Today and yesterday

Today, we should be celebrating the victories in Georgia and feeling the well-earned joy and relief of taking back the Senate to create a Democratic trifecta in Washington. Instead, we are watching surreal imagery on our television screens of an armed insurrection by an angry mob in our Capitol.

It is truly a dark day in American history and a somber reminder of the importance of our collective work to protect democracy. 

The IndiMarin Leadership Team, along with our many partner organizations and allies, will be following all developments with vigilance. We will keep members apprised when there are constructive actions for us to take as citizens. For the time being, watchful waiting may be the most prudent action given the seriousness and unpredictability of the situation. During this uncertain time, we encourage you connect with each other and your community members to check in and offer support and camaraderie. Many are feeling anxious and scared.

Given these disturbing circumstances, we will pause until after inauguration any planning for election-related celebrations, and for our strategy and programming for 2021. 

Thank you for your commitment to democracy. You are true patriots. We are very grateful for your ongoing participation in our work together.

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Susan S, Betsy, Justine and Susan M

IndiMarin's "Year in Review"

As this challenging year comes to a close, we would like to raise our virtual glasses and offer a toast to the power of citizen action. While acknowledging the terrible pain, angst and suffering this year has brought to so many millions of people, we also want to celebrate you and your actions. They are highlighted below. In the face of unprecedented challenges, you did the right thing. Feel proud...you deserve to be.

We also supported each other in the process. So many members express to us that their participation in our work has "kept them sane."  Working with other like-minded citizens to push back against tyranny and injustice gave us all a sense of purpose and collective power.

Citizen action will be just as important in 2021. Thankfully, we will now have the advantage of playing offense. Our job will be to hold to the fire the toes of our democratic officials, and make sure that they seize the opportunity to undo the damage from Trump's destructive reign, and push forward on crucial issues such as democracy reform, climate change, health care and racial and economic justice. We will also continue to build the Democratic party through voter registration and outreach. It's not too early to lay the groundwork for resounding wins in both chambers in 2022!

We hope that you're in. For 2021 and beyond. Mass movements only have power with mass participation. Please write us anytime at info@indivisiblemarin.org with comments, questions and/or insights. You are our most valuable resource

We send our warmest wishes for a much happier and healthier 2021!

The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Susan S, Justine, Laurie, Betsy and Susan M

__________________________________

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY

As a New Year's resolution, 240 members took the IndiMarin 2020 Pledge to spend at least four hours per month on voter outreach work.

IndiMarin's Leadership Team of 24 rockstars gathered to lay out our 2020 strategy.

Kick off of "All In For Arizona" at the January membership meeting.

Full steam ahead with Action Days and Write to Win events to help flip Arizona!

Phone-a-thon for A Fair Trial, a three day effort to call constituents in key red states urging them to call their senators to demand a fair trial.

FEBRUARY

The re-launch of our popular postcard-from-home program with postcard packets available for pick up and drop off at two locations.

Kick off of "Voter Outreach for Newbies" in advance of our twice-weekly Action Days for phoning and writing voters in Arizona.

New initiative to make calls to register people of color in North Carolina before the 2/29 deadline to vote in the primary.

MARCH

First Virtual Membership Meeting, just days after the shelter-in-place order was issued.

Zoom 101 trainings begin.

Kick off of Virtual Phone Banks in partnership with Democracy Action Marin.

Kick off of Virtual Textbanking by our fabulous team of Texting Mentors as part of Indivisible National's Payback Project.

APRIL

First virtual postcarding party to write postcards to voters of color in Georgia in partnership with Reclaim Our Vote, an organization with a long history of fighting voter suppression and encouraging disenfranchised citizens to register to vote.

Members wrote Senators Feinstein and Harris in support of Election Protection.

IndiMarin kicks off its own Virtual Phonebanks every Wednesday and Sunday, led by an amazing team of mentors.
MAY

Virtual Membership Meeting with special guest Congressman Jared Huffman.

Launch of letter writing with partners Swing Left and Vote Forward with a goal of sending 10 million letters to swing state voters that are historically underrepresented and unlikely to vote.

JUNE

Week of Action for Racial Justice - Members took concrete action by contacting elected officials at the local, state and federal level to further the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Virtual Open House to recruit new members - growth continues to skyrocket!

Virtual Membership Meeting with Senator Mike McGuire.

JULY

Phonebank Team shifts its focus to North Carolina and partners with the North Carolina Democratic Party Team.

Members call Governor Newsom to support The CRISES ACT, a community response initiative to strengthen emergency systems in lieu of response by police.

Over 180 members wrote Senator Feinstein asking her to cast a vote against authoritarianism in America by supporting the Merkley/Wyden Amendment.

AUGUST

Sprint to November Happy Hour with special guest Dan Pfeiffer of Pod Save America.

SEPTEMBER

Voter outreach work kicks into high gear with a full calendar of events!

Nearly 400 members write Senators Feinstein and Harris asking that they do their utmost to thwart the GOP effort to confirm a new Justice before inauguration. We honor Justice Ginsberg with this video.

OCTOBER

IndiMarin is designated by the Biden/Harris campaign as one of its official call centers in for the final weeks of GOTV with the campaign directing our team in real time to call the most strategically important state at that moment.

IndiMarin surpasses 2500 members!

NOVEMBER

America elects Joe Biden and Kamala Harris!

IndiMarin launches Georgia programs including postcarding, letter-writing and phonebanking.

DECEMBER

December Membership Meeting to discuss initial plans for new programs for 2021.

Our members raise over $5,000 for Downtown Streets Team, a local organization dedicated to helping residents of Marin who are experiencing homelessness, and write holiday cards for Team Members' gift baskets.

We begin the work of planning for 2021!

December campaign to support Marin residents experiencing homelessness

Dear members,

Today, IndiMarin is launching a month-long effort to increase awareness of and support for Downtown Streets Team, a fabulous local organization dedicated to helping residents of Marin who are experiencing homelessness. DST's work experience program empowers individuals and acts as a stepping stone into employment, housing, and a better life through the dignity of work. 

The holiday season is a particularly difficult and lonely time for people without housing and they especially suffer from isolation and the cold, wet weather. Please consider a donation of any amount and/or request that family members make a donation on your behalf in lieu of a holiday gift. Click here to donate and/or share the link. 

You have likely seen Downtown Streets Team members in their yellow shirts cleaning the streets of Novato and San Rafael. DST's unique model provides people who are experiencing homelessness an opportunity to volunteer on a team and begin to work collaboratively on local beautification and environmental projects. Team Members receive a non-cash stipend to help cover their basic needs, while taking advantage of DST's case management and employment services to find housing and a job. The program is structured to be a one-year transitional program into permanent housing and employment. This touching three minute video conveys the essence of the program.

We will update you next week regarding additional ways to help including 1) social media and friendbanking effort, 2) a collection drive for gently used necessities, and 3) a benefit film screening. Details to follow soon.

Our fundraiser also will benefit The Showers, a program operated by DST which is comprised of two mobile shower/restroom trailers that will travel to different locations throughout the County to bring showers to those in need. Volunteers welcome clients with a smile, provide a fresh towel and offer the opportunity to connect with available housing and local service providers. There are over 1,035 people experiencing homelessness in Marin County, with nearly 65% of them unsheltered. And there is only one location in Marin County to get a free shower, a crucial factor when seeking employment.

Thank for joining IndiMarin's effort to extend support to people in the Marin community, and for all you do to help make our world a better place.

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Justine, Susan S, Betsy, Laurie and Susan M

Georgia On Our Minds

 Democrats are united in the goal of helping elect Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock to the Senate in runoff elections in Georgia on January 5th. If we win both seats, we will take back majority control, send Malevolent Mitch to the back of the bus, and enable the Biden Administration to advance a progressive policy agenda. It won't be easy, but we can do it, IF we all pitch in with as much time and money as we are able to contribute.

 IndiMarin is now offering five ways for you to support these two excellent candidates:

1) phonebanking, 2) letter writing, 3) postcarding, 4) donating, and 5) friendbanking. Please scroll down for further details on the options of most interest to you!

Phonebanking - IndiMarin phonebanks are starting up again this Sunday at 12 PM and will continue every Sunday at noon and Wednesdays at 3 PM up through January 5th. We're calling Dems to help them make their plan to vote. It's easy and rewarding! Our wonderful Phone Team Mentors will be onhand to work with newbies in small groups. You'll have a chance to observe some phone calls and jump in yourself when you feel ready.

Sign up for any date, or multiple dates here. If you would like to participate at other times, please join the phonebanks hosted by the campaigns. Click here for details. Time is of the essence. EARLY VOTING BEGINS ON DECEMBER 14!

Letter writing - Once again, we are partnering with Vote Forward's successful letter writing program which helped send more than 15 million letters to voters in swing states during the general election. Help encourage voters from historically underrepresented communities in Georgia to request their absentee ballots for the Senate runoffs. There are 500,000 addresses waiting to be "adopted" but they are going fast. Sign up here soon if you'd like to help!


Postcarding - Our post carders have already written over 60,000 postcards in 2020! But we're not gonna slow down until we help take back the Senate!  Writers provide their own materials and we provide the addresses and scripts. Sign up here to join the IndiMarin Postcard Team.

Donating - A key way to help is with our dollars! Republicans are pouring dark money into the state in a frantic effort to retain power. We, the people, must provide our candidates with enough “clean money” from small donors to win. Click here for our recommended options for donations.

Friendbanking: Please consider reaching out to people in your personal network via phone, text or email, and encourage them to make a donation of any amount. A personal message about the importance of these elections and what's at stake for our country is often successful. People usually appreciate authentic outreach from a friend, especially if they don't follow politics super closely, or are simply preoccupied with busy lives. Or get creative! Maybe host a Zoom Happy Hour as a fundraiser and ask everyone to kick in $25? Other ideas? Please send them our way at info@indivisiblemarin.org so that we can share them out to everyone!

As always, thank you for your commitment to citizen action! Let's work like crazy AND open our wallets to win back the Senate! It's that important.

We Are Woke!

Thanks to you, and to countless other committed citizen across this country, Abraham Lincoln's memorable words at Gettysburg again hold true: "This government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Over the past four years, you have consistently stood up, spoken up and showed up to protect our democracy and its citizens. You deserve to be very proud of your contributions. As Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said at the Democratic National Convention, "Years from now, this moment will have passed. And our children and our grandchildren will look in our eyes and ask us: Where were you when the stakes were so high? They will ask us, what was it like? And we will tell them. We will tell them, not just how we felt. We will tell them what we did."

With all of the human suffering engendered by Donald Trump and his immoral enablers, there was one monumentally positive outcome. WE, THE PEOPLE, ARE WOKE.

Since that terrible day in November 2016, we have knitted pink hats and marched by the millions, poured into airports to protest the Muslim ban, and into the streets to proclaim that families belong together. Students launched a movement to save their friends from gun violence, and another to save the planet from climate change. Americans of all ages joined Black and Brown organizers in the largest demonstrations this country has ever seen to battle systemic racism and injustice.

We visited the offices of our members of Congress to claim our power as constituents. We called and emailed them again and again to advocate for climate change, racial justice, voting rights, economic security, and many other progressive causes.

In each of the last four years, we supported the work of Democratic candidates in toss-up races. We made calls, sent text messages, wrote postcards and letters. With the final results of so many elections coming down to thousands, or sometimes only hundreds, of votes, our voter outreach efforts impacted dozens of critical races.

When a pandemic struck in March, we retooled, regrouped and quickly learned how to organize virtually. We figured out Zoom, Slack and many other tech tools for mobilizing, organizing and engaging voters in a digital age. It wasn't always easy, or pretty, but we got there:)

Today, we are bigger, stronger and more prepared than ever before.  In 2020, IndiMarin welcomed over 1,000 new members to our ranks. We now number over 2,500. Additionally, there are tens of thousands of citizen action groups, like us, who have been activated over these past four years. Together, as a movement, we are powerful, seasoned and ready to go.

The lesson of the last four years is that we must never go back to inaction or complacency. Vigilant and collective action by citizens is the pathway to progressive change.

Now, onto the work in Georgia. Whether or not Democrats take control of the US Senate hinges on two run-off elections there on January 5. The results will greatly impact the opportunity for the Biden Administration to appoint a progressive Cabinet and address fundamental flaws in our current system of governance including the filibuster, electoral college, term limits, and an imbalanced Supreme Court.

Please watch for an email from us tomorrow with a range of specific actions you can take to support Jon Ossof and Reverend Raphael Warnock. Also, sign up for this exciting opportunity tomorrow at 4:30 PM to join a virtual conversation with both Democratic Senate candidates and their teams to meet them, talk strategy, and get our marching orders to help them win.

Then, after Inauguration Day, the exciting work begins - advocating for real progressive change in our country. IndiMarin is in this for the long haul. And we are confident that you are too.

Marin Protest to Protect the Results - November 4th

Marin advocacy groups have partnered with a national coalition, “Protect the Results,” a coalition of over 100 bipartisan grassroots organizations ready to protect the valid results of the 2020 election.

With every tweet and refusal to commit to accepting the legitimate results of the 2020 election, Trump seeks to stoke chaos and fear. But we will be ready - should Trump declare victory before all the votes are counted, make unfounded claims that the election was “stolen,” or further act to intimidate or prevent the legitimate counting of votes. As needed, the coalition will activate nationwide mobilizations to demand all votes are counted and ensure a peaceful transition of power. The coalition believes that the likelihood of activation is high.

That said, our best case scenario is that Biden wins in a landslide and we never have to activate this network, so this planning should not take the place of your crucial election work. With democracy at stake, we have to do both.

We should all plan as though these events could be as early as the afternoon of Wednesday, November 4. However this time and date is a placeholder and very likely will change. If we mobilize, exact times and locations will be determined by local event leaders. Please RSVP at the above link and we will keep you informed on an ongoing basis via email.

There is also a Protect the Results protest being held in West Marin. If that location is more convenient for you, please RSVP here: http://bit.ly/PTRinWestMarin

If the feared crisis lasts longer than that first critical week post-election, we will need to be ready to ramp up our pressure. The strategy will depend significantly on the scenario and reality on the ground but we should be prepared for mass mobilizations on an ongoing basis for as long as needed to protect the results.

Note: In addition to taking to the streets, there are many other ways to help protect the results. Please take action on any of them - the sooner the better.

• Volunteer to be a Poll Worker or, if you know people who live in red states, send them this link and encourage them to volunteer: http://bit.ly/PowertothePolls

• Send your friends in red states this link to SeeSay2020, a form for reporting incidents of voter suppression observed at the polls: http://bit.ly/SeeSay2020

• If you are an attorney, or know one who might be interested, volunteer with WeTheAction under the category of Voting Rights and Fair Elections: http://bit.ly/WeTheAction

URGENT - Five minute action - Call on Feinstein and Harris to prevent a quorum

Dear Members,

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination. Our two Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, as Ranking Member and Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee respectively, are in powerful positions.

On September 28th, two hundred and seventy five of us wrote them asking that they work to "delegitimize and slow the GOP agenda which aims to rob the American people of having a voice in the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice."  Since then, we have been gravely disappointed by the lack of strategic and courageous action by Senate Democrats, especially members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to thwart this abuse of power.

In particular, we have been disappointed by Senator Feinstein's enabling of this illegitimate process. According to an October 16th article in the Washington Post, "Many observers on the left gave [Senator Feinstein] failing marks. She did not, for example, put up much of a battle against Graham when the committee was not at quorum."  Similarly, when Senator Feinstein praised Lindsey Graham at the close of the hearings, Jon Lovett, a former aide to President Barack Obama and co-host of “Pod Save America,” said, “That she can say this about this ongoing travesty,” “is another sad statement about how poorly represented we are by Dianne Feinstein.”

Please take five minutes NOW and click here to send automated emails to Senators Feinstein and Harris.

The email template asks that they work to prevent a quorum for the committee vote on Thursday. Specifically, we are asking that neither of them attend the committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, and that they convince at least six of their colleagues on the committee to follow suit. Further, we are asking that, if Committee Chair Lindsey Graham refers the vote back to the full Senate without committee recommendation, Senate Democrats walk out en masse and leave Republicans to hold the vote alone.

Making a phone call is particularly powerful. Please do that as well, or in lieu of sending an email. Call Senator Feinstein at (415) 393-0707 and Senator Harris at (415) 981-9369. You can use this script as desired: My name name is [name] and I live in [city, zip]. I am extremely upset about the rush by Republicans to appoint Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in advance of the elections. It is an abuse of power and a threat to our democracy. I'm asking you to work to deny Republicans a quorum in committee. Please do not attend the committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, and convince seven of your colleagues on the committee to follow suit.

While this request may be a long shot at this point, it is our responsibility as citizen activists to speak out loudly and consistently. Over time our words and actions will result in positive change. As the esteemed Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall said, “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”

Please take five minutes and click here to send Senators Feinstein and Harris emails asking that they do their utmost to thwart the GOP effort to confirm a new Justice before inauguration.

Stand up. Be loud. Stay strong.

The IndiMarin Steering Committee ~ Justine, Betsy, Susan S, Laurie and Susan M

ANNOUNCEMENT: IndiMarin joins with Biden/Harris campaign in final GOTV push!

We're down to the wire in the most crucial election of our lifetimes. People are voting NOW. We need a landslide so that there is can be no question about the results. Are you gonna help out?

The very exciting news is that IndiMarin has been designated by the Biden/Harris campaign as one of its official call centers in these crucial final weeks! We will be calling fellow Democrats in battleground states to provide them with all of the information they need to make their PLAN TO VOTE. These are not persuasion calls - pure GOTV! The Biden/Harris campaign will be directing our team in real time to call the most strategically important state at that moment.

Please clear your decks and sign up for as many shifts as possible.

Then send this link to your friends and encourage them to join us too. Newbies will receive all the support they need. Also, please post the link to your social media feeds.

We're counting on you. Please sign up now and sign up often.

Two minute action - Write Feinstein and Harris re Coney Barrett's confirmation process

Dear Members,

Our two Senators, Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, as Ranking Member and Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee respectively, are in powerful positions to ensure that Democrats strategically manage the confirmation process for Amy Coney Barrett. The goal of Senate Democrats should be to delegitimize and slow the GOP agenda which aims to rob the American people of having a voice in the confirmation of a Supreme Court Justice. Please take two minutes and click here to send Senators Feinstein and Harris emails asking that they do their utmost to thwart the GOP effort to confirm a new Justice before inauguration.

As you know, it appears very unlikely that the needed handful of Republican Senators will stand up in support of democratic principles and vote against Coney Barrett's confirmation. Additionally, if Republicans hold together, then they can vote a Supreme Court nominee through with a simple majority.

However, Senate Republicans must first succeed in forcing a vote, which is not a given. If Senate Democrats work together to strategically use every available procedural tool and all of their power, they may be able to buy the time necessary to stop the confirmation.

According to an opinion piece in the New York Times by Adam Jentleson, former deputy chief of staff for Senator Harry Reid, "There are steps Democrats can take to apply maximum pressure, brand the process as the illegitimate farce it is and lay the groundwork for desperately needed reform that can reverse the damage early in 2021 if Democrats win in November."

The only chance of preventing Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation lies in the hands of Senate Democrats. Will they abdicate their influence by adherence to Senate protocols and norms? Or will they act boldly and strategically to delegitimize and slow the GOP's agenda to force a vote before inauguration.

Please take two minutes and click here to send Senators Feinstein and Harris emails asking that they do their utmost to thwart the GOP effort to confirm a new Justice before inauguration.

RELATED READING

Axios - Dems feel boxed in on their strategy for Barrett Confirmation Fight
New York Times - Democrats Need a Plan, Fast
Washington Post - Democrats Debate whether to engage or withdraw
Mother Jones - The Left Wasn’t Ready to Fight Kavanaugh. That Isn't the Case This Time
NY Magazine - How the Dems Should Turn the Hearings into an anti-GOP infomercial

Stand up. Be loud. Stay strong.

The IndiMarin Steering Committee ~ Justine, Betsy, Susan S, Laurie and Susan M

"We are here. It's happening." ~ Rachel Maddow

Dear members,

Many of us have been feeling quite down this past week. The situation regarding SCOTUS, coupled with a daily news cycle dominated by scary scenarios about the outcome of the election, is overwhelming. With this sobering backdrop, we have two important messages to convey as we head into the final five weeks before the election:

For those of you who have been devoting as much time as your life circumstances allow to help Get Out The Vote (GOTV), this article from Axios, The Biden Blowout, is just what you need to be re-energized about our one and only path out of this mess - a landslide victory for Joe Biden. We’re all tired. We’ve all been working our hearts out for a long time. Between COVID and the wildfires, 2020 has sucked. There's no other word for it. Let’s take a deep collective breath, square our shoulders, and draw upon our final reserves to make this a Biden blowout!

For those of you who have not yet made the commitment to set aside as much time as your life circumstances allow to help GOTV, please consider this segment on The Rachel Maddow Show as we move into these final five weeks. This is her message to all Americans: "It’s here. We are here. It’s happening. We don’t have to wonder anymore what it would be like to live through a time like this. As individual citizens, we don’t have to wonder anymore how we would react, how we would act, what we would do for our country if our country was ever in this kind of peril. You now know what you would do for your country if your country was ever in this much danger. It’s whatever you are doing right now. What you’re doing now, what you are planning to do for the next six weeks, that’s what you are made of. That’s what you’ll be able to say you did when your country needed you."

__________________________________________________

Here are four ways to take action right now in these final weeks:

Call Voters in Battleground StatesCalling voters is the most needed form of direct voter outreach in the final weeks. For a motivating sneak peek into phonebanking, watch this great video called "You Can Swing the Election" made by volunteers in Boston. Then sign up to join the IndiMarin Phone Team. We are calling Democrats in North Carolina to help them with absentee and early voting. Betsy Guthrie, our Team Leader, has developed an excellent  program which makes it easy for new volunteers to get rolling. Please join the IndiMarin Phone Team here.

Become a FriendbankerDid you know that friend-to-friend outreach can increase turnout by as much as 13%? The exponential power of friendbanking lies in connecting with any Democrats you know in battleground states to help them get involved with the GOTV effort in their home state. Many people want to help but need to be pointed in the right direction! Read more about Friendbanking here.

Donate to Senate candidates in the closest races We have developed a new webpage with recommendations for the most strategic places to donate. Please consider these options for your own political giving, and share the list with those in your network.

Share the DNC’s new “I will vote” website with your personal networkFiguring out the best way to vote this year is complicated. The Democratic National Committee has rolled out an excellent website that helps people with their plan for voting no matter where they live. Please share this website with Democrats in your network, especially those in battleground states, and ask them to share it as well. Also, please post the site on your social media profiles.  

This is it. It's not a dress rehearsal. What will you do for your country?

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Susan S, Justine, Laurie, Betsy, Susan M

May her memory be a revolution

Dear members,

We are all in mourning. We have lost Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an American icon and heroine with an extraordinary intellect and a heart of gold. She fought relentlessly for more than six decades for the ideal we hold so dear - equal justice under the law. Justice Ginsberg dictated a statement before her death: “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed.”

According to Jewish tradition, a person who dies on Rosh Hashanah is a tzaddik, a person of great righteousness. In these High Holy Days, Jews will focus their attention on repentance and reflection of action. Similarly, during her life, Justice Ginsburg urged us to act: "Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

In her honor, we have created this video to allow us to grieve, but also to inspire our collective action. We must pick ourselves up and fight like never before, as she would want us to do.

We need four Republican Senators to oppose confirming a new Supreme Court Justice before our next President is inaugurated. The Senators most likely to do so are listed below. If you know people who reside in any of these states, please ask them to contact their Senator ASAP to oppose confirmation before inauguration. If you know people who may have contacts in those states, please reach out to them as well.

Tennessee - Lamar Alexander - 202-224-4944
Maine - Susan Collins - 202-224-2523
West Virginia - Shelly Capito - 202-224-6472
Iowa - Joni Ernst - 202-224-3524; Chuck Grassley - 202-224-3744
Utah - Mitt Romney - 202-224-5251

Postcard Team:
A dedicated person has compiled a list of Senators who made public comments in 2016 opposing a Supreme Court confirmation in advance of the 2017 inauguration. Please send a postcard to each senator reminding them of their own words. Click here for the scripts and addresses.

When a Jewish person has died, saying, "May her memory be for a blessing,” is customary. But in Justice Ginsburg’s case, let us say instead, “May her memory be a revolution.”

Rest in peace, our treasured "RBG." We will work our hearts out to fulfill your last wish.

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Justine, Susan S, Laurie, Betsy and Susan M

IndiMarin Texting Program Takes Off! Join us tomorrow to learn more!

Hello Texters!

We are excited to report that our texting program is growing dramatically! We now have nearly 130 active texters and over 50 in our IndiMarin Slack group.

Our volunteers have enthusiastically responded to our new focus on developing a community of texters where we all help each other by sharing information, tips and success stories. In addition, the Text Team Leaders provide resources, guidance, and support. Our goal is to help our texting volunteers be as productive as possible with whatever time you have available.

JOIN US TOMORROW AT 11 AM TO LEARN MORE AT "TEXTING TUESDAY!" - Our Texting Tuesdays provide an opportunity for group members to chat about what texting we’ve been up to and ask questions. We find having a community to cheer each other on really helps us stay motivated! Sign up here.

BE SURE TO JOIN THE INDIMARIN SLACK GROUP - It can be a bit of a maze to keep up with all of the many texting programs by yourself given the various sponsoring groups, platforms and objectives. That's why we've created an IndiMarin Slack group for our texting volunteers to compare notes. You can post about the texting you've been doing, and what you thought of it. Was it easy to learn, or complicated? Did you have a lot of good conversations? Texters can also ask questions of our leadership team, and of each other. We also provide a constantly updated list of recommended list of texting opportunities.  Please join the community of IndiMarin texters via our new Slack channel. To join, click here. 

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN US! Do you have friends who you think might be open to trying texting? It's all remote so doesn't matter where they live! Invite them to join by submitting this form. If you're willing to be their mentor, all the better!

Thanks to all and happy texting! 

~ IndiMarin's Team Text - Paula, Michael, Joy, Andie, Julie, Laurie and Patrice

NOW OR NEVER!

We are very pleased and proud to let you know that IndiMarin reached an important milestone yesterday - 2,000 members! Since our beginnings as just three people in January of 2017, it's been quite a journey - alternatively exciting, tiring, frustrating, gratifying - and yet always guided by a commitment to our shared goal of a more just and compassionate America. We'd like to thank the many members of our leadership team for their dedication and tireless efforts.



NOW OR NEVER!
On September 4th, one week from today, North Carolina will mail out their absentee ballots. Once received, people will start voting! The takeaway for us? We have NO time to lose in our efforts to win a trifecta in November. Much of our work involves contacting Democratic voters to ensure that they have the information they need to vote safely and securely.

If you are not yet active with this crucial voter outreach work, please sign up for one of our four voter outreach programs today! As President Obama said at last week's Democratic National Convention, "Don't let them take away your democracy. Make a plan right now for how you're going to get involved.”

Join Our Phone Team
Join Our Text Team
Join Our Postcard Team
Join Our Letter Writing Team

Not sure which to join? Write us at info@indivisiblemarin.org and a member of our Engagement Team will reach out to chat about the best fit for you!
HABLAS ESPANOL?
If so, oin Mission for Arizona TOMORROW, Saturday, 8/29, from 2 - 4 PM PT to call Spanish speakers on Thrutalk, their automated dialer system! Sign up for the phonebank here.

Hacer llamadas es la mejor manera de conectarnos con otros votantes y hablar sobre temas que a todos nos interesan en esta elección. Hacemos llamadas para informar a la comunidad cómo registrarse para la lista permanente de votación temprana (PEVL) para poder recibir su boleta por correo temprano.

Additionally, If you are willing and able to make calls in Spanish, please email us at info@indivisiblemarin.org so that we can keep you posted on future opportunities.

Don't miss our Happy Hour on 8/3 with Dan Pfeiffer of Pod Save America

Please join IndiMarin and REsisters for the Sprint to November Happy Hour on Monday, August 3 at 6 PM. Be there as we mark the start of the 3-month countdown to the election of our lifetimes!  Sign up here for the Sprint to November Happy Hour.

Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of Pod Save America, best selling author, and long time aide to President Obama, will make a special guest appearance to kick off the event!

Pour your beverage of choice and Zoom in to learn how YOU can impact victories for Dems up and down the ballot! For the next three months, we'll be calling, texting and writing voters with the goal of achieving massive turnout. A key focus will be helping people register and sign up to vote by mail. It's pedal-to-the-metal time and we hope you'll pitch in!  Sign up here for the Sprint to November Happy Hour.

Enlist a friend - or two or three - to attend, and you'll be entered to win the newly released edition of our IndiMarin t-shirts. More friends = more chances to win.

A trifecta - the Presidency, House and Senate - is very possible if we put in the work. Let's do this! Sign up here for the Sprint to November Happy Hour.

We hope to see you there!

~ IndiMarin & REsisters

URGENT: Take action today on San Quentin COVID Outbreak

We are sharing a request for urgent action by Re:Store Justice, a collective of people who were formerly incarcerated, together with people who are currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison and their loved ones. We hope that our members will take these actions and stay engaged on the situation at San Quentin which is affecting the lives and welfare of so many people, as well as impacting our healthcare resources in Marin.

Below, we have pasted the entirety of an email sent today by Re:Store Justice with a list of requested actions for us to take today.

We would like to convey our thanks to Assemblymember Marc Levine and State Senator Mike McGuire for their ongoing advocacy efforts to ensure a rapid and comprehensive response to this urgent situation.

Background: 
On July 2, University of California San Francisco infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong told NBC Bay Area that San Quentin had become "the Chernobyl of COVID." According to a column in the SF Chronicle titled, "San Quentin coronavirus outbreak underscores California’s cruel treatment of prisoners," nearly 1,400 incarcerated people and 165 employees there have now been infected. An indication of the severity of the situation is that it is now being covered by the national news media including this segment on Rachel Maddow. 

Departments within UCSF and UC are recommending in an urgent memo that the state begin the process of dramatically reducing the overall prison population to below 50% of current capacity. The memo states, "It is important to note that we spoke to a number of incarcerated people who were over the age of 60 and had a matter of weeks left on their sentences. It is inconceivable that they are still in this dangerous environment."

TODAY'S EMAIL FROM RE:Store JUSTICE: 

How can you support today's action?

Join us TODAY at 12 noon PST on Facebook live at this link.

Call or email Governor Newsom's office this morning:Phone: (916) 445-2841, Public comment form; Email: governor@governor.ca.gov

Ask him to:
- Visit San Quentin and tour the facility with press so he can bear witness to the deplorable conditions inside
- Immediately stop all transfers between California prisons and from prisons to ICE detention centers
- Begin the process of dramatically reducing the overall prison population to below 50% of current capacity, following the recommendations issued by UCSF Amend.

Read the full list of demands from incarcerated folks at San Quentin State Prison here.

Are you an academic, medical professional, or public health expert from a relevant institution and department?
- Review this Google Doc for guidelines on issuing a statement from your institution calling for mass releases without categorical exclusions.
- Sign on to this open letter to Governor Newsom drafted by Hadar Aviram, Professor of Law at UC Hastings.

• If you'd like to join the conversation remotely, check out our Media Toolkit.

Thank you for your commitment to social justice and health care for all!

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Susan S, Betsy, Justine and Susan M

Membership Meeting with Mike McGuire

Please join us for a Virtual Membership Meeting on Sunday, June 28th at 3 pm. Our State Senator. Mike McGuire will join us for a discussion of local and state issues. He will update us on some key bills and provide updates from our district, including the upcoming fire season. There will also be a Q&A period. Please feel free to submit a question in advance to info@indivisiblemarin.org.

Following the Senator's remarks, we will provide some updates on IndiMarin programs to help #WinBackDemcracy and ways for you to be involved in the effort. Non-members are welcome to stay or sign off for this portion of the meeting.

Honoring Juneteenth - IndiMarin's Sixth Day of Action for Racial Justice

Today is Juneteenth, a holiday that celebrates the ending of slavery in the United States. Originating in 1865, the official Juneteenth website explains that the holiday's focus has now broadened to commemorate, "Black American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future."
Today, with our sixth "Day of Action for Racial Justice," IndiMarin honors the tradition, the significance, and the hope represented by Juneteenth.

BACKGROUND ON TODAY'S ACTION

Over the last two years, the Democratic-led House of Representatives has introduced a wide range of progressive legislation related to racial justice - including the issues of police reform, reparations, profiling, and racial disparities. These bills are outlined in a recent post on Medium, by our Congressman, Jared Huffman, entitled "Black Lives Matter: Legislative Action I'm taking to Fight for Justice."

There, he writes, "Systemic racism and injustices against black people and communities of color have been tolerated in this country for far too long. I hope this is our moment of reckoning: a chance for Americans to finally confront our original sin of racism and change the systems and policies that have perpetuated it. The kind of systemic change we need will not be easy. It requires a focused, sustained effort by all of us, in solidarity with and spearheaded by people of color." We are grateful to Congressman Huffman, who has been a strong supporter of these crucial bills. If passed, they will be significant steps forward in the fight for racial justice.

However, in a close review of the legislation introduced by the House,  the IndiMarin Steering Committee noted a lack of attention to the unique issues faced by Black women and girls and Black individuals who are not cisgender. Both of these groups face extremely high levels of discrimination and violence. We believe strongly that their respective issues and needs must receive as much focus as that of cisgender Black men and boys.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Contact Congressman Huffman via phone at (415) 258-9657 or via an email to his website. You can use this template for messaging as desired.

Let the Congressman know that you would like him to take two actions to rectify the lack of attention in the House's legislative agenda to the unique issues faced by Black women and girls, as well as by transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary Black people.

1) Offer himself as an ally with other members to establish a "Commission on the Social Status of Black Women and Girls Act" to parallel the work of the proposed "Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys Act" which was introduced by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.

2) Work together with Congresswoman Wilson and other congressional allies to add language to the bills for both Commissions indicating that issues related to transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals will be included in the review process and recommendations.

Thank you for taking action to help ensure that progress on racial justice is inclusive of all Black people no matter their gender or sexual orientation!

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SUGGESTED VIEWING RELATED TO RACIAL JUSTICE
In the award-winning documentary, "13th," filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans. This film is difficult yet essential viewing for all people engaged in the fight for racial justice. Netflix has made it available to all. Official trailer.

Happy Juneteenth to all those united in the fight for racial justice!

~ The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Susan S, Betsy, Justine and Susan M

Act to pass and fully fund CA's CRISES Act!

Today is our fourth Day of Action for Racial Justice. Thank you for your ongoing participation and support!

Take action today to support the passage and full funding of AB 2054, the Community Response Initiative to Strengthen Emergency Systems (C.R.I.S.E.S.) Act. This bill will fundamentally improve emergency responses for vulnerable populations in California by strengthening, expanding and promoting community-based responses to emergency situations. 

Currently, in California, law enforcement officers respond to emergencies that would be better addressed by community organizations with trained peer support experts, mental health providers, or crisis counselors.  As the growing conversation around police brutality and Black Lives Matter demonstrates, the presence of armed officers can unfortunately quickly escalate a crisis. In worst case scenarios, officers use force in response to a person in crisis, resulting in unnecessary and unjust deaths and serious bodily injury to those who simply need the care and support of trained professionals. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP
1)  Alliance for Boys and Men of Color has created this action to support AB 2054. Click  here to automatically email Governor Gavin Newsom, Speaker of the Assembly Anthony Rendon and the Budget Chair Assemblymember Ting.

2) Contact our assemblymember, Marc Levine, via phone at (415) 479-4920 or via an email to his website. You can use this template for messaging as desired. In an email to constituents on June 9, the Assemblymember affirmed that Black lives matter, and stated, "We are not hopeless. We can take action. We can work together to end systematic racism against African Americans and we can take action to prevent the killing of African Americans by law enforcement.....I welcome your suggestions and a respectful, open and meaningful conversation about actions we can take to ensure African Americans can live with dignity, respect and equality." Let's take him at his word.

Black Voters Matter - Day Three in IndiMarin's "Week of Action for Racial Justice"

It is Day #3 of IndiMarin's "Week of Action for Racial Justice." Thus far, we have received a tremendous response from members regarding this initiative and are inspired by the levels of participation. Thank you for being committed allies in the Black Lives Matters movement.

DAY 3 ACTION

Voter suppression is alive and well in America, as was evidenced in Georgia yesterday by appalling delays at polling locations in Black communities. Please take action today to increase the number of Americans who are ACTIVELY ENGAGED in outreach to Black voters to assist them in both registering and signing up to vote by mail. Black voices must be fairly represented in November!

At Indivisible Marin, we have been writing and calling voters in suppression states for over a year. Recently, our small, but intrepid, phonebank team made calls to Georgia in advance of yesterday's primary to help voters get registered to vote by mail. More callers = more calls  = more votes by people of color. Let's grow our numbers!

HOW YOU CAN HELP
1) Invite one or more like-minded friends in Marin to attend our Virtual Open House this Saturday, 6/13 from 11 AM - 12 PM. Then, continue to mentor your friends as they get started with voter outreach work. You can use this template to email friends as desired.

2) Donate $10 or to Black Voters Matter. It describes its mission as follows: "Our goal to increase power in our communicates. Effective voting allows a community to determine its own destiny." 

____________________________________

SUGGESTED READING RELATED TO BLACK VOTERS MATTER6/9 - NYT - ‘I Refuse Not to Be Heard’: Georgia in Uproar Over Voting Meltdown
6/9 - CNN - Voter registration grows amid ongoing protests
6/3 - NYT - Historic Wins for Women of Color as Nation Protests Systemic Racism
6/3 - NYT -Black Voters Are Coming For Trump

Thank you for stepping up to the moment. Keep watch for the Day 4 Action tomorrow!

In Solidarity,
The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Susan S, Betsy, Justine and Susan M

Day Two in IndiMarin's Week of Action for Racial Justice - Demand Justice For Breonna Taylor!

It is Day #2 of IndiMarin's Week of Action for Racial Justice. Throughout the week, we will send you a concrete action that you can take each day to support the goals of the Black Lives Matter movement. Some actions, like yesterday's, will involve contacting elected officials at the local, state and federal level. Others, like today's, will involve ways for us, as individuals, to learn, better empathize, and become stronger allies in the movement.

DAY 2 ACTION

Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman and an EMT who lived her life on the frontlines as an essential worker, was shot to death while asleep in her home in Louisville, KY. Three police officers with no warrant broke down her door and took her life. Nearly three months after these officers killed her, they have faced no consequences and are still employed by the LMPD.

Indivisible Marin supports Color of Change in calling for Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer to IMMEDIATELY fire the three police officers. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

1) Sign this petition.
2) Email the Mayor's Office to demand #JusticeforBre. You can use this script if desired.

Let’s honor Breonna and hold the officers responsible for this tragedy accountable!

FURTHER BACKGROUND

Breonna's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, thought someone was burglarizing their home when the officers broke down the door unannounced. He fired his gun to defend himself. But in turn, the officers responded with a round of bullets that killed Bre. It turns out that the police were at the wrong house. There was no search warrant that gave them the right to be there in the first place. A recent lawsuit filed against the officers reveals that police were actually searching for another person more than 10 miles away, who had already been arrested that morning. An investigation by the FBI is underway regarding criminal charges.

____________________________________

SUGGESTED READING RELATED TO BLACK LIVES MATTER 6/8 - New York Times - What Would Efforts to Defund or Disband Police Departments Really Mean?
6/8 - Opinion piece in the NYT by Michelle Alexander - America, This Is Your Chance

Thank you for stepping up to the moment. Keep watch for the Day 3 Action tomorrow!

In Solidarity,
The IndiMarin Steering Committee - Laurie, Susan S, Betsy, Justine and Susan M