“Today we are sending  a resounding message that democracy will not be killed in the comfort of silence."
-  Rep. Justin Jones upon reinstatement to the TN State Legisltature, 4/10/23

 Join Us at our 2023-24 Election Strategy Meeting!

Please join us on Thursday, May 18th at 7:00-8:15 pm at the Senior Center at 331 High Street, Newburyport for our first meeting since the 2022 elections and our first IN PERSON meeting in a long time!

We'll review strategy for working on 2023-24 swing state elections. We'll also hear from Jen Bluestein about several strategic considerations that are key in all elections, as well as how some of today's most pressing and controversial issues will likely impact elections this year and next.

Jen works at a national progressive foundation that funds advocacy targeting reproductive freedom, voting rights and democracy, criminal justice and education. Her wide ranging experiences at EMILY's List, Giffords, and on many campaigns have given Jen a unique and insider perspective that will educate, enlighten and energize us for upcoming election work. Jen and her family moved to Newburyport in 2021 from Washington, DC. 

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting (and, yes, we know that this map of a Blue USA is not realistic)! 

Tell Us What you Think!

We'd love to hear from you about your interests and preferences for working with I-RISE. Please fill out our 2023 Survey to help have a say in how we decide what actions, meetings and events to host, and to let us know how you would like to be involved. You can access the survey here. 



We Have Postcards to Write!

Thanks to everyone who has been writing postcards to get out the vote for Donna Deegan, the Democrat running for Mayor of Jacksonville, FL. There's just one more week to write for this May 16 election, and we'd love to give it our all to help in this tight race. Deegan reportedly is narrowly favored to win the election, so let's not pass up this chance to elect a Democrat in Florida! 

To write for this campaign, join us at Action Hour at NU Kitchen on Wednesday, May 3 at 5:30-6:30 or write remotely by requesting addresses at indivisible.rise.newburyport@gmail.com.  

We anticipate that we next will be writing to register voters in swing states and districts. Stay tuned for more information about writing opportunities.
 

Stretch your Donation Dollars!

We still need your donations by May 31 to benefit from the full match from Indivisible National! Every dollar you donate will be matched up to $500, effectively doubling your donation. These funds help support our volunteers who often need to donate money as well as time. The funds also are needed to pay for I-RISE's Zoom account and website, outreach and community events, and other group costs. If we each donate even a small amount, I-RISE will be able to collect the full matching amount, and that money will go a long way toward ensuring that we are able to continue to lead productive, impactful, and even fun actions and events. Please make your donation through our ActBlue page here.  Thank you!
 

Track What Our State Legislators Are Doing

Want to stay up-to-date on what our state legislators are doing, and learn the meaning of phrases like "outside sections" and "engrossment"? So does the State Legislative Watch Team! Please look for the group's monthly updates in this newsletter, reporting on the team's work to sort out the legislative process, follow our local leaders and see what bills and budget amendments are successful. Click here for more information about the State Legislative Watch Team. Also, follow the group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legislativewatchteam.

Email indivisible.rise.newburyport@gmail.com if you think you might like to help with
planning or leading I-RISE activities in 2023.