brigade and monitoring social media with Common Cause -- you can choose to try one or both activities. We’ll also offer guidance on Twitter. If you already are trained, please join us to work together, share pointers, and enjoy the company. We’re meeting every Wednesday beginning September 15, alternating between 11AM and 5PM. Register here if you are interested in participating.   

Learn to Be An Upstander: Stand up Against Harassment

I-RISE is proud to support the Women in Action Huddle of Greater Newburyport as they respond to the rise in hate crimes by hosting Bystander Intervention training. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, September 23 at 7-8:30pm at the Newburyport Senior Center (331 High St), with a Zoom option. The training is by Hollaback, a renowned organization dedicated to ending harassment in all forms. Thousands have benefitted from Hollaback’s training on how to respond to harassment, both in the moment and long term. 

 The Stakes are High for California and the Nation!

There is no time to waste, with the election to recall Governor Gavin Newsom taking place on Tuesday, September 14th. Under California recall rules, Governor Newsom must get more than 50% of the vote to stay in office. Right now, polls show him coming up a point or two short. If Newsom fails to clear this hurdle, he is recalled, and whoever gets the second highest number of votes will become Governor. That candidate likely will be Larry Elder, a right-wing talk show host and domestic abuser. That would be a disaster, both for California and the whole country because it potentially might flip control of the U.S. Senate. If Senator Diane Feinstein, 88, is unable to serve her full term (through 2024), a California Republican Governor would choose her successor. We cannot afford to let that happen.

Here’s how you can help:

Make Phone Calls: There are opportunities to call California Democrats any (and every) day through September 14 to encourage as many people as possible to place their NO vote. Register here to call with the California Democratic Party and here to call with Swing Left San Francisco. These scripts are simple, short, and easy, and the calls are friendly. 

Send Texts: Try one or more of these options to text California voters likely to support Governor Newsom:

Governor Newsom’s Team

Movement Labs (formerly Resistance Labs, so if you have tested with RL, you’ll be all set. And keep trying even if they are out of texts when you first check.) 

Write Postcards: If you are interested in writing postcards to CA Democrats to get out the vote, email indivisible.rise.newburyport@gmail.com and we’ll get you set up! 
 

Texas Abortion Law and the Supreme Court 

This week’s devastating decision by the Supreme Court to uphold a Texas law that effectively bans abortion throughout that state and leaves enforcement in the hands of vigilante citizens has us all reeling and wondering how to help.

If you’re looking for a way to help Texans access reproductive healthcare and abortions, click here to donate to an Indivisible fund that will be split equally among several Texas organizations. Or take a look at the websites for each individual organization and choose the one or more that you prefer.  Or donate here to an organization that works to elect progressive women in Texas to replace the lawmakers behind this and other draconian conservative laws.

Please also save the date to participate at a Women’s March on Saturday, October 2 to mobilize and defend reproductive rights. The details have not been planned yet, but we will keep you informed of area marches when information is available. In the meantime, lend your support by pledging to march here and donating to fund the marches here. 

A broader issue is control of the courts. Click here to read a statement by Indivisible National explaining how Republicans have worked for years to take control of courts at every level in this country and how critical it is for us to turn the tides. 

Keep Pushing to Pass Voter Protection Laws
 

Our past few newsletters have listed ways to help ensure the passage of federal voter protection law. We are repeating that information because it is so critical that we continue this work. Key actions to take include:

• Write letters about voting rights bills to the White House with this Sierra Club campaign. You can download templates of letters to President Biden, Vice President Harris and others.

• Call the White House comment line, which is open Tues-Thurs, 11am - 3pm. These are the only hours when you can either talk to a person or leave a voicemail message. Click here for a script for calling President Biden.  

• Keep reminding your friends and family in key states to contact their Senators. Information and scripts to use for key Senators are here, and Indivisible MA Coalition has a useful toolkit here. 

• Join a Common Cause phone bank. Sign up here.
   

Opportunities to Help with Key 2021 State Elections!

Two key swing states have important state elections this year, and they need our help:

Pennsylvania state and local elections in 2021 include three state appellate judge races (and state courts can make a big difference when it comes to voter rights). Help get more Democrats out to vote by texting low propensity voters to encourage them to request a mail ballot. Register here.

Virginia is holding all of its statewide elections this year. Good turnout in communities of color will help safeguard fair voting practices that Virginians fought hard to secure. Help Virginia by:

• Calling voters with Sister District 

• Volunteering with the VA Dems Voter Protection team to help voters understand their voting rights and requirements. This is very rewarding work, which includes training and all necessary resources. 

• Joining us at Action Hour on 4-5 Friday, Sept. 10 to write postcards to Virginia voters.

Community Events

Click here to access the Indivisible-RISE Actions & Events Calendar listing upcoming interesting and informative events. Things are starting to pick up more with the summer winding down, so please check the calendar periodically as we add more events and activities.  

• Swing Blue Alliance forum on how to win a REAL Senate majority (9/8)
• Force Multiplier event to learn how to find common ground with rural voters (9/9)
• Swing Blue Alliance training on persuading non-voters to get out and vote (9/22)
• Women’s March to Defend Reproductive Rights (10/2 - Save the Date!)

Please sign up here to volunteer with I-RISE.
Choose among numerous options and devote as much or as little time as you prefer!
Every bit makes a difference! 

• Bookmark our Event Calendar for events sponsored by Indivisible-RISE and allied organizations.
• Find us on Facebook  and visit our website.