Note: The listing of events related to specific Democratic candidates does not represent endorsement of said candidates by Indivisible Upper East Side as a group unless such endorsement is explicitly stated. Details of events hosted by candidates and/or other organizations are provided are for informational purposes only, and any questions about the events should be directed to the organizers.
Immediately
(1) Assist Separated Immigrant Families in Texas
Attorneys, law students, paralegals, and translators who have the ability to travel should contact the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which runs a pro bono project in Texas. Click here for more information. Others can donate to the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services in Texas, and the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights. You might also consider a donation to Beto O'Rourke, who is a Texas Democrat challenging Ted Cruz for his Senate seat. On Sunday (Father's Day) O'Rourke led a protest in Tornillo, Texas, that gathered outside the tents in which immigrant children are being housed.
(2) Buy a Resistbot Tote Bag
Thanks to the free Resistbot service, it's easy to get in touch with your elected representatives daily, no matter how busy (or shy) you might be. Simply text RESIST to 50409 and the bot will walk you through the rest in about two minutes. We at Indivisible UES are always recommending Resistbot to people we know -- but how about the people we don't know? The people we walk by on the street? We asked Resistbot to design a tote bag to help us spread the word. Proceeds will help keep Resistbot free across the country. The tote bag will help you cut down on plastic-bag usage AND let people know how they can take action. There's only hours left to purchase the first run of tote bags!
Monday, June 18, 2018
Climate Action Monday Meets Pride
Calligaris Chelsea
144 W. 18th St.
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
This weekly networking event for climate activists combines "war room"-style planning, music, and fun. The central focus is contacting candidates and asking them to sign a pledge that they won't take any fossil fuel money, and to support the Federal Off Fossil Fuels Act, an ambitious climate protection bill. This week's event also has a LGBTQ Pride theme. If you prefer music-free climate action, you can join NY Renews and other organizers in picketing Governor Andrew Cuomo from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at a fundraiser taking place at the Plaza Hotel. The protestors will be calling on Cuomo to ban oil and gas projects and shift to 100 percent renewable energy.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Juneteenth Action to #FREEnewyork
Foley Square (between Centre and Worth Streets)
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
June 19, also known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day, commemorates the abolition of slavery. Today's action will demand an end to the unjust bail system in New York that keeps legally innocent people (mostly people of color) behind bars and coerces guilty pleas. If you are unfamiliar with the issue, read the New Yorker's powerful stories about Kalief Browder, who, after being arrested at age 16 for alleged theft, spent three years in Rikers without being convicted of a crime.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
NO IDC Fundraiser
Bar Nine
807 9th Ave (between 53rd and 54th Streets)
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
At our monthly meetings, we've spoken about the Independent Democratic Conference or IDC -- the eight New York State senators who run as Democrats but vote with Republicans, preventing progressive legislation from passing. No IDC NY and Hope From Hell's Kitchen Indivisible are hosting a fundraiser for two anti-IDC candidates: Robert Jackson, who is running against IDC member Marisol Alcantara on the West Side of Manhattan, and Jessica Ramos, who is running against IDC member Jose Peralta in Queens. Tickets start at $25. You can also make a donation of any size.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Bikes Against Deportation
Varick and Houston Streets
5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Like to bike? Bring your wheels to this ride for sanctuary, which takes place the third Thursday of every month. This one has an LGBTQ Pride theme. As activist group New Sanctuary Coalition says, "Roughly one million immigrants living in the U.S. came here to express their sexual freedom and live and love without persecution. It is estimated at least 1/3 of them are undocumented" and deporting gay or trans people can be the equivalent of a death sentence. The ride is also in memory of Roxana Hernandez, a trans woman from Honduras who died of complications from AIDS in ICE custody in May.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Get Ready for Tuesday's Primary
If you attended last week's monthly meeting and heard the stellar presentation by Ben Yee -- Secretary of the New York County Democratic Party and State Committeeman for New York's 66th Assembly District -- you learned that one of the most important things you can do is vote in primaries. Change at the national level isn't possible without engagement at the local level. Get to know the candidates for the Democratic primary on Tuesday, June 26. The Four Freedoms Democratic Club has a list of its endorsements here, with links to candidate's websites. Read up! And if you missed Ben's Politics 101 presentation, we will have some video available shortly.
-- Newsletter #67, written by Wendy Brandes, Indivisible UES exec committee member
Disclaimer: By choosing to attend any events listed herein, I acknowledge the risks involved, and that I agree to participate non-violently and in accordance with the law. During some events, acts of civil disobedience may be initiated by individual participants. I acknowledge and agree that Indivisible Upper East Side is not responsible for any such acts of individual participants which are unlawful, nor is Indivisible Upper East Side soliciting my participation in any such activity. I agree that I am solely responsible for any decision to participate in any acts of civil disobedience and any consequences, legal or otherwise, that may result from that decision.