Indivisible Ventura Newsletters

Everything Everywhere All at Once March 8Download

Feb. 14th Newsletter

Yeah, there’s a lot today. The time to be sad is when there’s nothing.

Note before we get started… 

Lots of GOP legislators mis-remember and misuse MLK Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech. What they have completely forgotten is his advocacy for economic boycotts. Here is an excerpt of his  statement on ending the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 

“Often our movement has been referred to as a boycott movement. The word boycott, however, does not adequately describe the true spirit of our movement. The word boycott is suggestive of merely an economic squeeze devoid of any positive value. We have never allowed ourselves to get bogged in the negative; we have always sought to accentuate the positive. Our aim has never been to put the bus company out of business, but rather to put justice in business.

These twelve months have not at all been easy. Our feet have often been tired. We have struggled against tremendous odds to maintain alternative transportation. There have been moments when roaring waters of disappointment poured upon us in staggering torrents. We can remember days when unfavorable court decisions came upon us like tidal waves, leaving us treading in the deep and confused waters of despair. But amid all of this we have kept going with the faith that as we struggle, God struggles with us, and that the arc of the moral universe, although long, is bending toward justice. We have lived under the agony and darkness of Good Friday with the conviction that one day the heightening glow of Easter would emerge on the horizon. We have seen truth crucified and goodness buried, but we have kept going with the conviction that truth crushed to earth will rise again.

Now our faith seems to be vindicated. This morning the long awaited mandate from the United States Supreme Court concerning bus segregation came to Montgomery. This mandate expresses in terms that are crystal clear that segregation in public transportation is both legally and sociologically invalid. In the light of this mandate and the unanimous vote rendered by the Montgomery Improvement Association about a month ago, the year old protest against city busses is officially called off, and the Negro citizens of Montgomery are urged to return to the busses tomorrow morning on a non-segregated basis.”

Shamefully, very few White residents publicly supported the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which is possibly why it took a year to have effect. For today’s boycotts and protests, WE NEED EVERYBODY TO JOIN IN! This administration, billionaires and complicit corporations are on one side, and EVERYONE ELSE IS ON THE OTHER.  

EVENTS TODAY!

Saturday 02/15/2025 – CAMARILLO/ MULTIPLE LOCATIONS – Tesla Protest  (1:00 am – 4:00) 311 E. Daily Dr. Camarillo (NOTE: Not all locations are happening today!)

Note: The Camarillo protest is not organized by Indivisible. We’re assuming that no one has pulled any permits so please protest safely:  https://www.aclusocal.org/en/know-your-rights/protesters. 

“This Saturday, we hit Tesla showrooms everywhere.

⚡ Sell your Teslas, dump your stock, join the picket lines.
⚡ Hurting Tesla is stopping Musk.
⚡ Stopping Musk will help save lives and our democracy.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. No one is coming to save us—not politicians, not the media.

#TeslaTakedown #BoycottTesla?

Actionnetwork.org link:  https://actionnetwork.org/events/camarillo-tesla-protest

Other Local-ish Tesla Takedown Events (Some, but not all organized by Indivisible chapters):

• Los Angeles – Centinela | Sat, Feb 15, 11 AM
📍 5840 W Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045
🔗 (https://actionnetwork.org/events/teslatakedown-2)
• North Hollywood | Sat, Feb 15, 1 PM
📍 13005 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605
🔗 (https://actionnetwork.org/events/teslatakedown-noho)
• Pasadena – Colorado Blvd | Sat, Feb 15, 12 PM
📍 117 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
🔗 (https://actionnetwork.org/events/teslatakedown-pasadena)
• West Covina | Sat, Feb 15, 1 PM
📍 1932 E Garvey Ave S, West Covina, CA 91791
🔗 (https://actionnetwork.org/events/teslatakedown-west-covina)
• Upland | Sat, Feb 15, 11 AM
📍 1018 E 20th St, Upland, CA 91784
🔗 (https://actionnetwork.org/events/teslatakedown-upland)
• Fashion Island (Newport Beach) | Sat, Feb 15, 12 PM
📍 367 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
🔗 (https://actionnetwork.org/events/tesla-takedown-fashion-islan
• Upland | Sat, Feb 15, 11 AM
📍 1018 E 20th St, Upland, CA 91784
🔗 (https://actionnetwork.org/events/teslatakedown-upland)
• SANTA BARBARA – CARPINTERIA | March 1, 10:00-12:00
📍400 Hitchcock Way, Santa Barbara, CA
(https://www.facebook.com/events/1143910254127282/)

EVENTS SOON!

Monday – 02/17/2025 – CAMARILLO – America Has No Kings – Ventura County Unites Against Fascism – A Peaceful Protest Against Tyranny and for Humanity (12:00pm) Constitution Park, Camarillo, CA ) Corner of Carmen Drive & Paseo Camarillo

This event is sponsored by 50501 – (www.fiftyfifty.one) It will feature short speeches, a march to the nearby Tesla showroom and postcarding opportunities. Please bring signs and American flags.

The organizer is looking for volunteers to monitor marcher safety (intersections, sidewalk obstructions, etc.). Contact them here: Lighttreader3@gmail.com

Friday – 02/28/2025 – BOYCOTT –  DEI Boycott (12:00 am – 11:59 pm)

DEI BOYCOTT PLAN

• THIS IS THE FIRST   STEP.
• LET’S FOLLOW AL SHARPTON’S LEADERSHIP.
• HERE IS THE DEI BOYCOTT PLAN THAT HAS BEEN SENT OUT TO SHARE WITH ALL OF YOUR CONTACTS.
• THE 24 HOUR BLACKOUT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AS THE FIRST OF MULTIPLE COUNTER MEASURES TO THE ATTACK ON DEI
OUR FIRST OFFICIAL ACT:

• As our first initial act, we “TURN IT OFF”.
• For one day we show them who really holds the power.
• WHEN:
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28TH. from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

• Do not make any purchases.
• Do not shop online, or in-store
• No Amazon
• No Walmart
• No Best Buy
   Nowhere!
• No McDonalds

DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON FOOD:

• Fast Food
• Gas
• Major Retailers
• Do not use Credit or Debit Cards for non essential spending.

WHAT YOU CAN DO IF NECESSARY:

Only buy essentials of absolutely necessary items such as
(Food, Medicine, Emergency Supplies)
• If you must spend, ONLY support small, local businesses.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE

• Talk about it.
• Post about it.
• Document your actions that day!

WHY THIS MATTERS!

• Corporations and banks only care about their bottom line.
• If we disrupt the economy for just ONE day, it sends a powerful message.
• If they don’t listen we make the next blackout longer.
• This is our first action.
• Our numbers are powerful.
• This is how we make  history

AGAIN,

• FEBRUARY 28TH.
• The 24 Hour Economic Black Out Begins.
WE MUST USE THE POWER WE DO HAVE AND SEND AN ECONOMIC MESSAGE WITH OUR NUMBERS AS DR. KING DID IN THE 60’S.

NOW SHARE THIS MESSAGE AS OUR FIRST OF MULTIPLE ACTIONS AND STAY TUNED FOR FUTURE ACTIONS.

03/05 – 04/17 – BOYCOTT –  A Lenten Fast from Corporations: A Call to Spiritual Resistance! (March 5 – April 17)

Videos: 
– https://www.facebook.com/reel/1275204693784841
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUX2CsjJ4qU
(Read the complete page here: targetfast.org)

“…This Lent, we will begin a corporate fast, starting with Target, as a spiritual act of resistance. Just as Jesus overturned the tables in the temple, challenging the exploitation and hypocrisy of his day, we too must disrupt business as usual. Fasting is not just about what we abstain from—it is about what we embrace. By redirecting our resources toward businesses that uphold justice, we embody our commitment to God’s vision of equity and love in action.

This is a fast for accountability. A fast for justice. A fast for a future where corporations do not bow to pressure at the expense of marginalized communities. As we journey through these 40 days, let us pray, reflect, and act—knowing that our collective sacrifice can bring about transformation.

Join us as we stand in faith and resist with purpose. Let this Lenten fast be a witness to the power of conviction, reminding the world that justice is not negotiable.

The urgency of now

At this hour, there is a lot on the line for the African American community. Black History Month and Juneteenth will not be recognized by the federal government. Schools are being penalized for teaching our history. Civil rights cases have been halted. Mass deportations have begun. Guantanamo Bay is being prepared to become a concentration camp, and diversity, equity, and inclusion are being dismantled right before our eyes.

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired!

Black America is the world’s 12th wealthiest nation in spending power. We are strong consumers with astounding brand loyalty. To see companies we’ve supported heavily—like McDonald’s, Ford Motors, Amazon, Meta, and Walmart—betray our long-standing relationship is beyond disheartening. 

The greatest insult comes from Target, which pledged to spend over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025, only to find out that Target stopped the program at the start of the year.  Black people spend over $12 million a day at Target…

…Power Concedes Nothing Without a Demand 

The four  demands of Target

  1. Honor the 2 billion dollar pledge to the black business community  through products, services, and black media buys 
  2. Deposit 250 million amongst any of our 23 black banks 
  3. Completely restoring the franchise commitment to DEI 
  4. Pipeline community centers at 10 HBCU to teach retail business at every level”

03/07 – 03/14 – AMAZON BOYCOTT –  US & World “Oligarch #1 Protest: Amazon” 

From March 7 to March 14, The People’s Union is launching a nationwide boycott of Amazon and all its subsidiaries. For seven full days, we will not contribute a single dollar to Jeff Bezos’ empire.
Why Amazon?
Amazon is the perfect example of corporate greed and worker exploitation. Despite Jeff Bezos being one of the richest men in history with the ability to end hunger and homelessness while still remaining a billionaire, he chooses not to.
Instead, Amazon has spent decades:
• Exploiting workers with grueling conditions and low
wages.
• Destroying small businesses by undercutting local
economies.
• Raising prices while manipulating consumer
dependency.
• Silencing workers and suppressing unionization
efforts.
Amazon thrives because of us, the consumers, the workers, the people. But it’s time to remind them:
They need us. We do not need them.
So here’s how it works:

From March 7 – March 14, we do not make a single purchase from:

  • Amazon.com – No Prime orders, no impulse buys.
  • Kindle & Audible – No eBook or audiobook purchases.
  • Whole Foods & Amazon Fresh – Buy groceries elsewhere.
  • Twitch, Ring, MGM, and all Amazon-owned brands – No support.

This isn’t just about one week. When Amazon ignores us, we escalate. This will be a recurring action until they feel the impact, and begin to do the right thing for everyone!
What You Can Do
• Commit to the boycott—every person matters.
• Spread the word. Share this message everywhere.
This is our power.
This is The People’s Union.
And this is just the beginning.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1678334162717104/ 

FRIDAY, 03/14/2025 – NATIONAL STRIKE –  No work for 24 hours. All Workers, All Businesses and All Higher Education Organizations (Not a march) (12:00 am – 11:59 pm local time)

We will fill in details on this one as we get them. 

NO DATE YET: General Strike (generalstrikeus.com) (Not a march) (12:00 am – 11:59 pm local time)

They appear to be waiting to announce a date until they get enough sign-ups (strike cards). 

“WHAT IS A GENERAL STRIKE? A GENERAL STRIKE IS WHEN WORKING PEOPLE REFUSE THEIR LABOR UNTIL DEMANDS ARE MET 

  • RESEARCH SHOWS WE NEED 3.5% OF THE POPULATION, OR 11 MILLION AMERICANS, TO BE SUCCESSFUL
  • THE STRIKE CARD BELOW TRACKS OUR PROGRESS SO WE ALL KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO STRIKE

•WHY ARE WE STRIKING? WE’VE VOTED, WE’VE PROTESTED, AND STILL, THEY IGNORE US. OUR GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO MEET OUR BASIC NEEDS WHILE THE BILLIONAIRE CLASS HOARDS WEALTH AND POWER. WE CAN’T AFFORD TO WAIT ANY LONGER. OUR LABOR IS OUR GREATEST STRENGTH AND IF WE STRIKE TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE REAL CHANGE.

Calendar items from Indivisible Simi Valley

  • Monday Feb. 17th:
    • No Kings Protest THOUSAND OAKS, 12 p.m. Corner of Westlake Blvd & T.O. Blvd.
    • No Kings Protest CAMARILLO, 12 p.m. Corner of Carmen and Paseo Camarillo, 
    • Presidents Day, Refuse Fascism LOS ANGELES, 3 p.m. DTLA City Hall
  • Tuesday Feb. 18th:
  • Wednesday Feb. 19th:
  • Tuesday Feb. 25th:
    • Indivisible Simi Valley Monthly Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Simi Library Community Room

Calendar items from 805 Immigration Coalition

805UndocuFund is hosting a Flyer Distribution & Gathering event series to help promote the 805 Immigrant Rapid Response Network across the tri-counties.They’ll be distributing flyers at key community locations, and need your support!

Here are the event details:

• Monday, February 17 – La Placita, Downtown Oxnard (350-326 W 5th St, Oxnard, CA 93030) – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, February 19 – Alice Keck Park, Santa Barbara – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Thursday, February 20 – Santa Maria (Location Pending) – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Wednesday, February 26 – San Luis Obispo (Location Pending) – 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

This is a great opportunity to connect, show solidarity, and ensure that our immigrant community has access to crucial resources. If you’re able to stop by, pick up some flyers, or help distribute, they’d love to have you! 

ACTIONS & EVENTS FROM INDIVISIBLE VENTURA

Report on first meeting at  Indivisible Ventura Meetup (2:00 pm) Topper’s Pizza, 3940 E. Main St., Ventura  

We had a good turnout, but we’d like to increase accessibility for working folks by finding a space that’s available on weekends or in the evening. Anyone with ideas on this, please contact us at indivisibleventura@gmail.com

If you missed the meeting, or the posted QR code for the handouts, here is the link. Things are moving fast, so some items may already be outdated!

Action #1 – Democratic legislators need to up their game in the budget fight!

House Democrats hold real leverage in the government funding fight—if they use it. But instead of drawing red lines and fighting to protect critical programs, leadership is acting like they have no power. That’s unacceptable.

Republicans cannot pass a budget without major Democratic votes. Their caucus has a razor-thin majority that is divided between hard-right extremists who want extreme cuts and vulnerable members who fear a shutdown. Instead of letting them paper over their chaos, Democrats must force real concessions.This isn’t just about the budget. House Democrats must also go on offense by using every procedural tool at their disposal to slow down the MAGA agenda and hold Republicans accountable.

Minimal phone call to your legislators: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want [Rep./Senator____] to know that I expect [him/her] to hold the line and refuse to vote for any bill that:

• Lacks ironclad protections to stop Trump from overriding the budget and redirecting taxpayer money to billionaires.
•  Includes poison pill riders attacking abortion rights, LGBTQ+ protections, or immigrant communities AND
•  Cuts critical programs like Medicaid, Social Security, or food assistance.
• Allows Musk and his army of racist youths to continue their illegal and dangerous activities
No deals, no compromises, no negotiating with economic terrorists.

(Speak slowly so that the staff person listening, (you want to get a LIVE PERSON, not an answering machine) can write your issues down, and then tell them YOU WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE FROM THE LEGISLATOR! Be polite. Nothing that is happening is the fault of staff who answers the phones!)

CONTACT

  • Rep. Julia Brownley: email, (CA-26): DC (202) 225-5811, Oxnard (805) 379-1779, T.O. (805) 379-1779
  • or Rep. Salud Carbajal: email.(CA-24): DC (202) 225-3601, SB & Ventura: (805) 730-1710 SLO (805) 546-8348
  • Senator Adam Schiff: email, DC (202) 224-3121, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430
  • and 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
  • Who is my representative/senator?: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Action #2 – Our descent into fascism must not be “bipartisan!”

CALL TO ACTION: Our descent into fascism must not be “bipartisan!” No more complicity. No more collaboration. Use every legislative tool to grind this process to a halt.

– Action #1: WTH, Senate Democrats?! You know that every nominee for cabinet post has sworn to carry out orders from their chapter in Project 2025, no matter what lies they tell you…except Russ Vought, who won’t answer any question with a straight answer at all. Save time! Just say “NO” or boycott them all, then slow the whole circus down to a crawl, and concentrate on dragging Musk and his team of flying monkeys out of our nation’s databanks.

– Action #2: Y’all know that fascism works best when it has small minority targets to mow down. Why in the world are you help to pass bills with embedded racism and transphobia? VOTE “NO” on this kind of toxic crap and recommit to only passing bills based on democratic values.

Seriously!

Link to action: (https://indivisibleventura.org/2025/02/04/our-descent-into-fascism-must-not-be-bipartisan/)

Action #3 – People are scared. How can I help?

The first action in Robert Reich’s post is – “1. Protect the decent and hardworking members of your communities who are undocumented or whose parents are undocumented.“

One important action is to help spread transparency and truth. Many of us have Nextdoor folks who immediately report sonic booms as bombs, and car backfire as gunshots. But these are infrequent annoyances. Imagine if your media feed was constantly filled with dire, yet inaccurate warnings – you’d be afraid to leave your home, and the mental stress would be damaging.

• Become a reliable reporter: Learn how to record ICE actions with this short video from the ACLU. (https://www.instagram.com/sonlalucha/reel/DFNj6kaRiEc/)
Videos and written descriptions by observers can become important legal evidence of abuse of authority, as is this video of ICE stopping a US citizen and slashing his tires. (https://youtu.be/caoB1G92qRg?si=aA7dhMNNhQYBZCp6)
• ACLU has other great videos on what happens when ICE stops someone or knocks on a door. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrK8aaGxRJE)

For Californians in other counties, go here to find your local rapid response network. (https://www.ccijustice.org/rapid-response).
• For those outside CA, go here (https://sonomavalleywine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Hotlines-RRN.doc.pdf)

Volunteer to Drive

If you don’t have this in your area, work with your local immigration groups, churches, etc. to set one up.

COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES!

Thursday 02/20/2025 – Justice for All Book Club (6:00 pm) 

BOOK CLUB reads Democracy in Retrograde by Sami Sage and Emily Amick Thursday, Feb. 20th at 6 pm.  Let’s learn together how we can reframe civic engagement as an act of self care.  Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BrFiad5mQvC4IXyBC6SIhg#/registration

Community Care Event Donations and Volunteers needed  

SURJ VC organizes monthly free Community Care events in Ventura County, which includes free hot meals, canned goods and packaged foods, toiletry items, and clothing.
If you are able, please consider donating to our Venmo @surjvc so we can continue to have our Community Care Events.
We are accepting donations of bottled water, food containers, non-perishable pantry items, fresh fruit, vegetables or other products to make our hot meals, hygiene products, warm clothing, socks, ponchos, tarps, backpacks, or other useful items for the unhoused community.
Reach out to Nicolette at unhousedvc@gmail.com if you would like to donate items or volunteer.

EVENTS LATER THIS MONTH

Sunday – 02/23/2025 – OXNARD – Swap Meet Justice Citizenship and Social Justice! (9am-3pm) Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave, Oxnard

Other events happening soon! 

• Check our calendar for more! – tinyurl.com/VC-do-something 

VIRTUAL Democratic Phonebank – Sunday Tea & Virtual Democratic Phonebank for US House Special Elections

  • Sundays – 02/16, 02/23, 03/02, 03/09, 03/16, 03/23, 03/30/2025 – (1:30pm -3:00pm)

Mobilize: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/751236/

Phone Bank for Wisconsin with Grassroots Democrats HQ!

  • Sundays – 02/16, 02/23, 03/02, 03/09, 03/16, 03/23, 03/30/2025 (10 am – 12 pm)
  • Wednesdays – 02/19, 02/26, 03/05, 03/12, 03/19, 03/26, 03/30/2025 (3:00 pm – 5:00 pm)

Mobilize: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/751167/

READINGS!

  • LAWSUIT TRACKER (NEW)
  • CHECK OUT YOUR ZIP CODE: (NEW) District-Level Data on the Impacts of the Republican Rip-Off
  • EXPLAINER (NEW) Trump & Musk Gutted the CFPB to Let Predatory Lenders Run Wild—What You Need to Know & What to Do Next: 
  • EXPLAINER: (NEW) How House Republicans Are Enabling the Trump Musk Coup—And How to Hold Them Accountable
  • EXPLAINER: How Senate Democrats Can Delay and Defy Trump’s Agenda with Procedural Hardball:
  • EXPLAINER: Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink. Strategies, Tactics & Tips For How Everyday Americans Can Fight Back Together Wherever We Live.

(slate) “In a new Indivisible guide for activists preparing for “Trump 2.0,” Levin and Greenberg write that the next Trump era looks dark, but not hopeless. “Trump wants to govern as a dictator, but he has the slimmest possible congressional majority and a grossly unpopular agenda,” the guide reads. It continues, “There’s a lot we don’t know about what needs to be done. We’ll need to learn and experiment as we go.”

We will be working with this guide and other organizations and including you, our community, in this fight!

Please DONATE to the cause! 
Indivisible Ventura is completely volunteer run and your donation will support the direct costs of organizing in Ventura — things like expenses for Swap Meet Justice, posters, art supplies, stamps, transportation, and more! We have to act urgently to save our democracy and enact other desperately needed reforms. Getting it done depends on all of us. Let’s stand together, indivisible. Indivisible Ventura is one of 6,000 grassroots Indivisible groups across the country. Together, we will win. (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ven383907253)

The usual caveats…
• Keep ahead of us on our calendar scroll here: tinyurl.com/VC-calendar
• If we screw up a link, our apologies. You can find the original post here: tinyurl.com/VC-calendar
• We’re putting up information on local protests and actions by others we’re finding from informal sources.
• These listings are not endorsements nor guarantees as to time/place/type of protest or participant safety. Events can and have already been cancelled without notice. 
• Check ahead for future events there as well. We often miss morning event postings and these newsletters are often tardy as hell.
• If we screw up or miss information about an event, please send an email to indivisibleventura@gmail.com

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