Congress will be back in session after the Labor Day holiday- time for them to debate coronavirus relief.
We're still keeping a full calendar of remote events. Check https://indivisibleyolo.org/calendar/for the most up-to-date information on actions and events you can join!
Hello Indivisibles,
Congress will be back in session after the Labor Day holiday, and we're asking our Senators to keep pushing for the HEROES coronavirus stimulus bill. So many people are still suffering the effects of Trump's continuing mismanagement of the pandemic. We have to get relief to people: direct relief, unemployment benefits, coronavirus testing and treatment. We have to protect democracy by protecting the Post Office, vote-by-mail and safe early voting options. And we have to make sure that Republicans do not succeed in slashing unemployment benefits and giving companies liability waivers so they're not accountable when they force their employees into dangerous conditions during the pandemic.
We're going to thank Rep. Garamendi for supporting the Delivering for America Act. But there is more to be done. Trump has embraced and even solicited foreign interference into the election, tried to suppress vote-by-mail by installing a Trump megadonor to dismantle the Post Office, and told his supporters to cheat in the election by voting twice. Republican attempts to sabotage the election are so overt and so clearly dangerous that we are asking Rep. Garamendi to do everything in his power to investigate and publicize Trump's embrace of foreign interference in the election, and to gain assurances from the military and from agency heads about their plans and conduct regarding the election. Trump must not be allowed to intimidate voters, spread disinformation, or otherwise suppress the vote.
Would you like company making calls to representatives or doing the action of the week? Join our Virtual Action Coffee Zoom meeting Monday mornings at 10 am: https://zoom.us/j/721847201. We'll talk through Indivisible Yolo's action of the week, call or email our representatives, talk politics, and stay connected to each other and the work in this challenging time.
Now's the time to get involved! We have phone banks, text banks, advocacy calls, postcard meetups and more, all online via Zoom. We’re doing more than ever – in spite of the pandemic – as we count down to the most critical election of our lives. Our events are on the Indivisible Yolo calendar here: https://indivisibleyolo.org/calendar/.
Take care, and take action!
Sample Call Script for Sen. Harris and Feinstein:
Hi my name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [CITY/ZIP] to tell Senator [FEINSTEIN/HARRIS] that we need to pass the HEROES act for coronavirus relief. The bill includes necessary protections to keep people on payrolls, provide financial relief, protect our public health, and defend democracy. Please pass this Act to protect people who are suffering during Trump's mismanaged pandemic response, and please fight to keep all of the election and vote-by-mail protections to resist Republican efforts to suppress the vote.
I'm appalled that the Republicans are trying to cut pandemic unemployment benefits from the bill and give employers a liability shield when they harm their employees. Please support the Heroes Act, and don't let Republicans include any of their harmful provisions. Thank you!
Action: Tell Congressman Garamendi: Fair Elections Are Under Assault – Take Action Now
Sample script for Rep. Garamendi:
(If you're in an area of Yolo county represented by Rep. Matsui, the action still applies except that she is not chair of the military readiness subcommittee)
Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a constituent from [CITY/ZIP CODE]. I’m calling to thank Representative Garamendi for supporting the “Delivering For America Act.” But since Republicans have made it clear they are going to block all voting-rights and all emergency-relief legislation, the two most important things he can do now are:
First, conduct aggressive oversight and build public awareness of Trump regime crimes, malpractice, and incompetence. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security should be pushed to more vigorously investigate and publicize evidence of foreign interference.
Second, do everything in his power to ensure a fair and free election where every citizen is allowed to vote and every vote is counted. I urge the Representative to set clear expectations ahead of time about the conduct of the election, and, especially in light of his role as the military readiness subcommittee chair, seek advance assurances from the military and agency heads about their plans and conduct regarding the election.
I ask that the Representative oppose voter suppression at every opportunity, defend vote-by-mail, prevent barriers that limit people's ability to vote, expose and combat foreign sabotage, and counter voter intimidation.
Action: Pick a phonebank and/or information session and attend (remotely)!
We have less than 2 months before the election (even less with early voting and vote-by-mail)! PHONEBANKING is THE. MOST. EFFECTIVE. TOOL. WE. HAVE. for reaching voters and having those voter-to-voter conversations that get voters to the polls.
Sister District - CA-3 and Indivisible Yolo host 5 virtual, welcoming, supportive phonebanks a week and we need your help. Join us!
Your mission this week and until the election: attend a phonebanking and/or information session
If you're a newcomer to this type of work or want a refresher, this is your invitation! The phonebanking sessions listed below provide training, and you are also very welcome to attend one of the dedicated information sessions.
Information sessions:
Wednesdays, 3:30pm – 4:00pm. Now until November
Sundays, 1:30pm – 2:00pm. Now until November
Think you might want to volunteer? Join an information session! We will tell you a little about us and the work that we do, and you can ask questions and tell us about yourself.
To join a Zoom information session use this link: https://zoom.us/j/804500806
Phonebank sessions (training provided):
Tuesdays, 3-5pm: Phonebank with Tim
Wednesdays, 4-6pm: Phonebank with Scott & Steve (right after the information session)
Thursdays, 6:30-8pm: Phonebank with Katherine
Saturdays, 10am-12pm: Phonebank with Kelly & Rebekka
Sundays, 2-4pm: Phonebank with Betsy & Amy (right after the information session)
What to expect: You will join others at Phone Bank on Zoom where you will either go to a break-out room for training or to start making calls. At the midpoint you’ll reconvene with all of your fellow phone bankers to share success stories and give feedback. And then we’ll go back to the phones before our final check-in and wrap-up at the end. Training and technical support is always available.
Who you’ll be calling: Your hosts will guide you to the most impactful, best use of your time based on the campaigns available and your experience level to align with our strategy to Save Democracy: Win the White House, Flip the Senate and the Arizona State House to fight voter suppression.
What you'll need: Chrome browser on your Mac or PC and a phone. Other browsers such as Safari or your device (iPad, tablet or phone) may not be compatible with some campaigns using automated dialers. No phone? No problem: Set up Google Voice to use your computer to make calls.
In order to use Zoom, your computer needs to have a microphone with audio enabled. If you are a first time Zoom user please download the free app ahead of time.
Sign up and you will receive Confirmation Emails with links to our Link Tree and Zoom.
