The 2021 Home Stretch (Part 2) - Don't Miss IndiMarin's Two Special Year-End Events!

Dear members,

What a year! Two odds-defying wins on 1/5 to give Democrats control of the US Senate. An insurrection at our Capitol on 1/6. And the roller coaster has continued!

Yet, in spite of the tumult, much has been accomplished to advance the Democratic agenda. AND much has been accomplished by our wonderful IndiMarin community as we have fulfilled our mission to TAKE ACTION to build a more just, caring and inclusive America. So we have planned TWO special year-end events: one virtual to include our members near and far, and one in person so that our Marin peeps can finally gather again!

Sunday, November 7 from 4 - 5 PM PT - Via Zoom - Please join us to reflect on the year, and recognize and celebrate all that has been accomplished in 2021! We will also hear from a very special guest, Royce McLemore of the Golden Gate Village Association in Marin City. Royce will educate us about the GGV Residents Council's plan to revitalize this historic apartment complex which has deteriorated under the Marin Housing Authority's ‘demolition by neglect’ approach over the past ten years. This concerning situation close to home is an opportunity for us to act upon the values which guide us. In advance of the meeting, we encourage you to watch the video of a recent panel discussion, “Standing for Housing Justice in Marin City” which features Royce and other experts on this issue. Please invite your friends as a way to introduce them to our work at IndiMarin. More people = more power! SIGN UP FOR OUR NOVEMBER SPECIAL MEETING!

Wednesday, December 15 from 5 - 7 PM at Trek Winery in Novato - We missed our annual holiday party last year due to COVID. So we're doing this one up in style to thank you - our fabulous members - for TWO years of dedication and hard work to elect Biden/Harris, take back the Senate, fight for voting rights, keep California blue, and much more!

A generous grant from Indivisible National to encourage chapter gatherings is enabling us to offer a great venue and a delicious assortment of oven fired pizzas. The wine's on us:) 🍕 🍷

We hope you'll join us to celebrate these past two years of commitment by, and camaraderie with, a group of like-minded people committed to the same goal - taking action for good. SIGN UP FOR OUR HOLIDAY PARTY AT TREK WINERY!

Ya'll rock! Hope to see you soon!

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

“The world of the future is in our making." - Eleanor Roosevelt

The 2021 Home Stretch (Part 1) - "What We Did The Last Time We Broke America"

Dear members,

It was another nail-biter of a week in Washington, and we are still waiting for the fat lady to sing. Will Dems finally get both the hard and soft infrastructure bills passed? Will we pull off the crucial victories needed to keep the key state of Virginia blue? Will we then have the necessary political will to alter the filibuster so that we can pass crucial voting rights legislation? Here at IndiMarin, we are keeping hope alive on all counts! But...it's not over till it's over, and the process continues to be nerve wracking to say the least.

In the meantime, we found comfort in this timely and inspiring NYT opinion piece, "What We Did the Last Time We Broke America," by Dr. Jon Grinspan, curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. In the opening paragraph, Grinspan asks, as many of us have been asking ourselves these last five years, "What happened to normal politics?" He adds, "I’ve spent the past five years commuting between two centuries, trying to find out...Again and again, 21st-century Americans wonder at a democracy that looks nothing like the one they grew up with."

Then, here's the comforting part:

"We’re not the first generation to worry about the death of our democracy. Grappling with this demanding system of government is, well, normal. It’s partly because we’re following the unusually calmed 20th century that we don’t feel up to the task today. Our deep history shows that reform is possible, that previous generations identified flaws in their politics and made deliberate changes to correct them. We’re not just helplessly hurtling toward inevitable civil war; we can be actors in this story. The first step is acknowledging the dangers inherent in democracy. To move forward, we should look backward and see that we’re struggling not with a collapse but with a relapse."

So, keep the faith. We can and will be actors in this story. Tune in tomorrow for The Home Stretch (Part 2) - Reflect, Recognize, Rest (yay!) and Resolve. *** Spoiler Alert: Save the dates of Sunday, 11/7 at 4 PM and Sunday, 12/5 at 5 PM for two special year-end events for our wonderful IndiMarin community. More tomorrow!

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

"I know a lot of people are tired of politics right now. What is required is sustained effort. ... We can't afford to be tired." ~ Barack Obama, October 23, 2021

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A huge step forward! Biden publicly supports filibuster reform

Dear Members,

President Biden made his most expansive comments yet on the Senate filibuster during the CNN town hall, expressing openness to Democrats modifying or even ending the procedure. “We’re going to have to move to the point where we fundamentally alter the filibuster,” he said. Later, when he was asked if he was open to ending the filibuster for voting rights, Biden responded: “And maybe more.” We’re not yet across the finish line, but with Biden behind filibuster reform, there is much reason to be hopeful.

We'd like to take this moment to thank all of you for everything you’ve done to lead us to this point. In spite of the media's profit-motivated tendency to focus on negative news out of Washington, let's keep in mind that under the Biden Administration, there have ALREADY been significant policy reforms that are improving the lives of countless Americans, with many more to come. These improvements are a direct result of the work volunteers like us did to elect Joe Biden and regain the Senate majority.

We at IndiMarin will continue to work to build a more just, caring and inclusive America. We are honored that each of you has joined us in this crucial fight for our country and its people.

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

On To Virginia!

Just as we defended successfully defended California, we must again act quickly act to stop a Trump Republican take over in Virginia! Control of the Governor’s office and the State Legislature are at stake, and the outcomes are too close to call. If Dems are able to hold on to our trifecta in Virginia, it will fuel our momentum heading into 2022 and increase our chances of holding on to our trifecta in Washington as well.

IndiMarin is partnering with a range of allied organizations to offer four great ways for our members to take action:

1) Make Calls to Keep Virginia Blue
Together with Bay Area partners, IndiMarin is hosting phone banks on Wednesdays and Saturdays through Election Day, November 2. Experienced coaches will train you and brief you on the background so you can connect effectively with voters. Sign up here.

2) Send Texts to Keep Virginia Blue
The DNC has recently launched a new initiative, "Organize Everywhere" and its first area of focus is texting for Virginia. Our Texting Team leaders have checked out the program and are having very positive results! Sign up here.

3) Write letters to keep Virginia Blue - MAILING DEADLINE is 10/16
New research announced by Vote Forward and covered by TIME shows that letter writing in 2020 was among the highest-impact and most effective voter turnout programs ever measured in a presidential election. Sign up here.

4) Write postcards to keep Virginia Blue - MAILING DEADLINE IS 10/18
We are currently writing to people of color in Virginia with Center for Common Ground. Request addresses here.

Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight to protect our democracy and build a more just, caring and inclusive America!

California Proud - When we organize, we win!

Once again, California leads the way for the nation. In an election widely seen as an indicator of Democrats' momentum heading into 2022, Californians delivered a powerful repudiation of Trumpism. With some 9.1 million ballots counted thus far — 64% of voters opted to keep Newsom in office, compared to 36% who wanted to recall him, according to a CalMatters live tracker of election results.

Members of IndiMarin, along with volunteers led by the California Democratic Party, union workers, and members of many other grassroots citizen action groups, rose to meet this crucial moment. For every one of you who wrote a postcard, made a phone call, sent a text message, knocked on a door, and/or gave a dollar, thank you! YOU made this victory possible!

The inspiring speech our governor delivered last night will guide and motivate us as we look toward 2022. “We said yes to science. We said yes to vaccines. We said yes to ending this pandemic. We said yes to all those things that we hold dear as Californians and I would argue as Americans. Economic justice, social justice, racial justice, environmental justice are the values where California has made so much progress — all of those things were on the ballot this evening.” He closed with a quote from his political hero, Robert Kennedy. "Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”

Now, we at IndiMarin will resume our work to ensure passage of the Freedom to Vote Act, formerly the For the People Act. After many setbacks, this crucial legislation is within our grasp. But only if citizen advocates keep up the drumbeat with our elected officials. Please sign up to join us on Friday at noon for "An Hour of Action for Filibuster Reform," and also sign up for instructions and scripts to "Contact Senator Feinstein to Ask that She Call for a Carve Out to the Filibuster to Pass Voting Rights Legislation."

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being citizens who take action. We are proud to work alongside you. Onward in the fight!

SCOTUS Gut Punch to Roe v Wade - Take immediate action to help women in Texas

Dear members,

The gut punches keep coming this year. Yesterday, in the dead of night, the Supreme Court turned its back on 50 years of precedent, rendering Roe v. Wade effectively meaningless in Texas.

  • This decision is a travesty for the nearly 7 million women of reproductive age in Texas, and everyone who supports access to safe, legal abortion.

  • Many people do not know that they’re pregnant at six weeks. Approximately 85% to 90% of people who obtain abortions in Texas are at least six weeks into pregnancy, meaning this law would prohibit nearly all abortions in the state.

  • Many Black, Latino and Indigenous people, those with low incomes, and people in rural areas will face the greatest barriers to abortion access.

  • S.B. 8 empowers vigilante bounty hunters and incentivizes them to surveil and harass people. This unprecedented “sue thy neighbor” law means people who help or intend to help someone get an abortion after six weeks in Texas could be sued by a neighbor, distant relative, abusive partner, or even a stranger from out of state — and those people could collect $10,000 for each successful claim.

This is the loudest alarm yet that abortion rights are in grave danger, in Texas and across the country.  While this bill is extreme, make no mistake - it is part of a national agenda to end access to abortion in this country.

We at IndiMarin are strongly committed to the fight for reproductive rights and will be staying in close touch with national allies regarding the best ways that we can be part of a unified fight to protect Roe v Wade. We will keep you apprised of ways engage in this work in the weeks and months ahead. STAY TUNED FOR WAYS TO HELP!

In the meantime, please review this list below, courtesy of our allies at Indivisible SF, of ways you can offer immediate help to women in Texas:

- Help providers in Texas prepare for an onslaught of lawsuits as they fight to keep their doors open, as well as providers in surrounding states who will have to expand their ability to serve patients as people travel from Texas to get care.

- Support abortion funds, which help people afford care and related expenses like childcare and travel. Funds in Texas will now need to budget for lawsuit defense as well as helping more people travel longer distances, while funds in other states will need to step in to backstop them.

Thank you for being warrior in the fight to protect a woman's right to choose, which is a key tenet in IndiMarin's mission to help build a more just, caring and inclusive America.

Stay strong, stay loud,

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

"Hear me as a woman, Have me as your sister, On purpled battlefield breaking day, So I might say our victory is just beginning, See me as change, Say I am movement, That I am the year. And I am the era Of the women." ~ Amanda Gorman from Won’t You Be My Sister, 2018

How to volunteer to Stop the Recall

Our amazingly dedicated Team Leaders have been working their hearts out so that IndiMarin can offer YOU a broad range of options to help stop the Recall. We are excited to be working with a range of allied partners including the CA Democratic Party, Governor Newsom's Stop the Recall Campaign, and CA Indivisible chapters across the statewide in this unified effort to keep CA blue!

Please sign up for any, many, or all of these upcoming events:

Let's keep California blue!

Too close for comfort! - Please help STOP THE RECALL with IndiMarin!

On September 14th, Californians will go to the polls to decide whether or not to recall our governor, Gavin Newsom. Mail in voting begins on August 17, a mere 18 days away, and in person early voting begins September 4th.

Things are looking increasingly dicey for the governor. A poll released on Tuesday found that 47% of likely voters would recall Newsom on 9/14, compared to 50% who would keep him in office — a difference just shy of the poll’s margin of error. The near-even split hinges on the category “likely voters”: Although California has nearly twice as many registered Democrats as it does Republicans, the poll found a whopping 87% of GOP voters are highly interested in the recall, compared to just 58% of Democrats and 53% of no party preference voters.  It is essential that we mobilize more Democratic voters and ensure that they vote.

Join us, and other allied groups, in a massive GOTV (Get Out the Vote) effort with a short and clear message: VOTE NO ON THE RECALL!  There are MANY ways to help - writing postcards, making calls, texting and door-knocking. Click here to join IndiMarin's STOP THE RECALL Team! By doing so, you will be kept in the loop on the evolving range of opportunities to help.

Please also join us for IndiMarin's STOP THE RECALL Action Day on Sunday, August 8 at 4 PM. It promises to be a great way to enjoy an ice cold lemonade or a glass of wine outdoors, chat with other members, and do some good all at the same time! We'll be writing postcards and updating you on additional ways to help. Please consider bringing a friend. RSVP here.

Thank you. Let's keep California BLUE!

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

Take just 30 seconds (really) for democracy

Dear Members,

We don't tend to share petitions as they are often a tactic by organizations to build their email list. But this petition relates to an emergency for our country. And it takes just a second to unsubscribe if you are added to a list.

Here's the deal: If we don't pass the For the People Act by the end of August, Democrats almost certainly lose control of our government for the next decade. Really. And if Dems lose control, all of the causes for which we are fighting - voting rights, racial and economic justice, the existential climate crisis and more - are dead in the water. Our democracy will become an autocracy led by overt or latent white supremacists. SIGN THE PETITION HERE.

If you can spare any more time and are not currently active in our work at Indivisible Marin, please jump back in and get involved in any of the programs below to help pass the For the People Act. This bill is crucial to stopping this dangerous trend toward autocracy in its tracks!

Become an IndiMarin Phonebanker OR if you've already called with us, sign up for a shift.

Become an IndiMarin Writer OR if you've already written with us, order more addresses.

Become an IndiMarin Texter OR, if you've already texted, sign up for one of many shifts.

Check our calendar page for further option to help pass the For the People Act.

Together, we can save our democracy!

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

"When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself." ~ John Lewis

DON'T MISS - Two key events this weekend!

Dear members,

American democracy is at a critical moment. It has been six months since the insurrection at our Capitol. Anti-voter laws are running rampant nationwide. Recent Supreme Court rulings undermine voting rights and limit states ability to require large donors to disclose their campaign contributions. And further partisan gerrymandering threatens the fairness of our elections for the next decade.

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Please join with members of the Marin community at Corte Madera Town Park this Saturday, July 17, from 7:30 - 8:30 PM for a “Good Trouble Vigil for Democracy.” Saturday is the one year mark of the passing of Congressman John Lewis. Candlelight vigils honoring John Lewis’ legacy will take place on Saturday across the country to call attention to the urgent need for Congress to pass the “For The People” Voting Rights Act before their August recess. Please RSVP here so that you will receive real time updates on all details and so organizers are able to anticipate the potential crowd size.

The vigil will be hosted locally by Democracy Action Marin, Indivisible Marin, and Indivisible Sausalito. Together, we will honor his legacy with candles and music, hearing from local leaders, and raising our voices to tell Congress that the American people are showing up to demand a democracy for the people! Please invite your friends and family and spread the word on social media. Our democracy is at stake!

On a lighter note, please join IndiMarin on Sunday, July 18 at 4 PM for our TOGETHER AGAIN Backyard Social. After 15 months of remote teamwork, it will be very special to mingle, reconnect and socialize with our wonderful community. Many of us will have our first "real-world" meetings with people we've zoomed with for the last year! There will be opportunities to chat with our Team Leaders and stop by information tables to learn more about our current programs. But, most importantly of all, it will be a time to enjoy and celebrate our community of like-minded people who choose action over to help our country and its people. Assorted snacks and beverages will be provided. Friends and family members of all ages are welcome! Sign up here.

Thank you for all you do to help protect our democracy and build a create a more just, caring and inclusive America!

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

Together Again

The last time IndiMarin members met in person was on March 8, 2020. Now, 564 days later, we will be TOGETHER AGAIN! We hope you will join us for this very special event to mingle, reconnect and socialize with our wonderful community. Many of us will have our first "real-world" meetings with people we've zoomed with for the last year! Assorted snacks and beverages provided. Sign up here.

There will be opportunities to meet our Team Leaders and stop by information tables to learn more about our current programs. But, most importantly of all, it will be a time to enjoy and celebrate our community of like-minded people who reject complacency and choose action to help our country and its people. Friends and family members of all ages are welcome!

Second, the urgent part:

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Please send Senator Feinstein a personal note via US mail this week. We've been told by staffers that she often reads handwritten notes from constituents. A postcard, notecard, stationary or a piece of printer paper all work fine.

Yesterday was the first day of Deadline for Democracy, a cross-movement mobilization during the July Congressional Recess to demand that lawmakers act urgently to defend democracy and pass the For the People Act by the end August. While Senator Padilla has been a vocal advocate for filibuster reform, Senator Feinstein has backpedaled on her earlier indications of open-mindedness. On June 10th, she were quoted in Forbes as stating, “If democracy were in jeopardy, I would want to protect it,” but “I don’t see it being in jeopardy right now." When asked if there are any filibuster reforms she would support,  she said, "I'm going to have to take a look. Right now nothing comes to mind."

Short messages in your own words are most impactful and a direct yet respectful tone is encouraged. Send a postcard, notecard or letter to One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104. Calls and emails are great too. Let's make sure that she understands how passionate her constituents are on this issue!

Extra credit:
Visit the calendar page on our website for a range of ways that you can take action to help pass the For the People Act. We've also created this handy summary of actions you can take to support passage this crucial bill.

Thank you for all of your hard work to protect our democracy!

Countdown for Democracy: A Country in Crisis and How You Can Help

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TODAY, IndiMarin is launching a new action campaign - COUNTDOWN FOR DEMOCRACY. We hope all of our members will take part. Whether you have a few minutes a week or a few hours a week, there is something you can do to help.

The hard but real truth is that although we won a trifecta in 2020, that victory has triggered an all-out assault by the GOP to gerrymander districts and suppress access to voting, mainly by people of color. Republicans understand full well that rigging elections is their only chance to take back control of our government. If they are successful, electoral college results could be overturned. We will lose our majorities in Congress and gerrymandered districts will make it impossible to regain them for the next decade or longer.

We, as individuals, have power to prevent this unthinkable outcome by taking action to help Democrats in Congress pass the For the People Act. This crucial bill would protect and expand voting rights, change campaign finance laws to reduce the influence of money in politics, limit partisan gerrymandering, and create new ethics rules for federal officeholders. Two thirds of Americans support this bill but without the support of key Senators and a change in filibuster rules, it will lose.

We are running out of time to get this bill passed. If we don’t pass it by the end of July, election officials won’t have time to implement its provisions before the midterm elections. This coming week, the Senate will take their first vote on the bill. Very likely Republicans will successfully filibuster it next week, and then the Senate goes on recess without moving the bill forward. When they come back in July, it’ll be a chaotic rush to get the bill passed before the end of the month!

Many Californians were stunned by Senator Feinstein’s statements reported in FORBES on July 10 stating, “If democracy were in jeopardy, I would want to protect it,” but “I don’t see it being in jeopardy right now." She also said, she wants to “wait and see what happens” with the For The People Act, and, when asked if there are any filibuster reform measures she would support, said, “I’d have to take a look. Right now, nothing comes to my mind.” She made these outrageous statements in spite of her assurances in March that she was open to changing the filibuster if needed to pass voting rights legislation.

PLEASE CONTACT HER ASAP - THE FIRST VOTE IS NEXT WEEK.

Call her SF office at (415) 393-0707.
To send an email, click here: Please modify the message below somewhat, especially the opening sentence, or else it will be flagged as spam.

Message: My name is __________ and my zip code is ____________. I am a member of Indivisible Marin. I am calling to convey to the Senator that I elected her to represent the values of democracy. In advance of this week’s vote on the For the People Act, I ask that she publicly acknowledge that our democracy is in danger and affirm that she will do everything in her power to help pass the For the People Act through all means possible, including, if necessary, through abolishing, reforming, or providing an exception to the Senate filibuster.

If you can't connect to Senator Feinstein's office today, please do as soon as possible.

EXTRA CREDIT: This weekend, please review this one page listing of a wide range of ways you can help get the For The People Act PASSED into law. This list will be updated daily as opportunities change. You will also find these same actions on our calendar page.

Our Memorial Day Message

Today, as we remember and honor the men and women who died in service to our country, let us also remember a key reason for their sacrifice - to preserve and protect our country and its democracy. And how can we best honor those we have lost? Let us honor them by continuing the fight to preserve and protect our democracy. It is in grave danger.

This message is likely not what you want to be reading on this beautiful Monday of a long weekend during which, finally, we are able to gather with friends and family. And, quite honestly, it's not what we want to be writing. We all deserve to enjoy these precious new freedoms and our lives returning to normal. So perhaps bookmark this email but please commit to reading it tomorrow, if not today,

Highlights include:
- Background and articles on the dangers and the stakes in protecting our democracy
- Ways that IndiMarin is taking action and how you can help
- Next steps for IndiMarin to gather again and foster our community

Background and articles:
To date, more than 360 bills to restrict voting access have been proposed in 47 states. These measures target and will disproportionately harm voters of color, young voters, and voters with disabilities.. If we don’t push back, state voter suppression laws with S.1, the For the People Act, we will very likely lose the House and maybe the Senate in 2022 and for the next decade. In fact, the grim reality is that if Republicans hold the House, Senate, or both, Congress could refuse to certify elections at all levels of government, even the presidency.

- Are Democrats Sleepwalking Toward Democratic Collapse
- Congress Must Pass the For the People Act
- Democrats are Running Out of Time

 

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Ways that IndiMarin is taking action and how you can help:
1) Citizen groups at the state and local level are invited to join a grassroots-led effort to influence President Biden to urgently prioritize passage of the For the People Act. Our goal is to have 500+ groups representing 500,000+ Americans from all 50 states to sign on to this letter to President Biden. If you have family or friends, who are part of an advocacy, civic, or faith group, especially in other states, please send them this link to sign on.

2) Join us to make calls to activists in key states to help pass the For the People Act. We are asking them to contact their lawmakers who will make the difference between success and failure in passage of this groundbreaking bill. Sign up here.

3) Join us to write postcards to register voters here in California and/or to write voters in California supporting midterm Congressional candidates. We must start extra early in our work for 2022. Sign up here.

Stay tuned for next steps for IndiMarin to gather again and foster our community:
Now that we are finally able to gather in-person, we are excited to bring the IndiMarin community together again! Our Member Engagement and Recruitment team is hard at work planning for a range of events including social, educational, and action-oriented. We are excited to help rejuvenate, inspire, enrich, and expand our community!  When we ask members what drew them to IndiMarin, we almost always hear that it was the people, and the inspiration they drew from working with like-minded people toward a shared cause. We look forward to sharing more with you about these plans in upcoming newsletters.


A National Voter Suppression Crisis: The Facts

Following the Democratic victories for which we worked so hard, the GOP is more determined than ever to suppress votes. In fact, 407 anti-voter bills have already been introduced this year alone!

As our country’s population becomes younger and more diverse, the GOP knows that they will no longer be able to win fair and square. Further, our razor thin majority margins in the House and Senate have motivated the GOP to begin a nationwide voter suppression movement at the state level to give them the edge in the 2022 midterms.

We must not let this happen! Working to pass the For the People Act, also known as H.R. /S. 1, will ensure that our democracy will survive. But to pass it, we must first end or modify the filibuster, an arcane and racist Senate rule that many legal scholars have deemed unconstitutional. This will not be an easy fight.

Read on for a summary from the group DemCastUSA on the current state of voter suppression in our country. Contact us for more information about how you can become involved in fighting back against this threat to our democracy!

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Today is Monday, May 17. We're tracking 2,158 voting bills that have been introduced so far this session. There are 407 anti-voter bills and 1,262 pro-voter bills, with the remainder being either neutral, mixed, or unclear in their impact. The Bad News: After weeks of legislative in-fighting, Arizona’s legislature passed a bill purging voters from the state’s very popular Permanent Early Voting List, and the governor swiftly signed it the very same day. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, the Senate passed two bills that would restrict mail voting and create felony-level crimes for voters and election officials. Criminalizing behavior by voters and election officials is a part of a larger trend this year, with 232 bills introduced that would create or expand election-related crimes. The Good News: Connecticut’s bill to end prison gerrymandering has passed each chamber and heads to the governor’s desk. In New York, voters will now decide on same day registration and no-excuse absentee, with the legislature passing bills last week that put these issues on November’s ballot. Looking Forward: This week, we’re expecting Texas to call a conference committee to reconcile the very different House and Senate versions of the anti-voter elections omnibus bill. And on Wednesday, the North Carolina Senate’s Redistricting and Elections Committee will hear a bill that would require voters to return their completed mail ballots much earlier and shorten the absentee ballot request window. Here are the details: Arizona enacts legislation to purge voters from permanent vote by mail list. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed S.B. 1485 into law last week, paving the way to purge more than 100,000 voters from the state’s extremely popular Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL). Over three million Arizona voters (and 73% of those who voted in the 2020 election) are enrolled in PEVL. The new law will remove voters from the list if they fail to vote using a mail ballot in two consecutive election cycles — and will rename it the “active early voting list.” New York takes election reform bills to the voters. New York passed bills last week that propose constitutional amendments to allow same day registration and no-excuse absentee voting. This was the last step to get these measures on the ballot in November. If the voters ratify each of them, the state constitution will be amended so that it no longer prohibits these common-sense policies. Oklahoma simultaneously expands early voting and restricts vote by mail. On Tuesday, Oklahoma enacted a bill that adds a day of early voting for even year general elections. However, the legislation also significantly shortens the window a voter has to apply for a mail ballot — moving the deadline from the Tuesday before Election Day to the third Monday before Election Day. Wisconsin’s legislature advances bills to restrict mail voting. In Wisconsin, the Senate passed two anti-voter bills last week. One would severely restrict drop box availability, create a new felony-level crime for people who help others return their ballot, and prohibit “Democracy in the Park”-type events where voters safely and securely drop off absentee ballots. (One event in Madison last year collected nearly 11,000 ballots.) The other bill would threaten election officials with a number of felony-level crimes. These bills now head to the Assembly. Meanwhile, the state Assembly passed a bill to restrict the ability of elections officials to use private grant money to smoothly run elections. That bill now heads to the Senate. Connecticut moves closer to ending prison gerrymandering and allowing no-excuse absentee voting. A bill that would end prison gerrymandering heads to the governor’s desk after passing the Connecticut House on Wednesday. The House also passed a resolution to amend the constitution to allow no-excuse absentee voting, by a vote of 104 to 44. Because it passed with just under 75% support, it will not reach the ballot in 2022. It will be on the ballot in 2024 if the state Senate passes the resolution this session and both chambers pass it by a simple majority in 2023. Texas moves forward with new felony election crime; conference committee on anti-voter omnibus bill expected this week. In Texas, the Senate passed a House bill that would create a second degree felony for counting invalid votes or not counting valid votes. An amendment on Wednesday improved the bill by adding the requirement that the violation be “knowing.” The bill, which started in the House, returns now to the House for concurrence. This week, we expect Texas to call a conference committee to reconcile the House and Senate versions of their anti-voter elections omnibus bill. Mail voting restrictions are expected to be heard in North Carolina this week. On Wednesday this week, North Carolina’s Senate Redistricting and Elections Committee will hear S.B. 326, a bill which will require all absentee ballots to be received by 5 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Current law requires absentee ballots to be postmarked by Election Day and received within three days after Election Day. The bill would also shorten the mail ballot request period by a full week.

May Membership Meeting: A Conversation with Changemaker Heather Booth

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Many people are talking about an insightful article that ran recently in the New York Times titled, "There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing." The concept of languishing seems to have touched a chord with many people as we start to make the transition from what has been an extraordinarily challenging and draining time period - starting with the election of Donald Trump, and then exponentially exacerbated by an unprecedented pandemic. We pushed through in 2020, running mainly on adrenaline due to the urgency of unseating Trump, but now many of us feel spent. 

For a large dose of inspiration and empowerment, please join us this Sunday, May 2 at 5 PM for a very special program, "A Conversation with Changemaker Heather Booth." Sign up here. 

We are honored to have this groundbreaking activist and organizer join us to share her perspectives on citizen activism. She is a passionate speaker and will most certainly inspire us all!

Heather began her remarkable career at the height of the Civil Rights movement and was a leader in the most pivotal moments in progressive movements that altered our history over the last fifty years: from her founding of the JANE Underground in 1964, to her involvement with Fannie Lou Hamer and the Freedom Summer Project, to her personal connections with leaders from Julian Bond and Senator Elizabeth Warren. She is the subject of an excellent documentary, "Heather Booth: Changing the World" which is available to stream on both Amazon Prime and Vimeo. Here is a trailer.

We hope you will sign up to join us on Sunday!

URGENT - All hands on deck!

Dear members,

In 2020, citizen activists had two primary missions on which we were intensely focused: kicking Donald Trump out of the White House, and taking back the U.S. Senate. With blood, sweat and tears, we accomplished both. Now, we have a primary mission that is arguably as important - passing and implementing the For The People Act (often referred to by its bill numbers in the House and Senate respectively: H.R. 1 and S. 1.)

If this comprehensive legislation to strengthen and reform our democracy does not pass by the end of May, it is highly likely that Democrats will lose control of the House in 2022 and potentially for the next decade. To pass the bill, we must end or reform the filibuster - no easy task given the current positions of some key Senate Democrats.

The reasons behind the above assertions are somewhat complex, so we've outlined them as concisely as possible in this one-page backgrounder, "Why Democrats Must Urgently Pass the For the People Act." Passage of this bill will be the primary focus of IndiMarin until we are successful. We hope that our members will show up to contribute to this mission with the same level of passion and intensity as you did in 2020.

WAYS TO TAKE ACTION:

LEARN MORE - Tomorrow, 3/31, at 5 PM - Webinar with bill sponsor, Senator Merkley
Special activist webinar to discuss what's next, and how you can help advance this transformative piece of legislation. You'll also hear a special message from our own CA Senator, Alex Padilla. Sign up here.

SHOW UP - Monday, April 5 at noon - Rally at Senator Feinstein's SF office

Meet at McKesson Plaza, One Post Street, San Francisco. Rallies are being held simultaneously at all of her California district offices. Please bring signs. Make your own or download graphics here. Please wear masks and socially distance. If you can't attend, CALL Senator Feinstein's office at (415) 393-0707 on the day of the rally and ask her to not let Republicans block the For the People Act! Sign up here.

BE STRATEGIC - Wednesdays at 3 PM and Sundays at noon - IndiMarin Phonebanks
Join us in calling voters in Arizona to urge them to ask Senator Sinema to eliminate the filibuster. Sinema is one of the key Senate holdouts and could derail the bill unless convinced to support ending or reforming the filibuster. No worries if you've never phonebanked before! Our fabulous team of mentors will have you up and running in no time! Sign up here.

STAY INSPIRED: Tuesday, 4/20 at 5:30 PM - IndiMarin Happy Hour Discussion Group
Watch the documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble, an intimate account of legendary U.S. Representative John Lewis’ life, legacy and more than 60 years of extraordinary activism. He spent decades fighting for civil rights and specifically made voting rights a key part of his advocacy — so much so that he risked his life to enfranchise voters time and again. The film streams on Hulu which offers a free trial period. Then join with other IndiMarin members to discuss the film on Tuesday, 4/20 at 5:30 PM. Sign up here.

PLEASE STAY ACTIVE IN THE FIGHT. OUR WORK IS NOT DONE!

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

"Because being American is more that a pride we inherit, it's the past we step into and how we repair it." ~ Amanda Gorman


Yo, Dems…Ya snooze, ya lose!

Dear Members,

We're tired, right? We worked out hearts out in 2020...in the midst of a pandemic, no less. We need a break. Seems fair.

The only catch is that the GOP is not taking a break. In fact, they are already working full tilt to enact egregious new voter suppression laws across the country. Their first target is Georgia, a state which cost them the Senate and where (surprise, surprise) a lot of Black folks live. To understand the stakes, and the urgency, watch this segment of the Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He nails it, as usual. There are further details in this article in NPR today.

Fighting these extremely restrictive proposed bills is urgent and time-sensitive. Not only are voting rights the foundation of our democracy, but we could lose Warnock's seat in 2022 if these bills become law.

IndiMarin is making calls to Georgians asking that they contact their state representatives to express opposition to these outrageous bills. The calls are easy and pleasant. Training and support is provided. PLEASE JOIN US on Sunday at 12 PM and every Wednesday and Sunday thereafter. Sign up for all shifts here. You can also make calls on your own. Email us for details at info@indivisiblemarin.org.

In addition to fighting these voter suppression laws at the state level, we are working urgently to help pass the For the People Act, a once-in-a-generation package of proven reforms that would:

- Expand and protect voting rights and access to the ballot;
- Put ordinary Americans ahead of Big Money donors;
- End gerrymandering so that electoral districts are fairly drawn; and
- Clean up government and hold elected officials to the highest ethical standards.

This bill would transform our political system into one that is more inclusive, responsive, and representative of the American people.

To learn more about this bill, and the strategy for helping to pass it, we are pleased to be offering a dedicated Q&A session with Dan Krimm, our policy advisor. Details below.

Given the stakes, and the work that must be done to capitalize on our electoral wins in 2020 with legislative wins in 2021, please consider taking the IndiMarin 2021 pledge to commit to do an average of at least 4 hours of work a month on this crucial work. Click here to take the pledge.

Policy Q&A: The Urgency of Passing the For the People Act - Friday, 2/26 at 6:30 PM
Join IndiMarin and our key policy advisor for a deep dive into some of the reasons why the "For the People Act" is such a critical piece of legislation, and what it will take get it passed, including eliminating the filibuster. Questions sent in advance to info@indivisblemarin.org help us better prepare, but can be asked live as well. Sign up here.

Introduction to Texting - Tuesday, March 2 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Join our Texting Team to hear about 2021 texting opportunities for experienced and brand new texters!  If you have been curious about texting, this is a perfect time to get started and develop texting skills ahead of the 2022 midterms! Sign up here.

Make Calls to Fight Voter Suppression - Wednesdays at 3 PM and Sundays at 12 PM
Join us at our guided phonebanks to help stop newly-proposed voter suppression laws in Georgia. We're calling Georgian seniors of color who voted by mail in the Senate runoffs and asking them to call their state senators to voice opposition to the laws. We're speaking to very friendly and engaged voters! Training, support and camaraderie all provided. Come give it a try! Sign up here.

Write For Democracy - Thursdays from 1 - 2:30 PM
Our virtual writing events are a great opportunity to discuss current events and socialize with other members of IndiMarin. We begin by discussing our current campaign writing to Democratic constituents in districts whose Republican representative voted against certification of the presidential election and encourage them to vote this MOC out in 2022. Our postcarding coordinators are on hand to answer any questions. Sign up here.

IndiMarin Happy Hour Discussion Group Series - Tuesday, March 16, 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Join us for the 2nd event in IndiMarin’s new Discussion Group Series! We will be discussing the film "Dolores," an inspiring documentary about Dolores Huerta, a partner in co-founding the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez, Dolores tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice alongside Chavez. Watch the trailer here. Participants will watch the film in advance and then join us for an informal discussion to share their impressions about the film. The film can be streamed via Amazon Prime. Feel free to bring your beverage of choice:) Sign up here.

What's Happening in 2021!

Hopefully, you had a chance to catch your breath a bit over the last six weeks from our work as citizen activists. This year is already shaping up to be very busy as we seek to maximize the legislative benefits of our hard-won and infrequent Democratic trifecta, as well as begin to lay the groundwork for the crucial 2022 midterms. There is no time to spare since the GOP is already hard at work to accelerate their voter suppression and gerrymandering agenda. The Senate's soul-crushing, albeit unsurprising, acquittal verdict must only intensify our resolve. We will discuss IndiMarin's current plans for action at our membership meeting on Sunday. Details below.

On a related note, we need your help to plan programming for 2021 that meets the wishes and priorities of our membership. If you haven't already done so, will you please join with over 100 members in filling out our 2021 Membership Survey?  Please take five minutes to complete the survey so that we can better plan programs that matter to you.

Please also peruse the list of events below and sign up for all those that interest you.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Happy Hour Discussion Group Series - Tuesday, 2/16 at 5:30 PM - Sign up here.
To kick off the series, we'll be discussing Stacy Abrams' documentary film, “ALL IN: The Fight for Democracy." Feel free to bring your beverage of choice. 🍷

IndiMarin Membership Meeting - Sunday, 2/21 at 4 PM - Sign up here.
Join us to kick off a new year of activism with a short video presentation by Indivisible National co-founder Leah Greenberg. She makes a compelling argument for why Dems need to go "big and bold" in the first year of the Biden-Harris Administration. We'll then outline IndiMarin's focus as part of this strategy, followed by a Q&A session with our in-house policy advisor, Dan Krimm. Dan will field members' questions related to priority legislation, such as the For the People Act (H.R. 1/S. 1) and the related need to eliminate the filibuster. The agenda will also include an overview of the membership survey results, new programs, and optional breakout discussion groups from 5 - 5:30 PM.

Town Hall with Senator Alex Padilla - Wednesday, 2/17 at 5 PM - Sign up here.
A coalition of California Indivisible groups, including IndiMarin, asked Senator Padilla to hold a Town Hall during this week's Congressional recess. He will speak about his priorities and field pre-submitted questions.

March Against Proposed Mega Gas Station in Marin - Sat., 2/20 at 1 PM - Sign up here.
Marin residents are invited to rally and march against the proposed 28-pump gas station at Costco in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Plaza in Novato. Sponsoring groups include 350 Bay Area, 350 Marin, Sustainable Novato, and Green Novato. IndiMarin fully supports this effort. Participant should gather at 108 Rowland Boulevard, the Rowland Boulevard Park & Ride. After a march to Costco, organizers will hold a brief rally with calls to action in front of the threatened wetlands. Please share this information with your networks and sign up at the link above so that the organizers can better plan for the event.

Three time-sensitive local actions


Dear members,

We are flagging three important and time-sensitive local actions in this newsletter:

- Support for COVID-relief for impacted Marin residents - Deadline is tomorrow
- Register to vote for CA Assembly District Delegates - Deadline is tomorrow
- Attend Congressman Huffman's Virtual Town Hall - Tuesday at 4 PM

Support COVID relief for residents of Marin County

With the federal government in gridlock over COVID relief, local action is crucial to help impacted members of our community. Please join a county-wide campaign, led by Canal Alliance, Community Action Marin and Legal Aid of Marin. Their recommended initiative will benefit all low-income families and essential workers in the County. Please take this action to email your elected representatives and ask them to support a rent freeze and an extension to the eviction moratorium. Depending on your zip code, the letter will be sent to the City Council of your city and to the County Supervisor of your district. Click here to take action.

Register to vote in the 2021 CA Democratic Party ADEM Election

The ADEM election for California Democratic Party delegates is in progress and the deadline to register for a vote-by-mail ballot is TOMORROW, January 11 by 11:59 PM.

California Democratic District Delegates are responsible for helping to shape the Party's platform. After you register, you will receive a ballot in the mail which must be received before Wednesday, January 27th. You can read candidate statements here.

IndiMarin is not making endorsements for delegates with one exception. We do strongly support the candidacy of Susan Bolle. Susan has been a crucial strategic advisor to IndiMarin in our electoral work since the 2018 midterm elections. She is a grassroots organizer who is passionate about voting rights and winning elections for Democrats up and down the ballot. and has dedicated the last five years to leading volunteers to call, text and canvass voters all over the country to win elections.

Attend Congressman Huffman's Virtual Town Hall

Congressman Jared Huffman has invited all constituents to join him for a virtual town hall this Tuesday, January 12 at 4 PM.

The Congressman will respond to questions and provide a report on this week’s assault on the Capitol and Congress during the certification of the electoral college results. Topics will include the 25th Amendment, articles of impeachment, Capitol Police readiness, holding rioters and those who incited violence accountable, as well as ways to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. The event can be streamed live via Facebook at Facebook.com/RepHuffman or at the Community Media Center of Marin. Questions can be sent to huffmanQandA@mail.house.gov.


Take Action - Ask our members of Congress to remove Trump and ensure that justice is served

Dear members,

Yesterday, we wrote you and stated that we, the IndiMarin Leadership Team, along with our many partner organizations and allies, would be following all current developments at our nation's Capitol with vigilance and that we would keep you apprised when there are constructive actions for us to take as citizens.

Today we ask that you immediately take this action to email our three congressional representatives. They have all publicly stated that they support removing Trump from office as well as taking steps to ensure justice and accountability for those complicit in yesterday's insurrection.  By way of this email we are making clear that we expect them to follow through with their early statements.

We ask that they personally and immediately take all actions at their disposal to 1) bring about the removal of Donald Trump from office, and 2) take all actions at their disposal to ensure that all those who bear any responsibility for yesterday's insurrection at our nation's Capitol, including members of Congress, face appropriate consequences for their actions.

Thank you for your commitment to protecting our democracy.

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