For the safety of our community, we are conducting our meetings online until conditions permit us to resume assembling in person.
Monday March 18th at 7 PM
Young Feminist Party -
Demanding a Feminist Revolution! with Marisol Pierce Bonifaz
Marisol Pierce Bonifaz, Founder, Director Amherst Young Feminist Party
You probably know the extent to which women's rights have been under assault, and the fact that women in the U.S. today have generally fewer rights than we had just a few years ago.
You're probably also aware of some of the groups working to reclaim those rights. (You might even be a member of some of those groups.)
What you might not know, is that there is a robust, national youth organization that is showing up to fight for feminist policies and gender justice everywhere from the classroom to the Constitution! This is the Feminist Youth Party, with an incredibly active chapter right here in Amherst, MA.
Join us on Monday, April 1st on zoom to hear from 2 members of this active and effective group: Inanna Balkin & Marisol Pierce Bonifaz, Founder and Director of Amherst Young Feminist Party.
Find out what young feminists are up to, what they need from those of us who are not so young anymore, and how cross-generational collaboration will power our movements forward!
Young Feminist Party - Demanding a Feminist Revolution!
Marisol Pierce Bonifaz, Founder, Director
Monday, April 1st, 7 - 8 pmET
Thanks to all who showed up and took action together at last month's very successful launching of our Activist Afternoons! While snacking, sipping and schmoozing, you wrote nearly 100 letters & postcards to help save democracy!
So, we're doing it again! Hopefully with you!
Join like-minded progressives for an afternoon of ACTION along with schmoozing, snacking and connecting in person!
There'll be opportunities for writing postcards, Vote Forward Letters, signing nominating petitions to get our good candidates back on the November ballot (e.g. Warren, McGovern, Comerford, Sabadosa), learning about phonebanking, writing letters to the editor and more!
Sign up at thisMobilize link, bring friends, and let's save democracy the best way of all - together!
Activist Afternoon!
Saturday, April 20th, 3-4:30pm
Pathways Cohousing
25 Mountain Laurel Path, Florence Sign up here!
Please park on the road, if able to walk the short distance to our easily accessible Common House building.
ACTIONS
Phone
Banking
Help End Gerrymandering in Ohio
As you may know, Ohio is a crucial state for holding onto our Senate majority. Join us on zoom this Thursday (April 4th) and every Thursday, from 5-7pmET to help Ohioans end gerrymandering - and the resulting unfair stranglehold on power by that state's GOP. (As Andrea Chalupa of Gaslit Nation says, These are not red states, they are 'hostage states'.)
In order to get this amendment on the November ballot, we need to gather 400,000+ signatures.
Join us on zoom, as we call Ohioans to let them know about this crucial amendment, and what voters can do to get it on the November ballot!
As always, we'll have a full training at the beginning of the bank for all who'd like that; and everyone is welcome, just make sure to bring a computer and a phone!
NOTE EARLIER TIME OF 5PM!
Thursday, April 4th, 5-7pmET
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Writing
Let’s get Montana Dems registered!
Typical election cycles would feature debates about policy, about how best to guide our country to prosperity, to improvement in the lives of all Americans. But this fiercely partisan election cycle is not typical. Such reasoned conversations based on policy will not come from the presumptive Republican candidate. Persuasion will not be the dominant strategy to enlist voters.
Our job, as defenders of democracy, will be to expand the electorate by working to get infrequent, Democratic voters registered. Registering voters is the most effective action you can take in the early months of the election year. This brief campaign will send information to Montana voters to facilitate their voter registration. Montana’s Democratic Senator, Jon Tester, is likely to face a tough campaign. We want to keep him in the Senate!
There are a very limited number of packets available here. Pickup will only be at the Florence location. If we run out, fear not! Nevada is up next very soon!
VOTE FORWARD LETTER CAMPAIGNS HAVE STARTED
Vote Forward's 2024 letter-writing campaigns are under way and IN-SLWM will be with them all the way. Here’s how it works:
Volunteers get pre-printed letters to voters with messages encouraging them to vote, which may include urging them to vote by mail, or vote early if in person, or something similar. Volunteers add a personal message, usually about why voting is important or their own reasons for being voters. They can get their letters delivered by email to print at home or work, or by picking up printed letters at designated sites around our area.
Letters are held for mailing in October. Some volunteers prefer to drop off their finished letters at one of our pickup/dropoff sites for storage.
Volunteers generally provide their own envelopes (#10) and first-class stamps. IN-SLWM has some funds available to subsidize those who can’t afford the costs.
We provide letters to most volunteers on a weekly basis, either by email or printed for pickup. Volunteers decide how many letters they want to get each week, and can change that number at any time; they can also pause letter writing as needed, or “retire” if they’re unable to continue.
We already have more than 30 volunteers at work preparing letters.
If you would like to participate, fill out our Google Form at https://forms.gle/7Lu5up6NxL8s6sTTA.
Tell President Biden NOT to increase
the 2025 Medicare Advantage payment rate
Reclaim Medicare! Right now, the Biden Administration is considering how much to pay insurance corporations that offer Medicare Advantage plans. These corporations are already overpaid and are draining large sums of money from the Medicare system for their own profits instead of providing real medical care. We need President Biden and his team to understand that the people want those resources invested in delivering care, not padding the pockets of wealthy CEOs and shareholders.
Call the White House comment line -- phone number: 202-456-1111
(The comment line is only open from 11am - 3pm Eastern Time, Tuesday through Thursday.)
Sample script:
Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I’m from [Your City and State]. I’m calling today to urge President Biden to NOT increase the 2025 Medicare Advantage payment rate. Too many patients on Medicare Advantage suffer deadly delays and denials in getting care, and insurance corporations like United Healthcare and Aetna should not get a raise. Please tell President Biden to hold the line and not give more money to these massive corporations. We need to take care of people, not line the pockets of corporations.
Call on Costco to drop dirty bank Citi as its credit card partner because of Citi’s role in funding catastrophic climate change.
Did you know?
Costco’s credit cards are issued by Citi - one of the dirtiest banks on the planet. Citi pumps billions into building new oil, gas, and coal projects that are creating toxic air pollution and worsening deadly fires, floods, hurricanes, and extreme heat. Since 2016, Citi has provided more than $332 billion in financing to polluting fossil fuel companies, threatening our homes, our jobs and our lives. Costco is a big, popular company -- more than 30% of Americans are Costco shoppers (and who doesn't love the free samples!). Its motto is "do the right thing", and it's already made several climate commitments. Costco can continue to solidify its lovable brand by dropping its toxic partnership with Citi.
What Costco must do
Costco, as a huge client of Citi, can contribute to climate solutions by telling Citi if it doesn’t stop funding fossil fuels, then Costco will drop the bank as its credit card issuer. Costco should not let Citi undermine its own climate actions or harm Costco members, workers, or communities who are being devastated by climate impacts.
What you can do
Sign this petition to tell Costco that it needs to drop Citi as its credit card issuer if Citi doesn’t clean up its act. Costco has a history of listening to its paying members and caring about its public reputation. So, let’s make sure Costco hears from members and non-members alike! By signing this petition you will be taking a stand for a healthier future for your family, your friends and your community.
Learn more in Bill McKibben's blog post here that includes FAQs about Why Costco, What you can do with your Costco-Citi Anywhere Visa Card, and more about this campaign.
Other Ways to Pitch In
DONATING FOR 2024 – END OF MARCH UPDATE
March isn’t quite over, but here’s where we stand. Our overall total, including matches, is almost $15,950. Contributions have generated almost $6,700 in matches. In other words, the fund drive is moving ahead and doing well. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, and of course a very big THANK YOU to the donors who pledged $10,000 to our matching fund.
The fund drive continues, but on Mute. I am taking a break from my reminder emails so that we at IN-SLWM can raise money for our own activities.. (You can still donate to our funds while I’m on this break: Give to Movement Voter PAC and Swing Left’s Win Back the House Fund.)
You’ll be hearing soon from Marta Lev who, in addition to her stellar work organizing postcard campaigns, is our treasurer. She’ll invite you to chip in to help make sure that IN-SLWM has the resources to carry out all the work that we – that means all of you – do to defend democracy and help make this a better world.
Please support us in this effort as so many of you have supported the fund drive I’ve been leading. I’ll be back with my periodic reminders once we’ve met our goal for IN-SLWM.
The Feminist Action Team
of Indivisible Mass Coalition Fridays at 4PM on Zoom
Join feminists from the Berkshires to the Cape as we plan and implement actions to protect and expand our rights! Currently, we're working to expose the deceptive practices of fake abortion clinics (aka CPC's) and strengthen women's autonomy here in MA and across the country! 'See the description of our exciting March 24th documentary screening and discussion event above
On Wed evenings at 8 pm or Fri mornings at 9 am, join Paul Spector and activists from across the country to collaborate on helping Democrats win elections. At Paul's meetings, you will...
hear upbeat political news
share questions and comments
learn about new political actions
support fundraisers with special guests -- such as Swing Left, Movement Voter Project, Flip the Senate, New Georgia Project, and Bucks County Democrats
hear inspiring music (mostly from Playing for Change).
Folks find his meetings educational, uplifting, and hopeful, and it's wonderful to see 50-100 other people at each of the two meetings. To check out the meeting, come Wednesday at 8 p.m. or Friday at 9 a.m. EDT, to this Zoom room: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87820043147?pwd=aXZ0K3QrZGtHR2dBUFlCZnk2TU1hQT09
Letters to the Editor (LTE) Writing Team Adopt, Amend, & Send Out-Your Letter to the Editor
Tuesday, April 9th, 7-8 PM
Our team is dedicated to writing letters to the editors of our local newspapers and sharing them with others to send to their newspapers, too.
Letters to the Editor (LTE’s) are effective in sharing our progressive views widely with our neighbors and community. They often attract the attention of our political leaders too, and we already have had several published.
Our goal is to motivate ourselves and others to write valuable, high-quality LTE’s on topics which are important to us, and get them published locally and across the state. (Maybe nationally in the future). You can see some of our past work on our web page.
We meet every two weeks on Tuesdays at 7:00pm (on Zoom) to strategize and plan. Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 9th at 7PM.
The Climate Team has evolved into a new format. We’ve started a Google Group with free exchange among team members – sharing resources like links to climate-related articles and forwarding emails from climate activist groups, discussing climate topics, and continuing to post action alerts.
IN-SLWM Young VotersTeam
Thursday, April 4th at 6:15 PM
We are a new team. Our purpose is to reach out to young voters locally and to connect with national groups dedicated to connecting with young voters. We meet every 2 weeks on Thursday. Our next Zoom meeting is on Thursday, April 4th at 6:15. We welcome new members.
Thank you!
Autumn's MVP House Party was a HUGE success!!
To Autumn's amazing group of donors,
She did it! Autumn's MVP fundraiser was an enormous success (and it's not over yet!)! Together we helped Autumn raise an astonishing $101,000 (at least) for Movement Voter Project! And Autumn inspired people to spread the word far and wide about MVP, and even to volunteer! Many of you were so moved and inspired by Autumn and her friend Jaz that you donated twice and three times over your original donations!! And, MVP was inspired by Autumn's event to explore starting - with Autumn's help - a new youth fundraising effort!
Thank you from Autumn:
I still can not believe that I raised at least $101,000. And it wasn't just me. Thanks to you, I was able to make this possible. Please if you know anyone like minded ask them to donate! The donation link will be open though the 31st of March.
Thanks so much everyone, Autumn
Video Recording of Autumn's House Party - Watch and share!
If you couldn't make it to the party, we invite you to watch the recording - especially through minute 17 when Autumn and Jaz speak! Start watching at 8min 50 seconds! (You'll want to skip our chit-chat!)
Link: https://tinyurl.com/2rtvdj5t
Passode: tP74w=@P
There's still time to donate to Autumn's event and spread the word!
On March 12, the Grassroots Collaboration Project hosted a Zoom meeting with activist men to discuss a pressing issue in this critical election year: Where are the men?
Beginning in 2016, a grassroots movement formed to protect our freedoms and rescue America from the MAGA threat. That movement has been phenomenally successful. And it’s driven almost entirely by women. That raises the question: Where are the men? What are the reasons for the imbalance? What barriers are holding men back and how do we remove those barriers?
I've been asking where the men are since I helped found Swing Left Pioneer Valley, which has since merged with Indivisible Northampton to form IN-SLWM. I see the names of our volunteers and donors, and they're mostly women. Even though I'm very happy to see women leading the charge as they do so often in the grassroots movement, I wonder why I don’t see more men among us.
Our meeting on the 12th bought almost 30 men together for a conversation about why we don’t see more men in our movement and what to do about it. My fellow steering committee member, Pat Bukowski, and I attended and heard a lot of stories and speculation around these questions, but no concrete recommendations. There needs to be more discussion and thinking around next steps before that can happen.
In addition to Pat and me, there were two other men from the Valley. We're hoping to organize a local gathering of activist men for sometime later this year, with the idea of coming up with some concrete ways in which we can encourage men in our area to join the effort to save democracy (and the planet while we're at it). Watch our newsletter, email alerts, and Facebook posts for more information as our plans develop. If you'd like join in or have questions or suggestions, please contact me at michael@in-slwm.org.
Michael Dover
Welcome Back 413-Staying Connected!
After a year's hiatus, 413 Staying Connected is back to provide up-to-date information about 2024 national races and the activities available to help with these campaigns, as well as actions, demonstrations, and meetings of our local activist groups.
IN-SLWM ON FACEBOOK
Our presence on Facebook has expanded, with more political commentary. Members of our Facebook Page and Facebook Group see daily posts of Heather Cox Richardson’s commentaries “Letters from an American,” weekly posts of Jessica Craven’s (“Chop Wood, Carry Water”) good news list “Extra! Extra!,” and Indivisible National’s weekly list of “To-Dos.”
Now you’ll also see opinion pieces from a number of other authors are appearing on our Facebook feeds. These include Simon Rosenberg, Robert Hubbell, Robert Reich, David Pepper, Timothy Snyder, Dan Rather, Dan Pfeiffer, Joyce Vance, and New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie. You will not see these writers together in any other place, so I encourage you to join up – see below.
As always, we continue to post announcements of our public meetings, actions such as phone banking and postcard campaigns, and events such as rallies and marches that we’re cosponsoring.
If you’re not already seeing these Facebook posts, it’s easy to join.Click here to follow our Facebook Page (followers do not post), and here to join our Facebook Group (members can post). As the election season continues, we hope you'll find these posts interesting, inspiring, and helpful.
NEW IN-SLWM WEBSITE IS LIVE, ILLUSTRATED AND UPDATED!
Our redesigned and reorganized website is now up and running with a great new look! We've added photos and updated several pages so information is current and accessible.
Thanks again to volunteer Nora Brown for creating the new design, and Steering Committee members Amy Gates, Larry Pareles, Pat Bukowski, and Seth Wilpan for their help in bringing the new website into being. If you haven’t visited the site recently, take a look at in-slwm.org.
Comments and suggestions are welcome – write to me, Michael, and let me know what you think.
Indivisible New England Digest:
National Workshop, Webinar & Call Calendar
We are fortunate to have Judy Stadtman as our Indivisible National regional organizer. Judy is the liaison between the national organization and local groups in CT-MA-ME-NH-VT. She does an incredible job keeping IN-SLWM connected to and supported by Indivisible National.
Judy is incredibly active and responsive to our needs. She is eager to lend a hand and hear from anyone who seeks her advice or guidance. If you have any questions or would like to connect with her, please don't hesitate to email her at Judith@Indivisible.com. She looks forward to hearing from you!
SELECTED READING
This section of our newsletter features articles written by one of our subscribers and an article or two selected by our steering committee. Subscribers to the newsletter are welcome to submit writing by email to info@in-slwm.org with the subject line "Newsletter Submission".
The opinions expressed in the writings are those of the author(s) and don't necessarily reflect any consensus of Indivisible Northampton-Swing Left Western MA.
That Zen saying is also the name of a daily email from activist and Substack columnist Jessica Craven. On weekdays she offers a bunch of actions for subscribers to take, such as phoning senators and representatives – often with different scripts for Democratic and Republicans – about issues needing their attention. On the weekends, she highlights items from the news that are encouraging, under the headline “Celebrate This!” Here’s the link to her substack page.
SPEAKING OF FACEBOOK…
If you’re not already subscribed to either our Facebook Page or group, consider joining! We share daily posts from political historian-commentator Heather Cox Richardson, occasional posts from other sources such as Robert Reich and Robert Hubbell, announcements of our public Zoom meetings, and opportunities for action. To follow our Facebook Page (followers do not post) , click here. To join our Facebook Group (members can post), click here. Both receive all IN-SLWM announcements and the daily Richardson posts.
Trouble Joining the Meeting?
When you click the link in your confirmation email, a Zoom page will open in your web browser and the Zoom app will open.
If the Zoom app does not open, here are a few things you can try. You will need to know the meeting id, which is embedded in the address of the Zoom page that opened. On the page that opened in the browser, in the address bar you'll see an address that looks something like this:
Autumn's MVP fundraiser was an enormous success (and it's not over yet!)! Together we helped Autumn raise an astonishing $101,000 (at least) for Movement Voter Project! And Autumn inspired people to spread the word far and wide about MVP, and even to volunteer! Many of you were so moved and inspired by Autumn and her friend Jaz that you donated twice and three times over your original donations!! And, MVP was inspired by Autumn's event to explore starting - with Autumn's help - a new youth fundraising effort!
