"We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it. Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. This effort very nearly succeeded. But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated." 

- Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate 

Events Listed in this Edition

Thu, Feb 4, 6-7 pm - YWCA of Greater Newburyport Annual Racial Justice event

Thu, Feb 4, 7 pm & Fri, Feb 5, 3 pm - Indivisible training call on working with our Democratic Members of Congress

Thu, Feb 4, 8-9 pm - Indivisible National Activist Call

Tue, Feb 16, 6:30-7:30 pm - Indivisible-RISE Monthly Meeting - 2021 Strategy

Indivisible-RISE Meeting - Plans for 2021

Please join us at the next Indivisible-RISE meeting at 6:30-7:30 on Tuesday, February 16 when we will share our updated structure, outline our 2021 areas of focus, and describe actions we each can take to help make a difference this year. Thank you to all of you who completed the survey - your responses were instrumental to our planning. And kudos to everyone who volunteered and helped elect Biden and take control of the Senate. Our work continues, though, and is just as important as ever. So, please participate at the upcoming meeting on Zoom here, and invite your friends to join also! 

Democracy Reform Starts NOW

The House of Representatives announced that one of its first major pieces of legislation will be H.R.1, the For the People Act. This is a huge deal ⁠— the For the People Act represents the most comprehensive anti-corruption reform we’ve seen in a generation. This sweeping bill would:

• Dramatically increase election security and voter participation

• End gerrymandering in Congress

• Strengthen ethics and financial conflict of interest laws for the President, Congress, and Supreme Court

• End secret donations to politics and rein in Super PACs

• Dramatically decrease politicians’ dependence on special interest lobbyist money

• Close lobbyist loopholes, and much more

These are critical reforms necessary to unrig our broken political system and end corruption. We can’t let this moment pass us by. If members of Congress know that their constituents overwhelmingly support the For the People Act, they will pass it.

All of the members of Congress from MA co-sponsored H.R.1 in the 116th Congress. Let’s all contact our representatives to express our appreciation and ask that they once again co-sponsor the bill now that it has been reintroduced in the 117th Congress. You can reach Rep. Seth Moulton by sending a message through his House website, https://moulton.house.gov (preferred), or by calling 978-531-1669 or 202-225-8020 (less preferred because offices aren’t fully staffed during the pandemic). 

Let’s also ask our friends and family in other districts and states to contact their members of Congress to press them to vote YES on the For the People Act of 2021 when it comes to the floor again.

Join Indivisible’s National Efforts

Indivisible has issued a practical guide on how to move forward and continue the work that we all started four years ago. It also has a few upcoming planning calls that may be of interest to anyone wanting to increase their involvement.

The new guide instructs: “We’ve defeated Trump. We won in Georgia and took the Senate. Now, we have a short window to save our democracy. Unified control of government offers only an opportunity for change—what matters is what we do with it. Getting it done depends on all of us.” The Guide is a long but worthwhile read. Check it out here.

Indivisible also has scheduled Zoom events to describe their plans and help train activists. A few upcoming events to consider joining are:  

• “New Year, New Plan: Working with Blue MoCs”: This one hour training session will focus on how to work with our Democratic members of Congress to help ensure that they get things done. This is offered twice: Thursday, February 4 at 7 pm (Register here) and Friday, February 5 at 3 pm  (Register here).
• National Activist Call: These activist calls are held monthly, with the next one scheduled for Thursday, February 4 at 8 pm. Register here. Join this call to discuss priorities and how best to make an impact during this busy time. 

Racial Justice Event

On Thursday, February 4 at 6-7 pm, the YWCA of Greater Newburyport is holding its Annual Racial Justice Event, at which Shantelle Castle will discuss her experience in the Black Lives Matter movement and will explain how unconscious bias impacts our behavior. Shantelle began her career with social work four years ago at Justice Resource Institute. She has completed extensive training in racial injustice, and has provided numerous training sessions for local organizations. Register here to attend the Zoom gathering. 

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