But first, some statements and some inspiration…
Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO: “Today’s shameful outcome revealed who stands for, and who stands against democracy. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 took three attempts to pass into law, so we will continue to fight. Anything short of protecting the right to vote is a death sentence for democracy. The fight is far from over.”
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center:
Black Voters Matter:
Hillary Clinton: “Win or lose, fighting for what’s right is always, always, worth it.
Thank you to the 48 Democratic senators who voted for civil rights and our democracy last night; to Sen. Schumer for his leadership; and to President Biden and Vice President Harris for making voting rights the priority it should be.
The U.S. Senate is now on the record. Fifty Republicans and two Democrats are in the history books for using the filibuster to do what the filibuster does best: block the right of Americans, particularly Black Americans, to vote.
What’s next?
I think we know what John Lewis would do. He would never, ever, ever give up.
First, adopt a U.S. Senate race in 2022. Volunteer, donate, talk to friends about Dem candidates who will fight for our democracy. It’s a tremendous accomplishment that we now have 48 senators in favor of reforming the filibuster to protect voting rights. We only need two more.
Second, please consider running to be an election administrator. Run for Something, an Onward Together partner, will help.
Third: Laws that suppress—or support—the right to vote are made in the state legislatures. Pick an organization or two electing state Democrats to support. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee – DLCC, Sister District Project, and state parties are great places to start.
“I believe a vote is a kind of sacred prayer for the world we want to live in,” Sen. Warnock said yesterday.
The fight for the vote is worth fighting. This struggle did not begin with us, and we will not let it end with us. Onward.”
Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA):
Michael Harriot:
UPDATE ON SEN. SINEMA: Losing big supporters
Emily’s List, Sinema’s biggest donor in 2018 has dropped her from their list of endorsed candidates. NARAL also plans to drop her.
Action #1: NEW SCRIPTS! Call your senators!
NEW! Minimal script for Senator Padilla: I’m calling from [zip code] to THANK Sen. [Padilla for] for standing up and being a champion for the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, as well as for being an earlier supporter of filibuster reform. I want him to know that his moral courage and his commitment to our priorities and democracy has been noted and appreciated.
Contact: Senator Padilla: email, DC (202) 224-3553, LA (310) 231-4494, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (559) 497-5109, SF (415) 981-9369, SD (619) 239-3884
Contact: Senator Feinstein: email, DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430
Contact: Who is my senator?: https://whoismyrepresentative.com
PROGRAM YOUR PHONE! Make calling every day easy.
- Organize your phone: We group all our congresspeople, state and local representatives together under “MOC” (Member of Congress). Not completely accurate, but convenient.
- Is calling really effective? A question we often get – Yes. Try to get to talk to an actual person, not a machine. Busy signal? Skip down the list until someone picks up. Be clear. Be polite.
- What about emailing? Several lawmakers, along with those who work for them, said in interviews …”A phone call from a constituent can, indeed, hold more weight than an email, and far outweighs a Facebook post or a tweet.”
- Can I call legislators I’m mad at?: Only the ones you can vote for personally. Out-of-state calls will not be recorded, and can be used politically against us. Want to yell at legislators like Manchin or Sinema? Join a phone bank to inspire their own voters to call. (Opportunities here: https://indivisibleventura.org/2020/06/02/blm-protests-and-other-antiracist-things-to-do/)
Action #2: Remind corporate America that we see their support for anti-democratic legislators! Contacts and model letters/messages here.
- Action #1 – OMG, Where should I start? May we suggest the corporate sponsors of the 2022 King Holiday Observance?
- Action #2 – OK, I’ve got the hang this. Who else can I contact?
Action #3: Join in! Reach out to voters of Sinema, Manchin and other anti-voter legislators. We need better than a 50/50 split!
Common Cause just stated that volunteers are signing up in huge numbers!
Don’t be afraid of the phone banks! There’s instruction and introverts are actually very good at this. (Here’s some reassuring videos to help you warm up.)
Friday – 01/21/2022
Friday – 01/21/2021 – ONLINE LETTER WRITING – ”Swing Left – Fridays at 4 Letter Writing” (4:00 pm PT)
Sign up on the link below and see https://votefwd.org/swingleft for additional details
Mobilize link: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/274619/
Friday – 01/21/2021 – ONLINE PHONE BANK – ”Common Cause – Freedom to Vote Act Phonebank with Common Cause” (1:00pm – 3:00pm PT)
We’re so excited to work together to demand bold changes to our democracy to create a government that represents all of us, not big corporations or special interests. . We’ll be calling voters in targeted states and connecting them to their Senators to support the Freedom to Vote Act. and eliminate the filibuster. These phonebanks are subject to change based on variables outside of our control (i.e. a Senator’s mailbox is full)
On Mondays at 4:00pm ET, we are partnering with Swing Blue Alliance to urge politicians to pass the Freedom to Vote Act.
On Thursdays at 6pm ET, we are partnering with Indivisible Northampton to ensure that the Freedom to Vote Act comes to fruition!
Want to call a specific state? Check their schedule in the link below:
Friday: Connecting WV voters to Sen. Manchin to thank them for their leadership and ask that they do everything possible to pass the Freedom to Vote Act including fixing the filibuster
These shifts also always will include training for first-timers before you make calls – so if this is your first time, no worries! We’ll make sure you feel prepared before you begin.
Mobilize link: https://www.mobilize.us/commoncause/event/376178/
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 