“Any voter denied a say in democracy has been harmed, and a remedy is in order regardless of the effect on an electoral outcome." 

 – Stacey Abrams, Our Time is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America

We’re distributing this newsletter early because a busy few days of actions start today! Please join us for any and all of these activities!

Indivisible-RISE Actions and Events

Sign a Letter to Joe Biden TODAY

Indivisibles around the country are gathering signatures on a letter to President Biden encouraging him to pressure the Senate to reform the filibuster now that it is patently obvious that Republicans will never vote in favor of voter protection laws. Thousands of people are signing large banners printed with a letter to Biden saying, “Voting rights are under attack. Please tell the Senate to overcome the filibuster and ensure voting rights for all Americans. History is watching us!“ The many banners filled with signatures from all over the country are heading to DC on Sunday for a rally at which they will be displayed and then hand-delivered to the President’s office. Please join this effort by signing the letter before the end of the week. Come to this week’s Action Hour or Persistence Happy Hour to sign, or reply to this newsletter and we’ll let you know where in Newburyport you can sign the letter any time on Thursday or Friday. Or join us at a Freedom to Vote rally in Haverhill on Saturday for a more ceremonial signing and to show your support at a public gathering.

 

Action Hour (Fri. 11/12)

Now that it is too cold to meet outside, we are gathering for weekly Action Hours at the Central Congregational Church at Titcomb St in Newburyport on Friday at 4:00-5:00 pm. This week, we will write postcards to constituents of key states in support of the Freedom to Vote Act. We’ll wear masks (as required by the church) and the room is large with high ceilings and good circulation, so there is plenty of space to spread out. 

These postcards are easy to write with a short script, so together we can complete a lot of postcards even while chatting. We’ll also have the letter to President Biden for signing by all, plus materials for making signs if you plan to join us at the rally in Haverhill on Saturday.

If you are not comfortable getting together indoors, please stop by to sign the letter to Biden and pick up a packet of postcards ($5 each).     

            Persistence Happy Hour!  (Fri 11/12)

Persistence Happy Hour is back at our favorite place, Loretta! Come join your fellow Indivisible-RISE members on Friday, November 12th from 5:30 - 6:30pm. This is always a great time to share recent triumphs, harrowing weather stories, political strategies, and personal updates. While an RSVP is not necessary, if you do plan to attend, it would be great if you would respond to this newsletter so that we can have a rough estimate of attendees.

This will be the last opportunity to sign the letter to Biden if you are not attending Saturday’s rally. 

     Freedom to Vote Rally (Sat 11/13)

I-RISE is joining forces with Greater Haverhill Indivisible and Greater Andover Indivisible on Sat. Nov. 13th at 10:30 am to noon to be a part of actions happening across the country to demand the Senate to pass the Freedom To Vote Act, Now!

We'll gather at White's Corner (Main St/Water St.) in Haverhill for a rally at which we’ll show our support for the Freedom to Vote Act and will have a final opportunity to sign the letter to President Biden asking him to do everything in his power to end the filibuster and pass federal law protecting voters.

Without a functional democracy in which everyone is included and represented, all the issues we care about deeply are at risk. Despite Senate Republicans’ latest filibuster, we are more determined than ever, after so many delays and setbacks, to see this through. No more excuses: now is the time to act!

Learn more and sign up here. (Registration is not required, but we’d like to have an idea about how many people to expect.)
 

        Monthly Meeting (Tues 11/16)

Voting Rights: Where Are We? What’s Next? How Can We Help?

It is crunch time for voting rights, with Republicans putting up every roadblock they can to block passage of the Freedom to Vote Act, support state voter suppression laws, and lie about the purpose, intent and impact of these laws.

Please register here to join us on Zoom on Tuesday, November 16 at 7-8 PM when Common Cause (“CC”) experts  will discuss the status of voting laws, what to expect next, and how we each can help to protect voting and, ultimately, democracy. Our speakers are:

• Steve Spaulding: CC’s Senior Counsel on Public Policy and Government Affairs and Senior Advisor to CC’s President. Steve is an expert on elections law who served as Senior Advisor to Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Chair of the committee overseeing federal elections. Steve also was Special Counsel to former FEC Chair and Commissioner Ann Ravel. He played a key role in getting HR1 (the For The People Act) and other pro-democracy election reforms passed in the House. Steve has testified in Congress, authored papers and appeared in various media to share his wisdom about democracy.

• Herb Meisner: CC’s National Campaigner who recruits, organizes, and trains a national network of grassroots volunteers and community leaders to help CC meet its goals of holding power accountable and building a democracy that works for everyone. Herb has a research background in criminal justice and LGBTQ and survivor advocacy. He has also organized with NextGen America to mobilize young people to vote and was an organizer for Senator Warren’s presidential campaign.

Join us to be informed and inspired together!

Combat Political Disinformation (Wed 11/17)

We’re continuing to meet every week to help limit the spread of political lies on social media. A key area of focus is on the proliferation of misleading and outright wrong information about the intent and impact of the proposed voter protection laws. These lies are threatening democracy and creating discord, and volunteers helping to combat them by uncovering disinformation and reporting it to Common Cause and creating and sharing positive counter narratives with the Truth Brigade. Please join us at this weekly Action Hour to learn about these tactics and get to work combating the lies. You can choose to try one or both activities. Register here for our sessions on Wednesdays at 11AM or 5PM.  

                 As 2021 Comes to a Close

Here’s what we’re planning through the end of this year before we all launch into the 2022 midterms in earnest: 

• Friday Action Hour: 11/12, 11/19, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17

• Wednesday Combat Disinformation Action Hour:  11/17, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15

• Happy Hour Holiday Party: Friday, 12/10 

• December Monthly Postcard Pickup:  Current writers will receive an email with pick up instructions. Please sign up here if you would like to join our writing team.

• I-RISE Newsletter:  12/6 (and then we’ll be back 1/10/22)

• Monthly Meeting: No December meeting. Please join us for our Persistence Happy Hour Holiday Gathering!  Hold the date for our first meeting of the New Year on January 18, 2022! 

Community Events

Click here to access the Indivisible-RISE Actions & Events Calendar listing upcoming interesting and informative events. 

You also can find detailed information about upcoming events and activities on a few group calendars: Indivisible Massachusetts Coalition, News-MAGIC (MAGIC stands for MAssachusetts Grassroots Information Center), and Together We Elect. 

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.