CONNECTING FOR ACTION January 5, 2022
Keep up the pressure! We have never been this close to passing the Freedom to Vote Act!
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It’s been nearly one year since armed right-wing militants attacked our Capitol and tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Since that time, the same faction that attacked our country on January 6th is hard at work silencing our voices by restricting our freedom to vote and attacking fair voting district. They are now quietly preparing future attempts to sabotage free and fair elections, and with it, our democracy.
We must not forget what happened — and we must demand action from our leaders to prevent another attack on our democracy.
So this January 6, exactly one year later, Americans across race, place, party, and background are holding candlelight vigils to say: In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections. The promise of democracy is not a partisan issue but a calling that unites us as Americans.
To prevent this kind of attack from happening again, our elected leaders must pass urgent legislation that will protect this country from anti-democratic forces who are continuing their efforts to destroy it. That’s why we must stand together in this moment –– we need to keep up the momentum for our freedom to vote.
Find an event in your community on Jan. 6!
The U.S. Senate and President Biden must do whatever is necessary to pass the Freedom to Vote Act, Protecting Our Democracy Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and DC Statehood.
Coming together, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us – no matter our color, zip code, or income – so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.
Actions:
Find a January 6 vigil near you.
The White House comment line is open Tuesday to Thursday, from 10 am – 2 pm CT. Call the White House: 833-345-2554. When you reach a staff member, tell them your name and that you are a constituent. Then, demand that President Biden do everything in his power to help overcome the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act.
Want to call our senators, too? See below to find directions for contacting Senators Durbin and Duckworth!
From the Vote By Mail Task Force: Call Durbin & Duckworth NOW to Pass Voting Rights Bills!
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Suggested call/email script:
Sen. Durbin/Duckworth,
I’m __________ and I am a constituent. My address and zip are __________. Voting rights are the cornerstone of our democracy. I ask that you do everything in your power to pass voting rights legislation including the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Reforming the filibuster will also be required to get this done. Pres. Biden said himself that there were “certain things that are just sacred rights” and a “sacred obligation” that shouldn’t be beholden to obstruction from the minority party, listing the debt limit and voting rights. Please also make sure that the transformative Build Back Better Act gets passed through the Senate.
Email for Sen. Durbin: https://www.durbin.senate.gov/contact/email
Email for Sen. Duckworth: https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/connect/email-tammy
More information is at https://www.indivisibleillinois.org/end-gerrymandering-filibuster/
Indivisible Illinois Statewide Meeting, January 5, 2022
Training for Voter Registration, Vote by Mail and Candidate Petition Signing
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Since we need to get revved up to GOTV throughout Illinois, in rural, urban and suburban areas alike, this training will help get us energized and focused.
Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons and Michelle Jett, Director of Operations for the Champaign County Clerk’s office, will discuss how to efficiently register voters and provide information about the new Illinois vote by mail law. Ann Quackenbush, Parliamentarian for the Champaign County Democrats, will provide training us on the do’s and don’ts of circulating candidates’ petitions. Rose Colacino, Indivisible Illinois co-chair and elections lead, will also discuss Indivisible Illinois’ work on vote by mail.
After the training, we would like the Zoom participants that have done voter registration and/or circulated petitions in the past to give tips and suggestions, as well as tell interesting stories on things they have encountered during these actions. We would love participants to come prepared with suggestions and stories. RSVP here.
Indivisible Illinois Statewide Meeting: Fighting Disinformation, January 12, 2022
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Our second statewide meeting of the month will focus on fighting disinformation with effective messaging. Co-organized with Indivisible Illinois and Western Front Indivisible, we are looking forward to a rigorous and informative meeting with our featured speaker Anat Shenker-Osorio.
A messaging and communications expert, Anat is the host of the Words to Win By podcast which unpacks how real-world narrative shifts lead to real-world victories. She is also the author of Don’t Buy It: The Trouble with Talking Nonsense About the Economy, and is co-host of the Freedom Rising movement briefings. She has led research into how to persuade and mobilize on issues ranging from tackling right-wing race baiting to promoting clean energy, and from honoring the rights of immigrants to reforming criminal justice. Her talk will focus on the best ways to fight disinformation and will also address why certain messages falter where others deliver.
We’ll also hear from our local organizers with Indivisible’s Truth Brigade Illinois and the Conservative Talk Radio Project. Sign up now and join the fight for the truth!
Registration on Zoom required. Register here,
Indivisible Rural Illinois Monthly Meeting, January 6 Confronting Extremism In Rural Illinois
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(Heather McMeekan)
Join us January 6, 2022 7:30 pm to hear Macomb civil rights activist Heather McMeekan talk about the fight against white white supremacy while facing retaliation and threats from all levels of civil society in the home of Western Illinois University. She and her group have been threatened due to their activism in their community.
Join the Indivisible Rural Illinois group to hear Heather’s story and her calls to action for us. Given that January 6 is also the 1 year anniversary of right-wing extremists pillaging the US Capitol, this is a very timely issue. RSVP here.
Join Indivisible Metro East in a Nationwide Vigil For Our Democracy.
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President Biden still hasn’t done what’s necessary to protect our democracy from those who would tear it down. So we’re coming together on January 6th, 2022, in defense of our democracy. The only way we can force the Senate and the White House to do what it takes to pass democracy-saving legislation is through consistent pressure all across the country.
Be a part of this movement! We will be gathering at the clock tower by Veteran’s Memorial Fountain at the Public Square in Belleville. In addition to attracting passing traffic, we will take pictures throughout the event to post to social media. You do not need to stay for the whole event to be a valuable part of the vigil! Come when you can and stand with us as long as you are able. Register here
Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport. We Need You to Phone Bank with Us!
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Democrats control the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives yet we are losing our grip on fundamental freedoms. Help us make a difference. Voting alone is no longer enough. Join us and make calls to the constituents of Sen. Manchin and Sen. Sinema!
Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport phone bank happens every
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 2 pm -5 pm
RSVP here
Indivisible Chicago Rise Up, Speak Out: A Vigil for Democracy
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Join us on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 5:30pm at Federal Plaza to rise up and speak out for our Democracy. We will join many thousands of others in hundreds of cities across the country to hold a vigil for democracy. We will add Chicago’s voice to demand that the Senate and President do whatever is necessary to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in January. We need to protect our country from the anti-democratic and right wing forces that are threatening to destroy our freedom to elect our leaders. We need to have a government that will address the critical issues that we face, including the climate crisis, immigrant justice, abortion access, racial justice, and an economy that works for the many and not the few. RSVP here.
NWSOFA Indivisible “Happy Hour” 5 PM January 7, 2022 & every Friday after.
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It’s Friday Night .. It’s 5 PM .. do you know where YOU should be? Talking about “Stuff” with fellow Northwest Suburbs OFA – Indivisible Progressives… At our Happy Hour … Every Friday night .. “Nothing has Changed but Everything is Different” .. Nothing has Changed: That’s the “Stuff” were talking about.
RSVP here
NWSOFA Presents: Coffee & Conversation Talking About “Stuff” Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m.
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NWSOFA Presents: Coffee & Conversation Talking About “Stuff” M-F @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am It’s the stuff of the day, your activities, local and national politics, NWSOFA…always learn a few new things…Come join us at 9:00 for “Stuff”! RSVP here
Demand Justice Town Hall on Supreme Court Reform, hosted by Illinois Democratic Women and Indivisible Illinois
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Save the Date! Confronting the Rise of School Board Disruptions
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Join us for an important Virtual Event on January 27th, 2022
Throughout the country and in Illinois, we have seen the rise of well-funded disinformation campaigns targeting school boards and educators. Our virtual event will discuss:
Who’s behind the disinformation campaign around masks/vaccines mandates, an erosion of LGBTQ+ rights, and the way race is being taught in our schools? How can we band together to support our school boards and staff, who are being threatened, and protect public education?
Hear from an excellent panel and connect with others around Illinois who are organizing in their communities to stand up for inclusion, safety, and the teaching of a full and accurate history in our schools that protects all students!
Panelists include:
Jennifer Berkshire, author “A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door”
Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Former VP Policy for Erikson Institute
Nathaniel Rouse, Director of Equity, Race, and Cultural Diversity Initiatives, Barrington220
Julie Harris, Educator of 31 years Tinley Park CCD146
Hosted by IL Families for Public Schools, Indivisible IL and Indivisible Social Justice Alliance. Co-sponsored by the following orgs:
American Association of University Women Naperville Area, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago, Chicago NOW, DuPage County NAACP, Grassroots Collaborative , Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois NOW
Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition, League of Women Voters of Chicago, Learning Disabilities Association of IL, Northwest Suburbs Organizing for Action, National Council of Jewish Women Chicago North Shore, Peoria NOW, Reform for Illinois, Will County NOW
Register now and share with your contacts who care about public education!
Register here
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This week’s Connecting for Action Co-coordinators: Jessica Motsinger and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth with assist from proofreader Terry Maher.
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